30th Annual CTAHR and COE Student Research Symposium
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Poster Session
Friday, April 6, 2018 Agricultural Science Building 2nd, 3rd and 4th Floor Hallways Abstracts 1—109 (Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD)
11:00 am—1:00 pm Poster set-up by students
1:00—1:15 pm Judges orientation (AgSci 219)
1:15—3:00 pm Viewing and judging of posters by judges (no students or symposium participants present)
3:00—5:30 pm Viewing of posters by public
Interviewing of students by judges
5:30—6:30 pm Networking (refreshments will be provided in tented area near AgSci)
Note: Posters should remain on display until 3:00 pm, Friday, April 13, 2018. Students who need to remove posters before that time must discuss their plans in advance with the program coordinators.
1 Oral Sessions
Saturday, April 7, 2018 Agricultural Science Building Rooms 204, 219 and 220
7:45—8:15 am Refreshments 2nd Floor Lobby
8:00—8:10 am Judges’ Orientation Room 219
8:15—10:15 am Session I PhD (Engineering) Room 219 Abstracts 110–112
Session II MS (Section 1) Room 204 Abstracts 113–120
Session III PhD (Section 1) Room 220 Abstracts 121–125
10:15—10:30 am Break 2nd Floor Lobby
10:30 am—12:30 pm Session IV Undergraduate Room 219 Abstracts 126–133
Session V MS (Section 2) Room 204 Abstracts 134–141
Session VI PhD (Section 2) Room 220 Abstracts 142–148
12:30—1:30 pm Networking (Lunch will be provided)
2 POSTER SESSION
Abstracts 1—109 Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD
(* designates presenter; ° designates non-CTAHR presenter)
Undergraduate Poster No. Dept. Title, Authors
1 NREM Foraging Behavior of the Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Awo, Paul*, Harmon, Kristen, Cotin, Javier, Price, Melissa.
2 FCS Conceptualizing branding in the modern market. Jazlyn Baptista* and Shu-Hwa Lin.
3 MBBE Creating Ultra Low Cost 3D printed Graphene Fuel Cells: Testing Performance of Glucose-Driven Fuel Cell in Various Cell Designs. Saul Bernal* and Samir K. Khanal.
4 NREM Moving Toward Institutional Sustainability with The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Nitrogen Footprint. Cristobal, J.*, Wilson, M., Ryals, R., Cox,L.
5 MBBE Application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in generating sweet basil resistance to downy mildew. Hannah Dose*, Natasha Navet, and Miaoying Tian.
6 HNFAS Comparison of breadfruit and inulin prebiotic potential to promote the growth of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. Hamada, M.E.*, Saxby, S., Lee, C.N., Li, Y.
7 HNFAS Development and exploration of alcohol production from fresh pineapple waste. Brian Izawa*, Yong Li, and Soojin Jun.
8 FCS Denim: from past to the future. Taylor Komatsu* and Shu-Hwa Lin.
9 NREM The Fork to Food of a Littorinid: Do Littorinids Smell Odors Released by Macroalgae to Find Food? Mia B. Melamed* and Kathy Van Alstyne.
10 MBBE Design of Small-Scale Water Treatment Systems for the Ala Wai Canal. Niimoto, K.*, Lin, S., Kuwabara, M., Jung, G., Khanal, S.K.
11 MBBE Early Detection of Urinary Tract Infections Using Novel Biomarker Indicators in Diapers. Ogino, M.*, Chong, E., Chang C., Tanaka B, Fogelgren B.
12 MBBE Assessing the role of DNA methylation in the symbiotic interaction between the squid Euprymna scolopes and the bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Paterson, A.M.* and Téfit, M.A.
3 13 HNFAS Developmental Methods of Alcohol Fermentation Through the Use of Taro. Senga K.*, Lee C.N., Li Y., Jun S.J.
14 MBBE Cloning and characterization of Citrus flavone synthase II (FNSII). Smith, N.* and Owens, D.
15 HNFAS Optimizing the extraction of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial activity from acai. Takahashi, R.*, Liu, X., Wu, B., Nakamoto, S., and Li, Y.
16 MBBE Evaluation of lighting preference of Asian Citrus Psyllid and Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Truong, D.*, Watanabe, S., Melzer, M., Jenkins, D.
17 NREM Stress response of Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, subjected to cyclical changes in environmental salinity. Woo, D.W.*, Celino-Brady, F.T., Pavlosky, K.P., Lerner, D.T., Seale, A.P.
18 MBBE Kappaphycus alvarezii as a Potassium Fertilizer Alternative for Pak-choi (Brassica rapa, Chinensis group) in Aquaponic Applications. Zhang, K.*, Radovich, T., Silvasy, T., and Ahmad, A.
19 MBBE° Chemical Synthesis of Novel GnRH-Like Peptides for Aquaculture of Cellana sandwicensis. John Paul Arios, Brandon J. Day*, and Jon-Paul Bingham.
20 HNFAS° In-silico analysis of Prolactin 177 and 188 promoters to identify mechanisms of osmoreception in Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Head, T.*, Stoytcheva, Z., Seale, A.P.
21 NREM° Relationship Between Morphological Traits, Water Depths, and Foraging Behavior of the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). Jones, Melissa Elena*, Harmon, Kristen, Price, Melissa R.
22 HNFAS° Effects of replacing corn with sun-dried cassava chips in diets on the intestinal microbiota of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. mossambicus). Kiesha Rednour*, Jordan Yoshioka, Alyssa M. MacDonald, Kabi Neupane, and Rajesh Jha.
23 MBBE° Poisonous Island Plants: Alkaloids in the Endemic Hawaiian Prickly Poppy. Zoey Simmons*, Kasey E. Barton, and Jon-Paul Bingham.
24 EE Low-Cost, Low-Power Smart Sensor Nodal Network for Weather Data Aggregation. Chan, K., Amano, K.*, Lum, E., Hamada, J., Chun, J., and Lauritzen, K.
25 EE Wearable Physiological Sensors. Antonio M.*, Masuda L., Ben B. L. Ben, Fontanilla Z., Keeslar E., Segovia M., Boric-Lubecke, O.
26 ME Design, Manufacturing, and Testing Two In-Water Coral Nurseries. Asato, B.*, Goodin, J., Kinimaka, C., Mickelsen, R., Nadamoto, S., Taum, C., Zheng, J.
27 EE Doppler Radar Occupancy Sensing. Guzman, C.*, Boric-Lubecke, O.
28 ME Development of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle to Assist in the Monitoring of Ordnance Reef. Argyris, A., Huang, M.*, Jones, K., Nguyen, A., Roque, R-P.
4 29 EE Liquid-Metal Electronics VIP. Kam, K.*,Yamada, S., Cenence, R., Resurreccion, S., Wagner, W., Shimojo, T., Marcos, J., Fong, W., Akau, T., Asaoka, C., Ohta, A., Shiroma, W.
30 EE Unmanned Aerial Systems with Object Detection and Image Processing. Barcelo, G.*, Law, E., Kanda-Matsumoto, M.
31 ME Development of a Folding Recumbent Tadpole Tricycle. Cuenca, J., Duenas, R., Kahl, A., Lee, D.*, Limjap, R., Obiano, A., Segall, W., Shimizu, T., Sumera, N.
32 CEE Estimation of Scour Depth around Group of Piles Using Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH). Manhin Leung*, Kahai Murata, Juanito Moises.
33 EE Aerial Drone Wireless Penetration Testing. Ngo, V.P.*, Dong, Y.
34 EE Analysis, Distribution, and Visualization of Weather Data for Sustainability Applications. Cho, K., Obatake, J.*, Obatake, A., and Mukai, R.
35 ME Development of a Blended-Body Fixed-Wing Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): Electrical & Electronics. Adrian Ramirez* and Mehrdad G. Nejhad.
36 ME Development of a Blended-Body Fixed-Wing Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV): Launch Pad & Mechanical. Brandon Sakumoto* and Mehrdad G. Nejhad.
37 EE Programmable Robotic Phantom for Radar Life Sensing and Subject Identification. P. Subia*, A. Sylvester, M. Angelo, B. Tomota, S. M. M. Islam and V. Lubecke.
38 ME Brachytherapy active needle with multi-directional nitinol shape memory alloy actuators. Apilado, D., Au, D., Fujimoto, J., Kawamoto, E., Shirokane, J., Sugita, L.*, Kristal Vidad.
39 ME Design Considerations of an Oscillating Water Column Spar Buoy for Operation in Intermediate Wave Zones. Wong, T.*, Bentz, A., Campbell, A., Lau, D., Lee, A.
Master’s Poster
40 PEPS Identification of the bacterial symbiont from entomopathogenic nematode (Oscheius) and its biological control potential. Alhussaini, A.*, Sipes, B,. Wang, K-H., Cheng, Z.
41 NREM Exploring Potential Loʻi Restoration | Historical Site Identification and Suitability Analysis for Kailua, Koʻolaupoko. Andreyka, N.* and Vaughan, M.
42 TPSS Morphological Characterization and Diversity Analysis of Ilima (Sida fallax) Darel Kenth S. Antesco* and Orville C. Baldos.
5 43 NREM Turning a New Leaf: Engaging Local Businesses and Stakeholders in Policy to Prevent Invasive Plant Introductions. Arnott, C.*, Leary, J., Cox, L., Martin, C., Sandlin, M.
44 MBBE Development of a RNA-Seq-based Prognostic Signature for Colon Cancer. Bjarne Bartlett*, Mark Menor, Ting Gong, Tianying Zhao, Youping Deng, Vedbar Khadka.
45 TPSS Impacts of Root Competition on Growth and Productivity of Woody Species in Mixed Agroforestry Systems. Bendes, M.*, Lincoln, N.K.
46 PEPS Development of Genome-informed Rapid and Accurate Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Detection of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, a Bacterial Spot Causing Bacteria. Gamze Boluk*, Upasana Dhakal, Lilly Fatdal, Adriana Larrea-Sarmiento, Anne Alvarez, Daniel Jenkins and Mohammad Arif.
47 HNFAS Is there a Relationship Between Protein Intake and Acanthosis Nigricans Among Young Children in the Children’s Healthy Living Program in the United States Affiliated Pacific? Calabrese, A.*, Fialkowski, M.K., Boushey, C., Davis, J., Leon Guerrero, R., and Novotny, R.
48 HNFAS A Rapid Approach for the Quantification of Curcuminoids in Turmeric (Curcuma longa and Curcuma spp.) Grown in Hawaii. Calpito, J.*, Huang, A., Radovich, T., Bingham, J.P.
49 NREM Interpreting Feral Goat Movements Localized within Makaleha Valley, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Char, J.*, Litton, C.M., Leary J.J.K.
50 NREM Exploring hydrological processes underpinning ecosystem services in Heʻeia. Ching, C.*, Oleson, K., Bremer, L.
51 NREM Estimating the home range of endangered Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudeseni) chicks on Ō’ahu and the impact of predators on fledging success. Christensen, D.L.*, Harmon, K., and Price, M.R.
52 HNFAS Optimization of copepods as live feed for Hawai’i larval shrimp culture. Danita Dahl*, Tally Nakamura, Isaiah Wagenman, Olivia Garcia, Jinzeng Yang.
53 MBBE Efficiency in peptide toxin fluorophore production – Iberiotoxin study case. Delgado, E.* and Bingham J.P.
54 PEPS Survey for Ceratocystis fimbriata on Syngonium. Upasana Dhakal*, Chris Kadooka and Janice Y. Uchida.
55 MBBE Design and Optimization of a Solenoid for Magnetic Field Treatment Using Finite Element Analysis Software. Sean Francis* and Soojin Jun.
56 MBBE R-Ras: a key regulator of sepsis-mediated vascular permeability. Glibetic, N.*, Shi, G-X., Anastasiadis, P., Allen, J.S., and Matter, M.L.
57 NREM Evaluating Impacts of Rainfall Intensity and Surface Water Levels on Hawaiian Stilt Nesting Success. Harmon, Kristen*, Tsang, Yinphan, Strauch, Ayron, Chan, Catherine, Price, Melissa.
6 58 TPSS The Effects of a Beneficial Soil Microbe Inoculant on Plant-nutrient Availability and Nutrient Flows in Hawaiian Soils. S. Heisey*, N. Nguyen, R. Ryals.
59 NREM Optimizing soil health and climate mitigation potential across various Hawaiian landscapes and management. Hannah L. Hubanks*, S.E. Crow, J. Deenik.
60 NREM Engaging Hawaiʻi’s small-scale fishers to promote collaborative research and mitigate oceanic whitetip shark mortality. Iwane, M.*, Oleson, K., Leong, K., Vaughan, M.
61 HNFAS A simple and custom-designed electrochemical impedance bioaffinity sensor with applied mechanical vibration for on-site detection of food pathogens. Bog Eum Lee*, Inae Lee, Soojin Jun.
62 HNFAS Effect of in ovo injection of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic on growth performance and gut health of broiler chickens. Li, L.G.*, Singh, A.K., Mishra, B., Jha, R.
63 HNFAS Exploring quality changes of fresh asparagus when preserved unfrozen at subzero temperature using the supercooling technology. Li, M.* and Jun, S.J.
64 HNFAS Advanced ohmic heating for rice cooking: Quality factor assessment. Junhuang Liu* and Soojin Jun.
65 HNFAS Total phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of ohelo berry extracts. Liu, X.*, Nakamoto, S., Li, Y.
66 MBBE Genomic analysis of Taro vein chlorosis nucleorhabdovirus and development of an antibody-based detection assay. Loristo, J*, and Melzer, M.
67 Withdrawn
68 NREM Understanding carbon flux heterogeneity and development of a novel temperature sensor network for a Andisol deep soil warming experiment. McGrath, C.*, Glazer B., Sylva, K., Crow, S.
69 NREM A Symphony of Hawaiian Forest Birds: Developing and Testing an Interdisciplinary Education Program for Hawai‘i’s Youth. Nakama R.K.*, Frambaugh-Kritzer C., Itoh T., Price M.R.
70 TPSS Determining the role cytokinin plays in patterning the maize leaf. Dylan Oates*, Aimee Uyehara, Angel Del Valle Echevarria, and Michael Muszynski.
71 MBBE Raman Spectroscopy (RESpect) for Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (AIN) Lesions from HIV-Serodiscordant Couples. Oda, R*, Kamada, N., Milne, C., Misra, A., Acosta-Maeda, T., Shiramizu, B.
72 MBBE The Search for Novel Herbicidal Natural Products in Strawberry Guava. Ooka, J.K. * and Owens, D.K.
73 TPSS QTL mapping of resistance to Taro Leaf Blight (TLB) disease in Taro. Roshan Paudel*, Michael B. Kantar, Susan C Miyasaka, Michael Shintaku.
7 74 HNFAS Effects of waterborne exposure to nonylphenol on the growth and reproductive physiology of Mozambique Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Petro-Sakuma, C.K.*, Celino-Brady, F.T., Lerner, D.T., Seale, A.P.
75 NREM Public perceptions of the box jellyfish Alatina alata and other natural hazards at Waikīkī, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Riley, P.P.*, Cox, L.J., Holland, B.S., Leary, J.K., Lepczyk, C.A.
76 NREM Examining the effect of Zero-deforestation commitments on land cover change and agricultural profits. Rodrigo Rivero* and Kim Carlson.
77 PEPS Potential use of local strains of entomopathogenic fungus to control the coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros on Oahu, Hawaii. Mason Russo*, Zhiqiang Cheng, Kelsey Mitsuda, Jing Li, and Matt Kellar.
78 PEPS Lovely flowers, potential problem: viral spillover among pollinators in agricultural settings. Santamaria, J.*, Villalobos, E.M., Nikaido, S.S.
79 MBBE Manu a Meli: the Business of Creating a ‘Local’ and ‘Original’ Ginger Beer. Nicholas Sinclair*, Elizabeth Feldeverd, Robert Oda, Christian Dye, Sophia Oak, Robinson Bucaneg and J-P. Bingham.
80 Withdrawn
81 NREM Quantifying the Embodied Environmental Impact of Doubling Hawaii’s Local Food Supply. Tanya Torres* and Kimberly Carlson.
82 HNFAS Potential of internet influence on superfood choices. Valdez, D.K.*, Titchenal, C.A., Dobbs, J.
83 HNFAS Expression of follistatin and myostatin in the oviduct of laying hen. Wasti, S.*, Sah, N., Kuehu, D.L., Kim, Y.S., Jha, R., Mishra, B.
84 NREM Community-based mangrove management on Pemba Island, East Africa. Watkins, G.* and Crow, S.
85 HNFAS The effect of neonatal administration of recombinant myostatin propeptide on skeletal muscle growth in mice. Xiaoxing Xu*, and Yong Soo Kim.
86 NREM Using Indigenous knowledge to assess past, present, and future water sources in Cho’ho’tso valley on the Navajo Reservation. Aissa T. Yazzie*, Mehana B. Vaughan.
87 HNFAS Analysis of probiotic yeast and probiotic bacteria using prebiotics. Beverly Yuen* and Yong Li. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences.
88 HNFAS Reduction of School Lunch Plate Waste of Early Adolescents in the US: Identifying Barriers, Motivators and Perspectives. Chenchen Zhao*, Chloe Panizza, Kira Fox, Carol Boushey, Carmen Byker Shanks, Selena Ahmed, Susan Chen, Elena Serrano, Julia Zee, Marie Kainoa Fialkowski Revilla, and Jinan Banna.
8 PhD Poster
89 HNFAS Searching for the most affordable sources of bioavailable iron and protein among commonly consumed foods. Almeida, V.A.*, Donohoe-Mather, C.M., Dobbs, J., Titchenal, C.A.
90 MBBE Molecular and biochemical analysis of giant and common leucaena. Bageel, A.* and Borthakur, D.
91 NREM Towards sustainability: Indonesian smallholder inclusion in palm oil certification systems. Ekaputri, A.D.* and Carlson, K.M.
92 HNFAS Association between maternal pregravid body mass index and breastfeeding discontinuation in Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico WIC participants. Gibby, C*, Palacios, C., Lim, E., Banna, J.
93 MBBE Using fermentation in the classroom to teach both advanced biochemistry and the fundamentals of business development. Gong, T.*, Buchanan, J., Bartlett, B., Carlson, B., Arios, J.P., Saxby, S., Bottema, M., Doherty, J., Sinclair, N., Zhao, T., Bingham J.P.
94 PEPS Begomoviruses represent an emerging threat to the papaya industry in Bangladesh. Islam Hamim*, Wayne B. Borth, James C. Green, Michael J. Melzer, Dennis Gonsalves, Jon Suzuki, Marisa Wall and John S. Hu.
95 MBBE Exploration of electric and magnetic field emissions optimized for supercooling preservation of beef samples with diverse fat/lean compositions. Taiyoung Kang*, Raymond Hoptowit, Soojin Jun.
96 MBBE Effects of heat stress on the oviductal gene expression and egg qualities in the laying hen. Kuehu, D.L.*, Sah, N., Lee C.N., Jha, R., Mishra, B.
97 HNFAS Dietary intake of young children on Guam: The Children’s Healthy Living Program (CHL). Laguana, M.B.*, Novotny, R., Leon Guerrero, R.T., Barber L.R.
98 MBBE Chemical Synthesis of a Novel Peptide (oGnRH) for Pheromone Stimulation of Spawning in ‘Opihi (Cellana spp.). Mau, A.*, Arios, J., Valdez, A., Nicodemus, P., Jha, R., Bingham, J-P.
99 HNFAS Assessing the prebiotic potential of taro (Colocasia esculenta) with probiotic Lactobacillus species in in vitro human digestion system. Saxby, S.M.*, Lee, C.N., Kim, Y.S., Li, Y.
100 HNFAS Effect of fiber degrading enzyme and feed’s residual fiber on cecal short-chain fatty acids production and microbial diversity as revealed by metagenomics during in vitro study in broilers. Singh, A.K.*, Park, T., Legaspi, J., Neupane, K., Jha, R.
101 TPSS Development of a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) protocol to identify and measure anthocyanins in poinsettia bracts. Teng, E.S.*, Bingham, J.P., and Amore, T.D.
9 102 TPSS Agrobacterium infiltration for transient expression of F3’5’H, Rosea1, and Delila in anthurium. Toves, P.J.*, Fitch, M.M., He, X., Criley, R.A., Martin, C.R., Amore, T.D.
103 MBBE Recruitment of West Nile Virus NS3 Helicase by NS2B to the ER-Associated Replication Organelles for Efficient Virus Replication. Tseng, A.*, James, N., Nerurkar, V.R. and Kaufusi, P.H.
104 HNFAS FDA food recalls- should you care? Vargas, A.G.M.* and Dobbs, J.
105 MBBE Recombinant myostatin prodomain in treating Age-Associated Sarcopenia. Arthur Wong* and Yong Soo Kim.
106 MBBE A life story of nitrogen in aquaponics for resource recovery: Insights from molecular perspectives. Wongkiew, S.* and Khanal, S.K.
107 MBBE Identification of lncRNAs based biomarker using microarray and RNA-seq data for lung cancer. Tianying Zhao*, Vedbar Khadka, Youping Deng.
108 HNFAS° Genetic variations and prenatal expression patterns of myostatin in sheep. Hua Yang* and Jinzeng Yang.
109 HNFAS° Increased levels of exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) in asthma & COPD: an indicator for pulmonary function testing (PFT). Kim, J.E.*, Dobbs, J., Titchenal, C.A.
10 ORAL SESSIONS (* designates presenter; ° designates non-CTAHR presenter)
Session I—PhD Engineering
8:15–10:15 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 219
No. Dept. Title, Authors
110 EE Information Theory & Interference Alignment. Mirza Uzair Baig*, Anders Høst- Madsen and Aria Nosratinia.
111 ME Autonomous active needle insertion. Karimi, S.*, Konh, B.
112 CEE Autonomous Intersection Control Formulation and Optimization enabled by Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Zhenning Li* and Guohui Zhang.
11 Session II—Master’s Section 1
8:15–10:15 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 204
No. Dept. Title, Authors
113 MBBE Production and purification of nicotianamine using a recombinant enzyme from giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata). James Carrillo* and Dulal Borthakur.
114 TPSS Tolerance of Four Native Hawaiian Peperomia Species to Interior Lighting Conditions. Aleta K. Corpuz* and Orville C. Baldos.
115 MBBE Protein disulfide isomerase-9 mediates the development of healthy pollen under environmental stress. Feldeverd, Elizabeth* and Christopher, David A.
116 PEPS Use of comparative genomics tools to develop robust field-deployable and lab diagnostic tests for important plant pathogens, Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. and C. michiganensis ssp. nebraskensis. Larrea-Sarmiento, A.*, Alvarez, A. and Arif, M.
117 HNFAS Effects of Animal Behavior and Core-Body Temperature on Production Efficiency of Grass Finished Cattle. Oshiro, M.*, Thorne, M.S., Lee, C.N., Kim, Y.S., Fukumoto, G.K.
118 HNFAS RNA sequencing of the shell gland reveals novel genes related to calcium remodeling during eggshell formation in laying hens. Sah, N.*, Kuehu, D.L., Khadka, V.S., Jha, R., and Mishra, B.
119 NREM Small scale data, big picture extinction: Count-based population viability analysis as a tool for comparative extinction risk for rare Cyanea species in Kīpahulu Valley, Haleakalā National Park, Maui. Torigoe, S.*, Litton, C.
120 NREM Soil macroinvertebrate responses to removal of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) across a 25-year chronosequence in tropical montane wet forests. Wehr, N.H.*, Lincoln, N.K., Hess, S.C., Litton, C.M.
12 Session III—PhD Section 1
8:15–10:15 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 220
No. Dept. Title, Authors
121 MBBE Chemical-binding properties of mimosine, a non-protein amino acid found in Leucaena leucocephala. Honda M.D.H.*, Jarrett J.T., and Borthakur D.
122 NREM Fuzzy Cognitive Maps as a tool for identifying knowledge gaps to design educational technology transfer activities for smallholder potato farmers in Guatemala. LaPorte, P.*, Chan-Dentonic, J., Chan, C., Sipes, B., Melakeberhan, H., Sanchez-Perez, A., and Mejía, A.
123 MBBE High rate anaerobic treatment of sulfate-laden industrial wastewater with simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide using biochar. Fernanda R. Oliveira* and Samir Khanal.
124 PEPS Best termination methods of mustard (Brassica juncea) and oil radish (Raphanus sativus) cover crops for nematode management. Waisen, P.*, Wang, K.-H, Cheng, Z., Sipes, B.
125 NREM Differential effects of lignin chemistry on conversion. Wells, J.*, Crow, S., Khanal, S., Turn, S., Hashimoto, A.
13 Session IV—Undergraduate
10:30–12:30 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 219
No. Dept. Title, Authors
126 Withdrawn
127 TAE Management of the Invasive Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) in Hawai’i. Au, M.*, Ramadan, M., Wang, K-H.
128 MBBE Quantification of total phenolics in Bidens to estimate antioxidative capability. Barone, R.P.*, Keeley, S.C., Owens, D.K.
129 NREM Nutritional Analyses of Endemic Hawaiian Fruit for Wild Foraging ‘Alalā (Corvus hawaiiensis). Katherine Hiu*, Becky Ostertag, Bryce Masuda, James Sheppard, Jonathan Price.
130 MBBE Tuning cellular photoprotection to improve algal productivity. Kajihara, L.* and Su, W.W.
131 MBBE Detection of Tobacco Streak Virus and Molecular Characterization of Novel a Tobamovirus in Sunn Hemp, Crotalaria juncea, Expressing Virus-Like Symptoms. Kong, A.*, Arakaki, A., Long, M., and Melzer, M.
132 NREM Distribution, Impacts, Biotypes, and Viral Biocontrol Status of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in Palau. Masang, N.*, Adams, B., Kong, A., Watanabe, S., Kitalong, C., Miles, J., and Melzer, M.
133 HNFAS Analyzation of phenolic and antimicrobial functionality in byproducts of Hawai‘i coffee cherries for potential upscaling. Pereira, G.*, Liu, X., Nakamoto, S., Li, Y.
14
Session V—Master’s Section 2
10:30–12:30 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 204
No. Dept. Title, Authors
134 HNFAS Survey of Disease, Management and Biosecurity Practices of Hawai‘i Swine Farmers. Castle, B.A.*, Odani, J., Jha R., Ogasawara, N., Zaleski, H.M.
135 HNFAS Removal of Escherichia coli K12 from contaminated tap water using a single- stage dielectrophoresis (DEP) device filled with glass beads. Chun, C.* and Jun, S.
136 TPSS Surface applied or incorporated? Does compost and biochar placement affect plant growth and soil fertility? Cox, J.*, Hue, N., Ahmad, A., Kobayashi, K.
137 MBBE Identification and Characterization of Simple Sequence Repeats in Protein- coding genes of Acacia koa. Christopher I. Nakano*, Michael D.H. Honda, Kazue L. Ishihara, and Dulal Borthakur.
138 PEPS Molecular characterization of Ti ringspot-associated virus through next generation sequencing and bioinformatic tools. Olmedo-Velarde, A.*, Park, A., Melzer, M.
139 NREM Managing invasive macroalgae in Paikō Lagoon State Wildlife Sanctuary: A partnership with the state of Hawai‘i and the Maunalua community. Payne, C.E.*, Oleson, K.L.L.
140 HNFAS Development of a sensitive single-tube nested PCR assay for rapid detection of Campylobacter jejuni in ground chicken. Wu, B.Y.* and Li, Y.
141 PEPS Protecting Tree Species: Identification of pathogenic fungi from Acacia koa in Hawaii. Yoo, Y.H.* and Uchida, J.
15
Session VI—PhD Section 2
10:30–12:30 a.m., AgSci Bldg Room 220
No. Dept. Title, Authors
142 MBBE Artocarpus altilis, the ‘ulu’ breadfruit, journeys thousands of miles and thousands of years to a pint glass near you – an ancient food crop resurfaces as beer of the future. Arios, J.P., Barlett, B., Bottema, M., Buchanan, J., Carlson, B., Doherty, J.*, Gong, T., Saxby, S., Sinclair, N., Zhao, T., Bingham, J.P.
143 PEPS Engineering basil plants for resistance against downy mildew. Navet, N.*,Shao, D., Dose, H., Tian, M.
144 MBBE Microaeration in anaerobic digester: A unique approach to improve stability and performance of the renewable energy production. Duc Nguyen* and Samir K. Khanal.
145 HNFAS Effects of intermittent energy restriction with a Mediterranean diet versus the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet on overall and visceral adiposity: A pilot study. Panizza, C.E.*, Lim, U., Yonemori, K.M., Cassel, K.D., Wilkens, L.R., Shvetsov, Y.B., Harvie, M.N., Le Marchand, L., Boushey, C.J.
146 HNFAS Characterizing Eating Behaviors of Adolescents Ages 10-13 in Hawaii While Eating Alone. Suzuki, A.*, Anderson, A., Choi, Y.C., Cluskey, M., Gunther, C., Hongu, N., Jones, B., Lora, K., Misner, S., Monroe-Lord, L., Penicka, C., Reicks, M., Richards, R., Topham, G., Wong, S.S., Banna, J.
147 HNFAS Nutrient profile and in vitro digestibility of nutrients (energy, protein and amino acids) of animal protein byproducts. Utsav P. Tiwari*, Brian Kerr, and Rajesh Jha.
148 HNFAS Cassava root chips an alternative to corn in broiler diet: effect on growth performance and gut health parameters. Yadav, S.*, Singh, A., Tiwari, U.P., Mishra, B., Jha, R.
16 ABSTRACTS (*designates presenter)
(1) Foraging Behavior of the Black-Crowned dynamic manner? This leads to the concept of Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli) being omni-personal has driven fundamental on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. Awo, Paul*, Harmon, Kristen, shifts within today’s market and is essential to Cotin, Javier, Price, Melissa. Department of incorporate into any successful business. Natural Resources and Environmental Consumers are looking for the most seamless Management. commerce experience. This need calls for The Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax blurring lines and eliminating boundaries nycticorax hoactli), or ‘Auku‘u, is a subspecies of between digital and physical. Market research Nycticorax nycticorax that inhabits wetlands has shown great growth of consumer shopping throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The ‘Auku‘u is through tablets, smartphones, and even smart one of the few native, terrestrial predators watches within the past decade. While remaining in the Hawaiian Islands. The technology is driving how retailers and continental population of the Black-crowned consumers interact today, the immersion and Night Heron primarily forages at night, but the interaction between retailers and consumers little information that exists regarding the continues to be a staple in retail. This is yet foraging behavior of the ‘Auku‘u in Hawai‘i is another challenge of retailers to conceptualize. contradictory. The Hawai‘i state Department of This directed reading and research seeks to Land and Natural Resources states that they are answer the question: How are today’s retailers diurnal, primarily foraging during the day, while conceptualizing branding in the modern market the US Fish and Wildlife Service states the through enhancing the consumer experience? ‘Auku‘u are nocturnal, primarily foraging at night. In this study, we conducted observational (3) Creating Ultra Low Cost 3D printed surveys to determine the time of day ‘Auku‘u Graphene Fuel Cells: Testing Performance of are most likely to be seen foraging, identified Glucose-Driven Fuel Cell in Various Cell and quantified available and ingested prey, and Designs. Saul Bernal* and Samir K. Khanal. determined the potential impact on endemic Department of Molecular Biosciences and Hawaiian waterbird chicks. ‘Auku‘u were Bioengineering. observed foraging during both the day and night. Over the last decade, there has been revived This may be due to the abundance of prey interest in biological fuel cells; a type of fuel cell available in Hawai‘i wetlands, and a lack of where the anode and/or cathode use biocatalyst. competitors, compared to continental systems. The biocatalyst could be a living cell (microbial Results of this study will be used to optimize fuel cell) or a subcellular bio-component survey protocols to maximize the likelihood of (enzymatic or mitochondrial biofuel cells). One detection. key restriction of biological fuel cells are adequate charge transfers. Novel nanomaterials (2) Conceptualizing branding in the modern and additive manufacturing (3D printing) offer market. Jazlyn Baptista* and Shu-Hwa Lin. the ability to incorporate new materials and Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. diverge cell design from traditional This project is to explore innovative and re- electrochemical cells. The goals of this project imaginative branding tactics used by retailers in are: (1) use of Shewanella sp. to improve the the modern market. The four C’s of power electron transfer from biocatalyst to the branding- commerce, curation, content and electrode surface, (2) test different cell community has brought many brands to the compositions to simulate macro-porous forefront of enhancing consumer experiences properties to offer greater stability and and thus driving sales. Retailers today are immobilization of biocatalyst, (3) experiment with learning that they must recalibrate their two-dimensional nanomaterial graphene to businesses and return to the core of mission increase conductivity and surface area of the statements. Retailers existing today have found electrodes, and (4) use affordable and branding to the modern market to be a great biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) to reduce challenge and vast opportunity to exist and grow. cell cost. Experiment consists in measuring To be powerful, productive, and simple to the current, voltage, and resistance over a period of consumer is effective branding. How can a five days for six different cell designs (4 brand make the biggest impact in the most graphene + PLA variances, 1 positive control
17 (Carbon cloth electrode + PLA), and 1 negative mildew disease. Downy Mildew Resistance gene control (PLA only) all separated by a proton DMR1 has been identified as a plant exchange membrane (PEM). Successful susceptibility gene which encodes for completion of this research will provide a way to homoserine kinase (HSK) and is conserved in fabricate low cost biological fuel cells. various plant species. Previous studies show mutations in Arabidopsis DMR1 led to elevation (4) Moving Toward Institutional Sustainability in homoserine and significant resistance against with The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Arabidopsis downy mildew using a knockout Nitrogen Footprint. Cristobal, J.*, Wilson, M., approach. We are attempting to generate downy Ryals, R., Cox,L. Department of Natural mildew resistant basil plants by disrupting the Resources and Environmental Management, DMR1 homologous gene in basil using Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing Department of Geography, Department of technology. CRISPR/Cas9 has been used for Anthropology, University of California Merced. crop improvement because the technology Nitrogen is an essential element for life, but high allows precise gene editing and rapid generation levels of reactive nitrogen (N) can be detrimental of desirable crops free of foreign genes. Cas9 to environmental and human health. The amount requires a single-guide RNA (sgRNA) which of reactive N in the environment has more than utilizes a 20 nucleotide recognition sequence to doubled due to anthropogenic activities, such as locate a specific site and induce a double food production, electricity, and transportation. stranded break at determined loci. In addition to Reactive N cascades through the environment in one sgRNA, we also attempt modification with gaseous and aqueous forms, and contributes to two different sgRNAs for the same DMR1 gene several environmental problems including smog, to increase the efficiency of gene editing. acid rain, ocean acidification, eutrophication, Agrobacterium strain EHA105 was used to and climate change. A Nitrogen Footprint is a deliver the vector pKSE401 with the CRISPR measure of the amount of reactive N released cassettes into sweet basil by Agrobacterium- into the environment as a result of an entity’s mediated transformation and plant tissue culture resource consumption. We calculated the techniques. Transgenic plants are being University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s N footprint generated and will be subjected to molecular using the Institution N-Footprint Tool (NFT), part and pathogen infection assays. If the resistance of a multi-institutional program to identify and to P. belbahrii generated by CRISPR/Cas9 is limit sources of nitrogen pollution. We found that proven successful, this advances possibilities to UH Mānoa released a total of 119,265kg use gene editing technology to help reduce the reactive N in 2016 with utilities and food need for chemicals in plant pathogen control. production being the largest contributors. Business-as-usual and reduction scenarios were (6) Comparison of breadfruit and inulin applied to quantify the virtual impact of existing prebiotic potential to promote the growth of and future campus sustainability initiatives. The probiotic Lactobacillus spp. Hamada, M.E.*, combined scenarios with the greatest impact Saxby, S., Lee, C.N., Li, Y. Department of reduced the total to 84,485 kg reactive N Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. released. The results of this work provide a Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), a culturally and data-driven approach to institutional economically significant food plant of the Pacific sustainability by identifying sources of reactive N Islands, is gluten-free and a good source of pollution and the effectiveness of mitigation carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Due to the high strategies. dietary fiber content, breadfruit may promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the (5) Application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing human intestine. The purpose of this study was technology in generating sweet basil to determine the prebiotic potential of breadfruit resistance to downy mildew. Hannah Dose*, with probiotics Lactobacillus spp. in comparison Natasha Navet, and Miaoying Tian. Department with inulin, an established prebiotic extracted of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. from chicory root. Lactic acid bacteria strains, Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is an Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus economically significant crop considered to be acidophilus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, were one of the most widely grown herbs in the world. used as representative probiotics in this study. Peronospora belbahrii is the oomycete pathogen Breadfruit concentrations between 0.5% and threatening basil production by causing downy 3.5% (w/v), with increments of 0.5%, were
18 individually paired with each probiotic strain and ABV measurement of 2.63%. Future and evaluated for bacterial growth via optical density ongoing studies are focused on more efficient and plate count at 0, 24, and 48 h. Inulin and methods, recipe improvements, desirability, and glucose were used as prebiotic and non- sensory evaluation. The production of a prebiotic controls respectively in this study. In consumer alcoholic product using waste could addition, Escherichia coli was used as an enteric provide an economically and environmentally bacteria control and tested with the beneficial solution to the food waste issue in carbohydrates in a similar manner. The optical Hawaii. density of all three Lactobacillus spp. with breadfruit showed a significant increase after 24 (8) Denim: from past to the future. Taylor h and a slight increase between 24 h and 48 h. Komatsu* and Shu-Hwa Lin. Department of The optical density of E. coli increased and then Family and Consumer Sciences. decreased after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. This project is to explore published articles that Plate count data suggested the best breadfruit report on current trends of the textile, denim. concentration was 2.5% with L. plantarum. The Textile properties that are mentioned will be breadfruit concentrations greater than 1.0% did explaining the types of denim textiles, finishings, not support the growth of E. coli. In conclusion, dyes. Etc. Research on more current denim breadfruit can selectively promote the growth of trends, future/upcoming trends, and also future probiotic Lactobacillus spp., which could help denim projects will be done while attending the improve the gut microbiota and host health. 2018 Magic Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The textile, denim is a very commonly used and (7) Development and exploration of alcohol popular textile around the world. Denim is very production from fresh pineapple waste. Brian classic and very controversial textile that can be Izawa*, Yong Li, and Soojin Jun. Department of created and transformed in multiple ways. Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. Denim became a popular fashion textile in the Recent studies have found that food waste in 18th century due to its durability and strength. Hawaii is estimated to be 237,122 tons or 26% Denim is the only old fabric that still maintains of available food supply in 2010. Pineapple dynamic as youth’s favorite choice. This project waste makes up the largest proportion of fruit is to explore the new denim product waste in Hawaii. This is a large economic and development from the past products and environmental concern for a state that imports a methods and examine all trends throughout time majority of its food and beverage products. in order to easily forecast new trends and run a Pineapple waste contains large amounts of proper denim fashion business. sugars and other nutrients, which could be fermented to produce ethanol or an alcoholic (9) The Fork to Food of a Littorinid: Do product from fresh food waste. The purpose of Littorinids Smell Odors Released by this study is to explore the development of Macroalgae to Find Food? Mia B. Melamed* pineapple wine, compare the effects of two and Kathy Van Alstyne. Department of Natural fermentation starters, Nuruk enzyme powder Resources and Environmental Management, and amylase powder, to determine if the Shannon Point Marine Center, Western production of a desirable alcoholic product is Washington University. possible. Fresh pineapple waste was obtained at Herbivore preferences in the intertidal zone may the processing factory of Dole Plantation. The impact algae community structure. Orienting pineapples were processed into a must for towards or away from algal volatile compounds fermentation. Primary fermentation was is one of many behaviors that might affect completed in one week using champagne yeast foraging, however behavioral responses to and yeast nutrient. The alcohol content was airborne chemicals by marine organisms are measured using specific gravity readings from a poorly understood. On many northeastern hydrometer. The pineapple solids were filtered Pacific rocky shores, Ulva spp. and Fucus out then transferred into another container to distichus are the dominant macroalgae. They finish fermentation. The current study suggests can be consumed by the herbivorous snails that the production of an alcoholic product using Littorina sitkana, which occur in the mid to upper fresh pineapple waste is achievable. The alcohol intertidal. In this study we investigated whether L. by volume (ABV) measurement in the amylase sitkana uses odors released by macroalgae as and control sample was at 3.54% and 3.41% an orientation cue to find food. Using static y- respectively. The trial with Nuruk had a lower maze assays, we quantified L. sitkana
19 orientation when given the following choices: no determine how many full-scale system units are algae and U. lactuca, no algae and F. distichus, required to treat the entire AWC. undesiccated and desiccated U. lactuca; F. distichus grown at high and low light levels; and (11) Early Detection of Urinary Tract water with and without the volatile compound Infections Using Novel Biomarker Indicators dimethyl sulphide (DMS), which is produced by in Diapers. Ogino, M.*, Chong, E., Chang C., U. lactuca. L. sitkana significantly chose the U. Tanaka B, Fogelgren B. Department of lactuca, but not F. distichus when no algae were Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, in the other arm. They significantly selected U. Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and lactuca dried for 2 h but not U. lactuca dried for Physiology, Department of Medicine. 1 h, when given a choice of dried versus undried Urinary tract infections (UTIs) comprise a algae. Orientation was not affected by growing F. significant portion of disease burden in elderly distichus under different light levels or the populations both in terms of complications and presence of DMS at different concentrations. healthcare costs. The symptoms of UTIs in the Our results show that L.sitkana use odors elderly are usually less specific and can be released by macroalgae to find food in the masked by other comorbid conditions like intertidal zone and that environmental stresses, dementia that affect the patient’s ability to such as desiccation, affect the ability of communicate. The purpose of this project was to herbivores to detect algae from a distance. determine whether NGAL and KIM-1, two proteins recently discovered to be secreted by (10) Design of Small-Scale Water Treatment kidney cells into the urine in response to injury Systems for the Ala Wai Canal. Niimoto, K.*, or UTIs, could be used as biomarkers for early Lin, S., Kuwabara, M., Jung, G., Khanal, S.K. detection of UTIs in incontinent patients. Using Department of Molecular Biosciences and these human biomarkers to detect UTIs is an Bioengineering, University of Hawai’i advantage over the current methods of Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. measuring nitrites and leukocyte esterases The Ala Wai Canal (AWC) is arguably the most because there is no risk of fecal contamination well known impaired water body on Oahu, with giving false positives. After thorough State of Hawaii currently spending about $1 consideration of different prototype designs, a million annually for its upkeep. This high lateral flow assay strip system utilizing maintenance cost motivated the design of a monoclonal antibodies specific to NGAL and cost-effective and sustainable water treatment KIM-1 was constructed and integrated into system for the AWC. The proposed systems are diapers. First, we screened various commercial a trickling filter (TF) and constructed wetland antibodies for sensitivity and threshold limits (CW), both of which utilize biological processes using standard dot blot immunoassays. After to remove contaminants from water. The first identifying the best antibodies for both proteins, step in designing the systems was to identify the we generated lateral flow strips made of porous contaminants in the canal. Results showed that nitrocellulose membrane coated with the AWC had an alarmingly high average immobilized capture antibodies against NGAL chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and KIM-1. Conjugating a separate detection of 234 mg/L - a high COD concentration antibody to colloidal gold allowed a color change correlates to a high biological oxygen demand after the lateral flow when the detection (BOD), a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency antibody-biomarker complex was bound to the (EPA) regulated contaminant for water quality. capture antibody. The future steps of the project Bench-scale TF and CW reactors were modeled include increasing the detection threshold of the and constructed to determine their COD removal prototype and moving onto sensitivity and efficiencies. Hydraulic loading rates and specificity testing in adult diapers. recirculation flow rates were then optimized appropriately for each system. Based on the (12) Assessing the role of DNA methylation bench-scale system performances, either the TF in the symbiotic interaction between the or the CW will be selected as the full-scale squid Euprymna scolopes and the bacterium system by comparing efficiency, cost, aesthetics, Vibrio fischeri. Paterson, A.M.* and Téfit, M.A. and size. A full-scale model of the final system Department of Molecular Biosciences and will be designed to reduce the canal’s predicted Bioengineering, Pacific Biosciences Research BOD concentration to EPA DOH limits (60 mg/L). Center. A comprehensive analysis will be performed to
20 The Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, the fermentation process, a distillation process establishes a monosymbiotic relationship with was conducted to determine final alcohol the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri. In percent yields for each fermentation type to the first hours following their initial encounter, determine optimal alcohol production yields. both partners undergo extensive changes in Further studies are aimed at determining varying gene transcription. DNA methylation is known to alcohol yields via different amounts of microbial play a role in the regulation of gene expression. fermenters (yeast and mixed microflora), raw poi To determine whether this epigenetic ingredients, water amount, as well as the modification is involved in the initiation of the possibility of creating a viable alcoholic symbiosis, levels of DNA methylation will be beverage. evaluated across different tissues of juvenile E. scolopes. The experimental conditions will (14) Cloning and characterization of Citrus compare (i) aposymbiotic squids (symbiont-free), flavone synthase II (FNSII). Smith, N.* and (ii) symbiotic squids (associated with wild-type V. Owens, D. Department of Molecular Biosciences fischeri), and (iii) squids colonized with a mutant and Bioengineering. strain of V. fischeri, ∆lux, that is deficient for light Flavones are an important group of plant production and fails to remain associated with metabolites that aid in stress responses, UV the squid. Samples will be collected at different protection, oxidation of free radicals, signaling time-points during the early phase of the between organisms, as well as other key plant association between E. scolopes and V. fischeri. physiological activities. Due to their diverse Changes in the levels of DNA methylation in the functions, flavones have potential applications host genome will be measured by ELISA within a wide range of fields such as plant (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Further breeding, agriculture, pharmacology, and, research will include the identification of genes notably, human health. Citrus produce higher that are differentially methylated across amounts of flavones than any other plant, experimental conditions, to provide insight into storing them in fruit and rind. A naturally high mechanisms that may be applicable to other yield of flavones and flavone derivatives make symbiotic interactions. citrus ideal for large-scale production of these products. Thus far, an enzyme assay for citrus (13) Developmental Methods of Alcohol flavone synthase has not been developed nor Fermentation Through the Use of Taro. has this enzyme been characterized in citrus. Senga K.*, Lee C.N., Li Y., Jun S.J. Department We propose to clone the citrus FNSII gene, of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. develop an effective method to express and Taro is a plant crop that is common in Hawaiian enrich the recombinant protein, and to and Polynesian culture. The taro root, or corm, thoroughly characterize the enzyme through is nutritionally dense containing a rich source of enzyme assay. Isolation of the protein product carbohydrates, relatively low in fat, and contains will allow for biochemical determination of various vitamins and minerals making it an ideal function and analysis of the predicted FNSII health food. As such, the interest of this gene. We will demonstrate enzymatic activity research is to determine an effective method in through conversion of flavanone substrates to fermenting the taro crop, to determine potential their respective flavone products, using HPLC to ethanol production. Two different types of identify compounds. This study will aid in the fermentation were utilized: A) fermentation biochemical and molecular characterization of involving the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiaea FNSII, with an emphasis in citrus, as well as in yeast which is commonly used in various the development of metabolic engineering beverage fermentations, and B) fermentation strategies for modifications of flavone synthesis involving the use of mix microflora containing in plants to improve their nutritional, commercial, additional fungal microbes such as Aspergillus and biopharmaceutical value. which produce enzymes to promote the saccharification process which aids in the (15) Optimizing the extraction of phenolic fermentation process. Both fermentation types compounds with antimicrobial activity from underwent the same fermentation methods used acai. Takahashi, R.*, Liu, X., Wu, B., Nakamoto, in alcohol production. Poi, or mashed taro, was S., and Li, Y. Department of Human Nutrition, used in both experiments and underwent Food and Animal Sciences. fermentation for over one week with different The acai berry (Euterpe oleracea) is known as a levels of metabolic activity shown visually. After super fruit due to its high antioxidant level.
21 Phenols are a class of aromatic organic fungal pathogens. To improve the efficacy of compounds that have different beneficial surveillance efforts for these pests, we tested properties depending on the source. Some their lighting preferences using a customized phenols are used in disinfectants and folk miniature LED lighting circuit. The device can be remedies. This study aimed to determine the programmed to illuminate any of 6 LEDs (UV, phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of blue, yellow, amber, and/or red), with different acai extracts. Three solvents with different modulation schemes and diurnal cycles based polarity, including water/methanol (85:15 v/v, on ambient light. We found that UV light E1), acetone/methanol/water (40:40:20 v/v, E2) significantly enhanced ACP trap catch compared and methanol/water/acetic acid (85:15:0.5 v/v, to any other color or non-illuminated control, but E3), were used to extract the phenols from modulation of UV to mimic reflection patterns freeze dried acai. Each extract was measured from canopies of citrus trees depressed ACP for the concentrations of phenolic compounds catch. We have been unable to conduct and anthocyanins using the Folin Ciocalteu controlled experiments to determine lighting method and the pH differential method, preferences of CRB foraging in the wild, but lab respectively. All extracts were evaluated against experiments demonstrate that they are two bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus perceptive to colors across the tested spectrum. and Escherichia coli, via the agar well diffusion This research may lead to more effective trap assay. The total phenol content of E1, E2 and designs for these pests. E3 was 86.97 mg, 94.48 mg, and 105.53 mg, respectively. The concentration of anthocyanins (17) Stress response of Mozambique tilapia, in the three extracts was 199.91 mg/L, 399.58 Oreochromis mossambicus, subjected to mg/L and 364.04 mg/L, respectively. E2 and E3 cyclical changes in environmental salinity. displayed inhibition zones against S. aureus of Woo, D.W.*, Celino-Brady, F.T., Pavlosky, K.P., 10 mm and 18 mm, respectively. E1 did not Lerner, D.T., Seale, A.P. Department of Human show any inhibition against S. aureus. Against E. Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University coli, E3 exhibited an inhibition zone of 19 mm of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program. whereas E1 or E2 did not show any effect. In Changes in the environment that interfere with conclusion, E3 had higher total phenolic content physiological homeostasis have been shown to and stronger antimicrobial potential. These elicit stress responses in vertebrates, including results can be applied to the field of food safety, fish. The stress response in fish is mediated by preventive medicine, and enrich the the endocrine system and largely characterized understanding of the health benefits of acai. by the mobilization of energy to resist or counteract the stressor. To that effect, an acute (16) Evaluation of lighting preference of elevation in circulating glucose is commonly Asian Citrus Psyllid and Coconut Rhinoceros observed in many fish species following Beetle. Truong, D.*, Watanabe, S., Melzer, M., exposure to a stressor. Changes in Jenkins, D. Department of Molecular environmental salinity, for example, can be Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of stressful to fish according to their salinity Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. tolerance or acclimation history. Few studies, Introduced pest species pose a serious however, have addressed the effects of biosecurity challenge to agriculture. For example, continuously changing salinities on the stress the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP; Diaphorina citri) is response of fish. Our previous studies in the only vector of the bacterial pathogen that Mozambique tilapia, a species native to waters causes the disease huanglongbing (also known in which salinity varies tidally between that of as citrus greening) which has resulted in billions freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW), have of dollars of economic losses in Florida alone shown that fish reared in a tidal regimen (TR) since its introduction in 2005. Current efforts to grow faster than those reared in steady-state control the spread of disease in California and FW or SW. In this study, we measured plasma other citrus producing states include testing of glucose every 3 h from fish reared under a TR, psyllids caught in the field. Similarly, efforts are FW and SW over a 24 h period. We found that underway on the island of Oahu to control the plasma glucose, while initially lower than steady recently introduced Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle state FW and SW, increased over time in fish (CRB; Oryctes rhinoceros) which can result in reared in TR but not in SW or FW. These results significant damage to the canopy of iconic suggest that fish reared in TR are more sensitive coconut palms and could potentially vector new to handling stress than the fish sampled from
22 steady-state salinities. Further analyses will be There are many studies that focus on the conducted to examine the effects of cyclical structure composition of the GnRH peptide changes in salinity on markers of chronic stress. within Phylum Chordata; however, there is [Supported by HATCH (#HAW02051-H), NOAA/ limited information on the specific conservative UH-Sea Grant (#NA14OAR4170071, R/SS-12 regions within Phylum Mollusca. Here, special and R/SB-18) and NIH (1R21DK111775-01)] emphasis will be placed upon analog sequences from a known GnRH peptide, Lg-GnRH. The (18) Kappaphycus alvarezii as a Potassium efficacy of these novel bioengineered analogues Fertilizer Alternative for Pak-choi (Brassica will be tested on local ‘opihi ‘alinalina, the rapa, Chinensis group) in Aquaponic yellowfoot limpet Cellana sandwicensis, to Applications. Zhang, K.*, Radovich, T., Silvasy, examine reproduction initiation. Yellowfoot T., and Ahmad, A. Department of Molecular limpet is most demanded by consumers within Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of the fish market industry, however, due to the Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. decline in overall populations, the yellowfoot Aquaponics is a plant culture system that utilizes limpet has become difficult to find. The fish waste as a source of nutrient for the plants, development of an inexpensive and efficient which in turn improves water quality for the fish product, such as a specific GnRH, would have a in re-circulating systems. As the water-enriched positive impact on aqua-farming of ‘opihi. This fish waste is pumped up to the bed media, would alleviate the stress of harvesting wild biologically-mediated mineralization of organic ‘opihi, leading to the restoration of healthy matter results in nutrients, particularly nitrate- populations. nitrogen, becoming available to plants. Aquaponic vegetable variety trials conducted (20) In-silico analysis of Prolactin 177 and 2012-2017 identified potassium deficiency as an 188 promoters to identify mechanisms of issue in pak-choi production. Recent trials have osmoreception in Mozambique Tilapia identified invasive algae as a good source of (Oreochromis mossambicus). Head, T.*, plant-available potassium in soil-grown pak choi. Stoytcheva, Z., Seale, A.P. Department of A series of greenhouse trials labeled from 1-5, Microbiology, Department of Human Nutrition, were conducted to identify optimal application Food and Animal Sciences. rates to mitigate potassium deficiency in Osmotic homeostasis is essential for life in aquaponic-grown pak choi. The trials revealed higher vertebrates. Maintaining salt-and-water treatment 3 (.0027g K/plant) yielded the highest balance requires the rapid, coordinated dry weight which was 39.5% percent larger than activation of ion transport effectors, largely treatment 5 and 4.67% larger than control. governed by the neuroendocrine system. Tissue analysis revealed that treatment 3 Advances in knowledge of how osmotic contained 1.96 K+%, which was 0.38% lower homeostasis is regulated and integrated by the than treatment 5 and 1.51% greater than control. neuroendocrine system have been prevented Findings have also concluded hydration of algae due to the lack of suitable model systems. prior to application, significantly reduces salinity Mozambique tilapia tolerate extensive salinity in soil but also decreases potassium availability variations and respond directly to a fall in of algae by 13%. These initial results will be extracellular osmolality by secreting prolactin used to determine which application rate will (PRL); PRL in turn restores salt-and-water yield the best biomass for pakchoi for the balance by stimulating ion uptake in gill. The amount of algae used in aquaponics production. tilapia pituitary produces two PRL isoforms, The combination of these trials will help PRL177 and PRL188, which respond similarly to determine the proper application needed to osmotic stimuli. Thus, we have used the tilapia supplement potassium deficiency in pak choi. PRL cell model for osmoreception. We employed an in-silico approach encompassing (19) Chemical Synthesis of Novel GnRH-Like comparative genomics and bioinformatics Peptides for Aquaculture of Cellana analysis of the gene structure and promoter sandwicensis. John Paul Arios, Brandon J. regions of PRL177, PRL188 and other Day*, and Jon-Paul Bingham. Department of osmosensitive genes to identify regulatory and Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering. coregulatory patterns. Our goal is to build a Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is model of regulatory networks involved in osmotic essential for the chemical initiation during the tolerance in tilapia. Initial analysis of PRL177 and pre-reproduction phase in most organisms. PRL188 1.4kb upstream sequences resulted in 14
23 and 12 predicted transcription factor modules Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, (TFM), respectively, including two common Department of Molecular Biosciences and TFMs, SORY_PAX and SMAD_APF1. Predicted Bioengineering. TFM disparities indicate that the two PRL genes The dietary fibers fermented from different may employ different regulatory mechanisms. substrates affects the composition of the These findings expand upon the knowledge that intestinal microbiota, which in turn, affects the the expression and release of tilapia PRL digestion, health, and well-being of the host isoforms is regulated through multiple factors animals. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is rich in and complex interactions. [Supported by HATCH fiber and can be a cost-effective energy source (#HAW02051-H), NIH (1R21DK111775-01) and in fish diet. The objective of this study was to UROP] investigate the effects of replacing the corn in tilapia feed with sun-dried cassava chips at (21) Relationship Between Morphological different concentrations (0%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% Traits, Water Depths, and Foraging Behavior and 75%) on the intestinal microbiota of hybrid of the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus tilapia, with the purpose of increasing healthy knudseni). Jones, Melissa Elena*, Harmon, fish production and reducing production costs. Kristen, Price, Melissa R. Department of Natural Four hundred tilapia fingerlings (~10g initial body Resources and Environmental Management. weight) were randomly and equally placed in 20 The Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus tanks and fed with one of the 5 diets for 12 knudseni), or Ae‘o, is an endangered weeks. Then intestinal digesta samples were subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt collected monthly and DNA was extracted. (Himantopus mexicanus) inhabits wetlands Polymerase chain reaction-based denaturing throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian Stilts gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) was frequently move among wetlands in search of used to determine the microbial diversity present food, but are limited by habitat characteristics, in the intestines of the tilapia. Based on the such as water depth. The Hawaiian Stilt is comparison from the cluster analysis of the threatened by sea level rise, which has led to an DGGE banding patterns of each of the different increase in flooding events by raising the water feeds containing varying concentrations of the table, particularly in coastal communities. Due to cassava, cassava inclusion in the tilapia diet this threat, it is important to determine possible does affect the diversity of intestinal microbiota impacts of increased water depths on Hawaiian of the tilapia. Stilt foraging success. However, research on foraging behavior of stilts is limited, and optimal (23) Poisonous Island Plants: Alkaloids in foraging conditions are unknown. In this study the Endemic Hawaiian Prickly Poppy. Zoey we determined optimal water depths for foraging Simmons*, Kasey E. Barton, and Jon-Paul stilts. Field surveys were conducted in wetlands Bingham. Department of Microbiology, on the windward side of O‘ahu island, Hawai‘i, Department of Botany, Department of Molecular USA. Wetland water levels were found to be Biosciences and Bioengineering. negatively correlated with the number of Island plants are predicted to lack poisons and observed foraging stilts. Tarsus length was toxins due to the absence of large mammalian found to be positively correlated with water herbivores on islands, although this idea has depths. Our results may be used to better rarely been tested. The goal of this study is to understand how potential future water depths determine the presence of two alkaloids may impact the foraging ability of the Hawaiian (sanguinarine and berberine) in the endemic Stilt, and inform decisions for optimal Hawaiian prickly poppy, Argemone glauca. management of water depth in managed These alkaloids are known to have broad toxicity wetlands. based on a related species, the Mexican prickly poppy, A. mexicana. Chemical surveys, via high (22) Effects of replacing corn with sun-dried performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), will cassava chips in diets on the intestinal be the first test for the presence of these microbiota of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis poisons in the Hawaiian species. Leaf latex and niloticus × O. mossambicus). Kiesha seed samples from A. mexicana and A. glauca Rednour*, Jordan Yoshioka, Alyssa M. were extracted using 2% v/v Acetic acid and MacDonald, Kabi Neupane, and Rajesh Jha. ether, and analyzed via HPLC with a gradient Math and Sciences Division, UH Leeward solvent system of 2% Acetic Acid Aq. and 90/10 Community College, Department of Human v/v Acetonitrile/0.1% v/v Triethylamine /10% H2O.
24 Standards of berberine and sanguinarine were Keeslar E., Segovia M., Boric-Lubecke, O. run under the same conditions. All Department of Electrical Engineering. chromatograms were extracted at 300 nm, and The research objective of this project is to alkaloids were identified by retention time and investigate self-powered, energy scavenging, standard comparison. Positive identification of wearable physiological sensors. Wearable sanguinarine was detected for the latex and health monitoring is a promising new way of seeds from both species, providing the first collecting physiological data without detection of this poisonous compound in a inconveniencing patients. However, limited native Hawaiian plant species. However, battery life is a significant drawback for most berberine was not detected. Future tests that sensors and portable electronic devices, include additional plant organs may yet reveal including health monitors. This presents a the production of berberine in these species. In compliance barrier, as patients tend to stop addition, this work has yielded chemical analysis using such devices once the batteries run out. In methods for future quantification of alkaloid addition, large amounts of disposed batteries concentrations. produce environmental waste. We investigated self-powered energy scavenging sensors (24) Low-Cost, Low-Power Smart Sensor concept using different sensor modalities, Nodal Network for Weather Data Aggregation. including piezoelectric and triboelectric Chan, K., Amano, K.*, Lum, E., Hamada, J., transducers. We used various methods of data Chun, J., and Lauritzen, K. Smart Campus acquisition with different sensor types, especially Energy Lab, Department of Electrical considering required load conditions for Engineering. maximum power transfer. R.H. Lasseter defined a microgrid as "a cluster of loads and microsources operating as a single (26) Design, Manufacturing, and Testing Two controllable system that provides power to its In-Water Coral Nurseries. Asato, B.*, Goodin, local area". Microgrids can integrate renewable J., Kinimaka, C., Mickelsen, R., Nadamoto, S., energy, but control systems are needed to Taum, C., Zheng, J. Department of Mechanical provide real-time response of users and control Engineering. large variability of energy production due to This year’s Coral Reef Nursery Senior Design seasonal, time of day, and weather changes. Project team has modified and will be deploying This project is focused on the development of an existing in-water coral nursery for a sand weather sensor networks, a critical component bottom surface. The structure was designed by in the smart microgrid infrastructure. Current last year’s coral reef nursery senior design work proposes hardware designs for a relay project team and is to be installed at Reef node and fifth and sixth generation modules to Runway, Sand Island in May/June 2018. The be brought into the weather sensor network. coral nursery created by last year’s team is a These newer modules will include features from hexagon, each side spanning 10 feet long, previous generations as well as valid hardware totaling up to 20 feet in length. The structure is design. Various aspects of previous node made completely from Fiber Reinforced Plastic designs have been modified to improve power (FRP) and currently stands at approximately 4.5 consumption and overall reliability. Nodes will feet tall. The modifications made by this year’s be placed in various locations throughout the team solely focused on the assembly and University of Hawai`i at Manoa campus. These installation plans since any major changes made nodes will measure various types of to the structure would either significantly environmental data, including solar irradiation, increase the project’s overall cost or temperature, and humidity. Characteristics of the compromise the structural integrity of the sensor nodes include self-sustainable, two-way nursery. communication capabilities, low energy This year’s team also designed and will be consumption, and accurate measurement manufacturing a second coral nursery for a hard collection. It will also be low cost (much cheaper bottom surface that is to be installed at the than commercial weather boxes), reliable, Atlantis Waikiki. The newly designed structure durable, and weatherproof. was designed using FRP and consists of nine square modules, each side spanning 4 feet long. (25) Wearable Physiological Sensors. Antonio The smaller modules will allow the overall M.*, Masuda L., Ben B. L. Ben, Fontanilla Z., structure to be expanded to any shape to accommodate any unevenness in the hard
25 bottom seafloor. The new coral nursery was capabilities of the WAM-V for future applications, also designed to eliminate the need for tools, research, and development. making the structure easier to assemble underwater. PVC pegs were also designed to be (29) Liquid-Metal Electronics VIP. Kam, placed on top of the coral nursery to help K.*,Yamada, S., Cenence, R., Resurreccion, S., support the coral from tipping over. Wagner, W., Shimojo, T., Marcos, J., Fong, W., Akau, T., Asaoka, C., Ohta, A., Shiroma, W. (27) Doppler Radar Occupancy Sensing. Department of Electrical Engineering. Guzman, C.*, Boric-Lubecke, O. Department of Liquid metal has shown the potential to realize Electrical Engineering. reconfigurable radio-frequency (RF) devices. As energy consumption is expected to increase However, improvements to the antenna 28% by the year 2040, the value of energy fabrication and automation processes are efficiency continues to grow. Current occupancy needed to achieve large-scale development of sensors on the market have their problems such these devices. Presented are novel methods for as high false alarm rates, thus there is a need cost-effective liquid-metal printing and precise for alternative methods. With Doppler radar actuation control, as well as a work-in-progress already being used for physiological monitoring, reconfigurable pixelated device. The research another potential application is in occupancy team was appropriately divided into three sensing. The goal of this project is to develop a subteams to investigate automation/control, more compact Doppler radar occupancy sensing fabrication, and device development. The system that could replace the bulky lab set up. investigations of the three subteams contribute to creating higher fidelity liquid-metal RF devices. (28) Development of an Autonomous Surface Vehicle to Assist in the Monitoring of (30) Unmanned Aerial Systems with Object Ordnance Reef. Argyris, A., Huang, M.*, Jones, Detection and Image Processing. Barcelo, G.*, K., Nguyen, A., Roque, R-P. Department of Law, E., Kanda-Matsumoto, M. Department of Mechanical Engineering. Electrical Engineering. Ordnance Reef, an area within Pokai Bay off the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are aircrafts coast of Waianae on Oahu, Hawaii, contains that don’t require human pilots to operate. There ocean current, salinity, and chemical are currently many uses for UAVs such as composition sensors that monitor unexploded remote monitoring through image processing military munitions on the ocean floor. Servicing and object detection. Using image processing, these sensors is costly and dangerous. Maritime we hope to be able to identify and classify robotic vehicles designed to service these objects of interest using drones without human sensors will reduce the cost and risk of identification. To accomplish this we are using monitoring these munitions. An autonomous CNNs to train classifiers to classify plant types surface vehicle (ASV) with a remotely operated that we are able to identify and isolate using underwater vehicle (ROV) can be used to object detection. accomplish this task. This research describes the development of a proof-of-concept launch (31) Development of a Folding Recumbent and recovery systems for the Blue Robotics Tadpole Tricycle. Cuenca, J., Duenas, R., Kahl, BlueROV2 off of the Wave Adaptive Modular A., Lee, D.*, Limjap, R., Obiano, A., Segall, W., Vessel (WAM-V) platform. This launch and Shimizu, T., Sumera, N. Department of recovery system incorporates the design and Mechanical Engineering. development of an automated cable The 2017-2018 Human Powered Vehicle Project management system to keep the ROV tether highlights the research, design, manufacture, clear of the WAM-V’s thrusters, which consisting and testing of a recumbent tadpole tricycle of a servo powered spool and a scissor arm. developed to compete in the 2018 ASME The spool accommodates 100 meters of cable Human Powered Vehicle Competition. The and can reel in the full distance in around five vehicle was designed to improve upon the minutes. Actuated friction rollers are used to shortcomings faced by last year’s team while manage the cable slack above water. The implementing a highly competitive folding scissor arm, which extends the cable origin one attribute for the Innovation Event of the meter under water, and propeller shrouds are competition. This folding innovation theoretically used to manage the cable slack under water. halves the length of the vehicle, which The results of this project will help extend the accommodates tight storage spaces and also
26 allows it to fit through a standard-sized doorway. is to wirelessly identify a drone through the Along with the folding aspect, the vehicle also analysis of its communication signal patterns. In highlights a direct-steering system, an order to pursue this objective, the Kali Linux intermediary sprocket, and a partial fairing to distribution was used as the foundation for enhance performance capabilities. In the wireless packet sniffing and spoofing. The tools production of this vehicle, the team has carefully available in Kali allowed for the real-time capture researched and selected optimal design of drone data streams for analysis. Once drone concepts, material types, and manufacturing identification has been achieved, the future processes to create a product that best objective will be to determine possible methods represents the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa at that will allow for the disruption, or manipulation, the 2018 ASME E-Fest West. of the drone’s control signals based on the collected signal pattern data. (32) Estimation of Scour Depth around Group of Piles Using Group Method of Data (34) Analysis, Distribution, and Visualization Handling (GMDH). Manhin Leung*, Kahai of Weather Data for Sustainability Murata, Juanito Moises. Department of Civil and Applications. Cho, K., Obatake, J.*, Obatake, Environmental Engineering. A., and Mukai, R. Smart Campus Energy Lab, The physical process of scour around pile Department of Electrical Engineering. groups is complex. Due to economical and Expansion of technology has driven dependency geotechnical considerations, multiple pile bridge on electricity, as we rely on it to power our piers have become more common in bridge livelihoods (e.g. computers, smart devices, designs. Various empirical models have been electric cars). Fossil fuel shortages have raised developed to estimate scour depth at pile groups. electricity costs for Hawai`i to more than double However, these models are mostly based on the the national average of 13 cents/KWh. To solve conventional statistical regression approaches, issues of growing electricity consumption and and are not able to adequately capture the elevated costs, Hawai`i has committed to one highly nonlinear and complex relationship hundred percent renewable energy sources by between scour depth and its influential factors. 2045. Currently the intermittency of weather In this study, Group Method of Data Handling patterns and the inability to forecast power load (GMDH) was used to estimate clear-water local and production has limited the use of renewable scour depth at pile groups using the flow, energy. Future integration of intermittent sediment, and pile characteristics. This work sources would require energy control systems to used experimental datasets from 14 studies to provide real-time response of users and control estimate to train and test the GMDH model. The large variability of energy production. This work whole data set contained 347 data points, which proposes a well-engineered approach to solving was divided randomly into two parts: a training the current unreliability of microgrids. The design set including 243 data points and a testing set uses a three-stage system involving modular consisting of 104 data points. Two combinations data collection, visualization, and prediction of data were used to train the GMDH model. The subsystems. Weather sensor nodes use first combination included dimensional variables modular firmware and gateway to collect and (e.g., mean flow velocity and depth, mean grain store data. Using a scalable software diameter, pile diameter, etc.). The second infrastructure and powerful data analysis tools, combination contained non-dimensional the integrated software system is able to display parameters. The results showed that the GMBH almost-real-time data collection and subsequent approach can accurately estimate scour depth hourly forecast analysis. This approach can around pile groups. It also performed better than assist the State of Hawai`i in meeting its the existing regression-based approaches. ambitious goal of 100% renewable energy generation. (33) Aerial Drone Wireless Penetration Testing. Ngo, V.P.*, Dong, Y. Department of (35) Development of a Blended-Body Fixed- Electrical Engineering. Wing Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle As aerial drones have become more readily (UAV): Electrical & Electronics. Adrian available, their applications have diversified. Ramirez* and Mehrdad G. Nejhad. Department This increase in usage makes drone of Mechanical Engineering. identification and drone security fields of The goal of this project is to complete the design particular interest. The initial goal of this project and manufacturing of a fully autonomous electric
27 blended-body fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial plane is also equipped with a real-time First Vehicle (UAV) for security and Person Bird-Eye View system and high definition sustainability/environmental applications by surveillance camera under the fuselage. This surveying land and ocean. The UAV will have proposed research will build upon the previous about 30 minutes flight time and take land research work of Dr. Nejhad’s REU students and footage using a HD camera. Our fixed-wing will further develop/modify the composite shell aircraft is made of fiberglass and carbon epoxy over the high-performance EPO (Expanded Poly composite shell over the EPO foam. It will be Olefin) foam sandwich blended-body fixed-wing capable of fully autonomous flight, following a structure of the UAV, with proper modifications GPS guided adjustable flight pattern, as well as of the airframe, wings flaps, and control surfaces manual RC control capabilities. The plane is for flight control. The launcher design will be also equipped with a real-time First Person modified and tested with a dummy plane that (Brid-Eye) View system and high definition resembles the actual plane. After successful surveillance camera under the fuselage and launch tests, the plane will be field-tested for mounted at a downward angle from the fuselage flight operations with RC and autonoums flights, for surveying of land and sea using a GoPro and further modifications will be made if needed. camera. This camera is perfect for getting footage when moving at high speed without (37) Programmable Robotic Phantom for being affected by turbulence that may occur. Radar Life Sensing and Subject Identification. This proposed research will build upon Dr. P. Subia*, A. Sylvester, M. Angelo, B. Tomota, S. Nejhad’s former REU students’ research and will M. M. Islam and V. Lubecke. Department of modify electronics, controllers, rechargeable Electrical Engineering. batteries, and camera systems for the There is a growing need for unobtrusive Autonomous UAV. The main control unit of this methods of monitoring human vital signs for UAV is the Ardu-pilot mega (APM) 2.6, a health, security, and emergency response versatile microcontroller with open source applications. Doppler radar has been autopilot software, with autonomous capabilities. demonstrated as an effective means for The APM has separate compatible GPS and measuring human cardiopulmonary vital signs. telemetry radio modules. The UAV will also This research examines the use of radar have the capability of manual controlled using a sensors to separate the respiratory patterns for Futaba 6J 6-Channel 24GHz S-FHSS TX/RX multiple subjects in the radar field of view, and Radio Controller. The ESC (electronic speed for unique identification of each subject. For this controller) and servos are standard remote research many different respiratory patterns control accessories, which provide the aircraft must be examined repetitively, and with with variable speed and movement of the wing consistency between experiments. Since it is not flaps. practical to have humans repeat measurements in an exact, specified manner, a programmable (36) Development of a Blended-Body Fixed- respiratory phantom mover has been developed. Wing Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle We have tested the hypothesis that such a (UAV): Launch Pad & Mechanical. Brandon phantom mover system can be programmed to Sakumoto* and Mehrdad G. Nejhad. accurately simulate the distinct human Department of Mechanical Engineering. respiratory patterns needed for research on The goal of this project is to complete the design respiratory pattern separation and identification and manufacturing of a fully autonomous electric algorithms. The phantom incorporates a blended-body fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial remotely programmable Arduino microcontroller Vehicle (UAV) for security, surveillance, driving a compact high-speed linear actuator. reconnaissance, agricultural farms, and Comparison with real and/or simulated patterns sustainability/environmental applications by have been successful for algorithm development. surveying land and ocean. The UAV will have The impact of this research could result in new about 30 minutes of flight time and will take land tools for medical diagnostics and footage with an on-board HD camera. Our security/surveillance and continuous fixed-wing aircraft is made of glass/epoxy and identification. This work was supported in part by carbon/epoxy composite shells over a PEO a grant from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s foam. It will be capable of fully autonomous College of Tropical Agriculture and Human flight, following a GPS guided adjustable flight Resources (CTAHR) and College of Engineering pattern, as well as manual RC control. The (COE) Student Research Symposium.
28 (38) Brachytherapy active needle with multi- of ocean waves to hydraulic pressure generated directional nitinol shape memory alloy by the water column in the chamber to actuators. Apilado, D., Au, D., Fujimoto, J., mechanical/electrical power extracted by the Kawamoto, E., Shirokane, J., Sugita, L.*, Kristal turbine and generator respectively. The design Vidad. Department of Mechanical Engineering. characteristics of the device are governed by Brachytherapy is a method of internal radiation various principles, including the maximization of therapy that involves implanting radioactive vertical oscillation motion (i.e limitation of seeds near cancerous cells. Implant location is “tilting”), control of the natural response crucial for the success of the procedure and characteristics, optimization of buoyancy and safety of the patient. Current passive needles water column volume characteristics, and which are used for this procedure offer low optimization of the turbine for cyclical bi- precision and are difficult to manipulate in the directional flow. The characteristics of the device tissue. Our project focuses on the design, will be tested, at scale, in a wave flume using development, and testing of an tri-directional various performance sensor apparatus active needle, which is able to be steered in the (accelerometer/gyroscope, air flow/pressure tissue and offers more accurate needle tip sensors, ultra-sonic sensors, etc). The operation placement than single direction active needles of this type of wave energy converter (WEC) in or passive needles. The use of an active needle the intermediate wave zone presents unique will mitigate procedure and recovery time, challenges because of depth constraints that trauma sustained by the patient, and cost for make the adhesion to governing optimization both the hospital and patient. The hopes for this principles through design choices difficult. The project are to create a needle prototype that is methodology and rectification of the various capable of deflecting in more than one direction constraints and optimization principles, shall be and is comparable in size to currently available presented for use in an operational model. brachytherapy needles. Our primary objective is to attach three shape memory alloy (SMA) wires (40) Identification of the bacterial symbiont to the needle to allow bending in three from entomopathogenic nematode dimensions. Bending is achieved through the (Oscheius) and its biological control actuation of the wires. In our project, contraction potential. Alhussaini, A.*, Sipes, B,. Wang, K-H., and elongation of SMA wire actuators shall Cheng, Z. Department of Plant and cause deflection of the needle. By attaching Environmental Protection Sciences. multiple wires, the needle is able to deflect in Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are used multiple directions with varied current applied to as biological control agents due to the each wire. Our secondary objective is to track mutualistic bacteria that infect and kill the host the needle and measure deflection and forces insect. Oscheius genus belongs to the family with the use of sensors. The data collected from Rhabditidae and has been known to have the sensors will help determine how much linear characteristics of EPN. Objectives of this force and actuation the needle needs to research were to identify the symbiotic bacteria puncture and navigate through the tissue, from Oscheius isolates from Hawaii and therefore improving the accuracy of the needle determine the pathogenicity of the bacteria on tip placement. mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae. Bacteria were isolated from Oscheius isolates (BI 1a-2, (39) Design Considerations of an Oscillating BI 12a-5, OJ 4a-5, OJ 5b-1) and compared with Water Column Spar Buoy for Operation in that of Steinernema feltiae MG14 control. Either Intermediate Wave Zones. Wong, T.*, Bentz, nematodes, or nematode infected mealworm A., Campbell, A., Lau, D., Lee, A. Department of larvae were cut or crushed using sterile pestles Mechanical Engineering. under the dissecting microscope and gut An oscillating water column (OWC) spar buoy contents or hemolymph were streaked on TZC extracts mechanical energy from ocean waves medium. Symbiotic bacteria were identified via pressurization of an internal chamber. The using PCR. Results showed that Serratia sp. pressurization of the water chamber, via the and Enterococcus sp. were associated with water column, drives a self-rectifying, bi- Oscheius. For bacterial pathogenicity assays, directional turbine connected to a power take-off mealworm larvae will be fed a bacteria- apparatus. The optimal design considerations of inoculated diet or will be directly injected into the the OWC spar buoy is governed by efficiency of hemolymph. Oscheius isolates from Hawaii conversion of energy: from mechanical energy
29 could be potential EPN that could be used as plants from different islands and habitats is biological control agents against insect pests. essential. In this study, 14 ilima accessions were collected from wild and cultivated sources in four (41) Exploring Potential Loʻi Restoration | islands (Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii) and Historical Site Identification and Suitability grown in a common garden. Morphological Analysis for Kailua, Koʻolaupoko. Andreyka, characterization was done using a descriptor list N.* and Vaughan, M. Department of Natural and assessed using the Shannon-Weaver Resources and Environmental Management. Diversity Index. Results indicate a high (>0.67) The Hawaiian land tenure system was to medium (0.34-0.66) level of diversity in integrative and highly innovative, maximizing several quantitative and qualitative characters. productivity in diverse ecosystems, while Characters exhibiting a high diversity index were actively cultivating connections of people and leaf surface (0.92), leaf pubescence (0.83), place. Loʻi kalo exemplified this complexity, petiole color (0.77), plant height (0.73), number utilizing the hydrological regime across a of branches (0.73), number of leaflets (0.73), landscape to achieve a range of goals. This stem diameter (0.72) and the presence of leaf study explores the reestablishment of the wax (0.68). Morphological characters with cultural landscape as a management tool to medium level of diversity include plant canopy create more holistic, dynamic, and inclusively (0.65), number of closed flowers (0.56), number beneficial outcomes in natural resource of open flowers (0.52), number of plant samples management (NREM). Using the ahupuaʻa of with flowers (0.51) and peduncle length (0.45). Kailua in Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu as a case, The extreme variability observed in ilima growth associated archival land documents were forms provide opportunities to develop new compiled and translated into a geospatial selections for ornamental use. representation of the native land tenure system. Coupled with existing landscape data, a (43) Turning a New Leaf: Engaging Local geospatial information systems (GIS) -generated Businesses and Stakeholders in Policy to overlay site analysis identified suitable sites for Prevent Invasive Plant Introductions. Arnott, potential loʻi kalo restoration in the context of the C.*, Leary, J., Cox, L., Martin, C., Sandlin, M. contemporary environment. Resulting map Department of Natural Resources and products create an opportunity to envision Environmental Management, Pacific change and facilitate discussion in addressing Cooperative Studies Unit. the pressing realities of endangered species Hawaii’s extreme isolation resulted in the conservation, food security, and climate change evolution of over a thousand native plants, most in this ahupuaʻa and throughout. These of which are found nowhere else in the world. ancestral knowledge systems can elevate the With human arrival, the number of naturalized ways in which NREM is approached: records of plant species more than doubled with the testimony that truly are a testimony to the very introduction of non-native plants. There are ways in which people and place connect. benefits to importing non-native plants, but there are the few that become invasive and current (42) Morphological Characterization and regulations do little to prevent further invasive Diversity Analysis of Ilima (Sida fallax) Darel plant introductions. One way to address this Kenth S. Antesco* and Orville C. Baldos. problem is developing the Restricted Plant list Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. written into Hawaii Revised Statutes 150-A that The use of native Hawaiian plants as would restrict the import and sell of plant species ornamentals has grown in the last two decades listed. To determine how plant restrictions may due to state laws aiming to promote its use in impact stakeholders, a survey was distributed to landscaping. Despite increased awareness and 443 businesses and individuals throughout the use of native Hawaiian plants, species and state in 2017. We received a 22% response varieties available in nurseries are limited. Ilima rate with the largest category of respondents (Sida fallax, Malvaceae) is a culturally important (42.7%) identifying themselves as wholesale species commonly used in leis and in nurseries. Over 50% of respondents indicated landscaping. Although various forms exist that importing new plant species was not ranging from the prostrate coastal to the upright important to their operation. On general topics, mountain ecotype, cultivar development has 90% thought themselves knowledgeable about been limited. To develop horticultural selections, invasive plants and would not sell a plant known collection, characterization and evaluation of to be invasive. Current regulations were
30 considered inadequate by over half the N.K. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil respondents (67%), yet many were not familiar Sciences. with existing regulations (60%) and voluntary High diversity agricultural systems such as practices (46%) for invasive plant prevention. intercropping and agroforestry have the potential With that in mind, 87.5% were supportive of the to provide ecosystem services that are lost proposed policy with stakeholder participation through monoculture farming methods, including and indicated impact by this law would not be increased biodiversity, higher nutrient and water significant. The information from this survey will use efficiency, and increased soil quality. guide the next steps toward creating an However, the complexity of these systems outreach strategy that engages stakeholders in makes it difficult to design for maximum rule-making for listing plants for restriction. efficiency and represent a barrier to entry for some farmers. Especially in agroforests, it is (44) Development of a RNA-Seq-based critical that farmers understand the competition Prognostic Signature for Colon Cancer. dynamics between woody and herbaceous Bjarne Bartlett*, Mark Menor, Ting Gong, plants. We propose to directly examine root Tianying Zhao, Youping Deng, Vedbar Khadka. competition between these two groups, using Department of Complementary and Integrative Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilus) and Mamaki Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences (Pipturus albidus), within both field and pot and Bioengineering. experiments: a root exclusionary pot-in-pot RNA-Seq data has recently been used to experiment, in which half of the pots have successfully develop prognostic signatures to separate root environments for the tree and predict cancer patients who will have a worse crop; an orchard establishment experiment prognosis. We designed a study to ascertain under various grass competition management whether such a prognostic model would have strategies; and an orchard establishment clinical utility for predicting survival in patients experiment examining the effect of tree and crop with colon adenocarcinomas (COAD). Data from spacing on growth and productivity. Collectively, 468 COAD patients from The Cancer Genome these experiements will allow us to directly Atlas (TCGA) were obtained and divided into investigate the effect that root competition has training (n=312) and validation (n=156) datasets. on each plant’s ability to grow. All experiments The training cohort was used to develop a will employ the same range of physiological and prognostic signature by using univariate cox biomass measurements; including foliar nutrient analysis to assess the prognostic potential of analysis, root coring, and root imaging analysis. each gene and subsequently building a This study aims to quantify and better prognostic model using multivariate cox analysis. understand the complex underground In the training cohort, multivariate cox analysis competition dynamics between woody and generated a 5 gene signature (p<0.05) that herbaceous plants to better inform farmers and included 2 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). A make the transition to high diversity systems threshold for high-risk patients was chosen by easier for them. looking at the top 25% of risk scores, setting a threshold of 0.432. High-risk patients predicted (46) Development of Genome-informed Rapid by our 5-gene, RNA-Seq signature had and Accurate Loop-mediated Isothermal significantly shorter survival in both the training Amplification Assay for Detection of (p=0.00) and test (p=0.003) cohorts. Additionally, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, a Bacterial Spot early stage patients predicted to be high-risk had Causing Bacteria. Gamze Boluk*, Upasana significantly shorter survival (p=0.006 in both Dhakal, Lilly Fatdal, Adriana Larrea-Sarmiento, cohorts). Anne Alvarez, Daniel Jenkins and Mohammad Here we present the first RNA-Seq prognostic Arif. Department of Plant and Environmental signature that can identify high-risk COAD Protection Sciences. patients predicted to have shorter overall Bacterial spot cause significant economic losses survival. This signature would have clinical utility on the tomato and the pepper. Xanthomonas as part of an RNA-seq screening program for euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. gardneri and X. cancer patients. perforans are the causal agents of bacterial spot. The symptoms caused by all four species are (45) Impacts of Root Competition on Growth undistinguishable. Currently, no point-of-care and Productivity of Woody Species in Mixed diagnostics exist to detect BS causing agents. In Agroforestry Systems. Bendes, M.*, Lincoln, this study, we develop LAMP assay to rapidly
31 and accurately identify and differentiate X. 191(5.5%) children that screened positively for euvesicatoria using a field-deployable portable acanthosis. The prevalence of acanthosis was BioRanger instrument. Genomes of X. higher in overweight and obese (63.4%). The euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. gardneri, X. average daily intake of protein was 69 g for perforans and other species of Xanthomonas cases and 68 g for non-cases. The total intake genomes were retrieved from NCBI GenBank for protein was not significantly associated with genome database and were aligned and curated acanthosis. However, for every 1 oz increase in using Mauve and Geneious, respectively. intake of meat the risk of acanthosis significantly Unique gene recG was selected from X. increased (p= 0.009). Further study of the euvesicatoria genome and used to design relationship of acanthosis and other components specific primers for LAMP assay. Specificity of of animal meat, such as fat content, are developed assay was tested against 52 strains warranted. of Xanthomonas species and other closely related species in exclusivity and inclusivity (48) A Rapid Approach for the Quantification panels. No false negatives and false positives of Curcuminoids in Turmeric (Curcuma longa were detected. Detection limits of the assay and Curcuma spp.) Grown in Hawaii. Calpito, were determined down to 100 fg of genomic J.*, Huang, A., Radovich, T., Bingham, J.P. DNA. However, sensitivity was reduced to 1,000 Department of Human Nutrition, Food and fg in spiked assays. Developed assay Animal Sciences, Department of Tropical Plant unambiguously detected target bacterial and Soil Sciences, Department of Molecular pathogen in infected tomato plant samples. Biosciences and Bioengineering. Concordant results were obtained when multiple Turmeric (Curcuma longa), `olena in Hawaiian, operators performed the test independently. The is one of several in the genus Curcuma that developed assays have applications in accurate produce a unique class of medicinal secondary diagnostics at point-of-care, surveillance, metabolites known as curcuminoids. The disease management and epidemiological demand for high-curcuminoid locally grown studies. turmeric as a dietary supplement has swelled in recent years and many different cultivars are (47) Is there a Relationship Between Protein now available on the market. Using a high- Intake and Acanthosis Nigricans Among performance liquid chromatography with Young Children in the Children’s Healthy photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) methodology, Living Program in the United States Affiliated rhizomes from several C. longa and Curcuma Pacific? Calabrese, A.*, Fialkowski, M.K., spp. cultivars grown at the Waimanalo Research Boushey, C., Davis, J., Leon Guerrero, R., and Station at Waimanalo, HI were analyzed for five Novotny, R. Department of Human Nutrition, curcuminoids: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawaii bis-demethoxycurcumin, cyclocurcumin, and Cancer Center, Biostatistics & Quantitative tetrahydrocurcumin. The deep orange C. longa Health Sciences, University of Hawaii John A. ‘BKK’ cultivar has shown the highest Burns School of Medicine, College of Natural curcuminoid content, while color divergent and Applied Sciences, University of Guam. varieties such as the pale-yellow C. mangga Acanthosis Nigricans (acanthosis) is a ‘Zed’ and blue C. caesia ‘Black’ did not show dermatological condition that is characterized by detectable levels of the curcuminoids analyzed, a dark hyperpigmentation of the skin. Acanthosis suggesting a relationship between color and has been reported to be linked to obesity and to curcuminoid content. The results of our be an early indicator of insulin resistance. The investigation and the method developed will purpose of this study was to examine if the assist in optimizing current and future turmeric presence of acanthosis is related to dietary crops for Hawaii’s burgeoning turmeric market. protein consumption among children in the This work is supported by USDA Hatch and United States Affiliated Pacific. A secondary HDOA (Hawaii department of agriculture). analysis was conducted of baseline data collected on 3,468 children, 2 to 8 years old, in (49) Interpreting Feral Goat Movements 11 jurisdictions participating in the Children’s Localized within Makaleha Valley, Oʻahu, Healthy Living Program. This cross-sectional Hawaiʻi. Char, J.*, Litton, C.M., Leary J.J.K. study examined the relationship between protein Department of Natural Resources and intake and acanthosis. The relationship was Environmental Management. analyzed using logistic regression. There were
32 Endemic Hawaiian ecosystems evolved over 5 landscape are also dependent on the Ma without hooved, mammalian herbivores. biophysical elements present. However, little Feral goats (Capra hircus), in particular, are has been done to reveal environmental browsers of woody vegetation, and tend to move processes behind these ecosystem services all in herds, which can result in denuding the while preserving their integrity within a watershed tree canopies, exposing landscapes Hawaiian context. Using participatory research to severe and irreparable soil erosion and methods, including interviews and community catastrophic sloughing. Since first introduction in engagement in the landscape, along with a 1779, watershed ecosystems have become novel Hawaii-based ecosystem services highly degraded. Since 1993, the Division of framework, I identified services held by Forestry and Wildlife has been actively community members that work to restore loʻi suppressing feral goat populations in Mount kalo (taro farming) in Heʻeia in collaboration with Kaʻala, the highest elevation on Oahu and high the non-profit KākoʻoʻŌiwi. To determine how priority critical habitat. This study examined the precipitation, streamflow, and other hydrological movement of two feral goats (one male and one processes are connected to these services, I female) from the north slopes of Kaʻala in asked community members about the influence Makaleha Valley (ele. 180-1220m a.s.l., 1600ha) of these processes on the services they to identify locations and interpret movement identified, and I overlaid the reported services patterns of a small remaining population. spatially with outputs of the flood model, iRIC. Georeferenced locations were recorded every Community members identified that increased six hours for one year in 2015-16 using Lotek inundation had the highest impact on their ability GPS/radio-telemetry collars (Lotek Wireless, to use the wetland and key hydrological Onatario, Canada). Location data was analyzed processes influencing service delivery were with the Optimized Hotspot Analysis tool in revealed in the iRIC flood model. This research ArcGIS® (v.10.2.2; Esri, Redlands, CA) to shows that specific environmental conditions are estimate areas of high usage (i.e., “hot spots”) necessary to promote Hawaii-based ecosystem and correlate these frequented zones with services and traditional uses of landscapes. influencing environmental conditions. Results indicate that seasonality (i.e., ambient temp.) (51) Estimating the home range of was more influential than precipitation and moon endangered Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus phase, which had no effect. Seasonality had a mexicanus knudeseni) chicks on Ō’ahu and strong effect on both the spatial distribution of the impact of predators on fledging success. points as well as hot spot analysis. These Christensen, D.L.*, Harmon, K., and Price, M.R. findings help us understand broad local patterns Department of Natural Resources and of feral goats within this managed area. The Environmental Management. method of collecting data from live animals is An endangered subspecies of the Black-necked quite useful. More robust long-term data sets Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), the Hawaiian Stilt from multiple subjects will eventually contribute (Himantopus mexicanus knudeseni) holds both better decision-making support in demographics cultural and ecological value in Hawai‘i. Endemic and eradication efforts. island species are at greater risk of extinction than non-endemic taxa. In the past, chick (50) Exploring hydrological processes survivorship has been calculated at 55% in the underpinning ecosystem services in Heʻeia. first year. This study will identify the relative Ching, C.*, Oleson, K., Bremer, L. Department impact of both invasive and native predators on of Natural Resources and Environmental Hawaiian stilt chick fledging success. This study Management, University of Hawai’i Economic will also identify the homerange of stilts prior to Research Organization. fledging. Transmitters will be attached to chicks Ecosystem services in Hawaii, such as cultural on the 10th day or after hatching. Game cameras practice or connection to place, that will be used to monitor the nests until communities gain from natural resources often transmitters can be attached. Chicks will be require specific environmental and social tracked and sighted three to four times each conditions. In indigenous communities, week until the first molt (~60 days). Point ecosystem services are also fueled by deep location data will be used to identify the connection to place and knowledge passed individual home range for each chick. The down through generations as they have learned impact of predators on the survival rate will be to use the landscape. These uses of the analyzed and cause of death will be recorded
33 when possible. Objectives of this study include: synthesis and fluorophore bioconjugation may estimating monthly survival rates of chicks and serve to mitigate the financial, temporal, and fledging success and comparing survivorship for labor-intensive burden of researchers wishing to the first year, identifying predator types, work with these dynamic compounds. Using analyzing the impact of specific predators on solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) as well as chick mortality, and identifying homerange of stilt the implementation of an aliphatic azide linker, chicks. capable of selectively tethering a highly stable fluorescent constituent, a venom peptide analog (52) Optimization of copepods as live feed of Iberiotoxin (IbTx) was created. Thioester- for Hawai’i larval shrimp culture. Danita Dahl*, ligation of the IbTx N- and C-termini, to increase Tally Nakamura, Isaiah Wagenman, Olivia initial synthetic yields, along with the fusion of Garcia, Jinzeng Yang. Department of Human the highly selective azide linker, were executed Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. in order to achieve maximal yields of the final Shrimp broodstock breeding and production is a target peptide-fluorophore. Thus novel approach large industry in Hawai’i, which exports millions demonstrates a combined synthetic strategy for of dollar specific pathogens-free (SPF) animals bioengineering peptide toxin fluorophore probes for several countries. During shrimp hatchery designed to carry unnatural, functional operations, the survival rate of larvae to post- modifications. larvae (PI) stage is an important trait. Previous This work in part is funded by the USDA HATCH studies have shown that copepods as a live feed 5028H (Bingham) for shrimp larvae increases survivability and growth rates. However, none of the previous (54) Survey for Ceratocystis fimbriata on studies have looked into amount of copepod Syngonium. Upasana Dhakal*, Chris Kadooka ingestion by shrimp larvae. Local shrimp and Janice Y. Uchida. Department of Plant and producers on Oahu are not utilizing copepods as Environmental Protection Sciences. a feed for their larvae due to the difficulties in Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaud.), one of raising copepods and feeding to larvae. In this the foundation plants of the of Hawaiian study, we will show the efficacy of utilizing this rainforest ecosystem have been rapidly dying, system by evaluating the capture success and due to a disease caused by a fungus, prey selectivity of larval shrimp Litopenaeus Ceratocystis fimbriata. Ceratocystis fimbriata vannamei. This information will assist us in was earlier reported on Syngonium from Hawaii. developing applicable protocols for easy use. It is vital to determine if this pathogen is on other Three copepod developmental stages (nauplii, islands on diseased Syngonium and determine copepodite, and copepods) of the local its host range. A survey of the island of Oahu Euterpina acutifrons will be used as prey types and Hawaii was conducted. Washed samples for investigation. By utilizing a copepod live feed, were dissected into smaller pieces, surface local producers will not only breed more sterilized with 10% Clorox and plated on water successful larval generations and PI production, agar or incubated under moist conditions. Single but also lessen the environmental impacts of hyphal tips of the mycelium growing out from the shrimp farms on the island. infected samples or ascospore masses protruding out of perithecia were transferred to (53) Efficiency in peptide toxin fluorophore vegetable juice agar. Twenty different locations production – Iberiotoxin study case. Delgado, in Oahu including, commercial nurseries, E.* and Bingham J.P. Department of Molecular botanical gardens and retail garden stores were Biosciences and Bioengineering. surveyed. Samples from these places were free Fluorescent toxin peptides derived from the of C. fimbriata. Most common symptom was the venoms of spiders, snakes, and cone snail rotting of the aerial root tips. Fusarium species species have been pioneers in the investigation was the most commonly isolated fungus. Other of ion channel structure and activity. Their fungi were also recovered less frequent. Out of inherent, versatile properties and the well- three nurseries surveyed in Big island, samples characterized chemistry of fluorophore from two of them were found to be infected with conjugation are now being exploited in tandem C. fimbriata. Symptoms were darkening and for the purpose of therapeutic drug discovery. black rotting of the nodes and bases of the However, efficient pipeline production is petiole and basal rotting of the plants. extremely problematic and very low yielding. Pathogenicity of isolate 3474 was tested on Incorporating improved strategies of peptide Syngonium and Ohia. A spore suspension at 1x
34 105 endoconidia per ml sterile distilled water progression of sepsis to septic shock and is were sprayed on unwounded Syngonium plants, associated with increased mortality rates. The while Ohia were wounded with a sterile scalpel underlying molecular mechanisms regulating and sprayed. Disease symptoms were observed vascular permeability are incompletely on inoculated Syngonium three days after elucidated. We previously reported that the inoculation while no symptoms have been small GTPase R-Ras, in its active form, is observed on Ohia so far and Ohia plants are still required for maintaining endothelial barrier under observation. function (Griffiths et al. 2011). To elucidate the role of R-Ras in regulating sepsis-induced (55) Design and Optimization of a Solenoid vascular leak we investigated the effects of TNF- for Magnetic Field Treatment Using Finite α (the most prevalent cytokine in sepsis), patient Element Analysis Software. Sean Francis* and sepsis serum and active or inactive R-Ras Soojin Jun. Department of Molecular constructs on endothelial permeability in flow- Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of induced shear stress conditions. Inactive R-Ras Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. expression induced leakiness comparable to Electromagnetic fields of 15 mT are part of a TNF-α or sepsis serum treatment. In contrast, proprietary treatment to prevent freezing in beef active R-Ras expression blocked both TNF-α samples at -4 °C. Former studies using Monte and sepsis serum-induced vascular leak by Carlo computer simulations have shown fields inhibiting a Src-FAK-VE-Cadherin permeability- ranging from 100-200 mT alter the interaction of inducing signaling pathway. Taken together our water molecules by altering the radial data suggests that active R-Ras is a key distribution function and changing the internal regulator of vascular permeability in energy up to ± 0.1 E/kJ(mol–1). Modeling and physiologically relevant conditions. Moreover, R- simulating electromagnets provide valuable Ras is a potential therapeutic target for sepsis information regarding field strength as well as treatment. heat production for use in optimization of the electromagnet. Initial calculations using (57) Evaluating Impacts of Rainfall Intensity Maxwell’s equations were used to extrapolate and Surface Water Levels on Hawaiian Stilt coil parameters before a novel design was Nesting Success. Harmon, Kristen*, Tsang, modeled and simulated. Solidworks and Yinphan, Strauch, Ayron, Chan, Catherine, Price, Electromagnetics Simulation Software (EMS) Melissa. Department of Natural Resources and add-on provide accurate modeling and finite Environmental Management. element analysis of electromagnetics in both The Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus dynamic and steady state conditions. In this knudseni), an endangered, native Hawaiian study, a novel electromagnet was designed and waterbird, inhabits wetlands across the then modeled in Solidworks before it was Hawaiian Islands. Flooding and predation of simulated and optimized using the EMS nests have been identified as major threats to software. Hawaiian Stilt populations. Nesting success of the Hawaiian Stilt is thought to be correlated (56) R-Ras: a key regulator of sepsis- with surface water levels, as is the case for most mediated vascular permeability. Glibetic, N.*, wading bird species. Flooding of nests may Shi, G-X., Anastasiadis, P., Allen, J.S., and result from increases in surface water levels, Matter, M.L. University of Hawai’i Cancer Center, particularly during high intensity rainfall. Department of Molecular Biosciences and Additionally, increasing surface water levels may Bioengineering, Department of Mechanical decrease nest predation, as nests become less Engineering. accessible to land predators. Recent sea level Triggered by an underlying bacterial infection rise has increased groundwater levels, causing and exacerbated by a systemic inflammatory rises in surface water levels, particularly during response, sepsis is a life-threatening condition high intensity rainfall. On the island of O‘ahu that has a mortality rate of up to 70%, with rainfall intensity varies spatially and temporally, Native Hawaiians having a 2-fold increased risk resulting in fluctuating hydrological conditions of of death compared to other ethnicities. Currently wetlands. A better understanding of how there are no sepsis-specific therapies. changes in surface water levels impact nesting Prolonged inflammation causes vascular success of the Hawaiian Stilt is necessary for leakiness leading to edema, organ failure and effective conservation of this endangered death. This leakiness is the driving factor in the species. Observational surveys and nest
35 cameras were used to examine nesting success Natural Resources and Environmental in six wetlands on O‘ahu. Rainfall data was Management, Department of Tropical Plant and gathered from the National Oceanic and Soil Sciences. Atmospheric Administration, and surface water Hawaiʻi’s diverse landscapes and land data was gathered from wetland staff gauges. management practices produce a spectrum of Rainfall intensity was positively correlated with soil health and carbon sequestration potential surface water levels. Nest failures due to (SH&CS potential), the understanding of which flooding were highest when surface water levels can assist our efforts to sustain island increased during periods of high intensity rainfall. agriculture and mitigate climate change through Predation of nests by land predators decreased optimized soil management. Currently, there is as surface water levels increased. Our results no existing framework to quantify the benefits of may be used to inform decisions for managing soil health and ecosystem services in Hawaiʻi, hydrological conditions of Hawaiian Stilt habitat while the demand for such knowledge increases given future climate predictions. with the state’s recent mandate (House Bill no.1578) for a sustainable future and local food (58) The Effects of a Beneficial Soil Microbe production. The existing database of soil carbon Inoculant on Plant-nutrient Availability and in Hawaiʻi is limited and outdated, which inhibits Nutrient Flows in Hawaiian Soils. S. Heisey*, an accurate estimation of SH&CS potential in N. Nguyen, R. Ryals. Department of Tropical Hawaiʻi. This study will develop the framework Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Natural for a SH&CS potential assessment system by Sciences, UC Merced. using state-of-the-art carbon and soil health Soil microorganisms perform pertinent functions measurement techniques. Soil samples for the in sustainable agriculture, and understanding SH&CS potential assessment were collected how best to manage microbial communities will from Oahu, Maui, and Molokaʻi, from a variety of be key in addressing future challenges in crop management practices including organic, production and food security. An increasingly conventional, pasture, forest, and unmanaged popular management strategy employed by lands, and were tested for total carbon to producers is the use of beneficial soil microbial compare to the existing data available. Further products to increase plant nutrient use efficiency results from physical, chemical, and biological and crop productivity. Using a nutrient-poor but soil tests will be plotted with multivariate analysis agriculturally significant Hawaiian oxisol and (PC-ORD) to evaluate indicators of SH&CS radishes as a model crop, we examined the potential. This research, in addition to the social short and long-term treatment effects of a dimensions of land management in Hawaiʻi, will beneficial soil microbe product (BSM) coupled be used to improve projections of SH&CS with a compost or urea fertilizer. We measured potential at different temporal and spatial scales soil nutrient pools, nutrient leaching, plant for the islands. This will allow Hawaiʻi to take biomass and nutrient content, and greenhouse inventory for carbon stocks and fluxes and gas emissions. Preliminary results show a develop a pathway to payment for ecosystem difference in greenhouses gas emissions and services and the framework to support the nutrients leached among treatments. We see a state’s environmental goals. trend where the microbial product increased the total amount of nitrate and ammonium leached (60) Engaging Hawaiʻi’s small-scale fishers when compared to the compost. Long-term to promote collaborative research and biomass measurements show an initial mitigate oceanic whitetip shark mortality. treatment effect of decreased plant biomass. We Iwane, M.*, Oleson, K., Leong, K., Vaughan, M. then see a shift in treatment interaction over Department of Natural Resources and time where the microbial product then begins to Environmental Management, Pacific Islands increase plant biomass. This suggests the crop Fisheries Science Center. may not benefit from the BSM product until the Many fishing regulations fail to achieve their system is more limited in terms of readily goals because they are poorly attuned to local available plant-nutrients. socio-ecological conditions. Fishers’ perspectives and experiences provide valuable (59) Optimizing soil health and climate context for the benefit of region-specific fisheries mitigation potential across various Hawaiian management. Further, the stakeholder discourse landscapes and management. Hannah L. involved in understanding these perspectives Hubanks*, S.E. Crow, J. Deenik. Department of can foster trust between actors, identify common
36 goals, improve the perceived legitimacy of wire. To enhance the binding of E .coli K12, scientific and management agencies, and mechanical vibration was applied to the benefit the implementation success of resulting centrifuge tube for 1 minute using a plate management strategies. I work with Hawaiʻi vibrator. The changes in the electron transfer Island’s small-scale fishers to explore their resistance by bioaffinity interactions were relationships with one another, with fisheries measured with a frequency response analyzer. management, and with pelagic sharks. The The sensitivity of the sensor in detecting E. coli oceanic whitetip shark’s (Carcharhinus K12 significantly improved from 104 CFU/mL to longimanus, abbreviated OWT) recent listing 102 CFU/mL with the assistance of the under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) mechanical vibration. In addition, minor changes presents a unique opportunity to explore these in impedance signals were measured when the themes. Preliminary results suggest that sensor was tested with Salmonella Typhimurium awareness campaigns may affect fisher which validated the sensing specificity towards E. attitudes and OWT handling practices, given the coli K12. infrequency of OWT encounters and recency of its ESA listing. Fishers’ preference for passive (62) Effect of in ovo injection of probiotic, shark deterrence and willingness to participate prebiotic and synbiotic on growth in research highlight opportunities to performance and gut health of broiler collaboratively mitigate shark mortality. Finally, chickens. Li, L.G.*, Singh, A.K., Mishra, B., Jha, fisher frustration with scientists’ and managers’ R. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and disconnect from on-the-water processes Animal Sciences. reinforce the need for a sustained dialogue Due to the claimed public health concern, use of between these actors. The nature of this work, antibiotics as growth promoters in the chicken which seeks to amplify the voices of fishermen, feed is banned or regulated in several engage them early, and assign them an active jurisdictions. Therefore, probiotics, prebiotics, role in developing solutions, has implications for and synbiotics are being evaluated as effective improving fisheries stakeholder communication alternatives to antibiotics to improve growth and informing management strategies that better performance and health of poultry. This study achieve their social and ecological goals. aimed to investigate effects of Bacillus coagulans, Raffinose family oligosaccharides (61) A simple and custom-designed (RFO) and their combination on growth electrochemical impedance bioaffinity performance and gut health of broilers when sensor with applied mechanical vibration for injected in ovo. A total of 285 fertilized eggs on-site detection of food pathogens. Bog were divided into 5 groups: i) No-injection group Eum Lee*, Inae Lee, Soojin Jun. Department of with intact shell, ii) 0.5 ml 0.85% normal saline, Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. iii) Probiotic (B. coagulans) (4× 106 cfu/g) in Over the past decade, various detection 0.5ml 0.85% normal saline, iv) Prebiotic (4.5mg methods have been developed for use in the RFO) in 0.5ml 0.85% normal saline, and v) identification of target bio-analytes. Biosensors Synbiotic (4× 106 cfu/g B. coagulans + 4.5mg have been proposed as a promising detection RFO) in 0.5ml 0.85% normal saline. The technology owing to its rapid, simple, and low- injection solution was deposited into the amnion cost operation. In this study, a custom designed on the 17d of incubation. The in ovo injection did microwire-based electrochemical not affect hatchability of chicks across the immunosensing device was developed for the treatments. Altogether, 42 day-old chicks from detection of Escherichia coli K12 for the purpose each treatment post-hatch were randomly of replacing conventional bench-top systems allocated 6 replicate floor pens. All birds were designed for use by trained personnel in raised on a standard commercial diet and laboratories. Gold tungsten wires were coated management for 42 days. Body weight and feed with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) intake of birds were measured weekly. There to enhance sensing mechanisms and was no significant effect on body weight, functionalized with polyethylenimine, streptavidin, average daily gain and feed intake among any biotinylated antibodies, and bovine serum treatment. However, normal saline treatment albumin at the wires to impart specificity for E. had significantly better (P>0.1) feed efficiency coli K12. Serial dilutions of the target bacteria and RFO group had the poorest in the first week. were added to a microcentrifuge tube to allow No significant difference was found on relative for the bioaffinity reaction with the functionalized organ weight of d 21 and d 42 birds. Also, blood,
37 spleen, liver, ileum and cecal samples were starch gelatinization of the rice starch. The collected for further histological, immunological cooking process is complete when the water and microbial studies to reveal other diffuses into the whole rice grain and no white physiological changes that is expected to occur core is observed. An electric rice cooker is besides growth performance. commonly used in domestic daily rice cooking. However, the process requires a long cooking (63) Exploring quality changes of fresh time which is possibly due to several heat asparagus when preserved unfrozen at transfer steps. Moreover, existing cooking subzero temperature using the supercooling methods are about 10-15% thermally efficient. technology. Li, M.* and Jun, S.J. Department of The ever increasing population will need more Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. amount of energy and water to be spent on rice Cold storage is one of the most popular methods cooking. In this study, an alternative cooking to preserve perishable produce. However, there method that offers both high energy efficiency are still numerous circumstances that can occur and short cooking time was developed. The when fresh produce is exposed to cold storage energy consumption, textural characteristics, conditions, resulting in undesired changes in and simulation of electrical field in ohmic heater color, odor, texture, enzymatic activity and were investigated. Two types of rice were used sensory values. Therefore, it is beneficial to in this study: white rice and brown rice develop a new technology for shelf life extension respectively. The electrical conductivities of of fresh produce without quality degrading and various mixtures of rice samples and water at spoilage. Supercooling is a technique to different ratios were measured. The results maintain food products unfrozen below their showed that the rice cooked by the ohmic equilibrium freezing temperature. A supercooling heating method has significantly different technique combining pulsed electric fields (PEF) textural properties from rice cooked by an and oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) was able electric rice cooker. The magnitude of texture to extend the original freshness for a longer difference was dependent on the type of rice. storage than refrigeration of seafood, meat, and The estimated amount of energy consumed by fruits without freezing damages. the entire ohmic heating process was about 1/4 In this study, the supercooling technique was of the total energy consumed by electric rice applied to test asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, cooker. The developed ohmic heating technique L.) for quality factor analysis. The asparagus showed a great potential over the conventional was chosen because it is popular and is electrical cooker in terms of the high energy considered highly perishable. Asparagus has efficiency, shorter cooking time, and lower water one-week shelf life at refrigeration condition and usage. the goal of the study is to enhance its shelf life up to 2 weeks while maintaining the fresh quality (65) Total phenolic content and antimicrobial factors, including chemical analysis (lignin and activity of ohelo berry extracts. Liu, X.*, anthocyanin), enzyme activity analysis, color Nakamoto, S., Li, Y. Department of Human measurement, weight loss, and texture Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. measurement. These parameters were Ohelo berry, a wild relative of cranberry, is an compared with those of fresh, refrigerated and endemic plant in Hawaii. Previous research frozen asparagus. It was observed that indicates that ohelo berry is a rich source of supercooled asparagus preserved for 2 weeks phenolic compounds, which may hold did not show significant quality changes antimicrobial potential. This study aimed to compared to fresh samples. determine the total phenolic content and antimicrobial activity of ohelo berry. Ohelo berry (64) Advanced ohmic heating for rice crude extract (F0) was separated using a C-18 cooking: Quality factor assessment. Sep-Pak cartridge into three fractions, including Junhuang Liu* and Soojin Jun. Department of sugar plus organic acids (F1), monomeric Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. phenolics (F2), and anthocyanins (F3). The Rice is one of the world’s cereal crops next to concentrations of phenolic compounds and wheat and maize, and is one of the most anthocyanins in the fractions were determined important staple foods for the world population. by the Folin Ciocalteu method and the pH Asian people consume cooked rice at almost differential method, respectively. Each fraction every meal. Cooking rice is a process in which a was further evaluated against two bacterial mixture of rice and water is heated, leading to strains, pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and
38 probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, via the agar TaVCV are currently underway. An antibody- well diffusion assay. The total phenolic content based assay may be more robust than current of F0, F1, F2, and F3 was 15.20, 0.03, 6.59, and PCR-based detection assays, and would 9.67 mg /mL (gallic acid equivalent), respectively. represent a technology readily transferable to The concentration of anthocyanins in the four locations which may have limited resources for fractions was 354.02, 0, 13.06, and 362.84 mg/L PCR-based diagnostics. (cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent), respectively. In the antimicrobial test, F0, F2, and F3 showed (67) Withdrawn high acidity with pH 3.26, 2.57 and 2.11, respectively. They generated inhibition zones of (68) Understanding carbon flux 18 mm, 15 mm and 17 mm against S. aureus, heterogeneity and development of a novel respectively. None of the four fractions inhibited temperature sensor network for a Andisol the growth of L. rhamnosus. In addition, deep soil warming experiment. McGrath, C.*, neutralized F0, F2, and F3 yielded inhibition Glazer B., Sylva, K., Crow, S. Department of zones of similar sizes against S. aureus as Natural Resources and Environmental those at their native pH. In conclusion, the Management, Department of Oceanography. phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in ohelo Soils have high potential to drawdown berry have strong antimicrobial effect on S. carbon and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas aureus, but show no inhibition against L. concentration, given that the mechanisms for rhamnosus. This study lays the groundwork for stabilizing and storing carbon are not exploring the potential of ohelo berry as a overwhelmed by the interactive effects of rapid healthy food and as a natural preservative to warming on multiple soil processes. enhance food safety. Volcanically-derived Andisols with a high concentration of poorly and non-crystalline (66) Genomic analysis of Taro vein chlorosis minerals have a strong affinity to stabilize C and nucleorhabdovirus and development of an offer a unique study system to test hypotheses antibody-based detection assay. Loristo, J*, about mineral control on carbon stabilization and and Melzer, M. Department of Molecular protection from disturbance losses. Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of Heterogeneity of C flux on the landscape and Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. technology required for real-time monitoring of Taro vein chlorosis nucleorhabdovirus (TaVCV; soil temperature were two challenges addressed family Rhabdoviridae) is a disease-causing virus prior to implementation of a quantitative found in taro (Colocasia esculenta) throughout manipulative deep soil warming experiment. much of the South Pacific, and more recently, Biweekly static chamber measurements of soil Hawai`i. A TaVCV isolate from Fiji represents CO2 flux taken from September 2017 to the only fully sequenced genome of this virus to February 2018, at the Lyon Arboretum, showed -2 -1 date. Partial genomic data of TaVCV suggests a loss of 50-200 mg C-CO2 m hr within high genetic diversity in this virus species. For “homogenized” areas compared to losses of -2 -1 example, a TaVCV isolate from Molokai 275-500 mg C-CO2 m hr within “hotspot” revealed the polymerase and nucleocapsid (N) areas. This data informed stratified random genes were only 79% and 84% identical to the sample design for heating probes and Fijian isolate, respectively. Such diversity may temperature sensor network locations to ensure hinder the development of robust PCR-based non-biases of initial high rates of respiration. detection assays. To better understand the Following exploring the heterogeneity of carbon genetic diversity of TaVCV and develop flux, the novel temperature sensor network was improved diagnostic assays, the genomes of developed. Sensors showed stabilized isolates from other regions must be sequenced. temperatures, within 0.1℃ of the paired To accomplish this, double-stranded RNA was temperature probe, when subjected to a week- extracted from symptomatic taro leaf tissue long water bath test for conductance. Moving collected from Hawai`i and Samoa, then used to forward, the probes will be deployed into the construct a cDNA library to be characterized by field summer of 2018, to mimic the conditions of high-throughput sequencing. In addition, a for the IPCC RCP-8.5 scenario and to monitor synthetic construct using the putative N gene its effect it has on the soil. was made for protein expression and purification. Efforts to use the purified protein for the development of antibody-based assays for
39 (69) A Symphony of Hawaiian Forest Birds: (patterning), since it is composed of four distinct Developing and Testing an Interdisciplinary segments polarized in a specific proximal-distal Education Program for Hawai‘i’s Youth. (P-D) pattern. The sheath is proximal, the blade Nakama R.K.*, Frambaugh-Kritzer C., Itoh T., is distal, and the auricle and ligule separate the Price M.R. Department of Natural Resources two. Our previous analysis of the semi-dominant and Environmental Management, College of Hairy Sheath Frayed1 (Hsf1) mutant revealed Education, Music Department. that altered cytokinin signaling can influence P-D Environmental education programs represent a leaf patterning. Hsf1 mutant plants have ectopic crucial component of disseminating scientific outgrowths from the margin of the leaf blade knowledge throughout communities, fostering termed “prongs” that consist of sheath, ligule, public understanding and appreciation for the and auricle tissue. Thus, Hsf1 plants have natural world. One of the preeminent proximal tissues growing in a distal segment. To conservation concerns in the state of Hawai‘i is understand how CK drives prong formation, we the preservation of our native forest bird species, used laser-capture microdissection (LCM) many of which are currently threatened by an coupled with whole transcriptome sequencing imminent extinction crisis. Representatives from (RNA-seq), and identified approximately 800 the Natural Resource & Environmental differentially expressed (DE) genes in initiating Management (NREM), the Music Department, prongs compared to samples from adjacent and the College of Education at the University of normal (no prong, NP) margin and wild type (W) Hawai‘i have recognized an opportunity to margin. Enriched among these DE genes are collaborate on an unprecedented transcription factors (TFs) associated with interdisciplinary project that synthesizes science different developmental processes. My poster curriculum and visual & performing arts. Aimed outlines my strategy for determining the function at educating thousands of students through this of a subset of these DE TFs and the role they approach, our team recognized the need to play in prong formation. develop structured curriculum for participating school groups that comply with the Hawai‘i State (71) Raman Spectroscopy (RESpect) for Anal Department of Education’s standards. Intraepithelial Neoplasia (AIN) Lesions from Assessments designed to gauge understanding HIV-Serodiscordant Couples. Oda, R*, and comprehension of natural science concepts Kamada, N., Milne, C., Misra, A., Acosta-Maeda, and local conservation issues are given both T., Shiramizu, B. Department of Molecular before and after the curriculum. Measuring the Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of impact of these materials on students’ Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and perceptions of imperiled native species is Pharmacology, Hawaii Center for AIDS, Hawaii essential for determining the effectiveness of Institute of Geophysics and Planetology. this interdisciplinary approach. The myriad of Anal dysplasia is a potentially chronic disease cumulative educational benefits from this that affects HIV-seropositive and-seronegative collaborative environmental and artistic project men who have sex with men (MSM) and demonstrate the untold potential of transgender women. Novel approaches to AIN interdisciplinary partnerships in bringing together screening could improve healthcare through community groups to support mutually beneficial access to timely care and treatment since ventures. appropriate training and equipment are currently required for screening and follow-up. Recently, (70) Determining the role cytokinin plays in Raman spectroscopy (RESpect), a laser-based patterning the maize leaf. Dylan Oates*, Aimee technology, has identified unique anal tissue Uyehara, Angel Del Valle Echevarria, and fingerprints. We assessed anal tissue for Michael Muszynski. Department of Tropical RESpect phenotypes for differences in HIV- Plant and Soil Sciences. serodiscordant couples. HIV-serodiscordant Spatially organized patterns of cells and tissues couples were enrolled in a clinical study to are one of the driving forces behind organ assess anal biopsy specimens as per IRB formation (organogenesis). Understanding the guidelines. Anal tissue was flash-frozen and signals that regulate this spatial organization is mounted onto aluminum reflective slides and important in order to gain insights into the subjected to RESpect point scans molecular networks guiding organ formation. We accumulations. RESpect information was use the maize leaf as a model to understand the processed using asymmetric least squares to molecular signals underlying spatial organization baseline the data and subjected to principal
40 component analysis (PCA). Data from 2 couples Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a clonally showed that PCA distinguishes between HIV+ propagated root crop that is a staple of Pacific and HIV- individuals of the couples. In HIV+ Islanders. Taro leaf blight (TLB) is the most individuals, PCA also distinguishes AIN from devastating disease of taro in Hawaiʻi and the normal tissue. RESpect was shown to identify world. This disease is typically controlled using not only AIN amongst all individuals but also fungicides, which are costly. Genetic resistance suggested there may be a unique HIV effect in has been identified in taro populations from the RESpect data from anal tissue. Further Palau. Here we explore the genetic architecture work on RESpect could provide groundbreaking of TLB resistance in several breeding information towards the design of a RESpect populations with the resistant material monitoring instrument to diagnose and follow being incorporated into the existing University of patients for AIN. Supported in part by Hawaii taro breeding program. We have R21CA216830 and U54MD007584. developed an F1 mapping population based on crossing ‘230’ with another breeding cultivar (72) The Search for Novel Herbicidal Natural ‘255’ [(Hawaiian landrace Red Moi x TLB Products in Strawberry Guava. Ooka, J.K. * resistant Papua New Guinean landrace PH15) x and Owens, D.K. Department of Molecular TLB resistant Indonesian landrace Sawahn Biosciences and Bioengineering. Kurasae]. We used two isolates of Phytophthora There is a growing interest in alternatives to colocasiae to challenge our mapping population. commercial herbicides and increased Quantitative trait mapping identified seven QTL enthusiasm for organic farming practices. This is for the two isolates. Five QTL accounted for particularly true in Hawaii where the protection 46.8632% of the phenotypic variation for the of land, water and its residents are of the highest isolate from Pepeekeo, Hawaii and two QTL concern. The search for new herbicidal accounted for 14.53% of the phenotypic compounds is continuing utilizing strawberry variation for the isolate from Panaʻewa, Hawaii. guava (Psidium cattleianum). Strawberry guava is one of the most widespread invasive species (74) Effects of waterborne exposure to to Hawaii due in part to its lack of native nonylphenol on the growth and reproductive predators and proposed allelopathic properties. physiology of Mozambique Tilapia A plant having allelopathic compounds, or (Oreochromis mossambicus). Petro-Sakuma, having the property of allelopathy, is defined as C.K.*, Celino-Brady, F.T., Lerner, D.T., Seale, one which can produce its own natural A.P. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and herbicides to compete against other plants for Animal Sciences, University of Hawai’i Sea desired resources such as nutrients or sunlight. Grant College Program. The common or American guava, Psidium Global population increase and the use of guajava, is a close strawberry guava relative chemical compounds in many industrial that has previously been shown to have these practices have resulted in widespread allelopathic properties. As such, Strawberry contamination of aquatic ecosystems. Endocrine guava represents an as of yet uninvestigated disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been shown source of potential new herbicidal compounds. to negatively affect the basal endocrine We intend to establish the allelopathic profile of functions of many species. The EDC P. cattleianum, and investigate any identified nonylphenol (NP) is an alkylphenol found in compounds with weed killing activity as potential industrial surfactants used in agriculture. The new herbicide leads. Furthermore, the molecular actions of NP on the endocrine system mimic target sites of any newly discovered compounds that of the hormone estradiol 17-beta (E2), will be investigated, which has the potential to thereby interfering in reproduction. In cold-water contribute additional herbicidal modes of action species, such as salmon, NP was shown to to aid in combatting evolved herbicide resistance. inhibit growth. Little is known, however, on how NP exposure affects the physiology of warm- (73) QTL mapping of resistance to Taro Leaf water species, such as tilapia. In teleost fish, the Blight (TLB) disease in Taro. Roshan Paudel*, growth hormone (GH)/ insulin-like growth factor Michael B. Kantar, Susan C Miyasaka, Michael (IGF) system directs growth, while E2 stimulates Shintaku. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil the production of the yolk-precursor protein, Sciences, College of Agriculture, Forestry & vitellogenin (VTG), in liver. We hypothesized Natural Resource Management, University of that NP stimulates vitellogenesis and Hawaiʻi at Hilo. suppresses growth through the GH/IGF system
41 in tilapia. Yolk-sac fry were exposed to were the dissemination methods preferred by waterborne E2 (0.1 µg/L, 1.0 µg/L; positive most residents and visitors. These methods of control) and NP (10 µg/L, 100 µg/L) for 21 days dissemination are therefore recommended to and the pituitary, liver and gonad were sampled increase awareness of jellyfish influx, alleviate 120 days later. Hepatosomatic index was lower concerns regarding stings, and ensure that in fish exposed to 100 µg/L NP compared with beach users have a more positive experience. controls, suggesting that NP has adverse effects on liver metabolism. To determine the extent of (76) Examining the effect of Zero- the effects elicited by waterborne NP, additional deforestation commitments on land cover endpoints will be analyzed, including the change and agricultural profits. Rodrigo pituitary expression of GH, and hepatic Rivero* and Kim Carlson. Department of Natural expression of VTG, E2 receptor, IGF-I and II, Resources and Environmental Management. and GH receptor [Supported by HATCH Tropical deforestation is driven by demand for (#HAW02051-H) and NOAA/ UH-Sea Grant agricultural commodities such as soy, cattle, and (#NA14OAR4170071, R/SB-18)]. palm oil. To mitigate forest loss and its subsequent negative impacts like biodiversity (75) Public perceptions of the box jellyfish loss and increased carbon emissions, Alatina alata and other natural hazards at companies that produce, trade, and sell tropical Waikīkī, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. Riley, P.P.*, Cox, L.J., commodities have made commitments to source Holland, B.S., Leary, J.K., Lepczyk, C.A. only from responsible producers that do not Department of Natural Resources and contribute to increased deforestation. In South Environmental Management, Hawaii Pacific America’s Amazon forest, the implementation of University, Auburn University. such commitments by soy exporters, which Coastal hazards can present risks to beach handled 78 million tons of soy in 2015, has been users and their associated risk perceptions may deemed successful at reducing deforestation. alter their behavior and activities relative to However, these commitments may lead to using the beach. Given the major role tourism displacement of deforestation to regions, actors, plays in Hawaiʻi’s economy, understanding and or commodities not covered by a commitment, managing the risk perceptions of visitors is which may limit commitment success. warranted. On Oʻahu, coastal hazards include To understand the effects of these zero- bacterial infection from poor water quality, deforestation commitments on land cover in drowning due to high surf or rip currents, and major soy-producing regions of South America, injury from rocks, sharks, or jellyfish. Waikīkī is we will build a land use and land cover the most popular beachfront on the island of simulation model. This model will be created Oʻahu. Sharks are sighted occasionally in the using Dinamica EGO, a spatial simulation area and stinging jellyfish are present every software platform. We will use land cover maps, month 8-12 days after a full moon. This study soy agricultural data, and detailed information seeks to investigates public perception of risk about commitments to determine potential due to marine coastal hazards at Waikīkī Beach leakage effects from commitments. This model using an in-person, intercept survey. In total, will also allow us to understand how different 347 complete surveys were collected. As part of commitment characteristics, such as the survey, participants were provided implementation dates and forest definitions, information regarding box jellyfish ecology, sting might alter land cover outcomes. This will allow intensity, and how to avoid stings. Participants us to understand the commitments’ potential indicated any changes in risk perception, the scale of impact, unintended consequences of impacts of jellyfish hazard information on their the commitments (in terms of leakage), and satisfaction with Waikīkī, impacts on their effect on land use patterns. decisions to revisit Waikīkī, and preferences for dissemination of jellyfish hazard information. (77) Potential use of local strains of Hazard concern was found to be moderate for entomopathogenic fungus to control the all categories, with a priori information coconut rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes decreasing concern for sharks or jellyfish. rhinoceros on Oahu, Hawaii. Mason Russo*, Information had little to no impact on plans to Zhiqiang Cheng, Kelsey Mitsuda, Jing Li, and revisit Waikīkī and the impact on satisfaction Matt Kellar. Department of Plant and was either neutral or positive. Information panels Environmental Protection Sciences. at the beach and social media dissemination
42 Many islands throughout the Pacific have had (79) Manu a Meli: the Business of Creating a their palm trees devastated by Oryctes ‘Local’ and ‘Original’ Ginger Beer. Nicholas rhinoceros, the coconut rhinoceros beetle. O. Sinclair*, Elizabeth Feldeverd, Robert Oda, rhinoceros primarily feeds on coconut palms, Christian Dye, Sophia Oak, Robinson Bucaneg Cocos nucifera, but also feeds on a variety of and J-P. Bingham. Department of Molecular other palms and plants. Integrated pest Biosciences and Bioengineering. management is often used to control O. This past spring (2017), six students, along with rhinoceros, with a combination of mechanical, Dr. J-P. Bingham started a pilot class in cultural, chemical, and biological control Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering methods. O. rhinoceros spread across the (MBBE) entitled: Fermentation Biochemistry pacific was influenced by agriculture, shipping, (MBBE 691). This was intended as a pilot class war, and tropical storms helped increase its for future semesters (see additional posters). In spread. In Hawaii, it was first detected on the this class students learned about the science of island of Oahu in 2013. Due to the regulations brewing, business models, planning and associated with bringing in biological control decision making, and had a great time making agents to the Hawaiian Islands, a survey was many different products such as mead, ginger conducted to identify local entomopathogenic beer, and apple cider. The selection of these fungus strains to test on the O. rhinoceros larvae. specific drinks/brews had been promoted by Soil samples from around Oahu were collected their absence in the local market, as Hawaiian- and 73 strains of Beauveria spp. and made products; we decided as a class that the Metarrhizium spp. were tested on lab reared O. best way to establish ourselves as a new rhinoceros first instar larvae. The larvae were brewery would to create a unique product line reared in the University of Hawaii Arthropod that is immediately recognizable as Hawaiian. Containment Lab (UH-ACL), with field caught This led us to create an alcoholic ginger beer specimen brought into the colony weekly. The that was well received at events we catered. top 6 Metarrhizium spp. strains were then Surveying consumers provided a clear indication assessed and tested to a greater extent in this that these beverages were marketable, and study. These were from the University of Hawaii compatible to local tastes and demands. Campus, Lyon Arboretum, and Koko Head District Park. Results so far indicate highest (80) Withdrawn mortality occurs with the Koko Head and Lyon Arboretum strains, exceeding 60% mortality. (81) Quantifying the Embodied Environmental Impact of Doubling Hawaii’s (78) Lovely flowers, potential problem: viral Local Food Supply. Tanya Torres* and spillover among pollinators in agricultural Kimberly Carlson. Department of Natural settings. Santamaria, J.*, Villalobos, E.M., Resources and Environmental Management. Nikaido, S.S. Department of Plant and Hawaii imports about 90% of its food, resulting Environmental Protection Sciences. in an extremely low degree of food self- Crop pollination by insects is an integral part of sufficiency. Thus, if food imports to the islands sustainable agriculture, however, with the are disrupted, Hawaii will be subject to major increase in diseases affecting the European food stress and shortages. To address this honey bees, (Apis mellifera), researchers are vulnerability, Hawaii’s governor recently now looking more closely at the spread of proposed to double local food production by the emerging infectious diseases among beneficial year 2020. While an increase in local food insects. Diseases once thought to be solely production may address Hawaii’s food self- associated with A. mellifera are being detected sufficiency issues, expanding or intensifying in other important pollinators, including bumble local agriculture while reducing imports is also bees, hover flies, and wasps. We screened two likely to affect local and global environmental farming communities on Oahu (Waimanalo and services. Kunia) for diseases, with a particular focus on To understand differential impacts of locally the prevalence of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) produced versus imported foods, here we in flower visiting insects in those areas. present a methodological framework to quantify Preliminary results suggest that DWV is found in the embodied environmental qualities of six non-Apis flower visitors, including Ceratina Hawaii’s current food system. We focus on smaragdula, Ornidia obesa, and Megachile comparing banana, lettuce, taro, beef, and milk, umbripennis. which were chosen to represent the five main
43 USDA food groups that are both grown locally The strong bias toward sugary plant-based and imported to Hawai’i. Through a life cycle foods can influence people to decrease the analysis (LCA), we will assess the dietary value of other nutrient-rich foods, environmental burdens and resource use at especially animal-based foods. By every ‘life’ stage of these foods from farm to understanding what types of foods are being plate. The LCA will be applied to Hawaii’s recommended via Internet sources, this current food system as well as scenarios of information will allow the development of more doubled local food production, to explore the targeted and effective public health education effects of increased agricultural production in interventions. Hawaii. This assessment will provide novel data on the global warming potential of Hawaii’s food (83) Expression of follistatin and myostatin supply chain, as well as the eutrophication and in the oviduct of laying hen. Wasti, S.*, Sah, acidification potential from nutrient runoff to the N., Kuehu, D.L., Kim, Y.S., Jha, R., Mishra, B. islands’ nearshore ecosystems. Understanding Department of Human Nutrition, Food and the relative impacts of using Hawaii’s lands for Animal Sciences, Department of Molecular agriculture versus relying on imports will aid the Biosciences and Bioengineering. State of Hawaii in identifying and adopting After ovulation, the egg yolk spends 24-28 hours policies likely to encourage more sustainable in the oviduct to transform into a complete egg. agriculture. In the magnum, the egg yolk spends 3 hours for albumin deposition and 15-24 hours in the shell (82) Potential of internet influence on gland (uterus) for egg shell formation. The entire superfood choices. Valdez, D.K.*, Titchenal, process requires luminal and glandular epithelial C.A., Dobbs, J. Department of Human Nutrition, proliferation and differentiation in the magnum Food and Animal Sciences. and the shell gland of the oviduct. In our Superfood is an increasingly popular Internet preliminary RNA-Sequencing data, Follistatin marketing term to assist individuals in choosing was highly expressed in shell glands of laying healthier food options. The goal of this study hen compared to non-laying hens. Follistatin was to determine what foods are considered regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation superfoods and the frequency a consumer in several tissues, while Myostatin inhibits would see these on Internet websites. The cellular growth and differentiation. Expression Google search engine was used to search the and function of follistatin in the chicken oviduct is term “superfood list.” On a single day, data were completely unknown. Based on our preliminary obtained from the top 50 sites and foods within RNA-seq data, we hypothesized that Follistatin each site were assigned two levels; one level may play an important role in cellular indicating google order and the second proliferation and differentiation of the luminal indicating within site order. Foods were then and glandular epithelium in the laying hen categorized into modified USDA food groups. oviduct. To test the hypothesis, magnum and Additionally, websites were categorized by shell gland were collected from laying hens (3h organization, media type, and author credentials. and 20h postovulation, n=5/group), molters Sites recommended 0 to 111 foods with the (n=5), non-layers (n=4). Expressions of median of 50 foods. A list of 1215 food items Follistatin and Myostatin mRNA in the magnum was downloaded representing 385 unique foods. and shell gland were analyzed using quantitative Plant sources represented more than 90% of real-time PCR. In the shell gland, expression of unique foods. Animal-based products the Follistatin was significantly higher in laying represented (120) 9.9% of unique foods. hens at 20 h after ovulation whereas expression Conventional foods (1150) represented 94.7%; of the Myostatin was significantly higher in non- processed foods (54) 4.4%, and medicinal foods laying hens. In the magnum, the expression of (11) 0.9%. Fruits and vegetables were the most Follistatin and Myostatin mRNA remained commonly encountered; fruits represented (300) unchanged. These results suggest that 24.7% and vegetables (353) 29.1%. Results Follistatin in the shell gland of laying hens show that a high proportion of the commonly around eggshell formation may have functional recommended superfoods are predominantly role in the shell glands morphogenesis directly high sugar plant-based foods and not or through inhibiting the Myostatin. necessarily essential nutrient-based. The influence of the Internet can shape food perception of what constitutes a healthy food.
44 (84) Community-based mangrove cleaved from proMSTN, binds MSTN and management on Pemba Island, East Africa. inhibits its action. The objective of study was to Watkins, G.* and Crow, S. Department of generate bioactive recombinant MSTNpro and Natural Resources and Environmental examine whether neonatal administration of the Management. MSTN inhibitor improve subsequent skeletal The seaweed farming communities on Pemba muscle growth in mice. A truncated form of Island, East Africa use mangroves in their flatfish MSTNpro fused to mouse IgG Fc domain farming practices and recognize their value for and maltose binding protein (MBP-fMSTNpro45- carbon sequestration and protection from 100-mFc) was expressed in E. coli and purified coastal erosion and natural disasters. However, by amylose and protein-A affinity they require support to sustainably manage chromatography. The MSTN-inhibitory capacity these forests and maintain their livelihoods. of the protein was confirmed by pGL3-(CAGA)12- Since the 1980s, seaweed farmers were using luciferase reporter assay. Female mice were mangrove wood for stakes to anchor the mated to 2 males, and the females were cultivated seaweed, causing subsequent island- randomly divided into control (4) and treatment wide coastal mangrove deforestation. The (4) groups. At birth and 1 day post-birth, 0 or 10 objective of this project was to identify adaptive ug of MBP-fMSTNpro45-100-Fc in 10 ul of PBS management practices, including options for was orally delivered to pups. Growth was replanting, use of alternative tree species, monitored by weekly body weight measurement. sustainable harvests, and preferred funding At 10 weeks, muscle and organs were sampled structures for outreach programs in collaboration and weighed. In another experiment with the with the Pemba Foundation, a local non-profit. A same experimental design as the above, the community-based participatory management same dose of MBP-fMSTNpro45-100-mFc was methodology involved the farmers in decision- injected intraperitoneally (IP)at birth and 1 day making through questionnaire surveys and post-birth. The administration of MBP- group interviews. A quantitative stakeholder fMSTNpro45-100-mFc, either orally or IP multi-criteria decision analysis determined injection, had no significant effects on body optimal adaptive management practices and weight, skeletal muscle or organ mass. In outreach program leadership structure. Among conclusion, current results indicate that the the potential adapted management practices, neonatal administration of MSTN inhibitors is not farmers ranked replanting efforts first and likely an effective strategy to improve skeletal sustainable cutting last. However, a diversified muscle mass in animals. approach that combined all three practices was ranked second. Stakeholders strongly preferred (86) Using Indigenous knowledge to assess that the Dept. of Fisheries and Forestry fund past, present, and future water sources in government outreach and education activities. Cho’ho’tso valley on the Navajo Reservation. These results suggest that collaborative Aissa T. Yazzie*, Mehana B. Vaughan. outreach programs, funded by the government, Department of Natural Resources and may help educate seaweed farming Environmental Management, Navajo Tribal communities about the benefits and methods to member. integrate sustainable cutting with replanting Water security is a major concern for the Navajo efforts and using alternative tree species. These Nation. Over 30% of Navajo’s living on the adaptations are likely to succeed in changing reservation live without running water and 40% farmer harvesting practices, maintaining have to haul water to meet their daily needs. In livelihoods, and restoring mangroves on Pemba the southwestern part of the United States, tribal Island’s deforested coastlines. people are facing severe droughts, shifts in seasonal climate, increases in storm surges, (85) The effect of neonatal administration of and regional temperature increases. Grounded recombinant myostatin propeptide on in Indigenous methodologies and developed skeletal muscle growth in mice. Xiaoxing Xu*, using a Diné research paradigm, this project and Yong Soo Kim. Department of Human used ancestral knowledge, ground surveys, Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. water quality testing and a living memory map to Studies have shown an increase in muscle understand past, present, and future water growth by inhibition of myostatin (MSTN), a sources within the Cho’ho’tsoi Valley in St. negative growth factor for muscle growth. MSTN Michaels, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. propeptide (MSTNpro), the N-terminal peptide Ancestral knowledge was used to identify past
45 water sources and ground surveys were would be a better alternative than bacteria in conducted to take visual assessments, gps colonizing the colon. coordinates, and photographs of the current state of these once flourishing water sources. (88) Reduction of School Lunch Plate Waste The data was then used to create a living of Early Adolescents in the US: Identifying memory map of past and current water sources Barriers, Motivators and Perspectives. to learn how the landscape has changed. The Chenchen Zhao*, Chloe Panizza, Kira Fox, Cho’ho’tsoi valley has an elevation of 6,500 to Carol Boushey, Carmen Byker Shanks, Selena 7,500 feet and 11 inches of precipitation a year Ahmed, Susan Chen, Elena Serrano, Julia Zee, resulting in a semi-arid, high desert plateau and Marie Kainoa Fialkowski Revilla, and Jinan canyon environment, typical of Arizona and New Banna. Department of Human Nutrition, Food Mexico. Located within the canyon is Cienega and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai‘i Creek. Once a flourishing and perennial creek Cancer Center, Montana State University, known for its yellow meadows, today Cienega Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Creek is intermittently fed by rainwater. With no University. permanent water sources found, there is a major This research was undertaken to identify concern for the water security of the Cho’ho’tsoi barriers, motivators, and perspectives regarding community, whom already have limited access reduction of early adolescents’ plate waste in the to regulated water systems. National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in Hawai‘i, Montana and Virginia. Early (87) Analysis of probiotic yeast and probiotic adolescents (n=47, 9-13 yr) from families bacteria using prebiotics. Beverly Yuen* and receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Yong Li. Department of Human Nutrition, Food Program benefits were recruited at each location. and Animal Sciences. Using a pilot-tested semi-structured interview Probiotic yeast has gained popularity because of guide, trained interviewers conducted audio- their diverse potentials in delivering health recorded interviews that were transcribed benefits to humans, such as treating diarrhea, verbatim. Using a study specific codebook, two enhancing digestion and nutrition absorption, researchers independently coded three and treating bacterial infections. Probiotic yeast transcripts using NVivo software to assess has exhibited higher survivability than probiotic interrater reliability and achieved a mean bacteria in the digestive tract. However, probiotic Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.68. They then bacteria metabolize carbohydrates from coded all transcripts independently. The two prebiotics more effectively, to improve their coders evaluated key themes separately, then probiotic potentials, than probiotic yeast. This collectively agreed upon final themes and research compares the probiotic potentials of summarized results regarding main barriers, key yeast and bacteria when each probiotic is motivators, and key participant perspectives. supplemented with prebiotics. Probiotic yeast, Results indicate food quality improvement; food including Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 preparation and processing in NSLP; allowing and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and probiotic food choice in schools; and allowing students to bacteria, including Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) save, share, compost, or feed animals leftovers and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), were may help minimize school lunch plate waste. each supplemented with or without 3% inulin. Additional focus should be placed on what Probiotics were analyzed for pH tolerance. specific foods are served and how they are During incubation of 30°C for 2 h at a pH of 2.0, served, as well as obtaining additional feedback S. boulardii CNCM I-745 retained 89.5% of cells from children on other barriers and motivators with addition of inulin and retained 80.6% of regarding plate waste reduction. Reporting on cells with addition of glucose. When LGG was factors contributing to plate waste is essential in incubated at 37°C for 10 min with a pH of 2.0, maximizing the NSLP’s impact on the nutritional LGG retained 0.0027% of cells with addition of status of youth. inulin and 0.057% of cells with addition of glucose. Overall, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 (89) Searching for the most affordable showed a greater resistance to acidic conditions sources of bioavailable iron and protein than LGG. Ongoing efforts are centered around among commonly consumed foods. Almeida, bile tolerance, cholesterol assimilation, and auto V.A.*, Donohoe-Mather, C.M., Dobbs, J., aggregating ability. Utilizing yeast as a probiotic Titchenal, C.A. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences.
46 Consuming adequate amounts of essential breeding programs. For molecular analysis, 36 nutrients is required to maintain homeostasis mitochondrial gene sequences were isolated and health. Iron deficiency is the most common from a transcriptome library of giant leucaena nutrient deficiency worldwide; it is required for K636. By aligning these gene sequences with hemoglobin and as a cofactor for over 60 corresponding genes from five legume species, chemical reactions in the body. Protein is three genes were selected that showed high needed for structural components such as variability among the reference legume species, muscle and bone, enzymes to catalyze essential expecting that cultivars of giant and common reactions, and hormones which coordinate leucaena may also have variation in the bodily functions. Typically the highest levels of sequences for these genes. Using the gene bioavailable iron and essential amino acids sequences from giant leucaena corresponding come from animal protein sources. However, the to conserved regions of these genes, PCR cost of animal protein sources is usually higher primers were developed to amplify segments of than other food groups and therefore may not be these genes from both giant and common affordable to individuals with limited financial leucaena. The purified PCR fragments were resources. The purpose of this project was to sequenced to determine the sequence create an index to evaluate and rank commonly differences between giant and common consumed foods by their ability to meet leucaena within the gene fragment between the bioavailable iron and protein needs in an primer sequences. Four species of giant affordable diet. Using nutritional information from leucaena and nine isolates of common leucaena the USDA national nutrient database for were also selected for biochemical analysis. standard reference (Release 28, revised May Concentrations of protein, tannin, mimosine, and 2016) and cost information from local Oahu wax are being analyzed to determine differences markets, over 300 commonly consumed foods among these species and isolates. Results were separated into food group clusters obtained from these molecular and biochemical according to USDA categories. These were analyses will be useful in leucaena breeding systematically evaluated and ranked based on programs for selection of cultivars with highest least cost per available nutrient and per 100 nutrition values and lowest toxicity. kilocalories. While incorporating animal source foods may be considered expensive, this study (91) Towards sustainability: Indonesian shows that animal products are less expensive smallholder inclusion in palm oil certification sources of bioavailable iron and quality protein systems. Ekaputri, A.D.* and Carlson, K.M. and could be a cost-effective way to meet Department of Natural Resources and nutrient needs based on the Dietary Environmental Management. Recommended Intake (DRI) for iron and protein. Almost half of the production of palm oil, the world’s leading edible oil, is produced by (90) Molecular and biochemical analysis of smallholder farmers. The Roundtable on giant and common leucaena. Bageel, A.* and Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) offers a Borthakur, D. Department of Molecular certification system that in theory helps Biosciences and Bioengineering. producers, including smallholders, to achieve The tree-legume leucaena (Leucaena more sustainable practices. Proponents of leucocephala) can be broadly classified into two certification claim that for smallholders, major groups: common leucaena (L. certification supports market access, increases leucocephala subsp. leucocephala) and giant profitability, and enhances environmental leucaena (L. leucocephala subsp. glabrata). responsibility. Yet, smallholders are thought to Common leucaena, which is a small bushy face several barriers to certification including a shrub, is widespread and invasive because it lack of understanding regarding good produces large quantities of seeds, whereas agricultural management practices, low technical giant leucaena is a large arborial tree that forms and organizational skills, limited access to relatively fewer seeds and is not invasive. An financial capital, and the inability to demonstrate important feature of giant leucaena is that it can legal land ownership. This study aims to analyze be grown as a large tree or maintained as shrub the degree to which Indonesian oil palm for fodder by repeated harvest of the foliage. smallholders are included in RSPO certification. The goal of this research is to characterize these To do so, we compare smallholder certification leucaena at molecular and biochemical levels so rates derived from published audit reports with that the results can be used in in leucaena government statistics on smallholder oil palm
47 production. In Indonesia, the top global palm oil (AOR=0.15; 95% CI=0.05, 0.46; p=0.0009). The producer, around 40% of all oil palm area is results of this study may inform strategies for managed by smallholder farmers. However, to breastfeeding promotion and childhood obesity date, only 10% of total RSPO certified area are prevention, such as increasing education, under smallholders and just 4% of the total area outreach, and support efforts that are tailored to under smallholders in Indonesia are RSPO women in WIC who are older or NHOPI. certified. Moreover, there are only seven RSPO certified smallholder grower groups. (93) Using fermentation in the classroom to Nevertheless, we found a positive relationship teach both advanced biochemistry and the between total areas of smallholders with total fundamentals of business development. RSPO-certified areas of smallholders. The Gong, T.*, Buchanan, J., Bartlett, B., Carlson, B., limited inclusion of smallholders in certification Arios, J.P., Saxby, S., Bottema, M., Doherty, J., schemes may restrict potential benefits of Sinclair, N., Zhao, T., Bingham J.P. Department certification by missing these small producers. of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, This is a challenge for Indonesia, which faces Department of Complementary & Integrative growing pressure from the international market Medicine. for a sustainable palm oil production. University courses are responsible for introducing current trends and techniques in (92) Association between maternal pregravid scientific research to prepare students to enter body mass index and breastfeeding the workforce. The past 40 years have seen a discontinuation in Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico steady decrease in the number of recently WIC participants. Gibby, C*, Palacios, C., Lim, graduated doctoral students with positions as E., Banna, J. Department of Human Nutrition, full-time faculty members at academic Food and Animal Sciences, Florida International institutions and increases in both post-doctoral University, John A. Burns School of Medicine. fellowships and employment outside academia. Minority and low-income children are particularly Despite an increasingly competitive job market at risk for obesity, and high maternal pregravid for PhD’s, the number of US students pursuing body mass index (BMI) has been shown to be a doctoral degrees continues to grow at a fast risk factor for obesity, while breastfeeding is pace. In order to produce graduate students for protective. This study investigated the a 21st century job market, the MBBE department association between pregravid BMI and aims to pair the traditional academic toolkit with breastfeeding discontinuation at four to six versatile, business-development skills. months postpartum in Hawai‘i and Puerto Rico The graduate-level course in fermentation participants from the Special Supplemental biochemistry offered by the MBBE department is Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and a hands-on innovation lab for learning the Children (WIC). Secondary data analysis was product development pipeline – to practice this, conducted from a text message-based students start a mock business venture from intervention and included 87 mothers who scratch at the beginning of each semester with initiated breastfeeding and whose breastfeeding the goal of bringing multiple products to the status was known at the end of the study. marketplace by final exams. In order to be Pregravid BMI and breastfeeding discontinuation successful in this class, students are required to were assessed using questionnaires. The form a company with a detailed business plan, association between pregravid BMI and conduct market research, and develop breastfeeding discontinuation was not significant prototypes, with the end goal of producing 2 in the unadjusted odds ratio model or in the products worthy of the marketplace. Previous adjusted multivariable logistic regression model. iterations of this course have produced 4 viable However, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific products, attuned to local consumption, that Islanders (NHOPIs) showed significantly higher have gained campus-wide recognition. odds of discontinuing breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=7.12; 95% confidence interval (94) Begomoviruses represent an emerging [CI]= 1.34, 37.97; p=0.02) compared to all other threat to the papaya industry in Bangladesh. races/ethnicities, as did older women aged 32- Islam Hamim12*, Wayne B. Borth1, James 39 years versus women who were 25-31 years C. Green1, Michael J. Melzer1, Dennis old (AOR=4.21; 95% CI=1.13, 15.72; p=0.03). Gonsalves3, Jon Suzuki3, Marisa Wall3 and John Women who took vitamins while breastfeeding S. Hu1. 1Department of Plant and Environmental had lower odds of discontinuing breastfeeding Protection Sciences, 2Department of Plant
48 Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, in a supercooled state. Top round and sirloin 3USDA-ARS, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific beef steaks were placed in a cooling chamber Basin Agricultural Research Center. set at -5˚C and the EF and MF were applied Papaya (Carica papaya) is a well-known fruit during the entire experiment. The EF and MF crop in tropical countries. Recently, papaya treated beef samples were preserved for 7 days plants in Bangladesh exhibited severe leaf curl and the beef quality factors were compared to symptoms that were different from those samples subject to the conventional refrigeration produced by Papaya ringspot potyvirus and freezing conditions. While the beef with low symptoms. These distinct symptoms and the fat content treated with the EF were successfully presence of whitefly infestations suggested the preserved in a supercooled state at -4˚C, the possibility of begomovirus infection. Forty-five supercooling in the beef with high fat content leaf samples with typical leaf curl symptoms was maintained at -4˚C only when the samples were collected from seven districts in were exposed to the EF and MF combination Bangladesh. A degenerate primer set targeting treatments. The beef samples preserved in the the partial coat protein and the transcriptional supercooled state showed significantly lower activator protein gene of the DNA-A component values in drip loss (0.4%) compared to the of begomoviruses was used for PCR detection refrigerated (2.1%) and frozen samples (3.2%). of begomoviruses in these samples. A 1.3-kb In addition, the color changes, shear force, fragment was amplified from 43 out of 45 tested microstructure observations showed that there samples. Sequencing and BLASTn analyses of were no significant differences between the these amplified sequences indicated that the supercooled beef and fresh samples. In virus isolates could be classified into three conclusion, the EF and MF technology allowed distinct groups (groups 1, 2, 3). Twenty-nine the beef steaks with different compositions to isolates from group 1 tested positive for Tomato preserve in the supercooled state and maintain leaf curl Bangladesh virus (ToLCBV). Ten the same quality as its fresh counterparts. isolates from group 2 tested positive for Tomato leaf curl Joydebpur virus (ToLCJoV) and 4 (96) Effects of heat stress on the oviductal isolates from group 3 tested positive for Tomato gene expression and egg qualities in the leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV). These laying hen. Kuehu, D.L.*, Sah, N., Lee C.N., three begomoviruses had previously been Jha, R., Mishra, B. Department of Molecular identified associated with leaf curl diseases on Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of tomato in Bangladesh. Our findings suggest that Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. several begomoviruses are associated with leaf Heat stress is one of the most challenging curl symptoms of papaya in Bangladesh, where environmental stressors in the livestock industry they may represent a significant threat to including poultry which accounts for a huge papaya industry. economic loss. Heat stress is known to have a negative impact on the laying hen health, egg (95) Exploration of electric and magnetic production and qualities. To mitigate the effects field emissions optimized for supercooling of heat stress, it is important to understand the preservation of beef samples with diverse mechanism by which heat stress exerts its fat/lean compositions. Taiyoung Kang*, biological effects on the egg production. Raymond Hoptowit, Soojin Jun. Department of Therefore, the purposes of this study is to Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, determine 1) the effect of heat stress on the egg Department of Human Nutrition, Food and production and qualities, and 2) expression of Animal Sciences. the oviductal genes (layers vs heat stressed). To Supercooling has the potential to maintain the understand the effects of heat stress on the quality attributes of foods due to subzero oviduct, hens were housed at 21-22 °C and 50% storage temperatures and no ice crystals growth relative humidity (control), and at 32-35 °C with in the food structure; however, the supercooling 42-50% relative humidity (heat stress treatment) behavior of food products is highly affected by for three weeks. The body weight, egg weight, the different intrinsic properties of food. In this egg size and eggshell thickness were study, the operational parameters of the external significantly decreased in the heat stressed hen. electric field (EF) and magnetic field (MF), which Egg production was decreased by 10% at week- are employed to ensure the maintenance of 1, and 25% at week-3 compared to control. The supercooling of food products were optimized to expressions of calcification related genes such preserve beef steaks with different compositions as Calbindin 1, Salophospho-Protein 1,
49 Calcineurin 1, Cytochrome P45026A1, and saturated fat, and sodium, compared to other Proenkephalin in the shell gland were ethnic groups. These findings will provide a significantly decreased in the oviducts of heat basis from which to build nutritional interventions stressed hens. These results suggest that heat appropriate for these young ethnic populations. stress partly impair the egg shell formation because of decreased egg calcification related (98) Chemical Synthesis of a Novel Peptide genes. It is important to note that these impacts (oGnRH) for Pheromone Stimulation of on health and egg qualities were evident within a Spawning in ‘Opihi (Cellana spp.). Mau, A.*, three-week period, and further investigation is Arios, J., Valdez, A., Nicodemus, P., Jha, R., necessary to understand the longer term effects Bingham, J-P. Department of Molecular on egg laying and declining hen health and egg Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of production. However, it is clear that early Biology, Department of Human Nutrition, Food intervention on the effects of heat stress through and Animal Sciences. mitigating efforts will be highly beneficial to the Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) is a poultry and livestock industry. well-studied peptide known to regulate vertebrate and invertebrate reproduction. (97) Dietary intake of young children on Recently, a commercially-available salmon Guam: The Children’s Healthy Living GnRH (sGNRHa) was found to induce spawning Program (CHL). Laguana, M.B.*, Novotny, R., in ‘opihi (Cellana spp.) via intramuscular Leon Guerrero, R.T., Barber L.R. Department of injection. In this study, an ‘opihi GnRH (oGnRH) Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, was derived by proteomics, chemically University of Guam. synthesized, and administered as a The goal of this research is to describe dietary hormone/pheromone. We hypothesized that this intake of young children from Guam who peptide 1) is bioactive and 2) can stimulate participated in the CHL study at baseline. A spawning in ‘opihi as a pheromone. GnRH cross-sectional sample of children (n=865), ages sequences from NCBI database were analyzed 2-8 yrs., were recruited on Guam. Data included via ClustalW multiple sequence alignment and measured body size, food logs, and Neighbor-joining method with bootstrapping in questionnaire data on physical activity, other MEGA7. The selected amino acid sequence lifestyle behaviors, and demographics. (pGlu-H-Y-H-F-S-N-G-W-K-S-NH2) was Parents/caregivers completed food logs of manually synthesized using solid phase everything their children ate and drank for two techniques, purified, and identified by LC- randomly assigned days. Among 667 children MS/MS; and side-by-side bioassays were with food logs, 655 had valid measurements of performed. In Bioassay A, ʻopihi (n=36) were body mass index (BMI) and were included in this administered with PBS (control), sGnRHa or analysis. The breakdown of ethnicity for the 667 oGnRH via a two-step intramuscular injection at children with food logs includes: Chamorro 250 and 500 ng g-1 body weight. In Bioassay B, n=444 (66.5%), Other Pacific Islander (Other PI) ʻopihi (n=35) were exposed to various n=156 (23.3%), Filipino n=61(9.1%), and Others concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.25, and 0.50 mg L-1) n=6 (0.8%). Among all 655 children with BMI of sGnRHa or oGnRH in seawater. For both data, 464 (70.8%) children were healthy weight, bioassays, ‘opihi groups administered oGnRH 84 (12.8%) were overweight, 88 (13.4%) were peptide resulted in the release of eggs or sperm obese, and 19 (2.9%) were underweight or both gamete types as confirmed by according to US reference data. Data indicated microscopy and fertilization. Future work will be high intakes of sugar sweetened beverages, done to optimize pheromone concentrations. grains, meat (oz/d), total energy intake, protein This work was supported by the Center for (g/day), total carbohydrates, total fat, saturated Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture through a fat, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and sodium, compared grant from the National Institute of Food and to US guidelines. Overall, intakes were low in Agriculture of the U.S. Department of Agriculture fruit, vegetables, milk, dietary fiber and calcium under Award No. 2014-38500-22241, UROP, intake. Chamorro children consumed 206 g/d of and The Hawaiian Malacological Society. sugar-sweetened beverage, higher than other ethnic groups, and compared to a (99) Assessing the prebiotic potential of taro recommendation to consume none. Filipinos had (Colocasia esculenta) with probiotic high intake of grain, total energy expressed in Lactobacillus species in in vitro human kcals, protein, total carbohydrates, total fat, digestion system. Saxby, S.M.*, Lee, C.N., Kim,
50 Y.S., Li, Y. Department of Human Nutrition, steps in vitro enzymatic digestion. The Food and Animal Sciences. experiment consisted of a 6-treatments Taro (Colocasia escuknta), a culturally important combination of 0%, 5% & 10% wheat bran (WB) staple food of the native Hawaiian diet, is gluten without or with xylanase (0.01% Econase XT) in free and high in fiber content, reaching 5.1 g/100 3×2 factorial arrangement. Inulin and blank were g. Due to taro’s high fiber content, it was used as experimental controls. After 48 hours of hypothesized to have prebiotic incubation, the supernatant was aspirated for potential. Prebiotics are carbohydrates that are SCFA determination and the pellet was used to indigestible by the digestive tract, which can extract microbial DNA. The PCR product was selectively stimulate probiotic growth and/or used for microbial genome sequencing using activities in the colon. As such, a healthy Next Generation Sequencing technique. Neither microbiome in the colon can be established the level of WB in feed, nor the enzyme affected through the inclusion of taro in the diet.This the cecal SCFA production (P >0.05). Likewise, study aimed to evaluate the effect of taro on the the treatments did not modify (P >0.05) the growth and adherence of probiotic Lactobacillus overall microbial diversity in cecum. In species in an in vitro human digestion system. conclusion, the feed residues of all treatments Four probiotic Lactobacillus species, including L. were utilized similarly by the cecal microbes for acidophilus, L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus, and L. SCFA production and their balance in cecal plantarum, were individually paired with 2% colonization remained unaffected. Hence, this (w/v) taro. In addition to taro, 2% (w/v) glucose study reveals that slight variation in type of fiber and inulin were used as controls. The pairings entering the ceca and fiber degrading enzymes were subjected to an in vitro human digestive does not shift the overall microbial diversity in tract simulation of the mouth, stomach, and broilers. However, early and periodical sampling intestinal conditions to assess the fate of tested from in vitro fermentation could provide more probiotics. Furthermore, an auto-agglutination information on fermentation metabolites. assay was conducted to evaluate the effect of taro on self-agglutination of the individual (101) Development of a High Performance probiotics. Lastly, the Caco-2 cell line was used Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) protocol to to determine whether taro could influence the identify and measure anthocyanins in ability of tested probiotics to adhere to human poinsettia bracts. Teng, E.S.*, Bingham, J.P., intestinal epithelial cells. Results indicated that L. and Amore, T.D. Department of Tropical Plant acidophilus, L. paracasei, and L. plantarum and Soil Sciences, Department of Molecular experienced greater growth in the simulated Biosciences and Bioengineering. intestinal tract when paired with taro than with Poinsettia is the most popular holiday potted inulin or glucose. In addition, L. paracasei plant, with eye-catching bracts colored by showed strong self-agglutination ability and had anthocyanin pigments that attract consumers to the greatest adherence percentage to Caco-2 buy the plants every holiday season. Poinsettia cells. In conclusion, taro is a strain-specific breeders are constantly challenged to create potential prebiotic that can likely be utilized to new and improved cultivars for the industry, and aid in the formation of a healthy gut microbiota. anthocyanin profiles can aid in cultivar development. Identification and measurement of (100) Effect of fiber degrading enzyme and anthocyanins in poinsettia cultivars has not been feed’s residual fiber on cecal short-chain conducted since the 1980’s, thus pigment fatty acids production and microbial profiles of modern poinsettia cultivars are diversity as revealed by metagenomics lacking. A standard method to identify and during in vitro study in broilers. Singh, A.K.*, quantify the anthocyanins in poinsettia bracts Park, T., Legaspi, J., Neupane, K., Jha, R. using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Leeward Community College, Department of (HPLC) does not exist. Methods for extracting Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. and analyzing anthocyanins in pitanga fruit were This study evaluated the effect of in vitro adapted for poinsettia bracts. Acetone extraction fermentation of ileal residue of fibrous diets was followed by pre-purifications to remove without or with xylanase enzyme on the lipophilic compounds and separation from other production of cecal short chain fatty acids flavonoids using a C18 solid matrix. Finally, acid (SCFA) and variation in cecal microbial profile in hydrolysis removed sugars from the compound broilers. The ileal residue contained fermentable before analysis using HPLC. The adapted carbohydrates which was obtained after two protocol results in accurate quantification of the
51 anthocyanin content in poinsettia bracts and Replication. Tseng, A.*, James, N., Nerurkar, also in optimal HPLC chromatograms of high V.R. and Kaufusi, P.H. Department of Molecular resolution with sharp symmetrical shape on a Biosciences and Bioengineering, Department of flat baseline. An updated, efficient HPLC Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and protocol to identify and quantify the Pharmacology, Department of Cell and anthocyanins in poinsettias will be used to Molecular Biology, Pacific Center for Emerging characterize the anthocyanin profiles of modern Infectious Diseases, JABSOM. cultivars and create a database of the pigments. West Nile Virus (WNV) reorganizes the ER It will also be used to quantify the effects of membranes of infected cells to create unique temperature and light on anthocyanin content in intracellular compartments known as replication poinsettia bracts, and beneficial when organelles (RO). These RO comprise the viral characterizing new germplasm and new hybrids. non-structural (NS) proteins (NS1, NS2A, NS2B, We thank the Monsanto Graduate Fellowship for NS3, NS4A, NS4B, and NS5) for robust virus funding. replication. NS3, a soluble viral protein localized in the cytoplasm, contains protease and helicase (102) Agrobacterium infiltration for transient activities that are essential for virus replication. expression of F3’5’H, Rosea1, and Delila in What is not clearly understood is how NS3 is anthurium. Toves, P.J.*, Fitch, M.M., He, X., recruited from the cytoplasm and stabilized in Criley, R.A., Martin, C.R., Amore, T.D. the RO. Studies have shown that NS2B, a Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, membrane-associated viral protein, plays a Hawaii Agricultural Research Center, John Innes central role in the functional activation of NS3. Center, Norwich, UK. Therefore, the focus of our study is to examine Anthurium is the highest selling cut flower in the the role of NS2B in the RO association of the Hawaii floriculture industry. Standard colors in NS3 protein. We analyzed the intracellular the market include red, orange, pink, white, and localization patterns of NS3 with or without green. Development of novel color is important NS2B in human epithelial cells, which mimics to remain competitive in the global market. One the initial target cells of WNV. Using high- approach for the development of novel color is resolution confocal microscopy, we genetic modification of the anthurium color demonstrated that NS3 localized exclusively at pathway with exogenous genes. However, the ER when NS2B was provided in cis or trans, anthurium is slow growing and the visualization but showed diffuse cytoplasmic localization of exogenous gene expression on spathe color when it was expressed alone. Various takes several years from transfection to biochemical assays also confirmed that NS3 flowering. Alternatively, transient expression via was predominantly found in the ER fraction agrobacterium infiltration is a rapid method to when NS2B was present. Using Förster visualize the functionality of exogenous color resonance energy transfer combined with genes introduced to the anthurium anthocyanin fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy pathway. Detached spathes of anthurium ‘New (FRET/FLIM), we were able to spatially resolve Era’ were agroinfiltrated with structural gene and quantify protein interaction between NS2B F3’5’H, or the transcription factors Rosea1, or and NS3. Results from this study indicate that Delila, individually or as a combination of all NS2B plays a direct role in recruiting NS3 to the three genes. Control plants were treated with RO. Future studies will examine virus-host only the infiltration buffer and no agrobacterium. protein interactions and evaluate inhibitors that Color change was observed at the sites of disrupt the NS2B-NS3 complex as novel antiviral infiltration in spathes treated with Delila and the drugs. combination of F3’5’H, Rosea1, and Delila approximately 134 hours post treatment. (104) FDA food recalls- should you care? Control spathes and spathes infiltrated only with Vargas, A.G.M.* and Dobbs, J. Department of F3’5’H or Rosea1 did not show any color change Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. at the sites of infiltration. Additional experiments Food safety is important to both the consumer will examine the transient expression of paired and the food industry. The Food and Drug combinations of F3’5’H, Rosea1, and Delila. Administration (FDA) is the governmental branch responsible for ensuring the safety of our (103) Recruitment of West Nile Virus NS3 nation's food supply. This includes harmful Helicase by NS2B to the ER-Associated microorganisms, undeclared ingredients, metal Replication Organelles for Efficient Virus toxins, and particle contamination. This study
52 evaluates FDA food recall data for food safety, myostatin-inhibitory capacity in an in vitro including undeclared allergens. FDA Archive reporter gene assay. C2C12 cells, a myoblast Data for Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety cell line, were treated with the recombinant Alerts were downloaded for 2010 through 2017. protein to evaluate its effects on proliferation and Recalls were first categorized by drugs, medical differentiation. Treatments with MBP- supplies and devices, cosmetics, and food MSTNPro45-100-Fc significantly stimulated cell safety issues for foods and dietary supplements. proliferation in a dose dependent manner. In There was a total of 3462 recalls, with 2500 differentiated C2C12 cell cultures, MBP- relating to human foods (mean = 313 per year; MSTNPro45-100-Fc appeared to increase range = 233 to 449 per year). Of the product myotube formation, based on recalls relating to human foods, more than 40% immunofluorescent staining for myosin heavy were related to two microorganisms, Listeria chain (MHC-green) and nuclear (DAPI-blue) with monocytogenes and Salmonella, closely phase contrast microscopy. A study is followed by undeclared ingredients and underway to evaluate its effects on muscle mass allergens. The top 15 companies with the most in mice to provide insight to increase muscle food recalls represent 11.5% of all food recalls. mass and ameliorate muscle atrophy such as Out of more than 1500 companies, one food sarcopenia. market chain was responsible for over four (Grant Provided by the Hawaii Community percent, nearly three times that of the second Foundation – Geist Foundation) most recalled company or market. The number of food recalls is small in comparison to the (106) A life story of nitrogen in aquaponics number of unique food products in the for resource recovery: Insights from marketplace. These food recalls likely represent molecular perspectives. Wongkiew, S.* and only a small fraction of the total food safety Khanal, S.K. Department of Molecular problems, many of which go unreported to Biosciences and Bioengineering. health departments and FDA. Increasing Aquaponics can recycle nitrogen and produce consumer awareness of food recall frequency organic food (fish and vegetables/fruits) with may encourage companies to find better ways to simultaneous treatment of nitrogen-rich keep food safe and improve customer loyalty. aquaculture wastewater. Nitrogen recovery in aquaponics relies on the symbiotic relationships (105) Recombinant myostatin prodomain in among bacteria, fish, and plants. However, treating Age-Associated Sarcopenia. Arthur unclear understanding of an ecology and Wong* and Yong Soo Kim. Department of nitrogen transformations in aquaponics at Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, molecular scale limit aquaponic farmers to Department of Human Nutrition, Food and archive a high nitrogen recovery, resulting in low Animal Sciences. food productivity. In this study, we elucidated the With progressive age, the onset of muscle nitrogen cycle in floating-raft aquaponic systems atrophy leads to decreased muscle mass. using several techniques, including nitrogen Muscle atrophy, such as sarcopenia, the mass balance, natural abundance and enriched degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and 15N isotopes, quantitative polymerase chain function due to aging, increases frailty of the reaction (qPCR), and high-throughput 16S rRNA elderly, inflicting a high economic healthcare gene sequencing. We found that nitrification and burden. It was thus hypothesized that inhibition denitrification simultaneously occurred in the of myostatin (MSTN), a potent negative aquaponics. Aquaponics without the balance regulator of skeletal muscle growth, would be a between fish feed and plants decreased nitrogen potential new strategy to treat muscle atrophy. recovery efficiency, produced high nitrogen loss A study was designed to investigate whether an via denitrification under an anoxic condition, and administration of anti-MSTN agent (recombinant increased an emission rate of nitrous oxide MSTN prodomain, MSTNPro) will prevent or (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Dissolved ameliorate muscle atrophy in a murine model. A oxygen and pH were the critical factors to truncated MSTNPro fused to murine the IgG Fc maintain efficient nitrification, resulting in domain was created using a pMAL-c5x excellent water quality for fish, plants, and expression vector and expressed in E. coli as a bacteria. Interestingly, in plant roots, the maltose binding protein (MBP) fused protein abundances of essential nitrifiers (e.g., (MBP-MSTNPro45-100-Fc). Affinity-purified Nitrospira sp. and amoA) did not decrease under MBP-MSTNPro45-100-Fc demonstrated its low pH levels, suggesting the benefit of plants in
53 aquaponics for improving nitrogen recovery. inhibition of the MSTN and results in muscular Here, our nitrogen cycle suggested strategies for hypertrophy of Texel sheep. To identify genetic farmers how to archive high productivity from variation and expression patterns of MSTN in aquaponic systems while reducing sheep, we performed PCR-RFLP (HpyCH4IV) of environmental problems and cost of operation. g+6723G-A SNP in MSTN according to sheep MSTN sequence (Accession number (107) Identification of lncRNAs based DQ530260.1). Developmental changes of MSTN biomarker using microarray and RNA-seq expression in Chinese Merino fetus were data for lung cancer. Tianying Zhao*, Vedbar detected by qPCR. G to A transitions in the Khadka, Youping Deng. Department of 3’UTR of MSTN was not detected in several Complementary and Integrative Medicine, popular sheep breeds like Suffolk sheep etc. Department of Molecular Biosciences and The qPCR analysis demonstrated the overall Bioengineering. trend of the MSTN expression abundance was RNA-Seq and microarray data have been gradually decreased from 45d to 145d in lamb extensively used to screen lncRNAs for fetus. The results provide initial prenatal MSTN diagnostic biomarkers in various cancer types. expression patterns for further study of its However, no researches thus far have used data function and manipulations in sheep for from these two platforms together to validate enhanced growth performance. Dr. Hua Yang is each other. This study was designed to get a visiting scholar in Dr. Yang’s laboratory in biomarkers using RNA-Seq and microarray CTAHR. separately, then validate data from one with another platform. (109) Increased levels of exhaled carbon Lung cancer datasets were obtained from GEO monoxide (eCO) in asthma & COPD: an (n = 287) and TCGA (n = 216). Microarray indicator for pulmonary function testing datasets from the same platform were merged (PFT). Kim, J.E.*, Dobbs, J., Titchenal, C.A. and batch effect were removed. Only common Department of Physiology, Department of lncRNAs in TCGA, Affymetrix and Agilent Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. microarray datasets were used. Differentially In addition to patient symptoms, it would help expressed lncRNAs in tumor with respect to physicians to have a standardized indicator for normal were selected from Affymetrix and TCGA ordering PFT. Exhaled carbon eCO increases in datasets. Then Weka feature selection response to inflammation in the body and may correlation method was used to find top 20 serve as a first-line indicator of the need for PFT. lncRNAs in each Affymetrix and TCGA datasets The goal of this study was to compare eCO for further analysis. Finally, Bayesian network levels in asthmatic and COPD patients with classifier was used in top 20 Affymetrix lncRNAs normal healthy controls. Research participants and validated in TCGA and Agilent datasets. with asthma and COPD (n=101) were recruited Similar procedure, except for using Voted from patients scheduled for PFT at the Queen’s Perceptron for classification, was applied in Medical Center Pulmonary Lab along with a TCGA and validated in Affymetrix and Agilent control group in normal health (n=20). eCO datasets separately. LncRNAs with areas under levels were measured with a portable carbon the ROC greater than 0.8 were considered to be monoxide analyzer (“MicroCo Meter”) following promising biomarkers and those were further manufacturer directions. Diagnosis with asthma used for function and prognostic analyses. or COPD was based on patient medical records. Levels of eCO were greater in patients (108) Genetic variations and prenatal diagnosed with asthma or COPD than in those expression patterns of myostatin in sheep. with normal health. The greatest median eCO Hua Yang* and Jinzeng Yang. Department of levels were observed in asthmatics being Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, treated with corticosteroids (females: n=9, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary eCO=17.5 ppm; males: n=8, eCO=18.5 ppm) Medicine, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural and and COPD patients on corticosteroids (females: Reclamation Science. n=6, eCO=14.0 ppm; males: n=5, eCO=13.0 Myostatin (MSTN) plays an inhibitory role in ppm). Median eCO levels in other asthmatic and muscle mass. The MSTN allele in Texel sheep COPD patients were lower (asthmatic female: is characterized by a G to A transition in the n=19, eCO=7.0 ppm; asthmatic males: n=19, 3’UTR that creates a target site for microRNAs- eCO=8.0 ppm; COPD female: n=19, eCO=7.0 mir1 and mir206, which causes translational ppm; COPD males: n=16, eCO=8.0 ppm).
54 Normal subjects had the lowest median eCO the real-time feedback signal provided by the levels (female: n=16, eCO=4.0 ppm; males n=4, EM tracking system consisting of several eCO=5.5 ppm). These results indicate that eCO sensors providing 3D position and orientation measurement could be a useful first-line measurements at various needle locations. The diagnostic indicator of the need to conduct PFT. needle insertion operation is facilitated by three Additional research on the association with discrete actuation modules; a linear motor corticosteroid treatment and the diagnostic providing 1D linear motion along the needle axis, sensitivity and specificity eCO is warranted. a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire actuator mounted along the needle bending the needle in (110) Information Theory & Interference one- direction, and a rotary motor which rotates Alignment. Mirza Uzair Baig*, Anders Høst- the needle about its axis. The control software Madsen and Aria Nosratinia. Department of system, sends the actuation signals to the Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical actuators guiding the active needle along the Engineering, University of Texas at Dallas. desired path, minimizing the tissue damage via As the title suggests, in this work, we discuss rupture. the Shannon information measure and motivate why it is a good tool in benchmarking the (112) Autonomous Intersection Control optimum performance of information critical Formulation and Optimization enabled by systems (for instance; communication over Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. wireless medium). Then we briefly outline the Zhenning Li* and Guohui Zhang. Department of setup and alignment techniques useful in Civil and Environmental Engineering. studying interference limited networks (channels Recent advances in Connected and where interference is the bottleneck for Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) technologies open information flow) which are different than a noise the door to highly efficient and safe traffic control limited channel. Finally, we conclude by an system operations in the future. Autonomous overview of our recent results both analytical vehicles can much more accurately judge and numerical. distances and velocities, attentively monitor their surroundings, and react instantly to situations. (111) Autonomous active needle Therefore, there is great potential to improve insertion. Karimi, S.*, Konh, B. Department of intersection control and arterial management Mechanical Engineering. efficiency and safety performance. A CAV- Guidance of active surgical needle via integrated enabled Intersection Management Mechanism robotic devices that are controlled autonomously, (CAV-IMM), is proposed in this study to not only will lead to an effective and improved formulate CAV trajectories and optimize needle tip placement and precise drug delivery, directional traffic movement coordination but also will make many needle-based through intersections safely and efficiently. A procedures operable at underdeveloped regions temporal-spatial dimension extension-based and war zone hospitals where not many collision avoidance model is conducted through experienced surgeons are available. The formulating all possible trajectories of CAVs objective of this research is to develop a robotic within intersections in the temporal-spatial system capable of autonomous steering of an dimension, which provides a better means of active needle under electromagnetic (EM) utilizing intersection resources and increasing tracking guidance towards stationary target in a intersection operation efficiency. Based on tissue mimicking phantom while avoiding vehicle trajectory formulation, the First Come obstacles. Our unique contribution is on control First Served (FCFS) autonomous intersection and guidance of active surgical needle insertion control strategy is implemented. A series of during the surgery to eliminate the human error. parameters, such as time of arrivals, velocity of To serve this purpose, an automated robotic arrivals, vehicle characteristics, such as system will utilize a fast sampling-based path acceleration/deceleration capabilities, will be planner to analyze, and periodically update a taken into account. In order to investigate traffic reasonable path toward the assigned target. A operation efficiency and safety performance at novel robust control algorithm is under intersections under different control strategies, development to generate the optimal needle microscopic traffic simulation models is trajectory towards the assigned target. The developed based on the standard simulation tool, control algorithm calculates the required control VISSIM. The comparison between CAV-IMM signals for various system actuators based on system and traditional signal control system was
55 conducted for a four-leg intersection through Baldos. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil VISSIM-based simulation. Simulation results Sciences. indicate that the CAV-IMM system outperforms Hawaiian Peperomia species have high traditional signal control by significantly reducing ornamental potential due to their compact total traffic delays growth and attractive foliage. To select potential species for indoor use, tolerance under low light (113) Production and purification of conditions must be determined. In this study, nicotianamine using a recombinant enzyme survival of P. cookiana, P. blanda, P. oahuensis from giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala and P. sandwicensis to three indoor light subsp. glabrata). James Carrillo* and Dulal regimes was determined. Prior to indoor Borthakur. Department of Molecular Biosciences evaluation, plants were potted in a 1:1 and Bioengineering. coir:cinder mix and grown under 70% shade with Nicotianamine is a metal-chelating compound daily sprinkler irrigation. P. blanda were grown in which is produced by all plants for transporting 15.2 cm plastic pots while P. cookiana, P. bivalent metal ions, such as Fe2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, oahuensis, and P. sandwicensis were grown in Cu2+ etc. These transition metals must form a 7.6 cm plastic pots. Plants were transferred chelation complex with nicotianamine to indoors (23.12°C and 54.79% RH) and grown for maintain solubility and a nonreactive state. six months under three light levels: 1) window Nicotianamine synthesis is known be (4.20 mol·m-2·d-1); 2) 12-hour high fluorescent upregulated under nutrient deficient growth light mimicking office conditions (0.43 mol·m-2·d- conditions in many plants. The goal of this 1); and 3) 12-hour low fluorescent light (0.22 research was to study the relationship between mol·m-2·d-1). Ten plants per species were grown nicotianamine synthesis with the amount of in each treatment. Mortality was recorded daily these metal ions in the foliage of giant leucaena. and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival Nicotianamine is synthesized by trimerization of analysis and Fisher’s Exact Tests. Results three molecules of S-adenosyl methionine by indicate that for most species, reducing the light the enzyme nicotianamine synthase. The levels increased mortality rates. In the window nicotianamine synthase cDNA was synthesized treatment, days (d) to 50% mortality for P. from mRNA isolated from giant leucaena oahuensis, P. blanda and P. cookiana was (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata) and observed after 120 d. In both fluorescent light cloned into the T7-expression vector pET14b. It treatments, 50% mortality of P. oahuensis and P. is hypothesized that the micronutrient contents cookiana occurred within 60 d. For P. blanda, of the foliage of giant leucaena, which is used as 50% mortality was observed at 43 d in the low a high-protein legume fodder, is related to the light treatment and 118 d in the high light expression levels of nicotianamine synthase. To treatment. P. sandwicensis had the highest determine the enzymatic properties of percent survival across treatments after 180 d. nicotianamine synthase from giant leucaena, it is All plants survived in the high fluorescent necessary to purify the enzyme by heterologous treatment followed by 80% in the window expression in Escherichia coli. N-terminal treatment. The low fluorescent treatment histidine-tagged recombinant enzyme was exhibited 60% survival. Results indicate that P. expressed, purified under denaturing conditions sandwicensis can be potentially used as an and refolded by dialysis. The purified enzyme indoor plant. was used to produce nicotianamine from S- adenosylmethionine and the products were (115) Protein disulfide isomerase-9 mediates analyzed by high performance liquid the development of healthy pollen under chromatography. In vitro synthesis of environmental stress. Feldeverd, Elizabeth* nicotianamine using the recombinant enzyme and Christopher, David A. Department of from giant leucaena will allow greater availability Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering. of nicotianamine for further research. This In healthy plant cells, the proper folding of newly research was supported by the USDA NIFA synthesized proteins in the endoplasmic Hatch project HA05029-H, managed by CTAHR. reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in protein function. Protein disulfide isomerases (PDI) (114) Tolerance of Four Native Hawaiian mediate correct protein folding by catalyzing the Peperomia Species to Interior Lighting formation, breakage, and isomerization of Conditions. Aleta K. Corpuz* and Orville C. disulfide bonds. In plants exposed to heat stress, unfolded and misfolded proteins
56 accumulate, hindering plant growth. A major genome database. Analyses and whole genome heat-sensitive process is pollen development, comparisons were performed using Geneious, leading to heat-induced sterility. Plants attempt Mauve and BRIG depicting the genomic to alleviate the stress by activating the "unfolded rearrangements in both the core- and pan- protein response" (UPR). UPR stimulates the genome regions. Two regions (one for Cm and expression of certain PDIs via specialized other for Cmn) were selected to develop the transcription factors, such as bZIP60. Two key robust diagnostic tools. Both developed PDIs activated during UPR are PDI9 and its multiplex TaqMan qPCR and multiplex RPA homolog PDI10 in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. were validated against the members of PDI9 and PDI10 localize to the ER and are inclusivity and exclusivity panels to confirm high highly expressed in pollen. IRE1 splices bZIP60 specificity and broad range detection capabilities. to its active transcription factor form, which then No false positives and no false negatives were induces the UPR. Here, the role of PDI9 is obtained. Both techniques resulted in an characterized during the UPR stress response in accurate and sensitive detection of Cm and Cmn. Arabidopsis. The wild type response was However, RPA showed high resistance against compared to a double mutant in which both the inhibitors and can be used to directly detect from PDI9 and PDI10 genes have been knocked out infected plant tissues macerated in TE buffer. (pdi9-pdi10). Protein unfolding stress was Developed tools have applications in routine chemically induced in 7-day-old wild type and diagnostics in laboratory and plant clinics, pdi9-pdi10 double mutant seedlings. The mutant biosecurity, surveillance, disease epidemiology showed a significant increase in bZIP60 and management. expression and in the accumulation of spliced bZIP60 mRNA. These results indicate that PDI9 (117) Effects of Animal Behavior and Core- modulates bZIP60-based splicing. Future Body Temperature on Production Efficiency experiments will study PDI9 interactions with of Grass Finished Cattle. Oshiro, M.*, Thorne, other UPR proteins, and define a physiological M.S., Lee, C.N., Kim, Y.S., Fukumoto, G.K. phenotype. Understanding the molecular role of Department of Human Nutrition, Food and PDI9 in healthy pollen development will lead to Animal Sciences. strategies to sustain plant reproduction in the Energy requirements of the grazing animal are tropics during global warming. influenced by several factors such as increased foraging activity, frame size and physiological (116) Use of comparative genomics tools to status, but is superseded by the requirement to develop robust field-deployable and lab maintain a homothermic balance. Therefore, we diagnostic tests for important plant hypothesized that changes in grazing behavior pathogens, Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. activities would affect core-body temperature and C. michiganensis ssp. nebraskensis. (CBT) and animal performance measures. A Larrea-Sarmiento, A.*, Alvarez, A. and Arif, M. two-year study was conducted on 24 grass- Department of Plant and Environmental finished cattle at the University of Hawaii, Protection Sciences. Mealani Agricultural Experiment Station. Animal Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) subspecies are behavior, CBT, weather variables, and forage important gram-positive bacteria distributed quality were assessed during three daily worldwide and affecting a wide range of plant observation periods over three seasons. Over all species, nine subspecies have been seasons, active grazing (63.0%), standing characterized leading to a specific host infection. (15.6%) and laying while chewing (10.4%) were In this study, we developed field-deployable and the predominant behaviors observed. Grazing lab protocols based on multiplex recombinase activity across daily periods were highest during polymerase amplification (RPA) and Taqman the AM period, a time when mean CBT qPCR to specifically detect Cm and C. (38.3±0.01°C) was lowest. The CBT varied for michiganensis ssp. nebraskensis (Cmn; all animals across seasons and periods, and pathogen of Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight averaged 38.6 (±0.03) °C in 2013 and 38.4 of corn). The use of whole genome comparison (±0.04) °C in 2014. We did not find any and bioinformatics analyses provide capabilities significant relationship between CBT and to precisely select the unique gene regions to grazing behavior. Forage quality varied develop highly specific and sensitive diagnostic seasonally, and were greatest in summer 2014 tools. Five complete genomes within the Cm compared to the both fall seasons. Diurnal subspecies were retrieved from NCBI GenBank differences were observed in water-soluble
57 carbohydrate (WSC) and non-fiber (119) Small scale data, big picture extinction: carbohydrates (NFC), which were higher in the Count-based population viability analysis as PM across all seasons. Average Daily Gain a tool for comparative extinction risk for rare (ADG) was not significantly greater (P=0.78) Cyanea species in Kīpahulu Valley, Haleakalā between the years 2013 (0.87±0.04 kg/d) and National Park, Maui. Torigoe, S.*, Litton, C. 2014 (0.84±0.03 kg/d). Animals were Department of Natural Resources and slaughtered at approximately 21(± 0.15) months Environmental Management, Haleakalā National of age and an average live body weight of 527.1 Park. (±8.98) kg in both years. Extinction threatens more than ten percent of plant species in Hawaiʻi. Count-based population (118) RNA sequencing of the shell gland viability analysis, or diffusion analysis (DA), is an reveals novel genes related to calcium underutilized and robust tool for predicting remodeling during eggshell formation in population change and extinction risk based on laying hens. Sah, N.*, Kuehu, D.L., Khadka, count data (i.e., population densities). Managers V.S., Jha, R., and Mishra, B. Department of of rare species face many conservation crises Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, with very limited resources, and DA allows these Department of Molecular Biosciences and managers to make informed, defensible Bioengineering, Department of Complementary decisions using routinely collected data. and Integrative Medicine. Time-corrected count data for two endangered Over 10% of the eggs produced in poultry farms species (Cyanea maritae (CM) and Cyanea are lost due to soft-eggshell breakage which copelandii ssp. haleakalensis (CCH)) were used accounts for a huge economic loss to the egg to parameterize DA analyses and construct industry, thus needs to be addressed. The loglinear cumulative distribution functions with oviductal shell gland of a laying hen provides the projected risk of stochastic extinction for seven biological environment in the eggshell formation. metapopulations of these species in Kīpahulu Cellular processes and biological pathways Valley, Haleakalā National Park, Maui. Two of involved in the eggshell formation are still not four examined metapopulations of CCH had clearly understood. The purposes of this study lower mu—the mean rate of population were to 1) identify the novel differentially change—and thus relatively high risk of expressed genes and biological pathways in the extinction at 100 years (96 and 98%, shell gland (laying vs non-laying) involved in the respectively, compared with 70% and 62%). In eggshell formation, and 2) validate the novel turn, one of three examined populations of CM genes in the laying (3h and 20h postovulation, had lower mu and 86% risk of extinction within n=5/group), non-laying (n=4) and molter hens 100 years, compared with 72% and 52%. High- (n=5). Total RNA was isolated from the shell risk populations can be prioritized for protection gland of Hy-Line hens, and subjected to high- from invasive species, as well as ex-situ genetic throughput sequencing on a NextSeq 500 banking. sequencer. In the laying hens, 616 genes were Observer error and density dependence are differentially expressed (DE) of which 276 and potentially problematic sources of error 340 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. associated with DA, and models should be Highly up-regulated genes from the RNA-seq contextualized with field knowledge. data were further validated using real-time PCR. Nevertheless, comparative extinction risk can Among the DE genes, Plasma membrane Ca2+ help inform conservation priorities with sparse transporting 2 (calcium transporter), Otopetrin 2 data. (modulating the influx of calcium), Calciton Funding provided by the Hauʻoli Mau Loa (bone mineralization) and Stanniocalcin 2 Foundation and the National Park Service. (biomineralization) were highly expressed in the shell gland of layers at 20h post-ovulation (120) Soil macroinvertebrate responses to (around egg shell formation). In conclusion, removal of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) across a these novel genes from the egg shell gland may 25-year chronosequence in tropical montane increase the bioavailability, mineralization and wet forests. Wehr, N.H.*, Lincoln, N.K., Hess, remodeling of calcium for the eggshell formation S.C., Litton, C.M. Department of Natural and can potentially be used to enhance the Resources and Environmental Management, quality eggshell production traits in chickens, Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, thereby reducing the loss. U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystem Research Center.
58 Nonnative feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are recognized of mimosine was estimated for the 4 potential throughout the Pacific Island Region as one of acid donor groups of mimosine. Using UV-vis the most destructive, introduced ecosystem spectrophotometry, the iron-binding properties of engineers present. Comparatively, nonnative mimosine have been partially characterized. The soil macroinvertebrates, including earthworms, amount of mimosine produced by leucaena remain understudied as ecosystem engineers under varying concentrations of combined capable of invading and altering both the nitrogen, exposure to drought for different time structure and function of native habitats. Of period, at different age of the plant, and in further importance, the ecological relationships different tissues of the plant have been between these nonnative organisms remain determined. Detail characterization of metal- largely undescribed. This study analyzed the binding properties of mimosine and determining relationship between nonnative feral pigs and mimosine content in different parts of leucaena nonnative soil macroinvertebrates using paired grown under normal and environmental stress sites inside and outside of five feral pig removal conditions will help to understand the role of units representing a ~25 year highly constrained mimosine in leucaena and its rhizosphere. This chronosequence in tropical montane wet forests research was supported by the USDA NIFA on Hawai‘i Island. The abundance and biomass Hatch project HA05029-H, managed by CTAHR. of soil macroinvertebrates were sampled across all sites. In total, we found 13 distinct taxa (122) Fuzzy Cognitive Maps as a tool for representing 11 orders of soil identifying knowledge gaps to design macroinvertebrates. The removal of feral pigs educational technology transfer activities for reduced the abundance and biomass of smallholder potato farmers in Guatemala. earthworms, while other soil macroinvertebrate LaPorte, P.*, Chan-Dentonic, J., Chan, C., Sipes, species were largely unaffected. These results B., Melakeberhan, H., Sanchez-Perez, A., and suggest that a positive feedback loop (i.e., a Mejía, A. Department of Natural Resources and facilitative relationship) exists between feral pigs Environmental Management, Wageningen and earthworms, in alignment with the University and Research, Michigan State ‘invasional meltdown’ hypothesis, which has University, Universidad de San Carlos de important implications for managing nonnative Guatemala. feral pig and earthworm populations throughout Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) cause potato the Pacific Islands. yield and economic loss for smallholder potato farmers in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. (121) Chemical-binding properties of Assessing farmers' understanding and mimosine, a non-protein amino acid found in perceptions of the impact of soil health on PPN Leucaena leucocephala. Honda M.D.H.*, populations and on potato yield is key to Jarrett J.T., and Borthakur D. Department of designing more effective technology transfer Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, activities to increase adoption of integrated and Department of Chemistry. scalable nematode-soil health management The tree-legume Leucaena leucocephala practices. We used fuzzy cognitive mapping to contains a high concentration of the non-protein assess knowledge gaps on the impact of amino acid mimosine. Mimosine binds to specific agronomic practices on outcomes. We pyridoxal-5’ phosphate (PLP) and bivalent conducted comparative analyses of maps of metallic ions such as Fe3+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, farmers and agricultural professionals by (1) Mn2+ and Co2+, which are important plant- identifying differences in the direction and weight enzyme cofactors. Mimosine may serve as a of causal relationships; (2) analyzing the phytosiderophore for chelating Fe3+ and other differences among the individual maps of bivalent cations such as Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+ and farmers; and (3) evaluating relative changes of Co2+ in the rhizosphere of leucaena. The binding outcomes under “what if” scenarios for adopting properties of mimosine with various metallic ions each agronomic practice. Major differences have not yet been fully characterized. Therefore, exist between maps regarding effects of soil the objectives of this research were to: (i) health and agronomic practices on PPN characterize the chemical-binding properties of population and of compost and nematicide on mimosine with metal cofactors, and (ii) soil health. These gaps in knowledge suggest determine the mimosine content of leucaena more educational activities in order for farmers under various environmental conditions. Using to adopt soil health management technologies hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, the pKa and improve farm livelihoods.
59 first experiment determined that terminating OR (123) High rate anaerobic treatment of at 4 weeks after seeding reduced root-gall index sulfate-laden industrial wastewater with value caused by root-knot nematodes simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide (Meloidogyne spp.) on pumpkin (P ≤ 0.05). using biochar. Fernanda R. Oliveira* and Samir Second experiment examined the biofumigation Khanal. Department of Molecular Biosciences potentials of MS and OR in no-till (NT), and Bioengineering. macerated and tilled (MT), or macerated and Anaerobic digestion is widely used in tilled followed by covering with black plastic (BP), wastewater treatment to convert organic matter compared to bare ground (BG). MSBP into biogas, a mixture of methane, carbon suppressed root-knot nematodes by 63.7%, dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Several while MSBP and ORBP suppressed reniform industrial wastewaters such as those from pulp nematodes by 52.7% and 39.4%, respectively (P and paper, wine distilleries, molasses ≤ 0.05). However, when using bacterial-feeding fermentation, potato-starch factory, oil refinery, nematodes as soil health indicator, ORBP pharmaceutical, and petro chemical have improved soil health better than MSBP (P ≤ significant amounts of sulfate (1,000 mg/L – 0.05). In the third experiment, individual MS 15,000 mg/L) that is costly to treat and develop termination methods of macerated (M), tilled (T) sulfide toxicity in the anaerobic process. This and covered with BP were compared to their study compared the performance of three combined treatments, MTBP. Using sulfate as different reactors in terms of chemical oxygen an indirect measure of ITC, MTBP showed a demand removal, biogas production and stability synergistic effect in biofumigation, with a higher against sulfide toxicity. The removal of H2S from concentration of sulfate than all the other MS biogas using biochar columns integrated with termination methods (P ≤ 0.01). Future each reactor treating sulfate-laden wastewater experiments could examine mix cover cropping was investigated. Biochars were produced under of OR and MS for 4 weeks with termination by different temperatures (550 and 800oC) and MTBP method to maximize biofumigation effect, feedstocks (softwood and hardwood). while improving soil health. Adsorption capacity and the mechanisms of gaseous sulfide capture and its chemical form of (125) Differential effects of lignin chemistry retention in the biochar surface were also on conversion. Wells, J.*, Crow, S., Khanal, S., examined via a series of breakthrough studies Turn, S., Hashimoto A. Department of Natural and advanced analytical tools and techniques. Resources and Environmental Management, Efficacy of biochar for H2S removal depends Department of Molecular Biosciences and largely on its surface physiochemical Bioengineering, Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute. characteristics, such as surface area, micro- Global interest in renewable fuels is rapidly porosity, nutrients composition, and O-bearing growing as the need for local and sustainable surface functional groups, such as COOH, OH, energy increases. In Hawaiʻi, local energy and R-OH. growth and creating new energy sources, specifically liquid fuels, are of high priority. To (124) Best termination methods of mustard this end, the structural properties of 12 potential (Brassica juncea) and oil radish (Raphanus biomass feedstock grasses were investigated to sativus) cover crops for nematode facilitate feedstock crop choice for two bioenergy management. Waisen, P.*, Wang, K.-H, Cheng, conversion pathways: 1) anaerobic digestion Z., Sipes, B. Department of Plant and (AD), and 2) hot water pretreatment followed by Environmental Protection Sciences. enzyme hydrolysis (HWP). Copper oxide Brassica cover crops biosynthesize oxidation and extraction was used to investigate glucosinolates which upon tissue damage lignin structural chemistry as a predictor of crop produce iso-thiocyanates (ITC) and sulfate conversion efficiency through each pathway, among other products. Mustard (MS) and oil with conversion conducted at bench scale. The radish (OR) are known to produce biofumigants conversion efficiency of AD was best predicted against plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). by a ratio of lignin with aldehyde side chains Objectives of this study were to determine best compared to acid and ketone side chains. In termination methods of MS and OR to maximize contrast, HWP results were best predicted by a biofumigation effect while enhancing soil health. ratio of cinnamyl and syringyl lignin compared to Three field experiments were conducted at vanillyl lignin. After AD, there was a difference Poamoho Experiment Station. Results from the of ~2% total biomass loss that can be explained
60 by lignin chemistry, where as in HWP, there was (P<0.05). The highest rate of parasitism a difference of ~5% extracted sugar explained occurred in the Mānoa and Schofield area. by lignin chemistry. These results indicate that Parasitism of unripe drupes indicated that the M. specific lignin chemistry can impact conversion transvaalensis infected the fruit when they were efficiency and that AD and HWP conversions green and developed as the fruit ripens. This are controlled by different subsets of survey also revealed two other parasitoids lignophenols. Instead of simply using total lignin present on S. terebinthifolius trees. for crop screening, lignin chemistry should also be considered before crops and conversion (128) Quantification of total phenolics in pathways are chosen and scaled. Selecting Bidens to estimate antioxidative capability. more readily convertible crops, with favorable Barone, R.P.*, Keeley, S.C., Owens, D.K. lignin chemistry, could lead to an improvement Department of Molecular Biosciences and of conversion efficiency by 2-5% and may prove Bioengineering, Department of Botany. to be a simple and effective way to select and Hawaii is an amicable tropical environment screen feedstocks to improve the outlook of where plants can develop without the bioenergy production in the state. occurrence of frost and/or other common winter threats. This mild environment has led to (126) Withdrawn increased competition for water, nutrients, and other sources of nourishment as various plant (127) Management of the Invasive Brazilian species are capable of essentially year-round Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) in growth, which has further caused each individual Hawai’i. Au, M.*, Ramadan, M., Wang, K-H. species to develop a unique array of Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Department of phytochemicals, such as phenolics, as they Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. attempt to increase their fitness in a state of Brazilian peppertree or Christmasberry (Schinus continual “chemical warfare” in competition for terebinthifolius) is a noxious, invasive weed limited resources. Members of the genus Bidens throughout the state of Hawai’i. The overall goal are an interesting example of endemic Hawaiian of this project is to reduce population densities plant life that have been commonly utilized in of S. terebinthifolius in Hawai’i in order to restore traditional medicine across the tropics and the state’s native species and biodiversity. subtropics due to their antibacterial, antifungal, Megastigmus transvaalensis is a seed-feeding, and antioxidant capabilities. In Hawai‘i alone, chalcid parasitoid wasp that was accidently there are 19 endemic species of Bidens introduced into Hawai’i through commercial pink distributed across all of the main islands which peppercorn shipments. It is a major biocontrol have been used in the practice of lā‘au lapa‘au agent proof to be effective in reducing (Hawaiian herbal medicine) to treat a variety of population densities of S. terebinthifolius in other health conditions. In this study, the phenolic parts of the world. However, current distributions content of two Bidens species were analyzed to of this parasitoid are not mitigating the estimate antioxidative capability. Plants were widespread growth of S. terebinthifolius in collected from multiple sites on O‘ahu and Hawaii. This study, through the Hawaii voucher specimens submitted to the Joseph F. Department of Agriculture, conducts field Rock Herbarium. Leaf, stem, and root tissues surveys of the M. transvaalensis to determine its were dried to common mass and extracted with distribution and numbers across the state. 7:3 acetone/water. The purified extracts were Specific objectives include: 1) examine the measured spectrophotometrically to quantify natural distribution and parasitism rates of M. phenolic content and values converted to the transvaalensis on Brazilian peppertrees on commonly used gallic acid equivalents (mg g -1 Oʻahu, 2) developmental stage preference of S. dry weight). The findings of this study further our terebinthifolius fruit for infection, and 3) identify understanding of the capability of Bidens other natural enemies infesting S. species to combat oxidative stress. terebinthifolius on Oʻahu. Field surveys from twelve locations across Oʻahu were conducted (129) Nutritional Analyses of Endemic during the fruiting season from August to Hawaiian Fruit for Wild Foraging ‘Alalā December 2016. Approximately 500 - 1,000 ripe (Corvus hawaiiensis). Katherine Hiu*, Becky or unripe drupes were collected and analyzed Ostertag, Bryce Masuda, James Sheppard, for parasitism rates. A higher parasitism rate Jonathan Price. Department of Natural was found in the ripe than the unripe drupes Resources and Environmental Management,
61 Department of Biology, UH-Hilo, Hawaiʻi attenuated NPQ on algal biomass production Endangered Bird Conservation Program, San under different light intensities and in suspended Diego Zoo Global, Department of Geography, versus immobilized cultures. Our hypothesis is UH-Hilo. that under low to moderate light stress, algae Suitable foraging resources are an essential with attenuated NPQ may conserve cellular characteristic of a reintroduction site. For the energy that is otherwise devoted to NPQ and ‘Alalā (Corvus hawaiiensis), a critically use it toward building more biomass. C. endangered Hawaiian corvid, these food reinhardtii wild type (wt) and npq4 strains were resources include endemic fruits. We examined grown in suspension cultures and in alginate the nutritional composition of five endemic beads to simulate immobilized growth. Cultures Hawaiian fruit types that are relatively common were grown for four days under a range of full in the wild and consumed by the ʻAlalā: ʻōhelo ʻai spectrum light intensities at constant illumination (Vaccinium reticulatum), ʻōhelo kau lāʻau and cycled light. Student’s t-Test was used to (Vaccinium calycinum), pūkiawe (Leptecophylla identify differences of statistical significance tameiameiae), pilo (Coprosma spp.), and ‘ōlapa between biomass productions of the two algal (Cheirodendron trigynum), to better understand strains under different treatments. Initial results the food resources and nutritional potential for showed that under high light stress, wt and npq4 wild foraging ʻAlalā. Due to the sensitivity of the growth was inhibited in both culture methods. release site, the fruit samples were collected at Under moderate light stress, the npq4 mutant a nearby location with similar elevation, rainfall, had significantly greater cell concentrations in and substrate age. Using a Costech Elemental suspension cultures. These findings mostly Analyzer (CEA) 4010, we found ʻōlapa to contain support our initial hypothesis and point toward the highest percentage of carbon, while pilo was the tuning of cellular NPQ as a potential strategy found to have the highest percentage of nitrogen. for increasing algal biomass production. Our near infrared spectroscopy machine (NIRS) analysis found that ʻōlapa was highest of all fruit (131) Detection of Tobacco Streak Virus and types in total nitrogen and lowest in simple Molecular Characterization of Novel a sugars. We found that ʻōhelo ʻai was low in total Tobamovirus in Sunn Hemp, Crotalaria nitrogen and high in simple sugars. Interestingly, juncea, Expressing Virus-Like Symptoms. the results suggest a possible tradeoff between Kong, A.*, Arakaki, A., Long, M., and Melzer, M. nitrogen and sugar in fruit types. This research Department of Molecular Biosciences and will provide valuable information about habitat Bioengineering, Department of Plant and quality for future reintroduction efforts. Thank Environmental Protection Sciences, Department you to our contributors, Pacific Internship of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES), Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is a leguminous National Science Foundation (NSF), and Hauʻoli cover crop valued for its ability to rapidly Mau Loa Foundation. accumulate biomass and fix nitrogen into the soil. It can be grown for use as either a green (130) Tuning cellular photoprotection to manure to improve soil quality or as surface improve algal productivity. Kajihara, L.* and mulch for weed suppression. In October 2016, Su, W.W. Department of Molecular Biosciences farmers on Molokai noticed symptoms of leaf and Bioengineering. mosaic, reduced seed pod numbers, and a The light-harvesting systems of green reduction in the number of seeds per pod in their microalgae include three stress related genes sunn hemp crop. The purpose of this research (lhcsr1, lhcsr3.1 and lhcsr3.2) that catalyze the was to identify the pathogen(s) responsible for rapidly reversible component (qE) of non- the observed symptoms. Although these photochemical quenching (NPQ), a response to symptoms are indicative of Sunn hemp mosaic dissipate excess light energy in the form of heat. virus (SHMV) infection, next generation In the npq4 mutant of Chlamydomonas sequencing of a dsRNA-based library revealed reinhardtii, lhcsr3.1 and lhcsr3.2 are silenced, the presence of Tobacco streak virus (TSV) and which leads to attenuated NPQ. Traditional algal a novel tobamovirus. The presence of TSV was cultures suffer from low biomass concentration, confirmed by a serological assay, and which complicates economical large-scale represents the first discovery of this virus in cultivation. This study, funded by the University’s Hawaii. The genomic sequence of the new Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, tobamovirus shared less than 80% identity to the aimed to evaluate potential benefits of SHMV genome, indicating it is a distinct species
62 closely related to SHMV. The presence of TSV economy of Hawai‘i. Yet roughly only half of the and the novel tobamovirus is a serious concern valued product is fully utilized for to the sunn hemp industry on Molokai. Studies commercialization. Recent outbreaks of coffee are underway to better understand the spread borer have had a significant impact on Hawai‘i and impact of these pathogens in sunn hemp. coffee industry, with many berries being discarded due to infestation. While coffee husk (132) Distribution, Impacts, Biotypes, and and pulp formulate to approximately 45% of the Viral Biocontrol Status of Coconut berry composition, they are regarded as a waste Rhinoceros Beetle in Palau. Masang, N.*, product during coffee bean processing. The Adams, B., Kong, A., Watanabe, S., Kitalong, C., long term goal of this project was to analyze the Miles, J., and Melzer, M. Department of Plant berry to find value in the waste, therefore using and Environmental Protection Sciences, Palau the fruit to its full potential. This study focused to Community College, Ministry of Natural extract and quantify bioactive compounds and Resources, Environment & Tourism, Republic of evaluate the antimicrobial potential of phenolic Palau. compounds in coffee berry extracts. Coffee The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) is native to berry husks were separated from the bean, Southeast Asia and has spread to parts of the freeze dried and grounded into powder. The Pacific where they are a major pest to coconut powder was infused with a methanol/water palms. Currently the most known effective mixture overnight to get a crude extract (F0). biocontrol is Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus Sep-Pak cartridge was used to separate F0 into (OrNV), which was purposefully introduced to three fractions, including sugar plus organic Palau in the 1970s. A new CRB genotype, CRB- acids (F1), monomeric phenolics (F2), and G, which appears resistant to OrNV, has since anthocyanins (F3). The concentrations of been detected in Palau. In this study we have phenolic compounds and anthocyanins in the conducted a large-scale survey in Palau to fractions were determined. Each fraction was understand the impact of CRB-G and OrNV by evaluated against a pathogenic bacterial strain assessment of coconut palm tree damage. We Staphylococcus aureus via the agar well selected 50 sites across the main islands of diffusion assay. The concentration of Palau, Koror and Babeldaob, and the isolated anthocyanins in F0 and F3 was 69.2 mg/L and islands of Peleliu, Angaur, Kayangel and 48.4 mg/L, respectively. Higher total phenolic Sonsorol for this study. In each site, CRB content was observed in F0 at 21.51 mg/mL. F0 specimens were collected on-site or via panel and F3 showed large zones of inhibition, both at traps. DNA was extracted from the leg of the 13 mm, against S. aureus. These results each CRB and used as template in PCR to test suggest that the waste product of coffee bean for the presence of OrNV. The CRB genotype processing contains phenolic compounds and was determined by a restriction fragment length anthocyanins, which could be reused as a health polymorphism assay using the CRB cytochrome promoting product. oxidase I gene. The palm tree damage assessment was performed at each site with at (134) Survey of Disease, Management and least 25 trees in the summer of 2016 from June Biosecurity Practices of Hawai‘i Swine through August. Total of 1500 palm trees were Farmers. Castle, B.A.*, Odani, J., Jha R., assessed during this study. We found that nearly Ogasawara, N., Zaleski, H.M. Department of all trees showed minimal damage that would not Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, affect coconut yield. OrNV was detected in CRB Ross University Veterinary Medicine. specimens from all locations. Interestingly, the Although swine diseases and parasites cause virus was found in several specimens of CRB-G, significant losses to producers in Hawai‘i, limited which is supposedly resistant to infection. information is available on changing disease patterns and related farm practices. Serological (133) Analyzation of phenolic and samples from Hawai‘i swine farms were tested antimicrobial functionality in byproducts of for antibodies against Porcine Circovirus Type Hawai‘i coffee cherries for potential 2b (PCV; 97% positive), Senecavirus (SVA; upscaling. Pereira, G.*, Liu, X., Nakamoto, S., 50%), Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED; 27%) Li, Y. Department of Human Nutrition, Food and and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Animal Sciences. Syndrome (PRRS; 11%). Coccidia oocysts Coffee is considered to be one of the largest (54%) were detected on every island, and profit producing crops for the agricultural Ascaris suum (15%), Oesophogostomum
63 dentatum (15%), Metastrongylus spp. (4%), for the trapping of bacterial cells on its surface. Trichuris suis (4%), and Stephanurus dentatus A frequency generator paired with an amplifier (4%) ova were detected on O‘ahu, Molokai, and regulated the frequency and voltage applied to Hawai‘i farms. In addition, a management and the electrodes, and a syringe pump controlled biosecurity practices survey was administered to the flow of the sample into the device. The effect farmers (n=20). Survey questions were analyzed of varied voltages, flow rates, and frequencies by region, sow population, and disease on the separation efficiency was studied. The presence using agglomerative hierarchal highest percent reduction of E. coli K12 was clustering. Most common practices include 99% with the device set at 60 V and 100 kHz, cooking food waste (93% of farmers feeding along with a flow rate of 0.1 mL/min. Higher food waste), administering an anthelmintic applied voltages and slower flow rates seemed (75%), and feral pig exclusion (60%). The to lead to an increased reduction of the bacteria. average number of piglets born (p=0.014) and An optimized macro-scale system, with multiple number weaned (p=0.052) per litter has stages of DEP, could potentially be created for increased since 1996, while preweaning commercial use as a novel method of removing mortality is similar. Analysis indicates that pathogens from polluted tap water. disease prevalence is related to the movement of pigs both on-island and between islands, as (136) Surface applied or incorporated? Does Kaua‘i, which is protected by quarantine, compost and biochar placement affect plant remains negative for PRRS and PED, and growth and soil fertility? Cox, J.*, Hue, N., Molokai is negative for PRRS, PED, and SVA. Ahmad, A., Kobayashi, K. Department of Geographical differences in disease distribution Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. make targeted biosecurity practices and Soil amendments such as compost and biochar informed decision-making possible. A clear can provide additional nutrients, increase soil picture of these patterns will aid in management water holding capacity and add beneficial and vaccination recommendations to better microorganisms. Biochar has provided crop and target diseases and minimize the use of soil improvements worldwide, but has mostly antibiotics. been incorporated into the soil. Farmers with tree crops are limited to surface application, but (135) Removal of Escherichia coli K12 from it is unknown whether the benefits transfer down contaminated tap water using a single-stage through the soil profile. This study aims to dielectrophoresis (DEP) device filled with compare compost and biochar applied on the glass beads. Chun, C.* and Jun, S. surface, or incorporated to 10cm depth, using Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Oxisol and Andisol soils, and Chinese cabbage Animal Sciences. and papaya. An experiment was conducted in a Conventional water treatment methods, such as glasshouse with each amendment applied at 4% filtration and disinfection, require the addition of by volume, either on the soil surface or mixed in physical or chemical disinfectants and are prone the top 10cm of a 20cm deep pot, plus a control. to fouling. An electrostatic phenomenon known Cabbage and papaya plant height and leaf as dielectrophoresis (DEP) offers an alternative relative chlorophyll content (estimate of leaf N) to traditional water filtration technology. DEP is were measured weekly. Cabbages were the lateral movement of bioparticles harvested at 8 weeks and oven dried. Cabbage experiencing a dipole moment under the dry weight for the incorporated amendments influence of applied, non-uniform electric fields. overall was significantly higher (p<0.01) than the Target cells within a solution can be polarized control by 19%, and by 14% for the surface towards a specific field gradient when exposed application. In the Andisol there was no to electric fields of different magnitudes. In this difference in cabbage dry weight between study, a single-stage, continuous flow, surface and incorporated amendments, but in millimeter-sized DEP device was designed and the Oxisol the cabbage dry weight was fabricated to remove Escherichia coli K12 from significantly higher in the incorporated compared contaminated tap water. The device utilized to surface and control. The root biomass in the titanium electrodes and was constructed out of Andisol was located throughout the 20 cm for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with glass beads the incorporated treatment, but in the top 10 cm packed inside the channel. Glass beads were for the surface applied. In the Oxisol however, used to alter the electric field distribution and both treatments showed root biomass higher in create many areas of high electric field influence the 10-20 cm layer. Papayas were significantly
64 (p<0.05) taller in both amended treatments than that is spreading throughout Hawaii, and is the control for the Andisol, but not for the Oxisol. characterized by the presence of chlorotic Therefore, in some soil types, the application of circular lesions in the leaves that can turn into these amendments to the soil surface will amorphous ringspots. Recently, it was shown provide similar benefits to incorporating them. that TRD is associated with infection by Ti ringspot-associated virus (TiRaV), a virus with (137) Identification and Characterization of similarities to members of the genus Emaravirus. Simple Sequence Repeats in Protein-coding The aim of this project was to sequence the genes of Acacia koa. Christopher I. Nakano*, genome of TiRaV using next generation Michael D.H. Honda, Kazue L. Ishihara, and sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Dulal Borthakur. Department of Molecular Doubled-stranded RNA, a hallmark of infections Biosciences and Bioengineering. by RNA viruses, was extracted from Acacia koa is an important timber wood tree symptomatic tissue collected at the UH Manoa endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The goal of campus. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR was this project was to identify and characterize A. performed using a terminal primer targeting a koa genes that contain simple sequence repeats conserved region of the 5` and 3` ends of all (SSRs) within protein coding sequence. known emaraviruses. Amplicons were Previous studies identified SSRs from only sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. genomic DNA of A. koa. Identification of SSRs Over 2.4 million paired-end reads were de novo within coding sequences (SSR-CS) will allow for assembled using Trinity after quality control with their use in phylogenetic analysis or as genetic FastQC and Trimmomatic. A total of 1952 markers in A. koa improvement programs. A. contigs were subjected to BLASTx searching koa transcriptome data consisting of 200,000 using the viral database in GenBank. Five gene sequences were analyzed for the presence segments coding for the four characteristic core of SSR-CSs from 2 to 12 base pairs (bp) in proteins of emaraviruses (polymerase, length, with each SSR-CS being repeated 2 to glycoprotein, coat protein and movement 12 times. In this way, 3,140,115 potential SSR- protein), and an additional hypothetical protein CSs were identified. Further analyses focused of the TiRaV genome were completed. on 1,080 SSR-CSs with the lengths of 12, 11, 10, Phylogenetic analyses placed TiRaV in a clade and 9 nucleotides, each repeated twice. Among with members of the genus Emaravirus, clearly these, the gene sequences that were >500 bp indicating it represents a novel member of this and contained an open reading frame were virus genus. selected for further investigation. Sixty gene sequences have been identified so far that (139) Managing invasive macroalgae in Paikō satisfy these criteria. Upon detailed analysis of Lagoon State Wildlife Sanctuary: A these 60 gene sequences and the proteins they partnership with the state of Hawai‘i and the coded for, 37 gene sequences were identified to Maunalua community. Payne, C.E.*, Oleson, encode proteins related to plant defense and K.L.L. Division of Forestry and Wildlife, survival. These 37 genes were then separated Department of Natural Resources and into two categories, based on the functional and Environmental Management. structural characteristics of their translated Invasive macroalgae negatively affects marine proteins. Amplification of these candidate SSR- areas by monopolizing space, altering CS markers may be useful as a tool for geochemistry, and changing food webs. identifying A. koa families at an early stage of Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife growth in breeding studies. This work was (DOFAW) seeks to establish an official protocol supported by the USDA NIFA McIntire-Stennis for managing invasive macroalgae in Paikō project HAW00597-M, managed by CTAHR. Lagoon State Wildlife Sanctuary as part of their larger efforts to manage sites throughout O‘ahu. (138) Molecular characterization of Ti This capstone project developed a long-term, ringspot-associated virus through next volunteer-based invasive macroalgae removal generation sequencing and bioinformatic and monitoring program as a practical solution tools. Olmedo-Velarde, A.*, Park, A., Melzer, M. for the DOFAW staff. I developed removal Department of Plant and Environmental protocols based on an understanding of the Protection Sciences. macroalgae biology, lessons learned from past Ti ringspot disease (TRD) is an emergent efforts, removal practices outlined in the current disease affecting ti plants (Cordyline fruticosa L.) literature, and observations of other group’s
65 removal process. I developed monitoring than that of PCR based on inner primers. This protocols guided by the work of Lindenmayer single-tube nested PCR assay would enable and Likens to measure long-term macroalgae more sensitive detection of C. jejuni within conditions. Final protocols include groups of four shorter time and thus enhance the safety of the volunteers using quadrats, five-gallon buckets, nation’s food supply. and hand nets to remove only invasive macroalgae in set transects and subsections. A (141) Protecting Tree Species: Identification pilot, nine-month monitoring period revealed of pathogenic fungi from Acacia koa in significant decline in average percent cover in Hawaii. Yoo, Y.H.* and Uchida, J. Department the transect with the most removal events (77% of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. (95% CI [±18.27]) to 31% (95% CI [±16.53])). Acacia koa is endemic and one of popular trees The benefits of these protocols include reduction in Hawaiian Islands, called koa. A number of of invasive macroalgae, deployment using diseases of koa are caused by pathogenic fungi. minimum budget and staff resources, and Especially, wilt disease of koa can cause by community engagement in natural resource fungal pathogen such as Fusarium oxysporum management and ecological field methods. that can causes high rates of mortality koa in Hawai'i. This study focused to compare koa (140) Development of a sensitive single-tube seeds A and B that inoculated with two different nested PCR assay for rapid detection of Fusarium species which were Fusarium Campylobacter jejuni in ground chicken. Wu, oxysporum and Fusarium solani. During 9 B.Y.* and Li, Y. Department of Human Nutrition, weeks, the growth rate was monitored so which Food and Animal Sciences. Fusarium sp. is the most infected to koa. Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of Based on the results of this study, F. oxysporum foodborne disease and accounts for affected the growth rate of koa that showed approximately 1.3 million illnesses each year in 20 % of fatality of koa seeds both A and B. The the United States. Outbreaks of C. jejuni are first symptom of koa wilt showed from 4 weeks usually associated with contaminated raw milk and eventually died koa after 5 weeks. and undercooked chicken. Single-tube nested Otherwise, F. solani showed that they were not polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in which affect to the growth rate of koa seeds both A and products of the primary amplification reaction B, and it seems to indicate that F. solani could are used as templates in the second round of be not pathogenic fungus to koa. Previous PCR, can improve the sensitivity and specificity researches already proved showed the diversity of the reaction and prevent cross contamination in F. oxysporum identified from diseased koa, of template DNA. This study aimed to develop a however, further research of the effects of other sensitive single-tube nested PCR assay for rapid Fusarium sp. for koa seriously required. detection of C. jejuni in chicken. Both outer and inner primer sets were designed based on the (142) Artocarpus altilis, the ‘ulu’ breadfruit, hippuricase gene (hipO) of C. jejuni. The two journeys thousands of miles and thousands primer set concentrations and PCR annealing of years to a pint glass near you – an ancient temperatures were optimized. The established food crop resurfaces as beer of the future. assay was tested with DNA extracted from C. Arios, J.P., Barlett, B., Bottema, M., Buchanan, jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and seven non- J., Carlson, B., Doherty, J.*, Gong, T., Saxby, S., Campylobacter bacterial species. Serial dilutions Sinclair, N., Zhao, T,. Bingham, J.P. Department of C. jejuni DNA and cells in inoculated ground of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering. chicken homogenate were used as templates to The ancient food crop plant, Artocarpus altilis investigate its sensitivity compared to PCR (the breadfruit), is a valuable and underutilized based on inner primers. Results showed the source of nutrient dense starch. As a high-yield optimal concentration and annealing perennial, breadfruit represents a sustainable temperature were 0.1 pmol for outer primers at supplement to an increasing global demand for 65℃ and 40 pmol for inner primers at 55℃. The agricultural yield. In this project, we explore this single-tube nested PCR assay only generated versatile food crop as a wheat alternative for amplicons from C. jejuni. The detection limit of brewing beer. this assay was determined to be single copies of This project highlights Polynesian and Hawaiian target DNA extracted from the pure culture and agricultural history and underscores the current 10 CFU/ml of C. jejuni in ground chicken relevance and value of an oft overlooked food homogenate, which was about 100 fold lower crop. To demonstrate the versatile nature of
66 breadfruit, we propose brewing a novel beer involved in basil downy mildew disease from the starchy pulp of Artocarpus altilis. The development. Suitable constructs were made aims of the project are three-fold: and used to transform sweet basil Genovese via 1) Demonstrate the importance of Artocarpus Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. altilis as a high-yield cereal alternative Transgenic plants have been generated and are 2) Create a desirable, profitable product with being subjected to analyses. The completion of cultural significance this project will not only generate disease 3) Raise funds for education through the resistant plants, but also help dissect the medium of a student-run, University-backed molecular basis of basil-P. belbahrii interactions. company Successful completion of the project will likely (144) Microaeration in anaerobic digester: A garner positive attention and attract future unique approach to improve stability and funding, thus elevating the status of this performance of the renewable energy symbolic plant. The project could continue production. Duc Nguyen* and Samir K. Khanal. indefinitely as a working model of University- Department of Molecular Biosciences and backed business that operates as a for-profit but Bioengineering. allocates and reinvests resources as a non-profit. Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology shows an immense potential for recovering renewable (143) Engineering basil plants for resistance energy from organic waste streams. However, against downy mildew. Navet, N.*, Shao, D., the AD process is susceptible to process failure Dose, H., Tian, M. Department of Plant and due to the accumulation of volatile fatty acids Environmental Protection Sciences. (VFA). In this research, a novel microaeration Basil is an important herb crop recognized for system controlled by oxidation-reduction use in medicines, cosmetics and culinary. Its potential (ORP) was developed to remove production has been impaired by downy mildew excess VFA and maintain the stability of the high disease caused by Peronospora belbahrii, a loading rate AD process without the need for pH destructive obligate biotrophic oomycete adjustment or loading rate reduction. The results pathogen. Because disease resistance is lacking from triplicate experiments showed that upon in popular sweet basil varieties and traditional microaeration, the total VFA concentration breeding suffers various barriers, generating quickly reduced from 7.4 ± 0.6 to 3.2 ± 0.6 g/L disease resistant plants via biotechnology as acetate, together with 3-fold increase of promises to broaden resistance sources and methane yield, recovering the digesters from the speed up the breeding process. Three strategies, verge of failure. The sensitivity of ORP probe to including host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) of the present of oxygen allowed the precise potential pathogen virulence genes, control of the microaeration system and the overexpression of basil defense genes and coexistence of both anaerobic and facultative CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene editing of basil niches of microorganisms. Results from genes involved in disease susceptibility, are bioenergetics and microbial community analysis being employed. Four candidate genes, P. further revealed an alternative VFA conversion belbahrii PbEC1 & PbORCE1, basil Lectin1 and pathway under ORP-controlled microaerobic DMR1 have been selected as targets of HIGS, condition, bypassing the conventional syntrophic overexpression and gene editing respectively. reactions. This novel operating approach opens PbEC1 and PbORCE1 are candidate RxLR up an effective process control strategy for high effector genes highly induced during infection, loading rate AD processes, offering significant with PbORCE1 highly conserved in all plant economic merits and promoting the applications pathogenic oomycetes. Plant lectins are potent of this promising bioenergy production immunomodulatory receptors believed to play technology. key roles in plant immunity. Lectin1 is present and highly induced during infection in a resistant (145) Effects of intermittent energy cultivar BA107, but absent in the susceptible line restriction with a Mediterranean diet versus Dolly, suggesting its role in mediating basil the Dietary Approaches to Stop downy mildew resistance. The basil homolog of Hypertension diet on overall and visceral Arabidopsis DMR1 (Downy Mildew Resistant 1) adiposity: A pilot study. Panizza, C.E.*, Lim, gene, knockout of which enhances Arabidopsis U., Yonemori, K.M., Cassel, K.D., Wilkens, L.R., resistance against its downy mildew pathogen Shvetsov, Y.B., Harvie, M.N., Le Marchand, L., Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, is potentially Boushey, C.J. Department of Human Nutrition,
67 Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai’i During childhood, parents/caregivers supervise Cancer Center, University of Hawai'i Intercollege most meals and snacks; as youth gain PhD Program in Nutrition, HI. 3Manchester independence, opportunities to eat without their University Hospital, UK. supervision increase. Dietary behavior during Men and women in Hawai’i (n=60), aged 35-55, occasions when early adolescents eat alone BMI 25-40, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) may have a significant impact on overall diet ≥90cm2 for men and ≥80cm2 for women, of quality and health outcomes later in life. Japanese, Chinese, or Korean ancestry, were However, there is no published evidence randomized equally to the intermittent energy characterizing eating behavior of adolescents in restriction with a Mediterranean (IER+MED) diet Hawai’i while eating alone. The study objectives or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension were to: 1) Determine how often adolescents eat (DASH) diet for 12 weeks. The IER+MED group alone; and 2) Characterize occasions when was instructed to restrict 70% energy on 2 days adolescents eat alone, including the location, and follow the MED diet and meet their time of day, and, other activities performed while estimated energy requirement (EER) for the eating. Children aged 10-13 years (n=42) in other 5 days each week. The DASH group was Oahu, Hawai’i were asked to take pictures of all instructed to follow the DASH diet and meet their foods and beverages consumed on one day. EER. Dietitians provided initial instruction for the One-on-one interviews were conducted with diets and contacted participants 7 times children using the pictures as a guide. primarily by telephone for support and Descriptive statistics were calculated using compliance assessment. 4-day mobile food frequencies to understand the characteristics of records were completed at baseline, weeks 6 occasions when adolescents ate alone. and 11. Trained technicians measured Eighteen percent of meals and 27% of snacks anthropometry and dual energy X-ray were consumed when adolescents were alone. absorptiometry (DXA)-based body composition, Children most often ate alone during breakfast including estimated VAT, at baseline and week and lunch at school and snacks at home. About 12. At week 12, participants in the IER+MED half of adolescents watched television or used group lost greater amounts of body weight [5.9 electronic devices while eating alone. Further (±3.1) kg vs. 3.2 (±3.4) kg in DASH; P=0.006], understanding of eating habits of adolescents waist circumference (WC) [7.0 (±4.5) cm vs. 4.4 may inform improvement of current programs as (±3.1) cm in DASH, P=0.018], and VAT [1.3 well as development of effective interventions to (±29.5) cm2 reduction vs. 4.2 (±20.5) cm2 promote better health outcomes in adulthood. increase in DASH, P=0.43]. In this short-term pilot study, the IER+MED group had greater (147) Nutrient profile and in vitro digestibility reduction in weight and WC than the DASH of nutrients (energy, protein and amino group. The larger effect of the IER+MED diet on acids) of animal protein byproducts. Utsav P. adiposity measures may be due to the IER, Tiwari*, Brian Kerr, and Rajesh Jha. Department larger energy deficit and/or different diet of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, composition. USDA-ARS, Ames, IA. Animal protein byproducts (APB) are produced (146) Characterizing Eating Behaviors of in slaughter houses and rendering plants that Adolescents Ages 10-13 in Hawaii While contain wide array of inedible carcass tissues Eating Alone. Suzuki, A.*, Anderson, A., Choi, including blood, feathers, bones etc. They are Y.C., Cluskey, M., Gunther, C., Hongu, N., very high in energy, protein and amino acids Jones, B., Lora, K., Misner, S., Monroe-Lord, L., (AA). The objective of this study was to Penicka, C., Reicks, M., Richards, R., Topham, characterize the variation in nutrient composition G., Wong, S.S., Banna, J. University of Georgia, of APB and determine apparent ileal digestibility Oregon State University, Ohio State University, (AID) of nutrients and AA. Total of 13 APB were University of Arizona, Purdue University, collected from different industry at different place University of Oklahom, District of Columbia in US and grouped into 5 categories depending Cooperative Extension, Brigham and Women's upon their content like feather meal (FM), meat Hospital, University of Minnesota, Brigham meal (MM), meat and bone meal (MBM), blood Young University, Kansas State University, meal (BM) and poultry byproduct meal (PBM). Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Nutrient profile was determined using standard Animal Sciences. methods and AID by an in vitro model of swine. Gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) in
68 APB ranged from 4100-5797 kcal/kg and 53- equally and randomly allotted to 5 dietary 97% respectively. Both GE and CP were highest treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment in BM. The AID of GE of MBM (70%) was higher (n=36/treatment group). Five treatments were (P˂0.05) than PBM (50%). The AID of lysine of corn-soybean meal based diets with inclusion of BM was higher (P˂0.05) than PBM and AID of 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50% of CRC replacing corn. methionine of BM was higher (P˂0.05) than FM. After 42 days of feeding trial, birds were The AID of GE of PBM was higher (P˂0.05) than euthanized and samples were collected. FM. Thus, MBM provides the highest amount of Histomorphology was performed using the ileum digestible GE whereas AID of most essential AA tissue samples and volatile fatty acid (VFA) was higher in BM than other APB. These APB content using cecal digesta samples as gut can be used in swine diet to provide most AA. health parameters. Compared to control group, However, except BM, none of them provides the body weight was not significantly different sufficient lysine required for optimum growth of (P>0.05) up to 25% CRC inclusion in starter and swine and need to be supplemented while using up to 37.5% in total study period. Average daily these ABP in swine diets. gain was significantly lower (P<0.05) at 50% CRC inclusion in starter and total study period. (148) Cassava root chips an alternative to Feed conversion ratio was not significantly corn in broiler diet: effect on growth different (P>0.05) up to 37.5% CRC inclusion in performance and gut health parameters. starter diet whereas 50% CRC inclusion in Yadav, S.*, Singh, A., Tiwari, U.P., Mishra, B., finisher diet was similar to control. Villus height, Jha, R. Department of Human Nutrition, Food crypt depth, their ratio and villus surface area and Animal Sciences. were not different among the treatments. Variable price, limited supply and increasing Acetate and total VFA produced increased with demand of conventional energy feedstuffs such the increase in the CRC inclusion from 25 to as corn necessitate the exploration and 50% in diets. In conclusion, CRC can be evaluation of alternative feedstuffs. Cassava included up to 37.5% in poultry diets as root chips (CRC) may serve as a cheap energy replacement of corn to reduce feed cost while source in poultry diets while fiber in it will improving the gut health of broilers. Further ferment and improve gut health. This study study with exogenous enzymes supplementation evaluated the effects of CRC inclusion in broilers can enhance nutrient utilization of CRC in broiler diet on growth performance and gut health feeding program. parameters. A total of 180 day-old chicks were
69