ABSTRACTS
2019 National McNair Scholars Conference at UCLA
Researcher: Daniel Acosta
Presentation Title: The Role of Chloroperoxidases in the Biosynthesis of 4,6–dichloro–10(11)- dehydrocurvularin in Alternaria sp. AST0039
Research Focus: Novel synthesis pathways of fungal secondary metabolites
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
4,6-dichloro-10(11)-dehydrocurvularin, a secondary metabolite of fungus Alternaria sp. AST0039, is the only known naturally occurring curvularin analog with two chlorine substituents in the phenolic ring. This compound has shown remarkable specificity in bioassays for inhibiting the activity of the p97 ATPase. The p97 ATPase is responsible for maintaining the cell cycle and its upregulation correlates with poor health outcomes in cancer patients. While much about the bioactivity of this compound is known the synthesis of this compound by Alternaria sp.
AST0039 is has not been similarly deciphered. Like many other curvularin analogs it is known that before chlorination 10(11)-dehydrocurvularin is produced via a well characterized polyketide synthesis pathway. However, it remains unclear how the chlorines that impart 4,6- dichloro-10(11)-dehydrocurvularin with its bioactive specificity are added to the molecule. It has been determined that Alternaria sp. AST0039 contains no chlorinase genes that would function in a manner as to chlorinate 10(11)-dehydrocurvularin to produce 4,6-dichloro-10(11)- dehydrocurvularin. However, analysis of the genome of Alternaria sp. AST0039 has revealed the presence of 11 heme-dependent chloroperoxidases and 1 vanadium-dependent chloroperoxidase that have the potential to produce 4,6-dichloro-10(11)-dehydrocurvularin through random chemical interactions between 10(11)-dehydrocurvularin and hypochloric acid. The production of Escherichia coli expressing each of the genes necessary as well as a candidate chloroperoxidase has been achieved, and the potential 4,6-dichloro-10(11)-dehydrocurvularin biosynthesis pathway will be heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by the beginning of August 2019. This experiment will confirm or deny the involvement of this chloroperoxidase’s involvement in biosynthesizing 4,6-dichloro-10(11)-dehydrocurvularin.
Researcher: Maria Acuna Baltierra
Presentation Title: Rebel Group Splintering and Strengths of Central Command Structures
Research Focus: Rebel groups splintering
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
In the context of civil wars, we often see multiple rebel groups fighting against the same government, and in a number of these cases one or more of those organizations split away from a previously-active rebel group—this is called “splintering.” Splintering can be important for a number of conflict dynamics including the fighting capacity of rebel groups relative to the government, the credibility of rebel groups as bargaining partners, and the durability of rebel groups in the long run. However, we know very little about when and why rebel group splintering occurs. Existing explanations for splintering focus on disagreements over whether rebel groups should negotiate with the government, the perpetration of abuse against noncombatants, battlefield performance, personal disputes between leaders within rebel groups, and the influx of external support. One factor that likely unites/impacts rebel groups is the ability to overcome principal-agent problems and maintain cohesion. Principal-agent problems can be alleviated by having a strong central command structure within the organization that can identify and punish behavior that deviates from what is intended for the good of the group. Thus, we argue that rebel group splintering should be less likely when groups have stronger central command structures. We use original data on when rebel groups experience splintering in civil wars around the world occurring between 1946-2011. Our initial findings support our expectation that rebel groups with better-developed leadership and control structures are less likely to experience splintering as compared to groups with low or no centralized command structures.
Researcher: Makyla Allison
Presentation Title: Building Empathy Through Agriculture-Based Human Education
Research Focus: Human and Animal Interrelationships
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Humane education programs are associated with promoting kindness, compassion, and concern for other living beings by working with animals. The development of empathy in children and adolescents is an essential aspect for creating a connection between living beings; including animals, humans, and the environment. However, limited studies have investigated the use of agriculture animals in humane education in building empathy. In addition, few studies compare the feelings a person experiences towards animals and humans when presented in similar and violent situations. The current study explores the influence of agriculture-based humane education has on enhancing empathetic feelings in children and adolescents. 15 children between the age of 9-12 were enrolled in a week-long agriculture-based summer program, they completed a questionnaire and participated in multiple activities with animals. Each activity centers on building an understanding, compassion, respect, responsibility, and the care of the animal. The primary focus is to determine if agriculture-based humane education is a significant method of teaching animal and human-related empathy; also, to examine the similarities and differences a person reacts to an animal and a human when placed in similar situations. Through this program, children and adolescents will develop empathy, which will decrease the possibility of future aggression and raise emotional awareness towards living beings.
Researcher: Robert Ballance
Presentation Title: Health Disparities Within the U.S. Multiracial Population
Research Focus: To further the overall understanding of different health disparities within the multiracial population in order to provide insights for future research focusing on this specific population.
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
With a rapidly growing population in the United States of America, research focused on the health of those who identify as two or more races is becoming increasingly important. This study will examine previously published literature focused on different health disparities within the multiracial population. The literature focused on the same health disparity, such as Diabetes or substance use, will be compared with each other to identify whether there may be a clear disparity within the population. The method of finding articles to use in this study involved utilizing electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Wiley Online Library.
Through the databases, the key words of “multiracial, multiethnic, two or more races, multiple races” as well as the specific health disparity were searched to identify articles suitable for use. Cross checking of references and citations were also utilized to identify articles. The criteria of inclusion included having data with ‘multiracial’ as an option in order to focus specifically on that population. The data for each disparity will be compared with each other to determine whether the disparity is clear. Additionally, suggestions for preventative measures, potential
reasonings for the found data, and implications for future research will be discussed. Research is ongoing but a timeline to completion includes identifying the articles to analyze, comparing the results of the articles, and discussing the implications of the results.
Researcher: Savannah Brown
Presentation Title: Neurological, Cognitive, and Postural Effects of Soccer Headers
Research Focus: Biosystems Engineering
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
According to the University of Connecticut, 1.6-3.8 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are reported due to sports in the United States. Although protective technologies have been developed to prevent TBI related deaths, mild traumatic brain injuries such as concussions are still rising. Soccer, a very popular sport, allows players to use their head to redirect an oncoming soccer ball, known as a soccer header. However, there is concern regarding the effects of repetitive soccer headers on brain function. The purpose of this study is to determine the neurological, cognitive, and postural effects of soccer headers and whether they are different from head motions without any external object impacting the head. To evaluate the effects of each condition, each participant was administered a series of neurological and balance tests before and after the loading conditions were applied. The contact loading group of participants headed a soccer ball consecutively to simulate how many balls a soccer player would normally head during practice. In the non-contact group, the soccer header motion was simulated using a pulley system attached with a headband to the participants head. The recorded head and neck kinematic results between the two groups would then be compared by using sensors and a multi- camera system. It is hypothesized that the contact group would have a worse score on the neurological and balance tests indicating that there was some acute change in brain function after impact from the soccer ball which is greater than that of no contact head motion.
Researcher: Michael Cardenas
Presentation Title: Using autonomic recordings and video analysis to verify amygdala response to social touch
Research Focus: Neuroscience of affective and social touch
School: University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Grooming among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) is imperative to social bonding between individuals. This prosocial behavior is essential to developing alliances between individuals, as well as serving as a form of payment for favors from higher ranking members. Additionally, grooming provides health benefits in the form of cleanliness, decreased sympathetic output, and increased parasympathetic output. While we know a good amount about the neural circuitry of agonistic behaviors, we know very little about affiliative behaviors. We are interested in the neural circuitry that determines the emotional value of grooming in rhesus monkeys as a proxy for other prosocial behaviors in primates, including humans. We designed an experiment that electrophysiologically evaluates neural activity in two brain areas associated with touch; the primary somatosensory cortex discriminates the type of touch, and the amygdala that plays a role in the determining of value of social touches. We hypothesize that social factors will influence the responses of neurons in the amygdala but not in the primary somatosensory cortex. The primary social factor used is the familiarity of the human groomer with the monkey. Preliminary results show that neurons in the amygdala did not respond to human touch. To verify, we have added a non-social tactile stimulus and found that most neurons that responded to the air puffs still failed to respond to human touch. In order to infer mental state, autonomic data is being analyzed. The experiment and analysis are ongoing.
Researcher: Kareen Alexandra Fajardo Cortes
Presentation Title: Hierarchical network formation for the fabrication of strong and homogeneous artificial protein hydrogels
Research Focus: Biomedical Engineering, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Artificial protein hydrogels improve upon traditional biomaterials by incorporating functional proteins into the polymer networks. However, topological defects, a grand challenge facing the field of polymer science, limit the ability to translate the nanoscale functionality of proteins in macroscale materials. In prior research, triblock polymers design that incorporate rod- like tertiary-structured proteins in the midblock domain reduces topological defects by improving crosslinking efficiency and gelation kinetics. Triblock polymers, comprised of the midblock surrounded by crosslinking proteins, can associate through physical or chemical bonds. Physically crosslinked hydrogels, with electrostatic, Van Der Waals, and/or hydrogen bonds, are self-healing and homogeneous, but are relatively weak. Chemically crosslinked hydrogels form strong and permanent covalent bonds but often form inhomogeneous networks due to quick and irreversible binding kinetics. This study implements hierarchical network formation to overcome the limitations of chemical and physical crosslinkers using three main components: streptavidin, a self-associating protein with high affinity and strong physical interactions; tyrosine, an amino acid photo-crosslinker that promotes homogeneity via stimuli-induced crosslinking; and a rod-like midblock to improve crosslinking efficiency and gelation kinetics. The viscoelastic mechanical properties of the fabricated artificial protein hydrogel will be analyzed by shear rheology measurements to evaluate its potential for future biomedical applications in cardiovascular tissue engineering.
Researcher: Lara Guevara
Presentation Title: Speech Sound Productions of Latino Bilingual Preschoolers
Research Focus: Bilingual Speech Development
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
A better understanding of phonological development and speech sound productions of bilingual children is necessary in order to avoid misdiagnosis of speech sound disorders. Rhotic consonants (‘r’ sounds) are the most difficult sounds to produce in English and Spanish, leading to later acquisition. Before children develop rhotic sounds, they substitute rhotics with less complex consonant sounds (e.g. English ‘w’ and Spanish ‘l’). Spanish-monolingual and English- monolingual children demonstrate separate substitution patterns for rhotic consonants. The purpose of this study is to utilize the theoretical framework from PRIMIR (Curtin, Byers- Heinlein, & Werker, 2011) and Paradis and Genesee (1996) in order to examine rhotic substitution patterns in the speech of Spanish-English bilingual preschoolers. Data from Dr.
Fabiano-Smith’s laboratory at The University of Arizona was used for this study. Three and four-year-old bilinguals were asked to name pictures in Spanish and English single-word tasks. Child productions were recorded and transcribed using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Transcriptions will be examined to determine whether Spanish-English bilinguals use distinct rhotic substitution patterns for each of their languages or transfer rhotic substitution patterns from English to Spanish and vice versa. Additional research studies with larger sample sizes are necessary in order to validate production patterns of Spanish-English bilingual preschoolers who have not yet acquired complex consonants.
Researcher: Onieda Hudson
Presentation Title: Metabolomics and Lipidomic Analyses on the Role of Acute Inflammation Research Focus: Metabolomics/Lipidomics/ recruitment of biomarkers in acute inflammatory response
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
As the relationship between the rise of inflammation to onset of chronic diseases increase in interest, understanding why and how inflammation occurs becomes more significant. Identifying single biomarkers involved in the acute inflammatory pathway will provide a clearer insight on how the innate immune system self-regulates during response. Validating the principal method of onset acute inflammation is crucial by utilizing metabolomic and lipidomic analysis on an induced stressed condition in vivo in order to monitor biomarker expression and predict specialized metabolites that create new indexes for disease trajectories. Through the Chilton Lab, we are using metabolomic and lipidomic data collected in an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentrate in a Placebo-Controlled Trail of Human Endotoxemia Study conducted at Pennsylvania State University. Data was sent to Wake Forest and Colorado State University to analyze key lipid and metabolite biomarkers utilizing UPLC-MS analysis. We anticipate the results going in the directions as previous research has predicted, through an increase of inflammatory cytokines, IL- 6 and TNF-alpha, while also a high recruitment for C-Reactive Protein. We are inclined to believe similar potential common modifications in the lipid profile, such as plasma ceramides, could occur. Tracking recruitment and observing how long cytokines remain in the body at significant levels will complement the search of how and why acute inflammation occurs. Then concluding how to effectively reduce the expression of inflammation during an induced acute inflammatory response.
Researcher: Malik Jordan
Title: Effect of Badminton Racket Properties on Momentum Transfer to a Shuttlecock
Research Focus: Mechanical Engineering
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
A mathematical model was used to analyze the effects of racket design on the transfer of momentum between a badminton racket and a shuttlecock. String tension and racket flexibility were the parameters examined in the model. The aim of this study was to determine the tension and flexibility that maximizes the rebound velocity of a shuttlecock. A wide range of values were considered in order to find a trend in the model data. The racket frame and string bed were modeled as two spring-damper systems in series with one another to account for vibrations in the both locations following impact. To better understand the effects of various tensions and flexibilities, the swinging motion of the racket held constant for each calculation. From these data it will be possible to design a racket that is suitable for generating optimal power in a stroke.
Researcher: Diana Madril
Title: The political terrain and the positive repercussions within a lift of embargo
Research Topic: Cuban history and technological infrastructures
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The island of Cuba is an island of political tension and a continued ever evolving community locked within an embargo implemented since 1962 by the Kennedy executive order. By declaring Cuba as an enemy, the embargo had harsh repercussions. The controversial Helms- Burton Act made the lift of the embargo more complicated and has shown no merit given a strong backlash from countries globally, limiting Cuba in trade and Cubans in scarcity living standards. Fidel Castro implemented measures to ensure healthcare for all and established elite baseball players. Overall, Cuba continues to progress with an ever-evolving healthcare and baseball industry. This community with poor internet access has taken offline approaches through homegrown illegal business structures to obtain digital content. Through connectivity disparities the island adapted new measures of obtaining digital content through illegal means called the “El Paquete” as it remains the outlet of shows, news, entertainment and much more.
Although Cuba now depends on Wi-Fi hotspots to connect online while some hotels on the island host as well, much of the political terrain of Cuba remains controlling content through radio and TV. Black markets have been a way to sustain the hard currency value of worth as there is little to no difference in pay given to the educated or uneducated. The Trump administration has prolonged the embargo due to Cuba’s strong ties with the Venezuelan government. Lifting the embargo may enhance the health care and baseball industry for both United States and Cuba. This may benefit Americans and Cubans and through collaborative measures its reach may be global.
Researcher: Francisco E. Martinez
Presentation Title: Exploration of the Use of Polymeric Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery Systems
Research Focus: Polymeric Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Nanotechnology has gained a prominent role in medicine through its several medical applications. One such nanotechnology is nanoparticles which several have already been approved for clinical use. The focus of the research is to learn to encapsulate small molecules with polymer nanoparticles. More specifically to use poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA). In order to do this, it will be necessary to prepare the nanoparticles by using the double emulsification method (water/oil/water) with PVA and PLGA. The formed nanoparticles will be evaluated in terms of the efficiency of encapsulation and particle diffusion. These characterizations will be measured using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). UV-Vis will be used to measure the rate of release of the compound from the nanoparticle. SEM images are useful in getting the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. The rate of release will need to be measured along with the conditions needed for the release process. This will be done by forming mathematical models of the initial conditions, diffusion, and degradation.
Researcher: Nyssa Morgan
Presentation Title: Does KIN7 Interact with CEPR1 to Form Filaments in Plant Cells?
Research Focus: Plant Cell Biology
School: University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Recent research on the mechanisms of plant signaling has identified receptor proteins and downstream transcription factors, enzymes and transporters crucial for plant responses, but little is known about the molecular interactions between these molecules, and the varying physiological changes that can result from their interplay. When a plant experiences some environmental stress or nutrient, it recognizes this change and transmits a signal to a receptor.
Some environmental stresses can even cause the proteins within cells to form filament structures with no understood function at all. The goal of this study is to test whether two receptors catalyze the reaction between molecules that organize these mystery filaments inside of plant cells. One example of molecular partners that play a role in this are the KIN7 and CEPR1 receptor kinases. KIN7 is known to be expressed in leaf tissues, but recent studies have revealed its interaction with CEPR1, a key protein in nitrogen responsive lateral root development. CEPR1 also interacts with a variety of cytosolic enzymes, some of which are known to form filaments. Understanding the molecular interaction between the two kinases could unveil the function of these filaments and provide details of how plants respond to their environment. To address this question, we are generating GFP fusions with these enzymes and asking if these receptors play a role in filament formation. We expect our results to reveal how KIN7 and CEPR1 interact on a molecular level and whether KIN7 and CEPR interact to regulate formation of these filaments in the cell.
Researcher: Victoria Nguyen
Presentation Title: Efficacy of SpectraShield Powder Against Microbes
Research Focus: Disinfectant Efficacy
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Inside the food processing industry, peracetic acid and formaldehyde are two common disinfectants that are often used to kill common foodborne pathogens. Although they are widely accepted for its ability within the industry, research is being conducted to find a more environmentally friendly chemical with similar disinfectant properties that is safe and harmless to use. The purpose of this research is to evaluate and quantitate the use and efficacy of a hydrogen-peroxide based powder as a sanitizer/disinfectant against a variety of microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and spores. Testing is conducted on three 2×2 inch hard, non-porous tiles that have been inoculated with 100µL of a high titer microbial suspension in the form of 10µL drops and is set to dry for up to 1 hour. After drying, the disinfectant solution is applied on the tiles according to the manufacture’s instruction using a 1:10 dilution. Samples are then collected before and after the disinfectant application by using swabs that contain 1mL of a neutralizing broth. The disinfectant was shown to be 73% effective against MS2 bacteriophage. It is expected to be more effective against bacterial species. Hydrogen peroxide can be effective against microbes, particularly in use within the food processing industry, though more research needs to be conducted.
Researcher: Ricardo Padilla Vera
Presentation Title: Artificial Satellites Orbiting in Cislunar Space
Research Focus: Third Body Perturbations
School: University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Space flight mechanics, our understanding is limited to gravitational forces on a body from a central mass. Further research is necessary to better understand third body perturbations and how they affect our knowledge on space flight mechanics. Research on satellites in the GEO (Geostationary or Geosynchronous) orbits were done since they are assumed to have a higher possibility to be exposed to these perturbations since the gravitational force of earth is minimized. From the data gathered, graphs and charts will be created for better understanding all individual satellite orbits that have ever been in a GEO orbit. If time allows, each satellite will show its launch date, decay date and data gathered from other sources to check for consistency. With these created graphs we will be able to see which satellites are in orbit currently, how many satellites decayed and check to see if the predictions on re-entry were correct or not. Further study on these satellites should be analyzed to better understand third body perturbations.
Researcher: Ashely Rau
Presentation Title: Modifying Lysogeny for Bacteriophage Therapy in Erwinia amylovora
Research Focus: Bacteriophage Therapy, Bioinformatics
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Bacteriophage therapy is becoming a more prominent method of treatment for bacterial infections, especially on the agricultural front. As a result, the treatment needs to be optimized to ensure the death of the bacteria infected. By assembling genomes and comparing them to databases of bacteriophage genomes, genes will be targeted within Erwinia amylovora bacteriophages to force a preference for the lytic cycle over the lysogenic cycle. Currently we are in the assembly phase with the gene annotation phase coming up next. Results are expected in mid-July.
Researcher: Crystal Raygoza
Presentation Title: Examining the Relation between Familismo and the Educational Outcomes of Latinx Middle School Adolescents
Research Focus: Familismo and Educational Outcomes of Latinx Adolescents
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
The work on the association between familismo, strong family bonds (Sabogal et al., 1987), and academic outcomes demonstrate mixed findings in Latinx samples. For example, in a Mexican American first-generation high school sample, Rodriguez (2002) does not find familismo as a significant predictor of academic performance (i.e., grades); however, Portes (1999) did find familism was a positive predictor of academic achievement in a second- generation multi-ethnic sample of adolescents (including Latinxs). Therefore, the focus of this study is to examine the association between familismo and the educational outcomes of Latinx middle schoolers. Data come from a larger study on academic socialization. Participants were 329 (54% female, 86% US born) Latinx adolescents, interviewed when adolescents were in the 8th grade (Mage = 13.69 years, SD = .56). Adolescents reported on their background information, familismo (Knight et al., 2009), academic aspirations, and grades. Analyses for this study will include preliminary descriptive and correlational analyses. Additionally, regression analyses will be used to test the following hypotheses (a) higher levels of familismo predict higher levels of educational aspirations and (b) higher levels of familismo predict grades. The findings of this study will help address current gaps in the literature, contributing to the evidence of the Latinx adolescent population and the correlation between the relationship of familsmo and the educational outcomes. The presentation will also address the limitations and implications of the study.
Researcher: Soraya Sandoval
Presentation Title: Phosphorylation of Human Skeletal and Distal Arthrogryposis Mutants of Myosin Binding Protein-C Affects Interactions with Skeletal Muscle Myosin and Actin
Research Focus: The focus of this project is to understand the molecular mechanisms of how human distal arthrogryposis mutants, and phosphorylation affect skeletal myosin binding protein-C function.
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Myosin Binding Protein-C (MyBP-C) is a family of muscle regulatory proteins that includes cardiac (cMyBP-C), slow skeletal (sMyBP-C), and fast skeletal (fMyBP-C) isoforms. Long and short variants of sMyBP-C exist due to alternative splicing. Much research has been done on cMyBP-C for its causative association with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but the exact molecular mechanism of how mutations in the MYBPC3 (cMyBP-C) gene lead to disease is uncertain. Recently, mutations in MYBPC1 (sMyBP-C) were identified to cause distal arthrogryposis, but it remains unclear about how these mutants affect protein function in the sarcomere. Previous research has reported that both, cMyBP-C and sMyBP-C are regulated in a phosphorylation dependent manner, and through interactions with myosin and actin modulate muscle contractility. To further understand the function of skeletal MyBP-C, human purified MyBP-C was treated with Protein Kinase A (PKA). After PKA treatment, phosphorylation was observed in long sMyBP-C at PKA concentrations comparable to that required for cardiac MyBP- C, whereas phosphorylation was not present in short sMyBP-C. Phosphorylation was observed in fMyBP-C only at very high concentrations of PKA. To better understand the role that phosphorylation plays in the regulation of sMyBP-C functions, future studies will include binding assays of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated sMyBP-C to test its interactions with myosin and actin. These normal binding parameters will be compared to sMyBP-C mutants associated with distal arthrogryposis, W236R, P319L, and E359K. Overall, this study will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of sMyBP-C in the sarcomere under physiological and pathological conditions.
Researcher: Amadeus Toledo-Seitz
Presentation Title: Universality of Kingships: Economy, Production, & Power in Bronze Age Mycenae and Classic Period Maya
Research Focus: Kingships and Societal Structures in Antiquity
School: The University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Kingships and centralization have been a central focus of archaeological and anthropological research when attempting to decode societal structures in antiquity. Research often focuses on a singular period in a selected culture’s history, leaving a vast swath of archaeological time by the wayside. Limited research also focuses on the foundational periods of early kingships and aristocracy and on attempting to create a useable model of cultural and societal structures and “artifacts” (a remnant of cultural norms and theorized interactions). Such a model would allow for easier classification of sites with minimal physical artifacts or archaeological records. This also allows for voids in the archaeological record to have a reference point from the available information. I posit a socio-economic analysis of two foundational periods during the burgeoning kingships of the Classic Period: Maya and Late Bronze Age Mycenae, allowing for a greater understanding of the societal structures and artifacts present at the time. Political structures, economic capabilities, and power dynamics between the two societies are analyzed to see if any similarities arose that may add to the prospective universal model of societal structures in antiquity. The research yielded many new data points and similarities that add to the prospective model, while work toward a cohesive and theoretically sound universal model of societal structures in antiquity requires much more research and application.
Researcher: Ashley Varela
Presentation Title: Bacterial Transformation of Bile Acids as a Factor in the Development of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Neonates
Research Focus: Gastrointestinal Microbiome School: The University of Arizona Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in premature infants. The pathogenesis of this disease is not well understood, but a major risk factor for the development of disease is intestinal dysbiosis. Research has also linked an accumulation of secondary bile acids in enterocytes to the development of NEC. The production of these secondary bile acids result from specific bacteria which produce the enzyme bile salt hydrolase (BSH). We hypothesized that bacteria which have the operon for BSH should be in greater proportion in the babies who developed NEC when compared to those who did not. Fecal samples of nine preterm infants who developed NEC and nine matched control infants who did not, were used for comparison of the microbiota composition. Matching was based upon gestational age, birth weight, and date enteral feeding commenced. Five fecal samples were taken from each patient, which then underwent DNA extraction using the QIAmp PowerFecal Pro DNA kit. Samples will undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by genomic analysis to identify which bacteria are present.
This will allow for comparison of the two groups microbiota, specifically, identification of bacteria which are known to produce BSH. This data can then suggest whether the proportion of BSH-producing bacteria can indicate the likelihood of a neonate developing NEC.
Researcher: Andrea Villasenor
Title: Density Focused Algorithm to More Accurately Filter Noise in Gaps during Mapping
Research Focus: Robotics/ Signal Processing
School: University of Arizona
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
The success in the capabilities of robotics and autonomous systems have advanced due to the developments in signal processing, which have proved efficiency in the reduction of noise/ interference from unknown environments. This research focuses on the improvement of localization and mapping of gaps between nonuniform and nonsymmetrical obstacles with minimal domain knowledge. It targets small scale robotics that require precise obstacle avoidance techniques, while reducing and eliminating impractical data, otherwise known as noise. We used a density distribution-based algorithm to accurately measure gaps in obstacles avoidances through the data Lidar and Vicon systems produced. Analyzing such issues in corridor planning comes with tradeoffs in computational timing and amount of good data removed. Future research will have to consider noise interference strengthening and the application of filters such as Kilman’s filter or an algorithm involving a high order low-pass filtering to different stages in signal processing.