19th Annual University of Nebraska at Kearney

Student Research Day

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 in the Nebraskan Student Union

Schedule of Events Tuesday, April 11, 2017

7:30 am to 9:00 am ...... Students set up posters in Pondersoa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union

9:00 am to 11:00 am ..... Poster Judging

12:00 pm to 1:15 pm ..... Luncheon with Guest Speaker, Dr. Christine E. Cutucache

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm ...... Oral Presentations & Performances Open Poster Viewing

3:30 pm ...... Awards Ceremony & Reception

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Guest Speaker

Dr. Christine E. Cutucache, Ph.D.

Christine E. Cutucache, Ph.D. is the Haddix Community Chair of Science and Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Hailing from Jackson, Wisconsin, Dr. Cutucache traveled to Nebraska to complete her education. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2008 and her Doctor of Philosophy in Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy in 2012 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Cutucache worked as an Instructor at UNO from 2012-2014 and then was appointed the Haddix Community Chair and Assistant Professor of Biology in 2014.

Dr. Cutucache studies tumor immunology (specifically tumor-induced immunosuppression in B- and T-cell leukemias and lymphomas) as well as Discipline- Based Education Research (so called ‘DBER’). She is interested in student-centered, inquiry-based practices to improve learning outcomes.

As an undergraduate, Dr. Cutucache was active in undergraduate research and now leads a productive laboratory filled with undergraduates, affording them the same opportunities. Dr. Cutucache teaches microbiology and cancer biology as well as courses to prepare graduate students and teachers to conduct DBER.

Dr. Cutucache leads an after school outreach program called NE STEM 4U to provide high-quality, engaging emersion experiences for youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. A team of undergraduates (currently 50) implement the after school STEM lessons as part of their pre-professional training in 3 areas: teaching, research, and mentorship. The NE STEM 4U project is a collaborative project between the University and Community Partners and stakeholders.

During her tenure, Dr. Cutucache has secured $6.7 million in funding, and has published 25 peer-reviewed articles on her research. She has delivered over 40 presentations on her work around the world with most including undergraduate research students as co-authors or co-presenters. iii

Table of Contents

Poster Abstracts ...... 1 Fine Arts and Humanities ...... 1 Behavioral & Social Sciences ...... 6 Natural & Physical Sciences ...... 19 Professional & Applied Studies ...... 39 Graduate Studies ...... 55 Performance Schedule ...... 62 Performance Abstracts ...... 62 Oral Presentation Schedule ...... 64 Oral Presentation Abstracts ...... 68 Index by Poster Number ...... 80 Index of Participants ...... 82

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Poster Abstracts

was created to display interactive information about recycling habits of UNK Fine Arts & college students. The website displays the results of the study and also shows Humanities UNK students how they might be able to make a difference in the environment. The purpose of the website is to inspire Communication college students to recycle. A website brings the necessary information to a Poster 1 – Samuel Harper medium that college students can easily Mentor: Dr. Nanette Hogg access. By collecting information on Title: Determining Factors Influencing current recycling habits, college students Recycling Habits in College will have a chance to make the world Students cleaner for future generations.

The purpose of this study is to determine Poster 2 – Simon P. Tye the internal and external factors that Co-Authors – Michael Forsberg, Emma affect UNK students' outlook on recycling. Brinley Buckley & Jeff Dale The study highlights statistics of recycling Mentor: Dr. Mary Harner habits of UNK college students and the Title: Phenology of a North American determining factors as to what makes Beaver (Castor canadensis) lodge these college students want to recycle. It near the Platte River, Nebraska with is an important topic because college time-lapse photography students are the future leaders of the world, and how they decide to use North American beavers (Castor resources will impact the world on a large canadensis) modify ecosystems by felling scale. Information regarding students' trees, damming waterbodies, and building recycling behavior and attitudes were structures. Many studies have focused on collected in an online survey. A group of these terrain modifications, specifically 1000 randomly picked UNK students their influence on hydrology, habitat were invited to take the online survey. heterogeneity, and niche diversity in the The results were studied and researchers surrounding environment; however, few found significant differences between studies have quantified commensal or recycling habits and categories of wealth, opportunistic activities directly associated political party, college year, academic with their structures. We used time-lapse program, and housing style. A website photography to monitor a beaver lodge on 1 a human-excavated pond adjacent to the self-censorship among educators through Platte River in central Nebraska. We a survey sent to members of the National captured images every ten minutes over Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). nine months with a modified security The survey provides current data camera and recorded beaver activity, regarding external and self-censorship lodge maintenance, and other animal among Language Arts teachers activities. We compared activity patterns throughout the United States. to hydrologic, temporal, and weather Overall, the research conducted in this conditions. Herein we describe the activity project will provide information about patterns of beaver, other animals, and the banned and challenged books, including changing structure of the lodge, as well geographical and self-censorship trends. as observations of dozens of other species associated with the lodge during Poster 4 – Ian Roesler distinct seasons and time periods. We Mentor: Dr. Denys Van Renen also illustrate how visual imagery can be Title: “An Irish Entertainment”: George combined with biological data to further Farquhar, Comedy, and the English the understanding of science and Stage ecological interactions in presentations to both technical and nontechnical Helen Burke astutely asserts that, audiences. although stereotypical in nature, the abundance of Irish jokes in England during the Restoration period of drama English shows not only the disdain of the English toward the Irish, but also informs the lives Poster 3 – Megan Kreutzer of the Irish as immigrants. From the Mentor: Dr. Martha Kruse several volumes of Irish joke books in Title: Caution: Censored Material Ahead 17th and 18th century England, Burke gleans a better understanding of the This research project examines the plights and attributes of the Irish geographical trends involving censored, immigrant through English humor such as challenged, and banned books in K-12 cultural aspects, work ethic, settings across the United States. Twenty inventiveness, and magnanimity. The of the most commonly banned and Anglo-Irish playwright of the early 18th challenged books are examined to century, George Farquhar, utilized the identify geographical patterns and the medium of comedy and the stereotypical basis of challenges, including social Irishman as a means to both reinforce justice themes and authors’ treatment of and challenge the English narrative. diversity. Even if clear Through his Irish characters Farquhar regional/geographical and/or thematic both entertained his audience and set the trends do not emerge as a result of the stage for a different narrative of the Irish study, the examination of these books will migrants. Using an Irishman by the name still yield interesting data regarding of Foigard in The Beaux’ Stratagem censorship and the school curriculum. (1707) who disguises himself as a French This study will also examine the effects of priest to reinforce the stereotypical nature 2 of the Irish, Farquhar also embeds in his selected genre (science fiction), including works characters that stir the feelings of plot structure, world building, the English at the time. In his early play characterization, etc. This goal has been Love and a Bottle (1698), Roebuck, a achieved both through the writing of the penniless debonair who travels to novel and by reading supplemental England to escape his fate as a father, materials. The supplemental materials challenges the English stereotypes with have included primary texts like the his charm and ability to socialize within Otherland tetralogy by Tad Williams and English society. Teague and Macahone Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which also challenge the stereotypes of the Irish are similar books to the one I am working fool in The Twin Rivals (1702) and The on. I have also read secondary texts like Stage Coach (1704) respectively, as Stephen King’s On Writing, which have these characters work to bridge the gap broken down the science fiction genre of two nations not that dissimilar from through analysis and provide a more Farquhar’s perspective. While some concrete explanation of the genre and its argue that these four characters harden elements. Irish stereotypes, I insist that they ultimately challenge the stage Irishman in English society and lay the foundation for History a true Irish identity through comedy. Poster 6 – Halley Gaucher Poster 5 – Ashley Shaffer Mentor: Dr. Jinny Turman Mentor: Dr. Megan Hartman Title: Frank Museum Stenciling Title: The Benjamin Harris Story: a Science Fiction Novel This research project started as a class project and then became an internship. For my undergraduate research project, I As a class, the question was how should have worked over the past year with Dr. the interior of the Frank Museum reflect Megan Hartman on writing a science the past and how to preserve the history? fiction young adult novel. The basic In order to understand the interior of the premise of the novel is that a young man house, there are some original who was in an accident is saved by photographs and exposed stenciling having his mind uploaded into a virtual remaining from the Frank family to get a reality program. However, everything clear image. However, there are rooms begins to go wrong when he realizes the that the photographs are unclear images company that saved him is not as of the remaining stenciling and unable to trustworthy as he thought. reproduce a close match to the stencil. The first learning objective of this project These rooms require researching the was for me to write and produce a stencil patterns that were popular during publishable manuscript, or at least the the 1880s-1890s. Each room on the first working draft of said manuscript. The floor will have stenciling that fit the second objective of this project was for context of the room and the aesthetics of me to increase my personal knowledge of the time period. Obviously, the stenciling what constitutes a good novel in my in the servants areas will be less 3 elaborate than the great hall. The process vocabulary for English Language of stenciling is being done different than it Learners (ELL). This study will examine would have in 1889 when the house was whether elementary ELL students gain as built. For the most part the original many benefits as middle school ELL stenciling was done from a pattern, but students from engaging in game-based mainly by hand which means there are learning. ELL teachers in Central some imperfections. Today the stencil Nebraska were invited to participate in an pattern is laser cut onto a sheet of Mylar. interview about their teaching methods Then temporarily placed on the wall and and how they incorporated games into measured to ensure the pattern is even. their lessons when building academic Once the stencil is properly placed and vocabulary. The results of this study taped on the wall it is painted with a color found that incorporating games into that is fitting for the room or the particular learning resulted in students having fun stencil. Unfortunately, it is expensive and and advancing their vocabulary. time consuming to redo the stenciling the original way. The paint that would have been used was vegetable based and the Music & Performing shimmer of the stencil was from gold leaf. The paint that is used is latex and the Arts shimmer is metallic paint. The differences lead to the main goal, to restore the Poster 8 – Tierney Casper stenciling to get a clearer picture of the Mentor: Dr. Sharon Campbell house interior. Title: The Effects of Music and Swimming Therapy on Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Modern Language In the 2016-2017 academic year I have Poster 7 – Elizabeth Schott researched techniques of music therapy Mentor: Ana Tejada and swimming therapy and the affects Title: Teaching vocabulary: A multiple these two therapies have on children case study of ELL teachers diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder. I found that both music and With the increasing number of students swimming therapies tend to be used as that do not speak English or need to calming protocols to relieve stress and improve their proficiency while attending anxiety in these children. My Student Central Nebraska elementary schools, it Research Day poster will present important to engage students through abstracts from my literature review as well different techniques. Game-based as my proposal for future research, learning is a strategy that may be used by including a case study next year which teachers to engage students and improve will strive to integrate the two therapy their language skills and more specifically modes into a calming protocol for Autistic academic vocabulary. The aim of this children. study is to prove the effectiveness of the usage of games when building academic 4

Poster 9 – Jordan Isabella Hoppens Poster 10 – Alyssa Wetovick Mentor: Dr. Valerie Cisler Mentor: Dr. Sharon Campbell Title: Fostering Metacognitive Skills via Title: Music Teachers National Piano Curriculum Association, Young Artist Competition

Metacognition (the process of thinking In January, 2017, I traveled to Boulder, about thinking) allows students to handle Colorado to compete as Nebraska’s abstractions and transfer their representative in the West Central comprehension across disciplines. Regional Division of the Music Teachers Students possessing metacognitive skills National Association, Young Artist are capable of growing into independent Competition. Serving as the learners. As a piano instructor, one representative for Nebraska took should strive to provide students with an countless hours of preparation, both understanding of both self-awareness and individually, and with my collaborative the foundational skills in ‘how’ to learn. pianist, Dr. Jayoung Hong. In order to be The field of music exemplifies the selected as Nebraska’s representative, I necessity for the development of prepared seven different selections that metacognitive proficiency while also encompassed at least four different offering the opportunity for daily practice. languages. This project was designed to provide The songs that were selected to complete students with effective strategies for my recital program came from a variety of learning metacognitive aptitudes through musical and historical eras. Wolfgang the use of programmatic piano literature Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, and from each major musical era: Baroque, Aaron Copland are examples of a variety Classical, Romantic, and the 20th c. For of composers who wrote my program novice musicians, program music selections. Classical, Romantic, and provides easier access to imagery, aiding twentieth century styles were all in musical interpretation. Potential showcased in a well-rounded and technical and interpretive challenges for pleasing program. each piece were identified and specific pedagogical strategies developed to enhance a student’s metacognitive cognizance. Strategies address aural/kinesthetic awareness, music theory analysis, and imagery (as related to the programmatic elements of the repertoire). Students’ mastery of metacognitive skills will be assessed through the assignment of an “on-your-own” piano piece that demonstrates successful independent learning.

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been extensively researched. This research explores how fearful law Behavioral enforcement officers are when performing their job duties, as well as the factors that & Social contribute to that fear. Data was collected through in-depth interviews conducted with sworn law enforcement officers from Sciences multiple agencies in Central Nebraska.

Criminal Justice Family Studies &

Poster 11 – Courtney Hays Interior Design Mentor: Dr. Julie Campbell Title: Victimization Among Law Poster 12 – Julie Bruns Enforcement Officers: An Mentor: Dr. Toni Hill Assessment of Officer Perceptions Title: Infant Communication: Exploration of non-verbal communication in At first, viewing law enforcement officers infants as victims of crime may be a difficult concept to grasp. Law enforcement This project will be a poster presentation officers are often viewed as strong and exploring existing research on non-verbal fearless, but rarely as victims. communication with infants including the Unfortunately, because of the dangerous teaching of sign language to infants. nature of the occupation, thousands of Multiple studies have been reviewed that law enforcement officers are injured or focus on infant signs with each one even killed in America every year. emphasizing a different attribute. In According to the Bureau of Labor exploring these studies, each study has Statistics, the risk of injury and physical been summarized and salient information assault when law enforcement officers categorized to allow for cross study perform daily professional duties comparisons. This project will be surpasses most other occupations beneficial with future research and (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). In studies within the topic to learn more 2013, the Uniform Crime Report reported about the intersection of signs, that 49,851 law enforcement officers were communication, and child development. assaulted in that year alone, and 29% of those officers sustained significant Poster 13 – Deavon Carey injuries (Uniform Crime Report, 2014). In Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais addition to physical injuries, officers are Title: Do Siblings Know Best?: The Role also subject to emotional injury, trauma, of Sibling Approval for Romantic and fear. The impact of physical and Relationships emotional injury, and more specifically whether or not law enforcement officers Studies have illustrated that relationships are fearful while on and off duty, has not with siblings during young adulthood may 6 mirror adult relationship quality quality of these relationships. Implications (Roberston, Shepherd, & Goedeke, regarding sibling relationships and 2014), but few studies have examined romantic relationship quality will be how approval of a relationship by siblings discussed. may impact relationships between siblings as well as the quality of individual Poster 14 – Shannon Duff romantic relationships, despite calls from Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais researchers (Killoren & Roach, 2014; Title: "Are we on the same team?": The Miller, 2012; Susan, McHale, & Feinberg, influence of relationship status and 2015). The goal of this study is to quality on athletic performance examine how individuals’ approval of sibling romantic relationships influences Although there have been studies the quality of their siblings’ romantic regarding relationships and sports relationships. We hypothesized that (Gardner, Vella, & Magee, 2015; Jackson sibling approval would positively predict et al., 2017), few studies have examined siblings’ relationship quality. Participants how relationship status and quality of were recruited online via advertisements relationships influences athletic in local Facebook pages, resulting in a performance. Current research shows sample size of 94 (88.3% female, Mean that performing well in sports can be age = 21.3, 92.6% white) participants and conducive for relationships, but the 26 of their siblings (61.5% female, Mean reciprocal relationship has yet to be age = 23.5, 92.3% white). Hierarchical explored (Miller, 2012; Moran & Weiss, multiple regression analyses revealed 2006). It is important to understand how that participants’ approval of their siblings’ relationship status and quality predicts romantic relationships was positively athletic performance in order to help related to perceptions of sibling’s athletes and athletic teams maximize their relationship quality. For instance, potential. In essence, by performing well approval was positively associated with in sports, individuals’ romantic relationship satisfaction (B = .88, p < relationships can become stronger. In .001), commitment (B = .58, p < .001), order to address these limitations in the and communication (B = .57, p < .001). literature as well as address this However, participants’ approval of important issue, I will examine if there is siblings’ actual relationship satisfaction an association between relationship was not significant (B = .04, p = .85). status and quality for athletes’ levels of Additionally, siblings’ approval of athletic performance. Data for this study participants’ relationships was not comes from an online survey of athletes significantly associated with participants’ from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. relationship satisfaction (B = -.02, p = A variety of sports will be represented .93). Based on findings of this study, through this research project. I will use participants are likely to perceive their multiple regression analyses to address siblings’ relationships are lower in quality the objectives of this study. Further if they do not approve of these implications of this study will be relationships. Yet, approval does not discussed. appear to significantly predict the actual 7

Poster 15 – Breanna Hiner every 7 people in the world. Despite the Mentor: Dr. Toni Hill popularity of Facebook, individuals Title: Preventing Assault: Title IX Training commonly report using multiple social on Single-Sex Campuses media platforms (Piwek & Joinson, 2016; Utz el al., 2015), which could potentially Sexual assault is a common occurrence increase the frequency and duration at on college campuses with 23.1% of which people check social media. The top females and 5.4% of males experiencing four most popular social media platforms an assault while undergraduate students are Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram, and (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Twitter (Lenhart, 2015). Recent studies Network, 2016). Title IX is a federal policy have demonstrated that attachment style that works to create gender equity in is related to Facebook use (e.g. Fox & educational settings. Most recently, Title Tokunaga, 2015). However, few studies IX has been applied to sexual harassment have examined the role of attachment and assault, especially on college style and security for how and why campuses. Sexual assault occurs to both individuals use social media. The goal of men and women and occurs on coed and the current study is to examine how the single-sex campuses. The purpose of this four different adult attachment styles project was to identify Title IX training (secure, fearful, preoccupied, and programs present on single-sex avoidant) use social media, why they use campuses. These programs could be social media, and the implications of either mandatory or optional for either using social media for their well-being. students or staff and faculty. Each aspect Data comes from 55 college students who was considered. Eight campuses were completed a daily diary for ten straight identified from previous projects and their days regarding their social media use. campus websites were searched for First, we examined mean differences in specified search terms. It was found that social media use across each attachment many of the campuses had programs style using ANOVAs and Bonferroni post available, both mandatory and optional, hoc analyses. Results revealed that for students. However, programs for staff preoccupied individuals reported and faculty were not found as frequently. significantly higher means and maximum In order to keep campuses safe, students time spent on Facebook than individuals and staff should be well informed about who were secure. However, there were Title IX and related policies. no mean differences for other social media platforms. Next, using hierarchical Poster 16 – Molly Moeller multiple regressions attachment security Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais is positively associated with the number Title: Social Media Takeover: Exploring of minutes individuals spent on the Role of Attachment SnapChat daily (B = .41, p < .05). However, attachment security and style The use of social media has grown were not associated with daily minutes exponentially over the decade. Currently spent on Facebook, Instagram, and 1.18 billion people check Facebook daily, Twitter. Based on these results, which represents approximately 1 out of attachment style can help explain how 8 and why people use social media. adults from a region in the Midwestern Implications regarding attachment United States (N=318). Hierarchical security and social media use will be multiple regression analyses were discussed. conducted address the goals of the study. Results show that gender significantly Poster 17 – Siera Schwanz predicted affectionate behaviors, intimate Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais touching behaviors, and oral intercourse Title: Examining the Moderation of Sex behaviors, illustrating that female and Centrality of Religiosity for participants reported significantly higher Affectionate and Sexual Behaviors frequencies of these behaviors than male participants. Centrality of religiosity was No studies to date have examined the negatively associated with each measure importance of centrality of religiosity for of affectionate and sexual behaviors. relationships, meaning couples in Additionally, the moderation between romantic relationships doing religious gender and centrality of religiosity was activities together. Centrality of religiosity associated with affectionate behaviors, for romantic relationships may explain the intimate touching, and oral intercourse association between religiosity and sexual behaviors. Participating in and discussing behaviors in a relationship better than religiosity and spirituality may promote individual or partner religiosity. Previous intimacy, prompting increases in studies primarily focus on individual affectionate and sexual behavior. religiosity and romantic partner religiosity, Additional implications for romantic leaving a gap in understanding the overall relationship development will be centrality of religiosity within the romantic discussed. relationship. While the studies that do look at both partner religiosity and individual religiosity use single-item Geography & Earth measure of what a couple would do together religiously this study used a Sciences stringent measure of centrality of religiosity for the romantic relationship. Poster 18 – Trey Ertmer Additionally, studies have illustrated a Co-Authors – Nathan Moore & David gender difference regarding religiosity Urban and sexuality. For example, one study Mentor: Dr. Paul Burger found that women were more likely to Title: A GIScience Location-Allocation of have regular religious practices than men a National Weather Service (NWS) and regular religious practices was Radar Tower in the Great Plains significantly associated with delayed onset of sexuality (Moreau, Trussell, & National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Bajos, 2013). Therefore, we also examine Towers are dispersed throughout the the moderating effect of gender and United States and are strategically placed centrality of religiosity for sexual and to cover as much of the U.S. population affectionate behaviors. Data for this study as possible. A few areas are not covered comes from an online survey of young by these radar towers, but for the most 9 part, they are not prone to extreme the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics weather events that occur east of the (USSR). This project considers how Rocky Mountains. In the Great Plains of Stalin’s personal troubles ultimately the United States, extreme weather is a shaped his politics and played a role in common occurrence in the spring and forced migration patterns in Russia. summer months in the region spanning from North Dakota, south to Texas. Poster 20 – Amanda Kirkland Currently, in this severe weather prone Mentor: Dr. Nathan T. Eidem region there is an area that the NWS Title: An Assessment of the Potential towers do not cover in central South Impacts of Brexit on Tourism Dakota and northern Nebraska where there is a significant unserved population. This article explores the potential effects A maximum coverage location-allocation on tourism the United Kingdom's (UK) in ArcMap is used in conjunction with vote to leave the European Union (EU) block group level population data, existing will have. Historical tourism trends are radar towers and a street network to analyzed from The World Travel and identify a site for new a NWS radar tower Tourism Council's (WTTC) database that covers the majority of this unserved along with relevant cases from the population to provide them warning in the literature. Comparisons are made event of severe weather. between similar key events, such as the formation of the EU, and the contribution Poster 19 – Jordyn Goodman of tourism to GDP and other data. Based Mentor: Dr. H. Jason Combs on this assessment, potential future Title: Stalin and the Forced Migration of scenarios for the UK's tourism industry Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are presented for both international and domestic travel. Though the focus is on World War II changed the dynamic of the UK, a broader discussion of potential several countries in Europe. The way that impacts on the EU is included. each functioned within their own borders as well as interactions with those outside Poster 21 – Ben Wagner their territory. Over the course of the late Co-Authors – Allen Chlopek, Justice 1920s and throughout the 1930s, Joseph Mott & Spencer Sydow Stalin took control of the Union of Soviet Mentor: Dr. Paul Burger Socialist Republics. Stalin took Lenin’s Title: GIScience Site Selection of a ideas of communism and applied his own Nebraska Community College personal touch to it. For one, Stalin implemented his migration program The mission statement for Central during this period and it slowly expanded. Community College in Hastings, It was not until the new world organization Nebraska, encapsulates the goal of during and after WWII that real Nebraska’s community colleges, "to opportunity for Stalin to change the provide access to quality student- internal boundaries of Russia was centered instruction and learning support created. Over the course of twenty years systems for individuals desiring higher Stalin changed how individuals lived in learning." This study seeks to locate a 10 new community college in Nebraska. Poster 23 – Natasha Winfield Geographic Information Science Mentor: Dr. Jason Combs (GIScience) technology and the maximum Title: Nebraska’s Century and Heritage coverage location – allocation heuristic Farms are used in conjunction with 2015 Census Block Group data (demand) and existing This poster examines the land tenure and community college locations (supply) to ownership of century farms—a term to identify a new location that maximizes the note agricultural land held by a single targeted adult population attending family for more than 100 years—in community colleges within 100 network Nebraska. Other states, such as Ohio and miles of each campus. Potential sites Tennessee, have evaluated patterns of include any block group within two miles settlement and ownership over time. To of town in which no current community our knowledge, no studies have spatially college exists. A location 45 miles west analyzed Nebraska’s century farms. This O’Neill, Nebraska is identified that meets poster examines the settlement and all of these criteria. ownership of Nebraska farms which have been owned by a single family, some Poster 22 - Natasha Winfield from before statehood until now, using Mentor: Dr. John Bauer Geographic Information Science (GIS). Title: The Transcontinental Airmail Route Primary data was gathered from The in Nebraska Aksarben Foundation which maintains records for both Century Farms and This poster researches the history of the Heritage Farms—those held by a single transcontinental airmail route through the family for 150 or more—as well as reliable state of Nebraska. The transcontinental resources from various published articles airway extended from San Francisco, and books. California to New York City, New York. The airmail service ran from 1918-1924. Pilots navigated the airway with the help Kinesiology & Sports of bonfires, concrete arrows, beacon lights, and newly developed radio Sciences signaling. This poster is to look specifically at the airmail route through Poster 24 – Nicki De Vries the state of Nebraska. There were two Advisor: Dr. Megan Adkins-Bollwit major stops through the state: North Title: Are Homeschool Children as Platte and Omaha. I collected my data Physically Fit as Public School sources with the help of historical Children? Nebraska Aeronautical Charts and reliable resources such as the Federal Are there differences between elementary Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aged homeschool children and public various published articles and books. school children’s fitness levels? Research comparing academic performance between homeschooled children and similarly aged public school students 11 have been completed (Barwegen, et al., movement patterns shown to influence 2004; Dahlquist et al., 2006). Within these physical activity levels as a child matures. studies, results consistently show homeschooled children score higher in academics than public school children Political Science (Slatter, 2009). However, no research, to date, has been completed in relation to Poster 25 – Flor Acosta Marquez children who are homeschooled and their Mentor: Dr. Peter Longo physical fitness levels. Therefore, the Title: Education Policy and Nutrition purpose of this study was to determine if homeschool children are as physically fit The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of as public school children. Fifty public 2010 caused copious amounts of school, and forty-two homeschooled third discussion in numerous public education through fifth grade (7-11 yrs) children institutions. This research will provide an completed the 20m FITNESSGRAM® evaluation of the strengths and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular weaknesses of the Healthy Hunger-Free Endurance Run (PACER) test. The Kids Act of 2010. This analysis will also PACER test is a normative-referenced, address the priorities of state and local validated measurement that assesses enforcement of the act, and provide cardiovascular fitness levels of children insight of programs that have had by having the students run the cadence beneficial influences. Beneficial indicated by the assessment protocol influences include, greenhouse initiatives, (Meredith, M. D., & Welk, G. J., 2005). and farm-to school grants. These The test involves continuous running beneficial influences will be offered to between two lines in time to recorded explore future school nutrition programs beeps. The time between recorded beeps decrease each minute (level) requiring an Poster 26 – Carson Messersmith increase in pace. The participant Mentor: Dr. Peter Longo continues until they are unable to keep Title: Political Implications of Water pace with the beeps. The total PACER Dispute Resolution: Kansas & test score equals the level, and number of Nebraska shuttles reached before the child was unable to keep up with the recording for The use of natural resources has long two consecutive ends. FitnessGram® been debated in both foreign and software is used to analyze the scores of domestic regions of the world. This all participating children to determine debate though has never been closer or individual and group fitness levels. We more heated than for the residents of the hypothesize homeschool children will be Midwest. It is the utilization of water in this less physically fit than public school region that has led to many different children because homeschool children do studies and opinions. Water is the not participate in regular physical lifeblood to all humans both directly and education and therefore do not receive indirectly. It sustains life by both providing the education about fundamental one of the most necessary resources of the human body, but by also growing and 12

aiding in the production of the food that is this, I compare four states that are required to provide for an ever-growing located in rural areas in different regions world population. The importance of this of the United States. I aim to compare natural resource has led individuals to legislation in two state groupings, Kansas look at current uses of water the effect of & Nebraska and Vermont & New the human population on this resource. Hampshire, to see how legislation and The recent depletion along with the recent geography effect public opinion, resolution of the Kansas v. Nebraska enactment of consolidation and academic Supreme Court Case provides evidence success in these regions. magnifying the problem of high water consumption within the Midwest and Poster 28 – Jessa Schultis beyond. This study will serve as a Mentor: Dr. Peter Longo comparative analysis of water conflict Title: Ecotourism In Costa Rica and the resolution in the United States and Great Plains around the world. It will specifically investigate and deliberate the conflict and Ecotourism is a popular way to bring in resolution that helps to guide peaceful money into an area as well as protect and resolution of territorial conflict. This poster preserve threatened environments. Costa will help to establish the importance of Rica is often considered the “poster child” resource management in the United of ecotourism, as it has rich biodiversity, a States, show data of current and past legal framework for environmental resource use, and illustrate the protection, and infrastructure for tourists. importance of conflict resolution in natural The Great Plains of the United States has resource and territorial disputes. also utilized ecotourism for such attractions such as rivers, waterfalls, and Poster 27 – Jackson Porter prairieland. This paper will compare the Mentor: Dr. Peter Longo evolution of ecotourism in Costa Rica and Title: School Consolidations: Comparing the Great Plains to better explain why it the Effects of Geography and was pursued and what have been the Legislation on Consolidation and effects for both regions. Academic Success Poster 29 – Elisabeth Tryselius School consolidations have caused mixed Mentor: Dr. Satoshi Machida emotions throughout the United States in Title: Midwest preparedness for climate the modern era of school consolidations. change Factors such as the effect on community wellness and potentially cost saving have Climate change and global warming are been historically factored in when forecast to affect living conditions and analyzing potential consolidations in the basic economic foundations across the past. In this paper I look at some lesser world. Some countries, and areas within discussed factors in consolidations and countries, have already had to adapt to how they may influence the ultimate changes in their environment and others decision on whether or not to consolidate have seen new weather trends emerging. and the nature of the consolidation. To do The issue is particularly significant for a 13 state like Nebraska which is so heavily district plan by popular vote, the dependent on agriculture and could be proportional plan, and ways to bind severely affected by climate change. This electors to the popular vote. The results project looks at how states in the Midwest show strong third party potential to gain of the United States have assessed and electoral votes under the first three responded to the challenges their states methods. In addition, in the majority of face due to global warming and changes elections no candidate would have to the climate. A well-researched analysis received the electoral votes necessary to of different future scenarios, coupled with win the nomination (235 votes) and the a supported action plan, can help mitigate election decision would be decided by the the human and economic costs of climate House of Representatives as outlined in change. By comparing the preparedness the Twelfth Amendment to the United across states in the Midwest, the project States Constitution. helps to increase knowledge about ways to forecast the future impact of climate change, responses to confront the Psychology challenge, and strategies to garner local support. Poster 31 – Jacob Andreasen Mentor: Dr. Evan Hill Title: Sulcata Tortoise (Centrochelys Poster 30 – Caitlin Williams sulcata) T-Maze Trials Mentor: Dr. Joan Blauwkamp Title: Election Results for Alternative This research will develop a procedure for Methods to the Electoral College testing the hearing of the Sulcata tortoise (Centrochelys sulcate). T-mazes have Reform of the current Electoral College been a very useful way to train animals to method of electing the President of the respond to certain stimuli. Sulcata United States has been a topic of tortoises are being used due to a lack of discussion among the public and scholars previous research with this species. This for quite some time. Last semester I species is of interest due to their presented on the criticisms of the evolutionary old lineage, and may shed Electoral College such as: normative insight on learning and sensory failures for not representing the one processes in reptiles. Noises will be person, one vote democratic principle and presented randomly from one of two sides giving states more power based on their of the T-maze. The tortoise will respond population size. But what would happen if to the sound by going to the side where we changed the current method of noise was being played. This response election to an alternative? Who would win will indicate whether Sulactas can detect and would the biases differ or be the signal being presented. After making eliminated? I backtrace using voting data a correct decision, determined by the from government entities to find the direction in which the tortoise indicates potential outcomes of the 1992, 1996, the sound was presented, a food reward 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 will be made accessible. This test will elections using the direct popular vote, help to determine the different capabilities 14 of hearing this species may have. These predicts a positive relationship between findings can then lead to an time spent on social media, screen time, understanding of the origins of hearing. and FoMO. One study found that people who rank high on extraversion were more Poster 32 – Miranda Cormaci likely to send time on social media Co-Author – Shelby Study compared to individuals who rank high on Mentor: Dr. Megan Strain emotionally stability (Correa, Hinsley, & Title: #masculinitysofragile: Effects of Gil de Zuniga, 2010). This study predicts exposure to rape humor on men’s a positive relationship between responses to anti-masculinity social extraversion, openness, agreeability, and media posts conscientiousness and FoMO, and negative relationship between emotional After exposing men to either subversive stability and FoMO. This study also looks or reinforcing rape humor, or neutral at loneliness as a possible factor of humor, we asked for their evaluations of experiencing FoMO. Loneliness is defined social media posts that targeted as a self-perceived state in which a masculinity. We hypothesized that men person’s social network is smaller and/or exposed to reinforcing rape jokes would less satisfying than anticipated (Jones, provide more negative evaluations, and 1981). Past research suggests than an express more negative attitudes toward individual engages in social media to women who have been raped. avoid experiencing loneliness (Przybylski et al., 2013). Given this relationship as Poster 33 – Lauren Messbarger well as the relationship between FoMO Mentor: Dr. Julie Lanz and social media (Baker et al., 2016), we Title: Examining the Relationship between predicted a negative relationship between Fear of Missing Out and Social FoMO and loneliness. This study will Media have a maximum of 100 University of Nebraska-Kearney students age 19 and The goal of this study is to examine the above. The study will be conducted online relationships among screen time use, through Qualtrics. We will examine social media use, fear of missing out, correlations and independent samples t- personality, and loneliness in college tests to examine personality and gender students. Screen time has increased in differences in FoMO. the last decade (Sillence et al., 2007), this includes time spent on social media as Poster 34 – Andrew Riesenberg well (Baker, Krieger, & LeRoy, 2016). Mentor: Dr. William Wozniak Fear of missing out is defined as “a Title: Effects of Pet Ownership on pervasive apprehension that others might Empathy be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent” (Przybylski, There have been numerous studies on Murayama, DeHaan, Gladwell, 2014, p. the effects of pet ownership on empathy 1841). Past research suggests that FoMO in children. For example, Vidovic, Štetic, is related to an increase in social media and Bratko (1999) found that, for 4th, 6th use (see Baker et al., 2016). This study and 8th graders, pet owners were 15

significantly more empathic and related to human empathy. This research prosocially oriented. The purpose of this has important applications for research was to investigate how a college understanding the interactions and student’s attachment and commitment to relationships between people, and how to pets they owned as a child influence their improve empathy and reduce antisocial level of empathy toward animals and behaviors. human beings. Scores for attachment and commitment to pets, as well as empathy Poster 35 – Sarah Strawn toward animals and humans were Mentor: Dr. Evan Hill assessed using survey questionnaires Title: An investigation of the auditory administered to 63 Psychology students. I abilities of the common quail also collected demographic information, (Coturnix coturnix) including a description of their childhood pets. Pearson correlations were used to The purpose of this study is to determine examine the relationships between 7 the hearing range of the common quail. scores: self-reported attachment, self- Previous research yielded an unusual reported commitment, combined self- audibility curve that did not identify the reported attachment and commitment, the organisms entire hearing range (Niemiec, Miller-Rada (Staats, Miller, Carnot, Rada, Raphael, & Moody, 1994). The animals and Turnes 1996) pet attachment scale, were trained using a standard the Miller-Rada (Staats, Miller, Carnot, psychophysical procedure; they pressed Rada, and Turnes 1996) pet commitment a button for access to food then withheld scale, the Paul (2000) empathy toward this response in the presence of a tone. animals scale, and the Mehrabian and The tone was then systematically varied Epstein (1972) empathy toward humans in frequency and intensity until a hearing scale. Analysis showed statistically limit was determined. The resulting significant correlations among most of the audiogram is similar to that of other birds measures. However, there were no tested using the same procedure. significant correlations between the measures of pet attachment and empathy Poster 36 – Shelby Study toward humans. The lack of relationship Mentors: Dr. Megan Strain & Dr. Chris between pet attachment and human Waples empathy may be that college students Title: Beyond purity: conceptualizing tend to be more attached to animals than feminine honor by examining they are empathetic to humans because women's success in other domains animals are perceived to not have as much responsibility for their unfavorable We conducted a confirmatory factor situations as humans. However, the analysis to examine the underlying strong correlation between animal structure of items developed in our empathy and human empathy needs previous phase of research in feminine further investigation. Further analyses will honor scale development. Two subscales investigate the difference between the emerged showing strong model fit, which measures of animal empathy and animal assess attitudes toward the success of attachment and why they are differentially 16 women in communal and agentic For example, Bingo and Exercises domains. showed significantly more Deliberate Body Movement as compared to Poster 37 – Mark C Veale Manicures and Devotions. Manicures had Mentor: Dr. Robert Rycek higher levels of Vocalization and Initiation Title: The Well-being of Persons With of Interaction than the other activities. The Dementia During Varuious Activities hypothesis that PWDs would show the least well-being during Unstructured Time Dementia is a debilitating disorder with no was partially supported. During cure and few treatment options. The Unstructured Time and Devotions, number of Persons With Dementia participants scored similarly low on the (PWDs) is estimated to double every PRS. The low score during Unstructured twenty years for the foreseeable future Time is harmonious with an established (Prince, et al., 2013). With limited body of research (Brooker, & Duce, 2000; resources to accommodate the large and Schreiner, Yamamoto, & Shiotani, 2005), growing number of PWDs, knowledge of but the low score during Devotions, a which activities are the most beneficial structured activity, was unexpected. becomes valuable. In the present study, the well-being of PWDs was observed and measured during various activities Social Work (devotions, exercises, bingo, manicures, and unstructured time). It was Poster 38 – Kato Craig hypothesized that there would be a Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Malczyk difference between the well-being Title: Competency-Based Education and displayed by PWDs during each activity Waiver Exams: A Look at Social and that during unstructured time would Work Education display the least well-being. Twenty-four participants (2 male, 22 female) at a long- Social work education has shown a term care facility specializing in dementia commitment to competency based care were video recorded during activities education (CBE) since 2008. One already being offered by the facility. iteration of CBE is the use of waiver Participants were then measured using exams. Little research has been done to the Positive Response Schedule for analyze the use of waiver exams in social Severe Dementia (PRS), which measures work education. This research sought to well-being based on seven behaviors and answer two questions. How many three emotions (Perrin, 1997). The accredited programs allow for testing out hypothesis that there would be a in any social work courses? If so, which difference in the well-being displayed courses can students test out of? between activities was not supported All accredited social work programs listed when looking for amounts well-being on the CSWE website were contacted by produced, as seen in overall scores. email, and asked the two questions However, when looking at individual above. Out of the 777 programs emailed, behaviors, it appears there are differential including both BSW and MSW, 496 patterns of responding across activities. responded. Out of the 496 respondents, 17

47 said they did allow testing out in some companies and medical practitioners; this course. The study finds that 10% of is causing catastrophic substance abuse accredited social work programs allow for addictions that influence individuals and testing out. However, the benefits of CBE families across all socioeconomic, seem to be negated by the practices of cultural, and geographic lines. The rise in these organizations. It was found that the opiate addiction has spread across the programs that allowed testing out, United States and has acted as an required students to take a course in lieu impetus for new discussions on alternate of the one tested out of. This policy approaches to drug use and abuse. This suggests that there is no benefit to the research project explored alternative tests and may affect turnout. The approaches to mass incarceration and implications found suggest that the use of overly-punitive War on Drugs policies. waiver exams may be infringed by the Specifically, the research examined an tendency to force the student to take innovative approach in Gloucester, other courses as an unnecessary Massachusetts which provides treatment replacement. Requiring students to take based alternatives to incarceration for additional electives does not reduce the individuals addicted to opiates. The financial burden or recognize student analysis examines both the substance of competence. Rather than discouraging this program as well as the factors and testing out, social work education should actors that led to the adoption of the embrace it. Allowing testing out potentially program. While it is still too early to benefits nontraditional students, examine outcomes of the program, the particularly those who are older and research discusses the potential benefits completing school with an abundance of of the program, especially in comparison life and work experience. Utilizing testing to alternate approaches to substance out in social work education could lead to abuse and addiction similar to those a more diverse and representative group found in Portugal. The research posits of social work professionals. that decriminalization of drug use in conjunction with evidenced based Poster 39 – Sherah Dickinson practices such as rehabilitative programs Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Malczyk will help reduce stigma, decrease Title: Police Assisting Addicts Towards government costs and strengthen families Recovery that have been affected by substance abuse disorders. The War on Drugs has resulted in the mass incarceration of millions of nonviolent drug offenders. The tolls of this war have resulted in broken families and futures and in the disparate treatment of minority and disadvantaged groups. These issues have been further aggravated by the push of prescription opioids such as OxyContin and hydrocodone by pharmaceutical 18

bacterium that causes diphtheria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which Natural & affects underdeveloped countries that do not have as widespread vaccinations. The Physical objective is to determine an inhibitor that works specifically against this bacterium. The structure will then be analyzed with Sciences X-ray crystallography to determine how the inhibitor docks to the diphtheria variation of LeuRS. The research in this Biology area could potentially lead to the development of a treatment for a disease Poster 40 – Katelin Arndt that still affects many people around the Mentor: Dr. Rachel Hellmann Whitaker world. Title: Discovery of Antimicrobials that are Targeted Against Leucyl-tRNA Poster 41 – Tyan Boyer synthetases Co-Author – Brittney Adams Mentor: Dr. Nate Bickford Antibiotics are essential to modern Title: Heated vs. Non-heated Water in an medicine. However, with an increasing Aquaponics System prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, there is a need to find an Attention must be brought to the current alternative to broad-spectrum antibiotics. agricultural tactics being used and the One possibility is to create an food crisis and how to solve these antimicrobial that targets proteins unique problems. Aquaponics can help solve to specific organisms. This antimicrobial some of the food crisis that's impacting would more efficiently eradicate our world. Aquaponics is the combination pathogenic bacteria while preserving the of aquaculture and hydroponics, two well- natural flora of the human body and avoid known farming techniques. Aquaculture is emerging resistances. This project’s aim the farming of fish, shellfish, and different is to inhibit the enzyme Leucyl-tRNA types of aquatic plans, and hydroponics is synthetase (LeuRS). LeuRS belongs to a a farming technique that grows plants family of enzymes which checks and without soil. However, each technique corrects mistakes after the process of presents us with problems. Some protein translation in cells. Without LeuRS problems outweigh others. and its related enzymes, cells quickly Aquaculture’s main problem is the high become damaged and die. This project amounts of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites aims to improve upon previous studies on that are in the water from the wastes the broad LeuRS inhibitors in order to target fish give off; there is no filter to remove the enzyme in specific bacterial species. the wastes from the water and often that Various inhibitors will be tested to nutrient rich water is released into river determine their effectiveness when systems polluting them. Hydroponics exposed to different organisms. My takes a large amount of fresh water due section of the project focuses on the to the nutrient loading of the water. The 19 nutrient loading is due to the use of the examined the use of large wooden, small industrial fertilizer. Aquaponics alleviates wooden and metal cover objects in Harlan these problems by using plants to remove County in south-central Nebraska. Our the nitrates out of the water, cleaning the objectives were to examine which species water before it returns to the fish. occur in the area and which cover object The variable tested was production is the best for documenting the most effects of room temperature tanks vs. species. We also wanted to examine if heated tanks. The heated tanks were kept this methods would detect a rare species at roughly 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The of lizard known from the area. Studies idea behind the variable being tested is were conducted at the Alma Municipal that fish will perform better in warmer Airport and near Harlan County Reservoir water. Ideally, better fish performance will from April 2016 to October 2016. We yield in better plant production. concluded that cover object type affects Data showed no noticeable difference in the total animals observed as well as the nutrient reading and fish survival rate. encounter rates, with the most species Heated and non-heated tanks both and greatest abundance of individuals yielded poor results with tomatoes; only observed under large wooden cover three out of the 20 possible tomato plants objects. Thus far, we observed ?? survived to harvest ability. The heated species of reptiles, but we have yet to tanks resulted in more favorable observe slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus. conditions, producing more pepper plants. attenuatus), which is a species of interest Nine of the pepper plants in the heated in the area. tanks produced fruit while only 6 pepper plants in the non-heated tanks produced Poster 43 – Breana Dobesh fruit. Mentor: Dr. Nate Bickford Title: Diet Selection and Hunting Territory Poster 42 – Mikalah Brown of Red-Tailed Hawks in South- Mentor: Dr. Keith Geluso Central Nebraska Title: Effects of Cover-Object Size and Material in Detecting Herpetofauna We are trapping small mammals in in Southern Nebraska: Searching habitats such as ditches and pastures of for Glass Lizard a farm in south-central Nebraska. We are trying to correlate the location and habitat To examine community dynamics of of these prey with the effect of hunting reptiles and amphibians, researchers availability for local predatory birds. Our require a robust and standardized method objective is to identify the ideal hunting for documenting the biodiversity of all territory for these birds, mainly local Red- species in a designated area or habitat. tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). We are One such method involves using artificial setting 100 Sherman traps in 4 rows, cover objects that individuals hide under each row being in a different location for safety from predators or weather. within the property. Every row will contain Cover object can consist of different types 25 Sherman traps, each baited with bird of materials such as plywood, tar paper, seed and oatmeal. The traps will be and metal sheets. In this study, we placed ten paces apart, totaling around 20

250 ft. of distance for a single row. Poster 45 – Kayla Francis Trapping trials will be 3 days long 5 Mentor: Dr. Keith Geluso weeks each season. Traps will be baited Title: Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea and set on Tuesday mornings, checked blandingii) near Ravenna, and reset on Wednesday afternoons, Nebraska: Road Mortalities and checked and reset on Thursday Captures mornings, and then checked and collected on Friday afternoons. When the Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) traps are being checked, the trapped prey have been affected by habitat is first transferred to a plastic bag to be fragmentation and road mortalities to the scruffed and marked on the back of the point that they are being considered to be neck with a blue marker. This will allow us listed under the Endangered Species Act. to perform mark and recapture to In Nebraska, the largest known estimate population numbers. The population of the species occurs species and size of prey is recorded, throughout the Sandhill Region of the along with the trap number. The marked state associated with shallow lakes and prey is then released and the traps are re- marshes. However, the current status of baited and set. We will develop maps and most Blanding’s turtle populations in analysis of where certain small mammals Nebraska is unknown as most records are located and how it correlates to are decades old. We examined the habitat type. population status of Blanding’s turtles near Ravenna, Nebraska, in Buffalo Poster 44 – Marcus Fox County. Summer road surveys and Mentors: Dr. Nate Bickford, Dr. Marc trapping surveys did not show any Albrecht & Dr. Dustin Ranglack evidence of an extant population near Title: Methods of Bioremediation Ravenna in 2016. Due to a lack of observations, we amassed and compiled We are trying identify the best methods a literature review of natural history for for using plants and fungus as a the species since 1973, when the last bioremediation agent on nutrient polluted comprehensive literature review was water systems. The long-term goal is to published. More surveys are warranted observe different species of fungi in water across Nebraska to delineate its current with nutrients and organic pollutants to distribution and population status. identify the best fungus for bioremediation. We will also work with Poster 46 – Isabella Gomez plants to identify whether terrestrial plants Co-Authors – Nicole Pauley & Sitong or aquatic plants are more capable of Liu removing nutrient pollution. This semester Mentor: Dr. Bryan Drew we will use lettuce and duckweed. The Title: Is Agastache cusickii (Lamiaceae) a chemical levels will be tested in the water distinct species? so we can see the rate of uptake by the lettuce and the duckweed. Agastache is a genus in the Lamiaceae (mint family) consisting of 22 perennial species. Lamiaceae are used worldwide 21

for aromatic and medicinal purposes. portions of the United States and winter in Species of Agastache are separated into Central America. They both migrate two sections: Brittonastrum and through and breed in Nebraska. The Chiastandra. The number of recognized purpose of this project was to help wildlife Agastache species has fluctuated widely, managers who oversee land that is used and many have moved taxonomically, by populations of Orchard Orioles and resulting in contradicting information other migratory songbirds to make about the delimitations of many species decisions that maximize the health of within the genus. The purpose of this those populations while minimizing cost. research project is to determine if More specifically, our goal was to Agastache cusickii (Lamiaceae) is a facilitate accurate assessment of habitat distinct species, or whether it is just an quality. Past studies have demonstrated ecological variant of the widespread A. that the blood plasma concentrations of urticifolia. Agastache cusickii is known by two molecules that are involved in fat the common name of Cusick’s giant metabolism—namely triglycerides and β- hyssop and is found only on isolated hydroxybutyrate—serve as reliable mountain peaks scattered across Idaho, indicators of whether a bird is adequately Oregon, Montana, and Nevada. nourished or not. By extension, the levels Specimens of Agastache urticifolia, A. of these molecules are indicators of the cusickii, A. parvifolia, A. occidentalis, A. quality of the habitat in which the bird has foeniculum were collected and obtained recently been feeding. Useful as this from herbariums. Subsequently, DNA was metabolite technique has proven to be, it extracted, sequenced, and sent away to must be applied carefully. Multiple be further analyzed in a lab. After variables that have little to do with habitat analyzing the DNA of the Agastache quality—including the age of the bird and species, we were able to determine if the time of day—can have significant each species is truly genetically different effects on the metabolite levels. or similar. Studying species that are not Moreover, there can be significant well known is important because new differences in metabolite profiles between uses may be discovered and these efforts species, even those within the same can also inform conservation efforts; genus. Bearing the above in mind, we Agastache cusickii is currently listed as captured 51 Orchard Orioles during the threatened in Montana, Idaho, and spring migration season of 2016. A Oregon. triglyceride assay was run on samples from 26 individuals, and a β- Poster 47 – Luke Hamilton hydroxybutyrate assay was run on Co-Authors – Emma Keele & Marika samples from 8 individuals. Both chemical Van Brocklin assays were run on samples from 6 Mentor: Dr. Letitia Reichart individuals that provided sufficient Title: Variation of Plasma Levels of Two volumes of plasma. Our hope is that the Lipid Metabolites in Orchard Orioles results of this study will be useful to future research on metabolism in orioles by Orchard Orioles are songbirds that breed clarifying which confounding variables throughout the eastern and central have significant effects on metabolite 22 levels and how those effects should be tetra-substituted cyclobutanes (dimers). taken into account during data analysis. The dimers generated so far show positive response in suppressing Poster 48 – Megan Hunke formalin-induced acute pain in mice hind Co-Author – Alaini Priebe paw while the monomers were ineffective. Mentor: Dr. Surabhi Chandra The antinociceptive effect of these Title: Synthesis and characterization of analogs was observed in the antinociceptive properties of novel inflammatory phase suggesting a primary derivatives of the active compound, non-opioid mechanism for pain reduction. Incarvillateine, from the Chinese Our further characterization and selection herb (Incarvillateine sinesis) of INCA analogs (with predominant A3AR - adenosine receptor action) will help us Commonly used pain medications, to generate a new class of opioids and non-steroidal anti- antinociceptives with precise chemical inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly modifications using CMP methodology. efficacious for treating chronic pain and The broad goal of this project is to provide post-surgical pain, but are associated with a targeted low-cost approach towards neurological and abdominal side effects. synthesis of novel analgesics with potent This has necessitated research for action, high efficiency, and minimal alternative pain treatment strategies to aftereffects. investigate drugs with potent action but minimal side effects. Incarvillateine Poster 49 – Dawson Johnson (INCA), derived from the Chinese herb Co-Authors – Audrey Codina, Derek Incarvillea sinensis, has been widely used Kleier in traditional medicine for treating Mentor: Dr. Dawn Simon rheumatism and pain. There are reports Title: Intron degeneration in the lichen that though INCA binds to both opioid and fungi Teloschistes chrysophthalmus adenosine receptors, its primary analgesic action is through the adenosine Introns are ubiquitous in eukaryotes and receptors, thus having minimal side can have serious deleterious effects for effects on central nervous system. While the host organism. For example, improper INCA is a highly effective natural splicing of introns in humans has been compound, research on synthetic analogs implicated in an estimated 1/3 of all of this compound has received less genetic disease. While they can have a attention till date. We hypothesized that variety of functions in modern eukaryotes, INCA analogs show potent they likely initially arose as purely selfish antinociceptive action, and their effect is elements. We are interested in mediated through adenosine receptor understanding this process. In particular, action. Compounds were synthesized we are focused on spliceosomal introns using novel cavitand-mediated that are found in nuclear ribosomal RNA photodimerization (CMP) method, which (nrRNA). These introns are largely utilizes a macromolecule (g-cyclodextrin) restricted to lichen-forming fungi, to control the excited state reactivity of suggesting a recent origin which makes photoactive compounds to yield target their evolutionary history much more 23 tractable than most spliceosomal introns. complete the remaining portion of their We specifically hypothesize that nrRNA migration. Birds able to maintain lipids spliceosomal introns arise from throughout migration are more likely to degeneration of group I ribozymes, which breed successfully following migration. are also common in nrRNA genes in We developed an assay to detect lichen-forming fungi. Here we focus on Triglyceride (TRIG) and Beta- one position in the small subunit (SSU) in Hydroxybutyrate (BUTY) concentrations the lichen-forming fungi Teloschistes in blood plasma for Baltimore Orioles chrysophthalmus. This position has (Icterus galbula) (BAOR) captured during introns of varying lengths, all of which the spring migration of May - June 2015 contain sequences typical of spliceosomal and 2016. Lipid metabolism in each introns and many also have potential species is variable, thus baseline secondary structures typical of group I information must be collected for each ribozymes. The overall objective of the species captured. We captured BAOR study is to discover additional introns that using mist nets outside of Gibbon, NE to represent intermediate steps in the collect blood samples within ten minutes transition from group I ribozymes to of capture from the brachial vein. We spliceosomal introns. Here, we use an collected 101 plasma samples in 2015 expanded set of introns, collected from and 157 in 2016. From 2015, we used a samples across much of the North subset of 36 samples to analyze TRIG American geographic range of T. and BUTY. Mean TRIG Serum was 0.048 chrysophthalmus to provide evidence of (mM) ± 0.039 (SD). Mean BUTY was degeneration both in secondary structure 0.213 (mM) ± 0.129 (SD). We are and in vivo splicing. The project described currently running assays from the was supported by grants from the summer of 2016 and will analyze the National Center for Research Resources data. Results from this study will be used (5P20RR016469) and the National to formulate new testable hypotheses Institute for General Medical Science regarding lipid metabolism for BAOR that (8P20GM103427), a component of the use south central Nebraska as a National Institutes of Health. migratory stopover site.

Poster 50 – Emma Keele Poster 51 – Sierra Kline Mentor: Dr. Letitia Reichart Co-Author – Amber Menard Title: Measurement of Triglyceride and Mentor: Dr. Austin Nuxoll Beta-Hydroxybutyrate in Baltimore Title: Identifying the Mechanism of Orioles (Icterus galbula), a Staphylococcus epidermidis Migratory Songbird in South Central Persister Formation Through EMS Nebraska. Mutagenisis

South central Nebraska is an important Staphylococcus epidermidis is a gram- migratory stopover site because birds use positive, coagulase-negative it for resting and refueling their fat stores. staphylococci that is typically found on Acquiring lipids on stopover sites is human skin and is one of the most especially important to allow birds to common infections found in implants and 24 catheters. Antibiotic treatment of these activity. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) robust infections often fails leading to are part of the innate immune system and chronic relapsing infections. This is have a similar mechanism to antibiotics. thought to be mediated through persister Human β-defensin 3 (hBD-3) and the cells. Persisters are dormant variants of cathelicidin, LL-37, have been shown to regular cells that form in microbial have strong antimicrobial activity against populations and are highly tolerant to S. aureus. While both have strong antibiotics. Antibiotic tolerance in antimicrobial activity, the method of killing Staphylococcus epidermidis remains differs between the two classes of AMPs. unstudied despite important implications hBD-3 targets lipid II in cell wall for human health. To identify the biosynthesis in a similar mechanism as mechanism of persister formation we the antibiotic vancomycin. LL-37 performed random mutagenesis by resembles the mechanism generally treating cultures with ethyl associated with AMPs by forming a pore methanesulfonate (EMS). Following EMS in the bacterial membrane. Recent work mutagenesis, we enriched the culture for has shown that decreased TCA cycle persister cells. Specifically, we challenged activity confers tolerance to vancomycin. cultures with two antibiotics, ciprofloxacin Furthermore, a decrease in TCA cycle and vancomycin to select for mutations activity leads to reduced membrane with increased antibiotic tolerance.. potential. Membrane potential is required Following several rounds of selecting for LL-37 mediated pore formation. Based mutants with increased tolerance, we will on these observations, we hypothesize S. send genomic DNA for whole genome aureus confers antimicrobial peptide sequencing. We also will measure ATP in tolerance via decreased TCA cycle enriched cells to determine whether the activity. To address this hypothesis we mechanism of persister formation is infected C. elegans with wild type S. energy dependent similar to what has aureus and a TCA cycle mutant. been observed in S. aureus. These Specifically, C. elegans was monitored for experiments will identify underlying survival over a 15-day period. In addition, genetic changes responsible for the surviving S. aureus wild type and the TCA increased persister phenotype. cycle mutant were enumerated in live C. elegans following the 15-day infection. Poster 52 – Morgan Lee We will analyze and present the results of Mentor: Dr. Austin Nuxoll the C. elegans infection. Title: Examination of Staphylococcus aureus persister mechanisms in C. Poster 53 – Sitong Liu elegans Mentor: Dr. Bryn Drew Title: Phylogenetics and Divergence Staphylococcus aureus causes a Times within Monardella multitude of diseases in humans such as (Lamiaceae) skin infections, toxic shock syndrome, endocarditis, and bacteremia. It has been Monardella is an aromatic flowering plant previously shown S. aureus is tolerant to genus within the plant family Lamiaceae antibiotics through decreased TCA cycle (mints) that contains about 40 species 25 and has a center of distribution in the reach the top. The number of flies California Floristic Province. The genus is crossing the threshold line were recorded taxonomically complex, and many as were the dead flies. Longevity curves species within the genus possess narrow were created and examined using and or relictual distributions. In addition, Student’s paired t-tests with p < 0.05. The several taxa are threatened by urban data demonstrate that Nora virus infected development. This project will investigate flies are slower than uninfected flies, relationships within Monardella and also supporting a relationship between assess how the genus has radiated within geotaxis and locomotor dysfunction in and from California. Furthermore, a infected flies. Also, the viral load was phylogenetic framework of Monardella will determined via qRT-PCR. The data be instrumental in other ongoing studies demonstrate a bimodal curve for viral regarding the timing and origin of RNA infection with Nora virus has not California Floristic Province Madrean been previously determined. Overall, a lineages. better understanding of Nora virus may give us insight into other viruses in the Poster 54 – Amanda McCown picornavirus family. The project described Co-Author – Abby Benz was supported by grants from the Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Carlson National Center for Research Resources Title: Relationship Between Locomotor (5P20RR016469) and the National Function and Nora Virus Infection in Institute for General Medical Science Drosophila Melanogaster (8P20GM103427), a component of the National Institutes of Health. Nora virus is a member of the picornavirus family that infects Drosophila Poster 55 – Amber Menard melanogaster with no known pathogenic Mentor: Dr. Austin Nuxoll effects. One possible pathogenic effect of Title: Persister Formation in Nora virus that has not been studied is Staphylococcus epidermidis Clinical locomotor ability. In a previous small Isolates study, geotaxis assays and longevity curves demonstrated a significant Staphylococcus epidermidis is a gram- decrease in geotaxis when the D. positive bacterium that colonizes human melanogaster were infected with Nora skin. Most people have a benign virus. In this study, Nora virus relationship with it. However, a few infected/uninfected flies were tested, as demographics including well as Drosophila C Virus (DCV) infected immunocompromised and elderly flies and the number of cages, flies, and individuals are at risk as it can lead to treatment groups expanded. Four cages more serious complications such as per treatment group were marked with a sepsis and endocarditis. Infections are line two thirds from the bottom of the cage commonly seen on internal devices such and 60 virgin female flies were placed in as joint replacements, catheters, and each of the cages. Every third day since prosthetic heart valves. Antibiotic cage establishment, the flies were tapped treatment is often unsuccessful, leading to the bottom and given one minute to to chronic, relapsing infections with a poor 26 patient prognosis. Furthermore, these condition are still under investigation. infections are often mediated by antibiotic Cellular polyamines can modulate normal susceptible strains. A likely explanation and cancer cell growth, and can be for these observations is persister cells synthesized from multiple sources are causing treatment failure. High including endogenous amino acid persister isolates have been shown to precursors, diet and through degradation. occur in other microbial pathogens such Inhibition of polyamines can provide as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and protection against diabetes in mouse Candida albicans. Recent work in the models. It is not known however whether related pathogen, S. aureus, elevation of polyamines in diabetes is demonstrates persister formation is linked to cancer advancement. Thus, we dependent on energy depletion. hypothesized that high glucose stimulated Therefore, we hypothesize that persister polyamine production causes increased formation is dependent on decreased proliferation of breast cancer cells. energy production through the Proliferation studies were performed with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. We varying concentrations of glucose (5mM- examined whether high persister isolates 25mM) treatment on MCF-7 (early stage) could commonly be found among strains and MDA-MB-231 cells (advanced stage) isolated from human infections and breast cancer cells. Though there was a indeed is the case. High persister isolates significant increase in cell proliferation are commonly found among S. with HG (25mM) in both cell lines, MDA- epidermidis clinical isolates. We then MB-231 cells showed this effect at 72hr measured ATP concentrations in these compared to longer incubation time with isolates to determine whether the MCF7 cells (96-120hr). Inhibitor of observed phenotype was dependent on polyamine synthesis decreased energy levels. We will analyze (difluoromethylornithine, DFMO, 5mM) these data and present the findings of the significantly suppressed cell proliferation ATP assay. observed with HG (25 mM). Protein levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the Poster 56 – M. Jane Morwitzer enzyme required for polyamine synthesis, Mentor: Dr. Surahbi Chandra was also elevated with HG treatment but Title: Rapid progression of breast cancer the levels were restored to normal cell proliferation in diabetes: Role of glucose (5mM) conditions upon treatment polyamines with DFMO. Our findings indicate that advanced stage breast cancer cells Diabetes and cancer are comorbid proliferate rapidly in hyperglycemic states conditions with a heavy toll on human life compared to early stage breast cancer worldwide. Several cancer subtypes cells, and that polyamines are involved in (pancreatic, breast, liver, and colorectal) the transition to advance stage of cancer. rapidly advance to higher stages and even metastasize in diabetic states. Though high blood glucose levels have been considered as fuel for growth of cancer cells, pathways leading to this 27

Poster 57 – Makayla Nemecek possessed their normal microbiota Co-Authors – Rebecca Best, Shelby suggests that Nora virus does not Peters, Carlie Prososki & Lesley enhance longevity, but microbiota is Towery needed when virus is present to live. Mentors: Dr. Kimberly Carlson, Dr. Brad However, data suggested that when no L. Ericson & Darby J. Carlson virus is present, microbiota can actually Title: Pathogenicity of Nora Virus in hinder the longevity of D. melanogaster. Germ-Free Drosophila This suggests that Nora virus may not be Melanogaster needed to maintain a healthy gut microbiota and microbiota may only be Microbiota in mammalian species plays a beneficial when Nora virus is present, but key role in the presence of further testing is needed. The project gastrointestinal viruses. This is also true described was supported by grants from for invertebrate species. One such the National Center for Research invertebrate virus that replicates in the gut Resources (5P20RR016469) and the and may have a connection with healthy National Institute for General Medical microbiota is Drosophila melanogaster Science (8P20GM103427), a component Nora virus. Nora virus is a picornavirus of the National Institutes of Health that exhibits fecal-oral transmission, and demonstrates persistent infection without Poster 58 – Bryan O’Connor any characterized pathogenicity. These Mentor: Dr. Dustin Ranglack characteristics, along with data that Title: Effects of Environmental and demonstrates the microbiota of the gut of Anthropogenic Landscape Features both vertebrate and invertebrate species on Harvest of Mule Deer in may be dependent upon persistent viral Nebraska infection, led us to hypothesize that Nora virus may be important in maintaining a Understanding the habitat selection of healthy gut microbiota in D. melanogaster wildlife species is important for wildlife allowing them to live longer. Germ free management. The state of Nebraska has Drosophila were generated with the use many different habitat types, though the of antibiotics and divided into four majority is covered by rangeland and separate treatment groups: Nora virus cropland. Additionally, human factors positive/bacteria positive, Nora virus such as urbanization and road density negative/bacteria positive, Nora virus can influence habitat selection. These are negative/bacteria negative, and Nora some of the factors that influence the virus negative/bacteria negative. The habitat selection of mule deer presence of Nora virus was determined (Odocoileus hemionus) in Nebraska. We via RT-PCR. The presence of microbiota modeled which environmental and human was determined by homogenizing D. factors are influencing mule deer harvest melanogaster in Luria broth and plating rates in Nebraska at the county level from on LB agar plates. After all treatment 2014-2016. Spatial analysis in GIS was groups were tested, a longevity study was used to measure potentially influential conducted on each of the conditions. The factors by county. We used a generalized longevity study on the Drosophila that linear model in R to determine which 28

human and environmental factors maintaining homeostasis in birds. During influence mule deer harvest rates. The migration, birds naturally elevate levels of top model included forest habitat, riparian CORT to deal with demands of migration, habitat, road density, time integrated but variation in levels of CORT for NDVI, and terrain roughness. Mule deer individual migratory species is unknown. harvest rates are significantly higher in Understanding inter-individual variation in less forested and more rugged terrain CORT can provide information about (often rangeland) that has fewer roads habitat use and nutrient acquisition for Consequently, this showed that harvest individuals on wintering grounds and rates are expected to be higher in the stopover sites. northwestern portion of the state, which In this study, we measured CORT consists of more intensely rugged terrain. metabolites in feather samples collected Understanding the influence of these from Baltimore Orioles (BAOR), Icterus factors on harvest rates of mule deer can galbula (n=141), during May-June, 2016. be beneficial for wildlife managers, as we We validated an extraction procedure and can assume that areas with higher an enzyme immunoassay useful for estimated harvest support larger mule measuring CORT in BAOR. Next the deer populations and generally concentration of CORT was measured for correspond to mule deer habitat a subset (n=8) of individuals, four ASY preference in Nebraska. This allows for males and four ASY females. Mean efficient allocation of efforts and expenses CORT for males was 307.46pg/mL ± by managers for mule deer population 297.5pg/mL (± standard deviation) and management. mean CORT for females was 253.98pg/mL ± 96.5pg/mL. Additional Poster 59 – Olubusola Oladeji samples will be analyzed to better Mentor: Dr. Letitia Reichart understand potential variation in observed Title: Inter-individual Variation of feather CORT in contour feathers of Corticosterone in Spring Migratory spring migratory BAOR. Results from this Baltimore Orioles study will be used to formulate new testable hypotheses regarding differences Migration is an energetically costly in CORT levels for spring migratory behavior in birds and each spring many BAOR. migrants move north from overwintering grounds. Understanding how physiology Poster 60 – Kaitlyn Oppliger changes prior to migration and during Mentor: Dr. Austin Nuxoll migration can help identify potential Title: Staphylococcus aureus Persister resources that are lacking on wintering Formation during Antimicrobial grounds or along the migratory path. One Peptide Challenge example of a physiological change that occurs in preparation for and during Staphylococcus aureus causes a number migration is increased production of of different infections, ranging from minor Corticosterone (CORT). CORT is known tissue and skin infections to more as the avian stress hormone; however, complex inflections. Antibiotic therapy is most often it plays an important role often unsuccessful against chronic 29 infections, which results in the chronic, which may act as an internal ribosome relapsing infections. Antibiotic treatments entry site (IRES) for the translation of often fail because of two reasons - ORF4. However, this region is not resistance and tolerance. While obviously related to any known IRES antimicrobial peptide resistance to S. sequences. To test this hypothesis, we aureus has been studied, the mechanism designed multiple RT-PCR primers that behind tolerance remains elusive. flank ORF3 and ORF4, and the IRES Tolerance is mediated by persister cells - region. The results suggest that a dormant subpopulation that survives subgenomic RNAs are not being antibiotic challenge. Not much is known produced, but studies are underway to about how the immune system interacts further characterize this region. GFP with persisters and whether they can be constructs designed to test the IRES killed by innate immune compounds. potential of the non-coding region Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) often between ORF3 and ORF4 are currently target bacterial cells in a similar way to being evaluated. RT-PCR reactions antibiotics. We have begun to measure indicate that subgenomic RNAs are not the tolerance of AMPs to S. aureus by being produced. Currently, plasmid enumerating surviving cells over the constructs containing ORF3, the putative course of 48 hours. Also, we have begun IRES sequence, and GFP immediately investigating the mechanism of persister downstream of the IRES are being cell formation in the presence of AMPs. evaluated in S2 cells to further We have found out that S. aureus strains characterize this region. Preliminary with less ATP (less energy) have survived results indicate internal ribosome initiation AMPs better than wild type S. aureus. at the IRES. These results suggest that not only do persisters survive antibiotic treatment but Poster 62 – Jazmin Sanchez also may evade the immune system. Co-Author – Brittney Adams Mentor: Dr. Nate Bickford Poster 61 – Alexis Page Title: A Comparative Study between Mentors: Dr. Kimberly Carlson, Dr. Brad Polyculture of Brussels Sprouts and L. Ericson & Darby J. Carlson Sweet Peppers with Monocultures Title: Characterization of a possible IRES in an Aquaponics System site in the Nora virus genome Aquaponics is the hybrid system of Nora virus is a picorna-like virus that has hydroponics and aquaculture. In this four open reading frames (ORFs). This is system, one can grow and feed fish, and in contrast to other picornaviruses that in turn, they feed the plants. Aquaponics have one long ORF. The coding has many advantages over these other potentials of the ORFs are reasonably two systems, because it will conserve well characterized. ORF3 and 4 are water and recycle nutrients. The objective known to code for the capsid proteins and of this experiment was to determine the ORF1 codes for an RNAi nutrient dynamic differences between a inhibitor. Between ORF3 and ORF4 there monoculture of sweet peppers and a are 85 nucleotides of non-coding RNA, polyculture of Brussels sprouts and sweet 30 peppers in an aquaponics system. Ten showed the largest decreases in aquaponics systems were set up with five nutrients: 93% (N) and 95% (NH3). Tank units containing the monoculture of sweet 3 had the same substrate as tank 4 and peppers and another five units that had had decreases in nutrients of 95% (N) both Brussels sprouts and sweet peppers. and 60% (NH3). Tank 1 and 2 both had Each aquaponics system include tanks gravel substrates. Tank 1 had decreases containing 15 tilapia and tubes to help in nutrients of 87% (N) and 49% (NH3). recirculate the water. The ammonium and Tank 2 had decreases of 91% (N) and nitrate readings were recorded with a 20% (NH3). This data shows that it is LabQuest 2 using the nitrate and possible to decrease (N) and (P) within ammonium ion-selective electrodes. We controlled conditions using found that there was a significant bioremediation. Future experiments will difference between the ammonium and begin to look at replicating our results in nitrate levels between the polycultures of natural environments. sweet peppers and Brussels sprouts and monocultures of sweet peppers. Poster 64 – Elizabeth Thorn Mentor: Dr. Rachel Hellmann Whitaker Poster 63 – Tyler Schnitzler Title: Antimicrobial analysis of E. Coli with Mentor: Dr. Nate Bickford LeuRS enzyme Title: Bioremediation of agricultural wastewater Antibiotic resistance remains an urgent public health concern including the over- The build-up of agricultural waste within usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the Nebraska’s water table has shown the clinical setting as well as in agriculture. need of an organic way to extract it from Through improved processes of contaminated water. These nutrients education for health care providers as produce large algae blooms that create well as continued research aimed at the deadly conditions for reservoirs and discovery of novel antibiotics, researchers humans. The focus of this work is the have been working on understanding and study of bioremediation of excess improving the systematic approach to nutrients in agricultural wastewater with combat the spiked occurrence rates of tomatoes and spinach. Nitrogen (N) and resistance. Through our gained Ammonia (NH3) are both essential knowledge concerning potential elements for the growth and development mechanisms to inhibit these effects, of plants. This study uses the natural analysis and data have shown that the processes of plants to extract nitrogen leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) enzyme and Ammonia for nutrients in a green and is an excellent antibiotic/antimicrobial low maintenance system. These two target in consideration of extraction of the species were planted together in all enzyme, Escherichia coli. LeuRS is an substrates, and water was pumped into essential enzyme structurally distinct and the substrate for nutrient extraction. diverged through a speciation process. Ammonia and Nitrogen readings were For the human LeuRS enzyme to remain checked periodically to get accurate and unaffected, a small molecule inhibitor will linear data. Tank 4(sand/wood substrate) target specifically the bacterial LeuRS 31 enzyme. Furthermore, through our antibiotics such as staphylococcus aureus research findings, we have observed that or ‘Staph’ infection. Thus, antibiotic the structural divergence of LeuRS within resistance is an urgent public health the bacterial domain of life is significant problem. To fight this, improved education and can be manipulated to develop for health care providers as well as species-specific antibiotics. Antibiotics continued research aimed to discover that are targeted against specific-species novel antibiotics is urgently needed. The are superior to broad-spectrum antibiotics leucyl-tRNA sythetase (LeuRS) enzymes because they have the potential to reduce is an excellent antibiotic/antimicrobial antibiotic resistance within bacterial target. This essential enzyme has communities as well as to reduce the structurally diverged through the side-effects associated with antibiotic speciation process such that the bacterial consumption. Therefore, we have LeuRS enzyme can be targeted with a identified leucine analogs of the E. coli small molecule inhibitor while the human species that have the potential to bind to LeuRS enzyme remains unaffected LeuRS and inhibit its function, which (proof-of-concept data is available in would otherwise result in rapid cellular proposal). I have chosen to look dysfunction and death. Analysis of specifically at the bacteria staphylococcus LeuRS:inhibitor binding will be initially aureus. Furthermore, through my analyzed through computational research findings, I have observed that modeling, virtual screening of potential structural divergence of LeuRs within the inhibitors followed by biochemical and bacterial domain of life is significant and NMR analysis. When a successful can be exploited to develop species- LeuRS:inhibitor complex is identified, specific antibiotics. Antibiotics that are structural analysis will be done through X- targeted against specific-species are ray crystallography to characterize superior to broad-spectrum antibiotics inhibitor docking to LeuRS. This multi- because they have the potential to reduce disciplinary approach to antibiotic analysis antibiotic resistance within bacterial and development of the selected E. coli communities as well as to reduce the species has the potential to yield results side-effects associated with consuming to positively impact the medical antibiotics. Therefore, I have identified community. leucine analogs that have the potential to bind to LeuRS and inhibit its function, Poster 65 – Katelyn Unvert which would result in rapid cellular Mentor: Dr. Rachel Hellmann Whitaker dysfunction and death. Analysis of Title: Discovery of Novel Antimicrobials LeuRS: inhibitor binding will be initially that are Targeted Against analyzed through computational Staphylococcus aureus Leucyl- modeling. Virtual screening of potential tRNA synthetases inhibitors will decrease the time needed to conduct wet-lab synthesis and testing. Over the last several decades, the over- The virtual screening process will be usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the followed by biochemical and NMR clinical setting as well as in agriculture analysis. When a successful LeuRs: has led to bacterial resistance to common inhibitor complex has been identified, 32 structural analysis will be done through X- were stored on ice. Plasma was removed ray crystallography to characterize from the remaining blood components inhibitor docking to LeuRS. This multi- and stored at -80°C until analysis. We disciplinary approach to antibiotic collected 141 plasma samples from discovery has the potential to yield BAOR, but used a subset of 30 samples powerful results that will positively impact to analyze for creatine kinase the scientific community. concentrations. We analyzed blood plasma samples for creatine kinase using Poster 66 – Marika Van Brocklin kinetic assays. Mean CK level for BAOR Mentor: Dr. Letitia Reichart was 4583.48 U/L before outliers were Title: Creatine Kinase Levels for removed. We found no significant Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) difference between male and female During Spring Migration in South BAOR CK concentration (t=0.120, df=26, Central Nebraska P=0.905). Results from this study will be used to formulate new testable Migratory birds travel long distances each hypotheses regarding muscle damage year and use of energy stores likely and repair for BAOR during their annual differs between parts of the avian annual cycle. cycle. Our research aims to gain a better understanding of energy use for migratory Poster 67 – Kaitlynn Zitek Balitmore Orioles, Icterus galbula. We Co-Author – Brittney Adams measured the amount of muscle damage Mentor: Dr. Nate Bickford and muscle repair for migratory Baltimore Title: Gravel and fish production: An Orioles (BAOR) in South Central aquaponics story Nebraska. To measure muscle damage and repair, we collected blood samples Aquaponics is a combination of from individual BAOR to determine the aquaculture and hydroponics (Ayer & amount of creatine kinase (CK) in the Tyedmers 2009). Aquaculture is growing blood plasma. Creatine kinase is a aquatic organisms, breeding fish, and plasma metabolite and variation in the growing aquatic plants. Hydroponics is amount of creatine kinase is linked to cultivating plants without soil, which differences in resource use and innate receives added nutrients. Aquaponics genetic variation. Muscle damage is uses an aquatic animal’s waste to provide common in migratory birds that participate nutrients for the plant. In this study we in long-distance flights and the rate at have ten micro aquaponics systems. Five which muscle repair occurs differs among of the systems contained gravel in the individuals. We optimized an assay to bottom of the aquarium, and the other five measure creatine kinase concentrations systems had no gravel in the bottom of in blood plasma for Baltimore Orioles the aquarium. The purpose of this test during spring migration 2016. For this was to identify whether or not gravel project, we analyzed blood samples made a difference in either fish collected from BAOR. We collected blood production, plant growth, aquarium samples within five minutes of capture maintenance or nutrient cycling. This from the brachial vein and then samples study’s results and data will contribute to 33 the developing field of research. The heterocycles, and results for their cross results of the experiment concluded that coupling reactions will be presented. there was a significant difference in plant production, fish growth, and nutrient Poster 69 – Megan Bejot cycling between aquariums with gravel Mentor: Dr. Frank Kovacs and those without gravel. Title: Hem C Micro-plate Assay and Lysine Mutagenesis

Chemistry Hemoglobin is a protein composed of four smaller, globular proteins that reside in Poster 68 – Abby Anthony the human red blood cell and functions to Co-Author – Andrew Flint carry oxygen from the lungs to the Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas tissues. The critical component of Title: Pursuit of Heterocyclic Analogs of hemoglobin is heme, which is made from Histidine Via Palladium-Catalyzed eight primary proteins, one of which is an Cross Coupling enzyme called porphobilinogen deaminase or Hem C. Hem C is the third LAT1 is a membrane transporter protein enzyme used in the biosynthesis of heme, highly expressed in the blood-brain and uses the substrate porphobilinogen to barrier (BBB) as well as in various types create a porphyrin ring made up of four of cancer. LAT1 substrates have shown pyrrolic groups, which is the base ring to have applications as targeted drug structure for the formation of heme. For delivery agents, potentially allowing our study we had three major concepts pharmaceuticals to cross the BBB. and are as follows: create a Hem C assay Computer-simulated models of the based off of known literature that can be transporter binding site predict that done directly on a micro-plate, compare heterocyclic analogs of L-histidine could enzymatic activity between histidine potentially be used as LAT1 substrates. tagged-Hem C and Hem C, and to To map out the structure-activity perform a lysine mutagenesis on our Hem relationship (SAR) around L-histidine, we C enzyme and compare enzymatic explored various substitutions and activity with our wild type Hem C. To replacements of the imidazole ring (e.g. compare the two different enzyme pyrazole, pyridine). Palladium-catalyzed activities we will use a Michaelis Menten cross coupling is a powerful synthetic plot, which will compare enzymatic method that has the potential to allow for activity versus concentration of substrate a wide scope of amino acid analogs to be present. Overall the focus of the entire prepared; however, few have reported experiment is to test the flexibility of the use of this strategy for making Hem C enzyme, and to better understand heterocyclic amino acids. Attempted how it individually works in the synthesis of these compounds involved biosynthesis of heme. testing of various palladium-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond forming reactions (e.g. Negishi, Suzuki, and Heck coupling). The preparation of halogen-substituted 34

Poster 70 – Karissa Finke silently within the brain. A layer of cells Co-Authors – Laura Stoner, Justine known as the blood brain barrier (BBB) Bauer & Abby Anthony covers the surface of the brain and blocks Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas the passage of most drugs, including Title: Synthesis of phenylalanine analogs ones for treating HIV. However, the BBB containing polar substituents using the allows the entry of very specific solutes Negishi coupling reaction such as certain amino acids or hormones by means of transporter proteins. One of The LAT1 protein transports large neutral these proteins, the large-neutral amino amino acids (e.g. phenylalanine) across acid transporter 1 (LAT1), may serve as a the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has mechanism for importing prodrugs been used as a drug delivery mechanism. composed of a drug molecule linked to an Manipulating the meta-position of amino acid. Tenofovir is an acyclic phenylalanine has been shown to be a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor viable strategy for improving LAT1 (NRTI), capable of disrupting the reverse substrate activity. We developed transcription process employed by HIV. computer models of the binding site to We hypothesized that tenofovir may be help predict which functional groups at able to gain access to the brain by the meta-position would be optimal. Our conjugation with an amino acid enabling hypothesis is that polar functional groups LAT1 transport. We have taken multiple (e.g. amide, ketone, alcohol, etc.) may approaches to joining amino acid promote substrate activity through fragments with the phosphonate group of hydrogen bonding. We have synthesized tenofovir. Chemistry to activate the phenylalanine analogs using the highly phosphonate toward nucleophilic convergent Negishi coupling reaction to substitution as well as using the join substituted aromatic rings with a phosphonate hydroxy groups as protected amino acid moiety, as depicted nucleophiles was tested. Additionally, the below. It was found that polar functional synthesis of amino acid fragments groups can interfere with the reaction, customized for linking with tenofovir’s resulting in decreased yield. Our progress phosphonate will be presented. on optimizing the Negishi reaction to prepare substituted phenylalanine Poster 72 – April Maschmann analogs will be presented. Co-Authors – Jocelyn Dolphin & Matthew Moore Poster 71 – Chris Hernandez Mentor: Dr. Kristy Kounovsky-Shafer Co-Authors – Karissa Finke & Logan Title: Development of a 3D printed device Hansen to concentrate electrophoretically Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas eluted DNA molecules Title: Synthesis of Tenofovir Prodrugs for LAT1 Mediated Drug Delivery The high-throughput analysis of individual DNA molecules is altering the pace and The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) scope of biomedical investigation. is a retrovirus capable of causing a Personal genomics will require large number of diseases and replicating ensembles of individual genomes to 35

develop a database of genomic variations. Within the human genome, Geography & Earth more base pairs are altered as a result of structural variation than point mutations. Sciences In order to ascertain larger variations or large complex variations in human cancer Poster 73 – Nicole Pauley genome, longer molecules (average Mentors: Dr. Paul Burger, Dr. Keith molecule size > 700 kb) are necessary. In Geluso, Dr. Mary Harner this regard, the Optical Mapping System Title: A GIScience Assessment of Land- and Nanocoding were developed as a Use Changes Along the Big Bend single molecule platform for construction Region of the Central Platte River of physical maps that span entire Floodplain from 1957-2016 genomes. However, even these platforms—which assemble restriction Water resources in Nebraska have been maps of individual DNA molecules widely studied due to the presence of the (average molecules size ~500 kb for Ogallala Aquifer and the Platte River Optical Mapping, or Nanocoding)—find it Valley. Man-made disturbances, such as difficult to span across large (>400 kb) the construction of Interstate 80, have complex genomic regions. One of the greatly impacted the river systems and main goals of our research is to develop the presence of water throughout the devices to concentrate extremely long state, specifically in the Platte River DNA molecules (>700 kb). Valley and floodplain. The pumping and Therefore, we are leveraging 3D printing dredging of sand and gravel for materials to fabricate meso-fluidic devices to used in interstate construction during the concentrate lambda DNA molecules 1960s has created many pit-borrow lakes. eluted from a gel matrix using an electric This study examines the creation and field. For these devices, the dimensions distribution of these lakes in the Big Bend of the concentration area are varied, as Region between the villages of Overton well as the shape; whereas, the height of and Chapman, NE. Orthorectified aerial the device remains constant. In order to imagery was obtained for 1957 and 2016 ascertain the device that concentrates the at a resolution of 10 and 6 inches highest concentration of lambda DNA, we respectively. These years represent the are using a multi-prong approach: largest time scale before and after measuring the fluorescence intensity of interstate construction. The FEMA the YOYO-1 stained DNA molecules that floodplain for the Platte River was are eluted into the solution in the digitized as a polygon in ArcMap and concentration area, as well as the used to define the study area between the fluorescence intensity of the YOYO-1 two villages. Pit-borrow lakes located stained DNA molecules that are within the within the floodplain were manually gel matrix during the experiment. Finally, digitized as vectorized polygons from the the device that concentrates the most imagery for both years. Total surface area DNA will be further modified in and perimeters of the pits were subsequent experiments. calculated, enabling temporal comparisons between the two years. The 36

results of this research project will be of common center of mass. Each eclipse is particular interest to conservation groups expected to have equal value in in the region, specifically those focused brightness. Some stars brightness at their on watershed and migratory and two eclipse are different - this is known as shorebird habitat management. This the O'Connell Effect. This effect is not project will serve as a baseline for expected – but could be due to starspots, continued research examining land-use transferring masses of gas from contact and watershed changes in the Platte systems, or even exoplanets. To explore River Basin. this effect, photometric observations of poorly studied binary stars that exhibit the O’Connell effect were taken using the 30” Mathematics telescope at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas for a total of 10 nights Poster 74 – Madison Mickey in July and August of 2015. More Co-Author – Jianbai Xu observations were taken in late 2015, Mentor: Dr. Jia Huang January of 2016, and June of 2016 using Title: Non-Associativity of the Double the same telescope at McDonald by Minus Operation accessing it remotely from UNK. These observations were taken in the Johnson B We examine the non-associativity of the and V filters. IRAF and Mira Pro were double minus operation. Specifically, we used to reduce this data, which allowed analyze the results from consecutive us to produce B and V lightcurves and applications of the double minus calculate the period of each system. operation and count the number of them These lightcurves were used to examine using complex roots of unity and the both the parameters of each system binomial theorem. This number turns out (such as the masses and temperatures of to be related to sequence A000975 in the the stars) and its exhibited O’Connell Online Encyclopedia of Integer Effect. Binary Maker 3 was used to find Sequences (OEIS), which satisfies nice these parameters by fitting a light curve to recurrence relations and closed formulas match the data set for each star. For W and counts many other interesting UMa type stars specifically, a numerical objects. method was used involving their period to calculate the mass ratio, which could then be compared to the Binary Maker 3 Physics & Physical results. The mass ratio is especially important because it gives us an insight Science on the stellar evolution between various masses of stars. Future work will involve Poster 75 – Austin Ryan taking more observations at the Mentor: Dr. Adam Jensen McDonald Observatory to further study Title: The O'Connell Effect in Binary Stars the long term changes of the O’Connell Effect in these stars to pinpoint its origin. In binary star systems, two eclipses occur while the two stars orbit around their 37

Poster 76 – Elisa Strope Mentor: Dr. Kenneth W. Trantham Title: Acoustic Characterization Using RT60

We have reviewed different methods for measuring the acoustic characterization of a room, and have discovered that finding RT60 is the most common. We have developed a new way of analyzing the acoustic data for RT60 and are applying that method in three different rooms on campus. We plan to document the acoustic hot spots of the planetarium, creating a heat-map to show the results.

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use of request gestures; (3) use of showing gestures; (4) presence of sound Professional & and word imitations; (5) age of first word production; (6) number of words produced Applied and understood; and (7) number of words combined to make sentences. Our research question is: Do the early Studies language milestones, as reported by parents, differ between children born preterm and children born full term? The Communication data are currently being analyzed and Disorders once completed will be compared to the normative literature associated with Poster 77 – Jamie Bigley language development. Co-Authors – Caitlin M. Imgrund & Steven M. Barlow Poster 78 – Amanda A. Evert Mentor: Dr. Diane Loeb Co-Authors – Caitlin M Imgrund & Title: Early Developmental Milestones of Steven M Barlow Children Born Preterm Mentor: Dr. Diane Loeb Title: Parental Speech and Language There is ample evidence that children Concerns of Children Born Preterm born preterm have a wide range of neurodevelopmental difficulties, including Comorbidity of language, speech, and motor, cognitive, and language delays attention development has not been (Aylward, 2014). Children born preterm studied extensively in children born have been reported to display expressive preterm. Children born preterm are and receptive delays as early as 12 susceptible to negative months of age and continue to score neurodevelopmental outcomes (Aylward, lower than their age-matched peers into 2014). Delayed expressive and receptive the elementary school years (cf. Vohr, language abilities are sometimes present 2014). In this study, we examined the as determined by standardized early communicative milestones, based assessment and parent report word on parental report, in the first two years of inventories when these children are life for 108 children born preterm. The between 12 and 24 months of age children were born at 24-36 weeks. (Sansavani et al., 2010). Children born Parents were asked to complete a preterm also have been reported to have developmental questionnaire when their higher levels of attention deficit children were 30 months of age. We hyperactivity disorder compared to analyzed answers to seven of the children born full-term (Bhutta et al., questions that addressed early 2002; Booth, 2016). A total of 136 communication development. These children born preterm between 24 and 36 included: (1) the presence of babbling weeks gestational age (GA) participated. and cooing during the first 6 months; (2) The parents completed a questionnaire developed by Restrepo (1998), which 39 contained 28 questions pertaining to students. This project sought to provide a language, speech, and attention way for students to examine their concerns. Parents responded “yes” or wellness and identify personal strengths “no” to the questions, and the total to build upon and facilitate a healthy number of responses indicating concerns lifestyle which may in turn have a positive were tabulated for each child and also impact on their success in graduate were calculated separately for: (1) school. The wellness education offered in language (2) speech and (3) attention this research study was designed to items. Ninety-five percent of the total introduce students to information about sample (129/136) rated at least one of the nutrition, time management, stress 28 questions as “yes” indicating concern. management, healthy sleep habits, and Regarding language, ninety-four percent wellness opportunities within the (128/136) of parents reported at least one university and community. Research question as a “yes” indicating concern. questions included: How do first year For speech, forty-seven percent (64/136) graduate students rate their level of of parents reported at least one question wellness at the beginning and end of their as a “yes” indicating concern. With graduate program? What were respect to attention, thirty-one percent participants’ reactions to wellness (42/136) of parents reported one, two, or education sessions? What, if any three questions as a “yes” indicating changes did the participants make in their concern. Ten percent (13/136) reported wellness routines as a direct result of the “yes” to all three attention questions. wellness education? Twenty-one percent (28/136) of the sample reported concerns in ALL areas Poster 80 – Megan Naylor (i.e., language, speech, and attention). Mentor: Dr. Diane Loeb Language was most commonly reported Title: Color Word Naming and as a concern, followed by speech, and Identification of Adults lastly, by attention. Future studies to compare parental concern of children Several studies suggest that both children born full-term with the existing dataset will and adults display a bias for color be conducted to determine the normative knowledge that is related to gender. relevance of the data. Specifically, some studies report that females have a more expansive color Poster 79 – Emily Koski vocabulary than males, when naming Mentors: Dr. Miechelle McKelvey, Dr. tasks are used to determine color Whitney Schneider-Cline, Dr. Bryce knowledge. For example, a female may Abbey & Dr. Julie Lanz use the color term “teal” to describe a Title: The Impact of Wellness Training on given color; however, a male may call the Graduate Students’ Academic Success same color “blue”, “green” or “blue- green.” Surprisingly, no studies have The purpose of this research was to evaluated both color naming and color assess student’s wellness throughout the identification within the same individual in course of their graduate program. adults and children. Graduate school is stressful for most In this study, we evaluated the color 40 naming and identification skills of 20 clinicians to model during therapy adults, 10 males and 10 females, ranging sessions. In the field of speech-language from 19 to 25 years of age. We developed pathology, an emerging technique known a naming and an identification task that as electropalatography has been consisted of 11 basic colors (orange, beneficial in some cases to help blue, yellow, pink, white, purple, gray, remediate the aforementioned speech brown, green, red, and black) and 11 non- sounds. The purpose of this study is to basic colors (rust, teal, mustard, salmon, examine the use of electropalatography beige, lavender, slate, peach, jade, paired with traditional speech therapy in burgundy, and turquoise). We found no remediating persistent speech sound significant differences between the males errors. Electropalatography utilizes an and females for the naming and artificial palate (containing tiny sensors) identification of basic color words. that fits into the client’s mouth, similar to a Further, we found no statistically retainer. Audio output in the form of a significant group differences between spectrogram, as well as the tongue-to- identification of non-basic color words; palate contact reflected by the sensors, is however, there was a statistically processed by a small microchip and then significant difference between males and displayed onto an attached computer females for naming the non-basic color screen. The unique nature of words. Females named more non-basic electropalatography is that it provides color terms; however, both groups visual feedback in real time as opposed to displayed low rates of naming accuracy. simply perceptual feedback. The ability to Together the data expand our visualize tongue-to-palate contact can understanding of color word knowledge in potentially improve production of difficult adults, indicating that although naming speech sound errors in less time than differences are present between males traditional speech therapy alone. This and females for non-basic color terms, poster presentation will include a these same differences are not apparent literature review of the limited research in comprehension of non-basic color available on this innovative approach to terms. Alternative color naming provided articulation therapy, as well as a by the adults, as well as further directions description of the methodology used to for with children will be described. analyze the progress of a case study of a school-aged client. The client used Poster 81 – Kathrin Roberts electropalatography in conjunction with Mentor: Dr. Whitney Schneider-Cline traditional speech therapy services Title: The Use of Electropalatography and provided by a graduate clinician at the Traditional Articulation Therapy in UNK Speech, Hearing, and Language Remediating Persistent Speech Clinic. Sound Errors

Some children with persistent speech errors may have difficulty mastering sounds like /s, r, & l/, which are produced in such a manner that is often difficult for 41

Poster 82 – Shelby Stultz for /r/ sounds. The researcher will engage Mentor: Dr. Diane Loeb in shared reading with the child using Title: For the /r/ Sound both media forms and provide feedback on the feasibility of both books. Our There is little research available to guide specific research questions are: (1) Which SLPs in their use of print and e-book e-book features kept children engaged selections for intervention. Based on the during speech sound remediation? (2) existing data, print books have been How feasible were our books? (3) Are reported to be more beneficial for print or e-books more feasible during development of plot understanding and speech sound remediation? knowledge about print (Kozminsky, 2013). In contrast, it was reported that e-books Poster 83 – Brooke Thorell were more effective than print books for Co-Author – Katherine Schneider promoting vocabulary growth (Shamir, Mentor: Dr. Diane Loeb Korat, & Fellah, 2010). The purpose of Title: Critical Appraisal of Language our study is to examine the feasibility of e- Intervention Studies of Children books verses print books in speech sound Born Preterm remediation. In phase I of this research study, we Approximately 20-40% of children born developed a survey that allowed us to preterm are diagnosed with a language compare SLPs’ use and preferences delay before kindergarten (Foster-Cohen associated with e-books and print-books et al., 2007). Given the several studies for speech and language intervention that have been conducted which suggest practices. Our specific research questions that children born preterm display are: (1) Do SLPs differ in their use of print language delays (cf. Vohr, 2014), it is books compared to e-books for speech- surprising that there has not been a language intervention? And (2) Do SLPs systematic review and critical appraisal of differ in their preferences associated with the language intervention studies of print books compared to e-books for children born preterm. Such a review speech-language intervention? The would assist speech-language results of our survey showed that a pathologists working with children born majority of the SLPs used print books preterm to provide them with the best over e-books. evidence-based practice tools. The goal For phase II of this study, we are of this study was threefold: (1) to search developing an e-book that is structured several databases for intervention studies around the auditory that have targeted language improvement bombardment/minimal pairs approach to in children born preterm; (2) to determine improve the production of /r/ sounds. We the level of quality of the articles are also taking into consideration the reviewed; and (3) to describe the feedback from Phase I. Once the e-book language intervention outcomes of is complete, we will also have a print form children born preterm as reported in the of the story printed. Both of these books studies reviewed. will be tested on a child currently participating in speech sound remediation 42

with the target markets for a marketing Industrial Technology plan.

Poster 84 – Emma Lee Poster 85 – Courtney Leitner Mentor D. Sonja Bickford Co-Author – B. Adams Title: Benefits of Aquaponics Mentor: Dr. Sonja Bickford & Dr. Nate Bickford Aquaponics is the combination of Title: Cost Benefit Analysis of Small- and horticulture and aquaculture. This study is Medium-Scale Aquaponics Systems endeavoring to identify some of the health benefits of aquaponics as well as Aquaponics is the process of removing developing a marketing plan aquaponics fish waste through a filtration systems. The main question of this study system. This filtration system converts is to identify the benefits and variation of the waste into nutrients that are beneficial the benefits of aquaponic systems for the to both plants and fish. The process is three different target audiences and completed through the continuous create a custom marketing plan for the recirculation of water from a flood tank system for each intended target audience into a grow bed, then into a fish tank. The based on the findings. purpose of this project is to analyze the To better understand the mental and costs and benefits that an aquaponics physical benefits of aquaponic systems, system can provide. Two sizes of specifically identifying the most beneficial aquaponics systems will be used in the impacts of color and sound choices on analysis, which includes a small-scale people’s emotions is at the core of this system and a medium-scale system. The project. In addition, the project will assess small-scale system uses a 10 gallon tank the health and educational benefits of whereas the medium-scale uses a 250 aquaponic systems and the growth of gallon tank. The questions that will be plants and fish within them. Testing of the taken into consideration regarding this hypothesis in regards to the choice of research project include: Are the small system colors and sound levels along and medium scale systems economically with the health, wellbeing, and feasible? In comparison, is one scale educational benefits in k-12 school more beneficial than the other? Research setting, a nursing home and hospital will include the review of literature doctor’s office. In these locations, we will available on the economic feasibility of go through the process of observing the systems. behaviors with each piece of the system as we buildthe full system in the location over time. We will conduct 20 hours of observation per section and will conclude the research with interviews of the involved parties. The deliverable of the project will be the understanding and match of the benefits

43

Peak hip flexion and extension torque (ft- Kinesiology & Sports lbs), muscle thicknesses (cm), and muscle quality of the rectus femoris, Sciences vastus intermedius, vastus lateraris and vastus medialis muscles. Results: We Poster 86 – Claire Dull observed significant gender and age Mentor: Dr. Kazuma Akehi interactions in muscle sizes and quality Title: Aging negatively influences muscle (Tukey-Kramer, P<.01). There are age force production and muscle and gender main effect differences in morphological characteristics peak hip flexion and extension torque (P<.001). Young males were much Context: Muscle strength and stronger and had better muscle quality morphological characteristics tend to than females and the elderly population. decline due to aging, causing multiple Conclusion: It is clear that age and falls and severe musculoskeletal injuries gender influenced muscle force among the elderly population. There is productions and thigh muscle sizes and limited research investigating muscle quality (i.e. female < male; elderly < force production and architectural young). Females are weaker and have characteristics together in different age poorer muscle quality when both young groups. Objective: To examine the and old, so females especially must take difference between the young and elderly precautions to stay fit and strong as they population in muscle strength, muscle age to avoid musculoskeletal injuries. size, and the muscle quality of the thigh muscles. Participants: Twelve elderly Poster 87 – Rachael Ernest individuals (male n= 6, female n=6, age= Co-Author – Stephanie Paulsen 80.09±3.12 years) and thirteen college- Mentor: Dr. Gregory Brown aged students (male n=8, female n=5, Title: Comparing the effects of coffee to a age=20.58±1.04 years) participated in pre-workout on resting and exercise this study. None of the participants had metabolic rates any known neuromuscular condition or surgery in the past 12 months. INTRODUCTION: Caffeine is a powerful Intervention: Participants reported to the and widely used stimulant known to laboratory once and completed an improve mental focus, reaction time, informed consent and health history muscular power, and delay fatigue. Many questionnaire, followed by ultrasound athletes use caffeine containing pre- images taken of the thigh muscles. workout drinks before competition and Participants then performed two hip training for the ergogenic benefits of flexion and extension maximal isometric caffeine. Coffee is a very popular voluntary contractions in functional beverage due to its caffeine content. standing position, at 15° of hip flexion Research suggests that coffee may position, with a 30-second break between provide ergogenic benefits that are trials. Ultrasound imaging and muscle greater than can be accounted for based strength assessments were performed on solely on the caffeine content. both loges. Main Outcome Measures: PURPOSE: The purpose of this project is 44 to evaluate the influence of coffee versus purported that to have 6 Pack Abs an a common pre-workout supplement individual must have low amounts of total (Advocare Spark), on resting metabolic body fat. However, there has been little to rate and metabolism during moderate no research to determine the amount of intensity aerobic exercise. METHODS: A body fatness or abdominal muscle sample of 10 male and 10 female strength necessary to have 6 Pack Abs. physically active college students will be PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to recruited as participants. Preliminary evaluate the relationship between total testing includes a measurement of body and regional body fatness, abdominal composition via DXA and VO2max testing muscle strength, and the aesthetic quality on a treadmill. On four later visits, of an individual’s 6 Pack Abs. separated by at least 48 hours, the METHODS: Male subjects between the participants will have their resting ages of 19 and 35 year old are being metabolic rate in a fasting state recruited from the campus and Kearney measured. The participants will then communities. After screening, males that consume (in a randomized, blinded, meet the inclusion criteria will report to crossover manner) caffeinated coffee, the UNK Physical Activity and Wellness decaffeinated coffee, spark, or a sugar Laboratory for measurement of body and caffeine free placebo (Crystal Light). composition via dual-energy x-ray The participants will wait one hour, and absorptiometry (DXA), abdominal skinfold then undergo a second measurement of measurement, abdominal muscle strength resting metabolic rate. The participants assessment through a 60 second will then exercise on a treadmill at 50% of crunch/sit up test, and a photograph of their VO2max for fifteen minutes. Heart the subject’s bare abdomens. The rate, oxygen consumption, and pictures are then scored on a 10 point respiratory exchange ratio will be scale for overall quality of 6 Pack Abs measured at rest and during exercise for based on visual appearance for data analysis via an ANOVA. Data symmetry, muscle mass, and definition collection is currently underway. (total possible score of 30 points). Regression analysis will be used to Poster 88 – Marco A. Escalera determine what factors are most related Co-Author – Aleesha Olena to 6 Pack Abs. Mentor: Dr. Gregory Brown RESULTS: data collection is currently Title: Determining Factors Necessary for underway. Men to Have Well Defined Abdominal Muscles Poster 89 – Collin Fleecs Mentors: Dr. Matthew Bice & Dr. Gregory INTRODUCTION: Physically fit Brown individuals often desire to have well Title: Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Peak defined abdominal muscles which are Power (Anaerobic Capacity) also known as “6 Pack Abs”. They seek to obtain 6 Pack Abs through numerous Often times, college is the first time that exercises that strengthen and tone the young individuals are living by themselves abdominal muscles. It has also been acquiring many new responsibilities. 45

Many college students are enduring an ligament failure. Injury to the UCL can be increase in stress due to the increased a career ending injury for collegiate responsibility of becoming an baseball pitchers. Purpose: The purpose independent adult, and this stress may of the study is to determine the effects of influence the sleeping patterns of these competitive collegiate baseball individuals. The effect of sleep deprivation participation on UCL morphological on cardiovascular function during aerobic characteristics adaptation and its exercise has been reviewed extensively. relationship between pitch counts and The effect of lack of sleep on short-term injury risks on the medial elbow. Methods: bouts of anaerobic exercise, however, is Twenty college-age pitchers will less documented. Physical performance participate (age 19-30 years). All is not only important for student athletes, participants need to be on the active but also for individuals looking to gain baseball roster. The inclusion criteria will muscle, lose weight, or for those be no known upper extremity injuries and recovering from injury. The purpose of the neurological issues six months prior to the proposed study is to determine the effect initial testing. The participants will be of sleep deprivation on (a) peak power assessed UCL morphological output, (b) mean power output, and (c) characteristics using diagnostic the fatigue index, measured as the ultrasound and pitch count records during percent decrease in power over the practice and games. Data collection will course of the Wingate bicycle test. Data occur during preseason and in-season. acquired from the present experiment will Hypothesis: We hypothesize that all determine how sleep deprivation effects pitchers will positively adapt their UCL the physical body of young adults, which morphological characteristics continually may ultimately lead to changes in mental, from preseason to in-season. However, social, and academic performance. maladaptation of UCL morphological characteristics would increase risks of Poster 90 – Bailey Flores elbow injuries in collegiate male baseball Mentor: Dr. Kazuma Akehi pitchers. Clinical applications: The Title: Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) findings in the current proposed study will morphological characteristic help clinicians and practitioners changes in collegiate baesball understand how the UCL morphological pitchers during preseason and in- characteristics change during preseason season competition. and in-season competition. Understanding the changes of the UCL Background: Overhead activity athletes morphological characteristics will allow for such as collegiate baseball pitchers exert enhanced preventative injury care. immense forces through the medial elbow joint throughout the throwing motion. Repetitive near-tensile failure loads applied to the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) during the acceleration phase of throwing results in microtrauma and may eventually lead to 46

Poster 91 – Bailee J Jensen to find gaps, limitations, and future Mentor: Dr. Bryce Abbey research plans. The components that will Title: Eliminating Sedentary Behaviors in be analyzed include study design, study the Work Force population, measures of physical activity, health risks, analyses, limitations and Background: As sedentary behaviors results. increase, so does the chance of Results: Articles are currently being developing a chronic diseases. Either too collected. much standing or too much sitting may References available upon request. They have individual risks in desk-based job did not fit into the character limit. settings. Efforts have been made to find ways to balance the two in hopes of lower Poster 92 – Kylie Kenedy the health risks associated with sedentary Co-Author – Jillian Rocheford behavior. Light physical activity in Mentor: Dr. Matthew Bice between periods of sitting created Title: Perception of Body Weight benefits to metabolism and cardiovascular health but is not possible BACKGROUND. Health is a broad term with some work requirements (1). More commonly associated with components of energy is expended when standing time is physical activity and nutrition. Perception increased allowing employees to be more of how a person maintains, sustains, and active at work. While , sitting for extended even ignores health can be derived from periods of time increases employees individual and social influences. chances of developing chronic diseases Individuals are sometimes blinded by such as heart disease and reality and have trouble distinguishing hypertension,standing for prolonged between perception and reality as it periods may be hard on the muscles and relates to health, specifically body bones in the body. Other methods to composition. The purpose of the study increase physical activity at workstations, was to (a) compare perceived body such as treadmill desks and pedaling weight to actual body weight and (b) desks have been tested and often examine differences in wellness removed due to the impairment of fine constructs among body composition motor skills when working (2). categories. METHOD. Students at a Purpose: The purpose of the current midsized university were recruited to project is to collect and analyze the participate at various locations on campus present research on sedentary behavior with high traffic. Students were asked to in the workplace. The information categorize their body composition collected will be utilized in a future (underweight, normal weight, or research project to fill the gaps and overweight), complete the Perceived limitations on the topic. Wellness Survey, followed by a direct Methods: The project will include the measure of height and weight to establish gathering scholarly, peer reviewed BMI. RESULTS. Preliminary data reveals articles on sedentary behavior in the that there were significant differences workplace through various research between how participants rated their BMI databases. Each article will be analyzed compared to the direct measure of BMI (p 47

< 0.05). Further, significant correlations study could be useful if taken into account were present among the measured when promoting, designing, and wellness constructs of Psychological, implementing future intramural and Emotional, Social, Physical, Spiritual and campus recreation programs. Creating Intellectual. An ANOVA analysis revealed diversity in activities may encourage the wellness construct of Social was additional populations of students on significantly different among individuals of campuses to participate in physical different BMI categories [F(2, 82) = 3.553, activity opportunities, thus improving p = 0.033]. DISCUSSION. Preliminary overall health and well-being far beyond data suggests that student wellness is the college experience. significantly affected by body composition. Perception can be Poster 94 – Aleesha Olena misleading and ignoring personal health Co-Author – Marco A. Escalera can have detrimental consequences on Mentor: Dr. Gregory A. Brown wellness. Preliminary data has been Title: Determining Factors Necessary for collected, analyzed, and data collection Women to Have Well Defined will continue through Spring 2017. Abdominal Muscles

Poster 93 – Elenna R. Leininger Introduction. Physically active individuals Mentor: Dr. Matthew Bice often seek to have well defined abdominal Title: Exercise Motivation, BMI, and muscles, which are also known as “6 Physical Activity Levels Among Pack Abs”. These individuals strive to Intramural Participants obtain 6 Pack Abs through multiple exercises to strengthen and tone the Students that participate in recreational abdominal muscles. It is also thought that sports and regular exercise while in to have well-defined 6 Pack Abs a person college are more likely to continue to be must have low amounts of total body fat. physically active after graduation. The However, there has been little to no purpose of this study was to examine the research determining what factors are differentiating motives among intramural necessary to have 6 Pack Abs. Purpose. participants and examine how The aim of this study is to evaluate the motivational constructs relate to students’ relationship between total and regional body compositions. The Exercise body fatness, abdominal muscle strength, Motivation Inventory was used to and muscular definition of an individual’s measure participants’ motivation, and the 6 Pack Abs. Methods. Female subjects International Physical Activity between the ages of 19 and 35 years of Questionnaire was completed to measure age are being recruited from the student activity levels. Standardized coefficients body of the University of Nebraska at indicate that Appearance (β=-0.242, Kearney and the surrounding community. p=0.001), Health Pressures (β=0.208, Females report to the UNK Physical p=0.05), and Weight Management Activity and Wellness Laboratory for a (β=0.332, p=0.001) have a statistically measurement of body composition via significant influence on intramural DXA, abdominal skinfold measurement, participants’ BMIs. The information in this an assessment of abdominal strength 48 through performance of a 60 second Results from the current study will benefit crunch/sit up test, and a photograph of health professional clinics with knowledge the subject’s bare abdomen. The of aspects that could be enhanced to photographs are then scored using increase patient satisfaction from a bodybuilding judging criteria, which is a patient’s point of view. 10 point scale (total possible score of 30 points). It includes visual appearance for Poster 96 – Amanda Skalka symmetry, muscle mass, and definition. Mentor: Dr. Bryce Abbey Regression analysis will be used to Title: High School Students' Perception of determine what factors are most related School Foodservice to 6 Pack Abs. Results. Data collection is currently underway. School foodservice programs are influential in providing nutrition to our Poster 95 – Jillian Rocheford future leaders. Today, high school Mentor: Dr. Matthew Bice students are exposed to a variety of Title: Environmental Effects on Patient dining experiences, which influence how Satisfaction students evaluate school foodservice (Meyer and Conklin, 1998). Rehabilitation environments have been PURPOSE: The purpose of this research densely researched; however, an is to determine if high school students’ evaluation between a physical therapy perception of school foodservice is clinic environment and patient satisfaction directly related to the participation in presents a gap within the literature. The foodservice. METHODS: Sandy Creek purpose of the current study is to analyze High School students, 135 potential the association between the environment participants, grades freshman year of a health professional clinic and patient through senior year will receive an email satisfaction. The proposed poster will solicitation from school administration for discuss (a) the need for the current study participation and a link to direct and (b) the approved protocol for data participants to the survey. The survey collection starting in Spring 2017. Patients utilizes the National Food Service at New West Orthpaedic and Sports Management Institute high school Rehabilitation will be asked to complete foodservice survey, this survey will two surveys during their final discharge determine factors that influence the visit. The Post Occupancy Evaluation participation of school foodservice (Meyer (POE) will be used to assess the 2000). The survey consist of 32 questions environment based on the POE regarding the student’s demographics, constructs, which include accessibility, frequency that eat school lunch, and their cleanliness, temperature, noise, and light. perception of the school foodservice at A standardized patient satisfaction survey their school. Descriptive statistics, chi- will be used to assess patient satisfaction. square, and general linear models will be Both research tools have been proved to used for analysis RESULTS: Data be valid and reliable. We hypothesize that collection is currently underway. the environment is significantly Meyer, M.K. (2000) Top predictors of associated with patient satisfaction. middle/junior high school students’ 49 satisfaction with school foodservice and wearable was made specifically for nutrition programs. Journal of the Physical Education participants to track American Dietetic Association. 100(1). MVPA and heart rate levels. To date, Meyer, M.K., Conklin, M.T. (1998) there have been no studies completed on Variables affecting high school students’ accuracy of MVPA when children wear perceptions of school foodservice. the Spirit IHT™ watch. The purpose of Journal of the American Dietetic this research was to compare the Association. 98(12). validated MTI ActiGraph GT3X™ Accelerometer (Carr & Mahar, 2012; Poster 97 – Danielle Tilley Rowlands & Stiles, 2012), to the Spirit Advisor: Dr. Megan Adkins-Bollwit IHT™ wearable, to determine the Title: Validation of Adidas Spirit accuracy in MVPA time. The MVPA level Interactive Health Technology is defined as movement ≥4 METs for (IHT)™ Accelerometer for use with children (Troiano et al., 2008). Fifty Elementary Children children, ages seven to twelve that participate in the UNK homeschool Wearable technologies such as FitBit™, Physical Education teaching lab will wear Garmin™, and Apple™ watches have both monitors to track MVPA time while become more prevalent among adults participating in class. The results of this and adolescents to help motivate and study will provide evidence on the monitor daily physical activity (PA) time reliability of the Spirit IHT™ watch to (Thompson, 2015). Childhood obesity estimate MVPA minutes and could serve rates have escalated, and the amount of as a useful alternative for Physical children who do not meet the Educators to track accelerometry of their recommended amount of 60 minutes of students. moderate to vigorous (MVPA) time continues to increase (Fearnback 2016). Poster 98 – Carrie A. Watson Research indicates that children wearing Mentor: Dr. Todd Bartee technology is a popular way to ignite their Title: Nutrition Education in Dentistry interest to become more active (Partridge, King, & Bian, 2011). Physical Educators Introduction: Proper nutrition is important have taken the initiative to incorporate in preventing chronic diseases including wearable PA trackers into their heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. classrooms to increase interest and to General nutrition education in dental track student's PA. However, the cost of clinics has been proposed as an reliable and accurate wearable PA important source of health promotion and devices is expensive. Many schools disease prevention. The purposes of this cannot afford them, resulting in PhysEd study are to 1) describe current nutritional teachers using low-grade, inaccurate education practices of general dentists in pedometers. This past year an south central Nebraska; and 2) examine accelerometer/heart rate wearable watch factors related to their nutrition education was developed by the Adidas Spirit practices. Methods: Practitioners of Interactive Health Technology™ (Spirit general dentistry were identified through IHT) cooperation. The Spirit IHT™ phone books and websites. An 50

informational letter and survey link were Poster 99 – Paige Wuebben sent via email to dental offices Mentor: Dr. Todd Bartee & Dr. Kate representing approximately 65 dentists. Heelan Descriptive statistics were used to Title: The Reach of an Efficacious describe the relationship between Pediatric Obesity Treatment nutrition education behaviors and Program: An Important influencing factors. Results: There were a Consideration to Determine Public total of 7 respondents (10% response Health Impact rate). Participants were mostly male (n=4), had >10 years’ experience (n=6), Background: To address the public health and practiced in micropolitan areas (n=5). problem of childhood obesity, family- All respondents reported providing caries- based efficacious pediatric treatment related nutrition education to patients programs have been developed. Building frequently or very frequently. Conversely, Healthy Families (BHF) is a 12-week all respondents reported not frequently intensive intervention that has been providing nutrition education beyond implemented with 9 cohorts since 2009. caries-related issues. The number of BHF has led to meaningful changes in hours of nutrition information received in health outcomes among child participants dental school ranged from 1 hour to aged 6 to 11 years, including decreased greater than 10 hours including both BMI z-score, fat mass, systolic blood caries-related and non-caries related pressure, and AST liver enzymes and nutrition education. All respondents with increased fat-free mass and HDL >10 years in practice (n=6) reported being cholesterol. It has been argued that the somewhat qualified and sometimes public health impact of an intervention comfortable in providing general nutrition should be measured by its efficacy and its education for patients. Nearly all reach. The purpose of this study was to respondents (n=6) were interested in determine the reach of BHF. Methods: continuing education on topics related to Reach was defined as the number of general nutrition and indicated basic children aged 6 to 11 years eligible for the nutrition principles in dental education program divided by the number who requirements as important. The main initiated the program. Existing data indicated barriers included lack of time, related to childhood obesity rates of personal lack of nutritional knowledge, Kearney Public Schools students, and and lack of trained or qualified staff BHF participation were analyzed to members. Conclusion: Many dentists are determine reach. Results: For each of 9 aware of the importance of implementing cohorts, between the years 2009 and non-caries related nutrition education into 2016, an average of 358 children met the practice. However, results from this small eligibility requirements for a total number sample indicate that there are several of 3,226 that were subsequently recruited. barriers prohibiting implementation of A total of 83 children initiated the program non-caries related nutritional education in for a reach of 2.57%. Reach ranged from the dental setting. 0.89% in cohort 9 to 4.20% in cohort 3. There was an overall downward trend in reach over time. Conclusions: The notion 51 of reaching as many eligible children as influencing element of employee possible with an efficacious intervention is engagement to consider is psychological important in combatting childhood ownership, which is employees’ obesity. To better understand reach, perception that they possess some future research should investigate intangible aspect of the organization recruitment alternatives. However, the without legal entitlement. Psychological optimal total number of participants must ownership could influence the strength of also be considered. For example, while the impact of supervisor affect on 2.57% reach may seem very low, the employee engagement. This study maximum optimal number of participants examined the moderating effect of for the BHF program is 12 per cohort. psychological ownership on the This would suggest an optimal reach of relationship between supervisor affect 3.56% using the last cohort's eligibility and employee engagement. A data (n=337). comprehensive literature review examined past studies of psychological ownership, employee engagement and Management supervisor affect. A survey, utilizing validated scales, was administered at one Poster 100 – Stephanie Duennerman location of a large chain grocery store to Mentor: Dr. Michelle Fleig-Palmer explore employees’ perceptions of their Title: Understanding Employee supervisors’ affect, to measure the Perceptions of Commitment and employees’ concomitant engagement, Motivation in the Workplace and to evaluate the effect of their dispositional psychological ownership. Recent studies have found that engaged The results of this study highlight the employees provide better customer importance of recognizing that supervisor service and work performance along with affect is an antecedent of employee lower turnover, which results in better engagement and that psychological financial returns (Attridge, 2009; Macy & ownership influences the strength of that Schneider, 2008; Xanthopoulou, Bakker, relationship. The practical implications of Demerouti, & Schaufeli, 2009). A number this study can guide managers in of antecedents (i.e. feedback, regular recognizing the impact of their emotions check-ins, work conditions, etc.) of and the need to filter their displayed employee engagement have been emotions to promote employee identified; however, researchers have not engagement, which will result in positive considered perceived supervisors’ affect. work outcomes. Supervisor affect can be classified as either positive affect (i.e. attentive, interested, enthusiastic, etc.) or negative affect (distressed, irritable, hostile, etc.). Supervisors’ moods and emotions, especially negative ones, are very salient to their employees and could impact employee engagement. Another 52

Poster 101 – Bailee J Jensen out that the quest for profit that the market Mentor: Dr. Michelle Fleig-Palmer demands can have a negative impact on Title: Effects of Parental Involvement on society and the environment. In order for Patient Adherence in Pediatric a company to stay in the market, it must Occupational Therapy minimize the cost of production and maximize profit, and this requirement can The purpose of this experiment was to lead to unethical behaviors. I was able to see the degree of parental involvement collect information that evidenced the fact that leads to the highest patient that companies with a higher ethical adherence in pediatric therapy. Patient standard regarding its employees, had a Adherence is the act of a patient correctly better employee performance and as a following their medical plan of care. In result, a higher customer retention. order to improve patient quality of life, an Even though, I was able to prove that a occupational therapist will make a plan of high ethical standard had a positive care to help a patient achieve certain impact on a company, I also found goals. Once the patient leaves the facility, evidence that proved that customers do it is their responsibility to follow their plan not always choose their purchases based of care at home. In Pediatric Occupational on their ethical parameters but rather Therapy, parents have to help keep their based on monetary aspects. This children focused on following the research was done in order to collect therapist’s orders at home. The present information from previous researches experiment involved three Occupational regarding this topic. Therapists (OT) in pediatric therapy centers such as Family Physical Therapy and Pediatric Therapy Center. An OT Teacher Education school professor was interviewed as well. Each therapist was interviewed for an Poster 103 – Madi Casper hour on parental involvement and patient Mentor: Dr. Jane Ziebarth-Bovill adherence. Results will help parents Title: Establishing A Growth Mindset in understand how to aid their children to Early Learners achieve therapy objectives most efficiently. The purpose of this presentation is to share information about how to establish a growth mindset in early learners. The Marketing & MIS presenter will describe Carol Dweck’s foundational work on mindset and explain Poster 102 – Maria Gutierrez the difference between fixed and growth Mentor: Dr. Greg Benson mindsets. In addition, the presenter will Title: Gap between consumer's ethical offer practical strategies to encourage a standards, and their behavior growth mindset in early learners. The strategies will focus specifically on trigger During last year’s research, called “The words, phrases, and questions that Impact of Having an Ethical Behavior on promote a growth mindset in early the Performance of a Company”, I found learners. 53

Poster 104 – Elaina Eddy that teachers in the study took time for Mentor: Dr. Carrie Kracl reading, but did not always implement a Title: Teacher Perceptions and Effects of distraction free environment or other Sustained Silent Reading on factors that contribute greatly to Measures of Academic Progress successful sustained silent reading. Scores Clearly, research shows that sustained silent reading is an important factor for Sustained Silent Reading is reading development of students. This study will silently for an amount of time in a be continued with comparison of MAP distraction free environment. Sustained test scores of students and the results of silent reading is an important attribute for the survey taken by their teachers. The literacy development. If students read complete study will increase daily, and learn to enjoy it, they will understanding of the possible benefits of become lifelong readers, which leads to sustained silent reading and a possible improvement in many skills. However, relationship to MAP test scores. reading instruction varies in schools. Many schools use incentive based approaches to reading. This teaches children to read for a prize, instead of reading to read. Many struggling students are assigned to read in isolation or assigned to finish homework during reading time. This method leaves struggling readers with little time to improve, but while in comparison good readers often have more time to practice their reading. Studies have shown that an effective sustained silent reading focuses on routine, environment, access to materials, teacher roles, accountability, and time. This research analyzes survey results of teacher perceptions of sustained silent reading. First, a survey regarding teacher perceptions and methods was taken by twelve third grade teachers from various schools in one midsized midwestern school district. Results from phase one of this study show that teacher perceptions and methods of reading instruction vary. Preliminary results showed that the keyword “time” was used when asked what the biggest struggle of daily uninterrupted reading is. Results showed 54

successfully detect Vago at all three day intervals in the twenty-seven-day time Graduate span. In the time course experiment, monomeric Vago protein was detected in Studies the early portion of the trial, but subsequently was found only in oligomerized forms. These results Biology indicate that Vago may oligomerize throughout the course of Nora virus Poster 105 – Wilfredo Lopez infection to become active and function in Mentor: Dr. Kimberly Carlson an unknown antiviral mechanism. Title: Production and detection of Vago Ultimately, producing monospecific and virus induced RNA-1 (vir-1) in antisera for Vago and vir–1 proteins will Drosophila melanogaster using allow for continued work in determining monospecific antisera during Nora these proteins antiviral mechanisms. The virus infection project described was supported by grants from the National Center for Monospecific antisera production is used Research Resources (5P20RR016469) to detect and characterize proteins of and the National Institute for General interest for functional annotation. In D. Medical Science (8P20GM103427), a melanogaster, the genes Vago and virus component of the National Institutes of induced RNA-1 (vir-1) are implicated in Health. innate immunity during Nora virus infection. However, the antiviral mechanism that Vago is involved in is not Counseling & School fully understood and the role of vir-1 within this mechanism has not been Psychology determined. Vago and vir-1 were produced from codon optimized synthetic Poster 106 – Carter Blauvelt genes were expressed for monospecific Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede antisera production. Western Blot Title: Outcomes of Academic Coaching in analysis showed that the antisera reacted At-Risk College Students at a Mid- specifically with Vago and vir-1. These West Regional University same antisera were used to successfully detect Vago and vir-1 during Nora virus Can we help academically at-risk and Drosophila C virus (DCV) infection in students succeed in college? This approximately thirty day old flies. DCV presentation reports the results of the was used as a control for Nora virus to outcomes of academic coaching on determine if DCV could stimulate Vago student’s learning strategies and and vir-1 production. To evaluate academic achievement. It was detection of Vago, flies were aged over hypothesized that coaching would twenty-seven days and examined at three improve learning strategies of college day intervals. Vago antiserum was able to students and that at-risk college students who received coaching would have 55

similar academic achievement and student organized model can succeed in retention rates as students who were not all of these areas while placing little to no at risk and did not receive coaching. extra requirements on the counseling Results of the study demonstrated that educators, volunteer mentors, or the academic achievement of students who students organizing the program. The received coaching and university data did presenters have not discovered a not differ significantly in the Fall semester counseling specific model in the research but did significantly differ in the Spring to utilize in mentorship. However, ACA is semester. It was also discovered that currently working on an effective retention rates did not significantly differ mentorship program (ACA 2016). between those students receiving coaching and university data. Results Poster 108 – Calvin D. Frey indicated that the learning and study skills Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede of students involved with coaching Title: A Follow-Up Evaluation of the significantly improved over the course of University of Nebraska at Kearney School the intervention. Psychology Program

Poster 107 – Jason J. Dillard Due to the evolving roles and functions of Co-Authors – Peggy Deaver, Ryan school psychologists, it is important for Kawata, Chuanyao Zheng, & Shaun training programs to be responsive and Mewes able to meet the needs of future school Mentor: Dr. Doug Tillman psychologists’ competencies and skills. Title: Mentorship at the graduate level: a These training programs are held student led model accountable and have to ensure that the school psychology students are meeting Retention in graduate counseling and the standards or competencies set forth related programs grows ever more by the National Association of School difficult as the landscape of education Psychologists (NASP). Periodically, changes. More classes are offered online NASP reviews and accredits training making it difficult to engage students in programs in school psychology based on extra curricular honors groups and professional standards and research opportunities. The student competencies. By ensuring high-quality makeup at the graduate level is graduate programs in school psychology comprised of more nontraditional students through accreditation, NASP make certain than at the undergraduate level, which that the graduates have the competencies comes with its own challenges of working needed to be effective in their field. The around a full time job, families, and school psychology program at the children. Being a part of mentorship within University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) a graduate program can help retain has been assessed not only by NASP, students (Buchanan 2005), help them feel but also by its graduate students. In the welcomed, and help the program as a past, graduates have assessed UNK’s whole as the mentored students become school psychology program by conducting more involved. The purpose of this research which assessed the program’s mentorship program is to show how a effectiveness. It is important to ensure 56

that students are satisfied with the Poster 110 – Lindsey Lewis training curriculum, job preparedness, Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede and expertise developed within the Title: Long-Term Predictive Validity of program. This poster presentation aims to Kindergarten Academic Measures discuss how previous graduates from on Reading Achievement UNK’s school psychology program viewed how the program prepared them This study aims to examine the long-term for a career as a school psychologist predictive validity of kindergarten based on NASP standards . academic measures on first, second, and third grade reading achievement when Poster 109 – Rachel Lee controlling for socioeconomic status and Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede English language proficiency. The early Title: Evaluating School's Crisis measures being considered as predictors Prevention and Intervention Plans of Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) reading scores are the Bracken Children today are exposed to a variety of School Readiness Assessment (BRSA), crisis and traumatic events throughout the the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test course of a school year. Those traumatic (PPVT), and the AIMSweb reading events can include situations involving curriculum-based measurements. The anything from natural disasters and death BSRA and MAP reading measures in to child neglect and abuse. Crisis and kindergarten proved to have predictive traumatic events are going to happen in power on the MAP reading scores of schools, there is little that can be done to students at all three grade levels. prevent all crisis situations, however schools having a set crisis plan can help Poster 111 – Elizabeth Lopez to minimize the trauma. The National Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede Association of School Psychologists has Title: Cross-Language Relationship developed a curriculum to help schools Between Spanish and English Oral develop and implement crisis prevention Reading Fluency Among Spanish- and intervention plans. The purpose of Speaking English Learners and this study was to develop a matrix for English-Speakeing Spanish schools to compare their current crisis Learners prevention and intervention plans with NASP’s PREPaRE model. Based on the The purpose of this research was to information found in this study while most evaluate the relationship of results of schools have crisis prevention and typical assessments used to predict intervention plan, there are still elements Reading achievement ( i.e. the English each school is missing assessment DIBELS and the Spanish assessment IDEL) between students of English speaking backgrounds and students of Spanish speaking. All assessments together accounted for more than 50% of the variance in MAP

57 scores. Implications for the continued use among students of different of these assessments are discussed. socioeconomic status, English language status, and gender. Poster 112 – Emily R. McDonald Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede Poster 114 – Jacqueline Rodriguez- Title: Examining Academics and Paar Resilience in Middle School Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede Students Within a Dual Factor Title: The Relationship Between Highly Mental Health Model Mobile Students and Academic Performance as Measured by the Identifying the mental health needs of Nebraska State Accountability Test students is important, for mental health does affect academic success. While it is Many factors influence a student’s common to connect mental health to learning including socioeconomic status academic success, limited research is and mobility. The state of Nebraska has available on the affect resiliency has on distinct factors that play a role in the this relationship. This research examines academic achievement of mobile and the applicability of the Dual-Factor Model highly mobile students. This study (Greenspoon & Sakflofske, 2001) in analyzes whether these highly mobile describing mental health typologies of 5th students seem to be achieving the same through 8th grade students in a rural as or lower than their non-mobile peers Midwestern school district. It also will and if being a student of a minority group further describe whether academic along with being a mobile student shows achievement and resilience of students a significant effect on state accountability vary by mental health typologies. test scores. It is hypothesized that being a highly mobile student will result in a Poster 113 – Keri Messersmith significant difference in accountability test Mentor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede scores in at least one subject area (math Title: Using Computer-Based Measure to or reading). It is also hypothesized that Assess Reading Growth of Young being a highly mobile minority student will Children also result in at least one significantly different accountability test score. It is This study examined the reading growth also hypothesized that highly mobile 6th of students from first through third grades grade students would score lower than and how reading growth was influenced 7th and 8th grades, and minority 6th by socio-demographic factors. The socio- graders would perform lower than other demographic factors examined as middle school students. Archival data potential influences of reading growth were gathered from 55,619 Nebraska included socioeconomic status, English middle school students who took both the language status, and gender. Results NeSA-R and the NeSA-M in the 2013- compared how different socio- 2014 academic year and used to demographic factors influenced reading complete a between-subjects ANOVA. growth in students during the early Data supported the hypothesis that being grades. Reading growth was comparable a highly mobile student results in 58 significantly lower NeSA math and reading scores. The data also supported Educational the hypothesis that being a highly mobile minority student would also result in at Administration least one significantly different NeSA test scores. The data did not support the Poster 116 – Jackie Griffiths hypothesis that highly mobile 6th grade Co-Author – Melissa Dobish students would score lower than highly Mentor: Dr. Richard Meyer mobile 7th and 8th grade students, and Title: Improving Teaching and Learning mobile, minority 6th graders would Using the Keeping Learning on perform lower than their other middle Track Professional Development school counterparts. The data did not Program and Strategies support the hypothesis that students of different racial backgrounds while being in This study examines the impact of different grades may have significantly implementing the professional lower NeSA scores. Further analysis development program, Keeping Learning needs to be completed. on Track (KLT), on teaching and learning in a rural school in a Midwestern state. Poster 115 – Halli Thurlow KLT was a program developed by Dylan Co-Author – Meghan Gregg William and his colleagues at the Advisor: Dr. Tammi Ohmstede Educational Training Service and Title: Assessing Impact of an Evidenced- published by the Northwest Evaluation Based Universal SEL Curriculum Association (NWEA). Teachers and administrators in the district were Social-emotional learning (SEL) in the surveyed after using the KLT model for classroom has been reported to improve one to two years to determine the mental health well-being of students effectiveness of the program on teaching (Merrell, 2008). SEL incorporates a broad and learning. Survey results indicated that range of strategies and techniques to teachers felt that KLT improved their enhance resilience, improve social- instructional practice and that KLT has emotional and life skills, and prevent improved student learning for students in negative life outcomes through effective their classrooms. In addition, teachers classroom instruction. Through this poster agreed that formative assessment is presentation, participants will gain valuable for improving teaching and knowledge on the implementation of an learning. evidence-based Tier 1 SEL curriculum. In addition, participants will know the impact of SEL program on students’ social- emotional functioning.

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fathers lost 8.2 ± 4.7% of BM. SM-SUM Kinesiology & Sports was 79% for fathers, 81% for children, and 88% for mothers. Stepwise multiple Sciences regression models suggested that Child’s SM-SUM accounted for 19% of the Poster 117 – Ava Coughlin variance in Child’s % BM loss after 12 Mentors: Dr. Kate Heelan & Dr. Todd weeks (R2=0.19, p<0.05). Mother’s SM- Bartee NUTR score (R2=0.47, p<0.05) and Title: Self-Monitoring as a Predictor for Child’s SM-SUM score (R2=0.08, p<0.05) Weight Loss in a Family -Based accounted for 55% of the variance in Pediatric Obesity Treatment Mother’s % BM loss (p<0.05). Father’s Program SM-NUTR score accounted for 29% of the variance (R2=0.29, p<0.05) in Pediatric obesity treatment programs Father’s % BM loss. CONCLUSION: SM- intend to reduce body mass and establish NUTR, SM-PA, and SM-BM all appear to healthy lifestyle characteristics to prevent play a role with family weight loss, with obesity in adulthood. Programs for SM-NUTR being most influential. children in the 95th-99th BMI percentile Continuance of self-monitoring post- are suggested to be comprehensive and intervention and its influence on weight multidisciplinary to change behaviors and loss should occur. decrease weight. Self-monitoring (SM) has shown to be an effective strategy in Poster 118 – Alexis Malmkar child weight loss. PURPOSE: To Mentor: Dr. Kate Heelan determine if child and parent SM of Title: Change in Body Mass from weekly nutrition (NUTR), physical activity Kindergarten to 5th Grade as a (PA), and body mass (BM) predict weight Predictor for Body Mass in 5th loss during a 12-week pediatric obesity Grade treatment program. METHODS: 51 children (age: 9.8 ± 2.3 years, BMI Childhood obesity impacts approximately percentile: 98.0 ± 1.3), 45 mothers (age: 12.7 million children in the US 41.5 ± 6.2 years), and 37 fathers (age: (Ogden, et.al., 2015). Prevalence of 41.5 ± 6.2 years) participated in 12 obesity among 6-11 year (17.5%) is more weekly healthy living education sessions. than double of toddler-aged children 2-5 SM scores were determined as the year olds (8.9%). PURPOSE: The number of weeks participants logged purpose of this study was to evaluate energy intake (SM-NUTR), monitored changes in body mass (BM) from K steps per day (SM-PA), and weighed-in through 5th grade and determine its (SM-BM) over 12 weeks. A sum score impact on BM in 5th grade. METHODS: (SM-SUM) of the three SM components BM and stature were measured on a was created. Stepwise multiple single population of 199 elementary regression models were used to predict school children in 2010 (K) and again in weight loss from SM scores. RESULTS: 2015 (5th grade). BMI was calculated by In 12 weeks, children lost 5.1 ± 4.4% of (kg/m2). Stepwise multiple regression BM, mothers lost 5.3 ± 8.0% of BM, and analysis was computed to determine if 60 change in BM from K to 5th grade, BM, or BMI in K predicted BM in 5th grade. RESULTS: 64.77% of students remained in the normal weight classification from K to 5th grade and gained 36.58±10.67 lbs. 18.13% of students moved into or remained in the overweight classification between K and 5th grade and gained 50.55±7.49 lbs. 13.47% of students moved into or remained in the obese weight classification and gained 73.98±14.71 lbs. Change in BM from K- 5th grade (R2=0.82, p<0.05), K BM (R2= 0.02, p<0.05), and K BMI (R2= 0.12, p<0.05) significantly predicted 5th grade BM accounting for 95% the variance (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Those that remained in an unhealthy weight classification from K to 5th grade gained 50.55% more weight in 5 years, an average of approximately 7.5 more lbs per year compared to a normal weight gain. Programs that focus on prevention of excessive weight gain are warranted to assist student in elementary school to avoid unnecessary weight gain and assist obese children to grow into their body mass over time.

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Performance Schedule

Sandhills Room

1:30 pm ...... So-Young Chun: Girl Crush (Mentor – Dr. Sharon Campbell)

2:00 pm ...... Elaine Christensen: The Gothic Tradition: A Theatrical Revival (Mentor – Dr. Sharon Campbell)

Performance Abstracts

Music & Performing Arts

Elaine Christensen Mentor: Dr. Sharon Campbell Title: The Gothic Tradition: A Theatrical Revival

This project will be presented in two parts- a research portion and a performance portion. The main objective of my project is to be able to analyze common themes found in classic Gothic literature and apply them to contemporary Gothic theatre. To further support this thesis, I will then provide examples of said analysis in a theatrically creative format. This analysis comes from a curiosity of the endurance, or lack thereof, of Gothic novels in today’s society. If there is a decline in the popularity of these stories, then transforming these novels into works of live theatre may be essential to their survival. However, if Gothic literature has endured, then perhaps it is their adaptation into theatrical works that has guaranteed their timelessness. I believe that a set of common themes found within Gothic works is what has allowed them to remain relevant to today’s audiences. Using live theatre to portray these themes in a more 62

relational way only secures the fate of Gothic as an ageless genre. In order to better convey this idea to listeners, I would like to present a poster with a summary of my research, as well as a brief theatrical performance that will showcase the idea of theatrical performances as relational works. In this way, I can not only present my research in a formal setting, but also be able to give examples from specific theatrical repertoire that I will choose to support my thesis.

So-Young Chun Mentor: Dr. Sharon Campbell Title: Girl Crush

“Girl Crush” was performed in the Fine Arts Recital Hall on March 9th. It is focused on women’s roles and life problems as presented in musicals. The idea came from researching musicals that have had a big success in South Korea or have had South Korean financial backing. Through this research, I perceived that the role of female characters is very limited. Mostly, they perform about their love, lovers, heartbreak and betrayal by men. It was hard to find female characters who have independent lives in the musicals which were highlighted by my research. Therefore, I wanted to make a 3 act performance introducing women’s role in musicals in the theme of “Girl Crush”. Even though each musical is frame different period and place, I put them in one world for this performance, so the characters from various musicals talk and interact with each other. Act 1 is “Girls have Crushes”, performing the musical numbers from various musicals singing about girls who fall in love with men. Act 2 is “Crush the Crush”, and it features musical numbers about hating men. Lastly, Act 3 “Girl Crush” features musical numbers celebrating the independent life of the characters, and having a “girl crush” other girls a matured admiration for other women’s power. In this oral presentation for Student Research Day, a few selections will be performed within an oral presentation about the project.

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Oral Presentation Schedule

Room: Ponderosa C

1:30 pm ---- Tessa Burford: The Implications of Screen Adaptation (Mentor – Dr. Maria O’Malley) 1:45 pm ---- Anna Wagemann: Revisiting the “Woman Question”: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Norton Anthology of English Literature (NAEL) (Mentor – Dr. Michelle Beissel Heath) 2:00 pm ---- John Umland: Bears That Dance, Bears That Don't: The Cormac McCarthy Villain (Mentor – Dr. Seth Long) 2:15 pm ---- Erica Wood: The Reinvention of the Female Hero in Contemporary Arthurian Legend (Mentor – Dr. Rebecca Umland) 2:30 pm ---- Sherah Dickinson: Police Assisting Addicts Towards Recovery (Mentor – Dr. Benjamin Malczyk) 2:45 pm ---- Megan Humlicek: Marked for Life: The Far Reaching Impact of Parental Military Deployment on Young Adults (Mentor – Dr. Maha Younes) 3:00 pm ---- Selena Beard: Will saying "I do" help you in college? Examining the influence of marital status on academic performance (Mentor – Dr. Mickey Langlais) 3:15 pm ---- Jordyn Randall: Can Pornography Consumption Be Beneficial For Romantic Relationships? (Mentor – Dr. Mickey Langlais) 64

Oral Presentation Schedule

Room: Ponderosa D

1:30 pm ---- Larissa Attema: Drosophila Melanogaster Nora Virus ORF1 Protein is Localized to the Nucleus (Mentors – Dr. Brad Ericson & Dr. Kimberly Carlson) 2:00 pm ---- Sam Stoltenberg: Candida albicans’ Influence on Persister Cell Formation in Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms (Mentor – Dr. Austin Nuxoll) 2:15 pm ---- Ryan Clark: Graph Theory and Zombies (Mentor – Dr. James Carraher) 2:30 pm ---- Stephanie Slayden: The Binomial Transform of p-recursive Sequences (Mentor – Dr. Barton Willis) 2:45 pm ---- Jianbai Xu: Parity of Leaf Depths in Binary Trees (Mentor – Dr. Jia Huang)

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Oral Presentation Schedule

Room: NSU 310

1:30 pm ---- Aatiya Ahmad: Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide using Gold Nanoparticles (Mentor – Dr. Haishi Cao) 1:45 pm ---- Seth Springer: Synthesis of oxazolidinone-protected amino acids for use in Negishi Coupling reactions (Mentor – Dr. Allen Thomas) 2:00 pm ---- Kati Frankenberg: Measuring Binding Interactions Between HSA and Hydroxyatrazine Using High Performance Affinity Chromatography (Mentor – Dr. Annette Moser) 2:15 pm ---- Andrew Flint: Hydroxamic Acids as LAT1 Substrates (Mentor – Dr. Allen Thomas) 2:30 pm ---- Laura Stoner: Challenges of the Negishi Coupling Reaction to Prepare Amino Acids Containing Polar Functional Groups (Mentor – Dr. Allen Thomas) 2:45 pm ---- Sidney Trenhaile: Development of a Multi-Technique Lab for Analytical Chemistry for the Analysis of Ca2+ in Limestone (Mentor – Dr. Annette Moser 3:00 pm ---- Abby Anthony: Pursuit of Heterocyclic Analogs of Histidine Via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross Coupling (Mentor – Dr. Allen Thomas)

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Oral Presentation Schedule

Room: NSU 312

1:30 pm ---- Brittany Hanzlik: Patient-Provider Communication in Pediatrics (Mentor – Dr. Richard Mocarski) 2:00 pm ---- Trevor Lee: An Analysis of the Academic Knowledge of Terrorism and Our Understanding of ISIS (Mentor – Dr. Chuck Rowling) 2:15 pm ---- Carly Brown: The Second Amendment and its Evolution (Mentor – Dr. Lorna Bracewell) 2:30 pm ---- Jessa Schultis: Ecotourism In Costa Rica and the Great Plains (Mentor – Dr. Peter Longo) 2:45 pm ---- Andrew Riesenberg: Effects of Pet Ownership on Empathy (Mentor – Dr. William Wozniak) 3:00 pm ---- Mark Veale: The Well-being of Persons With Dementia During Varuious Activities (Mentor – Dr. Robert Rycek)

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as the ORF1-GFP fusion protein staining merged with DAPI staining in the nuclei of Oral the transfected S2 cells. We subsequently created mutants of ORF1 to eliminate the Presentation NLS. We analyzed them by again transfecting these constructs into S2 cells and observing the results with Abstracts fluorescence microscopy. Elimination of the NLS in our mutants resulted in GFP staining in the cytoplasm of the cell Biology instead of in the nucleus. DAPI staining of the same cells failed to show a merging of Larissa Attema the staining. To our knowledge, this is the Mentors: Dr. Brad Ericson & Dr. Kimberly first example of an RNA virus that Carlson specifies an RNAi inhibitor that Title: Drosophila Melanogaster Nora Virus translocates to the nucleus. The project ORF1 Protein is Localized to the Nucleus described was supported by grants from the National Center for Research Nora virus is a novel RNA picorna-like Resources (5P20RR016469) and the virus that has positive-sense, single- National Institute for General Medical stranded RNA. Its mode of transmission Science (8P20GM103427), a component is horizontal via the fecal-oral route. The of the National Institutes of Health. viral genome consists of four open reading frames, two specify structural Sam Stoltenberg proteins (ORF3 and ORF4), one encodes Co-Author – Justine Pitzer a replicase cassette (ORF2) and the 5’ Mentor: Dr. Austin Nuxoll most ORF encodes an RNAi inhibitor Title: Candida albicans’ Influence on (ORF1). Nuclear localization signals Persister Cell Formation in (NLS) are sequences of amino acids that Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms direct the transport of proteins into the nucleus of a cell. They can be Candida albicans is a fungus that forms monopartite or bipartite. Through a biofilms on the surfaces of indwelling sequence analysis of the Nora virus gene medical devices, such as catheters, ORF1, we discovered a putative bipartite shunts, and prosthetic implants. Elderly, nuclear localization signal. To verify that immunocompromised patients make up a this NLS was transporting ORF1 protein large portion of this population. Biofilms into the nucleus, we constructed an are notorious for being difficult to ORF1-GFP fusion by isolating ORF1 and treat. Further complications arise inserting it upstream of EGFP in the p- when C. albicans forms polymicrobial EGFP N3 plasmid, fusing ORF1 and GFP biofilms with Staphylococcus aureus, a together. We then transfected this ORF1- pathogenic bacterial species responsible GFP construct into S2 cells and observed for over one million infections a the results by fluorescence microscopy. year. These infections result in increased Our results suggested nuclear localization mortality - the underlying mechanism for 68

this remains unclear. We examined the attached sensor will readily be reduced. possibility that cells within a biofilm are The anticipated outcome of this study is dormant and not metabolically active – to develop a selective method for commonly known as persister cells. We detecting hydrogen sulfide. also speculated that polymicrobial biofilms have a higher percentage of Abby Anthony persister cells compared to ciofilms Co-Author – Andrew Flint formed with a single species. Early Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas experiments show co-incubating C. Title: Pursuit of Heterocyclic Analogs of albicans with S. aureus increases Histidine Via Palladium-Catalyzed Cross persister cell formation. We have Coupling performed polymicrobial biofilm assays with S. aureus and C. albicans. We will LAT1 is a membrane transporter protein analyze these results and present our highly expressed in the blood-brain findings. These preliminary results may barrier (BBB) as well as in various types partially explain the increased nosocomial of cancer. LAT1 substrates have shown mortality in patients with polymicrobial to have applications as targeted drug biofilms. delivery agents, potentially allowing pharmaceuticals to cross the BBB. Computer-simulated models of the Chemistry transporter binding site predict that heterocyclic analogs of L-histidine could Aatiya Ahmad potentially be used as LAT1 substrates. Mentor: Dr. Haishi Cao To map out the structure-activity Title: Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide using relationship (SAR) around L-histidine, we Gold Nanoparticles explored various substitutions and replacements of the imidazole ring (e.g. Hydrogen sulfide is a molecule that is pyrazole, pyridine). Palladium-catalyzed known to be present in trace amounts in cross coupling is a powerful synthetic the body. Abnormal hydrogen sulfide method that has the potential to allow for levels have been noted in people who a wide scope of amino acid analogs to be have developed diseases such as prepared; however, few have reported diabetes, Down’s syndrome, and use of this strategy for making Alzheimer’s disease. Identifying hydrogen heterocyclic amino acids. Attempted sulfide molecules using biosensors will synthesis of these compounds involved allow us to be able to understand the role testing of various palladium-catalyzed it plays in our bodies and how we can carbon-carbon bond forming reactions utilize it to treat these diseases. In Dr. (e.g. Negishi, Suzuki, and Heck coupling). Cao’s laboratory we are trying to detect The preparation of halogen-substituted hydrogen Sulfide using fluorescence heterocycles, and results for their cross biosensors, anchored to gold coupling reactions will be presented. nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles play a key role in attracting hydrogen sulfide and concentrating it so that the 69

Andrew Flint group discovered that the carboxylic acid Co-Authors – Karissa Finke, Arik A. of L-leucine and other hydrophobic amino Zur, Huan-Chieh Chien, Evan acids could be replaced with either a Augustyn, Nathan Heeren, Christopher hydroxamic acid or ester functional group Hernandez, Logan Hansen, Lawrence and still retain substrate activity. The SAR Lin, Kathleen M. Giacomini, Claire for these compounds was determined Colas & Avner Schlessinger using cellular assays. This data indicates Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas that LAT1 drug design and synthesis is no Title: Hydroxamic Acids as LAT1 longer constrained to containing the Substrates previously proposed carboxylic acid as it once was. The synthesis and SAR of One of the most challenging aspects of these novel LAT1 substrates will be neurotherapeutic drug delivery is the presented. highly selective layer of endothelial cells which make up a network of capillaries Kati Frankenberg known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Mentor: Dr. Annette Moser However, metabolically-essential Title: Measuring Binding Interactions molecules are readily transported across Between HSA and Hydroxyatrazine Using the BBB by proteins that are expressed at High Performance Affinity these cells. LAT1 is a membrane Chromatography transport protein that is highly expressed at the BBB and enables dietary amino Human Serum Albumin (HSA) is a acids to enter the brain. As well as this, it transport protein abundant within the also transports drugs that mimic naturally blood system. HSA is able to bind with a occurring amino acids (e.g. gabapentin broad range of solutes including and L-DOPA). To successfully design herbicides. A High Performance Affinity drug molecules that might utilize LAT1, a Chromatography (HPAC) machine is able deeper understanding of the structure- to measure the binding constant between activity relationship (SAR) is needed. This HSA and certain herbicide/herbicide will allow for further analysis of how metabolites. HSA has two main binding transported molecules (substrates) sites, Sudlow Site 1 and Sudlow Site 2, interact with the LAT1 binding site. where interactions of itself and Atrazine Despite some variability in the and its metabolites can be measured. The arrangement of the amine and carboxylic HPAC was used to measure binding acid functional groups, it has been interactions of the two HAS binding sites maintained in literature that both groups for Atrazine and its metabolites with are required for a molecule to be a analtyes, R-Warfarin and L-Tryptophan. substrate. However, there is inconclusive Using the HPAC, and Zonal Elution evidence that a carboxylic acid must be method, it was found that the interactions present. Our hypothesis was that between R-Warfarin were competitive and functional groups capable of expressing the interactions between L-Tryptophan similar pKa’s and/or hydrogen bonding of were not competitive. the carboxylic acid (i.e. bioisosteres) might be LAT1 substrates. Our research 70

Seth Springer Laura Stoner Co-Authors – Evan Augustyn, Karissa Co-Authors – Justine Bauer, Karissa Finke & Logan Hansen Finke, Abby Anthony, Andrew Flint & Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas Seth Springer Title: Synthesis of oxazolidinone- Mentor: Dr. Allen Thomas protected amino acids for use in Negishi Title: Challenges of the Negishi Coupling Coupling reactions Reaction to Prepare Amino Acids Containing Polar Functional Groups Recently our group has been pursuing phenylalanine and tyrosine analogs Negishi coupling reactions are an substituted on the aromatic ring. We effective method for introducing carbon- evaluated the Negishi coupling reaction carbon bonds within molecules and are for synthesizing these analogs. A particularly useful for our goal of literature search revealed no examples of preparing phenylalanine derivatives by Negishi coupling reactions between iodo- joining substituted aromatic rings with a substituted phenylalanine or tyrosine protected amino acid moiety. The analogs and alkyl zinc reagents. Initially, variables we have been studying to Negishi reactions on Boc-protected amino advance the Negishi reaction include: esters gave poor yields (≤20%). We solvents, catalysts, halide leaving group, hypothesized that the desired coupling and ester functional group of the would work better if both the carbamate organozinc reagent. We have applied the “N-H” and carboxylic acid functional optimal conditions to perform synthesis groups were concealed, which prompted on one gram scale. One problem we have us to explore an oxazolidinone ring. This encountered is loss of chirality during the would allow for the simultaneous Negishi coupling, which we hypothesize protection of both functional groups. was due to the organozinc reagent Moreover, the oxazolidinone could be reacting with the final product. We will easily removed under mild acidic present our results on optimizing this conditions to simultaneously deprotect the important reaction and avoiding loss of Boc group. To our knowledge, this is a chirality. new synthetic approach for obtaining substituted amino acid derivatives. We Sidney Trenhaile examined multiple routes toward the Mentor: Dr. Annette Moser formation of oxazolidinones to optimize Title: Development of a Multi-Technique their synthesis. The solvent, base, and Lab for Analytical Chemistry for the electrophile were varied to determine their Analysis of Ca2+ in Limestone effect on yield. Once generated, the oxazolidinone-protected amino acids A lab for analytical chemistry was were then tested alongside a traditional designed which encompassed 4 different benzyl ester protecting group in the methods of analysis in which students Negishi coupling reaction. compare four different methods of analysis to determine which one is the best for detecting calcium in limestone. The four methods include UV-Vis 71

absorption spectroscopy, EDTA titration, overall experience for children with atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), and chronic conditions will be presented. ion selective electrode (ISE). Two of the eech sound remediation? four methods, UV-Vis absorption and ISE, were tested in research to prove their validity. UV-Vis detection tested to be English effective at determining the concentration of calcium in solution from concentrations Tessa Burford of 1-10 ppm, even in the presence of Mentor: Dr. Maria O’Malley significant amounts of magnesium (a Title: The Implications of Screen common mineral found in limestone). ISE Adaptation also showed reproducibility in the detection of calcium from 1-1000 ppm This paper aims to study the also in the presence of significant representations of gender in screen amounts of magnesium. adaptations of short stories. As the twenty-first-century entertainment industry seeks to remake, reinstall, and Communication reassemble stories of the past, mining any profitable material for spin-offs, Brittany Hanzlik prequels, or “reboots,” adaptations of Mentor: Dr. Richard Mocarski prose fiction tap into the demands of an Title: Patient-Provider Communication in audience already familiar with a text. This Pediatrics paper is part of a research project involving an in-depth examination of the Effective patient-provider communication screen adaptations of works by F. Scott is essential in creating an overall, positive Fitzgerald, J.M. Barrie, Sherman Alexie, healthcare experience for both patients Jim Harrison, Annie Proulx, Stephen and healthcare providers. Unfortunately, King, and Susan Orlean. In this paper, I many healthcare professionals focus on the screen adaptations of overestimate their ability to communicate Stephen King, a writer whose work spans effectively with patients. Over the years, a genres (horror, suspense, drama, growing focus on the topic of patient- coming-of-age, prison films) and whose provider communication has been vast commercial success as a writer established with a large amount of converts authorship into a kind of “brand” literature being published on this principal for screen adaptations of his idea. However, little research has been work. Working from feminist film theory conducted on patient-provider and criticism, this paper looks closely at communication in populations of children the changes in story between text and with chronic conditions. Thus, the screen through the embodiment and research I have conducted on how visualization of King’s female healthcare providers can establish better characters. In two specific works, communication and supply a better “Children of the Corn” (1977), and Misery (1985), the female characters are dramatically influenced by the male gaze 72 and visual pleasure. With the distribution sausages, but none of us wants to know of several remakes of King’s stories into precisely how they are made” (1086). movies in the coming year, what some Shesgreen’s paper and its resultant deem a “Stephen King renaissance,” this impassioned correspondence reveals that paper makes a much needed intervention the study of anthologies proves to be to lay the groundwork for noting the unavoidably and deeply political and changing representations of women in personal. As Greenblatt excellently film. phrases it, “To stay vital, the anthology, therefore, would need to undergo a John L. Umland process of periodic revision, guided by Mentor: Dr. Seth Long advice from teachers, as well as students, Title: Bears That Dance, Bears That who view the anthology with a loyal but Don't: The Cormac McCarthy Villain critical eye” (xiv). To help with that vitality, I propose that we must scrutinize these In this project I will explore in great detail revisions, combining both data and two of Cormac McCarthy’s most popular literature together in order to construct a villains, Judge Holden from Blood fuller, richer illustration of the NAEL. In Meridian and Anton Chigurh from No my paper, specifically examine the topic Country for Old Men. They are often clusters solely dedicated to women and compared, and many literary critics such gender. In the 9th edition of the NAEL, as even Harold Bloom have suggested three of the six volumes contain topic that Chigurh is just a “lesser” version of clusters. I question what are the women Judge Holden, something I strongly writing about? How are they portrayed? disagree with. I will also explore various What are the authors’ role in their McCarthy themes and motifs in this society? Are male authors also included paper, such as his use of fire, stone, and in the sections? Through examining both the struggle between good and evil. What the quantitative and the qualitative I hope to ultimately provide in this paper findings, the paper unearths the multi- is another perspective when it comes to layered and rich complexity that the NAEL interpreting some of the most intimidating has the potential to offer—but does not villains in American literature. yet.

Anna Xin Wagemann Erica Wood Mentor: Dr. Michelle Beissel Heath Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Umland Title: Revisiting the “Woman Question”: A Title: The Reinvention of the Female Hero Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of in Contemporary Arthurian Legend the Norton Anthology of English Literature (NAEL) The Arthurian Legend has long enjoyed a lasting appeal, due in part to its An anthology is like a sausage, Sean mythopoeic nature. One way this Shesgreen, author of the controversial adaptability becomes readily apparent is “Canonizing the Canonizer: A Short in the portrayal of the female hero as History of The Norton Anthology of woman warrior in modern Arthurian films. English Literature,” claims, “We all love The presence of a woman warrior has 73 become a recent trend, but the question al., 2003). However, these benefits may arises as to whether this is an innovation not be present in contexts where being of filmmakers attempting to accommodate married is not the norm. The traditional contemporary audiences, or whether they college student is typically about 18-22 are returning to earlier historical and years old, unmarried, and comes directly legendary models. In researching this from high school (Steinberg, 2011). question, I found that in early historical According to the Department of Education accounts, women in Celtic society were (2014), approximately 7% of known to have served as both warriors, undergraduate students are married. trained to fight with weapons, and were Given that being married as an occasionally rulers. Moreover, although undergraduate student is not the norm, women in medieval romance were not the context of being married may have often cast as warriors, a close implications for academic performance. examination of the heroines in this Although the number of married literature shows that they are frequently undergraduate students has been more complexly drawn than the increasing throughout the United States stereotype used to represent them, (Negy, 2003; Steinberg, 2011), there showing strength of character and have not been many studies examining wielding power over others. The Arthurian how relationship status predicts academic film adaptations discussed—Excalibur performance. One study demonstrated a (1981), First Knight (1995), King Arthur positive influence of marriage on the (2004), and The Last Legion (2007)—help academic achievement of community us to examine the less traditional role of college students (Yess, 1981). However, the woman warrior as belonging to an Negy (2003) found that some married earlier history and legend, rather than college students face more day-to-day having been invented by modern difficulties than non-married students, filmmakers and inserted into an Arthurian which could potentially impact their story. The woman warrior is a vital part of academic performance. Generally, both history and the Arthurian legend relationship status appears to play a role itself, not solely the invention of in the academic performance of students, filmmakers who wish to meet audience but the research is scarce, not up-to-date, expectations. and does not primarily focus on undergraduate students. Therefore, the goal of this study has two purposes. First, Family Studies we examine how relationship status predicts academic performance. Second, Selena Beard we test relationship quality as a Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais moderator for these two relationships. Title: Will saying "I do" help you in Data comes from 111 undergraduate college? Examining the influence of students who completed an online marital status on academic performance questionnaire regarding their relationship status, relationship quality, and academic Many studies have illustrated the benefits performance. Using multiple regression of being married (e.g., Kiecolt-Glaser et models, we did not find support for our 74 hypothesis that relationship status consumed on a monthly (B = .50, p < .01) predicted academic performance. and weekly (B = .50, p < .01) basis. Also, However, length of marriage was using hierarchical multiple regressions, marginally significant with cumulative monthly pornography consumption is grade point average. Additionally, we did positively associated with relationship not find support for the moderating effects satisfaction (B = .87, p < .05) and of relationship quality. Implications for the commitment (B = .87, p < .01). current study illustrate that relationship Subsequently, consuming any amount of status may not alter the academic pornography was negatively associated trajectories of undergraduate students. with commitment (B = -.53, p < .05). Last, the model predicting commitment from Jordyn Randall pornography use explained 48% of the Mentor: Dr. Mickey Langlais variance from the control variables of the Title: Can Pornography Consumption Be study. Pornography consumption plays a Beneficial For Romantic Relationships? significant role in the quality of premarital romantic relationships. Based on these Several studies have described that results, consuming porn may potentially pornography has negative impacts on provide more acceptance of sexual sexual development, but few studies have behaviors that could bring couples closer examined the influence of porn together. Implications regarding consumption for premarital romantic pornography consumption will be relationships (Bridges et al., 2013; Wright, discussed. 2013). Additionally, individuals watch more pornography than Netflix, Amazon, and Twitter combined (Huffington Post, Mathematics & 2013). The goal of this study is to examine potential predictors of Statistics consuming pornography and the impact of consuming pornography on relationship Ryan Clark quality. Quantitative and qualitative data Mentor: Dr. James Carraher for this study comes from 49 young adults Title: Graph Theory and Zombies (75.5% female) who completed surveys and one-on-one interviews regarding We use knowledge of graph theory in sexual behaviors and pornography order to look at the probability of survival consumption. Based on independent t- in a game of Zombies vs. Survivors on tests, there were no significant the Petersen graph. Through the study of differences in pornography consumption graph properties and theorems, we were between virgins and non-virgins. able to identify specific properties of the Additionally, based on hierarchical Petersen graph which lends it to being an multiple regression analyses, engaging in ideal playing field for the game. Zombies anal intercourse was significantly vs. Survivors is derived from another predictive of higher consumption of game called Cops and Robbers. In Cops pornography, both in terms of their and Robbers, the cops are placed on perception of the amount of pornography random vertices, and can maneuver 75 around the graph in an attempt to get to Jianbai Xu the vertex that the robber is occupying. Co-Author – Madison Mickey The robber is also free to move about the Mentor: Dr. Jia Huang graph in order to avoid being caught. Title: Parity of Leaf Depths in Binary Zombies vs. Survivors is similar, with the Trees only difference being that the zombies' may not implement a strategy, but must We study the non-associativity of a binary simply move toward the survivor via the operation called the double minus shortest possible route. The survivor wins operation using (full) binary trees. With if there exists a strategy such that the the help of computations in the survivor is never caught by the zombies. mathematics software SageMath, we We show that we can calculate the discover an interesting periodic pattern for winning percentage of the survivor for any the distribution of the parity of leaf depths number of zombies on the graph, as well in binary trees. This lead to an interesting as recognize the background research formula for the number of distinct results done to give us the tools in order to solve obtained from consecutive applications of the problem. the double minus operation, which coincides with Sequence A000975 in The Stephanie Slayden On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Mentor: Dr. Barton Willis Sequences. Title: The Binomial Transform of p- recursive Sequences Political Science The goal for our research is to use the formula for the Fibonacci numbers to find Carly C. Brown its binomial transformation. We are going Mentor: Dr. Lorna Bracewell to do this by finding a recurrence relation Title: The Second Amendment and its for the binomial transformation of the Evolution Fibonacci numbers. The Fibonacci sequence is already recursive, and we The focus of this presentation will be to have already found some identities for the take a look at how authors specializing in binomial transformation. Our first step is the Second Amendment view this to rewrite the Fibonacci sequence to controversial amendment's evolution. make it look more like the binomial While the amendment's language has not transformation. Once we get that done, much been affected by Supreme Court we can use the previous identities to find rulings, gun rights lobbyists have created the coefficients of terms for the new a shift in public opinion regarding the Fibonacci sequence. Once we do that, we seemingly harmless 27 words. It is can hopefully find a pattern between the important to not only focus on the coefficients and then be able to form a contemporary debates surround gun recurrence relation. This will help us rights and issues, but to look at the generate more terms for the binomial historical context in which the amendment transformation. was framed. This presentation, based on the research accumulated in the 76 semester-long exploration and creation of level of empathy toward animals and a bibliography, will be a shallow dive into human beings. Scores for attachment and a deep pool of history, as well as modern commitment to pets, as well as empathy debate. toward animals and humans were assessed using survey questionnaires Jessa Schultis administered to 63 Psychology students. I Mentor: Dr. Peter Longo also collected demographic information, Title: Ecotourism In Costa Rica and the including a description of their childhood Great Plains pets. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationships between 7 Ecotourism is a popular way to bring in scores: self-reported attachment, self- money into an area as well as protect and reported commitment, combined self- preserve threatened environments. Costa reported attachment and commitment, the Rica is often considered the “poster child” Miller-Rada (Staats, Miller, Carnot, Rada, of ecotourism, as it has rich biodiversity, a and Turnes 1996) pet attachment scale, legal framework for environmental the Miller-Rada (Staats, Miller, Carnot, protection, and infrastructure for tourists. Rada, and Turnes 1996) pet commitment The Great Plains of the United States has scale, the Paul (2000) empathy toward also utilized ecotourism for such animals scale, and the Mehrabian and attractions such as rivers, waterfalls, and Epstein (1972) empathy toward humans prairieland. This paper will compare the scale. Analysis showed statistically evolution of ecotourism in Costa Rica and significant correlations among most of the the Great Plains to better explain why it measures. However, there were no was pursued and what have been the significant correlations between the effects for both regions. measures of pet attachment and empathy toward humans. The lack of relationship between pet attachment and human Psychology empathy may be that college students tend to be more attached to animals than Andrew Riesenberg they are empathetic to humans because Mentor: Dr. William Wozniak animals are perceived to not have as Title: Effects of Pet Ownership on much responsibility for their unfavorable Empathy situations as humans. However, the strong correlation between animal There have been numerous studies on empathy and human empathy needs the effects of pet ownership on empathy further investigation. Further analyses will in children. For example, Vidovic, Štetic, investigate the difference between the and Bratko (1999) found that, for 4th, 6th measures of animal empathy and animal and 8th graders, pet owners were attachment and why they are differentially significantly more empathic and related to human empathy. This research prosocially oriented. The purpose of this has important applications for research was to investigate how a college understanding the interactions and student’s attachment and commitment to relationships between people, and how to pets they owned as a child influence their 77

improve empathy and reduce antisocial For example, Bingo and Exercises behaviors. showed significantly more Deliberate Body Movement as compared to Mark C Veale Manicures and Devotions. Manicures had Mentor: Dr. Robert Rycek higher levels of Vocalization and Initiation Title: The Well-being of Persons With of Interaction than the other activities. The Dementia During Varuious Activities hypothesis that PWDs would show the least well-being during Unstructured Time Dementia is a debilitating disorder with no was partially supported. During cure and few treatment options. The Unstructured Time and Devotions, number of Persons With Dementia participants scored similarly low on the (PWDs) is estimated to double every PRS. The low score during Unstructured twenty years for the foreseeable future Time is harmonious with an established (Prince, et al., 2013). With limited body of research (Brooker, & Duce, 2000; resources to accommodate the large and Schreiner, Yamamoto, & Shiotani, 2005), growing number of PWDs, knowledge of but the low score during Devotions, a which activities are the most beneficial structured activity, was unexpected. becomes valuable. In the present study, the well-being of PWDs was observed and measured during various activities Social Work (devotions, exercises, bingo, manicures, and unstructured time). It was Sherah Dickinson hypothesized that there would be a Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Malczyk difference between the well-being Title: Police Assisting Addicts Towards displayed by PWDs during each activity Recovery and that during unstructured time would display the least well-being. Twenty-four The War on Drugs has resulted in the participants (2 male, 22 female) at a long- mass incarceration of millions of term care facility specializing in dementia nonviolent drug offenders. The tolls of this care were video recorded during activities war have resulted in broken families and already being offered by the facility. futures and in the disparate treatment of Participants were then measured using minority and disadvantaged groups. the Positive Response Schedule for These issues have been further Severe Dementia (PRS), which measures aggravated by the push of prescription well-being based on seven behaviors and opioids such as OxyContin and three emotions (Perrin, 1997). The hydrocodone by pharmaceutical hypothesis that there would be a companies and medical practitioners; this difference in the well-being displayed is causing catastrophic substance abuse between activities was not supported addictions that influence individuals and when looking for amounts well-being families across all socioeconomic, produced, as seen in overall scores. cultural, and geographic lines. The rise in However, when looking at individual opiate addiction has spread across the behaviors, it appears there are differential United States and has acted as an patterns of responding across activities. impetus for new discussions on alternate 78 approaches to drug use and abuse. This research project explored alternative approaches to mass incarceration and overly-punitive War on Drugs policies. Specifically, the research examined an innovative approach in Gloucester, Massachusetts which provides treatment based alternatives to incarceration for individuals addicted to opiates. The analysis examines both the substance of this program as well as the factors and actors that led to the adoption of the program. While it is still too early to examine outcomes of the program, the research discusses the potential benefits of the program, especially in comparison to alternate approaches to substance abuse and addiction similar to those found in Portugal. The research posits that decriminalization of drug use in conjunction with evidenced based practices such as rehabilitative programs will help reduce stigma, decrease government costs and strengthen families that have been affected by substance abuse disorders.

79

Index by Poster Number

Participant ...... Poster # Duennerman, Stephanie ...... 100 Acosta Marquez, Flor ...... 25 Duff, Shannon ...... 14 Adams, B...... 85 Dull, Claire ...... 86 Adams, Brittney ...... 41, 62, 67 Eddy, Elaina ...... 104 Andreasen, Jacob ...... 31 Ernest, Rachael ...... 87 Anthony, Abby ...... 68, 70 Ertmer, Trey ...... 18 Arndt, Katelin ...... 40 Escalera, Marco ...... 88, 94 Barlow, Steven ...... 77, 78 Evert, Amanda ...... 78 Bauer, Justine ...... 70 Finke, Karissa ...... 70, 71 Bejot, Megan ...... 69 Fleecs, Collin ...... 89 Benz, Abby ...... 54 Flint, Andrew ...... 68 Best, Rebecca ...... 57 Flores, Bailey ...... 90 Bigley, Jamie ...... 77 Forsberg, Michael ...... 2 Blauvelt, Carter ...... 106 Fox, Marcus ...... 44 Boyer, Tyan ...... 41 Francis, Kayla ...... 45 Brown, Mikalah ...... 42 Frey, Calvin ...... 108 Bruns, Julie ...... 12 Gaucher, Halley ...... 6 Buckley, Emma ...... 2 Gomez, Isabella ...... 46 Carey, Deavon ...... 13 Goodman, Jordyn ...... 19 Casper, Madi ...... 103 Gregg, Meghan ...... 115 Casper, Tierney ...... 8 Griffiths, Jackie ...... 116 Chlopek, Allen ...... 21 Gutierrez, Maria ...... 102 Codina, Audrey ...... 49 Hamilton, Luke ...... 47 Cormaci, Miranda ...... 32 Hansen, Logan ...... 71 Coughlin, Ava ...... 117 Harper, Samuel ...... 1 Craig, Kato ...... 38 Hays, Courtney ...... 11 Dale, Jeff ...... 2 Hernandez, Chris ...... 71 De Vries, Nicki ...... 24 Hiner, Breanna ...... 15 Deaver, Peggy ...... 107 Hoppens, Jordan ...... 9 Dickinson, Sherah ...... 39 Hunke, Megan ...... 48 Dillard, Jason ...... 107 Imgrund, Caitlin ...... 77, 78 Dobesh, Breana ...... 43 Jensen, Bailee ...... 91, 101 Dobish, Melissa ...... 116 Johnson, Dawson ...... 49 Dolphin, Jocelyn ...... 72 Kawata, Ryan ...... 107 80

Keele, Emma ...... 47, 50 Priebe, Alaini ...... 48 Kenedy, Kylie ...... 92 Prososki, Carlie ...... 57 Kirkland, Amanda ...... 20 Riesenberg, Andrew ...... 34 Kleier, Derek ...... 49 Roberts, Kathrin ...... 81 Kline, Sierra ...... 51 Rocheford, Jillian ...... 92, 95 Koski, Emily ...... 79 Rodriguez-Paar, Jacqueline ...... 114 Kreutzer, Megan ...... 3 Roesler, Ian ...... 4 Lee, Emma ...... 84 Ryan, Austin ...... 75 Lee, Morgan ...... 52 Sanchez, Jazmin ...... 62 Lee, Rachel ...... 109 Schneider, Katherine ...... 83 Leininger, Elenna ...... 93 Schnitzler, Tyler ...... 63 Leitner, Courtney ...... 85 Schott, Elizabeth ...... 7 Lewis, Lindsey ...... 110 Schultis, Jessa ...... 28 Liu, Sitong ...... 46, 53 Schwanz, Siera ...... 17 Lopez, Elizabeth ...... 111 Shaffer, Ashley ...... 5 Lopez, Wilfredo ...... 105 Skalka, Amanda ...... 96 Malmkar, Alexis ...... 118 Stoner, Laura ...... 70 Maschmann, April ...... 72 Strawn, Sarah ...... 35 McCown, Amanda ...... 54 Strope, Elisa ...... 76 McDonald, Emily ...... 112 Study, Shelby ...... 32, 36 Menard, Amber ...... 51, 55 Stultz, Shelby ...... 82 Messbarger, Lauren ...... 33 Sydow, Spencer ...... 21 Messersmith, Carson ...... 26 Thorell, Brooke ...... 83 Messersmith, Keri ...... 113 Thorn, Elizabeth ...... 64 Mewes, Shaun ...... 107 Thurlow, Halli ...... 115 Mickey, Madison ...... 74 Tilley, Danielle ...... 97 Moeller, Molly ...... 16 Towery, Lesley ...... 57 Moore, Matthew ...... 72 Tryselius, Elizabeth ...... 29 Moore, Nathan ...... 18 Tye, Simon ...... 2 Morwitzer, M. Jane ...... 56 Unvert, Katelyn ...... 65 Mott, Justice ...... 21 Urban, David ...... 18 Naylor, Megan ...... 80 Van Brocklin, Marika ...... 47, 66 Nemecek, Makayla ...... 57 Veale, Mark ...... 37 O'Connor, Bryan ...... 58 Wagner, Ben ...... 21 Oladeji, Olubusola ...... 59 Watson, Carrie ...... 98 Olena, Aleesha ...... 88, 94 Wetovick, Alyssa ...... 10 Oppliger, Kaitlyn ...... 60 Williams, Caitlin ...... 30 Page, Alexis ...... 61 Winfield, Natasha ...... 22, 23 Pauley, Nicole ...... 46, 73 Wuebben, Paige ...... 99 Paulsen, Stephanie ...... 87 Xu, Jianbai ...... 74 Peters, Shelby ...... 57 Zheng, Chuanyao ...... 107 Porter, Jackson ...... 27 Zitek, Kaitlynn ...... 67

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Index of Participants

Participant ...... Page # Dale, Jeff ...... 1 Acosta Marquez, Flor ...... 12 De Vries, Nicki ...... 11 Adams, B...... 43 Deaver, Peggy ...... 56 Adams, Brittney ...... 19, 30, 33 Dickinson, Sherah ...... 18, 78 Ahmad, Aatiya ...... 69 Dillard, Jason ...... 56 Andreasen, Jacob ...... 14 Dobesh, Breana ...... 20 Anthony, Abby ...... 34, 35, 69, 71 Dobish, Melissa ...... 59 Arndt, Katelin ...... 19 Dolphin, Jocelyn ...... 35 Attema, Larissa ...... 69 Duennerman, Stphanie ...... 52 Augustyn, Evan ...... 70, 71 Duff, Shannon ...... 7 Barlow, Steven ...... 39 Dull, Claire ...... 44 Bauer, Justine ...... 35, 71 Eddy, Elaina ...... 54 Beard, Selena ...... 74 Ernest, Rachael ...... 44 Bejot, Megan ...... 34 Ertmer, Trey ...... 9 Benz, Abby ...... 26 Escalera, Marco ...... 45, 48 Best, Rebecca ...... 28 Evert, Amanda ...... 39 Bigley, Jamie ...... 39 Finke, Karissa ...... 35, 70, 71 Blauvelt, Carter ...... 55 Fleecs, Collin ...... 45 Boyer, Tyan ...... 19 Flint, Andrew ...... 34, 69, 70, 71 Brown, Carly ...... 76 Flores, Bailey ...... 46 Brown, Mikalah ...... 20 Forsberg, Michael ...... 1 Bruns, Julie ...... 6 Fox, Marcus ...... 21 Buckley, Emma ...... 1 Francis, Kayla ...... 21 Burford, Tessa ...... 72 Frankenberg, Kati ...... 70 Carey, Deavon ...... 6 Frey, Calvin ...... 56 Casper, Madi ...... 53 Gaucher, Halley ...... 3 Casper, Tierney ...... 4 Giacomini, Kathleen ...... 70 Chien, Huan-Chien ...... 70 Gomez, Isabella ...... 21 Chlopek, Allen ...... 10 Goodman, Jordyn ...... 10 Christensen, Elaine ...... 62 Gregg, Meghan ...... 59 Chun, So-Young ...... 63 Griffiths, Jackie ...... 59 Clark, Ryan ...... 75 Gutierrez, Maria ...... 53 Codina, Audrey ...... 23 Hamilton, Luke ...... 22 Colas, Claire ...... 70 Hansen, Logan ...... 35, 70, 71 Cormaci, Miranda ...... 15 Hanszlik, Brittany ...... 72 Coughlin, Ava ...... 60 Harper, Samuel ...... 1 Craig, Kato ...... 17 Hays, Courtney ...... 6 82

Heeren, Nathan ...... 70 O'Connor, Bryan ...... 28 Hernandez, Chris ...... 35 Oladeji, Olubusola ...... 29 Hernandez, Christopher ...... 70 Olena, Aleesha ...... 45, 48 Hiner, Breanna ...... 8 Oppliger, Kaitlyn ...... 29 Hoppens, Jordan ...... 5 Page, Alexis ...... 30 Hunke, Megan ...... 23 Pauley, Nicole ...... 21, 36 Imgrund, Caitlin ...... 39 Paulsen, Stephanie ...... 44 Jensen, Bailee ...... 47, 53 Peters, Shelby ...... 28 Johnson, Dawson ...... 23 Pitzer, Justine ...... 68 Kawata, Ryan ...... 56 Porter, Jackson ...... 13 Keele, Emma ...... 22, 24 Priebe, Alaini ...... 23 Kenedy, Kylie ...... 47 Prososki, Carlie ...... 28 Kirkland, Amanda ...... 10 Randall, Jordyn ...... 75 Kleier, Derek ...... 23 Riesenberg, Andrew ...... 15, 77 Kline, Sierra ...... 24 Roberts, Kathrin ...... 41 Koski, Emily ...... 40 Rocheford, Jillian ...... 47, 49 Kreutzer, Megan ...... 2 Rodriguez-Paar, Jacqueline ...... 58 Lee, Emma ...... 43 Roesler, Ian ...... 2 Lee, Morgan ...... 25 Ryan, Austin ...... 37 Lee, Rachel ...... 57 Sanchez, Jazmin ...... 30 Leininger, Elenna ...... 48 Schlessinger, Avner ...... 70 Leitner, Courtney ...... 43 Schneider, Katherine ...... 42 Lewis, Lindsey ...... 57 Schnitzler, Tyler ...... 31 Lin, Lawrence ...... 70 Schott, Elizabeth ...... 4 Liu, Sitong ...... 21, 25 Schultis, Jessa ...... 13, 77 Lopez, Elizabeth ...... 57 Schwanz, Siera ...... 9 Lopez, Wilfredo ...... 55 Shaffer, Ashley ...... 3 Malmkar, Alexis ...... 60 Skalka, Amanda ...... 49 Maschmann, April ...... 35 Slayden, Stephanie ...... 76 McCown, Amanda ...... 26 Springer, Seth ...... 71 McDonald, Emily ...... 58 Stoltenberg, Sam ...... 68 Menard, Amber ...... 24, 26 Stoner, Laura ...... 35, 71 Messbarger, Lauren ...... 15 Strawn, Sarah ...... 16 Messersmith, Carson ...... 12 Strope, Elisa ...... 38 Messersmith, Keri ...... 58 Study, Shelby ...... 15, 16 Mewes, Shaun ...... 56 Stultz, Shelby ...... 42 Mickey, Madison ...... 37, 76 Sydow, Spencer ...... 10 Moeller, Molly ...... 8 Thorell, Brooke ...... 42 Moore, Matthew ...... 35 Thorn, Elizabeth ...... 31 Moore, Nathan ...... 9 Thurlow, Halli ...... 59 Morwitzer, M. Jane ...... 27 Tilley, Danielle ...... 50 Mott, Justice ...... 10 Towery, Lesley ...... 28 Naylor, Megan ...... 40 Trenhaile, Sidney ...... 71 Nemecek, Makayla ...... 28 Tryselius, Elizabeth ...... 13 83

Tye, Simon ...... 1 Wetovick, Alyssa ...... 5 Umland, John ...... 73 Williams, Caitlin ...... 14 Unvert, Katelyn ...... 32 Winfield, Natasha ...... 11 Urban, David ...... 9 Wood, Erica ...... 73 Van Brocklin, Marika ...... 22, 33 Wuebben, Paige ...... 51 Veale, Mark ...... 17, 78 Xu, Jianbai ...... 37, 76 Wagemann, Anna ...... 73 Zheng, Chuanyao ...... 56 Wagner, Ben ...... 10 Zitek, Kaitlynn ...... 33 Watson, Carrie ...... 50 Zur, Arik ...... 70

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