2016 Curo Symposium Program & Abstracts Classic Center | Athens, Georgia April 4 – 5 the University of Georgia Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities

THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities

2016 CURO SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM & ABSTRACTS CLASSIC CENTER | ATHENS, GEORGIA APRIL 4 – 5 THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CENTER FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

2016

Symposium

Program and Abstracts

CURO Office 203 Moore College The University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 (706) 542-5871

curo.uga.edu

Symposium chair: Dr. Martin Rogers, Associate Director of CURO & Honors

Book of abstracts: Jami Gilstrap, Program Coordinator, CURO

Cover design: Sam Pittard, UGA Printing

Edited and proofread by: Jami Gilstrap, Rebecca Carter, Maria de Rocher, Krysten Lewis, Adrienne Mack, Elizabeth Hughes Sears, Heather Smith, Melissa Whatley

Published by: Honors Program, the University of Georgia

Printed by: Central Duplicating, the University of Georgia 2016 CURO and the Honors Program

Table of Contents

Welcome from Director and Associate Director ...... 1

Acknowledgements ...... 2

2016 CURO Symposium Schedule ...... 3

2016 CURO Research Mentoring Awards ...... 4

2016 CURO Symposium Best Paper Awards ...... 8

2016 CURO Symposium Program, Monday, April 4 ...... 9

2016 CURO Symposium Program, Tuesday, April 5 ...... 29

2016 CURO Symposium Abstracts...... 35

Index of Presenters and Faculty Mentors ...... 202

iii

April 4, 2016

Dear Students, Faculty, and Guests,

Welcome to the 16th annual CURO Symposium, UGA’s celebration of undergraduate research across the disciplines. Many individuals—administrators, faculty members, staff, graduate students, and, of course, undergraduate students—have collaborated to make the CURO Symposium the premier undergraduate academic event at UGA.

Each year, the Symposium has grown larger, and the 2016 Symposium is the largest to date with 408 undergraduate researchers communicating their substantial accomplishments to their peers, mentors, and the public at large.

From its inception, the CURO Symposium has showcased research and scholarship in all disciplines. The 2016 Symposium continues that commitment, featuring presenters pursuing 85 different majors from 14 schools and colleges who are conducting research with 248 faculty members from 69 departments. This two-day event displays UGA’s broad and substantial support of research and the invaluable commitment of UGA’s administration and faculty to providing exceptional learning opportunities for our undergraduates.

Thank you for your continued support of undergraduate research and CURO.

Sincerely,

Dr. David S. Williams, ’79, ’82 Dr. Martin P. Rogers, ’01, ’11 Associate Provost and Director Associate Director

Acknowledgements

Special Assistance for 2016 CURO Symposium

Ms. Kate Belgum Administrative Associate, External Affairs, Honors Program Ms. Dorothé Otemann Coordinator of External Affairs, Honors Program Ms. Amanda Pruitt Assistant to the Director, Honors Program Ms. Karen Newcomb IT Professional, Honors Program

Technology Equipment and Support for 2016 CURO Symposium

Center for Teaching & Learning Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Honors Program Odum School of Ecology Terry College of Business

Reviewers for 2016 CURO Research Mentoring and Best Paper Awards

Dr. Martin Rogers Associate Director of CURO & Honors Dr. David S. Williams Associate Provost and Director of Honors and CURO

Oral and Poster Session Conveners for 2016 CURO Symposium

Ms. Rachel Burns Institute of Higher Education Mr. Benjamin Campbell Presidential Graduate Fellow, Department of Mathematics and Science Education Ms. Rebecca Carter Academic Advisor, Honors Program Ms. Maria de Rocher Assistant Director of Honors & Programming Ms. Michelle Evans Presidential Graduate Fellow, Odum School of Ecology Ms. Heather Gallivan Department of Anthropology Ms. Cindy Ganas Administrative Associate, Office of Recruitment, Honors Program Ms. Jami Gilstrap Program Coordinator, CURO Ms. Steven Honea Academic Advisor, Honors Program Ms. Amber Kaufman Department of Public Administration and Policy Ms. Krysten Lewis Academic Advisor, Honors Program Ms. Emily L. Myers Administrative Associate, Foundation Fellowship Office, Honors Program Mr. Joshua Patterson Institute of Higher Education Ms. Ricky Roberts Academic Advisor, Honors Program Dr. Martin Rogers Associate Director of CURO & Honors Ms. Heather Smith Academic Advisor, Honors Program Ms. Petrina M. Watkins Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication

Schedule

Monday, April 4, 2016

Oral Session I 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Oral Session II 12:20-1:10 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Oral Session III 1:25-2:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Oral Session IV 2:30-3:20 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Awards and Keynote Session 3:30-4:30 p.m. Athena Room E

Poster Session and Reception 4:30-6:30 p.m. Grand Hall South (downstairs – use escalator in lobby)

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Oral Session V 9:30-10:45 a.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D

Oral Session VI 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D

Oral Session VII 12:30-1:45 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Oral Session VIII 2:00-3:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Oral Session IX 3:30-4:45 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

CURO Research Mentoring Awards

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and the Honors Program established the CURO Research Mentoring Awards, formerly the EURM awards, in 2001.

These awards recognize outstanding faculty who consistently engage undergraduate researchers through CURO Programming (courses, the symposium, summer fellows, JURO, theses, et al.) and enhance the learning experience of undergraduate researchers at the University of Georgia. Award recipients have provided superior research opportunities and mentoring and have collaborated with undergraduate researchers on publications and presentations at professional conferences.

Before 2014, awards were designated as “Early Career” and “Master Level” and were granted to corresponding faculty ranks.

2016

Dr. Mable Fok, Assistant Professor, Division of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College Of Engineering

Dr. Richard Lewis, R.D., FACSM, Department of Foods and Nutrition, UGA Foundation Professor in Family and Consumer Sciences

2015 Dr. Jeb Byers, Professor, Odum School of Ecology

Dr. Erik Hofmeister, DVM, DACVAA, DECVAA, MA (Anesthesia), Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Chief of Small Animal Surgery and Anesthesia, College of Veterinary Medicine

2014 Dr. Carl Bergmann, Associate Vice President for Research-Facilities; Associate Director, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center; Executive Director, Animal Health Research Center; Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Andrew Owsiak, Department of International Affairs, School of Public & International Affairs

2013 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. Jennifer McDowell, Department of Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Early Career Faculty Award Dr. Katalin Medvedev, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors, College of Family & Consumer Sciences

2012 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. Lawrence Shimkets, Department of Microbiology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Early Career Faculty Award

CURO Research Mentoring Awards

Dr. Michael Yabsley, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources

2011 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. Eric Stabb, Department of Microbiology Early Career Faculty Award Dr. John Drake, Odum School of Ecology

Program Award Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Dr. Kenneth McLeod, Interim Director

2010 Early Career Faculty Award Dr. John C. Maerz, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources

2009 Early Career Faculty Award Dr. Brian S. Cummings, Department of Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences Dr. Anna C. Karls, Department of Microbiology Dr. Dawn T. Robinson, Department of Sociology

2008 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. John J. Maurer, College of Veterinary Medicine

Early Career Faculty Award Dr. Walter K. Schmidt, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Program Award Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute Dr. Harry S. Dailey, Director

2007 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. Timothy Hoover, Department of Microbiology Early Career Faculty Award Dr. Steven Stice, Department of Animal & Dairy Science

2006 Master Level Faculty Award Dr. Patricia Hunt-Hurst, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors Early Career Faculty Award Dr. Rodney Mauricio, Department of Genetics Graduate Student Award Christopher Anderson, PhD candidate in Ecology Graduate Student Recognition Dawn Holligan, PhD candidate in Plant Biology

CURO Research Mentoring Awards

2005 Faculty Award Dr. Gary Barrett, Odum School of Ecology Dr. Sidney Kushner, Department of Genetics Department Award Department of Cellular Biology

2004 Faculty Award Dr. William S. Kisaalita, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering

2003 Faculty Award Dr. Jody Clay-Warner, Department of Sociology Department Award Department of Microbiology Dr. Duncan Krause, Department Head Dr. Timothy Hoover, Undergraduate Coordinator Program Award The Pratt Laboratory of Plant Genomics and Bioinformatics Dr. Lee H. Pratt, Department of Plant Biology Dr. Marie-Michèle Cordonnier-Pratt, Department of Plant Biology

2002 Faculty Award Professor William D. Paul, Jr., Lamar Dodd School of Art Dr. Katherine Kipp, Department of Psychology Faculty Recognition Dr. Susan Sanchez, College of Veterinary Medicine Department Award Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Dr. J. David Puett, Department Head Program Award “Physics Beyond the Boundaries”: National Science Foundation, REU Program Dr. Loris Magnani, Principal Investigator, Department of Physics & Astronomy Dr. Heinz-Bernd Schuttler, Department Head, Department of Physics & Astronomy Dr. Jonathan Arnold, Department of Genetics Dr. Susmita Datta, Georgia State University Dr. David Logan, Clark Atlanta University Dr. William Steffans, Clark Atlanta University

2001 Faculty Award Dr. Marcus Fechheimer, Department of Cellular Biology Faculty Recognition Dr. David MacIntosh, Department of Environmental Health Sciences

CURO Research Mentoring Awards

Dr. Dean Rojek, Department of Sociology Department Award Department of Genetics Dr. John MacDonald, Department Head Program Award Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Dr. Paul Bertsch, Director

CURO Symposium Best Paper Awards

Since 2001, CURO Symposium Best Paper Awards have recognized excellence in papers developed from work being presented at that year’s Symposium.

Each recipient is recognized at the Symposium’s Award and Keynote Session, and each award carries $100 in financial support, generously provided by the UGA Alumni Association. Winners from the 2016 CURO Symposium are listed below.

Arts, Humanities, and Media:

Katherine Opacity Tolstoy's Second Epilogue: On Page and Screen

Life Sciences:

Michelle Sequeira Susceptibility to Chronic Social Defeat Stress Increases Ethanol Consumption in Mice

Physical and Environmental Sciences:

Dessa Dun Ecosystem Services and Restoration Efforts of Campus Forests: Tanyard Creek and Driftmier Woods

Public and International Affairs:

Emily Maloney Reducing Teacher Turnover in Georgia Public Schools

Social Sciences:

Megan Murphy White Matter Structure Differs Between Schizophrenia and Healthy Comparison Groups as a Function of Cognitive Control and Age

Business:

John-Jordan Nunnery How the Market Responds to Changes in Firm Health Policy

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Oral Session I: 11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Room A Urmi Patel The Role of Dual Oxidase 1 in Tracheal Immunological Functions

Madison Miracle Investigating miRNA-195-Mediated Regulation of Cell Cycle Gene CHEK1 in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Replication

Chip Chambers The Role of Cas4-2 in the CRISPR Adaptation Stage of Pyroccocus furiosus

Room B Joshua Willis Comparison of Oconee and Ocmulgee River Basins for Water Management Improvement

Grace Power Approaches to Reducing the Cost of Algal Biomass Production

Lucas Montouchet The Spatial Interaction between Cordgrass and Oysters across an Estuarine Gradient

Room C Emily Ivey, The Influence of Psychosocial Functioning on Tic Severity Olivia Carlson, in Children with Tourette Syndrome Colleen Keeler

Kodiak Sauer Cognitive Control as Assessed by Multiple Eye Tracking Paradigms

Megan Murphy White Matter Structure Differs between Schizophrenia and Healthy Comparison Groups as a Function of Cognitive Control and Age

Room D Catherine Braun The Hijab as a Feminist Tool of Agency

Molly Mastin Cooling Fabric: The Future of Keeping Cool

Melissa Cousins Optimizing Plique-à-Jour Enameling

Room G Ali Anderson Hookworm Egg Production in a Virulent Hookworm-Fur Seal System

Caitlin Harris In-Vitro and In-Vivo Assessment of a Yeast By-Product on the Inhibition of Histomonas meleagridis

Mary Mehegan Longitudinal Assessment of a Porcine Traumatic Brain Injury Model Utilizing Immunohistochemistry

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Oral Session II: 12:20-1:10 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Room A Meili Swanson Issue Framing and Beliefs about the Importance of Climate Change Policy

Ashka Patel The Implications of International Intellectual Property Law on Global Access to Medicines

Samuel Dickinson The Influence of Social Conversation Case Study: Iran Nuclear Deal

Room B Mallika Madhusudan Eradicating Food Insecurity in Metro Atlanta

Laura Pontari Standardized Public Education Funding Formulas: A Best- Practice Evaluation

Emily Maloney Reducing Teacher Turnover in Georgia Public Schools

Room C Nivita Sharma Variation of Nanoparticle Surface Lipophilicity for Blood Brain Barrier Penetration

Kodiak Sauer, The Relationship between Central Nervous System Jacob Beckham Xanthophyll Status and Brain Activation in Healthy Older Adults

Evan Knox Effects of Cognitive Reserve and MPOD Levels on Personality in Older Adults

Room D Manisha Banga The Narrative Retelling of Marginalized Ancient Greek Mythological Characters by Contemporary Female Authors

Sydney Wilson Copy-Cats: Aphra Behn's The History of the Nun and Its Adaptations

Joy Peltier Functions of the Discourse Marker “Bon” in Spoken French

Room G Nikita Vantsev The Role of Cas1, Cas2, Csn2, and Cas9 in the Type II CRISPR-Cas Adaptation

Bryan Grommersch Metallothermic Reductions and Conductive Coatings for Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Materials

Melissa Jennings Regulation of Base J Synthesis in Trypanosomes

Room H David Reagan A Bright and Budding Future for Sunflowers: Understanding the Predictive Properties of Helianthus annuus Seedlings for Improving Adult-Stage Crop Yield

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Hayley Schroeder The Effects of Migration and Infection on Resting and Flight Metabolism in Monarchs

Jessica Story Detritus Preferences in a Mangrove-Saltmarsh Ecotone

Oral Session III: 1:25-2:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Room A Rebekah Worick Soldiers of Fortune: The Incidence of Mercenary Usage in Civil Conflict

Sarah Sammons How the Recruitment of Female Fighters for Islam Has Changed Transnational Terrorist Organizations and What the Long-Term Implications of This Trend Will Be for Interstate Conflicts

Kimberlee The Effect of the Colonial Past on Women’s John-Williams Representation in the Caribbean

Room B Emily Maloney Correspondence between Family Needs and Family Goals: Implications for Early Childhood Interventions for Low- Income Families

Hailey Clark Addressing Teenage Pregnancy in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

Jenny Alpaugh Examining Diversity in High School Publication Staffs

Room C Caroline Shearer Parasite Infection and Host Behavioral Complexity

Martinique Edwards Abundance of Vibrio Bacteria Associated with White Pox Disease in Elkhorn Corals

Isabel Ott Investigating a Potentially Novel Cache Valley Virus Variant in a Clinical Case in Missouri

Room D Insiyaa Ahmed Trait Variation in Sunflower Cultivars Grown Under Nutrient Stress Conditions

Thomas Gottilla Evolutionary Analysis of Mating-Type Genes in Stagonosporopsis Species Causing Gummy Stem Blight of Cucurbits

Sabrina Park Genetic Analysis of Exobasidium maculosum Using Microsatellites

Room G Patric Campbell Geographic Distribution of Adult Body Mass in Muridae

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Elizabeth Wilkes, Fracking Governance and Resistance in Western North Julia Connell Carolina

Shannon Burns Spatial and Temporal Iron Isotope Fractionation in Hawaiian Soils

Room H Garrison West, Forensically Influential Beetle Fauna in the Spring Markus Cleveland, Alan Bosworth, Alexandria Lushaj

John Roquet Predictable Variation in Temporal Transmission Potential: West Nile Virus as a Case Study

Onyinyechi Ochiobi Investigations of How Lysinibacillus sphaericus Bin Toxin Kills a Cell Line Derived from the Malarial Mosquito Anopheles gambiae

Oral Session IV: 2:30-3:20 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G, H

Room A Joshua Reynolds Lutein and Zeaxanthin Are Unrelated to Performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery

Morgan Gibbs Methadone and Loperamide Interactions with the Multidrug Transporter P-Glycoprotein

Caroline Langley Examining the Antioxidant Properties of Hops

Room B Allison Fialkowski Best Practice for Informing Parents of their Newborn’s Disability

Vineet Raman Eliminating Cultural and Linguistic Boundaries in Healthcare: Creating Standards and Funding for Medical Interpreters

Sara Johnson Parentification as a Predictor of Emotion Dysregulation in Young Adults

Room C Catriona Geddes Personality Judgment Accuracy: Personality and Social Context Influence the Way People See Each Other

Benjamin Shepard IO Variables in Gaming: When Work is Play

Lauren Locklear, Third Party Reactions to Mistreatment: A Meta-Analysis Ian Armstrong

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Room D Marrissa Blackwell The Effect of Form and Source on Bioavailability of Vitamin E Supplementation in Mature Horses

Adrea Mueller Expression Analysis of Immune Genes in the Liver and Ceca of Blackhead Infected Turkeys

Kathryn Sellman Use of Social Recognition Test and Open Field Test to Assess Piglet Cognition

Room G Chelsea Thorpe Has Laïcité Transformed into a Law of Islamophobia?

Taylor Martin, A Policy Proposal for the Reduction of Violence in Rachael Andrews Georgia's State Prisons

Hanna Han Examination of Supply-Side Incentives and Motivations That Perpetuate the Skill Mismatch of Cambodian University Graduates

Room H Shannon Hochschild Dressing with a Disability

Grace Donnelly Seeing the Future: Interactive Data Visualization and Behavioral Intentions

John-Jordan Nunnery How the Market Responds to Changes in Firm Health Policy

Awards and Keynote Session: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Athena Room E

Welcome and Introductions David S. Williams, Associate Provost and Director of Honors and CURO Remarks Jere W. Morehead, President Pamela Whitten, Senior Vice President for . Academic Affairs and Provost Introduction to Awards Martin Rogers, Associate Director of CURO and Honors CURO Research Mentoring Awards David C. Lee, Vice President for Research 2016 Symposium Best Paper Awards Rahul Shrivastav, Vice President for Instruction . Meredith Johnson, Executive Director of . Alumni Association UGA Libraries’ Research Awards Caroline Barratt, UGA Libraries

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Introduction of Keynote Speaker Ms. Nivita Sharma, Class of 2018, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Keynote Address Dr. Alan Darvill, Director of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) and Regents Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, “Lessons Learned Studying Carbohydrates” Closing Comments David S. Williams

Poster Session and Reception: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Office of the President Grand Hall South

Poster # 1 Emily Tyus The Use of Entertainment Education to Teach Nutrition Messages to Preschool Children: A Feasibility Study

Poster # 2 Brittany Whitlock Implications of Inherited Microbial Profile in Long-Term Metabolic Health

Poster # 3 Jenissa Gordon Neutrophil and Granulocyte Methylation in Normal Weight and Obese Individuals

Poster # 4 Joann Yang Blood Folate and Whole Blood Global DNA Methylation Response to Folic Acid Supplementation Dose during Pregnancy

Poster # 5 Fatima Kamal The Effects of Two Different High-Fat Diets on Appetite

Poster # 6 Annie Ladisic Effect of Strategic Marketing on Healthier Vending Machine Sales

Poster # 7 Kayla Patel Maternal Obesity and Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture in C57BL Mice

Poster # 8 Emily Rollins Muscle Adiposity, Forearm Muscle Strength, and Radius Cortical Bone Geometry in Children

Poster # 9 Erica Coe Natural Killer Cell Maturation is Controlled by Genetic Background in Aging Mice

Poster # 10 Zixuan Jiang Circulating Concentrations of Growth Differentiation Factor 11 Are Heritable and Correlate with Life Span

Poster # 11 Stephanie King Diet-Induced Obesity Differentially Regulates Glutathione Homeostasis in C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ, and AKR/J Mice

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 12 Claire Yakaitis Heritability of Tissue Glutathione Levels and Redox Status in Aged Mice

Poster # 13 Courtney Meyer A First Description of Nest Behavior in Red-and-Green Macaws

Poster # 14 Rhianna Baldree, Practice Makes Perfect: A Capuchin Monkey Becomes Emily Unholz, Skillful at Nut Cracking with an Unfamiliar Stone Margaret Bergmann

Poster # 15 Rachel Pack Wild Bearded Capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus) Use Tools in Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil: Positioning the Nut Predicts Success

Poster # 16 Lindsey Roles Who Is Better at Cracking Nuts: Humans or Monkeys?

Poster # 17 Spencer Sheheane Using an Unconventional Tool: A Capuchin Monkey Becomes Skillful

Poster # 18 Harrison Cloud The Effects of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation on Sensory Function in Healthy Adults

Poster # 19 David Cromer, The Effects of Serum Dietary Carotenoid Levels on Eli Chlan Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults

Poster # 20 Katelynn Porto Developmental Trends in Infant Temporal Processing Speed

Poster # 21 Nicole Negri Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults with ADHD: A Meta-Analysis

Poster # 22 Abigail Mistretta Differences in Brain Morphometry as a Predictor of Smoking Cessation Treatment Success in Nicotine- Dependent Smokers

Poster # 23 Marie Rapoport Behavioral Economic Analysis of Relative Reinforcing Value as a Predictor of Smoking Cessation Treatment Outcomes

Poster # 24 Ketki Desai, Influence of Intelligence on Correlation between Luvika Gupta Personality and Recreational Marijuana Use

Poster # 25 Lauren Locklear The Effect of Gender Identification and Division of Labor on the Work and Family Experiences of Same Sex Couples

Poster # 26 Selin Odman, The Effect of Corporate Wellness Program Benefits Lindsey Murry Over Time on End-Of-Workday Strain

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 27 Jacob Pendergraft, Words That Lead and Words That Follow: Lexical Parker Nayman, Indicators of Leadership Fatima Koko, Christiana Agbonghae, Nikita Meka

Poster # 28 Benjamin Shepard, Personality Predictors of Team Work Relationships: Julia Willis, Characteristics that Make Friends Alex Moore, Holly Wright, Nick Sciales

Poster # 29 Taylor Gutwillig Lunchroom Table Talkers Talk Students into Eating Fruits and Vegetables

Poster # 30 Molly Minnen Friends and Coworkers

Poster # 31 Jacob Young Cognition in the Crosshairs

Poster # 32 Olivia Carlson, Pre-to-Post Transplantation Changes in Caregiver Emily Ivey, Emotional Functioning Colleen Keeler

Poster # 33 Avery Campbell The Influence of Formal and Informal Sources of Support on Foster Parents' Couple and Co-parenting Relationship Quality

Poster # 34 Megha Kalia Evidence-Based Interventions to Increase Wait Time and Decrease Problem Behaviors in Children with Autism

Poster # 35 MacKenzie McGraw, An Exploration of Communicative Intent and Its Breanna Johnson, Relation to Early Vocalization Production in Two Young Sherry Sayavongsa, Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Alexis Pope, Meredith Towey, Hayley O'Hara, Sabrina Williams, Courtney Todd, Brianna Kelley, Anna Fink, Chase Kranzlein

Poster # 36 Breana Johnson, The Role of Auditory Skill Development in the Alexis Pope, Advancement of Vocalization Development Mackenzie McGraw, Sherry Sayavongsa, Meredith Towey,

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Hayley O'Hara, Courtney Todd, Anna Fink, Sabrina Williams, Chase Kranzlein, Brianna Kelley

Poster # 37 Margaret Naughton Examining the Relation between Stigma and Self- Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Social Satisfaction in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Poster # 38 Maria Ceron University Professors with Disabilities

Poster # 39 Elliott Beale The Effect of Social Comparison on College Students’ Attitudes toward Debt and Their Ability to Delay Gratification

Poster # 40 Connor Gibbs A Faulty System: An Empirical Analysis on Student Loan Default

Poster # 41 Theodore Gorman Credit Usage and Financial Literacy among University Students

Poster # 42 Madison Nichols The True Cost of Medical Credit Cards on Patient Credit Scores

Poster # 43 Benjamin Jacobs, Financial Literacy, Risk Tolerance, and Goals-Based Robin Haas Savings Behavior

Poster # 44 Katie Cannon Corporate Social Responsibility and Stock Prices: The Environmental Responsibility of Shareholders

Poster # 45 Mary Chastain Corporate Environmental Responsibility Recognition and Firm Value

Poster # 46 Haris Vukotic Impact of Investment Bank Advisers on Merger Premiums and Merger Closing Times

Poster # 47 Sona Rao A Review of the Use of Telemedicine in Nursing Homes

Poster # 48 Thomas McBrearty Earning Disparity Among White and Black Women in South Africa

Poster # 49 Michael Hutchison Legal Context to Violating Women

Poster # 50 Rory Hibbler Ballot Initiatives and Voter Turnout

Poster # 51 Shaunteri Skinner The Political Evolution of Malcolm X

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 52 Taylor Hill The speAk Movement: Social Media for Global Issues

Poster # 53 Katherine McKeogh Understanding the Public’s Relationships with ISIS and Counter-Terrorism Digital Media

Poster # 54 Kari Saunders Off-Campus Housing and the Gentrification of Downtown Athens, GA

Poster # 55 Emily Taylor UGA Campus Sustainability Initiatives: Awareness and Attitudes to Campus Recycling

Poster # 56 Kendall Trammell Impact of Video Captions in Mobile News

Poster # 57 Kalyn Wilson Learning Beyond the Lines

Poster # 58 Andrew Kane Finding Optimal Designs Using Genetic Algorithms

Poster # 59 Zack Stokes In Search of Optimal Designs Using Differential Evolution Algorithm

Poster # 60 Steve Dixon Creating a Pseudo-Random Number Generator Using the Spectral Analysis Test and Genetic Algorithms

Poster # 61 Justin Payan Keyword Extraction Using Artificial Neural Networks and a TextRank Variant

Poster # 62 Sidney Reynolds Subtracting the Effects of Carbonization of Hickory Nut to Predict Mean Annual Precipitation in Archaeological Sites

Poster # 63 Catherine Bernard Thinking Geographically in Regards to Power Dynamics of the Social Environment: Its Effect on Health

Poster # 64 Joe Booth Mineralogy and Petrology of Huerfano Butte: A Tertiary Intrusion on the Great Plains, Colorado

Poster # 65 Rachel Ehlinger Comparative Analysis of Soil Organic Matter Fractionation in Ultisols

Poster # 66 Sarah Hickey Drift Between Two Specific Conductivity Probes

Poster # 67 Morrison Nolan Re-evaluating Proposed Identities of Brooksella alternata of the Conasauga Shale of Georgia and Alabama

Poster # 68 Chance Pittman 3D Distribution of High Galactic Latitude Interstellar Clouds

Poster # 69 John Dupuy What is a Sticking Event in Classical Molecular

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Dynamics? A Study of Hydrogen Sticking to Amorphous Water-Ice

Poster # 70 Ansley Miller Computational Modeling of Laboratory X-Ray Emission Due to Low-Energy Collisions of H-like and He-like Ions with H2

Poster # 71 Patrick Mullen Charge Exchange: Atomic Data of Astronomical Significance

Poster # 72 Ryan Pattillo Photodissociation of CS from Excited Rovibrational Levels in Interstellar Environments

Poster # 73 Clark Veazey Computational Investigations of H2-HD Collisions in the Interstellar Medium

Poster # 74 Daniel Carlson Investigating the Plasmonic Property of Ag-Cu Alloy Nanostructures

Poster # 75 Adam Howington Microplastic Sampling in the Atlantic Ocean

Poster # 76 Christopher Lenear Analysis of Surfactant Patterns Induced by Carbon Nanotube Arrays

Poster # 77 Sarah Chaji Novel Nitric Oxide Releasing Materials for Prevention of Infection in Vascular Catheters

Poster # 78 Alyssa Ghuman Passive Drug Delivery for Intraocular Applications

Poster # 79 Sommer Anjum Lung Abnormality Detection from Laser Projection Modeling

Poster # 80 So Hyun Lim Lung Cancer Cell Enrichment with Buffer Stream via Biocompatible Ferrofluid and Microfluidic Device

Poster # 81 Ben Burgh Diabetes Self-Education App

Poster # 82 Tyler Fischer Characterization of a Muconic Acid Biosensor-Reporter System in E. coli

Poster # 83 Andrew Lyon Fluorescent Protein Incorporation in E. coli for Determination of Gene Expression Levels

Poster # 84 Aaron Patrick Integration of Multispectral Imaging into UAS

Poster # 85 Elena Morais Georgia SOL (Solar Optimization by Location)

Poster # 86 Rashaan Fowles Design of Mass Concrete Specimens and Test Procedures

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 87 Maximillian Ovett To Close or Not to Close for Severe Winds: Two Cable- Stayed Bridges in the Georgia Coast Region

Poster # 88 Nicholas Rorabaugh Evaluation of Georgia Bridges and Development of Large-Scale Bridge Testing Procedure

Poster # 89 Sokngim Kim A Computer Program for Planar Truss Analysis

Poster # 90 Katelyn Stallings Recycled Tire Chips for Use in Concrete Barrier Walls and Other Applications

Poster # 91 Matthew Sullivan Beneficial Use of Metakaolin for Georgia Concrete Pavements

Poster # 92 Carter Fitzgerald Optimization of Biogas to Electricity Plant

Poster # 93 Julian Gendreau Functions of HAN in Arabidopsis Embryo Development

Poster # 94 Ellen Krall Response of Helianthus annuus Biomass to Nutrient Stress

Poster # 95 Morgan Najdowski The Determination of Sunflower Growth in Different Genetic Lines and under Various Nutrient Conditions

Poster # 96 Kiara Shelby The Influence of Nutrient Stress on Mass Performance Rankings among Cultivated Sunflowers

Poster # 97 Nicole de Leon Investigating the Phenotypic and Genetic Mechanisms of Torralba Root Architecture Traits in Cultivated Sunflower Seedlings under Drought Stress

Poster # 98 Mary Lewis Far Red LEDs Effect on the Morphology and Flowering of Marigolds

Poster # 99 Nicole Encardes Evaluation of Yield and Essential Oil Content of Holy Basil Varieties

Poster # 100 Lindsey White Social Perceptions of the Impacts and Benefits of Non- Native Species in the Garden: The Case of Chinese Privet in the Southeastern U.S.

Poster # 101 Elizabeth Hardister Hurricane Forecasting and Healthcare Facility Evacuations

Poster # 102 Kaley Desher Addressing Severe Mental Illness of Atlanta's Chronically Homeless

Poster # 103 Jamarcus Mathis Male Participation in Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Programs

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 104 Mehabuba Rahman Mental and Sexual Health Post-War: Trauma, Depression, and Interpersonal Violence— Attitudes among Liberian Women

Poster # 105 Ashley Bradford Marijuana Use, Nutritional Behaviors, and Educational Attainment in U.S. School-Aged Youth

Poster # 106 Taylor Chishom Analysis of the Relationship between Patient Satisfaction Scores and Patient Health Outcomes

Poster # 107 Morgan Green Effect of Multiple Ankle Sprains on Functional Performance Tests in Adolescents

Poster # 108 Alyssa Varsalona Prevalence of Current Season Injuries in Collegiate Club Rugby Players with a Previous Injury History

Poster # 109 Anita Qualls The Role of Mitochondrial Maintenance in Skeletal Muscle Strength and Repair

Poster # 110 Rebecca Quantifying Muscle Function in a Previously Fatigued Baltenberger Muscle

Poster # 111 Shaun Goh Measuring Muscle Fatigue in Men vs. Women Using Mechanomyography

Poster # 112 Kajal Mistry Assessing Trapezius Endurance using Electrical Twitch Stimulation after Exercise

Poster # 113 Sahil Patel Evaluation of Electric Twitch Endurance Index of the Lower Back Muscles

Poster # 114 Payton Prins Evaluation of Recovery of Skeletal Muscle after Fatiguing Contractions

Poster # 115 Joanna Szymonik, The Effects of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Kelly-Ann Peters Mitochondrial Capacity

Poster # 116 Nathan Schlies The Effects of Lifetime Sports Participation and Sedentary Time on Muscle Capacity: Does More Activity Offset The Effects of Prolonged Sitting?

Poster # 117 Sydney Alyce Assessing the Costs of Investments in Bourget Immunocompetence on the Fitness of Hemigrapsus sanguineus

Poster # 118 Hayley Schroeder Comparing Immune Defenses and Pathogen Susceptibility in Closely Related Host Species

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 119 Sarah Clement Effects of Fire in a Riparian Zone on Aquatic Fungi

Poster # 120 Rachel Usher Feeding the Urban Stream: How Nutrients and Microbes Impact Stream Carbon Reserves

Poster # 121 Adrianne Smith Diazinon Promotes Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Poster # 122 Jackson Rodgers Quantification of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Fish and Shark Tissue from Sapelo Island, Georgia

Poster # 123 Angela Lucero Modeling and Analysis of Virus-Bacteria Interactions in the Marine Environment

Poster # 124 Guy Eroh Analysis of Hybridization in Chattahoochee Bass (Micropterus chattahoochae) Populations below Lake Lanier

Poster # 125 Meghan Tait Influences of Predators on Parasite Prevalence in Crassostrea virginica

Poster # 126 Usha Kaila How do Middle School Students Define Sustainability? A Preliminary Analysis of Focus Groups

Poster # 127 Andrew Disharoon Engineering Soybean Mosaic Virus Resistance Utilizing tasiRNA

Poster # 128 Tate Hutwagner Applying Computer Vision Analysis to Plant Phenotyping

Poster # 129 Darcie Bruce Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry51Aa Toxicity to Lygus

Poster # 130 Gillian Caudill Possibility of Attitude Change towards Edible Insects When Prepared by Top Chefs

Poster # 131 Elijah Mehlferber Determining the Effect of Gut Microbes on Drosophila suzukii Gene Expression

Poster # 132 Nicole Bisel The Role of Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans in Glioma Cell Progression

Poster # 133 Tarun Daniel Neural Network Formation and Response to Pharmacological Stimulation

Poster # 134 Caroline Coleman Use of a Spatial T-Maze Test and an Object Recognition Test to Assess Learning and Memory in a Piglet Model

Poster # 135 Meagan Thomason Reactive Microglia as a Biomarker in a Piglet Model of

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Traumatic Brain Injury

Poster # 136 Madelaine Wendzik Pathological Assessment of a Piglet Model of Traumatic Brain Injury Utilizing Non-Invasive Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Poster # 137 Arjun Patel Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles with Feline Injection Site Sarcoma, In Vitro

Poster # 138 Erika Evanoff MGMT Expression in Canine Glial Tumors

Poster # 139 Susan Jones Quantitative PCR Detection of the SRY Gene of Male Dog Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Female Dog Brains with Experimentally Induced Ischemic Stroke

Poster # 140 Kaitlyn Ruff Analysis of Forces Acting on the Equine Navicular Bone in Normal and Dorsiflexed Positions

Poster # 141 Wendi Bao Comparing Meiotic Spindle Structure and Chromosome Attachment in Control and Pericentrin-Depleted Mouse Oocytes

Poster # 142 Madison Canning Synthetic Estrogen Disrupts Spindle Organization and Meiotic Division in Oocytes

Poster # 143 Annika Carter Effects of Maternal Immune Stimulation by a Viral Mimic on Autistic and Other Behaviors of Juvenile and Adult Mouse Offspring

Poster # 144 Scott Chimberoff Yohimbine-Induced Reinstatement in Alcohol-Preferring and Wistar Rats

Poster # 145 Michelle Sequeira Susceptibility to Chronic Social Defeat Stress Increases Ethanol Consumption in Mice

Poster # 146 Brent Gawey Diet-Induced Obesity is Associated with a Change in Intestinal Innervation and Disruption of Gut-Brain Communication

Poster # 147 Daye Park Effect of Different Concentrations of 25- Hydroxycholestrol on Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) from Broiler Compact Bone

Poster # 148 Camille Bauer Development of Immunologic Reagents for the Ferret Animal Model

Poster # 149 Preston Samowitz Evaluation of Novel Antiviral Drug NS95397 for

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Treatment of Swine Influenza Infections in Pig Cells

Poster # 150 Nicole Gilreath Serum Levels of Circulating and Exosomal MicroRNA Regulate Transformed Cell Growth

Poster # 151 Christian Cullen The Role of Flagellar Motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa- induced NET Formation

Poster # 152 Nirali Patel Investigating the Antiparasitic Activity of Cry5B Protein against Fourth-Stage Nematode Parasites

Poster # 153 Sahl Hakim Examining a Potential Role for Mycobacterium tuberculosis CtpB in Copper Transport

Poster # 154 Ashitha Rajeurs Examining Mycobacterium tuberculosis Genes for Roles in B12 Synthesis

Poster # 155 Kerryn Roome Malaria in the Late Stages of Pregnancy and the Significance of Tissue Factor

Poster # 156 Ann Gore Improving Efficacy of HIV Vaccines for Immune- Suppressed Recipient

Poster # 157 Hammad Khalid O-Linked Glycosylation Patterns of Cervical Mucins in HIV Infection

Poster # 158 Elyssa Cohen Polysialic Acid Expression in AICAR Treated Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells

Poster # 159 Lauren Dennison Extracellular Vesicle Dependent Transfer of a Virulence Factor Confers Human Infectivity to Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Poster # 160 Jason Kwak The Impact of Blood Circulation on Cancer Metastasis Patterns

Poster # 161 Anjali Kumar Analysis of Pancreatic Cancer Biomarkers

Poster # 162 Sarah Hatton Identifying the Monoclonal Antibody Epitope Peptide Expressed on Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Poster # 163 Christopher Whitlock How Does Mutagenesis of N-Linked Glycosylation Sites of C6f1 Fragment affect MAb109 Binding?

Poster # 164 Juhi Varshney DARC Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Poster # 165 Kathryn Vollum Regulation of DARC Isoforms among Ancestry Groups and Associations with Aggressive Breast Cancer Subtypes

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 166 Andrea Brown Distinct Transcript Isoforms of the Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1 (ACKR1)/Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) Gene are Expressed in Lymphoblasts and Altered Isoform Levels are Associated with Genetic Ancestry and the Duffy-Null Allele

Poster # 167 Isha Dabke Pharmacological Inhibitors of Epigenetic Mechanisms Alter Liposome Uptake

Poster # 168 Thao Le Effects of Mitochondrial-Targeted (MitoQ) Antioxidants on the Lipidome of a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Poster # 169 Marshall Kastens Age Related Metabolism of Pyrethroids in Rat Brain Microsomes

Poster # 170 Paige Lane Efficient Cloning By Temperature Upshift

Poster # 171 Kikachukwu Okolo Structural Characterization of an LTTR in Acinetobacter baumannii

Poster # 172 Vincent Way Large-Scale Plasmid DNA Purification for Gene Therapy of Hemophilia B in Dogs

Poster # 173 Julian Selano Development of a Non-Radioactive High Throughput Assay to Detect Thyroid Hormone Uptake in Cryopreserved Hepatocytes in Suspension

Poster # 174 Kyle Brown Examining the Effects of Astrocytes on Chlorpyrifos Metabolism

Poster # 175 Kyle Mott Trace Level Determination of Trichloroethylene in Plasma by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography/Negative Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Poster # 176 Oluwasegun Sensitive Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Olorunyolemi Method for the Determination of the Lipophilic Anticancer Drug in Rat Plasma

Poster # 177 Kirsten Allen The Effects of Grape and Muscadine Juice on Protein Glycation

Poster # 178 Kaylyn Bell Engineering the Active Site of Histone Acetyltransferase 1

Poster # 179 John Lee Fractionation and Analysis of Wild Type and Galacturonosyltransferase 14 (GAUT14) Knockdown

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Switchgrass Cell Walls to Determine the Structure Synthesized by GAUT14

Poster # 180 Olivia Mendel Proteome and Glycome Profiling of Medaka Exposed to Chronic, Low Level Ionization Radiation

Poster # 181 Jerin Varghese, Proteomic Profiling of a Model Species (Medaka Fish) to Jason Moraczewski, Study the Physiological Response to Chronic, Low Level Brittany Tummings Ionizing Radiation in the Environment

Poster # 182 Kyle Bowler The Enzymatic Characterization of Three Nucleotide- Sugar Aminotransferases in Pathogenic Bacillus

Poster # 183 Lauren Davis Regulatory Pathway of X-Polymer Formation in Bacillus Species

Poster # 184 Michael Cheng Post Translational Modifications of CaaX-Box Proteins Are Dependent on Specific CaaX Motifs

Poster # 185 Haeun Kim Investigating the Post Translational Modification of CaaX Proteins

Poster # 186 Rohit Munagala Investigation and Structural Inhibition of Rce1 and Ste24 Activity in a Prokaryotic System

Poster # 187 Justin Identification of CRISPR Adaptation Complexes and Dumrongkulraksa Associated Nucleic Acids in Pyrococcus furiosus

Poster # 188 Jesse Hu Evaluation of Cas4 Function in CRISPR-Cas Adaptation

Poster # 189 Jessica Dinsmore A Study of Transposon Movement in C. bescii

Poster # 190 Cynthia Ponir Yield Improvement of Pyrococcus furiosus Soluble Hydrogenase I by Overexpression of Accessory Proteins

Poster # 191 Monisha Narayanan Examining Intercellular Heme Transport via Freixenet Transgenic Zebrafish

Poster # 192 Adam Aston Transcriptional Activity of MGA and Mutation in Zebrafish

Poster # 193 Bryanna Thomas Biological Function of an AAK1-Like Protein Kinase in Trypanosoma brucei

Poster # 194 Haley Vale Localization of Casein Kinase 1.2 in Trypanosoma brucei

Poster # 195 James Kraus Identifying Genetic Suppressors of ZYG-11

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 196 Rachel Vaizer The Role of Intraflagellar Transport in Ciliary Gliding

Poster # 197 Leanna Harbor Agrobacterium tumefaciens Mediated Transformation of Mimulus nasutus via the Floral Dip Method

Poster # 198 David Cowan Heterologous Expression of Carbohydrate Utilization Genes from Acidothermus cellulolyticus in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Poster # 199 Grace Johnson, Knockdown of IFT Proteins Phenotypically Affects Mary Abkemeier, Primary Cilia Catherine Waldron, Daniel Blumenthal, Vivian Vu

Poster # 200 Thomas Layman Experimental Evolution and Sperm Precedence in D. recens and D. subquinaria

Poster # 201 Dhairya Shukla Small Molecule Inhibition of CARM1 in Adipocytes to Control the Epigenome-Induced Risks of Obesity

Poster # 202 Kitra Cates In Vitro DNA-Protein Interaction Analyses of Zea mays Transcription Factors

Poster # 203 Madeline Steffensen Using Mutants to Understand Mechanisms of DNA Methylation in Brachypodium distachyon

Poster # 204 Zehneel Jiwani Feeding Choice Characterization of Euptoieta claudia and Oviposition Choice Analyses of Agraulis vanilla in Relation to Cyanide Production of Passiflora incarnata

Poster # 205 Atul Lodh Investigating the Role of Cyanogenic Glycosides in Passiflora incarnata (Maypop)

Poster # 206 Michael Lopez Regulation of Intracellular Membrane Fusion by V- ATPase Subunits

Poster # 207 Samuel Macfie Exploring Alternative Mechanisms of RidA-Independent 2AA Stress Relief

Poster # 208 William Moxley Characterization of murI, racD and racR of Acinetobacter baylyi

Poster # 209 Hirel Patel, Genetic and Metabolic Modeling the Methanogenic Lucas Bougang, Archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis Rebecca Buchanan, John Buchanan

Program: Monday, April 4, 2016

Poster # 210 Isabella Tondi Resta Determining Gene Products Interacting with RtcB of the rsr-rtcBA RNA Repair Operon via a Synthetic Lethal Screen

Poster # 211 David Rink Synthesis and Surface Engineering of Fe5C2 Nanoparticles for Superior r2 Relaxivity in Liver-Specific MR Imaging

Poster # 212 Sang Min Lee Investigations of Chromium Photocatalyzed Cycloadditions

Poster # 213 Alexander Winkles Theoretical Investigation of the Combustion Chemistry of Acetaldehyde and Ethenol

Poster # 214 Brett Askins Synthetic Iron Oxide Containing HDL Nanoparticles for Atherosclerosis

Poster # 215 Noah Newman Alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate Encapsulated Nanoparticles for the Enhancement of Mitochondrial ATP Production

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Oral Session V: 9:30-10:45 a.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D

Room A Kayla Alward Correlation between Teat End Scores and Presence of Mastitis in the UGA Dairy Herd

Kendall Lee The Effect of Supplemental Vitamin E Form on Blood Oxidative Stress Parameters Measured in Exercising Horses

Joseph Elengickal Deficiencies and Improvements to Mental Health Institutions in Georgia

Kayla Hargrove Assessment of Adult Pig Cognition Utilizing an Open Field and Object Recognition Test

Room B Andrew Jarnagin When Coca-Cola Grows Citrus on the Nile, Who Wins? Revisiting the Arab Boycott in Egypt

Jazmine Griffin Corporate Inversion: Companies Leaving the American Tax System

Jennifer Hardister Conference Calls and Tax Forecasting

Melody Alam Short Selling Pressure and the Information Disclosure of Corporate Innovation: Evidence from a Policy Experiment

Room C Camily Williams Love, Lust, and Loyalty: Female Sexuality in the Auchinleck Romances

Leah Scott “Brave Little Belgium”: The British Home Front Response to Belgian Refugees, 1914-1918

Aaron Conley The Effect of Shield Laws on Journalists Acting as Investigators, Specifically at Public Universities

Kinsey Brooke The Mythical Realm of Faerie: Dragon-Lore Symbolism and the Literary Elements of Faerie

Room D Jackson Hopper Digitally Delicate Primes

Lindsey Spreen Acceleration of Human Transportation and Its Impacts on Energy Consumption

George Barron Quantum Fourier Transform in the Single-Excitation Subspace Method of Quantum Computation

Joseph Skehan Designing Chiral Metasurfaces and Understanding their

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Optical Properties

Oral Session VI: 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D

Room A Johnathan Mayfield An Investigation into the Complex Viral Interactions between Microplitis demolitor Bracovirus and TnAV-2a, an Ascovirus

Alyssa Wuellner Severity of Cases Admitted into a Small Animal Hospital and the Phase of the Moon

Kayla Hargrove Effect of Preoperative Laboratory Testing on Anesthesia- Related Decision Making in Apparently Healthy Dogs

Lauren Dempsey A Systematic Review of Adverse Effects Resulting from Administration of Propofol in Domestic Dogs and Cats

Room B Xueying Li Conjugated Polymers

Shreya Ganeshan What Good is a Low-Carbon City if No One Can Afford to Live There?

Megan Douglass Caveolae in 3D Neuronal Cell Cultures

Garrett Steck An Environmental Engineering Challenge: Improving the Energy Balance of Global Food Production

Room C Casey Grippando Procedural Polarization: Examining Changes in the Roll Call Voting Record (1877-2012) and their Effects on Political Polarization

Bryson Culver Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Employment Protection: An LGB-Inclusive Argument for Title VII Sex Discrimination

Robert Oldham Coalitional Stability: Apportioning the Legislature at the U.S. Constitutional Convention

Bert Thompson The Doctrinal Development of Sea-Launched Nuclear Capabilities

Room D Brennan Ninesling Role of Human Intelectin-1 in the Innate Immune System

Ashley Lall Super-Resolution Microscopy vs. Epifluorescent Microscopy of Aurora Kinase C and SYCP3 Localization in Mouse Oocytes and Spermatocytes

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Tiffany Jenkinson Expression of Inflammatory and Coagulation Factors in Syncytiotrophoblast BeWo Cells Exposed to Plasmodium falciparum Derived Hemozoin

Andrew Webster Regulation of Ovarian Cancer by RGS10 and BIN1

Oral Session VII: 12:30-1:45 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Room A Caroline Harvey Need of the “Other”: Paradox in Gordon Parks’ Airline Terminal and American Gothic

Christian Lisa A Romance: A Creative Writing Project

Katherine Opacity Tolstoy's Second Epilogue: On Page and Screen

Jessie Blaeser Literature and Art: How One Creates the Other

Room B Benjamin Leigh Foreign Aid: Helping or Hurting Democracy?

Zoe Condon The Gendered Risorgimento: How Wealthy British Ladies Ended Up Campaigning for Italian Unification

William Robinson Offensive Realism in a World of Hegemons

Andrew Jarnagin Understanding the Rise of the Sadrist Movement in Iraq

Room C Shannon Griffiths, Women, Welfare, and Borrowing Brittany Talkin

Madison Turner Blackout, the New Binge: A Case Study on Underage Drinking Patterns at the University of Georgia

Ana Duron-Fleck Financial Education in Georgia Public Schools and its Impact on Students’ Financial Behaviors

Duncan Lord An Analysis of Trends in Difficulties Faced by Beginning Music Educators, with Discussion and Implementation of Effective Classroom Solutions

Room D Syed Tahmid Administration of Varying Carbon and Nitrogen Sources into a Defined Growth Media for Polysaccharide Secretion in Bacillus cereus

Elizabeth Wilkins, Optogenetic Control of a Neuromuscular Junction Model Catherine Callaway on a Chip

Emily Myers The Role of Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase in the

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Development and Transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts

Nikhil Gangasani Enzymatically Preparing Carbohydrates for Development

of an Effective Treatment against a Bacterial Pathogen

Room G Sarah Cunningham The Genetic Network of Circadian Rhythms in Neurospora crassa

Alyssa Wuellner, Prevalence of Pain in Dogs with Cancer Kayla Hargrove

Caroline Langley A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Relationship between Blood Coagulation and Liver Shunts

Oral Session VIII: 2:00-3:15 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Room A Theresa Young Poverty and Shame: Implications for Social Work

Laura Courchesne Psycho-Social Impact of Drone Strikes on Non- Combatant Populations: The Cognitive Mechanism Underlying Pro-Group Endorsement of Extremist Violence

Rachel Schwartz Nazi vs. "Soup Nazi": The Double-Talk of Holocaust Rhetoric

Chandler Johnston Silencing in Chicana Literature: How Chicana Women Writers Navigate Marginalization in the Borderlands

Room B Kip Lacy Xenophobic Ants: Social Form Discrimination in the Tropical Fire Ant

Katherine Russell Investigating the Influence of Geospatial Attributes on Spider Species Richness and Diversity

Jack Owen Exploring Uncertainty in Models of Mosquito Vector- Borne Disease

Caroline Spohn Population Dynamics and the Ecology of the Common Bottlenose Dolphin of the Central Georgia Coast

Room C James Tyson Testing for a Correlation between History of Shoulder Injury and Functional Movement Screen Score

Katherine Miller Results of Gender and Personality Interactions on

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Mobility in a Sample of Older Adults

Fatima Kamal The Effects of Two Different High-Fat Diets on Appetite

Emma Auger The Effects of Predictable Targets on Saccade Behavior

Room D Allie Harbert Microwave Synthesis of MOF-5

Erin Smith Ecosystem Decomposition Using Fluxes

Wesley Brown An Improved Synthesis of a Fundamental MOF Precursor

Emma Meehan, Implementation of picoSpin(TM) NMRs into Organic Doyle Wallace Chemistry Teaching Laboratories through Spectral Analysis of Fischer Esterification Products

Room G Ruth Schade The Effect of Maternal Diet on Gastrointestinal Health of Offspring

Zack Flagel Injury Risk of Major League Foul Balls

Kharine Jean Education Level May Differentially Buffer Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Based on Race

Oral Session IX: 3:30-4:45 p.m. Athena Breakout Rooms A, B, C, D, G

Room A Laura Courchesne The Psychology of Nazism and Genocide: The Role of Religion and Symbolism

Katherine Nichols "I Just Wanted a Roof over My Head": Possible Housing Solutions for Asylum-Seekers in Germany

Kelsey Lowrey Motherhood, War and Ownership in Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children" and "The Caucasian Chalk Circle"

Iva Dimitrova Oral Histories of the Vazov Machine Works

Room B Jordan Berne Short-Run Economic Mobility in the Wake of the Great Recession

Meredith Paker Psychiatric Drug Use and the Business Cycle

Andrew Teal Effects of Campaign Finance on Legislator Polarization

Ian Van Giesen, Green Power Solutions for Georgia

Program: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Haidi Al-Shabrawey

Room C Lawrence Towe Recycle or Landfill? Assessing the Efficacy of a Green- Themed Intervention

Danei Ting Financial Knowledge amongst College Freshmen

Sarah Williams New Challenges: ADHD Goes to College

Rutvik Dmello The Effects of Inclement Weather on Dining Hall Usage

Room D Ashley Biscan Androgynous Dress: A Sign of a New American Social Landscape

Ayman Tartir Code Switching in Tunisian Arabic

Taylor Wright Wedding Apparel: A New Definition

Bleak Chandler Can Virtual Reality Lead Us to Learn More about Empathy?

Room G Dessa Dunn Ecosystem Services and Restoration Efforts of Campus Forests: Tanyard Creek and Driftmier Woods

James Workman Divergent Selection in the Context of Source-Sink Dynamics

Douglas Hart Effects of Climatic Legacy on Southern Appalachian Plant Communities in Coweeta Basin

Joseph Walker Statistically Modelling the Determinants of Pathogen Transmissibility in Humans

Abstracts

Trait Variation in Sunflower Cultivars This study seeks to analyze shifts in Grown Under Nutrient Stress Conditions information disclosure about a company’s Insiyaa Ahmed innovations when it is subjected to increased Dr. Lisa Donovan, Plant Biology, Franklin short selling pressure. Short selling is a College of Arts & Sciences technique that traders use to profit when they expect a company’s share price to decrease. It A growing global population has put a strain is regulated in many countries. In 2004 a on the limited arable land and natural Securities and Exchange Commission policy resources available to meet crop demand. experiment tested the effects of relaxing these Starting in the early 1900s, high yield has been regulations on 1,000 companies listed on the achieved through the use of inorganic Russell 3000 index. This move increased short fertilizers. This high input, high output system selling pressure on the affected 1,000 has led to environmental and soil degradation companies, which in turn incentivized while providing no long-term solutions to managers to convince traders that future stock increase production. Breeding more stress price would not decrease. One result of this tolerant plants could be key to maintaining policy change was an increase in the high yield while saving resources, preventing company’s innovation as measured by the further ecological damage, and allowing number and quality of patents it produced. I farmers to use less fertile land for agriculture. will collect data from the Factiva database on This greenhouse study looks at variation in media coverage of the 3,000 companies on stress resistant traits in 12 sunflower cultivars the Russell 3000 index for years 2001-2010. grown at different nutrient treatments. Then I will filter to find the proportion of Variation is necessary for breeding because it those articles related to a company’s allows us to select for traits in the cultivars innovation. This includes key words like that coincide with increased tolerance. For the patents, research and development, and experiment, plants were grown to either the intellectual property. We hypothesize that the seedling or adult stage and traits relating to proportion of articles related to innovation growth, physiology, and phenology were will increase for the affected 1,000 companies measured. Analysis of seedling data shows after the SEC policy experiment. Information that there is indeed a high variation in dissemination is the basis of efficient response to different nutrient levels among markets—buyers and sellers need to know the 12 lines. There was also variation in what a company is doing for its stock price to beneficial stress tolerant traits within the be accurate. In order for potential short sellers cultivars; for example, certain lines took fewer to be convinced of a company’s long-term days to get to the harvest stage but also had price growth, managers should theoretically lower whole plant leaf area. Adult plant data is ensure increased media coverage of their currently being analyzed, but it is expected innovations. that there will be similar levels of variation in traits. The Effects of Grape and Muscadine Juice on Protein Glycation Short Selling Pressure and the Kirsten Allen, CURO Research Assistant Information Disclosure of Corporate Dr. Phillip Greenspan, Pharmaceutical & Innovation: Evidence from a Policy Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Experiment Melody Alam, CURO Research Assistant Protein glycation results in the production of Prof. Jie He, Banking & Finance, Terry advanced glycation end products that College of Business contribute to inflammation and have been

Abstracts linked to diabetic complications and many 2015 census that the percentage of minority other aging conditions like Alzheimer’s journalists working in daily-newspaper disease. The experiment we conducted tested newsrooms falls at 12.76 percent. When the whether grape or muscadine juice inhibits demographics of a nation’s journalists fail to protein glycation. The formation of glycated represent the demographics of the nation, protein was performed in incubations problems arise in obtaining fair and balanced containing 50 mg albumin/ml and 250 mM coverage. This study aimed to discover if fructose in 200mM potassium phosphate problems with minority representation were buffer, pH 7.4. The formation of a glycation also present in high school publication staffs. product, in the presence and absence of 2.5 Members of the Journalism Education µL/mL of grape (Welch’s Red Grape) and Association were invited to participate in a 10- muscadine (Paulk’s Pride Muscadine) juices, question survey which asked advisors to self- was measured using a spectrofluorometer set report both school and staff demographics. at the wavelength pair, 370/440 nm. After These demographics were then compared to three days of incubation at 37ºC, the samples determine if diversity in a school is containing only albumin and buffer averaged a represented in the school’s publication staff fluorescence of 45 units, and this is with initial analysis suggesting that a school’s considered background fluorescence. When diversity is not always represented within its fructose was added to the samples, publication staff. This lack of representation fluorescence increased to a level of 180 units, at the high school level illustrates a problem an indication of the formation of a fluorescent with diversity that exists in all levels of glycation product. Both grape and muscadine media. juice inhibited fluorescence, with 2.5 uL juice/mL inhibiting glycation by 27% and Correlation between Teat End Scores and 88%, respectively. Both juice samples did Presence of Mastitis in the UGA Dairy produce substantial diminishing of the Herd fluorescence; however, muscadine juice was Kayla Alward more effective in inhibiting protein glycation Dr. Stephen Nickerson, Animal & Dairy than grape juice. The presence of ellagic acid, Science, College of Agricultural & a phenolic compound with antioxidant Environmental Sciences activity, in the muscadine juice is thought to be responsible for this difference. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused by bacteria that affects 1 in every Examining Diversity in High School 3 cows and costs the producer an average of Publication Staffs $180/cow/year. Penetration of bacteria into Jenny Alpaugh, Ramsey Scholar, CURO the teat canal causing mastitic infections may Research Assistant be enhanced by hyperkeratosis, a thickening Prof. Joseph Dennis, Grady College of of the teat canal keratin, which provides a Journalism & Mass Communication breeding ground for bacteria. The goal of this research project was to determine if a As the United States continues to deal with correlation existed between elevated teat end racial tensions, it is important that the media scores (degree of hyperkeratosis) and presence continues to increase diversity in order to of mastitis and elevated somatic cell counts properly cover these events from a variety of (SCC). For this study, 30 purebred Holstein perspectives. However, diversity remains a cows in early lactation were sampled. Their problem in the media, with the American teat ends were scored on a scale of 1 to 4 Society of News Editors reporting in their according to level of severity, and teat canal

Abstracts swabs as well as milk samples were collected parasite. Additionally, we hypothesize that aseptically from each quarter for these populations will select for individuals microbiological examination. Additionally, with higher virulence over concurrent milk samples were evaluated for SCC using a generations. In order to determine the DeLaval Cell Counter. The association of teat effective transmission of this system, we end score, infection status, and SCC was measured the egg production of hookworm analyzed using the CORR procedure of SAS. females collected from fur seal pups found Preliminary analysis of data suggested a dead due to trauma or hookworm disease. relationship between mammary quarter While results are pending, it is expected that infection status and teat score. Uninfected there will be larger numbers of eggs in quarters exhibited an average score of 2.00, hookworm females collected from pups that whereas the overall average score for infected died due to hookworm disease compared to quarters was 2.42. Among infected quarters, hookworms collected from pups that died due teat scores were CNS – 1.9, streptococcus – to causes unrelated to hookworm infection 2.0, prototheca – 2.0, S. aureus – 2.6, mold 3.0, (trauma). and E. coli – 3.0. Results suggest that teat end hyperkeratosis is associated with the presence Lung Abnormality Detection from Laser of mastitis, and that management practices Projection Modeling should be in place to prevent this condition Sommer Anjum, CURO Research Assistant and to promote healthy teat ends. Dr. Ramana Pidaparti, College of Engineering

Hookworm Egg Production in a Virulent Many respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic Hookworm-Fur Seal System obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Ali Anderson, CURO Honors Scholar pneumonia require the estimation of lung Dr. Nicole Gottdenker, Pathology, College of parameters that are very crucial in analyzing Veterinary Medicine the health condition of a patient. Most of the available devices in the market perform these The South American Fur Seal (SAFS, measurements invasively, and the non- Arctocephalus australis) is a marine mammal that invasive kinds like laser-based 3D monitoring inhabits the southern coasts of South of the chest wall are subject to issues America. While this species is one of the most involving maintenance, portability, and widely distributed otariids in the world, the resolution. In addition, these instruments are populations in the Pacific Ocean have not capable of performing localized experienced an alarming decline (57%) over measurements. We are in the process of the last 20 years. Although the cause of this developing a laser-based portable device decline is unknown, hookworm disease plays capable of measuring respiration dynamics a significant role in the population dynamics and heart rate non-invasively. The device of SAFS. Via necropsies conducted at Guafo primarily projects a laser grid onto an area of Island, or Chilean Patagonia, hookworms interest, and the displacement of the grid with were collected from SAFS pups with the aim time is monitored with an integrated CCD of studying this host-parasite system, in which camera. These displacements can be measured the parasite, the hookworm, causes significant precisely to a micrometer level and hence very damage to the host (high virulence). Since the minute changes in functional residual capacity virulence of this parasite is related to the of lungs can be monitored. Experiments were extraction of host resources (blood), we carried out to see how the respiratory rate can hypothesize that high virulence correlates with be predicted from well-defined surfaces a greater chance of transmission for the

Abstracts

mimicking the patient chest. These results are encapsulation inside the core of the HDL- presented in the poster. NPs. Characterization of the potential therapeutic and imaging abilities of these Synthetic Iron Oxide Containing HDL IONP-based HDL-NPs in atherosclerosis can Nanoparticles for Atherosclerosis be completed upon conduction of studies to Brett Askins further understand bioimaging, Prof. Shanta Dhar, Chemistry, Franklin biocompatibility, toxicity, cholesterol efflux College of Arts & Sciences properties, and immunogenicity.

Atherosclerosis is one of the world’s most Transcriptional Activity of MGA and aggressive diseases, claiming over 17.5 million Mutation in Zebrafish lives per year. This disease is often caused by Adam Aston high amounts of lipoproteins circulating in the Dr. Scott Dougan, Cellular Biology, Franklin blood stream, which leads to plaque College of Arts & Sciences formation. Ultimately these plaques can undergo thrombosis and cause heart damage. This study focuses on the normal function of A major contributor to these vulnerable MAX Gene Associated (MGA) transcription plaques is macrophage apoptosis. factor during zebrafish development as well as Development of subcellular vehicles that carry its involvement in tumorigenesis. The MGA contrast and therapeutic agents to the gene is known to regulate the cell cycle and mitochondria within these apoptotic differentiation not only in zebrafish but also macrophages is attractive for the treatment of in mice and humans. In order to study the atherosclerosis. Previously, our lab reported transcriptional activity of MGA in zebrafish, construction of a biodegradable, synthetic the CRISPR/Cas9 system is utilized to HDL nanoparticle (NP) system that is capable generate a targeted mutation in the T-Box of detecting vulnerable plaques by DNA binding site. CRISPR/Cas9 is a genome mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, editing method that utilizes the endonuclease which occurs during apoptosis. This platform activity of the Cas9 protein guided by the contains a core of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) gRNA to cut at the target sequence of and cholesteryl oleate, with similar interest. Co-injection of the Cas9 mRNA and hydrophobicity as found in natural HDL. the T-Box gRNA in embryos can yield mutant Surrounding this core is a phospholipid layer phenotypes: a wide array of defects in the comprised of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- heart, tail, and eye development. The embryos phosphoethanolamine, along with stearyl- are examined at both 24 hours and 48 hours triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cations for post-fertilization; zebrafish exhibiting mutant detection of mitochondrial membrane phenotypes are documented and potential collapse. On the surface of this lipid photographed. The gRNA injected F0 layer is an apoA-I mimetic 4F peptide capable generation is raised to adulthood. The of binding cholesterol and participating in potential mutants are identified by outcrossing reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). A the F0 generation to wild-type Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) iron zebrafish. DNA from the F1 larvae is oxide-based probe, mito-magneto, was extracted, PCR amplified, and T7E1 encapsulated within the HDL NPs for digested. Once the potential mutants are potential use in therapeutic monitoring of identified, their progeny are raised for further atherosclerosis by MRI. This platform screening. Homozygous mutant MGA displays excellent composition, stability, and zebrafish are recovered by in-crossing two physiochemical properties required for heterozygous F1. Crossing two homozygous

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recessive F2 zebrafish will yield a maternal- change in target location than in a visually- zygotic mutant F3 generation. By analyzing guided pro-saccade task. This information the gene expression pattern and supports the notion that cognition, in this morphological defects of mutant fish, the case prediction of patterns, influences motor results should allow for a better understanding function and causes adaptive behavior. of MGA regulation and involvement in embryonic development and human cancer. Practice Makes Perfect: A Capuchin Monkey Becomes Skillful at Nut Cracking The Effects of Predictable Targets on with an Unfamiliar Stone Saccade Behavior Rhianna Baldree, Emily Unholz, Margaret Emma Auger Bergmann Dr. Jennifer McDowell, Psychology, Franklin Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences College of Arts & Sciences

The ability to see patterns and alter behavior Skill is defined as fluid and effective based on those patterns allows individuals to performance of a specific action, or set of respond efficiently in predictable actions, under varying circumstances. Wild environments. Saccades, also known as rapid bearded capuchin monkeys typically crack eye movements, are used when studying the tough palm nuts by placing them on a log or influence of cognitive processes such as stone anvil, and striking them with stone detection of timing patterns on sensory-motor hammers that weigh a considerable portion of function. This study investigated subjects’ a monkey’s body mass. To evaluate nut- ability to adapt behavior to a predictable, cracking skill, we videotaped an adult male patterned sequence of events by comparing using an unfamiliar stone hammer of an saccade latency on a visually-guided pro- average weight and size. We documented the saccade task with random target locations to a monkey’s behavior with the stone during nut predictive saccade task with alternating target cracking in slow-motion playback. We coded locations. In the predictive task, subjects three exploratory actions with the stone (n=40) performed blocks of trials with (preparatory lifts, spins, and flips), the different rates of target alternation: 0.1, 0.2, position of the monkey’s hands on the stone 0.4, or 0.8 Hz. It was hypothesized that the each time it moved the stone, the angle of the faster the speed of the predictable targets the strike, and outcome (stone dropped, nut lower the latency would be, as subjects cracked). We determined the frequency of learned the timing pattern and generated actions and outcomes for the first 100 strikes anticipatory saccades. The preliminary analysis of this monkey and reported that the monkey shows that at 0.1 Hz latency does not differ cracked 31 nuts in 100 strikes and produced significantly compared to the visually-guided between exploratory actions. Proportions of saccades. As the target movements get faster, the three exploratory actions were also however, the latency in the predictive task recorded, with .73 in spins per strike, .36 in decreases. At 0.4 and 0.8 Hz subjects have flips per strike, and .38 in preparatory lifts per faster latencies as the block progresses, strike. The monkey rarely performed ultimately having negative latencies as they unskillful actions. As more strikes occurred, learn to predict the target motion before it the number of exploratory actions decreased. occurs. In conclusion, faster alternations in We interpret the decrease in these actions the predictive task allow subjects to construct across practice as an indication that the internal representations of target timing monkey became more familiar with the stone patterns and to react more quickly to the and therefore more skilled at using it,

Abstracts increasing the efficiency. We also determined if we are to use the EI on clinical that exploratory actions may help with populations. positioning the stone for an effective strike. The Narrative Retelling of Marginalized Quantifying Muscle Function in a Ancient Greek Mythological Characters by Previously Fatigued Muscle Contemporary Female Authors Rebecca Baltenberger Manisha Banga Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of Dr. Benjamin Wolkow, Classics, Franklin Education College of Arts & Sciences

A clinically relevant muscle endurance test This research examines marginalized using electrical twitch stimulation and characters from ancient Greek mythology in accelerometry has been developed. Our aim the context of work by contemporary female was to characterize the endurance index (EI) authors. Specifically, it examines the of an endurance test in a previously fatigued phenomenon in which contemporary female muscle. We hypothesized that a supermaximal authors retell the stories of ancient Greek electrical current for muscle twitch characters who were sidelined in their accelerometry could be identified, and that myths—usually without agency and often maximal acceleration and the endurance of without personality or complexity. When the muscle after a 5-minute test would be female authors reimagine these characters, altered in a previously fatigued they provide new character depth which the muscle. Methods: We tested males and females. ancient mythology does not present. The texts Acceleration was measured using an examined will include Anne Carson’s accelerometer placed over the trapezius Autobiography of Red, Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, and muscle. Supermaximal current was measured Cherríe Moraga’s The Hungry Woman: A using electrical stimulation on the trapezius at Mexican Medea. These texts reinvent the 4Hz for 1-second intervals at progressively ancient characters of Geryon, Eurydice, and increasing current. Fatigue was produced with Medea by delving into their characters on a 5-minutes of 6Hz stimulation. EI was deeper narrative level by virtue of a defined calculated as the difference between the start three-part pattern in which modern authors and the end values. Fatigue was induced using villainize the ancient heroes, humanize shoulder shrugs with weights to exhaustion. marginalized characters, and finally reveal a The EI was measured both after exercise and corruption of the marginalized character by during a rested state and compared. Results: the hero. This research will employ classical, Acceleration leveled off with tolerable current literary, and feminist analyses both on the levels. After shrugs, the initial acceleration at ancient mythology and on contemporary work the start of the test was only 21% of the non- in order to understand the connection fatigued acceleration (p < 0.05). The EI was between the works in context of their relation 39% +/- 17% in the rested and 190% +/- to both time period and gender. The 154% in fatigued muscle (p = 0.033). researcher argues that female authors retell Conclusions: We produced a supermaximal stories of marginalized characters due to a stimulus that may allow us to identify sympathy derived from the general previously fatigued muscle. The decline in marginalization of female characters in initial acceleration observed following exercise contemporary art, literature, and culture. influenced the EI, which could potentially confound tests of clinical populations. Future studies need to address the impact of fatigue

Abstracts

Comparing Meiotic Spindle Structure and data support an important role for pericentrin Chromosome Attachment in Control and in the regulation of stable spindle formation Pericentrin-Depleted Mouse Oocytes and chromosome attachment, necessary for Wendi Bao accurate meiotic division. Dr. Maria Viveiros, Physiology & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Quantum Fourier Transform in the Medicine Single-Excitation Subspace Method of Quantum Computation Errors in meiotic division in oocytes can lead George Barron, CURO Research Assistant to aneuploidy, a major cause of genetic Dr. Michael Geller, Physics & Astronomy, disorders such as Down syndrome and Franklin College of Arts & Sciences pregnancy loss in women. While accurate chromosome segregation depends on stable The primary question of our research is spindle formation and correct chromosome- “What does the Hamiltonian for the unitary microtubule interactions, the regulation of operator associated with quantum Fourier these critical processes is not well defined. In transform look like?” The primary result of previous studies, we identified an important the paper is that we determined an analytical role for pericentrin (Pcnt) in meiotic spindle expression for the Hamiltonian and present stability and developed a unique transgenic possible applications, including applications to mouse model in which Pcnt is knocked down quantum chaos. To accomplish this, we apply exclusively in oocytes to test its function in results in linear algebra. The significance of vivo. Pericentrin is a key scaffolding protein this development is that it allows the quantum that associates with microtubule organizing Fourier transform to be applied in one step in centers (MTOCs). The objective of this the single-excitation subspace method of experiment was to compare the spindle quantum computation. structure and chromosome configurations between control and Pcnt-depleted ovulated Development of Immunologic Reagents (Metaphase II-stage) oocytes collected from for the Ferret Animal Model control and transgenic (Tg) females. The Camille Bauer oocytes were simultaneously immunostained Prof. S. Mark Tompkins, Infectious Diseases, with anti-pericentrin and anti-acetylated a- College of Veterinary Medicine tubulin antibodies, then counterstained with DAPI to assess Pcnt expression as well as the The study of influenza disease and immunity spindle microtubules and chromosomes, in humans is complicated by the multitude respectively. Specific measurements of spindle and variety of encounters during a lifetime. pole diameter and inter-pole length revealed Accordingly, influenza researchers have differences in the Pcnt-depleted group. developed animal models of influenza Notably, the meiotic spindles in Pcnt-depleted infection and immunity, including mice and oocytes were significantly shorter with ferrets. While the mouse model benefits from relatively broader, less focused spindle poles. precise genetics and many immunological Spindle organization was also disrupted in a reagents, it is widely recognized that mice do significant percentage of the oocytes. not adequately model infection or Moreover, Pcnt-depleted oocytes exhibited a transmission of influenza. The ferret is a high incidence of lagging chromosomes, superior model for transmission and indicative of chromosome-microtubule pathogenicity and offers major advantages for attachment defects. These meiotic errors can understanding, preventing, and modulating potentially lead to aneuploidy. Hence, our the course of influenza. Despite the utility of

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the ferret, it is underutilized. One recent The research question I will answer is: “how review noted that “the major drawback to the does social comparison/peer pressure affect more widespread use of the ferret as a model college students’ attitudes toward debt and for influenza has been the lack of their ability to delay gratification?” I immunological reagents.” The objective of hypothesize that the students who compare this research is to develop validated reagents themselves more to their peers and give in to and protocols to study ferret cellular and peer pressure easily will be more accepting of immunological responses to influenza debt and will not be able to delay gratification infection. Specifically, recombinant ferret as well as students who do not compare proteins are being used to generate novel themselves to others and do not give into peer monoclonal antibody (mAb) reagents. pressure. I will research this question using Candidate mAbs will be tested for reactivity to data collected by Dr. Cude from college recombinant ferret proteins expressed in the seniors in her classes since 2008. I will control laboratory or provided by collaborators. for gender, financial knowledge, current Leading mAb candidates will be validated for financial situation, involvement of parents in reactivity using ferrets cells and tissues. We financial education, confidence in financial have generated plasmids encoding cDNAs for knowledge, and previous financial education. I a panel of recombinant ferret proteins and will use a scale used by Ray and Najman to included a 6x Histidine tag (6xHis), enabling measure delay of gratification, a scale used by detection and purification of the ferret Davies and Lea to measure attitudes toward proteins. The cDNAs have been confirmed debt, a scale used by Norvilitis and Maclean to by sequencing and we are now transfecting measure parental involvement in financial HEK293 cells for stable expression of the education, a scale used by Norvilitis and Mao ferret proteins. Protein expression will be to measure confidence in financial knowledge, confirmed by multiple assays, including and a scale used by Gibbons and Buunk to Western blot and immunohistochemistry measure social comparison. Financial (IHC), using 6xHis-specific antibodies, and knowledge and all other variables will be then purified using the 6xHis tag, as well. measured by student self-assessment and/or These proteins and proteins from response to a survey question. By discovering collaborators are being used to generate mAb, the answer to this question, we will be better which will be screened for specificity using able to understand which college students are the recombinant proteins and validated using more at risk to make bad financial decisions. native antigens from ferret cells and tissues. The long-term goal is to develop ferret- Engineering the Active Site of Histone specific mAbs for use in flow cytometry, Acetyltransferase 1 ELISA, Western blot and other antibody- Kaylyn Bell based assays, which in turn will be used for Dr. Y. George Zheng, Pharmaceutical & infectious disease and vaccine studies in the Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy ferret model. Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzymes The Effect of Social Comparison on regulate gene expression by transferring the College Students’ Attitudes toward Debt acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to specific and Their Ability to Delay Gratification lysine residues of histones. However, recent Elliott Beale studies provide evidence that HATs may Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, provide for the intimate connection between Housing & Consumer Economics, College of epigenetics and metabolism, acting upon Family & Consumer Sciences thousands of substrates exclusive of histones.

Abstracts

These proteins play key roles in physical health problems. The purpose of this posttranslational modification, cellular paper is to argue the interpretive value metabolism, and a multitude of other geographers provide in regards to behavior pathways in cell physiology, as well. My and health is both warranted and necessary in objective is to engineer the active site of health studies and policies. histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) via site- directed mutagenesis, in order to ultimately Short-Run Economic Mobility in the identify some of the enzyme’s many Wake of the Great Recession substrates by conducting enzymatic activity Jordan Berne, CURO Research Assistant assays. This will provide molecular insights Dr. Robert Nielsen, Financial Planning, into the biological functions of HAT enzymes Housing & Consumer Economics, College of and may lead to the development of novel Family & Consumer Sciences bioorthogonal probes for further investigation. The goal of this research is to identify short- run correlates of upward and downward Thinking Geographically in Regards to wealth mobility in the aftermath of the Great Power Dynamics of the Social Recession. The paper investigates individual Environment: Its Effect on Health components of wealth that are relevant to the Catherine Bernard causes and consequences of the recession (i.e. Dr. Andy Herod, Geography, Franklin housing wealth and stock market holdings), College of Arts & Sciences along with a composite indicator of a household's net worth. Using panel data from Behavior, as it relates to health outcomes, is the 2008 Survey of Income and Program best predicted through socio-historical Participation (SIPP), a series of two-period interactions, weighted by scale, which provide conditional logistic regressions is constructed context to current interactions and seemingly to understand the correlates of household intangible power dynamics that make up the wealth mobility. This research fills a gap in the social environment. Through a stance that is literature on wealth mobility since the dialectical and non-judgmental, making use of recession and will inform the policy debate on critical reflection, successful and functional how to increase upward mobility and decrease solutions that address the maladaptive downward mobility. The results suggest that appropriation of stimuli by the individual may household upward mobility was greatest be created. Health is correlative with the among those that weren't poor, lived in the degrees of power of individuals. The nature of South, lived in metropolitan areas, and were these power dynamics is that they are employed full time. Increasing educational internalized and constantly re-established attainment, improving outcomes for single- through habitual behaviors, reaffirming parent households, and helping households geographically contingent social navigate housing markets may reduce constructions. Behavior is geographically downward mobility. contingent, meaning people at specific spaces and times have certain avenues and resources Androgynous Dress: A Sign of a New available to them for behavior to be enacted American Social Landscape based on a myriad of environmental, socio- Ashley Biscan historical, and biological factors. This lens Dr. Katalin Medvedev, Textiles, provides a more holistic approach to the Merchandising & Interiors, College of Family understanding of behavior, particularly & Consumer Sciences maladaptive behavior that can result in

Abstracts

Gender was at the forefront of discussion in Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) 2015, both inside and outside of the fashion and their glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side industry. Political, social, and retail actions chains are important elements in the brain have all been instrumental in breaking down extracellular matrix (ECM) and have been the gender binary in the United States. implicated in promoting tumor invasion. Recently, fashion’s culturally intuitive industry However, conclusive evidence to suggest has turned androgynous dress into more than CSPGs or the associated CS-GAGs induce an avenue of personal expression; it created a brain tumor invasion is currently lacking. We national (and global) trend, affecting both the aim to provide evidence suggesting that tumor LGBT community and heterosexuals. To cell invasion can be influenced by the level of analyze this occurrence I studied a variety of sulfation of CS-GAGs in the tumor ECM. sources. First, to examine the historical This was tested in vitro by encapsulating the development of the rise of androgyny in glioblastoma cell line U87MG-EGFP into CS- today’s culture I reviewed numerous academic A (4-sulfated), composite CS-A/E (4,6- texts. Next, I looked for proof for the sulfated), hyaluronic acid, and agarose expansion of the new trend in periodicals and hydrogels. We hypothesize that the sulfation by examining current designer collections. My of CS-GAGs influences tumor cell migration, aim was to curate evidence from a potentially through a chemokine-mediated combination of sources to understand that the mechanism. Choice assays using microfluidics increasing mass acceptance of androgynous devices showed preferential cell migration dress practices is reflective of dramatic social into composite hydrogels (p<0.05). changes in the United States. I have grouped Immunohistochemistry for the cytoskeletal my findings into sections based on how they components FAK and vinculin demonstrated relate to fashion cycles, social reform, that cells encapsulated in CS-GAG gels show marketing, and celebrity endorsements. After significantly more colocalization than control analyzing my data, I arrived at the conclusion treatments (p<0.05). Chemotaxis assays with that the simultaneous progress of LGBT the chemokine SDF-1α suggest that, after freedoms of the 21st century and the rise of three hours, GBM cells migrate further into androgynous dress as a style trend is more composite gels containing SDF-1α than those than coincidental. Together, they push and without, displaying potential for chemokine- pull each other to help construct a more GAG affinity (p<0.05). Sandwich ELISA egalitarian culture. Today, androgyny is truly assays to determine SDF-1α binding affinity in fashion in America both literally and and qRT-PCR assays are ongoing to establish politically. a molecular basis for SDF-1α mediated migration of U87MG cells in CS-GAG The Role of Chondroitin Sulfate matrices. If glioma malignancy is influenced Glycosaminoglycans in Glioma Cell by the level of sulfation of CS-GAGs, this Progression work could contribute to development of Nicole Bisel, CURO Graduation Distinction, novel therapies for brain cancer and lead to CURO Research Assistant improved patient prognoses in clinical Dr. Lohitash Karumbaiah, Animal & Dairy medicine. Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences The Effect of Form and Source on Bioavailability of Vitamin E Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an Supplementation in Mature Horses aggressive, devastating type of brain tumor Marrissa Blackwell characterized by a highly invasive nature.

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Dr. Kylee Duberstein, Animal & Dairy For this research project, I will answer the Science, College of Agricultural & following question: what relationships exist Environmental Sciences between painting and literature? Specifically, I am studying literature and art in England Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is an essential between 1820 and 1920 with works ranging nutrient for all horses that has an integral role from the paintings of J.M.W. Tuner to the in preventing excessive production of free Modernist movement. The purpose of this radicals that can cause major damage to cell study includes three key elements: to develop structures. Uncontrolled oxidative stress can a holistic understanding of literature that has inhibit the horse’s ability to combat the been influenced by artistic movements, to imbalance between production and removal discover how and why artistic movements of free radicals, resulting in tissue damage and, influence literature, and to gain an most recently discovered, degenerative understanding for how works of literature can disease. Since alpha-tocopherol is not influence and inspire works of art. Writing is synthesized by the horse, it is a crucial meant to create images within a reader’s nutrient for all types of equine diets. Vitamin mind’s eye; therefore, I am investigating how E can be found in natural sources through literature is influenced by images themselves, green pastures, alfalfa, and other quality and conversely, how images fuel pieces of roughages, as well as in synthetic forms, such literature. Although some research has been as liquid or powder supplementation. done on this topic, I will bring my own However, due to structural differences, experience as a student of English and art to absorption rates and effectiveness of alpha- analyze individual paintings, novels, plays, and tocopherol can vary. The objective of this poems. My method of study will involve study was to compare the bioavailability of closely reading the poems, plays, and novels natural and synthetic forms of Vitamin E. In that have been tied to specific artists or artistic this study, we utilized sixteen mature horses, movements. Then, I will study the paintings previously housed on pasture. Horses were that I believe have inspired or influenced confined to stalls with minimal turnout to a these works of literature. After studying each, dry lot (2-4 hrs/day) for a two-week washout I will form my own conclusions on how one period prior to the start of the trial. Horses form of expression has influenced the other. were then randomly assigned to one of four For this presentation, I will be looking treatment groups (Group 1 = synthetic specifically at the paintings and poetry of acetate powder, Group 2 = natural acetate William Blake and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. powder, Group 3 = Emcelle Powder, Group 4 = Emcelle Liquid), and then placed on a Mineralogy and Petrology of Huerfano two-week feeding trial. Plasma was collected Butte: A Tertiary Intrusion on the Great pre-feeding on days one, seven, and Plains, Colorado fourteen and four hours post-feeding on days Joe Booth one and fourteen to measure vitamin E levels. Dr. Michael Roden, Geology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Literature and Art: How One Creates the Other Huerfano Butte, an alkali gabbro igneous Jessie Blaeser intrusion located in the Great Plains of Dr. Simon Gatrell, English, Franklin College eastern Colorado, has been dated by K-Ar of Arts & Sciences methods to be 25.2 million years old making this one of the most recent magmatic events in the Great Plains and placing it in the same

Abstracts

time frame as the famous dikes and plutons of This study seeks to determine how infection Spanish Peaks, CO. Most likely, Huerfano impacts the fitness of the crab, specifically its Butte is a satellite intrusion of Spanish metabolic rate. Crabs were infected with an Peaks. It is composed of felsic and mafic immune response inducing bacteria for a span rocks. The mafic rocks contain small felsic of 48 hours and then their metabolic rates segregation veins representing the last portion were measured. The metabolic rates were of the melt to crystallize. Huerfano Butte measured before and after infection. The likely formed by mantle melting related to the number of circulating blood cells and the Rio Grande continental rift as recently effectiveness of the crabs' immune response inferred for some dikes in Spanish Peaks. The were also measured after the infection purpose of this study is to determine mineral process. Although data collection is still compositions in both felsic and mafic rocks in underway, increases in metabolic rates after order to understand crystallization history, infection are expected to be observed. and to place Huerfano Butte in the context of Additionally, we also predict that there will be Tertiary magmatism in the western U.S.A. a positive correlation between the number of Compared to the dikes at Spanish Peaks, the circulating bloods cells and the effectiveness rocks from Huerfano Butte are coarser- of the immune response. This research is grained and fresh, allowing a more complete significant because the Asian shore crab’s study of crystallization history. Samples were invasive range is the northeastern coast of the collected during the UGA/USC geology field United States. These crabs are decreasing the school course in 2015 and analyzed using the biodiversity of these coastal ecosystems and JEOL electron microprobe housed in the are feeding upon commercially important Department of Geology at UGA. Olivine species like the larvae of lobsters and blue compositions range from Fo 71 to Fo 80 shellfish. Thus, gaining a better understanding confirming a mantle origin, whereas other about this organism is extremely important in minerals track the evolution of the magma as order to ultimately eradicate it from these it crystallized. Most intriguingly, apatite, areas. amphibole, and mica contain significant H2O, indicating a hydrous magma consistent with a The Enzymatic Characterization of Three link to Spanish Peaks. Nucleotide-Sugar Aminotransferases in Pathogenic Bacillus Assessing the Costs of Investments in Kyle Bowler Immunocompetence on the Fitness of Dr. Maor Bar-Peled, Biochemistry & Hemigrapsus sanguineus Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sydney Alyce Bourget, CURO Honors Sciences Scholar Dr. Jeb Byers, Odum School of Ecology Sugar-conjugated macromolecules, or glycans, play significant roles in cell-to-cell recognition, Hemigrapsus sanguineus, commonly known as binding to the extracellular matrix, and the Asian shore crab, is a highly invasive pathogenicity. Glycobiology has become an species that is native to the island of Japan increasingly popular and medicinally relevant and other coastlines in Asia. Found in Asian field of study, as there are more than 100 shore crabs’ environment are rhizocephalan known human diseases related to glycan parasites, which often infect and castrate the metabolism. Glycan synthesis requires the crabs. This elicits an immune response in the formation of diverse nucleotide-sugars. This crabs in which they attempt to phagocytize work describes the formation of amino- the foreign bodies through encapsulation. nucleotide-sugars in the gram-positive

Abstracts

endospore forming bacterium Bacillus cereus. I increased over the impact of liberalization on have identified and characterized three NDP- youth marijuana use. Simultaneously, rates of 4-keto-4-aminotransferases in Bacillus to gain youth obesity have increased substantially insight on their levels of catalytic interplay and over time. Further, substance use, body image, promiscuity. The aminotransferase genes, and nutrition are individually known to be RBTH_04255, Bc5273, and Bc1944, were inputs into health and educational production cloned into E. coli-compatible plasmids. functions for high school youth. However, Transformed E. coli were induced to express relatively little is known about the interaction recombinant protein, which was harvested between these factors in health and and purified. Assays were developed to educational achievement. In this paper we will characterize enzymatic activity in terms of use data from the Youth Risk Behavior substrate/cofactor specificity, buffer/pH Survey (YRBS) from 1995 to 2013 to study specificity, optimal temperature, ideal nitrogen the interaction between marijuana use and donor source, and ideal pyridoxal and redox nutritional inputs (including healthy eating groups. Enzymatic products were analyzed via and exercise) on BMI and on self-reported liquid chromatography coupled to mass grade point averages. The underlying spectrometry and were confirmed by the conceptual model assumes youth maximize fragmentation of nucleotide-mono- utility across health (proxied by BMI) and phosphate. Enzymatic “% Conversion” was school performance (proxied by GPA), where calculated by dividing the integral of eluted BMI and grades are the outputs of a product by the sum of the integral product household production function that has and integral substrate. Bc5273 and Bc1944 marijuana use, healthy foods, and exercise as were able to convert RBTH_04255’s inputs. The analysis data contains a established substrate, UDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-L- representative sample of over 800,000 high AltNAc, to UDP-4-amino-6-deoxy-L-AltNAc school youth from 39 states over the 1995 to at approximately 20% catalytic efficiency. 2013 time period. Our models will control for Each aminotransferase was able to convert potential endogeneity of the input demand UDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose to UDP-4- decisions in the BMI and grade production amino-6-deoxy-D-glucose. These results functions using standard instrumental indicate an exciting amount of interplay in variables methods. Finally, we will discuss the NDP-sugar metabolism in vitro, which potential policy interventions available to demonstrates that proteins are capable of mitigate the adverse consequences of risky having broad and promiscuous catalytic youth behaviors and nutritional deficits, and activities. Future studies are required to better how those policies may differentially affect understand the regulation and biological role minority populations. of these three aminotransferases in Bacillus. The Hijab as a Feminist Tool of Agency Marijuana Use, Nutritional Behaviors, Catherine Braun and Educational Attainment in U.S. Dr. Katalin Medvedev, Textiles, School-Aged Youth Merchandising & Interiors, College of Family Ashley Bradford, CURO Research Assistant & Consumer Sciences Dr. Grace Bagwell Adams, Health Policy & Management, College of Public Health The hijab and the practice of veiling within Islamic culture have been subject to ongoing Over the past decade as state laws regulating negative criticism, shaped mostly by the sale and possession of marijuana have exclusionist Eurocentric viewpoints. In the undergone significant changes, concern has wake of 9/11, many Americans began to view

Abstracts the hijab as a symbol of an oppressive part of constitutes a fairy story and what defines the the world. Although the hijab is enforced by broader realm of Faerie. It further contributes many fundamentalist regimes, it is forbidden to the body of research investigating the and penalized by others. Whatever the case symbolic importance of the dragon and may be, wearing the hijab can be a highly dragon-slayer legends and the fantasy worlds personal choice for Muslim women, shaped in which those tales take place. The focus of by political ideology, cultural identity, and the research includes exploration of dragon modesty. This paper identifies the shifting myths, the historical influences of medieval global trends of hijab wearers and discusses social customs, the adaptation of dragons in disparate meanings of this dress item for fantasy literature, and the expansion of their different wearers. In Turkey, for example, portrayals in the works of Tolkien. Muslim women have often covered Additionally, it elaborates on the attributes of themselves to distinguish themselves from the dragons from their first conception. I ideological viewpoints of different family examined the way in which Tolkien used these members. To better understand the hijab as a subjects and adapted them into his stories tool of empowerment, I have reviewed through survey of his essay “On Fairy Stories” academic articles and memoirs of hijab and other literary works. Scholarly articles wearers. My objective was to identify the from other sources were also consulted. In positive aspects of veiling. Although it is conclusion, the features of dragons are not difficult to measure the exact potential of the static but have morphed over time, varying hijab as a feminist tool, attempts for the depending on the author’s imagination, and normalization of veiling practices can be the realm of Faerie is given very few literary detected in social media platforms among limits thus adding to the author’s flexibility millennials and Generation Z members. While when composing a fairy story. women will likely continue to be judged for their appearance, alternative social media Distinct Transcript Isoforms of the representations of veiled women appear to Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1 have the potential to jumpstart a dialogue in (ACKR1)/Duffy Antigen Receptor for which such a controversial sartorial Chemokines (DARC) Gene are Expressed phenomenon may find new interpretations. in Lymphoblasts and Altered Isoform Levels are Associated with Genetic The Mythical Realm of Faerie: Dragon- Ancestry and the Duffy-Null Allele Lore Symbolism and the Literary Andrea Brown Elements of Faerie Dr. Melissa Davis, Genetics, Franklin College Kinsey Brooke of Arts & Sciences Dr. Jonathan Evans, English, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences The Atypical ChemoKine Receptor 1 (ACKR1) gene, better known as Duffy Characters of the dragon and the dragon- Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC or slayer are important symbols in popular Duffy), is responsible for the Duffy Blood themes found in medieval myths and fantasy Group and plays a major role in regulating the literature. This project purposes to answer the circulating homeostatic levels of pro- question, “What are the literary elements of inflammatory chemokines. Previous studies Faerie, and how do they relate to the have shown that one common variant, the evolution of dragon-lore and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Duffy Null (Fy-) allele that is specific to adaptation of these themes?” An inquiry African Ancestry groups, completely removes reveals Tolkien’s interpretation of what expression of the gene on erythrocytes;

Abstracts

however, these individuals retain endothelial acetylcholinesterase. Chlorpyrifos is expression. Additional alleles are associated metabolized by Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) into with a myriad of clinical outcomes related to chlorpyrifos-oxon (O,Odiethyl- immune responses and inflammation. In O[3,5,6,trichloro-2-pyridinly]phosphate, CPO) addition to allele variants, there are two and 3,5,6,-trichloro-2-pyrinidol (TCP). CPO is distinct transcript isoforms of DARC which approximately 3,000 times more potent than are expressed from separate promoters, and CPF and leads to neurotoxicity. TCP is very little is known about the distinct nontoxic and is eliminated in the kidneys. transcriptional regulation or the distinct Methods have been developed to quantify functionality of these protein isoforms. Our chlorpyrifos and its two metabolites by objective was to determine if the African column liquid chromatography/electrospray specific Fy- allele alters the expression pattern ionization tandem mass spectrometry of DARC isoforms and therefore could (LC/ESI-MS/MS). Preliminary data showed potentially result in a unique signature of the the detoxification of CPF into TCP in the gene products, commonly referred to as presence of astrocytes. An increase in TCP antigens. Our work is the first to establish that levels was observed in cell culture medium in there is expression of DARC on the presence of astrocytes, but was inhibited lymphoblasts. Our data indicates that people in the presence of CYP inhibitor SKF525A. of African ancestry have distinct relative levels This suggested that astrocytes have the ability of DARC isoforms expressed in these cells. to metabolize and detoxify chlorpyrifos, and We conclude that the expression of both the metabolism could be inhibited by the CYP isoforms in combination with alternate alleles inhibitor. This poster will discuss quantitative yields multiple Duffy antigens in ancestry data obtained from the co-culturing of groups, depending upon the haplotypes across neurons with astrocytes in the presence of the gene. Importantly, we hypothesize that CPF and how astrocytes affect the DARC isoform expression patterns will metabolism of CPF into CPO and TCP. translate into ancestry-specific inflammatory responses that are correlated with the axis of An Improved Synthesis of a Fundamental pro-inflammatory chemokine levels and MOF Precursor distinct isoform-specific interactions with Wesley Brown, CURO Research Assistant these chemokines. Ultimately, this work will Dr. Douglas Jackson, Chemistry, Franklin increase knowledge of biological mechanisms College of Arts & Sciences underlying disparate clinical outcomes of inflammatory-related diseases among ethnic As the first step in a multi-step synthetic and geographic ancestry groups. project, the synthesis of methyl 10-nitro-9- anthracenecarboxylate is critical to the Examining the Effects of Astrocytes on foundation of the organic linker needed to Chlorpyrifos Metabolism complete the construction of a hybrid Kyle Brown, CURO Research Assistant molecular switch to metal-organic framework, Dr. Michael Bartlett, Pharmaceutical & or MOF. To synthesize this methyl ester, Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy esterification of 9-anthracene carboxylic acid was implemented in methanol and sulfuric Chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-[3,5,6,-trichloro- acid, and the reactions completed to various 2-pyridyl] phosphorothionate, CPF) is a yields. However, rather than pursuing widely used organophosphate insecticide. CPF conventional synthetic routes for this is utilized as an insecticide, and its activity and reaction, such as oil-bath reflux, microwave toxicity is due to the irreversible inhibition of irradiation was implemented to greatly reduce

Abstracts

the time table of this reaction. A more fluorescently labeled Cry51Aa toxin, image successful esterification was achieved by first toxin binding and damage to gut tissue in converting 9-anthracene carboxylic acid to the Lygus nymphs by confocal microscopy. The acyl chloride, and then immediately converted data will provide basic information on toxin to the desired methyl 9-antrhacenecarboxylate interaction with the Lygus gut, and will guide with the addition of methanol in acidic the optimization of Bt Cry51Aa toxin for conditions. Following the successful enhanced activity against Lygus and other esterification, methyl 9-anthracenecarboxylate hemipteran pests. was nitrated to methyl 10-nitro-9- anthracenecarboxylate by way of the creation Diabetes Self-Education App of the nitronium ion in sulfuric acid and an Ben Burgh acetic acid/acetic anhydride solution. Current Dr. Kyle Johnsen, College of Engineering methods improve upon the literature in terms of reduced reaction time, improved yield, and Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder purity. affecting almost 400 million people worldwide. In order to help these people Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis understand how their actions (i.e. adhering to Cry51Aa Toxicity to Lygus their medication, diet, and exercise regimes) Darcie Bruce, CURO Summer Fellow, CURO can affect their health, we constructed a Research Assistant mobile application to promote patient Prof. Michael Adang, Entomology, College of knowledge and keep track of their well-being. Agricultural & Environmental Sciences The primary means of accomplishing this is a “What If” simulation which visually Tarnished Plant Bugs, Lygus lineolaris, have demonstrates to users how different behaviors emerged as major global crop pests. This would hypothetically improve or degrade their group of bugs in the Order Hemiptera has health. Users would be encouraged, both by piercing-sucking mouth parts, stylets that the application and their doctors, to live a puncture plant cells and remove cellular healthier lifestyle. Our question is, are patients contents. These species are cosmopolitan willing, or even able, to educate themselves pests of high value crops. During the early through this application? bud and bloom stage, feeding by these insects causes bud and flower loss, reducing yield on Spatial and Temporal Iron Isotope stone fruits such as peaches, and a number of Fractionation in Hawaiian Soils agricultural row crops including cotton. Shannon Burns, CURO Graduation Recently, the structure of Cry51Aa was solved Distinction, CURO Research Assistant by collaboration with the Adang laboratory. Dr. Aaron Thompson, Crop & Soil Sciences, Based on the discovery by Baum et al. (2012) College of Agricultural & Environmental that a Cry51A-typetoxin has toxicity to Lygus, Sciences I tested Cry51Aa for Lygus activity in the 2015 Summer and Fall semesters. This involved In the future, iron isotope fractionation developing an effective bioassay method and patterns can serve as tracers for redox then using bioassays to determine Cry51Aa conditions in past climates, particularly when toxicity to L. lineolaris. My goals for this coupled with fractionation patterns for other semester are: 1) determine the Lethal metal isotopes. Given that microbes play a Concentration50 (LC50) value for Cry51Aa role in iron reduction, these redox conditions against Lygus, 2) conduct a Lygus bioassay with might elucidate microbial composition in activated Cry51Aa toxin, 3) using ancient soils. Hawaiian soils have undergone

Abstracts controlled soil formation, or pedogenesis, as a informal sources of support on married foster result of their formation from volcanic hot parents’ couple and co-parenting relationship spot activity. We sought to determine quality. From an initial pool of 4,346 active differences in the iron (Fe) isotopic ratio of foster parents in Georgia shared by the 56Fe/54Fe in soils of varying age and climate Division of Family and Children Services, from Hawaii. Our sampling sites varied in 2,465 were identified as married (62.4% mean annual precipitation. We hypothesize Caucasian) and 300 couples were randomly that elevated weathering from increased selected and mailed a survey (50% Caucasian). precipitation and/or age of soils will yield a A total of 100 foster parents responded greater 56Fe/54Fe ratio. Samples were (69.0% Caucasian; 59.0% female), digested for Fe isotope analysis. For Fe representing a total of 60 married couples purification, a double-spike of 58Fe-54Fe was (63.3% with data from both partners). added to each purified sample to account for Preliminary results show that foster parents mass bias in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass identified support from friends, their family or Spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements of child’s doctor, and other foster parents as 56Fe and 54Fe. Isotopic compositions will be most helpful. Additionally, foster parent compared across soils with temporal and support was associated with greater spatial climate variation to elucidate redox commitment to the couple relationship and patterns in the soils. higher relationship quality. This presentation will share the results of this study and The Influence of Formal and Informal implications for enhancing support services Sources of Support on Foster Parents' for foster parents across Georgia. Couple and Co-parenting Relationship Quality Geographic Distribution of Adult Body Avery Campbell, CURO Research Assistant Mass in Muridae Dr. Ted Futris, Child & Family Development, Patric Campbell College of Family & Consumer Sciences Dr. John Gittleman, Odum School of Ecology Nearly 7,500 of Georgia’s children are placed in foster care each year. Having had Geographic range size and body mass have experience with maltreatment, poor parenting, been well studied in mammalian species. and high-conflict homes, foster children However, the studies overlook the fact that benefit the most from foster homes that geographic distribution may correlate with include both high-quality parenting and body mass. We used various museum rodent healthy couple relationships. However, foster specimens to estimate body mass using an parents experience many unique stressors allometric relationship between adult body (e.g., traumatic experiences of foster youth, mass and skull length. The reason we are challenges with both foster and birth children, using rodent specimens is that we have a lot financial strain, legal processes, increase on of information on many rodent species; yet, time demands, lack of permanency) that we are still missing data from a few rodent increase their risk of experiencing marital and species. In order to find out more information co-parenting challenges, which may jeopardize on their geographic distribution, we can use placement quality and stability. Couples who patterns of information that is analyzed to have meaningful social connections they can provide correlations to the data we are turn to during challenging times typically do missing for the few rodent species. Using the better managing their concerns. The current location data for where each museum study examines the influence of formal and specimen was collected, we will analyze global

Abstracts

patterns of body mass across a map of chromosome-microtubule attachment errors biogeographic realms. The main goal in mind as well as disrupted meiotic spindle is to predict patterns of geographic organization. In addition, both pericentrin and distribution in rodent species to help aid with g-tubulin showed atypical distribution in conservation measures, due to the fact that numerous smaller foci throughout the environmental changes are expected to alter cytoplasm. Interestingly, similar errors were geographic distribution and can put many of observed in ovulated MII eggs following short these species at risk for extinction. exposure to DES. These data indicate that DES exposure significantly disrupts oocyte Synthetic Estrogen Disrupts Spindle microtubule organization, causing meiotic Organization and Meiotic Division in spindle structure defects and chromosome Oocytes attachments errors. These deformities can Madison Canning, CURO Research Assistant result in aneuploidy, which adversely effects Dr. Maria Viveiros, Physiology & embryonic development post fertilization. Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine Corporate Social Responsibility and Stock Prices: The Environmental Responsibility Aneuploidy, the presence of an abnormal of Shareholders chromosome number, in embryos is a leading Katie Cannon, CURO Research Assistant cause of birth defects such as Down Dr. Christopher Pope, Banking & Finance, syndrome and pregnancy loss. This condition Terry College of Business is primarily attributed to meiotic division errors in female oocytes before fertilization. Over the past few decades, the American Studies indicate that environmental toxins, population has taken an increased interest in such as estrogenic compounds, can disrupt the environmental and social problems that oocyte development and meiosis. This directly result from corporate investigation tested the effect of short-term decisions. Multiple studies have found that exposure to the synthetic estrogen, consumers, investors, and financing Diethylstilbestrol (DES), on mouse oocytes in organizations have become sensitive to culture. To determine whether DES impairs corporate environmental responsibility, and the resumption and progression of meiotic especially their irresponsibility. Decision division, GV-stage oocytes with surrounding makers need dependable information to help granulosa cells were collected from pre- them balance their responsibilities to the ovulatory follicles and cultured with increasing shareholders and to show the company as concentrations of DES (0, 5, 15 and 30 uM) environmentally responsible. The objective of for 17 h. Additionally, we tested whether a this study is to measure the impact that eco- brief 4h exposure to DES disrupts mature friendly and eco-harmful events have on stock MII oocytes post-ovulation. Following prices, as a measure of corporate culture, the oocytes were fixed for performance. To examine the impact that immunofluorescence analysis of chromosome sustainable initiatives (or lack thereof) have on and meiotic spindle configurations. The stock prices in modern times, a series of event distribution of key MTOC associated studies was performed. Relevant events proteins, pericentrin and g-tubulin, was also between 2010 and 2015 were identified using analyzed. DES exposure during 17h culture Wall Street Journal articles, found through disrupted the progression of meiosis, with Factiva. Focusing on the environmental higher concentrations of DES leading to MI- responsibility portion of CSR, appropriate arrest. The oocytes showed significant events were determined using applicable

Abstracts keywords. Each event was then categorized deposition. By controlling the deposition rate into one of two groupings: eco-friendly or of the two metals, their relative composition eco-harmful. A three-day event window [-1,1] can be tuned. The resulting materials are was used to observe any abnormal returns characterized by UV-Vis spectrometer, surrounding the events. Based on previous scanning electron microscopy, transmission research, it is likely that this study will find a electron microscopy, atomic force causative relationship between eco-harmful microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray and eco-friendly events and a change in the spectroscopy. We find that the SPR frequency company's stock price. Specifically, past decreases with the Cu composition, which is studies have indicated that stock prices will consistent with the theoretical prediction. We rise after the announcement of an eco-friendly will establish the relationship between the event, while stock prices will fall after the optical properties and the morphology and announcement of an eco-harmful event. The composition of the Ag-Cu nanostructures. results of this study should give decision makers a clearer path to follow. Pre-to-Post Transplantation Changes in Caregiver Emotional Functioning Investigating the Plasmonic Property of Olivia Carlson Ag-Cu Alloy Nanostructures Emily Ivey, Colleen Keeler Daniel Carlson Dr. Ronald Blount, Psychology, Franklin Dr. Yiping Zhao, Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts & Sciences Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Objective: Caregivers and families of children When a photon hits the interface between a awaiting solid organ transplantation often noble metal and a dielectric (such as air), it experience significant stress. Less research has causes electrons to oscillate at that interface. examined how caregiver and family distress When the size of the metal becomes much changes from before to after transplantation. smaller than the wavelength of the incident This study investigated how caregiver and light, at certain frequencies photons will excite family psychosocial functioning changed from a strongest oscillation, which is known as before (T1) to 6 months after transplantation surface plasmon resonance (SPR). At the SPR (T2). It was hypothesized that caregiver and frequency, the electric field around the metal family distress would decrease from T1 to T2. surface will be greatly enhanced, which can be Methods: The sample included 46 caregivers of used in a wealth of applications such as food pediatric transplant recipients (T1 M child age safety, medical diagnostics, microscopy = 8.08 years; T2 M child age = 9.11 years). T1 beyond the diffraction limit, or even disease data was collected at the pre-transplant treatment. For different applications, it is very evaluation and T2 data was collected 6 important to tune the SPR frequency. This months post-transplantation. Caregivers project focuses on manipulating the SPR completed questionnaires of their own frequency using the silver-copper composite emotional functioning and the impact of the nanostructures. The Ag-Cu composite child’s illness on the family. Results: From T1 nanostructures are fabricated using shadow to T2 (M time passed = 11.92 months), nanosphere lithography with a two-source caregivers demonstrated significant decreases electron beam deposition system. Glass in somatization symptoms (d = .31, p =.04), substrates are coated with a hexagonal close- overall emotional distress (d = .40, p = .02), packed colloid monolayer of polystyrene and post-traumatic stress symptoms (d = .45, beads (500 nm and 750 nm in diameter) and p = .01). There were no differences from T1 act as a mask during physical vapor to T2 for caregiver depression, anxiety, or the

Abstracts

impact of the child’s illness on the family. grip strength test. In the marble-burying test, Conclusions: Symptoms likely decreased in a measure of anxiety, there was a trend for response to having the burden of awaiting increased marble burying by juvenile male transplantation removed. Anxiety and offspring of dams treated with Poly I:C; this depression symptoms and the impact of the trend was significant at PND70. These results child’s illness on the family may require indicate that male and female mice, while intervention to decrease post-transplant. performing differently in tests for depression Providers may inform caregivers that aspects and muscle strength, are not affected by MIA of emotional distress will likely decrease post- in these two domains. Alternatively, male transplantation, and provide support for mice born to MIA dams exhibit increased current symptoms. Significance: Results inform anxiety, which is more pronounced in adult evidence-based practices for the content of offspring. These data suggest that key autistic psychoeducation provided to families before behaviors in offspring of MIA dams are transplantation. maintained in adulthood and have a male bias, similar to children with autism. Effects of Maternal Immune Stimulation by a Viral Mimic on Autistic and Other In Vitro DNA-Protein Interaction Behaviors of Juvenile and Adult Mouse Analyses of Zea mays Transcription Offspring Factors Annika Carter, CURO Summer Fellow Kitra Cates, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Nick Filipov, Physiology & Dr. Robert Schmitz, Genetics, Franklin Pharmacology, College of Veterinary College of Arts & Sciences Medicine Corn (Zea mays) serves as an integral world In line with epidemiological data, maternal crop used for oil production, livestock feed, immune stimulation of mice leads to and nutrient sources in the human diet. Corn neurobehavioral deficits of autistic nature in is a cereal crop grown for the palatable grains the offspring. While other studies focused on it produces, which are primarily composed of the effects of maternal immune activation endosperm. Research concerning regulatory (MIA) early in development predominantly on pathways associated with transcription in male offspring, this study investigated the endosperm is necessary to study the factors degree and nature of behavioral deficits involved in early seed development and the caused by MIA in juvenile (postnatal day regulatory influences on hypomethylation [PND] 35) and adult (PND70) offspring of observed in corn endosperm. In addition, this both sexes. A viral mimic, Poly I:C, was study serves to develop a novel in vitro DNA- administered at mid-gestation to dams. protein interaction protocol. Transcription Offspring were left unperturbed until factors PBF-1, Opaque2, abi3/ZmAFL4, behavioral testing. Male and female offspring OHP1, and OHP2 were chosen due to their were subjected to behavioral tests at PND35 activity during endosperm development. Each or PND 70 designed to detect motor, transcription factor gene was artificially emotional and cognitive behavioral deficits, synthesized in a Gateway entry vector plasmid including some of autistic nature. From data and transformed into Escherichia coli. analyzed thus far, sex differences are apparent: Sequential cloning into the destination vector the juvenile females swam longer and climbed pIX-HALO added a HALO motif sequence more in the forced swim test, and both to the gene sequences and placed the genes juvenile and adult females had decreased grip under an inducible promoter. Cloned genes strength compared to age-matched males in a were expressed and translated using an

Abstracts established in vitro protocol. HALO hybrid Dr. Edward Delgado-Romero, Counseling & proteins were utilized to isolate DNA targets Human Development Services, College of of our transcription factors. Purification with Education an anti-HALO antibody coupled with high throughput sequencing identified the targets This project presents preliminary results on of our transcription factors, providing novel the first phase of a qualitative study focused data on the role of these transcription factors on exploring and comprehending the concept in regulation of endosperm development. The of “inclusive” higher education. The analyzed protocol parallels the widely used, but sample consists of six university professors of extremely costly, chromatin education from Bogota, Colombia who have immunoprecipitation sequencing protocol. It lived almost their entire lives experiencing provides an efficient, scalable production of some form of disability. These professors transcription factors and the potential to have lived with a disability during the vital manipulate regulatory networks of interest. period of adolescence, professional training and development, and today serve as trainers Possibility of Attitude Change towards in higher education in various subject areas. Edible Insects When Prepared by Top This project takes into account the fact that Chefs people with disabilities are increasingly able to Gillian Caudill participate in social processes, and are Dr. Marianne Shockley, Entomology, College therefore able to contribute to the of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences construction of an inclusive society for all. The study was conducted in three phases. In 2012, a previous student studied attitudes First, each professor’s teaching style was and behaviors of individuals before and after illustrated through video recordings of eating an insect infused product. The student his/her class. The videos were then analyzed wanted to determine if choice was based upon according to an established protocol. Then, attitudes towards their health. Since their instrument inventories were utilized to analyze findings showed that focusing on health has the effectiveness of each professor’s teaching little impact on changing attitudes, it would be style. Finally, in-depth interviews were beneficial to study a change in attitude based conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed on appearance of the food. Instead of in order to understand participants’ promoting insects as a healthy choice, we construction of meaning in terms of the chose to promote insects as an exotic and relationship between disability, experience, aesthetic food chefs can prepare at an event and teaching. Ultimately, the purpose of this this past September of 2015 at the Science study is to determine the effects in which Cafe Bug Banquet. This event featured people with disabilities in professional renowned chefs from various restaurants in positions influence society. As professors, Athens, GA. We predicted that there will be a they hold positions of influence over students more dramatic change in attitudes based upon in education who will be responsible for appealing to people's desire to eat a food that implementing the concept of inclusivity into is exotic, mostly unavailable in the States, and their own classrooms in the future, thereby that is made by acclaimed chefs. aiding to the construction of an inclusive society for all. University Professors with Disabilities Maria Ceron, CURO Honors Scholar Novel Nitric Oxide Releasing Materials for Prevention of Infection in Vascular Catheters

Abstracts

Sarah Chaji becoming one of the most hot-button issues Dr. Hitesh Handa, College of Engineering in biology, prompting coverage from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR. Clotting and infection are two common CRISPR-Cas is an adaptive immune system in problems associated with vascular catheters. prokaryotic systems made up of several "Cas" Catheters are used in hospitals in thousands (CRISPR-Associated) proteins. My research of patients every day and are highly prone to focuses on evaluating the role of one protein, infection. The proteins in blood plasma such a Cas 4-2, in the CRISPR system of Pyroccocus fibrinogen and albumin attach to the catheters furiosus. This protein has been implicated in allowing bacteria to bind to the catheter the adaptation stage of CRISPR, possibly surface leading to biofilm formation and associating with Cas 1 and Cas 2, which are infection. Frequent use of antibiotics has known to form complexes in the adaptation shown to create resistant strains of bacteria, phase of the process. This presentation will increasing the risk of infection, thus making appeal to a broad audience with an them an expensive approach for hospitals due introduction to CRISPR while simultaneously to longer duration of infection recovery time. conveying the technical aspects of the Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a potent research. antibacterial and anti-thrombotic agent. Endothelial cells that line the inner walls of all Can Virtual Reality Lead Us to Learn blood vessels exhibit a NO flux of 0.5–4 × More about Empathy? 10−10 mol cm−2 min−1 that helps prevent Bleak Chandler, CURO Research Assistant thrombosis. This research examines the Dr. Sun Joo Ahn, Grady College of potential of incorporating NO donor, SNAP Journalism & Mass Communication (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine) within Elast-eon E2As catheters (medical grade Can virtual reality lead us to learn more about polymer). This research study consists of a empathy? The dark triad is a group composed bacterial adhesion assay on protein-exposed of three personality traits: psychopathy, catheters made of SNAP and E2As against Machiavellianism, and narcissism. With the gram positive and negative bacteria. The use of Samsung Gear VR virtual reality, we results suggest that the SNAP/E2As catheters want to discover whether or not we can have the potential to improve the bactericidal discover a link between the dark triad and an activity of intravascular catheters, as well as individual's empathic response. Each study other blood-contacting medical devices (e.g., will involve two individuals who will enter a vascular grafts, stents). room. Before entering, Individual A will take a test that determines their “dark triad” The Role of Cas4-2 in the CRISPR personality. Individual A will then enter the Adaptation Stage of Pyroccocus furiosus room and be set up with a virtual reality Chip Chambers, CURO Honors Scholar headset. Individual B, a confederate, will be Dr. Michael Terns, Biochemistry & Molecular set up with a device that can "measure" their Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences heart palpitations. Individual A will read a prompt from a script to individual B that will CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced "trigger" their heart rate. Individual A will Short Palindromic Repeats) Cas (CRISPR- then, using the virtual headset, "walk" inside a Associated) proteins are revolutionizing the 3D virtual representation of individual B's field of modern biology, research, and heart and experience their heartbeat and medicine. With most research occuring within palpitations; this heartbeat is simulated. A test the last 5-10 years, CRISPR is rapidly will be given after to Individual A to help

Abstracts

determine a link between the dark triad and portion, and carboxylmethylation of the empathy. Through this test, we want to COOH-terminus. Here, we investigated the discover whether or not Individual A's coupling of all three modifications in the responses and reactions to Individual B's context of the yeast Ydj1p Hsp40 chaperone. simulated heartbeat are connected to their We provide genetic, biochemical, and dark triad. biophysical evidence that the Ydj1p CaaX motif is isoprenylated but not cleaved and Corporate Environmental Responsibility carboxylmethylated. Moreover, we Recognition and Firm Value demonstrate that Ydj1p-dependent Mary Chastain phenotypes and Ydj1p localization are altered Dr. Christopher Pope, Banking & Finance, when CaaX motifs from yeast Ste18p or a- Terry College of Business factor are transplanted onto Ydj1p. The abnormal phenotypes and localization This paper investigates the relationship patterns revert to normal when post- between corporate environmental isoprenylation events are genetically responsibility recognition and firm value. The interrupted. Our findings promote a general purpose of the paper is to answer the model in which proper Ydj1p function and following question: does external localization require an isoprenylatable acknowledgement of a firm’s sustainability CaaX motif that is resistant to post- position affect firm value? Answering this isoprenylation events. These results expand question could provide empirical data on the complexity of protein isoprenylation encouraging companies to adopt sustainable and revise the impact of post-isoprenylation initiatives. The Corporate Knights’ “Global events in regulating the function of Ydj1p and 100 Most Sustainable Corporations” is the perhaps other CaaX proteins. acknowledgement considered in this study. A firm’s placement on, removal from, or new Yohimbine-Induced Reinstatement in ranking are evaluated to capture any impact of Alcohol-Preferring and Wistar Rats recognition on firm value. The study might be Scott Chimberoff, CURO Research Assistant limited by the importance in which the Dr. Jesse Schank, Physiology & accolade holds. Results pending. Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine Post Translational Modifications of CaaX- Box Proteins Are Dependent on Specific Animal models are frequently utilized to CaaX Motifs develop treatments for a variety of human Michael Cheng, CURO Graduation medical disorders and have been developed to Distinction assess critical adaptations within the brain Dr. Walter Schmidt, Biochemistry & involved in the development of tolerance to, Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & and physical dependence on, alcohol. To Sciences better understand the 50% genetic component to the risk for developing alcoholism, alcohol- The modifications occurring to CaaX proteins preferring (P) rats have been selected for high have largely been established using few alcohol preference and bidirectionally bred reporter molecules (e.g. Ras, the yeast a-factor from outbred Wistar rats. Many studies have mating pheromone). These proteins undergo shown that P rats will self-administer more three coordinated COOH-terminal alcohol than Wistar rats; however, few have modifications: isoprenylation of the motif’s studied relapse-like behavior using the cysteine, proteolysis to remove the aaX reinstatement model. One study demonstrated

Abstracts that P rats will reinstate, or relapse, to alcohol- consumers are able to compare hospitals seeking behavior after being injected with the based on the hospital's HCAHPS scores. pharmacological stressor yohimbine. Consumers can also compare hospitals based However, the P rat’s sensitivity to yohimbine on outcomes such as value of care, timeliness was not measured using a dose-response of care, and readmission rates. The purpose of analysis. In this study, we explored CMS's hospital compare website and value- yohimbine-induced alcohol seeking using the based purchasing initiative are to incentivize reinstatement model and neuronal activation hospital providers to increase the quality of in the nucleus accumbens shell, a region their services while also reducing costs. The involved in drug-reward and positive purpose of this analysis is to determine reinforcement, using immunohistochemistry if CMS's use of HCAHPS scores in between P and Wistar rats. Neuronal determining a portion of the hospital's activation was investigated by staining for the reimbursement is tied to better healthcare Fos protein, whose presence is indicative of service quality and better patient health neuronal activation. Consistent with previous outcomes, or if hospitals are simply investing studies, we found P rats will self-administer in processes and environments that result in more alcohol than Wistar rats. We also found better HCAHPS scores but not necessarily P rats to have greater sensitivity to the better healthcare service quality or better reinstatement effects of yohimbine and show patient health outcomes. The hospitals being greater neuronal activation in the nucleus studied in this analysis are Athens Regional accumbens shell. This study is one of few Medical Center and St. Mary’s Hospital, which addressing relapse-like behavior using the are located in Athens, Georgia. Using these reinstatement model, and possibly the first to hospitals’ patient satisfaction scores, general compare the reinstatement effects of different patient readmission rates, and hospital deaths doses of yohimbine between P and Wistar among patients with treatable complications, a rats. determination will be made as to whether higher HCAHPS scores are linked to Analysis of the Relationship between better patient outcomes and improved Patient Satisfaction Scores and Patient healthcare quality. Health Outcomes Taylor Chishom, CURO Honors Scholar, Addressing Teenage Pregnancy in CURO Graduation Distinction, CURO Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Research Assistant Hailey Clark Dr. Amanda Abraham, Health Policy & Dr. W. David Bradford, Public Management, College of Public Health Administration & Policy, School of Public & International Affairs The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) now requires hospitals to Since reaching an all-time high in 1990, the report and submit their patient satisfaction teenage pregnancy rate in the United States ratings, which are known as Hospital has steadily decreased. This is in large part due Consumer Assessment of Healthcare to public health programs designed to Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores. increase access to preventative care and to These patient satisfaction scores are tied to a decrease risky sexual behavior. Nevertheless, portion of the hospital's reimbursement as a Athens-Clarke County has a teenage part of CMS's new value-based purchasing pregnancy rate of 59 pregnancies per 1,000 initiative. The scores are also published on teenage females, which is higher relative to CMS's hospital compare website, and Georgia (41.3) and the United States (34).

Abstracts

Teen pregnancy has consequences for both release from fires causes a similar effect on teenage parents and the children of teenage stream fungi as artificial nutrient enrichment. parents in terms of educational, employment, By comparing a severe burn and a mild burn, and financial outcomes. These consequences this study will provide evidence as to how are passed on to all citizens in the forms of these effects could change with global climate decreased social well-being and fiscal costs to change, as severity and prevalence of fires fund support programs. A systematic review increases. I predict that increased nutrients of three policy alternatives and the status will cause an increase in fungal biomass, quo was conducted on the basis of economic production, and conidia production. I predict viability, medical effectiveness, and political the increase in conidia production to be more feasibility. Based on the results of a policy drastic than the increase in biomass, as more matrix, Athens-Clarke County officials should production will be devoted to reproduction. I implement an educational program in the predict there will be a shift in fungal species local high schools that promotes youth richness and relative species abundance. I development in addition to providing sexual predict the magnitude of these changes to be education, rather than accept such greater for the severe burn. I will measure consequences and allow the teenage birth rate fungal biomass via ergosterol extraction, and to decrease gradually. Increased connection to conidia will be stained in water samples, one’s community and preparation for future counted, and identified. Biomass versus aspirations lessens the incidence of risky reproductive output will be compared pre- sexual behavior and resulting pregnancy. burn and post-burn. Further investigation into the public sentiment of Athens-Clarke County citizens The Effects of Lutein and Zeaxanthin and the Clarke County School District’s ability Supplementation on Sensory Function in to administer the program is necessary going Healthy Adults forward. Harrison Cloud Dr. Lisa Renzi, Psychology, Franklin College Effects of Fire in a Riparian Zone on of Arts & Sciences Aquatic Fungi Sarah Clement, CURO Research Assistant Xanthophyll catotenoids lutein (L) and Dr. Amy Rosemond, Odum School of zeaxanthin (Z) are the only carotenoids found Ecology in the neural retina and are the dominant caotenoids in the brain. Previous research has Fires are an important structuring element of shown that supplementation with L+Z can forest ecosystems, both naturally occurring improve visual function under conditions that and those used for forest management, and cause light stress. These effects are largely can vary in their severity and impact. Nutrient optical in nature, but additional past research release in the form of nitrogen is one of the has shown that L+Z may also improve visual known short-term effects of forest fires, both function via improving processing speed of in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Stream visual stimuli in younger adults. The purpose nutrient enrichment studies have been shown of this study was to determine whether or not to cause an increase in aquatic fungal supplementation can improve visual reproductive output, in the form of conidia processing in older adults. A total of 51 adults production, as well as an increase in aquatic over the age of 65 (M = 73.74 +/- 8.2 years) fungal abundance and species richness. There completed a one-year randomized, double- are few studies on the effects of fire on stream masked, placebo controlled L+Z fungi. This study aims to test if nutrient supplementation study. In addition to a

Abstracts

number of basic cognitive measures, temporal mature, transitional, immature, and double visual processing speeds, visual reaction time negative. Our results show that NK cell and coincidence anticipation ability were maturity is highly heritable in old mice. Our tested at baseline, 4-month, 8-month and 12- future studies will identify novel genes and month time points. Temporal visual pathways that drive NK maturation during processing speed was measured via a custom- aging, and we predict that these pathways will built desktop optical device, and visual serve as targets for innovative cancer reaction time was measured using a wall- therapies. mounted, custom-built Beyseian timer. In addition to visual function testing, other Polysialic Acid Expression in AICAR markers of visual health, such as incidence of Treated Mouse Neuroblastoma Cells age-related cataract, smoking status, and Elyssa Cohen dietary intakes, were collected. Preliminary Dr. Michael Tiemeyer, Biochemistry & analyses suggest that nutritional Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & supplementation with L+Z improved visual Sciences reaction time in older adults. Analyses are ongoing, but preliminary results suggest that Polysialic acid (PSA) is an N-linked glycan L+Z can improve visual function via both decoration found on the Neural Cell optical (as shown previously) and neural Adhesion Molecule (NCAM), which is mechanisms. expressed in Neuro-2A cells, a mouse neuroblastoma cell line. AICAR is a Natural Killer Cell Maturation is pharmacological activator of AMP-activated Controlled by Genetic Background in protein kinase (AMPK) - mammamlian target Aging Mice of rapamycin (mTOR) signal transduction Erica Coe pathway. AICAR activates AMPK, leading to Dr. Robert Pazdro, Foods & Nutrition, increased phosphorylation of TSC2, which College of Family & Consumer Sciences produces GDP-bound Rheb. GDP-Rheb inhibits mTORC1 activity, and mTORC1 Natural killer (NK) cells are a key component inhibition causes tumor suppression. of innate immune responses. Using granules Therefore, mTORC1 inhibition is currently of containing perforin and granzymes, NK cells great interest as a clinical approach for cancer destroy cancerous and virus-infected cells treatment. Insight into how AICAR might within the body. Recent studies show that as affect glycosylation could lead to an organisms age, NK cell maturation becomes understanding of the roles that specific dysfunctional. NK cells increasingly arrest in glycans, such as PSA, might play in the the early stages of development and fail to AMPK-mTORC1 pathway. In the Neuro-2A become fully mature. These defects ultimately cell line, I hypothesized that treatment with increase susceptibility to cancer and viral AICAR would increase PSA expression, infections later in life. We predicted that age- thereby implicating a novel role for mTOR associated declines in mature NK cells are signaling in the regulation of glycoprotein heritable. To test our hypothesis, we assessed glycosylation. My experimental results the development of splenic NK cells isolated demonstrate that treatment of Neuro-2A cells from old mice representing 19 genetically- with 500µM AICAR for twenty-four hours diverse inbred strains. We measured the induces cells to increase PSA expression. number of NK cells as a percent of total Western blot analysis demonstrates that the splenocytes, and we quantified the percentage amount of NCAM protein does not change in of NK cells in each of the following stages: treated Neuro-2As. Rather, AICAR affects the

Abstracts glycosylation of NCAM. Furthermore, by will spend more time with the novel object lectin blot analysis, AICAR does not appear to over the familiar object. Together with the impact the ability of Neuro-2A cells to social recognition test and the open field test, glycosylate proteins; the expression of high- these two behavioral tests will contribute to mannose glycans indicates that core N- further understanding piglet learning, glycosylation levels are not altered. Thus, memory, and overall cognitive abilities. alterations of AMPK-mTORC1 signaling affects processing of glycoproteins in The Gendered Risorgimento: How neuronal tumor cell lines, suggesting dynamic Wealthy British Ladies Ended Up modulatory mechanisms for regulating cell- Campaigning for Italian Unification surface glycan expression. Zoe Condon Prof. Steven Soper, History, Franklin College Use of a Spatial T-Maze Test and an of Arts & Sciences Object Recognition Test to Assess Learning and Memory in a Piglet Model This project analyzes the varied political Caroline Coleman, Foundation Fellow involvement of aristocratic British women in Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, Italian unification efforts during the Victorian College of Agricultural & Environmental reformist era. The goal is to show that women Sciences did not simply hold back from the political arena, but they were, for the most part, not on Due to similarities between piglet and human the front line of debate either. Instead, toddler brains in structure, composition, and women had a variety of political experiences development, piglets have become in their efforts with the Italian campaign, increasingly relevant subjects in varying spanning from pamphlet writing and public aspects of cognition in a piglet model. The speaking endeavors to more traditional spatial T-maze test assesses learning and concepts of female political participation like spatial memories, and the object recognition hosting charitable events. The research was test assesses object memory. In the spatial T- done by examining and analyzing letters and maze test, piglets will learn to locate a milk correspondence between wealthy women and reward within a plus-shaped maze. This will members of liberal pro-unification entities, test allocentric memory as piglets will have to which demonstrate women played a major use extra-visual cues to locate the milk reward, role in publicizing and contributing to the despite starting at alternating north and south British efforts in the Risorgimento. This paper start arms. We will measure latency to choice argues that British women played a critical and proportion of trials correct. We expect role in political reform campaigns. that piglets will acquire the ability to use extra- visual cues to locate the milk reward, The Effect of Shield Laws on Journalists demonstrated by decreased latency to choice Acting as Investigators, Specifically at and increased proportion trials correct. In the Public Universities object recognition test, piglets will be exposed Aaron Conley, CURO Honors Scholar, to two similar objects, wait for a ten-minute CURO Summer Fellow interphase interval, and then be exposed to Dr. Barry Hollander, Grady College of one familiar and one novel object. Time spent Journalism & Mass Communication interacting with each of the objects will be measured, and memory involved in In recent years, there has been much debate distinguishing between familiar and novel about the right of journalists to refuse to objects will be tested. We expect that piglets testify as to the identity of confidential

Abstracts

sources or confidential information collected resulted in limited spaces to contest whether in the process of newsgathering. Recently, this or not fracking should be permitted. Our protection has been brought into the attention research attempts to determine the spaces and of the general public as the result of the case practices of opposition that are possible under surrounding James Holmes, the now- neoliberal forms of fracking governance. convicted shooter from the movie theatre in Using theoretical insights on the nature of Aurora, Colorado. In the course of the democracy, we examine an anti-fracking investigation and trial, a copy of Holmes’ movement in western North Carolina, one of diary was leaked to Fox News reporter Jana the only such movements in the United States Winter, who published its contents. The State to coalesce before drilling had started. We of Colorado attempted to force Winter to argue that contemporary forms of democracy reveal the source who leaked the diary, but the under neoliberalism limit resistance and courts ruled that Winter was protected by activism to what we call “micro sites” of New York’s state shield law. One major contestation. These include: letters to the question that has been prevalent in the debate editors in local newspapers; landowner rights over shield laws centers on who specifically is workshops on fracking; local government protected by these statutes, especially in the resolutions against fracking; and the Mining case of student journalists. While the United and Energy Commission (MEC) hearing on States Supreme Court addressed many the rules that permit hydraulic fracturing. This questions about the rights of high school research contributes literature on state theory student journalists in its decision for and environmental governance by showing Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, there has the ways in which resistance is focused into been no effort to address the rights and narrow spaces of dissent under neoliberal protections that should be afforded to governance. journalists at public universities. By examining the various state shield statutes that have Psycho-Social Impact of Drone Strikes on already been established, the proposed Free Non-Combatant Populations: The Flow of Information Act of 2013, as well as Cognitive Mechanism Underlying Pro- other academic sources and court precedents, Group Endorsement of Extremist it can be seen that in many cases collegiate Violence journalists are not afforded the protection Laura Courchesne, Foundation Fellow under the law that they should rightfully Dr. Jeff Berejikian, International Affairs, receive. School of Public & International Affairs

Fracking Governance and Resistance in This research examines the impact of drone Western North Carolina strikes in influencing the perceptions and Julia Connell, CURO Research Assistant decision-making processes of civilian Elizabeth Wilkes populations. It presents a critique of the Dr. Jennifer Rice, Geography, Franklin traditional view that drones help protect College of Arts & Sciences soldiers by reducing the need for on-the- ground action in a conflict. By contrast, it Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is largely contends that drones help produce a unregulated at the federal level and is exempt communal identity as well as a preference from nearly all federal environmental laws, towards group ideology and extremism among leaving individual states and localities to previously non-militant actors. This argument regulate the industry. This fragmented relies on a neurological, psychological, and landscape of regulatory responsibility has anthropological understanding of trauma and

Abstracts anxiety, modeled around the theory of modes ideology in fostering pro-group sentiments. It of religiosity, to illustrate the potential harm offers an understanding of the factors which drone strikes can have in aiding militant instigate intergroup violence and genocide as recruitment efforts. As a result of the well as the psychology of individuals involved trauma they create, drone strikes are able to in genocides. This research explicitly focuses alter the behavior of population members, on how religion and cultural mythology within who might not normally endorse or join a German society acted as a structure which violent organization, towards pro-group inspired the promotional and ideological behavior. This can take the form of a shift in tactics of the Nazi party in promoting moral values and/or the promotion of antisemitism. It provides an overview of the extreme actions in protection of the group. theoretical basis of ethnic conflict and The emotional response drones elicit genocide while highlighting the importance of and the subsequent psychological changes evoking certain emotions in a populace which occur lead to improved recruitment through the use of symbolism, mythos, and and support of militant efforts. To support religion. this causal relationship, the paper will present a cognitive mechanism, based on the trauma's Optimizing Plique-à-Jour Enameling successive influence on mental functioning, Melissa Cousins, Ramsey Scholar, CURO sense of group identity, and capacity for moral Summer Fellow decision-making. This research utilizes case Prof. Mary Pearse, Lamar Dodd School of Art studies on collective experiences of violence and trauma, including disasters, terrorist My research examines the current methods of attacks, religious rituals, and gang initiations, plique-à-jour enameling and looks at what is to illustrate the explanatory power of this actually beneficial to the final piece of enamel. mechanism. The modern techniques for many styles of enameling are counterintuitive and The Psychology of Nazism and Genocide: contradictory, and the long-winded process The Role of Religion and Symbolism and delicacy required by these methods tends Laura Courchesne, Foundation Fellow to turn people away from this style of enamel. Dr. David Williams, Religion, Franklin I am looking at each step of the process and College of Arts & Sciences determining which are helpful, which do nothing, and which are detrimental. My hopes The Holocaust is a widely studied historical are to come up with a more streamlined example of the consequences of uninhibited method of plique-à-jour to make it more intergroup aggression and explicit targeting of accessible and less difficult to produce. The a particular community on the basis of a methods I am using include visual shared characteristic. This research provides a comparisons between samples made using review of relevant literature examining the washed, sifted, washed and sifted, and Holocaust as a case study in understanding unwashed and unsifted enamels; the psychological, economic, cultural, and experimenting with different firing religious factors which contribute to group temperatures, firing times, and framework aggression. It places particular emphasis on constructions; trying out mosaic work, mica what leads an individual to accept the violent inclusions, and painting for creating shading and discriminatory ideologies of a group, with or pattern; testing if wet firing produces an interest in applying a psychological subpar results in comparison to dry firing; and understanding of in-group/out-group biases figuring out the maximum size of a cell when as well as investigating the role of religion and using the surface-tension technique for

Abstracts

making a piece of plique-à-jour. All tests are with xylanase exhibited 32.7 and 15.5 folds done with unleaded enamels and do not higher viable cell numbers on birchwood necessarily reflect the properties of leaded xylan than that of the control strain. These enamel. My results have shown that results show an important step in biofuel unwashed, sifted enamel works best; a gradual research, as cells from the end of one batch increase in firing times will produce good are used as inoculum for the next batch to results without harming a soldered reduce cost and also xylose is one of the most framework; wet firing works just as well as dry abundant sugars in lignocellulosic biomass. and saves time. Tests on pattern making and cell size are still being conducted. The Effects of Serum Dietary Carotenoid Levels on Cognitive Function in Healthy Heterologous Expression of Carbohydrate Adults Utilization Genes from Acidothermus David Cromer, CURO Research Assistant cellulolyticus in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii Eli Chlan David Cowan, CURO Graduation Distinction Dr. Lisa Renzi, Psychology, Franklin College Dr. Janet Westpheling, Genetics, Franklin of Arts & Sciences College of Arts & Sciences Past research suggests that dietary carotenoids Current energy sources are unsustainable in such as lutein (L) and its isomer zeaxanthin the long term as well as being very detrimental (Z) are capable of improving cognitive to the environment; therefore, our future function in a wide variety of participants energy production will need to be both across the lifespan (e.g. Renzi et al, 2013). L sustainable for the long term as well as being and Z are known antioxidants that have been environmentally friendly. Lignocellulosic cited previously for their ability to reduce risk biomass including corn stover, sugar cane, for central nervous system (CNS) wood, straw, and waste residues from degenerative diseases such as age-related agriculture and forestry is a promising macular degeneration (e.g. AREDS-2 resource for producing fuels and chemicals. Research Group, 2013), which has been Dr. Jan Westpheling’s lab has introduced two linked to other CNS diseases, such as xylanases (Acel_0180 and Acel_0372) from Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., Sivak, 2013). These Acidothermus cellulolyticus into Caldicellulosiruptor carotenoids are not the only carotenoids that bescii’s secretome in order to increase the cross the blood-brain barrier, nor are they the species’ ability to degrade plant biomass, only antioxidants frequently consumed in the particularly xylan. The effects of these human diet. Whether or not these other introductions were determined by comparing carotenoids are as impactful as L and Z in growth on cellobiose and xylan substrates, cognitive function is currently unknown. The and conducting xylanase activity assay. The purpose of this thesis is to relate serum results from these experiments showed a concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, retinol, modest increase in the activity of the beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene to secretome but a dramatic increase in growth cognitive function in adults between ages of on xylan. The most striking result was the 18-90 years. Cognitive function was measured viable cell numbers obtained when growing through a computerized cognitive inventory cells on complex xylan substrates. C. bescii that includes measures such as processing strains overexpressing Acel_0180 or speed, cognitive flexibilty, and other related Acel_0372 xylanases were viable after 36 h factors. In order to measure serum cultivation on oat spelts xylan, while neither carotenoids, 5 mm of whole blood was control strain could. In addition, both strains collected via venipuncture. Serum was

Abstracts

separated via centrifugation and was frozen at virulence determinant responsible for -80-deg C until it could be analzed via high- triggering NET formation by enabling P. performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). aeruginosa and neutrophil encounters. Our Analysis is currently ongoing, and final results work adds to current literature by will be presented at the symposium. distinguishing bacterial motility from the presence of flagellin protein, and proposes to The Role of Flagellar Motility in target proteins driving flagellar motility as CF Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced NET therapeutics. Formation Christian Cullen Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Employment Dr. Balazs Rada, Infectious Diseases, College Protection: An LGB-Inclusive Argument of Veterinary Medicine for Title VII Sex Discrimination Bryson Culver, CURO Honors Scholar Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease caused by a Prof. Alex Reed, Insurance, Legal Studies, and mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane Real Estate, Terry College of Business conductance regulator (CFTR) anion channel, resulting in severely impaired mucociliary The 1964 Civil Rights Act provided various clearance in the airways leading to chronic protections for millions of Americans based bacterial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is on their race, color, national origin, religion, the main CF respiratory pathogen responsible and sex. In Title VII of the act, this action for large-scale neutrophil recruitment in the takes the form of employment protection. airways. Neutrophils fail to clear P. aeruginosa. While the language of the legislation is very Instead, they release granule cargo and DNA short and simple, the application of the law into the airway lumen causing tissue damage. has grown to cover a wide range of sex- The mechanism of neutrophil dysfunction in related aspects. As our understanding of sex CF airways is unknown and of high clinical and gender grow, so does the protection relevance. Neutrophil extracellular traps provided to it. Since 1989, this law has been (NETs) represent a novel antibacterial interpreted to include protection against the mechanism of neutrophils when they release many aspects of sex beyond a simple gender DNA associated with histones and granule difference. Initially, the Supreme Court components. P. aeruginosa-induced NET decision Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins added formation occurs in CF airways and offers a protection against the stereotypes employers likely mechanism for neutrophil-mediated may have about sex. A decade later, another lung damage. Therefore, understanding its Supreme Court decision protected against details is of potential clinical relevance for CF. sexual harassment from someone of the same Previously we had shown that bacterial gender. These two ideas laid a foundation so flagellum is essential to induce maximal NET that other atypical gender expressions could release in neutrophils. Recently, we found that be protected. Transgenders, lesbians, gays, bacteria with motile flagellum trigger and bisexuals have had success in Federal significantly more NET release than P. Appellate and District courts by claiming their aeruginosa with immotile flagella. To reveal the non-conforming sexual orientation should be mechanism of this unexpected finding, we protected under Title VII. In 2015, the Equal measured P. aeruginosa phagocytosis by Employment Opportunity Commission neutrophils and found that immotile bacteria endorsed these expanded uses of Title VII in are not getting phagocytosed as efficiently as its investigations into employment conduct. their motile counterparts. From our work, we propose that bacterial motility is the primary

Abstracts

The Genetic Network of Circadian sequence of the DNA itself. Similarly, the Rhythms in Neurospora crassa potential of liposomes as drug deliverer Sarah Cunningham, CURO Graduation devices has also gained significant attention in Distinction the scientific sphere. Liposomes are Dr. Jonathan Arnold, Genetics, Franklin amphipathic molecules and have proven to College of Arts & Sciences show an improvement in the therapeutic index of new or established drugs by Many genes of Neurospora crassa are under the modifying drug absorption, reducing control of the biological clock in the cell. The metabolism, prolonging their own biological clock consists of a closed network loop of the half-life, and reducing unwanted side-toxicity. genes, white collar-1 (wc-1), white collar-2 (wc-2), The goal of this study is to determine the frequency (frq), and clock controlled genes (ccg) and effects of epigenetic drugs (DNA methylation their RNA and protein products. A model has inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycitidine and histone been proposed for the network regulating deacetylation inhibitor Trichostatin A) on these interactions that improves upon liposome uptake in an in-vitro cell culture. The published models by differentiating between hypothesis of this project is that reversing reactions in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the epigenetic changes in cancer cells will enhance cell. Markov Chain Monte Carlo runs were the drug-encapsulated liposome uptake in used to test theseis models with published prostate cancer cells. The first step of this RNA and protein accumulation data and two-part liposomal drug delivery project is refine the model’s parameters. The model presented here: cell culture techniques, ensemble created was found to fit selection of the drugs used, and MTT analysis experimental data collected from Neurospora of the treated cells at 24-hour and 48-hour statistically similarly to previously published time periods. After quantification of cells and models. This model was also expanded upon compilation of the data from the trials to include genes regulating the clock’s ability presented in this paper, it was determined that to entrain to light and tested against other higher concentrations of the selected drugs light entrainment models. A better model show a decrease in cell proliferation at the could improve research done on all areas of given time periods. Consequently, the the clock and further our understanding of experiments presented here in Part I will be circadian rhythms in Neurospora and all other built upon next semester in Part II—the organisms with a circadian clock. actual formulation and encapsulation of the liposomes. Pharmacological Inhibitors of Epigenetic Mechanisms Alter Liposome Uptake Neural Network Formation and Response Isha Dabke, CURO Research Assistant to Pharmacological Stimulation Dr. Brian Cummings, Pharmaceutical & Tarun Daniel, Foundation Fellow Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Dr. Steven Stice, Animal & Dairy Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental In recent years, there have been rapid Sciences advances in the understanding of epigenetic mechanisms, which include histone Recently, efficient testing platforms for modifications and DNA methylation. These developmental neurotoxicant (DNT) mechanisms, in addition to other screenings have been increasingly achieved transcriptional regulatory events, ultimately through the use of the micro-electrode array affect gene activity and phenotypic expression (MEA) system, which is a tool that allows without physically altering the nucleotide researchers to monitor complex spatial and

Abstracts

temporal patterns of neural network firing. spectrometry (GC-MS). This method allows Electrophysiological monitoring with the us to quantify the relative amount of sugars MEA provides the opportunity to observe the that are composed of the X-polymer and organization and response of an entire neural determine if none, normal, or higher amount network to pharmacological reagents or of the X-polymer is made in the various neurotoxicants. MEAs provide a cost and mutant lines. In my poster I will provide time-efficient alternative to in vivo DNT examples of genes involved in the regulation testing. The electrophysiological activity of this metabolic pathway. recorded can be used to monitor the changes caused by dosage of pharmacological reagents, A Systematic Review of Adverse Effects as different pharmacological reagents will Resulting from Administration of Propofol produce a characteristic effect on the pattern in Domestic Dogs and Cats of activity such as changes in mean firing rate Lauren Dempsey, CURO Research Assistant and other burst parameters. This work will Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine examine the response of stem cell derived & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine mouse motor neurons to bicuculline and lindane, providing a foundation for future Propofol, a sedative-hypnotic akyl phenol, is testing of many different reagents and widely used in both induction and solidifying a new model for DNT screenings. maintenance of veterinary anesthesia. It is known for being helpful for its ability to Regulatory Pathway of X-Polymer produce unconsciousness in a patient within Formation in Bacillus Species as little as 30 seconds while also decreasing Lauren Davis incidence of postoperative nausea and Dr. Maor Bar-Peled, Biochemistry & vomiting when administered with any Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & anesthetic drug. However, when used for Sciences induction and administration, anesthetic- related adverse effects can appear. The We recently identified a polysaccharide, objective of this systematic review was to named X-polymer that is made when certain identify the most common adverse effects Bacillus species are grown in a defined when propofol was administered and the medium. While clarification of the chemical amount of propofol administered, compare structure of the glyco-polymer is ongoing, I the adverse effects with other factors am investigating potential genes that are regarding the anesthetic procedure such as its involved in the regulation and production of rate and if it was co-induced with another X-polymer in my research. To do this, I am agent, and observe the difference in the examining wild type and mutant strains of occurrence of specific adverse effects between Bacillus species known to produce this dogs and cats. This study can be used by polysaccharide that are impaired in signaling, anesthesiologists as a reference for the phosphorylation, or stress responses. The potential adverse effects that could occur with detection of the polysaccharide in these the administration of propofol. A strains is carried out in several steps. First, the comprehensive search of research literature crude X-polymer is isolated from the cells and was performed using Pubmed, CAB hydrolyzed to monosaccharides. Then, the Abstracts, and the University of Georgia’s sugars are reduced and alditol-acetate library system from September 2015 to derivatized to volatile compounds. These December 2015. The most common adverse sugar-derived compounds are separated by effect observed with the administration of gas-chromatography and analyzed by mass propofol was apnea. Other fairly common

Abstracts adverse effects observed were bradycardia, upon incubating SRA expressing cells with hypotension, pain on injection, tachycardia, TLF, EVs purified from the cells now contain and increased motor activity. It is anticipated TLF proteins. The detection of TLF proteins that there is a correlation between the in EVs is cell dependent, as TLF could not be administration of propofol in cats and dogs detected in EVs incubated with TLF alone. and the number of adverse effects that occur. This suggests vesicle mediated secretion provides a mechanism of protein efflux, Extracellular Vesicle Dependent Transfer which may play an important role in of a Virulence Factor Confers Human trypanosome survival in the host. Infectivity to Trypanosoma brucei brucei Lauren Dennison, Foundation Fellow, CURO Influence of Intelligence on Correlation Research Assistant between Personality and Recreational Dr. Stephen Hajduk, Biochemistry & Marijuana Use Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Ketki Desai, Luvika Gupta Sciences Dr. Lawrence Sweet, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is the causative agent of human African sleeping sickness. Recreational marijuana use prevention and The related subspecies Trypanosoma brucei brucei cessation programs emphasize identification is able to establish infection in cattle, but is of personality traits and cognitive factors that highly susceptible to lysis by a subclass of increase the individual’s risk for use. Previous human high-density lipoproteins called research indicates that initiation and frequency trypanosome lytic factor (TLF) and therefore of marijuana use are associated with specific unable to cause human African personality traits and intelligence. A better trypanosomiasis. T. b. rhodesiense is resistant to understanding of how these risk factors TLF due to the serum resistance-associated influence use behavior would enhance (SRA) protein, a virulence factor localized to personalized treatments. The aim of this study the parasite endosome that binds and inhibits is to examine the premise that certain TLF following endocytosis. Recently our lab personality traits correlate with marijuana use has shown that African trypanosomes while controlling nicotine dependence produce nanotubes that arise from initial severity, and to determine if intelligence budding of the flagellar membrane and moderates this relationship. Data was vesicularize into heterologous 80 nm collected from 90 rural nicotine dependent extracellular vesicles (EVs). Mass cigarette smokers who completed personality spectrometry analysis showed these EVs are and intelligence assessments. Personality traits enriched in flagellar proteins that contribute of interest include neuroticism, to virulence, and western blot analysis showed conscientiousness, and openness from the that T. b. rhodesiense EVs contain SRA protein Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five- necessary for human infectivity. Additionally, Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). The Wechsler co-cultivation of T. b. brucei and SRA Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) was utilized expressing T. b. rhodesiense in a trans-well to assess intelligence. Self-report measures chamber which blocked direct cell-cell contact were administered to assess recreational but allowed EV diffusion conferred TLF marijuana use frequency and nicotine resistance to T. b. brucei suggesting EVs play a dependence severity. Based on prior literature, role in disease pathology. In an effort to it is predicted that high frequency of understand the function of EV mediated marijuana use will correlate with high secretion during host infection, we show that neuroticism, low conscientiousness, and high

Abstracts openness. It is further predicted that Dr. Itai Himelboim, Grady College of intelligence will moderate these relationships. Journalism & Mass Communication The results are expected to increase understanding of the psychological processes When it comes to international public involved in marijuana use initiation and opinion, influence takes the form of a trifecta: maintenance, which may allow prevention and governments and non-governmental cessation programs to tailor interventions organizations, traditional media coverage, and based on a patient’s individual personality and grassroots activity. Social media, a relative cognitive function. newcomer, has only recently enjoyed the power to influence public opinion as a result Addressing Severe Mental Illness of of the widespread and strategic social network Atlanta's Chronically Homeless involvement of all three actors. The increasing Kaley Desher, CURO Research Assistant relevance of this new media warrants a case Dr. Nathan Hansen, Health Promotion & study analysis measuring the scope of its Behavior, College of Public Health sway and the interplay among key stakeholders. The Iran Nuclear Deal, a highly The widespread prevalence of severe mental visible and politically-charged agreement, is illness among the chronically homeless in proposed here as a case study, examining the Atlanta, Georgia is high; there are 1,322 role of each trifecta segment in sparking and individuals suffering from chronic homeless sustaining conversation using Crimson as of 2014. An expected 60% of these people Hexagon—a social listening tool. In doing so, are predicted to have a severe accompanying we will outline the relationship between social mental illness such as schizophrenia, media commentary and more cemented depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and/or information outlets, providing an outline of post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of these observed trends that will serve as a individuals are not receiving any treatment. comparison for future research. The social and economic consequences of this problem are dire. The debilitating symptoms Oral Histories of the Vazov Machine associated with these disorders drastically Works diminish these individuals’ quality of life and Iva Dimitrova, CURO Summer Fellow potential to contribute to society. Prof. Callie Holmes, Richard B. Russell Furthermore, the government incurs Library for Political Research and Studies significant costs by the overuse of services, such as emergency room visits, I researched the history of the Vazov Machine hospitalizations, shelter stays, and Works (VMZ, in Bulgarian) in the city of incarcerations that is characteristic of this Sopot, Bulgaria using oral history demographic. In order to mitigate these methodology. I conducted a series of negative effects, the City of Atlanta should interviews with previous workers to better form a contract with a coalition of local understand the defense plant’s social and nonprofit organizations working on mental economic role in varying scopes, extending illness and chronic homelessness in the city in from the local to the regional and national. an attempt to maximize their impact. Interviews were recorded using a Zoom H5 recorder and were structured as one-on-one The Influence of Social Conversation Case conversations where I acted as the Study: Iran Nuclear Deal interviewer. Questions pertained to the Samuel Dickinson participants’ early life, their work at the plant, and other personal experiences and

Abstracts

reflections. While the workers described the been observed within strains of C. bescii. plant through their personal experiences, their Because these transpositions could work life was directly affected by the larger compromise the integrity of the desired trends of the economy and the government of phenotype, we are interested in determining Bulgaria, especially after the democratic whether this high rate of transposon activity is transition starting in 1990. By comparing a native phenomenon in C. bescii or whether it responses across interviews, I was thus able to has arisen due to the procedures used to draw larger conclusions about the effect of isolate certain strains. The purpose of this notable events, trends, and perceptions on study is to monitor the activity of transposons local history, as experienced by individual within C. bescii as well as to determine the people. While these interviews highlighted parent strain responsible for this high rate of VMZ’s historical significance, they also raised transposon activity. We will use southern the concern of anonymity. As a response to blots to observe and compare the locations of this concern, the original scope of my project the transposons within various strains, changed to exclude the photographic and including those with documented transposon visual materials I had initially recorded, and movement, wild type C. bescii, and strains only include audio interviews, edited to isolated in a different manner. We will also remove personally-identifying information. In grow wild type C. bescii under a variety of addition, I have worked to transcribe the stressors to determine if high transposon transcripts into Bulgarian and translate them movement is native to C. bescii. into English to be accessible to multiple audiences. Engineering Soybean Mosaic Virus Resistance Utilizing tasiRNA A Study of Transposon Movement in C. Andrew Disharoon, CURO Research bescii Assistant Jessica Dinsmore, CURO Graduation Dr. Wayne Parrott, Crop & Soil Sciences, Distinction College of Agricultural & Environmental Dr. Mike Adams, Biochemistry & Molecular Sciences Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Soybeans, as one of the largest crops in As our oil reserves are depleting, scientists are cultivation, are constantly under attack by searching for alternative fuel sources. A diseases. One of the most common diseases promising renewable fuel source is cellulosic affecting soybeans internationally is the biofuels. Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) is soybean mosaic virus. Food supply safety is a a potential strategy of generating these growing concern that must be addressed biofuels in an economically feasible way. CBP through new solutions as old techniques falter involves using genetically engineered in the face of evolving diseases and increasing organisms to convert biomass into ethanol in demand. Gene silencing is a powerful tool a single step. Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is an that many plants use to regulate their own excellent candidate for CBP as it is the most gene expression. In this case, if gene-silencing thermophilic cellulolytic microbe known. could turn off the genes of the invading virus, While C. bescii does not natively produce the plant would be resistant. Even before the ethanol, previous studies have demonstrated causal mechanism was known, genetic that C. bescii can be engineered for ethanol engineers have used gene silencing to combat production. As with any organism used for viral disease. With a greater understanding of industrial purposes, C. bescii must have a stable these silencing mechanisms, genetic engineers phenotype. Recently, transposon activity has can create more efficient ways to induce gene

Abstracts

silencing. One such method is using a specific criteria. The spectral test returns a number type of miRNA pathway known as tasiRNA, called a P-value between zero and one, with which is found within crop plants, and using it zero being completely non-random and one to induce the desired silencing. By placing a being completely random. The spectral test tasiRNA 22 DNA recognition site in the front works by finding patterns. The harder it is to part of the viral DNA, resistance to soybean find the pattern, the more random the mosaic virus should be achievable. sequence is and the higher its p-value. We use Accordingly, vectors for silencing the positive this value as the fitness criteria for the genetic sense, negative sense, and a combination of algorithm. The purpose of this experiment is the two strands of the virus were constructed. to determine if this combination of algorithms These events were introduced into Jack would produce a statistically superior psuedo- soybean tissue to generate transgenic lines for random number generator. each vector. Events will be phenotyped for disease resistance upon reaching 20 cm in The Effects of Inclement Weather on height. It is expected that not only can this Dining Hall Usage approach impart viral resistance to soybean Rutvik Dmello mosaic virus, but also to all other related Dr. Nikhil Srinivasan, Management viruses. Information Systems, Terry College of Business Creating a Pseudo-Random Number Generator Using the Spectral Analysis One of the most important things in running Test and Genetic Algorithms any business smoothly is being able to predict Steve Dixon, CURO Honors Scholar, CURO the volume with which customers arrive. This Research Assistant is even truer in the service industry, where Dr. Walter Potter, Computer Science, staffing and resource allocation directly Franklin College of Arts & Sciences respond to how busy the business expects to be. For the University of Georgia, this Pseudo-random number generators use pre- problem is best recognized in the dining hall calculated mathematical formulas to produce facilities. While there are many factors that sequences of numbers that appear obviously impact dining hall usage, one random. The need for pseudo-random potentially important variable is the weather. numbers arises for many purposes. The two Using regression analysis, my research aims to most important are data security such as ATM analyze the impact of precipitation on dining cards, computer passwords, and electronic hall attendance. The weather information was commerce, and the other is modeling and attained through the website of the Weather simulation applications such as the programs Channel. I gathered contemporary dining hall that predicate the path of cataclysmic weather capacity data through a Java program that I events. A genetic algorithm is a problem- created especially for parsing usage solving formula that mimics the process of information. Historical data were available natural selection. Our genetic algorithm through the Information Technology generates each individual with its own Auxiliary Services. After cleaning the collected “genetic makeup”. “Chromosomes” are data through Microsoft Excel, I utilized the R swapped through crossover and/or programming language in order to perform mutated to breed a new generation of regression analyses. In addition to using individuals. Individuals with a higher fitness simple ordinary least squares regressions, I level will “breed” more often. For our applied the statistical approach of indicator experiment, we used the spectral test as fitness variables. Both of these methods aim to

Abstracts elucidate the relationship between of dependent measures, including recall of precipitation and the utilization of dining hall information presented, perceived risk facilities. Beyond analyzing usage in the perceptions, and behavior intent measures. aggregate, I was able to stratify the data into Data collection is planned for March 2016. the individual attendances of the food service The results of the study have implications for locations. I believe after robust statistical best practices in visually communicating scrutiny, my results could be of significant quantitative information to audiences in a way value to the Department of Food Services. that has both affective and cognitive impact. This benefit extends additionally to understanding the mechanics behind service Caveolae in 3D Neuronal Cell Cultures industry utilization. Megan Douglass, CURO Research Assistant Dr. William Kisaalita, College of Engineering Seeing the Future: Interactive Data Visualization and Behavioral Intentions Traditionally, 2D cell-based assays have Grace Donnelly shown to be unreliable for drug discovery, as Dr. Bartosz Wojdynski, Grady College of they are not predictive of the in vivo response. Journalism & Mass Communication Therefore, significant importance is being given to providing the cells with a 3D This research project seeks to contribute microenvironment that more closely mimics knowledge to our understanding of how in vivo conditions. Cells grown in a 3D design decisions related to the graphical microenvironment (microtissue) can be depiction of data and deployment of characterized by structural and functional interactivity influence news consumers' ability biomarkers that are different from their 2D to accurately understand health information counterparts. The presence of caveolae, which and make decisions about their behavior. are 60 – 80 nm, cup-shaped invaginations in Specifically, a 2 (data presentation: text-only, the plasma membrane, has been well text and graphics) x 2 (future self-reference: established in many cell types but has not yet yes/no) between subject experiment was been confirmed in cells of neuronal origin. In designed to test the effects of using an this study, the presence and functionality of interactive online life-expectancy calculator on caveolae in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells recall, perceived risks, and behavioral were examined. Transmission Electron intent. An online calculator page was built and Microscopy (TEM) imaging confirmed the developed for this project that allowed users presence of invaginated structures in the cells, to input their age, gender, and race and closely resembling the physical descriptions of receive average life expectancy information caveolae. Subsequently, the functionality of based on U.S. data. Participants were then the caveolae was examined by measuring allowed to input indicators of their exercise calcium oscillation frequency, which was per week and smoking behavior to gauge the found to be similar to in vivo, in 3D compared impact of their actions on their future selves. to 2D. These findings present a structural and Conditions varied in how participants’ life functional biomarker that may be used to expectancy was communicated to them, and confirm the 3D characteristics of neuronal the degree to which the effects of their cells and subsequently establish more present-day choices on future outcomes were predictive 3D cell-based assays for drug made explicit. In the experiment, participants discovery. (N =100) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions and asked to use an online life expectancy calculator and then answer a series

Abstracts

Identification of CRISPR Adaptation Dessa Dunn Complexes and Associated Nucleic Acids Dr. Elizabeth King, Odum School of Ecology in Pyrococcus furiosus Justin Dumrongkulraksa, CURO Honors Driftmier Woods is a small forest on UGA’s Scholar, CURO Summer Fellow campus overgrown with invasive plant Dr. Michael Terns, Biochemistry & Molecular species. There are plans to use prescribed Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences grazing by the Chew Crew goats to reduce invasive plants, but they may affect other CRISPR (Clustered, Regularly Interspaced, parts of the ecosystem. The Chew Crew Short Palindromic Repeats) loci and their project can therefore provide a living associated genes (Cas) comprise an adaptive laboratory to study the interactions between defense system in bacteria and archaea. This land management and ecosystem services, immune system protects the organism against which are benefits provided by the forest. I phages and other foreign genetic elements. first compiled a portfolio of potential Immunity is conferred via the acquisition and ecosystem services and hypothesized goat incorporation of invader DNA into the impacts. Then I focused on ecological roles of CRISPR locus. The locus is then transcribed leaf litter and English ivy, an invasive plant to produce an RNA complement (crRNA), that covers the ground in parts of Driftmier which guides Cas nucleases in targeted Woods. While goats consume English ivy, invader DNA or RNA destruction. In the their hooves can disturb soil and leaf litter, archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, our lab has recently lowering soil stability and risking water obtained genetic evidence linking four Cas erosion. To study goat impacts on leaf litter, I proteins (Cas 1, Cas 2, and Cas4-1 and 4-2) to first studied the Chew Crew’s current site, the function of integration of new invader Tanyard Creek, by comparing quantity and sequences in a process called CRISPR size distribution of leaf litter particles inside adaptation. However, the individual roles of and outside goat exclosures. I then assessed each protein in the process are unknown and potential impacts of goats versus hand will be an area of exploration in my research. removal of ivy at Driftmier Woods. In a non- To examine how each of these proteins grazing area, I set up plots in which I functions in the cell, a number of experiments removed ivy manually, simulated goat will be performed in order to test whether or browsing by plucking leaves, or left the ivy as not each protein is a member of a larger a control. I measured litter, soil moisture, and functional complex. Additionally, the ability litter decomposition rates in each plot. Goat of each protein to bind, recognize, or capture impacts on leaf litter at Tanyard Creek proved CRISPR and invader DNA will be tested. A statistically insignificant, and results from CRISPR locus sequence called the leader is Driftmier Woods are forthcoming. Combined, required for adaptation. As Cas 1, Cas 2, Cas these studies help assess the Chew Crew’s 4-1, and Cas 4-2 are believed to have some impacts and provide a base for future students role in adaptation, the leader along with to study forest ecosystem services on campus. invader DNA is expected to be found when these proteins are immunoprecipitated. This What is a Sticking Event in Classical finding would provide substantial insight into Molecular Dynamics? A Study of this relatively new system. Hydrogen Sticking to Amorphous Water- Ice Ecosystem Services and Restoration John Dupuy Efforts of Campus Forests: Tanyard Creek Dr. Phillip Stancil, Physics & Astronomy, and Driftmier Woods Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

Abstracts

Gas-grain and gas-phase reactions dominate if they are responsible for any loans. It will be the formation of molecules in the interstellar interesting to see whether or not the students’ medium (ISM). Gas-grain reactions require a experiences in the high school course have a substrate on which the reaction is able to significant impact on students’ monetary occur. The formation of molecular hydrogen habits and whether or not they even recall the in the ISM is a prime example of a gas-grain information they learned while taking the reaction. In these reactions, an atom of course. We hope to see that the course has hydrogen will strike a surface, stick to the had an impact in students’ financial lives. surface, interact with the molecular structure However, in the senior data set, we expect to of the substrate (in this case water), find see that the students no longer recall the another H atom, form molecular hydrogen, content learned in their personal finance and then be ejected from the surface. We course. perform classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of hydrogen atoms sticking to an Abundance of Vibrio Bacteria Associated amorphous water-ice surface. This study with White Pox Disease in Elkhorn Corals examines the first step in the process, the Martinique Edwards, CURO Research sticking of the hydrogen atom to the Assistant substrate. We present here possible criteria for Dr. Erin Lipp, ENVIRONMENTAL HLTH sticking and detail on how we arrived at those SCI -- Public Health criteria. Caribbean coral reefs have declined by 80% Financial Education in Georgia Public over the past decade in part due to the spread Schools and its Impact on Students’ of marine diseases. Corals host a mutualistic Financial Behaviors bacterial community in their surface mucus Ana Duron-Fleck, CURO Honors Scholar that serves as protection against pathogenic Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, microbes. This bacterial community may be Housing & Consumer Economics, College of altered in favor of pathogens when the coral Family & Consumer Sciences becomes stressed, for example by elevated temperature. Of particular interest are the In the state of Georgia, public high school Vibrio bacteria, which are ubiquitous in coastal students are required to take an economics waters and are implicated in six of twenty course with a personal finance section in it in coral diseases described. We are studying the order to graduate from high school. In this critically threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, project we are focusing on whether or not the Acropora palmata, the only species known to class taken in high school had any significant succumb to white pox disease. We impact on the students’ financial behaviors. hypothesize that there is an increased relative Two data sets are used in this study. The abundance of Vibrio bacteria on disease surveys were conducted online and consisted lesions compared to the surface mucus of of 463 students, 111 of which were seniors healthy corals. To investigate, we extracted and 352 of which were freshman. Questions the total bacterial DNA from 4-ml samples were asked about their financial education in (n=5-6) of coral mucus and surrounding high school and whether or not they benefited water. We then performed quantitative PCR from the experience. In addition, the surveys (qPCR) on the bacterial DNA with Vibrio- were intended to gather information about the specific primers and non-specific bacterial students’ current financial behaviors. An primers to enumerate both the Vibrio example of this is whether or not the student population and the entire bacterial community owns a credit card they are responsible for or throughout all samples. We will calculate the

Abstracts

ratio of Vibrio cells to the total number of A major issue with inpatient mental health bacterial cells and expect a higher ratio of institutions is that patient visits can be Vibrio to total bacteria in samples taken from traumatic. This is because mental health disease lesions. Researching the population institutions do well at their intended function, dynamics of Vibrio on diseased corals will keeping suicidal patients alive until their help elucidate the driving force behind coral doctors find a sustainable medication type and disease and decline. If diseased corals are dose, but inpatient programs do very little found to be a reservoir for Vibrio bacteria, past that. Many inpatient programs do not then the biochemical interactions between have legitimate methods for coping therapy Vibrio cells and coral mucus should be and rely solely on preliminary therapy. In investigated. addition, the relationship between nurses and patients is tense due to the hierarchal Comparative Analysis of Soil Organic structure of the hospital as well as the lack of Matter Fractionation in Ultisols oversight. While inpatient programs fulfill the Rachel Ehlinger status quo, policy change is necessary because Dr. Alexander Cherkinsky, Geology, Franklin many patients do not attend other therapy College of Arts & Sciences programs after their inpatient stay, thus making their limited time valuable. In order to Soil organic matter is one of the largest examine this situation, the laws related to reservoirs of carbon on earth, containing mental health institutions on the local, state, more carbon than the atmosphere itself. and national level will be analyzed. Fractionation and accelerator mass Furthermore, research into how other states spectrometry are used to study the turnover and countries run their mental health of soil organic matter carbon from its initial institutions may lead to useful insight into state in the biosphere to its decay in the how to improve Georgia's institutions. Also, atmosphere. In this study, we separated data collected from past patient visits will microaggregates from Ultisol soils collected in reveal trends that may lead to viable solutions the Calhoun Critical Zone of South Carolina. to the problem. This research hopes to attain These microaggregates were separated into multiple policy solutions that strive to solve heavy and light fractions through physical problems related to mental health institutions. fractionation methods. The heavy fraction is depleted of organics, while the light fraction is Evaluation of Yield and Essential Oil enriched with organics. We then took these Content of Holy Basil Varieties samples for AMS radiocarbon dating in order Nicole Encardes, CURO Research Assistant to analyze the turnover rate of each fraction. Prof. David Berle, Horticulture, College of With this analysis, we are able to interpret the Agricultural & Environmental Sciences turnover rate of carbon for each fraction. Our results allow us to conclude that the heavier Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is an important organically depleted fraction has a slower medicinal plant that has been associated with turnover rate and is therefore better preserved decrease in stress, regulation of metabolism, in the environment. and reduction of inflammation. In many cultures it is used as a tea. The study evaluated Deficiencies and Improvements to Mental yield and essential oil content of O. tenuiflorum Health Institutions in Georgia varieties to determine the best for commercial Joseph Elengickal production. Plants from 14 holy basil varieties Dr. Leonard Martin, Psychology, Franklin were selected from commercial catalogs and College of Arts & Sciences the USDA Germplasm systems. Plants were

Abstracts

grown in the field, harvested, and biomass Puerto Rico, where a population has been recorded before and after drying. Essential established. DNA was extracted from fin oils were extracted from each sample by tissue and amplified using polymerase chain hydrodistillation. Varieties were ranked using reaction. To evaluate hybridization in the M. an index score that was a combination of yield chattahoochae populations, a nuclear (ITS2) and and essential oil content per plant. The top a mitochondrial (CO1) gene were sequenced five yielders included both USDA and and compared to known Micropterus species commercial varieties, including PI288779, sequences. Additionally, six microsatellite loci Amrita, PI652059, PI652057, and Kapoor. (known to cross amplify and discriminate Results indicate an inverse relationship between related species) were amplified and between biomass yield and essential oil analyzed. Analysis of microsatellites and content, suggesting that growers should not nuclear and mitochondrial DNA will identify use biomass as the sole characteristic for fish hybridization and backcrossing in these variety selection. Chattahoochee bass populations.

Analysis of Hybridization in MGMT Expression in Canine Glial Chattahoochee Bass (Micropterus Tumors chattahoochae) Populations below Lake Erika Evanoff, CURO Research Assistant Lanier Dr. Elizabeth Howerth, Pathology, College of Guy Eroh, Foundation Fellow Veterinary Medicine Dr. Byron Freeman, Odum School of Ecology This study is being conducted in order to investigate whether or not canine glial tumors Maintenance of fish species diversity is express the MGMT protein and if these intrinsically and ecologically valuable, but tumors have hypermethylation within their challenging in areas where cross-stocking of MGMT promoter region, as these may be ecologically similar species occurs. The indicators of a positive response to cancer Chattahoochee bass (Micropterus chattahoochae) treatment with temozolomide. Formalin fixed is a cryptic species that is difficult to paraffin embedded tissue from canine glial distinguish visually from other closely related tumor tissues (oligodendrogliomas and species of the genus Micropterus (black basses). astrocytomas) submitted to the College of M chattahoochae is endemic to the Veterinary Medicine Department of Chattahoochee watershed in Northwest Pathology and Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Georgia where several other black bass Laboratory from 2005-present were evaluated. species have been stocked. These introduced Twenty-two glial tumor tissues were tested for species pose threats to the Chattahoochee MGMT protein expression by bass through competition and interbreeding. immunohistochemistry (IHC). In order to In order to determine if pure populations of prepare for the methylation-specific PCR M. chattahoochae remain in tributaries of the portion of this study (to be performed in Chatahoochee River below Buford Dam, this Spring 2016), genomic DNA from the tissues study analyzed the genetic identities of several was isolated and bisulfite conversion of the populations of bass below Lake Lanier. Bass DNA was performed. Findings from IHC samples were taken by electrofishing or rod reveal that high-grade glial tumors had the and reel angling from the Chattahoochee greatest amount of MGMT protein expression River and tributaries including Hillabahatchee, with 5 out of 11 (45.5%) having positive Snake, and Whooping Creeks. Specimens staining. In contrast, low- grade were also collected from the Maricao River in oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas all had

Abstracts

negative staining results. In Spring 2016, Over the past decades, metabolic engineering methylation-specific PCR will be performed has proven its superiority on the microbial in order to determine if there is a correlation production of valuable chemicals such as between MGMT protein expression and biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and MGMT promoter region methylation. materials. To build microbial cell factories that efficiently convert a feedstock into a desired Best Practice for Informing Parents of product, metabolic engineers have developed their Newborn’s Disability several strategies to direct the intracellular Allison Fialkowski, CURO Honors Scholar, metabolites into the exogenously introduced CURO Summer Fellow pathways, including overexpressing rate- Dr. David Gast, Communication Sciences & limiting enzymes, blocking competing Special Education, College of Education pathways, and bypassing native regulations. However, the directed metabolite fluxes Bad news is news that “drastically and generally resulted in metabolism imbalance negatively” changes a person’s perception of which would inhibit cell growth and decrease his or her future providing “a feeling of no production in heterologous pathways when hope... a risk of upsetting an established the engineered enzymes or intermediates lifestyle” (Buckman, 1992; Bor, Miller, accumulated toxic levels. To monitor the Goldman, & Scher, 1993, p.70). This research metabolic status of the engineered pathway in studies the disclosure of what most families real time, Dr. Yajun Yan’s laboratory is perceive to be devastating news - a disability focusing on creating a transcription factor- of their newborn. Because physicians are the based biosensor to alleviate the imbalance primary messengers of this challenging news, metabolism. Transcriptional factors (TFs) are medical schools and continuing education natural sensory proteins that regulate gene services must train physicians in the central expression in response to environmental considerations that lead to the most positive changes or key intracellular signals which need disclosure process when informing parents of tight control. They bind to specific DNA their newborn’s disability (Harnett, 2007, sequences in a promoter region to either p.92). After reading literature concerning best activate or repress transcription. The DNA- practice for informing individuals, analyzing a binding activity of TFs can be affected by physician’s training, and understanding the binding to metabolites. Recently, Dr. Yan’s specific concerns and circumstances of group is exploiting an exogenous TF to families with a newborn with a congenital monitor the product of muconic acid (a disability, I identified the central renewable precursor to polyethylene considerations that physicians must make terephthalate and nylon with global sales of throughout this disclosure process. By $51 billion) in Escherichia. coli. However, native addressing these concerns, physicians can TFs always suffer from poor orthogonality ensure a positive experience that prevents and background noise due to uncharacterized parents’ distress and anxiety, fosters a strong interactions between candidate TFs and relationship between the parents and operator sites in native promoters. Thus, Dr. professionals, and assists in attachment Yajun Yan’s group is focusing on designing between the parents and child. hybrid promoters to improve the specificity and sensitivity of TF-based biosensors in Characterization of a Muconic Acid response to the concentration of muconic Biosensor-Reporter System in E. coli acid. To simplify the screening process, a Tyler Fischer, CURO Research Assistant sensor-reporter system is designed to evaluate Dr. Yajun Yan, College of Engineering the strength of hybrid promoters by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of green

Abstracts

fluorescence protein. In this project, I deeply electricity. Using process modeling software, understand the mechanism of the muconic multiple process variables can be manipulated acid sensor-reporter system and have received in order to find the optimal composition, systematical training on the basic experimental flowrate, and process unit sizes based on skills of molecular biology and the design of economic feasibility. The purpose of this biochemical experiments. During this process, research is to optimize the production of my critical thinking abilities have greatly electricity from biogas and run cost analysis enhanced by discussing the experiment with on the entire process to find a range of biogas the graduate students. prices where production is profitable.

Optimization of Biogas to Electricity Injury Risk of Major League Foul Balls Plant Zack Flagel, CURO Research Assistant Carter Fitzgerald, CURO Research Assistant Prof. Nathaniel Grow, Insurance, Legal Dr. Sudhagar Mani, College of Engineering Studies, and Real Estate, Terry College of Business Recently, much has been made of the increase in the price and reduction of quantity of fossil Currently, Major League Baseball does not fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. It is have a standardized policy that requires widely accepted that biogas, which is a stadiums to have netting to protect fans from mixture of carbon dioxide and methane, can foul balls and broken bats flying into the be produced via anaerobic digestion. stands. In other words, fans sitting above the Anaerobic digestion is the series of biological dugouts or down the foul lines often do not processes where organic material is broken have such protection and are at risk to injury. down by microorganisms, particularly This research paper attempts to ascertain the methanogenic bacteria, in the absence of extent to which fans attending Major League oxygen. This biogas can be burned to produce Baseball games are at risk of being injured by electricity, compressed to make compressed foul balls leaving the field of play. Specifically, natural gas, or compressed even further to this paper attempts to quantify the extent to form liquid natural gas. The leftover organic which injury risk and injury severity have material can be used as compost bedding or as increased over time. It identifies several fertilizer. The starting organic material that is factors that increase spectator risk. Perhaps fed into the anaerobic digestion process can most notably, new major league ballparks that range from cellulose to municipal solid have opened over the last few decades have wastes. This versatility is a huge reason for the been designed with smaller areas of foul advantages of biogas, because while it may not territory, thus putting fans closer to the field. be as energy dense as its fossil fuel Moreover, average pitch velocity has steadily counterpart, it has other advantages: the increased over the last decade, helping to source of the energy is renewable and, in the cause balls hit off the bat to travel even faster. case of cellulose, the net carbon production is These prominent factors, along with a zero. After biogas is produced in the digestion multitude of other distractions, have caused tank or chamber it is a mixture of about 60% the fans’ reaction time to decrease. Through methane and 40% carbon dioxide. The gas is statistical analysis documenting the actual then scrubbed to increase the purity of the gas changes of stadiums’ foul territories and to 98% methane which is then sent to be pitchers’ pitch velocities, this paper concludes compressed. The hot, high-pressure gas leaves that the injury risk for fans sitting in the burner and enters an expansion turbine unprotected seats close to the field of play has which turns a generator and produces increased significantly in the last few decades.

Abstracts

Design of Mass Concrete Specimens and urban infill, and provide environmental Test Procedures services to residents, such as recycling and Rashaan Fowles composting. Meanwhile, corporate investment Dr. Mi Geum Chorzepa, College of attracts skilled labor into the technology Engineering spheres and specialized industries and significant capital inflows into these cities. The goal of this research is to design Tensions between population growth and specimens to quantify temperature loss and “green innovation” pull urban landscapes in gain in mass concrete structures and develop opposite directions. The “Emerald City” of test procedures for mass concrete specimens Seattle, WA is lauded for its high percentages for a Georgia Department of Transportation of walking and biking work commuters and project. There are two important parameters pristine air quality. Census and municipal that need to be quantified in mass concrete survey data, however, reveal a different specimens: (1) maximum internal temperature; narrative. Median housing values in Seattle and (2) gradient temperature. Current GDOT have surpassed the $500,000 mark for the first specification for mass concrete (special time ever. Energy efficient skyscrapers and provision to the Section 500) includes the "apodment”-style housing have become the maximum allowable internal temperature of built environment norm. In a pattern of 158 °F and temperature differential of 35 °F carbon gentrification, an influx of high- between interior and exterior portions of the earning individuals, who can afford to live in designated mass concrete element. The need the city center and utilize the low-carbon to quantify and understand these two modes of work commute, has crowded out parameters and structural behavior is lower-income families. As a result, Seattle pertinent. This research will focus on faces a new political challenge: providing understanding the underlying thermal affordable housing and low carbon lifestyles behavior of mass concrete structures through simultaneously. We argue that conventional the review of available literature on the production-based representations of urban subject of mass concrete mix designs and greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory data fail to crack width measurement. As it is essential to display individual consumer contributions to study temperatures and temperature emissions, which hinders the development of differences in several common types of mass targeted public policies. This research concrete elements or placement disaggregates road passenger transport configurations, simple thermal analysis models emissions to provide insight into individual will be created to validate test procedures and responsibilities for emissions. We identify a specimens configurations developed during need for policy that not only attempts to curb this study. GHG output from transportation, the highest emitting civilian activity, but also the social What Good is a Low-Carbon City if No and economic changes to urban design and One Can Afford to Live There? governance. Shreya Ganeshan, Foundation Fellow, CURO Summer Fellow, CURO Research Assistant Enzymatically Preparing Carbohydrates Dr. Jennifer Rice, Geography, Franklin for Development of an Effective College of Arts & Sciences Treatment against a Bacterial Pathogen Nikhil Gangasani, CURO Honors Scholar, Cities increasingly embrace "climate friendly" CURO Summer Fellow policies that encourage alternative forms of Dr. Fikri Avci, Biochemistry & Molecular transportation, incentivize green building and Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

Abstracts

Pneumococcal diseases like pneumonia are Obesity has become an important topic in currently a major global health issue. Caused modern healthcare, as obesity rates continue by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, these to rise at an alarming rate. In the past thirty diseases are responsible for up to 1.6 million years, obesity rates have nearly doubled, with annual deaths globally, according to the World adolescent obesity rates reaching levels almost Health Organization. In particular, S. quadruple their previous levels thirty years ago pneumoniae serotype III (Pn3) has increasingly (Ogden 2014). As obesity becomes more victimized children under the age of five, who widespread, efforts to understand the represent more than half of global victims. consequences of an unhealthy diet and the The worldwide proliferation of microbial effects of being overweight are of utmost resistance to antibiotics accentuates the need importance as obesity-related health problems for more effective pneumococcal vaccines. rack up a total of $190.2 billion dollars Glycoconjugate vaccines, composed of annually (Teuner 2013). Current studies focus carbohydrates covalently linked to carrier their investigations on body weight in regards proteins, alleviate this issue. The Pn3 to obesity; however, body weight is not an bacterium expresses a carbohydrate coating accurate measure of adiposity. In our study, on its microbial surface called a capsular we wanted to understand if caloric value of polysaccharide (CPS). Breaking down the Pn3 the diet was the only factor inducing obesity. CPS into fragments of suitable size and To test our question, we obtained a sample of composition provides a carbohydrate source twelve rats and randomly assigned rats in for creating a glycoconjugate vaccine against groups of four to three different diet groups the Pn3 bacterium. In 1931, another (low fat, high fat, regular diet). The rats were bacterium called Bacillus circulans was found to maintained on a regular diet for nine days and secrete an enzyme that degrades the CPS of then were fed their designated diet for twenty- Pn3. Through a series of experiments, the B. eight days. Over the course of the experiment, Circulans enzyme has been purified and its size we measured each rat’s body composition has been determined. Furthermore, the using a Minispec LF110. The Minispec LF110 interactions between the enzyme and the Pn3 is a machine that uses TD-NMR to measure CPS have been studied and the means of CPS body composition (fat, lean, free and total degradation are now understood. Ideal body water). This machine allowed us to conditions for the enzymatic degradation of analyze the living rats without having to use the Pn3 CPS have been established, and the anesthesia to prevent animal movement, as size of the main degradation products the TD-NMR technology allows for accurate themselves have been determined. Utilizing measurements even with little movements what is now known about the Pn3 CPS and from the animal during analysis. Following the B. Circulans enzyme that degrades it, future euthanasia on the twenty-ninth day of the research efforts will work towards creating an experiment, we measured the liver fat effective treatment against the harmful Pn3 percentage using the Minispec LF110. bacterial pathogen. Additionally, we used neuroanatomical methods and immunohistochemical Diet-Induced Obesity is Associated with a techniques to measure inflammation in the Change in Intestinal Innervation and hindbrain by staining microglia with IBA1 and Disruption of Gut-Brain Communication to check for neural reorganization in the Brent Gawey hindbrain by staining non-myelinated fibers Dr. Krzysztof Czaja, Veterinary Biosciences & with IB4. We found that rats maintained on Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary low fat and high fat diets had body fat Medicine compositions that were significantly greater than the regular diet. We did not find any

Abstracts significant changes in microglia activation participants complete a three-minute arbitrary (inflammation) in the hindbrain at the given question session, allowing for superficial fat levels of the diets. However, we did find interaction, and then a forty-five minute neural reorganization of the hindbrain in both activity of one of the interpersonal conditions. the high fat and low fat diets. Our results The participants complete a TIPI survey for suggest that a balanced diet of macronutrients their partners after both activities, allowing us is key for optimal health. Consuming high-fat, to characterize how well the participants read greasy foods or low-fat diet products can both their partners’ traits based on first impression lead to interrupted satiety signaling between and again after more time. We can then test the gut and the brain. Therefore, in effective for an association between a person’s diet strategies, the caloric density should not personality traits and judgment accuracy. This be the main focus, but rather a focus on study holds the potential to identify traits that consuming a balanced diet of macronutrients, render a person to be a good judge of avoiding any high or low extremes of any character. given nutrient. Functions of HAN in Arabidopsis Personality Judgment Accuracy: Embryo Development Personality and Social Context Influence Julian Gendreau, CURO Research Assistant the Way People See Each Other Dr. Wolfgang Lukowitz, Plant Biology, Catriona Geddes, CURO Honors Scholar Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Brian Haas, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences The GATA transcription factor HANABA TARANU (HAN) regulates embryonic Effective social interactions often depend on patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana. We have people making quick judgments about one previously shown that two closely related another. The purpose of the study is to GATA factors, HAN LIKE 1 (HANL1) and investigate how people differ in their ability to HAN LIKE 2 (HANL2), can substitute for determine other people’s personality traits and HAN function when expressed with the HAN how social context affects the accuracy of promoter in mutant embryos. HAN, HANL1, personality judgments. In the current study, and HANL2 share two recognizable structural we characterized individual differences in motifs: a central B-class GATA zinc-finger personality recognition at two time points: domain shared with seven other Arabidopsis during first impressions and following an genes; and a short, N-terminal sequence interpersonal task. In addition, we tested specific to the HAN clade and called HAN whether social context—interpersonal domain. The HAN domain is required for closeness, competition, or cooperation—had HAN function and deeply conserved in HAN an impact on personality judgment accuracy. orthologs of all flowering plants, but its We hypothesize that people who score higher molecular function has not been uncovered. in extraversion will be more accurate in My research aims at investigating the function reading their partner’s traits and those who of the two structural motifs of HAN genes by participate in the interpersonal closeness systematic gene and motif swapping condition, compared to the other conditions, experiments. I have expressed the remaining will be more accurate in reading the seven members of the B-type GATA factors personality traits of others. The participants of Arabidopsis under the control of the HAN first come in individually and complete a promoter in mutant embryos and found that personality inventory (NEO) and a ten-item only one of them, GATA29, can substitute personality inventory (TIPI). Then as a pair, for HAN. GATA29 lacks a HAN domain;

Abstracts

however, a closer inspection of the GATA29 administration. This work studies a refillable, protein sequence revealed the presence of an implantable ocular drug delivery device as a N-terminal EAR motif. EAR motifs have long-term solution to patients who undergo been shown to promote transcriptional the inconvenience and discomfort of frequent repression by binding co-repressors of the doctor visits and monthly injections. In this TOPLESS family. I have hypothesized that study, three different micro-channel designs, the HAN domain may serve a similar function along with the modification of the channel and also constitute a transcriptional repressor surfaces, are tested for the diffusion of domain. Consistent with this view, the EAR various dyes as a model for drug delivery. A motif of GATA29 can be replaced with a refillable device with a three-year time span HAN motif, and the HAN motif with the reduces the number of required doctor visits well-studied EAR motif of the Arabidopsis and prevents frequent replacements of the IAA17 protein. In addition, adding either an device, greatly improving patient life. IAA17 EAR motif or a HAN domain to the N-terminus of GATA16, which contains a B- A Faulty System: An Empirical Analysis class zinc finger but fails to rescue mutant on Student Loan Default embryos in swap experiments, creates a Connor Gibbs mosaic protein with HAN function. I Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, conclude that the HAN domain is a repressor Housing & Consumer Economics, College of domain and biochemically equivalent to an Family & Consumer Sciences EAR motif. In addition, I have replaced the B-class zinc finger of HAN with A-, C-, and This study expands student loan policy D-class zinc fingers. While mosaic proteins literature, focusing on shifting from a grant with an A- or D-class zinc finger are inactive, and merit-based financial aid system to one HAN variants with a C-type zinc finger, based on repayable student loans. While this surprisingly, can complement mutant policy change provides educational embryos. This result would suggest that B- opportunities to individuals who otherwise class and C-class zinc fingers have similar could not go to college, it also had led to an properties. I am now examining T-DNA increase in the student loan default rate. constructs in which the three C-class zinc Given associated negative macroeconomic finger genes of Arabidopsis are expressed with outcomes such as postponed household the HAN promoter, to explore possible formation, decreased homeownership, and functional redundancies. decreased consumption, this study attempts to empirically evaluate default through a multiple Passive Drug Delivery for Intraocular regression model to predict one’s own Applications probability of default. This methodology was Alyssa Ghuman, CURO Research Assistant driven by evidence that for-profit institutions Dr. Hitesh Handa, College of Engineering may enroll non-traditional students who qualify for federal student loans but The current treatments available for patients inadequately prepare them for the workforce. who suffer from ocular diseases such as The model utilizes four predictor variables: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age- institution type, degree completion status, related macular degeneration include daily eye salary after completion of school, and time drops and monthly intraocular injections. In after school completion to employment. The order to avoid blindness, treatment for these results could inform policymakers’ choice to diseases must be administered on a regular lobby for more federal oversight of for-profit basis, with some treatments requiring lifelong universities or even adjusting state funding

Abstracts

formulas to make public universities more Serum Levels of Circulating and attractive for nontraditional students. The Exosomal MicroRNA Regulate research could assist policymakers as they sort Transformed Cell Growth an array of policy solutions to lower the Nicole Gilreath growing default rate, improve the welfare of Dr. Ralph Tripp, Infectious Diseases, College student borrowers, and mitigate the negative of Veterinary Medicine economic outcomes of default. Serum is an essential component of cell Methadone and Loperamide Interactions culture media and provides the necessary with the Multidrug Transporter P- growth factors and biomolecules for efficient Glycoprotein cell growth. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is the Morgan Gibbs, CURO Research Assistant most common source of serum, but has Dr. Arthur Roberts, Pharmaceutical & several drawbacks including cost, lot to lot Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy variation, and ethical concerns related to its procurement. Various types of chemically The multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein defined media are also available but often are (Pgp) serves as gatekeeper of the blood brain more expensive, and in some cases unable to barrier by effluxing toxins away from the support cell growth as efficiently as FBS. This brain, but in doing so, it also prevents the study examines if variations in pattern or type entry of beneficial drugs. Despite similarities of serum microRNA expression influence the in their molecular structures, the opioid growth rate of Madine-Darby Canine Kidney agonist loperamide has essentially no brain (MDCK) cells. We hypothesized that FBS penetration compared with the opioid agonist samples contain specific exosome-associated methadone. This is because loperamide is microRNA(s) that impact cell growth effluxed at 4 times the rate of methadone by parameters. Serum samples from several Pgp. Despite several studies with these drugs commercial sources were evaluated for and Pgp, the molecular reason for these miRNAs from exosomes and within the differences is not well understood. To unravel serum. RT-qPCR was used to identify specific the molecular basis of loperamide and serum microRNAs, and the serum samples methadone transport by Pgp, these drugs were assessed for their ability to support the were investigated using ATP hydrolysis assays, growth rate of MDCK cells using both fluorescence and NMR. Pgp-mediated ATP manual and automated cell counting methods. hydrolysis with methadone and loperamide Several miRNAs were found to be highly suggests that they have one and two binding upregulated in serum samples that yielded sites, respectively, and that methadone higher MDCK cell growth rates. The miRNAs competes with one of the loperamide binding that yielded higher growth yields will be sites on Pgp. The interactions of loperamide validated by testing miRNA mimics and and methadone with Pgp were also inhibitors for their potential to alter cellular investigated by NMR and found to be and viral growth kinetics. consistent with the Pgp-mediated ATP hydrolysis results. These drugs also showed Measuring Muscle Fatigue in Men vs large differences in their ability to induce Women Using Mechanomyography global conformational changes of Pgp by Shaun Goh fluorescence spectroscopy. From these Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of results, a conformationally gated model of Education opioid agonist transport is proposed to explain the molecular basis of their transport.

Abstracts

Previous studies have suggested that women on epigenetic responses following FA have greater skeletal muscle endurance than supplementation has not been investigated. men. The purpose of this study was to test FA was provided (800 µg/d) to normal weight this hypothesis using mechanomyography to (NW; BMI 21.6+ 1.4 kg/m2; n=12) and measure the endurance of the forearm obese (OB; BMI 37.5+ 2.3 kg/m2; n=6) muscles in men and women. Twitch electrical women of childbearing age for 8 weeks. stimulation was used to produce muscle Genome-wide DNA methylation changes in contractions in the forearm muscle of subjects CD4+ T cells (CD4) and CD16+ neutrophils at frequencies of 2, 4, and 6 Hz while a tri- (CD16) were determined using Infinium axial accelerometer measured the acceleration HumanMethylation 450BeadChips. Increased of each contraction. Fatigue was estimated folate status was observed, but OB women at with an endurance index (EI), which was final baseline had lower serum folate concentration acceleration divided by initial acceleration. than NW women; this trend was maintained Peak acceleration was greater in men than that after supplementation. Methylation changes in of women (PA=3.3G +/- 0.9 and 2.2G +/- response to supplementation were more 0.2 respectively). Women had a greater abundant in CD4 than CD16 in both OB average endurance index than men (12.4% vs. 3.1%) and NW (4.6% vs. 1.7%) (EI=84.1% +/- 3.7% and 77.4% +/- 2.1% women. A small number of CpG sites respectively). A T-test between the two responded in both cell types (0.1% and 0.6% groups for endurance yielded a P value of of total CpG sites in NW and OB, 0.11. The study results are underpowered, respectively). Our results indicate that DNA and additional participants will be tested. methylation response following FA However, the magnitude of different between supplementation is distinctive in each cell type men and women are consistent with previous and obesity affects the epigenetic regulation in studies. The mechanism explaining response to folate status. Findings provide differences between men and women in preliminary evidence to develop cell-type muscle fatigue needs to be evaluated in future specific biomarkers of folate status unique to studies. obesity.

Neutrophil and Granulocyte Methylation Improving Efficacy of HIV Vaccines for in Normal Weight and Obese Individuals Immune-Suppressed Recipient Jenissa Gordon, CURO Summer Fellow Ann Gore, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Hea-Jin Park, Foods & Nutrition, College Dr. Lisa Shollenberger McEwen, Infectious of Family & Consumer Sciences Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine

Folate acts as a one-carbon methyl donor, HIV affects millions worldwide, and vaccines modulating epigenetic activity. Blood contains have not previously been effective. The Harn mixed populations of white blood cells of lab developed VacSIM, a novel vaccine varying DNA methylation status, and may be delivery method in which a liquid forms a gel responsible for inconclusive reports of matrix upon entry into the recipient. Previous variable DNA methylation responses to folic studies have proved this delivery method acid (FA) supplementation. A single cell type more efficacious than CpG, alum, and may serve as a more reliable epigenetic Fruend’s adjuvant. The delivery method has reporter to determine DNA methylation been tested in the flu vaccine model as well changes due to FA supplementation. Obesity and found it to work well for viral clearance in influences folate status and increases risk for mice. We decided to then test the efficacy of neural tube defects, but the impact of obesity VacSIM in an Envelope-based HIV vaccine.

Abstracts

To do this, we combined an HIV Envelope students who have had help from their protein and VacSIM and administered it to parents and those who have not. With all this mice via subcutaneous vaccination. We then in mind, we’ve worked to organize and used ELISAs to determine endpoint titers of analyze this data set with the intention of HIV-specific antibodies in the blood of producing a provable hypothesis in the form vaccinated animals. This experiment showed of a research paper. that VacSIM was by far the best for humoral response, with or without CpG adjuvant. This Evolutionary Analysis of Mating-Type semester, we are continuing the experiment to Genes in Stagonosporopsis Species study the efficacy of VacSIM-delivered HIV Causing Gummy Stem Blight of Cucurbits vaccines in mice chronically infected with Thomas Gottilla, CURO Research Assistant Schistosoma mansoin, which causes Dr. Marin Talbot Brewer, Plant Pathology, immunosuppression. We will vaccinate either College of Agricultural & Environmental infected or uninfected mice with the HIV Sciences proteins Envelope and Gag in VacSIM and test humoral responses to Envelope via Gummy stem blight of cucurbits has recently ELISAs and cellular responses to Gag via been discovered to be caused by three ELISpots. genetically distinct but morphologically indistinguishable fungal species: Credit Usage and Financial Literacy Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum, Stagonosporopsis among University Students citrulli, and Stagonosporopsis caricae. A key Theodore Gorman biological difference among these species may Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, be their mating systems, and specifically the Housing & Consumer Economics, College of presence and structure of the MAT1-1-1 and Family & Consumer Sciences MAT1-2-1 genes, which together compose the MAT1 locus. Genes associated with We know the general criteria for good credit reproduction tend to diverge rapidly, so our use. We know what distinguishes a solid credit objectives were to identify the genes and score from a weak one, and we know which determine if the genes are rapidly evolving. actions can lead to a particular score. But in all This would include analyses for both positive this research, information about a crucial and purifying selection. Genomes of the three demographic is left largely unexplored: college species were searched for homologs, and tests students, and in particular those who are for positive and purifying selection were working to improve their ability to manage conducted primarily in the form of dn/ds their own finances. With a data set compiling analyses. The results of these analyses show information from almost a thousand UGA that the dn/ds ratio for the three species is students’ credit reports, we can look more less than one, suggesting that the three fungal closely at the foundations of strong credit use species are undergoing purifying selection. among students, as well as examine instances However, the evolutionary constraints on the where problems arose. Given the continual three species were significantly different than rise of both college tuition and competition in those affecting the outgroups; although both the US job market, college students have to be ratios were less than one, the two ratios were thriftier than ever, and having a good credit significantly different. Concrete evidence of history has never mattered more. Our data positive selection in mating-type genes may show the effects of authorized versus provide evidence that distinct speciation individual user account ownership, and we among S. caricae, S. citrulli, and S. can now compare the credit standing of cucurbitacearum is occurring. Because the

Abstracts

MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes contained in tracking ankle sprains over a competitive the mating-type locus are associated with season to determine the clinical utility of several functions ranging from host specific cut-off scores for determining those recognition to the formation of reproductive at risk for ankle sprain. structures, understanding the evolutionary factors acting on the MAT1 locus could be Corporate Inversion: Companies Leaving critical in understanding the emergence of the American Tax System new fungal species. Jazmine Griffin, CURO Honors Scholar Dr. Jeff Netter, Banking & Finance, Terry Effect of Multiple Ankle Sprains on College of Business Functional Performance Tests in Adolescents The current Pfizer-Allergan merger is an Morgan Green, CURO Honors Scholar example of a particular trend in United States Dr. Cathleen Brown Crowell, Kinesiology, mergers and acquisitions, corporate College of Education inversions. In corporate inversion, an American corporation may merge with Ankle sprains are the most common sports another foreign corporation and move to injury among athletes and the initial sprain overseas headquarters. This allows the often occurs during adolescence. Functional originally American corporation to escape performance tests are commonly used in taxes on income earned abroad. In the case of injury screens, but it is unclear if adolescents Pfizer, one of the largest pharmaceutical with a history of sprain demonstrate deficits. companies in the United States, merging with The purpose of this study was to determine if Allergan will allow them to move their a significant difference in functional headquarters to Ireland. Many companies seek performance ability was present between tax havens, countries with less stringent tax adolescent athletes with a history of a single laws and lower rates, to escape foreign income ankle sprain versus multiple sprains in the star tax in America. Currently, America taxes excursion balance test (SEBT) and single leg foreign income at 35% upon returning to U.S. hop test (SLHT). We hypothesized the soil. This tax falls on top of the income taxes athletes with a history of multiple ankle corporations already pay in the location sprains would perform significantly worse on income is earned. To avoid the tax burden a SEBT and SLHT than the single ankle American companies keep approximately 2.6 sprain athletes. Adolescent soccer players (8 trillion abroad. The president, congress, and male, 13 female, 15.6±1.3 yrs.) completed even some politicians are trying to find surveys to report the number of previous solutions to this problem. In the following ankle sprains. Each participant performed presentation, we will discover the strategies three trials of the SEBT and two trials of the companies use to avoid U.S. foreign taxation, SLHT to measure functional performance of and the potential income America is losing. the ankle. Overall, the subjects with a history To examine the mechanics of corporate of multiple ankle sprains performed inversion we will analyze current corporate significantly worse on the SEBT (69.1±9.3, inversion deals including, Pfizer-Allergan, p< .001) and SLHT (18.0±4.1, p< .001) than Tyco-Johnson, and Applied Materials. From the single ankle sprain athletes (SEBT- there, we will discuss the pros and cons in 99.8±4.9, SLHT-7.2±.7). A history of America’s tax systems and the strategies multiple ankle sprains negatively affects ankle politicians and congress have devised to keep joint function in an adolescent population. U.S. corporations from exiting. Future research may include prospectively

Abstracts

Women, Welfare, and Borrowing Procedural Polarization: Examining Shannon Griffiths, CURO Research Assistant Changes in the Roll Call Voting Record Brittany Talkin (1877-2012) and their Effects on Political Dr. Mary Caplan, School of Social Work Polarization Casey Grippando, CURO Summer Fellow The U.S. credit market is awash in credit Dr. Anthony Madonna, Political Science, products for all economic strata of society, School of Public & International Affairs and many are marketed toward credit- constrained people. 62% of low-income Recently, much attention has been given to families have a credit card, and 32% of people the role of partisan politics within the who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition American Congress; namely, how the Program (SNAP) have consumer debt. At the polarization of American political parties same time, approximately 34% of Americans appears more pronounced than ever. The receive some form of means-tested social question to be answered then is why modern assistance. The purpose of this study is to times have produced the appearance of a examine how and to what extent welfare polarized political system and whether this recipients utilize these consumer borrowing problem is as extreme as it appears. We opportunities. This study employs grounded believe that an increase in requests for roll call theory design using semi-structured interviews votes has contributed to this polarized image with women over the age of 18 currently of Congress. Using the Congressional Record, roll receiving means-tested social assistance and call voting data on amendments from 1877 – using some sort of borrowing, like payday 2012 was coded in Microsoft Excel and loans, pawn shop loans, revolving credit amassed with existing research on previous cards, title loans, and other informal loans. sessions of Congress to statistically uncover The social process of borrowing is examined partisan voting and procedural patterns. using Charmez's constructivist grounded Variables coded included various theory approach, including systematic coding, Congressional procedural tactics, member memo writing, and theory development. The party, and type of vote, amongst others. Votes research team has conceptualized the study, on measures of little importance (more created and refined interview questions, specifically, votes on measures not considered recruited informants, conducted participant "landmark legislation") were largely ignored. and non-participant observations, conducted The results so far are as expected: amending interviews, and analyzed data. Informants activity on legislation has largely increased were recruited through professional networks within both parties, and more amendments as well as posting flyers throughout the have received roll call votes. This in turn community, and snowball sampling was used. creates more party line votes and thus the The main research question is, "What are the polarized image of Congress we see today. borrowing attitudes and behavior of women Given the large range and depth of data, we who receive public means-tested social believe the results are extremely important assistance?" The nascent framework contains and applicable when judging the polarization three interconnected concepts: 1) complicated of the current and future Congresses. It is also methods of borrowing affects and is affected important in demonstrating that a volume of by complex life circumstances; 2) access to votes rather than a pure shift in ideology credit provides hope, but increases economic could be at fault for increased polarization. vulnerability and self-doubt; and 3) balance between personal responsibility and social pressures.

Abstracts

Metallothermic Reductions and health related information can decrease Conductive Coatings for Lithium-Ion consumption. A baseline data collection of Battery Anode Materials fruit and vegetable waste was performed in Bryan Grommersch, CURO Summer Fellow each school through observing students Dr. Ramaraja Ramasamy, College of (kindergarten to fifth grade) in the lunchroom. Engineering During an intervention period, half of the schools (chosen by random assignment) The chemical technology inherent in lithium- received table talkers to place on lunchroom ion batteries has not kept pace with the tables. Preliminary results showed that in the portable electronics and automobiles that control schools, which were not exposed to depend on them. Fossilized silica (SiO2) the table talkers, fruit and vegetable frustules, or shells, of the fresh-water diatom consumption decreased. However, fruit and Aulacoseira feature intricate pores and shapes vegetable consumption remained the same in which make them a promising template for a intervention schools (i.e., did not decrease). lithium battery anode. It is believed that An explanation of these findings and their retaining these intricacies after a implications for understanding the decisions magnesiothermic reduction to Mg2Si and made by students in the lunchroom and how silicon will yield batteries of superior capacity school programs can promote healthy eating and cyclability. Subsequently coating these while decreasing the waste and increasing the microparticles with a conductive polymer consumption of fruit and vegetables will be promises to improve their electrochemical discussed. properties even further. Metallothermic reductions of Al2O3 and GeO2 were also Examining a Potential Role for explored in this project, as was the creation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CtpB in silicon microparticles via an alternative SiCl4 Copper Transport synthesis. Sahl Hakim Dr. Russell Karls, Infectious Diseases, College Lunchroom Table Talkers Talk Students of Veterinary Medicine into Eating Fruits and Vegetables Taylor Gutwillig Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of human Dr. Michelle vanDellen, Psychology, Franklin tuberculosis, a chronic and sometimes fatal College of Arts & Sciences respiratory infection. The ctpB gene in M. tuberculosis is annotated to encode Cation Changes to the National School Lunch Transport Protein B (CtpB) predicted to Program require schools to provide students function as a copper-transporting ATPase. receiving a school lunch with two fruit and Copper is an essential mineral for many vegetable servings, but this change has biological processes, but when present in produced high plate waste. In the present excess can be toxic. The overall goal of this study, we draw on principles of behavioral project is to examine the function of ctpB economics to try to nudge students to choose when expressed in nonpathogenic and consume more fruits and vegetables. We Mycobacterium smegmatis. The ctpB gene will be developed a low cost intervention using cloned with a c-myc tag into a mycobacterial brightly colored, age appropriate table talkers expression vector downstream from a to introduce students to eight fruits and tetracycline-inducible promoter. The plasmid vegetables. Each side of the table talker shows will be introduced into M. smegmatis. The a fun fact rather than health information, as transformed cells will be induced with varying previous research has shown highlighting tetracycline concentrations alone and in the

Abstracts

presence of copper ions. If CtpB is a copper motivations encouraging the current skill efflux pump, then the expression of the gene mismatch, which will then allow them to craft is predicted to render the bacteria more policy solutions to alter incentives. The study resistant to the excess copper compared to the also will inform USAID, the World Bank, and wildtype bacteria. If the CtpB is a copper other international organizations that influx pump, then the expression of the gene implement education development programs is expected to render the bacteria more within Cambodia about the skill mismatch, sensitive to elevated levels of copper. To which will allow them to alter existing determine if the protein is made, western programs or create new ones in order to blotting will be performed to detect the address the issue and prevent its exacerbation. presence of the myc-tagged CtpB protein. Results of this project will be presented. Microwave Synthesis of MOF-5 Allie Harbert, CURO Research Assistant Examination of Supply-Side Incentives Dr. Douglas Jackson, Chemistry, Franklin and Motivations That Perpetuate the Skill College of Arts & Sciences Mismatch of Cambodian University Graduates Metal organic frameworks are an area of Hanna Han research of increasing interest. Organic linkers Dr. Audrey Haynes, Political Science, School of various complexities and potentials for of Public & International Affairs activity can be linked together with metal centers to form a porous crystal. Their porous In Cambodia, the increased enrollment in nature combined with their very large surface higher education has not significantly led to a area allows for MOFs to be ideal substances more robust economy as many university to store gases as well as capture them. These graduates remain un- or underemployed. This crystals have great potential for application in unusual phenomenon can be ascribed to the different areas including gas storage and graduates’ skill mismatch, or the disparity capture for environmental and energy uses as between the labor supply of universities and well as for delivering drugs, since essentially the labor demand of employers. This study any linker with at least two reactive sites can attempts to understand the supply-side be used. This experiment focused on incentives and motivations that contribute to simplifying the process of forming a known the skills mismatch. In short, why university MOF, MOF-5, which is formed using Zinc students decide upon the majors and career Nitrate and Terephthalic Acid, and has been paths they do. The study makes use of six previously formed using reflux over a period hour-long semi-structured focus groups with of 48 hours. MOF 5 has previously been current Cambodian university students analyzed using x-ray powder diffraction. The stratified according to major and university goal of this experiment was to devise a new type (public or private). Coding analysis of reaction scheme to cut down reaction time qualitative data reveals the major supply-side and maximize yield in order to expand upon problem to be the lack of accurate career the new methodology to more efficiently information and exposure to a diversity of synthesize more complex MOFs that have career options, misguided conclusions about applications of interest. This reaction time has labor demand based on economic been successfully cut down to 50 minutes observations, and societal and familial using microwave chemistry and DMF as the pressures. This study is significant in that it solvent. The MOF was able to be crystallized will inform Cambodian educators, employers, out and analyzed using X-ray crystallography. and policymakers about the incentives and

Abstracts

Agrobacterium tumefaciens Mediated nasutus plants, with altered treatment Transformation of Mimulus nasutus via conditions in addition to a greatly increased the Floral Dip Method sample size. Leanna Harbor Dr. Andrea Sweigart, Genetics, Franklin Hurricane Forecasting and Healthcare College of Arts & Sciences Facility Evacuations Elizabeth Hardister, CURO Honors Scholar Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated Dr. Curtis Harris, Institute for Disaster transformation is a powerful genetic tool and Management, College of Public Health both floral dip and vacuum infiltration methods have been incredibly successful in Hurricanes have the potential to produce the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Mimulus is mega mass casualty and mass fatality events in an emerging model plant genus studied by addition to catastrophic structural damage. ecologists and evolutionary geneticists. The The state of Georgia is located in an area study of Mimulus species would greatly benefit vulnerable to hurricanes originating in both from genetic transformation and, in fact, the the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; floral dip vacuum infiltration method has however, Georgia’s response to a major been previously successful in transforming the hurricane has not yet been tested. While self-pollinating Mimulus nasutus species. Stable forecasting and emergency planning have germ-line transformation was confirmed in greatly improved over the past few decades, the T3 generation through BASTA resistance recent history demonstrates that hurricanes screening and PCR analysis conducted on the still have the potential to result in catastrophic surviving T3 seedlings. However, successful loss of life. The successful evacuation of transformation has not been repeatable, coastal healthcare facilities in response to an highlighting the need for an optimized impending hurricane requires advanced protocol. In this study, the goal was to notice, timely decision making, and an optimize Agrobacterium mediated unprecedented coordination effort between transformation of Mimulus nasutus by testing a coastal and inland facilities. However, variety of controlled conditions to determine government planning assumptions do not which treatment yields successful accommodate the additional challenges faced transformation. The conditions tested were by coastal healthcare facilities during severe varying concentrations of Silwet L-77, weather evacuations, specifically, the inoculation technique of either floral dip or advanced timelines needed, and the floral dip and vacuum infiltration, and limitations of early hurricane forecasting repetition of the inoculation treatment. models. Mature seeds from the inoculated plants were collected and planted to undergo BASTA Conference Calls and Tax Forecasting resistance screening. The number of seeds Jennifer Hardister, CURO Honors Scholar produced by plants in each condition group Dr. Erin Towery, J.M. Tull School of greatly differed between the treatment Accounting, Terry College of Business conditions, with some conditions resulting in the production of much fewer seeds. The Conference calls are one medium from which BASTA resistance screening is ongoing, but analysts obtain financial information from available results of plants that have completed company management. Companies typically resistance screening show no successful divide these calls into scripted and discussion transformation events. The transformation sections. In the scripted portion, company process will be repeated on additional Mimulus managers present analysts with information

Abstracts about the financial performance of the firm. altered, 32% would have laboratory tests During the following discussion portion, repeated, 9% would have changes made to analysts are able to question managers. monitoring while anesthetized, 15% would Financial analysts then use information have management techniques altered, 12% gathered from these calls to prepare estimates would have further tests conducted, 13% of financial measures such as net income. This would have their risk status changed, 20% paper analyzes mentions of tax in quarterly would have changes in client communication, conference calls of public companies and their and 59% would have NSAIDs eliminated relation to changes in analysts’ forecast from treatment. It is recommended that properties. This analysis provides evidence of routine pre-operative laboratory testing be the utility of these calls for analyst tax conducted in healthy dogs presenting for forecasting. Preliminary results suggest elective orthopedic procedures. management mention of taxes in the scripted portion correlate with improved analyst Assessment of Adult Pig Cognition forecasts. Utilizing an Open Field and Object Recognition Test Effect of Preoperative Laboratory Testing Kayla Hargrove on Anesthesia-Related Decision Making Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, in Apparently Healthy Dogs College of Agricultural & Environmental Kayla Hargrove Sciences Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine Behavioral testing allows for the evaluation of learning and memory, and is an integral The objective of this retrospective study was component for assessing functional deficits in to determine if the results of pre-operative current models of neural injury and disease. laboratory testing in otherwise healthy dogs Pigs have become a model of interest for influence anesthesia-related decision making. neurobehavioral research based on These decisions include additional non- morphologic similarities to the human brain. diagnostic procedures, Studies assessing neurodevelopment in pigs cancellation/postponement of surgery, have revealed that they possess sophisticated intravenous fluid rates, repetition of cognitive abilities; however, further laboratory tests, monitoring and management optimization to assess learning and memory techniques, further tests conducted, change in capabilities are needed. The present study ASA risk status, changes to client utilized object recognition testing and open communication, and avoidance of NSAIDs. It field testing as a means of assessing was hypothesized that few surgeries would be spontaneous trial-unique memory, and cancelled, but that other anesthetic decisions normal/abnormal behaviors, respectively. We would be altered on the basis of laboratory hypothesized that object recognition testing results. One hundred dogs that underwent would reveal more time spent investigating elective orthopedic surgeries and had a novel objects than familiar ones, and that complete blood cell count, serum chemistry, when placed in an open field, pigs would and urinalysis performed were selected. All demonstrate exploratory behavior. Four male cases were reviewed by 5 veterinary pigs, approximately 5-6 months of age were anesthesiologists. Out of 100 dogs, 0% would used. For the open field test, pigs were placed have additional surgeries or procedures, 6% in the arena for 10 minutes and their behavior would have their procedure cancelled or recorded. At the start of the object postponed, 38% would have fluid therapy recognition test, two similar objects were

Abstracts

fixed to opposite corners in the arena, and the direct trial was terminated at 10 days post- pigs were allowed to investigate them for 10 infection and the indirect trial was terminated minutes, followed by a 10 minute inter-phase when 80% of the inoculated control birds interval, and a 10 minute test trial in which exhibited Blackhead signs. The results of the one of the previous objects was replaced with in-vitro trial determined that the treatments did a novel object. All open field and object not inhibit H. meleagridis cell growth (P<0.05). recognition trials were recorded via overhead There were also no significant differences camera and analyzed with Ethovision between treatments for the direct trial software. These tests provide valuable insight (P<0.05). Lastly, the indirect trial determined on pig cognition, and will allow efficacy that the treatments did not inhibit lateral assessments for treatments targeting the transmission of Blackhead (P<0.05). improvement of learning, memory, and behavior. Effects of Climatic Legacy on Southern Appalachian Plant Communities in In-Vitro and In-Vivo Assessment of a Coweeta Basin Yeast By-Product on the Inhibition of Douglas Hart Histomonas meleagridis Dr. Jeff Hepinstall-Cymerman, Warnell Caitlin Harris, CURO Research Assistant School of Forestry & Natural Resources Dr. Robert Beckstead, Poultry Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental In recent decades, the eastern United States Sciences has experienced increased precipitation rates, along with a greater frequency of extreme wet Histomonas meleagridis is an anaerobic and dry years. These trends, along with an protozoan and the causative agent of absence of occasional fire disturbances, have Blackhead disease. This disease can cause up been hypothesized to allow for to 100% mortality in turkeys because the “mesophication” to occur within eastern plant innate immune is not able to identify the communities. Mesophication is a term recent parasite as foreign. The objective was to studies have used to describe the recruitment determine if a yeast by-product known to of mesophytic (wet-adapted, drought- upregulate the innate immune system could intolerant) plants within xeric (dry-adapted, inhibit H. meleagridis in-vitro and in-vivo. For the drought-tolerant) plant communities typically in-vitro trial, H. meleagridis cells were incubated dominated by oaks (Quercus). As moisture in Dwyer’s media for 24h at 42oC then flasks availability increases within these containing fresh media were inoculated with communities, mesophytic species such as 100,000 cells per flask. Cells were treated with maples (Acer), tulip poplar (Liriodendron several concentrations of yeast by-product tulipifera), and birch (Betula) begin to dominate and counts were performed after 8 and 48 h. the understory and, if disturbances permit an For the direct and indirect in-vivo trials, 1 day opening, the canopy. This study examines if old poults were obtained and had ad libitum mesophication is occurring across a 30-year access to treatment diets and water. precipitation gradient in the Coweeta Basin Treatments consisted of varying yeast by- located in Macon County, North Carolina in product concentrations. At 18 days old, poults the southern Appalachian Mountains. were challenged with H. meleagridis cells. For Vegetation surveys were conducted in the the direct trial, all poults were challenged, and summer of 2015 across a precipitation for the indirect trial, 5 out of the 30 poults per gradient in the basin, with sampling locations treatment were challenged. Mortalities were representing a variety of slope aspects. necropsied for liver and cecal lesions. The Differences in the vegetation community are

Abstracts

being explored using multivariate community (1980) and Connie Choi’s contributions to analysis tools, and are expected to show Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties (2014), distinct differences in mesophytic and xeric this paper examines Parks’ photographic species composition between communities. indictment of the American institution of Understanding the phenomenon of segregation and Jim Crow law. Furthermore, mesophication is important when considering this argument is additionally influenced by the future of plant communities under a Parks’ own memoirs, which bring further changing climate. The widespread clarity to Parks’ personal motivation behind replacement of oaks and other xeric species his production of Airline Terminal and with mesophytic species could result in forests American Gothic. with less valuable habitat and food availability for some species, along with less valuable Identifying the Monoclonal Antibody timber for harvesting. Epitope Peptide Expressed on Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Need of the “Other”: Paradox in Gordon Sarah Hatton, CURO Research Assistant Parks’ Airline Terminal and American Dr. J. Michael Pierce, Biochemistry & Gothic Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Caroline Harvey Sciences Dr. Janice Simon, Lamar Dodd School of Art Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is Through an analysis of two photographs one of the most deadly cancers with one-year produced by Gordon Parks in the mid-20th and five-year survival rates of only 24% and century, this paper seeks to highlight the 5%, respectively. Physicians currently lack paradoxical nature of race relations during the useful biomarkers in the screening, diagnosis, era of Jim Crow and segregation. Rather and treatment of PDAC which unfortunately obviously, whites clung to the comforting idea leads to the majority of patients being of segregation as it raised them into the upper diagnosed in incurable, progressive stages. A echelons of political and economic welfare mouse monoclonal IgG antibody, known as while it simultaneously disenfranchised MAb109, has been developed, isolated, and America’s black population. Because the goal shown to preferentially react with cancerous was to keep the races separated, it became less pancreatic tissues over non-diseased normal apparent that black and whites were mixing in tissue in a disease progressive manner. This a crucial setting—employment. Blacks were so antibody binds an N-glycan containing economically cast down that they often epitope expressed on two specific needed employment from whites, a need that glycoproteins, CEACAM 5 and CEACAM 6. was met by the white’s “need” of poor blacks Isolation of the MAb109-reactive to help with childcare, housekeeping and glycopeptides followed by mass spectrometry other menial, sometimes degrading, tasks. analysis has identified a single glycopeptide Parks noticed this problem, and saw in it the that contains a N-linked glycan. My research strange need of the “other” between the races. focuses primarily on identifying this peptide His documentation of this paradox is best sequence in model organisms such as the seen in two works, Airline Terminal (1956) and fruitfly (Drosophila melanogaster) and zebrafish American Gothic (1942), both of which were (Danio rerio). A MAb-109 reactive band was produced during his role as photojournalist detected in Drosophila pupae lysate after for Life and the Farm Security Administration, immunoblotting, and a peptide sequence was respectively. Through complex visual analysis found within the fruit fly genome using influenced by Roland Barthes’ Camera Lucida bioinformatics that denotes a likely candidate

Abstracts protein. By performing a similar experiment submerged in a tributary stream of Lake with zebrafish lysate, I hope to identify for the Herrick to drift from a specific conductance same or related peptide that reacts with the probe calibrated before each measurement in antibody. Future experiments will test the the same stream. This work is significant function of the protein containing this peptide because it will help us determine how long we during zebrafish organ development. An can leave the probe in the water before additional study will be to determine if collected data becomes inaccurate. I expect quantifying the MAb109 epitope in human that the probe left in the stream will drift blood is useful for detecting and monitoring from the probe that will be calibrated before pancreatic cancer. The epitope expressed on each measurement and will need to be re- cancer cell surfaces may also serve as a calibrated once every four weeks. This study is potential therapeutic target. important because there is limited research published on the amount of drift in the Ballot Initiatives and Voter Turnout specific probes we are using. Results and Rory Hibbler, CURO Research Assistant conclusions from this research can help Dr. Anthony Madonna, Political Science, improve the data collected for the Lake School of Public & International Affairs Herrick Watershed Study and help identify the pollution sources for the lake. This research analyzes the potential effects of ballot initiatives on voter turnout in national The speAk Movement: Social Media for presidential and congressional midterm Global Issues elections. This research is significant in the Taylor Hill, CURO Honors Scholar political science field because while there has Prof. Jennifer Smith, Grady College of been significant research on ballot initiatives Journalism & Mass Communication and voter turnout, nothing has been published on these topics since the 1990s to early 2000s. The speAk campaign seeks to answer two There is a desperate need for an update in this questions: first, “What makes a social media topic, especially since there’s a historically low campaign successful, reach audiences, or ‘go voter turnout rate in recent elections (36.4% viral’?” The second is “Can social media be in 2014 midterms). I plan on testing this by used to successfully inform the public of comparing the turnout of voters in states that global issues in a more approachable manner utilized ballot initiatives and the turnout in and lead to involvement?” In this case, the states that did not utilize ballot initiatives issue is ocean health and exploitation, which throughout a series of presidential elections encompasses ecotourism, shark finning, and and midterm elections. No results are marine mammal captivity. The research will available yet. be broken up into three phases. The first phase involves shooting video shorts that Drift Between Two Specific Conductivity convey these issues in a comical, rather than Probes chastising, fashion. After the videos have been Sarah Hickey, CURO Research Assistant filmed, they will be shown to focus groups in Dr. John Dowd, Geology, Franklin College of order to gauge audience reaction in terms of Arts & Sciences their ability to convey these issues in a more informative, approachable, and engaging As a part of a larger study of the Lake Herrick manner. Post-focus groups, the video shorts Watershed, we will be measuring the time it will be released through social media outlets takes for a specific conductance probe such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram in constantly taking measurements while order to see if these social media campaigns

Abstracts

are able to gain web traffic to an informative improvements in the lives of people living website that will serve as a platform for with CP. Therefore, conducting future individuals to engage with organizations research of CP in the interrelated fields of supporting these environmental issues. dress, society, and culture will directly Studying social media and how it can be used influence beneficial dress modifications and as a platform for change is relevant in this innovations for this population. digital age where the internet serves as a primary source of information and Digitally Delicate Primes communication. It is valuable to study Jackson Hopper, CURO Summer Fellow, whether or not this new media can be used to CURO Research Assistant connect larger audiences to reliable sources of Dr. Paul Pollack, MATHEMATICS -- Arts & information and involvement in global issues. Sciences

Dressing with a Disability Terence Tao has shown that in any fixed base, Shannon Hochschild a positive proportion of prime numbers Dr. Katalin Medvedev, Textiles, cannot have any digit changed and remain Merchandising & Interiors, College of Family prime. In other words, infinitely many primes & Consumer Sciences are “digitally delicate.” Tao's work uses sieve methods, a departure from previous work by Cerebral palsy (CP) is a contracted disease Cohen, Selfridge, and Sun on the topic using impairing standard motor functions controlled covering systems of the integers. We by the cerebrum and cerebellum. Damage to strengthen this result in a manner suggested one or both of these regions obstructs the by Tao: a positive proportion of primes body’s physical mechanisms and intellectual become composite under any change of a development. Today, comprehending the single digit and any insertion a fixed number complexity of CP relies exclusively on of arbitrary digits at the beginning or end. information produced by the field of medicine and science. Therefore, there is a need for Microplastic Sampling in the Atlantic extensive cultural and social research to Ocean solidify the CP population’s position and Adam Howington, CURO Research Assistant wellbeing in mainstream society. Identification Dr. Jenna Jambeck, College of Engineering of those moderately and severely afflicted by CP is primarily dependent on dress. The Based upon our work of annual mass flows of physical abnormalities caused by CP require plastic into our ocean compared with what assistance through dress items such as braces has been found in the ocean, there are and custom footwear, which indicate to millions of tonnes of plastic in unknown society that a condition exists. Based on locations. In order to understand potential experiments regarding postural control and impacts, it is important to try to determine the equilibrium in children with CP, continual location and form of this plastic. In our backwards-walking training exhibited environment, plastic physically degrades into improvements in overall posture and smaller fragments and pieces, called coordination. These findings highlight an microplastic, that can both transport opportunity for potential modifications and organisms (including invasive species) and innovations in dress that would aid the host their own microbial communities. afflicted CP body. The neglect to study CP Plastics also absorb persistent organic holistically hinders society’s understanding of pollutants. Plastic debris continues to be this medical condition and feasible found all over the world, and the average size

Abstracts

of plastic particles in the ocean appears to be elucidate the role that Cas4 proteins in decreasing, but open ocean sampling Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) and Thermococcus published in the literature has consisted kodakarenesis (Tko) play in CRISPR-Cas primarily of trawl collection of plastic samples adaptation. Supported by previous Pfu in vivo 330 um and above. We analyzed open ocean data, I predict that Cas4 plays a critical role in water samples collected through filtration and the capture of foreign DNA into CRISPR fractionation on a path from the Canary loci. Therefore, I will evaluate the effect that Islands to Martinique, across the Atlantic. The different Cas4 proteins have on previously samples were filtered in the lab and we developed in vitro integration reactions. counted suspected plastic particles in the size Further understanding of the roles of distinct range of 20 um to 333 um. Plastic particles Cas4 proteins in adaptation will clarify our will be reported in number per liter of understanding of a crucial step in prokaryotic seawater collected. adaptive immunity.

Evaluation of Cas4 Function in CRISPR- Legal Context to Violating Women Cas Adaptation Michael Hutchison Jesse Hu Dr. K. Chad Clay, International Affairs, Dr. Michael Terns, Biochemistry & Molecular School of Public & International Affairs Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences This paper focuses on the role of legal Given that viruses are the most abundant systems on gender equality and human rights biological entities on the planet, prokaryotes advocacy. Common law, Islamic law, Civil have evolved extensive protective systems to law, and Mixed law systems will be measured defend against genetic invaders. One against physical human rights violations to component of this defense is CRISPR-Cas determine which system performs best in (clustered regularly interspaced short context to religious influence on each legal palindromic repeats–CRISPR-associated), an system; in addition, this paper will discuss adaptive prokaryotic immune system found in discriminatory law absent of religion, law nearly all archaea and half of prokaryotes. influenced by religion, and the presence of This system is composed of a CRISPR array religious extremist groups and how their and Cas proteins. The CRISPR array affords interaction with a given state and population memory of past infections and contains will affect human rights support and identical repeats separated by sequences violations. Such a study has not yet been known as spacers, which are derived from conducted, and results of this paper will foreign nucleic acids. CRISPR functions in illuminate the field of human rights pertaining three stages: adaptation, CRISPR RNA specifically to women and the causes of (crRNA) biogenesis, and crRNA guided violence against this sex in context to the interference. My research focuses on law. This paper intends to discover the adaptation, in which Cas proteins capture importance of religion’s role in influencing the spacers and incorporate them into the performance of legal systems pertaining to CRISPR array through a process called women’s human rights support and violations. integration. In E. coli, Cas1 and Cas2 form a complex essential for spacer integration, with Applying Computer Vision Analysis to Cas1 contributing to integrase activity and Plant Phenotyping Cas2 appearing to play a non-enzymatic role. Tate Hutwagner However, the functions of other Cas proteins, such as Cas4, are poorly understood. I aim to

Abstracts

Dr. Wayne Parrott, Crop & Soil Sciences, The Influence of Psychosocial College of Agricultural & Environmental Functioning on Tic Severity in Children Sciences with Tourette Syndrome Emily Ivey, Olivia Carlson, Colleen Keeler Plant phenotyping lags behind in the plant Dr. Ronald Blount, Psychology, Franklin breeding field because of advances in College of Arts & Sciences molecular biology making high-throughput genotyping easier. However, plant breeders Objective: Prior research has demonstrated need to asses plant phenotypes to interpret relationships between comorbid psychological the genotypic data. Breeders still need to disorders, social problems, and increased tic develop methodologies that affordably and severity in children with Tourette Syndrome efficiently categorize phenotypes. High (TS). There is also evidence that social throughput phenotyping would be useful to problems positively correlate with tic severity. evaluate insect resistance in plants. For Less research has examined if and how example, soybeans that resist damage from psychological and social problems jointly insects are desirable, as more than 20% predict tic severity. This study investigated defoliation leads to a significant yield and how social impairment and symptoms of economic loss. Current methodology requires psychological comorbidities in children with destructive sampling, as leaves must be TS relate to tic severity. Methods: The sample detached from a plant before damage is included 46 caregivers of children with TS (M measured. One current methodology under age= 12.80, SD = 2.32). Caregivers reported review for phenotyping is computer vision; on children’s psychological functioning, social computer vision visually assesses and scores impairment, and tic severity. Results: images for characterizing crop traits. Separation anxiety symptoms, OCD However, computer vision has been difficult symptoms, and social impairment were to use to measure caterpillar damage. Thus, significantly correlated with tic severity (rs = attempts are underway to adapt computer .31 to .40, p < .05). OCD symptoms were the vision to measure insect-caused leaf only significant predictor of tic severity (β = damage. The first step has been to devise a .32, p = .04; R2 = .18, p = .01). Social way to get images of a whole plant—given the impairment accounted for significant 3-dimensional aspects of a plant, imaging additional variance when added at Step 2 from several angles is needed. Next, Open (ΔR2 = .08, p = .04) and was a significant CV, software written in Python and C++, was predictor of tic severity (β = .30, p = .04). used to code a program to measure the OCD symptoms remained a significant amount of damage incurred by the predictor of tic severity at Step 2. The overall plant. Photos of the plant are extracted from model accounted for 26.4% of the variance (p the background image utilizing the program. = .005). Conclusion: More prevalent symptoms After, the program evaluates holes in the of OCD predict greater levels of tic severity. leaves caused by a caterpillar and calculates Social impairment also relates to greater tic the percent defoliation. The ability to conduct severity, beyond the contribution of OCD these measurements in intact plants symptoms. Treating comorbid psychological overcomes the traditional phenotyping disorders and social skills impairments may bottleneck by utilizing high-throughput reduce tic symptom severity. Significance: These methods facilitated by computer vision. findings may guide the development of novel evidence-based treatments for children with TS.

Abstracts

Financial Literacy, Risk Tolerance, and business with Israel. The company responded Goals-Based Savings Behavior by mobilizing its influence in the American Benjamin Jacobs, CURO Research Assistant government to assist in negotiations. It Robin Haas succeeded in inking a deal in 1977, two years Dr. Swarn Chatterjee, Financial Planning, before Egypt officially ended its participation Housing & Consumer Economics, College of in the boycott altogether, whereby Coca-Cola Family & Consumer Sciences agreed to invest $10 million ($39 million in today’s dollars) in agriculture and factory This study uses a national dataset to examine infrastructure, insured by the U.S. the association among risk tolerance, financial government. However, in secret talks in 1975 literacy, and goals-based savings behavior of with the U.S., Egypt had already agreed to end households. The results indicate that three out the boycott (thus allowing Coca-Cola to of five households do not have any return) as a part of the peace deal with Israel. emergency funds set aside, and about two out When Egypt allowed Coca-Cola to re-enter of three households have not calculated how the country, it was facing a foreign exchange much money they will need for retirement. crisis as a part of larger economic woes. In the However, financial literacy is positively first decision to ban Coca-Cola and the associated with risk tolerance; separately, both second allowing it to return, economic financial literacy and risk tolerance are circumstances rather than anti-imperialist associated with goals-based savings behavior, ideology dictated Egypt’s negotiating position, such as saving for emergencies, saving for and it extracted a desperately needed inflow of children’s education, and planning for foreign investment from Coca-Cola in retirement, among households. We also find exchange for a right to sell that it had already that the likelihood of goals-based savings secretly negotiated away as part of an behavior of moderately risk seeking American-backed peace deal with Israel. households is positively associated with These findings are based on analysis of financial literacy. Although risk tolerance internal Coca-Cola documents and U.S. State appears to be an important factor in the Department cables. savings and investment decisions of households, the findings of this study provide Understanding the Rise of the Sadrist further evidence regarding the role of financial Movement in Iraq literacy in improving household financial Andrew Jarnagin, CURO Summer Fellow capability. Implications for policy makers, Dr. Kevin Jones, History, Franklin College of scholars, and researchers in the area Arts & Sciences of behavioral economics and household finance are included. When the Ba’th Party came to power in Iraq in 1968, Saddam Hussein spelled out the When Coca-Cola Grows Citrus on the party’s opposition to “sectarian, racism, and Nile, Who Wins? Revisiting the Arab tribalism.” By the mid-1990s, however, the Boycott in Egypt Ba’th regime was itself a proponent of those Andrew Jarnagin, CURO Summer Fellow three –isms, whether openly or indirectly. Dr. Shane Hamilton, History, Franklin This study demonstrates that government College of Arts & Sciences policies promoting sectarianism, racism, and tribalism contributed to the rise of a populist The Coca-Cola Company was barred from the social movement led by Muhammad Sadiq al- Egyptian market in 1966 under the Arab Sadr which endured past his assassination by boycott of Israel and firms conducting the regime in 1999. Sadr took advantage of

Abstracts

Iraqi Shias’ growing feelings of alienation due during the cognitive aging process. A 2×3 to state oppression to create a public space for analysis of variance was conducted on a expressing Shia religious identity; used sample of 580 older adults (mean age =69.9, Saddam’s long-held desire to see an Arab 62.2% Caucasian) participating in the Family cleric rather than one with “Persian” links Relationships in Late Life Study with race leading the Shia religious establishment to (Caucasian and African American) and quickly grow in influence, initially with education (< high school, high school, and government consent; and appropriated the higher education and above) as the between- regime’s revival of tribal identity to build a subjects factors. Cognition, as measured by parallel network of tribal support across the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of central and southern Iraq. Analysis of internal Neuropsychological Status global score, Ba’th Party documents shows that the despite served as the dependent variable. Consistent the image of Ba’thist Iraq as an all-powerful with previous findings, significant main totalitarian state, the government felt unable effects indicated that African Americans [F(1, to control the growth of Sadr’s influence. 574)=49.09, p=<.001] and individuals with While the regime assassinated Sadr after he less education [F(2, 574)=78.74, p=<.001] began to publicly challenge government evidenced lower cognitive functioning. As oppression, it was unable or unwilling to expected, the interaction term reached dismantle the movement’s entire network, and statistical significance [F(2, 574)=5.724, Sadr’s representatives remained active after p=.003]. Upon further analyses, the effect size his death. This study contributes to of education on RBANS score for African scholarship debating the totalitarian nature of Americans was .33 and .14 for Caucasians. Saddam’s Iraq and also helps explain the rise Our findings suggest that African Americans of Muqtada al-Sadr, son of Muhammad Sadiq gain greater benefits from educational al-Sadr, as a major political and militia leader attainment; and that education may have in Iraq today. greater clinical significance among African Americans in preventing dementia, given Education Level May Differentially Buffer lower overall levels of cognitive functioning in Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Based late life. on Race Kharine Jean Expression of Inflammatory and Dr. Lloyd Stephen Miller, Psychology, Coagulation Factors in Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Syncytiotrophoblast BeWo Cells Exposed to Plasmodium falciparum Derived Although race and educational attainment Hemozoin have both been related to cognitive Tiffany Jenkinson, CURO Graduation functioning in late life, the interaction of these Distinction, CURO Research Assistant two factors is surprisingly understudied. The Dr. Julie Moore, Infectious Diseases, College aim of this study was to examine whether of Veterinary Medicine education level differentially buffers cognitive decline in Caucasian and African American Malaria is often considered a disease of the older adults. Given that African Americans developing world, affecting more than 97 are at increased risk for cognitive decline due countries and an estimated 207 million people to a variety of socioeconomic and lifestyle annually. Furthermore, children and pregnant factors, it was hypothesized that education women are a more susceptible population. level would confer greater advantage to High rates of maternal morbidity, as well as African Americans relative to Caucasians low birth weight and fetal loss, are attributed

Abstracts to placental malaria (PM), a disease sickness in Africa and Chagas disease in South characterized by the accumulation of malaria America. Research in the Sabatini lab is infected erythrocytes in the intervillous space focused on a novel modified DNA base, of the placenta, the invasion of inflammatory called base J, that regulates RNA polymerase cells, and the release of pro-inflammatory II transcription and gene expression in mediators. While the specific immunologic kinetoplastids. By understanding base J mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of synthesis and function, researchers may one PM are not fully understood, it is established day be able to develop a specific treatment that excessive fibrin deposition and an over- that will manipulate base J and kill these activation of inflammatory mediators are key human pathogens. The initial step of J components of the body’s response to synthesis is catalyzed by two thymidine malarial infection. This study aims to hydroxylases, JBP1 and JBP2, that somehow investigate the progression of placental recognize specific regions of the parasite coagulopathy in a trophoblast genome and modify a thymine base. choriocarcinoma cell line, known as BeWo. In Understanding the mechanisms involved in order to mimic the pathological model of PM regulating the specificity of J synthesis in the infection, BeWo cells were stimulated with kinetoplastid genome is essential to stimulants such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) understanding epigenetic regulation of gene and the Plasmodium falciparum by-product, expression in the parasite lifecycle. Our hemozoin. Cellular mRNA levels were hypothesis is that additional proteins are analyzed by quantitative PCR for possible associated with JBP that direct the specificity upregulation of pro-coagulant factors, proof thymine modification genome-wide. My inflammatory cytokines, anti-fibrinolytic project has been to identify JBP associated factors, anti-coagulants, and pro-angiogenic proteins using tandem affinity purification of factors. The underlying interrelation and JBP1 and JBP2 in L. tarentolae followed by corroboration of coagulation and mass spectrometry. Utilizing this technique I inflammation is still not well understood. By have recently identified several potential JBP1 gaining a deeper understanding of the role of associated proteins. Characterization of these coagulation and its relationship with proteins is underway to determine their role in inflammation in PM, we hope to provide regulating JBP1 activity on chromatin in vivo insight into possible mechanisms of treatment and thus directing the modification of specific or prevention. thymines in the genome.

Regulation of Base J Synthesis in Circulating Concentrations of Growth Trypanosomes Differentiation Factor 11 Are Heritable Melissa Jennings, CURO Honors Scholar and Correlate with Life Span Dr. Robert Sabatini, Biochemistry & Zixuan Jiang Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Dr. Robert Pazdro, Foods & Nutrition, Sciences College of Family & Consumer Sciences

Leishmania tarentolae (L. tarentolae) is a Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is protozoan parasite that causes leishmaniasis, member of the transforming growth factor β which affects people in parts of Africa, Asia, (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins. Circulating South America, and Central America. The GDF11 concentrations appear to decline with Leishmania protozoa are part of a larger class age, and its depletion is associated with called kinetoplastids which are responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and other morbidities. deadly human diseases such African sleeping Knowledge of GDF11 regulation is limited,

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Abstracts and the effects of natural genetic variation on on the production of cyanogenic glycoside for GDF11 levels are currently undefined. We the purposes such as feeding and survival. tested whether genetic background determines Experiments were conducted in order to serum GDF11 concentrations using two evaluate the strength of the defensive classical inbred mouse strains: C57BL/6J (B6) mechanism of cyanogenic glycoside and BALB/cByJ (BALB). B6 mice exhibited production in the Purple Passionflower significantly higher GDF11 levels than BALB (Passiflora incarnata) against herbivory of a mice, and these strain differences were generalist herbivore, the Variegated Fritillary consistent throughout the life span. Overall, (Euptoieta claudia). Further analyses of the interactions between age and genetic relationship between cyanogenic glycoside background determined GDF11 production by the Passionflower and concentrations, which were unaffected by sex. herbivores was evaluated by an experiment We then surveyed a panel of 22 genetically examining the oviposition preference of a diverse inbred mouse strains and discovered a specialist herbivore, the Gulf Fritillary sixfold range in GDF11 levels at middle age. (Agraulis vanilla), on varying genotypes of We estimated that 74.52% of phenotypic Passionflower. variation in GDF11 levels was attributable to genetic background. We used the Mouse The Effect of the Colonial Past on Phenome Database to screen for phenotypes Women’s Representation in the Caribbean that correlate with GDF11. Interestingly, Kimberlee John-Williams GDF11 levels predicted median strain life Dr. Maryann Gallagher, International Affairs, spans. This study revealed high heritability of School of Public & International Affairs GDF11 levels. Furthermore, our correlative data suggest that GDF11 may serve as a novel This paper focuses on the Caribbean region predictor of mammalian life span. (Zhou, Y., and the effect that the colonial past has on et al. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. In Press. women’s representation today. This paper doi:10.1093/gerona/glv308) analyzes the influence of colonial history on women’s representation by comparing Ibero Feeding Choice Characterization of and Anglo Caribbean countries. The Anglo Euptoieta claudia and Oviposition Choice Caribbean had a relatively peaceful transition Analyses of Agraulis vanilla in Relation to from colonialism to independence and it was Cyanide Production of Passiflora expected that this would translate into higher incarnata women’s representation in legislature than the Zehneel Jiwani, CURO Research Assistant Ibero Caribbean. However, the data Dr. Rodney Mauricio, Genetics, Franklin demonstrated that Ibero Caribbean countries College of Arts & Sciences elect women at a slightly larger margin than Anglo Caribbean countries. This paper Cyanogenesis is the release of hydrogen presents a novel explanation for why this cyanide stored in forms such as cyanogenic occurs, based on women’s participation in glycosides and cyanogenic lipids within the nationalist revolutionary movements. tissue of certain plants. This release of HCN is used as a defense mechanism by certain The Role of Auditory Skill Development plant species in order to deter or poison in the Advancement of Vocalization herbivores from consuming the plant. Some Development herbivores, however, have adapted in such a Breana Johnson, Alexis Pope, Mackenzie way as to not only withstand the effects of McGraw, Sherry Sayavongsa, Meredith HCN release but rather seek out plants based Towey, Hayley O'Hara, Courtney Todd, Anna

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Fink, Sabrina Williams, Chase Kranzlein, Knockdown of IFT Proteins Brianna Kelley Phenotypically Affects Primary Cilia Dr. Sandie Bass-Ringdahl, Communication Grace Johnson, CURO Graduation Sciences & Special Education, College of Distinction Education Mary Abkemeier, Catherine Waldron, Daniel Blumenthal, Vivian Vu Research supports the effectiveness of early Dr. Jonathan Eggenschwiler, Genetics, intervention in lessening the impact of hearing Franklin College of Arts & Sciences impairment on speech and language development. Recent advances in hearing aid The purpose of this project is to investigate and cochlear implant technology make an ciliogenesis of the primary cilia. On a broad audible speech signal possible. Audibility of scale, these cilia have large implications in the the speech signal is critical for the fields of human disease and developmental development of speech and language and is a biology. There is a wide spectrum of diseases primary goal of assistive technology. The called ciliopathies that are caused by problems relationship between early speech with ciliary processes. The ciliary proteins we development and auditory skill development are investigating include intraflagellar needs to be defined in clinically useful ways if transport (IFT) proteins, motors, and such information is going to meaningfully regulatory proteins that play a role in contribute to the treatment decision making regulating the primary cilia. To investigate process. The purpose of the current study is these proteins, we employed the CRISPR/Cas to investigate if there is a minimum amount of genome editing system and a loxP flanked auditory skill development necessary for the transcriptional stop cassette to induce emergence of canonical babbling. Canonical reversible mutations in target genes. The babble is a milestone in vocalization specific genes that we investigated were Atat1, development and is an indication of emerging Kif7, CCRK, IFT122, and Bbs8. Atat1 is α- first word production. The current study is a tubulin acetyltransferase and a knockout is retrospective analysis of data from 7 children expected to result in slower intraflagellar with normal hearing with an average age of transport by assembly proteins and a lack of 14.25 months (range 5-25.67 months). alpha-tubulin. IFT122 is transport protein Auditory milestone behaviors were collected whose knockdown results in an accumulation using the IT-MAIS (adapted) parent of transcriptional mediators at cilia tips. Kif7 questionnaire. The early vocalization data is a protein that regulates cilia length and were collected using the LENA device. The structure. A knock out of Kif7 results in LENA is a small digital language processor phenotypically longer cilia. Our research worn by the child throughout the day to attempted to couple a Kif7 null with a CCRK record up to a 16 hour language sample in a null, whose phenotypic effects are unknown. naturalistic environment. The data will be Bbs8 encodes for Barbet Biedle syndrome segmented and analyzed to determine degree protein 8. A mutation should result in of canonical babble emergence. The results improper cilia movement. These phenotypes will be combined with the results from a are observations that have been made and previous investigation of children with reported in the literature. Our goal is to hearing impairment to better understand the explain these phenotypes at the mechanistic relationship of auditory and early vocalization level by observing the effects on the overall milestones. structure of cilia, the rate of transport, and the ability to transport cargo within the cilia.

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Parentification as a Predictor of Emotion research should explore the importance of Dysregulation in Young Adults peer attachment in associations between other Sara Johnson childhood experiences and later psychosocial Amber Madden, Graduate Student functioning. Dr. Anne Shaffer, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Silencing in Chicana Literature: How Chicana Women Writers Navigate Parentification is a form of role-reversal Marginalization in the Borderlands within a parent-child dyad in which the parent Chandler Johnston looks to the child to act as his or her caregiver Dr. Dana Bultman, Romance Languages, (Jurkovic, 1997); this disturbance of typical Franklin College of Arts & Sciences family-relationship boundaries is problematic when the demands placed on a child by the “En boca cerrada no entran moscas” is a well parent exceed developmental ability (Kerig, known Spanish saying, meaning “Flies don’t 2005; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1988). Parentification enter a closed mouth.” As Mexican Americans has been linked to poor social competence in living in a hegemonic mainstream United childhood and worse college adjustment States culture, Chicana women must (Johnston, 1990; Hetherington, 1999). Peer navigate silencing in order to overcome attachment also predicts psychological well- marginalization and find agency and power. being among adolescents; secure peer Silencing for Chicana women can occur attachment is associated with increased well- through language, marginalization in the being (Laible, Carlo, & Raffaelli, 2000). Based borderlands (living within the hybrid context on this literature, we hypothesized that peer of U.S., Mexican, and Mexican-American attachment would mediate the relations cultures and spaces), and the struggles of between childhood parentification and multiple “mestiza” consciousnesses. Ultimately, emotion dysregulation, given that disrupted Chicana women often break through this parent-child relationships may impact the silencing during coming-of-age narratives or formation of healthy peer relationships, use silence to their advantage as a form of furthering the likelihood of dysregulated agency. Using Gloria Anzaldúa’s foundational emotions in young adulthood. This study Chicana text Borderlands/La Frontera as a utilized data collected from a sample of 1654 theoretical framework, I investigate undergraduate students (M age = 19.47; representations of silencing in more recent 71.4% female) through online surveys. contemporary Chicana literature. Analyzing Measures included a retrospective these narratives through a feminist lens, I questionnaire of childhood parentification argue that Chicana women use language, (PBS-III), current peer attachment, including literary style, and strategic silence to find a subscales of trust, communication, and voice amid the oppressive powers of both alienation (IPPA), and current emotion Mexican-American and U.S. cultures. Whether dysregulation problems (DERS). Consistent through more active or subdued feminist with hypotheses, peer trust and alienation performance, Chicana women, facing issues were both significant mediators of the of their intersectional identities that affect relations between childhood parentification them through ethnicity, race, gender, class, and current emotion dysregulation (see Figure and nationality, must struggle and survive 1). These findings highlight the degree to through repressive settings. My paper studies which young adults are impacted by their these oppressions and reveals how current relationships with the most important people Chicana women writers represent how to in their lives: both parents and peers. Future

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Abstracts endure and thrive through outside silencing Dr. Jennifer Thompson, Crop & Soil forces. Sciences, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Quantitative PCR Detection of the SRY Gene of Male Dog Mesenchymal Stem This project aims to characterize how middle Cells in Female Dog Brains with school students understand the concept of Experimentally Induced Ischemic Stroke “sustainability.” We highlight what domains Susan Jones, Foundation Fellow of knowledge and experience students draw Dr. Elizabeth Howerth, Pathology, College of on to develop definitions of sustainability, and Veterinary Medicine how they negotiate these definitions in a group setting. In order to impact students’ Intra-carotid-delivered mesenchymal stem attitudes and behavior around sustainability, it cells (MSCs) may improve functional is essential to understand how they think neurological outcomes after acute ischemic about this issue. As part of a larger research stroke (AIS). However, a large animal model project studying the impact of integrated is essential before beginning human clinical sustainability programming at a local middle trials for patients with AIS. This study uses a school, we have conducted focus groups with dog stroke model in which female dogs with 6th graders (2 groups, with 4-6 students each). experimentally induced AIS receive male- We are in the process of analyzing this data derived MSCs via intra-carotid injection. It is and will be conducting a second round of hypothesized that the MSCs will successfully focus groups this spring. Preliminary analysis move to the site of infarction and participate indicates that students’ definitions are in repair of damaged tissue. The objective of influenced by their experiences at home and the present study is to target the Y at school, and focus on students’ collective chromosome in order to track the migration responsibility to make resources last. of the male-dog derived MSCs to various locations by using quantitative PCR. To detect Evidence-Based Interventions to Increase the MSCs, a primer set was designed to Wait Time and Decrease Problem amplify the SRY gene on the Y chromosome Behaviors in Children with Autism by qPCR. This technique was tested and Megha Kalia, CURO Honors Scholar, CURO optimized using male dog bone marrow. The Summer Fellow, CURO Research Assistant qPCR technique was then tested using fresh Dr. Kevin Ayres, Communication Sciences & brain samples from female dogs with Special Education, College of Education experimentally induced AIS that were subsequently injected with male MSCs on the Participants in this study include two children side of the stroke. This technique was with autism who display varying degrees of effective at detecting the Y chromosome in aggression, non-compliance, or self-injurious the brain samples and is suitable for tracking behavior (SIB) when waiting to request for male-derived MSCs in this dog model of items. The purpose of this research is to stroke. decrease the quantity of their problem behaviors and to increase the children’s How do Middle School Students Define waiting time when waiting to request for Sustainability? A Preliminary Analysis of items. A picture exchange system will be used Focus Groups within a changing criterion design to Usha Kaila systematically increase wait time before the item is available. The function of a picture exchange system is to provide children with

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communication deficits with another mode of Finding Optimal Designs Using Genetic communication using photographs. Algorithms Andrew Kane The Effects of Two Different High-Fat Dr. Abhyuday Mandal, Statistics, Franklin Diets on Appetite College of Arts & Sciences Fatima Kamal Dr. Jamie Cooper, Foods & Nutrition, In order to extract meaningful information College of Family & Consumer Sciences from experimental data, the experiment needs to be designed carefully. Practitioners often Studies show that eating a single meal rich in use statistically optimal designs for conducting poly-unsaturated fats (PUFAs) results in such experiments. With the advent of modern greater fullness compared to a meal rich in technology, sometimes the experiments have mono-unsaturated fats (MUFAs). Purpose: different constraints and it may be difficult or Determine the effect of a high-fat diet rich in impossible to obtain such designs either MUFAs or PUFAs on feelings of theoretically. We propose using numerical hunger and fullness. The study used a algorithms for obtaining such designs. randomized, cross-over design consisting of 2 Genetic algorithms, which find optima using trials that were each 10 days. Seven adult search algorithms based on natural gene males (age 18-45) were recruited. Each 10d transmission, mutation, and fitness, have been trial consisted of a 3d lead-in diet, two 9h applied successfully to various fields requiring testing visits, and a 5d intervention numerical solutions. We examine their diet. During the 5d diet, subjects received effectiveness in finding optimal experimental meals enriched with either cottonseed oil designs under different situations and (high in PUFA) or olive oil (high in MUFA). demonstrate that they find good designs The diets were 50% fat, 35% carbohydrates, successfully based on various optimality and 15% protein. During each 9h testing visit, criteria. subjects received a breakfast and lunch meal, high in the fat designated for that trial. Age Related Metabolism of Pyrethroids in Subjects completed Visual Analogue Scale Rat Brain Microsomes (VAS) questionnaires to rate feelings of Marshall Kastens hunger and fullness before and every 30-min Dr. Catherine White, Pharmaceutical & following the two meals. There was no Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy difference in fasting hunger or fullness VAS scores from pre to post PUFA or MUFA Pyrthroids are commonly used insecticides diets. Postprandial area under the curve was and insect repellants that are known to exert not different from pre- to post-diet for neurotoxicity. The objective of this project is hunger in MUFA (pre:314.1±41.7, to determine if the toxicity is age-dependent post:308.4±35.3, p=0.9) or PUFA since children (1-3 yrs) have higher exposure (pre:351.4±61.1, post:326. 9±43.1, p= 0.7). risks than adults. Preliminary studies have Fullness was also not different pre- to post- shown that 15- and 21-day-old rats have diet in MUFA (pre:414.7±62.6, higher brain levels than adults; however, while post:399.1±64.8, p=0.8) or PUFA (pre: adult brain concentrations remain high, the 412.8± 64.2, post:391. 9±67. 9, p= 0.8). High levels in younger rats decrease at a faster rate. fat diets rich in either MUFA or PUFA did To understand these dispositional differences not have an effect on feelings of hunger or in brain the role of brain metabolism must be fullness in adult men. examined. Pyrethroids are metabolized by carboxylesterases and cytochrome P450 which

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are both found in brain tissue. However, very and prepared to analyze by direct injection little information is available regarding age- nanospray ionization mass spectrometry related maturation of these enzyme systems in (NSI-MS). Glycan structures were probed the brain. Brain homogenates and using collision induced disassociation (CID) microsomes will be used to explore the and assigned using software developed in- possible age-dependent metabolism of house for high-throughput analysis. pyrethroids. Brains will be harvested from day Experimental data obtained suggests a 10, 15, 21, 30, 40 and 90 day-old rats and decrease in sialylated and fucosylated pooled. Tissues will be homogenized and structures and a decrease in sulfated O-linked microsomes made using standard methods. glycan structures in HIV patients indicating a Deltamethrin, cis-permetrhin, trans- possible defect in terminal glycan processing. permethrin and cis/trans permethrin will be Additionally, data from lectin blots indicate a incubated at 37C with brain homogenates decrease in the abundance of anti- (carbocylesterase + Cytochrome P-450) and inflammatory mucins in non-HIV patients. By microsomes (cytochrome P-450) and loss of understanding the fine structural features of parent compound will be monitored by HPLC the mucosal interface, new approaches for or GC/MS. Data will be analyzed with eliciting mucus-tethering antibodies can be WinNonlin/Prism. The results of these considered. Additionally, this research has the studies will determine if there is an age-related potential to develop a more efficient, difference in the metabolic capacity and/or standardized platform for evaluating the binding affinity with pyrethroids and mucus barrier, which could enhance future cytochrome P-450/carboxyesterase enzymes. research on natural and vaccine-induced defenses against other sexually transmitted O-Linked Glycosylation Patterns of infections. Cervical Mucins in HIV Infection Hammad Khalid, Foundation Fellow Investigating the Post Translational Dr. Michael Tiemeyer, Biochemistry & Modification of CaaX Proteins Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Haeun Kim Sciences Dr. Walter Schmidt, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Mucosal surfaces, well known for their role in Sciences sensing their environment (nose, mouth), nutrient absorption (gut), gas exchange Many neurodegenerative diseases are (lungs), and reproduction (vagina and uterus), associated with aggregation of proteins into also function as a complex immunological amyloid plaques due to defects in protein barrier at these common sites of entry for modification. Examples of such diseases pathogens and viruses. However, surprisingly include Alzheimer's and progeria. Hsp70 little is known about the complex post- and DnaJ/Hsp40 are co-chaperones that translational modifications of the mucin serve to facilitate protein translation, proteins expressed at these surfaces and about modification, translocation, and destruction. how these modifications provide protection. More specifically, within the family This project focuses on an in-depth of DnaJ/Hsp40 proteins lies a group characterization and comparison of the of CaaX proteins that are characterized by glycans found on cervical mucins from HIV their highly conserved four-amino acid and non-HIV patients aimed at identifying sequence at the carboxyl-terminus. A recent unique modifications that may play a role in observation by the Schmidt lab directly mucosal immunity. Samples were collected contradicts what was previously understood in

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literature regarding Caax proteins. It was Stephanie King, CURO Graduation previously understood that all proteins with Distinction the CaaX motif follow a strict 3 step model of Dr. Robert Pazdro, Foods & Nutrition, post-translational modification. It is now College of Family & Consumer Sciences known, through the experimental investigation using genetic and Cellular metabolism generates free radicals microbiological approaches involving the and other reactive oxygen species (ROS), and yeast system, that the Ydj1p CaaX protein accumulation of these molecules disrupts does not follow this traditional scheme. homeostasis and drives oxidative damage. The Ydj1 is a DnaJ family protein that is endogenous antioxidant defense system hypothesized to only go through the detoxifies ROS and confers cellular protection first step of the modification pathway rather against stress, and the ubiquitous tripeptide than all three. This study further investigates glutathione (GSH) coordinates many diverse the possible cause for the difference in post- mechanisms within this system. Higher GSH translational modification associated with concentrations and redox status Ydj1p by using S. cerevisiae. Approaches to (GSH/GSSG) are therefore associated with study this phenomenon involve mutations augmented cellular defenses and stress of the CaaX motif and genetic assessment of a resistance, while lower levels reflect oxidative Ydj1p-dependent thermotolerance phenotype. stress and disease. Tissue GSH concentrations and GSH/GSSG are highly heritable in A Computer Program for Planar Truss humans and mice, and interactions between Analysis genetics and diet appear to regulate these Sokngim Kim, CURO Research Assistant traits in model organisms. Currently, the Dr. Siddharth Savadatti, College of dietary components that intersect with genetic Engineering background to regulate GSH homeostasis are not completely defined. In this project, we Trusses are some of the most efficient load tested the hypothesis that dietary fat regulates carrying structures that are extensively used in tissue GSH homeostasis in a manner the design and construction of physical dependent on genetic background. To infrastructure like bridges, housing, and power characterize these effects, GSH levels and transmission towers. This project discusses GSH/GSSG were quantified in tissues from the development of a computer program for C57BL/6J (B6), DBA/2J (D2), and AKR/J analyzing planar trusses. The inputs for this (AKR) mice fed a control or high-fat diet for program are loads, sizes of members, material 12 weeks. Diet-induced obesity caused an properties, and truss geometry. The outputs increase in renal GSH/GSSG in B6 mice are support reactions, member forces, only. D2 mice fed a high-fat diet exhibited an deflections, and the deformed shape of the increase in hepatic GSSG concentrations and truss. This program can be used to analyze a decrease in GSH/GSSG, while the livers trusses of varied geometry quickly and allows from other strains were unaffected. Diet- the user to choose the most optimal truss induced obesity did not alter the GSH system design manually. Further development of this of AKR mice in either tissue. In all, these data program will support the automatic indicate that high dietary fat and subsequent determination of optimality. diet-induced obesity regulate GSH homeostasis in a strain-dependent Diet-Induced Obesity Differentially manner. Future studies will clarify the Regulates Glutathione Homeostasis in mechanisms by which genotype and diet- C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ, and AKR/J Mice

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induced obesity interact to control the cellular replicability, but could provide new insights antioxidant system. into the physical meaning of cognitive reserve. Effects of Cognitive Reserve and MPOD Levels on Personality in Older Adults Response of Helianthus annuus Biomass Evan Knox, Ramsey Scholar to Nutrient Stress Dr. Lloyd Stephen Miller, Psychology, Ellen Krall, CURO Research Assistant Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Lisa Donovan, Plant Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Previous research has established both cognitive reserve and the five-factor traits of The cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is personality as impacting cognitive impairment an important oil and food seed crop in older adults. The early determinations of throughout the world. Both intensive cognitive reserve and theories as to cognitive cultivation of sunflowers in developed reserve’s physical meaningfulness both countries and low-input methods of support a potential relationship between cultivation in developing countries would cognitive reserve and the five-factor benefit from nutrient stress resistant cultivars personality traits. This relationship may be of sunflower that perform optimally under altered by levels of lutein in the brain over a low nutrients. The ultimate goal of this long period of time. The results of any such experiment is to identify which of twelve analysis could provide insight into the physical previously identified genotypically diverse manifestations of cognitive reserve, and also strains of Helianthus annuus L. perform establish how cognitive reserve’s effects on similarly under low nutrient stress as they do aging and cognitive impairment are mediated in an optimized nutrient setting, and by personality. The authors performed a determine what characteristics could have regression analysis between 2 proxy measures contributed to their improved response. of cognitive reserve and the gender-accounted Three replicates of each strain (total n = 153 NEO-FFI scores for a sample of older adults plants) were grown in four levels of nutrients (n=58, ages 64-92). Several multiple and harvested at the seedling stage while three regression and moderation analyses were additional replicates (total n = 308) were performed using cognitive reserve proxies and grown in eight levels of nutrients and several macular pigment optical density harvested at the budding stage. Evaluation of (MPOD) readings (460 nm, 490 nm, and data from seedling harvest suggests that lines average) in a smaller sample (n=40, ages 64- PPN027 and PPN240’s pronounced 92). Both proxy measures were found to be allocation of biomass to roots at low nutrients significantly positively related to openness may contribute to their more uniform growth (p=.002, p<.001) alone. For the average across nutrient levels. Data are currently being MPOD levels, both proxies demonstrated collected and analyzed for sunflowers significant positive moderation effects with harvested at the budding stage, but it is conscientiousness (p=.017, p=.005). While the reasonable to assume the same patterns, lack of a cognitive reserve – neuroticism perhaps more defined, in terms of biomass relationship is unexpected, the cognitive allocation will be observed and data may also reserve – openness relationship confirms our unveil other strains that perform well over a expectations. The relationship between longer period of time. MPOD, cognitive reserve, and conscientiousness presents new information Identifying Genetic Suppressors of ZYG- that must be further examined for 11

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James Kraus, CURO Graduation Distinction, samples which contain proteins and sugars CURO Research Assistant that aid in finding early diagnostic biomarkers. Dr. Edward Kipreos, Cellular Biology, Pancreatic ductile fluid contains pancreatic Franklin College of Arts & Sciences cancer biomarkers that can be detected by glycoproteomic approaches. Due to the The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a invasiveness of drawing pancreatic ductile process for targeted protein degradation. The fluid from patients, we are studying patient protein substrates include cell cycle-related serum as a means to identify proteins. proteins that need to be degraded in a timely Immunoblotting analysis is used on serum manner to allow proper cell cycle progression. samples from pancreatic cancer and In this pathway, the protein targets are pancreatitis patients to compare the marked for degradation by addition of a poly- conditions of serum, using pancreatitis as a ubiquitin chain, which acts as a signal for the control condition. Prior to conducting proteasome. Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are a immunoblotting techniques, serum samples class of protein complexes that target proteins are normalized through a cleanup of albumin for poly-ubiquitination. The different and IgG. Western blotting techniques are substrate recognition subunits (SRSs) provide used to identify the level of protein changes the specificity for the protein substrates of the present between the two conditions as well as CRLs. CRL2/ZYG-11 is a CRL complex that to observe potential shifts in bands due to uses ZYG-11 as the SRS. Our lab has showed glycosylation. Target proteins for western blot that CRL2/ZYG-11 is required for the analysis include pancreatic amylase, pancreatic meiotic metaphase II to anaphase II transition lipase related protein 2, phospholipase A2, in C. elegans. There are many zyg-11 mutant REG family proteins, Elastase 3B, and GP2-1. phenotypes including defects in chromosome We are currently undergoing procedures in condensation, polarity and cytoplasmic analysis of the proteins of interest; evaluation organization. The goal of my research is to of the results will provide insight into the further understand the role of CRL2/ZYG-11 strength and correlation of biomarkers with in these cellular processes by identifying its either condition. The findings may be used to substrates. Currently we are identifying develop an early detection, non-invasive assay zyg-11(ts) suppressor mutations by positional to identify biomarkers for pancreatic cancer cloning of mutants, whole genome more efficiently and increase the survival rate sequencing, and RNA interference of of pancreatic cancer patients. candidate suppressor genes. The Impact of Blood Circulation on Analysis of Pancreatic Cancer Biomarkers Cancer Metastasis Patterns Anjali Kumar, CURO Honors Scholar Jason Kwak, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Lance Wells, Biochemistry & Molecular Dr. Ying Xu, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

Of all cancers, pancreatic cancer has the Cancer metastasis is a process of cancer cells lowest survival rate. The high mortality rate, spreading throughout the body, and building due to lack of diagnostic tests, has created an new colonies in organs that are distant from important role for pancreatic cancer the original location of the primary tumor. researchers to change these statistics through The tumor microenvironment is defined by discovering more efficient methods for the interaction between molecules around a detecting pancreatic cancer. We study tumor and the normal cells, and its study is pancreatic ductile fluid and patient serum significant in understanding the process of

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Abstracts tumor progression, and the mechanism colonies) and polygyne (multiple queen behind metastasis. Noting that cancer colonies). The factors that maintain these two metastasis occurs in the venous system, in our social forms sympatrically are unknown, research, we are interested in how the blood however. In this study I investigated the circulation system has an impact on the interaction between workers and queens metastatic patterns of primary cancer. across different social forms and sites of Therefore, we studied the correlation between origin by conducting behavioral choice assays blood circulation rate and metastatic for queen acceptance or rejection. I found distribution of different primary cancers by that polygyne workers rejected all queens not using Spearman’s rank correlation. 4012 from their site of origin, regardless of social autopsies of 40 primary cancers and 30 form. Since ants presumably recognize each metastatic sites from five medical centers were other on the basis of genetically determined used, and the blood circulation data for 14 pheromones, this inability to recognize such normal organs were obtained from literatures. closely related conspecifics as kin may indicate Our study has shown that the lungs had the unusual reproductive modes in the polygyne highest Spearman’s correlation value of social form. 0.6073 between the rate of metastasis to each distant organs and the organs’ blood Effect of Strategic Marketing on Healthier circulation amount, and the p-value of 0.01 Vending Machine Sales was highly significant to state that lung cancer Annie Ladisic evidently preferred to metastasize to sites with Dr. Leann Birch, Foods & Nutrition, College abundant blood circulation. On the contrary, of Family & Consumer Sciences some cancer type such as retro-peritoneum showed a significant negative correlation. Rationale: Regardless of the overwhelming These suggest different primary cancer type evidence that consuming excess calories can expresses different preference towards sites contribute to obesity and chronic diseases, with abundant blood circulation, and further low-calorie snack options are not prevalent in studies are needed to improve our most college campus vending machines. Even understanding of the role that blood when offered, these items are frequently out- circulation rate poses in cancer metastasis. purchased by consumers in favor of higher calorie snack options. The use of strategic Xenophobic Ants: Social Form marketing to effect change in purchasing, Discrimination in the Tropical Fire Ant encouraging consumption of lower calorie Kip Lacy, CURO Summer Fellow snacks, could help reduce the overall caloric Dr. Ken Ross, Entomology, College of intake of vending machine consumers. Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Objective: This study examines the effects of implementing a message spotlighting the Elucidating the genetic components of animal “healthy” vs. “unhealthy” rows of products in social behavior continues to be a biological a Dawson Hall vending machine. Methods: holy grail. Fire ants have become a model Rows 1 and 2 were stocked with “unhealthy” system in which to explore the intricacies of products that contained between ~250-500 social behavior. They exhibit the highest level kcal/package. The third row was stocked with of animal sociality—eusociality—and are “healthy” products, all ≤ 200 kcal. Sale data often socially polymorphic within species. was collected over 12 weeks. A nutrition This is the case with the Tropical Fire Ant, intervention sticker was installed on the Solenopsis geminata, in which there are two machine during weeks 5–9, emphasizing high social forms: monogyne (single queen calorie (Rows 1 and 2) vs. low calorie (Row 3)

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Abstracts options. Three weeks of post-intervention oocytes and Trichostatin A-treated mouse data was collected to reveal whether the spermatocytes. Epifluorescent microscopy, a presence of the sticker had enduring effects common method of imaging chromosomes, is on sales. Results: Using baseline data gathered used in this report. However, advances in in the initial 5 weeks of the study, I will technology have allowed super-resolution compare the purchase choices of consumers microscopy to yield higher-resolution imaging prior to the intervention stage to those during, of chromosomes. Super-resolution as well as after the intervention. I anticipate microscopy will allow the observation that during the intervention weeks, the of Aurora Kinase C and SYCP3 on a product sales for Rows 1 and 2 will decrease, molecular level in the mouse germ cells with while sales of Row 3 items will increase. hopes of uncovering more information about Following the intervention phase, I expect for the roles of both Aurora Kinase C and SYCP3 sales to return to slightly below pre- during meiosis. The primary goal of this intervention counts. report is to compare and contrast the two microscopy methods, epifluorescent Super-Resolution Microscopy vs. microscopy and super-resolution microscopy, Epifluorescent Microscopy of Aurora and discuss the relative strengths and Kinase C and SYCP3 Localization in weaknesses of using each microscopy method. Mouse Oocytes and Spermatocytes Ashley Lall Efficient Cloning by Temperature Upshift Dr. Rabindranath De La Fuente, Physiology Paige Lane & Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Dr. Cory Momany, Pharmaceutical & Medicine Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy

Being able to more closely examine cells on Traditional cloning methods use restriction the molecular level is becoming increasingly endonucleases, which are enzymes able to important to researchers in order to recognize and cleave specific DNA sequences understand the complex pathways and within a plasmid. Ligases are then used to glue interactions that occur during meiosis. the cleaved products together in a second Unveiling information about these step. In routine cloning, purification of the interactions is extremely critical in order insert and plasmid and then a selection or to understand problems that occur during screening process (e.g. blue-white screening) is pregnancy and reproduction which will necessary for identifying appropriate hopefully remedy long-lasting issues that clones. This complicated process is due to often result in pregnancy loss and genetic inefficiencies in the overall cloning reactions mutations in surviving embryos. The purpose that result in vectors that lack inserts and low of this experiment is to analyze two chromatin transformation numbers. A streamlined remodeling proteins that are essential for cloning method (Galloway et al., 2013) utilizes proper chromosomal division to occur during only one restriction enzyme, an enzyme that meiosis. Aurora Kinase C is primarily cuts outside its recognition site, and localized at the centromeres of mouse concurrent ligation at room temperature. oocytes, and Synaptonemal Complex Protein Introduction of a temperature upshift (from 3 (SYCP3) is localized along the cohesions room temperature to 50°C) appears to be very between homologous chromosomes in the effective in reducing the background of lateral position of each chromosome. This incorrect products. The ligase is inactivated at experiment will specifically be studying 50°C, while the restriction endonuclease cuts lymphoid specific helicase wild type mouse empty vector. Most restriction endonucleases

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Abstracts are used at 37 °C, a temperature in which the and green. With these values, we will be able ligase is still active. The goal of this project is to compare how Hops tea may affect to identify restriction enzymes that are oxidation as compared to other herbal compatible with temperature upshift (e.g., are remedies. stable at 50°C in the time frame of the upshift). Endonucleases will be evaluated for A Retrospective Study Analyzing the their cutting efficiency at 50°C. The use of a Relationship between Blood Coagulation blunt-end cutter with ligase and a temperature and Liver Shunts upshift results in very efficient cloning that Caroline Langley does not require significant screening of Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine clones. The results of this project have wide & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine application to the standard genetic engineering methods used in research In veterinary medicine, when canine patients laboratories. are diagnosed with liver shunts, they are often given blood coagulation tests. The correlation Examining the Antioxidant Properties of between the two may not be as strong as Hops believed. The purpose of this study is to Caroline Langley determine if running blood coagulation tests Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine on patients with post systemic shunts is a & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine worthwhile endeavor both financially and medically. The hypothesis is that in most cases Hops, used most commonly in brewing beer, it is not beneficial to run blood coagulation contain the powerful flavonoid Xanthohumol. tests. The results were obtained by cross The only way to access this compound is analyzing medical cases and comparing through the consumption of beers. Though recovery rate. Abnormalities in the this compound has been proven as a potential coagulation tests were gathered in patients longevity-increasing compound, there is little with liver shunts, with fewer the abnormalities known about it. Xanthohumol inhibits the corresponding to a decreasing need to run the metabolic activation of harmful carcinogens, tests. This study used cases from the past five and can help eliminate free radicals in the years. human body that have been shown to cause cancer. The purpose of this study is to Experimental Evolution and Sperm determine if hops teas can compete against Precedence in D. recens and D. commonly consumed teas in terms of subquinaria antioxidant content. The hypothesis of this Thomas Layman, CURO Graduation study is that a hops strain with a high alpha Distinction, CURO Research Assistant acid content will have an equal or greater Dr. Kelly Dyer, Genetics, Franklin College of phenolic content than most herbal teas. To do Arts & Sciences this, 20 strains of Hops with different alpha acid contents will be analyzed for antioxidant This study investigates the dynamics of content via Total Phenolic Content and Ferric speciation between two closely related fruit fly Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) tests. species. Drosophila recens and Drosophila Different times will be applied to each strain, subquinaria are found across northeastern N. consistent with beer brewing times. The America and northwestern N. America FRAPS and phenolics values obtained in the respectively. Their ranges overlap in the lab will be compared to those of other Canadian Rockies. Female D. subquinaria from commonly consumed teas, such as chamomile populations that overlap with D. recens

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Abstracts discriminate against mating with D. recens Bartlett inorganic phosphorus assay. The males, whereas D. recens females from this samples were analyzed using electrospray region do not discriminate strongly against ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and mating with D. subquinaria males. This principal component analysis (PCA) was presentation will discuss the results from two performed. PCA analysis demonstrated experiments. First, we will discuss an distinct differences in lipid profiles across 13- experimental evolution study that aimed to and 18-month old mice based on age as well test whether a population of D. recens females as MitoQ treatment. The lipidome of both age subject to very strong selection against groups demonstrated alterations in hybridization will acquire the ability to glycerolipids, and the majority of changes discriminate against mating with D. were detected in 18-month old mice treated subquinaria. Second, we will discuss an with MitoQ. Diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol experiment that tests for post-mating lipid species decreased along with several selection against D. subquinaria sperm in the phospholipid classes such as female D. recens reproductive tract. phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine. These data indicate a potential effect of age as Effects of Mitochondrial-Targeted well as MitoQ on the lipidome within an AD (MitoQ) Antioxidants on the Lipidome of mouse model. a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease Fractionation and Analysis of Wild Type Thao Le and Galacturonosyltransferase 14 Dr. Brian Cummings, Pharmaceutical & (GAUT14) Knockdown Switchgrass Cell Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Walls to Determine the Structure Synthesized by GAUT14 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a John Lee neurodegenerative disorder that causes Dr. Debra Mohnen, Biochemistry & deterioration in memory and thinking skills. It Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & is the sixth leading cause of death in America, Sciences and experts estimate that there are over 5 million Americans with AD. Given the Researchers have made progress in considerable evidence implicating the role of understanding plant cell wall structure and oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. However, much remains to be dysfunction in AD, antioxidant compounds learned about wall biosynthesis and fine-scale have been targeted as therapeutics. MitoQ wall structure. Pectin is a major cell wall (mitoquinone mesylate), is a drug candidate polysaccharide that provides structural that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier to support to the plant, is important in cell reach the site of formation of most reactive signaling, and binds adjacent cell walls species, the mitochondria. In this study, we together. Galacturonosyltransferases used lipidomics to assess the effect of MitoQ (GAUTs) are enzymes that synthesize the cell on the blood and brain lipid profiles of AD- wall glycan pectin. In the model plant transgenic mice. Phospholipids were extracted Arabidopsis thaliana, there are 15 GAUT genes using the Bligh-Dyer method from whole which have either proven or putative pectin blood and hippocampi of 13-month old and biosynthetic activity. Switchgrass is a 18-month old 3xTg female mice treated with biofeedstock crop being studied as a source of 100mM MitoQ via drinking water for 5 biomass for biofuel production. Modification months prior to blood collection. Lipid of the expression of GAUT14 in switchgrass phosphorus content was quantified using the can potentially increase the quality of this

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feedstock for biofuel production. The goal of the same diet plus 4,000 IU/day of this study was to determine the structural supplemental vitamin E. Horses were differences between cell walls from six randomly assigned to one of the following GAUT14-knockdown (KD) lines compared supplementation groups: synthetic acetate to WT switchgrass. Cell walls from wild-type powder, natural acetate powder, micellized d- and the KD lines were extracted using alpha-tocopherol (liquid), and micellized d- solvents of increasing severity. The yield alpha-tocopherol (powder). At the completion differences between the extracts from wild of the feeding trial, horses began a two day type and the knockdown lines were measured standard exercise regime. Whole blood and and will be discussed in regards to GAUT14 serum were collected four hours post function. Such data also provide base-line data supplementation prior to exercise on the first regarding possible ultrastructural changes in day and four hours following completion of the cell walls of GAUT14-KD plants the standardized exercise test (SET) on the compared to the wild type. The cell wall last day. SET protocol was conducted by free fractions from the KD and WT lines are also lunging in an enclosed round pen at being analyzed by glycome profiling, controlled and incrementally increasing monosaccharide composition analysis, and speeds. Pre and post exercise serum was linkage analysis. The goal is to identify which analyzed for alpha-tocopherol. Whole blood wall polymer(s) GAUT14 synthesizes and to was analyzed for reduced, total, and oxidized determine which ones are modified in the glutathione to assess exercise induced GAUT14-KD switchgrass lines. oxidative stress.

The Effect of Supplemental Vitamin E Investigations of Chromium Form on Blood Oxidative Stress Photocatalyzed Cycloadditions Parameters Measured in Exercising Sang Min Lee, CURO Research Assistant Horses Prof. Eric Ferreira, Chemistry, Franklin Kendall Lee College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Kylee Duberstein, Animal & Dairy Science, College of Agricultural & Photocatalysis is an emerging area in modern Environmental Sciences organic synthesis which allows previously inaccessible transformations to be achieved Vitamin E is a component of the antioxidant using readily available visible light as an system of the horse and is commonly included energy source. As of now, Cr photocatalysts in commercial horse feeds in the form of have been employed in the radical cation synthetic alpha-tocopherol acetate. The Diels-Alder reaction of electron-rich purpose of the research was to test the effect dienophiles. In this transformation, the of supplemental vitamin E form on blood electron-rich alkene is rendered electron-poor oxidative parameters in exercising horses. The after single electron oxidation by the catalyst, project utilized 16 horses previously housed allowing it to cyclize with the diene. Electron- on pasture. Horses were kept in stall poor dienophiles have also been employed in confinement for the duration of the study this net [4+2] reaction, but because the Cr with 2–4 hours of dry-lot turnout per day. complexes are not strong enough to oxidize The horses underwent a two week “wash-out” the electron-poor alkene, current research in period in which horses were fed a low vitamin the lab promotes the idea that it reacts with E diet with no supplemental vitamin E. the diene through a different pathway. Following the wash out period, horses began Experimental evidence suggests a light- a two week feeding trial where they were fed mediated [2+2]-cycloaddition, followed by a

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Cr-catalyzed vinylcyclobutane rearrangement. conditions—such as permitting opposition Importantly, this rearrangement yields the net parties or funding specific development [4+2] product with reversed Diels-Alder projects—to foreign aid can help encourage regioselectivity. Although a powerful the development of democracy. What many transformation, a limitation of this reaction researchers overlook, however, is the role of was that the electron-poor alkene had to be intervening factors that may influence the substituted with an electron-rich arene in foreign aid- democracy relationship by altering order for the vinylcyclobutane rearrangement state and leader preferences. This paper to occur. The possibility of a substrate where therefore re-examines the relationship the dienophile was tethered by an additional between foreign aid and democracy, with alkene would also undergo the cycloadditions particular attention to the factors that may was considered as the proposed products impact the effectiveness of foreign aid in would allow for further structural encouraging democratization. In the end, I modification. Two variations of the tethered find that there is no cut and dry verdict on alkene dienophile substrates with electron- aid’s efficacy. Instead, a combination of withdrawing substitutes were studied. Neither factors, including natural resource wealth, variation yielded the expected net [4+2] opposition party strength, and respect for addition product, showing further limited human rights unite to impact if and how restriction of the Cr catalyst transformation. foreign aid engenders democratization. The research suggests that the cycloaddition with the inclusion of this additional alkene Analysis of Surfactant Patterns Induced by section is not possible with solely the Cr Carbon Nanotube Arrays catalyst. Christopher Lenear, CURO Research Assistant Foreign Aid: Helping or Hurting Dr. Xianqiao Wang, College of Engineering Democracy? Benjamin Leigh, CURO Graduation As the interest in nanofluidic and Distinction, CURO Research Assistant nanostructural devices grows, there is an Dr. Andrew Owsiak, International Affairs, increasing need for nanoscale fabrication School of Public & International Affairs techniques that are both accurate and reliable. One novel strategy includes the patterning of Does foreign aid foster democratization— block copolymers that can be degraded under either globally or specifically within Africa? ultraviolet radiation, resulting in channels or There are conflicting arguments and evidence cracks on surfaces. In this project, we aim to over the answer to this question. Some study how carbon nanotubes can be scholars maintain that foreign aid hinders strategically located on surfaces to generate a development by encouraging corruption and desired self-assembled pattern of surfactants propping up ineffective leaders. They note using coarse-grained molecular dynamic that although aid can promote simulations. This may provide a robust design democratization in democracies, it often does strategy for many devices used for biosensing, the opposite in autocracies. In contrast, others electronics, purification techniques, and find evidence that aid can support and chemical separations for technology such as encourage viable opposition parties, improve lab-on-a-chip and nanocapillary array the strength of an independent media and membranes. By designing a variety of carbon civil society, and elevate quality of life for nanotube patterns and studying the effects citizens. Finally, some scholars strike a middle they have on the organizations of surfactant ground, stating that the attachment of solutions, we can propose an algorithm to

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Abstracts produce many desired nanostructures. This Dr. Jason Locklin, Chemistry, Franklin study will offer an affordable method for College of Arts & Sciences creating unique self-assembled surface patterns from surfactant and thereby aid in Organic photovoltaic devices have been the progression of many biological and made, but the thickness is hard to control. In electrical applications. our lab, we are synthesizing different conjugated polymers and grafting them onto Far Red LEDs Effect on the Morphology various substrate surfaces to form polymer and Flowering of Marigolds brushes using SI-KCTP (surface initiated Mary Lewis, CURO Research Assistant Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation). Dr. Marc van Iersel, Horticulture, College of This way, the thickness of the polymer layer Agricultural & Environmental Sciences of organic photovoltaic devices can be controlled. Ni(0) catalyst is used to make Better control over the growth and reactive initiator monolayers followed by development of greenhouse crops can help ligand exchange and then growing polymer growers increase profits. Control over when brushes from these reactive initiator plants flower is especially important. Far-red monolayers. Organic photovoltaic devices light is known to be important in triggering have the advantages of covering large areas flowering responses of many plants. Our and flexible surfaces of solar panels over objective was to determine whether far-red inorganic photovoltaic devices. The controlled light from LEDs can make marigolds flower thickness polymer coating provides more faster. Marigolds (Tagetes erecta) typically flower control on the energy harvest process. fastest when exposed to long nights. We also wanted to determine whether far-red light Lung Cancer Cell Enrichment with Buffer affects plant morphology, including height Stream via Biocompatible Ferrofluid and and leaf size. Each day, marigolds were Microfluidic Device exposed to 16 hours of light and 8 hours of So Hyun Lim, CURO Research Assistant dark, simulating summer time. At the start of Dr. Leidong Mao, College of Engineering the dark period, plants received 0, 15, 30, or 60 minutes of far red light. All other growing Metastasis due to circulating tumor cells conditions were kept as similar as possible. (CTCs) is the major cause of cancer related Plants that did not receive far-red light deaths. The difficulty in metastasis prevention flowered later (~104 days) than those in any is due to rarity of CTCs in the bloodstream of the other treatments (~76 days). Plants that which is estimated to be one CTC per billions did not receive far-red light were 30 cm tall of blood cells. Existing methods to separate compared to a height of 87 cm for those cancer cells from whole blood pose three exposed to far-red light. Plants grown without problems: expensive cost, long duration for far-red also had smaller leaves than those in procedure and physical and chemical damage far-red treatments. Our results show that on CTCs which reduces cell viability, growers can speed up flowering of marigolds hindering further analysis with separated cells. with far-red LEDs, while also producing In this study, lung cancer cell enrichment larger plants. The amount of far-red light from buffer stream via microfluidic device required is very low, which makes practical with biocompatible ferrofluid, in laminar flow applications easy and cheap. with whole blood sample, provides low cost, short duration lung cancer cell separation with Conjugated Polymers minimized damage on the cell. Lung cancer Xueying Li, CURO Research Assistant cell is separated from whole blood based on

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Abstracts the difference in cell sizes. Biocompatible dream, and the larger cultural implications of ferrofluid is used to allow transitioning of a society-wide obsession with sports. lung cancer cell from the whole blood to a buffer stream, which minimizes the contact The Effect of Gender Identification and time between lung cancer cell and ferrofluid, Division of Labor on the Work and Family allowing least amount of physical and Experiences of Same Sex Couples chemical damage done to the cell by Lauren Locklear, CURO Research Assistant biocompatible ferrofluid, as well as increased Dr. Malissa Clark, Psychology, Franklin cell viability. Furthermore, buffer stream was College of Arts & Sciences collected to enrich lung cancer cells, allowing not only medical analysis such as diagnosis, Although work-family conflict has been prognostic monitoring and treatment plans, thoroughly researched for heterosexual but also laboratory analysis including but not couples (e.g., Byron, 2005; Michel, Kotrba, limited to therapeutic efficiency, physical and Mitchelson, Clark, & Baltes, 2011), minimal chemical studies of cells as well as genetic research exists about the work and family studies. experiences of same-sex couples. With the recent ban on same-sex marriage lifted, it is A Romance: A Creative Writing Project more critical than ever to understand the Christian Lisa, CURO Graduation work and family experiences of same-sex Distinction, CURO Research Assistant couples. In heterosexual couples, traditional Prof. LeAnne Howe, English, Franklin gender role expectations suggest that men College of Arts & Sciences tend to contribute more financially while women place greater focus on home and A Romance is an episodic novella about family responsibilities (Blair-Loy, 2001). The student-athletes. The work follows the parallel small amount of research on gender storylines of Sarah Jenson, a cross country identification and division of labor for same- runner at The University of Vermont, and sex couples is inconclusive. Therefore, this Darius Williams, a highly-recruited linebacker study explores gender-identification and at Notre Dame. The work is a coming-of-age division of labor in both gay and lesbian story that covers themes of social isolation, couples, and how this affects levels of work- ambition, drug use, and depression—all family conflict. Participants will be recruited through the lens of collegiate athletics. While through advertisements posted on Facebook. working on the project, I was interested in an To be eligible for the study, couples must be avant-garde, maximalist style. The work currently in a long-term same-sex relationship, employs humor, colloquial language, pop- cohabitating with their partner, and employed culture references, footnotes, and social media full-time. During the first phase of the study, posts as found objects to convey a substantial each partner completes a questionnaire that amount of detail and achieve intimacy with assesses their gender role identification (Bem, the reader. The work is written from the 1974), division of labor in the household shifting perspectives of several different (custom measure), partner support characters—jumping between scenes and (Shakespeare-Finch & Obst, 2011), and job people, the story presents reality in a fractured demands (van Veldhoven & Meijman, 1994). non-diachronic way. Complicated but never Two weeks following completion of phase confusing, A Romance follows characters that one of the study, each partner completes a are united by their relentless ambition and questionnaire that assesses work-family escapist tendencies. It is an examination of conflict (Carlson, Kacmar, & Williams, 2000). physical achievement and the American Multiple regression analysis will test the

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relationship between division of labor and abuse event which will lead to changes in work-family conflict, as well as the behavior, well-being, and job attitudes. This moderating role of gender role identity, job meta-analysis aims to determine which of the demands, and partner support. previously explored relationships in the existing empirical research have the strongest Third Party Reactions to Mistreatment: A support. Findings will provide a model for Meta-Analysis researchers to use moving forward in third Lauren Locklear, CURO Research Assistant party research. Ian Armstrong Dr. Marie Mitchell, Management, Terry Investigating the Role of Cyanogenic College of Business Glycosides in Passiflora incarnata (Maypop) Mistreatment in the workplace is Atul Lodh, CURO Research Assistant commonplace, and may involve supervisors, Dr. Rodney Mauricio, Genetics, Franklin peers, and even organizational outsiders such College of Arts & Sciences as customers. This mistreatment manifests in many forms such as abusive supervision Plants produce the largest variety of (Tepper, 2000), social undermining (Duffy, metabolites of any organism on the planet. Ganster, & Pagon, 2002), incivility However, the evolutionary forces that (Andersson & Pearson, 1999), bullying generate this diversity are still unresolved. A (Einarsen & Skogstad, 1996), exclusion or leading hypothesis is that these metabolites ostracism (Ferris, Brown, Berry, & Lian, 2008; serve as defenses against insect herbivores Hitlan & Noel, 2009), deviance or that utilize plants for food. Defensive counterproductive behavior (Robinson & metabolites produced can alter a plant’s Bennett, 1995), and sexual harassment (Lim & fitness and the fitness of the herbivore that Cortina, 2005). Previous research focused on feeds on it, resulting in a co-evolutionary the employer-employee relationship, relationship between the two. One putatively particularly the reaction of the employee (the defensive metabolite is cyanogenic victim) to mistreatment by his or her glycoside. Hydrolysis of this compound leads employer (Skarliki & Kulik, 2005). However, to the production of hydrogen cyanide, a toxic recent research has moved beyond the victims compound that interferes with cellular of mistreatment to examine the reactions of respiration. A plant species that produces third parties who witness abuse events. A cyanogenic glycoside is Passiflora incarnata, a third party witness is as an individual who plant species native to Athens, Georgia. To forms impressions of organizational justice test the hypothesis that cyanogenic glycoside based upon direct, indirect, or vicarious is a defensive metabolite and therefore is experience of an organization. At present, this under natural selection by insect herbivores, a research stream has reached a critical mass, common garden experiment was conducted making it necessary to analyze the empirical over the summer of 2015 using the plant findings to reveal the direction third party species P. incarnata. A split-plot design was abuse research should take moving forward. used where clonal replicates of genotypes Using the meta-analytic techniques outlined were exposed to herbivores or protected from by Schmidt & Hunter, (2014) we will examine them using a pesticide. If herbivores are the effects of mistreatment episodes on third selecting for cyanogenic glycoside production, parties. We propose that witnesses will have then plants that produce the most cyanogenic cognitions (i.e., thoughts of revenge) and glycosides should have the highest fitness emotions (i.e., feelings of anger) following the (measured by looking at fruit production)

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when exposed to herbivores. Furthermore, “a” isoforms (Vph1p and Stv1p) of the V- when plants are protected from herbivores, ATPase Vo domain will be modified to there should be relaxed selection on express TgVha1, the Vph1p/Stv1p ortholog cyanogenic glycoside production. This work originating from the apicomplexan parasite, provides further insight into the importance Toxoplasma gondii. Yeast strains expressing of metabolites in mediating plant-herbivore TgVha1 in place of Vph1p/Stv1p displayed a co-evolutionary interactions. fragmented vacuolar morphology similar to yeast strains unable to properly fuse their Regulation of Intracellular Membrane vacuoles in vivo. Furthermore, these strains Fusion by V-ATPase Subunits were able to grow in the presence of zinc and Michael Lopez, CURO Research Assistant caffeine, suggesting that the V-ATPase Dr. Vincent Starai, Microbiology, Franklin formed with TgVha1 was functional for College of Arts & Sciences vacuolar acidification. These results suggest that this biochemically active V-ATPase was Eukaryotic organisms must properly package, unable to properly regulate yeast sort, and deliver proteins and membranes to a endolysosomal fusion events, thus providing number of essential intracellular organelles evidence that subunit “a” may play a physical during normal cell growth, which usually role in regulating membrane fusion. Further demands the fusion of transport vesicles with characterization of this activity will require the their target membranes. For these membrane isolation of intact vacuoles from yeast strains fusion events to occur, a conserved “core” expressing TgVha1 and measuring V-ATPase protein machinery consisting of SNARE activity in vitro, and the direct measurement of proteins, Rab-family small GTPases, and homotypic fusion of TgVha1-containing multisubunit tethering factors must be present vacuoles. These results will help elucidate the on both membranes. While much of the role of the V-ATPase “a” subunit in fundamental mechanistic information endolysosomal fusion events. regarding the activity of this core machinery during fusion is known, additional factors An Analysis of Trends in Difficulties which precisely regulate the Faced by Beginning Music Educators, SNAREs/Rabs/tethering factors during with Discussion and Implementation of fusion remain to be characterized. It is now Effective Classroom Solutions thought that a number of accessory proteins Duncan Lord and lipids help catalyze specific fusion events Dr. Joshua Bynum, Hugh Hodgson School of by directly regulating the activities of these Music “core” proteins. Previous research has potentially identified one such accessory This project will provide a meaningful look at protein, the membrane-bound multisubunit the challenges of beginning a career in subdomain of the eukaryotic V-ATPase (Vo). education, with the goal of addressing a In the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, common problem among early educators: a vacuolar (lysosomal) membranes lacking the perceived lack of sufficient experience to Vo subdomain fail to homotypically fuse in handle situations faced early on. This research vitro, and it has therefore been proposed that will conduct a cross-sectional survey of Vo serves a structural role in regulating primary and secondary music educators, with endolysosmal SNARE-dependent fusion the intent to locate trending difficulties events. To test the hypothesis that the Vo observed by the sample group within the first domain plays some role in vacuolar fusion, five years of teaching. An analysis of these modified yeast strains lacking both subunit trends will be presented, looking at why

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certain experiences and difficulties were concept of "ownership" on the other, and its specific to a specialization, while others were aptness as such. shared across the entire field. Discussion of effective solutions suggested by the subjects Modeling and Analysis of Virus-Bacteria will be presented along with Interactions in the Marine Environment recommendations for application in the Angela Lucero classroom. By providing application and Dr. Adrian Burd, Lamar Dodd School of Art implementation strategies, this project will be a resource for pre-service and beginning Viral infections in the ocean are a major music educators. source of mortality in marine bacteria, thereby influencing the composition of bacterial Motherhood, War and Ownership in communities. The purpose of this study is to Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage and investigate the interactions between viruses Her Children" and "The Caucasian Chalk and bacteria in the marine environment to Circle" determine the extent to which these Kelsey Lowrey, Foundation Fellow interactions influence dissolved organic Dr. Martin Kagel, Germanic & Slavic Studies, carbon (DOC) concentrations and the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences bacterial community composition. Consider a lysed bacterial cell. It will produce a small I studied the presentation and implications of cloud rich in both dissolved nutrients and motherhood in two famous epic theatre plays viruses. The high nutrient concentrations will by the German author Bertolt Brecht: Mother likely attract motile bacteria, while the high Courage and Her Children / Mutter Courage viral concentrations will increase their chances und ihre Kinder and The Caucasian Chalk of infection. This study will use mathematical Circle / Der kaukasische Kreidekreis. The descriptions of virus-bacteria interactions and concept of motherhood was examined first bacterial chemotaxis that will be investigated through the lens of war and peace, the main analytically and numerically. The study is characters of these plays are women displaced expected to produce a model indicating how by various historical wars; the fruitfulness of bacterial communities and DOC their motherhood was found to be closely concentrations change as functions of viral related to the justness of different violent concentration and infection rates. This is conflicts. As the women all lived in exile, their important because changes in bacterial motherhood was also examined through its community composition, especially in the relation to the home and homemaking, as well deep ocean, affect the amount of carbon that as the historical context of real-world mothers can be sequestered by the oceans, which in in exile and in the home, and Nazi turn has implications for the amount of propaganda of the era dealing with racial and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. land-based ideals of motherhood. An in-depth look was taken at the character Kattrin from Fluorescent Protein Incorporation in E. Mother Courage and her status as a role coli for Determination of Gene Expression accessible to female and otherwise oppressed Levels audience members, as well as her complicated Andrew Lyon, CURO Research Assistant relation to performative gender, female Dr. Yajun Yan, College of Engineering sexuality, and sexual violence. Ultimately, the findings deal with motherhood and female The following research project focuses on a disenfranchisement on one end, and metabolic engineering approach for the motherhood as an allegory for the Marxist creation of a biosensor. The overall goal is to

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clone a fluorescent gene in a microorganism carbon-sulfur bond of cystathionine to yield to determine expression levels of a protein of homocysteine. Suppressor analysis showed interest. Green Fluorescent Protein is derived overexpression of the metC gene in trans from the crystal jellyfish Aequorea Victoria. By could overcome the growth defects of a ridA cloning the fluorescent gene under the mutant strain. The molecular mechanism that promoter of interest, gene expression can be mediates this suppression is currently monitored. In essence, the protein can be unknown. Preliminary experiments indicated used as a transcription reporter. Following the MetC does not possess RidA activity, construction of the plasmid containing the suggesting an indirect mechanism of fluorescent gene, we introduced the plasmid overcoming 2AA stress. β-cystathionase in E. coli. It is known that acrylic acid has an (MalY) and tryptophanase (TnaA) from effect on gene expression levels by interacting Escherichia coli are PLP-dependent enzymes with the specific promoter. Shake flask that perform β-elimination reactions similar to fermentations were subsequently carried out MetC and share a conserved protein fold-type. to determine the sensitivity of the Our investigation seeks to determine if these fluorescence activity with the addition of enzymatic similarities to MetC allow MalY varying acrylic acid concentrations. Due to and/or TnaA to alleviate 2AA stress in the issues with the machine that measures absence of RidA. Work presented here fluorescence intensity, we are still waiting on describes the molecular cloning and results. We expect to see an increase in heterologous expression of malY and tnaA fluorescence activity with increases in acrylic from E. coli in S. enterica lacking RidA. Insights acid. This approach is very useful when from this work will aid us in elucidating the studying transcription of genes under various mechanism of MetC suppression of ridA promoters. This is very important for the strain growth defects. optimization of microbial processes for the production of chemicals, renewable fuels, Eradicating Food Insecurity in Metro biopharmaceuticals, etc. Atlanta Mallika Madhusudan, Foundation Fellow Exploring Alternative Mechanisms of Dr. Jerry Shannon, Geography, Franklin RidA-Independent 2AA Stress Relief College of Arts & Sciences Samuel Macfie, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Diana Downs, Microbiology, Franklin The USDA defines households as food College of Arts & Sciences insecure if they are located more than one mile away from a source of fresh produce or Many proteins that belong to the widely are generally unable to purchase fresh food. conserved RidA/YER057c/UK114 protein Because of the high price of fresh produce family hydrolyze reactive enamine/imine and the lack of transportation, many Atlanta intermediates generated by some pyridoxal 5’- citizens are considered food insecure. This pyrophosphate (PLP)-depedent enzymes. The means they are forced to turn to fast food RidA protein in Salmonella enterica catalyzes the restaurants or convenience stores for their hydrolysis of the reactive enamine, 2- dietary needs, both of which rarely sell healthy aminoacrylate (2AA), produced by PLP- alternatives. A continuous diet lacking in fresh dependent serine/threonine dehydratases, produce contributes to high rates of obesity, preventing 2AA from diffusing through the heart disease, and hypertension. These cell and damaging cellular targets. In S. enterica, diseases not only have serious health cystathionine β-lyase (MetC) participates in implications, but also account for major methionine biosynthesis by cleaving the β- economic losses. This leaves us with the

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question: What action must be taken to family needs assessment to help the family set address the issue of food insecurity? This attainable goals realized by program exit. paper begins with a background of the issue What is missing from this process is often of food insecurity in the context of Atlanta, congruence between stated goals and describes the issue’s various causes, identified risk factors. Further, interventions symptoms, and implications and then that support the needs of families are often develops four policy alternatives, including the misaligned with the true needs of families status quo. The other policy alternatives are a resulting in less than efficacious outcomes. Healthy Corner Store Initiative, Food-to- The research question for this casual- Institution programs, and public-private comparative study was: What is the partnership loan funds. The paper will then relationship between number of ACEs, family utilize a policy matrix to compare and contrast needs and goals, and child developmental these various policy alternatives based on outcomes for families with children in home- health outcomes, change in fresh produce based and center-based early care and consumption, political feasibility, and a basic education programs? Results indicated the cost-benefit analysis. Through this method of number of ACEs experienced by families was policy analysis, this paper concludes that the related to needs expressed by parents Healthy Corner Store Initiative best addresses including employment, finances, mental food insecurity within Atlanta. Following this health resources, parent/child bonding, and recommendation, the paper will review education. About a quarter of children with implementation of the chosen policy and more ACEs had parents who specified goals identify potential challenges. inconsistent with needs. Children in families experiencing more ACEs had poorer Correspondence between Family Needs cognitive development scores. Implications and Family Goals: Implications for Early for the highest-need families where goals were Childhood Interventions for Low-Income misaligned with interventions will be Families discussed. Emily Maloney, Foundation Fellow Dr. Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, Educational Reducing Teacher Turnover in Georgia Psychology, College of Education Public Schools Emily Maloney, Foundation Fellow Children living in poverty often encounter Dr. Linda Renzulli, Sociology, Franklin adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), College of Arts & Sciences placing them at-risk for prolonged negative cognitive, emotional, physical, and mental This policy research investigated the teacher health issues. Research from neuroscience turnover rate in public schools in Georgia, suggests children living in toxic stress particularly in schools with high percentages conditions demonstrate decreased executive of low socioeconomic status and minority functioning skills--the higher cognitive students. This research considered the functions responsible for memory, inhibitory symptoms and causes of turnover in these control, and mental flexibility. The Head Start environments, and why previous policies program serves as a stabilizing preschool enacted by the Georgia Department of environment for children with ACEs to Education have failed. Through the literature attenuate the effects of living in poverty. review and interview process, some common When applying for Head Start, families supply themes were identified as to why teachers background information on ACEs and family consistently leave schools. These qualities of needs. Head Start, then theoretically, uses the school environment typically included

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practices that de-professionalized teachers, populations remain high, continuing the cycle culminating in teachers losing a sense of of violence and high prison costs. This paper autonomy within the school, discovering a proposes policy options to the Georgia Board lack of support from other teachers and of Corrections in an attempt to reduce current administration, and being unsatisfied with prison populations or implement new their salary in relation to how many hours strategies and policies to decrease the they put into their jobs both in and out of likelihood of violence in the future. The policy schools. To address these causes, three policy options evaluated include: the reworking of alternatives were developed: a research and current legislation pertaining to drug development program, an intensive district- possession, including but not limited to the wide mentorship program based off of a de-criminalization of marijuana and the highly successful model in Maryland, and increase in the minimum amount of drugs treating departments within schools as considered to be possession with intent to designers by removing some of the distribute; the rehabilitation and improvement bureaucratic accountability measures which of vocational training programs; and the cut into teachers’ time both at and away from increased provision of resources available to school. After using a policy matrix to analyze prison officials to facilitate effectiveness and the effectiveness, cost-benefit, and feasibility supervision. Ideally these policy approaches of each alternative against the status quo, this would be included in a comprehensive three- policy paper asserts that the best option is the pronged approach; however, it is research and development model. recommended that the State of Georgia adopt policy number two. A Policy Proposal for the Reduction of Violence in Georgia's State Prisons Cooling Fabric: The Future of Keeping Taylor Martin Cool Rachael Andrews Molly Mastin, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Andrew Whitford, Public Administration Dr. Suraj Sharma, Textiles, Merchandising & & Policy, School of Public & International Interiors, College of Family & Consumer Affairs Sciences

Georgia has the 6th highest incarceration rate Smart textiles are the future of the textile in the United States and operates the 5th industry. As technology becomes more readily largest prison system in the nation, costing available, it is integrating into many facets approximately one billion dollars annually. As including the textile industry. It allows for a result of the high incarceration rates, more sustainable practices and allows people overcrowding has led to violence and to be safer, and more comfortable. One such astronomical costs on behalf of the Georgia textile is a fabric called Brrr!. This fabric is a taxpayers due to housing inmates. In 2014, cooling, and wicking fabric that uses powered the Southern Center for Human Rights air to keep the wearer cool. Being powered by released a report detailing Georgia’s violent air means that the air flow through the fabric prison crisis. Georgia has seen a rise in the is used to regenerate your cool, verses a number of homicides and assaults throughout finishing that would wash off over time. It the prison system. In 2012, the number of also provides UV protection. There are many homicides in Georgia surpassed those of instances in which cooling fabric could greatly many states in the past ten years, from 2001– improve the wearers’ experience, and save 2011. Despite the State of Georgia’s firms a lot of money. One such case is in the attempted criminal justice reform, prison use of health care workers in very hot areas

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such as in the case of EBOLA workers in programs, only 20.9% were male. Compared West Africa. Another use could be in military to female participants, male participants were personnel in desert settings. I tested younger (x2=316.86, P<0.001) and reported Brrr! Fabric in order to find out more about fewer chronic conditions (x2=414.94, the fabric's structural characteristics, in order P<0.001). Among male participants alone, to determine alternative uses outside of the those age 65+ (OR=133, P<0.001) and those fashion industry. I used several different test residing in non-metro areas (OR=1.14, methods including determining yarn strength, P=0.019) were more likely to successfully and wicking capability of the fabric. The result complete the intervention. Compared to is that this fabric could be suitable for more attending workshops in senior centers, males than just fashion uses. Cooling fabrics could who attended workshops in healthcare be used in uniforms and other ways in order organizations (OR=0.79, P=0.001) and to help keep wearers safe from overheating, residential facilities (OR=0.73, P<0.001) were and keeping them cooler in general. This also less likely to successfully complete the lead me to ask the question of the intervention. Men who participated in appropriateness of using this and other smart workshops with a larger proportion of male fabrics in alternative ways in order to keep participants were more likely to successfully users safe, and comfortable. complete the intervention (OR=2.21, P<0.001). Once engaged in CDSME Male Participation in Chronic Disease programs, male participants obtain a similar Self-Management Education (CDSME) intervention dose as their female Programs counterparts. Findings highlight Jamarcus Mathis, CURO Honors Scholar opportunities to tailor CDSME program Dr. Matthew Smith, Health Promotion & recruitment and retention strategies for men. Behavior, College of Public Health An Investigation into the Complex Viral Females outnumber males in the older adult Interactions between Microplitis population and are more likely to participate demolitor Bracovirus and TnAV-2a, an in evidence-based health promotion Ascovirus programs. Despite the widespread availability Johnathan Mayfield, CURO Research of Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self- Assistant Management Education (CDSME) programs, Dr. Gaelen Burke, Entomology, College of and their known health-related benefits, male Agricultural & Environmental Sciences participation remains low. This study: (1) compares personal characteristics between Parasitoid wasps are a diverse and abundant males and females who attended CDSME group of organisms that spend part of their program workshops; and (2) identifies factors development either within or on their host. associated with successful intervention One group of parasitoid wasps, the completion (attending 4+ of the 6 workshop superfamily Ichneumonoidea, has evolved an sessions) among male participants. Data were obligate, beneficial symbiosis with the double- initially analyzed from 62,757 adults collected stranded DNA Polydnaviruses. Microplitis during a national dissemination of CDSME demolitor bracovirus, or MdBV, is a programs spanning 47 states and two polydnavirus found within the ovaries of the territories. Logistic regression was performed wasp host M. demolitor and has been shown to with males only (n=13,088) to examine alter the immune system of the host to factors associated with workshop attendance. promote parasitism. Our project aimed to Of the 62,757 adults who enrolled in CDSME determine if MdBV interacts with other

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viruses within the host, specifically the working citizen (i.e., extension to non-white ascovirus TnAV-2a. TnAV-2a is a pathogenic, citizens) as the center point of the analysis. It double-stranded DNA virus that infects early is my contention that the extension of the stages of Lepidopteran hosts and is only pension program to the entire working transmitted on the ovipositor of parasitoid populace drastically increased the educational wasps like M. demolitor. Based on quantitative opportunities for younger black South PCR analysis, we have determined a species Africans, both male and female, and therefore specific interaction between these two viruses. drastically increased their lifelong earning In parasitized hosts, TnAV-2a replication was potential. I will be using existing research on lower at 24, 48, and 168 hours post infection this topic and raw household Census data to within Pseudoplusia includens. In the hosts measure if and by what degree the income Trichoplusia ni, Spodoptera frugiperda, Helicoverpa inequality and earning potential gap has zea, and Heliothis virescens we did not see any decreased. significant difference between parasitized hosts and unparasitized hosts in terms of An Exploration of Communicative Intent TnAV-2a replication at 48 hours post and Its Relation to Early Vocalization infection. Within P. includens, we infected the Production in Two Young Children with host with both MdBV and TnAV-2a and Autism Spectrum Disorder determined that MdBV is the cause for lower MacKenzie McGraw, Breanna Johnson, TnAV-2a replication. Lastly, we Sherry Sayavongsa, Alexis Pope, Meredith unsuccessfully attempted to generalize the Towey, Hayley O'Hara, Sabrina Williams, effect we saw in P. includens to a cell line Courtney Todd, Brianna Kelley, Anna Fink, derived from the same host suggesting that Chase Kranzlein this interaction is more complex and involves Dr. Sandie Bass-Ringdahl, Communication many factors within the host. Sciences & Special Education, College of Education Earning Disparity among White and Black Women in South Africa Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to Thomas McBrearty the wide range of symptoms, skills, and levels Dr. Laura Zimmermann, Economics, Terry of impairment or disability that children with College of Business ASD can have. The most common sign that prompts parental concern is the delay in onset This research will center around the of spoken words, including delayed or decreasing race-based income inequality in disrupted onset of babbling (beyond the post-Apartheid South Africa over the last 22 typical 6–10 months of age) and gesture usage years. Before apartheid was abolished there (Barenek; Mitchell et al.). Early identification was overt and legal discrimination against and intervention are widely recognized as black individuals in the country that directly critical to language development and are limited their educational and employment significant variables in the development of opportunities, and there exists thorough communication (Yoshinaga-Itano, 1998). Census Data from both before apartheid’s Children with ASD who have undergone early abolition and ten years after. This will enable intervention demonstrate gains in verbal and using a difference-in-difference analysis using nonverbal communication, intelligence test identical families and their earning potential scores, and peer interaction (Wiggins et al.). and familial income over time, using the end The purpose of the current study is to of apartheid and extension of the lucrative determine if vocalization production is altered South African-pension program to every in the presence of a caregiver or an electronic

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device. The current study is a retrospective presence. Despite ISIS’s 9,000 social media analysis of data from two participants with accounts, almost no students had seen an ISIS ASD and their caregivers. The first child tweet. Of the students that had seen ISIS observed was a 3 year, 9 month old male messaging, the majority had been exposed to diagnosed with ASD and developmental videos and remembered those most clearly. screen of 4 months. The second child Students felt negatively about the US State observed was a 1 year, 7 month old male Department’s counter-terrorism efforts when diagnosed with ASD and developmental compared to ISIS’s efforts on social media. screen of 8 months. A 12–16 hour Practical implications: Contrary to general vocalization recording was collected in the opinion, most young adults are not exposed home using the LENA device. This recording to or are aware of ISIS’s social media was then segmented into 5 minute blocks presence. However, the US State Department using an automated algorithm for basic needs to re-construct its counter-terrorism components. The results of this analysis may efforts via social media, especially in video provide insight into intervention techniques creation as young adults are most frequently that may increase vocal productions serving a exposed in that way. The lack of communicative function. The results may also sophistication in current US State Department have implications for environmental videos as compared to ISIS videos, led modifications in the home. students to feel more threatened by ISIS. Originality/value: This study provides insights Understanding the Public’s Relationships into ways to improve the effectiveness of with ISIS and Counter-Terrorism Digital online counter-terrorism efforts. It is Media important to improve social media tactics Katherine McKeogh now, as terrorist group’s influence in the Dr. Juan Meng, Grady College of Journalism digital sphere will continue to evolve. & Mass Communication Implementation of picoSpin(TM) NMRs Purpose: The purpose of this research is to into Organic Chemistry Teaching examine and analyze the digital Laboratories through Spectral Analysis of communication strategies used by ISIS, as Fischer Esterification Products well as the strategies used by the US State Emma Meehan, Doyle Wallace Department against ISIS. The research aims Dr. Richard Morrison, Chemistry, Franklin to learn who is viewing ISIS’s messages, as College of Arts & Sciences well as learn more about who is targeted by and most receptive to their messaging. It also 1H NMR analysis is an important analytical aims to learn whether or not the anti- technique discussed in the introductory terrorism social media strategies of the US organic chemistry lecture course as it is most State Department are effective. useful in real-world applications for the Design/methodology/approach: The researcher identification of a product or product mixture. used two research methods in this study to The Chemistry Department recently acquired investigate the subject: (1) an online survey of three desktop 1H NMRs for the UGA undergraduate students; (2) two focus undergraduate organic laboratories. Until groups—one with four participants and the now, NMR analysis has been largely other with two participants—with UGA impossible for the vast majority of students in students. Findings: Results suggest that teaching laboratories. Using these new students at the University of Georgia are technologies, the picoSpin(TM) NMRs were generally unaware of ISIS’s social media integrated into the undergraduate instructional

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Abstracts laboratory to expose students to advanced composition in a piglet model of TBI. Piglets analytical techniques in the exploration of underwent surgery to generate a concussive experimental results. Students specifically used TBI. To assess the time course of TBI unknown starting alcohols to synthesize esters pathology, piglets were sacrificed and brain through Fischer esterification, identifying the tissues were collected 1 day, 1 week, and 4 unknown starting component via spectral weeks post-TBI. At the site of neuronal injury analysis of the product. Over the course of we assessed TBI pathology using Olig2, three semesters, 483 students out of 636 NeuN, and GFAP markers. Although no (76%) students correctly identified the starting significant changes in Olig2 were noted; we alcohol and 76% of students indicated via found that neuronal cell death results in a survey that 1H NMR was the most helpful reduction in NeuN staining 1 week post TBI, identification tool in their analysis. This and that the upregulation of astrogliosis experience strengthened the concept of NMR results in increased GFAP concentrations at spectral analysis and provided students with both 1 week and 4 weeks post TBI. Once the opportunity to employ technology typical TBI pathology is fully established, we commonly used in academic research can determine if cell therapy aids in recovery facilities. of the brain at the cellular level.

Longitudinal Assessment of a Porcine Determining the Effect of Gut Microbes Traumatic Brain Injury Model Utilizing on Drosophila suzukii Gene Expression Immunohistochemistry Elijah Mehlferber, CURO Research Assistant Mary Mehegan, CURO Summer Fellow, Dr. Patricia Moore, Entomology, College of CURO Research Assistant Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, College of Agricultural & Environmental Drosophila suzukii inhabit a unique ecological Sciences niche, rather than ovipositing on rotting fruits they target ripening fruits. The larvae of most In the United States alone, approximately drosophilid species obtain the protein in their 50,000 deaths result from traumatic brain diets by consuming yeast that grows on injury (TBI) annually. At this time, there is no rotting fruit, a resource not readily available to adequate TBI treatment. Neural stem cells D. suzukii larvae. This raises interesting may serve as a regenerative cell replacement questions as to how D. suzukii larvae have therapy, as they are capable of differentiating adapted to thrive in a low protein into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes environment. Previous research has shown and produce regenerative factors such as that Drosophila melanogastor are unable to vascular endothelial growth factor. These cells develop without gut microbes in a low protein have been shown to lead to structural and environment, due to the inability to modulate functional improvement in rodent models that their insulin signaling pathways. However, D. have suffered similar neural injuries. However, suzukii are able to develop under the same treatments that have been developed in conditions, leading to the assumption that rodent models regularly fail in clinical trials, some function of the gut microbes has been thus more predictive large animal models are adapted into the organism. In order to test needed. With a large gyrencephalic brain and this hypothesis D. suzukii larvae will be reared gray-white matter composition similar to on low/high protein diets and in the humans, the pig is an effective large animal presence/absence of gut microbes, and the model. The objective of this study is to expression of genes related to the insulin longitudinally assess changes in brain cellular signaling and nutrient management pathways

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will be measured. We expect that the D. chronic, low dose IR and may be used to suzukii raised on the low protein diet without generate testable hypotheses regarding the gut microbes will show altered expression of evolutionary pathways associated with IR. these genes due to their hypothesized ability to self-regulate these pathways. This will allow A First Description of Nest Behavior in insight into the interaction of gut microbes Red-and-Green Macaws and D. suzukii as a result of their adaptation to Courtney Meyer lower protein environments. Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Proteome and Glycome Profiling of Medaka Exposed to Chronic, Low Level The nest behavior of the Red-and-Green Ionization Radiation Macaw (Ara chloropterus; the largest species in Olivia Mendel the Ara genus) in the wild is largely unknown Dr. Carl Bergmann, Biochemistry & and undescribed in the literature. We provide Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & the first description of wild macaw nest Sciences behavior in which behaviors are directly observed and quantified. To understand the Within the United States there are over 1000 nest behavior of A. chloropterus, we have the locations that are contaminated with radiation. following three objectives: to document the These places range from small laboratories to behavioral repertoire of nestlings; to examine massive nuclear weapon facilities. Although behavior of the parents in the nest; and to this ionizing radiation (IR) is clearly determine nestling behavior in the presence vs recognized as problematic, there is minimal absence of an adult. Video footage, recorded understanding of the mechanisms through from approximately 6AM to 6PM within one which radiation influences organismal nest over 6 days between August and October adaptation. Furthermore, most experimental 2013, recorded the behavior of 4 individuals, studies focus on the effects of acute, high including 2 adults and 2 nestlings. Videos are dose IR. Thus, little is known about the currently being coded using the Observer XT effects of chronic, low doses of IR on software. We report findings from the first vertebrate. Using Medaka fish as the model two days, when the chicks were approximately aquatic organism, this study aims to 1) 25 and 40 days old. Stationary behavior (e.g., quantify comparative proteomic and glycomic perching) constituted the majority of the responses of Medaka across varying levels of nestlings’ time budget (91%). Adults were chronic, low doses of IR and 2) identify present with the nestlings 41% of the time, proteins and glycans involved in organismal and when there, spent 24% of their time adaptation. These goals will be accomplished feeding the chicks, 36% stationary, and the through coupling mass spectrometry with remainder of their time in other activity. current bioinformatics tools to analyze Nestlings vocalized six times more frequently samples of Medaka exposed to chronic, low than adults and only when adults were doses of IR. Progress in this study has been present. We plan to perform additional made and thus far over 875 proteins have analyses of adult and nestling behavior as been quantified and glycome analysis has coding continues. Preliminary results show revealed major differences in the glycan that Red-and-Green Macaws provide bi- composition of the control carcasses as parental care to young chicks, and in compared to the treated samples. In the long particular spend much time feeding them term, these findings will elucidate the while in the nest. physiological responses of organisms to

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Computational Modeling of Laboratory X- personality, as moderated by gender, has an Ray Emission Due to Low-Energy effect on mobility outcomes in late adult life. Collisions of H-like and He-like Ions with Based off of the literature of the general adult H2 population, and research of older adult Ansley Miller samples, we expected a significant effect. The Dr. Phillip Stancil, Physics & Astronomy, sample (N = 100) was gathered from baseline Franklin College of Arts & Sciences measures of several aging studies from the Neuropsychology and Memory Assessment Charge exchange between highly-charged ions Laboratory at the University of Georgia. The and neutral molecules, which occurs when the sample composed of 59 women and 41 men, solar wind, or other astrophysical plasmas, ranging in age from 64.5 to 99 years of age (= collide with cool gas, emits observable X-rays 74.46, s = 6.92), with a majority (90%) self- with specific line intensities. Recent identifying as Caucasian. Using the Five experiments of this process at Lawrence Factor Inventory as a measure of personality, Livermore National Laboratory measured the the Short Physical Performance Battery as a X-ray hardness ratios of low-energy collisions measure of mobility, and self-reported gender, between hydrogen- and helium-like ions with the authors performed five separate multiple H2. Using our recently developed X-ray regressions of the interaction between each modeling package, Kronos_v2, which utilizes factor of personality and gender on mobility. multi-channel Landau-Zener charge exchange We failed to find any main effects between cross sections, we have computed theoretical personality and mobility, and gender and hydrogen-like hardness ratios to aid in mobility, and we failed to find any significant interpretation of the experimental data. While interaction between personality and gender on the computed hardness ratios are somewhat mobility (all p-values > 0.05). This result is smaller than the experiment, it provides an surprising, since the literature typically shows improved representation over earlier classical effects of different personality factors on trajectory predictions. We are also in the various aspects of physical health, but it might process of building Kronos_v3; further be due to a relatively healthy sample with enhancing the comprehensive charge overly similar personality profiles. The authors exchange database to include helium-like and recommend that future studies use more multielectron ions to allow for comparison diverse samples for their analyses. with experiments and for models of hot astrophysical environments such as supernova Friends and Coworkers remnants, star-forming galaxies, and galaxy Molly Minnen clusters. Dr. Michelle vanDellen, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Results of Gender and Personality Interactions on Mobility in a Sample of Although gratitude has been connected to Older Adults positive outcomes in close relationships, Katherine Miller research has not yet examined how people Dr. Lloyd Stephen Miller, Psychology, experience and express gratitude in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences workplace. In gratitude exchanges, a benefactor makes a sacrifice to provide a Due to a growing elderly population, favor to a recipient. We expect the measures and factors that predict mobility characteristics of the benefactor may influence outcomes for older adults could prove useful. the extent to which recipients perceive a The focus of this project is whether sacrifice as difficult. Recipients may feel as

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though it was more of a sacrifice for the low CHEK1—a host gene involved in cell cycle self-control benefactor to do the favor than it regulation and RSV replication. CHEK1 was for the high self-control benefactor. expression and its subsequent impact on viral Consequently, recipients may experience and replication will be monitored using qPCR and express less gratitude toward a high self- viral plaque assays following transfection of control benefactor. The goal of this study will miR-195 inhibitors and mimics, such as be to assess how a recipient might feel silenced using short interfering RNAs different levels of gratitude towards a (siRNAs). Additionally, we will assay for cell benefactor if that benefactor is perceived as cycle regulation and DNA damage upon having high or low levels of self-control. CHEK-1 and miR-195 modulation. These Participants will read personality profiles for a findings will increase our understanding of recipient and a benefactor followed by a molecular mechanisms at the viral-host scenario where the benefactor does a favor interface that contribute to virulence and aid for the recipient. Participants will be randomly future development of targeted RSV assigned to see a benefactor profile reflecting therapeutics using RNAi technology. high (vs. low) self-control; the recipient profile will remain constant in all conditions. Differences in Brain Morphometry as a Participants will evaluate how they think the Predictor of Smoking Cessation recipient will respond to the favor. We Treatment Success in Nicotine- hypothesize that participants will predict the Dependent Smokers recipient will feel less gratitude towards Abigail Mistretta benefactor in the high self-control condition Dr. Lawrence Sweet, Psychology, Franklin than in the low self-control condition. Results College of Arts & Sciences from this study could provide novel insights into why people express gratitude differently Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause towards others and how companies could of death in the U.S, with most cessation foster positive workplace experiences for attempts ending in failure. Although smokers valuable employees with high self-control. have been shown to have reduced grey matter in certain brain regions compared to non- Investigating miRNA-195-Mediated smokers, there is a lack of knowledge about Regulation of Cell Cycle Gene CHEK1 in how differences in neural structure affect Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) smokers’ ability to stop smoking cigarettes. In Replication this study we aim to identify structural Madison Miracle differences between the brains of participants Dr. Ralph Tripp, Infectious Diseases, College who successfully quit smoking and those who of Veterinary Medicine failed to quit smoking. As part of a larger neuroimaging study, anatomical images were Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most acquired for 51 healthy, nicotine-dependent common cause of bronchiolitis in young participants. Following the MRI scan, children and the elderly, often resulting in participants completed an eight-week smoking complications such as asthma. A class of 21- cessation treatment program. Using the 23nt small RNAs called microRNAs program FreeSurfer, we will analyze structural (miRNAs) can regulate post-transcriptional MRI data from these subjects to determine expression of host genes and modify viral volumes of six a priori regions of interest replication. Of the validated miRNAs known (ROI) that have been previously implicated in to influence RSV replication, we have focused nicotine dependence, habit learning, and drug on miR-195, which is predicted to regulate reinforcement. These regions include the

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thalamus, putamen, hippocampus, cuneus, there threshold (mean= 54% SD= dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and anterior 0.209). This allowed us to measure both the cingulate cortex. We will then test volume, amount of fatigue and the response of a thickness, and surface area of regions located fatigued muscle to a fatigue test. Our study in the cortex as predictors of treatment will demonstrate how muscle fatigue can be success using multiple regression analysis. quantified as a result of daily activities. The Based on prior literature, we expect to find results confirmed that the backpack does significant differences in the morphometric fatigue the muscle more than a rested muscle. properties of the a priori ROI’s between To have a successful comparison, we first successful and non-successful quitters. completely fatigued the muscle doing shoulder shrugs; therefore, we had the best Assessing Trapezius Endurance Using possible comparison. Electrical Twitch Stimulation after Exercise The Spatial Interaction between Kajal Mistry, CURO Research Assistant Cordgrass and Oysters across an Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of Estuarine Gradient Education Lucas Montouchet, CURO Summer Fellow Dr. Jeb Byers, Odum School of Ecology Muscle fatigue from daily activities can cause problems in both healthy and Spatial interaction patterns between the reef diseased/injured populations. The purpose of forming oyster Crassostrea virginica and marsh the present study was to quantify fatigue in cordgrass Spartina alterniflora are not well the trapezius muscle after carrying a weighted understood. These species are the backpack. This project is important because predominant ecosystem engineers in Georgia we can compare a rested muscle to an saltmarshes and provide extensive ecosystem exercised muscle and clinically use that services. However little is known about of information to make a positive impact on the what mechanisms drive their patch affected population. Specifically, we are distribution and morphology, and how these hoping to be able to translate the results to patterns may vary over environmental help people with mitochondrial diseases. We gradients. This project describes these spatial hypothesize that walking one mile with a relationships and how they change over an backpack will alter the fatigue test estuarine gradient. Through analysis, of high results. Participants consisted of healthy, resolution unmanned aerial vehicle imagery, college aged students Muscle fatigue was species patch morphology, distribution and measured using a tri-axial accelerometer to relationship to one-another were obtained. measure muscle contraction during five Flow, salinity and wave energy predictor minutes of electrical twitch stimulation (6Hz) variables were assessed through multiple at a comfortable current level. The linear regression. The project analyzes the accelerometer was placed on the surface of relationship in 4 different ways. Analysis (1a) the skin over the trapezius muscle, and fatigue characterizes the reef shape and how was measured before and after carrying a perimeter affects the area of oyster reefs. (1b) loaded backpack one mile at a brisk pace. We characterizes the reef length in relation to initially identified a supermaximal current area. (2a) examines the distance between reefs level for seven participants. Each of the seven and the closest Spartina patch. (2b) explores participants were able to reach there maximal the area of Spartina patches in relation to current (mean=59mA sd=7.35). Furthermore, oyster reefs. While this project enhances our each of the participants were able to go above knowledge of the spatial interplay between

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two important ecosystem engineers, it also Sensitive determination of trichloroethylene provides valuable data for resource managers. (TCE) is necessary for low-level doses given This project will directly inform sight specific to rats during toxicokinetic experiments. An Living Shoreline design and oyster restoration improved gas chromatography/negative projects by describing oyster and Spartina chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC- distribution patterns. NCI-MS) method utilizing headspace solid- phase microextraction (SPME) was used for Georgia SOL (Solar Optimization by the determination of TCE in plasma. The Location) method was optimized with respect to Elena Morais conditioning time of the SPME fiber, Dr. David Stooksbury, College of Engineering extraction time, desorption time, and inlet injection. The method displayed better We are using a minimum of 15 years of daily sensitivity than previous bioanalytical solar radiation date from Blairsville, Tifton, methods, giving linearity over the range of 10 and Griffin, Georgia to improve the current pg/mL – 10ng/mL, with a correlation recommendation for the installation of fixed coefficient (R2) of better than 0.99. The solar photovoltaic panels. We are finding the precision and accuracy of the method was optimal angle for fixed solar panels based on determined to be better than 20% at the lower what most beneficial and when electricity limit of quantitation and better than 15% over demand is highest. The current the remaining linear range, according to FDA recommendations are to maximize the total guidelines. Validation determined that selected solar electrical production over a year. ion monitoring (SIM) of the 35Cl and 37Cl However, the recommendation assumes a isotopes using NCI showed great sensitivity, cloud free sky. In the Southeast, it is common down to ppt levels, due to the nature of NCI’s for summer mornings to begin clear and for affinity for halogens and the presence of three clouds to form in the early afternoon. Thus a chlorine ions on the measured chemical of due south orientation, the recommendation, interest, TCE. may not be the optimum for Georgia. There are many cases where optimization for certain Characterization of murI, racD and racR seasons rather than for the entire year is of Acinetobacter baylyi better. Schools are in session during the fall, William Moxley winter, and spring. It would make more Dr. Ellen Neidle, Microbiology, Franklin economic and environmental sense to College of Arts & Sciences optimize for the part of the year that has a higher electricity demand. This research will This project focuses on genes predicted to give recommendations specifically for encode amino acid racemases. Such racemases Georgia. are important for bacterial cell wall synthesis and biofilm formation. In higher organisms, Trace Level Determination of D-amino acids are sometimes involved in cell Trichloroethylene in Plasma by signaling. Studies of amino acid racemization Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction have broad significance and could lead to the Gas Chromatography/Negative Chemical development of beneficial drugs. As a first Ionization Mass Spectrometry step toward such goals, we investigated murI Kyle Mott, CURO Research Assistant (encoding D-glutamate racemase), racD Dr. Michael Bartlett, Pharmaceutical & (encoding D-aspartate racemase), and racR Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy (encoding a racD transcriptional regulator). Previous studies in Vibrio fischeri showed that

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Abstracts the lethal effect of deleting murI was partially successful. We hypothesize that feed counteracted by high-level racD expression, additives such as fermentation products may which appeared to be mediated by a RacR be effective in prevention of colonization variant (M. Jones and E. Stabb, personal of Histomonas meleagridis and may also improve communication). These results suggest bird performance under a challenged substrate ambiguity allowing RacD to produce situation. To test this, a yeast product was fed D-glutamate. My goals were to improve to turkeys and the immune response of understanding of murI, racD, and racR by control infected birds compared to birds fed a exploiting the ease of genetic manipulation in control diet. The weight of poults was taken a bacterium, Acinetobacter baylyi. Mutants were prior to cloacal infection at day 18. Samples of created and characterized that contain liver and cecal tissue were collected from deletions of the three genes of interest. As euthanized birds 5 and 10 days post infection. expected, the murI mutant required D- Initial data suggests that there is no statistical glutamate to grow. Site-directed and random difference in treatment regarding infection mutagenesis methods were used to isolate percentage or in the liver and ceca lesion strains that grow prototrophically despite the scores of infected birds on the control and absence of murI. We predicted that these treatment diets. Poult weight gain also strains would have increased racD expression. remained statistically similar between control Additionally, we tested the ability of V. fischeri and yeast product diets. RNA from samples genes to substitute for deletion of their A. has been isolated and gene expression of baylyi homologs. Although these studies are CXCLi2, IFN-y, IL-10, IL-1B, IL-4, and IL- not yet complete, our initial results indicate 13 genes will be analyzed using rtPCR to that this approach can improve our examine immune response. Future research understanding of the function and regulation will be conducted to determine the yeast of racD, racR, and murI. Alicia Schmidt, product’s capability as a Histomoniasis another lab member, contributed to this prevention method and its effects on the project. immune response of turkeys.

Expression Analysis of Immune Genes in Charge Exchange: Atomic Data of the Liver and Ceca of Blackhead Infected Astronomical Significance Turkeys Patrick Mullen Adrea Mueller, CURO Honors Scholar Dr. Phillip Stancil, Physics & Astronomy, Dr. Robert Beckstead, Poultry Science, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Charge exchange has emerged in X-ray emission modeling as a dominant process that Histomoniasis, commonly referred to as must be considered in many astrophysical Blackhead disease, is a threat currently faced environments—such as comets, supernova by the poultry industry. Blackhead is caused remnants, the heliosphere, astrospheres of by infection of the parasitic protozoa stars, galaxy clusters, and generally, highly Histomonas meleagridis in the ceca (and ionized regions of the interstellar medium. eventually liver). In turkeys this disease is With a motivation to bring resolution to the highly fatal; symptoms include drooping head, current lack of atomic and molecular data for pale neck, and yellow bile around the cloaca. such a vital process, we have applied the There are no approved drugs on the market multi-channel Landau-Zener approach to today that combat the disease and quickly provide charge exchange data for any immunization attempts have only been single electron capture system. By

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implementing the resulting nlS-resolved cross prokaryotic enzymes from their eukaryotic sections into a cascade model for X-ray counterparts. Orthologs of Ste24 and emission, we are able to generate theoretical Rce1, HtpX and MmRce1 respectively, were emission lines and spectra for charge subcloned into an expression vector, exchange. With this data, we pursue the transformed into E. coli, and over-expressed. application of such charge exchange data to Membrane fractions with these enzymes will modeling the X-ray emission of Comet be used in in vitro assays typically used to C/2000 WM1 (linear). Further, sulfur charge monitor the eukaryotic enzyme activities. exchange data is applied to develop a model Such assays will be useful for testing that explains the anomalous ~3.5 keV structure-function hypotheses related to novel emission line in nearby galaxy clusters that Rce1 inhibitors and for evaluating novel was previously attributed to dark matter. This functional properties recently assigned to work was performed in collaboration with R. Ste24. Long term medical applications of this S. Cumbee, D. Lyons, P. C. Stancil, B. J. project include anti-cancer drug Wargelin, L. Gu, and J. Kaastra. Work at developments. UGA was partially funded by NASA grant NNX13AF31G. White Matter Structure Differs between Schizophrenia and Healthy Comparison Investigation and Structural Inhibition of Groups as a Function of Cognitive Control Rce1 and Ste24 Activity in a Prokaryotic and Age System Megan Murphy, Ramsey Scholar, CURO Rohit Munagala, CURO Research Assistant Summer Fellow Dr. Walter Schmidt, Biochemistry & Dr. Jennifer McDowell, Psychology, Franklin Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & College of Arts & Sciences Sciences Advances in neuroimaging have allowed There are two major CAAX proteases – Rce1 researchers to study neural correlates of and Ste24. The protease Rce1 is involved in schizophrenia (SZ) in vivo. Despite post-translational modification mechanisms contributions to the understanding of these in eukaryotes and has unknown functions correlates, neuroimaging studies have shown prokaryotes. In eukaryotes, Rce1 is involved mixed findings regarding white matter (WM) in the CAAX modification pathway where it abnormalities related to SZ. Some suggest cleaves the –AAX terminal sequence of discrepancies in findings may be due to GTPase enzymes such as RAS oncological heterogeneity of patient characteristics, such proteins. Rce1 is considered an anticancer as variations in cognitive characteristics and target because of its role in modifying age; a high level of cognitive control (CC) in RAS. Inhibition of Rce1 can potentially healthy comparison groups may bias the obstruct the function of RAS and prevent results to differences in CC rather than the tumor formation. The functional roles of disease process of SZ, and WM follows a Ste24p in eukaryotes and prokaryotes is less quadratic trend as age increases but differs well understood. Research in the Schmidt lab between the healthy population and SZ. Poor investigates the target site specificity of Rce1 CC is a hallmark behavioral trait of SZ and is and Ste24 in an effort to contrast the activities likely related to WM abnormalities. Deficits in of the two proteases. The goals of this project CC are not solely associated with SZ; a subset are to develop activity assays for prokaryotic of the healthy population shows similar Rce1 and Ste24. These assays will be deficits. Given these potential confounds, this invaluable for contrasting the activities of the study aimed to explore the effects of CC and

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Abstracts age on WM comparisons between SZ and this sugar plays similar roles in Cryptosporidium. healthy subjects. Using diffusion tensor In Cryptosporidium, trehalose-6-phosphate imaging, WM integrity was analyzed and synthase (t6ps) catalyzes the final two steps of compared between SZ and two healthy trehalose synthesis. Using our CRISPR/Cas9 comparison groups with either high (HCC) or and mouse infection model, we failed to low (LCC) levels of CC, ages 20 to 50 years. generate a t6ps parasite knockout, suggesting The results showed differences in WM that this gene is essential for parasite survival. integrity depended on both CC capacity and We endogenously epitope tagged t6ps and age of the control group, with significant observed cytosolic localization throughout the differences between HCC and SZ in the 41 to life cycle, with increased expression during 50 age range. These results are important with oocyst development. To verify the respect to selecting appropriate control biochemical function of t6ps, I am performing groups for psychiatric studies—future studies a genetic complementation test in must control for both differing levels of CC Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli and age. mutants lacking the orthologous gene. The results indicate a crucial role for trehalose in The Role of Trehalose-6-Phosphate oocyst development and transmission, so this Synthase in the Development and enzyme could make a novel drug target. Transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts The Determination of Sunflower Growth Emily Myers in Different Genetic Lines and under Dr. Boris Striepen, Cellular Biology, Franklin Various Nutrient Conditions College of Arts & Sciences Morgan Najdowski, CURO Research Assistant Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan parasite Dr. Lisa Donovan, Plant Biology, Franklin that infects the gastrointestinal tract of many College of Arts & Sciences animals. Cryptosporidiosis is the second leading cause of severe diarrhea in young Modern agriculture techniques commonly use children worldwide. No vaccine exists for excess amounts of fertilizers to grow crops, in cryptosporidiosis, and the only approved drug both infertile and fertile soils, despite does not benefit those most in need of ineffectiveness past a certain threshold. In treatment—immunocompromised individuals encouraging production of stress resistant and young children. Our lab developed tools crops, the amount of excess fertilizer used can to genetically modify Cryptosporidium using be decreased and yield can be optimized CRISPR/Cas9, and we developed a mouse under infertile conditions. This greenhouse model of infection. We can use these tools to study compared genetic lines of cultivated better understand parasite biology and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to determine pathogenesis. We are interested in studying which would have higher production across a the oocyst, the transmissive life cycle stage of variety of nutrient conditions, ranging from Cryptosporidium. The oocyst is a thick shell very nutrient poor to nutrient rich. One of the composed of proteins, lipids, and sugars that areas of emphasis in particular was protect parasites from environmental stresses. discovering what traits are associated with One of the predicted components of the plant performance and stress resistance in oocyst wall is trehalose, a dimer of glucose. sunflowers. The traits of the most recent leaf Trehalose protects against desiccation in many (MRL) were analyzed using a variety of organisms and is a virulence factor in methods, including leaf area, thickness and Mycobacterium and Cryptococcus. We predict that strength. Data analysis is currently underway,

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Abstracts but we expect that the plants that are rates with those associated with specific successful under higher levels of nutrient genotypes. I anticipate that these mortality stress have physical traits that will optimize rates will correlate with the proportion of photosynthetic capability in their MRLs, freixenet fish without the heme rescue gene leading to more efficient nutrient use and insert. The data obtained in these studies will increased growth under such conditions. With be used to validate the rescue of heme- this information, we can promote more deficient zebrafish and heme trafficking for sustainable crop production and enhance food utilization, either confirming or refuting the security for people around the world, existing scheme of thought on heme particularly in areas with infertile soils and transport. limited economic resources. Examining the Relation between Stigma Examining Intercellular Heme Transport and Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Social via Freixenet Transgenic Zebrafish Satisfaction in Young Adults with Autism Monisha Narayanan, CURO Research Spectrum Disorder Assistant Margaret Naughton Dr. Amy Medlock, Biochemistry & Molecular Dr. Ashley Harrison, Educational Psychology, Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences College of Education

It is currently thought that every cell in the There is mounting evidence demonstrating human body produces its own supply of the negative impact of stigma experienced by heme, an essential molecule required for many parents of children with autism spectrum biological processes. However, recent data disorder (ASD; Gray, 2002; Farrugia, 2009; suggests that heme may actually be Mak & Kwok, 2010), but much less research transported intercellularly and utilized by cells. has investigated the consequences stigma has To test this hypothesis, we are generating on the diagnosed individual. The current transgenic wild-type and heme-deficient study examines the negative outcomes of (freixenet) zebrafish, which synthesize heme stigma among five young adults (M = 21.54 in specific tissues, to elucidate the role of years, range = 18.59-25.35 years) diagnosed putative heme transporters in growth and with ASD by assessing the relationship development. My role in this research is to between experienced stigma and social genotype, via PCR, homozygous freixenet outcomes such as self-esteem, self-efficacy, transgenic fish which are ferrochelatase null, and social satisfaction. Stigma was assessed thus lacking a crucial enzyme in the heme using an adapted version of Stigma Scale biosynthesis pathway. This will allow me to (King et al., 2007). The participants also identify their inheritance patterns and assess completed psychometrically supported their ability to survive. The goal is to rescue measures of self-esteem, social satisfaction, heme-deficient fish by instigating heme and adaptive social skills. The relations production in red blood cells and liver tissue, between stigma and social outcome variables showing that heme can be transported and were examined by correlational analyses. utilized by other body cells. As of yet, we have Analyses revealed that young adults that have not found an adult fish rescued by the more experiences with stigma have lower self- transgenes, but we are continuing to genotype esteem (r = .824, p = .043), and perceive more fish of this line. Additionally, I began a social hostility from others (r = -.826, p = crossing scheme to assess the heme rescue .042). As rates of ASD continue to rise, more capability of these genes in freixenet young adults with ASD will attend college or zebrafish, comparing the offspring mortality enter the workforce. They will likely

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experience stigma and it is important to know ADHD. CBT participants demonstrated both how these experiences impact quality of life to improvement of ADHD symptoms and determine how to best support young adults emotional functioning. with ASD in these environments. Alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adults Encapsulated Nanoparticles for the with ADHD: A Meta-Analysis Enhancement of Mitochondrial ATP Nicole Negri Production Dr. Jason Nelson, Psychology, Franklin Noah Newman, CURO Research Assistant College of Arts & Sciences Prof. Shanta Dhar, Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Although empirical investigation of pharmacological treatment options for adult Mitochondria are the energy-producers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder animal cells, converting chemical energy (ADHD) has indicated positive results, there stored in the bonds of organic compounds is also evidence that medication alone is into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main insufficient for many adults with ADHD. energy source for many of the human body’s Approximately 20% to 50% of adults with metabolic processes. While the body manages ADHD are not responders to medication. the rate of ATP production, it is of particular Several nonpharmacological interventions interest to find ways to stimulate ATP have been developed and empirically production in the mitochondria to increase investigated, but cognitive-behavioral therapy the amount of available energy for the cell, (CBT) has received the most empirical without harming the cell in the process. A attention. The purpose of this current study biodegradable polymer, PLGA-b-PEG-TPP was to conduct a meta-analysis to determine derived from FDA approved polymers the efficacy of CBT in the treatment of adults polylactide-co-glycotide (PLGA), polyethylene with ADHD. To locate relevant studies, we glycol (PEG), and a mitochondria targeting searched a variety of psychology-related ligand triphenylphosphonium (TPP) cation databases (e.g., PsycINFO). Inclusion criteria which is used in FDA approved drug MitoQ were that studies (a) used a group design (i.e., has the ability to self-assemble into a no case studies), (b) used adult participants nanoparticle (NP) with the ability to enter formally diagnosed with ADHD, (c) mitochondria due to their surface charge and implemented CBT as a treatment option, (d) size. This nanoparticle has demonstrated had a control group, and (e) reported statistics extraordinary abilities to encapsulate a variety necessary for calculating effect size. Of the of therapeutic agents and deliver to the 122 studies reviewed, 10 met these criteria. mitochondria of cells in a controlled release For these studies, we examined the effect of fashion. A recent study from our lab has CBT on ADHD symptoms and emotional shown that alpha-tocopheryl succinate (α- functioning. The overall effect size for TOS), a mitochondria-acting ADHD symptom reduction was statistically chemotherapeutic, increases ATP production significant (z = 5.02, p < .001) and medium in in the mitochondria of cells. This research magnitude (d = .76); Improvement in shows the nano-encapsulation of α-TOS in emotional functioning was also statistically PLGA-PEG NPs with both targeting and significant (z = 3.87, p < .001) and medium in non-targeting functional groups, the magnitude (d =.54). The significance of this characterization and stability of the NPs, the study lies in its findings that CBT is a cytotoxic effects of the NPs on various cell promising treatment option for adults with lines, and the energy-generating effects of the

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NPs. Further studies will focus on the effects off medical costs and procedures could of these α-TOS-PLGA-PEG NPs on the positively or negatively affect a patient’s credit energy production of other living systems. score. A medical credit card mostly functions as a traditional credit card; the patient takes "I Just Wanted a Roof over My Head": out a loan to cover the cost of medical care Possible Housing Solutions for Asylum- and then pays back the debt over time. Seekers in Germany However unlike traditional credit cards, Katherine Nichols medical credit cards use a deferred interest Dr. Katie Chapman, Germanic & Slavic system, which results in the patient owing Studies, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences interest on the entire amount if the patient does not make the minimum monthly Since January 2015, over 1.1 million refugees payments or pay off the debt during a zero have entered Germany seeking asylum after percent promotional period. The first research news spread of Angela Merkel’s open door phase included actively visiting medical policy. Predominantly of Syrian origin, providers in order to obtain the information displaced people are making their way to presented to patients when inquiring about Europe to escape war torn homes. In the using medical credit cards as a form of wake of this massive refugee influx, Germany payment. Additionally, online research of is seeking creative ideas to provide more scholarly journals, reports from consumer housing. The most controversial housing organizations, and forms of primary literature strategy to date has been the attempt of a were also consulted to gain knowledge about couple German cities to accommodate the effects of medical credit cards, and other refugees in former outposts of concentration medical debt, on credit scores. The second camps. I suggest living arrangements and phase involved contacting the medical credit reforms which would provide ethical shelter card companies identified in the first phase to for refugees. Having created three policy learn if they report to credit bureaus and, if proposals and examined their theoretical they did, we contacted credit scoring strengths and weaknesses as they related to companies to learn if they considered medical effectiveness, cost, and decency, I will credit card use in building credit scores. Based propose a final policy which includes both on gathered information we were able to restrictions on living arrangements that could determine how using a medical credit card to be viewed as unethical as well as guidelines for pay for a patient’s incurred medical care bill transforming alternate locations for refugee could be beneficial or detrimental to their use. I will argue this policy to be superior due credit score. to its relatively low cost, high degree of effectiveness, and its ability to maintain Role of Human Intelectin-1 in the Innate respect for the human dignity of refugees. Immune System Brennan Ninesling The True Cost of Medical Credit Cards on Dr. J. Michael Pierce, Biochemistry & Patient Credit Scores Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Madison Nichols, CURO Research Assistant Sciences Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, Housing & Consumer Economics, College of Although its exact biological function and Family & Consumer Sciences involvement in the human innate immune system are still unknown, HL-1, a homolog of The purpose of this research was to XL35 and member of the X-lectin family, has discover if using a medical credit card to pay been shown to have affinities for ribose as

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well as galactofuranosyl residues. The affinity of internal structure, and the geochemical and for galactofuranosyl residues is significant due electron microprobe analysis of Brooksella, I to its presence on many bacterial cell walls. found the evidence is not consistent with a Some of the X-lectin family members have sponge interpretation. Previous chemical been shown to bind to other carbohydrate examination of Brooksella has dealt largely with residues on bacterial pathogens, although the bulk composition; my analysis is more specific binding mechanisms and exact targeted, analyzing specific internal features of functions are unknown. HL-1 is expressed in the specimens. Several weathering features, human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells including the role of modern lichen and plant transfected with HL-1 cDNA in pTracer roots in modifying the surface of Brooksella, vector and secreted into the medium. To test could have produced ostia-like features. Thin whether HL-1 interacts with macrophage and sections of the samples have not yielded bacteria, it was first isolated from the medium. unambiguous spicules, but they have shown Using affinity chromatography, HL-1 was many signs of root or hyphae weathering and purified and then used in binding assays to possibly spores worked into the samples’ show whether it effectively bound to interiors. My results indicate that Brooksella is macrophage cells. The purity of the HL-1 incompatible with previously proposed samples isolated from the medium was identities and call into question the identity of confirmed by polyacrylamide gel other suggested Cambrian sponges of similar electrophoresis followed by silver staining. composition and structure. Future research will help reveal the ligand- binding specificities used by HL-1 as a part of How the Market Responds to Changes in the innate immune system. Firm Health Policy John-Jordan Nunnery Re-evaluating Proposed Identities of Dr. Sara Holland, Banking & Finance, Terry Brooksella alternata of the Conasauga College of Business Shale of Georgia and Alabama Morrison Nolan, Foundation Fellow With the costs of US healthcare growing Dr. Sally Walker, Geology, Franklin College faster than the economy, firms are taking of Arts & Sciences novel approaches to manage healthcare coverage for their workforce. In this paper, I Brooksella alternata is putatively an important study the market’s reaction to firms’ fossil of the middle Cambrian Conasauga announcements to invest or disinvest in Shale of Georgia and Alabama, USA, but its employee healthcare. Using a set of 63 events identity remains obscure. It has been variously classified as expansions, reductions, identified as a jellyfish, multiple trace fossils, a restructurings, and acknowledgement, I find concretion, and most recently a silica sponge that on average the market responds (hexactinellid). Each of these identifications negatively to changes in healthcare policy. It remains tentative. I examined and quantified responds less negatively when the firm market the external and internal morphology, value and dividend yield are large, and it chemical composition, and in situ orientation responds more negatively when the firm has a of Brooksella in sediments to reevaluate these larger employee base and current ratio. proposed identities. If a hexactinellid sponge, Additionally, I find that restructuring events Brooksella would be expected to exhibit oscula, lead to significantly steeper declines in equity ostia, internal structures, and arranged value. These findings have implications for spicules. After considering external the efficient market hypothesis and investor morphology, computer assisted tomography myopia.

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Investigations of How Lysinibacillus Lindsey Murry sphaericus Bin Toxin Kills a Cell Line Dr. Malissa Clark, Psychology, Franklin Derived from the Malarial Mosquito College of Arts & Sciences Anopheles gambiae Onyinyechi Ochiobi, CURO Research In the current study, we examined changes in Assistant employee well-being by assessing employee Prof. Michael Adang, Entomology, College of perspectives of their organization’s wellness Agricultural & Environmental Sciences program. We asked employees to rate their perceived change in medication use, weight, Binary toxin (Bin) produced by the bacterium and eating habits since joining the wellness Lysinibacillus sphaericus is toxic to Culex and program. We then examined how these Anopheles mosquito larvae. It has been used measures related to end-of-workday strain, world-wide for the control of mosquitoes that which is based on how physically, mentally, vector human diseases, including West Nile and emotionally drained employees feel. To virus, lymphatic filiariasis and malaria. The conduct a longitudinal study, surveys were Bin toxin interacts with a receptor in the gut administered in 2012-2013 and 2015 to of Anopheles mosquitoes. However, the exact employees undergoing a wellness program at a mechanism of its mode of action is not clearly utility company in the Southeastern United understood. The Adang laboratory developed States. We hypothesized that the composite of an Anopheles gambiae Ag55 cultured cell line as benefits from the wellness program is a model for investigating the molecular action positively related to a decrease in end of of Bin toxin. The Bin toxin, composed of workday strain from time 1 (2012-2013) to BinA and BinB proteins, internalizes and kills time 2 (2015). Our sample (N=78) consist of the Ag55 cells via a process that is consistent 65% males, with a mean age of 45.6. Of 78 with autophagy. The goal of this project was the employees who complete both time 1 and to determine whether BinA or BinB alone is time 2 surveys, 55% reported working inside sufficient to kill A. gambiae larvae and Ag55 while 45% reported working outside. On cells or whether the BinA/B pair is required average, employees worked 42.3 hours per for toxicity. Our approach was to individually week. We ran a simple regression using R produce BinA and BinB in recombinant software to test whether the composite and Eschericia coli and test the toxicity of each individual benefits from the wellness program separately and together against A. gambiae predicted change in strain by time 2. With the larvae; followed by testing the cytoxicity of variables measured on a five-point likert scale, BinA and BinB against Ag55 cells. Preliminary the mean of the composite program benefits results with purified BinA alone show toxicity was 3.5 (sd = 0.53) and the mean of healthy to Ag55 cells and now we are beginning to eating habits was 3.71 (sd = 0.69). The average analyze uptake of BinA by the cells. This change in end of workday strain was 0.427 (sd information will contribute to the = 0.824). The results of the regression were understanding of how Bin toxin kills not statistically significant: F(1,76)(=0.02, p > mosquito larvae, and could provide insights .05). We will perform additional analyses into approaches to prevent mosquitoes from examining the facets of end of workday strain acquiring Bin resistance. (physical tiredness, mental tiredness, and tenseness). The Effect of Corporate Wellness Program Benefits Over Time on End-Of-Workday Structural Characterization of an LTTR in Strain Acinetobacter baumannii Selin Odman, CURO Summer Fellow

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Kikachukwu Okolo, CURO Research Coalitional Stability: Apportioning the Assistant Legislature at the U.S. Constitutional Dr. Cory Momany, Pharmaceutical & Convention Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Robert Oldham, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Keith Dougherty, Political Science, Bacterial transcriptional regulators such as the School of Public & International Affairs LysR-type transcriptional regulators (LTTR) are responsible for controlling many Principles of legislative apportionment biological processes in different bacteria. determine the number of seats each state Therefore understanding how these receives in Congress. Apportionment was one transcriptional factors function is important in of the issues most fiercely debated at the U.S. the development of drugs that could target Constitutional Convention of 1787. States these proteins. This project is focused on small and large, free and slave, and poor and elucidating the structural interactions between wealthy squabbled over the constitutional LTTRs and their various ligands, the DNA to principle that would decide what interests which they bind, as well as the RNA would control Congress. Delegates eventually polymerase that they interact with during agreed to apportion the House by the number transcription in the bacterium, Acinetobacter of free inhabitants plus three-fifths of the baumannii. A. baumannii is an opportunistic slave population and the Senate by equal state clinical pathogen that causes urinary tract voting. However, there were nearly twenty infections and biofilm formation on plastics. other principles of apportionments that were Because of A. baumannii’s ability to form a proposed and debated. Assuming delegates biofilm, A. baumannii is resistant to many wanted to maximize their state’s vote share, classes of antibiotic drugs by intrinsic and we examine which principles of acquired antibiotic resistance genes. One of apportionment were coalitionally stable. We the genes is bfmL, which encodes an LTTR do this by comparing vote shares of all the that is responsible for controlling the principals proposed, both for a unicameral or expression of the chaperone-usher pilus a bicameral body. This allows us to ask assembly system needed for cell attachment whether the apportionment principle adopted and biofilm formation. The bfmL gene was was in equilibrium among those considered, PCR amplified and successfully cloned into an to identify principles which dominate those in-house engineered expression vector. A enumerated in the Constitution, and to restriction digest confirmed that the cloning provide clear examples of vote cycling. Our was successful, and the resulting plasmid was research suggests that the coalitions that transformed into a protein production strain formed around different apportionment of E. coli. Preliminary results on the methods were unstable and that the adopted purification of the protein by metal-chelate principle was not inevitable. Instead, it was a chromatography indicate that the protein is compromise between competing interests poorly soluble. After improving the solubility who, perhaps unknowingly, sowed the seeds of the protein, biochemical analysis and of the American Civil War by over crystallization studies will be initiated. representing the south in the new republic. Successful crystallization of this protein and other LTTRs will pave the way for Sensitive Liquid Chromatography/Mass understanding their structures, which is a Spectrometry Method for the critical step in developing novel antibiotics Determination of the Lipophilic targeted at A. baumannii. Anticancer Drug in Rat Plasma

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Oluwasegun Olorunyolemi, CURO Research and the essence of time. Such impenetrable Assistant subjects may leave readers and filmmakers Dr. Michael Bartlett, Pharmaceutical & alike wondering about the plausibility of Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy including it in an adaptation. Sergei Bondarchuk, in his 1966 film version, In this research study, a robust and sensitive successfully incorporates this portion of the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry novel. Bondarchuk’s epic eight-hour film (LC-MS) method was developed and validated evokes the epilogue in both fundamental and to measure a preclinical candidate GH501 in nuanced ways. Film itself, I argue, is a most rat plasma. This compound has been suitable medium for the epilogue. On a developed for the treatment of bone secondary level, camera techniques and metastatic prostate cancer. GH501 was stylistic choices of the director together samples were prepared using liquid-liquid reproduce one of Tolstoy’s central extraction and separated on a Waters philosophical struggles: reconciling immensity AtlantisTM dC-18(30 mm x 2.1 mm i.d., 3 and fragments - of time, man, and existence. µm) column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile/20 mM ammonium formate (pH Investigating a Potentially Novel Cache 4.25 adjusted with formic acid) with gradient Valley Virus Variant in a Clinical Case in elution. GH501 was detected in positive ion Missouri mode using MRM (multiple reaction Isabel Ott, CURO Honors Scholar monitoring). The MS response was linear over Dr. Daniel Mead, Population Health, College the concentration range from 0.4 – 200 ng/ml of Veterinary Medicine in plasma. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were calculated from the The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife peak-to-noise ratio as 0.2 and 0.4 ng/ml Disease Study (SCWDS) investigates wildlife respectively. This method was validated based mortality events in the southeastern United on FDA guidelines, and the measured signal States. In July of 2015, the Missouri was shown to be precise, accurate, and linear Department of Conservation submitted over the concentration range tested. samples from a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that was euthanized after showing Tolstoy's Second Epilogue: On Page and signs of hemorrhagic disease. A virus isolated Screen from submitted samples tested negative for Katherine Opacity, CURO Research Assistant hemorrhagic disease viruses and other major Dr. Charles Byrd, Germanic & Slavic Studies, viruses of white-tailed deer using reverse Franklin College of Arts & Sciences transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Further tests detected an The breadth of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace orthobunyavirus, a genus of arthropod-borne may indeed mean that the novel’s plot and RNA viruses distributed worldwide. While plentiful characters cannot be condensed to exposure to several orthobunyaviruses has yield a faithful, abridged version. Tolstoy been detected in white-tailed deer, they are himself, however, captured the spirit of his not known to cause disease in white-tailed work perhaps most completely in its final deer, though they cause acute disease in other section: the second epilogue. Lacking any ruminants. Two orthobunyaviruses, Cache narrative structure, Tolstoy divulges his Valley and Potosi viruses, have been philosophy of history, including most notably previously isolated from deer in Missouri; as a discussion of the struggle between free will RNA viruses, they lack proofreading and determinism, the nature of consciousness, mechanisms and frequently exchange genetic

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Abstracts material. The unusual clinical presentation of wind loading as well as in the direct path of this case was seen as potentially resulting from hurricanes. The need to model and infection with a mutant or hybrid understand their performance and general orthobunyavirus capable of causing illness in cable-stayed bridge behavior in peak winds deer. In order to explore this possibility, RT- and large scale hurricanes is pertinent. These PCR reactions were conducted to amplify analysis and models will help further wind- partial segments of the virus’s genome; these resistant designs of cable-stayed bridges. This segments were then sequenced. Comparative semester’s research will focus in on analysis of the sequence data showed high understanding the underlying structural similarity between this case and Cache Valley dynamics of cable-stayed bridges and their virus. Conclusive identification is still being supporting structures. This will primarily be pursued; orthobunyavirus species are often done through the review of published closely related and few reference sequences literature on the subject of bridge, wind, and are available to compare experimental vibration analyses. The study will be focused sequence results to. Further investigation will on conceptual understanding of modal endeavor to sequence more of the viral vibrations, torsion, wind analysis, and flutter. genome and explore how the virus’s structure If understanding and time allow, a simple and function are impacted by identified model of one of the bridges may be built to mutations. validate conceptual understanding.

To Close or Not to Close for Severe Exploring Uncertainty in Models of Winds: Two Cable-Stayed Bridges in the Mosquito Vector-Borne Disease Georgia Coast Region Jack Owen Maximillian Ovett Dr. Courtney Murdock, Infectious Diseases, Dr. Mi Geum Chorzepa, College of College of Veterinary Medicine Engineering Understanding the dynamics of the spread of The ultimate goal of this research is to mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and understand and model the behavior of the dengue virus are important public health two cable-stay bridges, the Eugene Tallmadge challenges as these diseases affect millions of Bridge located in Savannah, GA and the people around the world. Mosquitos, like Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, GA and most ectotherms, are heavily influenced by the to propose to the Georgia Department of temperature of their environment. Recent Transportation the criteria for closing the work suggests that mosquito traits follow a bridges to traffic. A cable-stayed bridge is unimodal response to temperature, with an readily open to the excitation forces of the “optimal range” in the middle that decreases wind. These aerodynamic forces result in as the temperature moves in either direction. vibrations emanating throughout the bridge- Global climate change data indicate that deck and cables. Once these vibrations reach a different parts of the world may move into specific threshold, they can cause torsional the mosquitos’ optimal range in the coming divergence, flutter, galloping, and ultimately years, changing the prevalence of mosquito- self-destruction. These two bridges are of borne illnesses in those areas. Because similar structural nature were each has 2 main mosquitos are prevalent in many hot, humid support towers and 2 planes of tension cables areas, little work has been done to investigate supporting the pre-stressed concrete bridge- which factor is more responsible for mosquito deck. Due to the location of theses bridges transmission potential. This experiment will being near the coast they are constantly under use a factorial design to monitor mosquito

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mortality, bite rate, and fecundity across a Psychiatric Drug Use and the Business range of humidity and temperature points. Cycle From the results, we will be able to further Meredith Paker, Foundation Fellow, CURO specify which variable is the more important Research Assistant driver of mosquito transmission potential. Dr. W. David Bradford, Public Administration & Policy, School of Public & Wild Bearded Capuchins (Sapajus International Affairs libidinosus) Use Tools in Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil: Positioning the Nut Predicts Previous literature suggests that many Success indicators of health improve during Rachel Pack recessionary periods. This countercyclical Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy, Psychology, Franklin health effect has been attributed to increases College of Arts & Sciences in leisure time due to lower employment, which can reduce job-related stress and permit What challenges capuchins learning to crack higher investment in healthy lifestyle changes. nuts? Prior studies showed that adults However, earlier work by David Bradford and position (place) nuts precisely on anvils, often Bill Lastrapes finds that psychiatric drug several times, before each strike, and that utilization increases during recessions, positioning the nut is the last feature of nut- suggesting that mental health is largely cracking to appear in juveniles. We predicted procyclical. Using the Medical Expenditure that positioning the nut on the anvil would Panel Survey data from 1996-2012, we index juveniles’ mastery of nut-cracking. We explore how changes in employment affect observed fourteen capuchin monkeys (eight psychiatric drug utilization. We aim to juveniles - four that could crack nuts, four understand the mechanism behind any that could not - and six proficient adults) increases in drug utilization due to the using continuous focal animal sampling business cycle. during 2011-2013. After extracting episodes in which monkeys struck nuts, we examined Effect of Different Concentrations of 25- correlations among the duration of cracking Hydroxycholestrol on Osteogenic episodes, rate per episode of positioning a nut Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem on an anvil, age and success at opening a nut. Cells (MSC) from Broiler Compact Bone We found a positive correlation between Daye Park, CURO Research Assistant juveniles’ age and rate of positioning a nut (r Dr. Woo Kyun Kim, Poultry Science, College = +0.57, n = 8, p=.021). Rate of positioning of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences correlated positively with success for the juveniles that cracked, significantly for two of MSC are multipotent progenitors that can them. The rate of positioning a nut increased differentiate into various tissue cells. The from juveniles who could not crack, to objectives of the study were to 1) isolate MSC juveniles who could crack, to adults from broiler compact bone and 2) study the (mean=0.7, 2.3, 3.4 times/min). Coefficient of effects of 25-hydroxycholestrol on osteogenic variation for rate of positioning the nut is differentiation of MSC. This is important for highest in juveniles who cannot crack the production and welfare facets of the (CV=140, cannot crack; CV=11 and 24, can poultry industry as chickens develop crack and adults). Consistently positioning the orthopedic problems such as lameness, tibial nut appears to be a key feature predicting dyschondroplasia, and osteoporosis. MSC efficient nut-cracking in young capuchins. were isolated from the femurs and tibia of day-old chicks. The compact bones were

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Abstracts flushed with PBS, chopped to small pieces, resulted from a combination of high mutation and digested with a digestion buffer rates and recombination within populations. containing 0.25% collagenase and 20% Fetal Our objective is to understand how this Bovine Serum (FBS). Digested cells were genetic diversity is hierarchically distributed filtered, centrifuged, and cultured in a growth within spots, leaves, bushes, fields, and medium DMEM containing 10% FBS. MSC regions. This information will provide were successfully isolated and left to information on the life cycle and dispersal confluent, with the media changed every 2-3 of E. maculosum. To accomplish the objectives, days. The cells were passaged until P4 and we collected and genotyped 379 isolates from plated in 24 well plates at density of 20,000 ten bushes in each of two different cells/cm2. Upon confluency, cells were commercial blueberry fields in Georgia. treated with the following treatment: control, Isolates were genotyped at ten loci using osteogenic media (OM), and OM with 0.5, 1, microsatellite markers. Spatial genetic diversity and 2 uM 25-hydroxycholesterol. analyses and measures of population Cytochemistry was conducted on day 7 and subdivision are currently underway. Results 14 to detect osteogenesis. Cells treated with from this study will help us to understand the OM, and 25-hydroxycholestrol induced higher genetic basis disease emergence, as well as the proportion of Alizarin Red and Von Kossa life cycle and dispersal patterns of the fungus, stain (mineralization), and Alkaline potentially leading to improved disease Phosphatase (early osteogenic marker) management strategies. compared to control cells. However, 2uM 25- hydroxycholesterol was toxic to cells, causing Cytotoxicity of Gold Nanoparticles with cell death. Results indicated that 25- Feline Injection Site Sarcoma, In Vitro hydroxycholesterol has a stimulatory effect on Arjun Patel, CURO Research Assistant MSC ostegenesis. Current results provide Dr. Robert Gogal, Anatomy & Radiology, rationale for further study on regulatory College of Veterinary Medicine mechanisms of 25-hydroxycholesterol on MSC which can help to address skeletal Injection site sarcoma (ISS) is an aggressive problems in poultry. cancer associated with vaccination in felines. ISS is locally invasive and can be difficult to Genetic Analysis of Exobasidium control even with aggressive therapy. The maculosum Using Microsatellites focus of this study was to assess whether 15 Sabrina Park, CURO Research Assistant nm gold nanoparticles could be employed as a Dr. Marin Talbot Brewer, Plant Pathology, cytotoxic agent. Nanoparticles have an College of Agricultural & Environmental increasing usage in numerous fields due to Sciences size and biological properties they possess. The study focused on culturing ISS cells with Exobasidium maculosum is a recently described gold nanoparticles at 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, emerging fungal pathogen of blueberry in the and 4.0 mM for 72 hr. Changes in cell southeastern USA. It causes leaf and fruit proliferation, viability, and cytology were spots, with the latter resulting in unmarketable assessed. The data obtained suggested that berries and economic losses. Previous studies gold nanoparticles concentration yielded an showed an elevated level of genetic diversity inverse correlation with ISS cell proliferation. based on the analysis of three loci: ITS, EF- Plating 5,000 ISS cells per well in a 96 well 1α, and CAL. This high level of genetic tissue culture plate, an IC 25 was determined diversity, which is especially surprising for an to be 3 mM concentration. Results from this emerging pathogen, is believed to have preliminary study suggest that 15 nm gold

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nanoparticles at concentrations greater than 3 the generic medicines that are so vital for mM can induce cytotoxicity in ISS cells. medically underserved communities globally.

The Implications of International Genetic and Metabolic Modeling the Intellectual Property Law on Global Methanogenic Archaeon Methanococcus Access to Medicines maripaludis Ashka Patel, CURO Summer Fellow Hirel Patel, Lucas Bougang, Rebecca Dr. John Dayton, Lifelong Education, Buchanan, John Buchanan Administration, and Policy, College of Dr. William Whitman, Microbiology, Franklin Education College of Arts & Sciences

The affordability of medicines remains an Methanococcus maripaludis is a model organism issue both in economically resilient countries for Archaea, which affords researchers the such as the U.S. and in developing countries opportunity to take advantage of beneficial such as India. International intellectual qualities such as (1) production of methane to property law and pharmaceutical patents be used as a biogas and (2) manufacturing complicate the matter. The balancing act high volumes of isoprenoids to be used as between providing protection for innovation precursors for high-value biochemicals. and honoring the universal right to health, However, there are few genetic tools for including access to essential and life-saving metabolic engineering available for Archaea. medicines, creates controversy. One particular Our goal is to create, characterize, and model bilateral relationship, between the U.S. and some useful tools for the utilization of this India, has had a disproportionate effect on adept organism for synthetic biology. Building global access to medicines. The domestic on our past M. maripaludis projects, which intellectual property law of the U.S. and other created and characterized a mCherry reporter developed countries was favored in the system as well as a recombinant mutant development of international law. Most making the high-value isoprenoid geraniol, notably, the TRIPS agreement demonstrates a our team is now working to (1) create, global movement toward more rigorous characterize, and model a ribosome-binding intellectual property law. However, the site (RBS) library using the mCherry reporter pressure from major pharmaceutical system and (2) model geraniol production of companies in the U.S. to impose trade the recombinant M. maripaludis using flux sanctions on India, as a result of the immense balance analyses. Preliminary results have generic pharmaceutical industry built from the shown varying levels of expression in our reverse engineering of drugs innovated in developing RBS library, as well as the countries such as the U.S., France, the U.K., determination of growth substrates that can and Germany, directly contradicts the increase the yield of geraniol production. ostensible commitment to global health all of Additionally, our team has initiated an these countries have pledged. While Archaeal InterLab Study to further respecting the concerns of domestically based characterize the reproducibility of our pharmaceutical companies and maintaining mCherry reporter system. protection of pharmaceutical patents, the U.S. must find a way to also defer to the interest of Maternal Obesity and Trabecular Bone global health and access to medicines. India Microarchitecture in C57BL Mice must find equilibrium between attracting Kayla Patel, CURO Research Assistant foreign investment and continuing to create Dr. Richard Lewis, Foods & Nutrition, College of Family & Consumer Sciences

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Diet-induced obesity has a negative impact on Helminth infections in humans and animals bone microarchitecture by decreasing are a prominent concern due to their ability to trabecular number and volume. However, the impair health, well-being, and productivity. In effects of obesity during gestation on livestock animals, the problem has become trabecular bone architecture are unclear. further amplified due the development of Studying the effect of obesity on bone in the drug resistance which is reaching critical context of gestation is of particular levels. One possible and novel treatment is importance given that nearly 40% of women the natural antiparastic protein, Cry5B, of childbearing ages are currently considered produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis obese. The aim of this study is to analyze the (Bt). Bt is a spore-forming soil bacterium that effects of maternal obesity on trabecular bone produces a variety of crystalline (Cry) microarchitecture in C57BL mice. Female proteins. Cry5B has shown high potency mice were either provided a low fat diet against several important parasites in lab (n=12) or a high fat diet (n=12) over a 6-week animal models, and it is hoped it also can be period and were then mated with males. used as a natural antiparasitic to treat Trabecular bone at the tibia distal metaphysis livestock. Cry5B must be ingested by the was analyzed at the 6-week time point and parasite to be active, however, pre-parasitic prior to delivery using micro-computed third-stage larvae (L3), which are typically tomography. For simplicity, we present data used for in vitro drug screening, are a non- on bone volume to total volume (BV/TV), feeding stage and thus are not a viable one outcome of particular interest. There experimental model. In contrast, L4 have fully were significant main effects for both obesity developed GI systems, making the L4 stage (F (1,10)=10.07, p=0.010), and pregnancy (F ideal for an in vitro model for determining the (1,10) =144.8, p<0.001). The interaction efficacy of Cry5B. Cooperia spp. are the most effect was also significant (F (1,10)=8.768, common and important nematodes infecting p=0.014), demonstrating that the effect of young cattle and are the focus of this study. obesity on BV/TV is evident only prior to Recently, our lab has developed a culturing gestation. Our data indicate that the high-fat system that permits the development and fed obese mice had lower BV/TV compared molting of L3 Cooperia nematodes to the L4 to the low-fat fed mice during pre-pregnancy. stage. Exsheathed L3 are added to a nutritive However, given the robust negative effect of media consisting of LB, NCTC, and fetal pregnancy on BV/TV, this likely explains the bovine serum, and are incubated at 39oC lack of diet-related BV/TV differences during under 20% CO2. As the research progresses, gestation. These findings underscore the the efficacy of Cry5B will be tested using L4 negative effect of excess adiposity and stage Cooperia in a series of in vitro drug pregnancy on trabecular bone assays. microarchitecture. Fetal and offspring musculoskeletal outcomes warrant Evaluation of Electric Twitch Endurance consideration in future studies. Index of the Lower Back Muscles Sahil Patel Investigating the Antiparasitic Activity of Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of Cry5B Protein against Fourth-Stage Education Nematode Parasites Nirali Patel Our lab has developed an Electrical Twitch Dr. Ray Kaplan, Infectious Diseases, College Stimulation Fatigue test which measures of Veterinary Medicine fatigue as a decrease in contraction velocity. Back pain and fatigue is a common and

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Abstracts debilitating clinical problem. The purpose of thiocyanite (SCN-) and iodide (I-). LPO - my study was to use an electrically stimulated catalyzes the reaction between SCN and H2O2 muscle twitch test to measure fatigue in the to form hypothiocyanite (OSCN-). A similar erectors muscles of the lower back. Healthy mechanism is seen with I-. These reactive males and females between the ages of 20-30 oxygen species play a major role in the were tested. The electrodes were placed production of H2O2, which lead to the alongside the T12 and L1 vertebrae separated inactivation of IAV. In order to test this, rat by 5cm to allow space for placement of the tracheal cells are harvested, grown and accelerometer. Subjects are in a seated infected with the H1N2 strain of the virus in a position for this protocol which makes this mixture with the presence or absence of LPO, test clinically applicable to the elderly and SCN-, and I-. The supernatants collected are wheelchair bound. The testing protocol was 5 then used to perform plaque assays on Madin- minutes of stimulation at a frequency of 4Hz Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK) using a tolerable current level. The fatigue of to measure the extent of inactivation of the the muscle will be represented as an virus. The data arrays to several log endurance index value. The endurance index differences between inactivation in the is the difference between the maximum systems without the 3 components (LPO, I- acceleration value and the end value. A and SCN-) versus the systems with. Another frequency of 4Hz will cause fatigue in the comparison is made between the SCN- and I- muscle which can be measured by an systems to visualize which one forms a accelerometer. A sample of 5 participants all stronger response. The difference seen in the resulted in a fatigued lower back erector 3-component system could potentially hint to (Mean = 25.2 +/- 12.25). I hypothesize a future studies that not only develop the lower endurance index in the lower back knowledge of the Duox1 mechanism but also muscles could be possibly correlated to enhance applied research on the treatment of conditions such as lower back pain or poor IAV. spine stability. An evaluation of the endurance index of the lower back muscles has the Integration of Multispectral Imaging into potential to be clinically relevant in identifying UAS causes of lower back pain. Aaron Patrick, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Changying Li, College of Engineering The Role of Dual Oxidase 1 in Tracheal Immunological Functions Remote sensing devices will soon become Urmi Patel common place in the field of agriculture, as Dr. Balazs Rada, Infectious Diseases, College unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are an of Veterinary Medicine incredibly efficient means of gathering crop data with high spatial and temporal resolution. Life-threatening viruses such as the Influenza Information such as canopy coverage, plant A virus (IAV) have the ability to wipe out height, and normalized difference vegetation multiple bodily functions and can therefore be index can be gathered and processed to fatal to one’s health. The innate mechanism determine which genotypes of a species by which our body shows viral inactivation is exhibit the most robust phenotypic traits. connected to Dual Oxidase 1 and 2; major There are many UAS on the market that have oxidases in the NADPH oxidase family that integrated cameras, but few that have play a role in the production of hydrogen integrated multi-spectral cameras. Our peroxide (H2O2) in tracheal airways through challenge is to integrate a multispectral camera the activity of lactoperoxidase (LPO), into a hobbyist aircraft that is light, compact,

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and relatively inexpensive. This is compute cross sections from all bound accomplished through the use of a rovibrational levels of the ground electronic microcontroller that records data from state of the CS molecule. The cross sections sensors including an accelerometer, are computed for a large number of excited gyroscope, magnetometer, and barometer. electronic states using a two-state fully The UAS will also collect GPS coordinates quantum perturbation approach. New ab initio and calculate orientation data that will be used potential energies and transition dipole in conjunction with the multispectral images moment functions, used in the to create 3D models of crops. All flight data photodissociation calculations, were obtained and images are recorded onto SD cards. This at the MRCI+Q level of theory using the project entails the design and fabrication of quantum chemistry package MOLPRO. vibration dampening mounting hardware for a Applications of the rovibrational-state- multispectral camera, the integration of resolved cross sections will be presented as electrical components, and the coding of a well as LTE photodissociation cross sections microcontroller and image processing. The which assume a Boltzmann distribution of resulting data acquisition system can be initial rovibrational levels. incorporated into variety of commercially available unmanned aerial vehicles. Keyword Extraction Using Artificial Neural Networks and a TextRank Variant Photodissociation of CS from Excited Justin Payan, Foundation Fellow Rovibrational Levels in Interstellar Dr. Bill Hollingsworth, Computer Science, Environments Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Ryan Pattillo Dr. Phillip Stancil, Physics & Astronomy, Keyword extraction is an important task in Franklin College of Arts & Sciences natural language processing that aids in information retrieval, document clustering, This research is focused on determining the summarization, and many other useful abundance of CS molecules in various endeavors. The task involves automatically ultraviolet (UV) photon-irradiated interstellar selecting the most representative words and (IS) environments. Photodissociation due to phrases from natural language documents. UV photons is a dominant molecular Most approaches consider all nouns and noun destruction process in a variety of UV- phrases as candidates, and a classification irradiated IS environments, so having reliable model determines which of those candidate photodissociation rates for CS is necessary to keywords should be included in the set of accurately determine its abundance in these selected keywords. Some of these environments. While most astrochemical classifiers have used linguistic information, models adopt photodissociation rates some have used statistical information, and computed from cross sections out of the others use machine learning. We combine the molecule’s ground rotational and vibrational linguistically informed approach with the (rovibrational) level (v=0,J=0), they also machine learning approach to select keywords assume a standard local IS radiation field and from scientific abstracts in the journals opacity due to standard IS dust. However, Computers and Control and Information Technology. none of these conditions are satisfied in a host The candidate keyphrases are classified by an of environments including photodissociation artificial neural network, a variant of Mihalcea regions, protoplanetary disks, and outflows and Tarau's TextRank algorithm, or a from AGB stars. To allow for the calculation combination of the two algorithms. We of more reliable photodissociation rates, we measure the precision, recall, and F1-score of

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our algorithm as compared to previous results Jacob Pendergraft, Parker Nayman, Fatima on this dataset. Our approach gives promising Koko, Christiana Agbonghae, Nikita Meka results. Dr. Dorothy Carter, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Functions of the Discourse Marker “Bon” in Spoken French Tackling large-scale societal challenges often Joy Peltier, Foundation Fellow requires multiple teams from different Dr. Diana Ranson, Romance Languages, disciplines, organizations, and geographic Franklin College of Arts & Sciences locations to collaborate using virtual collaboration tools communication. Arguably, This study seeks to determine the pragmatic leadership can have profound effects on the functions of the discourse marker bon and success of these systems. However, in their frequency in spoken French. Discourse complex multiteam contexts, leadership is markers, such as English well, are often often an informal social process whereby misconstrued as nothing more than fillers leaders emerge and exert influence through used in moments of hesitation (Hansen their interactions with others. Novel analytic 1998:238). However, research in pragmatics techniques are now providing the means to reveals them to be a means of communicating capture interactions in virtual teamwork the structure of a conversation or the contexts and link these interactions with speaker’s attitude to the listener. For example, critical social processes such as leadership. In Barnes (1995:813) considers bon to be a this study, we analyze the digital traces of marker of transitions appearing at “junctures social interactions among participants in a or points of discontinuity,” whereas Hansen multiteam system laboratory task in order to (1998:254) considers it to mark an identify word choices that indicate “undesirable discourse phenomenon.” An leader/follower emergence. In this task, 12 analysis of 223 examples of this marker in the participants are randomly assigned to a Corpus Montpellier-Rognes, composed of specific role on one of four 3-member teams conversations recorded in 2005 and 2006 with and are required to apply their role-specific 37 native speakers (22 women and 15 men), information during a multiteam decision- has revealed a set of finely distinguished making activity. Throughout the activity, all functions of bon ranging from indicating the inter-team communication is restricted to an insertion of a quote, to highlighting a contrast, embedded text-based chat system. We analyze to introducing an opposing point of view. this body of text-based chat using a semantic These functions call into question whether bon analysis program called LIWC that examines always marks a transition (Barnes 1995) or an the frequency of certain key words that fall undesirable discourse phenomenon (Hansen under a specific construct or language style 1998). This study advances our understanding (e.g., affect or pronoun use). Finally, we use a of bon by uncovering new pragmatic class of inferential models of network functions, refining those previously emergence called exponential random graph mentioned in the literature, and responding to models, which identify statistically significant proposals regarding its central purpose in antecedents of relationship emergence. This discourse. Furthermore, it presents for the allows us to identify the lexical indicators that first time a quantitative analysis of the predict leadership and followership frequency of the various functions of bon. relationships between teammates.

Words That Lead and Words That Follow: 3D Distribution of High Galactic Latitude Lexical Indicators of Leadership Interstellar Clouds

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Chance Pittman involved in the biosynthesis of SHI. However, Dr. Loris Magnani, Physics & Astronomy, the expression levels of these accessory genes Franklin College of Arts & Sciences were unchanged when SHI was overproduced in P. furiosus. The purpose of this study is to The Milky Way Galaxy is composed of stars, determine if overexpressing the genes gas, dust, and dark matter. The gas encoding the three key accessory proteins, component can take very different forms. FrxA and HypC/D, would lead to increased There is a cold; molecular phase; a cold production of SHI. This objective will be atomic phase; a warm atomic phase; a warm; carried out by creating two separate knock-in ionized plasma; and a hot, ionized plasma. cassettes containing the FrxA and HypC/D The cold molecular component is especially genes, pyrF as the genetic marker and a important because it is the material that forms stronger promoter, Pslp, to over express these stars. Most of the cold molecular gas in the genes. The parent strain MW450, with SHI Galaxy is tied up in large structures called over-expressed, lacks a pyrF marker and is molecular clouds, most of which are therefore unable to synthesize uracil. After distributed along the Galactic plane. About 10 confirming overlapping PCR of these percent of the clouds can be found away from cassettes, transformations will be performed. the Galactic plane at high Galactic latitudes. Maintaining anaerobic conditions, subsequent Many of the objects appear to be a part of strains will undergo plate purification, large structures, which might indicate a popping out the marker for reuse, and qPCR formation mechanism; however, it is difficult analyses to determine expression levels of the to determine whether these structures are real genes encoding the accessory proteins and from two-dimensional maps. Recently, SHI between the control and experimental accurate distances to many of these high strains. In vitro hydrogen production assay latitude molecular clouds have been will also be performed to determine SHI determined (Schlafly et. al 2014). We present activity. These procedures provide the basis here a three-dimensional representation of the for improving the yield of SHI and up-scaling spatial distribution of these objects in an the hydrogen production pathway. effort to discern global structure patterns. Standardized Public Education Funding Yield Improvement of Pyrococcus Formulas: A Best-Practice Evaluation furiosus Soluble Hydrogenase I by Laura Pontari Overexpression of Accessory Proteins Dr. Jamie Carson, Political Science, School of Cynthia Ponir Public & International Affairs Dr. Mike Adams, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences The use of standardized public school funding formulas by states across the US has become Due to the recent increase in demand for a widespread practice in modern education. alternative sources of energy, hydrogen gas Studies have shown that the cost of education has begun to receive a great deal of attention. varies per student based on identified factors The focus of this study is Soluble such as socioeconomic status, disability, Hydrogenase I (SHI) from Pyrococcus furiosus, district size, and English language skills. an anaerobic hyperthermophile. SHI has been Funding formulas are meant to allot state used in a highly efficient in vitro pathway for funds based on these factors, thus providing a hydrogen production requiring a large amount comprehensive plan for equitable allocation. of enzyme for up-scaling. Previous studies The factors considered in funding formulas have shown that eight accessory proteins are vary state by state, as does the weight assigned

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Abstracts to each factor. The study examines the of L and Z). In infants, deficits in basic standardized public education funding cognitive functioning, such as temporal formulas used by eight states, selected based processing speed, can negatively impact more on overall education quality and geographic complex cognitive processes in a cascading distribution. The selected states are manner with age. Therefore, identifying Mississippi, New Jersey, Colorado, developmental trends in temporal processing Massachusetts, Indiana, Arizona, Michigan, speed, as well as potential moderating factors and Texas. After an evaluation of the funding (e.g., L and Z intake), is the first step in being formulas used and education quality provided able to detect deficits in this domain early in by each state, this study will provide a policy life, before higher level developmental recommendation for a standardized funding processes are negatively impacted. formula best-practice. Approaches to Reducing the Cost of Algal Developmental Trends in Infant Biomass Production Temporal Processing Speed Grace Power, CURO Summer Fellow Katelynn Porto, CURO Graduation Dr. Manjinder Singh, College of Engineering Distinction Dr. Janet Frick, Psychology, Franklin College Alternative fuels must be developed to replace of Arts & Sciences the dangers caused by burning fossil fuels and serve as fuel sources once fossil fuels are Critical flicker fusion (CFF) is a measure depleted. Algae biofuels offer a potential fuel of temporal processing speed, or the speed at for the future. The most prominent hurdle which the visual system can detect facing algae biofuels currently is cost. This changes over time. In adults, CFF has been project aimed to increase the yields of algae determined to be a strong indicator of grown on a large scale to make algae executive functioning, neural efficiency, production more cost efficient. 1- and central nervous system health, and has Napthaleneacetic Acid, a plant growth been positively associated with dietary intake hormone, was used to enhance algal growth in of the carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin 200L carboys. Two preliminary experiments (Z). Previous studies of infant CFF were conducted to optimize growth medium development have been limited and marked and phytohormone concentration. The by methodological challenges (e.g., Regal optimum media was determined to be 1-NAA 1981), leaving a gap in our understanding of concentration to be 5 ppm (parts per million) how temporal processing speed develops early and the optimum medium to be F2 media. in life. The present longitudinal study sought Algae was grown in a scale-up method to to characterize the development of CFF reach a total volume of 200 Liters. Two thresholds in breastfed babies (from 3 to 6 strains were grown, one inoculated with 1- months of age) using a repeated-measures NAA dissolved into a 1:1 ethanol/water design. Infant CFF thresholds were measured solution and one inoculated with the same using a two-alternative forced choice concentration of a 1:1 ethanol/water solution preferential looking task displayed on a for control. Algae was grown in a 250mL custom-built device. Growth curve modeling flask until optimal density was reached, then will be used to analyze all data. We anticipate was transferred to the next volume stage. This that infants’ CFF trajectories will depend process was repeated until the algae was upon their baseline (3 month) CFF growing in a 200L carboy. Dry weight, threshold and their mother’s self-reported chlorophyll, and optical density measurements intake of green leafy vegetables (rich sources were taken regularly between Day 0 and Day

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16 in the 200L carboys. Control and treatment after fatigue, a little studied but potentially test groups showed similar growth rates. useful muscle parameter. Nutritionally optimal harvest was obtained after 9 days of growth. 1-NAA-treated algae The Role of Mitochondrial Maintenance produced consistently higher biomass in Skeletal Muscle Strength and Repair throughout the experiment. Anita Qualls, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Jarrod Call, Kinesiology, College of Evaluation of Recovery of Skeletal Muscle Education after Fatiguing Contractions Payton Prins Fukutin knockout mice serve as a mouse Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of model of human muscular dystrophy, i.e., Education dystroglycanopathies, which are characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and impaired Skeletal muscle fatigue has been an extensively muscle regeneration after injury. Poor studied topic in order to understand the mitochondrial quality may underlie these underlying physiological mechanisms of this phenotypes, as skeletal muscle mitochondria occurrence. Our laboratory has developed an are responsible for producing the energy electrical twitch stimulation fatigue test for required to meet the demands of muscle clinical populations. Past literature in the field contraction and muscle repair. Mitochondrial has pointed to a significant difference in quality is maintained by the proper removal of muscle function between populations with dysfunctional mitochondria via a cellular neuromuscular disease and deficiencies process called autophagy. The primary compared to healthy populations. The aim of objective of this study is to determine the my study is to determine the initial rate of extent to which enhancing or attenuating recovery of muscle contractions after fatigue autophagy affects muscle strength and repair has occurred, and to evaluate whether the rate in the Fukutin knockout mice. We of recovery could be a useful measurement in hypothesize that increasing autophagy will patients with various neuromuscular diseases lead to greater muscle strength and greater or injuries. Measurements were taken in the recovery from myotoxic muscle injury. trapezius muscles of healthy human AICAR (an autophagy activator) or 3-MA (an volunteers. Muscle contractions were induced autophagy inhibitor) will be administered to with sub-maximal twitch stimulations at 6 Fukutin knockouts and littermate controls Hz. Muscle force was estimated using an daily for four weeks. To determine if accelerometer to measure the speed of the autophagy activation improves dystrophic twitch contractions. Five minutes of 6 Hz muscle function, muscle strength will be contractions resulted in fatigue of 70% assessed after two weeks of treatment. To (n=7). In the first three minutes of recovery, determine if autophagy activation enhances muscle force recovered to 30% of the initial dystrophic muscle regeneration, muscle force. The ½ time of this early phase of strength recovery will be assessed two weeks recovery was 15 seconds. Because the muscle following a myotoxic injury. To determine if is depotentiating as well as recovering during autophagy activation affects mitochondrial the early phase of recovery, we are in the function in dystrophic muscle, mitochondrial process of characterizing the time course of respiration will be assessed from injured and depotentiation in order to separate out this uninjured permeabilized fibers using a Clark- effect from recovery. This study has the type oxygen electrode. Immunoblots for potential to characterize the rate of recovery autophagy-related proteins will be used to examine the autophagy signaling cascade

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Abstracts during muscle regeneration after injury. impact that SGBV has on the mental and Overall, by utilizing a mouse model we can sexual health of young women. These findings gain insight into the importance of suggest the need for continued efforts to mitochondrial maintenance in improving change the policies and implement and muscle function in muscular dystrophy infrastructure to protect young women in patients. post-conflict settings.

Mental and Sexual Health Post-War: Examining Mycobacterium tuberculosis Trauma, Depression, and Interpersonal Genes for Roles in B12 Synthesis Violence— Attitudes among Liberian Ashitha Rajeurs Women Dr. Russell Karls, Infectious Diseases, College Mehabuba Rahman, CURO Research of Veterinary Medicine Assistant Dr. Tamora Callands, Health Promotion & Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) is a leading Behavior, College of Public Health cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. In 2013, M.tb caused 9 million new cases of From 1989 to 2003, Liberia experienced two tuberculosis (TB) and 1.5 million deaths. of the most violent civil wars in African Understanding the physiology and history. Fourteen years of war shattered the biosynthetic capabilities of M.tb bacteria may West African country’s infrastructure and aid in the development of new drugs and community resulting in one-third of vaccines to fight this global health threat. population being displaced and 7% of the Coenzyme B12 (Co-B12) functions as a population being killed. Although millions of cofactor in various metabolic enzymes in a people were affected by the war-related wide range of organisms, but is only made by violence, violence against women reached bacteria and archaea. Co-B12 is a complex unprecedented levels. It is estimated that up molecule requiring over 20 enzymes for its to 70% of young women in Liberia synthesis. The M.tb genome encodes experienced some form of sexual and gender- homologs of many Co-B12 synthesis genes; based violence (SBGV). SGBV has wide- however, the coenzyme is not detected in spread implications for the mental health, strains grown under standard culture sexual health, and the overall psychosocial conditions. Either all of these strains have well-being of young women. While significant mutations in the Co-B12 synthesis pathway or strides have been made to reduce rates of production of this molecule only occurs under SGBV, little empirical research has focused specific environmental conditions, such as on consequences associated with violence those found inside a human host. exposure. Using cross-sectional data collected Mycobacterium smegmatis is a non-pathogenic between November 2015 - February 2016 species of mycobacteria found in soil that from 100 young women, ages 18-25, we aim produces Co-B12. The goal of this project is to examine the relationships between violence to determine if M.tb Rv2228 and cobS function exposure, war-related trauma, mental health in Co-B12 synthesis. The approach is to first and sexual risk behavior. We hypothesize that delete MSMEG4305 and cobS from the M. violence exposure will be associated with smegmatis genome and demonstrate absence of greater sexual and mental health outcomes. Co-B12 production in the mutants. Next, a Preliminary analysis demonstrates that risky wild type copy of the deleted gene or the sexual behavior, such as multiple partners and homologous M.tb gene (Rv2228 and cobS lack of condom usage, is associated with respectively) will be introduced into the violence exposure. These data underscore the mutants and the resulting strains assayed for

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production of Co-B12. If a M.tb gene enables Telemedicine, the exchange of medical a M. smegmatis mutant to produce Co-B12, information through long-distance electronic then the genes likely encode functional communication, is a practice that nursing homologs. The progress and results of this homes adopt to improve the effectiveness of project will be presented. their care and reduce health and financial risks. The purpose of this literature review is Eliminating Cultural and Linguistic to evaluate research on the implementation of Boundaries in Healthcare: Creating telemedicine systems in a nursing home Standards and Funding for Medical setting. Review of this literature was Interpreters conducted using CINAHL, EBSCO Vineet Raman, Ramsey Scholar Electronic Journals, Academic Search Dr. Richard Schuster, Health Policy & Complete, ERIC, and PubMed databases and Management, College of Public Health search terms included telemedicine, telehealth, nursing home and homes, elderly, and The U.S. has increasingly become more geriatric. This literature review is based on culturally and linguistically diverse with the twenty-six studies related to telemedicine in influx of migrants from around the world. nursing homes and the following themes were The number of Americans speaking a evaluated: benefits, challenges, and limitations language besides English at home has in terms of cost and quality of care. increased by almost fifty percent, thereby also Telemedicine is an innovative approach to increasing the number of patients with limited making medical services more accessible to English proficiency (LEP) by over fifty nursing home residents and nursing homes percent. However, weak federal regulation has can experience significant benefits as a result allowed states to leave the use of appropriate of adopting telemedicine systems. language services at the discretion of individual hospitals, creating a gap in care Behavioral Economic Analysis of Relative between English-speakers and patients with Reinforcing Value as a Predictor of limited English proficiency and a surge in the Smoking Cessation Treatment Outcomes use of untrained ad hoc interpreters. The Marie Rapoport, CURO Summer Fellow, miscommunication that results from the CURO Research Assistant underutilization of professional language Dr. Lawrence Sweet, Psychology, Franklin services has inescapable consequences for College of Arts & Sciences health outcomes in LEP patients. New federal funding for interpreters is available via the Behavioral economic studies investigating Affordable Care Act, and states should be demand for a substance represent an attempt required to use these funds to implement a to quantify the amount an individual values a standard of interpreter of their choice in their substance relative to other reinforcers using a hospitals. behavioral paradigm. This approach has been successfully used to characterize the A Review of the Use of Telemedicine in progression of substance use and risk for Nursing Homes future substance abuse. The cigarette Sona Rao purchase task (CPT) is designed to assess Dr. Elena Karahanna, Management demand for nicotine in smokers by Information Systems, Terry College of quantifying the value of cigarettes in monetary Business units. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between demand and smoking cessation treatment outcome in smokers after

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Abstracts nine weeks of nicotine replacement therapy probability of success later in the growth and cognitive behavioral therapy. In this cycle. Our greenhouse study examined 12 version of the CPT, participants were asked to genetically dissimilar Sunflowers at the report how many cigarettes they would seedling and adult growth stages under hypothetically purchase across 23 price points, variable nutrient applications, to better ranging from $0-$10 per cigarette. Principal understand which Sunflower varieties components analysis was completed using demonstrated the best nutrient-stress responses on the cigarette purchase task to resistance, and to determine if seedling divide demand into two components based on performance is predictive of adult yield. previous research: amplitude (demand at low Results from the seedling stage show that four costs) and persistence (sensitivity to increasing genetic lines are excellent candidates for price). The results showed that, controlling producing high yield under diverse fertilizer for income, amplitude was significantly treatments, especially in low treatments. predictive of days to relapse, days to lapse, Results from the adult stage are ongoing, but and number of therapy sessions attended. The we expect that many of the Sunflower lines results suggest an individual’s valuation of that exhibited relatively high yield in the cigarettes independent of competing seedling stage will also exhibit relatively high reinforcers is predictive of smoking cessation yield in the adult stage. The results of this treatment outcome while sensitivity to study will provide incredible information into increasing price does not appear to be correlations between yield and fertilizer predictive of treatment outcomes. application from the seedling to adult stage, benefiting farmers, consumers, and the A Bright and Budding Future for environment alike. Sunflowers: Understanding the Predictive Properties of Helianthus annuus Lutein and Zeaxanthin Are Unrelated to Seedlings for Improving Adult-Stage Crop Performance on the Short Physical Yield Performance Battery David Reagan, CURO Research Assistant Joshua Reynolds, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Lisa Donovan, Plant Biology, Franklin Dr. Lloyd Stephen Miller, Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

Sunflowers are a multibillion-dollar industry in The carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) the United States, are a crucial oil-seed crop, have been shown to benefit eye health and and offer extraordinary agricultural, more recently cognitive function. The present environmental, and economic potential. study investigated whether L and Z may also Fertilizers are a major expense for farmers, as benefit physical ability. In light of their strong well as an environmental hazard if excessively antioxidant properties and prior research applied to croplands. Finding Sunflower showing a positive relation between varieties that exhibit the relatively best growth antioxidants and physical functioning, it was under nutrient stress would increase yield, and hypothesized that greater L and Z levels subsequently reduce expenses for the would be associated with better physical agricultural and consumer sectors alike. Of performance in late life. Pearson product- even greater interest, better understanding the moment correlations were used to evaluate nutrient application versus yield relationship this relationship in a sample of 62 between the seedling and adult stages of community-dwelling older adults (mean Sunflowers allows for greater efforts on those age=73.31, 57% female, 100% Caucasian). seedling varieties that offer the greatest Physical performance was assessed using the

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Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), precipitation for archaeological contexts will while L and Z levels were measured using two greatly contribute to our understanding of standard, validated procedures: blood serum paleoclimate and the conditions under which concentrations and macular pigment optical different populations, specifically the Guale density (MPOD). Contrary to expectation, no Indian population on St. Catherine’s Island, significant relationship was found between sustained themselves. SPPB total scores and L and Z, as measured in serum (r=0.098, p>0.05) or MPOD Synthesis and Surface Engineering of (r=0.022, p>0.05). Furthermore, no Fe5C2 Nanoparticles for Superior r2 significant correlations were found between L Relaxivity in Liver-Specific MR Imaging and Z levels and SPPB subscale scores, which David Rink include measures of balance, gait, and lower Dr. Jin Xie, Chemistry, Franklin College of extremity strength (ps all >.05). The observed Arts & Sciences findings suggest that the beneficial effects of L and Z may be limited to eye and cognitive Liver-specific magnetic resonance imaging health, perhaps due to their preferential (MRI) has been used extensively in detection accumulation in human retina and brain of malignant liver masses, metastasis relative to other body tissues. However, it is indication, as well as observing liver storage possible that a more sensitive measure of disorders. In order to enhance the imaging physical functioning would reveal a quality, T2 contrast agents, which induce relationship and replication is warranted in a hypo-intensities on MRI maps, are often sample characterized by greater variability in administered before imaging. Magnetic physical ability. nanoparticles, more importantly Fe3O4/Fe2O3-based nanoparticles, have Subtracting the Effects of Carbonization emerged as one of the standards in T2 of Hickory Nut to Predict Mean Annual contrast agents due to their low toxicity, Precipitation in Archaeological Sites biodegradability, and facile synthetic Sidney Reynolds conditions. However, the iron-based Dr. Laurie Reitsema, Anthropology, Franklin nanoparticles only have a moderate magnetic College of Arts & Sciences moment. In this research, iron carbide nanoparticles, here Fe5C2 based carbides, Carbonized hickory nut from archaeological have been successfully synthesized by high contexts could be indicative of mean annual temperature thermal decomposition. Fe5C2 precipitation in the past. By burning modern nanoparticles possess a superior magnetic hickory nut samples from St. Catherine’s moment and do not have oxidation-induced Island, Georgia at different temperatures and magnetization drops. Samples of 5, 14, and 22 using a mass spectrometer to produce δ13C nm carbides were prepared for study. Their values, we hope to subtract the effects of surfaces were modified via ligand addition carbonization to estimate 13C values before with phospholipids, ligand exchange with the hickory nut was burned. Then, we will zwitterion-dopamine-sulfonate (ZDS), and compare those δ13C values to the mean protein adsorption with casein. These annual precipitation of the years for which we engineered Fe5C2 nanoparticles all exhibit have modern nut samples to create a excellent aqueous stability, low toxicity, and predictive graph that will be used to establish high r2 relaxivity. In particular, the casein the relationship between archaeological surface coating resulted in an r2 enhancement carbonized nut samples and mean annual of more than two fold, measuring 973 mM- precipitation. Knowing the mean annual 1s-1 for the 22 nm nanoparticles, which is

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Abstracts among the highest of all T2 contrast agents Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) reported to date. Small animal studies further range from pharmaceuticals to industrial confirmed the improvement of the Fe5C2 pollutants. There is little research on how nanoparticles over the iron oxides in inducing CECs affect marine environments and the hypo-intensities on MRI maps and causing organisms living in marine habitats. little toxicity to the host. This research Quantifying these pollutants in marine expands upon our ability to modify contrast organisms may indicate inputs from character of magnetic nanoparticles and helps sewage/septic systems from local to create a new class of MRI contrast agents. populations. Research also indicates that CECs pose a potential risk to marine Offensive Realism in a World of organisms through chronic exposures that Hegemons could adversely affect their health and William Robinson, CURO Research Assistant that dietary transfer of CECs to higher level Dr. Andrew Owsiak, International Affairs, organisms is possible. My CURO project School of Public & International Affairs investigated if CECs are present in fish tissue and shark plasma from estuaries Offensive realism describes a world in which at Sapelo Island, Georgia. Whole fish states try to maximize their relative power at tissue samples from silver perch, striped the expense of every other state. Under this mullet and sea trout were collected from grand theory, the goal of each state is to 2013-2016 as part of a NOAA and Georgia become a (regional) hegemon (i.e., the most Aquarium research project at Sapelo powerful state in the geographic area).The Island. Shark plasma was collected from foundation for this aggressive behavior is the Lemon and Atlantic Sharpnose sharks during international system. Because no overarching the summer of 2015. These samples were entity sits above states to protect them from analyzed for 30 pharmaceuticals and personal one another, every state develops offensive care products via LC-MS/MS analysis capabilities, remains suspicious of each other’s and over 200 pesticides via GC-MS intentions, and acts rationally to ensure its analysis. Initial results indicate that CECs survival by working toward hegemony. If one accumulate at low ng/g (parts-per-billion) accepts this theory and its premises, the concentrations in fish tissue and low behavior of many revisionist states becomes ng/ml concentrations in shark plasma understandable; they want hegemony to samples. My research supports evidence our ensure security. However, once a state reaches lab has of CECs detected in oysters, water and hegemony, as the United States has, the sediment samples. The detection of theory is lacking. I challenge the assumptions diphenhydramine, DEET and sertraline in all made by offensive realist theory about the media indicates accumulation in multiple rational behavior a hegemon should enact and levels of the food web. Chronic toxicity may consider the implications of a world with be caused by a cocktail effect of CEC several regional hegemons. exposure on the organism with multiple modes of action in play, but how these Quantification of Contaminants of chemicals interact is mostly unknown. Emerging Concern in Fish and Shark Tissue from Sapelo Island, Georgia Who Is Better at Cracking Nuts: Humans Jackson Rodgers, CURO Research Assistant or Monkeys? Dr. Marsha Black, Environmental Health Lindsey Roles Science, College of Public Health Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

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Dating back at least 2.5-3.3 million years, tool- muscular contractile forces. Adipose tissue assisted percussion still remains a key that infiltrates the muscle may influence technology for hominins. Tool-assisted muscle strength, and subsequently the muscle- percussion is not unique to hominins; wild cortical bone relationships. Objective: The aim populations of bearded capuchin monkeys, of this study was to determine the effect of long-tailed macaques, and chimpanzees use muscle adiposity on the relationships between anvil-and-hammer tools to crack open nuts forearm muscle strength and mid-radius and other encased food. To address cortical bone outcomes. Methods: This cross- fundamental questions about the evolution of sectional study utilized data from a cohort of tool-assisted percussion in hominins, we need 237 reportedly healthy black and white boys to know about species-specific cognitive and and girls who participated in a vitamin D motor skills. We quantified nut-cracking skill supplementation trial. A hand dynamometer in wild bearded capuchin monkeys (Sapajus was used to measure forearm muscle strength. libidinosus) and novice and expert humans, as Mid-forearm muscle adiposity and radius they used anvil-and-hammer tools to crack cortical bone geometry were measured via tucum (Astrocaryum spp.) nuts. The monkeys peripheral quantitative computed tomography. outperformed the novice humans, and the Polar strength strain index (pSSI) provided an expert humans outperformed the monkeys. estimated measure of bone bending strength. The monkeys cracked the nuts by undergoing A median cutoff determined groups of high multiple strikes with a moderate amount of and low muscle adiposity. Linear regression force; the novice humans used the same and hierarchical linear regression were amount of force the monkeys did, having to performed adjusting for race, sex, and sexual undergo multiple strikes in order to crack the maturation rating stage. Results: Handgrip nuts. The expert humans used a greater strength was greater in the children with low amount of force to crack the nuts and a fewer versus high muscle adiposity (P = .001). number of hits than the monkeys and novice Handgrip strength was a positive predictor of humans. The monkeys also modulated the pSSI in both the low (β = 0.252, P = .002) force of their strikes on the basis of the and high (β = 0.377, P < .001) muscle condition of the nut (i.e. presence of fracture adiposity groups. However, this relationship in nut). These results indicate that the nut was significantly stronger in the high muscle cracking skill involves motor actions that are adiposity group (Pinteraction = .014). learned over time with practice, and not just Conclusions: Obese vs. normal weight children abstract knowledge of the affordances of the have a greater risk for fractures, though the task, i.e., nut cracking is an embodied skill. We etiology is unclear. Our data do not support suggest that hypotheses linking tool-assisted the position that muscle adiposity hinders the percussion to traits unique to hominins need a muscle strength-cortical bone relationship reassessment. despite corresponding deficits in forearm muscle strength. Muscle Adiposity, Forearm Muscle Strength, and Radius Cortical Bone Malaria in the Late Stages of Pregnancy Geometry in Children and the Significance of Tissue Factor Emily Rollins, CURO Research Assistant Kerryn Roome Dr. Richard Lewis, Foods & Nutrition, Dr. Julie Moore, Infectious Diseases, College College of Family & Consumer Sciences of Veterinary Medicine

Background: Cortical bone strength is highly Despite immunity in malaria-endemic regions, dependent upon skeletal muscle, specifically pregnant women have an increased

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susceptibility to an infection. In these women, species. In the case of WNV, passerine song malaria infected red blood cells can birds are particularly important in maintaining accumulate in the maternal side of the transmission, while other bird orders dilute placenta, causing drastic changes in the the transmission potential because of placental tissue, hampering fetal intrauterine relatively low viral replication in those hosts. growth, which leads to low birth weight, Due to the predictable migrations of bird stillbirth, and abortion. Due to ethical and species, as well as the emergence and anatomical limitations in studying this in overwintering times of mosquitoes that vector humans, murine models are a common the virus, we expect a given location to exhibit alternative. We have previously shown that robust annual seasons when transmission is Tissue Factor (TF), the initiator of intense. As WNV spills over into human coagulation, is associated with abortion in populations, we have the potential to develop C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium risk profiles which vary in time according to chabaudi. While we know TF is upregulated in the mosquito and bird population dynamics. response to TNF, the relationship between To achieve this, we developed a set of TF and TNF signaling has not been equations describing the dynamics of WNV investigated. TNF is a pro-inflammatory transmission in the mosquito-bird community cytokine that has been associated with malaria system, and derived a metric of transmission pathogenesis in mice and in humans. TNF potential. We parameterized the model using acts through its surface receptors, TNFR1 and data on mosquito and bird dynamics in New TNFR2. We hypothesize that TNF signaling York, confirming transmission intensity had through its surface receptors is required for pronounced, repeatable seasonal variation. We upregulation of TF and induction of the then tested the hypothesis that human cases coagulation cascade followed by tissue of WNV in New York correspond to periods damage and abortion. To verify this of high transmission intensity in the bird- hypothesis, we will use mice lacking TNF, mosquito cycle (with some delay expected in TNFR1, TNFR2, and wild-type C57BL/6 the human cases for various reasons). Using mice infected on day 0, 6, 8 or 10 of gestation records of WNV in New York from 2000 to and uninfected controls. The courses of 2013, we found a significant correlation infection and pregnancy will be monitored between our predicted timing of maximum and mice will be sacrificed to have organs and transmission and peak cases in human plasmas collected for TF expression populations, with a consistent 5-week delay. assessment on gestation days 10 and 18. We This novel approach to modeling disease expect that wild-type C57BL/6 mice will have outbreak potential may improve predictions significantly higher expression of TF while of epidemics more generally. mice lacking TNF and its receptors will have lower TF expression. Evaluation of Georgia Bridges and Development of Large-Scale Bridge Predictable Variation in Temporal Testing Procedure Transmission Potential: West Nile Virus Nicholas Rorabaugh, CURO Research as a Case Study Assistant John Roquet, CURO Summer Fellow Dr. Mi Geum Chorzepa, College of Dr. Andrew Park, Odum School of Ecology Engineering

Generalist parasites such as West Nile virus The primary goals of this research are to (1) (WNV) are characterized by their ability to evaluate existing bridge drawings to determine infect, and transmit among, multiple host critical bridge parameters necessary for severe

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Abstracts storm evaluations and; (2) develop a test functional enthesis organ that is highly procedure for evaluating large-scale bridge adapted to dissipate forces away from the components. How would these bridges hold osteotendinous junction between the deep up in severe weather, specifically hurricane digital flexor tendon and the third phalanx. weather, and how can traffic be simulated Based upon functional analyses of horses with through single component force testing? The navicular disease, we have hypothesized that first part of this research includes a review of chronic overloading of the forelimbs, which 50-60 bridge drawings and evaluation of induces the habitual and exaggerated critical bridge components for a Georgia dorsiflexion of the foot, changes the balance Department of Transportation project. This of forces acting on the navicular apparatus. includes gathering information from the We tested our hypothesis by comparing the drawings about the design, elevations, spans, forces acting on the navicular apparatus of an slab, beams, girders etc. The other part of the equine foot in a normal position to those research includes construction of a large-scale acting on the navicular apparatus in a bridge beam specimen and development of dorsiflexed foot, using the method of free- test procedures for simulating ordinary body analysis on 3D models, which were highway traffic. The test procedure can be reconstructed from data of x-ray CT scans of used for future research projects. For a horse forelimb. Results indicate that the example, testing closure pours between dorsiflexed position of the foot puts the deep precast elements utilizing Ultra-High digital flexor tendon under greater tension, Performance Concrete (UHPC) is of thereby creating a larger compressive force on particular interest. The UHPC allows for the navicular bone. This site of compression tighter joints between precast elements and corresponds to the characteristic “bone facilitates rapid construction. This semester’s bruise” of navicular disease. The dorsiflexed research will focus on identifying critical position of the foot also pulls taut the impar bridge parameters and testing a beam and suspensory ligaments, thereby increasing specimen for traffic or long-term fatigue tension on their attachments sites on the loading. The beam testing will be done in navicular bone. This increased tension UGA’s STRENGTH lab by using a high tech explains the presence of osteophytes along the camera and sensors to measure inflections not entheses of these ligaments, which is a visible to the eye. common lesion in navicular disease. Thus, decreasing the habitual and exaggerated Analysis of Forces Acting on the Equine dorsiflexion of the foot by taking the extra Navicular Bone in Normal and weight off of the forelimb is likely to be an Dorsiflexed Positions effective treatment for many cases of Kaitlyn Ruff, CURO Research Assistant navicular disease. Dr. Elizabeth Uhl, Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine Investigating the Influence of Geospatial Attributes on Spider Species Richness and Navicular disease is one of the most common Diversity forms of lameness in horses and is generally Katherine Russell thought to be a chronic condition that can be Dr. Jason Schmidt, Entomology, College of managed in some horses but not effectively Agricultural & Environmental Sciences treated. However, a pathomechanical paradigm may offer a better explanation of The maintenance of local biodiversity is an the disease and provide better treatment important aspect of the long-term options. The navicular apparatus is a sustainability of agricultural production.

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Maintaining biodiversity, especially in regards terrorist organizations so appealing to women, to predator species, promotes natural pest despite the fact that they come from an control and many other ecosystem services. element of the Muslim spectrum that has Spiders (Araneae) often prey upon common sought to suppress and silence female pest species, making them a beneficial participation in public life? The initial roots of component of agroecosystems. Spider species the feminization of armed conflicts can be richness and diversity varies across landscapes traced back to the revolutionary movements and is often correlated with certain abiotic of the region of the Middle East during the factors. This project investigates how four mid to late 20th and early 21st centuries, with geospatial attributes – elevation, soil moisture, women serving as couriers, nurses, NDVI, and distance to edge habitat – combatants, and intelligence officers. Since influence spider species distributions across a 9/11 there has been an empirical shift farm-scape in South Georgia. Samples for the towards female involvement in terrorist project were obtained from pitfall traps placed activities, especially in participation in suicide along a grid pattern within a farm-scape in the bombings. My goal is to conceptualize these Tift county area. Spiders were later removed, types of female violence in terms of a larger preserved in alcohol, and manually counted paradigm shift; I will accomplish this by and identified. Counts and species data were examining quantitative data from feminist compiled into a spreadsheet and correlated groups participating in civil societies across with the four selected attributes using the Middle East and completing a literature multivariate methods and geospatial statistics. review to produce new qualitative research. A Final results are pending. Preliminary analysis new vision is needed in international relations shows at least 12 different species of spiders to addressing issues such as female present across the farm-scape, with wolf participation in terrorist organizations through spiders (Lycosidae) numerically dominating the a “gendered lens,” where agency and the very communities. Further identification of spiders identity of who a terrorist can be is adjusted at and more in-depth analysis of the data will a theoretical level. On a very basic level, allow for greater exploration of the addressing terrorism means studying more relationship between spider abundance, than states and organizations. Terrorism is diversity, and the farm-scape’s geospatial executed by people, increasing numbers of attributes. Ultimately, the results should help whom are women, and developing ways to see growers identify potential spider hotspots the societal framework that propels them within their farm-scapes, which could then be toward destruction is crucial in approaching maintained to promote healthy populations of ways to combat the ever-evolving this beneficial predator. transnational terrorist organizations.

How the Recruitment of Female Fighters Evaluation of Novel Antiviral Drug for Islam Has Changed Transnational NS95397 for Treatment of Swine Influenza Terrorist Organizations and What the Infections in Pig Cells Long-Term Implications of This Trend Preston Samowitz, CURO Graduation Will Be for Interstate Conflicts Distinction Sarah Sammons Dr. Ralph Tripp, Infectious Diseases, College Dr. Andrew Owsiak, International Affairs, of Veterinary Medicine School of Public & International Affairs The influenza virus causes morbidity and The purpose of this research is to answer the mortality in both humans and animals. Swine question of: what has made the messages of influenza effects pigs worldwide and can be

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transmitted to humans. Additionally, the college-aged participants (n=51) completed an influenza virus possesses a major threat in the ocular motor battery. In addition to the AS swine industry that may affect production task, participants completed an ocular motor output. Discovering countermeasures for the delayed response task (ODR), which tests influenza virus has faced many obstacles both working memory and inhibition, and a because the virus constantly evolves, a feature minimally delayed ocular motor response task often causing vaccines and antiviral drugs to (MDOR), which tests inhibition in isolation. be ineffective. In this study, swine influenza Preliminary results (n=10) show a relationship was assessed to discover if a novel antiviral between MDOR error rate and both ODR drug could be used as a treatment option. A and AS error rate. This suggests that these novel drug, NSC95397, targets host cell tasks assess a similar construct, presumably mechanisms captured by the influenza virus inhibition. We also found similar reaction that are needed for replication. Importantly, times in the ODR and AS tasks, which NSC95397 has been shown to alleviate suggests that generating a volitional saccade to influenza symptoms in mice. A host cell a blank location in both tasks requires similar factor, cell division cycle 25 B is the target for processing time, despite differences in task NSC95397 that indirectly inhibits a key viral demands. The findings from this study will protein NS1, involved in the replication of the clarify how various cognitive control virus. The goal was to characterize the escape processes interact in each of these ocular mutant virus after serially passaging the virus motor tasks and will inform the design of an in the presence of NSC95397. Drug sensitivity efficient set of tasks to study people with assays on various passages demonstrated that cognitive control impairment. the strain does not appear to have resistance to this novel drug. This finding has The Relationship between Central implications on understanding how targeting Nervous System Xanthophyll Status and host genes limits virus resistance and Brain Activation in Healthy Older Adults development of a novel influenza antiviral Kodiak Sauer, Jacob Beckham therapeutic. Dr. Lisa Renzi, Psychology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Cognitive Control as Assessed by Multiple Eye Tracking Paradigms Xanthophyll carotenoids lutein (L) and Kodiak Sauer zeaxanthin (Z) are the only carotenoids found Dr. Jennifer McDowell, Psychology, Franklin in the neural retina and are the dominant College of Arts & Sciences carotenoids in the rest of the central nervous system. An emerging body of literature Ocular motor tasks are an effective way to suggests that high levels of these carotenoids assess cognitive control easily and accurately. in the neural retina are predictive of improved One such task, the antisaccade task (AS), is cognitive function in adults across the used to measure inhibition in diverse lifespan. Renzi and Hammond (2010) populations, but requires more cognitive proposed a hypothesis for how lutein and operations than inhibition alone to volitionally zeaxanthin might influence cognition, known move the eyes to the mirror image location of as the neural efficiency hypothesis. This a stimulus. Therefore, it is unknown if poor hypothesis suggests that individuals with performance on the AS is due to difficulties in higher levels of the xanthophylls are capable inhibition, working memory, or other factors. of processing information rapidly and with In order to differentiate components of less noise than individuals with low levels. In cognitive control in ocular motor tasks, order to test this hypothesis, a total of 51

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older adults (M = 73 +/- 8.2 years) were impacted the displacement of low-income supplemented with either 12 mg L+Z or Athens residents and aided in the wave of placebo. Retinal L+Z levels were measured large chain retailers such as J. Crew and Urban psychophysically using heterochromatic Outfitters buying retail space in downtown flicker photometry. At baseline, participants in Athens. The diversity in these complexes is the highest and lowest quintiles for retinal low, and the individuality of the downtown L+Z levels were selected for analysis. High Athens area is being reduced because of the density electroencephalography was shift in businesses located there. performed to measure brain activation at rest, Originality/value: The study focuses on an issue as well as to measure steady-state visual that is inherently related to the University of evoked potentials at three driving frequencies. Georgia. While the research did show some Participants with high retinal L+Z levels insights from Athens specifically, the showed increased brain activation at each specificity of this research is certainly unique. driving frequency, suggesting improved neural It is important that the change of the Athens efficiency. These individuals also showed area because of student impact is measured increased brain activation at rest. and explored.

Off-Campus Housing and the The Effect of Maternal Diet on Gentrification of Downtown Athens, GA Gastrointestinal Health of Offspring Kari Saunders, CURO Research Assistant Ruth Schade, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Juan Meng, Grady College of Journalism Dr. Claire de La Serre, Foods & Nutrition, & Mass Communication College of Family & Consumer Sciences

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to The gut communicates to the brain the quality study the effects of different types of student and quantity of nutrients in the housing accommodations on the city of gastrointestinal tract as a way of regulating Athens, specifically in the downtown area. food intake, and this regulation mechanism There has been an influx of large, luxury-style can be influenced by environmental factors apartment complexes built within the last five like maternal diet. Bacteria are a source of years, and the impact of these complexes inflammation in the gut, so hosts have anti- could prove meaningful to students, non- inflammation mechanisms to control for this. student Athens residents and city officials. One of these mechanisms, Intestinal Alkaline Design/methodology/approach: The researcher Phosphatase (IAP), is a duodenal enzyme that used two research methods in this study to detoxifies bacterial LPS products. Chronic investigate the subject: (1) an online survey of high fat diets decrease the activity of IAP, and UGA undergraduate students currently living low IAP activity is associated with a in the Athens area; (2) two focus groups—one propensity for obesity, so what is the effect of with five participants and the other with four maternal diet on IAP levels in offspring? participants—with UGA undergraduate Female mice were put in three groups with students currently living in the Athens area. each group consuming diets high in fat, low in Findings: Results suggest that the downtown fat, or high in fat with added glycan. These Athens area is certainly being affected by the lasted from three weeks before mating, large, luxury apartment complexes being built through the duration of pregnancy, and nearby and that students are drawn to these throughout a three week lactation period. complexes most because of the location and After the offspring were weaned, they were proximity to campus. Practical implications: The either fed the same, high or low fat, diet as the influx of luxury apartment complexes has mother, or the opposite diet, over the course

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of ninety days. At the end of this period, ray Absorptiometry to create normalized tissue samples were collected and levels of ratios. It is expected that frequent sports IAP were analyzed. It was found that the participation during youth will be positively offspring of mothers fed a high fat diet had associated with muscle capacity, and greater decreased IAP activity, which may increase SED will be inversely associated with muscle their risk for obesity. capacity. We anticipate that the negative effects of high SED will be attenuated by The Effects of Lifetime Sports greater lifetime sports participation. Participation and Sedentary Time on Muscle Capacity: Does More Activity The Effects of Migration and Infection on Offset the Effects of Prolonged Sitting? Resting and Flight Metabolism in Nathan Schlies Monarchs Dr. Michael Schmidt, Kinesiology, College of Hayley Schroeder, CURO Research Assistant Education Dr. Sonia Altizer, Odum School of Ecology

In concurrence with the infiltration of Long-distance migration requires technology into our daily lives, emerging physiological changes to prepare for and evidence suggests that sedentary behavior sustain energetically costly migratory (SED) is rising, and that the population movements. Some migrants, such as the generally fails to adhere to physical activity monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), atrophy guidelines. SED and inactivity have reproductive organs and enter reproductive independent effects on a range of diapause to minimize energetic costs. The cardiometabolic outcomes but few studies ability to migrate, however, can be have explored whether this is the case jeopardized by infection. This study explored regarding muscle capacity. Muscle capacity is a the effects of reproductive diapause and predictor of cardiometabolic risk and all-cause infection by a protozoan parasite Ophryocystis mortality, and is positively associated with elektroscirrha on flight metabolism of the weight management and functional capacity monarch butterfly. We expected that through its close ties to lean mass and migratory monarchs in reproductive diapause metabolic rate. Thus, greater muscle capacity would have a lower flight metabolism than is advantageous to health. Due to the reproductively active non-migratory monarchs pervasiveness of SED and inactivity, the aim as a mechanism to conserve energy for the of this study was to examine the extent to long journey. We also predicted that infected which lifetime sports participation might migratory monarchs would show higher flight offset potentially negative effects of SED on metabolism than healthy migrants due to the muscular capacity. Participants were part of a accelerated dehydration and reduced flight longitudinally studied cohort [n=99 (n=33 performance that are known to result from male); 12-19 yo]. Lifetime sports participation infection. Wild migratory monarchs and lab- was measured using the Bone-specific reared monarchs were used in the study. We Physical Activity Questionnaire. SED was used a tethered flight mill to induce 10 measured using the Adolescent Sedentary minutes of continuous flight, immediately Activity Questionnaire. Muscle capacity was after which we measured flight metabolism measured using the Nottingham Leg Extensor (quantified as an O2 consumption). Results Power Rig (Power) and the Biodex isokinetic indicate that migratory monarchs in dynamometer (Strength), combining the reproductive diapause demonstrate a lower greatest trial in each, with lean mass of the flight metabolism than reproductively active corresponding region from Dual Energy X- non-migrants. We also found no difference in

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Abstracts flight metabolism between infected and eastern North America, the possibility for a healthy individuals. Our findings enhance the trade-off exists where monarchs might be less understanding of the mechanisms underlying well defended, making them more susceptible monarch migration and the implications of than queens to infection by both generalist disease on this migratory species. and specialist pathogens.

Comparing Immune Defenses and Nazi vs. "Soup Nazi": The Double-Talk Pathogen Susceptibility in Closely Related of Holocaust Rhetoric Host Species Rachel Schwartz, CURO Honors Scholar Hayley Schroeder, CURO Summer Fellow Dr. David Williams, Religion, Franklin Dr. Sonia Altizer, Odum School of Ecology College of Arts & Sciences

Closely related species often exhibit similar Between 1933 and 1945, Jews in Europe were immune responses against parasites. However, subjected to harsh dehumanization, which exceptions occur in which closely related culminated in the systematic murder of more species can show different immune responses than six million Jews in what is now called the against shared parasites. Differences in host Holocaust. The persecution of European defenses can be influential for infectious Jewry did not happen overnight. Rather, it disease dynamics in wildlife. Monarch (Danaus was a slow and careful manipulation of the plexippus) and queen (D. gilippus) butterflies masses that turned humanity against itself. belong to the subfamily Danainae. Previous Seventy years later, this event still holds a observations suggest that monarchs and central role in the world’s psyche, influencing queens could have different immune the way we use words related to it. The responses to shared parasites. As one question posed by this project is, “How is example, both species are known to host a Holocaust rhetoric used in the contemporary protozoan parasite that specializes on Danaus world?” Analysis of political speeches and spp. Despite similar levels of exposure, popular media suggests that the Holocaust is queens are more resistant to the protozoan used as a double-edged sword in the than monarchs in experiments and show a contemporary setting: with seriousness in the lower prevalence of infection in the wild. The political arena, but with frivolity in popular goal of this study was to investigate if these culture. On one hand, the use of Holocaust closely related butterfly species differ in rhetoric in the contemporary political arena susceptibility and immune responses to a confirms that Holocaust rhetoric remains different, generalist pathogen commonly powerful. Politicians routinely invoke the found in insects. We also tested if fitness Holocaust to further their agendas, imbuing a measurements varied among species after malicious situation or individual (“He is infection. We inoculated both queens and another Hitler!”) with such strong meaning monarchs with the generalist pathogen Serratia that it triggers a collective memory and cannot marcescens. The results indicated that queens be ignored. On the other hand, as time were innately better defended, as progresses we are becoming distanced and demonstrated by higher hemocyte desensitized to the Holocaust. This has led, in concentrations and greater phenoloxidase turn, to flippant use of Holocaust terminology activity. There was also a trend of lower in popular culture. Thus, while once mortality in queens, but a larger sample size is representing the epitome of evil, some terms required to determine if this trend is specifically related to the Holocaust (e.g., significant. Because wild monarchs must Nazi) have become overused and energetically invest heavily in migration in

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commonplace in popular culture patterns of emotion experienced by host (e.g., Seinfeld’s “Soup Nazi”). countries the longer refugees remain.

“Brave Little Belgium”: The British Development of a Non-Radioactive High Home Front Response to Belgian Throughput Assay to Detect Thyroid Refugees, 1914-1918 Hormone Uptake in Cryopreserved Leah Scott, CURO Graduation Distinction Hepatocytes in Suspension Prof. Steven Soper, History, Franklin College Julian Selano of Arts & Sciences Dr. Jason Zastre, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy The outbreak of World War I brought with it an unprecedented rate of noncombatant Transporter proteins (transporters) play a displacement in Europe. Among the first large role in uptake and distribution of many populations displaced by German invasion natural and medicinal chemicals within the were Belgian civilians, who fled to France and body. The liver specifically relies on Great Britain. With a strong history of transporters for the uptake and efflux of privately funded humanitarian aid, the influx chemicals, as it is involved in the of approximately 200,000 Belgian refugees pharmacokinetic parameters of absorption, was initially received with enthusiasm by distribution, metabolism, and excretion British civilians isolated from the (ADME). A multitude of radiolabeled battlegrounds of the continent. But as the war transporter assays exist for the detection of stretched over years rather than months, chemical uptake and drug-drug interactions. British civilians became agitated by the However, few non-radioactive assays continued presence of the Belgians. This involving uptake transporters have been paper examines the evolution of public developed; and none, to our knowledge, have perception of Belgian refugees in Great been developed specifically for the uptake of Britain from 1914-1918. Using the British thyroid hormone. An assay for the detection Newspaper Archive and the text analysis of thyroid hormone uptake would be program Voyant Tools, this paper tracks the advantageous in identifying potential words chosen in association with refugees inhibitors. In this study, a high-throughput over the course of the war in the most non-radiolabeled thyroid hormone uptake appropriate form of public discourse—the assay was developed using a procedure similar local newspaper. Personal diaries supplement to the Oil Stop method commonly used with the newspaper database to glean an accurate radioactive assays, however this technique picture of the British home front experience employs the use of LC-MS/MS technology with refugees. In the public eye, Belgians and cryopreserved hepatocytes. The 96 well transformed from romanticized martyrs assay exposes cells to thyroid hormone as a victimized by German brutality to burdens, substrate and other chemical agents as troublemakers, and even criminals. This possible inhibitors, and allows for the rapid British disillusionment is due to a number of assessment of potential inhibition. We hope factors, including Victorian morals, to be able to employ this technique in future employment concerns, and the failure of research to identify environmental chemicals Belgians to live up to the highly idealized as potential inhibitors of thyroid hormone image promoted upon their arrival. The uptake. British response to the Belgian refugee influx reveals both an insight into the early 20th Use of Social Recognition Test and Open century British national identity and the Field Test to Assess Piglet Cognition

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Kathryn Sellman Dr. Jesse Schank, Physiology & Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, Pharmacology, College of Veterinary College of Agricultural & Environmental Medicine Sciences Stressful life events are known to cause and Due to similarities to children in brain worsen both depression and alcohol use formation and development, the piglet is an disorders. In the human population, these ideal model to assess cognitive function using stressful events are often social in nature. behavioral tests. Two important cognitive Because of the prevalence of these two tests utilized in this study are social disorders and their comorbidity, chronic recognition and open field tests, which social defeat stress has been used as a quantitatively assess social memory and piglet preclinical model in mice. The social defeat behaviors including anxiety and willingness to paradigm involves placing an intruder mouse explore. In the social recognition test, piglets into the home cage of a resident mouse and are exposed to an unfamiliar pig and a novel allowing the resident mouse to attack the object in a sociability test, followed by a 10 intruder. Mice exposed to chronic social minute inter-phase interval, and then exposed defeat stress display two phenotypes: resilient to a familiar pig and a novel pig in a social and susceptible. Susceptible mice display the recognition test. Piglets are expected to spend depressive-like phenotype of decreased social more time with the unfamiliar pig in the interaction while resilient mice exhibit social sociability trial than the novel object and are interaction behavior that does not differ from expected to spend more time with the novel controls. The goal of this experiment was to pig in the social recognition trial than the determine the effect of the social defeat familiar pig, indicating that the piglet had paradigm on social avoidance and ethanol retained a social memory of the familiar piglet. consumption. First, the phenotype of each In the open field test, piglets are placed in an mouse was determined using a social open arena for 10 minutes to monitor interaction task after defeat. Ethanol different aspects of behavior such as consumption was then measured using a two- ambulation, exploratory interest, and anxiety. bottle choice between water and 20% ethanol. Piglets are expected to explore fewer zones The data indicated that susceptible mice and become less ambulatory over time, display significantly increased avoidance demonstrating significantly decreased behavior and ethanol consumption than both exploratory interest as time passes, and the control and resilient mice. The resilient generally to become less anxious. This test mice display avoidance behavior and ethanol overall should display that the piglets will consumption that is not significantly different become habituated to the arena. Taken from controls. together, these two tests will quantify normal piglet behavior, which can be used in the Variation of Nanoparticle Surface future as a basis of comparison to assess Lipophilicity for Blood Brain Barrier cognitive deficits associated with neural Penetration disease and injury models. Nivita Sharma, CURO Honors Scholar, CURO Summer Fellow, CURO Research Susceptibility to Chronic Social Defeat Assistant Stress Increases Ethanol Consumption in Prof. Shanta Dhar, Chemistry, Franklin Mice College of Arts & Sciences Michelle Sequeira, CURO Research Assistant

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Several medical complications occur in the This study examines whether parasites affect brain and cause significant damages. One such the behavioral complexity of their hosts. We example is stroke: the third leading cause of addressed this question by examining death in the United States. Unfortunately, behavioral data collected from Grant's there is only one FDA approved drug for gazelles (Nanger granti) that were part of an stroke treatment, tissue plasminogen activator. experimental parasite removal study. Some of A plethora of drugs for stroke treatment is these gazelles were treated with an not available because the brain is protected by anthelmintic drug to clear gastrointestinal a layer of tightly packed endothelial cells, worms. The way that treated gazelles which forms the blood brain barrier (BBB). distributed their time among various The BBB restricts movement of substances behaviors was compared to the way that across the barrier and into the brain. This untreated control gazelles distributed their protects foreign and usually harmful time. Behavioral complexity was measured as substances from entering the brain and the time it took for an individual to switch causing unwarranted damage. However, from one behavior to another. We tested the substances that can cross the BBB are small in hypothesis that treated gazelles have more size and highly lipophilic. A potential for complex behavior than untreated gazelles stroke treatment that we are working towards because they spend more time performing is using aspirin to reduce inflammation in the one behavior before switching to another. brain after a stroke occurs. Reducing Preliminary analyses show that treated inflammation is the precursor to using stem individuals had longer bouts of feeding before cells to regenerate damaged neurons that can switching, when compared with their revive lost brain function. A highly lipophilic untreated counterparts. These findings reveal mitochondria targeted nanoparticle is ideal to that parasite infection can influence subtle deliver aspirin across the BBB. Therefore, this aspects of behavior in wildlife. project focuses on optimizing the surface lipophilicity of nanoparticles by varying Using an Unconventional Tool: A carbon chain lengths of the targeting ligands Capuchin Monkey Becomes Skillful that are attached to the surface of the Spencer Sheheane polymeric nanoparticles. The targeting ligands Dr. Dorothy Fragaszy, Psychology, Franklin are comprised of a triphenylphosphonium College of Arts & Sciences cation attached to a carbon chain. Here, we study varying chain lengths from three to Skillful individuals adapt their movements in eight alkyl groups to evaluate which carbon accordance with the changing constraints of chain length most effectively increases the the task, body, and environment. We explored surface lipophilicity of the nanoparticle; thus, how one tufted capuchin monkey developed optimizing the nanoparticle’s ability to cross skill in using a tool. We used a tool presenting the BBB. unfamiliar properties to probe the monkey’s dexterity. The task was to use a hoe to retrieve Parasite Infection and Host Behavioral a token from a solid, smooth surface. The Complexity handle of the tool was rigid, or had one or Caroline Shearer, Foundation Fellow, CURO two joints that permitted the head of the hoe Research Assistant to move at right angles (novel compositions). Dr. Vanessa Ezenwa, Odum School of In Training, the monkey used the tool 100 Ecology times in each condition in fixed order (rigid, one joint, two joints). In a Test phase, the monkey was presented with 40 trials of each

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condition (120 trials in total) in randomized below ground root mass, a trait greatly order. The monkey’s behavior with the tool in associated with nutrient acquisition, were used the first and last 20 trials of each condition in to identify if line performance at the seedling Training and the last 20 trials of each stage is indicative of their performance at the condition in the Test phase were coded using adult stage for overall plant yield and nutrient video playback. The number of all actions stress tolerance. Analysis is currently under with the tool declined in each condition way, however, the traits noted in this study between start and end of Training, and again and in the later study to be conducted on a between the end of Training and the Test larger subset of the cultivated sunflower phase. Terminal performance with the jointed population can lead to further research tools averaged 2.92 moves per trial, barely towards breeding efforts in developing more above the minimum possible (2 moves/trial). nutrient efficient sunflower cultivars. These results suggest that the monkey mastered using altered tools with a relatively Personality Predictors of Team Work small amount of practice. Relationships: Characteristics that Make Friends The Influence of Nutrient Stress on Mass Benjamin Shepard, Julia Willis, Alex Moore, Performance Rankings among Cultivated Holly Wright, Nick Sciales Sunflowers Dr. Dorothy Carter, Psychology, Franklin Kiara Shelby College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Lisa Donovan, Plant Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Industrial and Organizational Psychologists have demonstrated repeatedly that individuals’ As sunflower crops become of higher demand stable personality traits, especially their levels for their many uses as ornamentals, food and of conscientiousness and emotional stability, as a major oil-seed crop, there is also an predict individual job performance. However, increasing need for the development of in the 21st century, organizations are nutrient efficient sunflower cultivars that can increasingly relying on flatter, team-based produced relatively high crop yields in varying work structures, and individuals are required nutrient conditions. Due to the nutrient to team-up with other individuals to solve availability around the world, the development larger problems. Thus, there is a pressing need of these cultivars can lead to a reduction in to better understand the degree to which the the economic and environmental impacts previously observed relationships between associated with fertilization. The purpose of personality traits and individual job this study is to serve as a pilot study for performance translate to team contexts. In assessing a small subset of diverse cultivated our study, we investigate the degree to which sunflower lines in the greenhouse for the Big Five personality traits of resistance to nutrient stress using biomass as a Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, measure of performance. Mass performance Neuroticism, Openness to Experience, and rankings are assigned to lines in each maturity Extraversion predict the emergence of stage, seedling and budding, across several teamwork relationships between participants in a nutrient treatments to determine whether or complex interdisciplinary multiteam task. In not line performance rankings change as this task, 12 participants are randomly plants at the seedling stage develop to the assigned to a role on one of four 3-member budding stage and across nutrient treatments. teams and are required to apply their role- Rankings for both above ground shoot mass, specific information during a multiteam a trait greatly associated with plant yield, and decision-making activity. Prior to participating

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in the study, participants complete self-report involved in guilds or clans in an online video measures of personality. Then, during the game. Examining these variables in a virtual experiment, participants complete a series of environment will help tell us what similarities self-report sociometric perceptual measures of and differences exist between these guilds and teamwork relationships (e.g., information real world jobs. By identifying what sharing, trust, collaboration, ease of similarities and differences are between these interaction). This measurement approach two environments, employers can better identifies the networked patterns of teamwork create their work environment to help have relationships that have emerged during more committed and engaged employees. collaboration. In our analysis, we use a class of inferential models of network emergence Small Molecule Inhibition of CARM1 in and development called exponential random Adipocytes to Control the Epigenome- graph models that model the antecedents of Induced Risks of Obesity relationship emergence. This analytic Dhairya Shukla approach allows us to identify the personality Dr. Richard Meagher, Genetics, Franklin traits that are the strongest predictors of College of Arts & Sciences effective teamwork interactions. Obesity is the condition of having excess IO Variables in Gaming: When Work is body fat, and a Body Mass Index greater than Play 30. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions Benjamin Shepard with 35% of adult Americans being obese. It Dr. W. Keith Campbell, Psychology, Franklin is also the leading cause of preventable death College of Arts & Sciences in the USA, making it one of the top research priorities. Obesity results from the increased Over the past decade, virtual environments production and size of adipocytes in adipose have become more and more prevalent in tissue. This results from imbalance between many people's day-to-day lives. Because of food intake and energy expenditure, leading to this increase, it has become important for us an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. to better understand their impact on The health risks of obesity and the difficulty individuals and organizations. In this study, individuals have losing weight is explained by our research group will be examining variables epigenetic factors. One such epigenetic factor, from many different fields of psychology. Coactivator-Associated Arginine Some of these variables include variables Methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) catalyzes related to Industrial and Organizational (IO) modification of proteins at adipogenic genes psychology: personality, leadership, informal and appears essential to the transformation of leadership, and judgement and decision preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. The making in virtual environments. The IO team cellular memory of CARM1-catalyzes in this study will be trying to develop an asymmetric arginine modifications in visceral understanding of the individual differences in and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and attitudes and behaviors in different types of SAT) adipocytes that may impact the ability to virtual environments. We will also examine gain and lose weight. Dr. Meagher’s the impacts of the real world context on the laboratory recently developed innovative tools virtual environment so that we may develop to enable adipocyte-specific epigenetic interventions to improve the experience and analysis of chromatin structures well-being of people in the work place. This including fluorescence activated nuclear section of the study will be specifically sorting of adipose tissue nuclei and a focused on finding player that are highly preadipocyte cell line that fluoresces when

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Abstracts cells become mature adipocytes microscope, ellipsometry, and optical (ADNp::RFP). In this project, I will begin by transmission measurements, and demonstrate inhibiting adipocyte development of this cell large chiral optical activity. With the help of line using the natural product CARM1 finite difference time domain simulations, inhibitor Ellagic Acid and then move on to their optical properties can be predicted. We pharmaceuticals newly designed to inhibit will systematically vary both the etching and CARM1. Our translational medicine goal is to deposition conditions to generate different reduce obesity and its harmful comorbidities chiral metamaterials and to establish a good including cardiovascular disease, some relationship between the optical properties cancers, type II diabetes, inflammation, and and the chiral structures. dementia testing this next in mouse models. The Political Evolution of Malcolm X Designing Chiral Metasurfaces and Shaunteri Skinner, CURO Summer Fellow Understanding their Optical Properties Dr. Carolyn Medine, Religion, Franklin Joseph Skehan College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Yiping Zhao, Physics & Astronomy, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences The legacy of Malcolm X continues to undergo reinvention as researchers gain access When an array of micrometer or nanometer to his personal life through the written work sized chiral patterns are arranged regularly in he left behind. The development in the theory three dimensional space, they can show in his religious and political thought is an unique optical properties which do not occur important scholarly question, particularly in naturally, and can be used to tune the understanding the changes that he made after polarization of light. When these chiral his split from the Nation of Islam (NOI). materials are made of noble metals, such as Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the NOI, Ag, Au, or Pt, they are called chiral discouraged political affiliations when metamaterial and can exhibit enhanced chiral Malcolm X was the national minster of his optical properties, which may result in a wide organization, leaving Malcolm restless to range of applications, such as negative express his public voice. In my research, I refractive index material, stealth coating, examine the period after his break from the improved detection devices, super resolution NOI and find that this movement gave him lenses, etc. However, production of these political independence. His religious ordered, chiral structures usually requires commitments intersected with his politics as expensive fabrication techniques, such as well. From African thinkers, he was inspired electron beam lithography. Here, we propose to adopt some of the methods they had used to combine close packed nanosphere to attain independence from colonial powers monolayers, reactive plasma etching, and in Europe. He developed strategies that he oblique angle deposition to fabricate large area planned to implement during political chiral nanostructures. Based on a MATLAB campaigns as the founder of the Organization program developed in our lab and modified of Afro-American Unity (OAAU). In notes by me, I have predicted the etching process from collections of personal writings, housed and the resulting chiral patterns on the at the Schomburg Center for Research in substrate. With a Labview program developed Black Culture, Malcolm X detailed these plans by me, I can deposit chiral patterns on the with the help of student researchers who substrate by controlling the substrate rotation. accompanied him at political summits in The resulting chiral metamaterials are then Africa. The OAAU was modeled after the characterized by scanning electron Organization of African Unity (OAU), which

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called for the political and social unification of demonstrates that diazinon promotes lipid African nations. With the information that I accumulation and activates the adipogenic collected as I completed research in Harlem, I signaling pathway in the in vitro model. ask: What new insights can be deduced about the political legacy of Malcolm X from his Ecosystem Decomposition Using Fluxes template for the OAAU? Erin Smith, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Caner Kazanci, Mathematics, Franklin Diazinon Promotes Adipogenesis in 3T3- College of Arts & Sciences L1 Preadipocytes Adrianne Smith, CURO Research Assistant Ecosystems are often described as flows of Dr. Xiaozhong Yu, Environmental Health biomass among species, which form Science, College of Public Health ecological networks. These networks can be fairly large and complex. Decomposing an Diazinon, a common organophosphate, has ecosystem model into smaller pieces for been widely used in the agricultural setting, detailed analysis is often tempting. However, thus exposure in the general population is essential ecosystem behavior may be lost by possible. Studies show diazinon has breaking connections, or excluding species. neurotoxic effects in humans and animals and Ecosystems are made up of organisms and possible adverse effects as an endocrine flows of biomass, but neither can function by disruptor. However, its association with themselves. In this research, we propose a dysregulation of adipogenesis has been poorly new building block for ecosystems, called investigated. Obesity is an increasing health fluxes. A flux is a smaller network within an issue. Research suggests that environmental ecosystem that can sustain itself. For example, factors play a role in the obesity epidemic in a forest ecosystem may have hundreds of addition to diet and exercise. The current interconnected species and flows, but a flux study investigated the mechanism of would contain grass, rabbits, wolves, and the diazinon’s effect on adipogenesis by flow between these species. Any ecosystem examining adipocyte differentiation after can be broken apart into these fluxes and exposure. 3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes were examined without losing any significant used as an in vitro model and treated with properties of the full ecosystem. Furthermore, increasing doses of diazinon (0, 1, 10 100 flux decomposition can be used to identify µM). Using Oil Red O staining for essential organisms (keystone species) or visualization, lipid droplet accumulation was flows, because an organism or a flow may found to increase in a dose-dependent appear in multiple fluxes. We have shown that manner. Multiple adipogenic specific proteins it is possible to decompose any ecosystem were measured via Western blotting at the model into its fluxes regardless of its size or three stages of adipogenesis (induction, complexity. We are currently developing the differentiation, and maturation) in each algorithms necessary to automate the process treatment condition. Diazinon significantly so that any ecosystem can be decomposed induced expression of transcriptional factors without requiring any manual work. Our CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins α research is ongoing. (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and their Population Dynamics and the Ecology of downstream genes fatty acid synthase (FASN) the Common Bottlenose Dolphin of the and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (CoA) in a dose Central Georgia Coast and time-dependent manner compared to the Caroline Spohn, CURO Honors Scholar relative controls. The current study Dr. John Schacke, Odum School of Ecology

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The barrier islands and estuarine system of Throughout history, the transportation sector, the central Georgia coast provide a unique which is one of the fundamental areas of environment for the study of dolphin energy consumption, has been periodically population dynamics, ecology, and behavior revolutionized by technological development. as one of the few areas along the eastern coast The adoption of each successive that remains largely undeveloped. Bordered to technology—such as roads, carriages, cars, the north by Savannah and to the south by and planes—has been akin to shifting into a Brunswick, this area is relatively untouched by higher gear, where the new technology is human populations and commercial industry. leveraged to allow for faster, and therefore The study of this population of dolphins over more expansive, travel. Increased travel time will provide a baseline against which to requires increases in energy consumption. In compare the results of future coastal this project, we mechanistically model the developments on terrestrial and aquatic historical kinetic energy discharge of ever environments. The results of my research will increasing and faster moving human be valuable to environmental protection and populations. By comparing the resulting conservation organizations, fishery values to the published energy consumed by departments, coastal development activities, the transportation sector, we derive an and state and federal agencies in efforts to energetic efficiency of the transportation preserve and protect the region. The goal of sector over historical time. Understanding this project is to identify and measure this trend with additional supporting data seasonal, annual, and other periodic meaningfully quantifies and conveys the fluctuations in the abundance and distribution enormous impact of increasing human kinetic of dolphin populations along the central energy on the energetic balance of the planet. Georgia coast. Data will be documented This information can be leveraged to engineer photographically to identify individual sustainable solutions grounded in a mass and dolphins and catalog them. Through this energy balance perspective. process, we are able to observe the associations between the physical Recycled Tire Chips for Use in Concrete environment and dolphin population and Barrier Walls and Other Applications ecology, which will provide us with insight Katelyn Stallings into the positive and negative effects of Dr. Stephan Durham, College of Engineering coastal development on habitat health. In order to complete this analysis, boat-based In 2013, the Georgia Department of surveys of the region are completed in order Transportation (GDOT) constructed more to collect photographic and demographic than 42,000 linear feet of concrete barrier data. These surveys identify individual utilizing a Class A concrete mixture design dolphins, their distribution over time, and (3000 psi). There may be potential for the behavior in specific geographic areas. beneficial utilization of recycled tire chips in Identification of individual dolphins is concrete barrier applications which may lead possible because scars on dorsal fins can be as to improved safety for vehicle occupants as unique as human fingerprints. well as reduce disposed rubber from going to landfills or stockpiles, and potentially saving Acceleration of Human Transportation materials cost for GDOT. Additionally, and Its Impacts on Energy Consumption there may be other applications requiring less Lindsey Spreen, CURO Research Assistant compressive strength, Class B – 2200 psi, Dr. John Schramski, College of Engineering where rubberized concrete could be advantageous. However, GDOT has not

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studied recycled rubber tires for concrete while food energy (edible calories) for the barriers or other concrete related applications global population, arguably the most despite the potential for safety, important energy for civilization, is not being environmental, and economic benefits. evenly distributed. Today, approximately 2 Concrete safety barriers are one of the widely billion people lack one or more nutrients for used impact attenuators that are intended to survival. Organizing available data for 173 either decelerate vehicles to a safe stop or countries, we compare food energy surplus or redirect them away from a fixed object. deficit to per capita energy consumption Concrete exhibits little plastic deformation between 1980 and 2005. The results show on when impacted by a vehicle and thus an average that energy consumption per capita undesirable trait for safety barriers. This study and food energy production per capita are not includes a thorough review of literature correlated. This indicates that excess pertaining to the inclusion of rubber products nonrenewable energy usage is not being in concrete mixtures for transportation related implemented with intentions to feed a applications and the design, batching, and continuously growing population. To aid testing of rubberized concrete mixtures for policy makers, areas of improvement in excess potential use in barrier walls, curb and gutter, energy consumption above the metabolic and other non-high strength concrete needs of the population loads are identified. applications for GDOT. Specifically, coarse aggregate (i.e. rock) will be replaced with Using Mutants to Understand incremental proportions of tire chips. The Mechanisms of DNA Methylation in primary goal will be to establish a benchmark Brachypodium distachyon concrete mixture for which tire chip inclusion Madeline Steffensen, CURO Research is possible without significant detrimental Assistant effects on the structural performance of the Dr. Robert Schmitz, Genetics, Franklin concrete. Rubberized concrete mixtures will College of Arts & Sciences be tested for compressive strength at 1, 7, and 28 days of age to measure their mechanical The mechanisms of DNA methylation in performance as tire chip content increases. plants have been extensively studied in the Ultimately, this research will better inform non-grass species Arabidopsis thaliana. While additional phases of a larger-scale study. differences in the patterns of methylation have been observed in grass species, the An Environmental Engineering mechanisms for these differences remain Challenge: Improving the Energy Balance poorly understood. Brachypodium distachyon is of Global Food Production an emerging model for grass species. Genes Garrett Steck, CURO Research Assistant known to regulate DNA methylation are Dr. John Schramski, College of Engineering studied using the WRRC Brachypodium T-DNA mutant collection. Tissues from plants with Global energy consumption continues to suspected mutant genes are harvested. PCR exponentially rise as an increasing world and gel electrophoresis are then used to population, currently at 7.4 billion, requires genotype the plant and determine its zygosity. more resources to survive. However, despite This process is used to identify plants that are rising global per capita energy consumption, homozygous for the mutation of interest. significant food availability disparities exist Homozygous mutants are then further studied between countries. Decisive amounts of to determine the effect mutations have on energy are used for transportation, DNA methylation. It is expected that urbanization, and industrial development, genotyping will identify plants that are both

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homozygous and heterozygous for mutations. shown that another technique, Differential Heterozygous individuals will be carried to the Evolution (DE), can outperform this second generation in order to obtain algorithm. DE is a search algorithm that has homozygous offspring. Further studies of applications in an array of disciplines, but its these mutants are expected to show that the usefulness in generating designs has never mutants have altered methylation levels been explored. The goal of this study is to compared to non-mutated wild-type plants. understand how DE compares with other The research will provide important algorithms like GA and then attempt to information about the mechanisms of DNA analyze designs for which optimal solutions methylation in grass species. In this way, we have not yet been found. can begin to understand differences that may be present between DNA methylation in Detritus Preferences in a Mangrove- grasses and non-grass species of plants. Saltmarsh Ecotone Jessica Story, CURO Summer Fellow In Search of Optimal Designs Using Dr. Jeb Byers, Odum School of Ecology Differential Evolution Algorithm Zack Stokes Climate change is driving range expansions of Dr. Abhyuday Mandal, Statistics, Franklin species worldwide, and warming temperatures College of Arts & Sciences are causing global shifts in species distributions to higher latitudes and In statistical practice, no matter how excellent elevations. In Florida, mangrove forests are data analysis methods are, meaningful advancing their northern limit in response to conclusions cannot be drawn from data that declines in the frequency of annual freezes. As were not collected carefully. To prevent this the mangrove forests extend their northern issue, designed experiments can be used to boundary, they are moving into salt marsh target specific research questions and avoid habitats. As a consequence, the organisms in frivolously using resources. Experiments like invaded marshes that utilize detritus as a these can often be very expensive for the resource may change or shift their food researcher due to either a high number of preferences to adapt to the new change in runs or a high per-run cost. This cost dominant vegetation. To test this, litterbags restriction is an example of one constraint filled with mangrove and saltmarsh detritus that may be in place when attempting to were placed in 20 blocks (10 within mangrove generate a worthwhile design. To address this habitat and 10 within saltmarsh habitat) along issue, there are different approaches for the mangrove-saltmarsh ecotone. Litterbags creating optimal designs. For simpler cases, were analyzed individually to quantify species optimal designs can be obtained theoretically, composition and abundance. After one using formulae and theorems; however, as month, the results showed more organisms technology continues to advance, the overall in the mangrove plots over the processes that are being experimented on are saltmarsh plots. Within the mangrove plots, growing more and more complex. In these there were more organisms utilizing saltmarsh situations it is not always possible to construct detritus than mangrove detritus. Thus, the an optimal design analytically. This research mangrove detritus is a less than substitutable deals with developing new, numerical resource for salt-marsh resident techniques for approaching these problems. species. However, this may change over time The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is a popular tool as marsh species adapt or as mangrove that already exists for identifying these associated species also migrate northward. designs; however, our preliminary study has

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Beneficial Use of Metakaolin for Georgia We use an experiment to examine whether the Concrete Pavements way in which climate change is framed affects Matthew Sullivan individuals’ beliefs about its importance as a Dr. Stephan Durham, College of Engineering policy issue. We employ frames that emphasize national security, human rights, This study analyzes the use of metakaolin as a and environmental importance about the supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in consequences of climate change. Contrary to concrete mixtures; particularly with the intent our expectations, we find no evidence that of adoption into current Georgia Department issue frames, on average, affect opinions of Transportation (GDOT) Standard about the importance of climate change Specifications. Despite Georgia having policy. We do find some evidence that the significant kaolin deposits, GDOT does not effect of issue frames varies across ideological currently allow its use for concrete pavements and partisan groups. We conclude by or other structures. During the last several discussing our findings relative to extant decades the use of SCMs in Georgia concrete literature and considering the implications of has increased and led to improved our findings for those who seek to address the performance and lower cost. Fly ash and blast issue of climate change. furnace slag have been the primary SCMs used for concrete pavements. Recently, the The Effects of Iron Deficiency Anemia on availability of these SCMs has become limited Mitochondrial Capacity and resulted in the need to investigate Joanna Szymonik, CURO Research Assistant alternative materials. Current research Kelly-Ann Peters evaluating the use of metakaolin as a SCM is Dr. Kevin McCully, Kinesiology, College of widespread with numerous state DOTs Education having already adopted specifications for its use. This research is timely in that it will be Iron is an essential mineral needed by the used to investigate the mechanical body. In addition to carrying oxygen from the performance of concrete mixtures using lungs to the rest of the body, iron is also an metakaolin. Ultimately, the study results will important component of enzymes that help to allow for the modification of the GDOT speed up biochemical reactions. Having an Standard Specifications to allow its use. inadequate amount of iron in the body is a Metakaolin will be introduced as a partial condition called iron deficiency. According to replacement of cement for GDOT Class 1 the World Health Organization, ~30% of the and 2 concrete pavements. The performance world's population is anemic. This makes it will be examined using ASTM standardized the most common nutritional deficiency in tests for fresh and hardened concrete the world. With muscle weakness and fatigue properties. The successful completion of this being a major symptom of this condition, it research will provide an economical and can be hypothesized that a deficiency in iron widely available alternative to the current may impact skeletal muscle performance. SCMs being used in the state of Georgia. Specifically, it can be predicted that a deficiency can impair mitochondrial function Issue Framing and Beliefs about the in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study Importance of Climate Change Policy was to compare the mitochondrial capacity of Meili Swanson, CURO Research Assistant those with iron deficiency to controls. Dr. Shane Singh, International Affairs, School Participants were divided into two groups: an of Public & International Affairs anemic group (n=4) and a control group (n=14). Blood samples were taken in order to

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diagnosis anemia severity. Hemoglobin levels well as other glycans were recorded. In the were (11.4 + 0.9 g/dL) and (14.3 + 1.3 g/dL), presentation I will describe in details our while the hematocrit levels were (36.0 + 4.7 findings. %) and (40.6 + 3.3 %) for the anemic and control groups, respectively. However, there Influences of Predators on Parasite was no significant difference (p = 0.940) Prevalence in Crassostrea virginica between the rate constant of the anemic Meghan Tait, CURO Research Assistant (1.81/min) and control (1.82/min) groups. Dr. Jeb Byers, Odum School of Ecology This study suggests that iron deficiency did not affect the capacity of mitochondria in Host-parasite relationships do not occur in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that isolation. It is increasingly recognized that symptoms of fatigue are unrelated to the other species, like predators, may both directly impairment of iron usage in energy and indirectly influence the dynamics between production. hosts and parasites. If predators preferentially feed on infected or uninfected hosts, they may Administration of Varying Carbon and influence parasite prevalence in the remaining Nitrogen Sources into a Defined Growth host population. Furthermore, when Media for Polysaccharide Secretion in predators feed on infected hosts, they may Bacillus cereus release parasites from the prey facilitating Syed Tahmid, CURO Research Assistant their spread to new hosts. In this study we Dr. Maor Bar-Peled, Biochemistry & investigated if the blue crab, Callinectes sapius, Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & preferentially selects prey (the eastern oysters, Sciences Crassostrea virginica), infected by one of its most prevalent parasites, Perkinsus marinus. Using a The endospore forming Bacillus cereus species series of choice trials in laboratory was recently shown to produce an exocellular mesocosms, we presented blue crabs with two polysaccharide (EPS) during later stages of oysters. Once the crab had committed to sporulation. The biofilm is composed of an consuming one oyster, we removed both extracellular polysaccharide named X- oysters from the mesocosm and assessed their polymer. While the structure of this X- P. marinus infection status. Using all trials that polysaccharide was recently elucidated in our included a choice between one infected and laboratory, less was known about the one uninfected prey, we analyzed the mechanism that regulates its formation. Here, preference of each predator. Blue crabs did we first showed that when Bacillus is growing not exhibit preferential feeding as a function in rich bacterial medium, a medium that of P. marinus infection status. Our data thus support vegetative growth, both the EPS or suggests that crab predators will not alter the spores do not form. To further examine prevalence patterns of oyster populations specific nutrient(s) that support glycan through differential predation. This gives us a formation, we used a different medium. For better understanding of the relationship these studies we used a defined medium between the biotic environment and host- containing different sources of carbon, parasite interactions. nitrogen, or a combination of the two factors. Following bacterial growth, the polysaccharide Code Switching in Tunisian Arabic was isolated and its composition was Ayman Tartir determined after hydrolysis by gas Dr. Timothy Gupton, Romance Languages, chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Franklin College of Arts & Sciences The relative amount of the polysaccharide as

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Few modern languages can claim a of the biggest: recycling. The research aims at sociolinguistic history as complex as that of discovering student’s thoughts on the Tunisian Arabic. Beginning with the ancient recycling programs on campus. Berber languages of the Sahara, the Tunisian Design/methodology/approach: The researcher linguistic landscape was shaped over used two research methods in this study to thousands of years by conquest and trade with investigate the subject: (1) an online survey of nearly a dozen languages and peoples—most UGA undergraduate and graduate students; notably the Arabs and the French. Today, the (2) in-depth interviews with five UGA language spoken in Tunisia is a precisely undergraduate students. Findings: Results executed mélange with Arabic and French suggest that students at the University of intermingling seamlessly in almost all levels of Georgia are very aware of recycling programs daily interaction. Code switching (CS), on campus, such as the recycling trash cans typically defined as the mixing by located in almost every classroom and multilinguals of two or more languages in building, and understand recycling on campus discourse on any level (Poplack 2001), has is important. Students felt less inclined to only recently become a topic of careful recycle at home where it is less convenient research. In the past, CS was thought to be a and also felt that recycling on game day is random and deviant linguistic phenomenon difficult. Practical implications: The Office of which lacked grammatical constraint. Sustainability needs to focus some of their However, linguists have made great strides in efforts on making recycling more convenient quantifying and qualifying CS which in many on game days. They also should spread cultures is fundamental to the way people awareness about the importance of recycling communicate. From this research have at home and how easy it can be. emerged such theories as Poplack’s Originality/value: The study provides insights 1978/81 Equivalence Constraint, which into the awareness and attitudes of on campus dictates that there are predictable “switching sustainability programs, such as recycling. points” at which one is free to change Making sustainable choices is important for languages. Using a corpus of linguistic data the health of our planet and students need to gathered from Tunisian television broadcasts, know that they can make a difference with this study examines some of the most their efforts. commonly switched elements, what social factors may affect them, and how they Effects of Campaign Finance on confirm the Equivalence Constraint. Legislator Polarization Andrew Teal UGA Campus Sustainability Initiatives: Dr. Anthony Madonna, Political Science, Awareness and Attitudes to Campus School of Public & International Affairs Recycling Emily Taylor, CURO Research Assistant Gallup polls have indicated growing Dr. Juan Meng, Grady College of Journalism disapproval of Congress in recent years. & Mass Communication Distrust with the legislative system stems from issues of gridlock and the public’s Purpose: The purpose of this research is to perception of an ideologically polarized identify student’s awareness and attitudes to Congress. Polarization is problematic for both on-campus sustainability initiatives. The the legislative process and the American University of Georgia Office of Sustainability public, as it causes gridlock in policy making is involved in many different sustainability and rifts in societal interactions through projects, but this paper chose to focus on one increasing political disagreement. Therefore, it

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is important to ask: what is causing Congress several protein kinases, including casein kinase to polarize? Existing research shows that 1.2. On the basis of these facts, we checked polarization is present and has been increasing for the effect of AEE788 on the since the 1970’s. The two primary accepted phosphoproteome of T. brucei. AEE788 causes of polarization are member treatment altered the phosphorylation state of replacement and member adaption. However, protein Tb427tmp.160.4770 (TbAAK1), more specific explanations exist for increasing among others. This protein shares some polarization. This research builds upon homology with the human protein kinase existing studies on the effects of campaign AAK1, which is involved in clathrin-mediated finance funding control. It is debated whether endocytosis through interactions with adaptor independent campaign donors or control of protein 2 (AP2). In this study, we present campaign funding by political party results of the effect of a TbAAK1 knockdown establishments might reduce Congressional on endocytosis pathways in the trypanosome. polarization. Using state legislature data, different campaign finance laws can be Reactive Microglia as a Biomarker in a simultaneously compared across state lines to Piglet Model of Traumatic Brain Injury analyze the effects of control over funding on Meagan Thomason, CURO Research polarization levels. Through data analysis, it Assistant should be evident that greater proportions of Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, contributions by political parties correspond College of Agricultural & Environmental to less polarization in legislatures. Sciences

Biological Function of an AAK1-Like Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause Protein Kinase in Trypanosoma brucei of hospitalization and death in the United Bryanna Thomas, CURO Graduation States, and patients with TBI often struggle Distinction, CURO Research Assistant with physical and cognitive impairments for Prof. Kojo Mensa-Wilmot, Cellular Biology, months to years. The development of Franklin College of Arts & Sciences treatments for TBI have been performed on predominantly rodent models, but because the Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a brain composition of mice is very different potentially deadly disease endemic to parts of compared to humans, the research often fails rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The causative agent, to translate to human medicine. However, pig Trypanosoma brucei, is a protozoan parasite that brains are more similar to human brains, proliferates in the blood, lymph, and which make them an appealing alternative for eventually the central nervous system of treatment development. The objective of this humans and cattle. New potential HAT drugs study is to assess changes in brain cellular may be repurposed from therapies for other composition in a piglet model of TBI. Piglets illnesses, such as the compound AEE788, underwent surgery to receive a controlled which was initially developed for the cortical impact (CCI). Piglets were sacrificed treatment of glioblastoma. AEE788 is a lead one day, one week, and four weeks post-TBI compound for trypanosomiasis drug and brain samples are collected for analysis. discovery. An important step in mechanism of Microglia, which secrete inflammatory action studies is identification of pathways cytokines in response to injury, were affected by a drug. In humans, AEE788 quantified by immunohistochemistry utilizing inhibits activity of the receptor tyrosine Iba1 antibody. We expect that microglial kinases EGFR and VEGFR. In activation will occur as early as one day post- trypanosomes, AEE788 is associated with TBI and will peak one week post-TBI. After

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four weeks, we expect less activated microglia On November 13, 2015, terrorists unleashed a presence as they begin to return to a resting series of attacks on Paris, killing and injuring state. These research findings will be used to more than 125 civilians. As with the Charlie determine a normal pattern of TBI Hebdo attacks earlier that year, the shooters pathophysiology to serve as a platform for the were of Muslim background. The aftermaths development of effective treatments for TBI. of these attacks again brought attention to France’s 1905 laïcité law. As stipulated by The Doctrinal Development of Sea- laïcité, displays of any religious symbol, Launched Nuclear Capabilities including, among other things, prayer, Bert Thompson, Foundation Fellow, CURO headscarves, and niqabs are severely restricted Research Assistant in the public sphere. Many French politicians Dr. Sara Kutchesfahani, International Affairs, use the 1905 law as a pretext for aggressive School of Public & International Affairs integrationist policies toward religious minorities. Yet, as a result, some argue, India, China, and Pakistan have transformed French society has further segregated and the face of South Asia over the last several laïcité has become a form of religious decades. The rise of economic power in the suppression that inequitably targets certain region, coupled with the growth of religions and not others. This research conventional military might, has generated highlights questions of religious freedom in fierce strategic competitions between India relation to the integration of Muslim and China, as well as between India and immigrant communities in France as they are Pakistan. However, the development of being tested today in social and legal nuclear arsenals in India, Pakistan, and China discourse. With a focus on Catholicism, a may be of the greatest concern to the historical analysis of French majority and international community. In this paper, the minority frameworks provides a thorough author examines the development of sea- understanding of the legislation that led up to launched nuclear capabilities, commonly in laïcité. Instead of integrating French society, the form of ballistic missile submarines, recent “modifications” to laïcité, specifically among the Asian powers. He further observes the bans on the headscarf and the veil, have the role of these developments on the nuclear caused reverse integration by promoting doctrine of each individual state. He finds that strong Catholic morals as well as secular India, Pakistan, and China have all faced republican nationalism that excludes pious similar problems in developing their sea- Muslim members of society. Varieties of launched nuclear platforms, including Islam and French republican secularism clash challenges to their command-and-control as Muslim individuals struggle to form self- practices and methods of storing and identities while simultaneously integrating into deploying nuclear-armed delivery vehicles. society. This study draws on qualitative The policy implications of nuclear analyses of local and national French developments in and around South Asia – newspaper articles in addition to recent namely, the prospect of nuclear war – require academic literature. attention from the international community. Financial Knowledge amongst College Has Laïcité Transformed into a Law of Freshmen Islamophobia? Danei Ting Chelsea Thorpe, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Brenda Cude, Financial Planning, Prof. Lihi Ben Shitrit, International Affairs, Housing & Consumer Economics, College of School of Public & International Affairs Family & Consumer Sciences

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Financial literacy is the capability to interpret Infections caused by Salmonella are among the how money works in society and how it is most common food-borne diseases in the managed. For my research, I want to learn United States, causing thousands of how financial courses are related to the hospitalizations yearly. Due to the increasing financial knowledge and behavior of college resistance to most effective antimicrobials, freshmen. For my research, I was able to new targets in Salmonella for antimicrobial analyze college freshmen data collected development must be identified. Our through an online survey. I utilized Excel to laboratory has identified a potential target as a filter out the data so I could segment my novel RNA repair complex that is target group of freshmen students who hypothesized to comprise three proteins, Rsr, attended high school in the state of Georgia. RtcA, and RtcB, and two Y RNAs. The This group consisted of 288 students. My complex is encoded in a single operon whose focus was questions related to financial expression is controlled by the transcriptional literacy. The first question I examined was, activator, RtcR. Expression of the RNA “How would you describe how much you repair operon is induced by treatment with the learned in course(s) about personal antimicrobial mitomycin C (MMC) and cell finance/money management in high school?” viability increases in the presence of Ninety-nine of the 288 students responded MMC. In order to further characterize the that after taking the course they knew much function of the RNA repair genes, a genetic more about money management, while 88 screen for synthetic lethal mutants on MMC were neutral. Looking deeper into the survey I was developed to identify other genes whose discovered the top two topics covered in high products interact or cooperate with the RNA school personal finance courses were financial repair complex. In this work, a Salmonella planning and investment strategies, each with strain that was deleted for the RtcB gene, an over 100 students. Another question asked RNA ligase, and contained an unstable whether taking financial-related courses in plasmid encoding rtcB was used for high school helped the students improve their transposon mutagenesis to identify other gene financial management behaviors. Only 4 products that specifically interact with RtcB. students responded that taking a course did Synthetic lethal mutants could only survive in not help while the rest answered that taking the presence of MMC if they maintained the these courses not only improved their unstable plasmid expressing rtcB. The knowledge, but their financial behavior as transposon insertion site was determined for well. By analyzing these results, I discovered all apparent synthetic lethal mutants, thereby that the surveyed students believed that taking identifying genes whose disruption causes a a financial course in high school definitely synthetic lethal phenotype in the absence of improved their knowledge and their financial rtcB. The potential function of these genes in behaviors. the proposed RNA repair system of Salmonella will be addressed. Determining Gene Products Interacting with RtcB of the rsr-rtcBA RNA Repair Investigating the Phenotypic and Genetic Operon via a Synthetic Lethal Screen Mechanisms of Root Architecture Traits Isabella Tondi Resta, CURO Research in Cultivated Sunflower Seedlings under Assistant Drought Stress Dr. Anna Karls, Microbiology, Franklin Nicole de Leon Torralba, CURO Research College of Arts & Sciences Assistant Dr. John Burke, Plant Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

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Approximately 70% of worldwide water is mechanism for behavior change. allocated for use in agriculture in the form of Methods: Data came from a series of “waste irrigation, thus loss of water is the greatest audits” conducted in freshman dorms at the threat to crop productivity. With impending University of Georgia during the 2015 Fall changes to the climate, droughts are predicted Semester. A first audit was conducted the to increase in severity, intensity, and duration week before an energy- and water- further limiting water availability for crop conservation competition (the “Green Cup production. As such, the focus of this study Challenge”). Three “intervention” dorms centers on root architecture and a crop’s targeted by the Challenge were included along ability to resist low water availability. First, we with a comparable “control” dorm that was determined the natural phenotypic diversity in not. Additional waste audits were conducted root architecture traits using cultivated after the Challenge concluded and repeated a sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a model month later. In each dorm, waste-audit system. Cultivated sunflower seedlings from materials were collected from two floors and an association mapping population containing catalogued, producing 24 total audits and 272 lines were subjected to a well watered 2,362 individual items. Findings: Overall, 80% control and polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) of items in landfill bins and 59% of items in stress induced treatment. Root systems were recycling bins were correctly placed. The two dissected at 2 cm and analyzed using the most common misplaced items were plastic imaging program, WinRHIZO v2, to film and plastic food wrappers (56% of each determine various architecture traits in both were misplaced as recyclable); the two most the top and bottom portion. Results indicate common correctly placed items were significant root allocation differences between cardboard and plastic bottles (88% of each top and bottom, control and stressed, and the were correctly placed in recycle bins). Dorms interaction indicative of a drought avoidance targeted by the Challenge showed no increase response. Second, we performed a genome in placement accuracy, a pattern also found at wide association study (GWAS) to investigate the control dorm. Significance: Incorrect the underlying genetic mechanisms of these placement of items contaminates mixed root traits. GWAS analyses are still ongoing; recycling streams, creating an added cost to however they should yield candidate genes processing facilities, thereby decreasing the and regions associated with these traits. This overall value of recyclables. The intervention work will inform downstream molecular studied here failed to increase placement breeding approaches aimed at producing accuracy. A follow-up study is underway in an cultivated lines able to survive under low effort to identify an effective behavioral water availability. intervention.

Recycle or Landfill? Assessing the Impact of Video Captions in Mobile News Efficacy of a Green-Themed Intervention Kendall Trammell Lawrence Towe, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Bartosz Wojdynski, Grady College of Dr. James Coverdill, Sociology, Franklin Journalism & Mass Communication College of Arts & Sciences Mobile devices are one of the leading ways in Problem Statement: Recycling programs have which media audiences are consuming news. increasingly paired bins labeled “landfill” and The present study sought to examine the “mixed recycling” to encourage and facilitate impact of the presence of video and video recycling. This study explored the accuracy of captions in mobile news on attention to the recycle-or-landfill placement behavior and a news content, recall of news content, and

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Abstracts attitudes toward the news content. In a single- paper explores the current underage drinking variable, 3-level between-subjects design (text patterns at the University of Georgia by and image story, video without caption, video analyzing all publicly documented cases of with captions), participants (N= 83) viewed underage drinking from the University of an online news story on a smartphone while Georgia Police Department during the 2012- having their eye movements and fixations 2015 timeframe. The research yields startling recorded by an eyetracker and scene camera. results. Data show that the eighteen-year-old Participants were randomly assigned to one and nineteen-year-old age categories require version of the news story. The stories and both UGAPD intervention and EMS video contained information about the treatment far more often than the 20-year-old importance of primary debates during age category. Across all age categories, the presidential elections. After viewing the story, percentage of cases requiring EMS treatment participants completed a questionnaire has been increasing rapidly since Spring 2013. containing dependent measures, including To test for a relationship, a linear regression knowledge, attitudes, fluency and perceived was performed on the dataset with case credibility. Preliminary results show number (time order) serving as the differences between story conditions on story independent variable and blood alcohol recall and attitudes toward the concentration (BAC) levels as the dependent story. Participants who viewed the video variable. The ANOVA table significance versions of the story received higher column value of .002 shows that BAC levels knowledge scores than participants who are, in fact, increasing over time. Underage viewed the text story; there are no differences students in 2015 are drinking to dangerously when it comes to fluency (ease of use) or high levels of intoxication, surpassing the perceived credibility. Visual attention results BAC levels known to originate from “binge” are still being analyzed from the eye-tracking drinking, and instead, reaching levels that data. These findings are important because correlate with extreme intoxication, known by there is little research on mobile news collegiates as “blackout” drunk. Therefore, consumption. This data is useful to the there is evidence to show that when it comes journalism industry because it enables digital to underage drinking patterns at the producers at media organizations to make University of Georgia, “blackout” is the new more informed, effective decisions when “binge.” presenting news stories to the public on mobile platforms, and, thus increasing its Testing for a Correlation between History audience engagement. of Shoulder Injury and Functional Movement Screen Score Blackout, the New Binge: A Case Study James Tyson on Underage Drinking Patterns at the Dr. Cathleen Brown Crowell, Kinesiology, University of Georgia College of Education Madison Turner, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Susan Haire, Political Science, School of Studies have suggested that poor performance Public & International Affairs on a functional movement test contributes a 4.7 times greater increased risk of injury in From 2012-2015, the University of Georgia athletes. However, it is unclear how a has made a consistent appearance on previous injury may affect functional Princeton Review’s annual list of Best Party movement test scores. Our objective was to Schools due to the collegiate underage determine if there is a significant relationship drinking culture in Athens, Georgia. This between history of shoulder injury and

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Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score for intervention (i.e. interactive performance shoulder mobility. Our participants were lessons) to teach nutrition messages to young collegiate club rugby players (n=25; 13 children. Researchers conducted a feasibility female, 12 male; age=20.6±1.2years, study at a childcare center in Athens, Georgia height=172.2±9.0cm, weight=80.6±16.8kg). for children ages 3 to 5 (Teachers n=8 and The athletes underwent a full FMS screening Children n=37). The Freggie’s Green Machine by a trained rater prior to a fall rugby season. intervention included theater-based nutrition Previous shoulder injury was defined as any lessons and tastings for three fruits self-reported or medically diagnosed injury or (blueberries, pears, and kiwi) and three discomfort of the shoulder that affected sport vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and participation. A point-biserial correlation test broccoli). The program was conducted for 6 was used to determine the relationship weeks with one new fruit or vegetable being between the presence of previous shoulder introduced each week. Freggie (fruits + injury and FMS shoulder mobility score. No veggies), a fun character, promoted healthy significant correlation between presence of choices with his Green Machine (fruit and previous shoulder injury and FMS score for veggie cart) by performing skits. Freggie’s both right (rpb=0.35, rpb2=0.12, p=0.08) and Friends, life-sized fruit and vegetable left (rpb= 0.03, rpb2= 0.001, p=0.90) characters, accompanied Freggie to teach shoulder mobility was found. There was no during performances. Changes in preschool significant correlation between a previous children’s willingness to try fruits and shoulder injury and FMS shoulder mobility. vegetables and preferences were measured. Previous shoulder injury does not appear to Results showed improvements in preschool be related to current FMS shoulder mobility children’s willingness to try fruit and score. Clinicians should be able to apply the vegetables. Teachers and parents reported shoulder mobility FMS test to athletes to high program satisfaction and that children interpret injury risk, regardless of previous related to the Freggie characters. Findings injury. indicate that entertainment education is a feasible and promising way to teach nutrition The Use of Entertainment Education to messages to preschool children. Teach Nutrition Messages to Preschool Children: A Feasibility Study Feeding the Urban Stream: How Emily Tyus Nutrients and Microbes Impact Stream Dr. Caree Cotwright, Foods & Nutrition, Carbon Reserves College of Family & Consumer Sciences Rachel Usher, CURO Summer Fellow Dr. Amy Rosemond, Odum School of Twenty percent of US children are overweight Ecology or obese before they enter kindergarten. To address this problem, health intervention Healthy streams and the ecosystem services must begin in early childhood. An ideal they provide depend on energy to fuel the location to deliver nutrition education is in food web. Carbon (leaves and wood) from childcare centers because of the amount of terrestrial landscapes is a vital source of time spent in that environment. One way to energy for headwater streams where sunlight promote healthy behavior to young children is is limited. This carbon, along with colonizing to encourage higher intakes of fruit and microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, vegetables. The purpose of this study was to support stream life. Respiration (CO2 loss) examine the feasibility of using an from microorganisms and associated mass entertainment education nutrition loss rates of carbon deplete the amount of

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carbon available for consumers. Streamwater along the axoneme, it carries these materials. nutrients and contaminants, which can both As the IFT particle travels back to the cell be elevated in urban streams, can stimulate or body, it brings materials that have already suppress microbial activity, respectively. We been used by the flagella and are being tested for these effects measuring respiration recycled back to the cell. To determine if the and breakdown rates on standardized carbon position of IFT, relative to the axoneme and substrates in 9 streams in Athens-Clarke the substrate affects ciliary gliding, County, GA that differed in urban-derived transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was inputs. Surface water nutrients, dissolved used to visualize the locations of IFT particles nitrogen (DIN), phosphorus (SRP), and in the cilium. Visualization of the IFT conductivity (a surrogate for contaminant complex can help to determine the role IFT inputs) were measured and correlated to may play in ciliary gliding. microbial respiration and breakdown rates. Streams with higher concentrations of Localization of Casein Kinase 1.2 in phosphorus exhibited higher respiration and Trypanosoma brucei breakdown rates on carbon substrates, Haley Vale resulting in roughly doubling these rates Prof. Kojo Mensa-Wilmot, Cellular Biology, across the 9 streams; no effects were due to Franklin College of Arts & Sciences either conductivity or DIN. These results suggest that phosphorus concentrations, Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite which are typically elevated in urban streams, responsible for human African may impact the retention and transport of trypanosomiasis (HAT). Drugs currently used energy sources in streams. to treat HAT are highly toxic and difficult to administer; new drugs must be developed. The Role of Intraflagellar Transport in Casein kinase 1.2 (CK1.2) in T. brucei plays a Ciliary Gliding vital role in cell division, particularly Rachel Vaizer replication of the basal body (a microtubule- Dr. Mark Farmer, Biological Sciences, organizing center for flagella), and as such is Franklin College of Arts & Sciences an attractive candidate for lead drug discovery. In order to investigate possible The ability of cells to move through their mechanisms of regulation and gain a better environment is one of the most ancient understanding of how TbCK1.2 regulates attributes of living cells. One way in which basal body duplication, enzyme localization cells can move is known as ciliary gliding, and studies were performed using both genetic it is thought to be both ancient and tagging methods and cell-penetrating peptides conserved, even among human cells. containing a fragment of TbCK1.2. Genetic Developing an understanding of the tagging was performed endogenously through mechanism of ciliary gliding in Euglenid transfection of a construct containing the flagellates may help us understand this TbCK1.2 coding sequence as well as the mechanism in other cells. This study is coding sequence for an epitope tag. Cell- designed to examine the role intraflagellar penetrating peptide TP10 was used as a transport (IFT) plays in ciliary gliding, delivery method for a C-terminal sequence of specifically the location of the IFT particles. TbCK1.2 fused to a fluorophore. Gene The IFT protein complex plays an important tagging showed TbCK1.2 in cytoplasmic role in transporting materials needed for the puncta, and partially at the basal body. Data maintenance or assembly of flagella. As the will be presented on a test of the hypothesis IFT particle travels to the tip of the flagellum that specific domains of TbCK1.2 are

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responsible for targeting of the enzyme to the specific transesterfication reaction on the cytoplasm and/or basal bodies. branched dsDNA We also identified complex formations of Cas1, Cas2, and Csn2. We aim Green Power Solutions for Georgia to discover individual functions of these Ian Van Giesen, Haidi Al-Shabrawey proteins and protein complexes. Prof. David Porinchu, Geography, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Proteomic Profiling of a Model Species (Medaka Fish) to Study the Physiological The purpose of this policy research is to delve Response to Chronic, Low Level Ionizing into the fundamental legislation inhibiting Radiation in the Environment Georgia’s transformation from mainly fossil Jerin Varghese, Jason Moraczewski, Brittany powered electric generation to mainly Tummings renewable energy generation. First we focus Dr. Carl Bergmann, Biochemistry & on why Georgia should adopt alternative Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & energy from three different perspectives: Sciences environmental, health and economic. As well, we present an effective renewable energy Ionizing radiation (IR) is recognized to cause policy alternative to Georgia’s current proteomic changes in various organisms. legislation. As evidence, we examine various Most prominent studies performed in the national and global initiatives designed to field of proteomics primarily focus on the increase rate and scale of green energy effect of radiation at acute, high doses. adoption. However, very little is known about the biological responses of organisms when The Role of Cas1, Cas2, Csn2, and Cas9 in exposed to chronic, low levels of ionizing the Type II CRISPR-Cas Adaptation radiation. This study seeks to answer the Nikita Vantsev, CURO Honors Scholar research question: What are the physiological Dr. Michael Terns, Biochemistry & Molecular responses associated with exposure to Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences chronic, low- dose IR in the model species Medaka (Oryzias latipes)? The proteome CRISPR-Cas, prokaryotic adaptive immune of Medaka is analyzed to quantify any changes systems, provide a significant advantage for that have occurred due to exposure to low bacteria and archaea in their defense against levels of IR. The first part of the project is invaders such as plasmids and phages. The aimed to standardize the methodology for three-phase systems work by first integrating protein extraction and protein fractionation fragments of invader DNA into the CRISPR using a control group and a high dose group. loci of the host genomes followed by Medaka were first irradiated at the Savannah synthesizing crRNAs from the incorporated River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). Following fragments, and lastly, preforming crRNA irradiation, in-gel trypsin digestion and liquid- guided silencing of invaders by Cas proteins. chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC- Genetic studies showed that in Type II MS) techniques were used to identify the CRISPR-Cas systems, proteins Cas1, Cas2, unique proteins found in the control and high Csn2 and Cas9 are involved in adaptation. My dose group. A total of 1013 unique proteins project focuses on using biochemical were discovered between the control and high approaches to understand the molecular dose samples and are currently being mechanism in the initial spacer acquisition in characterized using bioinformatics tools. Type II CRISPR-Cas systems We demonstrated that Cas1 performs a non-

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Prevalence of Current Season Injuries in DARC Expression in Triple-Negative Collegiate Club Rugby Players with a Breast Cancer Previous Injury History Juhi Varshney Alyssa Varsalona Dr. Melissa Davis, Genetics, Franklin College Dr. Cathleen Brown Crowell, Kinesiology, of Arts & Sciences College of Education DARC (Duffy Antigen Receptor for Injuries are prominent among rugby players Chemokines) is now primarily known for its due to the contact nature of the sport, but it is role as a blood group antigen and is unknown if individuals with a history of functionally recognized as an atypical injuries are more susceptible to sustain chemokine receptor. DARC is associated with subsequent injuries. The purpose of this a host of inflammatory and angiogenic prospective study was to determine if chemokines that are linked to cancer growth. previous injury history increased the The Duffy Null allele (Fy-) is one occurrence of current season injuries among polymorphism that has long been associated collegiate club rugby players during a fall with malarial resistance but was recently semester. Participants were evaluated for self- linked to altered regulation of DARC report previous injury history and Functional isoforms. The resulting Fy- phenotype Movement Screen (FMS) scores. The data exhibits the absence of DARC expression on were obtained from 25 participants (13 red blood cells as well as distinct female, 12 male; age=20.58±1.21yrs, inflammatory responses. Over 98% of West height=172.19±8.95cm, Africans and 50-80% of African-Americans weight=80.64±16.84kg). A point-biserial express this phenotype, compared to less than correlation was used to determine the 1% of their European-American counterparts. relationship between the presence of previous Triple negative breast cancer is an injury history and the frequency of current exceptionally aggressive form of breast cancer season injuries. Of the 25 participants, 20 that does not exhibit estrogen receptors, (80%) reported having at least one previous progesterone receptors, or HER2 receptors, injury, while 5 (20%) reported having zero making it a difficult cancer to target during previous injuries. A moderate positive treatment. It is well-documented that African correlation was observed between previous and African-American women get triple- injury history and current season injuries negative breast cancer at rates much higher (r=0.39), bordering on significance (p=0.054). than other women, and there is evidence that Previous injury history explains 15% of the the DARC isoform variations may be linked variation in current season injuries (r2=0.15). to aggressive breast cancer. The objective of Although the strength of this relationship this research is to explore if and how the Fy- appears to be moderate, it is likely influenced phenotype contributes to the rapid growth of by a number of additional factors. Due to triple negative breast cancer by examining the these confounding factors, we cannot expression of differential DARC protein conclude that a history of injury directly products in both triple-negative and healthy increases an athlete’s chance of sustaining cell lines through Western blot. This study is injuries in subsequent seasons. In the future, it ongoing, but it hopes to explain differences in would be beneficial to further examine what triple-negative rates in women of different confounding factors exist and to what degree ancestry groups while providing insight into of influence. innovative treatment for the disease.

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Computational Investigations of H2-HD Regulation of DARC Isoforms among Collisions in the Interstellar Medium Ancestry Groups and Associations with Clark Veazey Aggressive Breast Cancer Subtypes Dr. Phillip Stancil, Physics & Astronomy, Kathryn Vollum, CURO Graduation Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Distinction Dr. Melissa Davis, Genetics, Franklin College When we want to study the behavior of of Arts & Sciences distant objects in the universe, we rely on measurements derived from astronomical Despite the fact that White women are more observations. This is done by means of often diagnosed with breast cancer, African- spectroscopy, as the only data available is in American women have more severe and the form of radiation being transmitted to us deadly cases. Clues surrounding the tumor from the source. Ideally, we can interpret this behavior in African-Americans point to light, which is emitted by molecules physiological contexts and the immunological throughout the interstellar medium, to microenvironment of the cancer sites. We understand the way that these molecules are hypothesize that higher mortality rates behaving, which describes the temperature coupled with lower incidence of breast cancer and therein the energy of the source. In order in this population suggests susceptibility is not to interpret these observations, accurate necessarily a predisposition to cancer, but dynamical information on interstellar once a malignant cell forms, the individual’s molecules is needed. Most of the observable physiological make-up drives the aggression infrared radiation in the universe is emitted by of tumors. We further hypothesize that excited molecules due to collisional processes chronic pro-inflammatory status and altered in the interstellar gas, making accurate data on chemokine profiles in this population are key the rate of molecular collisions of salient to tumor progression disparities. We are interest to astronomical endeavors. Here, we investigating the role of the ACKR1/DARC evaluate the probability of H2 (Dihydrogen) gene and its isoforms in influencing a and HD (Deuterium-Hydride) collisions as woman’s chance of developing aggressive these species played important roles in star breast cancer subtypes. We aim to formation shortly after the Big Bang. We are demonstrate that altered expression of DARC interested in HD since it has a finite dipole isoforms plays a role in breast cancer severity moment and hence is a strong radiator, and by regulating the infiltration of specific H2 due its large abundance in the early immune cell types into the tumor Universe. Using a public-domain scattering environment by altering the levels of package, cross-sections of H2-HD collisions chemokines. We are investigating how the are computed for a selection of rotational Duffy null allele, prevalent in all women of states over a range of relevant kinetic energies, African descent, affects the ability of then integrated to produce rate coefficient. transcription factors to properly express We will also examine the critical density and ACKR1/DARC in epithelial and lymphoblast cooling function associated with this process cells. Using bioinformatics and ChIP-PCR, we which will aid in studying non-equilibrium aim to define more precisely the transcription cooling/excitation and possible spectral factors responsible for DARC isoform signatures from the formation of the first regulation. Currently, we are investigating the stars. roles of GATA1 and GATA3. Once we know what transcription factors are involved with epithelial expression of DARC, we can develop tools to further investigate how

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DARC plays a role in tumor progression in Every year, emerging infectious diseases enter women of African descent. the human population from external sources and cause outbreaks. After making the jump Impact of Investment Bank Advisers on from its reservoir, a pathogen’s impact is Merger Premiums and Merger Closing primarily a function of its ability to transmit Times between humans. The goal of my research is Haris Vukotic to investigate which pathogen traits are the Dr. Jeff Netter, Banking & Finance, Terry most important determinants of College of Business transmissibility, quantify those relationships, and develop predictive models which can be In an era of low growth, many companies applied to newly discovered pathogens. I have turn to mergers and acquisitions as a way to reviewed the literature and compiled a scale up their operations by cutting synergistic database of all known human viral and costs and increasing revenues. This paper bacterial pathogens and associated biological examines the impact of deals on the equity and ecological variables. Machine learning is a value of the acquired company and possible field of computer science that concerns causes for this impact, also known as a merger identifying complex patterns in data. I am premium. Data consists of company financial now in the process of fitting boosted results, industry specifications, and investment regression trees, one method for machine bank advisors, among other deal-related learning, to the data with the goal of metrics for mergers and acquisitions that have developing models which can be used to total values of over one billion dollars. I will predict and explain pathogen transmissibility. test which variables drive a deal premium the Preliminary results indicate that these models most; for example, if companies within certain may be able to predict the transmissibility of industries command higher premiums due to viruses in humans with reasonably high their growth prospects, or if a selected accuracy. We’ve quantified the relationship investment bank advisor results in higher or between the biological and host variables of lower deal premiums, or quicker closing times, viruses and their transmission propensity in on average as compared to their competitor. humans. While it is difficult to discern The results of this study could be novel and correlation and causation in these interesting in that there is no available relationships, a framework for predicting the literature on which investment bank advisor transmissibility of a virus would have delivers the best results for their clients in immediate value for public health emergency each sector; much of the business is driven by preparedness. Our efforts to model the qualitative prestige factors. Preliminary data transmissibility of bacteria have been less analysis indicates that certain banks are much successful. This wasn’t wholly unexpected, as more effective than others in demanding bacteria are orders of magnitude more higher deal premiums in their sell side complex than viruses and are generally less engagements and closing their deals in a dependent on transmission for survival. shorter time frame within parallel industries. Large-Scale Plasmid DNA Purification for Statistically Modelling the Determinants Gene Therapy of Hemophilia B in Dogs of Pathogen Transmissibility in Humans Vincent Way, CURO Research Assistant Joseph Walker, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Dexi Liu, Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Dr. John Drake, Odum School of Ecology Sciences, College of Pharmacy

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The objective of this study is to learn basic play a critical role in ovarian cancer cell techniques for plasmid DNA purification and survival and chemoresistance. Suppression of validate the method of cesium chloride RGS10 enhances cell survival and promotes gradient centrifugation for large-scale DNA chemoresistance. Similarly, the nuclear protein preparation. The preparation of a large batch BIN1 functions as a tumor suppressor in of pLIVE-cFIX plasmids containing the multiple cancers and has also been shown to canine clotting factor IX gene was performed play a key role in ovarian cancer and the purified plasmids were used for gene chemoresistance. The pattern of BIN1 therapy treatment of hemophilia B dogs, a expression and function is strikingly similar to research project focused on developing the that of RGS10, but no functional link optimal procedure for hydrodynamic gene between the two proteins has been therapy. E. coli containing pLIVE-cFIX demonstrated. In the current study, we plasmids was cultured using LB medium with explore the possibility that BIN1 functionally ampicillin and incubated at 37°C with shaking. interacts with RGS10 in an ovarian cancer cell The bacterial cells were pelleted down by model. Our data suggest that RGS10 and centrifugation and lysed by lysozymes BIN1 may work together in a concerted containing lysis buffer to release the mechanism to regulate ovarian cancer cytoplasmic contents. Cesium chloride survival. We have demonstrated that siRNA gradient centrifugation procedure was used to mediated knock-down of BIN1 yields a near- isolate the plasmid DNA from the lysate. The complete reduction of RGS10, while extracted DNA yield achieved was overexpression of BIN1 yields increased approximately 20 mg from 4 liters of bacterial RGS10 levels. Additionally, the ability of culture. Agarose gel electrophoresis along BIN1 overexpression to increase cancer cell with restriction enzyme digestion was used to sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs can be determine the purity of the plasmid DNA. partially reversed by a subsequent knock- Furthermore, spectrophotometric down of RGS10, indicating the effects of measurements of purified plasmid DNA were BIN1 and RGS10 on chemosensitivity are taken and show a ratio of 1.87. These results integrated. Better understanding role of demonstrate that using cesium chloride RGS10 in mediating the effects of BIN1 can gradient centrifugation is a highly effective provide valuable insight into cancer method for large-scale plasmid purification. progression and how to address the issue of chemoresistance. Regulation of Ovarian Cancer by RGS10 and BIN1 Pathological Assessment of a Piglet Andrew Webster Model of Traumatic Brain Injury Utilizing Dr. Shelley Hooks, Pharmaceutical & Non-Invasive Magnetic Resonance Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Imaging Madelaine Wendzik Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological Dr. Franklin West, Animal & Dairy Science, malignancy, and the poor prognosis of College of Agricultural & Environmental ovarian cancer patients is largely a result of Sciences the high incidence of chemoresistance in recurring tumors. Understanding and Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause reversing the development of chemoresistance of death and disability in the United States. is critical to improving outcomes for ovarian Stem cell therapies offer a promising cancer patients. Regulator of G-protein treatment for TBI by producing regenerative Signaling protein RGS10 has been shown to and anti-inflammatory growth factors while

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Abstracts also functioning as a cell replacement therapy. hidden truths of a story that investigators may Animal models not truly representative of the not uncover otherwise. Sadly, there has not human condition have impeded development been much research done in the field of of a translatable TBI treatment, suggesting a forensic entomology and that is why we want more human-like animal model, such as a to conduct this experiment. For our piglet, is necessary for developing a successful experiment, we are going to be examining cell therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging beetle fauna that colonize carrion during the (MRI) is pertinent in the analysis and spring. The point of this experiment is to treatment of TBI, and combining multiple follow up on comparable research that was MR parameters provides a comprehensive implemented in the fall. The trial conducted in understanding of TBI pathophysiology. We the fall was extremely successful and will be hypothesize that controlled cortical impact the guideline for this research. As previously (CCI) TBI in piglets will result in substantial mentioned, there has not been much deficits at the lesion site that can be measured exploration of forensically important fauna. and quantified non-invasively through MRI. The science we will uncover can help forensic TBI was induced in six male piglets. After 24 investigators in estimating a post mortem hours post-TBI, T2 FLAIR was implemented interval in potential homicide cases. The start to visualize the lesion. Midline shift, lesion of the experimental method will be to obtain a size, brain swelling and edema will be pig killed by a single gunshot wound to the measured from the T2 weighted coronal head. Next, the pig will be placed in a cage to images. Analyzing the multiple MR protect it from scavengers. After the parameters will illustrate the differences in the simulated crime scene is in place, pitfall traps injury 1-day post TBI and 12-weeks post-TBI. will be stationed around the pig, and the A reduced midline shift, lesion size, brain beetle fauna from the traps will be collected swelling and edema are expected 12-weeks and examined. The results will be correlated post-TBI as damaged tissue is removed and with the fall data and will be arranged in an the brain undergoes global regeneration and orderly manner to give an accurate remodeling. Development and comparison. Using this comparison we will characterization of key cytoarchitectural create our presentation for the symposium changes in the CCI TBI piglet model utilizing and attempt to publish a written work of the MRI in this study will enable more robust and results. predictive assessment of novel therapeutics and treatments that will likely lead to more Social Perceptions of the Impacts and success in human clinical trials. Benefits of Non-Native Species in the Garden: The Case of Chinese Privet in the Forensically Influential Beetle Fauna in Southeastern U.S. the Spring Lindsey White, CURO Research Assistant Garrison West, Markus Cleveland, Alan Prof. Eric MacDonald, College of Bosworth, Alexandria Lushaj Environment & Design Dr. Marianne Shockley, Entomology, College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences This study explores social perceptions of the impacts and benefits of non-native species in What beetle fauna colonize carrion in the garden settings, focusing specifically on spring, and which stage of decay is the best gardeners’ attitudes toward Chinese privet in time to find each beetle family? Forensic the southeastern U.S. Robert Fortune entomology plays a crucial role in urban and introduced Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) to criminal court cases. Insects can unlock the the United States from China in 1852. Since

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then, the species has escaped cultivation. In fat diets after weaning. Pups were examined much of the U.S. it is widely regarded as an for gastrointestinal microflora composition invasive species, and now covers a cumulative and GI tract viability. Previous stages of this land area of roughly 3.2 million acres. study demonstrated that 21 day old pups of Homeowners, gardeners, and institutions that mother mice fed on a high fat diet (HFD) perpetuate the use of Ligustrum sinense on their displayed significant alterations in gut property help facilitate the further spread of microbiota composition associated with the species. To better understand the reasons impaired GI epithelial permeability. This why homeowners may choose to plant, microbial profile has previously been maintain, or remove non-native species like associated with obesity and could increase privet, fourteen semi-structured interviews their propensity toward metabolic disorder were conducted with amateur gardeners in later in life. This project specifically explores Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. The differences between microbes of 21 day old interview transcripts were subjected to pups and 90 day old pups, evaluating what qualitative thematic content analysis, which implications the comparisons have for identified key themes and categories of microbial profile persistence into adulthood. responses. The preliminary interview data suggest that gardening practices are influenced How Does Mutagenesis of N-Linked by family connections, aesthetics, therapeutic Glycosylation Sites of C6f1 Fragment benefits, and intellectual curiosity. Based on affect MAb109 Binding? these results, the study concludes with several Christopher Whitlock, CURO Research further questions about how gardeners’ Assistant perceptions of non-native, invasive species Dr. J. Michael Pierce, Biochemistry & might be changed in the future. Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Implications of Inherited Microbial Profile in Long-Term Metabolic Health CEACAM6 is a glycoprotein found attached Brittany Whitlock to the cell membrane of pancreatic Dr. Claire de La Serre, Foods & Nutrition, adenocarcinoma cells that shows promise for College of Family & Consumer Sciences use as biomarker in early pancreatic cancer screening. The five-year survival rate for An obesity epidemic currently plagues the US pancreatic cancer is extremely low, making and other western nations, threatening the it important to find a reliable method of health of millions across the globe. Research detecting pancreatic cancer at its earliest and efforts over the last decade have pointed most treatable stages. MAb109 is a towards gastrointestinal microflora as a monoclonal IgG antibody that binds potential cause of obesity and other metabolic specifically to CEACAM6, and recognition of disorders. The following study focuses on the the epitope is likely N-linked glycosylation inheritance of obesity from mother to child, dependent. N-linked glycans are carbohydrate and asks whether the inheritance of unhealthy chains added to proteins at consensus amino GI microbiota could be the vehicle that acid sequences of asparagine-x- increases offspring propensity towards serine/threonine as post-translational metabolic disease. Six week old female modifications. In this study, nine specific N- C57BL/6 mice were fed either high-fat or linked glycosylation sites on CEACAM6 low-fat (control) diets, then mated. Dams were analyzed through site-directed were fed their respective diets throughout mutagenesis of C6f1, a plasmid containing the pregnancy. All subsequent pups were fed low- fragment of the CEACAM6 gene expressing

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its MAb109 epitope. C6f1 plasmids were contestation. These include: letters to the mutated in order to alter specific amino acid editors in local newspapers; landowner rights residues of each particular N-linked workshops on fracking; local government glycosylation site, thus preventing N-lined resolutions against fracking; and the Mining glycan attachment. One test was performed and Energy Commission (MEC) hearing on with single mutations at sites N309 and T311 the rules that permit hydraulic fracturing. This in order to determine if the final N-linked research contributes literature on state theory glycan of the C6f1 sequence affects MAb109 and environmental governance by showing recognition, and a second test used nine the ways in which resistance is focused into different serially mutated plasmids, each with narrow spaces of dissent under neoliberal one more mutation than the last, for all N- governance. linked glycosylation sites on the plasmid to examine how the loss of multiple N-linked Optogenetic Control of a Neuromuscular glycans affected MAb109 binding. This study Junction Model on a Chip found that MAb109 would not recognize the Elizabeth Wilkins, CURO Honors Scholar C6f1 product without the N-linked glycan at Catherine Callaway N309 and that mutations past the first four Dr. Steven Stice, Animal & Dairy Science, N-linked glycosylation sites prevented the College of Agricultural & Environmental protein from being secreted by the cell. Sciences

Fracking Governance and Resistance in Currently, more than 300,000 people in the Western North Carolina United States live with spinal cord injuries Elizabeth Wilkes, Foundation Fellow, CURO (SCIs). Such damage to the central nervous Research Assistant system frequently results in paralysis, Julia Connell impairing a patient’s ability to function Dr. Jennifer Rice, Geography, Franklin independently. In one downstream effect of College of Arts & Sciences SCI, motor neurons, which control voluntary and involuntary movement, die and fail to Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is largely properly synapse on muscles at unregulated at the federal level and is exempt neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). No from nearly all federal environmental laws, treatment effectively reverses the damage of leaving individual states and localities to an SCI. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are an regulate the industry. This fragmented attractive candidate for post-injury cell landscape of regulatory responsibility has replacement therapy because they can resulted in limited spaces to contest whether differentiate into the three germ layers or not fracking should be permitted. Our responsible for forming all adult tissue. research attempts to determine the spaces and Optogenetics, or light control of cells, practices of opposition that are possible under provides a groundbreaking means to stimulate neoliberal forms of fracking governance. neurons without electrical or pharmacological Using theoretical insights on the nature of agents. Microfluidics devices serve as a high democracy, we examine an anti-fracking throughput investigative tool to demonstrate movement in western North Carolina, one of the therapeutic potential of PSCs. These the only such movements in the United States apparti provide an optimal setting to mimic to coalesce before drilling had started. We three-dimensional microenvironments within argue that contemporary forms of democracy the body previously limited to animal model under neoliberalism limit resistance and investigations. In this study, we utilized a activism to what we call “micro sites” of microfluidic approach to demonstrate

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functional optogenetic neuronal control of their futures. Considering this pattern in NMJs. We differentiated a line of PSCs conjunction with more conservative conduct constitutively expressing the optogenetic literature exposes conflicting messages about protein channel rhodopsin-2 (ChR2) into female sexuality. These differences are optically excitable motor neurons within a 3D important because they provide insight into aggregate. We co-cultured these aggregates the alternate messages young women may with muscle strips in the microfluidics device have received about their sexuality and their to form NMJs. Our NMJ-on-a-chip will serve power. as model for cell replacement therapy. The selective activation of specific muscle sets New Challenges: ADHD Goes to College with optogenetic control could be used to Sarah Williams, CURO Research Assistant retrain an SCI patient to walk again. Dr. James Coverdill, Sociology, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences Love, Lust, and Loyalty: Female Sexuality in the Auchinleck Romances Problem Statement: This research explores the Camily Williams experiences and challenges of those who are Dr. Cynthia Turner Camp, English, Franklin first diagnosed with ADHD in college. Many College of Arts & Sciences studies have explored childhood ADHD; few have considered college ADHD. Methods: The Auchinleck manuscript, a medieval book Fifteen University of Georgia students aged produced between 1330 and 1340, is notable 18-25 (10 women and 5 men) were recruited for its large collection of romances in Middle through social media and interviewed face-to- English. Many of these stories depict coming face. Semi-structured interviews presented a of age and the proper socialization of men common core of questions followed by and women and would have been used to prompts for elaboration. Questions fell into instruct and entertain members of the middle- three categories: circumstances surrounding class household. While the male protagonists the diagnosis; treatment approaches; and serve as models of gendered behavior, the ADHD experiences. All interviews were female heroines do not, often seducing or recorded with permission and transcribed coercing men to have sex. Conduct literature verbatim. Analysis involved multiple readings aimed at young women from the same period of the interviews to identify main themes. explicitly condemns these behaviors; however, Findings: Four main themes emerged in the rather than being punished, the sexually interviews. First, the circumstances prompting forward romance heroines are rewarded for a diagnosis often included substantially lower their actions in the form of greater freedom grades in college relative to high school. and power. Because this text likely served Second, symptoms were often experienced instructional purposes, I argue that these and recognized prior to college, but were not misbehaving women offer a different picture acted upon because they did not substantially of female sexuality that may have been interfere with academic or social activities. accessible to young laywomen. “Le Fresne” Third, upon coming to college, students felt presents a particularly important conversion inadequate compared to peers in study habits, of these messages since she acts in ways that social capabilities, and academic outcomes. are both exemplary and non-exemplary by the Fourth, participants felt that widespread standards of conduct literature. Comparing informal use of ADHD medication and the these romances to each other in the context belief that ADHD is a “childhood disease” of “Le Fresne” reveals a pattern of young were stigmatizing. All findings are presented women using their sexuality in order to secure via representative quotations from the

195

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interviews. Significance: The results begin to fill various flow regimes and their environmental a research void by suggesting that the impact in order to provide insights into experiences and challenges of those diagnosed hydrologic similarities and differences when with ADHD in college differ from those for comparing the two river basins. This type of children. By understanding the unique study informs development of environmental challenges that accompany a college-age flow regulations in the Oconee and Ocmulgee diagnosis, physicians can better prepare and river basins and contributes to the counsel patients. improvement of local water management and planning. Comparison of Oconee and Ocmulgee River Basins for Water Management Learning beyond the Lines Improvement Kalyn Wilson, CURO Research Assistant Joshua Willis, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Cheryl Hollifield, Grady College of Dr. Ernest Tollner, College of Engineering Journalism & Mass Communication

With increasing population in Georgia, water In 2014, a series of police shootings of demand and wastewater generation are African American citizens led to widespread dramatically increasing. This requires refining civil unrest across the U.S. Research shows water management strategies in order to meet that there is a large and continuing gap future demands and support economic between the perceptions of Black and White development of the region. The Oconee and Americans on racial issues in America, and the Ocmulgee Rivers are adjacent basins and differences are largest on questions of racism major tributaries that join to form the among police and in the justice system Altamaha River. Our study examines the (Gallup, 2014). After the racial upheaval of ecological effects of alternative water the late 1960s, the Kerner Commission (1968) management practices in both the Oconee found that a significant factor in those events and Ocmulgee river basins. These rivers was the lack of diversity in U.S. newsrooms, harbor high aquatic biodiversity, and which caused the media to ignore issues protecting these species is of high priority for important to African American citizens. This the region. Thus, we simulate alternative study asks what factors in journalism environmental flow regimes and examine education help prepare 21st century trade-offs in water management between journalism students to understand and cover ecological impacts and economic sensitive issues, including racial issues in development. We simulate unaltered and society, and what impact a university’s altered flow regimes using historical environment has on journalism students’ streamflow discharge data, which are then career outlooks. The study uses a comparative examined relative to local hydraulic conditions survey design. The population is journalism and aquatic habitat needs. In order to model majors at the University of Georgia and at hydraulics of the river, we use the Hydrologic Albany State University, an HBCU. The study Engineering Center’s River Analysis System uses a census of journalism majors in both (HEC-RAS) developed by the US Army universities. The researcher hypothesizes that Corps of Engineers. We also use the both African American and non-African Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Ecosystem American journalism students attending the Function Model (HEC-EFM) to link HBCU will be more aware of issues of hydrologic management with ecological discrimination because of race, religion and outcomes using fish Habitat Suitability Index other demographic factors than will (HSI) models. We analyze and evaluate journalism students in a non-HBCU,

196

Abstracts regardless of the respondent’s race. The emotionally, and most shockingly of all, with a findings from this project may provide simple needle or knife. information that will enhance our ability to more effectively prepare journalists to handle Theoretical Investigation of the socially important, yet sensitive topics in the Combustion Chemistry of Acetaldehyde field. and Ethenol Alexander Winkles, CURO Research Copy-Cats: Aphra Behn's The History of Assistant the Nun and Its Adaptations Prof. Henry Schaefer, Chemistry, Franklin Sydney Wilson College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Elizabeth Kraft, English, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences For butanol to be considered a viable fuel source, an understanding of its combustion In this paper, I examine Aphra Behn’s The chemistry is imperative. Incomplete History of the Nun and the key changes made in combustion of butanol produces ethenol and each of Thomas Southerne and David acetaldehyde, a known pollutant, which were Garrick’s dramatic adaptations and analyze studied using ab initio techniques at a high possible reasons for the popularity of level of theory. The focal-point analysis Isabella’s tale in each adaptation’s political and method was utilized to examine hydrogen socioeconomic time periods. I argue that the abstractions of both ethenol and acetaldehyde. reason for Isabella’s descent into desperate Ground electronic state geometries for each murder stems from concerns about legitimacy, species and their radicals were optimized the conflict of two inheritances during the using the “NASA Ames” atomic natural Succession Crisis, and William of Orange and orbital (ANO) basis sets and coupled-cluster King George III’s reigns as monarch in each theory up to perturbative triple excitations successive version of the tale. I also argue that [CCSD(T)/ANO2]. Single-point energies these adaptations’ use of children and murder were extrapolated to the complete basis set significantly transform the costs and benefits limit using Dunning’s correlation-consistent of Isabella’s choices, put a knife in her hands, basis sets and coupled-cluster theory up to full and increase her risk of being caught. triples with perturbative quadruple excitations Furthermore, I hypothesize that Behn’s [CCSDT(Q)]. Additional corrections for original story may have itself been an relativistic effects, the Born-Oppenheimer adaptation, drawing inspiration from the approximation, frozen core approximation, French tale of Martin Guerre, a legal case and zero-point vibrational energies were involving a peasant masquerading as war determined. Anharmonic frequencies were widow’s husband back from the dead. In obtained at the CCSD(T)/ANO1 level of using Isabella as the anti-heroine, Behn, theory. Our findings will be available to the Southerne, and Garrick transform a story of a chemical community to aid in the female victim into one of empowerment, even construction of a more complete combustion if Isabella’s tale never quite ends well for her. model of butanol as well as to identify In conclusion, this project, by closely spectroscopically the molecules in question. examining one of Behn’s less popular works and its adaptations, sheds light on the era’s Soldiers of Fortune: The Incidence of obsession with women and its inability to Mercenary Usage in Civil Conflict decide what should be done with a woman Rebekah Worick who manipulates her own fate both legally, Dr. Sara Kutchesfahani, International Affairs, School of Public & International Affairs

197

Abstracts

Mercenaries, soldiers who fight for profit Environmental conditions vary through time rather than patriotism, are as old as warfare and across space, exposing natural itself. Contrary to international norms populations to different abiotic and biotic discouraging their use, however, mercenary regimes. In turn, divergent selection can favor forces still remain the most efficient and specialization to contrasting environments, reliable source of combat personnel in many leading to the evolution of local adaptation. civil conflicts. Oftentimes, though, countries Vaccinium elliotti, a native species of blueberry, engaged in similar states of civil war may vary grows in two different habitats in the drastically in their levels of mercenary southeastern United States: drought-prone participation, with some countries dependent upland forests and flood-prone bottomland upon mercenaries and others avoiding their forests. Upland forests have dry nutrient-poor use entirely. Thus, this research will seek to sandy soils, high light penetration into the explain the reasons for uneven incidence of understory, and increased susceptibility to mercenaries in civil conflict by examining two drought. In contrast, bottomland forests that case studies, Algeria and Sierra Leone. Both of flood 1-2 times annually have nutrient-rich these countries experienced civil wars during clay soils and dark understories. We the same ten year period (1992-2002), but hypothesized that natural selection in upland while Algeria abstained from recruitment of forests would favor traits that promote fitness mercenaries, Sierra Leone utilized mercenaries under drought, including deep roots and high heavily. To explain this phenomenon of civil root: shoot ratios. In contrast, we expected warfare, this research compared potential selection to favor different trait values that sources of economic divergence between the promote flood tolerance in wetland two case studies, eventually concluding that populations. These particular populations of the presence of alluvial diamonds in Sierra Vaccinium elliotti present an interesting case Leone contributed to the asymmetrical study because this species shows evidence of recruitment of mercenaries. This argument source-sink dynamics, with higher fitness in was validated by comparing mercenary upland forests and asymmetric gene flow recruitment rates between countries with and from upland into bottomland populations. In without alluvial diamond deposits. Countries a source-sink demographic system, there is with alluvial diamond deposits were indeed variation in habitat quality among patches. more likely to recruit mercenaries during civil Gene flow from the source habitat allows the conflict, with a rate of 75% mercenary population in the sink to persist, despite less participation, as opposed to the global average favorable conditions. This asymmetric gene of 36.8% in countries without alluvial flow could inhibit rates of divergence between diamonds. The conclusions of this research the two populations, reducing the potential are therefore important in predicting which for bottomland (sink) populations to adapt to countries are more susceptible to mercenary local conditions. To investigate patterns of involvement, and as such, these findings will selection in Vaccinium elliotti we conducted a help further understanding of mercenary greenhouse experiment simulating one of the incidence in wartime as a whole. primary ecological differences between the bottomland and upland habitats: long term Divergent Selection in the Context of flooding and drought. We found evidence for Source-Sink Dynamics divergent selection favoring opposing trait James Workman, CURO Graduation values under different water stress treatments Distinction, CURO Research Assistant for several ecologically relevant traits. These Dr. Jill Anderson, Genetics, Franklin College findings suggest that local adaptation is of Arts & Sciences possible even in populations experiencing

198

Abstracts

asymmetric gene flow from habitats with with it the definition of wedding apparel is different selection pressures. also changing.

Wedding Apparel: A New Definition Severity of Cases Admitted into a Small Taylor Wright Animal Hospital and the Phase of the Dr. Katalin Medvedev, Textiles, Moon Merchandising & Interiors, College of Family Alyssa Wuellner, CURO Graduation & Consumer Sciences Distinction, CURO Research Assistant Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine The legalization of same sex marriage directly & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine impacts the wedding industry, specifically the cultural definition of what constitutes A correlation between the phase of the moon wedding apparel. Because the legal definition and human/animal behavior has a long of marriage has recently changed, the tradition. Previous studies have suggested an traditional definition of wedding apparel is increase in the number of cases seen or likely to change as well. Historically, wedding admitted into small animal hospitals during a apparel has been reflecting traditional gender full moon. In contrast, other studies have roles and accepted social norms. However, shown no significant effect of the full moon. with the recent legislation, it has also become All previous studies have looked only at an important tool of self-identification within numbers of cases, not severity of cases. The the LGBT community. While masculinity and purpose of this study was to determine if the femininity have become more fluid categories, severity of the cases admitted into a small this fact is not reflected in the sartorial animal hospital is associated with the phase of options provided by the conventional the full moon. All data were obtained from wedding industry. To understand the issues at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching stake, I have conducted field research, Hospital. Cases were admitted to the hospital analyzed blogs and scrutinized future trend between 2009 and 2014. A full moon was reports. Based on the data I have collected, I defined as the date of the actual full moon hypothesize that there will be a significant plus and minus one day. Variables collected change in the near future in terms of what is included cost of treatment and duration of available for same-sex wedding apparel. My stay in the hospital. A total of 82,455 cases research has shown that while there is a were analyzed with approximately 9,935 being considerable demand for alternative wedding on full moon dates. The cost of treatment was apparel, the offering in the actual stores in the 17.9% higher on dates of the full moon versus Atlanta area remains limited. Although the dates of non-full moons (p=0.21), and the issue of gay marriage remains controversial, duration of hospitalization was 19.7% the discrepancy between supply and demand (p=0.48) higher on dates of the full moon is still puzzling from a business perspective, versus dates of non-full moons. 100 cases considering that support for gay marriage were randomly chosen and are being classified among citizens has increased from 35% in as mild, moderate, or severe illness to 2001 to 55% in 2015. This major and rapid compare with duration and cost of shift in social opinion will directly impact the hospitalization to establish the utility of those apparel industry, which tries to stay ahead of measures as proxies for disease severity. popular social movements in order to make a profit. As a result of the legalization of gay Prevalence of Pain in Dogs with Cancer marriage, the wedding market is growing and Alyssa Wuellner, CURO Graduation Distinction, CURO Research Assistant

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Abstracts

Kayla Hargrove and GSH/GSSG are highly heritable in young Dr. Erik Hofmeister, Small Animal Medicine mice, but it is unclear whether the genetic & Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine control of the GSH system changes over time. We predict that GSH heritability decreases Pain affects 52-77 % of people affected by later in life. To test this hypothesis, we cancer. The incidence of pain in dogs with employed high performance liquid cancer is unknown. The purpose of this study chromatography (HPLC) to quantify GSH was to determine the prevalence of pain in concentrations and GSH/GSSG in the dogs with cancer. We hypothesized that, like kidneys, liver, pancreas, heart, striatum, and humans, dogs experience high rates of cerebral cortex obtained from a panel of clinically significant pain associated with genetically diverse inbred mouse strains. We cancer. Dogs presented to the University of calculated heritability of GSH levels and Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s GSH/GSSG in the various disease-relevant oncology service were considered for tissues. The current study is the first to inclusion. Dogs with interfering medical characterize the heritability of GSH in aged conditions and those who posed potential risk mammals. Our results will inform future to the safety of evaluators were excluded. studies of aging and its influence on redox Client consent was obtained for each dysfunction. participant, in addition to a survey assessing their dog’s appetite, temperament, activity Blood Folate and Whole Blood Global level, and level of pain they appeared to be DNA Methylation Response to Folic Acid experiencing. Each dog was evaluated by one Supplementation Dose during Pregnancy of two undergraduate researchers under the Joann Yang, CURO Research Assistant supervision of oncology staff. A physical Dr. Hea-Jin Park, Foods & Nutrition, College exam was performed by one of the two of Family & Consumer Sciences evaluators, and patients were given a pain score rating from 0 to 5. Out of 50 patients Folate is a water-soluble vitamin that is currently in the study, 61% had a pain score essential for DNA synthesis and epigenetic of none, 18% scored mild, and 21% scored regulation. Pregnant women are moderately. Based on these results, dogs have recommended to take 400µg of folic acid (FA) a lower prevalence of pain compared to that daily for normal fetal development and most reported in humans. over-the counter prenatal vitamins contain 800µg of FA. In this double-blind randomized Heritability of Tissue Glutathione Levels controlled study, we aimed to determine the and Redox Status in Aged Mice effect of FA supplementation dose during Claire Yakaitis, CURO Research Assistant gestation on folate status and global Dr. Robert Pazdro, Foods & Nutrition, methylation in maternal and cord College of Family & Consumer Sciences blood. Healthy young pregnant women were provided with 400µg FA/d (RFA; n=16) or The ubiquitous tripeptide glutathione (GSH) 800µg FA/d (HFA; n=12) from their first is a critical regulator of the cellular antioxidant prenatal visit (<12-weeks gestation) until defense system, and higher levels are delivery. Maternal blood at baseline and associated with protection against disease- delivery and cord blood at delivery were related deterioration. The ratio of GSH to its collected to measure serum folate, RBC folate oxidized form, GSSG, also serves as an (microbiological assay) and global methylation informative indicator of oxidative stress. We (LC-MS/MS). At delivery, serum and RBC previously discovered that tissue GSH levels folate concentrations tended to be higher in

200

Abstracts

HFA compared to RFA in maternal (serum Theresa Young, CURO Research Assistant folate (nmol/L); 78.0±7.5 vs 67.9±6.1, RBC Dr. Mary Caplan, School of Social Work folate (nmol/L); 2424.0±304.6 vs. 2046.0±196.8 in HFA and RFA, respectively) Poverty and shame are interwoven in a and cord blood (serum folate (nmol/L); complex relationship that is time and place- 98.5±5.1 vs 81.7±7.5, RBC folate (nmol/L); specific, and can be considered as a co- 2097.0±140.4 vs. 1691.0±155.1 in HFA and constructed and mutually-reinforcing social RFA, respectively), were not significantly and psychological phenomenon (Walker different between groups (p>0.05). 2014). The experience of shame among Interestingly, global methylation was higher in people experiencing poverty is nearly RFA than that in HFA in maternal and cord universal (Chase and Bantebya-Kyomuhendo blood. Maternal serum (p=0.036, r=0.285) 2015), but is largely unrecognized by the and RBC folate concentrations (p=0.004, general population, as well as by the r=0.389) correlated with global methylation, practitioners working within that while folate status of cord blood was not population. It is critical for human service correlated with global methylation. These data professionals to have a working knowledge suggest that folate status may be associated about the relationship of poverty and shame with global DNA methylation status in in order to best aid those experiencing pregnant women, but not in cord blood. poverty with appropriate demonstrations of empathy and provision of resources. The Cognition in the Crosshairs foundation for understanding poverty and Jacob Young, CURO Summer Fellow, CURO shame has been laid in the work of Adam Graduation Distinction, CURO Research Smith (1776) and Amartya Sen (1999). This Assistant presentation provides results from a research Dr. Michelle vanDellen, Psychology, Franklin study on the psychosocial results of poverty College of Arts & Sciences and shame. The authors employ a method known as a “scoping review” to answer the Many studies have been conducted on how following question, “What is known about the weapons affect cognition. However, these relationship between poverty and shame?” A effects have been studied in pockets of scoping review is similar to a systematic research, most notably in research on the review in that it is a transparent, rigorous Weapons Effect, the Weapon Focus Effect review of the literature, and uses systematic and the Race-Weapon Effect. This meta- searching and evaluation criteria within analysis seeks to integrate this literature to multiple databases to produce findings that examine the overall effect of weapons priming are useful for practitioners and policy on cognition. With 67 samples contributing makers (Arksey and O'Malley 2005). Unlike a effect sizes, the meta-analysis finds that, systematic review, a scoping relative to mundane objects, weapons attract review analyzes variety of types of research, attention and draw attention away from including quantitative, qualitative, and weapon-holders (or object-holders) and conceptual work. The results of this review surroundings. People also recall more will enable participants to understand the incorrect information when a weapon present relationship between poverty and shame more but do not demonstrate a corresponding drop deeply. From our findings, awareness will be in confidence. raised regarding the external and situational causes of shame and the practice Poverty and Shame: Implications for implementations for human service Social Work professionals.

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Index

Abkemeier, Mary, 27, 102 Berle, David, 75 Abraham, Amanda, 58 Bernard, Catherine, 18, 43 Adams, Grace Bagwell, 47 Berne, Jordan, 33, 43 Adams, Mike, 70, 151 Birch, Leann, 110 Adang, Michael, 50, 140 Biscan, Ashley, 34, 43 Agbonghae, Christiana, 16, 150 Bisel, Nicole, 22, 44 Ahmed, Insiyaa, 11, 35 Black, Marsha, 158 Ahn, Sun Joo, 56 Blackwell, Marrissa, 13, 44 Alam, Melody, 29, 35 Blaeser , Jessie, 31, 45 Allen, Kirsten, 25, 35 Blount, Ronald, 53, 97 Alpaugh, Jenny, 11, 36 Blumenthal, Daniel, 27, 102 Al-Shabrawey, Haidi, 33, 187 Booth , Joe, 18, 45 Altizer, Sonia, 165, 166 Bosworth, Alan, 12, 192 Alward, Kayla, 29, 36 Bougang, Lucas, 27, 146 Anderson, Ali, 9, 37 Bourget, Sydney Alyce, 21, 46 Anderson, Jill, 198 Bowler, Kyle, 26, 46 Andrews, Rachael, 13, 123 Bradford, Ashley, 21, 47 Anjum, Sommer, 19, 37 Bradford, W. David, 58, 144 Armstrong, Ian, 12, 118 Braun, Catherine, 9, 47 Arnold, Jonathan, 6, 66 Brooke, Kinsey, 29, 48 Askins, Brett, 28, 38 Brown, Andrea, 25, 48 Aston, Adam, 26, 38 Brown, Kyle, 25, 49 Auger, Emma, 33, 39 Brown, Wesley, 33, 49 Avci, Fikri, 79 Bruce, Darcie, 22, 50 Ayres, Kevin, 104 Buchanan, John, 27, 146 Buchanan, Rebecca, 27, 146 Bultman, Dana, 103 B Burd, Adrian, 120 Burgh, Ben, 19, 50 Baldree, Rhianna, 15, 39 Burke, Gaelen, 124 Baltenberger, Rebecca, 21, 40 Burke, John, 182 Banga, Manisha, 10, 40 Burns, Shannon, 12, 50 Bao, Wendi, 23, 41 Byers, Jeb, 4, 46, 131, 176, 178 Bar-Peled, Maor, 46, 67, 178 Bynum, Joshua, 119 Barron, George, 29, 41 Byrd, Charles, 142 Bartlett, Michael, 49, 132, 142 Bass-Ringdahl, Sandie, 102, 125 Bauer, Camille, 23, 41 C Beale, Elliott, 17, 42 Beckham, Jacob, 10, 163 Call, Jarrod, 153 Beckstead, Robert, 92, 133 Callands, Tamora, 154 Bell, Kaylyn, 25, 42 Callaway, Catherine, 31, 194 Ben Shitrit, Lihi, 181 Camp, Cynthia Turner, 195 Berejikian, Jeff, 62 Campbell, Avery, 16, 51 Bergmann, Carl, 4, 128, 187 Campbell, Patric, 11, 51 Bergmann, Margaret, 15, 39 Campbell, W. Keith, 171

202

Index

Canning, Madison, 23, 52 D Cannon, Katie, 17, 52 Caplan, Mary, 87, 201 Dabke, Isha, 25, 66 Carlson, Daniel, 19, 53 Daniel, Tarun, 22, 66 Carlson, Olivia, 9, 16, 53, 97 Davis, Lauren, 26, 67 Carson, Jamie, 151 Davis, Melissa, 48, 188, 189 Carter, Annika, 23, 54 Dayton, John, 146 Carter, Dorothy, 150, 170 De La Fuente, Rabindranath, 111 Cates, Kitra, 27, 54 de La Serre, Claire, 164, 193 Caudill, Gillian, 22, 55 de Leon Torralba, Nicole, 20, 182 Ceron, Maria, 17, 55 Delgado-Romero, Edward, 55 Chaji, Sarah, 19, 56 Dempsey, Lauren, 30, 67 Chambers, Chip, 9, 56 Dennis, Joseph, 36 Chandler, Bleak, 34, 56 Dennison, Lauren, 24, 68 Chapman, Katie, 138 Desai, Ketki, 15, 68 Chastain, Mary, 17, 57 Desher, Kaley, 20, 69 Chatterjee, Swarn, 98 Dhar, Shanta, 38, 137, 168 Cheng, Michael, 26, 57 Dickinson, Samuel, 10, 69 Cherkinsky, Alexander, 75 Dimitrova, Iva, 33, 69 Chimberoff, Scott, 23, 57 Dinsmore, Jessica, 26, 70 Chishom, Taylor, 21, 58 Disharoon, Andrew, 22, 70 Chlan, Eli, 15, 64 Dixon, Steve, 18, 71 Chorzepa, Mi Geum, 79, 143, 160 Dmello, Rutvik, 34, 71 Clark, Hailey, 11, 58 Donnelly, Grace, 13, 72 Clark, Malissa, 117, 140 Donovan, Lisa, 35, 108, 135, 156, 170 Clay, K. Chad, 96 Dougan, Scott, 38 Clement, Sarah, 22, 59 Dougherty, Keith, 141 Cleveland, Markus, 12, 192 Douglass, Megan, 30, 72 Cloud, Harrison, 15, 59 Dowd, John, 94 Coe, Erica, 14, 60 Downs, Diana, 121 Cohen, Elyssa, 24, 60 Drake, John, 5, 190 Coleman, Caroline, 22, 61 Duberstein, Kylee, 45, 114 Condon, Zoe, 31, 61 Dumrongkulraksa, Justin, 26, 73 Conley, Aaron, 29, 61 Dunn, Dessa, 34, 73 Connell, Julia, 12, 62, 194 Dupuy, John, 18, 73 Cooper, Jamie, 105 Durham, Stephan, 174, 177 Cotwright, Caree, 185 Duron-Fleck, Ana, 31, 74 Courchesne, Laura, 32, 33, 62, 63 Dyer, Kelly, 112 Cousins, Melissa, 9, 63 Coverdill, James, 183, 195 Cowan, David, 27, 64 E Cromer, David, 15, 64 Cude, Brenda, 42, 74, 82, 85, 138, 181 Edwards, Martinique, 11, 74 Cullen, Christian, 24, 65 Eggenschwiler, Jonathan, 102 Culver, Bryson, 30, 65 Ehlinger, Rachel, 18, 75 Cummings, Brian, 66, 113 Elengickal, Joseph, 29, 75 Cunningham, Sarah, 32, 66 Encardes, Nicole, 20, 75 Czaja, Krzysztof, 80 Eroh, Guy, 22, 76

203

Index

Evanoff, Erika, 23, 76 Griffiths, Shannon, 31, 87 Evans, Jonathan, 48 Grippando, Casey, 30, 87 Ezenwa, Vanessa, 169 Grommersch, Bryan, 10, 88 Grow, Nathaniel, 78 Gupta, Luvika, 15, 68 F Gupton, Timothy, 178 Gutwillig , Taylor, 16, 88 Farmer, Mark, 186 Ferreira, Eric, 114 Fialkowski, Allison, 12, 77 H Filipov, Nick, 54 Fink, Anna, 16, 102, 125 Haas, Brian, 81 Fischer, Tyler, 19, 77 Haas, Robin, 17, 98 Fitzgerald, Carter, 20, 78 Haire, Susan, 184 Flagel, Zack, 33, 78 Hajduk, Stephen, 68 Fowles, Rashaan, 19, 79 Hakim, Sahl, 24, 88 Fragaszy, Dorothy, 39, 128, 144, 158, 169 Hamilton, Shane, 98 Freeman, Byron, 76 Han, Hanna, 13, 89 Frick, Janet, 152 Handa, Hitesh, 56, 82 Futris, Ted, 51 Hansen, Nathan, 69 Harbert, Allie, 33, 89 Harbor, Leanna, 27, 90 G Hardister, Elizabeth, 20, 90 Hardister, Jennifer, 29, 90 Gallagher, Maryann, 101 Hargrove, Kayla, 29, 30, 32, 91, 200 Ganeshan, Shreya, 30, 79 Harris, Caitlin, 9, 92 Gangasani, Nikhil, 32, 79 Harris, Curtis, 90 Gast, David, 77 Harrison, Ashley, 136 Gatrell, Simon, 45 Hart, Douglas, 34, 92 Gawey, Brent, 23, 80 Harvey, Caroline, 31, 93 Geddes, Catriona, 12, 81 Hatton, Sarah, 24, 93 Geller, Michael, 41 Haynes, Audrey, 89 Gendreau, Julian, 20, 81 He, Jie, 35 Ghuman, Alyssa, 19, 82 Hepinstall-Cymerman, Jeff, 92 Gibbs, Connor, 17, 82 Herod, Andy, 43 Gibbs, Morgan, 12, 83 Hibbler, Rory, 17, 94 Gilreath, Nicole, 24, 83 Hickey, Sarah, 18, 94 Gittleman, John, 51 Hill, Taylor, 18, 94 Gogal, Robert, 145 Himelboim, Itai, 69 Goh, Shaun, 21, 83 Hochschild, Shannon, 13, 95 Gordon, Jenissa, 14, 84 Hofmeister, Erik, 4, 67, 91, 112, 199, 200 Gore, Ann, 24, 84 Holland, Sara, 139 Gorman, Theodore, 17, 85 Hollander, Barry, 61 Gottdenker, Nicole, 37 Hollifield, Cheryl, 196 Gottilla, Thomas, 11, 85 Hollingsworth, Bill, 149 Green, Morgan, 21, 86 Holmes, Callie, 69 Greenspan, Phillip, 35 Hooks, Shelley, 191 Griffin, Jazmine, 29, 86 Hopper, Jackson, 29, 95

204

Index

Howe, LeAnne, 117 Keeler, Colleen, 9, 16, 53, 97 Howerth, Elizabeth, 76, 104 Kelley, Brianna, 16, 102, 125 Howington, Adam, 19, 95 Khalid, Hammad, 24, 106 Hu, Jesse, 26, 96 Kim, Haeun, 26, 106 Hutchison , Michael, 17, 96 Kim, Sokngim, 20, 107 Hutwagner, Tate, 22, 96 Kim, Woo Kyun, 144 King, Elizabeth, 73 King, Stephanie, 14, 107 I Kipreos, Edward, 109 Kisaalita, William, 72 Ivey, Emily, 9, 16, 53, 97 Knox, Evan, 10, 108 Koko, Fatima, 16, 150 Kraft, Elizabeth, 197 J Krall, Ellen, 20, 108 Kranzlein, Chase, 16, 102, 125 Jackson, Douglas, 49, 89 Kraus, James, 26, 109 Jacobs, Benjamin, 17, 98 Kumar, Anjali, 24, 109 Jambeck, Jenna, 95 Kutchesfahani, Sara, 181, 197 Jarnagin, Andrew, 29, 31, 98 Kwak, Jason, 24, 109 Jean, Kharine, 33, 99

Jenkinson, Tiffany, 31, 99 Jennings, Melissa, 10, 100 L Jiang, Zixuan, 14, 100 Jiwani, Zehneel, 27, 101 Lacy, Kip, 32, 110 Johnsen, Kyle, 50 Ladisic, Annie, 14, 110 Johnson, Breana, 16, 101 Lall, Ashley, 30, 111 Johnson, Grace, 27, 102 Lane, Paige, 25, 111 Johnson, Sara, 12, 103 Langley, Caroline, 12, 32, 112 Johnston, Chandler, 32, 103 Layman, Thomas, 27, 112 John-Williams, Kimberlee, 101 Le, Thao, 25, 113 Jones, Kevin, 98 Lee, John, 25, 113 Jones, Susan, 23, 104 Lee, Kendall, 29, 114 Lee, Sang Min, 28, 114 Leigh, Benjamin, 31, 115 K Lenear, Christopher, 19, 115 Lewis, Mary, 20, 116 Kagel, Martin, 120 Lewis, Richard, 4, 146, 159 Kaila, Usha, 22, 104 Li, Changying, 148 Kalia, Megha, 16, 104 Li, Xueying, 30, 116 Kamal, Fatima, 14, 33, 105 Lipp, Erin, 74 Kane, Andrew, 18, 105 Lisa, Christian, 31, 117 Kaplan, Ray, 147 Liu, Dexi, 190 Karahanna, Elena, 155 Locklear, Lauren, 12, 15, 117, 118 Karls, Anna, 182 Locklin, Jason, 116 Karls, Russell, 88, 154 Lodh, Atul, 27, 118 Karumbaiah, Lohitash, 44 Lopez, Michael, 27, 119 Kastens, Marshall, 25, 105 Lord, Duncan, 31, 119 Kazanci, Caner, 173 Lowrey, Kelsey, 33, 120

205

Index

Lucero, Angela, 22, 120 Mistry, Kajal, 21, 131 Lukowitz, Wolfgang, 81 Mitchell, Marie, 118 Lushaj, Alexandria, 12, 192 Mohnen, Debra, 113 Lyon, Andrew, 19, 120 Momany, Cory, 111, 141 Montouchet, Lucas, 9, 131 Moore, Alex, 16, 170 M Moore, Julie, 99, 159 Moore, Patricia, 127 MacDonald, Eric, 192 Moraczewski, Jason, 26, 187 Macfie, Samuel, 27, 121 Morais, Elena, 19, 132 Madhusudan, Mallika, 10, 121 Morrison, Richard, 126 Madonna, Anthony, 87, 94, 179 Mott, Kyle, 25, 132 Magnani, Loris, 6, 151 Moxley, William, 27, 132 Maloney, Emily, 8, 10, 11, 122 Mueller, Adrea, 13, 133 Mandal, Abhyuday, 105, 176 Mullen, Patrick, 19, 133 Mani, Sudhagar, 78 Munagala, Rohit, 26, 134 Mao, Leidong, 116 Murdock, Courtney, 143 Martin, Leonard, 75 Murphy, Megan, 8, 9, 134 Martin, Taylor, 13, 123 Murry, Lindsey, 15, 140 Mastin, Molly, 9, 123 Myers, Emily, 31, 135 Mathis, Jamarcus, 20, 124 Mauricio, Rodney, 5, 101, 118 Mayfield, Johnathan, 30, 124 N McBrearty, Thomas, 17, 125 McCully, Kevin, 40, 83, 131, 147, 153, 177 Najdowski, Morgan, 20, 135 McDowell, Jennifer, 4, 39, 134, 163 Narayanan, Monisha, 26, 136 McEwen, Lisa Shollenberger, 84 Naughton, Margaret, 17, 136 McGraw, MacKenzie, 16, 125 Nayman, Parker, 16, 150 McKeogh, Katherine, 18, 126 Negri, Nicole, 15, 137 Mead, Daniel, 142 Neidle, Ellen, 132 Meagher, Richard, 171 Nelson, Jason, 137 Medine, Carolyn, 172 Netter, Jeff, 86, 190 Medlock, Amy, 136 Neuharth-Pritchett, Stacey, 122 Medvedev, Katalin, 4, 43, 47, 95, 199 Newman, Noah, 28, 137 Meehan, Emma, 33, 126 Nichols, Katherine, 33, 138 Mehegan, Mary, 9, 127 Nichols, Madison, 17, 138 Mehlferber, Elijah, 22, 127 Nickerson, Stephen, 36 Meka, Nikita, 16, 150 Nielsen, Robert, 43 Mendel, Olivia, 26, 128 Ninesling, Brennan, 30, 138 Meng, Juan, 126, 164, 179 Nolan, Morrison, 18, 139 Mensa-Wilmot, Kojo, 180, 186 Nunnery, John-Jordan, 8, 13, 139 Meyer, Courtney, 15, 128 Miller, Ansley, 19, 129 Miller, Katherine, 32, 129 O Miller, Lloyd Stephen, 99, 108, 129, 156 Minnen, Molly, 16, 129 Ochiobi, Onyinyechi, 12, 140 Miracle, Madison, 9, 130 Odman, Selin, 15, 140 Mistretta, Abigail, 15, 130 O'Hara, Hayley, 16, 101, 125

206

Index

Okolo, Kikachukwu, 25, 141 Q Oldham, Robert, 30, 141 Olorunyolemi, Oluwasegun, 25, 142 Qualls, Anita, 21, 153 Opacity, Katherine, 8, 31, 142 Ott, Isabel, 11, 142 Ovett, Maximillian, 20, 143 R Owen, Jack, 32, 143 Owsiak, Andrew, 4, 115, 158, 162 Rada, Balazs, 65, 148 Rahman, Mehabuba, 21, 154 Rajeurs, Ashitha, 24, 154 P Raman, Vineet, 12, 155 Ramasamy, Ramaraja, 88 Pack, Rachel, 15, 144 Ranson, Diana, 150 Paker, Meredith, 33, 144 Rao, Sona, 17, 155 Park, Andrew, 160 Rapoport, Marie, 15, 155 Park, Daye, 23, 144 Reagan, David, 10, 156 Park, Hea-Jin, 84, 200 Reed, Alex, 65 Park, Sabrina, 11, 145 Reitsema, Laurie, 157 Parrott, Wayne, 70, 97 Renzi, Lisa, 59, 64, 163 Patel, Arjun, 23, 145 Renzulli, Linda, 122 Patel, Ashka, 10, 146 Reynolds, Joshua, 12, 156 Patel, Hirel, 27, 146 Reynolds, Sidney, 18, 157 Patel, Kayla, 14, 146 Rice, Jennifer, 62, 79, 194 Patel, Nirali, 24, 147 Rink, David, 28, 157 Patel, Sahil, 21, 147 Roberts, Arthur, 83 Patel, Urmi, 9, 148 Robinson, William, 31, 158 Patrick, Aaron, 19, 148 Roden, Michael, 45 Pattillo, Ryan, 19, 149 Rodgers, Jackson, 22, 158 Payan, Justin, 18, 149 Roles, Lindsey, 15, 158 Pazdro, Robert, 60, 100, 107, 200 Rollins, Emily, 14, 159 Pearse, Mary, 63 Roome, Kerryn, 24, 159 Peltier, Joy, 10, 150 Roquet, John, 12, 160 Pendergraft, Jacob, 16, 150 Rorabaugh, Nicholas, 20, 160 Peters, Kelly-Ann, 21, 177 Rosemond, Amy, 59, 185 Pidaparti, Ramana, 37 Ross, Ken, 110 Pierce, J. Michael, 93, 138, 193 Ruff, Kaitlyn, 23, 161 Pittman, Chance, 18, 151 Russell, Katherine, 32, 161 Pollack, Paul, 95 Ponir, Cynthia, 26, 151 Pontari, Laura, 10, 151 S Pope, Alexis, 16, 101, 125 Pope, Christopher, 52, 57 Sabatini, Robert, 100 Porinchu, David, 187 Sammons, Sarah, 11, 162 Porto, Katelynn, 15, 152 Samowitz, Preston, 23, 162 Potter, Walter, 71 Sauer, Kodiak, 9, 10, 163 Power, Grace, 9, 152 Saunders, Kari, 18, 164 Prins, Payton, 21, 153 Savadatti, Siddharth, 107 Sayavongsa, Sherry, 16, 101, 125

207

Index

Schacke, John, 173 Story, Jessica Brooke, 11, 176 Schade, Ruth, 33, 164 Striepen, Boris, 135 Schaefer, Henry, 197 Sullivan, Matthew, 20, 177 Schank, Jesse, 57, 168 Swanson, Meili, 10, 177 Schlies, Nathan, 21, 165 Sweet, Lawrence, 68, 130, 155 Schmidt, Jason, 161 Sweigart, Andrea, 90 Schmidt, Michael, 165 Szymonik, Joanna, 21, 177 Schmidt, Walter, 57, 106, 134 Schmitz, Robert, 54, 175 Schramski, John, 174, 175 T Schroeder, Hayley, 11, 21, 165, 166 Schuster, Richard, 155 Tahmid, Syed, 31, 178 Schwartz, Rachel, 32, 166 Tait, Meghan, 22, 178 Scott, Leah Abigail, 29, 167 Talkin, Brittany, 31, 87 Selano, Julian, 25, 167 Tartir, Ayman, 34, 178 Sellman, Kathryn, 13, 168 Taylor, Emily, 18, 179 Sequeira, Michelle, 8, 23, 168 Teal, Andrew, 33, 179 Shaffer, Anne, 103 Terns, Michael, 56, 73, 96, 187 Shannon, Jerry, 121 Thomas, Bryanna, 26, 180 Sharma, Nivita, 10, 13, 168 Thomason, Meagan, 22, 180 Sharma, Suraj, 123 Thompson, Aaron, 50 Shearer, Caroline, 11, 169 Thompson, Bert, 30, 181 Sheheane, Spencer, 15, 169 Thorpe, Chelsea, 13, 181 Shelby, Kiara, 20, 170 Tiemeyer, Michael, 60, 106 Shepard, Benjamin, 12, 16, 170, 171 Ting, Danei, 34, 181 Shockley, Marianne, 55, 192 Todd, Courtney, 16, 101, 125 Shukla, Dhairya, 27, 171 Tollner, Ernest, 196 Simon, Janice, 93 Tompkins, S. Mark, 41 Singh, Manjinder, 152 Tondi Resta, Isabella, 28, 182 Singh, Shane, 177 Towe, Lawrence, 34, 183 Skehan, Joseph, 29, 172 Towery, Erin, 90 Skinner, Shaunteri, 17, 172 Towey, Meredith, 16, 101, 125 Smith, Adrianne, 22, 173 Trammell, Kendall, 18, 183 Smith, Erin, 33, 173 Tripp, Ralph, 83, 130, 162 Smith, Jennifer, 94 Tummings, Brittany, 26, 187 Smith, Matthew, 124 Turner, Madison, 31, 184 Soper, Steven, 61, 167 Tyson, James, 32, 184 Spohn, Caroline, 32, 173 Tyus, Emily, 14, 185 Spreen, Lindsey, 29, 174 Srinivasan, Nikhil, 71 Stallings, Katelyn, 20, 174 U Stancil, Phillip, 73, 129, 133, 149, 189 Starai, Vincent, 119 Uhl, Elizabeth, 161 Steck, Garrett, 30, 175 Unholz, Emily, 15, 39 Steffensen, Madeline, 27, 175 Usher, Rachel, 22, 185 Stice, Steven, 5, 66, 194 Stokes, Zack, 18, 176

Stooksbury, David, 132

208

Index

V Williams, Camily, 29, 195 Williams, David, 63, 166 Vaizer, Rachel, 27, 186 Williams, Sabrina, 34, 195 Vale, Haley, 26, 186 Williams, Sarah, 16, 102, 125 Van Giesen, Ian, 33, 187 Willis, Joshua, 9, 196 van Iersel, Marc, 116 Willis, Julia, 16, 170 vanDellen, Michelle, 88, 129, 201 Wilson, Kalyn, 18, 196 Vantsev, Nikita, 10, 187 Wilson, Sydney, 10, 197 Varghese, Jerin, 26, 187 Winkles, Alexander, 28, 197 Varsalona, Alyssa, 21, 188 Wojdynski, Bartosz, 72, 183 Varshney, Juhi, 24, 188 Wolkow, Benjamin, 40 Veazey, Clark, 19, 189 Worick, Rebekah, 11, 197 Viveiros, Maria, 41, 52 Workman, James, 34, 198 Vollum, Kathryn, 24, 189 Wright, Holly, 16, 170 Vu, Vivian, 27, 102 Wright, Taylor, 34, 199 Vukotic, Haris, 17, 190 Wuellner, Alyssa, 30, 32, 199

W X

Waldron, Catherine, 27, 102 Xie, Jin, 157 Walker, Joseph, 34, 190 Xu, Ying, 109 Walker, Sally, 139 Wallace, Doyle, 33, 126 Wang, Xianqiao, 115 Y Way, Vincent, 25, 190 Webster, Andrew, 31, 191 Yakaitis, Claire, 15, 200 Wells, Lance, 109 Yan, Yajun, 77, 120 Wendzik, Madelaine, 23, 191 Yang, Joann, 14, 200 West, Franklin, 61, 91, 127, 168, 180, 191 Young, Jacob, 16, 201 West, Garrison, 12, 192 Young, Theresa, 32, 201 Westpheling, Janet, 64 Yu, Xiaozhong, 173 White, Catherine, 105 White, Lindsey, 20, 192 Whitford, Andrew, 123 Z Whitlock, Brittany, 14, 193 Whitlock, Christopher, 24, 193 Zastre, Jason, 167 Whitman, William, 146 Zhao, Yiping, 53, 172 Wilkes, Elizabeth, 12, 62, 194 Zheng, Y. George, 42 Wilkins, Elizabeth, 31, 194 Zimmermann, Laura, 125

209

The Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities is grateful to the following sponsors of the 2016 Symposium

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