Undergraduate Research Projects The Role of the IL-33/ST2 ... List of Projects with Abstracts March 20.pdf · ST2 is important in the development of sepsis and lung injury in humans

Undergraduate Research Projects

The Role of the IL-33/ST2 Pathway in Ugandan Children with Severe Malaria Pontian Adogamhe (Chandy John, Dibyadyuti Datta, Katrina Co) Chemistry, Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Indiana University School of Medicine

Around 3 billion individuals are at risk of malaria globally, and sub-Saharan Africa carries over 90% of the disease burden. While aggressive efforts have decreased malaria prevalence in the past ten years, an estimated 219 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide in 2017, with a mortality of 435,000 people. Malaria can deteriorate to severe malaria (SM), which can manifest as cerebral malaria (CM) and severe malarial anemia (SMA). CM is one of the leading causes of mortality in children under 5. Therefore, there is a need to identify biomarkers to provide better diagnostics and guide treatment. ST2, a receptor that is part of the ST2/IL-33 axis, regulates MyD88/NF-kB signaling pathway and enhances the function of different immune cells such as Th2, and regulatory T cell. ST2 is important in the development of sepsis and lung injury in humans and has been strongly associated with SM in mouse models. To assess the role of ST2 in human severe malaria, plasma from 415 Ugandan children with severe malaria (CM or SMA) was tested for soluble ST2 using an R&D Human ST2/IL-33R DuoSet ELISA. Children with CM had higher levels of ST2 (median [IQR], 123.23 ng/ml [72.53-177.20 ng/ml]) compared to community controls (CC; median [IQR], 5.76 ng/ml [4.14-7.72 ng/ml]; P<0.0001). Children with SMA (median [IQR], 81.39 ng/ml [50.17-140.89 ng/ml]) also had greater concentrations of ST2 compared to CC (P<0.0001). ST2 levels in children with CM were also significantly higher than those in the less clinically severe SMA (P<0.0001). Levels of ST2/IL-33R increased as disease severity increased. Social Context Influence Emotional Language Comprehension Through Facial Muscle Activity Alexis Aney (David Havas) Psychology

We have proposed that automatic facial emotion mimicry can facilitate congruent emotional language comprehension. Participants’ muscles for smiling and frowning were measured while they were presented a picture of a facial expression (smiling or frowning) on a computer screen for 30 milliseconds (ms) followed by a neutral face for 100 ms that served to mask the emotional face from conscious recognition. Contrary to predictions, there was a significant incongruency effect in emotional sentence reading times. One possible explanation is that our unpleasant sentences may have in fact represented a variety of distinct negative emotions. Unpleasant emotional stimuli were therefore re-examined and distinguished in terms of emotional category using a focus group. Data were then re-analyzed to test whether the distinct emotional category of our unpleasant stimulus sentences may be responsible for the incongruency effect.


Acute and Chronic Toxicity of the Insecticide Thiamethoxam to Ceriodaphnia dubia Water Fleas Kassandra Arnold (Elisabeth Harrahy) Biology Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide that is widely used on major agricultural crops. While adverse effects on honeybees have been documented, little is known about their effects on aquatic organisms. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of thiamethoxam on survival and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia water fleas. Two acute toxicity tests were conducted: a range-finding test with concentrations of 0, 0.5, 5, 50, 500, 5,000 µg/L thiamethoxam, and a definitive test with concentrations of 0, 23, 39, 65, 108, 180, 300, 500 µg/L thiamethoxam. The calculated EC50 (effective concentration for 50% of the population) values were 101 µg/L (95% CI 48.2-213 µg/L) for the range-finding test, and 317 µg/L (95% CI 231-434 µg/L) for the definitive test. A chronic toxicity test (with concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.6, 1.1, 1.8, 3, and 5 µg/L) is currently being conducted to determine the effects of thiamethoxam on neonate production. Effects on water fleas can have implications for other aquatic organisms. Constructing a Chronic Neural Ensemble Recording System Christian Ayon Garcia (Megan Warazcynski, Ozgur Yavuzcetin, Martin Tchernookov, Daniel Zamzow) Psychology, Physics, College of Integrated Sciences The extended amygdala is a basal forebrain macrostructure that has been suggested to mediate appetitive behavior, such as reproduction, reward learning and drug addiction, states such as aggression, fear, anxiety and stress. The goal of this project is to study the extended amygdala activity recording using an electrophysiological system while the rats respond to stimuli in a semi-natural environment. We hypothesize that the extended amygdala has a role in processing and determining whether a stimulus in the environment should be acted upon or whether the animal should avoid the stimulus altogether. In order to record the neural activity, we’ve have constructed an artificial environment topped with a X-Y stage that would allow free range of motion for the rats. Our custom designed electrode, which will be implanted into the brain, is made up of ten, 42μm in diameter, tungsten wires. These wires are micro-soldered to connector pins that will mate with a commercial head stage amplifier and digitizer. The recorded neural data will then travel up a cable to a data acquisition board, which allows communication to and from the data acquisition interface on the computer with Intan software. The triggered signal received will synchronize the recordings with a stimulus, along with adjustments of sampling rates and desired number of recording channels. Synthesis and Characterization of a Cobalt Porphyrin (T(p-Me2N)F4PP)Co with Axially Bound NO Jordan Bales (Baocheng Han) Chemistry


Porphyrins form a family of heterocyclic macrocycle organic compounds. They are composed of four pyrrole subunits that can form metal complex with most metals. Some metalloporphyrin complexes occur naturally, such as the heme family of porphyrin, a cofactor of hemoglobin. Porphyrins have many potential applications in and out of the medical community. Some porphyrins are being used in the potential treatment of acne and cancer. Porphyrins are also being used in molecular electronics such as solar cells. The reaction of cobalt acetate with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin, (TF5PP), can lead to the formation of two different cobalt porphyrins depending on the solvent used. If the reaction was carried out in dimethylformamide (DMF), (T(p-Me2N)F4PP)Co was obtained while (TF5PP)Co was formed in acetonitrile. The reaction between (T(p-Me2N)F4PP)Co and nitric oxide (NO) resulted in the formation of cobalt porphyrin with axially bound NO. The red color solution of (T(p-Me2N)F4PP)Co in methylene chloride was purged with nitrogen gas followed by NO for thirty minutes. During this time, the color of the solution changed to slightly darker red. The solution was again purged with N2 to remove unreacted NO before exposure to the atmosphere. The product was primarily characterized by UV-Visible and infrared spectroscopy. The observation of a new intense peak at 1697 cm-1 on the IR spectrum indicates the presence of NO. The UV-visible spectrum of (T(p-Me2N)F4PP)Co in methylene chloride shows a soret peak at 412 nm and two waves at 530 and 559 nm. On the other hand, 3D-Printed Electric Potential of a Dipole Aidan Bates (Steven Sahyun) Physics Creating a 3D printed object allows a person to have a tactile representation to better understand an image typically found in introductory text books. This poster describes the rationale, process of creating and physically constructing a three-dimensional representation of the electric potential due to an electric dipole consisting of a positive and a negative charge. Intergenerational Experiences: Stories of Interactions Between Young Children and Older Adults Tally Blanton, Taryn Ciochon, Laura Joseph, Sarah Clark, Emma Thomas (Simone DeVore) Education & Professional Studies The Project “Bridging the Intergenerational Gap” (BIGG) is a program in which older adults from Fairhaven Senior Center interact with young children at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Children’s Center. The goal of Project BIGG is for people from different generations to develop positive relationships and perceptions of each other. On a weekly basis, University students facilitated activities and interactions between older adults and young children. The purpose of our research with this intergenerational program was to capture the thoughts and perspectives of young children and older adults and staff members on shared activities enabled through Project BIGG. Through our research process we collected stories from children, older


adults, and staff about activities they shared. We analyzed the stories from older adults and young children to identify their perspectives on activities and experiences. Ultimately, we compiled the stories and illustrations into one collective work. Through the collection of stories, we learned how intergenerational activities bring to light older adults’ prior life experiences which enhanced connections with young children. Additionally, through some of the interactions, young children gained opportunities to grow and maintain relationships with older adults. Devon’s Hurt Sam Bochat (Bruce Cohen) Theatre While crafting the performance for “Hurt” in Devon’s Hurt, there were several areas to explore that were unique to this particular character. The first being that Hurt acted as both an imaginary friend, and an extension to Devon’s emotions and an honest extension at that. Meaning that an attention to emotional subtext was crucial. In other words, if Devon were to try to hide his feelings in a certain situation, Hurt would express Devon’s emotions honestly The funding I received to go to KCACTF for this performance was extremely helpful in furthering my academic career. While there I learned a great deal of the craft, through competing, attending workshops, and participating in 10 minute productions created there. An Exploration of Music for Saxophone and Computer Taylor Boegel (Matthew Sintchak) Music Since the 1970's the development of saxophone and electronic music has grown at a rapid rate. Where saxophone and electronic music used to mean playing saxophone with reel-to-reel tape, it now includes saxophone with interactive computer, saxophone with video, and a breadth of other sub-genres. Along with the expansion of types of electronics used in this music, advancements in technology have also helped to develop the types and quality of the sounds. In order to keep up with this expanding genre of music, the goal of my project was to compile a list of the most important pieces for saxophone and electronics, evaluate each of the pieces, and create a concert-length program that would clearly showcase the progression of saxophone and electronic music, highlighting important pieces from each milestone in the genre’s development. After finishing my list and choosing my program, I have taken several months to learn how to perform each of the pieces, culminating in recording a CD of these works. The program includes pieces from each milestone, including sax and electronic music written before 1995 (Mobberley, “Spontaneous Combustion”), saxophone and interactive media (Subotnick, “In Two Worlds”) saxophone, electronics, and video (Herriott, “Barnwork”), saxophone minimalistic music (Reich, “New York Counterpoint”), and saxophone and electronic music written within the past five years (Poovey, “Dripstone”). My lecture recital will help to clearly show the advancement of this genre for all those who are interested in exploring saxophone and electronic music.


Repliclade Brett Bortz (Robert Kuzoff) Biological Sciences A prevailing difficulty in phylogenetic inference entails selecting appropriate analytic methods for a given lineage and identifying suitable models of sequence evolution. Selection of unsuitable algorithms or evolutionary models is known to bias phylogenetic analyses, yielding unreliable estimates of evolutionary relationships. Our research project aims to design a program that leverages the statistically predictable behavior of a set of evolutionary mechanisms to generate datasets—via Monte Carlo simulation—that faithfully retain genomic features of evolving clades in the real world. The application, implemented in Python, will simulate genomic evolution of a single ancestral sequence into a lineage of progeny sequences. It will employ estimated base frequencies and literature-derived or estimated probability distributions for the likelihood of a variety of molecular events (e.g., among-site rate variation, transition to transversion ratios, instantaneous rate matrices for base substitutions, insertions and deletions, and molecular birth and extinction events), to inform in silico clade derivation. The program will generate a set of terminal sequences and a known topology that will subsequently be supplied as input to a range of competing phylogenetic algorithms. The resulting performance metrics will yield insights into the efficacy of commonly used phylogenetic algorithms and software packages, allowing researchers to discern the strengths and weaknesses of competing approaches when applied to datasets with particular dynamic and compositional properties. Adirondack State Park: Acorn, Mouse, Snake, and Tree Predator Prey Population Analysis Christine Brasic, Taylor Wollenberg (Aditi Ghosh) Mathematics The Adirondack State Park is home to a complex food web containing the timber rattle snake (Crotalus horridus), deer mouse (Peromyscus), and oak tree (Quercus). The tree produces acorns, the mice eat the acorns, and the snakes eat the mice. We model this chain by a dynamical system of differential equations which predict the population fluctuations between the three species over time. The model considers young and mature populations of the three species, along with the population of acorns. Snake hibernation creates a period in which the mice are not susceptible to predation. It also considers years of very high production of acorns, or mast years, thereby showing the effects of low predation and excess food supply on the mice. This model is based on the predator prey model and we include an addition of a carrying capacity on the population of acorns, thereby limiting the amount of food available for mice during the mast years. We also seek to limit the breeding capability for mice during the winter, in order to give a more realistic output during mast years and snake hibernation. We then analyze the model to provide information regarding the delicate balance between populations in the Adirondack ecosystem.


This is especially concerning due to the threatened snake population and dependence on mast years on the climate. What Factors Determine Whether a Child is Bullied? Nikki Brendemuehl (David Welsch) Economics According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, thousands of students across the country skip school each day to avoid being bullied. Although bullying continues to concern society, the literature has relatively few quality studies that examine the determining factors of whether a child is bullied or not. This paper seeks to investigate what characteristics make a child more or less likely to be repeatedly bullied. The data was obtained from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. The model utilized is an ordinary least squares (OLS) method where repeated bullying is the dependent variable and there are multiple independent variables such as ASVAB percentile score, average household income, health measures, parental characteristics, and demographic controls. This project finds that six of the independent variables significantly influence if a child is bullied or not. Three individual characteristics increase the likelihood of a student being repeatedly bullied—higher ASVAB percentile score, higher body mass index (BMI), and ever having a chronic condition—while three individual factors decrease the likelihood of a student being repeatedly bullied—higher average household income, an individual’s mother being married, and being female instead of male. Since bullying affects so many students and may impact a child’s life in unmeasurable ways, it is important to investigate this experience further.

Shape, Size, and Chemical Properties of Tephra Particles from 2010 Eyjafjallajokull and 2014-2015 Bardarbunga Eruption Ty Brooks (Prajukti Bhattacharyya, Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Geology, Physics The variations of shape, size, and chemical properties of volcanic tephra particles are important to study due to their hazard potential. Our project compares sizes, shapes and chemical composition of tephra particles from two different volcanic eruptions in Iceland; the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull that paralyzed air traffic in Europe due to the amount of tephra in the upper atmosphere, and the 2014/2015 Bardarbunga eruption which impacted air quality in Iceland by large emissions of sulfur dioxide. Tephra samples from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption were collected at five different locations around the Solheimajökull glacier in South Iceland. Tephra samples from the 2014/2015 Bardarbunga eruption were collected from the northeast side of the Vatnajökull Mountains. We used a Leica DMS 300 optical microscope to visually characterize and identify particles to the best extent possible. We analyzed tephra particle sizes using ImageJ Fiji software on high resolution images captured using the optical microscope. We analyzed representative tephra particles from both eruptions using a TM3000 tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope with X-Ray Spectroscopy capabilities owned by Oakton Community College, IL. Preliminary results show that tephra samples from both eruptions mostly contain volcanic glass and rock fragments with predominantly mafic compositions. Small


crystals of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar were also observed. In this presentation we describe our results and discuss the possible impacts of tephra on the surrounding regions. IRENE RYAN SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS, KCACTF (KENNEDY CENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL), REGION III - NOMINATION FOR SUPERIOR ACTING PERFORMANCE IN UWW'S PRODUCTION OF GHOSTS 2018 Ashley Brouwer, Nathan Broege (Bruce Cohen, Kymberly Mellen) Theatre, Dance In the fall semester of 2018, I was cast as Helen Alving in UWW's production of Ghosts (translated and adapted from the original Henrik Ibsen play). I was honored to be cast in such a large role because it presented many different challenges for me as an actor. Helen is a very dynamic and complex character who has endured relational issues with many of the other characters that she interacts with throughout the play, including (how we cast) her daughter. This helped me to bring wisdom and maturity to the character. I had never played anyone like her in the past, so it was a wonderful change in tempo for developing my versatility as an actor. Our performance was adjudicated, and I was nominated to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival which took place in Madison, WI, in January 2018. For this competition, acting nominees are to prepare two contrasting scenes from two plays and a monologue, all to be performed under six minutes. Once I found this material, my partner and I scheduled out rehearsals, both with and without our mentor, Bruce Cohen. We competed and received feedback that was very upbeat and helpful for us moving forward. However, we did not move on to the next round, but it gave me a lot to think about moving forward in my acting career. During my time at the festival, I was also involved in the Musical Theatre Intensive as well as other workshops. No matter what results I received from the competition, I believe that I properly represented the wonderful training that I have received from the UWW Theatre/Dance Department. Transgenic Rescue of Ce-daf-2 with Bma-daf-2 Marissa Bunge (Kirsten Crossgrove) Biology The ultimate goal of this study is to understand whether insulin signaling is important in the development of the parasitic nematode Brugia malayi. The objective is to determine whether the predicted B. malayi insulin/IGF-1 receptor Bma-DAF-2 can substitute for the function of the known insulin/IGF-1 receptor of the genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We will do this by cloning the Bma-DAF-2 gene and injecting it into C. elegans daf-2 mutants to see if it can restore DAF-2 function. Data analytics in rail transportation: Applications and effects for sustainability Andrew Buus (Anna Land) ITSCM


Considering the growing effort to advance technology and utilize big data, this paper aims to highlight recent publications on applications of big data analytics, including implications for sustainability, in rail transportation and compare this to findings from an exploratory case study. Data was collected from partners in a dyadic relationship: one of the largest railroad network operators in North America and an Internet of Things (IoT) provider that supplies specialized sensors, digital video recorders, hardware platforms, etc. Scientific Illustration in Support of Taxonomy and Paleoecology of Cretaceous Gastropod Research. Hannah Chaney (Rex Hanger) Geology Science has seen the remarkable benefits of photography towards advancing understanding and broad scale learning. The need for detailed, handcrafted scientific illustrations in the way of fields like modern biology has greatly diminished with the rapid growth of technology, and this skill is one that is, consequently, disappearing. However, one particular field still relies heavily on the creativity and meticulous minds of traditional artists, and is in fact growing the need for artists: the pathway of paleo-artistry and scientific illustration. With the fragmentary nature of specimens and the absolute inability to observe them alive in their natural state, the careful study and reproduction of these living assemblages has to be done through artwork and illustration (Keyles, 2017). With each discovery of a new species, then, there arises a new opportunity to give them a “second life” by means of illustration. In the case of this project, several potential new species of gastropods (of the genera Neritina, Semineritina, and Gyrodes) are in need of this revival. These specimens are dated at around 100-113 million years old (in the Albian, or central part of the Cretaceous Period), and were gathered in the course of previous research endeavors in the Walnut Formation of central Texas by Dr. Rex Hanger and other UW-W students (e.g. Hanger et al., 2014; Peterson et al., 2009), and are available for immediate study in the UW-W paleontology collections. I will be assisting in the descriptive taxonomy and paleoecology of these unique taxa by producing illustrations of my own informed interpretations of all four species as living organisms in their original environments. Computational Analysis of Stroke Imaging Using Deep Learning Models Jaycee Cleveland (Zach Oster) Computer Science Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in the world. Reducing the time between presenting symptoms and diagnosis is vital to improving patient treatment and outcomes. One of the proposed solutions to help increase physician efficiency and accuracy is automated segmentation of imaging used to diagnose stroke. Segmentation in medical imaging involves separating regions of interest, or irregularity, from normal regions. In stroke imaging, this currently involves tracing regions of interest by hand. Automating this process can increase the speed and accuracy of image segmentation, which makes this an important and heavily


researched area of computer vision. While existing models can segment imaging with a significant level of accuracy, one of the remaining obstacles is applying these models to images of different scales. We are proposing a novel solution that uses image transformation to convert images to a standard size used by existing models. Since transformations can result in image distortion, we will create a mathematical solution that can correct for any distortion caused by transformation. The objective is to transform the image to the standard size with minimal distortion, perform the segmentation, and transform the image back to its original scale while converting the segmented region to the scale of the original image. The transformation algorithm will be evaluated using the Sørensen–Dice coefficient, which is commonly used to compare the similarity of two samples. A Dynamical Systems Approach to Analyzing Response by the Yahara System of Lakes after a Significant Runoff Event Matthew Scott Clubb, Evan Seghers (Aditi Ghosh) Mathematics Since its first noted appearance in 1882, Cyanobacteria, commonly known as Blue-Green Algae, has brought the Yahara System of Lakes(Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa) to an intense level of scrutiny and analysis. Several studies have been conducted over the years to determine potential causes and effects of this phenomena. Blue-Green Algae has been linked to lower levels of oxygen in the local ecosystem and has even been linked to the death of unfortunate swimmers who were exposed to it’s toxins. It was determined that the primary cause of Blue-Green Algae is the elevated presence of phosphorus in the lakes caused by farmland runoff and various other runoff sources during heavy rain periods. We study this phenomena, and construct a mathematical model consisting of a system of ODE’s, each modeling the phosphorus concentration of their respected lake. Using this model, we determine the amount of time needed for phosphorus levels to return to healthy levels for the system. Ultimately, this will lead to a more accurate way to control phosphorus concentration in the Yahara Lake System. Augmentative and Alternative Communication Awareness and Training Among Staff and Nurses in WI McKinzie Comer (Lynn Gilbertson) Communication Sciences and Disorders Individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) often have communication challenges and require more time to complete a communication turn. Due to communication challenges, AAC users have an increased risk for adverse events in the medical setting. The current project investigated AAC awareness and training among clinic staff and nursing programs in order to determine potential opportunities for improving healthcare interactions for AAC users. In the first phase of the project, calls were made to scheduling assistants in WI clinics. Twelve out of sixty-five scheduling assistants participated in the brief phone interview. Scheduling assistants were asked if policies existed allowing extra time for


clinic visits for AAC users and if AAC training was implemented at the place of employment. In the second phase of the study, digital surveys were distributed to nursing program coordinators in WI. Five out of thirty-four nursing coordinators participated in the electronic survey. Nursing program coordinators were asked if AAC was included in the nurse training program. Phone interviews and survey responses suggested that the majority of scheduling assistants and nursing programs did not train specifically on AAC. Data suggests an opportunity exists to implement AAC training for scheduling assistants and nursing students. Providing AAC training may facilitate more effective communication, therefore reducing the amount of communication-related complications and improving patient comprehension and compliance. The Effect of Copper and Zinc Based Cleaners on Bacillus subtilis Spores Heidi Cox (Heather Pelzel) Biology In the past ethanol has proven effective in causing cell death, however, ethanol fails to be effective long-term in most cases due to its rapid evaporation. A new cleaner, Samaritan Shield, has been developed which utilizes copper and zinc as antimicrobial metals which have proven to be more effective than ethanol (Ruparelia et al., 2008). Previous studies have found the Samaritan Shield products to be effective on Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis vegetative cells over twenty-four hours, but the cleaner’s effectiveness on spores has not yet been evaluated. The goal of this experiment is to determine the effectiveness of Samaritan Shield cleaners on bacterial spores specifically. To accomplish this task non-pathogenic spore forming B. subtilis was used. The cleaners were tested against the bacteria at varying lengths of time on sporulated cultures applied to autoclaved stainless steel pans and allowed to dry. After the treatment of one of the Samaritan Shield formulations, the squares are swabbed and grown in culture to evaluate colony forming units after treatment. Ethanol treatment and no treatment controls were also included. The results will be compared to the control group and analyzed to determine whether or not Samaritan Shield was more effective than ethanol against the spores. If the Samaritan Shield products are found to be effective against spores, it could not only reduce the amount of time needed to spend cleaning but also reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections caused by spores. Tool-Making for the Metalsmith Jerod Cox (Teresa Faris) Arts and Communication, Metals There has been and always will be a need for tools as a metalsmith. A need for general tools as well as specific tools that have one purpose. I have researched the history of metalsmith tools so that I may know the original uses and reasons for certain tools being made. Along with that research, I have studied the metallurgy behind the metal used so that I can know how the material will react and how to properly use it. I have applied my research into the creation of each tool so that the tool can do the work it is intended to do. In addition, I have explored the


other material that is a part of tool making specifically handle making. lastly, I will look at how creating my own tools impacts my studio practices and work. this research is something that will travel with me through my entire career as a metalsmith allowing me to create work that would otherwise be impossible without the creation of a unique tool. Evictions in Rural Communities Andrea Crase (Jonah Ralston) Political Science In this project I seek to address this gap in knowledge by collecting data and providing insight into evictions in rural communities, which I have defined as a rural community or small town having 25,000 or less in population. To study evictions in rural communities, I attended forty-four eviction hearings across four counties in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. While observing the hearings I took notes on variables including the outcome of the hearing, time spent on each hearing, if the tenant was present, if the plaintiff and/or defendant had legal representation, and the observed sex of the plaintiffs and defendants. I also conducted interviews with judges, a lawyer, clerk, and landlord to gain further insight of the eviction process. Defendants were mostly female (65%) and plaintiffs were mostly male (62%). The outcomes of hearings were predominately in favor of the landlord (54%), with the landlord typically receiving the legal remedy they sought. Landlords had a lawyer some of the time (31%) whereas tenants did not have legal representation (0%). Most of the hearings lasted mere minutes (an average of 4 minutes and 32 seconds). The reason for eviction in all cases was lack of payment (100%). After gathering and analyzing this data, I discovered what I found from my research in rural communities is similar to the findings from research conducted in inner cities. Harnessing Nature Brian Cummings, Joel Heaberlin (Ozgur Yavuzcetin, Juk Bhattacharyya) Physics, Geography/Geology/Environmental Science In the very near future, America will need to transition its power supply from fossil fuels towards natural resources. We have gathered this data to show what energies could be available and how we could use them. Iceland was our chosen area to study because they are a world leader in renewable energy production, and they have an abundance of natural energy resources. Our plan was to gather data on three different phenomena, ground hot spots, geysers, and waterfalls. Data related to the size, ground temperature, and air temperature was gathered at Gunnuhver Geothermal Area and the total power output was then calculated to be roughly 1 MW. A similar process was for the geyser at Gunnuhver Geothermal area, with the water at roughly outputting 2 kW of energy. At Gullfoss, we were able to find data regarding the volume and speed at which water fell down the canyon and the size of Langjökull Glacier. Using this data, we were able to determine that Gullfoss creates 35 MW of power due to the Langjökull Glacier melting approximately 6mm per day. By following Iceland's lead, we could drastically reduce our emissions due to energy production. Though our renewable resource options are


different than Iceland's, I believe that we must reduce our emissions to be at or near their ratio of renewable to fossil fuel energy productions to do our part in reducing the effects of climate change around the world. The Wall Street Journal Experience (WSJ | X) Colin Deady, Haley Lechner, Melissa Khalil, Alyssa Van Altena, Matthew Scott Young, Lauren Roloff (Pavan Chennaaneni, Andrew Dahl) Marketing Since 1889, The Wall Street Journal has been a leading source for financial and economic news. Over time, they have faced competition from other subscription-based publishers. They strive to give the consumer the competitive edge they desire to achieve their ambitions through credible content. In order to succeed in this marketplace it is critical for The Wall Street Journal to effectively target Generation Z. This year, WSJ has collaborated with the American Marketing Association for their annual Case Competition and AMA chapters across the nation have been challenged to create an Integrated Marketing Communication campaign for WSJ with the goal to attract Gen Z targets and increase student subscriptions. The UWW AMA chapter has completed their research and The Wall Street Journal Experience campaign we have created focuses on establishing brand loyalty with WSJ through the variety of content platforms, and to ensure they resonate with the client-proposed “Read Ambitiously” slogan. Transgenic Rescue of Ce-daf-16 with Bma-daf-16 Melanie Paige Domann (Kirsten Crossgrove) Biology Brugia malayi is a parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans. Infective third larval (iL3) stage parasites are transmitted by mosquitos. Adults accumulate in the lymphatic system and cause disease pathology. The dauer life cycle stage in the free living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans closely resembles the B. malayi iL3 stage. The C. elegans insulin/IGF-1 (IIS) signaling pathway inhibits dauer by negatively regulating the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. We hypothesize that Bma-DAF-16 functions similarly to Ce-DAF-16 and regulates the formation and maintenance of the iL3 stage. We are testing this by seeing if Bma-daf-16 can rescue Ce-daf-16 mutants. We have successfully amplified the Bma-daf-16b cDNA and Ce-daf-16 promoter using the polymerase chain reaction. We will use the Gibson assembly method to clone both products into a transgenesis vector. If the iL3 stage requires Bma-DAF-16, this may suggest ideas for prevention of B. malayi infection. The Creation of a Prosthetic Hand Using Surface Generated Myoelectric Signals Brianna Donaldson-Morton (Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Physics The human hand has 27 degrees of freedom, the average myoelectric powered prosthetic can get up to 6 degrees of freedom. Due to this lack of motion, many who use these products are not


satisfied and become tired of it. We want to create a myoelectric powered prosthetic that has more than 6 degrees of freedom and can offer the user more mobility. The creation of neurological prosthetics is nothing new and recently it has become more and more popular with researchers wanting to use more invasive methods to create more finite products. However, as technology becomes more advanced it becomes harder for at risk, low-income populations to gain access to these new advances. The goal of my project is to create a neurological prosthesis using myoelectric signals captured from the surface of the skin. We will accomplish this by using an electromyogram sensor, MyoWare, that will target muscle groups involved in the movement of the hand and fingers in the forearm. This will allow us to better understand which movements we are receiving from different muscle groups. The subject positioned their forearm in a resting position and performed six different movements. The data accumulated by the MyoWare system was then analyzed. With this data will be able to better understand how we can receive the maximum amount of movement that can be translated into moving a prosthetic limb. By using surface myoelectric signals, we can cut down on the cost to create these prosthetics and allow them to become more accessible to low-income populations. Naval Software Development Through AI Machine Learning and Java Brett Dutton (Hien M. Nguyen) Computer Science When a crisis confronts the nation, the first question often asked by policymakers is: 'What naval forces are available and how fast can they be on station?' – Admiral Carlisle A. H. Trost ( Naval History & Heritage Command. U.S. Navy, 1991). The ability to make quick and rational decisions as an admiral getting ready to protect our nation is a unique resource and is a resource this nation cannot afford to lose. The goal of this project is to create a program that will provide admirals, captains, commanders, etc. any high-ranking decision makers with assistance to ensure they’re making the best possible decision for our country when a crisis confronts them. The development of a database that compiles all past United States Naval crises during 1900 to 2000 which keeps records of main information of the crises, the tendencies and tactics/decisions made to attack the incident, and the outcome of the situation. Using previously known knowledge of actions taken from previous admirals and outcomes of crisis’s that have transpired in our history, this database could then be served as the main sources in a machine learning module which connects crises this country faces in the future with previous ones like them and prompt the user (admirals) to make decisions based off what worked in the past. This can also be an opportunity for following tendencies of admirals to possibly prevent future attacks. I will evaluate the program based off the question, does the program effectively and efficiently do everything it needs to do. Finding the Gene Targets of Bma-DAF-16 Johnna Dykstra (Kirsten Crossgrove) Biology


Brugia malayi, a parasitic nematode, is one of the nematodes that causes lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis affects 120 million people with B. malayi affecting those in Southeast Asia. B. malayi goes through several different stages in its lifecycle where it moves from human to mosquito and back to human. Understanding how the life cycle stages are controlled could lead to the discovery of drug targets. Like many parasitic nematodes, B. malayi has been found to have a similar lifecycle to the free-living Caenorhabditis elegans. Most importantly, B. malayi’s iL3 stage (where it infects a human) is like C. elegans’ alternative life stage, dauer. Dauer is activated when a protein (DAF-16) enters the nucleus. DAF-16 then binds to DAF-16 response elements which activates dauer specific genes. We hypothesize that Bma-DAF-16 regulates target genes for iL3 development in a similar manner to the way Ce-DAF-16 regulates dauer. My project hopes to uncover the gene targets through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). This method consists of crosslinking DNA and proteins in vivo and utilizes antibodies to isolate a specific protein. Because no antibody exists for Bma-Daf-16, I’m in the process of generating the antibody. I’ve picked a section of Bma-DAF-16 amino acid sequence for the antigen, amplified the DNA sequence that codes for the antigen, and inserted the sequence into a vector that allows me to produce proteins. Next I will purify the proteins and send them to a company for the antibody generation. With the antibody, I can proceed with ChIP to detect the gene targets. Irene Ryan: Love Loss and What I Wore Alexa Farrell (Bruce Cohen, Kymberly Mellen) Theater and Dance When Love Loss and What I Wore was casted I was cast as Gingy, a mother who was reflecting on her life and the clothes she wore in it. This meant that I had to do a lot clothing and store research. The idealistic goal behind Love Loss and What I Wore was to overcome the challenge and stereotypical prejudice of women. Love Loss was a show that I felt I, as a performer, helped me not only enhance my storytelling technique, but also to get rid of the stereotypes of women. After reading through the script and the book, I went searching on the internet to find the exact garments that Gingy describes. This was important to me as a storyteller because then I was able to use factual imagery to describe what I was talking about. During my hunt for clothing stores and apartment buildings, I was able to actually find the exact apartment in which Gingy lived in, thus enhancing my performance. My performance in this show was adjudicated and I was nominated to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held in Madison, WI, in January, 2019. Acting nominees for this Festival must prepare 2 scenes from different plays and a monologue to be performed within a 6-minute time limit. While at KCACTF I received positive comments from the judges including preparation and professionalism. A workshop that I enjoyed was Creating a Dynamic Character where I learned techniques that I can bring to UW-Whitewater. Hormone Levels and the Bystander Effect in Betta Spendens Using Video Stimuli Morgan Fons, Clara Madley (Ellen Davis)


Biology Certain experiences, such as observing an encounter between two males, can increase a male’s likelihood of winning his next fight. This phenomenon, called the “bystander effect”, has been demonstrated in many species such as Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). The increased future aggression that is demonstrated in the bystander effect is thought to be caused by the “challenge effect”, a theory that aggressive encounters can increase testosterone levels. We presented a stimulus of an interaction between two males (bystander) and an empty fish tank (control). Hormone samples were taken non-invasively from the tank, and the hormone assays are in progress. We expect to see an increase in 11-KT levels in the bystander males compared to the control males. We found that the males spent more time near the bystander stimulus compared to its baseline (t10=3.214, p=0.009), but there was no difference in behavior between the control and its baseline (t11=1.299, p=0.220). These data suggest that bystander video is an effective behavioral stimulus, and that such stimuli could be used in future research. ACTF: Combining Queerness and Comedy Kory Friend (Kymberly Mellen, Bruce Cohen) Theater and Dance I wanted to bring a monologue to ACTF that I could easily connect with and that could also contrast the other pieces I’d be taking along with me. I asked myself, “What are the tropes of queer identities and how can I stay away from them?”. In this process, I was sent the script for The Coward by Kati Schwartz, a play about a young gay woman at summer camp, dealing with the internalized homophobia of her peers. A common trope within queer media are stories about queer people that deal with hardship and sadness, never allowing them to catch a break or be happy, and, while this monologue details such hardships, the character repeats over and over again the humor that she finds in her situation, allowing her to cope with the emotional trauma. When executing this, I made sure to talk to my imaginary scene partner and connect with them, to sit them down and find a reason to tell my story, and promise them that my story, “is not sad”. The story highlights beautifully homophobia that exists within young people, and can even cause young queer people to become inwardly homophobic towards themselves. The important message and contrasting tones fit my mold of queer people triumphing over trauma and being able to have a laugh about it in the aftermath of the toil. I presented my piece from The Coward in the Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition at the American College Theatre Festival held in Madison, Wisconsin in January of 2019. Intent Matters – Laryngeal Mechanosensory Evidence of Efference Copy with Voice and Intent to Voice Taylor Frodel, Stephanie Palm (Michael J. Hammer) Communication Sciences and Disorders Laryngeal mechanoreceptors provide perceptual and proprioceptive afference for a variety of essential human functions including airway protection, breathing, deglutition, speech, and voice.


It is interesting that mechanosensory information that yields a defensive airway response when a healthy individual breathes may go largely unnoticed when the individual voices. Modulation of laryngeal mechanosensory detection may be critical to maintain an uninterrupted speech/voice pattern in the presence of potentially distracting self-generated sensory input. However, it remains unknown whether the intent to voice itself may result in sensory modulation, even in the absence of actual phonation. We used an endoscopic technique to measure laryngeal mechanosensory detection thresholds in healthy participants during tidal breathing, during a voice task, and during an interrupted voice task. Based on our recent findings, we would suggest: (a) Efference copy and laryngeal mechanosensory modulation are important for healthy speech/voice sensorimotor control. (b) Motor intent itself may result in laryngeal mechanosensory modulation. (c) Mechanosensory modulation, motor intent, and efference copy each have important implications for clinical manifestations of speech/voice disorders such as Parkinson's Disease and Spasmodic Dysphonia. Delay Discounting, Academic Constraints and Demand for Alcoholic Drinks Neil Graupner, Nathan Popodi, Abby Schmidt, Ryan Powers, Anai Parker, John Harrison (Matt Andrzejewski) Psychology The Alcohol Purchasing Task (APT) is a validated measure of demand for alcoholic beverages. It asks participants to hypothetically purchase alcoholic beverages at escalating prices. Hypothetical academic constraints (e.g. an exam the next day at 8:30 am) have been shown to decrease certain measures such as break point (the price that suppresses alcohol purchases to zero) and Pmax (the price associated with maximum alcohol expenditure). Previously, we found that self-reported binge drinkers were less sensitive to the prospect of academic constraints the following day than non-binge drinkers. In this experiment, participants were administered a within-subject version of the APT where they hypothetically purchased drinks under 2 different scenarios: 1) with an exam the next day (EXT) or 2) with no academic constraints the following day (CTRL). The order of the version was counterbalanced across subjects. In addition, each participant completed the 27-item Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) from Kirby et al. (1999), which is used to estimate k, a discounting parameter. A total of fifty-nine (n=59) subjects have completed this experiment and directly replicated earlier findings. Measures of discounting from the MCQ are going to be related demand functions obtained on the APT in the hopes of assessing the role of impulsivity on sensitivity to academic constraints in the context of alcohol purchasing. Salt Melt Synthesis of Transition Metal Silicide Nanoparticles Erin Hammonds (Steven N. Girard) Chemistry Many spacecrafts, such as deep-space probes (i.e. New Horizons and Voyager I and II) and rovers (i.e. Curiosity), rely on electronic power from their radioisotope thermoelectric generators


(RTGs). Currently, many materials used in the RTG modules are expensive and/or toxic, containing elements such as lead (Pb) and germanium (Ge). Furthermore, the efficiencies of existing thermoelectric materials could be enhanced if they are made of nanostructured materials (e.g. 1-100 nm in size). Here, we investigate the synthesis of silicon-containing nanoparticles that could be used in future RTGs. In particular, we have developed a new chemical approach to synthesize non-toxic and inexpensive nanocrystalline chromium silicide (CrSi2). CrSi2 is synthesized via magnesiothermal reduction within molten salts to achieve nanoparticles, given by the equation: Cr2O3 + 8 SiO2 + 27 Mg-> 2 CrSi2 + 19 MgO + 4 Mg2Si. Inexpensive oxides of Cr2O3/SiO2 are solubilized within molten solvents of LiCl and KCl, with Mg acting as a reducing agent. In performing these reactions, we found the purity of the starting metal oxides to be quite important: we found the purity of the silicide nanoparticles depended on the crystallinity of the Cr2O3 precursors synthesized in lab. Furthermore, we found that the reactivity of SiO2 to be a key factor in chromium silicide phase purity. The addition of lithium oxide (Li2O) was found to increase SiO2 solubility and produce pure CrSi2. If we had enough pure of phase CrSi2 product then the thermoelectric capabilities could be tested to determine its use in RTG technologies CGI on a Shoestring Charles Harris (Bob Miller) Art and Design This project focuses directly on my area of interest within my major, which is 3D modeling and animation in film. This project will answer the question of limitations that media artists face when creating a film using CGI. The project will be a test film where the main character interacts with a computer-generated 3D character. The 3D character will be built using Maya and Z-Brush programs, it will move by capturing motion in the university’s motion capture studio, and will be combined with the video using After-Effects and Premiere Pro. In doing this project I hope to be able to prove that you don’t have to be a big studio to be able to produce great 3D animation. Nanosilicon Hydrogen Evolution Chloe Hill, Molly Eilbes (Steven Girard) Chemistry One promising solution for on-site, easily transportable, and safe hydrogen generation involves reacting bulk silicon particles and water in the presence of a base (sodium hydroxide) to create H2 gas through the reaction: 2NaOH (aq) + Si (s) + H2O (l) → Na2SiO3 (aq) + 2H2 (g). This is desirable because all reactants involved are cheap, abundant, and stable during transportation. However, this reaction is bogged by poor reaction kinetics. We researched the generation of hydrogen gas from silicon and silicide nanoparticles. Previous research has shown that the reaction kinetics can be improved by using nano-scaled silicon. By using smaller silicon particles, the reactive surface area increases and the chance for self-oxidation is reduced. A prior study found that nanosized silicon could produce H2 up to 1000 times faster than bulk silicon


particles. Unfortunately, this study used inefficient and expensive methods for synthesis. We propose a more cost-effective method for synthesis. Developing a Method for Analyzing Volatiles in Dog Urine Vivien Ho (Paul House) Chemistry Dogs communicate in many different ways, including by urine marking. Although research has begun to test factors (size, sex, reproductive status, gonadal status, and social status) that influence urine marking and response to urine marks, the chemical composition of putative communicative signals in urine marks are not known. Our overall goal is to identify volatile compounds in dog urine. Analysis of these volatile compounds could provide insight on one aspect of how dogs communicate. The main goal of this project is to develop a method that produces reproducible results for detection of these volatile compounds. A solid phase microextraction (SPME) method was used and is well suited for detecting volatile compounds. SPME uses a thin polymer fiber to collect compounds with particular chemical properties. It can be used to sample liquids, gases or the headspace above a liquid sample. A headspace method was used to extract compounds a dog would smell. To separate the mixture of compounds, gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was used. Even though FID is a fairly sensitive way to detect compounds, it does not provide much information on the identity of compounds. For this work, developing methods it is sufficient. The type of GC column used was a carbowax column. Carbowax is good for separating somewhat polar compounds and work by other researchers suggests it may work well with the volatile compounds in urine. Reference mixtures of known compounds and concentrations were created, based on being similar to volatile compounds found in recent studies. Myanmar and the Political Path to Ethnic Cleansing Alicia V. Jacobsen (Larry Anderson) Political Science The displacement of nearly 700,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Bangladesh in 2017 caused serious concern in the international community over the severity of Ethnic Cleansing. This mass population transfer was not an independent crisis but rather the result of societal pre-conditions and governmental policies that brought tensions in Myanmar to the point of “state-supported” ethnic cleansing. This study looks at the literature within Social Sciences to create a meta-analysis of pre-conditions for ethnic cleansing and then summarizes how Myanmar has followed the mold established by scholars regarding Ethnic Cleansing. The results of the study found that Myanmar is in many ways a textbook example of Ethnic Cleansing. Ethnic cleansing in the instance of Myanmar can be seen as a way to promote discussion of prevention through societal mindsets and harmful policies.


An Analysis of the Foster Care Process and its Policies in Illinois and Wisconsin Brianna Jenkins (Jolly Emrey) Political Science The purpose of this research is to examine the foster care process and the laws that are surrounding this process in the Midwest, specifically Illinois and Wisconsin. With the number of children in foster care being as high as it is, analyzing the process becomes essential for our society to gain a deeper perspective of the many people involved in the process. The process is not so black and white and at times can be very complicated for all included. This analysis can benefit policy makers as they take ideas for changes in foster care policy, while also benefiting those who are less knowledgeable on the topic. The findings indicate that several laws and policies are enacted for both states in several areas of the process, but improvements could be made and the states could gain insight from one another. Major takeaways from the analysis include the knowledge of the entire process, laws that are enacted for foster care, and ways in which this process could be improved or modified in the Midwest. Kilauea Volcano Sulfur Dioxide Interpolation Kalama Kamoku, Lucas Murray (Jeffrey Olson) Geography, Geology Sulfuric Dioxide levels have risen this past year due to the eruption of Kilauea and its surrounding fissures. The eruption has caused the destruction of over 800 homes in the Puna district of the Big island. Due to trade winds, Sulfuric Dioxide has been spread all along the island touching major cities, as well as my personal home. SO2 can cause; breathing difficulties, increase chance of asthma attacks and worsen existing heart disease to sensitive groups. The economy around the area of the volcano is also taking a hit. Volcano National Park is closed due to multiple cracks around the visiting center and a risk of fissure formation. The state is losing one of its greatest assets in revenue to the state, but some smaller local companies are taking advantage. We will be studying the effects of trade winds on SO2 and its extension over the island as well as comparing revenue from local companies surrounding the volcano to determine its affects from past, to present time. Tattoo: The Merging of Cultures Upon Skin Juliet King (Bethann Moran-Handzlik) Art The central purpose of this project is to bridge the gap between cultures through the study and practice of tattoo. Research was conducted in both a literary and visual way through books, photographs, and online sources. I have analyzed images of Ancient Japanese art, design, and tattoo technique called irezumi. In addition to Japanese ideas, contemporary American ideas influence this research: feminism, gender and race. My research project will diversify NCUR--it is a combination of art history, ancient Japan and modern America. This is undoubtedly a unique contribution to the Japanese and American art form of tattoo because tattoos in both cultures are


often associated with criminals and male figures--an association I would like to destroy. After data collection and many trials through sketches, a series of watercolor paintings were made. On the computer the designs were projected and photographed upon various models differing in age, gender and skin tone. These photographs are visual representation of the merging of cultures with the skin as a canvas. The presentation of my project is vital to the continuation of my research because the audience can help vote on which model presents the most natural or aesthetically pleasing image based on their age, gender, and skin tone paired with the tattoo. The take-away temporary tattoos are so the audience too can be apart of the research on their own skin. The audience will help broaden the number and therefore differences between models. Ultimately the goal is to show art and ideas should be shared and appreciated among all. Evaluation of Growth Mindset Study Strategy Videos Sara Klimisch, Jamie Meyer, Lindsey Gosse (Lynn Gilbertson and Jonathan Spike) Communication Sciences and Disorders The belief that abilities are malleable and can be changed with strategies and development is considered a growth mindset. The belief that abilities are static or innate is considered a fixed mindset. Data suggests that individuals with a growth mindset experience greater levels of success in academic and athletic settings when compared to individuals with a fixed mindset. In the university setting, growth mindset principles have the potential to improve student success across disciplinary contexts. The study team aimed to support student success and access by developing a series of short study strategy videos that explained a neurophysiological concept and then demonstrated a study strategy that utilized the concept. The study team evaluated the effect of the videos on student success. Bioelectrical Markers of Deficiency in Re-orienting of Attention in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Oleg Korzuykov, Valentina Gumenyuk, Natalie Tapaskar, Michael Wagner, Charles Larson, Taylor Frodel (Michael J. Hammer, Charles R. Larson) Communication Sciences and Disorders Our every-day activity constantly requires the ability to ignore or filter out irrelevant information in order to focus on ongoing tasks. This is achieved by involuntary allocation of attention to the distracting event followed by rapid re-orientation of attention back to the task at hand. Bio-electrical brain activity associated with sequential stages of this process was measured in the group of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls in a visual discrimination task where task-irrelevant novel sounds were used as a distracting events. At the behavioral level, the distraction effect was indexed by diminished performance accuracy caused by task-irrelevant novel sounds. Bio-electrical distraction effect was assessed with a non-parametric permutation test of differences in Event Related Potentials (ERP) scalp topography between groups revealed that amplitude of reorienting negativity (RON) component of ERP was significantly smaller in adults with ADHD as compare to healthy


individuals. The RON component reflects the reorientation of attention back to the main visual task after a momentary unexpected auditory distraction. Results of the present study suggest that in adults with ADHD, among other ERP components associated with distraction, RON is the most robust measure that can differentiate adults with ADHD from healthy individuals and therefore can be suggested for clinical practice as a bio-marker of ADHD. Auditory-Vocal Control Systems Are Affected by Predictive Processing Within Extended Time Ranges Oleg Korzuykov, Yunseon Lee, Alexander Bronder, Michael Wagner, Valentina Gumenyuk, Taylor Frodel (Michael J. Hammer, Charles R. Larson) Communication Sciences and Disorders The human brain generates implicit expectation about the future, representing one of the fundamental principles of neural computations for driving neural/cognitive processes and behavior. Aberrent neuronal mechanisms of predictive processing are linked to brain pathology. Although the auditory-motor control system relies on neural processes that predict the sensory consequences of self-generated actions within milliseconds, our previous study shows that this system can be involved in predictive processing in a time range of seconds. Theoretical frameworks suggest that prediction error minimization is one of the fundamental principles of brain organization. We tested this hypothesizes with Event Related Potentials (ERP) for auditory-motor control system in the time range of seconds. The non-parametric permutation test of differences in ERP scalp topography identified 2 sequential stages of predictive processing associated with (i) prediction error monitoring of incoming sensory information for detection of potential prediction errors, and (ii) evaluation of error monitoring output in order to optimize top-down predictions until prediction error is minimized. Our results suggest that reflexive brain mechanisms that control accuracy of vocalizations can be affected by inputs from brain levels associated with predictive coding in more extended time scales. Results provide empirical support that temporal hierarchy is recapitulated in the macroscopic organization of the cortex. The brain models slower environmental changes providing a context for more rapid reflexive corrections. Rats and Redbull Mackenzie Kropidlowski (Matthew Andrzejewski) Psychology For some time, behavioral variability has been proposed as a dimension of operant behavior that is vulnerable to environmental manipulations. For example, it has been demonstrated that variability of 4-lever press sequences can be affected by dopamine drugs such as amphetamines and SKF-38393. In the present experiment, we tested the effects of over-the-counter energy drinks on variability of rats sequential responding. Four rats were trained on a procedure similar to that of Neuringer (1991) and Pesek et al. (2011) where sequences of four level presses were reinforced if they were novel compared to the past eight response sequences, referred to as a lag


8 condition. Preliminary training proceeded systematically and will now be followed by access to 4 different doses of red bull in a counterbalanced order. We plan to explore the effects of OTC energy drinks on variability measured by both U (entropy), and a ratio of reinforced sequences. Usage of RFID and NFC Technologies in Integrated Environments Jake Krueger (Sungchul Lee) Computer Science The use of Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) technologies are common in the modern day world. Secure locations such as businesses and dorms use RFID-enabled identification cards to unlock doors, and NFC technology allows major companies to provide users with services like Apple Pay and Android Pay. However, RFID and NFC technologies are not being utilized to the best of their capabilities. In general, RFID systems are easier and more convenient to use for all people; especially for those people with disabilities, using an RFID reader is also physically much easier than using an analog key. By utilizing these capabilities in new and innovative ways‐ such as embedding a NFC tag in something as simple as a key cover‐ we can expand the use of this technology. Since NFC tags are easy to program, permissions to access multiple locations (such as work, home, and hotel) could all be added to one key cover. Testing will be conducted to determine what materials and distances disrupt an NFC signal, while an additional focus will be placed on the cost and effectiveness of the prototype versus others in the smart-home technology market. Monitoring circadian gene expression in Xenopus laevis embryos Alexandra LaPointe (Kris Curran) Biology Our lab is interested in developmental timing. Somites are blocks of mesoderm that are located on either side of the neural tube in the developing vertebrate embryo. Somites differentiate into dermis, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons, and vertebrae. There are two possible clocks functioning in the developing somites, the somite clock which oscillates every 50 minutes and the circadian clock which oscillates every twenty-four hours. My project is to assess whether circadian and somite clock genes keep time similarly during somitogenesis. We have two objectives we are working towards: Create reporter constructs using the promoters of Hes7.2, MyoD and Rev-erbα. Hes7.2 encodes a bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) transcriptional repressor that controls somite clock gene oscillation. MyoD is the master control gene involved in muscle formation and a marker of somite differentiation. I have already designed primers to amplify xHes 7.2, xMyoD, and xRev-erbα promoters. These promoters will be used to drive expression of firefly luciferase in transgenic Xenopus embryos thus allowing me to monitor expression of these genes in vivo. and to compare the onset of xNocturnin (clock controlled gene), xBmal1 (oscillator gene) and xEsr9 (somite clock) expression in the somites using in situ hybridization.I will be assessing the onset of expression of xESR9 and xNocturnin during early somitogenesis by cutting embryos in half anterior to posterior and fixing each embryo half


Use of Radio Telemetry to Investigate the Ecological Needs and Best Management Practices for Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata) Jarod Lorenz, Jacquelyn Kincanon (Joshua Kapfer) Biology The Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata, is an endangered species in Wisconsin. Conservation of this species requires data on its habitat needs, movement parameters, and activity periods. To effectively gather this information, radio telemetry was used to track and monitor Ornate Box Turtles at a site managed by The Nature Conservancy. This study began in May 2017 and will continue into early spring of 2019. At the beginning of 2017, we affixed radio transmitters and temperature data loggers to the carapace of 29 turtles. During the active season, we tracked turtles roughly once per week and recorded associated geographic location, habitat parameters, and environmental information. We used ArcGIS to determine habitat availability, habitat use, and home range size (measured as minimum convex polygons; MCPs). Turtles were active from late April to mid-October, during which we located them over 1000 times. The overall average MCP area across all turtles was 5.7 ha. In 2017 habitat preference a compositional analysis supported that turtles selected sandy ravine and open prairie base of bluff but did not prefer one over the other. While in 2018, the turtles habitat preference changed as they selected for the shrubby vegetation at base of bluff. The average carapace temperature of active turtles (i.e., turtles at ground surface, not in hibernacula) ranged from 19 to 23.5 degrees Celsius (overall average = 22 degrees Celsius). The Implications of Precollege for Latino Males Michael Lozano (Russ Kashian) Economics Precollege programs were created for minorities to keep up with academics alongside of their white counter parts. Although the programs are successful we still have students who are not graduating. One of the communities that is struggling the most is the Latino community. With increasing high school drop-out rates and no education background; more and more Latinos are living in poverty and even indulging in crime. The purpose of this research is to bring light to the importance of precollege programs and how it’s helping the minority community strive. If we can determine the factors that are leading these students astray then, we can decrease the crime rates in minority communities as well as increase graduation rates. Occurencias Brooke Malcook, Lissie Eichel, Christiana Robinson, Anna Heckel, Nathan Hill, Clara Burtard (Amy Slater, Alfonso Cervera) Dance


In the Fall 2018 semester, we began the creative process in Alfonso Cervera’s piece Occurencias. Our involvement in the piece created an experiential research project in the exploration of inclusive movements as directed by a choreographer. Throughout the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 semesters, we rehearsed approximately three hours each week. During these rehearsals, Cervera set movement on us or gave us an idea in which we improvised movements to express the idea. One of the challenges of improvising was to continue to be creative with our individual choices while collaborating to build off one another’s movements. Through the creative efforts of the dancers and the choreographer, the piece was selected by an adjudication panel to perform in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Theater/Dance Department’s annual production of DanceScapes in March of 2019. The piece was also selected to perform at the American College Dance Association conference held in Morris, MN in March 2019. Moon Cycle & Kiosk Witness Brooke Malcook, Bryce Gill, Olivia Stefen, Sunny Chen, Teagan Collins, Emily Omernik (Amy Slater, Piper Morgan Hayes) Dance, Theatre Two weeks into the Fall 2018 semester, eight dancers, led by choreographer Piper Morgan Hayes, began to investigate different concepts using movement. While much of the dance was shown to the dancers by Hayes to replicate, there were also sections of improvisation. Dancers were asked to manipulate a ladder in nonconventional ways using improvisation along with creating machine-like movements to create a visual chain reaction among the dancers. Movement was developed through many trials, by rehearsing three hours every week. After a semester of testing movement and concepts by the dancers and the choreographer, the growing piece was shown to a panel of adjudicators in December 2019. The piece was chosen to be performed at UW-Whitewater’s annual production of DanceScapes in March 2019, as well as the American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference in Morris, Minnesota. Temporal and Geographic Patterns in the Evolution of Aquatic Plants in Order Lamiales Mackenzie Manicki, Lucas Neuenschwander (Nicholas Tippery) Biology Aquatic plants have specialized adaptations that allow them to thrive in largely inundated environments. Terrestrial ancestors evolved to be aquatic multiple times and independently of one another, meaning that each aquatic plant lineage may have unique adaptations that allow it to be successful. Although the origins of aquatic growth forms in plants were independent, there may have been common ecological or climatic factors that spurred the transition in different lineages. We investigated the timing and biogeography of aquatic plant origins in Lamiales, a taxonomic order with over 1,000 genera, including over 30 aquatic lineages. We expected to find a non-random distribution of aquatic plant origins in space and/or time, due to global environmental changes that might have given aquatic plants an adaptive advantage under certain conditions. We used previously published DNA sequences to construct a molecular phylogeny of


Lamiales, and we used the phylogeny to estimate timing and biogeography for aquatic and terrestrial lineages. We detected no clear geographic pattern in the origins of aquatic Lamiales. However, we did infer that nearly all aquatic plant groups originated within the last 30 million years. Analyzing the Changes in Water Chemistry in Relation to Corresponding Icelandic Sediment Michael Manley, Rachael Poczkalski (Juk Bhattacharyya, Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Geology, Physics Our research investigated the correlations between the chemical elements found in the water and sediment samples taken from various locations throughout southern Iceland. The purpose of this research was to gain a better understanding of the diffusion of different chemical elements in Iceland’s many surface water systems and their impact on water quality. Iceland is a geologically active island, which has experienced many volcanic eruptions in its history. Much of Iceland’s surface water is effected by glacial ice melt or geothermal activity, and is exposed to sediments created by volcanic activity. Specifically, we wanted to know what elements are commonly found in sediments in or near water sources, and the respective quantity of each element in water as well as in the sediment samples. Finally, we wanted to determine whether the water-sediment system contain harmful elements. To do this our team visited several geologically diverse sites, such as glaciers, lakes, hot springs, etc., in southern Iceland, and collected water and sediment samples. Those samples were analyzed for pH levels, conductivity, and dissolved compounds using X-Ray Fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Our results show that there might be a connection between the sediments and the chemicals found in the water samples. We also noticed that the water in some locations contained potentially dangerous amounts of elements such as manganese, iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and arsenic. This presentation will discuss our research results and future plans Female Empowerment at KCACTF Kathleen Grace Martin (Bruce Cohen, Angela Iannone, Kym Mellen) Theater and Dance When preparing my pieces to present at KCACTF, I spent a great deal of time looking for material that was written by strong, empowering women about strong, smart, empowering women. I wanted each of my characters to be her own person with her own voice and not a stereotype. By working on characters like this, I enjoyed my process and felt that the stories the characters had to tell were important and would resonate with many others as they did with me. I have been challenged to research more female play writes and promote their material more. There are just as many female play writes as male and we should not have a difficult time finding their work or producing it. I felt very confident and proud to present all female written work at KCACTF. I enjoyed researching the works of these different female authors and was able to get


in touch with two of them personally about studying and presenting their work. It is very important for young actresses to understand the negative impact of many female stereotypes that are written for the stage that have been played and replayed again and again. The longer this has gone on the more numb we've become to it and we need to be aware. Young actresses need to turn down those roles that do not empower them. They need to suggest female authors who write strong men and women characters. Directors and departments need to agree to try for at least half of their seasons shows to be written by women. We can present better representation, we just need to want to do our part. I will keep researching and working towards equality in theatre. Temperature Sensor Programming and Lab Monitoring System Braeden Michael (Martin Tchernookov) Physics This program records and displays data from multiple heat sensors placed around the room. The goal of this program is to improve and test the reliability of the program and its components through experiment in order to improve the system. This program will also alert the user if equipment is overheating, save the data, shut down the equipment if overheating, and alert the user via email of any error. Security Schemes for Defending Attacks on an Internet of Things System Pheobe Miller (Jiazhen Zhou) Computer Science Internet of Things (IoT) devices are becoming more prevalent in society. Yet, there have been limited efforts on ensuring security in IoT systems. The purpose of this research is to design a security protocol for IoT devices. Specifically, we designed a secure protocol for a camera based monitoring system that could send messages and images under special situations. Through the use of private key cryptography such as AES and public key cryptography such as RSA, we enhanced the security of the monitoring system so that it could defend against common IoT attacks that include physical attacks, privacy attacks, replay attacks, and authentication attacks. With some customization, this protocol could be used with other IoT devices. Using Atmospheric Plasma to Coat Biomedical Implants with an Anti-Fouling Solution Isaiah Morales (Jalal Nawash) Physics Coatings of biomedical implants is one of the critical problems in today’s medical field. Due to surfaces absent of anti-fouling coatings, biomedical implants accumulate bacteria on their surface which decreases the lifetime of the implant in a human body. The available coating solutions are not proportional to the number of anti-fouling solutions we currently have available. Polyethylene-glycol and diethylene-glycol are widely used throughout medical products to reduce bacteria accumulation. However, our current methodology of coating biomedical implants does not support the majority of anti-fouling solutions because of their


inability to adhere to normal surfaces. This research project explores the possibilities of using atmospheric plasma to coat biomedical implants with an anti-fouling solution. Utilizing computer simulations and data collected from the atmospheric plasma chamber we describe the method of using atmospheric plasma to effectively coat biomedical implants. It is concluded that atmospheric plasma is a viable option to coat biomedical implants while also increasing the number of solutions that can be utilized. Solutions that normally do not adhere to any surface were able to form coatings around samples with the introduction of atmospheric plasma. The coatings were found to increase the hydrophobicity of the sample by sixty-four percent. The introduction of using atmospheric plasma in the medical industry provides a methodology not currently utilized or explored throughout the medical field while also increasing the number of solutions we are able to use. Socio-Economic Impacts of Kilauea Volcano - Hawai'i County 2018 Lucas Murray, Kalama Kamoku (Juk Bhattacharayya) Geology On May 3rd, 2018, Kilauea volcano, located the Lower East Rift Zone of Big Island Hawaii, in the Puna district, began erupting with a intense lava flow and release of hazardous gasses. A line of fissures opened up along the island’s southeastern coastline in Leilani Estates, eventually prompting thousands to evacuate their homes to surrounding areas. The lava flow was most active from fissure 8, and within weeks, a lava river had formed, driving an immense volume of lava across the landscape, eventually reaching the ocean at Kapoho Bay. By mid August, the lava flow had physically covered about 14 square miles, and had been feeding so much lava into ocean entry that a new coastline had been formed, then soon brand new black sand beaches had formed. In the meantime, the lava flows have been destroying homes, roads and everything in between. Estimates are that of displacing thousands and releasing hazardouses gasses like sulfur dioxide into the surrounding atmosphere. Shortly after this eruption had begun, international news had taken ahold of this story of glorious lava flow and ran with it. Some new outlets had blown it out of proportion, the general population assumed the worst, and the geoscientists took heavy interest. We set out to determine and visualize the recorded levels of sulfur dioxide from various air quality monitoring stations located around Hawaii county. After determining areas of SO2 hazard, we then set out to analyze the socio-economic impacts of the decreased levels in eco-tourism in these areas and their direct impact of the local economy community. What Charitable Causes Do Americans Perceive As “Unworthy”? Mariah Navis, Alexandra Lewis (Ruth Hansen) Business Management One of the enduring critical issues of society is how to care for those in need, and who is responsible for funding and providing those services. Those who support privatization suggest that charitable giving will support services that may have previously been driven by government. But giving is not spread evenly across charitable organizations. About 1/3 of US charities are


human services organizations, but they receive about 1/10 of contributions (McKeever, 2015; McKeever & Pettijohn, 2014). Adapted from Body & Breeze’s (2016) study of "unpopular causes" in the UK, we used Google internet search and Nexis Uni, a searchable online database, using various terms including “unpopular,” “unworthy,” “challenging,” and “underdog,” in combination with each of “charity” and “cause.” The search was limited to US based sources from 1998 to 2017. Preliminary results identified 1542 possible hits. In this poster, we give examples of charities and causes identified, and discuss emergent findings. Vaping On Campus and in the Community - What Are They Doing and Why? Alexis Nelson, Lauren Vander Linden, Hannah Sake, Morgan Smarzinski, Seth Zorn (Michael Hammer) Communication Sciences and Disorders Vaping and and other forms of smoking are present on campus and in the community. In particular, clouds of vaporized chemicals from Vaping are notable and seem to have increased in recent years. However, there are several important and unknown questions about Vaping that are important to address. The primary purpose of this new study is four-fold. (1) As a public health concern, we will attempt to determine whether Vaping and Smoking may truly be on the increase on campus and in the community. (2) We will attempt to determine the underlying motivation and trends for why individuals may choose to participate in Vaping and other forms of smoking. (3) As an individual health concern, we will attempt to determine potential changes in the senses of taste, smell, airway sensory function in those who participate in Vaping and other forms of Smoking. (4) As an individual health concern, we will also attempt to determine potential changes in breathing, voice, and other potential airway functions in those who participate in Vaping and other forms of smoking. In this presentation, we will summarize what we have learned so far about Vaping and some preliminary data related to airway sensory function in an individual who Vapes. The information we gather can be of direct benefit to participants, the campus/community, and dissemination of results may be of benefit to society. Using Solid Phase Extraction to Analyze Dog Urine Rachel Nickel (Paul House) Chemistry One way that dogs communicate is through urine scent-marking, although research into how dogs use urine marks to communicate is limited. Previous studies have found that dogs respond differently to urine from males and females, but dogs also often vary in how long they respond to urine samples from different individuals of the same sex. The chemical composition of this form of communication as a whole is not well known and more work needs to be done to connect social and behavioral variables to chemical signals that may be used in communication. The purpose of this project is to develop methods of measuring chemicals that play an important role in the communication process. Research has been done on the volatiles in urine of a number of


mammals such as rats, wild dogs, and tigers. These experiments have used a variety of methods to isolate compounds, including solid phase extraction (SPE) with gas chromatography (GC), which are used in this project. The results of researchers at other institutions these experiments have yielded the detection of compounds that are thought to be important in urine scent communication. These compounds may be similar to the compounds that are important in dog communication as well. SPE will be used to extract compounds that are specific to our experiment from urine samples. These compounds will then be put into the carbowax GC column and detected with flame ionization detection (FID). Final identification of compounds with mass spectrometry will be investigated in the future. Examining the Impact of Mindfulness on Undergraduate Social Work Internships Jennifer Nowak (Sarah Hessenaur) Social Work Mindfulness is viewed as the ability to be purposefully present in the moment without distraction or judgement. The goal of this study is to examine the impact of introducing mindfulness techniques to social work students prior to entering their social work internship and examining the impact on their learning. In this quasi-experimental study, the researcher introduced mindfulness to students in one section of a Social Work Senior Seminar Capstone course and not in a different section. The researcher provided the initial information in a face to face session educating students how to implement mindfulness techniques throughout their daily lives. Students were provided with education about the core principals of mindfulness and were led through mindfulness exercises, such as awareness and being in tuned to their bodies, in order to teach them how to apply it in their daily lives. Participants were asked to voluntarily complete a survey about stress, (Holmes-Rahe Scale and the Stamm Professional Quality of Life Scale) and mindfulness through the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) after completion of their course and field experience. The data was analyzed through SPSS. The hypotheses is that students receiving mindfulness techniques will report lower stress and negative psychological health problems compared to students who have not been taught the techniques. Preliminary results indicated a significant positive correlation between mindfulness and compassion satisfaction and a significant negative correlation between mindfulness and secondary trauma and burnout. Improvement of Water Softening Systems to Detect for Malfunctioning Ion Exchange Resin Beads Dakota Nufer, Clayton Holst (Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Physics The basis of our investigation is that we want to develop a sensor (Likely both a conductivity and an optical sensor) that will tell us when the resin within a water softening tank has become depleted and is unable to be recharged. Our method of doing this will be fairly straight forward; when the resin in a tank becomes contaminated with too much chlorine, it will no longer be able


to regenerate properly, and as a result will no longer be able to take the hard minerals out of the water. Since Dakota works at a business that makes these softeners, he understands the frustrations that come with customers calling about their water softeners no longer working. Often, if the tank hits this stage, it is not reversible and the tank will need to be completely replaced. However, if this process is caught early enough, an installer can communicate with a customer and get them a replacement without the customer being charged for a rushed replacement. The details that we will be presenting will be mostly on our progress with our project as well as some of our results. The project itself is not complete, so results are limited. However we have data from testing the samples, and we have a prototype sensor system set up that we can present. Investigating Genes Responsible for Heterostyly in Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) Alyssa Lynn Olson, Jenni Lynn Wendtlandt (Nicholas Tippery) Department of Biological Sciences Heterostyly is a rare reproductive condition found in flowering plants. Individuals will produce one of two morphs: long styles with short stamens, or short styles with long stamens. Both versions promote outcrossing and prevent inbreeding. Despite its adaptive significance in increasing genetic diversity, heterostyly is only found in 28 out of 400 genetically distinct flowering plant families. In addition, while there is little research of this condition, scientists have determined it is likely coded for by a suite of linked genes, a supergene, due to its many physical traits other than style/stamen height (i.e. pollen size, incompatibility reactions, etc.). The purpose of this research project is to investigate genes implicated in heterostyly in the genus Nymphoides, (Menyanthaceae family) host to approximately 50 different heterostylous species. Utilizing published data outlining the differences in sequences of both morphs of N. peltata, candidate genes/regions were selected for investigation. The current gene of study is VPS41, a vacuolar protein sorting gene. To isolate the target sequence, oligonucleotide primers were designed and run through polymerase chain reactions (PCR) with DNA samples, then followed by Sanger DNA sequencing. Sequence results have been successfully obtained for multiple Nymphoides species, but all appear to align with the short-style sequence from the published data. Further exploration can be conducted on VPS41, but if its link to heterostyly is not found, the next probable candidate gene is the globosa (GLO1) transcription factor. Modeling Ischemic Liver Injury Claire Onsager, Andrew Mason (Aditi Ghosh) Mathematics Ischemic Hepatitis (IH) is a medical condition in which the liver becomes damaged due to deprivation of either blood or oxygen. The liver injury typically results from another underlying medical condition. This damage leads to the death of the liver cells, or hepatocytes. Ischemic Hepatitis is a rare but potentially lethal condition which is often preventable if diagnosed properly. Unfortunately, Ischemic Hepatitis is not well understood, making it difficult to identify


quickly. In most cases, the only way to determine a case of Ischemic Hepatitis is to rule out all other possible conditions. A better understanding of the liver’s response to IH is necessary to aid in diagnosis and improve outcomes. We aim to develop a mathematical model of hepatocyte death and the rise and fall of associated liver enzymes in cases of Ischemic Hepatitis. This model studies liver cell death in response to IH caused by chronic heart failure and cardiovascular shock. We use case data from patients afflicted with this form of Ischemic Hepatitis in order to construct a system of ordinary differential equations. These equations model the death of hepatocytes and the rise and fall of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, & LDH) as a result of a reduction in oxygenated blood. This model may also allow physicians to estimate the extent of liver damage in an IH patient based on their enzyme levels. Within-Subject Validation of Academic Constraints on Alcohol Purchasing Ryan Powers, Nate Popodie, Abby Schmidt, Mackenzie Kropidlowski (Matthew Andrzejewski) Psychology Economic demand for alcoholic beverages can be assessed using the Alcohol Purchase Task (APT) where participants hypothetically buy drinks at escalating prices. The APT allows for detailed behavioral economic analyses including elasticity and breakpoint. Previous research has demonstrated that hypothetical academic constraints decrease certain measures of demand. In this experiment, participants completed two abbreviated versions of the APT with distinct prices over a similar range. In the experimental (EXP) version, participants were told that they had an exam the next morning, while the control (CTRL) version explicitly told them that they did not have an exam or class the next day. A full 2X2 factorial experiment was conducted where participants received 1) CTRL then EXP versions of APT, 2) EXP then CTRL versions of the APT, 3) CTRL then CTRL, or 4) EXP then EXP. Results from sixty participants (n=65) directly replicated within-subject the effects of academic constraints on alcohol purchasing demonstrated between groups. Demand curves obtained from the CTRL version first saw a reduction in that curve under the EXP version. Conversely, participants that saw the EXP version first showed an increase in demand in the subsequent CTRL version. There were no changes in the CTRL-CTRL or EXP-EXP conditions. Predicting Future Coral Survival: Soft Coral Response to Increased Temperatures and Ocean Acidification Nicole H. Price, Elizabeth A. Rockow, Dylan Z. Ferger, Noah L. Nguyen, Ben R. Hillman (Stephen J. Levas) Biology Coral reefs are threatened globally due to the increasing frequency and intensity of thermal bleaching events. When ocean water temperatures rise beyond the summertime maximum mean for as little as two weeks, tropical symbiotic corals can begin to expel their photosynthesizing endosymbionts. Thus, limiting their capability of nutrient acquisition and potential survival. The effects of this symbiosis under thermal stress is well understood in hard corals, which create the


coral reef structure through calcification. However, soft corals are less understood on a physiological level, yet they still play an essential role in creating reef structure and habitat. Therefore, the single and combined effects of thermal stress and ocean acidification were tested on two species of soft coral, Capnella sp. and Sinularia Dura, over a treatment period of three months. Corals were treated under four conditions, including a control at ambient temperature and ambient pCO2 (25.5°C, 390 ppm), thermal stress and ambient pCO2 (31.0°C, 390 ppm), thermal stress and elevated pCO2 (31.0°C, 750 ppm), and ambient temperature and elevated pCO2 (25.5°C,750 ppm). Elevated pCO2 concentrations were used to mimic current and projected atmospheric concentrations at the end of the century. To analyze coral physiology we are currently measuring total biomass, photosynthesis rates, and respiration rates. This will further determine how soft corals respond to temperature and pCO2 in the context of current climate change. Synthesis and Utilization of New Sulfonium Salt Photoinitiators Megan Prien (Steven Anderson) Chemistry Photoinitiators convert light energy into high-energy reactive species (e.g., free radicals, cations, acids and bases). These find applications in the curing of adhesives and coatings and as primers and inks in electronics. Our research targets the synthesis and evaluation of sulfonium salt photoinitiators absorbing light in the UVC region (254 nm), and the influence electron-donating or -withdrawing groups have on the synthesis and photoinitiator efficiency. The new sulfonium salt photoinitiator, 2-phenyl-1,3-indanedione-S-phenoxathiinium triflate (PIPT), is prepared by a metathesis reaction of 2-bromo-2-phenyl-1,3-indanedione (BPI), phenoxathiin and sodium triflate. Derivatives will be benchmarked to this photoinitiator. Phenyl substituted derivatives of BPI are made by a Dieckmann condensation of phthalide and the corresponding substituted benzaldehyde (p-OCH3, p-NO2, p-CH3, p-Br). Electron-withdrawing or –donating substituents are anticipated to, respectively, accelerate or decrease the photodecomposition rates. Efficiency will be assessed by comparison to standard photoinitiators. Decomposition may occur either by Norrish Type I or II pathways pending further investigation. Green methods include using ionic liquids and UV-LED lamps. The synthesis of novel, efficient and potentially useful photoinitiators, paired with green methods, would be widely accepted, given a flexible approach. Only recently have syntheses and polymerizations been conducted in green solvents, therefore, comparisons will be made to related compounds found in the literature. Behavioral Interactions Between Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus pennsylvanicus, and Zapus hudsonius Zachary Rasmann, Evelyn Swatkowski, Andrei Nylund (Bruce Eshelman) Biology Prairies across the United States have been known to have a large species diversity due to the many ecological niches and dynamic web of life found within the ecosystem. Due to the many


different species, such as small/large mammals, insects, and birds, there is increased competition for the limited resources these organisms need to survive and reproduce. This study was specifically undertaken to determine the dominance levels of three species of small mammals and how their behavior affects one another. To do this we investigated the behavioral interactions of Peromyscus maniculatus, Microtus pennsylvanicus, and Zapus hudsonius within a closed arena. Specimens were trapped and tagged using a small stainless-steel tag for identification. Behavioral trials would consist of pairings of individual and different species in a 20-gallon glass aquarium. Any action made by the individual would be closely monitored and recorded by the observers. Individuals would then be removed from the observation area and released at point of capture. Microtus pennsylvanicus was found to be the more aggressive species in interactions with either Peromyscus maniculatus, or Zapus hudsonius. This suggests the reason for a greater presence of Microtus pennsylvanicus in the environment over the other small mammals since Peromyscus maniculatus, and Zapus hudsonius show more of a submissive relationship. We would assume that the Microtus pennsylvanicus is the dominate species and therefor would be seen more in the environment. Longitudinal Associations Between Siblings’ Technology-Mediated Communication and Relationship Quality During Emerging Adulthood Brittany Redden (Anna Lindell) Psychology Sibling relationships are important for development and well-being in childhood and later adulthood (Cicirelli, 1995), but less is known about these relationships during emerging adulthood (Lindell & Campione-Barr, 2016). The present study therefore examined patterns of technology-mediated communication between first-year college students and their siblings, and over-time associations with the quality of these relationships. We examined two types of technology-mediated communication: synchronous communication (involving immediate responses; e.g., phone calls), and asynchronous communication (typically not involving immediate responses; e.g., e-mail). In addition, we examined differences based on gender, birth order, sibling gender composition, and sibling age spacing. At Wave 1, 250 first-year college students participated. Three years later when most participants were in their fourth year of college, 150 participants agreed to participate again. Women engaged in more synchronous (but not asynchronous) communication with siblings compared to men, and both women and men engaged in more frequent synchronous than asynchronous communication. Overall, we found that more frequent technology-mediated communication at Time 1 predicted greater positivity with siblings at Time 2, even when controlling for face-to-face communication, especially for boys and later-born siblings. These findings illustrate how siblings now increasingly rely on technology to maintain their relationships, and how these technologies can have lasting implications for the quality of these relationships. Project GREY (Geriatric Resources for Engaging Your Students)


Cloie Rose, Stephanie Mepham, Malayna Oswald, Jeta Dehari, Jennifer Schmidt, Sam Giles (Jeannine Rowe, Yeongmin Kim) Social Work Wisconsin’s aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate. Despite the growing population, there is a workforce shortage of professionals who will support older people. Negative perceptions, lack of relevance, and few curriculums contribute to the issue. To address the problem, Project GREY was developed. It is a one-year aging awareness and curriculum enhancement partnership project with Fairhaven Senior Services that aims to inspire students from across disciplines to pursue careers working with older adults. As part of the aging awareness campaign, positive images of elders and short videos are being displayed across campus. Intergenerational activities will also be offered later this spring. A community based learning class will be offered next academic year to provide students with more experiential learning opportunities. A baseline survey of students’ perceptions and knowledge of aging is underway. Two follow-up surveys will be conducted in fall to assess change. Baseline data will be examined at the end of our data collection period. Follow-up data will be examined later this year and used to compare change in outcomes. We expect the aging awareness campaign activities will change perceptions and attitudes and promote greater interest in working with older adults. Identification of Amyloid Fibrils in Seminal Plasma of Mammalian Species Using Atomic Force Microscopy Ian Ruble (Nathly Cormier, Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Biology, Physics Amyloid fibrils are proteins that have aggregated with specific cross-beta-sheet structures (Fowler et al., 2012). Amyloid fibrils are typically associated with neurodegenerative diseases specifically Alzheimer’s. Recently published papers have located amyloid fibrils in the seminal plasma of mice (Whelly et al., 2012) and humans (Usmani et al., 2014), and their relation to the transmission of diseases like HIV. Results from these studies and others (Guyonnet et al., 2014; Sylva et al., 2015; Whelly et al., 2015; Whelly et al., 2016) have noted that amyloid fibrils are linked to not just diseases, but in normal physiological processes such as fertilization and development. The goal of this study was to locate and identify amyloid fibrils in bovine seminal plasma (SP). In the present study, we removed by centrifugation the sperm cells from fresh, bull ejaculates (n= 3) and collect the SP, then diluted each sample with deionized water in 1:100 ratio. Samples were placed on silicon wafers using a spin coating apparatus, then examined via atomic force microscopy to find amyloid fibers. The results of this experiment so far have led to the identification of fibrils in numerous AFM scans. The next steps will be to develop new strategies of purification and dilution to yield higher fibril concentrations in the SP. Further different AFM scanning modes will be used for amyloid identification. Characterization of these fibrillar structures may eventually lead to development of new strategies to treat HIV or similarly diseases by stopping the formation of amyloid fiber aggregates.


Model Geysers vs Natural Geysers Kirsten Ruffert (Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Physics A geyser is a spring that sporadically erupts due to thermal activity. In Iceland there are a large number of geysers located all over the island due to the high rate of volcanic activity. Geysers are very complex geological structures. They are sensitive to any change in water flow, pressure, or tectonic strain. In recent years scientists have been trying to come up with a model to further research and better understand geysers. In my research I address the question can we use model geysers to study natural geysers? My objectives were to first measure and record the periodicity, temperature and height of the model geyser and the natural geyser. Second compare and contrast the variables for both. The model geyser is set up with a hot plate as the heat source, a beaker as water supply with a glass tube attached by a rubber stopper, at the end of the tube there is a plastic cup to serve as the water reservoir. Once the water starts to boil the water rises leaving the beaker and filling the top cup creating an eruption. While in Iceland I recorded the temperature of the geyser with a thermal camera. I also timed the eruptions and recorded its frequency. In my research I have found the model and natural geysers to be very similar in nature. The model geyser results show not only similar periodicities as the natural geyser, but the height tendencies and geothermal temperatures are comparable as well. A Survey of Strength and Conditioning Practices of High School Sport Coaches Trent Rudebeck (Jason Shurley, Andrea Ednie) Health, PE, Rec & Coaching Currently, there is a lack of research providing information about the strength training regimen of high school athletes. More specifically, the aim of our research is to identify whether there are discrepancies between male and female strength training programs. There has been one research study that reports male athletes are much more likely to train year-round, and more frequently than female athletes. This could be detrimental to the development of female athletes’ abilities due to their higher risk for certain injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the knee. For example, research has shown that female basketball players are six times more likely to have an ACL tear compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, comprehensive neuromuscular training has been shown to help improve knee stabilization, which can prevent these injuries. The goal of our research is to expand the knowledge of current high school strength training practices in order to provide recommendations for future adolescent training programs. In order to do this, we have randomly selected high schools in Wisconsin and Texas, based on student enrollment, to receive surveys regarding their current athletes’ strength training programs. These states were selected because Texas high schools have a dedicated athletic period during their school day, while Wisconsin high schools do not. Hopefully, this research can further improve high school athletes’ performance, while simultaneously preventing injuries.


Natural Rate of Unemployment in Wisconsin Alujjage Pasan Manila Samaranayake (Yamin Ahmad) Economics This research project has two objectives: Estimating the natural rate of unemployment for Wisconsin using time series methods. Conducting a comparison of volatility and cyclicality for the civilian unemployment rate in the United States, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Real Private Investment in the United States with respect to the unemployment rate of Wisconsin. Performing for Performers Lance Schroeder, Nathan Broege (Marshall Anderson) Theatre The research that I took part of was being a part of KCACTF. The challenge of this as a creator was going to be performing in a room full of other creators in a competitive setting. As a performer, I had never performed in front of other performers. I had only performed in front of regular people and the other performers and directors I had worked with. In order to overcome this my partner and myself had to be better prepared so we could confidently perform and know we did well. In this abstract I want to discuss the process from start to finish. When an actor gets an invitation to perform at KCACTF we have to perform two scenes, of about two minutes in length and one monologue of about one minute. When looking for a scene you have to keep in mind what types of characters you and your scene partner can play and can play well. You also have to keep in mind what you are showing to the crowd and judges, and the range. It’s important to show a range of ability and character. After finding pieces we had to contact the publishing houses to make sure we were able to legally use the pieces. After that we had to continuously practice, in front of our peers and professors, and get feedback until we were confident in the pieces. Cluster Algebras Ryan Schroeder (Xueqing Chen) Mathematics Cluster algebras are a class of commutative ℚ-algebras first proposed in 2000 by S. Fomin and A. Zelevinsky of the University of Michigan. Originally used to provide a combinatorial approach to problems regarding group positivity, cluster algebras have been the subject of much research recently due to their applications to the representation theory and classification of quivers, quantum groups, Lie algebras, and other objects. A cluster algebra can be described by a free generating set of "cluster variables," a set of "frozen variables," and a skew-symmetrizable exchange matrix. There is a bijection between cluster algebras and finite quivers without loops or two-cycles, and furthermore, due to Gabriel's Theorem and results of Fomin and Zelevinsky, the number of cluster variables for a given cluster algebra is finite if and only if its associated quiver is mutation equivalent to a quiver of finite representation type (i.e. a simply laced Dynkin


diagram). We find the cluster algebra of type A3 and use it to illustrate more general results such as the Laurent phenomenon, which guarantees that cluster variables are rational, and allude to the positivity conjecture. Phosphorylation Dependent Function of a FOXO Transcription Factor from the Parasitic Nematode Brugia malayi Matthew James Schulgit (Kirsten Crossgrove) Biology Brugia malayi is a mosquito-transmitted parasitic nematode that causes lymphatic filariasis in humans. Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living nematode model organism. The C. elegans arrested dauer stage is like the infective iL3 stage of B. malayi as both depend on environmental cues to continue development. In C. elegans, the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway regulates exit from the dauer stage by phosphorylation dependent inhibition of DAF-16. To test if Bma-DAF-16 functions similarly, we will attempt to rescue Ce-daf-16 function using worms transgenic for wild type and phosphorylation site mutants of Bma-daf-16. Transgenic worms are currently being generated. We will first confirm that the wild type and mutant Bma-daf-16 can cause the worms to enter dauer, and then test whether the worms can recover from dauer. If our hypothesis is correct, only the transgenic worms expressing wild type Bma-daf-16 should be able to recover from dauer. Behavioral Weight Loss Studies: Investigating the Underrepresentation of African-Americans Devante Charles Simmons (Heather Neimeier) Psychology Obesity is a functional and sociocultural constraint that has and is currently affecting millions of Americans. According to the latest data, adult obesity rates exceed 35% in five states, 30% in 25 states, and 25% in 46 states. However, African-Americans (AA) are more susceptible to suffering from the widespread physical and emotionally damaging issues associated with obesity and account for the highest obesity rate among all ethnic groups in the United States (48.4%). Despite this, researchers and medical professionals have failed to adequately include AA within their behavioral weight loss studies. Behavioral weight loss encompasses the types of behaviors and nutritional beliefs that affect our choices for eating and exercising. There are many factors sabotaging AA efforts with weight control and management. Those factors include physical and socioeconomic issues, such as residing in food deserts and low income neighborhoods with a lack of exercise related resources. Additionally, cultural acceptance and appearance play a significant role for the issues surrounding AA and their struggles with weight control, with thick or curvy women appealing to many, and how hair acts as a barrier to physical activity for AA women. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to examine the use of AA within their Randomized Control Trials (RTCs) and to also bring awareness to researchers, medical doctors,


and health care providers about the importance of African Americans being utilized within their current and future studies. PER1 and BMAL1 Promoter Driving Firefly Luciferase Expression in Xenopus laevis Garrett Songer (Kris Curan) Biology Circadian rhythm is a change in the biology of an organism that has a 24-hour period. It is present in almost every living organism from bacteria to humans. Examples include sleep wake cycle, changes in hormone levels, and changes in gene expression. These changes are controlled by a molecular clock present in every cell. The molecular clock consists of a transcriptional-translational negative feedback loop. Two components of that clock are Period1 and Bmal1. My goal is to create reporter genes to monitor Period1 and Bmal1 transcription in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. I have designed specific primers that will PCR amplify the Period1 and Bmal1 promoters from genomic DNA. However, further experiments will need to be done in order to get a 1.5kb product on a gel. I have also designed specific Bmal1 primers that have given me an expected 1.4kb product. Further steps need to be taken in order to sequence my clone and insert the clone into the transgenesis vector to monitor Bmal1 transcription. Measuring Implicit Curriculum: Implications Inherent in the Role of the Faculty Field Liaison Breanna Elise Sorensen, Drake Deno (Jennifer Anderson) Social Work The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires social work educational programs to assess both their implicit as well as their explicit curriculum. There is a divergence in the literature as explicit curriculum is prevalent, while research on implicit curriculum is nominal. The implicit curriculum for social work education provides a powerful mechanism for assessing the atmosphere and culture of the learning environment for students. The field program is a natural, if not challenging venue for social work programs’ assessment of its implicit curriculum. As such, the role of the faculty field liaison becomes a critical piece in understanding the implicit nature of the field experience. This project evaluated the role of faculty field liaisons over five years from exit surveys taken by graduate-level social work students (N=168) and their assigned field instructors (N=244). The findings suggest that the role of the faculty field liaison, the position’s duties, and the role’s unique nature yield a number of assessment opportunities of the implicit curriculum in social work education. Precipitation Changes and Variance in the Great Lakes Region Jillian Stephens (John Frye) Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science This study seeks to analyze how precipitation patterns and precipitation variance in the Great Lakes Region have changed over time with respect to climate change. This was done by looking


at both long-term precipitation totals and at the timing and variation of precipitation events. Precipitation data was retrieved from the Global Historical Climatology Network database and was downloaded if there were at least 80% of precipitation values present over a 60-year period of record. 60 years was the chosen timeframe in order to determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the data from the historical precipitation reference period (1950-1980) and the current reference period (1987-2017). SPSS was utilized to calculate the long-term precipitation totals and to determine if there has been a significant difference between the historical and current reference period in the number of extreme precipitation events that have occurred. Extreme precipitation events are defined as 0.5 inches, 1 inch, or 2 inches of precipitation in a single day. It’s expected that there has been an increase in extreme precipitation events and a decrease in their frequency of occurrence. If this is true, it could indicate that anthropogenic climate change is responsible for these precipitation changes. An increase in the severity of precipitation events could make the region more susceptible to extreme drought with extended periods of time between extreme flooding events when rainfall does occur. This could have several implications for the region, including diminished crop yields. Tadpole Shrimp in an Antibiotic Soup: Are We Creating Monsters? McKayla Streit (Brian O’Neill) Biological Sciences U.S. farmers use antibiotic growth promoters to increase the size of livestock and decrease microbial growth. 70-90% of these antibiotics are unmetabolized and excreted into the environments surrounding farms. While antibiotics are prevalent in surface waters, it is unknown how it affects the aquatic organisms that inhabit them. Generations of tadpole shrimp (Crustacea: Notostraca: Triops), were exposed to varying concentrations of the antibiotic chlortetracycline in 1L microscosms to determine if it affects the shrimp’s survival, size, and lifespan. We found that chlortetracycline has not affected shrimp size, survival, and lifespan at ecologically relevant concentrations. Competition has also been taken into account in order to asses the antibiotic’s ecological impact. A concentration in which no shrimp are able to survive is currently being investigated. We hope this information will contribute to the body of knowledge that guides the regulation of antibiotics in livestock. Inorganic Synthesis of Artificial Bioactive Glass Amber Stewart (Steven Girard) Chemistry Bioactive glasses can regenerate and regrow damaged or diseased bone by virtue of their similar chemical composition to bone and biomimetic properties. However, their synthesis as a true amorphous glass devoid of any crystallinity is quite challenging. We have synthesized the bioglass by using the sol-gel method which is known to give the glass the optimal properties of larger nanopores and lower instances of crystallization during the process of synthesis. Our process involves the mixture of the reagents, followed by a gelation period which is then aged to


strengthen the gel. The gel is then dried to remove residual water and is finally stabilized through an annealing process. We have performed variants of the experiments including changing the reaction container, washing techniques, mixing procedures and the evaluation of processing temperatures used. The main focus of this research is to synthesize a bioactive glass that is able to withstand the load bearing demands of a healing bone. Evaluating Motivational and Educational Interventions' Effectiveness in Reducing OWI Recidivism Jacob Stricker (Meg Waraczynski) Psychology Previous studies reveal evidence that motivational interventions are effective in temporarily reducing alcohol related behaviors and problems for college students with effects lasting up to a year or more. However, the literature lacks evidence supporting or opposing these effects for a wider variety of individuals. The current study examines data from a group of more than 400 adult individuals varying in education and age, many without college experience, who completed either a motivational intervention or educational intervention through programs supported by the Department of Health and Human Services in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Participants were enrolled in one of these programs after receiving an OWI offense in Walworth County. Individuals with a high risk of recidivism and multiple offenses were entered into the Two is Enough motivational intervention program. Individuals at low risk were entered into the regular educational intervention. The current study evaluates the Two is Enough intervention and educational intervention with regard to both the rates of receiving another OWI post intervention and the time between intervention end and re-offense. This study expects to find that the Two is Enough motivational intervention provides longer lasting reductions in recidivism. Listener's Facial Expression and Emotional Speech Processing Speed Amara Tang (Lynn Gilbertson) Communication Sciences and Disorders Embodied cognition theories propose that comprehension of emotional language uses the same neural systems involved in the original experience of emotion. In this study, participants judged the emotionality of pleasant and unpleasant spoken sentences in quiet and in noise while holding a pen in their mouth in two conditions: in the teeth to produce a smile and in the lips to prevent a smile. It was expected that speech processing times would be faster when the facial expression elicited by the pen was congruent with sentence emotion. Results revealed no significant interaction between facial expression and sentence emotion. The embodied effects with auditory sentences were not as robust at increasing processing speed as those previously reported with written sentences. Future studies may include people with auditory processing disorders in order to evaluate whether embodied cognition theories provide rationale for therapeutic strategies.


Removal of Methylmercury from Fish Fillets Using Vacuum Tumblers and Reducing Agents Sura-attha Umasangtongkul (John Ejnik) Chemistry Fish is an excellent source of nutrients and an important part of a balanced diet. However, fish contains various levels of methylmercury, which is highly toxic to humans. Research has shown that adults who consume fish as a primary protein source that contain high levels of methylmercury have a higher risk for loss of peripheral vision, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, and many more symptoms. High levels of methylmercury exposure in adolescents has also been correlated to impaired cognitive skills, memory, language and neurological symptoms. Unfortunately, there has not been any practical methods to remove methylmercury in fish. In response to this need, we are researching methods to effectively extract methylmercury out of fish. This study investigates the possibility of using a safe organic reducing agent to reduce methylmercury to elemental mercury. Then, under vacuum conditions, elemental mercury will volatize into a vapor, resulting in removal of the methylmercury from the fish tissue. Current experiments using stannous chloride have removed ~50% of the methylmercury to date, with the goal of 50% extraction using organic reducing agents instead of stannous chloride. The effect of pH, salinity, surface area, and various ligands are also studied in this project. Methylmercury extractions increase with decreasing pH’s, isotonic solutions, increased surface areas, and ligands with thiol groups. If this research is successful, food processing methods can be utilized to help protect infants and adults from the adverse effects of methylmercury. Survey of Spectral Lines for Phosphorus for Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy Dylan Vickers (John Ejnik) Chemistry The goal of this research is to create a more versatile, robust and accurate method of measurement for Phosphorus in surface waters. Phosphorus plays an important role environmentally in aquatic ecosystems as elevated levels in water help to promote algae growth. A large growth of algae can lead to things such as depleted oxygen levels and an increase in the concentrations of toxins within the ecosystem. As a result, “dead zones” can occur in worst case scenarios or at minimum potentially harm other aquatic organisms living in the surrounding environment. It is therefore crucial and highly desirable to be able to accurately and precisely measure phosphorus in water samples. Currently, the E.P.A. colorimetric absorbance assay is commonly used. The colorimetric assay allows for interference free results and detection limits in the range of 0.01 µg P/mL. However, the colorimetric assay method requires a great amount of time and effort to clean glassware properly, and prepare the water samples for analysis. Glassware must typically be acid washed to remove any possibility of remaining residue which may create a higher than expected reading, a large amount of time is required to digest samples to convert the phosphorus to a form that can be tested for, and samples must typically be


measured within a certain time frame to prevent inaccurate results. The colorimetric assay is typically limited to a single element as well. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is an alternative method to the colorimetric assay which requires much less time and effort t Quantity Theory of Money Alexandre Vieira (Yamin Ahmad) Economics The two research questions I analyzed are: is Velocity constant across countries in different stages of their economic development, and is Velocity constant in the United States, and how is it affected by changes in monetary policy. I tested these questions with a cross-section panel data of 63 countries, with at least 20 years of reliable data, to compare how changes in the money supply can affect inflation. I found that Velocity is not constant across the 63 countries, however I found that as inflation rises within a country above 10%, velocity becomes increasingly more constant. With regards to the US data, velocity isn’t constant through any of its time periods. I found that velocity of money is a volatile variable that is sensitive to the frequency and the total number of payments that are made in an economy, the efficiency of the banking sector, interest rates, and the expected inflation. The Treatment of Inmates While Incarcerated Emmalee Wakefield (Sarah Hessenaur) Social Work As an undergraduate research student at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, I have chosen to research a subject very involved with my major and career goals. My research and experiment is focusing on the treatment of inmates that are incarcerated. I want to study the health, treatment, and livelihood of inmates. Most specifically the relationship between guards/correctional personnel and the inmates themselves. I plan on digging deep into the specifics of how inmates in jails and prisons access healthcare and are treated while incarcerated. To begin my research on this I will conduct interviews, job shadow different institutions, and help professionals conduct their research projects along the way. I have compiled a broad list of interview questions to ask employees who work in the institutions directly and find out more of the life behind bars for inmates. By experimenting with these measures, I can see the world of the incarceration system with my own eyes. There are risks involved with conducting any form of research that you need to be aware of before you begin with the process. You have to make sure that all participants are clearly on board and give their consent to be a part of the research. In my case, the interviewees, employees, and businesses I may work with along the way. I will send emails inviting them to join my project and if they decide to, move forward conducting research with them.


Partial Cloning of Bovine Zonadhesin cDNA as a Precursor for Antibody Production and Diagnostic Tool Andrew Weber (Nathaly Cormier) Biological Sciences Fertilization in mammals is believed to utilize the sperm protein zonadhesin (zan), which binds in a species-specific manner to egg zona pellucida (ZP). Studies revealed that zan is exposed as murine sperm cells undergo capacitation in vitro, which has never been shown in other species. Our goal is to clone and sequence a portion of the complimentary DNA (cDNA) in bull testis that encodes the zan domain thought to be involved in sperm-ZP adhesion. Using two primer sets designed from the yak genome, the cDNA has been amplified by PCR producing fragments of about 1.2kb. The next step will be to ligate the PCR products into a vector, transform competent bacteria, and sequence the DNA inserts. We expect to obtain a partial sequence of bovine zan cDNA so that antibodies can be made against it. We could then create a diagnostic tool to assess sperm capacitation status after cryopreservation, and test the freeze-ability potential of bull semen used for artificial insemination. Making the Concept Physical: A Choreographic Exploration Kayla Weidner, Olivia Steffen, Clara Burtard, Kelly O’Hara, Mackenzie Charles (Amy Slater) Theater and Dance The choreographic concept of the dance wait, waiting, waited appeared when thinking about what or who people are waiting for in their everyday lives. The piece focuses on the different stages of waiting and how the relationships with people around us in our everyday lives help us through the waiting process. I explored how waiting alone feels emotionally different than waiting with another person or a group of people. After a discussion with my dancers about their experiences, more movement vocabulary was developed from these ideas. Thus, “wait, waiting, waited” became a representation of how movement can be transferred from emotion to demonstrate the concept of waiting. I selected the four student dancers for my cast based on the open auditions held in September of 2018. We rehearsed three hours per week, and I received constructive feedback every other week from DanceScapes Artistic Director, Amy Slater. After being presented to the December 2018 panel of adjudicators, wait, waiting, waited was chosen to be performed in DanceScapes ’19 and during the adjudicated concert at the 2019 American College Dance Association Conference in Morris, Minnesota. Influential Female Cornet Soloists Under Helen May Butler and The American Ladies' Band Donaven Witt (Frank Hanson) Music


Helen May Butler and her outstanding female cornet soloists between the years of 1890-1920 left an irreplaceable imprint on American History. Many of the male counterparts such as John Philip Sousa, Patrick Gilmore, Herbert L. Clarke, Patrick Conway, and Jules Levy received unmatched amounts of praise for their work during the “Golden Age of Bands”. However, they are not the only individuals who deserve such a large amount of attention. While it is undoubtedly true that these men were extremely important in history we rarely pay homage to the women who also played a significant role in the growth of bands during this time period. Much of the information regarding these remarkable musicians have been lost to time and are not really mentioned in depth within our history books. With female cornet soloists Nettie Reiter, “Brownie” Greaton, Bessie Gilbert, Mabel Keith Leick, and Florence Louise Horne it is undeniable that these women have earned their place in history as some of the greatest cornet soloists of the “Golden Age of Bands”. Weathering of Volcanic Rocks Forming Black Sand Beaches Ryan Workman, Lucas Murray (Juk Bhattacharyya, Ozgur Yavuzcetin) Geology, Physics We are going to be examining the rock and sand found on the rare black beaches in Hawaii and Iceland. Most of the beaches around the world have white sand, formed from sediment that is carried and dropped down by ocean waves. Although, black sand beaches are found on volcanic islands, and they get their dark color from the broken down, cooled volcanic rock and sediment. The specific question we will be working to answer is, how do some of earths elements interact with volcanic rocks to create sand on a black beach? This topic is important because it will make people aware of the processes that create some of the most famous beaches, in some very isolated regions of the world. Locating, comparing, and analyzing various samples from a Pacific tropical environment and an Atlantic polar environment will allow us to apply our classroom knowledge of environmental geology and plate tectonics to hands on geologic fieldwork. Objectives The basis of our research project is to analyze sand, sediment and rock samples from the Reynisfjara basalt beach, located near the village of Vik in southern Iceland. The basis of this project will be built around comparing the differences in chemical composition from the lava flows turned rock, pebbles, and sand, all located directly on the beach. We will be factoring in the similarities and differences of these environments, in regards to the climate, volcanic activity, and location.This project will help provide people with a base understanding of the processes that occurred to create some of the famous beaches they know and visit today. Comparison and Calibration Guide for Six Respiratory Muscle Strength Devices for Patients and Clinicians Seth Zorn, Skyler Wilson, Kayla Foster, Alyssa Altobelli (Michael J. Hammer) Communication Sciences and Disorders


Respiratory muscle strength training is used for effective treatment of airway protection and swallowing. Respiratory devices propose to strengthen muscles (inspiratory and/or expiratory) by imposing opposition to respiratory air. There are two basic device types: (A) Adjustable-Force Threshold - Includes an adjustable-force spring-loaded valve requiring a specific pressure to open the valve to initiate air flow; (B) Adjustable-Aperture - Includes an adjustable-sized opening to limit air flow. For each device type, lack of precise calibration settings limits a clinician's ability to develop specific goals and measurable treatment targets for various clinical populations. Our goal was to map how adjustments to each device related to measurable pressure loads provided by each device. We measured the load pressure required to initiate air flow at each setting of 6 different commercially available devices (three adjustable-force threshold devices and three variable-aperture devices). We tested 5 of each device (30 devices total), testing each device twice. We tabulated/plotted each device setting by measured valve opening pressure (cm H2O) and air flow onset (cc/sec). For example, there were 240 total measurements for the EMST 150. This work resulted in a set of calibration reference guides that provide the load pressure (or resistance) for 6 different respiratory muscle strength training devices, enabling clinicians to develop more specific goals and measurable treatment targets, and to thoughtfully select devices that are appropriate for their clinical goals. Hemp Farming and CBD Market in Wisconsin Justina Zukauskaite (Dennis Kopf) Marketing This research collaboration with the company, Wiscanna, will include CBD market analysis and an inside look at how cannabidiol affects the body's Endocannabinoid system. Although the hemp business is highly competitive, there is a place for high-quality, attractive, and durable genetics in the Wisconsin market. Farmers are looking toward this emerging field as an alternative to conventional soybean and corn farming. Hemp is an extensive field but this research is primarily focused on hemp sales for the extraction of CBD. In addition to industry consulting services and seed and clone bank, Wiscanna produces high-quality CBD products to sell both wholesale and retail. This research will target strategy on how to achieve powerful results through outstanding customer experience. This research will also cover a general overview of cannabidiol and the Endocannabinoid system looking specifically at the effects of chemical components in the cannabis plant.

Undergraduate Research Projects The Role of the IL-33/ST2 ... List of Projects with Abstracts March 20.pdf · ST2 is important in the development of sepsis and lung injury in humans

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