2024 Showcase Abstract Book by ukugr

DISCOVERY OF DELETERIOUS VARIANTS IN LIVESTOCK

Arias, Xiomara

Session 1: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Theodore Kalbfleisch

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Samples and data are often siloed at the diagnostic labs where they are collected and generated, respectively An integrative service has been developed to genetically characterize samples and couple these data with their pathology reports to identify and publish putative deleterious alleles found in livestock The tools and service created will provide an interface allowing diagnosticians to submit samples and reports for genetic analysis Subsequently, the derived information will be distributed to producers and the research community. Recessive lethal alleles can exist benignly in breeding populations until a sire and dam carrying them are mated One quarter of the resulting pregnancies will be homozygous for the lethal allele and result in an aborted pregnancy or death soon after birth. In livestock, abortions are often necropsied. Many abortions have a known cause, such as a causative viral or bacterial infection, but some do not Abortions that do not have a known cause may harbor a homozygous genotype for a lethal recessive allele Sequence datasets are being built for 100 healthy animals from cattle, sheep, and horse populations. 28 abortions with pathology reports drawing from cattle, sheep, and horses have been sequenced to look for alleles where they are homozygous and the healthy population is not We have identified putative lethal alleles in horses and continue to look for them in cattle and sheep PCR assays have been developed to inexpensively continue to monitor these variants in the population and abortions going forward to validate the findings. Genomes contain a significant amount of data to filter through and result in signatures that appear similar but have different causes Here we present preliminary sequencing results and methods we have developed to distinguish potential lethal alleles from variants whose genotypes have no homozygous variants due to collapsed duplications or other assembly artifacts

BURNING BRIGHTLY OR BURNING OUT: HOW INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) HEALTH CARE WORKERS COMMUNICATIVELY CONSTRUCT RESILIENCE

Boyke-Johnson, Carolyn

Session 1: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Jennifer Scarduzio

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how nurses and respiratory therapists who work in an intensive care unit (ICU) experience burnout and resilience. A total of thirteen interviews with critical care nurses and respiratory therapists located within one high-volume southern ICU unit were conducted Interview insights were also supported with an additional ten hours of job shadowing in the ICU Data was analyzed using an iterative analysis moving back and forth between analyzing qualitative data and reading relevant literature on burnout and the communication theory of resilience (Tracy, 2020) Findings revealed that participants experienced burnout due to work overload, time constraints, conflicts with family, role ambiguity, and perceptions of lack of support. On the other hand, resilience manifested through communication individually and collectively through a variety of practices including dark humor, team cohesion, venting, and using alternative logics to solve complex problems. Theoretical implications are offered regarding the extension of burnout theory to include more communicative considerations and the importance of emotional expression and suppression at work in relation to resilience

Practical implication of this study to foster resilience include recommendations and guidelines for expanding programs expressly dedicated to team cohesion, which can affirm and strengthen identity anchors and communication networks

SESSION 1: ORAL

ABSTRACTS

MECHANICAL ASSESSMENT OF ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES

Butera, Tony

Session 1: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Grady Martha, Christopher Waters

Discipline: Engineering

Cell mechanics significantly influence cell-environment interactions and fundamental cellular functions such as growth, motility, and phagocytosis Alveolar macrophages are a type of immune cell found in the alveoli of the lungs that are responsible for the removal of pathogens and help mediate inflammatory responses Patients with severe lung inflammation are often treated with high levels of inhaled oxygen This study investigates the effects of hyperoxia on the morphology and mechanical properties of alveolar macrophages. We test the hypothesis that structural changes due to hyperoxia exposure result in measurable differences in cell elasticity. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) are used to measure changes in cell elasticity through force-indentation measurements and fluorescence imaging of cytoskeletal structure, respectively Cells are harvested from C57BL/6J mice, isolated, plated in glass-bottomed dishes, and immediately subjected to either hyperoxic (90% oxygen) or normoxic conditions for 2 h and 24 h Initial observations reveal a decrease in cell stiffness at 24 h relative to 2 h, regardless of the environmental oxygen condition Cytoskeletal rearrangement and the emergence of filopodia are observed These structural adaptations, especially the presence of filopodia, are likely to influence the phagocytic activity of the alveolar macrophages, underscoring the potential impact of the oxygen environment on cellular functions.

TARGETING HEPARAN SULFATE PROTEOGLYCAN INTERACTIONS WITH AMYLOID-BETA: A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACH FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Siano, Dahlia

VARIOUS PAN-APOE AND ISOFORM-SPECIFIC APOE ANTIBODIES

Session 1: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Lance Johnson

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

75,000 Kentuckians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder With that number projected to continue rising, it is essential that we understand the underlying genetic risk factors that contribute to AD. Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is the most prominent type of AD, accounting for 90-95% of all AD cases The strongest genetic risk factor for developing LOAD is Apolipoprotein E (APOE) This gene encodes a protein with three different isoforms: E2, E3, and E4, which differ from each other by only one or two amino acids. These slight differences profoundly affect protein structure and function, allowing each isoform to differentially impact AD risk Relative to the most common E3 isoform, E4 dramatically increases risk, while E2 confers a substantial decrease in risk The close similarity between protein isoforms makes it difficult to develop isoform-specific antibodies that are reliable and selective. Here, we aim to validate and optimize a number of common, commercially available ApoE antibodies to determine isoform specificity Control samples included plasma and brain collected from APOE knockout (KO), homozygous E2, E3 and E4 humanized APOE (hAPOE) mice, and human plasma from all 6 possible APOE genotypes Western blotting was used on plasma and brain homogenates to determine isoform specificity of E2, E3, or E4 antibodies Antibodies were also tested for use in immunohistochemistry (IHC) using hAPOE and APOE KO mouse brain sections (30 uM). We identified several isoform-specific ApoE antibodies that are reliable and selective across multiple sample types and applications; albeit some display higher affinity for one application over another Overall, we hope these results will provide AD researchers with important resources that are crucial for visualizing and quantifying ApoE isoform distribution in heterozygote individuals and across a number of AD models, systems, and studies.

SESSION 1: ORAL

ABSTRACTS

SURFACE LEVEL STERILIZATION TECHNIQUES AND THEIR EFFECT ON DNA SAMPLING WITHIN CANNABIS SATIVA

Wong, Justin

Session 1: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Nicole Gauthier, Misbakhul Munir

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences7

Hemp (Cannabis sativa, Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol content <0.3%) is widely used in industrial and agricultural settings. The devastating fungal pathogen Fusarium graminearum causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB), targets and destroys hemp flowers and grain This project was part of a larger study that aimed to detect infections early in the disease cycle Detecting latent infection in plant tissues using molecular approaches involved surface sterilization of samples to remove external contaminants The effect of these surface sterilization methods on the target DNA in the plant was unknown The objectives of this project were to compare the efficacy of sterilization methods in eliminating surface contamination and to determine the effect of sterilization methods on the target fungal DNA inside the plant tissues Results demonstrated which surface level sterilization solutions and time intervals are most effective at removing surface contaminants and whether the solutions and time intervals degraded the F. graminearum in infected plants. Ethanol required a minimum of 3 min, sodium hypochlorite required 1 min, and deionized water required 5 min to purge the surface tissue of the hemp flower of contaminants It was also determined that up to 5 min for each sterilization solution used, there was no degradation of F graminearum DNA within the plant This can lead to more research into how Fusarium damages hemp and could provide a method of prevention for infection

SESSION 1: ORAL

ABSTRACTS

STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS IN THE COLLEGE OF DESIGN

Heffernan, Kyle

Session 1: Table 1

Faculty mentor(s): Pooya Mohaghegh

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

For years, fabrication lab staff have observed countless amounts of scrap material that could’ve be repurposed but instead have been thrown in the trash. The objective of this project was to create a sustainable solution for material waste within the College of Design fabrication lab and studios. Many different materials are utilized for model making and prototyping throughout the College of Design, from cardboard and plywood to acrylic and sheet metal. The existing scrap receptacle was a simple bin capable of holding multiple materials but was disorganized and not easily usable by students due to its poor design. It was imperative that a better solution be developed which increases scrap material reuse in future student projects. Research into storage solutions that have been implemented across other major universities was conducted, which yielded several key findings that inspired the final design. Using computer aided design software and the college’s CNC router, we successfully fabricated and assembled a new storage solution. This design has several advantages over its predecessor, such as more pockets organized by size and multiple shelves for small pieces of material. Additionally, the final product is able to be assembled with only 16 screws due to the use of wood joinery methods that hold the structure together and it has also been fitted with wheels for increased mobility. Since its completion, this project has served the College of Design within its fabrication lab by more efficiently holding scrap materials and allowing students to explore more design opportunities using sustainable materials.

SHIPS PASSING IN THE NIGHT (A NOVEL)

Miller, Jessica

Session 1: Table 2

Faculty mentor(s): Shauna Morgan, Michael Trask, Melissa Stein

Discipline: Humanities

Rosalie St. Laurent is one of 20,000 the "Duplessis Orphans" of Quebec, as she was committed to an asylum as part of Quebec's scheme to defraud the Canadian government of healthcare subsidies. Struggling to survive and scratch out a new life in the U.S. of the Swingin' Sixties, Rosalie wrestles with her circumstances in her letters to God. Grace Clark is a mathlete and adoptee. Accustomed to being a brainiac alien to her adoptive family, she thinks of little else than Mars missions and shipwrecks while writing to her long-lost birth mother. Ships Passing in the Night is their story about trying to affirm their lives while being so fundamentally alienated from how those lives came to be.

SESSION 1: TABLE

ABSTRACTS

A HOUSE FOR AGING AND HOME FOR COMMUNITY

Quish, Megan

Session 1: Table 3

Faculty mentor(s): Dan Vivian

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

This research highlights the conditions that support healthy aging. Secure housing, meeting of basic needs, and the incorporation of older individuals into intergenerational settings are particularly important. This study meticulously explores these aspects within the urban fabric, drawing on the communal qualities of the historical Davis Bottom neighborhood of Lexington, Kentucky Drawing from disciplines such as architecture, urban planning, sociology, and gerontology, it reveals the multiple challenges that seniors face, notably economic insecurity, lack of affordable health care and housing, and broader societal issues like isolation and ageism.

In developed nations, prevalent social, economic, and political frameworks often inadvertently marginalize the aging generation, relegating them to situations that are economically precarious or otherwise lacking. To elucidate these concerns and offer tangible solutions, the study employs an innovative methodology: collages. These collages juxtapose historical and modern visuals of Lexington, distilling the research into five core themes—rising inequality, the emotional and social toll of isolation, urban sprawl and restrictive zoning, the need for climate-resilient strategies, and the irreplaceable value of community

Highlighting the inadequacy of isolated policy changes or design interventions, the collages collectively argue for a fundamental shift in societal living paradigms to address the needs of aging populations. The solutions envisioned rely on integrated urban strategies that include mixed-use zoning, fostering community engagement, and repurposing underutilized spaces as pedestrian-friendly zones. They also propose a fresh architectural outlook emphasizing designs that blend seamlessly with their surroundings, potentially championing public spaces and urban farming.

A notable recommendation is the conceptualization of multi-generational communal spaces, which stand as beacons for intergenerational discourse and thus redefine age as an invaluable asset. By recognizing seniors as crucial societal pillars, they are repositioned to share their vast experience and wisdom with younger cohorts. Furthermore, the challenges of financial stability are addressed via co-living frameworks and policy-driven affordable housing initiatives.

SESSION 1: TABLE

ABSTRACTS

COUP AND WOMEN'S SECURITY

Abebe, Bethany; Everett, Mackenzie; Findley, Michaela

Session 1: Poster #141

Faculty mentor(s): Jaclyn Johnson

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Coups are associated with a whole host of negative consequences for individuals, states, and the international system. Although scholars have explored many of these negative consequences, they have not yet explored the consequences of coups through a gendered lens This paper seeks to explore patterns in public opinion data in the aftermath of coups with a particular focus on women respondents. We seek to determine if women are left feeling more insecure in the wake of coup activity. Our theory argues that coups are likely to leave women in particularly vulnerable positions leading them to report higher levels of insecurity

DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF VALLEY FOG ON FOREST FUNCTION IN CENTRAL APPALACHIA

Session 1: Poster # 149

EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF MW151, A NOVEL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (AD), ON THE NFKB SIGNALING PATHWAY

Ghoneim, Elaf

Session 1: Poster #20

Faculty mentor(s): Linda Van Eldik, David Braun

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The dysregulation of inflammation within the brain, known as neuroinflammation, plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of various neurodegenerative disorders, notably Alzheimer's Disease (AD) A promising avenue in combating this inflammation lies in MW151, a small molecule drug designed to selectively suppress abnormal inflammatory responses Despite its potential, the precise molecular mechanisms through which MW151 operates remain elusive. In the context of AD, microglia cells serve as the central immune players within the brain and represent the epicenter of dysregulated inflammation Recent studies have hinted at a fascinating prospect: the potential involvement of cellular metabolism modulation in reigning in these inflammatory responses. While the interplay between cellular metabolism and immune response has been extensively studied in cancer biology and immunology, its exploration within the realm of dementia research is still in its nascent stages This study aims to investigate the role of MW151 in the STAT3 and Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathways, with a focus on the crosstalk between these pathways and the potential modulation of cellular metabolism The objectives include exploring MW151's impact on NFκB activation in myeloid cells, investigating its influence on NFκB pathway targets, and assessing the in vivo relevance of MW151's STAT3 inhibition and its effects on NFκB. The timeline involves defining the effects of MW151 on NFκB signaling through time course and dose-response experiments, conducting Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses, and assessing in vivo relevance This project aims to uncover the intricate network of biological interactions affected by MW151, offering crucial insights into its mechanism of action and potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

SESSION 1: POSTER ABSTRACTS

INVESTIGATING MOSSY FIBER BOUTON ALTERATIONS AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Glover, Ashley

Session 1: Poster # 104

Faculty mentor(s): Kathryn Saatman

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern, often resulting in long-term cognitive and motor impairments. Synaptic connections of granule cell neurons within the hippocampal dentate gyrus after TBI is poorly understood The mossy fiber pathway plays a crucial role in the hippocampal circuitry, serving as a connection between the granule cell neurons (GCNs) in the dentate gyrus (DG) and the CA3 pyramidal neurons. This pathway has long been recognized for its significance in memory formation and information processing within the hippocampus To evaluate how TBI alters mossy fiber bouton (MFB) numbers and surface volume in the CA3 region of the hippocampus Ascl1-CreERT2; R26R CAG-floxStopTom reporter mice were used to label granule cell neurons and their presynaptic connections 8-week old mice were injected with tamoxifen and naïve (n=7 females, n=8 males) mice were euthanized 6-weeks post tamoxifen injections Injured (n=3 females, n=2 males) mice received a controlled cortical impact (CCI) 6-weeks after tamoxifen injection and euthanized 3 days postinjury. Images of tdTomato+ pre-synaptic terminals in CA3 region of the hippocampus were acquired as a z-stack (0 5um step size) at 40x magnification using a Nikon confocal microscope (Nikon, Melville, NY) Image stacks from each animal were imported into Imaris (v XX, Bitplane AG, Zurich, Switzerland) for 3D visualization and reconstruction. Individual MFB have numerous synaptic release sites and a reduction in bouton density can be offset by a compensatory increase in the number of release sites that can be measured indirectly by examining its surface volume (LaSarge et al 2015 Neurobiol Dis). Significantly fewer MFB were observed in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ipsilateral to impact compared to contralateral CA3 region (p=0 039) However, the surface volume of the MFB did not change 3 days post injury Surviving mature granule cell neurons have significant alterations to MFB numbers 3 days post injury suggesting impaired connectivity acutely after TBI.

ELECTRIC BICYCLES WITH USER DEVELOPED MOTORS AND SPEED MONITORING SYSTEMS

Goode-Kulchar, Spencer

Session 1: Poster # 69

Faculty mentor(s): Dan Ionel

Discipline: Engineering

Electric bikes are equipped with an electric motor to assist the user with propulsion. These bikes can be beneficial to society and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to the standard internal combustion engine This research project details a plan to develop quicker, more precise data measurements within electric bikes These bikes achieve their desired functions through the incorporation of an Arduino Uno, a microcontroller, and a 48V motor. This technology allows for the bike to be throttle activated, with an integrated display for real-time data, such as battery percentage and bike speed The bike also integrates an energy harvesting system and applies fundamental principles of Physics such as Lenz’s law to charge elements of the braking system One of the end goals of this project is to modify the bike to include a sensor and an element of the integrated display that accurately records and reports the bikes’ acceleration With this goal in mind, a Hall-effect sensor will be implemented to increase the accuracy of pre-existing measurements paired with an integrated acceleration monitoring system. Research is also being conducted on various motor types, with a focus on coreless motors The goal of this research is to determine the effectiveness of coreless motors and if they are more energy efficient than other alternatives The long-term result is expected to be a more energy efficient bike that yields an increase in overall user experience.

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

EXTRACTING ULTRA-LONG DNA FROM AGED BRAIN TISSUE FOR ADVANCED GENOMIC OPTICAL MAPPING

Gordon, Lacey

Session 1: Poster # 21

Faculty mentor(s): Mark Ebbert

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Long-range DNA sequencing and optical mapping offer advantages over traditional methods but require high-molecular-weight DNA (HMW DNA) exceeding 150kb Extracting ultra-long DNA from aged brain tissue is particularly difficult Aging brains accumulate ferritin, an iron-binding protein that binds DNA, rendering it unusable for long-range technologies like the Bionano Saphyr This technology performs optical DNA mapping by pulling it through tiny nanochannels and imaging the DNA directly These nanochannels only allow a single, linearized DNA molecule to travel through at a time DNA that is bound by ferritin causes the DNA to clump, making it unusable for long-range technologies like the Saphyr. To address these challenges, we develop a specialized nuclear isolation protocol that yields clean and usable HMW DNA by protecting the DNA from ferritin during the extraction process Despite managing to protect the DNA from ferritin, the DNA could not be properly stained for use on the Saphyr, and initial attempts resulted in incomplete sequencing runs for our isolated DNA compared to a control provided by Bionano Through further investigation, we discovered the DNA sample’s pH was becoming too acidic, which we believe is caused by Fenton reactions within the sample. Switching from phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer preserved the sample’s pH and maintained the required pH (approximately 8 2) We are still in the beginning stages of this project as we are optimizing the protocol, but we plan to move forward with the larger project as we produce HMW samples worthy of the Saphyr

CHARACTERISTIC DIFFERENCES IN RURAL AND URBAN INDIVIDUALS' SOCIAL NETWORKS

Gressick, Rachel

Session 1: Poster # 150

Faculty mentor(s): Carrie Oser

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

This research will examine the differences between the rural and urban social networks of justice-involved individuals with a history of opioid use disorder Understanding the differences in network composition and characteristics can provide information useful in developing successful opioid use disorder recovery programs The data used in this study comes from an ongoing prospective cohort study titled Geographic Variation in Addiction Treatment Services (R01DA049987, PI: Oser). A series of T-tests and Chi-square tests were used to examine the social network differences between rural and urban participants Data analysis showed statistically significant differences in participant race and marital status where rural participants were more likely to be white and married as compared to urban participants There was also a statistically significant difference in network gender, race, and a history of using illicit substances with the study participants Rural networks were likely to have more men and white people in their social networks as compared to urban networks and urban participants were likely to have used illicit substances with a larger portion of their social network as compared to rural participants These findings can be used to improve existing substance use disorder treatments to more effectively involve the social network of people in the recovery process

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

CONSIDERATIONS IN REPETITIVE ACTIVATION OF LIGHT SENSITIVE ION CHANNELS FOR LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES: CHANNEL RHODOPSIN AND HALORHODOPSIN IN THE DROSOPHILA MODEL

Griffith, Joshua

Session 1: Poster # 22

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Cooper

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The development and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions in animals is established by bi-directional communication of the nerve and muscle The electrical activity of the motor nerve drives the muscle to send retrograde signals back to the nerve to either enhance activity or to dampen activity to maintain a homeostatic level that is optimal for muscle function. The goal of this study is to examine how altered activity in the muscles influences the development of the neuromuscular junctions in larval Drosophila This is being accomplished by the use of optogenetics by expressing channel rhodopsin (i e , a Na+ and Ca2+ ion channel) to depolarize muscle and halorhodopsin (a chloride pump) to hyperpolarize the muscle. The genetically expressed proteins are activated by particular wavelengths of light This study examines the limitations of optogenetic techniques in altering cellular activity, as excessive Ca2+ and Cl- loading of tissues could be harmful to the cells To date a 10 sec exposure to blue light for the channel rhodopsin expressing larvae in a subset of muscles resulted in the larvae remaining in a contracted state for 15 minutes Thus, studies are underway to examine short pulses of light over various periods of time to examine the behavioral responses to be followed with anatomical studies of the extent of changes in the neuromuscular junctions. Studies are also on going in how depolarization and hyperpolarization of the muscle throughout larval development impacts the later stages in development in homeostatic regulation of synaptic communication

UNDERSTANDING SODIUM GLUCOSE COTRANSPORTER-1 DEGRADATION IN DIABETIC HEARTS

Guest, Abigail

Marcum, Nolan

Session 1: Poster # 114

Faculty mentor(s): Luksana Chaiswing

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks as the second most diagnosed cancer in American men, with an estimated 299,010 cases and approximately 35,250 deaths in 2024. Our research aims to understand how PCa progresses and becomes aggressive to help lower these numbers Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to cause molecular damage due to their unstable oxygen molecules. Data from our lab suggests a correlation between elevated oxidative stress (OS) biomarker levels with PCa progression and recurrence Yet, the origins of elevated ROS levels in PCa are still subject to debate Immune infiltration, identified in PCa, plays a role in its pathophysiology The relationship between immune cells with ROS in PCa progression/aggression and their contribution to cancer health disparities still remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we hypothesize that immune cell infiltration in PCa tissues generates ROS, thereby leading to oxidative stress and facilitating PCa progression We employed Aperio Image Scope, a pathology slide scanner coupled with digital analysis software, to identify immune infiltration and to quantify ROS-induced oxidative stress markers in tumor microarray slides (constructed from 152 cases of PCa patients and 32 cases of non-PCa patients) Remarkably, our findings reveal that levels of two OS biomarkers, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducted proteins (4HNE) and peroxiredoxin sulfonylation (PrxSO3), are significantly increased in PCa patients who have immune cell infiltration, compared to PCa patients without immune cell infiltration (with both markers exhibiting a 1 2-fold increase) Next, we tested a correlation between OS markers, immune infiltration, and cancer progression by using 40 paired patients' samples comparing primary and metastatic tumors. Our data reveals that 4HNE and PrxSO3 are significantly increased in metastatic PCa samples. The increase in these OS markers correlates with the increased CD-4 and CD-163 immune cell markers in metastatic PCa samples

More importantly, our data show that PCa patients who live in the Appalachian region exhibited a significantly higher level of 4HNE (1.35-fold increase) and had a substantial fold increase in both immune cell markers CD-4 (2.25-fold increase) and CD-163 (2 5- fold increase), compared to non-Appalachians PCa patients The increases of OS markers and immune cells infiltration in PCa tissues are inversely correlated with a shorter survival of PCa patients who live in the Appalachian region. Collectively, our results suggest that the presence of immune cells in PCa tissues could be a cause of high OS in PCa patients and 2) ROS such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) could be the root for PCa progression, since 4HNE and PrxSO3 are the markers of proteins that are modified by H2O2.

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

NOVEL COMPOUND YZ-166 AS A POTENTIAL COUNTERMEASURE FOR REVERSING OPIOID-INDUCED MOTOR INCAPACITATION AND RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION

Martin, Jocelyn

Session 1: Poster # 155

Faculty mentor(s): Michael Bardo

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Purpose: Unlike morphine, high-potency synthetic opioids cause vocal cord closure and rigidity of the chest wall muscles, an effect known as “wooden chest syndrome” Since this effect may not be fully reversed by pure mu opioid antagonists (MOR) such as naloxone, we are pursuing a drug discovery program in search of an improved MOR antagonist. This study assessed the ability of the novel compound YZ-166 to reverse carfentanil-induced locomotor and respiratory depression

Methods: For locomotion and respiration, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=16) were given a vehicle of 15% methanol in saline or carfentanil (15 µg/kg; s c ) 15 minutes prior to a second injection of either vehicle, or YZ-166 (0 01-3 mg/kg; s c ) Rats were immediately placed into a locomotor chamber for 15 minutes, followed by placement into a plethysmography chamber to record ventilatory effort for 30 minutes. After respiration was recorded, rats were immediately placed back into the locomotor chamber for an additional 15 minutes Results: YZ-166 reversed the respiratory depressant effects of carfentanil (F (8, 104) = 13 15, p < 0 0001), and reversed carfentanil-induced locomotor depression (F (8, 104) = 5 406, p < 0 0001) Most notable, YZ-166 not only reversed carfentanil-induced respiratory depression, it stimulated respiration above baseline control (CI [-0.7758, -0.2332], p < 0.0001), suggesting “supra-antagonism” Conclusion: This study provides evidence that YZ-166 reverses opioid-induced locomotor and respiratory depression. Moreover, YZ-166 has a profile on respiratory depression that may offer a superior countermeasure agent against exposure to high-potency synthetic opioids Supported by: U01 DA051377 and KY-WV LSAMP

CASE STUDY: COVID-19’S EFFECT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN WOMEN WITH PCOS

Mattingly, Emily

Session 1: Poster # 115

Faculty mentor(s): Sarah Kercsmar

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

This case study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavioral health of women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) It acknowledges the influence of social determinants of health, health insurance, and healthcare ethics on this subgroup The study advocates for this population through recommendations The link between PCOS and Behavioral Health is notable, and women with PCOS are predisposed to several cardio-metabolic risk factors, which increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 and demonstrate an increased risk of compromised mental health

Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, COVID-19, Behavioral Health, Mental Health, Physical Health, Health Care Organizations, Health Insurance, Ethics, Social Determinants of Health.

SESSION 1: POSTER

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ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN NONMEDICAL USE OF PRESCRIPTION STIMULANTS, PROBLEM DRINKING, AND IMPULSIVITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Maynard, Caden

Session 1: Poster # 156

Faculty mentor(s): Peggy Keller

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Purpose: Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) among college students is an important public health concern, but relatively little is known about the psychological mechanisms of NMUPS. The current study the possible role of impulsivity in NMUPS generally and in NMUPS combined with problem drinking more specifically Methods: Participants were 646 college students (62.7% female, 89.2% less than 21 years of age) who completed an online survey. Participants reported NMUPS as a smart drug, for weight loss, to get high, and to enhance social events, negative consequences of NMUPS, problem drinking (AUDIT), and impulsivity (UPPS subscales for Sensation Seeking, Urgency, Planning, and Perseverance) Covariates included sex, Greek membership, race, and age. Results: NMUPS occurred almost exclusively among students who drink. Greater problem drinking was associated with greater NMUPS for most motivations and greater negative consequences of NMUPS Urgency and lack of perseverance were dimensions of impulsivity especially linked to NMUPS: greater perseverance was associated with lower NMUPS as a smart drug, and greater urgency was associated with greater negative consequences of NMUPS. Conclusion: Findings indicate that common psychological pathways for problem drinking and NMUPS via impulsivity, raising concerns about potential health consequences of alcohol and prescription stimulant co-use, and supporting increased attention to NMUPS on college campuses

HIGH RESOLUTION STITCHING OF OPENED HERCULANEUM FRAGMENTS

McCune, Summer

Session 1: Poster #55

Faculty mentor(s): Brent Seales

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Currently, EduceLab faces a challenge in processing the collection of physically unwrapped Herculaneum scroll images The Herculaneum scrolls are ancient scrolls carbonized during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A D Throughout history, attempts were made to physically unwrap these scrolls. This led to the vast collection of physically unwrapped fragments that EduceLab has now imaged Due to the large number of images, it has become increasingly important to have an efficient post-processing pipeline. While EduceLab has produced most of this post-processing pipeline, improvements are still required within the image datasets where there are a multitude of close-up images of a single scroll These multiple images complicate the study of the Herculaneum material by requiring manual stitching to obtain the complete image This manual stitching can be incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the immense number of images in a dataset. The goal of this project is to address this issue through the implementation of a stitching prototype program that will combine the multiple images into a singular cohesive image This implementation will improve the post-processing pipeline by allowing the previously unstitched scroll images to travel through the rest of the pipeline as a complete image. The completion of this project will provide a more efficient means of studying Herculaneum material through the elimination of the hindrance posed by fragmented imaging Furthermore, it will advance the overall understanding of Herculaneum material and the human history associated with it.

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SEARCH FOR CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF GENE EXPRESSION IN THE FAMILY ENTEROBACTERIACEAE

McDougal, Lydia Grace; Monsalve-Lunari, Paula

Session 1: Poster # 32

Faculty mentor(s): Sarah Stasel, Olivia Waldridge, Vincent Cassone

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Optimum gastrointestinal function relies not only on the endogenous rhythms of the gene expression, motility, and secretion from the peripheral tissues, but also on the fluctuations of different taxa of the microbiome The human gut commensal, Klebsiella aerogenes (KA), expresses motility-driven luciferase activity in a circadian fashion that can be synchronized by melatonin and entrained by temperature cycles of 1-3℃ We have selected two additional species, Escherichia coli (EC) and Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm), to investigate if other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae express endogenous rhythms or if this phenotype is reserved to KA. We used the following bacterial strains to address our question: KA (clinical isolate), EC strain Dh5-alpha, and STm TN061786 and SL1344 transformed with pRG19 (pMotA-luxCDABE) Bacterial strains were grown to exponential phase before diluting to an optical density at 600 nm wavelength (OD600) of 0.05. Bacterial cultures added in 35mm culture dishes with either 3mL of liquid 0 25X LB broth or semi-solid 0 25X nutrient broth Liquid cultures were inoculated with 3uL of diluted culture and semi-solid plates were stabbed with 2uL of diluted culture Dishes were sealed with coverglass and sterile vacuum grease. Dishes were incubated under either cycling or constant ambient temperatures and bioluminescence was collected by Lumicycle Bioluminescence traces were analyzed using Lumicycle Analysis software Our preliminary results suggest that EC does not express circadian rhythms, but rather, ultradian which may be modified depending on culturing conditions. Interestingly, bioluminescent rhythms in STm vary depending on strain, with STm TN061786 exhibiting daily rhythms while STm SL1344 does not Future studies to examine if rhythms expressed by STm TN061786 demonstrate the characteristics of a true circadian oscillation and determination of key factors that differentiate the two STm strains will further expand the chronobiology field

TOURISM INDUCED IMPACTS ON BALINESE ECONOMY, PEOPLE, AND AQUACULTURE

McNely, Abbey

Session 1: Poster # 86

Faculty mentor(s): Betsy Farris

Discipline: Environmental Studies

The research examines the interconnected relationship between the growing tourism industry in Bali, Indonesia and it’s effect on the Balinese economy, aquaculture and environment, and it’s indigenous people The research dives into how much Indonesia invests in tourism, and how it’s reliance on tourism as a main economic source of income creates a widening weath disparity that the local population is struggling to sustain. It also shows the implications that tourism has on the environment, examining Bali’s worsening infrastructure and the environmental impacts that single use plastic pollution has on the local environment and people As well as looking to one of Indonesia’s oldest and most famous occupation, seaweed farming, and the decline it has seen in recent years, as well as the effects of snorkeling and tourism boats on the health and quality of the seaweed. The research asks if Indonesia would be able to sustain economic growth by relying less on tourism, and if their environment will be better for it

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ABSTRACTS

DOES PURSUING A HEALTH-RELATED MAJOR IMPACT KENTUCKY COLLEGE STUDENTS’ ORAL HEALTH STATUS?

McWhorter, Anna

Session 1: Poster # 116

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Objective: The oral health status of college students is not well studied Even less studies look at how college major can impact oral health or any health behaviors/outcomes The aim of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between the two. Methods: A cross-sectional survey made in Qualtrics consisting of 13 questions assessing oral health status and demographics information was distributed through social media Inclusion criteria was all college students in Kentucky Participants were excluded if they were under age 18 or did not attend a college in Kentucky. Based on answers to their college major and pre-professional track, participants were separated into either health related or non-health related major groups

Results: A total of 47 participants completed the study The mean age of participants was 20 9 years 32 participants were in a health-related major and 15 were studying a non-health related major. 73.3% (33) of participants were female and 24.4% (11) were male This study was not representative in terms of ethnicity, race, college major, and colleges in Kentucky Most students (39/82 97%) attended the University of Kentucky The mean oral health score of health-related majors was 55 73333 which was higher than the mean score of 34.78125 for non-health related majors, indicating a better oral health status. Using a T-test, the p-value was 0 08

Conclusion: As the findings demonstrated approach to significance, those pursuing a health-related major had a higher mean oral health status than those pursuing a non-health related major. Future studies should focus on exact oral health measures and larger populations of college students to determine if a relationship exists

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GELATION PROPERTIES OF PROTEIN EXTRACTS FROM YEAST (SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE) FOR FOOD APPLICATIONS

Meade, Andrew

Session 1: Poster # 73

Faculty mentor(s): Tyler Barzee

Discipline: Engineering

Proteins are complex biological molecules with a range of useful material properties that can be extracted from a variety of sources Fungal biomass, which can contain up to 49% protein, has the potential to be a sustainable and efficient source of extracted protein for functional use in foods (e.g., gelation, thickening, nutrition). This research project explores the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or brewer’s yeast, derived from beer trub byproduct as a source of functional protein extracts Yeast protein extracts were prepared from five distinct strains of yeast via a pH-shifting extraction method and subjected to various material characterizations to better understand their physical characteristics We also explored the feasibility of yeast protein extracts in the creation of 3D printed food products by investigating their thermal gelation behavior and extruding into desired geometries with an Allevi 3D bioprinter. The results of this project indicate promise for the potential applications of fungal protein in various fields, from food science to biotechnology while incorporating the sustainable management of brewery waste

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ABSTRACTS

EXPLORING PHASEOLUS VULGARIS ABILITY TO TRAP TICKS

Mekoh, Samuel

Session 1: Poster # 33

Faculty mentor(s): Zainulabeuddin Syed, Daniel Lingeman

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Ticks are one of the world’s largest vectors, transmitting various diseases, to both animals and humans The kidney bean plant model (Phaseolus vulgaris) has historically been used in the Balkans to entrap bed bugs. The phenomena that causes entrapment to occur is trichomes which are hook-like structures on the leaf that pierce the tarsi (feet) of the insect With this in mind, this research aims to find alternative methods at reducing tick exposure by utilizing P. vulgaris to explore its effectiveness at entrapping ticks The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) are some of the most common tick species in Kentucky, thus, both of these species were used in conducting this explorative study The effectiveness of P. vulgaris is defined as any trial in which the tick is continuously on the leaf for 300 seconds. A 35 mm circular section from a leaf from the plant was cut, placed under a camera, and a tick was placed into the center of the disk Once trials were completed, software was used to analyze entrapment duration It was determined with statistical significance that the upper leaves of the plant are more effective at entrapping A. americanum than the lower section of the plant. This was further reinforced as upper leaves tested on I scapularis were also found to be effective From this, it was concluded that the upper leaves of P vulgaris were more effective at entrapping ticks than the lower leaves.

EXCAVATING CAMPUS EXPANSIONS

Mesa Castillo, Mariana

Session 1: Poster # 1

Faculty mentor(s): Leen Katrib

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

The ongoing research initiative of the 2023-2024 academic year has been a collaborative effort with one of the Assistant Professors at the University of Kentucky, with a specific focus on shedding light on the social and racial implications that stemmed from the expansion of three high-education institutions – the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University and Community College of Denver – into Denver’s Auraria neighborhood during the city’s urban renewal era in the 1970s. The establishment and expansion of the Auraria Campus entailed demolishing large sections of a predominantly Hispanic, low-income working-class neighborhood. The study probes the – rarely spoken about – connections to another controversial campus expansion that took place thirty years prior in Chicago: the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) campus expansion that wiped out the predominantly Black neighborhood of Bronzevilla and was designed by modernist architect Mies van der Rohe The Auraria campus expansion was led by Jacques Brownson, a protégé of Mies van der Rohe, who referenced planning and architectural techniques from Mies’s IIT project Employing a comparative methodology, the research meticulously analyzes historical archival materials, including but not limited to aerial maps, Sanborn maps, newspaper clippings, and drawings produced by the architect The intent is to analyze past and present conditions of the site, map out, reconstruct and calculate (in 2D and 3D) an index of the demolished residential and commercial buildings during the expansion, as well as tracing language tactics utilized to falsely frame the neighborhood’s conditions, making the expansion seem like the best, if not only, option. Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute unique perspectives to the bigger understanding of the social and racial consequences of massive and influential architectural projects By tracing the parallels between Auraria and IIT expansions, the study strives to question and complicate the narrative surrounding Mies van der Rohe’s legacy in America, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive appreciation that incorporates the social and racial dimensions of architecture

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ABSTRACTS

SLEEP QUALITY AND QUANTITY MAY BE RELATED TO STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Meyer, Anna Lee

Murray, Madeline

Session 1: Poster # 120

Faculty mentor(s): Kathryne Goldey

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Introduction: The healthcare industry has suffered a massive loss in the physician and nursing workforce with burnout being a burning factor. In 2020, COVID-19 swept through the United States and caused much of the current healthcare workforce to quit their roles The current healthcare workforce retention rates have placed a major hurdle in the way of patient care, and the way other providers perform their tasks to the organization Purpose: The purpose of this review is to explore what is known in the scientific literature about the leading causes of burnout for healthcare workers.

Results: - It has been found in some of our chosen articles that nurses are seemingly more affected by burnout than other healthcare professionals - Many outside factors contributed to burnout such as resource shortages, and internal systematic variables. - Task shifting has been proven to improve mental health, as well as blood pressure and other health related issues that may be linked to burnout This implements new training into providers' daily schedules, which, in turn, teaches providers new skills and places them in a new area of work - Chronic illness is projected to increase in the future This could overwhelm providers with the influx of patients that need specialty care, making healthcare workforce retention more critical. Conclusion: Burnout is a real issue that affects how providers complete daily tasks If providers aren't operating at their peak performance, this affects both patients and other workers within the organization. Further research is warranted on the efficacy of proposed solutions to address physician burnout Task shifting alleviates the need to complete repetitive tasks, and places physicians in a fresh environment This may positively impact burnout rates by allowing for improved motivation and interpersonal connection within the workplace.

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF BIODEGRADABLE AND NON-BIODEGRADABLE SOLVENTS ON FABRICATING POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) MEMBRANES VIA NONSOLVENT INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION (NIPS) FOR AIR FILTRATION APPLICATION

Myers, Anastasia

Session 1: Poster # 75

Faculty mentor(s): Isabel Escobar

Discipline: Engineering

Global industrialization has led to declining air quality, resulting in an increased need for effective air purification solutions For critical applications such as healthcare, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capable of capturing over 99% of particulate matter 0.3 μm or smaller (PM0.3) are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While conventional HEPA filters are effective at trapping fine particulate matter, they have some limitations including decreased filtration efficiency over time due to charge depletion and non-biodegradability leading to environmental concerns Recent studies have focused on developing biodegradable HEPA flat sheet polymeric membranes via electrospinning using polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer However, the solvents used in the fabrication process are usually toxic In addition, membranes fabricated by electrospinning also have the limitation of compromised filtration efficiency post cleaning due to their reliance on electrostatic charges for high particle filtration efficiency of PM0.3. This study investigated the effect of substituting commonly used hazardous solvents, n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc), with more sustainable alternatives, ethyl acetate (ETAc), for fabricating biodegradable flat sheet PLA membranes via non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) All fabricated membranes showed high particle filtration for PM0.3 (≥ 99%) which meets the performance criteria for HEPA filters. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed similar surface chemical compositions for all fabricated membranes and pristine PLA, indicating an insignificant effect on the membranes' chemical compositions by the different solvents. Additionally, contact angle measurements showed that the membrane fabricated using ETAc was the most hydrophobic (125 ± 3o), an important feature for air filters which prevents colonization of microorganism due to water accumulation The results of this study suggest that high-performing flat sheet PLA membranes can be fabricated via NIPS using more sustainable solvents without compromising performance and chemical properties

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ABSTRACTS

DEFECTS IN MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION AND PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN SAAAPP GENE KNOCK-IN MOUSE MODEL OF

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Nathoo, Neo

Session 1: Poster # 36

Faculty mentor(s): Patrick Sullivan, Hemendra Vekaria

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a major disease roughly affecting over 50 million people worldwide Primarily affecting older individuals, one major feature is the buildup of β-amyloid plaque surrounding neuronal cells This leads to decreased neuronal cell function and eventual cell death. To study AD in mice, the recently developed SAA-APP genotype was used to produce β-amyloid deposits Previous studies report that early stages of AD result in decreased energy metabolism within the brain Mitochondria are major regulators of energy production, in addition to cellular metabolic regulation. This study offers more information on the underexplored links between AD and mitochondrial malfunction in this specific model of AD In control and APP-SAA mice, the oxygen consumption rates (OCR) can be measured to understand the overall oxygen phosphorylation expression within tissue samples. To examine the impact of SAA-APP on mitochondrial function, the OCR was measured using Seahorse technology and the expression of oxygen phosphorylation (OX-PHOS) in mouse brain homogenates were measured using Western Blot technique Middle-aged mice were used with differing genotypes, wild type (WT) and SAA-APP gene knock-in (KI). It was observed that OX-PHOS expression was found to be lower in SAA-APP as compared to WT mice, because of the added β-amyloid plaque OX-PHOS protein expression was quantified by Western Blot analysis Results showed significantly decreased mitochondrial respiration in expression compared to WT within multiple electron transport chain (ETC) complexes mainly in synaptic mitochondria. This study highlights the need for more research surrounding mitochondrial dysfunction in an Alzheimer’s model and future projects aim to discover the mechanistic of differences between Synaptic vs non-synaptic mitochondria to gather more understanding about the role of mitochondria in AD

MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN HEALTHCARE: BURNOUT IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND HOW TO COMBAT IT

Necessary, Carly

Session 1: Poster # 121

Faculty mentor(s): Sarah Kercsmar

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The stress and burden of caring for sick patients has been felt long before COVID-19, however the presence of the pandemic heightened these sentiments for healthcare workers specifically Being in the direct line of work with patients, physical therapists (PTs) were deeply impacted by the restrictions and pressures that occurred surrounding the mental health crisis of the pandemic Throughout the Clinical Leadership and Management curriculum, we have seen how many facets of healthcare can be impacted by outside and internal environmental factors, such as politics and policies, social determinants of health, and management and cultural competencies. Taking a closer look into how each of these factors have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can see how each focus area plays a role in the way that healthcare workers are experiencing somewhat overwhelming feelings of stress and burnout within their professional environments To close, we dive deeper into how we can make efforts to address mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers and strive to improve the work life balance of a healthcare employee.

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ABSTRACTS

COMPARING EFFECTS OF INTERVENTIONS ON THE GLOBAL COHERENCE OF STORIES CREATED BY CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION AND COMPREHENSION DIFFICULTIES

Newkirk, Lana

Session 1: Poster # 159

Faculty mentor(s): Elizabeth Lorch, Angela Hayden

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Introduction: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by elevated symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity Children with ADHD have behavioral, social, and academic problems Among these academic problems are difficulties in comprehension, which include difficulties understanding causal connections among story events, maintaining goal structure, distinguishing important events from unimportant events, and generating relevant inferences The comprehension difficulties that children with ADHD experience may be associated with difficulties creating or recalling globally coherent narratives in comparison to their typically developing peers. Comprehension interventions may be needed to address these children’s comprehension difficulties and may improve these children’s ability to create coherent narratives Purpose: Two comprehension interventions are tested to determine if children improve in the global coherence of their narratives from the pretest prior to the intervention to the posttest that follows the intervention. A social problem-solving intervention is compared to the comprehension interventions to determine if any improvement in global coherence is specific to the comprehension interventions. Method: Children in 3rd and 4th grade with elevated symptoms of ADHD and difficulties in comprehension experience one of two comprehension interventions that emphasize different objectives or a counterfactual intervention that targets social problem-solving skills Children also complete a pretest prior to the intervention and a posttest after the intervention. During these tests, children create stories based on four images. The stories told by these children are then coded for global coherence, which is defined by the clarity of the storyline and its logical flow Results/Discussion: Analyses evaluate improvements from pretest to posttest in the global coherence of children’s narratives and whether any improvements are specific to comprehension interventions. Findings will have implications for the design and modifications of interventions to improve comprehension skills in children with ADHD symptoms

EXPLORING PATIENT RESPONSE TO BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

Nichols, Brayden

Session 1: Poster # 2

Faculty mentor(s): Lindsey Fay

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

The research aims to explore how patients and families respond to the built environment in healthcare settings This includes investigating how elements such as design, layout, and amenities impact pediatric patients' experiences, comfort, and well-being during their healthcare visits Existing evidence and literature suggest that the built environment in healthcare settings plays a crucial role in patient outcomes, satisfaction, and overall well-being Studies have shown that well-designed environments can reduce stress, anxiety, and pain in patients, particularly in pediatric populations. Understanding how pediatric patients respond to the built environment can lead to improvements in healthcare facility design and enhance the quality of care provided to children The research plan comprises three phases First, an evaluation of current Pediatric/Nicu designs will be conducted Second, a design phase will be initiated to develop digital prototypes of patient rooms, utilizing visualization/modeling technology Finally, the third phase will focus on a comprehensive study of healthcare design practices, including first-hand observation and data collection from local and national design firms that specialize in healthcare design The final deliverable of the project will be a comprehensive report detailing findings, insights, and personal take on a built environment in a healthcare setting for pediatric patients The aim of this project is to improve personal knowledge in healthcare design and pediatric care by conducting extensive research and consulting with established experts in the field Through analyzing effective design strategies and identifying areas for improvement, the project aims to demonstrate how health design, when studied thoroughly, can effectively reduce stress and simplify patient treatment for both the medical staff and the patients This research project will equip the researcher with a knowledgeable skill set in this field and enable valuable insight into both the research and general practice of the profession

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

LIFE SATISFACTION AFTER COLLEGIATE SPORTS RETIREMENT

Nudelman, Adam

Session 1: Poster # 160

Faculty mentor(s): Caitlin Northcutt

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Background: In 2023, there were over 10 million students actively participating in collegiate sports in the United States (US) Fewer than 3% of all US collegiate athletes continue playing as professional athletes US collegiate athletes have higher levels of daily stress than their non-athlete counterparts along with depression and anxiety disorder symptoms, substance abuse, eating disorders, and other adverse health outcomes during their years of play Given the average collegiate athlete begins playing their sport around age 14, coupled with the time commitment to their sport during their academic career, many form a sense of identity as an athlete Widely under studied is how former collegiate athletes adapt to life post collegiate sport retirement

Objective: To investigate life satisfaction and stress in a sample of former collegiate athletes post sports retirement Methods: Participants ages 18 and older who had previously participated in a club or varsity collegiate sport completed an online survey and were recruited using a snowball sampling approach Researchers promoted the survey on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and X Descriptive and quantitative analyses will be conducted on the de-identified dataset Results: The final sample (n= 89) exhibited significant group differences in stress levels, life satisfaction, and anxiety symptomology. Spearman correlations and generalized linear regressions were conducted, and further details and findings will be presented Conclusions: Life satisfaction and stress for former college athletes post sport retirement is widely unknown This study will help inform areas for intervention to improve psychological outcomes of retired collegiate athletes post-retirement from their sport

DOES DIABETES KNOWLEDGE VARY BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN KENTUCKIAN ADULTS?

Nunez, Lauren

Session 1: Poster # 122

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Objective: Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in America, and it is more prevalent in rural areas than urban Since knowledge about diabetes may play a role in disease development/management, the purpose of this study was to determine if diabetes knowledge differs between rural and urban Kentuckian adults. Methods: Individuals 18+ years old living in Kentucky were eligible for this descriptive, retrospective study Participants were recruited via social media and text message Each completed a Qualtrics cross-sectional survey containing the first 14 questions of the Revised Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT2) (score 0-14) and demographic questions including their county of residence. Standardized classifications were used to divide the sample into “rural” and “urban” groups Descriptive tests regarding demographics, an independent t-test to compare the mean DKT2 scores of the two groups, and additional inferential tests (correlation, ANOVA) to relate demographic characteristics to DKT2 score were performed using Excel Results: Seventy-one participants were included in analysis The median age was 25 years (IQR: 27 5), and 55 (77 5%) were female 14 (19 7%) reported they had been previously diagnosed with a blood glucose-related condition. 38 (54%) were classified as rural (mean DKT2 score=10.3), and 33 (46%) were classified as urban (mean DKT2 score=9 8) There was no significant difference between the mean DKT2 scores (t-test p-value=0 36) There was a positive correlation between age and score (Pearson’s R=0 38) and significant differences in mean scores between those with different education levels (ANOVA F=2.31, p=0.044) and those who had/had not been previously diagnosed with a blood glucose-related condition (t-test p=0 013) Conclusion: Diabetes knowledge does not appear to vary based on rural-urban status Other factors such as education level and disease status, however, could impact knowledge about diabetes. More research is needed to discover where diabetes education is needed to improve diabetes knowledge in this population

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS PARTICIPATION ASSOCIATED WITH DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIORS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Ogle, Sarah

Session 1: Poster # 123

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect participation in high school sports has on eating behaviors in college This objective stemmed from the historical notion that high school sports participation has generally been viewed as positive, but there was a lack of understanding about its potential impact on eating behaviors later in life METHODS: This study was conducted via cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics. Students of any age currently enrolled in any college or university were eligible for participation Recruitment was through social media and within campus groups electronically Convenience sampling was the main source of participants RESULTS: 87 participants recorded responses through survey methods with 83 fully completing the survey. The mean age of participants was 20.28. Using a Regression Analysis, t-test results showed a significant correlation between playing sports in high school and frequent dieting (p= 0 002), feelings of shame/guilt associated with eating (p= 0 001), constant preoccupation with body weight/image (p=0 011), and non-religious fasting (p= 0 006) Notably, every participant who had participated in high school sports reported experiencing at least one disordered eating behavior during their high school and/or college years CONCLUSIONS: Disordered eating behaviors are highly prevalent in high school and college students. Importantly, the findings of this study suggest that participation in high school sports may contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors, particularly in sports that emphasize weight or physical appearance Future studies should include a larger, more diverse study population These conclusions highlight the need for increased awareness, support, and education surrounding body image and healthy eating habits. Addressing these issues early on may help mitigate the risk of developing disordered eating behaviors among student-athletes and the broader student population

EXAMINING TWO METHODS FOR DETERMINING PROTEIN ESSENTIALITY IN BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

Olsen, Luke

Session 1: Poster # 56

Faculty mentor(s): Kevin Eby

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Introduction: In this study, we propose a novel approach utilizing graph theory and computer science to identify essential proteins within protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks These networks serve as intricate representations of molecular interactions fundamental to various cellular processes, and their essential proteins thus serve as potential targets for drug design.

Objectives: Our study introduces the Functional Neighborhood Score (FNS), a centrality measure designed to assess a protein's importance based on its surrounding functional neighborhood The FNS quantifies the ratio of functionally similar neighboring nodes to total neighboring nodes, thus capturing the extent of functional cohesion around a protein. Additionally, we compare the performance of FNS with an established centrality measure termed the New Centrality (NC) NC integrates an edge clustering coefficient, addressing the modular nature of protein essentiality by considering both node connectivity and local clustering structure of edges. Methods: Our comparative analysis involves evaluating the ability of FNS and NC to identify essential proteins from a predefined list Specifically, we assess their effectiveness in identifying the top 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of essential genes from this list. Furthermore, we develop an interactive web interface enabling researchers to input their own PPI data, visualize the resulting network, and obtain NC and FNS scores for each protein This interface offers a practical tool for researchers to explore their experimental data in a topological context and identify essential proteins efficiently

Conclusions: By integrating graph theory, computational techniques, and visualization, this study contributes to the advancement of protein essentiality identification methods The comparison between FNS and NC provides insights into their respective strengths and weaknesses, facilitating informed decision-making for researchers in molecular biology and bioinformatics

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

BEYOND POLYAMINES: UNVEILING SSAT1 AS A NOVEL TAU ACETYLTRANSFERASE

Overly, James

Session 1: Poster # 37

Faculty mentor(s): Daniel Lee

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the aggregation of the Tau protein is a major pathological hallmark, characterized by its post-translational modifications, including hyperphosphorylation Alongside, the role of polyamines, small aliphatic cations involved in numerous cellular functions, has been underscored in neurodegeneration, where their dysregulation contributes to disease pathology Our research advances the understanding of Alzheimer's by elucidating the dynamic interplay between Tau pathology and the polyamine stress response (PSR), with a novel focus on spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT1) Previously, SSAT1 was recognized for its role in acetylating polyamines, facilitating their cellular clearance in response to high polyamine levels or PSR activation Our findings reveal that SSAT1 also acetylates Tau, linking the polyamine metabolic pathway directly to Tau pathology in Alzheimer's. This finding suggests a dual mechanism where SSAT1 promotes Tau aggregation through direct acetylation and the accumulation of acetylated polyamines (AcPAs), further amplifying the PSR We employed Tau transgenic (PS19) mice, expressing human tau, and novel SSAT1 knockout models to investigate the effects of SSAT1 modulation on Tau acetylation and polyamine homeostasis. Our results demonstrate that SSAT1 ablation attenuates PSR activation, significantly reduces acetylated Tau levels, and modulates Tau hyperphosphorylation, offering a promising therapeutic target for mitigating Tau pathology in Alzheimer's This study not only identifies SSAT1 as a bona fide Tau acetyltransferase but also illustrates its pivotal role in driving Tau pathology via the PSR By disrupting this pathway, we unveil potential avenues for therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer's, contributing a new angle to the broader scientific discourse on neurodegeneration

ARE THERE SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEAL TIMING AND METABOLIC RISK?

Oyler, Elizabeth; Russell, Catherine; Byrd, Aidan; Tuckerman, Caleb

Session 1: Poster # 38

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Pendergast, Matt Thomas

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Late meal timing is associated with increased metabolic risk Circadian rhythms are physiological processes like sleeping and eating controlled by internal body clocks Ideally, the circadian system synchronizes meal timing with the daytime so that calories are consumed when we are active. However, exposure to light at night and social schedules disrupt circadian rhythms, which contribute to eating at the wrong time of day The objective of this study is to determine whether the association between meal timing and metabolic risk differs by biological sex We recruited 60 male and female adult participants Individuals whose lifestyles significantly affected their sleep and circadian rhythms, such as shift workers, were excluded. We measured markers of metabolic risk including waist circumference, BMI, and body composition with bioelectrical impedance analysis We measured meal timing using a state-based text messaging system in which the participants texted the times of their first and last caloric intake each day for 7 days Participants also completed the ASA24, which is an online 24-hour dietary assessment survey We used the ASA24 to measure the number of calories consumed within 2 hours after waking (breakfast) and within 2 hours before sleep (late night eating). We will first analyze the entire dataset to determine whether there are associations between meal timing, including times of first and last calories, calories consumed for breakfast, and calories consumed at night, with metabolic risk Then, we will analyze the data independently for males and females Understanding the relationship between meal timing and metabolic risk factors can help develop sex-specific interventions to improve metabolic health.

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ABSTRACTS

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL CRE-INDUCIBLE GENE-THERAPY TO AUGMENT PLASTICITY IN CHRONIC SPINAL CORD INJURY

Park, Kennedy

Session 1: Poster # 124

Faculty mentor(s): Andrew Stewart, John Gensel

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) has been met with significant barriers for repair due to limitations both extracellularly and intracellularly The further time removed from an injury, the lower the chances of axon regeneration Our prior experiments have shown that knocking out the phosphatase and tensin homolog protein (PTEN; PTEN-KO) with retrogradely transported AAVs drives the activation of mTOR and improves function while also inducing axon growth into the lesion in acute SCI The mTOR pathway is vital to improve functions in chronic SCI as it increases excitability and plasticity in neurons The culmination of this experiment developed a novel gene-therapy that will be used to augment plasticity in spinal neurons in chronic SCI. To accomplish this, mTOR activity will be selectively increased in spinal V2a interneurons, as these interneurons are critical in regulating movement and function within the spinal cord My work developed a cre-inducible viral vector system that expresses a constitutively active AKT to drive the mTOR pathway. Upon exposure to cre recombinase, the reading frame within the novel AAV vector created will recombine into a translatable position Gene sequencing results validate the successful construction of the plasmid along with immunocytochemistry from a Neuro2-A cell line engineered to express cre-recombinase To validate the expression of constitutively active AKT, the AAV plasmid was packaged into a functional virus and used to verify expression in the cell line In the future, this novel gene therapy approach will drive the mTOR pathway in the V2a cre mouse model in chronic SCI to determine the potential for plasticity in the lumbar spinal cord. Taken together our work is advancing knowledge on the conditions necessary to support functional recovery through plasticity and axon regeneration in chronic SCI

COMPARISON OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN-2 (RHBMP-2) AND P-15 OSTEOGENIC CELL BINDING PEPTIDE (P-15/ABM) IN LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT COMPARISON

Parks, Tyler

Session 1: Poster # 125

Faculty mentor(s): Ryan Seal, Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Objective: Peptide-15 Osteogenic Cell Binding Peptide (P-15/ABM) and recombinant human Bone Morphogenic Protein (rhBMP-2) are commonly used osteobiologics in lumbar fusion surgery, replacing local autografts or allografts This study aimed to compare the efficacy of P-15/ABM and rhBMP-2 in achieving fusion in the lumbar spine while considering their clinical complication and safety profiles. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted with IRB approval. Data was collected prospectively for clinical reasons from 144 eligible patients who underwent various lumbar spine interbody fusion approaches under Ryan Seal, MD at a single center hospital from October 2019 to November 2023 Patients were divided into P-15/ABM and rhBMP-2 groups dependent upon the osteobiologic utilized. Fusion success was determined via radiographic review by Dr Seal while complication profiles were determined through manual chart review Results: The rhBMP-2 and P-15/ABM groups consisted of 50 and 94 patients, respectively with gender distribution 74% female/26% male and 56 4% female/43.6% male, respectively. Fisher’s exact tests were utilized to determine relationships amongst different groups and indicated significant associations existed between graft type and both fusion success (p=0 0073) and complication prevalence (p=0.0013) in favor of P-15/ABM. Conversely, no statistically significant associations were found between gender and fusion success (p=1 00), the number of vertebral levels and fusion success (p=0 6989), or gender and complication prevalence (p=0 5367) Conclusion: P-15/ABM demonstrates higher fusion rates and fewer clinical complications compared to rhBMP-2 in lumbar interbody fusion procedures. While graft type significantly influences fusion rate and complication prevalence, gender and the number of procedure levels appear to hold little to no significance, further supporting P-15/ABM Future studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-ups are needed to better identify existing relationships

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ABSTRACTS

ELUCIDATING THE ROLE OF SHP-2 PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTION WITH DDX3, RNA HELICASE, IN REGULATION FOR PD-L1 EXPRESSION IN NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

Patel, Palak

Session 1: Poster # 126

Faculty mentor(s): Penni Black

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States With a five-year survival rate, there were 127,000 deaths in 2023. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shifted the landscape of Lung cancer treatment. PDL1, a target of ICIS, works by being expressed on the surface of cancer cells It will then bind to PD1, programmed death protein 1, on T-cells, sending inhibitory signals to T-cells, causing T-cell exhaustion This mechanism is used by cancer cells to escape immune surveillance, causing suppression of normal immune responses, which allows cancer cell proliferation. As PDL1, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is upregulated, it can evade immune surveillance, causing cancer cells to proliferate Previous studies in our lab indicated that Protein SHP2, a nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase, negatively regulates PDL1 expression in NSCLC. Prior lab results have shown that SHP2 phosphatase ability does not regulate PDL1 expression This lead to our hypothesis that SHP2 regulates PDL1 expression through protein-protein interaction with DDX3 This project aims to validate the hypothesis that there is an interaction between SHP-2 and DDX3 on PDL1, which later activates the PD1 protein on T-cells. To test this hypothesis, we used H460 cells, antibody-based immunoprecipitation (IP), Western Blotting Electrophoresis, electroblotting, and chemiluminescent detection to identify the protein-protein interaction between SHP-2 and DDX3 We have found that there is an interaction between SHP-2 and DDX3. Future experiments could be used to see how both SHP-2 and DDX3 proteins interact with each other and affect the function of PD-L1, which inhibits T-cell function This will contribute to the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets to enhance T-cell function and combat lung cancer

OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTRODIALYSIS WITH ULTRAFILTRATION MEMBRANES FOR VIRAL VECTOR PURIFICATION

Patel, Trupte

Session 1: Poster # 76

Faculty mentor(s): Gosia Chwatko

Discipline: Engineering

Viral vectors are important gene therapy tools due to their efficiency at targeting and entering cells, as well as their ability for genetic transfer. Viral vectors are created using human or insect cells, as they cannot replicate on their own. As such, they need to be separated from a significant number of biomolecules and cell wall debris Common separation techniques for isolation include ultracentrifugation and ion exchange chromatography However, these techniques are expensive and obtain low virus yields Electrodialysis is proposed as an alternative separation technique in which species are separated based on charge. Utilizing ultrafiltration membranes during electrodialysis allows for additional filtration through size exclusion In this study, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as a representative protein to undergo electrodialysis in a tris-buffered saline (TBS) solution Salt concentration was varied and its effect on BSA movement was studied since an increase in ion concentration can increase the conductivity of the buffer solution Results showed BSA movement increased as solution conductivity increased, however, a shift in the pH of the TBS solution was also seen To counter this shift, the buffer concentration was increased to increase the buffering capacity of the solution. The effect of zwitterionic and anionic surfactant on BSA movement was also studied through the addition of CHAPS and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), respectively Both surfactants resulted in an increase in BSA movement, which may be attributed to the charge interactions with BSA, along with their ability to prevent protein aggregation Representing viral vectors, 20 nm silica nanoparticles (SNP) were employed during electrodialysis and separation comparable to BSA was found. This shows potential for electrodialysis application on complex biological systems Overall, this study optimizes the electrodialysis process as an alternative method to separate viruses from cell debris for viral vector applications.

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

THE EFFECT OF DEFENDANT MENTAL ILLNESS ON LEGAL DECISION-MAKING AND INSANITY VERDICTS IN RAPE CASES

Patrick, Grace

Session 1: Poster # 161

Faculty mentor(s): Jonathan Golding

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Several studies have examined a defendant characteristic (e g , race, gender) and how they impacted legal decision-making However, few studies have investigated legal decision-making and defendant characteristics with regard to mental illness In cases involving a defendant’s mental illness, issues regarding insanity and the type of verdict must be considered. For example, some states (e g , Kentucky) allow for alternative verdicts such as the guilty but mentally ill verdict [GBMI] or not guilty by reason of insanity [NGRI] The impact of a defendant’s claim of insanity and legal decision-making involving multiple verdicts has not been investigated at all. The present study examined the effect defendant mental illness had on juror perceptions in a rape trial involving the insanity defense using a 2 (participant gender) x 4 (mental illness: schizophrenia [S], dissociative identity disorder [DID], depression [DEP], control [C]) between participant’s design. There were three hypotheses for this study. The first hypothesis was that participants would render more GBMI verdicts than NGRI verdicts when the defendant had a mental disorder (e g , schizophrenia [S], dissociative identity disorder [DID], depression [DEP]) The second hypothesis was that participants in the mental health conditions would yield higher pro-victim judgments than those in the control condition. The third and last hypothesis was that there would be a main effect of participant gender, such that female participants would have higher pro-victim judgments (e g guilty verdicts, victim credibility) than male participants The first two hypotheses were supported, but Hypothesis 3 did not receive support.

THE LEADING WOMEN OF ISOLATION AND INTERVENTION ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR II

Pearson, Caden

Session 1: Poster # 90

Faculty mentor(s): David Hamilton

Discipline: Humanities

The great debate of whether or not America should have intervened in World War II raged between the isolationists and interventionists for about two years That debate is the story of powerful politicians like Franklin D Roosevelt, Burton K Wheeler, and Gerald P Nye; titans of publishing and industry like William Allen White, Henry Luce, Wendell Willkie, and General Wood; popular public figures like Charles Lindbergh and Father Coughlin; and groups as widely divergent as Anglophiles, Anglophobes, anti-Semites, communists, and pro- and anti-New Dealers. In the midst of it all, two of the leading women Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Eleanor Roosevelt penned book-length essays defending isolation and intervention, respectively Although these two women were essentially defending their husbands’ views, it was not common at the time for a woman to weigh in on matters like foreign policy at all. Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, which became a bestseller in nonfiction, staked out the unorthodox claim that the fascists in Europe had tapped into a nebulous force guiding world history which she dubbed “the wave of the future ” She argued that resistance to the wave was futile, and so America should try to ride it rather than crusade abroad Eleanor Roosevelt’s book, The Moral Basis of Democracy, can be read as a rebuttal to Lindbergh’s theories She emphasizes the moral dimension of the war, echoing previous interventionist thinkers and presaging some of her husband's addresses For Eleanor Roosevelt, the realization of a true democracy still laid in the future, and only a Christ-like devotion of each citizen to his neighbor, both in America and abroad, would make it possible

SESSION 1: POSTER ABSTRACTS

THE IMPACT OF ANTIBIOTICS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING: AN EXAMINATION OF COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING IN OLDER ADULTS

Pena, Deb; Patel, Nidhi

Session 1: Poster # 162

Faculty mentor(s): Suzanne Segerstrom

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The human gut hosts a vast ecosystem of microbial life, both beneficial and detrimental to humans, that are in constant equilibrium with one another When the microbiome is out of balance, called dysbiosis, a host of issues can occur including detrimental effects to one’s cognitive function. Antibiotics, indiscriminatory in nature, can alter the microbiome negatively leading to dysbiosis and impaired cognitive functioning 42 older adults (65% women) from age 65 to 92 were assessed every 6 months for their scores on the Trail Making Test (TMT), a test of cognitive flexibility, and the Behavior Ratings Index of Executive Functioning (BRIEF), a self-reported measure of executive functioning. On average, each participant had 11 visits and were included only if they had ever been on antibiotics during the study at any point Of the 481 visits observed, 81 visits included a participant who was on antibiotics at the time. Participants on antibiotics had significantly different scores on the BRIEF, specifically in the Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) domain, which represents a participant’s ability to maintain regulatory control of their behavior Post-hoc tests showed participants on antibiotics reported lower scores on self-reported inhibitory control than those not on antibiotics. There was no significant difference in TMT scores. These results indicate that participants on antibiotics were more likely to report issues with inhibitory control when on antibiotics, however, this difference was not measurable with a test of executive functioning like the TMT This could be due to the TMT being a more structured test of executive functioning whereas the BRIEF tests the application of executive functioning to real life. Participants may have better executive functioning when sitting down and taking a test compared to when they are functioning in daily life Disruption of the microbiome may affect inhibition when people cannot rely on environmental structure.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS AND EXPLANATIONS OF INSTITUTIONAL DISCRIMINATION FACING IMMIGRANTS

Peters, Kacie

Session 1: Poster # 163

Faculty mentor(s): Christia Brown Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Immigrants in the U S , especially Latinx immigrants, face myriad forms of discrimination (e g , Findling et al , 2019; Pincus, 1996) By definition, discrimination involves actions that harm or disadvantage an individual because of their membership in a particular group (Dovidio et al , 2010) Some discrimination occurs at the institutional level and refers to institutional policies or practices that unfairly restrict the experiences and opportunities of a certain group of individuals (Dovidio et al., 2010). Institutional discrimination is harder to detect than interpersonal discrimination because it is more cognitively complex than direct discrimination Although previous research has examined children’s perceptions of ethnic discrimination (e g , Brown, 2006), little research has examined how children perceive structural discrimination toward immigrants. To address this gap in the literature, and to tease apart children’s understanding of discrimination from their attitudes about specific immigrant groups, the current study presented children with a fictional scenario using novel groups to represent structural discrimination with the intent to examine their understanding of the mechanisms without any racial preconceived notions Participants were read a vignette involving two novel groups: a minority immigrant group (Dods) who moves to an island (Zonka) inhabited by a non-immigrant majority group (Zorks). In the vignette, the majority group is depicted as holding higher paying jobs than the immigrant group and showing in-group preferences in hiring In addition to questions about discrimination, and the fairness and unfairness of it, children’s own ethnic and American identity, intergroup attitudes, and neighborhood ethnic composition were assessed, as well as their cognitive development. Overall, the results showed that a majority of participants understood unfair biases and believed

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

MOVEMENT EVOKED PAIN IS ASSOCIATED WITH SAGITTAL PLANE KINEMATICS BUT NOT REACTION TIME DURING A FORWARD JUMP AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH PAINFUL CHRONIC ANKLE INSTABILITY.

Puckett, Lakin

Session 1: Poster # 130

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Objective: In the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, people begin to establish certain health behaviors, potentially influencing long-term health Although several studies have explored the impact of health behaviors on overall health indicators, little research has focused on their association with oral health outcomes. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the influence of diet, physical activity, and substance use on oral health in college students Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a survey administered through Qualtrics and distributed by various methods including text messaging and several social media platforms. Inclusion criteria consisted of being enrolled as a student at the University of Kentucky. Surveys assessing diet, substance use, physical activity, and oral health were administered to college students at the University of Kentucky Various statistical analyses, including Pearson's correlation test, were conducted to explore relationships between variables. Results: 126 participants responded to the survey, with 102 participants reaching full completion The mean age was 20 9 years Age distribution revealed 66 3% of respondents were female and 33 7% were male 93% of participants rated their oral health as “good, very good, or excellent.” 70% of participants were considered at high risk for alcohol abuse. 65% of participants did not meet physical activity guidelines Preliminary findings show a small positive correlation between healthy dietary habits and flossing frequency (R=0 108), indicating a potential link between diet and oral hygiene practices Additionally, substance use behaviors, particularly alcohol consumption, exhibited a negative correlation with flossing frequency (R=-0.109). These results highlight the importance of promoting healthy behaviors among college students to maintain optimal oral (and overall) health

Conclusions: Overall, this pilot study contributes to understanding the complex relationship between common health behaviors and oral health outcomes in college students, highlighting the need for more research in this area of healthcare

MODIFYING POLY(Β-AMINO ESTER) HYDROGEL FORMULATIONS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINED RELEASE OF BUPIVACAINE ANESTHETIC

MOTHERS’ FLEXIBLE PARENTING MAY SERVE AS A BUFFER BETWEEN PTSD SYMPTOMS AND COPING-RELATED DRINKING IN COLLEGE-AGED OFFSPRING

Vogt, Kathryn; Siegel, Zach

Session 1: Poster # 171

Faculty mentor(s): Christal Badour

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Following adverse childhood experiences (ACEs, e g , exposure to violence, abuse, or neglect), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been linked to coping-related drinking behavior. Flexible parenting (firm but loving) behaviors may serve as a buffer between PTSD symptoms and coping-related drinking while permissive (uninterested in being a parent) or authoritarian (strict and unmoving on rules) parenting behaviors may increase the strength of this association In this study, 240 college student drinkers completed measures of ACEs; PTSD symptoms; alcohol use, associated problems, and motives for use; and retrospective reports of permissive, authoritative/flexible, and authoritarian parenting behaviors experienced while growing up After controlling for number of ACEs, alcohol use frequency/problems, participant gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation, the positive association between PTSD symptom severity and depression coping motives for alcohol use was moderated by level of authoritative or flexible parenting from participants’ mothers (B=-0.004, SE = 0.002, p = .03, R2= .02), such that, PTSD symptoms were only positively related to depression coping motives for alcohol use among participants whose mothers engaged in low to moderate levels of authoritative/flexible parenting A similar pattern emerged for anxiety-coping motives for alcohol use, but the interaction was not significant The flexible parenting style models healthy behavior for children We can see how that positively translates to long-term development of coping skills, due to these results

PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH RISKS OF NICOTINE USAGE IN ADOLESCENTS

Vyas, Bhavya

Session 1: Poster # 172

Faculty mentor(s): Pooja Sidney

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

In adolescents, nicotine use impairs brain development, for example, damaging the prefrontal cortex and the reward pathway. To educate adolescents about the health risks associated with nicotine use, it is important that web sources, such as the CDC website on nicotine effects, present information in a way that promotes understanding Currently many sources do not present information in an evidence-based way Past research shows a combination of numeric, verbal, and visual is most effective (Lipkus, 2007) This study aims to establish the best way to communicate health risks to adolescents by testing their understanding of nicotine-related health statistics Participants in introductory psychology classes at UK were randomly assigned to four visual aid conditions (text, graph, table, or picture) and reported on their beliefs and experiences with nicotine via Qualtrics. Participants viewed health information for 10 minutes in their assigned condition and answered interpretation questions. We also measured subjective numeracy and graph literacy A logistic regression revealed a significant interaction effect between subjective numeracy and condition on redundant information accuracy Among participants with high or average subjective numeracy, viewing information in a graph was more helpful than any other type of presentation However, among participants with low subjective numeracy, there was no effect of condition Furthermore, when information was presented in the text only, participants in the graph condition were less likely to accurately remember as compared to the text-only condition. These findings establish the need for health information presented by health sources to adjust and use a combination of visuals and texts to promote understanding of health risks in adolescents leading to the number of adolescents using nicotine to decrease

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

102

FUNCTIONAL CONSERVATION OF THE BMP PATHWAY IN PLANARIANS

Weber, Caleb

Session 1: Poster # 49

Faculty mentor(s): Elizabeth Duncan

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Planarians are an important model for studying regeneration and stem cells. One pathway that is known to be important for regeneration and proper regulation of cilia formation in the planarian species Schmidtea mediterranea (S.med) is the BMP pathway BMPs are signaling molecules that are part of the larger Transforming Growth Factor-β superfamily Named for their importance in bone formation, BMPs are now known to be critical for proper formation of all organ systems and the proper regulation of cilia formation In S med, knockdown of BMP4 results in failure to regenerate after amputation Intact worms undergo ventralization, or a loss of dorsal-ventral asymmetry In wildtype S med, only the ventral side is heavily ciliated, but in BMP4 knockdowns, both sides are uniformly ciliated. BMP4 knockdowns also show a loss of dorsal-ventral nervous system asymmetry, demonstrated by formation of additional photoreceptors and confirmed by staining showing altered nerve cord formation. Here, we present the results of experiments comparing knockdown of the BMP pathway in two planarian species, S. med and Girardia guanajuatiensis (G gua) G gua has several distinct features, including a reduced capacity for regeneration compared to S med and differences in cilia-driven locomotion S med usually displays a smooth gliding motion, compared to G gua, which more often displays peristaltic, or inch-worming, motion Characterization of G gua has revealed unique ciliation patterns: whereas S med has a densely and uniformly ciliated ventral epithelium, G gua has patches of cilia present on the ventral epithelium. This project aimed to uncover how loss of key genes in the BMP pathway causes a loss of ventral-dorsal asymmetry and regeneration in planarians, and answer whether increased ciliation seen in S. med causes or contributes to ventralization or occurs independently

IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS FOR YOUNG ADULT WOMEN

Wicker, Alyssa

Session 1: Poster # 139

Faculty mentor(s): Sarah Kercsmar

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The mental health crisis has been an ongoing issue, but it was exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted young adult women in comparison to other demographics This research explores the challenges faced by this demographic and others by looking at data and analyzing the crisis using content from the Clinical Leadership and Management curriculum Examining social determinants of health, quality and safety standards, and financial constraints, this study sheds light on several complex factors that have shaped the mental health crisis during and after the pandemic Through a comprehensive analysis of mental health service patterns and challenges to accessing these services, this research offers evidence-based recommendations for addressing the crisis, including targeted interventions to address social determinants, enhance quality protocols in healthcare delivery, and optimize financial resources for mental health services By utilizing quantitative data with healthcare administration expertise, this study provides insights seeking to implement effective strategies to support the mental health crisis amidst the ongoing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

103

THE ROLE OF HOPE IN REDUCING SUICIDAL IDEATION DURING TREATMENT FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

Wilde, Artemis

Session 1: Poster # 173

Faculty mentor(s): Shannon Sauer-Zavala

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Data collected from a clinical trial evaluating the effects of BPD Compass was reviewed for patterns relating hope and suicidal ideation. During the trials, patients diagnosed with BPD received 18 sessions of individual therapy and completed assessment of their function before, during, and after treatment. Hypothesizing that patients who endorsed higher levels of hope at the beginning of treatment would show a steeper negative slope on suicidal ideation, and that a greater pre- to post-treatment change in hope would be significantly correlated with decreases in suicidal ideation, I organized data sets to search for connections between meaning in life and desire to live

REINVENTING SPAIN'S DIFFERENCE: NACIONAL HERTIAGE UNDER FRANCO DURING THE 1950S AND 1960S THROUGH POSTCARDS

Wingo, Sophie

Session 1: Poster # 91

Faculty mentor(s): Heather Campbell-Speltz

Discipline: Humanities

Spanish royal palaces, monasteries, and historical monuments are the subjects of various Spanish postcards dating from the 1950s and 1960s from the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center. On the surface, these postcards simply portray popular tourist attractions; however, a critical and visual analysis of these postcards revealed how they functioned as tools used to reinvent Spain’s global image From 1936 to 1975, Spain was controlled by General Francisco Franco through a fascist, dictatorial regime Decades of political and economic isolation led to an inflation crisis by the 1950s, forcing Spain to reopen to the outside world in order to survive No other factor was as critical in improving Spain’s image and economy than tourism During the Spanish tourism boom in the 1960s, the Ministry of Tourism and Information adopted the slogan “Spain is different” not only to signify that Spain was different from other Western European nations due to Spain’s exotic and unique culture and traditions, but also that Spain was different from what it once was during the first decades under Franco. While the slogan “Spain is different” was written on various items for sale to tourists, the slogan was also conveyed visually through postcards Analyzing this collection of postcards in the context of Franco’s dictatorship and the Spanish tourism boom allowed for a deeper understanding of how the slogan “Spain is different” was communicated through these postcards to distract tourists from Franco’s oppressive regime and instead shift their focus toward the idea that Spain that was just as elegant, developed, and modern as their neighboring Western European nations.

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

104

EVALUATING BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM THE GUT OF SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (FALL ARMYWORM) FOR ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES

Wolf, Isabel

Session 1: Poster # 50

Faculty mentor(s): Kendall Corbin

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Antimicrobial agents, in particular antibiotics, are among the most significant breakthroughs of modern medicine Unfortunately, many antibiotics lose their efficacy over time as microorganisms evolve mechanisms to increase their resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a public health threat that will have devastating consequences on a global scale. To help combat this urgent crisis we are mining a microbial diverse ecosystem, the guts of Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworms; FAWs), to find antibiotic producing bacteria To achieve this, we used microbiological techniques to isolate 59 bacteria from the guts of FAW feeding on maize plants (UK North Farm, 2023) The FAW were dissected, and their guts collected for microbial isolation We performed biochemical testing and Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for bacterial identification Unique isolates were then grown in the presence of ESKAPE pathogen safe relatives using the spread/patch method to determine if they are suspectable or resistant to common antibiotic-resistant pathogens. ESKAPE pathogens are six highly virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens including: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp Three isolates were found to inhibit the growth of bacterial cells, creating zones of inhibition The metabolites produced by these three isolates will be extracted and characterized using organic solvents, separation techniques, and antibiotic activity assays Metabolomics may be performed to identify the compound(s) present in the extract if antibiotic activity is retained. This project has the potential to find novel antibiotic producing microorganisms from a currently untapped source of microbial diversity, insect guts.

VALIDATION OF EXPERIMENTAL TEST RESULTS USING DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION (DIC)

Woolard, Trent

Session 1: Poster # 81

Faculty mentor(s): Abeetha Peiris

Discipline: Engineering

The research would involve learning the software and using the video of the tests (FRP material tests, CFRP beam tests) to develop stress/strain profiles and correlate those with actual stress/strain data from the lab data acquisition systems.

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

105

“NO TIME FOR WORK”: INVESTIGATING THE FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF STEM UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Yalla, Sai

Session 1: Poster # 63

Faculty mentor(s): Jennifer Osterhage

Discipline: Education

Research has shown that financial stress affects many undergraduate college students However, few prior studies have investigated the impact of academic major on one's financial concerns. The goals of this study were to better understand how the schedules and course requirements of undergraduate STEM students at the University of Kentucky affect their ability to earn money from a job and to determine if STEM-major related financial concerns differ between lower- and upper-class students A mixed methods approach was utilized, which consisted of analysis of both close- and open-ended survey responses The analysis (n = 91) indicated that the majority of participants surveyed worry about paying their monthly expenses Over 84% of participants agree that if they did not receive grants, loans or scholarship money, they would not be able to attend college Over 94% of students surveyed indicated that the class and lab schedule required of STEM majors makes it difficult to earn money from a job. Compared to freshman and sophomores (n=25), junior and senior students (n=42) were much more likely to agree that the class and lab schedule of STEM majors makes it difficult to work as many hours as they would like In addition, compared with freshman and sophomores, more juniors and seniors agreed that they have given up professional development opportunities because they needed to work Qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses indicated that being a STEM student is heavily time consuming, affecting students’ work hours In addition, many STEM students reported worrying about balancing the need for work and the need to maintain a high GPA. The results of this study can help improve the accessibility of undergraduate STEM degrees and help faculty and administrators understand the barriers that these students face.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF MACROPHAGE RESPONSE TO RADIATION THERAPY

Yang, Harrison

Session 1: Poster # 82

Faculty mentor(s): Fanny Chapelin

Discipline: Engineering

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging modality which, in conjunction with biopsies, provide a qualitative assessment of tumor response to treatment. Intravenous injection of contrast agents such as fluorine (19F) nanoemulsions labels systemic macrophages, which can, then, be tracked in real time with MRI This method can provide quantifiable insights into the behavior of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment and macrophage recruitment during therapy Methods: Female mice received mammary fat pad injections of murine breast or colon cancer cell lines The mice then received an intravenous 19F nanoemulsion injection, followed by a baseline 19F MRI For each cancer model, half of the mice then received 8 Gy of localized radiation therapy (RT), while others remained untreated. The mice were monitored for two weeks for tumor growth and 9F signal using MRI. Results: Across both cohorts, the RT-treated groups presented significant tumor growth reduction or arrest, contrary to the untreated groups Similarly, the fluorine signal in treated groups increased significantly as early as four days post therapy The fluorine signal change correlated to tumor volumes irrespective of time Conclusion: These results demonstrate the potential of 19F MRI to non-invasively track macrophages during radiation therapy and its prognostic value with regard to tumor growth

SESSION 1: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

106

DECODING THE MOLECULAR LANDSCAPE OF RETINAL DEGENERATION: IMPACT OF MERTK AND TYRO3 ON ZEBRAFISH PHOTORECEPTOR MAINTENANCE

Ahlfeld, Carter

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Jakub Famulski

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Vision stands as our most powerful experiential tool, and research surrounding retinal diseases serves to expand our knowledge of retinal functioning Photoreceptor degeneration associated with the loss of tyrosine receptor kinases (TRK) like Mertk and Tyro3 characterize the retinal disease Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). RP is a rod-cone dystrophy characterized by symptoms like loss of peripheral vision and night blindness

The disease is thought to originate from the failed phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) and heightened pro-inflammatory mechanisms Normally, old discs must be continually shed and phagocytized by the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) to alleviate photooxidative stress in photoreceptors. Indeed, Mertk and Tyro3 have been implicated in the signaling cascade that initiates POS phagocytosis, yet new findings in mice revealed that failed POS uptake was not the sole requirement for disease, insinuating that Mertk and Tyro3 might also be involved in the negative regulation of immune responses Additionally, the loss of Mertk and Tyro3 was required for an early-onset phenotype, signifying possible compensatory mechanisms Since humans with a loss of Mertk alone exhibit RP, clarification of Mertk based RP pathogenesis in various model systems is required. Thus, we used a diurnal zebrafish model to analyze Mertk and Tyro3 mediated RP. We have confirmed the presence of Mertk in the RPE where phagocytosis occurs and the localization of Tyro3 at the outer limiting membrane of Müller Glia, which has been implicated as essential for photoreceptor maintenance We developed knockout Mertk and Tyro3 lines using CRISPR, and in Mertk mutants at 30 days post-fertilization, we found no significant retinal degeneration or length abnormalities in rod photoreceptor outer segments Further, we have established a double mutant line, and hypothesize that zebrafish with Mertk and Tyro3 loss of function display the early-onset disease phenotype characterized by excessive inflammation and retinal degeneration.

THE MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH IN SANTA MARÍA YAVICHE, OAXACA, MÉXICO WITHOUT ACCESS TO OFFICIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Akhtar, Rohma

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Oliver Froehling, Tad Mutersbaugh

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Access to adequate healthcare facilities is a pressing issue in many rural communities worldwide. In Santa María Yaviche, a Zapotec indigenous community nestled in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca, Mexico, the challenge of maintaining health amidst limited access to official healthcare services is particularly pronounced This research delves into the intricate web of social influences that shape health practices in Santa María Yaviche, exploring how community members navigate the complexities of a medical desert By examining the interplay between physical and cultural barriers, social identities, traditional healing practices, and access barriers, this study sheds light on the unique healthcare landscape of the community. Through interviews with community members and healthcare providers, supplemented by fieldwork observations, the research seeks to unravel the multifaceted dimensions of health maintenance in Santa María Yaviche The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of indigenous healthcare practices and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities

SESSION 2: ORAL

ABSTRACTS

107

EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF CYCLIC HEAT STRESS AND NATURALLY CONTAMINATED CORN FINES ON INTESTINAL MORPHOLOGY, BONE BREAKING STRENGTH, AND BLOOD GAS IN BROILER CHICKENS

Burkett, Trinity; Lobel, Molly

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Tayo Adedokun, Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mycotoxin-contaminated corn fines [CF] and heat stress on performance, intestinal morphology, and blood gas in 21-day-old broiler chickens The experiment used 192-day-old male Cobb breeder chicks in a RCBD with 4 treatments in a 2 (regular corn vs CF) x 2 (regular temperature vs cyclic heat stress for 6 hours per day; day 9 to 21) in a factorial arrangement with 4 replicate cages of 6 birds per cage per room. The CF replaced the regular corn in the diet at 0 or 100% of the corn Each diet was fed for 21 days (pre-starter: d 0-9, starter: d 9-21) Birds and feed were weighed on days 0, 9, and 21 All birds in the 4 rooms were raised under the same recommended room temperature from days 0 to 9 when heat stress was induced (82 vs. 93 oF). Data were analyzed using Proc GLM of SAS appropriate for a factorial arrangement of treatments. Corn fines decreased (P<0 05) bodyweight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency (day 9-21, and 0-21) while heat stress decreased (P<0.05) feed efficiency (days 9-21 and 0-21). Interactions between diet and heat stress resulted in higher (P<0 05) feed intake (d 9-21 and 0-21) in birds fed the control diet and this is independent of the room temperature Heat stress decreased (P<0 05) relative liver weight by 21% Heat stress decreased (P<0 05) villi height and crypt depth (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) while CF decreased (P<0.05) duodenal crypt depth and jejunal villi height and width. Birds’ rectal temperature (increased), pCO2 (decreased), and potassium (decreased) were influenced (P<0 05) by heat stress while CF decreased (P<0 05) TCO2 Results from this study showed that heat stress and CF negatively affected most of the response variables evaluated in this study.

EFFECTS OF METHYL JASMONATE AND JASMONIC ACID LOADED NANOPARTICLES ON DEFENSIVE SECONDARY METABOLITES IN HAIRY ROOT CELLS

Clinch, Mckenna

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Barbara Knutson, Steve Rankin

Discipline: Engineering

Secondary metabolites in plants help with defense mechanisms against pathogen infection and abiotic stresses, including drought, extreme temperatures, etc While an increase in these metabolites will benefit plants, they also provide potential benefits to humans as possible therapeutics Methyl jasmonate (MeJ) and jasmonic acid (JA) are both known to elicit defensive secondary metabolites when delivered to plant cell cultures. Amine functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPAs) loaded with these elicitors are hypothesized as carriers for delivery into the plant cell This work focuses on the delivery of methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid into Lobelia cardinalis hairy root cells using high surface area MSNPAs (with 2.5 nm diameter pores). Synthesis and amine functionalization of these nanoparticles are performed first, resulting in a porous particle with a positive surface charge, confirmed by zeta potential Using evaporative loading techniques, MeJ/JA is loaded into the pores and quantified using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Hairy root cell cultures are then treated with one of five different treatments of elicitor and particle combinations The control group contains hairy root cells in plant media Other treatments include root cells with elicitor in media, nanoparticles in media, elicitor loaded nanoparticles in media, and unloaded nanoparticles and elicitor suspended in the same media. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is used to analyze the metabolites synthesized with each treatment Focusing on jasmonic acid as the elicitor, data manipulation is performed to determine which secondary metabolites are elicited in significant amounts T-tests are then performed to determine which treatments are statistically significant from the control group. Current work focuses on analysis of each metabolite and determining which treatment showed the greatest impact on area counts

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108

DESIGN IN EVERYDAY LIFE

Gohde, Mason

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): SK O’Brien

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

I’ve been drawing and sketching for as long as I can remember When I found the Product Design program here at the University of Kentucky I was intrigued by the way it blended my interests in artmaking with problem-solving and a way of thinking that is different from visual arts As I’ve pursued my education in Design I’ve been surprised by how often the field is misinterpreted Many students don’t know the difference between Visual Arts and Design, and don’t understand how Design impacts every bit of their world and their experiences. I see an opportunity to further explain the Design world to the general public, (with emphasis on middle school, high school, and college students) in a way that could get students excited about a career in it

TWO PERSPECTIVES ON IMMIGRANTS IN THE LABOR MARKET: THE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1990

Holla, Shria

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Christopher Bollinger, Mark Whitaker

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

When evaluating the impact of immigration, extant economic literature has overwhelmingly focused on natives and men The widely accepted methodology in the literature usually segments by education and by experience Segmenting by education has been found to not be viable for immigrants due to immigrant downgrading, and experience is not conducive for women since it is calculated based on age Through both an empirical analysis and an ethnography, this study takes the initial steps to include existent immigrants and women in the discussion The economic empirical analysis evaluates the impact of immigration on existent immigrants, a growing portion of the labor force. I find that immigrants are not an exclusive labor market, as much of the literature assumes, but are part of a mixed labor market I extend the study to evaluate effects based on birthplace groups, which shows notable variation across groups I also find that using residualized wage as the dependent variable and using occupation quartiles as a proxy for skill are stronger methodological methods when segmenting immigrants. The cultural anthropological ethnography is crafted on the story of Indian immigrant women in Kentucky I find that immigrants have additional reasons for nonrandom location choice, such as visa waiver programs I also find that immigrant networks, location, and visa status impact the employment patterns of the women. This is because of both a lack of childcare and a lack of opportunities. The ethnography also finds supporting evidence for using occupation quartiles as a proxy for skill and for the presence of a mixed labor market In all, I use both studies to propose improvements to economic methodology so that the discussion includes both existent immigrants and women moving forward

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109

JIM BEAM BOURBON BARREL ANALYSIS

Howell, Braden

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Brent Seales

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Bourbon barrels have been rupturing since their inception; their solidity tormenting the bourbon industry through significant losses of product The precise reasons behind these failures have remained elusive due to a manual data collection process that has limited the amount of data and its validity. This research aims to automate that data collection process by using machine learning and computer imaging to detect, identify, and analyze the barrels put into production The application will collect and store structural information on each barrel such as hoop distance, barrel length, stave count, etc. Whereas initially, human error could lead to barrels being skipped or inaccurate measurements, this system will use a series of cameras to detect the barrels and make calculations instantly By automating this process, we will vastly increase the amount of data available to determine the factors that affect the likelihood of a barrel bursting. Further development of the software could also allow for the recognition of barrels that fit the profile of “likely to burst” Ultimately, this research provides a pivotal step in resolving this issue that has plagued the bourbon industry for so long, aiming to increase the integrity and longevity of barrels industry-wide

CARDIOMYOCYTE-RESTRICTED DELETION OF RAD REMODELS THE HEART TOWARDS HEALTHY

Lohano, Sarisha

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Jonathan Satin

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background: About 6 1 million adults in the United States have HF, and this contributes to about a third of cardiovascular disease deaths Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type of cardiomyopathy DCM results in systolic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction, enlarged chamber, and dilated ventricles. DCM is characterized by hypocontractility, and Ca2+ handling is a major determinant of contractility RAD is a protein which inhibits calcium current through the Cav1 2 channel Cardiomyocyte-restricted deletion of RAD (cRADKO) improves calcium levels and systolic function in healthy mice, but the impact of cRadKO in diseased states is unexplored Hypothesis: Deletion of RAD in a DCM model will improve systolic function by increasing contractility Methods: The established DCM model used is the muscle lim protein knockout mouse (MLPKO) At 10 weeks, we induced cRadKO in MLPKO mice to create double KO mice (Rad+MLPKO); littermates with only MLPKO serve as controls Ca2+-transients and sarcomere function of dispersed adult cardiomyocytes were measured at stimulus frequencies of 0 1, 1, 2, and 3 Hz; additionally, cardiomyocyte size was analyzed Results: In the MLPKO cRADKO, Ca2+-transient amplitude increased by 34% at 0.1Hz, and by 49% at 2Hz. Ca2+-transient return velocity decreased by 39% at 0.1Hz, and by 44% at 2Hz. Sarcomere fractional shortening increased by 53% at 0 1Hz, and by 195% at 2Hz Sarcomere relaxation velocity increased by 77% at 0 1Hz, and by 154% at 2Hz The DCM model showed more non-stimulated Ca2+-release events overall cRADKO cardiomyocyte width increased relative to MLPKO cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Rad-reduction in the setting of DCM increased myocardial Ca2+-homeostasis to promote positive inotropy Potential arrhythmogenic non-stimulated Ca2+-release was abrogated by cRadKO on the DCM background cRadKO architecturally remodeled the myocardium – manifested here as an increase of cardiomyocyte width. This study reveals a new therapeutic target for DCM.

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ABSTRACTS

110

HACKABLE DESKS FOR THE NEW DESIGN BUILDING

Mohaghegh, Amir Pasha

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): SK O'Brien

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

With the move to the new Reynolds/Grey building approaching the Grey building desks are becoming a point of attention again These desks were designed to be hackable and capable of being altered to fit the students' needs. There are a handful of prototypes of these desks in the existing college of design buildings, and although the main attraction of the desk is their modularity, there are no existing attachments for these desks available to show The premise of this summer research project is to conduct research into what types of attachments students are seeking and to design and fabricate an example so it can be shown alongside the desk Secondary goals of the project are to keep waste low to make these attachments as sustainable as possible and to use a CNC router to cut the parts and to make the code available to future students This will make the process reliably repeatable.

EXPLORING THE APPLICATIONS OF DANCE MOVEMENT THERAPY TO SUPPLEMENT BREAST CANCER CARE IN KENTUCKY

Moore-Mendez, Isabela

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Laura Neese

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is the use of somatic practices within individual and/or group settings to facilitate growth or healing in various areas Research has shown that DMT has been helpful when used in conjunction with other therapies and treatments in regards to breast cancer patients and survivors Recognizing that there is little awareness about DMT, and that there is not a practicing DMT within the state of Kentucky, this paper seeks to understand how DMT can benefit breast cancer patients and survivors in Kentucky, as well as other individuals

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111

NAVIGATING RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES TOWARD ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Ruschman, Gretchen

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Caroline Buchanan, Patrick Hannon, Robert Hirsch

Discipline: Humanities

As global infertility rates increase, the growing utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART), specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF), has introduced a range of ethical concerns. Religious beliefs play a crucial role in shaping societal norms and guiding individual ethical deliberation, which is also true in navigating the ethical framework surrounding ART Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the role of religion in shaping perspectives on ART and explore the role of religion in ethical decision-making on an individual and a community scale. This study explored different religious perspectives on ethical issues surrounding the current state and potential future advancements of ART The study was based on 7 in-depth semi-structured interviews with religious leaders of different faiths Participants included representatives from Reform Judaism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Unitarian Universalism, and Protestant Christianity branches including Presbyterian, Non-denominational, and Anglican Christianity While no universal view on the connection between ART and religion emerged, common themes were, 1) Exposure to ART, 2) Ethically complex concerns with ART, 2) Preserving the dignity of human life, 3) The role of human agency and God in science, 4) Source of guidance for navigating ethically complex issues, 5). Pro-science attitudes, 6) Procreation as a moral good, and 7) Alternative options to avoid the issues of IVF In addressing ethical concerns associated with ART, the study concluded that there is no universally accepted religious viewpoint Language nuances, particularly in defining the start of life and personhood, significantly influenced each religious leader's stance on relevant ethical issues. The diversity in responses and absence of personal narratives from religious leaders underscores the need for further research and broader scientific and societal discussions to characterize the role of religion in navigating ethical dilemmas within ART.

IMPACTS OF XYLAZINE ON FENTANYL DEMAND, BODY WEIGHT, AND ACUTE WITHDRAWAL IN RATS: A COMPARISON TO LOFEXIDINE

Sadek, Safiyah

Session 2: Room 330A

Faculty mentor(s): Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The opioid use landscape has recently shifted to include xylazine, a veterinary anesthetic, as an adulterant in the fentanyl supply. The health impacts of xylazine as an emerging fentanyl adulterant has raised alarm regarding xylazine as a public health threat, warranting research on the impacts of xylazine on fentanyl’s behavioral effects No prior studies have evaluated the effects of xylazine on fentanyl consumption at various unit doses, fentanyl demand, or withdrawal as compared to the Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid withdrawal medication, lofexidine (Lucemyra®) This is important because lofexidine and xylazine are both adrenergic α2a (A2aR) agonists, however, lofexidine is not a noted fentanyl adulterant. Here we evaluated xylazine and lofexidine combined with self-administered fentanyl doses in male and female rats and evaluated fentanyl demand, body weight, and acute withdrawal Consumption of fentanyl alone increased at various unit doses compared to saline Xylazine but not lofexidine shifted fentanyl consumption downward at a number of unit doses, however, both lofexidine and xylazine suppressed fentanyl demand intensity as compared to a fentanyl alone control group Further, both fentanyl + lofexidine and fentanyl + xylazine reduced behavioral signs of fentanyl withdrawal immediately following SA, but signs increased by 12 h only in the xylazine co-exposed group. Weight loss occurred throughout fentanyl SA and withdrawal regardless of group, although the xylazine group lost significantly more weight during the first 24 h of withdrawal than the other two groups Severity of weight loss during the first 24 h of withdrawal was also correlated with severity of somatic signs of fentanyl withdrawal Together, these results suggest that body weight loss may be an important indicator of withdrawal severity during acute withdrawal from the xylazine/fentanyl combination, warranting further translational evaluation

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ABSTRACTS

112

SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR TREATMENT OF GENETIC DISEASE

Schoenbachler, Peter

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Ann Morris

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

This review paper examined sickle cell anemia as a genetic disease Sickle cell anemia is an inherited, molecular disease affecting the beta chain of hemoglobin molecules as the result of a point mutation in the encoding gene It was first discovered 114 years ago, and since then major strides in understanding the underlying genetic causes and molecular mechanisms of the disease have led to advanced treatment methods While sickle cell anemia persists to be a relatively common disease across the world, new treatment methods utilizing gene therapy aims to have patients live symptom and complication free. This paper discusses the discovery of the disease to recent federally approved treatments methods

DESCENT TO DARKNESS? EXPLORING THE VILIFICATION OF SERBIA

Throckmorton, Elijah

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Ryan Voogt

Discipline: Humanities

The project focuses on a historical and social analysis of the perception of the Serbia nation, including its people, politics, and history The project will begin with an overview of the events beginning in the 20th century that have seemingly led to the international demonization of the Serbian nation. The project will then analyze modern media sources as a method of outlining the gradual development of a broad social perception within the United States of the Serbian nation as being international, and regional, villains. The project will provide a summation of the information gathered and speak to the contemporary significance of the reputation of Serbia and how it might impact the development of policies in region

SESSION 2: ORAL ABSTRACTS

113

DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Vitale, Keira

Session 2: Room 330B

Faculty mentor(s): Emily Gabriel

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The construction industry is very physically demanding and leads to common musculoskeletal injuries which can cause functional impairments and missed work Injury prevention programs (IPPs) have been used to decrease the risk of musculoskeletal injury by targeting balance, strength, range of motion, and agility However, user compliance is a major limiting factor to the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in attitudes towards IPP participation between those with a previous history of injury (PH) and those with no previous history of injury (NPH) Forty-five construction workers volunteered to participate in this study (Age: 33 33±12 18 years, Height: 179 93±8 71 cm; Mass: 91 96±18 16 kg) The study design was cross-sectional where participants completed questionnaires on one occurrence. The questionnaires included a demographic questionnaire, Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS), and Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS) The HBMS and TPBS were used to assess attitudes towards participation in IPPs. Total scores and associated median and interquartile range were calculated for each subscale of the HBMS and TPBS and used for analyses Mann-Whitney U tests were used to detect differences in attitudes between groups Effect size (ES) was calculated using the equation z/√n Alpha was set at P≤ 0 05 for all analyses

Individuals with a PH of injury perceived more susceptibility to injury (PH: 1.00 (9.00); NPH: -2.50 (11.00); P=0.02, ES=-0.35) and intention to participate in IPPs (PH= 10 00 (6 00), NPH= 3 00 (10 00); P=0 02, ES=-0 34) when compared to those with NPH These results indicate that individuals with NPH may benefit from implementation strategies that target education on susceptibility of injury within construction workers. There is a potential that using implementation strategies with these individuals may lead to more positive attitudes towards IPP participation which could lead to better adoption and adherence rates

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ABSTRACTS

114

DATA ANALYSIS THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY

Arbogast, Sawyer

Session 2: Table 1

Faculty mentor(s): Savio Poovathingal

Discipline: Engineering

This study explores the integration of thermodynamics data analysis into virtual reality environments. Leveraging primarily thermodynamics and computer programming, the study was conducted as a semester-long independent study Using Python code, coding pipelines were developed to transfer outputs from thermodynamics solvers to virtual reality platforms. Output goals included heat transfer, pressure, and shear forces. This research’s aim is to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and immersive visualization techniques. Integrating thermodynamics solver outputs into virtual reality environments, the study has helped enhance data interpretation and exploration. The seamless transition of data onto virtual reality platforms provides deeper insights into complex phenomena such as heat transfer, pressure dynamics, and shear forces with the eventual goal to be able to see how these phenomena change over time. This interdisciplinary approach advances scientific exploration and visualization methods combining both mechanical engineering and computer science.

MOVE THE TABLE: CULINARY HOMESCHOOLING AS A QUEER FEMINIST INTERVENTION

Browning, Elizabeth

Session 2: Table 2

Faculty mentor(s): Bryan Hains

Discipline: Humanities

“Move the Table” is a creative cookbook thesis project drawing on disabled queer feminist ideology and autoethnicgraphical methodology to share insights from the author’s experience with culinary homeschooling. In recounting the cultural realities transmitted to her through the feminine familial oral and manual tradition of storytelling while food preparing, the author seeks to share their truth and in doing so challenge some notions perpetuated as truth in public education. Through affirming the teachings of particularly mothers of color in resistance against oppressive politics in American public education, this piece argues that storytelling, recipe sharing, and caretaking as a form of political resistance performed by women are powerful, prevalent, and ignored. It further provides a personal testimony against special education segregation, and finally implores more critical inquiry into homeschooling as an underfunded and negatively-stereotyped intervention for families with disabled youth ostracized from equal educational rights.

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115

ICROP: ENABLING HIGH-PRECISION CROP DISEASE DETECTION VIA LORA TECHNOLOGY

Butcher, Jackson

Session 2: Table 3

Faculty mentor(s): Simone Silvestri

Discipline: Engineering

Crop disease recognition is a fundamental keystone in enabling disease control, limiting disease spread, and mitigating farmers’ losses. Recently, advanced image processing techniques for crop disease detection, based on deep learning, have gained significant popularity. However, the practical deployment of these models in real farms remains a challenge. This is mostly due to the lack of Internet connectivity which prevents the transmission of the acquired images to sufficiently powerful servers to execute such complex models. Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) has emerged as a promising network solution for rural areas, thanks to its low power consumption, extensive communication range, and cost-efficient deployment. However, the low data rate of this technology prevents its effective application for the transmission of the large images for crop disease detection. In this paper, we propose a LoRa-based framework called iCrop. iCrop enables high disease classification accuracy while exploiting the cost-effectiveness of Lora transmission technologies. Specifically, iCrop is based on a LoRa Node, which captures crop leaf images and pre-processes them through image segmentation. The node then selects the most informative segments and transmits them over LoRa to the LoRa Edge Server. The server, in turn, runs the disease classification using a CNN deep learning model empowered with majority voting among segments. To prevent data losses, typical of LoRa transmission, we develop a reliable transmission protocol on top of LoRa, which takes care of retransmissions and efficient communication. Extensive experiments on a real LoRa testbed show the advantages over two comparison approaches with respect to several performance metrics.

THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR

Cox, Joseph

Session 2: Table 4

Faculty mentor(s): Hannah Pittard

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

The Fruits of our Labor is a zine designed by Joseph Cox that works to facilitate connection through shared experiences of creativity Its contents, a collection of short stories and interviews, searches its world with questions of intimacy and evolves to find the answer itself. With four of his closest friends, Cox initiates conversations through collaborative art experiments. They explore poetry, collage, printmaking, and watercolor as new perspectives challenge ideas of influence, point-of-view, motivation, and authenticity The answers revealed as the fruits of our labor

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116

ORGANIC BY DESIGN

Brown, Emily

Session 2: Table 5

Faculty mentor(s): Jill Leckner

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Biophilic and biomorphic designs have become increasingly important in contemporary design practice. Biophilic design seeks to connect people with nature through the built environment, while biomorphic design takes inspiration from organic forms and structures found in nature. These design approaches have been shown to have positive effects on human health and well-being and can also contribute to sustainability efforts by reducing waste and using climate-conscious materials. This research constitutes an extension of my previous work completed in ARC 499 under the direction of Professor Jill Leckner, in which I studied fungi forms and used them as precedents for designing furniture models and objects that mimicked these forms. I began exploring through sketches of products from a small to large scale. This helped me understand where I want to go with this project and the different molds I would need to create. I also used Midjourney AI as an iterative tool to test different shapes and sizes to gather information on what the final product could look like.

PROPAGATING DIGITALITY: TOOLS FOR THE NEURAL FUTURE

Hannemann, Tice

Session 1: Table 6

Faculty mentor(s): Martin Summers

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Propagating Digitality: Tools for The Neural Future explores the intersection of contemporary digital design methodologies with emerging AI neural algorithms within the realm of architecture. The project aims to bridge the gap between conventional digital design practices and advancing neural technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Through the exploration of contemporary architecture workflows such as parametric design software, 3D scanning technology, and digital sculpting tools alongside AI models like Midjourney, ChatGPT, and Stable Diffusion, the study seeks to explore workflows that push architectural practice into uncharted territory Utilizing a multifaceted approach encompassing form generation, drawing augmentation, and physical modeling, the project seeks to showcase the potential of integrating neural algorithms into architectural design processes. The resulting models, drawings, and animations are inherently conversational. A snapshot in the current environment architecture finds itself in. As such, the body of work produced seeks to serve as a jumping off point for other designers. Resultants to inspire further inquiry into what they themselves can get out of such practices in a constantly shifting and evolving landscape of digital tools.

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VISUAL ARTS ABSTRACTS

117

AUGMENTING PENCE: EXPLORATIONS OF AUGMENTED REALITY AND ITS ROLE IN ARCHITECTURAL REPRESENTATION

Saylor, Harley

Session 1: Table 7

Faculty mentor(s): Jordan Hines

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Art

The ornamental plant Eucodonia ‘Adele' produces scaly rhizomes as a seasonal overwintering structure. Larger rhizome pieces produced shoots at a greater percentage than smaller rhizome segments (<2.5-cm). Larger rhizome segments were able to produce longer shoots in less time compared to shorter segments However, when shoot formation efficiency was calculated as the number of potential shoots per original stock rhizome, smaller rhizome segments were more efficient producing three to four times as many shoots Rhizome segments (2 5-cm) that were soaked in benzlyadenine (BA) initiated approximately 4 0 shoots per rhizome in 100% of segments compared to less than one shoot per rhizome in 82% of rhizome segments that were not treated with BA (untreated and water-soaked). The scaly rhizome contains a main stem-like core that is surrounded by many leaf-like scales. The scales appear to act as storage tissue based on the composition and presence of starch amyloplasts. The new shoots, that initiate as axillary shoots, form on the central core at the same location as scale attachment Individual scales can also form adventitious roots, but at a much lower frequency (only 25% shoot formation)

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118

NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF 2D POISSON'S EQUATION FOR SIMULATION OF VISCOUS FLUID MOTION

Abdeldayem, Ayah

Session 2: Poster # 53

Faculty mentor(s): Alipova-Turner Bakhyt

Discipline: Engineering

This study presents a numerical method for solving the two-dimensional Poisson's equation using MATLAB to simulate viscous fluid motion. The method utilizes finite difference approximations to discretize the equation, leading to a system of linear equations that can be efficiently solved using MATLAB's built-in functions. The accuracy and efficiency of the method are demonstrated through simulations of fluid flow in various scenarios, showcasing its potential for modeling complex fluid dynamics. The results indicate that the proposed method can provide valuable insights into viscous fluid motion, making it a valuable tool for researchers and engineers in the field of fluid mechanics.

ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF MICROPLASTICS ON A PLANT AND ANIMAL SYSTEM

Adams, Peyton; Speight, Taina; Anderson, Austin

Session 2: Poster # 157

Faculty mentor(s): Peter Mirabito, Nicholas McLetchie

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Microplastics are in everything from your drinking water and food to the air you breathe. This is important to study because we don’t fully know the health risks involved with consuming microplastics daily. We tested the effects of microplastics (polyethylene) on plant (gemmae) and animal (Zebrafish) in the early developmental stages. We had two treatments, with and without microplastics. Gemmae and Zebrafish were exposed to both treatments. Microplastics delay the early development of Zebrafish and the plant species. It caused Zebrafish to become unresponsive and the plant species to turn from green to brown. Zebrafish did not react or respond to poking actions. Gemmae turning from green to brown indicates signs of toxicity These results show that microplastics are harmful and can affect early developmental processes of plants and animals.

A COMBINATORIAL DUALITY ON FLOW POLYTOPES

Aguilar, Angel

Session 2: Poster # 82

Faculty mentor(s): Martha Yip

Discipline: Mathematics & Quantitative Studies

A flow polytope is a directed acyclic graph G that represents all possible paths a certain flow can take through a network of edges and vertices. These polytopes have applications in the fields of optimization and operations research. Baldoni and Vergne used tools from algebraic geometry to obtain the generalized Lidskii formula for computing the normalized volume of the flow polytope. They provided two equivalent formulas; one states that the normalized volume of a flow polytope is the number of G-vector partitions of the vector v-in of shifted in-degrees, and the other states that the normalized volume of a flow polytope is the number of G-vector partitions of the vector v-out of shifted out-degrees. From an algebraic point of view, it is not immediately obvious why the number of vector partitions of v-in and v-out are the same, only that geometrically, they both compute the volume of a polytope.

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119

ENGAGING CHILDREN IN GENERATIVE ENVIRONMENTS: SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL RESPONSES

Alford, Audrey

Session 2: Poster # 1

Faculty mentor(s): Ingrid Schmidt

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Observing colorful atmospheric conditions allow us to understand the relationship between people and the built environment around them. The emphasis of minimalism in today's society denotes the importance of color and its impact on the human experience. Although prevalent, these minimalist and clean spaces can result in a sterile appearance that becomes dull in its expression. Implementing color creates an experience that enlivens & encourages expression. When viewing through an alternate lens, color can be used to create immersive & interactive environments that impact an extensive population.

PHENOTYPING DAILY RHYTHMS OF EATING BEHAVIOR DURING HIGH-FAT FEEDING FOR QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI ANALYSIS IN MALE MICE

Alhamdani, Abraham

Session 2: Poster # 8

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Pendergast

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Aberrant eating behavior rhythms, such as nighttime eating, are associated with obesity in humans. Obesity is also affected by the timing of eating in male mice. When male obesity-prone strains of mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), their daily rhythms of eating behavior became disrupted. However, eating rhythms in strains of male mice resistant to diet-induced obesity (DIO) were not disrupted by HFD feeding. This study aims to use quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis to discover genes that regulate eating behavior rhythm disruption in response to HFD feeding. QTL mapping identifies regions of chromosomes that correlate with a trait and requires at least 200 mice that vary in the trait of interest. To this end, we studied male F2 generation mice bred from obesity-prone 129X1/SvJ and obesity-resistant SWR/J mouse strains. At 8 weeks old, male F2 mice were single-housed and fed HFD for 6 weeks. Body weight, food intake, adiposity, locomotor activity, and fasting blood glucose were measured. The eating behavior rhythms of F2 mice were recorded using infrared cameras. We have phenotyped eating behavior rhythms and metabolism in 46 F2 male mice. HFD feeding had variable effects on eating behavior rhythm amplitudes of these mice. 22 mice maintained robust eating behavior rhythms, 9 had arrhythmic eating behavior, and 15 had intermediate phenotypes when fed HFD These data show that the F2 male mice are an appropriate model for QTL analysis based on variations in their eating behavior rhythm amplitudes. Additionally, we found that adiposity and body weight were negatively correlated with the amplitudes of eating behavior rhythms. Interestingly, adiposity was not correlated with cumulative food intake nor total activity Thus, meal timing, but not calories consumed, was associated with obesity These data further support that the amplitude of the daily eating rhythm is a determinant of obesity

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120

RHODOCOCCUS EQUI IN KENTUCKY FOALS: ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND VIRULENCE PROFILES

Ali, Anaya

Session 2: Poster # 9

Faculty mentor(s): Yosra Helmy

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Background: Rhodococcus equi, an intracellular pathogen causing pneumonia in foal. The infection is primarily treated with antibiotics, typically a macrolide and rifampin combination. However, rising antibiotic resistance has necessitated the need to investigate its resistance pattern and virulence for effective disease management. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and virulence traits in R equi isolated from horses.

FUTURE MEDICAL PROVIDERS’ ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NALOXONE

Allran, Olivia

Session 2: Poster # 83

Faculty mentor(s): Sarah Vos

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Introduction: In 2021, the drug overdose death rate was 32.4 per 100,000 people in the U.S. and 55.6 per 100,000 people in Kentucky As the next generation of physicians, medical students may have the potential to increase awareness and destigmatize naloxone. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes about naloxone among medical students. Methods: Drawing on previous research, this survey assessed the knowledge, attitudes, comfort and fear of consequences about naloxone. Participants responded to questions using a standard 5-point Likert scale (1=completely disagree; 5=completely agree). Demographic questions were also included. Anonymous, electronic surveys were distributed to the emails of medical student organization leaders, contact lists, and the weekly Medical School Newsletter using Qualtrics. Descriptive statistics and analysis were calculated using SPSS. Results: Seventy-seven students completed the survey. The majority of the participants were female (75.3%), from Kentucky (80.5%), and White (77.9%). The majority of students had positive attitudes towards discussing overdose prevention strategies with patients and believe it is good practice. Participants generally disagreed with the statements concerning fear of consequences for talking to patients about their opioid use and that discussing overdose prevention strategies would encourage more opioid use. Conclusion: Previous research shows that medical students have a strong baseline opioid overdose knowledge but may lack the comfort and competence needed to respond to or prevent an overdose. Similarly, these findings suggest a potential for medical students to implement overdose prevention and naloxone education into their practice. Future research could focus on how to approach difficult conversations.

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121

CORRELATING BLADDER DYSFUNCTION AND FUNCTIONAL DEFICITS IN SEPSIS SURVIVORS FOLLOWING CONTUSION SPINAL CORD INJURY

Amin, Kaya

Session 2: Poster # 84

Faculty mentor(s): Samir Patel

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Following a spinal cord injury, many individuals develop sepsis from polytrauma or secondary reasons such as catheterization or ventilation. This project’s goal is to determine the correlation between bladder dysfunction and the functional neurological deficits in primary sepsis survivors following a spinal cord injury(SCI) compared to SCI alone. To test the hypothesis that there is a direct correlation, bladder dysfunction was analyzed utilizing parameters like urine appearance, retention volume, and number of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial colonies. The volume and appearance were quantified according to the Urine Volume and Urine Appearance scale created that ranges from 0 to 3. The functional neurological deficits were scored according to the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Score FlowChart ranging from 0 to 21, representing complete paralysis and full hindlimb function respectively The results partially supported my hypothesis. Following the spinal shock period, the SCI+Sepsis group exhibited greater functional neurological deficits and mainly higher average Urine Appearance and Urine Volume scores compared to the SCI only group. This represented a more concerning urine appearance and a longer period of urinary retention in the SCI+Sepsis group. However, the urine from the SCI only group displayed a greater number of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial colonies than the SCI+Sepsis animals, which contradicts my hypothesis. This novel data is critical in establishing the effects that sepsis has on individuals with a spinal cord injury, so that eventually treatments can be researched to help reduce the effects.

THE IMPACT OF FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN

Anderson, Ashley

Session 2: Poster # 85

Faculty mentor(s): Sung Hee Kim

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

A contributing factor to childhood health and weight status is fruit and vegetable consumption. In 2021, more than half of children aged 1-5 in Kentucky did not eat at least one vegetable each day Increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption of children may reduce prevalence of childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a Farm-to-School program on the acceptability of fruit and vegetable snacks among elementary-aged children. A Farm-to- School intervention was conducted with 71 elementary-aged students in two different counties on 5 different days each. The students were asked to verbally complete a mini survey assessing their preferences towards healthy foods. Preference was measured using like, dislike, or don’t know. Students were then given a fruit or vegetable-themed snack that aligned with the nutrition lesson provided by researchers. To assess consumption of the fruit and vegetable snacks, plate waste data was collected by the quarter plate visual estimate method by trained research assistants. Average plate waste of the snacks was calculated, lower plate waste indicates higher consumption. The average plate waste for the berry smoothie was 25% for Market 1 and 22% for Market 2. For zucchini casserole, an average of 21% (Market 1) and 77% (Market 2) was consumed. The frequency of students who indicated they liked smoothies increased after they tried the food, however the number of students who indicated they did not like zucchini after trying the sample increased. This study demonstrates the benefits of Farm-to-School Programming on improving their liking of certain fruits and vegetables among elementary-aged children. More research is needed to assess the long-term implications of the Farm-to-School program on fruit and vegetable consumption, as this study focused on short-term preferences.

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122

EFFECTS OF VAPE JUICE ON ZEBRAFISH AND GEMMA

Anthony, Paris; Combs, Alexandra; Pierce, Janie; May, TaKara

Session 2: Poster # 156

Faculty mentor(s): Peter Mirabito, Nicholas McLetchie

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The rates of e-cigarette use have been rising steadily over recent years. With rising rates of e-cigarette usage comes rising rates of various health issues. This experiment looks at the effects of various e-juice concentrations on zebrafish embryos and plant Gemma, to compare such effects to those in real-life vaping/smoking scenarios

COMPARING DIFFERENCES IN THE ENDPOINT OF MUTATIONS BETWEEN ANCESTRY GROUPS

Arenas Florez, María Natalia

Session 2: Poster # 10

Faculty mentor(s): Yasminka Jakubek Swartzlander

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Differences across genetic ancestry groups have been observed in the rate and genomic location of somatic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) detected from sequencing of blood tissues from donors without cancer This project sought to determine whether there are differences in the frequency of somatic copy number mutations that span entire chromosome arms compared to those with endpoints within a chromosome arm, which would indicate a double strand break during generation of the copy number change. A double strand break (DSB) occurs when the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA molecule is split between two neighboring nucleotides. This type of DNA damage can be caused by environmental agents such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light, chemical compounds, diet, smoking, and air pollution. The driving hypothesis behind this project is that differences in mutation rate, if present, stem from variations in DNA-damaging factors or genetic susceptibility across ancestry groups. Determination of differences in mutation frequency across European American (EA), African American (AA), and Hispanic American (HA) groups (clustered based on genetic similarity) was accomplished through the development of python scripts to identify breakpoints from somatic copy number changes. These were then sorted across two categories: Endpoint at chromosome arm boundaries and endpoint within the chromosome arm. The results of this analysis indicate that there are no differences across genetic ancestry groups in the frequency of inferred somatic copy number changes arising from double strand breaks. Our findings support the notion that genetic and environmental drivers do not lead to differences in DNA double strand breaks across these groups; however, further validation is warranted in additional cohorts.

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123

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MEAL TIMING, CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS AND BIOLOGICAL SEX

Asadipooya, Artin; Crane, Ryan; Patel, Deep

Session 2: Poster # 86

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Pendergast, Justin Thomas

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Disruption in meal timing, or eating at the wrong time of day, is associated with increased metabolic risk. Aberrant meal timing could be related to circadian rhythms that are misaligned due to modern lifestyles. Moreover, there are sex differences in how meal timing is associated with metabolic health. However, the full scope of circadian factors underlying aberrant meal timing remains unknown. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of biological sex on associations between meal timing and circadian rhythms and circadian misalignment. We recruited 60 adult males and females. We used two validated self-report questionnaires to measure circadian rhythms. First, we measured chronotype, which is the preferred timing of daily activities, with the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ). Second, we measured social jetlag, which is the misalignment between an individual’s biological clock and their socially imposed schedule, with the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). We used a state-based texting system to collect data on sleep and wake timing, as well as times of first and last calories each day for 7 consecutive days. We will analyze associations between chronotype, social jetlag, and meal timing. Then we will analyze the data stratified by sex. This will help us better understand the intersection between circadian rhythms and meal timing. These findings may pave the way for interventions aimed at optimizing daily rhythms to reduce metabolic risk.

BRIDGING THE ORAL HEALTH GAP: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG KENTUCKY ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Avdic, Emra

Session 2: Poster # 121

Faculty mentor(s): Ronald Singer

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

This research project delves into the intricate issue of inadequate dental hygiene among first-grade students in Kentucky, particularly in low-income areas. Its primary objective is to pinpoint intervention gaps to enhance dental hygiene practices among first graders in the state. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study evaluates changes in oral health practices pre and post-intervention. Qualitative methods entailed interactive sessions and observations to capture behavioral variations, while structured surveys were collected to assess first-grade dental care practices. The findings reveal that the disparity does not stem from an educational gap among elementary students but rather from differences in parental and teacher attitudes toward promoting toothbrushing. Teachers and parents must advocate for increased oral health assessments and awareness initiatives to effectively address and bridge this gap.

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124

ASSESSMENT OF A TWO-HIT LUNG INJURY MODEL: SPINAL CORD INJURY AND GASTRIC REFLUX

Bailey, Avery

Session 2: Poster # 87

Faculty mentor(s): Michael Sunshine and Warren Alilain

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects over 300,000 people in the United States alone, with cervical-level injuries being the most common among these at approximately 60%. The primary cause of death in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries is pulmonary complications, typically associated with aspiration pneumonia. Further, clinical data suggests that individuals with cervical-level spinal cord injuries have an elevated risk of experiencing acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Researchers are developing a model which mimics aspiration associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease following spinal cord injury. Using a C2 hemisection (C2Hx) rat model of SCI paired with intratracheal instillation of gastric juices, researchers are seeking to determine how these comorbidities may manifest lung injury It is well established that a C2Hx injury model results in reduced tidal volume. Additionally, models of acute lung injury such as bleomycin induced lung injury resulting in altered respiratory patterning and neuroinflammation. However, there is little data on how a two-hit model of spinal cord injury and an acute insult to the lung may combine to impact the lung or the neural control of breathing. To test how this two hit model may impact breathing and lung health, researchers assessed different markers of inflammation in the spinal cord and the lungs, as well as analyzed plethysmography data, lung mechanics measurements, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts in animals with C2Hx receiving low dose gastric juice or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or intact animals receiving high dose gastric juice, low dose gastric juice, or PBS. The results of this project will provide valuable insight into how SCI might predispose individuals to lung injury and provide a model for developing therapeutic agents to mitigate lung injury in individuals with SCI.

CAN RETINOIC ACID ENHANCE LIMB REGENERATION IN FROGS?

Baker, Kiara

Session 2: Poster # 11

Faculty mentor(s): Ashley Seifert, Brianda Avina Lopez

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

While regeneration is widespread among vertebrates, amphibians exhibit an especially extensive capability for regenerating complex structures like limbs. Following amputation, cells at the site of injury dedifferentiate and proliferate to form a mass of progenitor cells known as a blastema that facilitates regrowth of the lost limb. Among amphibians, urodeles like the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) can perfectly regenerate limbs as adults, whereas anurans like the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) cannot regenerate larval or adult limbs. After metamorphosis, limb amputation leads to formation of a cartilaginous spike. Previous studies using axolotls demonstrated that exogenous retinoic acid (RA) treatment during limb regeneration modifies limb patterning by inducing the formation of additional skeletal elements along the proximo-distal axis. Similar results exposing amputated Xenopus tadpole hindlimbs to RA treatment occur However, the effect of RA on limb amputations in juvenile and adult frogs remains unexplored. We hypothesize that RA treatment may be able to induce patterning in Xenopus spikes via partial activation of a latent regeneration program. To test the hypothesis, Xenopus froglets will be treated with an RA agonist (AM580) and observed during spike regeneration. In addition, we will use TSA treatments to potentially amplify an RA reprogramming effect. Limb regenerates will be collected and analyzed using skeletal staining. We expect the regenerates to display pattern modifications indicative of a limb rather than a simple, unpatterned cartilaginous spike. The results of this experiment will provide insight into evolutionary constraints that prevent regeneration in anurans compared to their urodele relatives.

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125

COMPREHENSION OUTCOMES AND INTERVENTION FIDELITY IN CHILDREN AT-RISK FOR ADHD

Baker, Madison

Session 2: Poster # 46

Faculty mentor(s): Elizabeth Lorch, Angela Hayden

Discipline: Education

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have difficulties in comprehension in comparison to their typically developing peers. Time or medication alone does not improve these difficulties, so interventions may be needed for children with ADHD to be successful in school. The Narrative Structure (NS) and Reciprocal Teaching (RT) interventions are designed to improve comprehension difficulties in children with ADHD. The NS intervention is designed to teach four main skills: Identifying goal-related events, making inferences, distinguishing important vs important events, and making causal connections. The RT intervention teaches 4 main skills: questioning, clarifying, predicting, and summarizing. The present study examines the differences in improvements between these two interventions as well as the intervention fidelity, measured by adherence and exposure. For the purposes of this study, adherence refers to the extent to which teachers followed the lessons’ scripts and exposure refers to the number of lessons a child attended. There are 4 main hypotheses: 1) students’ recall of goal related information will increase following the NS intervention. 2) Students’ recall of important information will increase following both interventions. 3) Students’ recall of unimportant information will decrease following an RT intervention. 4) There will be a positive correlation between adherence and comprehension improvements and exposure and comprehension improvements.

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF CODES AND STANDARDS IN LEGITIMIZING INTERIOR DESIGN AS A PROFESSION

Barbosa, Sarah

Session 2: Poster # 2

Faculty mentor(s): Helen Turner

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Legitimizing interior design as a profession is often disputed. This is due to perceived subjectivity, misconceptions regarding skillset, and industry fragmentation. People often view the profession as being aesthetically focused rather than technical or scientific. Consequently, interior designers have wide-ranging specializations that pertain to spatial planning, codes and standards, materials, sustainability principles, and more. This research explores the significance of codes and standards in legitimizing interior design as a profession. Codes are legally enforceable regulations imposed by governmental authorities. Standards are voluntary guidelines established by industry organizations to promote best practices and consistency Although they are imperative for safety and well-being, standards are not legally enforceable, which means they are not always followed. Interior designers offer expansive knowledge pertaining to both codes and standards that ensure both safety and well-being. Moreover, interior designers take part in writing and defining these standards created by industry organizations. The information provided in this research will help to educate others about the falsely perceived subjectivity and misconceptions regarding the need for interior design as a profession.

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126

FEASIBILITY, ACCEPTABILITY, AND INITIAL EFFICACY OF AN INTEGRATED TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER RECEIVING MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER

Barczak, Rose

Session 2: Poster # 122

Faculty mentor(s): Christal Badour

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The purpose of this research is to study if the use of Written Exposure Therapy (W.E.T) can help to reduce the symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in individuals with comorbid PTSD and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Research has been done and shows that PTSD and OUD are highly correlated, and individuals with one disorder may be likely struggling with the other. Written Exposure Therapy is a type of therapy used in which participants who have experienced some form of a traumatic event are asked to recall and write down the events of their trauma. This form of therapy helps to reduce the anxiety and guilt that individuals may feel when speaking about their experiences. The goal of this study is to determine if Written Exposure Therapy is an effective tool that can be used to reduce symptoms of PTSD without increased substance use.

PDK 2 AND 4 AS MODULATORS OF MACROPHAGE METABOLISM

Baur, Anna

Session 2: Poster # 88

Faculty mentor(s): John Gensel

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The innate immune response post spinal cord injury has been shown to promote an inflammatory response that inhibits regeneration and keeps these injuries from healing. The pro-inflammatory response has been linked to M1-type macrophages while pro-regenerative responses are linked to M2-type macrophages. One main difference between the two types is their metabolism. M1 macrophages require glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis, and pentose phosphate pathway activity to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity This provides the quick energy required for phagocytosis, but the response can cause secondary damage. Alternatively, pro-regenerative M2 macrophages metabolize using oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation. These pathways support the sustainability of M2 macrophages to generate growth factors and promote tissue repair. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) converts pyruvate (a product of glycolysis) into Acetyl-COA to complete the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and promote OXPHOS: M2 metabolism. Under pro-inflammatory conditions, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) inhibits PDH causing pyruvate to be converted into lactate and promote glycolysis: M1 metabolism. We believed that by inhibiting PDK using dichloroacetate (DCA), we could influence the metabolism of the macrophages and increase the proportion of M2 macrophages. To test the efficacy of our target, we analyzed two different approaches: bone marrow derived macrophages from PDK2/4 knock outs (genetic manipulation) and bone marrow derived macrophages from wild type (WT) mice treated with DCA (pharmacological manipulation). We stimulated the macrophages to M1, M2, or M0 (no stimulus). Compared to the WT control, both approaches showed an increase in oxidative metabolism after M1 stimulation; however, further experiments will be conducted to evaluate if this shift in metabolism is due to phenotypic changes from M1 to M2 macrophages.

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127

PRODUCTION OF PHA BIOPLASTIC FROM KENTUCKY BOURBON STILLAGE IN HALOFERAX

MEDITERRANEI FERMENTATIONS

Bell, Katherine

Session 2: Poster # 54

Faculty mentor(s): Tyler Barzee and Ryan Cheng

Discipline: Engineering

Bourbon production is one of the cornerstone industries of Kentucky Despite producing billions of dollars in revenue for the state each year, it also produces a billion gallons of stillage - a byproduct of distillation comprised of water, spent grains, and yeast cells. One potential use for stillage is creating fermentation media for Haloferax mediterranei, a halophilic archaeon that produces polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a class of biodegradable polymers that show promise as alternatives to conventional petroleum plastics. Previous studies have shown that byproducts such as food waste can provide effective sources of carbon and nutrients for producing PHA, but bourbon stillage has not been used for this purpose before. Therefore, the goal of this work was to propagate H. mediterranei using a concentrated salt solution supplemented with stillage as a growth medium and to characterize its growth rate and production of PHA over time. These results will help understand how to efficiently generate PHA from this microorganism and optimize its production for potential commercial applications.

COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES INDUCE DNA DAMAGE IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER CELLS

Berezowitz, Jordan

Session 2: Poster # 55

Faculty mentor(s): Brittany Givens

Discipline: Engineering

The Navier-Stokes equations are considered as governing equations for describing the movement of blood as a viscous incompressible fluid. The walls of the artery (modeled as the channel) are taken as adiabatic, with non-adhesion. In the form of a calculation area, the area of a real artery is considered in the case of a plaque (before angioplasty) and without it (after surgery). In the ANSYS environment, various characteristics of fluid movement (blood under normal conditions), such as longitudinal velocity, pressure at constant viscosity and a given blood density, are modeled.

COMPUTER SIMULATION OF BLOOD MOTION IN AN ARTERY USING ANSYS ENVIRONMENT

Berry, Nate

Session 2: Poster # 56

Faculty mentor(s): Bakhyt Alipova

Discipline: Engineering

SESSION 2: POSTER

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128

TEACHING STUDENTS MOLECULAR BIOLOGY THROUGH DATA SONIFICATION

Bester, Devin

Session 2: Poster # 47

Faculty mentor(s): Luke Bradley

Discipline: Education

In education, there maintains a barrier between students and their involvement in STEM. Traditional learning techniques have made learning within these fields difficult since a large number of students absorb information best through a variety of outlets. This research project’s response to this is a learning module developed using one popular creative outlet, music. “The Symphony of the Cell” is an interactive program utilizing data sonification to create a distinct pattern from protein amino acid sequences. Representing these unique combinations, a harmonic melody is created, with that harmony disrupted when there is a mutation or diseased cell. The premise of the tool is to teach the fundamentals of molecular biology and hopes to answer, “How effective is data sonification as a learning module for students being taught STEM.” To evaluate its ability in doing so, the software was sent to different Lexington, Kentucky schools. Following the experience with the tool, students were surveyed on their opinions of the tool and how they think it could impact their engagement with STEM.

DETERMINING THE BARRIERS TO THE USE OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN REHABILITATION: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS

Bickford, Genna

Session 2: Poster # 89

Faculty mentor(s): Patrick Kitzman

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

There has been a rise in the use of Virtual Reality (VR) across all fields of healthcare and more specifically, in physical and occupational therapy Prior research has revealed a wide variety of benefits to using VR technology for patient care and treatment; however, there remains the need to determine the barriers that impact the use of this technology in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the current usage of VR across a variety of physical therapy clinic settings and regions as well as determine the barriers to implementing VR-based interventions. An exploratory survey consisting of multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-response questions was sent to practicing physical therapists in Kentucky A total of 47 therapists responded across a variety of regions: 60% urban, 30% suburban, and 10% rural. Additionally, there was a mix of clinical settings with 70% practicing in an outpatient clinic. There was a difference in clinical settings between urban and rural clinicians using VR Approximately 38% of respondents use VR in their practice. A majority of therapists currently using VR, as well as those who do not, understand the value VR could provide to their practice. Specifically, 58% of respondents felt skills practiced with VR could transfer to real life, and 60% felt VR was appropriate for their specific patient population and practice setting. However, barriers remain that limit the use of VR The primary barriers were funding for the purchase of VR equipment, expertise needed to use and maintain the equipment, and appropriate clinical space. As VR continues to rise in popularity, especially in healthcare, it is important to understand current usage and challenges in order to develop and implement strategies to expand its use in physical therapy practice.

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129

THE IMPACT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HAS ON BRAIN FOG IN STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Boikov, Danielle

Session 2: Poster # 90

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Physical activity is known to have beneficial effects on well-being, but how does it affect perceived brain fog amongst students? While previous research has explored the link between physical activity and cognitive functioning, there remains a gap in understanding how physical activity influences brain fog in college students. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the relationship between physical activity levels and perceived brain fog in this specific population. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research gathered data through quantitative surveys distributed through social media platforms and completed by University of Kentucky students. The study consisted of 75 participants, ranging from freshman to senior students. The surveys assessed participants’ physical activity levels, experiences of perceived brain fog, and academic motivation. Qualitative questions gave better descriptions of the subjective experiences and perceptions of physical activity, brain fog, and academic motivation in the participants. Using a t-test, a p-value of 0.16261828 indicated that there is no statistical significance between the frequency of purposeful physical activity and symptoms of brain fog in University of Kentucky students. A Pearson correlation (R = 0.02762378) was conducted to further explore the relationship between physical activity frequency and brain fog symptoms. Understanding the impact physical activity has on perceived brain fog is valuable for promoting student well-being and academic success. While existing literature provides a foundation for this research, studying the specific context of college students is essential due to the lack of prior data in this population. The findings of this study contributed to the need for the development of targeted interventions and strategies to support students’ cognitive functioning and academic performance.

A STUDY OF OSCILLATORIA CYANOBACTERIA IN ZEBRAFISH AND GEMMA

Bonikowski, Justice; Wright, Orreon; Hargis, Sophia

Session 2: Poster # 155

Faculty mentor(s): Peter Mirabito, Nicholas McLetchie

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Over the course of a BIO-199 research lab, the effects of the Oscillatoria Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were the topic of study After researching different species of “algae,” it was brought to mind that blue-green algae produce microcystins. These cyanotoxins had been believed to be harmful to organisms that inhabited the same water as the blue-green algae. Experiments were prepared to test the effects of the cyanotoxins produced by the blue-green algae using zebrafish embryos and gemmae. In the experiment with the zebrafish conditions were set to observe what would happen if the zebrafish were exposed to the blue-green algae filaments in its growth medium, algae growth medium, and “algae extract” This extract was filtered, frozen algae that was ground up, and filtered to remove any particles. After the experiment, the zebrafish exposed to this extract had the most deaths and was shown to be statistically significant. In the experiment with observing gemmae, all conditions set had no observable effect on the development of the gemmae. Measuring rhizoid length showed that simply exposing the gemmae to a homogenous algae solution or its growth medium did not inhibit rhizoid growth. The gemmae had not been exposed to the algae extract, in future experiments, the goal would be to observe the effects of this extract in different concentrations and to possibly discern what the compound is being released by the Oscillatoria.

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130

UNVEILING THE SHADOWS: THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS AND THE PATH TOWARDS A SAFE WORKPLACE

Branch, Alexander

Session 2: Poster # 57

Faculty mentor(s): Gisella Lamas-Samanmud

Discipline: Engineering

This study aimed to analyze how domestic violence outside of the workplace interacts with the environment inside the engineering workplace. Engineers are largely responsible for projects and endeavors that are directly responsible for the safety of people. When an individual is under duress due to domestic violence or abuse, their ability to perform, think, and maintain proper workplace relationships is significantly strained. To gather information on how domestic violence can affect individuals in a professional setting, a survey was sent out to the engineering department’s staff and faculty as well as students at the University of Kentucky In addition to this, various academic sources were utilized for contextual and statistical information. The results from the quantitative and qualitative (mix) method will be used to confirm the hypothesis that the domestic violence experienced by survey participants had a significant negative effect on their ability to perform in engineering environments. The following part of this research project will be providing workplace or educational informational sessions to decrease the informational gap that exists in engineering environments. This research is ongoing and it is part of a paper which will be presented at United Nations Assembly in Fall 2024.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HUMANISTIC ASPECTS OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL LAW/ETHICS

Burns, Eriel

Session 2: Poster # 81

Faculty mentor(s): Natalie Nenadic

Discipline: Humanities

This paper argues there should be more federally codified ethical guidelines for pharmaceutical companies in the United States, using the opioid crisis as a case study. It combines fields like law, the health humanities (bioethics and public health ethics), and cultural anthropology to provide an analysis of how/why the opioid crisis only happened in the United States, despite opioids being global, and what impacts are still seen today. The study posits two questions: 1) Do states with the lowest opioid prescription rates have stronger pharmaceutical laws? 2) Does the European Medicines Agency (EU's version of the FDA) have more enumerated powers/less institutional constraints than the FDA? Variables analyzed for the first question include state-mandated opioid dosage levels, warning labels, Medicaid coverage, and data collection systems. The variables reviewed to answer the second question include drug approval processes, regulatory powers, and institutional constraints. My results found that states with stronger pharmaceutical laws have lower opioid prescription rates. Additionally, it found that the FDA faces more power barriers than the EMA Ultimately, it showcases how crises akin to the opioid epidemic can be prevented through bioethical laws, and why there should be greater resource allocation to comprehensive care/Alternative Medicine.

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ABSTRACTS

131

THE ALCHEMICAL MIND OF THOMAS HENSHAW: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD THROUGH THE 17TH CENTURY

Burrows, Gracie

Session 2: Poster # 76

Faculty mentor(s): Carol Street

Discipline: Humanities

Today’s scientific method, which is used in most modern experimental disciplines, has been refined over hundreds of years to best describe how an experimentalist should approach research. Its use dates back to the 11th century but was refined and propagated in the 17th century by European scientists. The research of this era is notable for alchemy, an early form of religiously motivated science which later evolved into chemistry, physics, and philosophy. The European alchemical work of this period emerges as one of the most intriguing, marked by transformative shifts in response to technological advancements coupled with the sociopolitical power of the church.

IMPROVING THE GLOBAL COHERENCE OF CHILDREN'S STORY CREATIONS: COMPARING COMPREHENSION INTERVENTIONS

Bushroe, Angie

Session 2: Poster # 123

Faculty mentor(s): Elizabeth Lorch and Angela Hayden

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Introduction: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by elevated symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity Children with ADHD frequently experience academic difficulties, including problems with comprehension. Compared to typically developing peers, these children experience difficulties maintaining goal structure, making causal connections, distinguishing important from unimportant events, and generating important inferences. Related to these issues, children with ADHD create or recall stories that are less globally coherent (lacking in overall logical flow) than stories told by typically developing children. Comprehension difficulties of children with ADHD, including problems telling coherent narratives, do not resolve with development or medication treatment, suggesting that comprehension interventions may be necessary Purpose: The current study examines two comprehension interventions with different objectives to determine if these comprehension interventions improve children’s ability to tell globally coherent stories, and whether there is a difference in the effectiveness of the two interventions. Method: Third and fourth grade children with elevated symptoms of ADHD and comprehension difficulties participated in one of the two comprehension interventions. Children completed pretest measures relevant to comprehension objectives of both interventions prior to the intervention and the same posttest measures following the intervention. During the pretest and posttest sessions, children told stories based on different sets of four pictures. This report examines the global coherence of the stories that children told during the pretest and posttest sessions. Global coherence was scored on a 1 (not coherent) to 4 (very coherent) scale. Results and Discussion: Analyses evaluate improvements from pretest to posttest in the global coherence of children’s narratives and whether any improvements differ for the two comprehension interventions. Findings will have implications for effective design and delivery of comprehension interventions for children with elevated symptoms of ADHD

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ABSTRACTS

132

TOWARDS IMPROVING SECONDARY STRUCTURE PREDICTION OF NONCODING RNAS USING MACHINE LEARNING

Charlton, Jack

Session 2: Poster # 58

Faculty mentor(s): Luis Sanchez

Discipline: Engineering

Introduction and Significance: Pertinent to medicine and bioinformatics, RNA-based inquiry signifies broad importance and applications; furthermore, secondary structure prediction in RNA sequences is a valuable tool for characterizing functional interactions and properties of RNA A commonly used approach for secondary structure prediction is based on the nearest neighbor thermodynamic model (NNTM) which favors minimum free energy (MFE) configurations. However, the MFE structure does not always predict the correct structure. Boltzmann sampling of secondary structures allows the study of the competing substructural alternatives that may contain the correct solution. Moreover, sampling of competing structures can be directed by incorporating additional information into the thermodynamic model in the form of energy biases. Machine learning models can be useful in this context. Given an RNA sequence, a machine learning model can learn where to bias the NNTM to improve the chances of sampling the correct structure. Another approach for secondary structure prediction relies on the machine learning model to directly predict the structure of the RNA sequence. This is known as end-to-end learning. In this work, we will evaluate the predictions made by different machine learning models for biasing the NNTM and compare with predictions made by end-to-end approaches to test their ability to generalize across different families of noncoding RNAs.

Objectives: - Test different machine learning algorithms for predicting paired and unpaired positions in noncoding RNA sequences.Conduct a performance analysis to determine the conditions where end-to-end machine learning models surpass traditional methods in prediction accuracy - Uncover and address hidden biases in the existing RNA secondary structure datasets. Then, design and implement an optimal benchmarking strategy to robustly and fairly assess and select the most effective machine learning algorithms for secondary structure and prediction.

PERSONAL NARRATIVES AS A MECHANISM TO EXPLORE THE STEM UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Chauhan, Isha

Session 2: Poster # 77

Faculty mentor(s): Chad Risko, Robin Cooper, and Julia Johnson

Discipline: Humanities

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has popularly been labeled as reliant on objective analysis, while, conversely, humanities are rooted in engaging human virtue and creating connections between people. A particularly interesting piece of the humanities is storytelling, which allows people of unique backgrounds to develop creative connections to their work. In this way, STEM and the humanities are united by personal experience and the ability to convey such. This connection can be demonstrated through the STEM undergraduate experience, which has been greatly underrepresented in the form of personal narratives. With the format of personal narratives being conducive to discussion and network-building, cultivating a resource for these stories may provide students access to similar experiences, opportunities, and insights into their future careers. This project serves to connect the humanities and STEM among the undergraduate research community and, ultimately, provide a definition for the ‘STEM undergraduate research experience’ based on shared narrative and involvement. It is evident that STEM undergraduate researchers bear a variety of interesting and unique stories accompanying a range of research backgrounds that demonstrate the importance of these formative research experiences. Throughout each of the encounters, advice and opportunities highlighted in these compiled stories, the humanities remain a beacon for connecting young researchers among STEM disciplines. Ultimately, the personal narrative successfully functions as a tool for exploring the STEM undergraduate experience and must be investigated and encouraged further in STEM research and education.

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HERCULANEUM OPENED SCROLL DATABASE

Clark, Tiffany; Chapman, Sydney

Session 2: Poster # 152

Faculty mentor(s): Brent Seales

Discipline: Computational Sciences

The Herculaneum Papyri are among the most iconic and inaccessible damaged manuscripts in the modern world. Carbonized and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, the ~1,100 papyrus scrolls excavated from the ancient city of Herculaneum in the late 18th century, offers us a unique window into the classical world. EduceLab has been working on collecting 3D scans, spectral images, and descriptive data of over ~3,500 opened scroll fragments; this information is currently stored in google sheets, csv files, and metadata files. With all of this information scattered across multiple different files there is no way to easily organize, view, and navigate through the data. Our project focuses on making this information easily accessible and navigable to researchers by developing a relational database, available through a secure website, that allows for users to query the data. To accomplish this task a script needs to be developed to automatically collect the information that is being stored in the different files and use their information to develop and update a dedicated database. A website then needs to be developed to allow for users to access the database through the use of queries, and display the resulting information in a user-friendly manner. With the help of user feedback, we are hoping to develop a tool that allows papyrologists and fellow researchers access to scans, images, and descriptive information in order to study the opened scrolls without having to travel to the libraries which house the scrolls.

CULTURAL PRACTICES AMONG IMMIGRANT HISPANIC MOTHERS AND THEIR EFFECT ON BREASTFEEDING

Cleary-Budge, Jesse

Session 2: Poster # 149

Faculty mentor(s): Juliel Plasencia

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Hispanic women have a higher rate of breastfeeding initiation than any other ethnic group in the U.S. However, Hispanic women are also at greater risk for mixed feeding and early breastfeeding termination, which can contribute to poor health outcomes. Because of this and other factors, Hispanic children have an increased risk of diet-related diseases, including obesity, hypertension and type II diabetes. This qualitative study examined how cultural practices influence breastfeeding among immigrant Hispanic mothers in Kentucky. In-depth interviews with ten participants were audio recorded and transcribed. Two research assistants were trained by a qualitative researcher on thematic analysis. The coders and qualitative researcher were bilingual, coded independently, and met frequently to reach a consensus on the themes. The team used the original Spanish language transcripts to code the interviews and identified two themes. The majority (60%) of participants were from Guatemala (60%), were not married (90%), and had lived in the U.S. for an average of 8.7 years. Half of the participants were currently enrolled in WIC. Two themes related to cultural practices included the influence of family and traditional remedies and post-partum customs. Participants reported that their families provided support and opinions about feeding decisions. The study participants described traditional remedies and post-partum customs, and they reported that some of these practices, such as cuarentena, were facilitated by family members. One cultural value frequently cited in studies with Hispanics is Familismo, defined as making decisions to benefit the whole family instead of oneself Participants in the current study did not describe this value. The themes from this study highlight that cultural practices around breastfeeding differ between Hispanic ethnic groups and may differ based on health and diet-related outcomes.

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134

SEXUALIZED GENDER STEREOTYPES IN RELATION TO EARLY DATING VIOLENCE BEHAVIORS

Clerc, Lucile

Session 2: Poster # 124

Faculty mentor(s): Christia Brown

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The current study looked into middle schoolers and their emerging attitudes about dating violence. Specifically, it examined whether children with stronger sexualized gender stereotypes (SGS) endorse dating violence more than their peers. US 7th graders (n=142; 43 male and 99 female; Mage =12.4366, SD =0.61269) completed a questionnaire reporting age, gender, sexualized gender stereotype beliefs (e.g., whether girls should be sexualized and whether boys should sexually objectify girls), and attitudes on how to treat others. Specifically, early adolescents responded to how they would react if another student screamed or hit them and how it changed based on the gender of each child. Both boys and girls who held stronger SGS condoned significantly more early dating violence behaviors than students who had weaker SGS, including agreeing that it is okay for boys to hit a girl if they screamed at them first, agreeing that it is okay for boys to hit girls if the girl hit first, and agreeing it is okay for a boy to scream at a girl if she says something bad to him. There were no differences between boys’ and girls’ attitudes. Overall, these results suggest that the more the individual accepts sexualized gender stereotypes, the more they tend to endorse dating violence behaviors.

HOW ANTI-CRT AND ANTI-LGBTQ+ LAWS AFFECT IDENTITY AND PREJUDICE

Costantino, Kay

Session 2: Poster # 125

Faculty mentor(s): Christia Spears Brown Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

This study attempted to examine how anti-CRT and anti-LGBTQ laws affect the attitudes, identity, and prejudice of individuals in marginalized and privileged groups. In this between-subjects experimental design, college students were asked to read one of three news stories concerning either: (a) identity-based discrimination on a structural level (i.e., about anti-CRT and anti-LGBTQ laws), (b) identity-based discrimination on an interpersonal level (i.e., about Black Lives Matter and Pride protests), or (c) a control story (i.e., about laws regarding climate change). Participants were then given a survey to assess aspects of their attitude, identity, and psychological well-being, as well as self-reported demographic information. The sample was made of 342 participants that were between 18 and 22 years old, 78.7% white, 79.2% female, and 86.3% straight. Overall, participants who were members of marginalized groups (i.e., participants of color or LGBTQ+) felt more sad and less connected to their group identity after reading about interpersonal discrimination compared to participants in privileged group (i.e. white, cis-gender, heterosexual). Participants who were members of marginalized groups felt more negative about society after reading about structural discrimination compared to participants in privileged group. The results showed how identity-based discrimination can negatively affect psychological well-being for members of a community or group, as well as how perceiving discrimination can alter how one feels about their own identity and society as a whole.

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135

EXPLORING HOW WHITE PARENTS AND THEIR SAME-RACE OR TRANSRACIALLY ADOPTED ADOLESCENTS DISCUSS RACE

Darbro, Bailey

Session 2: Poster # 126

Faculty mentor(s): Rachel Farr and Emily Lapidus

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Racial socialization (RS) plays a crucial role in shaping adolescents’ understanding of race and ethnicity (Cox et al., 2022; Grotevant, 2008). RS refers to the process through which adolescents learn about race and ethnicity (Montgomery & Jordan, 2018). While previous research has examined RS within monoracial Black families, there remains a significant gap in understanding how white adoptive parents navigate discussions about racial privilege with their adolescents. This study aims to address how white adoptive parents describe RS with their adolescents. The current sample includes nine unique adoptive families in the United States. The sample consists of 14 parents, comprising 6 dyadic and 3 triadic perspectives and 3 transracial adoptions. Parents averaged 54.14 years (SD = 6.37), and adolescents averaged 16.89 years (SD = 1.17). All adolescents were domestically adopted at birth. Participants were interviewed by phone or Zoom as part of a larger study, the Contemporary Adoptive Families Study (CAFS; Farr, 2017). Using qualitative thematic analysis, a coding team consisting of Ph.D students and research assistants analyzed the content of discussions regarding RS frequency and factors prompting these conversations (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Data analysis is ongoing; however, preliminary findings suggest that 3 families (n = 4 parents) report similar views on RS frequency In contrast, 3 families have parents (n = 5) reporting more frequent RS compared to their adolescents. Further, findings currently reveal that RS is prompted by adolescents’ experiences in school (n = 6 parents), including peer and teacher interactions. Findings reveal differences between how adoptive parents and adolescents discuss RS, underscoring the need to consider multiple perspectives. Such disparities offer insight into factors shaping RS discussions within diverse families. Results contribute to a deeper understanding of RS in white adoptive families and inform interventions aimed at supporting racial identity formation among adopted adolescents.

CHALLENGING GENDER-BLIND CLIMATE CHANGE POLICIES THROUGH THE CREATION OF A BLUE CARBON SEAWEED ECONOMY IN BALI, INDONESIA

Dawson, Leila

Session 2: Poster # 71

Faculty mentor(s): Betsy Farris

Discipline: Environmental Studies

The potential for seaweed as a mitigation strategy for sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere to help solve climate change is gaining attention among scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and corporate sustainability strategists around the world. This strategy is referred to as “Blue Carbon.” Blue Carbon is gaining prominence with funding provided by the corporate sector to address the negative impacts of their industries on climate change, namely, to address “ESG” targets. Bali, Indonesia is the second largest exporter of seaweed, mostly farmed by women along the coast. Why, then, are seaweed producers, mainly women, paid so low when Indonesia’s seaweed industry is valued at $10 billion and is growing rapidly? This research will explore why women seaweed farmers are at a disadvantage in the informal sector, and the role of gender-blind climate change policies and practices. This research intends to use feminist methodologies such as participatory action research, social empowerment, and reflexivity to document the oral history of climate change through the recording of lived experiences of women seaweed farmers in Indonesia. There will be semi-structured interviews at various axis of power including, but not limited to, representatives from seaweed farming organizations, women seaweed farmer’s listening circles, seaweed buyers, micro-credit agencies, and policy-maker representatives. This research intends to examine aspects of the seaweed industry to investigate whether it perpetuates gender inequality or a lack of representation in the decision-making process of climate policy This research will work collaboratively with women seaweed farmers to understand their traditional ecological knowledge and increase their presence in local, national, and even global climate change policy discussions. The research aims to determine the potential for building a Blue Carbon seaweed climate change economy in Bali, Indonesia, and to promote gender equitable policies that can empower women to have a voice in their economic development.

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136

SUSTAINABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CODING EXPLORATION

Del Rey, Sophia

Session 2: Poster # 59

Faculty mentor(s): Diana Byrne and Minjae Kim

Discipline: Engineering

This project explored the sustainability of environmental infrastructure by performing literature reviews of research papers covering stormwater life-cycle assessments (LCAs), life-cycle costings (LCCs), and PFAS found in landfill leachate. The literature reviews on stormwater LCAs and LCCs consisted of finding functional units, system boundaries, different technologies used, and other topics throughout the papers. The data was visualized using SigmaPlot for LCAs and LCCs with Excel categorizing the data. For PFAS in landfill leachate, various research papers were searched for DNA shotgun sequencing data to get FASTQ files and identify the methods used to obtain the DNA sequences. A set of PFAS samples were compiled in Excel and graphed to visualize the data based on landfill locations. A brief practice exercise was performed in MATLAB to learn different aspects of MATLAB’s coding functions that apply to creating graphs and organizing data for sustainable environmental infrastructure.

MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION IN STRIATED MUSCLE IS RELATED TO MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY.

Depa, Lauren

Session 2: Poster # 91

Faculty mentor(s): Yuan Wen

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder lacking the dystrophin protein, causing muscle deterioration and weakness. The standard of care is glucocorticoid therapy, focusing on delaying complete muscle function loss. Although the cause is genetic, recent studies using a novel and more relevant mouse model of DMD, the D2-mdx mouse, suggest mitochondrial dysfunction is an early event in the disease process. However, the mechanism through which the cytoplasmic protein’s loss disrupts the electron transport chain is poorly understood. We have recently identified a tissue specific ribosomal protein, RPL3L, that is a paralog of the ubiquitous core protein of the ribosome, RPL3. RPL3L is only expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue and may serve as a negative control of muscle growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of these ribosomal proteins in mitochondrial dysfunction and muscle weakness muscular dystrophy Methods: Muscle function was assessed by measuring plantarflexion in vivo. Mitochondrial function was assessed using high resolution respirometry Protein expression levels were measured using Western blots. Results: Consistent with the literature, we found that D2-mdx mice were significantly weaker, and muscle mitochondrial function was decreased, compared to the control, DBA/2 mice. Further, we found that in D2-mdx dystrophic mice, peak torque was significantly reduced by 44%, which was associated with muscle-specific changes in Complex I and II activity and maximum electron transport chain capacity Preliminary data showed an increase in protein expression levels of Rpl3 in D2-mdx dystrophic mice, compared to the control, as expected. Conclusions: Cardiac and skeletal muscle in the D2-mdx murine model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy exhibit lower mitochondrial oxygen consumption capacity and higher reactive oxygen species production. These changes may worsen muscle weakness already present due to loss of the dystrophin gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

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137

UK REHAB MAKERSPACE: MAKING WEIGHTED STUFFED ANIMALS

Dodge, Olivia; Perkins, Lydia

Session 2: Poster # 92

Faculty mentor(s): Mary Jo Hidecker

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

This project aims to provide cost-effective assistive technology (AT) for the Toys with a Purpose Lending Library This project focuses on creating weighted stuffed animals for use with individuals needing sensory input. http://toyswithapurposeky.com The presentation will cover the basics of creating a weighted stuffed animal, benefits, and safety

EFFECT OF DOXAPRAM (A K2P CHANNEL BLOCKER), BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN AND PH ON HEARTRATE: LARVAL DROSOPHILA MODEL

Elliott, Elizabeth; Taul, Alaina

Session 2: Poster # 13

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Cooper

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Two-P-domain K+ (K2p) channels are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential. K2p channels have varied expression in healthy tissue, but they also change in cancerous or diseased states. The correlation and causation as regards the alteration of K2p channel expression are still being investigated. The compound doxapram seems to block K2p channels and depolarize cells. Using Drosophila, the increased expression of the ORK1 K2p channel in cardiac and skeletal muscle was investigated. The heart rate in larval Drosophila is very sensitive to pH, and since doxapram blocks a subset of the K2p channels that are known to be acid-sensitive, it was postulated that doxapram would affect heart rate. A pH change from 7.1 to 6.5 increased the rate, while that from 7.1 to 7.5 decreased the rate. An amount of 0.1 mM of doxapram had no effect, but 0.5 of mM depressed Drosophila heart rates within five minutes. Exposure to 5 mM of doxapram immediately decreased the rate. Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from Gram-negative bacteria acutely increased the rate. LPSs activate K2p channels in the skeletal muscle of larvae and are blocked by doxapram. LPSs slightly reduce depression in the rate induced by doxapram. The overexpression of K2p channels in the heart and skeletal muscle depressed the heart rate and heightened pH sensitivity. At larval neuromuscular junctions, the overexpression in skeletal muscle increases the frequency of spontaneous quantal events and produces a more negative resting membrane potential.

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138

THE EFFECTS OF RED-40 DYE CONSUMPTION IN THE DIET ON ADHD-LIKE SYMPTOMS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS.

Evans, Lauren

Session 2: Poster # 93

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Red-40 dye has been questioned in its connection to causing various health problems in individuals who consume high dosages. ADHD-like symptoms being the most studied. The effect Red-40 in the diet has on ADHD symptoms has not been well researched in adults, specifically college age individuals. The purpose of this study was to measure Red-40 dye consumption in the diet of college students and determine whether they were experiencing ADHD symptoms. This study was done using an electronic, cross-sectional survey sent via social media. Any individual between the ages 17-27, enrolled in college classes, was eligible to take the survey The sample population was 94 college students attending in the Southeast region of the US primarily Seventy-nine percent were female with only 21% male participants. Eighty-nine percent were caucasian, 3.2% were african american, and 3.2% were of asian ethnicity Over 5 servings a week of Red-40 dye was classified as “high consumption” and a score of 4 or more points on the ASRS-v1.1 indicated the participant had potential for diagnosis of ADHD Of the 94 participants, 48 were classified as having low consumption and 46 were classified as having high consumption. Thirty-three participants in the low consumption group scored positively and 42 of the participants in the high consumption group scored positively on the ASRS-v1.1. A Chi square test and t-test were done in excel to examine the correlation between amount of Red-40 dye consumption and prevalence of ADHD-like symptoms. The Chi square value was 7.409 and the p-value was 0.0065. These numbers indicate the findings could be statistically significant. This exploratory study has shown promise for future research in determining the association between Red-40 consumption and ADHD symptom prevalence in college students. A causal relationship could be explored in larger studies.

DIRECT ACID LEACHING OF ALLANITE RARE EARTH ORE

Fister, Megan

Session 2: Poster # 60

Faculty mentor(s): Rick Honaker

Discipline: Engineering

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of elements that have significant value in the manufacturing of clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and critical defense technologies. The discovery of a deposit of allanite-bearing ore in Halleck Creek, Wyoming containing rare earth elements used for high-end magnets is of great importance to the United States. Direct acid leaching is often involved in creating an economical and efficient REE recovery process. The goal of this research project was to quantify and compare the recovery of REEs from the allanite ore by varying direct leaching and precipitation parameters. The investigation utilized a pulverized sample having a particle size of 90% passing 150 microns after preconcentration of the allanite using physical separation methods. The solids were placed in a 250 mL, two-neck round bottom flask with a magnetic stir bar at a 20% w/w solids concentration containing 100 mL of DI water with a 1:1 mass-based acid-solid ratio. The flask was submerged in a water bath to maintain a temperature of 75℃ for 60 minutes. Both hydrochloric and sulfuric acid were tested as lixiviants. The precipitation step was performed on leachates, to minimize the concentration of two prominent system contaminants – iron and aluminum. During the precipitation test, hydrochloric leachate enabled a higher selectivity than sulfuric by retaining a higher percentage of REEs in solution while contaminants precipitated. Another interesting finding was the precipitation of heavy REEs at a low pH while the light REEs remained in solution. To prevent the loss of heavy REEs, the oxidation state of iron was elevated to a ferric state by the addition of hydrogen peroxide to the sulfuric leachate prior to precipitation. Ultimately, this led to lower precipitation of REEs, complete precipitation of iron at a lower pH, and a better separation of REEs from the associated contaminants.

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139

RELATIONS AMONG LESSON FEATURES, CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS OF ENJOYMENT AND LESSON DIFFICULTY, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN AT-RISK FOR ADHD

Fitzgerald, Maegan

Session 2: Poster # 127

Faculty mentor(s): Elizabeth Lorch and Angela Hayden

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder characterized by high levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity

Children with ADHD can struggle to focus and may engage in behaviors that can inhibit learning. These children often have comprehension difficulties, including difficulty understanding causal connections among story events, understanding and maintaining goal structure, identifying important story events, and making inferences that explain story events. Interventions may be necessary to address these comprehension difficulties. The current study examined the effects of two comprehension interventions on children’s comprehension of goal structure. The focal intervention, the Narrative Structure (NS) intervention, addresses the four comprehension difficulties that children with ADHD experience and involves children as participants in instructional narratives. The counterfactual intervention, the Reciprocal Teaching (RT) intervention, teaches four strategies for comprehension and uses the same instructional narratives, but does not involve children as participants in instructional narratives. Participants were 3rd and 4th grade children with elevated symptoms of ADHD and were in the bottom half of the class in comprehension.

Purposes were to evaluate whether:

1. Improvement in goal structure comprehension was greater for the focal NS intervention that included explicit instruction in goal structure than for the RT intervention.

2. Children perceived NS lessons that involved them as participants in instructional narratives as more enjoyable and less difficult than RT lessons.

3. Improvement in goal structure comprehension was related to perceptions of more enjoyable and less difficult lessons. Findings have implications for the design and evaluation of comprehension interventions for children with elevated symptoms of ADHD.

IDENTIFYING NEEDED SUPPORT & RESOURCES FOR EXTENSION AGENTS PROVIDING ADOLESCENT SPORTS NUTRITION EDUCATION

Francke, Annika

Session 2: Poster # 148

Faculty mentor(s): Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

With increasing rates of adolescent obesity spanning across the state of Kentucky, nutrition education is more crucial than ever. With the intent of decreasing the childhood obesity rate, proper nutrition paired with physical activity is ideal. For adolescents a common way of incorporating physical activity is to participate in organized sports. With participation in these sports come questions on proper nutrition, and how can these adolescents properly fuel themselves. By pairing nutrition with something t adolescents are interested in like sports, perhaps a new spark for nutrition and healthy eating habits can be formed. Extension agents across the state of Kentucky are responsible for delivering this education to adolescents. Oftentimes having no background nutritional knowledge, these agents are underprepared to answer questions. This study aims to discover what resources extension agents report as needed to deliver adolescent nutrition and athletic performance. By using a cross-sectional survey, Extension Agents apart of the Univeristy of Kentucky were asked a series of questions. A total of 74 agents responded and from their answers reported resources were received. Results primarily showed that curriculum needs to be deliverable in a school setting, with interactive and easily digestible features. Implications of this study are that the content should be easily understood by students and instructors with real life application.

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140

ASSESSING NUTRITION CURRICULUM IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC U.S. DENTAL INSTITUTIONS

Galbraith, Caroline

Session 2: Poster # 150

Faculty mentor(s): Marcia Rojas

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Introduction: The things we eat affect every aspect of our lives, including oral health. There is a bidirectional relationship between nutrition and oral health status, where food/drink intake can promote the onset and development of oral disease such as caries. But also, the oral health status, such as the number of teeth present in the mouth can impact the type of food one can ingest. Dentists have a unique role in healthcare and could offer nutritional advice to patients. However, to do so, their dental training should incorporate basic aspects of nutrition education. This study aims to examine the extent that nutrition basic concepts are incorporated in the dental curriculum across U.S. dental institutions. Methods: A comprehensive survey assessing nutrition-related concepts and their integration in a dental curriculum was developed by a multidisciplinary team. This survey will be distributed to the personnel involved with the Academic Affairs Offices of the 72 CODA-approved U.S. dental institutions via REDCap. The data collected will be anonymous. We aim to provide descriptive statistics comparing results by type (private vs public). Results/Discussion: The results of the survey are pending. Surveys should be completed by March 28th, 2024. Conclusion: Nutrition is clearly an important part of the dental profession, as it can affect oral and overall health. As such, integration of nutrition-related concepts to the dental curriculum will facilitate the early recognition and referral of nutrition-related diseases that can be managed to improve patient outcomes.

LINGUISTIC ATLAS PROJECT: DATA WRANGLING AND SEARCHABILITY A CENTURY IN THE MAKING

Gerrow, William

Session 2: Poster # 153

Faculty mentor(s): Jerzy Jaromczyk, Allison Burkette

Discipline: Computational Sciences

The Linguistic Atlas Project, LAP, is the most comprehensive survey of American dialects, with data collection beginning as early as 1929, initially starting with hand-written phonetic transcriptions. Throughout the rest of the century, more surveys and research were conducted across different parts of the country, with data being collected on how various speakers pronounced common words and their unique terms for everyday items. With this corpus of over 5000 individuals and their responses to over 800 topics finally converted into digital spreadsheets, the task remains to create an efficient and powerful way for linguists to search the data and ask sophisticated research queries. The interdisciplinary team of undergraduate students, guided by the Linguistics and Computer Science Department faculty, aims to "wrangle" this data, make it searchable, and ultimately develop a modern database repository and web-based interface for linguists to support their research. The project poses multiple challenges, including non-uniform representation, data anomalies, incompleteness, and inconsistent data interpretation. As advised by an earlier developed prototype, the current team creates the architecture and develops the required computer software and scripts to build a production-level efficient system to organize, parse, and access the rich information accumulated over the years in this most extensive collection of its kind in the country, hosted now at the University of Kentucky

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141

A MODULATED BLAZHKO EFFECT

Gianino, Salvatore

Session 2: Poster # 119

Faculty mentor(s): Ronald Wilhelm

Discipline: Physical Sciences & Astronomy

About ninety percent of the stars in our universe are classified as main sequence stars. Main sequence stars are categorized by their energy source; they fuse hydrogen atoms together to form helium atoms in a process known as hydrogen fusion. As these stars burn through the hydrogen in their cores, they burn heavier elements such as helium. At this stage in a star’s life cycle, it can evolve and branch off of the main sequence, moving into the instability strip. The instability strip is home to radially pulsating stars meaning they physically grow and shrink periodically, resulting in changing light output.

RR Lyrae stars are a type of periodic variable stars that are most commonly found in globular clusters and galactic halos. There are three types of RR Lyrae stars.RRab variables are typically red stars that pulsate in the fundamental mode, they typically have a longer pulsation period. RRc variables are less common, they are blue stars that pulsate on the first overtone. RRd variables pulsate in both modes. We are particularly interested in the RRc variable RR Lyrae stars as they have a shorter pulsation period. It is through this shorter pulsation period that the Blazhko effect can best be seen.

The Blazhko effect can best be seen in a light curve where the pulsation of the star follows a cycle of variations. Specifically, we are looking at a modulated Blazhko effect. The Blazhko effect can be seen through changes in pulsation magnitude over time; the modulated Blazhko effect can be seen through the Blazhko amplitude growing over time. We aim to validate the stability of modulated Blazhko stars using previously acquired observational data, TESS data, new observational data obtained from WKU's Bell Observatory, and data analysis using Period04 and AstroImageJ.

GREEN RIVER MUSSEL SHELLS AS ARCHAEOLOGICAL BIOINDICATORS

Gorman, Blake

Session 2: Poster # 61

Faculty mentor(s): John Balk, Michael Detisch

Discipline: Engineering

Each year, mussels produce a new layer of shell material consisting primarily of calcium carbonate. The production of this material is subject to environmental conditions such as water quality and river water temperature. Shell growth ceases during the winter months when temperatures drop below a certain level. This yearly pattern creates distinct “annual growth bands” within the mussel shell. By measuring the widths of growth bands in shell cross-sections for a sample set of shells, a relative timeline could be created similar to those made from tree rings. Analysis of the growth bands’ relative size and composition could also provide information on river conditions and relative temperature. In this study, shells collected from archaeological sites near the Green River were cross-sectioned and studied using various characterization equipment. Different sample preparation techniques were tested for the clearest growth band visibility. Three different sample preparation methods were tested: grinding and polishing only, thin-sectioning, and Mutvei’s solution. Grinding and polishing provided decent visibility of growth bands. Thin-sectioning provided slightly better results, though difficult to do without damaging the shell. Mutvei’s solution aided in separating growth bands, but also revealed other rings in the shell structure that were difficult to distinguish from growth bands. XRF and EDS scans of the shell cross-sections showed that the shells did not contain detectable metals resulting from river pollution. However, XRF scans showed that manganese content in the shells aligned well with the annual growth bands, and that manganese maps produced by XRF could be used to accurately distinguish between growth bands. Compositional variation of trace elements such as manganese could also give information about river conditions during shell growth.

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142

ANALYSIS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS FROM MUTATIONS OF ANTERIOR SEGMENT REGULATORY GENES USING A ZEBRAFISH MODEL SYSTEM.

Greenwell, Hannah

Session 2: Poster # 14

Faculty mentor(s): Jakub Famulski

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The vertebrate ocular anterior segment (AS) includes the cornea, lens, iris, ciliary body, and iridocorneal angle. Development of the AS is crucial for the proper function of the eye and begins when neural crest cells migrate from the neural tube towards the cranial region of the embryo and differentiate to periocular mesenchyme (POM) cells. Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD), characterized as disorders of the AS due to developmental abnormalities, can result in blindness, glaucoma, and many vision threatening conditions. Previous work in the Famulski lab has identified novel target genes expressed in AS structures using single cell RNA sequencing. However, there is currently no known research providing the effects of knockout mutations of these genes or their necessity in AS development. As such, the Famulski lab has established CRISPR based knockout lines for several of these target genes to examine POM cell migration. In this study we analyzed POM migration in the absence of AS associated genes scinla and nusap1. Scinla encodes a crystallin protein that is expressed in the cornea and lens. Nusap1 encodes a nucleolar and spindle associated protein that is involved in proliferation and cell migration. Transgenic lines Tg[lmx1b:GFP] and Tg[foxc1b:GFP] were used to visualize POM cells and quantify physiological effects from mutations of scinla and nusap1, respectively, in embryos at 48 and 72 hours post fertilization (hpf). Confocal imaging was used to quantify GFP+ cells in mutant embryos which were then compared to wildtype (WT) embryos. For the scinla Tg[lmx1b:GFP] 48hpf line, there were 39 +/- 4 GFP+ cells in WT and 30 +/- 11 in mutants. For the 72hpf line, there are 34 +/- 9 in WT and 46 +/- 7 in mutants. Overall, the data suggests that while scinla plays a role in AS development, it is not vital for the migration of POM cells.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MULTISECTOR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS AND FETAL OUTCOMES

Hague, Emma Grace

Session 2: Poster # 94

Faculty mentor(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Poor fetal health outcomes of low birthweight, pre-term birth, and infant death have historically been associated with inadequate pre-natal care. Previous studies have found that multisector involvement in public health systems is associated with better health outcomes. This multisector involvement can include contributions from many groups including insurers, non-profit organizations, and physician groups. This study's purpose was to determine if there is an association between multisector participation in public health systems and fetal health outcomes. The National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems (NALSYS) contains a stratified random sample of the nation’s 3000 local public health officials who were surveyed in 1998, 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2016 (70% response) to measure the availability of 20 core population health activities within their jurisdictions and the range of organizations that deliver each activity We linked 2018 data on multisector participation in public health systems to county-level outcome data on fetal health, sourced from The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. The percent of pre-term births, percent of low birthweight infants, and infant death rate were reported as rolling averages for the years of 2017 through 2019. Bivariate analyses were completed to examine individual organization participation and association with the selected outcomes. We found substantial variation in bivariate associations between organizations participating in the public health system and pre-term births, percent of low birthweight infants, and infant death rate. Nonprofit and insurer participation was associated with better fetal outcomes. Our results suggest an association between multisector participation in population health systems and fetal outcomes. Further research is needed to understand these relationships more robustly. Research in this space has the potential to provide vital data that can be used to shape further growth of public health systems in a way that positively impacts the lives of pregnant women and children.

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143

PRIVACY’S PRICE TAG: WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE CUSTOMER IS GOOD FOR THE FIRM, OR IS IT?

Hail, Kate

Session 2: Poster # 37

Faculty mentor(s): Jordan Moffett

Discipline: Business & Economics

In an era where technology intertwines with daily life, companies’ accumulation of big data has catapulted customer privacy into the limelight, establishing it as a cornerstone of contemporary marketing research and strategy Traditional marketing theory casts the firm as the sole steward of customer data. Yet, in the pursuit to bolster data protection, firms risk entangling consumers in a labyrinth of choices concerning their privacy management (e.g., too many opt-in and opt-out choices)—a paradoxical outcome that could stimulate privacy fatigue. This dilemma is compounded by the reality that not all companies possess the resources to fulfill this role of sole steward, and many avoid offering stronger safeguards for fear of forfeiting data exploitation opportunities. Anchored in the power-responsibility equilibrium and the emergent theory of privacy fatigue, this research integrates insights across existing scholarship, business practices, and empirical conclusions from a survey of 80 Prolific respondents, to shed new light on three key research questions: (1) Do consumers regard privacy protection as a company obligation exclusively, or do they perceive a shared stewardship over their data? (2) Does a market for privacy exist where customers are prepared to pay extra to firms for enhanced safeguards? (3) Should such a market be present, is it laden with ethical dilemmas for the companies involved? In turn, the contributions of this research are threefold. It pushes the boundaries of privacy research by delving into the novel concept of privacy as a marketable commodity. It crafts a nuanced taxonomy of privacy market segments, delineated by consumers’ concerns about and propensity to invest in their own privacy, offering managers strategic insights into targeting. Lastly, it stimulates a vital conversation on the societal and ethical implications of commercializing privacy, charting a course for future dialogue and research in the field.

RESONANCE: THE INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGN PROCESS AND SITE SPECIFIC WORK IN AN ITERATIVE LENS

Hak, Danica

Session 2: Poster # 3

Faculty mentor(s): Ingrid Schmidt

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

RESONANCE is a lineage of research exploring the relationship between dance and design, emphasizing, and encouraging interdisciplinary design processes. As the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion rises in the design field, experimentation in other disciplines and their relationship with design will promote more thoughtful, human-centered spaces. The overlaps of design and dance highlight the relationship of body and space through circulation patterns, ergonomic design, public performance, and site-specific work. Nontraditional performance (anything that is not in a typical proscenium viewing) allows a fostering, mutualistic relationship between performer, audience, and the environment. RESONANCE takes site specific inspiration from the historic Loudon House’s tower spiral stair, home to the Lexington Art League. The existing elements of the site were then emphasized and translated through set design and choreography: the reflectivity of the natural light, the circular shapes, the repetition of the stairs, and the verticality of the space. The spiral stairs, unfortunately, make it inaccessible for a formal performance; so, the site, instead serves as a source of inspiration for the design. In the same way that the site is informing the performance, the performance will also inform the site in new ways to view and move through the original space.

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144

SEX DIFFERENCES IN NEURAL CORRELATES OF INHIBITORY CONTROL AMONG DRINKERS

Hardendorf, Hannah

Session 2: Poster # 15

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Weafer

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Problematic alcohol use and binge drinking habits are commonly seen as predominantly male issues. However, recent evidence suggests that this sex gap is closing due to a disproportionate rise in alcohol use disorder (AUD) prevalence and an increase in risky drinking behaviors among women. Despite growing behavioral evidence that poor inhibitory control is a known risk factor for binge drinking in women, little is known regarding sex-based differences in brain activity during inhibitory tasks. This project aimed to investigate differences in brain activity between male and female heavy drinkers during the stop-signal task (SST), a task measuring inhibitory control. Participants included eleven male adults and eleven female adults, both with a history of heavy drinking, which was classified as scoring above an 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Participants then completed the SST while inside an fMRI scanner Analysis of the fMRI data indicated that female participants experienced more neural activation in inhibitory control-related regions while completing the SST There were no regions in which women experienced less activation than men. This indicates that women in this sample did not have as much difficulty inhibiting their actions during the SST as men. Both groups, however, did experience significant brain activation in areas associated with inhibitory control. These results suggest that sex-based differences in inhibitory control may be less profound than prior research has indicated. Examining sex-based differences in inhibitory control and brain activity during the SST with larger sample sizes is the focus of future research on this topic.

“OURS OR THEIRS?” FRENCH PEDAGOGY: A SURVEY ON COLONIAL IMPACTS ON MAGHREB EDUCATION

Hardin, Isabella

Session 2: Poster # 78

Faculty mentor(s): Nisrine Slitine El Mghari

Discipline: Humanities

From the early 19th century to the mid-20th century, the Maghreb–Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia–was under the acquisition of the French. Morocco (1912-1956), Tunisia (1881-1956), and gained independence after a long and violent struggle. This political and cultural domination creates, almost irreparably, psychological damage on the colonized and indigenous people from the establishment of “French” education in these countries. This study compares different lived experiences of the colonized and investigates the impact of French colonization on familial pedagogy when learning cultural values, traditions, language, and history From encountering the French in colonized spaces, authors began writing about personal colonial experiences. By examining Albert Memmi’s autofiction work, 'The Pillar of Salt' (1955), and his essay, 'The Colonizer and the Colonized' (1957), this study surveys the colonial Maghreb, namely the French colonization impacts on developing education. Particularly, the compared Maghreb adult literacy statistics used in this study ground literary theories in the conflict of developing education for children of the colonized. Exploring Western assimilation and attempted French nationalism in Memmi’s work will allow for a better understanding of the violence of colonization in the classroom. Finally, referencing Jules Ferry’s free compulsory, and secular education laws and regulations creates a recognition of how such policies can be reflected in a corresponding free education in individual Maghreb provinces.

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145

EVALUATING PREDICTORS OF BODY COMPOSITION AND DIETARY BEHAVIOR CHANGE IN THE DAWLY TRIAL

Hardin, Hunter

Session 2: Poster # 95

Faculty mentor(s): Kyle Flack

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Weight loss therapies and supplements help in reducing weight initially, but the greater challenge is maintaining weight that was lost. The current clinical trial, dietary adaptation for weight loss maintenance at Yale (DAWNLY) is applied to participants classified as overweight/obese where they undergo a 4-month behavioral weight loss intervention (LEARN program for Weight Management) followed by a 1-year maintenance phase with a follow ups at 4, 8 and 16 months. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), an endogenous N-acylethanolamines (NAE) released from the small intestine in response to ingested fat and functions as an anorexic lipid mediator to promote satiety For this analysis, we investigated predictors of weight loss and improved body composition during the 4-month LEARN program. Three-day dietary food records completed at baseline and 4-months were used to create Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores. Body composition (Body Fat and Lean Mass accessed via BodPod) and BMI were also determined at these time points. Predictors of body composition and BMI change were determined via linear regression. In the initial 35 participants that completed the LEARN trial, there were no aspects of dietary behaviors that predicted weight loss. Baseline OEA predicted changes in HEI scores for added sugar, that is, individuals who had greater OEA at baseline were more likely to reduce their added sugar intake during the LEARN program. This justifies the use of OEA supplementation in the current DAWNLY trial.

EXPOSURE TO AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT PHTHALATE MIXTURE INHIBITS OVULATION VIA DECREASED PROSTAGLANDINS

Harper, Caroline; Wilson, Madison; Ruschman, Gretchen

Session 2: Poster # 96

Faculty mentor(s): Patrick Hannon

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Humans are exposed to phthalates daily because of their extensive use as solvents and plasticizers in cosmetics, food/beverage containers, and household materials. Due to their classification as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, phthalate exposure could disrupt endocrine-driven ovarian processes, like ovulation— the release of the egg from the follicle. This study used an environmentally relevant phthalate metabolite mixture (MPTmix) to mimic human phthalate exposure. We hypothesized that the MPTmix would inhibit ovulation by decreasing prostaglandin (PG) levels, which are vital ovulatory mediators. Mouse ovarian follicles were mechanically isolated and treated ± hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a potent ovulatory stimulus) and ± MPTmix (1, 10, 100, and 500µg/ml). After treatment, follicles were collected across the ovulatory period (4, 11, 18hr) to measure expression of genes in the PG pathway via qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reactions), while culture media were collected to measure levels of active PGs and their inactive metabolites via ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) (n=3-8, p≤0.05). Ovulation occurs 12hr post-hCG treatment in mice and was therefore assessed visually at the post-ovulatory timepoint (18hr). Exposure to hCG+MPTmix decreased active PG levels when compared to hCG. These changes could be mechanistically attributed to decreased expression of PG synthases (Ptgs2), increased expression of PG transporters (Abcc4, Slco2a1), and altered expression of PG receptors (Ptger1, Ptger3) in MPTmix-treated groups. Additionally, exposure to hCG+MPTmix increased inactive PG metabolite levels when compared to hCG alone, which could be attributed to an imbalanced shift towards metabolism via altered expression of synthetic/metabolic enzymes (Akr1c6 and Hpgd). Most notably, ovulation rates were decreased following MPTmix exposure. The hCG control group had a 76% ovulation rate, while all doses of hCG+MPTmix significantly reduced ovulation rates compared to hCG alone. These data suggest that phthalate exposure disrupts ovulatory prostaglandin function, which could contribute to ovulatory defects in women and the prevalence of female infertility.

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146

ENHANCING STUDENT SUCCESS IN STEM: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STUDENT AND ADVISOR MINDSETS OF ABILITY

Hauret, Haiden; Maleah, Preston; Wuerth, Elizabeth

Session 2: Poster # 128

Faculty mentor(s): Matthew Kim, Jennifer Osterhage

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

In higher education, enhancing student retention in undergraduate STEM courses has been a challenge. This has been caused by students feeling like they do not belong to the typical mold of a scientist (Rainey et al., 2018), receiving negative feedback from STEM professors (Walden and Foor, 2008), and having difficulty in introductory science courses (Stinebrickner and Stinebrickner, 2014). Students' mindsets regarding their academic performance influence whether or not they have an added incentive to put in the effort when courses become challenging. Those who have a fixed mindset believe that intelligence is an unchangeable and stable trait, while those who believe intelligence is changeable and can improve with effort have a growth mindset (Dweck, 1999). Academic advising has a strong impact on students' decisions regarding their academic and professional pathways (Rozhenkova et al., 2022). The relationship between academic advisors and student mindsets is important in determining how students not only perceive themselves, but also how advisors’ own beliefs might shape students' decision-making strategies when it comes to academic challenges. To further explore this, we measured the association between mindset beliefs (growth vs. fixed) possessed by academic advisors and students using an online survey We predict that there will be a difference in mindset beliefs between students and advisors, which could lead to conflicts during advising meetings and result in students dropping their STEM major Understanding the differences between advisor mindset beliefs and student mindset beliefs can help implement interventions targeting motivational beliefs for students and advisors. Such interventions could help positively impact the relationship among students and advisors and improve the retention rate of students in STEM related fields. Within the next year, we plan to record advising student meetings in order to collect qualitative data to expand our research further.

ATTITUDES THAT PREDICT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE IN COLLEGE ADOLESCENCE

Hayden, Madison

Session 2: Poster # 129

Faculty mentor(s): Christia Brown

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The goal of this current experiment was to find a correlation between teen dating violence in college aged (18-19) adolescents (N = 250; 178 women, 72 men) and their perceived gender norms and attitudes. Specifically in this study we sought to look at the relationship between their self reported perpetration of teen dating violence and women's sexualized gender stereotypes as well as men’s perceived norms of sexual harassment acceptability We hypothesized that men endorsing higher perceived norms of sexual harassment acceptability would exhibit higher rates of dating violence perpetration, while women endorsing stronger sexualized gender stereotypes would also report higher levels of dating violence perpetration. Conducting our research within an introductory psychology class at a predominantly white institution (PWI), we administered an anonymous survey to gather data.. Participants were questioned about various aspects, including age and age of first dating, while also considering variables such as previous exposure to parental conflict and background information on their dating history Our analysis revealed significant findings, aligning with our initial hypotheses. Specifically, the results showed that young men endorsed higher perceived norms of sexual harassment acceptability perpetrate more total dating violence than men with lower perceived norms. As well as, the results showed that women who endorse higher ideas of sexualized gender stereotypes perpetuate more total dating violence than women who endorse lower ideas. These results underscore the importance of understanding the role of gender norms and attitudes in shaping behaviors related to dating violence among adolescents.

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147

MORE THAN THEY SIGNED UP FOR: THE COSTS OF BEING A STEM STUDENT

Hearty, Brenna

Session 2: Poster # 16

Faculty mentor(s): Jennifer Osterhage

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Past research on undergraduate financial wellness has shown that finances are a common source of stress experienced by undergraduate students. In addition to stress levels, financial concerns have also been shown to contribute to undergraduate sense of belonging, attrition rates, and overall sense of well-being. However, no prior studies have specifically investigated the impact that being a STEM major has on undergraduate students’ financial concerns. We hypothesize that the focus on maintaining a high GPA and rigid schedule of undergraduate STEM students (which involves many lab courses that take up large amounts of time) limit STEM students' ability to work and/or extend the time to degree, thereby contributing to financial concerns, especially in upperclassman. Through semi-structured interviews, this study (a work in progress) aims to gain a deeper understanding of how financial concerns affect junior and senior undergraduate STEM students at the University of Kentucky After understanding the students’ background, the first part of the interview focused on students’ experiences in STEM related to their financial status. The second part consisted of questions addressing the student's experience as a student in STEM related to courseload and labs. Preliminary results (n=10) have identified several themes. First, many students have expressed that the rigid and time-consuming courseload and lab hour requirements of a STEM student have greatly impacted the time available to work a job, generally leading to students not working as many hours as they would like. Second, students have described how STEM course scheduling affects when they can find time to take other required non-STEM coursework. Third, students have expressed how the demanding course load of STEM majors, combined with the need to work a job, have contributed to concerns about GPA and competitiveness for pre-professional programs. We anticipate this study can help researchers and educators improve the accessibility of STEM majors to encourage a wider range of students to pursue careers in STEM.

UNDERSTANDING LEGAL-DECISION-MAKING IN MULTIPLE-PERPETRATOR RAPE CASES

Henson, Sarah

Session 2: Poster # 130

Faculty mentor(s): Jonathan Golding

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The United States reports approximately 85,000 rapes annually, with 21.8%-25% of these perpetrated by multiple assailants, translating to 18,530-21,250 cases. Multiple perpetrator rape (MPR) involves sexual assaults committed successively by two or more perpetrators, yet less than 33% of MPR incidents are reported to the police. Moreover, of the reported cases, only a fraction progress to prosecution, with a mere 37% advancing to trial. Given the limited number of sexual assault cases that reach the courtroom, it is crucial to understand the factors influencing juror decision-making in these cases. While extensive research has been conducted into various aspects of rape cases, minimal focus has been given to MPR within the courtroom. Previous research on individual-perpetrator rape have highlighted the influence of extra-legal factors, such as victim intoxication, on juror decision making. However, little to no research has explored whether these same factors similarly impact MPR cases. This study aims to address these gaps in the literature. We employed a 2 (Number of perpetrators) x 2 (Victim intoxication) x 2 (Participant gender) between-subjects design. Participants, acting as mock jurors, were presented with a trial scenario and subsequently asked to render a verdict and respond to questions regarding the trial. We had three hypotheses for this study First, we predicted that female mock jurors would exhibit greater pro-victim bias (i.e., render more guilty verdicts) compared to male mock jurors. Second, we predicted cases involving three perpetrators would result in more guilty verdicts than cases involving a single perpetrator Third, we predicted jurors would be more likely to render guilty verdicts when the victim was sober compared to when the victim was intoxicated.

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ABSTRACTS

148

GENOTYPE BY ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONS OF THE OVIPOSITOR IN NEODIPRION SAWFLIES

Hughes, Brenden; Keown, Graci

Session 2: Poster # 17

Faculty mentor(s): Catherine Linnen, Ryan Ridenbaugh

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

One in four described species of animal is a plant-feeding insect. This observed diversity and the mechanisms that created it have been a primary focus of ecological speciation research for several generations. One hypothesis is that modifications to one or more traits of the egg-laying organ, known as an ovipositor, allowed for colonization of new plant hosts. However, our current knowledge of the ovipositor’s role in ecological speciation remains limited. Patterns of ovipositor variation corresponding to plant host would be a key piece of evidence towards closing this gap but is largely unexplored in literature. Another impediment is our lack of understanding of the effect on the environment itself, as well as developmental constraints, on ovipositor morphology Using a pair of experimentally tractable pine sawflies, Neodiprion lecontei and N. pinetum, we quantified the shape and size of ovipositor saws (first valvula) in both wild-caught individuals across their species range, and of lab-reared diet manipulated colonies. In the wild-caught individuals, we hypothesize that ovipositor morphology will vary corresponding to pine host and overall body size. We expect a similar relationship in the lab-reared diet-manipulated colonies with host, either a preferred or nonpreferred pine species, being a predictor for ovipositor morphology. By using data from these studies, we can disentangle the patterns of ovipositor shape and size to analyze how the substrate in which an insect chooses to lay its eggs varies in different environments. This will facilitate future research into how modifications of the ovipositor can lead to ecological speciation. Furthermore, by quantifying patterns in ovipositor variation, we can make new inferences on how trait variation may allow insect pests to colonize and spread to novel plant hosts.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF AN EQUINE TAPEWORM EGG DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Hughes, Malena

Session 2: Poster # 18

Faculty mentor(s): Martin Nielsen

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The most common equine tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata, can cause severe health problems in horses. Previous coprological tests for A perfoliata have performed poorly for detecting this parasite. With anthelmintic resistance on the rise, a reliable tool is needed to diagnose these infections. One technique described by Proudman and Edwards was recently demonstrated to be superior to other techniques for diagnosing A perfoliate. However, this technique is very time consuming due to three 10-minute centrifugation steps. This study aimed to evaluate simplifications of the original Proudman and Edwards protocol that reduce the centrifugation to 5 and 1 minute per step, respectively Eleven adult A perfoliata egg count positive mares were used in the study Fecal samples were collected from each horse and divided into 9 subsamples to allow for three replicate counts for each of the three protocols, resulting in 99 data points total and 33 points per method. Precision estimates were similar among all protocols, with the standard 10-minute centrifugation having a mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 76.4% and a 95% confidence interval of 44.3% - 108.5%, while the 5-minute protocol resulted in a CV of 67.2% (CI: 41.0%-93.3%) and the 1-minute protocol yielded a CV of 72.4% (CI: 53.9% - 90.9%). Furthermore, the 10-minute protocol yielded only 21 positive counts compared to 30 and 31 for the 5-minute and 1-minute protocols, respectively. The 5-minute and 1-minute protocols were also superior in egg count magnitude, with means of 4.2 and 5.2 eggs respectively, compared to a mean of only 1.8 with the original protocol. More replicate counts and collections are needed to confirm these findings.

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149

TRENDS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN POPULATION HEALTH NETWORKS

Humphrey, Abigail

Session 2: Poster # 97

Faculty mentor(s): Rachel Hogg-Graham, Emily Clear

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Cross-sector networks addressing health and social services are considered core in improving health and well-being. Local government organizations are important collaborators in these networks, as they are responsible for providing access to services that improve individual unmet social needs. This study examines trends in local government participation in community networks across the US. This study used retrospective cohort data from 2014-2018 to examine local government participation in population health activities. The National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems follows a cohort of over 500 US communities where local public health officials report on the availability of 20 core population health activities and the range of organizations that contribute to each activity This study completed a descriptive analysis to examine trends in local government participation. Local government participation in all population health activities increased from 24.6% in 2014 to 27.5% in 2018. Across all years, local government organizations participated in policy and planning activities at the highest rate. This study found substantial variation in the portion of communities reporting local government participation in individual activities. Over 50% of communities in 2018 reported local government participation in assessment of community health status and needs and maintaining a communication network across sectors. Local government engagement in population health networks has increased over time. They play a strong role in the delivery of policy and planning activities. Engaging local government agencies will not only increase access to social services but has the potential to inform and implement policies that strengthen population health networks.

PARAQUAT AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE: AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH APPROACH

Jessie, Elizabeth Grace

Session 2: Poster # 72

Faculty mentor(s): Nari Senanayake

Discipline: Environmental Studies

I am interested in evaluating the research concerning the role of environmental risk factors in producing Parkinson's disease. I plan to investigate the epistemological arguments and power dynamics involved in how this research is utilized by different groups to make arguments concerning the safety of pesticides and other chemicals that have an association with Parkinson's. The herbicide Paraquat is currently at the center of a major legal battle in the United States; the producer and distributors of Paraquat, along with the EPA, maintain that Paraquat is safe for use. However, there are a number of class-action lawsuits against Syngenta (producer and distributor) and Chevron (former distributor), involving thousands of farmworkers and individuals who were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease after exposure to the popular herbicide. They argue that the companies continued to sell Paraquat, despite being aware of the health risks of the herbicide and its role in the development of Parkinson's in some individuals. These lawsuits have led the EPA to announce it is reconsidering the current guidelines for use of Paraquat and its safety I plan to primarily use this case study as a means to evaluate how scientific research on Parkinson's (its structure as well as its findings) is interpreted and utilized in a legal setting in the United States to reinforce standing power structures and disenfranchise farmworkers affected by this debilitating disease.

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150

COMMUNITY INPUT IN HARM REDUCTION KIOSK DESIGN

Jones, Samantha

Session 2: Poster # 131

Faculty mentor(s): April Young

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Appalachian regions of the country, especially in the state of Kentucky, have experienced an extremely heavy burden of harm related to drug use and a lack of harm reduction services. The primary explanation for this disproportionate burden is barriers to healthcare that have existed in these regions for decades, including inadequate access to healthcare providers and transportation. Previous research has focused on implementing low threshold access to harm reduction supplies via the use of vending machines, but these projects have only been conducted in urban, highly populated cities. We compiled local community members’ input through the use of focus groups, surveying, and creating a design team. The design team utilized information provided from the focus groups and surveys to vote upon elements that were vital to the implementation of the vending machine. Similar to the machine in Las Vegas, participants wanted an easy way to access the supplies inside, so the use of a swipe card and pin code was decided upon. Unlike other machines present around the globe, community members wanted the physical design to be as discrete as possible, ensuring that no additional attention would be drawn to it. These findings indicate that community members are aware of the need for a harm reduction vending machine in their community, but they want to ensure that its installation would not disrupt local culture.

RAPE ON COLLEGE CAMPUS: THE IMPACT OF FRATERNITY MEMBERSHIP ON LEGAL DECISION-MAKING

Jones, Tessa

Session 2: Poster # 132

Faculty mentor(s): Jonathan Golding

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

There is an alarming discrepancy between the high prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, yet low rates of incident reports and incarcerations. A viable explanation for this tragic trend is the infiltration of extralegal factors into jurors’ legal decision-making process. These factors (e.g., membership in a Greek organization) are external to the legal system. In addition to the impact of these factors, previous research has investigated how common rape myths and victim stereotypes can explain the shift of blame from the defendant to the victim. This shift in blame leads to a decrease in guilty verdicts in court. In the present study, we employed a 2 (Defendant Greek affiliation: fraternity member or not) x 2 (Year in College: sophomore or senior) x 2 (Participant Gender: male or female) between-participant design to understand how these factors shape the perceptions and legal outcomes in the rape trail of a college-aged victim and defendant. Community members recruited on Mechanical Turk read a Qualtrics-administered mock rape trial. Following the trial, the participants answered a series of questions after the case (e.g., verdict, victim credibility). We predicted a main effect of each of the independent variables, such that pro-victim judgments (e.g., number of guilty verdicts, high rating of victim credibility) would be higher when the defendant was a fraternity member versus non-fraternity member, the defendant was a senior versus a sophomore, and the participant was a woman versus a man. The only prediction that was supported was that of Participant Gender: women were more likely to render guilty verdicts and have higher pro-victim judgments than men. The findings help shed light on how biases, stereotypes, and societal factors impact rape trials, guiding efforts to ensure a fair and just judicial system.

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151

RENIN ANGIOTENSIN ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM (RAAS) PROFILING IN A COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH PRE-ECLAMPSIA

Kassis, Selena

Session 2: Poster # 98

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Shoemaker

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background: Pre-eclampsia affects 5-7% of pregnant women and is responsible for over 70,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 fetal deaths worldwide every year Mechanisms underlying pre-eclampsia are not well-understood, but previous studies demonstrated differences in the activity of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in normal versus hypertensive pregnancies. The purpose of our study was to investigate concentrations of novel biomarkers of the RAAS in a cohort of women with pre-eclampsia. Methods: In collaboration with UK Maternal Fetal Medicine, we enrolled 50 pregnant women admitted to the hospital with diagnosed pre-eclampsia. Clinical characteristics (blood pressure, ultrasound findings, biochemical laboratory values) and blood samples were collected at enrollment. Angiotensin peptides and aldosterone concentrations were quantified in serum using liquid-chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The cohort was grouped into four quartiles based on the concentration of aldosterone, generated descriptive statistics for each quartile, and used one-way analysis of variance to determine differences between quartiles. Results: Consistent with previous studies demonstrating low aldosterone levels in pre-eclampsia, aldosterone concentrations in the first, second, and third quartiles were low (less than 204 pmol/L), compared to previously reported concentrations of aldosterone in healthy pregnancy However, values in the fourth quartile of aldosterone markedly greater than expected for pre-eclamptic pregnancy This was accompanied by elevated levels of RAAS components upstream from aldosterone (angiotensin I and angiotensin II). Conclusions: We demonstrated that approximately 25% of a cohort of women with pre-eclampsia had measured concentrations of aldosterone, and other components of the RAAS, that were elevated compared to what was reported in previous studies. This suggests multiple mechanisms could lead to pre-eclampsia, with differences in the mechanisms of the RAAS system.

ANALYZING EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS FOR A YOUTH HEALTH PROGRAM

Kho, Hannah; Pate, Mikayla

Session 2: Poster # 99

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Plasencia and Nasreen Omran

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The CASEY (Coordinating Activities to Support Empowerment of Youth) Health program contains a “peer youth model” where trained high school students serve as “health ambassadors” to deliver health lessons to third-grade students. It also includes the “Brief, Regular, Interactive, Energetic, and Fun” (BRIEF) health lessons, which are 5-minute lessons that reinforce the health topics and can be used by teachers or health ambassadors. Health education across the U.S. should be prioritized, especially in rural areas that may not have the resources to teach communities about the importance of health. The purpose of our study was to examine the evaluation instruments of the Health Ambassador Program and the BRIEF Health Lessons for adequacy in measuring changes in health beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors among elementary school-aged children participating in a health program. Content analysis of program evaluation instruments and the data from 45 3rd-grade students in 2022-2023 were analyzed. A trained coder reviewed each evaluation instrument for topics related to the lessons. Descriptive statistics of completed pre-and post-tests were used to analyze the results. Results from the pre-assessment show that 3rd-graders are most knowledgeable about the differences between wants and needs and how to oral health. From the post-assessment, 3rd-graders are most knowledgeable about handwashing, the dangers of nicotine, and reducing stress. Topics asking about the number of food groups they are eating, the amount of time needed to wash their hands, and how long an individual should exercise for, were ones that the students struggled the most with. The results of the assessments and the review of the questions and prompts provide insights into which types of questions and topics can be addressed in health education programs. Further, recommendations for adapting knowledge-related questions were made based on the topics that needed improvement.

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152

DETAILED THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSES OF TYLOSES IN OAK THROUGH X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Kim, Jaden

Session 2: Poster # 62

Faculty mentor(s): Savio Poovathingal

Discipline: Engineering

Barrels made from American White (Quercus alba) oak are able to retain the liquid inside while other oak, such as northern red oak (Q. rubra), can not. It is hypothesized that this is caused from the level of abundance in physiological structures called tyloses. With X-ray computed tomography (XRCT) technique, tyloses of white, French (Q. robur), and red oak are visualized and quantified. It is found that the pores of white oak are filled with tyloses volume that are seven times higher than those of red oak's.

DEPRESSION AND MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS AS PREDICTORS OF INSOMNIA AMONG MIDDLE AGE AND OLDER ADULT WOMEN LIVING IN RURAL APPALACHIA

King, Emma; Gil Patrus Pena, Debora; Vogt, Kathryn; McDonald, Eiley

Session 2: Poster # 133

Faculty mentor(s): Christal Badour, Mairead Moloney

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Due to the adverse health effects of insomnia, understanding factors influencing insomnia in at-risk populations is essential. There is an established link between depression and insomnia, but hormonal implications of menopause and transition to postmenopausal status may interact with depression to impact insomnia in aging women. This study assessed depression, menopausal symptoms, sleep environment, and insomnia symptoms via self-report measures among Appalachian women aged 45+ (N=50; Mage = 57.12, SE = 8.56). Controlling for age and sleep environment, both menopausal and depression symptoms were positively related to insomnia severity Menopausal symptoms were significantly related to insomnia, but only at low (B=.43, SE =.17, t=2.60, p =.01) and moderate (B=.31, SE =.14, t=.03, p =.98) levels of depression. As depression severity increases, mental health difficulties may become a more impactful driver of insomnia. Future research is needed to better understand the temporal nature of these associations.

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153

FABRICATION OF POLYSULFONE/SULFONATED-POLYETHER-ETHER-KETONE MEMBRANES FOR REMOVAL OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS FROM WATER

Kiprotich, Nerissa

Session 2: Poster # 12

Faculty mentor(s): Isabel Escobar

Discipline: Engineering

Per and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) are surfactant chemicals formally or currently used in non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, household industrial products, etc. Recent studies have shown that PFAS constitutes a serious risk to human health. The presence of PFAS in water systems and sources has increased the demand for efficient, less harmful water treatment methods. Due to the structural complexity of PFAS, traditional water treatment technologies have proven insufficient for the removal of PFAS. Membrane technology is employed in this project as it is more adaptable, uses less energy, and has a smaller environmental footprint compared to other forms of water treatment. This research focuses on optimizing the functional properties of polysulfone (PSf)--based membranes by incorporating a negatively charged copolymer (sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK)) during membrane synthesis. In this project, two types of membranes are being synthesized and compared. The SPEEK-PSf membrane composite was compared to the PSf membrane, and it was found that PSf membranes had a lower rejection of anions compared to that of the SPEEK-PSf membranes. The addition of SPEEK into the membrane matrix was observed to improve membrane performance via anion rejection, and permeability Furthermore, the ability of the SPEEK-PSf membranes to adsorb the organic dye methylene blue was investigated. It was found that the introduction of a negative charge on the membrane surface via the incorporation of SPEEK polymer in the membrane matrix improved the adsorptive properties of the membrane. Characterization of the membranes was done through Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

IS SLEEP DISRUPTION ASSOCIATED WITH MEAL TIMING?

Knight, Kendyl; Roetker, Abigail

Session 2: Poster # 19

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Pendergast, Matt Thomas

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Poor sleep and aberrant meal timing, such as night eating, are associated with metabolic risk factors, such as greater BMI and waist circumference. However, it is unknown whether sleep is associated with meal timing. The goal of this study is to determine if sleep quality and sleep timing are associated with meal timing and whether these associations differ by biological sex. We plan on collecting data from 60 adult males and females. Shift workers are not eligible for the study We will collect the participants’ age, race, and ethnicity We will measure sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which is a validated survey that provides an overall global score and assesses 7 components of sleep: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. The times of first and last daily calorie intakes and sleep and wake times will be measured for 7 days with a state-based texting system. We will first analyze the dataset to determine if there are associations between sleep timing and quality and meal timing. Then, we will determine whether these associations are affected by biological sex. Understanding the relationship between sleep disruption and meal timing could lead to interventions that improve metabolic risk factors.

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154

CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS OF HAZELDELL MEADOW STATE NATURE PRESERVE, PULASKI COUNTY, KENTUCKY

Kruger, Abigail

Session 2: Poster # 20

Faculty mentor(s): James Krupa

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Hazeldell Meadow State Nature Preserve is a rare ecosystem on the Highland Rim of south-central Kentucky It is the only state-protected site of its kind. This preserve is comprised of two distinct plant communities, including wet flatwoods and a wet meadow To date there is only one published study on mammals in the preserve. This was a general survey using cameras and bait stations. Here the results of a second study surveying carnivores are presented. Cameras were attached to trees in the wet flatwoods and aimed at bait and lure stations. This study ran from 3 September 2022 to 26 March 2023. A total of 37,193 photos were taken with 525 having images of nine species of carnivores. The six most photographed and videoed species were raccoons, coyotes, dogs, striped skunks, bobcats, and red fox. These six species were in 98% of the images of carnivores. The remaining nine photos and videos were of a long-tailed weasel, mink, and a house cat. The results of this study serve as baseline data for comparison to future surveys to determine if changes in the carnivore community occur in response to changes in agricultural practices, forest fragmentation, or climate change.

CRYSTALLIZATION DYNAMICS OF RADICAL AND NEUTRAL N-ETHYLPHENOTHIAZINE

Lamichhane, Shasanka

Session 2: Poster # 40

Faculty mentor(s): Chad Risko

Discipline: Chemical Sciences

We seek to study the crystallization dynamic of neutral EPT (N-ethylphenothiazine) and radical EPT using Tetrafluoroborate (BF4) as a counter ion. Utilizing various computational techniques, we seek to elucidate how the crystal is formed. EPT and other redox-active organic molecules can be used in redox flow batteries to store a greater amount of chemical energy when compared to a Lithium-lon battery The solubility of EPT goes down when it is oxidized, and thus the likelihood of its crystallization increases. This negatively affects the lifespan of a redox flow battery and its capacity to store energy The likelihood of EPT crystalizing when oxidized can be modulated if one knows the packing dynamics of the molecule by blocking certain regions of the molecule where the crystallization is most likely to start. While EPT itself is not currently used in redox flow batteries, similar phenothiazine derivates are being used. We seek to use this study as a template to further our understanding of the crystallization dynamics of phenothiazines and to develop methods for computational studies of other redox-active molecules. The crystallization is being studied using the Constant potential Molecular Dynamics, (CuMD) method coupled with PLUMED(an open-source library that allows for enhanced sampling algorithms), to speed up the rate at which the simulation is executed. The study utilizes a preexisting crystal template derived from a crystallography database to create an aggregate for the molecules to crystalize on. In addition, homogeneous crystallization of the salt is also being studied.

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155

GILDED EMOJIS: EXPLORING 18TH CENTURY LETTER WRITING

Lewis, Natalie

Session 2: Poster # 4

Faculty mentor(s): Carol Street

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Modern communication among friends and colleagues typically involves utilitarian electronic formats such as texts or email, with little consideration for the message’s beauty or form. But at the court of King Louis XIV of France, letter writing was its own art form, as exemplified by the Michel Janet Gilding Kit, circa 1770s, at the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center A rare example of a letter-embellishing gilding kit that was likely used by members of the court at Versailles, the kit includes a squirrel hair brush for application, the pillow and windshield for shaping and support, and small flecks of leftover gold leaf Research into this method of decorating letters will uncover the richness and meaning of letter writing techniques such as calligraphy, symbolism, codes, and letter-locking during 18th century France. At a time when reading and writing was reserved for those in the upper class, research will investigate how letters signify status, prosperity, and connections to power Since this gilding kit was likely owned by a woman, research will focus on these issues within the patriarchal structure at that time. Research will involve learning how to gild letters, comparing examples of letters originating from women within the court of Versailles, and researching letter writing techniques of the time. Comparing 18th century letter writing with modern correspondence will demonstrate how we went from gilded letters to cute emojis to decorate our communication.

FRONTIER LEGALISM IN EARLY KENTUCKY: THE SETTLER AND THE STATE

Logan, Charles

Session 2: Poster # 79

Faculty mentor(s): Carol Street

Discipline: Humanities

The idealism of Manifest Destiny shrouds perceptions of early American frontier settlement. This process is often seen through a romantic, almost mythological lens, placing frontiersmen in the role of heroes creating civilization from the ground up in an untamed and dangerous land. However, the reality of settlement west of the Appalachians was much more pragmatic and tightly intertwined with both existing and emerging legal and financial systems. State governments strongly encouraged settlement, while individuals and companies sought financial gain through land speculation. Using the archival collection of Squire Boone Family Legal Documents, 1779-1894, at the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center, this research will explore the processes and risks associated with early Anglo-American frontier land ownership and settlement and the legacies this process left behind. Squire Boone and his more famous brother, Daniel Boone, were pioneers who helped open Kentucky to Anglo-American migration through the Cumberland Gap. Settlers poured through the Wilderness Road into Kentucky, displacing its traditional inhabitants and radically altering the landscape and history of the region. Records in the collection portray the often unseen legal and financial risks resulting from their endeavors. This research will utilize records of Virginia land grants, archaeological surveys, and accounts of settler life with Squire’s documents and other related sources to explore the legal structure and organization of early frontier settlement and the complex relationship between the settler and the state. In addition, this project aims to create a more accurate picture of the systems utilized to organize westward migration and how the legacies of land claiming, ownership, and settlement from over 200 years ago influence Kentucky’s landscape, culture and people today.

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156

IOT SENSORS AND MACHINE LEARNING FOR OPTIMIZED SMART HOME LIGHTING SYSTEMS

Lowe, Sam

Session 2: Poster # 63

Faculty mentor(s): Dan Ionel

Discipline: Engineering

Lighting from the commercial and residential sectors makes up 5% of the United States' total electricity usage, which is equal to 213 billion kilowatt-hours. By using machine learning techniques based on sensor inputs, notable energy savings may be possible by optimizing end use lighting to minimize unnecessary energy consumption. The implementation of sensors into the internet of things is getting increasingly popular in the realm of smart home systems, so combining that with machine learning techniques can potentially provide an even more optimized solution. A laboratory implementation based on an Arduino Uno, light and occupancy sensors, and Python’s open-source machine learning toolbox has been designed to develop an optimal algorithm for lighting control of a lamp. The expected outcome is for energy savings to be achieved when sensor inputs are used to manage the lighting levels while the functionality remains the same.

SYNONYMOUS VARIANT RS2405442:T&GT;C REDUCES MRNA AND PROTEIN LEVELS BY DESTROYING A RAMP SEQUENCE IN THE PAIRED IMMUNOGLOBULIN-LIKE TYPE 2 RECEPTOR ALPHA (PILRA)

Lucido, Chloe

Session 2: Poster # 42

Faculty mentor(s): Justin Miller

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) report genetic associations with disease without explaining the functional mechanisms. Several Alzheimer’s disease (AD) GWAS have associated synonymous variant NC_000007.14:g.100373690T>C (rs2405442:T>C) in the Paired Immunoglobulin-like Type 2 Receptor Alpha (PILRA) with a decreased risk for AD, yet the functional effects of rs2405442:T>C are unclear. A computational approach called ExtRamp was used to predict the effects of rs2405442:T>C on mRNA and protein levels caused by disruption of a ramp of slowly-translated codons at the 5’ end of PILRA critical for ribosome spacing regulation. This prediction was evaluated and a potential functional mechanism driving rs2405442:T>C disease association with AD is reported. Methods: The effects of rs2405442:T>C on PILRA ramp sequences were simulated in 62 human tissues and 66 cell types using ExtRamp, which predicted that rs2405442:T>C alone destroys the ramp sequence and decreases mRNA and protein levels via increased ribosome collisions. The effects on PILRA were validated through quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using a mutant and wildtype sequence transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Results: Both mRNA (P=3.2222 x 10-7) and protein (P=0.01296) levels significantly decreased in the mutant cells containing rs2405442:T>C. The tRNA pools in various cells and tissues, specifically neural and lymphatic, influence the effects of rs2405442:T>C on ramp sequences, which likely impacts overall mRNA and protein levels across those cell types and tissues.

Discussion: Since rs2405442:T>C is well-tolerated in the general population (minor allele frequency>0.27 in the 1000 Genomes Project), ramp-mediated therapeutics may be a viable method of reducing risk for AD by regulating PILRA expression. These analyses show that synonymous variant rs2405442:T>C alone disrupts PILRA and may drive association with AD and is the first time that ramp sequences have been used to prioritize disease-associated variants.

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157

SEASONAL ANIMAL ACTIVITY

Mabjish, Harrison; Engel, Bridget; and Camarato, Maria

Session 2: Poster # 21

Faculty mentor(s): Emily K. Croteau

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Camera trapping allows for the observation and analysis of wildlife using various methods and techniques. Remote-triggered cameras are set up in order to record wildlife in a natural and mostly undisturbed environment. We utilized a single camera trap at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington, Kentucky, to discern the varying levels of animal activity across distinct seasons within the year We hypothesize that the relative abundance of animal activity with respect to detection will peak during spring and summer months like May and August for a majority of the animals detected. The data analyzed took place in October of 2021 and January, May, and August of 2022. The camera trap captured squirrel, deer, possum, raccoon, turkey, mice, chipmunk, bobcat, rabbit, and bird detection events. Three researchers analyzed the detection events by tagging groups of photos and determining the animals present in those detection events. We tagged a total of 723 detection events of the 6336 total photos. This research allows for the ability to determine when animals are most active and the potential to predict their migration patterns. The research opens the door to allow for increased preservation efforts during certain seasons based on the activity level and relative abundance of an animal. This data is also useful for those who want to observe animals in their natural habitat and allows them to know what season a species is most likely to appear. Camera trapping not only facilitates the observation and analysis of wildlife using various methods and techniques but also provides valuable insights into seasonal patterns of animal activity, aiding in conservation efforts and enhancing opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to observe species in their natural habitats.

ASSESSING CONFIDENCE IN PROVIDING NUTRITION EDUCATION TO ADOLESCENT ATHLETES IN KENTUCKY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AGENTS

Makosy, Tyler

Session 2: Poster # 151

Faculty mentor(s): Heather Norman-Burgdolf

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Kentucky ranks the highest among all 50 states for adolescent obesity, despite observing increases in high school sport participation each year There is a strong need for nutrition education, specifically for adolescent athletes. Nutritional intervention seems feasible through the University of Kentucky’s cooperative extension service program. However, a challenge arises in the confidence of each agent to issue nutrition education to this specific population. This study was a cross-sectional design that examined the comfortability and confidence in agents in issuing nutrition intervention to adolescent athletes. Active cooperative extension agents in the state of Kentucky were issued a survey through Qualtrics software that asked for scale answers using a 5-point Likert scale. Questions assessed comfortability and confidence in teaching basic nutrition as well as nutrition-related topics that were specific to athletes. Results indicated that cooperative extension agents appear to be comfortable teaching nutrition to adolescents. However, confidence and comfortability decrease when the topic narrows to sport nutrition, specifically for adolescents. Mean scores showed a significant difference between comfortability in teaching adolescents about nutrition and teaching adolescents about athletic performance nutrition. More so, it appears agents have great confidence in teaching topics related to nutrition such as carbohydrates but lack confidence in teaching more sport-related topics such as supplements. Agents should receive the education necessary to teach adolescent athletes about nutrition to optimize performance and improve health. Further research could focus on the resources that agents need to effectively intervene for adolescent athletes.

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158

THIMEROSAL TOXICITY TO PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Mamoori, Mukhtar; Cruz, Michael; Basso, Wynter; Wilkinson, Maddie

Session 2: Poster # 154

Faculty mentor(s): Peter Mirabito, Nicholas McLetchie

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Mercury, a common lethal element, is found in everyday items and the chemical Thimerosal, is used in vaccines as an antiseptic. The relationship between Thimerosal and Mercury is Ethylmercury, an ethyl group bound to Mercury In an experiment, Zebrafish and plant Gemma were exposed to different concentrations of Thimerosal. Zebrafish embryos were placed in petri dishes with different concentrations and data was collected. The Zebrafish exposed to Thimerosal did not survive, showing a brown and cloudy color, unresponsiveness, and no heartbeat. Gemma were also affected by Thimerosal and showed no rhizoids and no germination. These results show that Thimerosal is toxic and further studies are needed to see the effects of lower concentrations of Thimerosal.

MINDSET MATTERS: INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF ADVISOR MINDSETS AND ADVISING STYLES IN STEM STUDENT PERSISTENCE

Matusz, Darby; Arnold, Samantha; and Alfroukh, Malaak

Session 2: Poster # 134

Faculty mentor(s): Matthew Kim, Jennifer Osterhage, Katherin Tanaka

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

A continuously prevalent issue in higher education is student retention, especially in undergraduate STEM settings. Students decide to leave their STEM major for various reasons such as difficulty in introductory science courses (Stinebrickner & Stinebrickner, 2014), negative signals from their professors (see Walden & Foor, 2008), and not feeling a sense of belonging (Rainey et al., 2018; Shin et al., 2016). It has been shown that academic advising has a strong impact on students' decisions regarding their academic and professional pathways (Rozhenkova et al., 2022). One possible factor in lack of retention is that advisors might have fixed mindset beliefs about their students (e.g., the belief that ability cannot improve) or that they might have a rigid advising style, which leads students away from STEM. However, there has been little research done on the advisor student relationship in regards to mindset and academic outcomes. Therefore, to build on previous work, we measured growth and fixed mindset and academic advising styles (prescriptive or rigid vs. developmental or flexible) using an online survey of fifteen academic advisors. We predict that a prescriptive advising style would be positively correlated with a fixed mindset, while a developmental advising style would be positively correlated with a growth mindset. Understanding the relationship between mindset and advising style can inform how to implement interventions targeting motivational beliefs (i.e., implicit theories of ability). These interventions can serve to improve advisor and student interactions, and positively affect undergraduate student outcomes in STEM disciplines. In the next year, we plan to record advising student meetings and collect qualitative data to further expand our research.

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159

ASSOCIATION OF BIOMARKERS OF THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM WITH MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES

Megibben, Addie

Session 2: Poster # 100

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Shoemaker

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background: Pre-eclampsia has been linked to short and long-term health consequences in the mother and baby, but mechanisms underlying the development of pre-eclampsia are not well understood. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a critical regulator of cardiovascular functions and plays a significant role in the physiology of normal pregnancy Previous studies demonstrate that abnormal concentrations of aldosterone and renin are linked with the development of pre-eclampsia. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of serum concentrations of these biomarkers with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Collaborating with the division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Kentucky, subjects were enrolled in the first trimester and prospectively followed for the development of pre-eclampsia and other adverse outcomes. We examined n=128 subjects and grouped them into four quartiles based on their first-trimester concentration of aldosterone serum. Clinical parameters and maternal blood were collected throughout gestation and outcomes were recorded at delivery Results: The data indicated that those in the first quartile (Q1) and the fourth quartile (Q4) were more likely to have negative neonatal outcomes than those in the second (Q2) and third (Q3) quartiles. Specifically, an increase in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), NICU stay, and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were observed amongst Q1 and Q4. On the contrary, Q3 had the greatest prevalence of pre-eclampsia. We generated receiver operator characteristic curves based on the changes in renin concentration between the first and third trimester, and it was found that a 12.6% decrease in renin predicted the development of pre-eclampsia compared to remaining normotensive. Conclusions: Our data suggests that serum aldosterone and renin may be used to predict maternal and neonatal outcomes. More research is needed to establish the specific relationship between these biomarkers and pregnancy outcomes.

RECLAIMING

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AND INDIGENOUS-LED FRAMEWORKS

Melchers, Anna

Session 2: Poster # 73

Faculty mentor(s): Jayoung Koo

Discipline: Environmental Studies

For Indigenous groups, reclaiming land is also an act of reclaiming culture. Rather than property, land is life, law, tradition, and identity. Therefore, the management of these landscapes is of concern to Indigenous peoples. However, these groups and their values have historically been omitted from decision-making. Even as policies have progressed, the overarching Western framework has remained, with Indigenous views needing to be translated into this system. This discrepancy and its issues are most evident in public conservation lands, which have cultural significance to Indigenous groups despite being owned and managed by statutory powers. Tongariro National Park in Aotearoa/New Zealand exemplifies this complexity In 1886, Māori gifted the land to the Crown to protect their sacred mountains from development. But for the next century, a preference toward nature-based conservation and tourism left Māori excluded from management policies. In 2009, Māori finally received joint management status at Tongariro and equal footing on the park advisory board. This has since led to discussions on cultural redress, which could potentially alter park governance. Neighboring Australian parks, such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Nitmiluk are likely to be precedents for this future. Examining these cases, as well as emerging thoughts on Indigenous-led management will help envision a successful framework for Tongariro National Park.

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160

ZEBRAFISH AS A MODEL FOR TESTING DRUGS TO COUNTERACT FENTANYL OVERDOSE

Moffett, Claire

Session 2: Poster # 101

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Blackburn

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Fentanyl overdose is becoming more prevalent every year Since 2015, fentanyl has continued to be the leading cause of death in drug-involved overdose deaths. Naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist, is the current medication being used to reverse fentanyl overdose and is effective in some cases. However, Naloxone only reverses opioid overdose for 30 to 90 minutes, so a person can still feel the effects of an overdose after Naloxone wears off Our goal is to develop a drug that is more effective than Narcan in reversing the effects of fentanyl overdose. Zebrafish were used as a model because they are transparent and share 70% of their DNA with humans, allowing us to see the detailed effects of the drugs being tested and how they could affect humans. Several drugs, such as Naloxone, Naltrexone, EO, EW, YZ, RT, SH, and DPT of varying concentrations were tested. Several concentrations of fentanyl were tested to find the concentration that mimics overdose in humans. Fish were tested at varying ages. Fentanyl and a drug were administered, and mortality and morphology were checked at times varying from every 30 minutes for two hours to 24, 48, and 72 hours. Using fish 6 days post fertilization provided the best results and mortality was observed every 30 minutes for two hours, with almost all fish being alive after 2 hours in 125 uM Naloxone. Some concentrations of DPT also provided positive results, suggesting that more research should be done on this drug and how long it reverses the effects of fentanyl overdose.

GRATITUDE BARRIERS AND INTERVENTIONS— A LITERATURE REVIEW

Moore, Brady

Session 2: Poster # 135

Faculty mentor(s): Laura Bryan

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” ~ Cicero. This project was a literature review of research in the field of gratitude. The purpose of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of gratitude, as well as portray the results in an easy-to-understand manner in hopes that the audience could benefit from the results. After reviewing several articles and studies, eight studies were chosen for review, and their results were described in this project. This review included barriers to the experience and expression of gratitude, including but not limited to envy, materialism, narcissism, and cynicism. This review also included gratitude interventions, which are actions one can take to increase their experience of gratitude. The gratitude interventions included in this review are gratitude journaling, gratitude letters, experiential purchases, and recognizing tailwinds (things that have benefitted a person). In addition to the literature review, a potential research study was proposed measuring the effectiveness of the gratitude interventions when paired with a specific gratitude barrier listed above.

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161

NURSE BURNOUT AND INTENSIVE CARE UNIT PATIENT CARE QUALITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

McKenzie, Morgan; Janes, Kylie

Session 2: Poster # 102

Faculty mentor(s): Katie Goldey

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Introduction: Nursing is a vital career in healthcare and physicians rely on nurses to complete daily tasks and care for patients. In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), nurses are treating critically ill patients and are in a constant stress-inducing environment. Research demonstrates that high-stress environments such as those often seen in the ICU can lead to burnout among nurses. Many factors lead to provider burnout including workplace violence, psychological trauma, and socio-demographic variables. Nurse burnout rates, and the circumstances that contribute to the high levels of burnout, may directly impact the quality of patient care received in the ICU Purpose: To review the literature on understanding how nurse burnout affects the quality of patient care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Results: ● Nursing in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is linked to psychological burnout. End of life care and ethical dilemmas also have a direct impact on the psychological state of the provider ● Organizational and constant commitment is associated with a negative effect on emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. These effects have a direct impact on the quality of patient care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Patients are impacted since their nurses are more emotionally unavailable to provide adequate quality of care. ● Factors including socio-demographic, personality, occupational related factors, and other outcomes of interest can increase the prevalence of provider burnout in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Conclusions: Based on the evidence provided, the researchers can conclude that burnout harms the quality of patient care. The factors that influence provider burnout are linked to high turnover rates that are becoming more common in high stress environments, such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). To combat low quality of care due to burnout, researchers must develop a greater understanding of the causes of burnout and potential remedies.

POLYCL: CONTEXT-AWARE CONTRASTIVE LEARNING FOR IMAGE SEGMENTATION

Moseley, Aaron

Session 2: Poster # 43

Faculty mentor(s): Abdullah-Al-Zubaer Imran

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Medical image segmentation is one of the most important tasks in an imaging pipeline as it influences a number of image-guided decisions. To be effective, the standard fully-supervised segmentation approach requires a large amount of manually annotated training data. The expensive, time-consuming, and error-prone pixel-level annotation process hinders progress and makes it challenging to perform effective segmentations. It is, therefore, imperative that the models learn as efficiently as possible from the limited available data. Such limited labeled image segmentation can be facilitated by self-supervised learning (SSL), particularly contrastive learning via pre-training on unlabeled data and fine-tuning on limited annotations. To this end, we propose a novel self-supervised contrastive learning framework for medical image segmentation leveraging inherent relationships of different images, dubbed as PolyCL. Without requiring any pixel-level annotations or data augmentations, our PolyCL learns and transfers context-aware discriminant features useful for segmentation from an innovative surrogate, in a task-related manner. Experimental evaluations on the public LiTS dataset demonstrate significantly superior performance of PolyCL over multiple baselines in segmenting liver from abdominal computed tomography (CT) images, achieving a Dice improvement of up to 5.5%.

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ABSTRACTS

162

ASSESSING POLYGENIC RISK SCORE ACCURACY FOR DEMENTIA RISK STRATIFICATION IN THE ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE NEUROIMAGING INITIATIVE DATASET

Moylan, Leah; Byer, Blake; Hawkins, Chavay; Murphy, Chloe

Session 2: Poster # 44

Faculty mentor(s): Justin Miller

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) are quantitative measures of genetic predisposition that can help direct clinical management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There are various genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for AD, yet effects of GWAS choice on PRS are unclear We assess PRS accuracy based on GWAS inclusion and how combining PRS from multiple GWAS impacts overall risk prediction. We calculated PRS for 808 individuals in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset using the Polygenic Risk Score Knowledge Base (PRSKB) and all available dementia GWAS in the GWAS Catalog. PRS were normalized using the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank, and non-differentiable results were removed, leaving 17 GWAS. A Mann-Whitney U test revealed 11 of the 17 PRS significantly differentiated between CN and CI in ADNI (P= 3.242 × 10⁻⁸ – 0.0454; Cohen’s d=0.002 – 0.422). Averaging all PRS yielded predictions with predictive accuracy comparable to the best single-study PRS (GWAS ID: GCST009496; P = 7.50x10-8; Cohen’s d=0.422). A chi-squared test showed 9 of the 17 PRS significantly differentiated between CN and CI in the top quintile (χ² = 4.5290 – 23.9381, P= (9.949x10-7 –0.03333). Averaging all PRS outperformed the best single-study PRS at predicting CI in the top quintile (χ² = 8.1154, P = 0.004389). Our findings suggest that GWAS choice significantly influences PRS accuracy, potentially leading to data overfitting and bias in risk estimation. Averaging PRS across multiple studies maintains high accuracy for AD risk and mitigates GWAS selection bias. This underscores the importance of standardizing PRS calculation methodologies and ensuring that PRS accuracy is assessed on a target population before widespread implementation. Refining inclusion criteria for PRS combinations could further optimize risk prediction.

Data Availability: https://github.com/jmillerlab/PRS_Combinations

THE EFFECT OF HISTAMINE ON LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY IN FEMALE RATS

Mullane, Emalie

Session 2: Poster # 22

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Santollo

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Multiple hormones, including the ovarian hormone estradiol, control fluid intake. Estradiol’s control of fluid intake is uniquely bidirectional. When food is available estradiol decreases water intake in ovariectomized rats, but when food is unavailable estradiol increases water intake. The mechanism, however, by which estradiol influences fluid intake is not well understood. Previous studies show that the neuromodulator histamine increases water intake and estradiol increases histamine signaling by increasing histamine receptors. Therefore, the long-term goal of this project is to determine if estradiol enhances the dipsogenic effect of histamine. The proximate goal of this project is to determine the behavioral specificity of histamine treatment; specifically, to determine if central treatment of histamine will affect motor function, as changes in motor function could influence ingestive behavior For this study, eight female rats were ovariectomized to remove their primary source of estradiol. Then, a cannula was surgically placed into the lateral ventricle of the brain of each rat. After recovery, the effect of histamine on locomotor activity was determined. Directly before testing, each rat was placed into an open field for ten minutes as an acclimation period. Each rat was injected with 0 or 10 µg of histamine dichloride. Immediately after receiving treatment, the rat was placed in an open field for one hour While the rats were in the open field a recording was taken. Four days later, each rat received the opposite treatment. These videos were then scored for locomotor activity The analysis of this data is still underway

We hypothesize that there will be no change in locomotor activity after administration of histamine. If there is a change in activity, this will inform our interpretation of any data on histamine-mediated water intake.

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163

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ADULT BODY DYSMORPHIC SYMPTOMS IN FEMALES BUT NOT MALES

Musarra, Ava

Session 2: Poster # 136

Faculty mentor(s): Thomas Adams

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Body dissatisfaction is relatively common among the general population and can negatively affect one’s mental and physical health. In more severe presentations, body dissatisfaction can lead to body dysmorphia or even body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Females are nearly twice as likely as males to report body dissatisfaction, but rates of BDD do not significantly differ between the sexes. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with various adult psychiatric disorders, including BDD Meta-analyses have demonstrated a stronger relationship between ACEs and body dysmorphia symptoms when the sample included a greater number of women. This suggests that sex may moderate the association between ACEs and body dysmorphia, but this idea has yet to be empirically tested. The following study uses a large sample of college-aged adults to test if the strength of associations between ACEs and body dysmorphia is moderated by biological sex.

AESTHETIC ATTACHMENTS FOR INFANT CRANIAL ORTHOTICS

Mushkin, Katelyn

Session 2: Poster # 5

Faculty mentor(s): Pooya Mohaghegh

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

Parents all over the world take care when dressing their babies. When infants between five and twelve months old have developmental issues with their skull and head shape, also known as plagiocephaly, pediatricians recommend cranial remolding orthosis to assist with painlessly reshaping the skull for both medical and aesthetic purposes. While parents are motivated to purchase these medically valuable orthotics, they are expensive, have little aesthetic appeal, and only come in limited colors and styles. While helmets can be printed with a color or pattern, the fabricated design is permanent. Further, the helmet must be worn 23 hours of the day in order to be effective. This means that any choice of dress for an infant – either day-to-day or for the regular photo shoots that come along with the period of infancy – must either match the helmet’s specific color scheme or clash, further making the orthotic stand out. By developing a way that could make the aesthetic of the helmet temporarily customizable, it will encourage parents to get the orthotic for their child, make it more aesthetic, and accommodate the changing interests of a family Through a process of shadowing at clinics, connecting with patients and fabrication manufacturers, and designing prototypes, a product was developed with the intended goal of being marketable to families impacted by infant plagiocephaly Through research, it was determined that parents are primarily concerned with discretion, ease of use, interchangeability, and safety, all of which were considered in the iterations of the final form. Ultimately, the product developed is a customized hat, designed specifically to cover the cranial orthosis, keeping in mind the safety of the infant, breathability, and aesthetics. Further, product branding – including name, logo, tag, color scheme, and photography – was designed for marketing and patenting purposes.

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164

OPTIMIZATION OF VOLUNTARY WHEEL RUNNING WITH PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE USING TSE PHENOMASTER

Musoni, Anoop

Session 2: Poster # 103

Faculty mentor(s): Kevin Pearson

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

The TSE Phenomaster is an advanced metabolic screening platform that converts physical data on mice's weight, metabolism, and exercise into digital, understandable information. We created three sets of studies to understand the TSE Phenomaster and familiarize ourselves with its capabilities to help us successfully execute future studies. We let the C57BL mice run 38 to 48 hours at low (0%R,20%R,40%R), medium (0%R,40%R,60%R), and High (0%R,80%R,100%R) resistance. The interval between 38 to 48 hours was due to weekly cage maintenance, water and food refill, and mouse weighing. We used C57BL mice due to their property of being trans genial. This study found that male mice weighed (g) more than their female counterparts, and the female mice consistently ran a further distance(km)than the males. We also found that although the female ran more than the male, there was no difference between food(g) and water(ml) consumption between both sexes at low resistance.

ADOLESCENTS' SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN LGBTQ+ FAMILIES AND SOCIALIZATION OUTCOMES

Myers, Chase

Session 2: Poster # 143

Faculty mentor(s): Rachel Farr

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Much of the recent research regarding the LGBTQ+ community within a family context has explored parent and child relationships (Goldberg & Sweeney, 2019). However, most of this research has focused on child outcomes and has often neglected how these children view themselves, their parents, and how these conceptions lead to social outcomes. Our purpose was to explore how adolescents’ self-reported sense of community and quality of LGBTQ+ parenting interact with child socialization outcomes within a family context. Participants are all adolescents from the Queer Parent and Adolescent Lives Study (Q-PAL), which is a survey-based study focused on parents and adolescents in queer-headed families. The current study focuses on the Sexual Minority Parent Socialization Scale (Oakley, 2017), the Parent Sense of Competence Scale (Lin & Israel, 2012), and the Inventory of Parents and Peer Attachment Scale (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987). Participant responses for each measure were scored on a Likert scale and results were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. A series of bivariate correlations were conducted examining the correlations between sense of LGBTQ+ community, average parent child attachment (averaged between parent 1 and parent 2), and sexual minority parent child socialization. Significant correlations were found between sense of LGBTQ+ community and parent socialization r(100) = .29, p =.004, and between parent attachment and sense of LGBTQ+ community r(100) = .37, p <.001. This indicates that as adolescent’s sense of LGBTQ+ community increases so too does parent child attachment and parent queer socialization. No significant association was found between socialization and attachment. These findings indicate that positive appraisal of community and attachment between parent and child does lead to positive, if not better, socialization in children regarding communication, trust, and acceptance of others. This aligns with previous research stating that LGBTQ+ families raise children with similar socialization outcomes to traditional families (Goldberg & Sweeney, 2019). These results have implications for further research discussing socialization and perhaps mental outcomes in youth as well as implications for family-based practice.

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165

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF TRAJECTORY PLANNING ALGORITHMS FOR MOBILE ROBOTIC NAVIGATION

Nathan, Hersch

Session 2: Poster # 64

Faculty mentor(s): Biyun Xie

Discipline: Engineering

When major disasters happen, there is a need for robots to traverse complex environments. Those environments have many different components from impassible obstacles to density of obstacles, and even dynamics. The traditional approach to solving this problem is using trajectory planning algorithms. Broadly speaking, there are two approaches; graph based and sampling-based algorithms. Graph based algorithms are of the family of Dijkstra's which traditionally finds the shortest path between nodes in a weighted graph in discrete space. Sampling-based algorithms find the shortest path through a weighted random pulling of in a continuous space.

In this project we explore a static environment full of obstacles in different configurations. We conduct a performance analysis of a collection of trajectory planning algorithms. The configurations we are interested in are ones with transitional areas of different density Primarily we are looking at the path length, computational time, and fail rate. This research was partly supported through an NSF Grant 2205292 and through the University of Kentucky Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Undergraduate Research Fellow Program.

COMPARING THE SENSITIVITY OF CATWALK-BASED PARAMETERS AND THE BASSO, BEATTIE, AND BRESNAHAN (BBB) LOCOMOTER RATING SCALE TO TEST THE EFFICACY OF TREATMENT POST SCI

Ntakarutimana, Joy

Session 2: Poster # 23

Faculty mentor(s): John Gensel, Reena Kumari

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Gait analysis is a commonly used technique to determine the long-term behavioral outcomes of treatment within spinal cord and brain injury research. Historically, the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale, an open field test, has been used to do so. In recent years CatWalk XT, a computer generated gait analysis system, has been in use. We investigated the efficacy of the CatWalk XT system in comparison to the BBB scale in an attempt to determine if the CatWalk XT system was accurate in determining the long-term outcomes of spinal cord and brain injury treatment. By conducting literature review and comparing the BBB scale and CatWalk XT analysis in a spinal cord treatment study previously conducted in the lab, we analyzed multiple CatWalk XT parameters that were similar to parameters within the BBB scale and determined the accuracy of the CatWalk XT system.

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166

THE EFFECTS OF LITHIUM ON PROPRIOCEPTIVE SENSORY FUNCTION AND NERVE CONDUCTION

Nukic, Adel; Burnette, Tessa; Elliott, Elizabeth; Brock, Kaitlyn; Yarbrough, Terra; Ruschman, Gretchen

Session 2: Poster # 24

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Cooper

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Animals are exposed to lithium (Li+) in the natural environment as well as by contact with industrial sources and therapeutic treatments. Low levels of exposure over time and high volumes of acute levels can be harmful and even toxic. The following study examines the effect of high-volume acute levels of Li+ on sensory nerve function and nerve conduction. A proprioceptive nerve in the limbs of a marine crab (Callinectes sapidus) was used as a model to address the effects on stretch-activated channels (SACs) and evoked nerve conduction. The substitution of Li+ for Na+ in the bathing saline slowed nerve conduction rapidly; however, several minutes were required before the SACs in sensory endings were affected. The evoked compound action potential slowed in conduction and slightly decreased in amplitude, while the frequency of nerve activity with joint movement and chordotonal organ stretching significantly decreased. Both altered responses could be partially restored with the return of a Na+-containing saline. Long-term exposure to Li+ may alter the function of SACs in organisms related to proprioception and nerve conduction, but it remains to be investigated.

CONNECTING STEM RESEARCH EXPERIENCE TO CAREER INTERESTS IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

O’Neal, Carlee

Session 2: Poster # 48

Faculty mentor(s): Luke Bradley, Molly McAndrew Tuck

Discipline: Education

Educational outreach programs implemented in secondary schools that are specialized in engaging students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences are useful tools in supplementing classroom activities and piquing students’ interests in these subjects. Research on these programs can benefit from a better understanding of how these experiences impact student outlook on professional opportunities and aspirations. This research study seeks to determine if there are themes present that relate participating in these programs—namely the University of Kentucky’s STEM Through Authentic Research and Training (START) Program—to career goals and trajectories. We present a qualitative study comparing students’ responses to a pre-program survey to their answers to a post-program interview A priori and post hoc coding are used to analyze student response data to identify the effects of the program on career interests. This study aims to show the importance of programs like the UK START program in intentionally connecting research experience to career goals.

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167

AN INTERACTIVE WEB INTERFACE FOR EXPLORING HOW EIF5A HYPUSINATION IMPACTS GENE EXPRESSION PATTERNS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Olsen, Luke; Ho, Anna; Miller, Elisandra

Session 2: Poster # 45

Faculty mentor(s): Justin Miller

Discipline: Computational Sciences

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) can be characterized by the abnormal accumulation of proteins like TDP-43 and eukaryotic translation factor 5A (eIF5A) in the brain, which are closely linked to disease progression and pathology While post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as hypusination of eIF5A, play a critical role in regulating protein function and stability, their effects on gene expression within functional pathways are largely unknown. This paper introduces a user-friendly web interface designed to facilitate a comprehensive analysis of gene expression patterns linked to neurodegenerative disease using interactive visualizations and pathway analyses. The focus on eIF5A hypusination offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the role of this PTMs in disease pathology, presenting a promising avenue for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions for diseases such as AD and LATE. Methods: Five mouse models were chosen to model LATE and AD gene expression patterns using different gene knockouts: wildtype, K50A, eIF5A, DOHH, and TAR4. We visualize these data through interactive volcano plots, illustrating relationships between protein fold changes, gene expression levels, and statistical significance across multiple experimental conditions. Through interaction with these plots, users can identify genes showing significant upregulation or downregulation across various experimental conditions. Additionally, we used STRING enrichment analysis tools to perform Gene Set Enrichment Analyses using databases such as KEGG, Reactome, and WikiPathways, providing a comprehensive view of disrupted pathways and shared genes contributing to disease pathogenesis. Results: Our enrichment analyses revealed key KEGG pathways implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, including oxidative phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, lysosome, coagulation cascades, and inositol phosphate metabolism. These pathways contribute to energy metabolism, intracellular signaling, protein degradation, and immune responses, all of which are relevant to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and LATE. Website Link: https://eif5a.millerlab.createuky.net/

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DIETARY PATTERNS ASSOCIATED WITH BODY COMPOSITION ON COLLEGE STUDENTS

Oser, Benjamin

Session 2: Poster #137

Faculty mentor(s): Kyle Flack

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Increasing the amount of physical activity and reducing dietary fat and added sugar intake may be important at maintaining a healthy body composition. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to determine how dietary patterns along with physical acuity influence the proportion of body fat to fat free mass for college students aged 18-25. Participants were assessed for body composition via Air Displacement Plethysmography (BOD POD). Following the BOD POD assessment participants completed the dietary fat and sugar (DFS) questionnaire that scored added sugar and dietary fat intake. The International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was also completed that evaluated physical activity and exercise behaviors. RESULTS: participants (n=31; age: 21+1.71) had an average BMI of 27.3+7.48 (+SD). Average moderate to vigorous activity time averaged 114.18 minutes per week which was less than the physical activity guidelines of 150 min per week. Males had lower body fat percentage than females (P=0.02) but there were no differences in any dietary or physical activity measures. Body fat percentage predicted dietary fat and sugar DFS score for foods high in fat and sugar(P<0.01). Whereas, for every unit increase in DFS score predicted a 2.6 unit increase in fat and sugar score. Vigorous activity predicted pounds of body fat and fat free mass, whereas with every 1 min increase in vigorous physical activity per week decreased body fat by 0.53 lbs(P=0.014), and increased FFM by 0.36 lbs(P=0.045). Moderate physical activity also predicted body fat whereas every 1 min increase in moderate physical activity led to a decrease in 0.43 lbs of body fat(P=0.045).

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168

THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON ORAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE-AGE INDIVIDUALS

Paris, Zane

Session 2: Poster # 25

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Alcohol consumption among college-age individuals is suspected to impact oral health, yet remains understudied in this population. This review examines the relationship between alcohol intake and oral health, focusing on college students. While moderate alcohol consumption, particularly of red wine, may offer cardiovascular benefits, heavy alcohol use poses risks to oral health, exacerbated by the prevalence of sugary alcoholic beverages. Prior research highlights the intricate interplay between alcohol consumption, oral microbiome composition, and salivary function, all influencing dental caries development. However, establishing definitive associations between alcohol type and dental cavities faces challenges due to varied individual drinking patterns, oral hygiene practices, and genetic factors. This study targeting University of Kentucky students aged 18 to 22 aimed to analyze alcohol consumption patterns and oral health indicators using inferential tests for oral health indicators, alcohol consumption, and cavity frequency Given this, a structured survey using the qualtrics data collecting software was used and the link for the survey was distributed to students across the campus in February 2024. The survey included questions concerning oral health indicators, the presence of cavities, and the type and amount of alcohol consumed. Of the 153 participants who took the survey who were a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors only 143 of them were valid for data analysis. There was no significant correlation found between general alcohol consumption and the presence of cavities with a p-value of .987. However, when comparing the oral health indicators with the general amount of alcohol consumption it was significant with a p-value of .038. Given the small sample and lack of valid responses regarding what type of alcohol was consumed a larger cohort needs to be questioned to validate this research question.

CONTENT ANALYSIS FOR EVENTS OF LEARNING IN CASEY HEALTH LESSONS

Pate, Michaela; Kho, Hannah

Session 2: Poster # 104

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Plasencia, Nasreen Omran

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Providing health education at a young age is important. By eight years of age, children develop logical reasoning and explore beliefs and ideas outside their homes to form independent behaviors. There is a paucity of health education programs for elementary-aged children that use a wholistic approach to health. One such program encompasses two educational components, peer-led health lessons, and a set of brief, 5-minute lessons to reinforce the lessons from peer-led health lessons, titled the Coordinating Activities to Support the Empowerment of Youth (CASEY) Health Program. This evaluative study examines the content of the CASEY Health peer-led lessons for consistency with Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction. Content analysis was used to evaluate the 17 Health Ambassador lessons for health, beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors and Gagne's 9 Events of Instruction. A coder was trained to review each lesson for this content and record whether or not the content was present in each lesson. Additionally, each lesson was evaluated for reading level. On average, the lessons were written at a 7th grade level. Most lessons had missing events of instruction, with an average of 6.5 events present. All the lessons included the event of instruction- Present the material. The two events of instruction that were most frequently not incorporated were Gain Learner’s attention and Provide Feedback. Further, the lessons created by clinicians were less likely to include all 9 events compared to the lessons adapted by the 4H agent who delivered the lessons. Our findings suggest that developing health education for elementary aged children needs to be thoughtful and deliberate. Because the Health Ambassador Lessons were initially created by clinician experts, this review identifies that adding an additional review step for the 9 events of instruction will greatly enhance the appropriateness of lessons for the target audience.

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169

THE EFFECT OF APOE GENOTYPE ON FORMATION OF SYNAPTIC VESICLES IN RESPIRATORY MOTOR CONTROL REGIONS FOLLOWING A C2 HEMISECTION

Patel, Mohit

Session 2: Poster # 105

Faculty mentor(s): Warren Alilain

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects nearly 300,000 people in the United States, with 17,000 new cases annually One critical aspect of SCI recovery is the role of genetic factors, particularly the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, known for its association with Alzheimer's disease risk (E4 allele) and encoding for the lipid membrane transport protein Apolipoprotein E. Recent findings suggest that APOE genotype has a notable impact on respiratory plasticity after cervical SCI. To further understand the mechanisms behind this effect, the impact of APOE genotype on markers of synaptic vesicle formation was investigated. This study specifically focused on the formation of synaptic vesicles in respiratory motor control regions following a C2 hemisection, comparing the differences in functional recovery between the APOE3 and APOE genotypes. A humanized APOE knock-in mouse model homozygous for either the APOE3 or E4 alleles was used in this study Immunohistochemical analysis and fluorescence imaging using a synaptic vesicle marker, SV2, was quantified to assess differences in synaptic vesicle formation among the genotypes. Results indicate a genotype-specific influence on the plasticity of synaptic connections, with the APOE4 genotype presenting a reduced capacity for synaptic vesicle formation in key respiratory motor control regions in comparison to its counterpart. This shows a genetic predisposition that influences the effectiveness of therapeutic strategies following cervical SCI. Further investigation into the genotype-influenced molecular pathways using additional markers can elucidate how these genetic variations (E4 and E3) affect other post-SCI recovery processes, including inflammation, sprouting, plasticity, and neuronal regeneration. Ultimately, this work shows that the diversity of genotypes in the clinical SCI population requires a tailored approach to treatment, emphasizing the notion that there is no "one-size-fits-all" strategy in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Personalized medicine, considering individual genetic backgrounds (particularly APOE), may hold the key to optimizing recovery outcomes.

THE LEADING WOMEN OF ISOLATION AND INTERVENTION ON THE EVE OF WORLD WAR II

Pearson, Caden

Session 2: Poster # 158

Faculty mentor(s): David Hamilton

Discipline: Humanities

The great debate of whether or not America should have intervened in World War II raged between the isolationists and interventionists for about two years. That debate is the story of powerful politicians like Franklin D Roosevelt, Burton K. Wheeler, and Gerald P Nye; titans of publishing and industry like William Allen White, Henry Luce, Wendell Willkie, and General Wood; popular public figures like Charles Lindbergh and Father Coughlin; and groups as widely divergent as Anglophiles, Anglophobes, anti-Semites, communists, and proand anti-New Dealers. In the midst of it all, two of the leading women—Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Eleanor Roosevelt—penned book-length essays defending isolation and intervention, respectively Although these two women were essentially defending their husbands’ views, it was not common at the time for a woman to weigh in on matters like foreign policy at all. Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, which became a bestseller in nonfiction, staked out the unorthodox claim that the fascists in Europe had tapped into a nebulous force guiding world history which she dubbed “the wave of the future.” She argued that resistance to the wave was futile, and so America should try to ride it rather than crusade abroad. Eleanor Roosevelt’s book, The Moral Basis of Democracy, can be read as a rebuttal to Lindbergh’s theories. She emphasizes the moral dimension of the war, echoing previous interventionist thinkers and presaging some of her husband's addresses. For Eleanor Roosevelt, the realization of a true democracy still laid in the future, and only a Christ-like devotion of each citizen to his neighbor, both in America and abroad, would make it possible.

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170

ASSESSING SUSTAINABILITY IN TWO METRO AREAS: AN EVALUATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS OF THE ATLANTA AND NORFOLK METRO AREAS

Petty III, Charles

Session 2: Poster # 74

Faculty mentor(s): Lynn Phillips

Discipline: Environmental Studies

Given the lack of a national standard for planning efforts to address sustainable development around the US, it is incumbent upon local governments to address sustainability through their land use planning practices This research evaluates the seven city and county comprehensive plans for the Norfolk (VA) area and 11 plans for metro Atlanta (GA) to see how they address the concept of sustainability These plans were assessed for content using the quantitative system established by Berke and Conroy (2000), and qualitative techniques were deployed to understand the nuances between the two metro areas' ideas about sustainability Results showed that Metro Atlanta plans had an average score of 26 and the Norfolk plans had an average score of 30. Additionally, the Metro Atlanta area plans looked at their development primarily through an Anthropocentric lens. There was a major focus on the economic and social aspects of sustainability and the “exchange value” of land. On the other hand, the Norfolk Area plans to look at the intrinsic value of the environment (use value). Neither set of plans addressed the concept of “polluters pay” , nor had a substantial focus addressing regionalism. Conclusions drawn from these results are that the scoring framework used by Berke and Conroy is useful but, in some ways, also falls short in 2024, likely because the scoring framework is broad and based on the Brundtland Commission's definition of sustainability. Additionally, it can be understood that standardization of plans across the US may not be possible, but the methods of Berke and Conroy might provide a baseline. Sustainability does not have a succinct definition but takes on different interpretations based on local issues.

COMPARING ACTIVITY OF WHITE-TAILED DEER AND COYOTES BETWEEN SITES AT RAVEN RUN

Phillips, Zack; Sloan, Kaley

Session 2: Poster # 26

Faculty mentor(s): Emily Croteau

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Camera trapping involves the placement of automatic motion-sensored cameras in an attempt to capture photos or videos of wildlife that occupy that area. Researchers and scientists use camera traps as a means of studying and quantifying habitat and animal characteristics, including species richness and composition, species density, animal movement patterns, and several others. In this particular study, two different cameras were placed at two different locations in the Raven Run Nature Sanctuary in Lexington, Kentucky to capture photos from September, October, November, and December of 2022. Once the collection time was completed, the photos were separated and tagged based on detection events, which were defined as detections of different species or different individuals that were more than 10 minutes apart. All of the data from both cameras - including the species and number of individuals, number of photos taken, temperature, date, time, location - were recorded into an Excel sheet for further data analysis. Our study aimed to analyze how the activity level of Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) and Canis latrans (coyote) differed between the months in the study compared across both sites. This activity level was determined based on the number of detection events captured at the specific site. As a general trend, there were more detection events across all months with both white-tailed deer and coyotes at the Raven Run Creek site, with the exception of coyotes in September of 2022. Further analysis will be performed to determine statistical significance of the data.

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ABSTRACTS

171

THE ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS OF PHYSICIANS TOWARDS PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE

Pierson, Penelope

Session 2: Poster # 106

Faculty mentor(s): Katie Goldey

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Throughout a physician's life in the healthcare field, their actions and morals are faced with hard decisions that can confront their ability to do no harm. At the forefront of some of these physician’s decisions is the question of performing life-ending aid to patients, also known as physician-assisted suicide. Commonly referred to as euthanasia, this is the practice of physicians assisting a patient’s death by providing the means and information on how to die. Currently, physician-assisted suicide is legal in 10 U.S. states and as more states look into the legalization of this practice, we find a need to query the attitudes and opinions of practitioners faced with providing these services. Through the review of the scientific literature, we can gauge the opinions of physicians in the United States and english-speaking nations on this topic. Preliminary results suggest that the ethicality, use, and morality of the practice creates high debate between physicians, of which personal factors may also come into play as for the physician’s ability and attitude towards performing physician-assisted suicide.

REFLECTING ON THE RELATIONAL EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE USE-RELATED POLICIES IN KENTUCKY COMMUNITIES

Pilati, Siena

Session 2: Poster # 138

Faculty mentor(s): Margaret McGladrey, Marisa Booty

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) Photovoice project aims to engage community members involved with this broader NIH-funded study in conversations about strengths and concerns related to community responses to the opioid epidemic. The HCS includes matched groups of rural and urban Kentucky counties to compare and contrast their insights about opioid use and recovery in their communities. Photovoice is a participatory action research methodology in which participants collaboratively identify topics relevant to specific community issues (in this case, the opioid epidemic), take and submit photos related to those research topics, and engages participants in photo discussion sessions for which summary notes and transcripts were generated. This poster focuses on discussions of policies related to opioid use and their manifestation in conversations surrounding stigma and power in multi-level relationships. Template analysis was used to identify themes in the photo discussion notes related to discrimination, status loss, stereotypes, and labeling. These themes were then applied as codes to all photo discussion transcripts and organized by the policies to which they relate. When individuals are affected by a policy that discriminates against those with substance use history and/or criminal legal system history, they may be stigmatized by others in their life or lose their legal status as a parent, and their future career opportunities could be jeopardized, even if they are in recovery Therefore, it is critical to examine the unintended consequences of existing laws and power structures in order to transform policy and better support those experiencing substance use disorder and in recovery

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ABSTRACTS

172

EFFECT OF ANION SIZE IN ELECTROCHEMICAL DOPING PROCESS ON THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF CONJUGATED POLYMER MATERIALS

Pryor, Carter

Session 2: Poster # 41

Faculty mentor(s): Kenneth Graham

Discipline: Chemical Sciences

Semiconductor technology is the backbone of the digital age. Semiconductors are the key components in the transistors that enable compact devices, in scientific instrumentation like X-ray detectors and Peltier coolers, and in energy technologies like solar cells. However, though traditional inorganic semiconductors are well-studied, they are expensive, structurally rigid, and made from rare elements like Germanium and Gallium. Novel organic semiconductors made from conjugated polymers have potential to generate semiconductors that are cheap, flexible, and not reliant on rare materials, but there is still much that is not understood about these materials. One important parameter for polymer semiconductors is the counterion used. Doping a polymer results in a net charge on the polymer backbone which must be balanced by a counterion entering the bulk. Existing literature is split on the effect of the counterion on the electronic properties of the film; some sources suggest that it has no effect, while others suggest that there is an influence. Understanding this discrepancy is further confounded by typical "chemical doping" approaches, making quantifying the number of charge carriers in a polymer material difficult. To better understand the effect of the counterion, we investigated the spectroelectrochemistry of the conjugated polymers Blue-3 and PDPP-4T by electrochemical doping using two electrolytes of different sizes – LiBF4 and NaBARF. We then characterize the films by UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. The energies of peaks in the electronic spectra indicate that a larger counterion is associated with lower energy charges on the polymer backbone. Further characterization of PDPP-4T by EPR Spectroscopy and measurement of its thermoelectric properties (conductivity, Seebeck coefficient) also indicated that counterion size plays a significant role in determining these properties, and that a lower energy charge is more delocalized along the polymer backbone. Our results demonstrate that counterion size is important for the electronic properties of conjugated polymer materials.

MORE THAN A MONOLITH: HOW THE 'MODEL MINORITY' MYTH IMPACTS ASIAN/ASIAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS' MATH EXPERIENCES

Rahman, Sanjana

Session 2: Poster # 49

Faculty mentor(s): Pooja Sidney

Discipline: Education

By understanding students’ social context, we can better understand and support their mathematics learning. For example, Black and Latine students’ sense of belonging is related to STEM persistence (Barbieri & Miller-Cotto, 2021). However, little research has addressed math experiences of Asian/Asian-American (A/AA) students. Anecdotal accounts indicate that Asian students experience the “model minority” myth when their mathematics competence is evaluated against the stereotype of a perfect student or the “model minority” than actual performance (Blackburn, 2019). To our knowledge, there is little to no empirical research on how the “model minority” myth (MMM) impacts students’ perception of mathematical experiences. In this study, we explore Asian/Asian-Americans’ prior experiences with the “model minority” myth in mathematics, including understanding whether A/AAs endorse the ideas of the myth. Also, we examine how priming the “model minority” stereotype affects A/AAs math performance. Undergraduate A/AA students (N = 25) were randomly assigned to read about the MMM or read a control paragraph before a series of simple algebra problems. Then, they answered questions about their experiences with math, thoughts about and experiences with the MMM, and social dominance orientation. Data collection is ongoing and will conclude in April 2024. It is hypothesized that priming the “model minority” stereotype will cause heightened pressure among A/AA students leading to decreased performance. We will explore patterns among different ethnic and cultural subgroups. Additionally, we will qualitatively examine themes in A/AA students’ written responses about their experiences with the MMM. This research will make a novel contribution to the literature on student experiences in math by increasing the understanding of diverse perspectives in undergraduate education. In addition, it will further elucidate both the role of social identity in learning and also how shifts and emerges in identity might affect development.

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ABSTRACTS

173

CAN A BRIEF, COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER REDUCE SUICIDALITY?

Rahman, Abrar

Session 2: Poster # 139

Faculty mentor(s): Matthew Southward, Shannon Sauer-Zavala

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) poses significant challenges, manifesting through interpersonal, emotional, and behavioral disturbances, with a heightened risk of suicidality affecting 6-10% of individuals with BPD This study explores BPD Compass, a novel, personality-based cognitive-behavioral treatment designed to efficiently reduce BPD symptoms. Methods: In a sequential analysis of a randomized waitlist-controlled trial followed by a naturalistic study 95 predominantly female (83%), white (94%), and sexual and gender minority (56%) adult participants reported the degree of self-destructive acts, suicidal thoughts, lack of control over thoughts, impulses, and planning, before each of 18 weekly sessions. Results: The data showed a linear decrease in all suicidal ideation and behaviors throughout BPD Compass. A multilevel exploratory factor analysis supported a single-dimensional representation of suicidality Summing up the suicidality items revealed a consistent linear decrease. Conclusion: These findings suggest that BPD Compass leads to relatively linear reductions suicidal ideation and behaviors. The results call for future research to compare these outcomes with established treatments like DBT and advocate for larger, more diverse samples to enhance generalizability The implications of this study extend to the refinement and optimization of therapeutic approaches for people grappling with BPD and suicidality

NAVIGATING THE CROOKED ROAD: A CASE-STUDY INTO THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION’S STRATEGY TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CULTURAL TOURISM

Relich, Nicholas

Session 2: Poster # 38

Faculty mentor(s): Kenneth Troske, William Hoyt, and Revell Carr

Discipline: Business & Economics

Since 1965, the federal government’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has sought to improve Appalachia’s wellbeing by funding state and local economic development projects. One recent ARC strategy is investing in projects to develop the region’s tourism sector as a means of growth, particularly “cultural tourism,” which markets Appalachia’s cultural heritage to potential visitors. This paper seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of such ARC investments based on economic theory and by performing an empirical and qualitative case-study of one such series of projects: The Crooked Road, a music heritage trail located in Southwest Virginia. Officially organized in 2004 and receiving substantial funding from the ARC, the initiative developed infrastructure and marketing campaigns to link nine major venues to establish a “creative cluster” of musicians and creative businesses. Informed by a spatial equilibrium model, this study compares existing economic impact studies of the trail with an original analysis of the region’s economic performance and industry agglomeration using a two-way fixed effects model with inverse probability weights. Initial results indicated that The Crooked Road program increased establishments, employment, and annual wages within the arts and tourism sectors by 6.3%, 9.6%, and 3.6% within the participating counties, and this effect was most pronounced in all variables between 5-11 years after treatment. However, due to the lack of parallel trends, these results remain inconclusive. This paper also incorporates stories of locals from prior interviews and statements in local news articles to contextualize the empirical discussion within a more holistic picture.

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ABSTRACTS

174

GLOW WORMS: FLUORESCENCE IN EQUINE INTESTINAL PARASITES

Rexroat, Elizabeth

Session 2: Poster # 28

Faculty mentor(s): Martin Nielsen

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The development of new anthelmintics is the most pressing issue in equine parasitology; however, antiquated worm enumeration processes are still the gold standard for testing anthelmintic efficacy Scientists have documented autofluorescence, the ability of organisms to emit light in the ultraviolet-visible spectral range, and have successfully used fluorescent dyes to aid in enumeration processes with microscopy This study used epi-fluorescence microscopy to evaluate adult equine strongylids and intestinal content samples for evidence of autofluorescence. Additionally, we investigated the effect on mean gray values (MGVs) after exposure to four fluorescent dyes on individual worms extracted from fresh intestinal content and worms preserved in one of three media: 10% buffered neutral formalin (BNF), 70% ethanol, or 100% ethanol. We documented autofluorescence in worms with an MGV of 35.97 ± 14.66 (standard deviation). Worm MGVs were significantly higher (p<0.001) than contents, suggesting worm autofluorescence could be a practical method for collecting and enumerating worms in contents. Interestingly, worms preserved in 10% BNF or 70% ethanol had significantly higher autofluorescent MGVs than controls (p<0.01), demonstrating that preservation media affect autofluorescence. After testing the dyes, only one, Blankophor, positively affected MGVs. When assessing the MGVs of preserved worms, Blankophor significantly increased MGVs (p>0.001) across all preservation media types compared to the autofluorescent MGVs of the controls. Here we document, for the first time, autofluorescence of equine strongylids at significantly higher levels than the surrounding luminal contents; however, preservation media significantly enhance this ability. Any reduction in autofluorescence of preserved worms can be overcome with a fluorescent dye regardless of the type of preservation media. These data can catalyze future investigations into using autofluorescence or fluorescent dyes to improve worm count methodologies in veterinary parasitology

INVESTIGATION OF SPALLATION IN THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Rhoads, Kate

Session 2: Poster # 65

Faculty mentor(s): Alexandre Martin

Discipline: Engineering

Ablative thermal protection systems (TPS) are used to shield internal components of space vehicles from intense heating during atmospheric descent. Mass loss of ablators due to the ejection of particles from the bulk material is known as spallation. During this process, particles of the TPS break off and join the flow, resulting in increased surface recession. Recent work has been completed on the development of a probability density function for particle ejection location based on arc-jet tests conducted at the NASA Aerodynamic Heating Facility (AHF). Previously, various tests were conducted at NASA’s Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HyMETS) facility High-speed images, particle tracking velocimetry analysis, facility measurements, and the Kentucky Aerothermodynamics and Thermal-response System (KATS) have been used to develop models of the HyMETS samples. This data has been analyzed for both comparison to AHF results and the ultimate goal of developing an empirical model to more accurately predict the spallation phenomenon.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

175

DETERMINING SPECIFICITY IN A HIGH-QUALITY LIBRARY OF PERVASIVE BINDING PROTEINS

Rice, Elizabeth

Session 2: Poster # 29

Faculty mentor(s): Luke Bradley

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Antibodies, renowned for their precision in antigen (i.e. binding target) recognition and specificity, exhibit limitations as specific-binding therapeutics due to their large size and complex structures. To overcome these drawbacks, alternative protein scaffolds with stringent binding specificities and smaller sizes are explored through protein library design. This study focuses on the mammalian central calcium-regulating protein calmodulin (CaM) as an alternative scaffold. In the cell, CaM recognizes and binds to hundreds of cellular targets to transmit calcium signaling. Previous work from our group has shown that introducing diversity into this highly-conserved sequence is tolerated to generate a large, high-quality protein library of synthetic CaM. Characterization of over 77 randomly selected sequences confirmed that individual sequences can be overexpressed in bacteria and purified. Additional structural characterization showed conformation differences amongst individual members upon the binding of calcium, and different protein folding stabilities in the unbound (apo) form. Our hypothesis posits an inverse correlation between stability in the unbound form and increased binding specificity with novel targets. To test this hypothesis, we selected three CaM variants (P7, B7, and B9) with reduced apoprotein stability compared to wild-type (WT) CaM, and three variants (K4, P5, and B6) with enhanced apoprotein stability and measured changes in binding specificity through rodent brain pull-down assays. Our data show that members with decreased apoprotein stability lead to increased binding specificity and affinity, thereby supporting our overall hypothesis. The outcomes of this investigation with this model protein, yield new insights into protein library design of alternative scaffolds with increased binding recognition and specificity, to help accelerate discovery and development of protein-based tools for research and the treatment of diseases.

MATHEMATICAL-PROGRAMMING MODELING OF POWER-ELECTRONICS-BASED SYSTEMS

Robey, Jack

Session 2: Poster # 66

Faculty mentor(s): Aaron Cramer

Discipline: Engineering

Various implementations of power-electronics-based systems are emerging as transportation undergoes electrification, renewable energy systems are becoming more widespread, and innovative micro-grid and nano-grid technologies are being developed. The evolution of these applications has increased the demand for a deeper understanding of power flow dynamics within these systems. Traditional system models use basic power system parameters such as line impedance, capacitance, inductance, and current to model power flow at the transient level. However, the complexity and runtime demand of these models often make them impractical for early-stage conceptualization and exploration. Instead, emphasis is placed on analyzing overall system capacity, load requirements, and environmental conditions through dynamic analysis, which provides a more efficient approach to system design. Current research in the modeling of these systems has advanced significantly, particularly in the utilization of mathematical-programming techniques that capture the dynamic behavior of the system. Mathematical-programming involves solving a constrained optimization problem where the maximum or minimum value of the computation is usually desired. In the case of power-electronics-based systems, the problem is designed to maximize allocation of power to each individual load, considering fluctuations in electricity consumption and generation due to ramping characteristics of generators and energy storage units. Although this approach has been developed and advanced by various researchers, a formal description of the technique does not exist in the literature. This research aims to fill this gap by outlining a method that incorporates system physics and control characteristics. By doing so, simulation of the controller can be executed without a complete representation of the system, facilitating early-stage design. Additionally, a case study will be conducted to demonstrate the application of this method to a notional dc microgrid.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

176

IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF ALUMINUM ALLOY AA7075 MACHINING

Rohrer, Charles

Session 2: Poster # 67

Faculty mentor(s): Julius Schoop

Discipline: Engineering

AA7075 aluminum alloy is commonly used to create structural components for airframes in the aerospace industry This requires machining of the alloy to achieve a final shape and surface finish. Machining Induced Residual Stress (MIRS) is an important consideration in machined surface finishes. A hole drilling technique was used in this study to determine the MIRS of AA7075 alloy at varying depths to create a depth profile of the MIRS. These depth profiles were constructed for varying depths of cuts and tool geometries to determine their effect on MIRS.

HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF RIGHT-ATRIAL PECTINATE MUSCLES FROM SAMPLES OF FAILING AND NON-FAILING HUMAN HEARTS

Ruml, Hollings

Session 2: Poster # 107

Faculty mentor(s): Kenneth Campbell, Gregory Milburn, and Andrew Yackzan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Of the four chambers of the heart, the right atrium (RA) operates at the lowest pressure and primarily acts as a reservoir to fill the right ventricle (RV). Though it functions like the left atrium, its endocardial (chamber-facing) surface is markedly different. The left atrial endocardium is smooth while right atrial endocardium has a parallel ribbed appearance. The muscle bands are described as pectinate structures. Very few studies have investigated them. RA samples were collected from patients with heart failure and non-failing organs not accepted for donation. Through-wall sections of the RA were taken from these hearts, placed into OCT, flash frozen in liquid nitrogen, and then cryosectioned at 10 microns. Samples were sectioned transmurally to obtain a transverse view of the RA wall and longitudinally to view the pectinate muscles. These sections were then stained with picrosirius red to visualize fibrosis, stained red, and myocardium, stained yellow Image analysis was performed in MATLAB to measure the relative fibrosis of the myocardium and the thickness of the RA wall. Linear mixed models in SAS were used to compare the failing and non-failing myocardium. The exterior surface of the RA is entirely encapsulated with fibrosis while the endocardial surface contains the pectinate muscles. When viewed in cross-section, pockets of densely packed fibrosis can be seen throughout the pectinate muscles. Interestingly, when sectioned longitudinally these fibrotic spots appear to run in parallel to the cardiomyocytes. These collagen rods decrease the contractile tissue per area but may provide structural support to the RA wall, which does not need to generate much pressure but fills during diastole. Ongoing work will investigate how these histological assays associate with clinical data including cardiac chamber pressures and EKGs.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

177

EFFECT OF DIM LIGHT AT NIGHT ON 24-HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE RHYTHM IN MICE

Sami, Dema

Session 2: Poster # 30

Faculty mentor(s): Brian Delisle

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Blood pressure follows a 24-hour rhythm as it rises during the day, the active period, and dips at night, the inactive period. A typical dipping event is defined by a 10% or more drop in blood pressure. Non-dipping occurs if the blood pressure drops by less than 10%. Non-dipping is associated with blood pressure rhythmic disruption. Blood pressure rhythm is impacted by the light-dark cycle. A disruption is correlated with an increased risk of hypertension, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. Studies have discussed regulating food timing intake to recover blood pressure dipping. We hypothesized that time-restricted feeding can restore blood pressure rhythm in mice under dim light at night. We implanted telemetry devices in male and female mice (n=5-6/sex) to continuously measure the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Mice were placed in thermoneutrality to stabilize the effect of temperature regulation. The mice were exposed to a 12-hour light to dark cycle (LD) for one week and a 12-hour light to dim light at night cycle (dLAN-ALF) for two weeks with ad libitum feeding (ALF) for both cycles. Next, mice were placed in a 12-hour light to dim light at night cycle (dLAN-RF) with time-restricted feeding (RF) for one week. Results showed that all mice followed a 24-hour rhythm in blood pressure that increased in the dark hours, active period, and dipped in the light hours, rest period, in LD condition. Under dLAN-ALF, female and male mice were significantly non-dipping as the blood pressure percentage change decreased for systolic (11% to 6%), diastolic (11.5% to 7%), and MAP (11.5% to 9%) from LD to dLAN-ALF. Restricted feeding returned the light-hours dipping in all blood pressure parameters to the LD levels. We concluded that time-restricted feeding restores 24-hour blood pressure rhythmicity in mice under dim light at night.

CRIMINAL COMPLEXITIES OF THE “CO-ED KILLER”: AN ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ED KEMPER’S VIOLENT BEHAVIORS

Saylor, Savannah

Session 2: Poster # 140

Faculty mentor(s): Chana Akins

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

The relationship between neurobiological and environmental mechanisms underlying violent behavior has been debated by researchers for decades. Today, it is well-known that the combined influence of biological and environmental factors, as well as the independent influences of these characteristics, contributes significantly to the development of an individual’s personality and behaviors. However, the extent to which each of these factors affects the development of violent behaviors in certain individuals is still not well understood. With this in mind, the guiding question of this case study is: ‘To what extent do biological and environmental factors cause certain individuals, such as Ed Kemper, to commit violent acts?’ Ed Kemper, also known as the “Co-Ed Killer,” is an American serial killer who was active in the 1960s and early 1970s in Santa Cruz, California. He is responsible for the brutal murder of at least 10 individuals between 1964 and 1973. His victims included his mother, his paternal grandparents, and numerous young female college students. Kemper endured a less-than-ideal upbringing. He was raised in a highly dysfunctional, abusive household and is also believed to have suffered from antisocial personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. Through analysis of Kemper’s life, this study will examine the degree to which both neurobiological and environmental factors of his childhood and early adult life contributed to the development of Ed Kemper’s violent behaviors.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

178

THE EFFECT OF GV-58, A CALCIUM CHANNEL MODIFIER, ON SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION AT THE LARVAL DROSOPHILA AND CRAYFISH NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTIONS.

Schwamburger, Jackson

Session 2: Poster # 31

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Cooper

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

The compound named GV-58 is being examined in rodent models as a proof of concept for a possible therapeutic agent in patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). It is suggested that GV-58 targets presynaptic voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) of the “P-subtype” The VGCCs at the presynaptic motor nerve terminals of the larval Drosophila and crayfish neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are also of a “P-subtype” Some evidence suggests that GV-58 is a modifier of these types of calcium channels and keeps the channels open longer Thus, more Ca2+ would enter into the presynaptic nerve terminal and result in enhanced amount of transmitter release when the nerve is stimulated. To extend the proof of concept to other model organisms for experimentation, we are using the larval Drosophila and crayfish neuromuscular junctions to examine the effects of exposure to GV-58 while evoking synaptic transmission. The synaptic responses at the larval Drosophila NMJs have shown mixed responses to exposure of 0.01 and 0.1 mM with no consistent trend. The effects of GV-58 are now being examined for effects at the NMJs of crayfish. The importance of these two model preparations is that the synaptic responses on the muscle do not produce action potentials but are graded responses. Thus, if more or less transmitter is released the graded responses will be affected and can be used as an index to the action of GV-58. In addition, both preparations show synaptic facilitation due to residual Ca2+ build up in the presynaptic nerve terminal with short pulse trains of stimulation. As another index to the potential effects of GV-58 altering residual Ca2+, the amount of facilitation is being quantified. There is no consistent effects on facilitation at the larval Drosophila NMJs. The effects on the NMJs of the crayfish are still being examined.

PALEOFIRE AND PALEOENVIRONMENTAL DYNAMICS

REVEALED IN JACKSON LAKE SEDIMENTS (GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING, USA)

Schweitzer, Syd

Session 2: Poster # 75

Faculty mentor(s): Giliane Rasbold and Michael McGlue

Discipline: Environmental Studies

Jackson Lake, located in the Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) Wyoming, is characterized by an alpine climate that is influenced by the Teton range, which receives heavy winter precipitation annually The lake is surrounded by coniferous forest and shrublands, and seasonal wildfires are common. Despite its unique geological setting, which includes earthquakes, hydrothermal activity, and a history of late Quaternary glaciation, much remains unknown about environmental changes in Grand Teton National Park, including the paleofire history. This study analyzes a 13.83 m sediment core from Jackson Lake to reconstruct the fire history using fossil charcoal, as well as signals of limnological change using bulk organic geochemistry. The core, dated using radiocarbon, covers the Early Holocene (~10.4 cal ka BP) to the present, with an average sedimentation rate of 0.14 cm/yr Samples of known volume were collected every 5 cm of the core, yielding 300 samples for analysis. Given the age-depth model, this sampling provides decadal temporal resolution for the charcoal and geochemical proxies. After standard pretreatment and sieving of the samples, the fossil charcoal was examined under a stereomicroscope in gridded petri dishes, counted, and statistically enumerated. Charcoal morphological characteristics, such as size and shape, were also documented. These parameters provide insights on the intensity and scale of paleofire events, and the identification of the plant types involved (e.g., grasses versus trees). In addition, samples underwent geochemical analyses, focusing on TOC, TN, δ13C, and δ15N. Preliminary results indicate TOC variability, with lower concentrations near the bottom of the core (~2 wt. %), and higher concentrations at the top (3.6 wt. %). Research is ongoing, and the outcomes of this study seek to contribute to understandings of the history of fire dynamics in GTNP This knowledge will have implications for broader ecological studies and management strategies related to fire in GTNP

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

179

TAKING A BITE OF THE “FEEDBACK SANDWICH”: HOW ORDER AND RATIO OF NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE FEEDBACK AFFECTS COLLEGE STUDENTS

Shaf, Elizabeth

Session 2: Poster # 141

Faculty mentor(s): Pooja Sidney

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

We receive feedback every day (Mory, 2004), however, feedback does not always improve our behavior (Bangert-Drowns et al., 1991). In this study, we aim to examine whether the content and format of feedback affects its efficacy Instructors are taught to use the “feedback sandwich,” defined as a critical statement (i.e., constructive feedback) surrounded by two positive ones (Procházka et al., 2020). While there is some evidence supporting its use, the reason for the feedback sandwich’s efficacy remains unclear Perhaps the mere presence of positive feedback improves performance or perhaps the 2:1 ratio is critical. Furthermore, perhaps giving positive feedback first “softens the blow” The goal of the current study is to examine whether the effects of the “feedback sandwich” are due to the ratio and/or order of constructive and positive feedback. Undergraduate students (N = 160) will be randomly assigned to receive constructive feedback in a 2 (positive feedback before or not) x 2 (positive feedback after or not) design resulting in four conditions: constructive feedback (C), constructive and then positive feedback (CP), positive and then constructive feedback (PC), or feedback sandwich (PCP). The feedback is given in the context of a writing task, with students receiving feedback after a first writing task and before a second one. We are measuring uptake of constructive feedback, self-esteem, writing anxiety, and self-efficacy Data collection is ongoing. We plan to conduct a series of 2 (positive first) x 2 (positive second) between-subjects ANOVA on all outcomes. We expect both order and ratio of positive to constructive feedback to matter for feedback uptake, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. If these hypotheses are supported, we will highlight the importance of the feedback sandwich for enhancing uptake of constructive feedback in educational settings and workplaces and provide evidence for its mechanism (i.e., higher self-esteem and self-efficacy).

UNDERSTANDING HDL AS A RISK FACTOR IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AFTER SPINAL CORD INJURY

Shahzad, Mani

Session 2: Poster # 108

Faculty mentor(s): Will Bailey

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Spinal cord injury (SCI) has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In CVD, LDL is typically considered “bad cholesterol” and HDL is considered as “good cholesterol.” However, CVD risk is more linked to the quality of HDL rather than simply the quantity. Neurotrauma induces HDL dysfunction by reducing both its quantity and quality. HDL profiles are distinct in the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral blood. The blood-brain barrier isolates the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from the blood. Therefore, we hypothesize that spinal cord injury leads to damage in the blood-brain barrier causing mixing of the blood and CSF HDL. To test that hypothesis, CSF was extracted from the cisterna magna, and venous blood was extracted from the right atrium of two rats. One of the rats was given a SCI whereas the other rat was healthy. Then, the extracted samples were run in size exclusion fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), which measured protein levels using UV absorption. The profiles of the healthy and injured rats were compared. Preliminary data reflects decreases in HDL in the injured rat in both the CSF and blood. Also, the CSF and blood profiles did not become more similar after injury, indicating that there was not clear mixing of the CSF and blood. Since the sample size only contained 2 rats, further testing is required to establish the caliber of this shift. Also, further testing can elucidate the changes in the quality of HDL after SCI. The decrease in HDL could potentially indicate the increased risk of developing CVD following SCI. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms behind the decrease in HDL may help develop remedies to mitigate the development of CVD and identify biomarkers that indicate which patients are at greatest risk of developing CVD after SCI.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

180

BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS OF ENTRY IN ARCHITECTURE WITH BLENDER

Shariar, Shamim

Session 2: Poster # 6

Faculty mentor(s): Galo Canizares

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

During the summer I explored modeling software, like Rhino3D, Revit, and Blender, focusing on how they are used in three-dimensional design. I discovered that Rhino3D is great for design, architecture, and engineering because of its precision in creating models. Revit is known for its Building Information Modelling (BIM) capabilities, which are essential for the architecture and construction fields, as it excels in creating building models. However, what really grabbed my attention was Blender, with its range of rendering features that can be applied across industries beyond just architecture. As I delved into using these software tools, I noticed their modeling approaches. Blender stood out to me with its flexibility and diverse modeling options supported by add-ons like Grasswald or Geometry Nodes, making it perfect for modeling and intricate designs. On the one hand, Rhino3Ds NURBS-based modeling precision suited my needs well for geometric constructions. Meanwhile, Revit’s parametric modeling capabilities helped streamline my workflow when designing building components, even though its focus on BIM was narrower compared to Blender’s versatile application range. Each software had a support system in place. Blender had a massive community offering a wealth of resources such, as tutorials and forums that made problem-solving much easier. Revit and Rhino3D also had online resources available, however, the immediate support and depth of assistance were less robust than what Blenders open source community provided. When comparing the rendering speeds for 4K images, across these programs, Blender’s efficiency was superior. This, coupled with its open-source nature, not only makes Blender appealing for freedom but also a practical tool for experienced artists and beginners alike. After conducting my research, I highly recommend Blender as a starting point for entering the world of 3D design and architecture. Its user-friendly interface extensive features and supportive community truly set it apart from its counterparts like Rhino3D and Revit making it a versatile tool suitable, for technical purposes.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF SATELLITE GEOMETRY ON DRAG IN VERY LOW EARTH ORBIT (VLEO)

USING DIRECT SIMULATION MONTE CARLO (DSMC) ANALYSIS

Shaverin, Aleksei

Session 2: Poster # 68

Faculty mentor(s): Savio Poovathingal Discipline: Engineering

This project aims to investigate the influence of satellite geometry on aerodynamic drag experienced by satellites operating in Very Low Earth Orbit. The primary objective is to explore the relationship between satellite aeroshell configurations and aerodynamic drag through DSMC simulations. The ultimate goal is to identify aeroshell designs that result in reductions of aerodynamic drag, providing valuable insights and recommendations for crafting satellite configurations that could potentially increase the orbiting time of a satellite in VLEO operations.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

181

INDIRECT EFFECTS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND NEIGHBORHOOD DEPRIVATION ON COPING-RELATED SUBSTANCE USE, VIA THE PATHWAY OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES

Siegel, Zachary

Session 2: Poster # 142

Faculty mentor(s): Christal Badour

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Background: Socioeconomic status is a persistent predictor of future psychopathology in disadvantaged youth. Additionally, the number of adverse childhood experiences reported is correlated with future psychology and being from a low socioeconomic neighborhood. Often, those who experience mental health problems and do not have adequate resources to be properly treated will use substances to cope. Despite socioeconomic status, adverse childhood experiences, and coping-related substance use appearing to be related, little is known about the mechanisms that drive this association. This study will investigate the indirect effects of socioeconomic status and area deprivation on coping-related substance use through the pathway of adverse childhood experiences. Method: Participants were a convenience sample of mostly 18–24-year-old students from a large southeastern university 523 students took a survey through SONA 239 were removed for not endorsing any substance use. Afterward, the study sample included 284 participants (mean age = 19.3; SD = 2.6). After completion of the survey, participants were compensated with SONA credits. The survey consisted of demographic questions, socioeconomic status questions, the Philadelphia ACEs, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT), the Substance Use Motives Measure (SUMM), and a question concerning the childhood address of the participants. Results: Controlling for gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and alcohol use/problems, there was an indirect effect of lower SES on increased social (B=-0.05, 95% CI [-0.10, -0.01]), conformity (B=-0.01, 95% CI [-0.14, -0.01]), and depression-coping motives for alcohol use (B=-.08, 95% CI [-0.16,-0.002]) via the ACEs pathway

Conclusion: This research will add to a field of research that seeks to provide both psychological and community care to disadvantaged populations. Further, it could influence how psychologists choose to measure and write about socioeconomic status.

ESTROGEN RECEPTOR Β IS NOT NECESSARY TO PROTECT DAILY EATING RHYTHMS FROM DISRUPTION BY HIGH-FAT DIET FEEDING IN FEMALE MICE

Sizemore, Slayden

Session 2: Poster # 32

Faculty mentor(s): Julie Pendergast

ABSTRACTS

184

THE IMPACT OF NOISE TYPE ON MAINTENANCE OF SPEECH STYLE IN SPONTANEOUS SPEECH

Stevens, Olivia; Wing, Corinne; Moffitt, Annie

Session 2: Poster # 111

Faculty mentor(s): Keiko Ishikawa

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Individuals with voice and speech disorders often learn new techniques in therapy, but many find it challenging to apply these in real-world communication, possibly due to environmental noise. This study investigates the impact of different noise types, specifically informational- and energetic-masking noises, on maintaining specific speech production styles. Ten healthy native speakers of American English participated in the study. They described a series of pictures from the DIAPIX corpus in both habitual and clear speech styles, in silence and while listening to two-talker noise (i.e., informational-masking noise) and reversed two-talker noise (i.e., energetic-masking noise). Their performance was acoustically assessed based on speech rate and the number of pauses in the first and last 10 seconds of their discourse. The results showed no significant changes in these parameters across the time points, indicating that the noise did not affect the talkers’ ability to maintain their speech styles. However, when combining the samples from these time points, there was a significant difference in these acoustic measures between habitual and clear speech, but only for the informational-masking noise. These findings suggest that informational-masking noise uniquely affects speech production, which has clinically significant implications for skill transfer in voice and speech therapy

DANCE WITH THE ONE THAT BROUGHT YOU: HOW THIRD-PARTY MILITARY CONTRACTORS INCITE MUTINY

Streicher, Zachary

Session 2: Poster # 145

Faculty mentor(s): Jesse Johnson

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

This paper investigates a potential relationship between private military and security companies (PMSCs) involvement and the risk of mutiny within the country that contracts these groups. Previous literature examines the determinants behind mutinies, finding that mutinies often occur due to grievances such as soldier pay The article argues that contracting PMSCs will exacerbate many of these determinants. To test this expectation, the paper draws upon previously collected datasets regarding each of these lines of research. Statistical analysis finds that there is preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis. This finding contributes to a growing body of literature on the undesired consequences of contracting PMSCs.

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185

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RATE OF PERCEIVED EXERTION, COGNITIVE DIFFICULTY, AND NEUROMUSCULAR-COGNITIVE TASK PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY, PHYSICALLY ACTIVE WOMEN

Suellentrop, Tessa

Session 2: Poster # 112

Faculty mentor(s): Matt Hoch

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Relationship between rate of perceived exertion, cognitive difficulty, and neuromuscular-cognitive task performance in healthy, physically active women

LONG-TERM EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NON-PHYTATE PHOSPHORUS ON SKELETAL IN BONE MINERALIZATION OF LAYING HENS

Trent, Brittany

Session 2: Poster # 33

Faculty mentor(s): Tayo Adedokun

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Phosphorus is routinely supplemented to poultry diets because they lack the ability to fully utilize the phytate-bound phosphorus on their plant-based diets. Deficiency of phosphorus would have negative effects of several biochemical processes in the body of the bird as well as poor skeletal and eggshell quality However, excess phosphorus in the diets could lead to environmental pollution. This study investigated the effects of feeding three levels of supplemental non-phytate phosphorus, nPP (90, 100, and 110% of requirement) on bone mineralization and bone and eggshell breaking strength in 60 week-old laying. This was evaluated in corn-soybean meal (CSBM) and wheat-corn-soybean meal (WCSBM) based diets, which were fed to seven replicate of six birds/replicate (252 hens) in a randomized complete block design with location as the blocking factor The response variables evaluated were the tibia, femur, and humerus quality using one bird per replicate. The simple and interactive effect of the treatments on bone and eggshell breaking strengths were evaluated. Data were analyzed using the Proc GLM procedure of SAs appropriate for a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. The effect of nPP on all the response variables evaluated was not significant (P > 0.05). The humerus breaking strength of hens fed the C-SBM-based diet was higher (P < 0.05) but lower (P < 0.05) tibia moisture content. Result from this study showed that there is no significant effect of 10% reduction of nPP on eggshell quality and bone mineralization of 60 week-laying hens. Keywords: Corn-soybean meal, wheat-corn-soybean meal, non-phytate phosphorus, bone mineralization, eggshell

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FABRICATION OF A COMPOSITE POLYMERIC MEMBRANE MADE WITH ECO-FRIENDLY SOLVENTS FOR WATER FILTRATION

Tseng, Sophia

Session 2: Poster # 69

Faculty mentor(s): Isabel Escobar

Discipline: Engineering

Water filtration via polymeric membranes is one of the most efficient ways to assure access to clean water However, most membranes are made with petroleum-derived solvents which can be toxic to work with during fabrication and negatively impact the environment. In the interest of sustainability, research on alternative materials has shown that green solvents such as Rhodiasolv® PolarClean and gamma-valerolactone (GVL) can be used in conjunction with the polymers polysulfone (PSF) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to fabricate membranes with high permeability associated with PSF and selectivity of PVDF The objective of this research is to make a composite membrane using both polymers so that the filter can have the benefits of both. A composite membrane like this has not been made before, as it is difficult to cast the two layers simultaneously due to different viscosities, repulsive charges, and delamination. By characterizing PVDF and PSF membranes separately and then using different casting methods to combine them, a solution to this challenge can be found to cast a composite membrane. PSF and PVDF membranes were characterized by observing the phase inversion rate, diffusivity, water contact angle, pore structure, and permeability Then, different casting methods were examined, first in lab scale casting with a doctor blade extrusion and then in scaled casting with a slot die coater It was found that having a similar viscosity and rate of phase inversion aided in making a stable composite membrane. A sustainable composite membrane made of both PVDF and PSF will provide the benefits of both a higher flux and selectivity to increase the efficiency of water filtration. The main function of the composite membrane will be to filter out particles such as proteins, bacteria, and viruses to prevent disease.

STRESS AND BURNOUT OF SCHOOL-BASED AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION TEACHERS: A GENDER COMPARISON

Tucker, Gage

Session 2: Poster # 51

Faculty mentor(s): Rebekah Epps

Discipline: Education

School-based Agricultural Education (SBAE) teachers experience varying levels of job-related stress, given the multifaceted nature of their role in their school and community Over the last two decades, SBAE has undergone changes such as gender equity and better representation of practicing and pre-service educators, as well as science integration in curricular and standards alignment. These changes may have impacted the stress levels experienced by SBAE teachers. To determine differences in stress levels and overall job satisfaction between genders of SBAE teachers, a survey of Kentucky educators was conducted. Teachers self-reported their feelings of stress, burnout, and depersonalization in a series of questions that evaluated their overall job satisfaction in the career field. SBAE teachers reported a general satisfaction in their careers but differences between respondents of varying genders and ages are prevalent. Findings from this viewpoint assist in illustrating a more well-rounded analysis of career-induced stress and burnout that SBAE teachers experience. Findings are important for state-level SBAE staff, consultants, and teacher educators to identify areas of support for teachers and provide the necessary resources for them to be successful in their careers.

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187

THE IMPACTS OF POLICY ADAPTATIONS TO TELEMEDICINE DURING COVID-19: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THOSE WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER ON REDDIT

Van Guilder, Angelique

Session 2: Poster # 146

Faculty mentor(s): Yu Chi

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Given the escalating opioid crisis and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study seeks to delve into the evolving landscape of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred several changes that directly impacted OUD treatment, resulting in the rapid implementation and expansion of telemedicine. There is a dearth of research examining the experiences and perspectives of individuals with OUD regarding telemedicine. To fill this gap, the current study examines data from Reddit, a popular and anonymous online community, to capture candid discussions about accessing OUD treatment. Data was collected from r/ Conversely, Reddit's largest community (i.e., subreddit) dedicated to opioid recovery, spanning from January 01, 2021 to May 5, 2022. We conducted a thematic content analysis to explore the perspectives and experiences related to OUD treatment, with a particular focus on telemedicine. The findings implicated that the policy changes resulted in the implementation and expansion of telemedicine services which specifically increased access and mitigated barriers to medications for OUD and mental health counseling resources. These changes helped make treatment more accessible by reducing wait times, financial burdens, health complications and distance to treatment, especially for those facing multiple simultaneous barriers. However, challenges arose in navigating policy changes, affecting both telemedicine providers and patients. Efforts should be devoted to evaluating the feasibility of permanently maintaining the policy changes, or while long-term implications can be researched. Opportunities to improve equitable access to telemedicine for people with OUD should be further explored.

INFLUENCE OF SEX AND RESIDENCY ON NORTHERN CARDINAL WINTERING BEHAVIOR

Vilt, Dexter

Session 2: Poster # 34

Faculty mentor(s): David Westneat

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Social behavior plays an important role in how animals navigate their environment. Behaviors like aggression that are used to establish and defend a territory also pose energetic costs and risk physical harm in altercations. Therefore, if the benefits or costs posed by this behavior differ between individuals, then levels of aggression may too. This study examines the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), a socially monogamous passerine that is non-migratory and thought to defend territory year-round. Differential benefits of aggression may exist between the sexes in that males are thought to be mostly but not entirely responsible for territorial defense. Although there is no nest to defend in the winter, having better control of nesting territory in the winter has been shown to translate to control in the Spring. Consequently, if males and previous breeders are more site faithful, they may have smaller home ranges than females. Winter population demography is also influenced by the presence of ‘floater’ individuals who are either recently fledged or new to the area and must therefore interact with residents, often aggressively, to determine dominance patterns. For the past 2 semesters, I have been recording feeding stations at EREC to gather data about the ranges of these birds and how they interact. I predict that males will be dominant over females, and will have a smaller home range and exhibit more aggression. I predict that floater birds will be more aggressive than residents. Finally, I predict that dominance will decrease, and aggression will increase with distance from an individual’s core territory

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188

HOST PREFERENCE AND BODY SIZE: EXPLORING MATING BEHAVIORS IN NEODIPRION SAWFLY SPECIES

Vittitoe, Nathaniel; Rios, Rosbelly; Barton, Isabella

Session 2: Poster # 35

Faculty mentor(s): Catherine Linnen, Ryan Ridenbaugh

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

When a trait influences organismal fitness through both ecological and mating success, divergence in that trait can initiate speciation. To investigate such traits, this study focused on Neodiprion lecontei and Neodiprion pinetum, pine sawfly species with a strong specificity of host use since they feed, breed, and lay eggs in their host. On average, N. lecontei is larger in body size, and females prefer not to use white pines, which have very thin needles. In contrast, N. pinetum is smaller, and females strongly prefer the white pine. Previous research indicates that males are most successful in mating with females that are not too much bigger than them. To investigate male body size and host preferences, male sawfly samples were collected from pheromone trap boxes placed on various pine and non-pine trees from 2019. Body length and host tree were recorded for each male sample and identified to species using a diagnostic PCR assay It is hypothesized that N. lecontei will often be collected at a higher ratio from non-white pines, while N. pinetum will be most present in white pine traps and body size will also influence trapping success. Surprisingly, the results indicate that the host used for mate-searching is not a statistically significant determinant of body length, after accounting for species. However, it was found that N. pinetum males display a strong host preference when searching for females, while N. lecontei had no significant host preference. In the study comparing N. pinetum and N. lecontei, three significant observations were made. First, N. pinetum males consistently displayed smaller body size. Second, N. pinetum males exhibited a strong host preference when seeking females, while N. lecontei did not show significant host preferences. Finally, after accounting for species differences, male body size remained consistent across the two hosts.

THE INTERSECTION OF KINESTHETIC EMPATHY AND OBSERVATION THROUGH PRACTICE LED RESEARCH

Walker, Kate

Session 2: Poster # 7

Faculty mentor(s): Susie Thiel

Discipline: Arts, Design, and Performing Arts

When watching concert dance, observers unconsciously process movement information by forming reflections of their own experiences, resulting in an emotional connection. The artist, however, also has a part in forming meaning around something they create. If meaning is formed in the creation of the work by the artist, and also through observation by an audience, where does meaning reside? The relationship shared between the artist and their audience is valuable, so something must connect these two groups. An artist’s job is to suggest meaning through their work, but once the piece is subject to observation, the process of kinesthetic empathy takes over. Kinesthetic empathy is “the ability to experience empathy merely by observing the movement of another human being” (Reynold and Reason). Kinesthetic empathy is possible through motor simulations, which act as our personal code for processing movement visually The outcome is new meaning informed by the unique histories of individuals. This paper examines kinesthetic empathy through a study in which participants provide feedback on a dance film. These responses show the implications of kinesthetic empathy being the formation of empathy and intersubjective communication. Audience feedback exhibits truths that are direct extensions of the dance.

Empathy acts as the binder that connects the perspectives of artists and viewers alike. This study applies research on kinesthetic empathy to concert dance practices and demonstrates how connections are built through communal experiences based in movement.

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IMPACT OF SALIENT SCOTUS CASES ON AMERICAN VOTER TURNOUT

Walli, Anamei

Session 2: Poster # 80

Faculty mentor(s): Michael Zillis

Discipline: Humanities

The Supreme Court is a powerful institution with remarkable influence over American governance, yet little research has investigated its impact on electoral behavior This study seeks to address this gap by examining the relationship between the release of salient SCOTUS decisions and voter turnout. Utilizing 2012 data on the landmark healthcare ruling National Federation of Independent Business v Sibelius (2012) from the American Panel Survey (TAPS), we employ a logistic regression model to assess the correlation between the release of a salient SCOTUS decision and an individual’s intent to vote and actual voter turnout. We examine whether salient SCOTUS cases positively influence American voters’ intent to participate in upcoming elections, and whether the release of these decisions effectively drive American voters to the polls. Through this analysis, we reveal important implications for the social influence wielded by the Supreme Court and the numerous facets of civic engagement within the American electoral process.

CORRELATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND STATE FUNDING IN KENTUCKY'S APPALACHIAN AND NON-APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

Walton, Olivia

Session 2: Poster # 52

Faculty mentor(s): Cory Curl

Discipline: Education

Access to education in Kentucky, especially in the Appalachian region, has never been equal due to the state’s delay in including educational provisions in its Constitution and, consequently, inconsistencies in funding for public schools. The purpose of this research is to determine if there is a correlation between public funding and academic performance among Kentucky public schools, focusing on the difference in funding and performance in Appalachian counties versus non-Appalachian counties. This research utilizes datasets from the Kentucky Department of Education, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the United States Census Bureau to identify and compare differences in academic performance, access to advanced coursework, degree completion, and received state funding. Preliminary findings suggest that the current distribution of state educational funding is not creating equitable educational opportunities for all Kentucky students, especially for those living in the Appalachian region of the state.

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MUON TRACK RECONSTRUCTION AT THE FERMILAB G-2 EXPERIMENT

West, Caleb

Session 2: Poster # 120

Faculty mentor(s): Renee Fatemi

Discipline: Physical Sciences & Astronomy

Precision measurements of the static properties of leptons and baryons are increasingly important in an era where signatures of Beyond the Standard Model physics remain conspicuously absent from experiments operating at the energy frontier The anomalous magnetic moment of the muon aμ = (g-2)/2 can be theoretically calculated and measured to extraordinary precision, permitting a unique sensitivity to contributions from new particles and forces. The muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab seeks to measure aμ to 140 parts-per-billion, which would be the highest precision measurement to date. During certain trials of the experiment, a scattering target was placed inside of the muon storage ring to send colliding muons into the trackers on the side of the ring. By comparing the extrapolated measurements of the muon’s paths to the known location of the scattering target in the ring, the straw trackers can be calibrated and the accuracy with which the muon tracks are reconstructed can be assessed to improve future analysis. This poster presents results from a simulation of the experiment that will be used to develop the tools necessary to analyze data from the tracker target.

DENTAL HEALTH ACCESSIBILITY IN KENTUCKY: AN 18-YEAR COMPARISON

White, Drew

Session 2: Poster # 113

Faculty mentor(s): Marcia V. Rojas Ramirez

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background and aim: Access to dental care in Kentucky is a significant issue that affects many individuals, especially those who live in a more rural area or have a low income. Kentucky is composed of 120 counties of which 54 correspond to counties in Eastern Kentucky within the Appalachian region, a well-known area of significantly reduced access to dental care. Methods: Data from all licensed dentists in KY during 2022 was used to conduct the analyses. The results were compared to a comprehensive report which analyzed these same outcomes back in 2006. Descriptive statistics are presented to define the sample. Results: We identified 2,369 dentists practicing in KY during 2022 compared to 2,351 identified back in 2006, indicating a net gain of 18 dentists over 18 years (less than 1% increase). However, the population in KY exhibited an increase of 6.9% between the same years. The sample of dentists was predominantly male (65%), with a mean age of 50.7 (13.9). General dentists involved 75% of the sample, with 25% being specialists, and only 4.6% of them having a master’s degree or higher Orthodontists had the highest distribution with 8.3%, followed by oral surgeons with 5.8%, and pediatric dentists with 5.1%. In terms of distribution, 25.7% of the providers were in Jefferson County, and 15.5% in Fayette County, which means that over 40% of the dentists are in 2% of the KY counties. No dentists in Fulton, Jackson, Ballard, or Robertson. Most representation in Jefferson. Further analysis of the dentist to population ratio will be provided at the poster presentation. Conclusions: Identifying changes in the oral health workforce over 18 years would allow assessment of whether accessibility to services is keeping up with population increase. It will identify the changing regions and provide insights on dental deserts and areas that should be considered for future public health planning.

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CONTEXTUALIZING INOCULATION THEORY ACROSS DISCIPLINES: DEVELOPING THE FIRST INOCULATION THEORY HANDBOOK

Wilder, Alyssa; Snyder, Cameron; Bates, Dailynn

Session 2: Poster # 147

Faculty mentor(s): Kimberly Parker and Bobi Ivnov

Discipline: Social & Behavioral Sciences

McGuire (1964) proposed the original inoculation theory in response to the success of two-sided messages. He proposed two core mechanisms for the theory, threat and counterarguing, as responsible for generating resistance. In line with the medical analogy of increasing the human body’s awareness of potential infection, the threat component increases individuals’ motivation to counterargue (McGuire, 1964). The second component, counterarguing, in line with the biomedical process, is analogous to the human body fighting an infection by producing antibodies. As the "grandparent theory of resistance to attitude change" (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993, p. 561), inoculation theory has been applied across a range of communication contexts, including commercial (e.g., Ivanov, Pfau, & Parker, 2009; Pfau, 1992), education (e.g., Compton & Pfau, 2008), interpersonal (e.g., Sutton, 2011), political (e.g., Compton & Ivanov, 2013), corporate (e.g., Dillingham & Ivanov, 2015), public relations (e.g., Wan & Pfau, 2004), cross-cultural (e.g., Ivanov et al. 2012), health (e.g., Parker, Ivanov, & Compton, 2012), and risk (e.g., Ivanov et al., 2016). These efforts have contributed to understanding the resistance-based processes associated with inoculation. As a result, our knowledge has been enriched, enabling us to design more effective inoculation strategies. This handbook brings together authors from around the globe to share their expertise and discuss how it may continue to be used for the next 60 years. Overall, this handbook will guide communication professionals in successfully utilizing inoculation among various disciplines together with authors from around the globe to share their expertise and how it may continue to be used for the next 60 years. Overall, this handbook will guide communication professionals in ways to utilize inoculation among various disciplines successfully. The undergraduate research fellows assisted faculty advisors in reviewing literature reviews, finding literature to support cases, applying contextual coverage, and editing manuscripts for the Inoculation Handbook.

HOW FAMILY MEALS INFLUENCE ADOLESCENT EATING HABITS AND SHAPE COLLEGE STUDENTS' DIETARY BEHAVIORS IN THE US

Wildermuth, Sophia

Session 2: Poster # 114

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background and Aims: Adolescents engaging in family meals thrice weekly reduces sugar-sweetened beverage intake and increases fruit, vegetable, and calcium-rich food consumption1. Research gaps exist in how adolescent family meals impact adulthood eating behaviors. The study aimed to determine the association between individuals who ate frequent family meals in high school and its effects on college student diet quality. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional pilot study was conducted and data was collected via an online Qualtrics survey. Participants, 18+, were recruited from social media, and required to be US residents and university-enrolled. Thirteen of the thirty-six survey questions addressed demographic information and former high school eating behaviors and were analyzed in Excel. The remaining twenty-three multiple-choice questions assessed the participant’s current diet quality using the Short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI) scoring system (0-100). Results: Of the 61 who participated, 30 completed the survey Most respondents were female (n=22), in-state University of Kentucky students (n=17), and non-Hispanic-White (n=26). Family dinners received the greatest participation (n=11, 7 weekly, and n=12, 5 weekly). As family dinner frequency increased, so did sHEI scores (Pearson Correlation, r=0.409). The average sHEI score of participants who reported engaging in < 3 weekly family dinners was 39.6 and ≥ 3 weekly family dinners was 46.42. BMI values decreased as family dinner frequency increased (r= -0.010). The overall mean sHEI score was 45.053 (21.71-67.26, SD 10.84). Most respondents fell short of meeting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 recommendations. Additionally, it was determined that as sHEI scores increased, BMI values decreased (r= -0.182). Conclusions: Frequent family meals (≥ 3 weekly) during adolescence may increase adulthood diet quality and decrease BMI status. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is necessary to accurately measure these effects.

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DIET-RELATED CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND PREVALENCE OF DENTAL CARIES IN KENTUCKIANS

Wildermuth, Sophia

Session 2: Poster # 115

Faculty mentor(s): Marcia Rojas Ramirez

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Background and Aims: The consumption of an unhealthy diet increases the risk of serious health issues like hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia (HLD), liver disease, high cholesterol, and dental caries. This study aimed to test the association between nutrition-related chronic disease and their impact on the prevalence of dental caries in Central Kentuckians. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 2,789 patients who visited the College of Dentistry between June 2021 and September 2022 and had complete medical and dental history Dental caries was measured as a count variable (1-32) and was characterized as a categorical variable with 4 levels (0, 1-2, 4-10, 11+). The number of medical conditions were grouped by 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. We aimed to identify differences in the prevalence of dental caries of individuals with diet-related conditions (HTN, DM, HLD, liver disease, and/or high cholesterol) compared to individuals without any nutrition-related chronic diseases. More so, we compared dental caries prevalence across those diagnosed with one, two, or three or more nutrition-related chronic diseases that were of interest to the study Sex, age, race, and ethnicity were also considered as demographic variables. Results: No statistical difference was observed between dental caries prevalence and number of nutrition-related medical conditions (0, 1, 2, and 3 or more) (p>0.05). As the number of nutrition-related medical conditions increased, caries prevalence decreased. Conclusions: No direct association between nutrition related chronic disease and dental caries prevalence was found. Nutrition is not the sole factor in dental disease development. More research is needed to determine whether nutrition-related chronic disease has pernicious effects on oral health outcomes directly

THE IMPACT OF TELEHEALTH AVAILABILITY ON DIABETES CARE FOR RURAL PATIENTS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Williams, Ava; Sedlak, Olivia; and Lyng, Jenna

Session 2: Poster # 116

Faculty mentor(s): Katie Goldey

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Introduction:Diabetes presents a significant health challenge globally, with rural areas often facing greater barriers to obtain adequate care and management. In rural settings, access to healthcare facilities, specialized professionals, and educational resources may be limited, leading to poorer health outcomes among individuals with diabetes. Telehealth, the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, offers a promising solution to address the challenges faced by rural communities in managing diabetes. Through telehealth platforms, individuals can access healthcare services, including consultations with healthcare providers, monitoring of blood sugar levels, medication management, and educational resources, without the need for physical visits to healthcare facilities. Purpose:The purpose of this literature review is to better understand the relationship between telehealth availability and diabetes care for patients in rural areas. We hope to learn more about the impact telehealth can have on health outcomes, disparities, cost, and patient empowerment & engagement. Results:This review is ongoing. Preliminary results suggest that telehealth can offer a transformative solution for individuals with diabetes in rural areas, providing convenient access to healthcare services remotely By bridging the gap in healthcare access, telehealth enhances health outcomes and reduces disparities between rural and urban populations affected by diabetes. Conclusion: In conclusion, the integration of telehealth into diabetes care in rural areas represents a pivotal step towards improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare access. This approach not only empowers patients to take control of their health but also holds the potential to transform healthcare delivery in rural communities, ultimately leading to better management of diabetes and improved quality of life for affected individuals.

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193

MICROFLUIDIC CHANNELS FOR ARTIFICIAL LUNG CONCEPT

Wilson, Molly; Samen, Sudeys

Session 2: Poster # 70

Faculty mentor(s): Christine Trinkle

Discipline: Engineering

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a temporary life support therapy for critically ill patients with severe respiratory failure, which functions as an artificial lung by removing deoxygenated blood, filtering it, and returning it to the body, offering an alternative to potentially damaging mechanical ventilation. Despite its potential benefits, ECMO is underutilized due to complications like blood clotting and bleeding, prompting the proposed research effort to employ microengineering techniques to address these issues, aiming to make ECMO a viable therapy option for millions worldwide, thereby improving survival rates and quality of life. The goal of this research is to replace the typical hollow-fiber membrane oxygenators typically used in ECMO with a novel microfluidic oxygenator This change enables greater control over blood flow, reducing the common drivers of blood clotting and immune activation. With enhanced hemocompatibility, these devices have potential in long-term artificial lung applications. Microfluidic channels were fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography of molds created using stereolithography-based 3D printing and assembled using plasma bonding. These devices underwent flow rate and pressure measurements using hydrostatic pressure to drive a glycerol solution mimicking blood viscosity. These values were compared to an analytical model based on pressure-driven incompressible flow through rectangular channels. Validation of fluid flow profiles was conducted through numerical simulations. Flow efficiency was compared between different microfluidic device geometry using colored and pigmented dye. The potential of these devices can extend the life of the oxygenators, and patients using them, and reduce or eliminate the need for dangerous anti-coagulant medication.

IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN COLLEGE AGED INDIVIDUALS

Winkle, Bryant

Session 2: Poster # 117

Faculty mentor(s): Jessica Houlihan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

This study investigates the relationship between physical activity and academic achievement among university students, focusing on GPA and extracurricular involvement as measures of academic success. The study aims to fill existing gaps in research by examining how daily physical activity relates to GPA, while also considering demographic factors and extracurricular participation. Data was collected through a Qualtrics survey distributed among students at the University of Kentucky, with a focus on individuals aged 18 to 26 without diagnosed learning disabilities or neurological disorders. This cross sectional study consisted primarily of students within the human nutrition and dietetics programs, of caucasian ethnicity aged 23. Analysis of 26 survey responses with 19 completed responses revealed significant variations in daily physical activity levels across GPA categories, with a statistically significant relationship found between GPA and daily physical activity duration (p = 0.0203) Using an Anova test. However, no significant correlations were observed between weekly exercise amounts, gender, extracurricular involvement, and GPA; these were measured using T tests, and Chi squared tests. 81% of participants were caucasian while 23.8% where men with 76.2% being women with an average physical activity level of 46.5 minutes per day or 253.8 minutes per week. Limitations include a relatively small and homogenous sample size, as well as potential biases associated with self-reported data. Future research should aim for larger and more diverse samples, including students from various academic disciplines, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Longitudinal studies could also provide insights into how physical activity and

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academic achievement evolve over time. Further research could close the existing gaps in research by discovering a stronger correlation or potential causation between physical activity and academic achievement.

THE EFFECTS OF ZINC ON PROPRIOCEPTIVE SENSORY FUNCTION AND NERVE CONDUCTION.

Yarbrough, Terra; Burnette, Tessa; Elliot, Elizabeth; Brock, Kaitlyn; Ruschman, Gretchen; Patel, Deep

Session 2: Poster # 36

Faculty mentor(s): Robin Cooper

Discipline: Biological & Life Sciences

Zinc (Zn2+) is an essential element that can promote proper organ function, cell growth, and immune response; it can also, however, be present in too great a quantity Zinc toxicity caused by overexposure may result in both minor and major physiological effects, with chronic exposure at low levels and acute exposure at high levels being harmful or even toxic. This investigation examines the effects of acute exposure to relatively high concentrations of Zn2+ on sensory nerve function and nerve conduction. A proprioceptive nerve in marine crab (Callinectes sapidus) limbs was used as a model to assess the effects of Zn2+ on stretch-activated channels (SACs) and evoked nerve conduction. Exposure to Zn2+ slowed nerve condition rapidly; however, several minutes were required before the SACs in sensory endings were affected. A depression in conduction speed and an increase followed by a decrease in amplitude were observed for the evoked compound action potential, while the frequency of nerve activity upon joint movement and stretching of the chordotonal organ significantly decreased. These altered responses could be partially reversed via extensive flushing with fresh saline to remove the zinc. This indicates that subtle, long-term exposure to Zn2+ may alter an organism’s SAC function for channels related to proprioception and nerve conduction.

ACUTE, LOW-CONCENTRATION INHALATION OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND ITS ABILITY TO INDUCE LUNG INFLAMMATION IN RATS

Zakeri, Max

Session 2: Poster # 118

Faculty mentor(s): Lu-Yuan

Discipline: Medical & Health Sciences

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a potent oxidant commonly found in automobile exhaust. Previous studies have shown that acute NO2 exposure can cause asthma-like symptoms, but mechanisms are not fully understood. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an important signaling molecule involved in airway inflammation when released into the extracellular space. My hypotheses are: 1) acute exposure to NO2 can induce a significant increase of ATP concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF); 2) NO2 exposure increases leukocyte concentrations in BALF; 3) NO2 exposure induces a more severe impact on the lungs of allergen-sensitized rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups for chronic aerosol inhalation treatments (15 min each time; 3 times per week for 3 weeks): ovalbumin (Ova) sensitization, sham sensitization with vehicle (Veh), and naïve. Four hours after the final treatment, rats breathed spontaneously room air or low concentrations of NO2 for 90 minutes in a chamber, and then the BALF was immediately collected from the rat lung during anesthesia and prepared for analyses. Acute exposure to NO2 did not cause any significant changes in the total white blood cell count in BALF but significantly increased the concentration of proinflammatory eosinophils in all 3 treatment groups. The baseline (room air) concentration of ATP in BALF was markedly elevated in the Ova-sensitized group (n=7; P<0.05) than those of Veh and Naïve groups. Furthermore, in both Veh and naïve groups, exposure to NO2 caused an increase in the ATP concentration in BALF in a NO2 concentration-dependent manner (n=7 in each group; P<0.05). However, this effect was attenuated in the allergen-sensitized group (n=7, P>0.05); the underlying mechanism will require further investigation.

SESSION 2: POSTER

ABSTRACTS

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