Abstracts 2025

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) contributes to global amphibian declines, possibly through immune suppresion. Species capable of evading immunosuppression may exhibit greater resistance to Bd. We investigated whether changes in circulating leukocytes, white blood cells, are correlated with Bd susceptibility. Given their role in innate immunity, the amount of neutrophils and monocytes are expected to increase during infection so we hypothesized that their levels would increase after Bd exposure in low-susceptibility species but decrease in high-susceptibility species. We used white blood cell differentials- a microscopy technique involving manual cell counting to quantify the percentage of each type of leukocyte in 8-9 experimentally Bd-infected and 2-5 control animals from each of three species: Dyscophus guineti (high susceptibility), Pyxicephalus edulis (moderate susceptibility), and Ceratophrys cranwelli (low susceptibility). We used generalized linear models with a log link function and a negative binomial error distribution to determine whether Bd exposure affected cell counts between species. Compared to Bd-exposed Ceratophrys cranwelli, the percentage of neutrophils increased in Bd-exposed Pyxicephalus edulis (p<0.05). There was also a decrease in both the monocyte and eosinophil percentages of Pyxicephalus edulis relative to Ceratophrys cranwelli Bd-exposed animals (p<0.05; p<0.01). Finally, the percentage of eosinophils decreased in infected Dyscophus guineti as opposed to infected Ceratophrys cranwelli (p<0.005). These findings suggest that leukocyte dynamics may play a key role in Bd susceptibility and highlight the potential of white blood cell differentials as a tool for assessing disease severity. Further exploration of these interactions could strengthen our understanding of Bd pathogenesis across species.

This study examines how kerfing, a precision cutting technique that allows materials to bend and flex, can be effectively utilized with biobased materials. Biobased materials are products made from natural, renewable sources such as plants, animals, or microorganisms. Examples include wood, bamboo, cork, and bioplastics derived from corn or sugarcane. By manipulating the geometric features of kerfing, this research aims to enhance material efficiency, structural performance, and sustainability. Kerfing offers significant advantages in waste reduction by enabling the use of smaller or alternative materials, minimizing excess consumption, and promoting resource efficiency. Structurally, kerfing enhances the strength-to-weight ratio, allowing for the creation of lightweight yet durable building elements. These benefits make kerfed biobased materials ideal for facades, furniture, and architectural detailing applications.  This study specifically investigates how different kerfing geometries affect the structural performance, flexibility, and durability of biobased materials. We followed a design-experimentation method, beginning with the development of multiple kerfing patterns ( linear, triangular, wave, and radial cuts) applied to selected biobased materials. These patterns are then tested through structural analysis to evaluate their bending capacity, load-bearing efficiency, and material resilience under various environmental conditions. One material under current examination is eggshell mortar, which incorporates recycled eggshell powder to reduce the carbon footprint of cement-based composites. This material enhances compressive strength and durability while maintaining eco-friendly attributes. However, challenges such as moisture sensitivity, limited strength, and inconsistent quality must be addressed to optimize its application in sustainable construction. We will establish a criteria for selecting biobased materials for kerfing, evaluating their performance through structural testing, and integrating them into sustainable design practices. The findings will contribute to the advancement of environmentally responsible architectural solutions that balance material innovation with functional and aesthetic considerations.

In October of 2020, a small Japanese production company Hololive Productions launched its English-speaking branch, marking a pivotal moment in the online media industry. Among its debut talents is Gawr Gura, who would reach an extraordinary milestone, reaching 1 million subscribers in one month. This achievement would not only cement Gawr Gura as one of the most popular VTubers to ever debut in the market but also established Hololive Production as a pioneering and a household name in the industry. This study investigates the business strategies behind Hololive’s success as a virtual YouTuber (VTuber) agency, addressing the central question: What business strategies have driven Hololive’s mainstream success?

Hololive, operated by COVER Corporation, shifted from developing video games to the emerging VTuber market, capitalizing in the advancements in Live2D animation and hiring a talented pool of content creators that perfected the art of audience retention and engagement. By employing a hub-and-spoke model, leveraging professionally generated content (PGC) and promoting user-generated content (UGC), Hololive fostered a loyal fan-base and maximized visibility. Key milestones-such as successful live concerts in Japan and the United States, licensing agreements with major brands and collaborations with renowned music labels-demonstrate Hololive’s ability to bridge cultural and linguistic divides effectively.

This research is guided with the hypothesis that Cover Corp operates three key business cycles to enhance visibility, marketing, and of its Intellectual Property (IP), creating a self-sustaining growth model. These cycles include:

1. The Creator Economy Cycle: Recruiting independent creators for professionally generated content to ensure high-quality production.
2. The PGC-UGC Synergy Cycle: Leveraging PGC to inspire UGC, amplifying visibility and audience engagement through fan-driven contributions.
3. The Global Reinvestment Cycle: Expanding the reach of PGC globally, fostering fanbases across diverse regions, and reinvesting in creators and technology.

The findings emphasize the potential of VTuber agencies as innovators in the global creator economy, showcasing their role in reshaping online media by combining creativity, strategic planning and cutting-edge technology.

The skin is composed of three layers, each serving vital functions: the epidermis (outer layer), which provides protection; the dermis (middle layer), which supports hair growth and other bodily functions; and the hypodermis (bottom layer), which consists of fat and aids in temperature regulation. Together, these layers form a crucial component of mammalian physiology. Mice are a widely used model in biomedical research, including dermatology. Their dermal architecture differs from that of humans, particularly in terms of hair follicle density. This led us to hypothesize a correlation between hair follicle density and dermal architecture. Wnt signaling in the epidermis plays a vital role in regulating hair follicle formation and shaping the dermal architecture necessary for healthy skin development. Lef1, an HMG transcription factor within the Wnt signaling pathway, acts as a repressor in the absence of Wnt signaling. However, in the presence of Wnt signaling, Lef1 binds to beta-catenin to support skin development. While the role of Wnt signaling in early skin development has been explored, the specific mechanisms by which epidermal Lef1 influences hair follicle density and how this, in turn, affects dermal architecture remains unknown. We hypothesize that ablating Lef1 in the epidermis will reduce hair density and disrupt dermal architecture. Through examining transgenic mice, analysis of neonatal and juvenile mice revealed a 25% reduction in hair follicle density in knockouts compared to the controls. This highlights the fragility of fur density and how even small losses can lead to baldness. Further examination of dermal architecture revealed a statistically significant reduction in the fat layer, suggesting that hair density plays a role in shaping dermal structure.When sex was considered as a biological variable, we found that the genetic defect was more pronounced in female mice. Female knockouts exhibited a statistically significant reduction in total skin thickness compared to male mice with the same genotype. Our research suggests that manipulating hair follicle density can have a substantial impact on dermal architecture. This knowledge advances our understanding of skin biology to push development of a more accurate mouse model, thus improving productivity of human skin disease research.

My research project is focused on analyzing candidate similarity based on voter preferences in rank choice voting based elections. In many international elections, as well as US states including Alaska and Maine, rank choice voting is being used for both single and multi-winner elections. Unlike first-past-the-post voting methods that are common in the US, in ranked choice voting systems members of the public are able to express their ordered preferences among the candidates on their ballots. This has the benefit of allowing multiple parties to run viable candidates for elected positions, and in elections where multiple winners are possible (i.e. state legislatures or local commissions) the winning candidates are more likely to be proportional to the preferences of the voters. In elections with a party system, voters with strong affiliations are likely to rank candidates from their preferred group over all others, so data about voter preferences can offer some information about candidate similarity. However, analyzing election data of this form can be difficult both due to the ranked nature of the data and the existence of third party candidates playing a large role in these elections. This raises several new challenges in mathematical and statistical modeling of these elections.

My project applies a model from graph theory to create a structure linking ballot ranking options, weighted by their relative likelihood. This allows me to use techniques from network clustering to theoretically quantify candidate similarity and to make inferences about their relationship to the local electorate that supplies the data. I am also working to extend the method of ecological inference to account for these rankings. Using these techniques to model candidate similarity purely with election data provides helpful insight for considering future elections, including predicting candidate popularity and election results. Further, this information can inform candidate selection and other strategies at the party level that can be studied with game-theoretic techniques.

We present a novel formally correct, conservative radial averaging algorithm for two- and three-dimensional Cartesian-to-polar (or spherical) data mapping. Such transformations are critical in multi-physics simulations, image processing, and computer vision. Existing radial averaging methods rely on universal approximations, often leading to significant errors and non-physical results, which can compromise numerical stability. Our approach leverages Green’s Theorem to compute the exact area of intersection between a square and a circle in 2D and extends this methodology to the 3D case of a sphere-cube intersection.

In 2D, we derive a generalized intersection function using piecewise trigonometric formulations, ensuring accuracy to machine precision. The 3D extension integrates these 2D solutions over the sphere’s volume using exact closed-form expressions to retain the correctness of the scheme. In addition to the formal calculations, our Python implementation incorporates further numerical checks and stability enhancements to help improve robustness in practical applications.

Our approach addresses a common source of numerical error in computational applications and is expected to be of use in a variety of domains.

The study of the thermodynamic properties of rare earth elements (REEs) enables a better understanding of their heat capacities and enthalpies of formation. Here, we report the calorimetric analysis of rare synthetic Eu(II) minerals (e.g., titanates, silicates, and tungstate) from their standard 3+ oxidation state to a 2+ oxidation state using documented synthetic procedures. Among REEs, Eu presents as an anomaly as it can vary oxidation between 2+ and 3+, studying the behavior of the unusual Eu(II) minerals will promote our understanding of the natural enrichment and fractionation processes of light REEs and may also inspire us to develop new understanding of how these material perform under high heats. A variety of pure divalent europium compounds were tested in a drop calorimeter to analyze the heat released at set temperatures. Calorimetry was used to determine the thermodynamic parameters of my synthetic pure Eu(II) samples. Thus far we have successfully tested a variety of Eu 2+ ceramics (EuMoO3 and EuTiO3) and are continuing to target others such as EuWO3, Eu3(PO4)2, EuTiO3, and EuZrO3. Performing thermodynamic studies on a library of Eu(II) compounds enables us to see trends and draw conclusions about the behavior of these understudied minerals.

English wh-pseudoclefts (WHPCs) are a type of clefted sentence construction headed by a wh-word. They are defined primarily by their information structure: wh-word + topic + copula + focus. The topic consists of given information, often from earlier in the discourse, while the focus contains information that the speaker believes is new to the listener. WHPCs are most common in spoken language; as such, there is significant variation in their production. This is especially apparent in the realization of the copula, which is frequently omitted due to interruption or ellipsis. 

Previous studies have attempted to define the WHPC abstractly in terms of syntax, semantics, or discourse function, or describe their use in corpora. But each has its restriction: purely formal models fail to account for variation, while purely functional models are difficult to quantify. The need, then, is for a definition of the WHPC that productively accounts for both formal and functional factors in a quantifiable and flexible way.

That is our aim here: to develop a computational model that can predict whether an utterance is a WHPC. We will do this by creating a vector of n dimensions representing distance from a prototypical WHPC. The variables within the vector will include some syntactic information and the relation of information between the topic and focus to the previous discourse. We will use Python regular expressions and Retrieval Augmented Generation to analyze speech from the Spoken Language section of the British National Corpus.

We will be able to classify a given utterance into a degree of WHPC adherence based on its vector. We will analyze the test set data using clustering in n-dimensional space to formulate the bounds of these categories.

This result is significant because it allows us to inductively build a representation of WHPCs based on real-world usage. We can examine the syntactic/semantic/pragmatic interface of WHPCs in a productive, quantitative way. Additionally, by using a gradient scale across multiple variables, we can better account for variation. Considering the rise of Large Language Models, this model could provide a starting point in analyzing linguistic diversity while retaining formal structure.

This last July in 2024, the Washington State University horn quartet titled IVY, competed in the 56th annual International Horn Symposium hosted by John McGuire at Colorado State University.

To prepare for the competition In Fort Collins Colorado, the group rehearsed weekly all spring semester, preparing 3 pieces that they had performed in the Northwest Horn Symposium Quartet Competition. The group was coached by our horn professor, Dr. Martin King. The IVY quartet won this competition, so they kept these three pieces and added the one piece that was required for all competitors in the International Horn Symposium Quartet Competition. Carmen Suite by Georges Bizet and arranged by Kerry Turner for four horns, is a piece played often by the Ivy as it is a flashy piece with a fast tempo and solo melodies traded between all four voices. The second piece played was Hollywood by Adrian Hallam, showcasing a tune that resembles cinematic music from slow and flowing to fast paced and intense. To add an engaging closer, IVY played the first movement of John Koetsier’s piece Six Miniatures. The Miniatures are as appropriately titled very short, with a high, soaring melody set off by fast-moving motor rhythms in the lower voices. These three pieces formed the basic program we had developed, but the competition required a very technical piece for all eight groups to play so they could be assess playing the same tune. Sous Le Ciel De Paris is not an easy piece to play. This work, written by Hubert Giraud and arranged for horn by Klaus Wallendorf, is long, fast, and pushes the extremes for the range on horn.

In addition to performing these works, the members of the quartet participated in all the activities available at the International Horn Symposium. Two members also competed in the International Horn Competition of America. Performing in this competition was an excellent opportunity to prepare to perform at a high level, receive feedback from esteemed adjudicators, and hear other performers from around the world.

Alfalfa Leafcutting bees (ALCB) are a heavily managed species of solitary cavity-nesting bee. ALCBs overwinter as pre-pupa and experience desiccation from cold temperatures; it is likely that the adult ALCBs experience temperature-related desiccation in the field. This research aims to understand how temperature affects water balance and desiccation tolerance in ALCBs. It is known that temperature impacts water balance (e.g., you sweat when you are in high temperature conditions) which could be affected by desiccation temperature factors. It was predicted that insects are most likely to die at higher temperatures at 0% relative humidity and that ALCBs are likely to turn on evaporative cooling measures and use their body water to cool down at high temperatures.

Critical Water Content (CWC) is a physiological measurement of how much total body water can be lost before death occurs. CWC was found to be temperature-dependent and corresponded with high water loss rates. Female ALCBs had a significantly different cuticular permeability that increased with temperature, whereas male ALCBs had a higher cuticular permeability but was not temperature dependent, suggesting there is a difference in cuticular makeup between the sexes.

What Explains Differences in Vigilante Violence Between South Africa and Zimbabwe? Despite sharing a common colonial history, similar government structures, and overlapping cultural traditions, South Africa and Zimbabwe display markedly different levels of vigilante violence. South Africa experiences widespread and persistent instances of community-led vigilantism, while, in contrast, Zimbabwe shows significantly lower levels of such violence. While much of the existing literature has examined the drivers of vigilante violence in general, focusing on factors like poverty, weak state capacity, and distrust in law enforcement, these frameworks fail to explain why Zimbabwe does not experience vigilante violence at levels comparable to South Africa. This study seeks to address these gaps by analyzing how cultural tolerance for violence shapes the occurrence of vigilantism and examining the underlying factors that lead to extrajudicial actions rather than organized rebellion. Using a combination of qualitative interviews, case studies, and regional crime data, this research seeks to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that produce divergent outcomes in vigilante violence. Findings will contribute to a deeper understanding of how similar societies respond differently to shared challenges, with implications for governance, justice, and social cohesion.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the most common movement disorder, is strongly linked to mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), which also causes Gaucher Disease (GD), the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder. Current therapies fail to address neurological symptoms in GD and PD, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of compounds used to treat type 2 diabetes, have shown potential in neurodegenerative disease models, including PD. This study investigates the efficacy of the TZD pioglitazone (PGZ) in a Drosophila GD model with GBA homolog deletions (GBAmt) compared to controls (GBArv). Under hypoxic conditions, administration of 1 μM PGZ restored fly recovery to control levels, suggesting a protective effect. However, no significant change in longevity was observed under hyperoxic conditions. Administration of 1μm PGZ also showed increased activity of cAMP response element (CRE), a DNA sequence in the promoter region responsible for the regulation of genes and signaling pathways necessary for neuronal development and repair, in GBAmt models compared to control GBAmt given DMSO. These studies suggest that PGZ can help enhance protein signaling pathways which may reduce the motor and nonmotor defects caused by PD and other neurodegenerative disorders and may mitigate specific phenotypic traits associated with GD/PD in animal models, offering a potential avenue for addressing neurological manifestations of these diseases.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the most common movement disorder, is strongly linked to mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), which also cause Gaucher Disease (GD), the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder. Current therapies fail to address neurological symptoms in GD and PD, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of compounds used to treat type 2 diabetes, have shown potential in neurodegenerative disease models, including PD. This study investigates the efficacy of the TZD pioglitazone (PGZ) in a Drosophila GD model with GBA homolog deletions (GBAmt) compared to controls (GBArv). Under hypoxic conditions, administration of 1 μM PGZ restored fly recovery to control levels, suggesting a protective effect. However, no significant change in longevity was observed under hyperoxic conditions. Administration of 1μm PGZ also showed increased activity of cAMP response element (CRE), a DNA sequence in the promoter region responsible for the regulation of genes and signaling pathways necessary for neuronal development and repair, in GBAmt models compared to control GBAmt given DMSO. These studies suggest that PGZ can help enhance protein signaling pathways which may reduce the motor and nonmotor defects caused by PD and other neurodegenerative disorders and may mitigate specific phenotypic traits associated with GD/PD in animal models, offering a potential avenue for addressing neurological manifestations of these diseases.

The fashion industry faces increasing pressure to address sustainability challenges, yet consumer behavior does not always align with online discussions promoting sustainability. Social media serves as a powerful platform for engaging in sustainability conversations, often driven by social gratification factors such as self-enhancement, shared experiences, enjoyment, and feelings of connection. However, these interactions do not always lead to tangible shifts in sustainable fashion consumption. This study explores the gap between social media engagement in sustainability discussions and real-world sustainable fashion behaviors, using cognitive dissonance theory as a framework to understand why this disconnect occurs. Cognitive dissonance suggests that when individuals publicly express support for sustainability but do not align their actions accordingly, they may either adjust their behaviors or rationalize their choices to reduce discomfort. Using survey data from 400 U.S. social media users who actively participate in sustainability conversations, this research assesses the role of social gratification in shaping engagement and examines whether such participation translates into meaningful behavioral change. By identifying the factors that mediate this disconnect, the study aims to provide insights into strategies that can bridge the gap between online discourse and real-life sustainable fashion practices. Understanding this relationship is essential for brands and sustainability advocates seeking to drive genuine action rather than just conversation.

SNV first emerged in 1993 in the Four Corners Region of the United States and is the primary causative agent of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and has since been detected throughout the western United States. The virus is maintained in rodent populations, particularly in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), where it is believed to be a persistent infection with transmission to humans through inhalation of contaminated rodent excreta. Here, we describe surveillance for SNV in rodents sampled across agroecosystems in eastern Washington and the Idaho panhandle. We collected tissue and serum samples from 282 rodents and tested for presence of SNV nucleic acids in the lung, bladder, and feces and tested for SNV-specific antibodies in serum samples for 135 rodents. Serum samples were subjected to ELISA testing, in which 36 specimens (26.7%) tested positive for SNV-specific antibodies. Bladder, Lung, and Fecal samples were screened for SNV nucleic acids by RT-qPCR with 1 of 145 (0.7%) rodents testing positive for SNV in both lung and bladder and 13 of 145 (8.9%) rodents testing positive for SNV in the lung. Only one fecal sample tested positive for SNV out of 281 (0.4%) fecal samples. Of 36 seropositive rodents, SNV was detected in 12 of the paired lung tissue samples. Our data shows a higher prevalence of SNV in lung tissue than in feces or bladder samples, suggesting that persistently infected rodents may not be persistently shedding virus. Nonetheless, our data show a high prevalence of SNV in rodents across the inland Northwest.

Pregnancy loss in ruminants is a major limiting factor in reproductive performance and efficiency in livestock production. The financial impact of losing a pregnancy in dairy cattle can be substantial, varying with the stage of gestation. A critical factor is the functionality of the placenta, which supplies essential nutrients and facilitates gas exchange for the developing fetus. Disruptions in placental development, which can be influenced by genetic factors, lead to compromised pregnancies. Identifying these genetic mechanisms governing placental success or failure can offer insights into enhancing reproductive success by allowing targeted genetic selection and development of novel methods to mitigate pregnancy loss. This study aimed to examine cell types and gene expression dynamics in the post-implantation placenta of sheep and cattle, to identify potentially conserved mechanisms that contribute to pregnancy success in ruminants. Single-cell RNA sequencing data of the post-implantation placenta of sheep (n=3 at day 20 of gestation) and cattle (n=3 at day 24 of gestation) were retrieved from the public domain. Data were processed and integrated using Seurat v5.1.0 and marker gene expression was used to define nineteen distinct cell populations across both species. Gene expression across mesenchymal, epithelial, and trophoblast cell populations was largely conserved across species; however, two trophoblast clusters were unique to cattle. One of these clusters consisted of uninucleate trophoblasts expressing IFNT, while the other was identified as binucleate cells in cattle, marked by the expression of CSH2 and PAG17. Notably, genes associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)—including the snail family (SNAI1, SNAI2), VIM, CDH1, ZEB1, and CLDN4—were present in both species. EMT is a key process that occurs during cell proliferation during both development and cancer, and is well documented in human and rodent models as crucial for the establishment and growth of invasive placental types. Gaining a deeper understanding of EMT mechanisms in the non-invasive placenta of ruminants could shed light on pathways critical to pregnancy establishment and, when disrupted, potential causes of pregnancy loss.

Microaggressions can be defined as subtle slights and insults that are offensive but mostly unintentional (Boysen, 2012p.#122). Microaggressions (MA) are slights that are generally based off protected classes, specifically race. The purpose of this study was to further current research on correlations between experiencing MA and poor mental health, i.e. low self-efficacy using a survey format. Participants were asked questions pertaining to their awareness of microaggressions, experiences with microaggressions, the impact related to their mental health, current mental health state and their understanding of their own emotional intelligence. The responses will be evaluated using statistical analyses. Results will be further analyzed and discussed.

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for every 1 in 5 deaths. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), is the most common genetic cause of cardiac disease. It often goes undiagnosed until severe clinical signs are present. Symptoms of HCM include ventricle wall fibrosis and hypertrophy, impacting the heart’s ability to intake and pump blood. A main cause of HCM are mutations in the genes of sarcomeric proteins; these proteins are the structural components of the heart muscle that are needed for contraction and relaxation. In most clinical cases of HCM, the commonly mutated protein is cardiac myosin-binding protein-C (cMyBP-C). However, another mutated protein related to HCM development is cardiac troponin-I (cTnI). Both of these proteins can also be phosphorylated by the same kinase, protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphorylation by PKA results in structural and functional changes for both proteins. Thus, studying protein-protein interactions between these two and how PKA phosphorylation might affect it is of interest. This project explores the implications of these proteins and their phosphorylation state; and, how the molecular interactions of cTnI and its phosphorylation via PKA potentially relates to diseased cardiac phenotypes. Two transgenic mouse lines for this study were utilized: a cMyBP-C knockout model (cMyBP-C KO), where the cMyBP-C gene is absent; and a non-phosphorylatable cTnI model (cTnI S2A), replacing its serine phosphorylation sites (ser23/24) to alanines. We hypothesize that cardiac tissue from the cTnI S2A model will exhibit marginal hypertrophy and disarray, while cardiac tissue from the cMyBP-C KO model will exhibit extreme hypertrophy and disarray . To assess this, cardiac histological preparations and biochemical assays were used to characterize the tissue morphology of the cTnI S2A mouse line and contrast it with both a normal, wild-type control line, and the cMyBP-C KO line. Understanding the molecular-level interactions of cTnI phosphorylation by PKA through comparing its morphology could potentially build on knowledge of diseased cardiac phenotypes.

Growing up as the child of immigrants, I witnessed firsthand the financial struggles and systemic barriers that my family faced. This personal experience has inspired me to explore how cultural differences, financial literacy, and systemic inequities intersect to create financial distress for immigrant households. The purpose of this research is to understand these challenges and their impact on the economic well-being of immigrant families in the United States.

Through a mixed-methods approach, this study will combine interviews with immigrant families and surveys measuring financial literacy, and access to resources. Cultural Capital, Social Capital, and Life Course theories will be used as a framework to understand how cultural differences, community support networks, and early financial hardships affect financial stability across generations. The research aims to identify how significant barriers, such as limited access to affordable housing, language barriers, and discriminatory financial practices, contribute to long-term financial distress.

By amplifying the voices of immigrant families, this research seeks to identify key factors contributing to financial instability and propose actionable solutions to alleviate these challenges. The study’s findings will aim to inform policy changes, improve financial literacy programs, and empower immigrant communities to achieve greater economic stability. This research is not only an academic pursuit but a deeply personal commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by families like mine. Through this work, I hope to provide insights that can shape policies and practices to support the upward mobility of immigrant families and break down the systemic barriers they face. 

Around 50 million people die from waterborne illnesses every year. Most of these deaths occur in developing countries. One of these countries is Uganda, which has one of the highest mortality rates due to waterborne illnesses. Although technology exists to help communities faced with the water crisis, limitations such as limited funding and local technical funding make it difficult for them to get help.

Although the issue is still prevalent, there are several non-profit organizations (NGOs) that build water systems for communities in need. One such organization is Engineers without Borders (EWB), a global NGO that is dedicated to serving communities using engineering principles. In Uganda, they have worked closely with local engineers to build several wells. EWB at Washington State University is preparing to accept a project proposal for a community in Kiswa, Uganda. The small community is currently in a water crisis, with dry seasons making it difficult to find clean water. The nearest well is around three miles away, where they compete with another community for contaminated water.

EWB at Washington State University is preparing to accept a project proposal for the community of Kiswa, Uganda. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of building a well in Kiswa and outline the steps engineers will take once permission is granted. Several projects have been completed in Uganda that are great indicators of how a successful water well project can be implemented. Using past successful projects in Uganda as a guide, EWB USA will develop a plan to address Kiswa’s water crisis.

The growing environmental challenge posed by plastic waste necessitates innovative solutions for efficient recycling and waste management. This study explores the application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a non-invasive and high-precision method to classify different types of plastics in municipal solid waste. Hyperspectral imaging captures detailed spectral information across a wide range of wavelengths, enabling the identification of unique material signatures. By leveraging this technology, the study aims to enhance the accuracy of plastic sorting processes and improve the efficiency of recycling systems.

The research involved collecting hyperspectral data from various plastic samples typically found in municipal waste streams, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Data preprocessing techniques, including noise reduction and normalization, were employed to refine the spectral data. MATLAB was used for data analysis and visualization, facilitating the extraction of distinctive spectral features. The analysis focused on identifying spectral reflectance patterns unique to each plastic type, which were then used to train machine learning models for classification.

Results demonstrated a classification accuracy of over 90%, showcasing the potential of hyperspectral imaging as a reliable tool for distinguishing plastics in mixed waste streams. This approach significantly reduces the need for manual sorting and contamination, making recycling processes more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Additionally, the scalability of hyperspectral imaging systems for industrial applications was discussed, highlighting opportunities for integration into existing waste management infrastructures.

This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on advanced recycling technologies and aligns with global efforts to address plastic pollution. Future work will focus on enhancing the robustness of classification models through data augmentation and exploring real-time applications of hyperspectral imaging in waste sorting facilities. By leveraging HSI technology, this study aims to drive innovation in sustainable waste management and support the transition to a circular economy.

This thesis discusses the interdependent themes and form emerging from the works of Black poets. The works of Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, and 10-12 poems of my own are comparatively analyzed in order to highlight the most notable moments of conscious and unconscious influence from Angelou and Giovanni on myself and to discuss difference as a foundation for interdependence.

Overall, the comparative analysis seeks to answer this question: How have Black poets influenced and shaped one another – both consciously and unconsciously, in their poetic craft and form? Where can interdependency and commonality be seen among the works of Angelou, Giovanni, and myself?

I expect that the ideas I propose in this thesis will offer readers a new lens through which to see African American poetry and all poetry. My hope is that the reader of this thesis will step away feeling inspired to come before the poems that they read or write, with a willingness to think beyond their current scope of poetry and challenge themselves to reach for connections that push boundaries – whichever they may be. I want readers to feel compelled to draw conclusions of their own which further speak to the topic of interdependence not only in African American poetry but in each poem they come across. Finally, I hope that one poem in this collection, if not a single line or thought posed can encourage them to keep on pondering.

The legalization of recreational cannabis is accompanied by a decrease in the perceived risk associated with its use among adolescents. This is concerning, as adolescence is an important period for the maturation of brain areas like the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which regulate executive function. Cannabis may exert long-lasting effects on cortical structure and function by altering the activity of the brain resident immune cells, microglia. Microglia express cannabinoid receptors, are activated by adolescent cannabis vapor in rats (within mPFC), and play an integral role in synaptic remodeling. Our current study compared the effects of adolescent cannabis exposure on microglia density and morphology within mPFC vs. motor cortex (MC). Male and female mice were exposed to vehicle (VEH) [polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400)] or whole-plant cannabis (CAN) extract [150 mg/ml, diluted in PEG-400)] vapor during daily 30-minute sessions from postnatal day 34–48 ± 1 day. On days 1 and 14, physiologic and behavioral data were collected (body temperature, hot plate withdrawal latency, and locomotion) to assess the potential development of cannabis tolerance. Mice were perfused, and brains were collected after day 14 of vapor exposure (n=14) or following a 10-day drug-free period (n=10). The latter group underwent anxiety testing in the open field and elevated plus maze immediately prior to perfusion. Coronal sections containing mPFC and MC were cut at 40µm, and immunohistochemistry against the microglia marker ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) with DAB staining was performed. Brightfield images of DAB-labeled microglia were collected from MC and mPFC and density and morphology quantified. While data collection is ongoing, we hypothesize that CAN mice will exhibit higher anxiety compared to VEH and that this effect will be greater in females. We predict that adolescent mice exposed to CAN, but not VEH, will show a higher percentage of reactive, amoeboid microglia immediately after exposure compared to the end of the drug-free period. Finally, we do not expect differences in microglia density between treatment or brain regions. This study will reveal whether adolescent cannabis exposure induces long-term neurobiological and behavioral changes, including sex-specific vulnerability to anxiety and region-specific microglial activation.

Northport, WA, a small community near the Canadian border, seeks to increase tourism without expanding its permanent population. This project aims to achieve that goal by developing glass sleeping pods and restoring local hiking trails, creating a unique and immersive outdoor lodging experience that attracts adventure-seekers, nature enthusiasts, and travelers looking for a luxury escape in the wilderness. By integrating modern, sustainable accommodations with the town’s existing natural attractions, this initiative will enhance Northport’s appeal as a premier ecotourism destination.

Through market research and analysis of similar outdoor hospitality ventures, this study will examine how experiential tourism—such as glamping and remote eco-lodging—can drive visitor growth and economic revitalization in small towns. The research will explore projected visitor spending patterns, estimating the financial impact on local businesses, including restaurants, retail shops, and service providers. Additionally, investment in trail restoration will improve accessibility, safety, and the overall visitor experience, further encouraging longer stays and repeat visits.

The anticipated economic impact extends beyond tourism revenue. A sustained increase in visitors can attract new businesses and services, including restaurants, fitness centers, and even healthcare facilities, improving the quality of life for residents while maintaining Northport’s small-town character. By analyzing case studies of similar tourism-driven revitalization projects and collecting data from local stakeholders, this research will quantify the long-term benefits of this initiative.

Ultimately, this project seeks to demonstrate that strategic tourism development—when aligned with community values and environmental sustainability—can serve as a powerful tool for economic growth. The findings will provide a roadmap for Northport and other rural towns looking to balance economic opportunity with preserving local identity, ensuring a prosperous future driven by sustainable tourism.

Zirconia is a versatile non-toxic catalyst, allowing for many chemical applications versus more toxic and precious catalysts, such as rhodium and palladium.  Nanocrystals innately have desirable catalytic properties, due to their high surface area to volume ratio and the resulting ability to fine-tune their properties through size.  By adding dopants to the zirconia nanocrystals (NCs), this will lead to further manipulation of its electronic properties and improve its use as a catalyst.  For example, zirconia has been found to have a wide band gap which can be reduced to make it a photocatalyst by adding a transition-metal dopant.  Using a previously established and modified sol-gel method, this project aims to create and characterize chromium-doped zirconia NCs.  Air-free synthetic techniques will be employed because the precursors are very reactive to water and oxygen. Powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) will be utilized for structural analysis.  Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) will provide information on the dopant speciation.  By better understanding transition-metal-doped zirconia nanocrystals, this research will inform the future research of zirconia and transition-metal-doped catalysts.

Opioid use disorder (OUD), is a condition that is seen more frequently today despite its severe consequences. OUD is characterized by the persistent use of opioids despite negative consequences. With overdose rates skyrocketing in recent years, the dangers of relapse following a period of abstinence is well-documented. The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) plays an important role in drug-seeking behavior in both humans and rodents. The PVT receives dense glutamatergic projections from the prelimbic cortex (PL) and the PL→PVT pathway plays an important role in fear conditioning and cue-encoding processes.  Moreover, a recent study showed that this pathway undergoes synaptic plasticity changes during retrieval of opioid memories following non-contingent morphine administration. However, its contribution to heroin relapse in a contingent model of opioid administration is unknown. In our study, we used a heroin self-administration model, which is the gold standard in preclinical OUD research, which has higher face validity to the human OUD. To investigate the necessity of the PL→PVT pathway to cue-induced heroin relapse we used an in vivo optogenetic long-term depression (LTD) protocol. The PL of male and female rats was injected with an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the red-shifted opsin ChrimsonR vector, and then placed a fiber optic above the PVT for optogenetic manipulation of PL terminals. Rats underwent heroin self-administration training for 12 days. They began on a fixed ratio (FR) 1 for 7 days, then moved to FR2 for 2 days, and ending on FR4 for 3 days. The rats then underwent 14 days of home-cage abstinence, followed by cued relapse testing, during which heroin-associated cues were present (sound and light) but no heroin was administered. Before the relapse test, we implemented a low-frequency optogenetic stimulation protocol of PL terminals in the PVT for 15 minutes (1Hz-900 pulses) and tested the animals 10 minutes later. Our results show that in-vivo LTD protocol reduced total active lever presses during the cued relapse test, indicating that the PL→PVT pathway is necessary for heroin relapse after abstinence. Thus, this pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for interventions aimed at reducing relapse propensity in individuals struggling with OUD.

Rechargeable zinc-air batteries are widely utilized in medical devices such as hearing aides, glucose monitors and pace makers due to their high-energy density, inherent safety, lower cost and environmental friendliness. However, conventional batteries employ alkaline solution as electrolyte, which involves 4-electrons oxygen reduction/evolution reaction as the source of electron exchange, rendering to sluggish kinetics. In addition, side reaction between alkaline electrolyte and atmospheric CO2 results in the formation of carbonates, causing the degradation of battery stability over extended cycles. To address these challenges, extensive research interests focus on developing non-alkaline electrolyte containing hydrophobic anions that alter the 4-electrons reaction pathway to 2 -electrons oxygen reduction/evolution reaction, which not only enhances the kinetics but also mitigates side reactions. To further improve the performance of 2-electrons Zinc-air batteries, our project investigates the effect of alkali metals cations and anions from the various electrolytes on the battery performance. Experimental results shown us that Cs+ is able to enhance the cyclic stability by stabilizing ORR, while Cl- can reduce the voltage gap by reducing the potential during charge process and increasing the potential during discharge. This discovery sheds light on electrolyte design strategies for the next-generation Zinc-air batteries with high-energy density, good stability, faster kinetics, low cost, safety and environmental friendliness.

Egyptian blue (EB) is humankind’s oldest inorganic pigment. Egyptian blue is rarely homogenous, with varied crystalline phases – cuprorivaite, silica (quartz, tridymite, cristobalite), wollastonite, and tenorite – and residual glass phases. In this poster, phase assemblages from both synthetic EB materials and ancient artifacts are discussed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray nano-Compued Tomography, and electron probe microanalysis. Further, synthesis of individual phases identified with these methods is described. Using these individual phases and the synthetic EB materials, relationships between phase assemblages and color are identified. Materials considerations are also specifically discussed, including Cu doping in wollastonite and glass formation in high Cu containing silicates. Results are additionally placed in a wider technological history context.

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug among adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence nearly double that of all other illicit drugs combined. There is concern that adolescent cannabis use may disrupt medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) remodeling during development, contributing to cognitive deficits in adulthood. Our lab has previously revealed that self-administration of vaporized cannabis during adolescence impairs cognitive flexibility in adulthood. These data suggest that chronic cannabis use during adolescence can negatively affect mPFC-regulated behaviors, though the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons are important inhibitory neurons that regulate mPFC output for flexible decision-making. This study aims to investigate whether daily cannabis exposure during adolescence alters the expression of PV+ interneurons in the mPFC using a relevant rat model. Additionally, perineuronal nets (PNNs) are components of the extracellular matrix that surround PV+ interneurons in the mPFC and serve to support their function. Thus, a secondary aim of our study will be to measure the density and maturity of PNN expression arround PV+ interneurons in the adult mPFC following repeated cannabis vapor exposure in adolescence. We hypothesized that adolescent cannabis vapor exposure will decrease the expression of PV+ interneurons and decrease the maturity of PNNs in the prelimbic region of the adult mPFC relative to vehicle vapor exposure. Adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats (postnatal day P35-55) were exposed daily to cannabis or vehicle vapor for 3 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period before undergoing a cognitive flexibility task. Tissue was then collected for immunohistochemistry. Our behavioral results align with our previous reports, suggesting that adolescent cannabis exposure leads to lasting deficits in PFC-dependent cognitive flexibility in adulthood. Moreover, our findings suggest that adolescent cannabis exposure decreased the intensity of PNNs that surround PV interneurons in the adult mPFC. These findings suggest that normalizing PNNs may help alleviate adolescent cannabis-induced mPFC dysfunction, providing insight on how cannabis use affects mPFC-dependent cognitive flexibility.

Tropical forests are increasingly threatened by human activities, leading to extensive forest loss and fragmentation. Fragmentation disrupts continuous forests, creating isolated patches surrounded by human-modified landscapes. While biodiversity declines and ecosystem functions deteriorate due to forest loss, the independent effects of fragmentation remain poorly understood, largely due to limited long-term regional datasets. Many studies fail to separate the effects of forest loss from fragmentation, making it difficult to assess their distinct impacts.This study examined 25 years (1998–2023) of Landsat and Sentinel data from the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (LTBR), Mexico, to evaluate how forest loss and fragmentation influence ecosystem functions, specifically productivity and drought regulation. We tested three hypotheses: (1) forest loss and fragmentation have increased over time within the reserve, (2) the combined effects of forest loss and fragmentation negatively affect productivity and drought regulation, and (3) fragment-level impacts on ecosystem functions are influenced by broader landscape level processes. Ecosystem functioning was assessed using remote sensing indices: the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy for productivity and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) as a measure of drought regulation. Results revealed no significant changes in overall forest cover over time; however, fragmentation metrics, such as patch density and edge habitat, increased. These structural changes altered ecosystem functioning, with continuous forests consistently exhibiting higher productivity and drought regulation than fragmented landscapes. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that landscape-scale metrics, including forest cover and patch density, influenced ecosystem functions, but these effects were mediated by fragment-level processes such as edge habitat. Higher edge habitat was associated with increased productivity but reduced drought regulation, suggesting that fragmentation alters the resilience of tropical forests to climatic variability. These findings emphasize the need for long-term, multi-scale approaches to disentangle the effects of forest loss and fragmentation on ecosystem functioning. By integrating remote sensing data with landscape-scale analyses, this study provides critical insights into the complex interplay between forest loss and fragmentation in tropical landscapes.

This research project examines how fashion brands communicate sustainability on TikTok and Instagram compared to how consumers discuss these issues in real time. Over the past decade, sustainability has become a core buzzword in the fashion industry, yet the term remains inconsistently defined, leading to misunderstandings and skepticism. By analyzing and comparing both brand-generated posts and user-generated content, we aim to identify communication gaps and provide insights for clearer, more authentic messaging. 

This study focuses on twelve prominent brands across three industry segments: Fast Fashion (Zara, H&M, Uniqlo), Activewear (Nike, Adidas, Lululemon), and Luxury (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior). This selection captures a range of production practices, marketing strategies, and sustainability commitments. Drawing on hashtags spanning consumer-focused (#upcycled, #secondhandfashion), business-focused (#ecofriendlyfashion, #organicfashion), and overlapping themes (#ethicalfashion, #circularfashion, #fastfashion), we will collect consumer posts, comments, and metadata referencing sustainability topics. The dataset will cover the past three years, subject to platform data availability. 

Using a mixed-methods approach, we will integrate AI-driven data collection with qualitative analysis to gain a holistic perspective. First, sentiment analysis and topic modeling will quantify recurring themes, prevailing attitudes, and emerging micro-trends in sustainability discussions. Second, an in-depth content analysis will highlight cultural nuances, ethical concerns, and brand-specific implications. By combining quantitative metrics with qualitative insights, we aim to capture how sustainability-related micro-trends evolve within the broader market discourse. 

The objectives of this research are (1) to provide actionable recommendations for fashion brands to communicate sustainability more effectively, reducing misinformation and enhancing transparency, and (2) to empower consumers to differentiate genuine eco-friendly commitments from greenwashing. Insights from this study will also contribute to academic discussions on ethical fashion.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a devastating disease and the most common form of liver cancer. HCC is the fifth most common cancer, occurring in approximately 85% of patients with cirrhosis. Current treatments including surgery, liver transplants, and systemic therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors have significant limitations including systemic toxicity, drug resistance, and lack of target specificity. These challenges emphasize the need for innovative therapeutic strategies to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. To address these limitations, we have developed a galactose-based dendrimer (Gal24) conjugated with HCC targeting drug, Silibinin (Gal24-Sil) as an HCC targeted therapy. The Gal24-Sil conjugate enhances Silibinin solubility and stability while enabling tumor-specific delivery via asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) mediated endocytosis in HCC cells. In vitro, studies revealed efficient cellular uptake and strong anti-cancer activity, inducing oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and DNA damage. Gal24-Sil triggered apoptosis and necrosis through release of inflammatory cytokines, activated caspase dependent cell death and inflammation pathways, significantly reducing HCC cell proliferation. Furthermore, cellular uptake experiments confirmed HepG2 (human liver cancer) cells predominantly uptake the Gal24-Sil conjugate through clathrin-mediated endocytosis, ensuring efficient and selective drug delivery. These findings highlight the potential of Gal24-Sil as an effective nano delivery platform for precision targeted HCC therapy, minimizing systemic toxicity while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Leveraging Gal24’s hepatocyte targeting capabilities and Silibinin’s mechanisms of action, this approach shows a promising advancement in nanomedicine for liver cancer treatment.

Operación Salud Colima Tamizaje, also known as the Colima Health Screening Operation, is an innovative web-based computer application designed to transform the health screening process for children in Colima, Mexico. This application was developed as part of a senior capstone design project by a team of four computer science students at Washington State University TriCities. The project addresses significant challenges in managing health records, unclear scheduling of medical visits, misplaced health paperwork, and limited communication between schools, medical professionals, and parents.

The application addresses these issues by offering digital consent forms that parents can sign and submit electronically, eliminating the need for physical paperwork while ensuring an organized and secure storage of forms. Parents also have the option to download copies of these forms. Furthermore, the application provides parents with instant access to a comprehensive range of their child’s health data, including glucose levels, cholesterol, and other important health metrics. It includes a schedule of health service visits to schools, along with downloadable lab results and health recommendations, centralizing all critical information in one location. This functionality enables parents to effectively monitor their child's health progress.

To further enhance the system's usability, administrators and medical professionals can update and modify student information, ensuring that parents have immediate access to the most up-todate and accurate health data. The application streamlines data collection and reporting, ensuring effective communication of health insights across all stakeholders.

Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Colima, the system adheres to regional health regulations and user needs. Modern software engineering principles guided the development of this system, utilizing PHP and Laravel for back-end development, MySQL for secure data storage, and Bootstrap for a user-friendly front-end interface. The application integrates with Excel-based health records to automate data imports, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

By automating repetitive tasks and optimizing data flow between stakeholders, this web application significantly reduces administrative burdens for schools and healthcare providers in Colima, Mexico. Ultimately, Operación Salud Colima Tamizaje serves as a robust tool that enhances public health monitoring and contributes to early intervention in children's health issues.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has a high prevalence in the United States. Aspects driving OUD include the significant symptoms of withdrawal, often leading to increased rates of relapse. The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) has emerged as a key brain region driving opioid withdrawal and relapse in both humans and rodents, suggesting that these processes might overlap within the PVT. However, whether the same thalamic neurons encoding withdrawal also contribute to subsequent relapse is still unknown. To fill this gap in knowledge, we used a preclinical model of heroin self-administration in combination with a viral TRAP (Targeted Recombination in Active Populations) technology in the PVT to genetically access neurons active during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. TRAP allows for the expression of a Fos-driven tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase, and we combined this technology with a Cre-dependent BiPOLES viral vector. BIPOLES, is a novel optogenetic tool that allows for precise and bidirectional optogenetic manipulation of the same neuronal population through distinct wavelengths of light. Animals underwent heroin self-administration training using an increasing fixed ratio schedule (FR1- 7d, FR2- 2d, FR4- 3d). Two hours after the last training session, we injected the animals with naloxone (1mg/kg) followed by, 20 minutes later, an injection of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (10mg/kg) to induce recombination of the Cre-dependent BiPOLES.  The rats underwent 21 days of home-cage abstinence followed by a 30-minute cued relapse test. At test, each rat was tested with no-laser (10 minutes), inhibition (constant light, 10 minutes) and stimulation (20Hz, 10 minutes), counterbalanced across animals. We found that optogenetic inhibition of PVT withdrawal-encoding neurons suppresses cued relapse compared to the no-stimulation and stimulation condition. Finally, to investigate whether PVT withdrawal ensembles encode aversion, we tested the same rats in a real-time CPA test. We found that stimulation of these neurons is aversive and increases the frequency of withdrawal signs observed in the stimulation side of the apparatus. These findings suggest that PVT withdrawal-encoding neurons are necessary for heroin relapse and activation of these neurons is sufficient to induce aversion and physical signs of withdrawal. This work advances our understanding of OUD neurobiology and paves the way toward more effective therapeutic strategies.

The Orofino area of northern Idaho is geologically poorly understood, and contains a diverse range of rock types. The dominant rock types in the region are interpreted to be Jurassic to Cretaceous aged intrusive igneous rocks, although little is known about the exact age and composition of these rocks. These rocks are overlain by the more recent and widespread Colombia River Basalt group. However, based on mineralogical observation I found rocks that must have formed in the middle to lower crust and that have likely interacted with fluids from the mantle. Finding rocks from the deep crust is rare as they are typically not exposed on the surface. However, such samples are critical to understand the composition of the lower crust and reactions that occur between Earth’s mantle and the crust. In order to provide more clarity on the geological history of the Orofino area, my research aims to describe and characterize rocks that experienced metamorphism in the deep crust, collected 8 miles east of Orofino.  I aim to determine the chemical and isotopic composition of this rock and its minerals to interpret the pressure and temperature conditions and age at which it formed. To answer these questions, I analyzed this sample with multiple techniques including optical microscopy, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and electron probe micro analysis at the WSU Peter Hooper GeoAnalytical Laboratory. I am currently working to determine the age of this rock using the Uranium-Lead decay system in zircon minerals, these analyses will be undertaken at the Radiogenic Isotope Geology Laboratory at WSU. Answering these questions will inform us about the local geological history of the region, and tectonic activity that occurred in western North America during the Jurassic to Cretaceous time periods. My results have broad impacts for understanding the geological history of a complex area, such as how long did high-grade metamorphism in the region last and if there was mass-transfer involved in these processes that can provide important information for our understand of lower crustal processes, such as the crust mantle transition zone.

The prevalence of behavior disorders being diagnosed in children and adolescents has continuously risen in percentages compared to historical trends; becoming significantly common. An increased awareness of mental health and psychiatric disorders, refined diagnostic measures, and published research attribute to this trend. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD); a depressive and behavioral pediatric disorder, was integrated into the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition; DSM-5) in 2013. Internalizing and externalizing symptomatology of high severity temper outbursts that are unjustifiable to the current situation or appropriate developmental level, lasting several minutes are present. Non-episodic irritability and persistent mood dysregulation are seen as diagnostic criteria for DMDD. Prior to DMDD’s introduction, researchers identified an influx of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) diagnoses, with not every patient having the correct symptomology for diagnosis. Due to the recent emergence of the disorder, clinicians struggle to understand DMDD with its complex constellation of symptomatology, behavior expressions and the inadequacy to differentiate normative behaviors from abnormal expressions during early childhood. Thus, further exploration and research is necessary. The aim of this research was to better understand the theoretical frameworks and current diagnostic measures for DMDD. The approach and method of a systematic scoping review integrates peer-reviewed, empirical research of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods analysis. Findings will pinpoint deficiencies in relation to themes and concepts of current knowledge and to present directions for future research advancements. The scoping reviews inclusion criteria is based on the framework of Peters et al., 2015.

During hibernation, brown bears (Ursus arctos) must survive without food intake. To do this they must rely entirely on stored energy reserves. Triglycerides, stored in adipose tissue, serve as the primary energy source because they provide a high-energy yield when broken down in a process called lipolysis, which releases glycerol and fatty acids. Studies in rodents have shown that diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can extend hibernation, suggesting that either more ATP is required, or existing ATP is used more efficiently. This highlights the importance of dietary fatty acid composition in energy metabolism during hibernation. Thus, we hypothesized that the degree of fatty acid saturation will affect energy production and lipolysis in hibernating brown bear adipocytes. Preadipocytes from six captive brown bears were cultured and differentiated into mature adipocytes. Cells were exposed to three fatty acids at physiological concentrations or a control (BSA), for 24 hours and then stimulated with isoproterenol (100 nM) for 15 minutes. Fatty acids studied were Palmitic acid (16:0; saturated fatty acid), Oleic acid (18:1, n-9; monounsaturated fatty acid), and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (20:5, n-3; polyunsaturated fatty acid). Total ATP, ATP derived from oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos), and ATP derived from glycolysis were measured using the Seahorse XFp analyzer. The results revealed that exposure to fatty acids differing in saturation did not affect the response of isoproterenol. However, fatty acids did affect the total ATP production (p<0.0001) and OxPhos (p<0.0001), but not glycolysis. EPA exposure resulted in the lowest amount of ATP produced, suggesting that PUFAs may result in more efficient use of ATP in fat cells.

Agriculture education plays a key role in shaping students through experiential learning, preparing them for future careers. FFA is a co-curricular national organization for students in agriculture which promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success of its members. As challenges and advancements in agriculture continue to rise, having a diversity of perspectives, knowledge, skills, and experience from a variety of minds is important. However, current agricultural education enrollment, FFA membership, and agricultural employment illustrate a lack of diversity. The National FFA Organization has dedicated efforts to address this gap through increasing the belonging and engagement of FFA members by fostering a supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment for all students. Washington FFA is in the process of developing a state task-force for student engagement to create plans focused on increasing member belonging and engagement. This task-force needs the influence of FFA members to inform the decision making process.

This study aims to collect the perspectives of Washington FFA members on how our local chapters and state FFA Association are currently fostering and impeding a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment. Researchers will collect qualitative data from the perspectives of FFA members using a focus group approach. During the 2025 FFA Washington State Convention, the delegate body, representing the chapters across the state, will participate in four researcher-led focus groups. The researchers will perform content analysis of the responses to identify common themes that emerge. 

By reviewing existing research and analyzing focus group data, this project will identify strengths and gaps regarding the effectiveness of current practices of Washington FFA in creating a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment for all students. This study seeks to provide valuable recommendations for agricultural educators, Washington FFA staff, the Washington FFA Association Board of Directors, and the Washington FFA Foundation. The results from the study can be used to inform decision making and implementation of strategies that will increase the engagement and feeling of belonging of Washington FFA members, preparing them to approach the challenges and advancement facing agriculture with diverse perspectives and skills.

Activity patterns play a vital role in mammalian ecology, often being an invaluable tool for coexistence between species occupying similar niches. This study examined the temporal dynamics and activity patterns of predators within Tanzania’s Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem (TME). The analysis focused on seven mesopredator species: spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), African leopard (Panthera pardus), black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas), large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), common genet (Genetta genetta), honey badger (Mellivora capensis), and striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena). Intraguild temporal segregation, interactions with apex predators, such as lions (Panthera leo), and responses to anthropogenic activities of these species were assessed using camera trap data. Activity peaks and patterns, as well as temporal segregation and overlap were analyzed using Rayleigh Rose, Mardia-Watson-Wheeler, and kernel density tests. Results revealed significant variation in activity peaks and temporal overlap among mesopredators. The hyenas, honey badgers, and both genet species exhibited high nocturnality, while leopards displayed crepuscular patterns, and black-backed jackals demonstrated variable activity. Human activities strongly influenced mesopredator behavior, and most mesopredators showed only partial avoidance of lions. These findings demonstrate the importance of temporal niche differentiation in managing mesopredator populations under anthropogenic pressure by providing insights into which species or anthropogenic stressors are most actively avoided by mesopredators.

Stuttering has been linked to processing deficits in cortical sensorimotor regions, particularly those involved in timing and sensory integration. Two distinct interpretations of this finding are possible. First, it may be that early (subcortical) sensory processing is disrupted in people who stutter, leading to a cascade of effects impacting cortical sensorimotor processing. Alternatively, it is possible that early sensory processing is unimpacted in people who stutter, with differences only emerging at higher cortical levels. To distinguish between these competing accounts, we explored the N1/P2 complex, an obligatory marker of early sensory processing, in individuals who do and do not stutter (19 males, 8 females per group). EEG data were recorded as participants discriminated tones and syllables in both quiet and noisy (+4 dB SNR) backgrounds. No group differences were found in either the latency or amplitude of the N1/P2 complex, suggesting that early sensory processing is unimpacted in people who stutter. Consistent with this interpretation, condition differences were similar in people who do and do not stutter. Specifically, the presence of noise delayed the N1/P2 and reduced peak amplitudes, and speech discrimination resulted in delayed latencies compared to tone discrimination for both groups. While results are consistent with the interpretation that early sensory processing is not impacted in people who stutter, it is possible that the cognitive tasks used in this study may not have been challenging enough to reveal underlying differences in sensory processing. To further probe this issue, future research should examine later stages of the sensory processing hierarchy, such as the P300, and employ more complex tasks. For example, the inclusion of more complex stimuli or dual-task demands may more rigorously assess sensory processing differences.

This research explores the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood for first-generation, low-income college students, focusing on how they navigate their own educational and personal needs while pursuing higher education. Many of these students face unique challenges, including limited access to resources, financial insecurity, and the pressure to succeed without familial guidance.This study examines the gap between societal expectations and the lived realities of first-generation, low-income college students, with particular attention to personal growth, identity formation, and institutional support. Using a qualitative research approach, I will conduct in-depth interviews with first-generation, low-income students to gain insight into their experiences. By analyzing their narratives, this research aims to identify common barriers they encounter, strategies they employ to survive and succeed, as well as the support systems that contribute to their success or prove inadequate. Findings from this study could inform institutional policies, improve campus resources, and foster an environment where underrepresented students can thrive academically and personally. This project contributes to the broader discussion on educational equity by highlighting the often-overlooked struggles of first-generation students as well as their agentic decisions and efforts. By amplifying their voices, I hope to provide a deeper understanding of their journey and advocate for systemic changes that promote a more inclusive higher education experience. Ultimately, this research is driven by both scholarly inquiry and personal experience, with the goal of making a meaningful impact on students in similar situations.

The goal of our experiment was to generate velocity-proportional feedback with optical sensing to add artificial damping in a stretched wire vibrating at small amplitudes. When an oscillating system is acted upon by a force proportional to its velocity, the system can lose energy which causes its amplitude to decrease exponentially. The velocity dependence of the force is directly proportional to the decay rate. In our case, velocity feedback allowed us to add a force proportional to velocity with the coefficient being a gain setting. A copper wire was stretched between supports and through a magnet whose magnetic field was perpendicular to the wire. A photodiode was placed behind the midpoint of the wire to detect the vibrations of the wire. The magnet was placed off center from the wire’s midpoint to make room for the photodiode. An oscillating burst of current through the wire was supplied with a large burst count, producing a force on the wire causing it to oscillate up and down. After the burst, the wire vibrations naturally decay slowly. A light source was placed on the opposite side of the wire aiming the light towards the photodiode. When the wire was oscillating, incoming light towards the photodiode would be blocked creating a moving shadow. The photodiode generated a voltage signal whose sign and amplitude depended upon the position of the shadow on the photodiode. The signal was proportional to the vertical displacement of the stretched wire. This signal was sent through circuits which generated a feedback current in the wire proportional to the velocity of the wire. The signal gain was controlled with a potentiometer. By increasing the gain in equal increments and measuring the decay rate of the vibrations, a linear relationship was found between the gain setting and the increase of the decay rate. This was in agreement with theory and showed that optical sensing can be used for velocity feedback and artificial damping.

Environment stimuli trigger the retrieval of strong cocaine-predictive contextual memories. The dorsal raphe nucleus plays a role in regulating the strength of these memories by interacting with several other brain regions that are important for addiction. Cocaine-memory reconsolidation requires the activation of intracellular signaling cascades and the expression of immediate early genes, like Zif268, a marker for neuroplasticity. The purpose of this study is to identify dorsal raphe afferent and efferent brain regions undergo plasticity upon contextual-drug memory retrieval compared to control memory retrieval. This research will increase our understanding of molecular events involving memory retrieval. We infused a cocktail of anterograde and retrograde adeno-associated viruses expressing these fluorophores into the dorsal raphe to label its afferents and efferent using red and green fluorophores, respectively. Rats were then trained to self-administer cocaine in a distinct environmental context, then received extinction training in a different context. Next, we briefly reintroduced the rats to the cocaine-predictive context to recall their drug memories. We collected brain tissue for 60 minutes later to visualize Zif immunoreactivity throughout the brain. Our preliminary results have indicated that the dorsal raphe receives dense inputs from the anterior cingulate cortex an moderately dense inputs from the prelimbic cortex, the infralimbic cortex, the lateral orbital cortex, and the parabrachial pigmented nucleus. In addition, the dorsal raphe sent dense outputs to the medial septal nucleus, lateral preoptic area, and the basolateral amygdala. Among these brain regions, areas of the prefrontal cortex exhibited the highest level of Zif268 in response to memory retrieval as well as the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus which receive indirect input from the dorsal raphe via the medial septum. These initial observations suggest that the retrieval of cocaine memories elicits plasticity in a complex system that involves prefrontal cortex – dorsal raphe – medial septum – hippocampus communication. This system may be responsible for updating the strength of maladaptive contextual drug memories and consequently regulating context-induced drug craving and relapse. Future experiments should focus on sex differences in the projections to and from the dorsal raphe.

Stress is a biological response that is mediated by the HPA axis and involves a cascade of signaling molecules and ends with the release of cortisol in humans, but corticosterone in rodents. Previous research shows there is evidence of desensitization within the stress response. This is when neurons decrease their reactivity to a stress stimulus that has been experienced repeatedly. There is also evidence that males and females carry out the stress response in slightly different ways. The focus of this study was to investigate how the patterns of desensitization could differ depending on the sex of the organism. We used three different experimental groups of mice; a control group that did not experience stress, an acute stress group that experienced one session of one hour of restraint stress, and a chronic stress group that experienced one hour of restraint stress daily for ten consecutive days. Mice were euthanized and brain tissue was collected to examine the degree of neural activity induced by stress across multiple brain regions by labeling the protein c-Fos, a marker for activated neurons. We imaged the entire brain but focused on areas involved in the stress response, such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, and amygdala. In addition to c-Fos staining, we performed an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to measure corticosterone levels. We found that all areas we studies showed desensitization, except for the locus coeruleus and ventral tegmental area. However, the degree to which neural activity decreased after chronic stress varied between areas and between sexes. The main brain areas of difference between the sexes were the hypothalamus, amygdala, midbrain and hindbrain, indicating that the neuronal pathways in these areas may be the source of the sex difference. We also found sex differences in body weight and corticosterone measurements. In general, our research could be applied to human medicine in the psychiatry field, as many mental illnesses are exacerbated or triggered by stress. Future directions for this study could be to find out what type of neurons are activated and to further investigate what causes the sex differences we observed.

In August of 2024, Carter Mitchell was selected from an international pool of applications to compete as a semi-final, euphonium soloist at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival in Twin Lake, Michigan. He submitted a video recording for the preliminary round audition in March of 2024 and rehearsed through the Spring and Summer of 2024 to prepare for the competition. He was one of six college freshman and sophomore euphonium soloists chosen to compete at the four-day festival. Carter prepared a diverse program of music. First, a work entitled Quatrille by Dario Argentesi, a four-movement work which featured extended techniques of the euphonium sound inspired by cultures of Italian, Brazilian, and Southern United States origin. Second, he featured a work entitled Euph’tudes No. 13 by Phil Snedecor, a work which highlighted the brilliance of the euphonium sound. Third, a work entitled African Sky by Andrea Hobson, a work which featured soaring melodies and syncopated rhythms that represented cultures and skies across Africa. Finally, his performance closed with two movements of a work entitled Sonata in F major by Benedetto Marcello, a work that had become standard in euphonium soloist repertoire. Carter competed in the young artist, euphonium soloist division for adjudicators Dr. Mark Cox, Professor at Central Michigan University, Dr. Remus Webb, Associate Professor of Music at Albany State University, and Dr. William Sutton, Assistant Professor of Music at Northwest Missouri State University. Preparation for the competition took six months and Carter had to learn his parts to the three pieces at a high level, which took hours of individual, daily practice. He worked on style, intonation, time, and articulation over zoom meetings with his supervising research mentor, Dr. Chris Dickey. The Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival is the most prestigious euphonium and tuba solo competition in the world. Performance slots were highly competitive, so being chosen to perform was a high honor for Carter. This was one of the most prominent stages in which a euphonium soloist could compete, and he was proud to represent the WSU School of Music on that platform.

As communities globally struggle with climate change, recommendations for coping with the heat focus on physical aspects that individuals can physically control (such as drinking water, wearing loose clothing, and taking breaks). However, these changes may not be realistic or sufficient. For example, individuals who do not have 24-hour access to cool spaces or workers required to wear a specific uniform may suffer from rising ambient temperatures. The lack of research examining psychological coping mechanisms presents an area for further exploration. Based on this, I aim to test whether people might already be using psychological coping strategies, and if so, what kinds. I would like to investigate if people use emotion regulation strategies (i.e., reappraisal, distraction) as coping mechanisms and how effective they are. Additionally, I wondered whether gender might play a role in what type of strategy (behavioral vs. psychological) is being used. I will map out the different strategies men and women use for dealing with their uncomfortable environment. Using data from a study of experimentally manipulated heat stress, I am examining reported strategies for managing discomfort during a 50-minute exposure to an ambient temperature set at 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Using qualitative analysis, I plan to categorize responses as behavioral vs.  psychological, and examine whether gender is related to what strategies are used. This work would provide further understanding of how mental and physical health is impacted by heat waves and explore coping strategies already in use, which may be crucial for public health applications. As communities experience growing ambient temperatures, people will struggle to thrive. This research could be crucial for the lives of those who have no control of their environment and to reduce the amount of climate changing technology we use to cool ourselves.

Each May, mountain white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys oriantha) migrate from wintering grounds in southern California and Mexico to their high-elevation breeding grounds in the mountains of the Western US, where they will remain until early October. Within these 5 months, these sparrows must complete the energetically demanding tasks of breeding, molt, and preparation for the next migration. Molt, the process of shedding old feathers and replacing them with new feathers, is both energetically and nutritionally demanding. In some species, the timing of molt can influence the quality of the feathers produced. This is important because the quality of a bird’s feathers can influence flight performance and insulative abilities, which can potentially affect survival. In this study, we investigate how variation in the timing of molt affects survival to the next breeding season, as indicated by return to the breeding grounds. We used longitudinal trapping data collected by M. Morton and colleagues over a 9-year period (1979 -1988), from a well-studied population of mountain white-crowned sparrows at Tioga Pass, California. From the trapping data, we used measurements of primary flight feather molt to estimate the date of molt onset (n = 267 molt events from 198 birds). Across the entire dataset, molt onset ranged from June 23rd to August 26th, a range of over 2 months. Because the timing of molt varied considerably across the years, we examined both the absolute timing of molt onset and the relative timing of onset within a year (calculated as the difference from the mean onset date for the population for a given year). Our results indicate that age and sex did not affect the probability of return, which was consistent with previous findings. We also found no effect of the timing of molt onset, either absolute or relative, on the probability of returning to the breeding grounds. Thus, the timing of molt onset does not appear to have a strong influence on survival to the next breeding season in mountain white-crowned sparrows.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in 112 countries, with new cases projected to rise from 1.4 million in 2020 to 2.9 million in 2040. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a membrane receptor specifically expressed by metastatic prostate cancer cells throughout the body. Modern antibody drug conjugate (ADC) theranostics targeting PSMA have been developed, with many radionuclide-ADCs currently undergoing clinical trials. ADCs typically work by binding to antigens on the target cell surface, internalizing, and processing through lysosomes to release a cytotoxic payload.

The Berkman group has developed pH-sensitive phosphoramidate (phosam) linkers, which show great potential as a pH-sensitive linkage strategy where therapeutic payloads dissociate from chaperone proteins without being affected by drug potency. The phosam linker system has been heavily exploited by the Berkman group with many drugs in clinical trials, but it has yet to be applied to large chaperone proteins.

To address this gap in knowledge, the monoclonal antibody Anti-PSMA was utilized. Initially, NHS-Ester-Cy5.5-DBCO was used, which has a fluorescent moiety to track intracellular transport of the ADC and a DBCO group to enable derivatization of Anti-PSMA using click chemistry. A pH-sensitive phosam linker, engineered to self-cleave at lysosomal pH below 5.5, carrying quenched Amino-Methyl-Coumarin (Phosam-AMC-Azide), was conjugated to the DBCO moiety. This clickable-AMC, which becomes fluorescent only after its release from the phosam linker, will validate therapeutic delivery and pH-selectable cleavage of the linker while attached to large proteins.

Subsequent payload attachment will include Phosam-MMAE-Azide, a radionuclide with high efficacy in cancer theranostics. The functionality of these phosam-linked ADCs will be validated by in-vitro experiments, where immortalized PSMA-expressing metastatic prostate cancer bone cells (C42B) and non-PSMA-expressing metastatic prostate cancer bone cells (PC3) will be exposed to phosam-linked ADCs, with therapeutic efficacy quantified by confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Overall, this work will demonstrate the functionality of phosam linkers in ADC synthesis and provide evidence for why phosam linkers are an ideal strategy for producing pH-sensitive ADCs.

As cannabis legalization spreads across the U.S., it is necessary to understand its effects and possible therapeutic uses across diverse groups of people. With the spread of legalization comes an increase in use, with older generations being the fastest-growing group of cannabis users. An increasing number of women are turning to cannabis to treat perimenopausal symptoms, but it remains poorly understood how relevant factors such as aging and ovarian hormones influence how cannabis is metabolized and affects physiology. To determine whether aging and ovarian hormones influence the acute pharmacokinetics (PK) and physiological effects of vaporized cannabis, we compared 4 groups of mice who differed by age and ovarian status: OVX (ovaries removed) at postnatal day (P)90, sham at P90, OVX at 18 mos., and sham at 18 mos. After 3 weeks recovery, mice were weighed, habituated to the vapor room, and underwent a single 30 min session during which they received 15, 3 s puffs of vaporized vehicle [100% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400)] or 150 mg/ml whole-plant cannabis extract dissolved in PEG-400. Known effects of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) agonists, including the main psychoactive component of cannabis Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), include hypothermia, decreased pain sensitivity, and reduced movement. Assessing these effects, we collected body temperature, hot-plate withdrawal latency, and locomotor activity measurements immediately after vapor exposure. Separate cohorts of mice were euthanized via CO2 inhalation immediately following or 30 min after exposure and cardiac puncture was performed to collect blood and determine PK properties of THC, 11-OH-THC and THC-COOH in plasma by mass spectrometry. Efficacy of OVX was assessed following euthanasia by uterine weight. Based on previous work from our lab investigating the acute effects of cannabis exposure in adolescent and young adult male and female mice, we predict that acute cannabis vapor exposure will reduce locomotor activity and decrease body temperature compared to vehicle-exposed mice. Furthermore, we predict that OVX mice will weigh more than sham mice. We hypothesize that aged and OVX females will exhibit greater behavioral sensitivity to vaporized cannabis, as indicated by greater hypothermic and hypolocomotor responses, which will potentially correspond to reduced cannabis vapor metabolism.

Aqueous batteries are affordable, simple to construct, and possess extreme safety, making them a prime candidate as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, aqueous batteries are routinely limited by decreased cyclability (i.e., durability) caused by the formation of dendritic structures, and lower energy densities when compared to LIBs. To mitigate these limitations, a potential strategy is the removal of the anode from aqueous batteries and assembling them in “anode-free” configurations. By removing the anode, the amount of active material within the battery is reduced without sacrificing performance, providing a cost-effective solution with higher energy density (i.e. zinc coatings provide a current collecting surface while demanding less zinc). The implementation of permanent magnets has been shown to improve a variety of battery systems, including both zinc-ion and lithium-ion. These particular magnets can be removed for recycling purposes, and do not require energy input to induce Lorentz forces (forces exerted on charged particles when in the presence of electric and magnetic fields). Lorentz forces have a substantial impact on electrodepositions and many other electrochemical processes. This impact can be particularly helpful by reducing the formation of dendrites (irregular metallic deposits that form on the anode surface) which significantly reduce battery performance and cyclability. To investigate the influence of magnets in anode-free configurations of an aqueous zinc-ion battery, zinc was electrochemically deposited onto copper in the presence and absence of magnetic fields. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging revealed that the ability of magnetic fields to mitigate dendrite formation is reproducible and dependent on surface imperfections. To further probe the utility of permanent magnets in enhancing the performance of battery systems, anode-free aqueous zinc-ion batteries were assembled using i) zinc-coated copper anodes and ii) bare copper anodes (as control) containing low-profile disc magnets on the backside of both the anode and cathode. The anode-free configuration combined with permanent magnets increased zinc utilization over the traditional configuration while displaying similar performance. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal magnetic field strength and other working conditions relevant to cyclability and energy density.

The Wenatchee Mountains Checkermallow (Sidalcea oregana var. calva) is an endangered, perennial, and flowering herb endemic to the Wenatchee Mountains in central Washington. Small in spatial abundance, this species is threatened by habitat fragmentation, competition from other plants, seed predation, and altered fire regimes. While increasing the application frequency of prescribed burns has shown promise in enhancing seedling establishment, ongoing monitoring of subpopulations is crucial to ensure the stability and long-term viability of the species. The primary goal of this research was to establish baseline data on the abundance and life history traits of the Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow, focusing on subpopulations around Poison Creek in Chelan County. We set up 15 1-square meter plots within the study area, where individual plants were marked, categorized by their life history stage (seedling, vegetative, reproductive, or dead), and mapped for future monitoring. Plot characteristics were also recorded to assess habitat quality, including vegetation type, vegetation cover, and associative plant species. This study will provide important insights into population trends and the impacts of environmental factors on individuals in populations of Wenatchee Mountains Checkermallow. By identifying potential threats to population health, this research will inform conservation strategies, including the implementation of controlled fire practices and approaches to habitat restoration. Long term, this project aims to contribute to the development of effective management plans to enhance the stability and growth of Wenatchee Mountains checkermallow populations, ultimately aiding in the species’ recovery, stability, and persistence in the ecosystem.

Soil microbial activity can be an indicator of soil fertility due to the interconnected relationship between soil nutrient composition, microbiome, and plant productivity. Electrochemical signals produced during microbial metabolism through electron transfer processes can be monitored in real-time using inert electrodes. In a previous study, we demonstrated the differences in electrical current produced by microbes enriched on polarized 3.8 cm × 3.8 cm electrodes could be used as a proxy to distinguish healthy and unhealthy soil. However, due to soil heterogeneity, it is not known if the electrode size would control the electrochemical response. Our goal is to determine how electrochemical signals in the soil are affected by increasing electrode surface area. The electrochemical monitoring of electroactive microbes in the soil would allow for a sustainable and continuous method of soil health monitoring for agricultural systems. We used cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to investigate electrochemical signals from soil. From this the electrochemical limitations in utilizing electroactive microbes as a biological indicator for soil productivity can be determined. Soil nutrient analysis and biological lab tests such as fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, total DNA, and enzyme activity were combined to characterize healthy and unhealthy soil. Electrodes were placed horizontally in a soil mesocosm at 8cm (working), 7cm (Ag/AgCl reference), and 6cm (counter) below the soil surface. A water bath and wick system was implemented to maintain soil moisture at 25˚C. Three carbon fabric electrode sizes (64cm², 16cm², and 4cm²) were tested in 4 biological replicates. Current was measured at 0.3V_Ag/AgCl of applied potential for 16 days and CV was conducted before polarization on day 7 and day 15 to compare redox activity.

Sarcomeres are the basic contractile units of muscle fibers that contain overlapping thick and thin filaments whose interactions lead to muscle contraction. The thin filaments are composed of actin and actin-binding proteins such as Leiomodin-2 (Lmod2) that can bind to the end and to the sides of thin filaments. To study how Lmod2 binds to the sides of thin filaments and the role of this binding in muscle contraction, we need to purify the C-terminal fragment of Lmod2 by expressing it in a plasmid containing the sequence of interest fused with an MFH tag used for improved expression of intrinsically disordered peptides. Originally, we used thrombin cleavage to separate the C-terminal fragment from the tag, however, it non-specifically cleaved the peptide. Because of this, we decided to use a different method called cyanogen bromide (CNBr) cleavage which cleaves after methionines. To replace any internal methionines and to add a methionine at the beginning of the fragment sequence to cleave off the tag, we designed point mutagenesis complementary primers that anneal to the wild-type DNA and introduce our desired mutations. First, we ran a polymerase reaction (PR) using the primers and the plasmid used for thrombin cleavage as a template to change a glycine to a methionine before the peptide of interest. After using DpnI to digest the template DNA, we transformed high efficiency NEB 5α cells with the PR product and grew the transformed cells on agar plates. We then purified the plasmid DNA from six colonies and confirmed the presence of the mutation using Sanger sequencing. Next, other mutations will be introduced using the same approach using the plasmid with the mutation as a template.

Agriculture is important for our growing populations as it increases food security, contributes to local and national economies, and provides employment opportunities. However, this field is facing workforce shortages, specifically in minority representation, such as the Hispanic community. Oftentimes students with a migrant background have a negative view on agriculture based on their family and personal experiences. These views may discourage them from pursuing agriculture as a career. However, these students have valuable knowledge and skill sets that are applicable in agriculture, yet they are often underrepresented in this field.

This study aims to investigate the perceptions students with a migrant background hold about agriculture and identify how those perceptions influence their choice of career paths. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, interviews and surveys will be conducted with students from the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at Washington State University to identify key barriers and motivators in pursuing agricultural careers. The theory that will guide this study is Bordieu’s Theory of Social and Cultural Capital. This theory suggests social, cultural, and economic capital will play a role in career selection. Students with a strong social capital often make decisions based upon their family or familial beliefs. Cultural capital such as being multilingual or having certain cultural values can equip individuals to pursue certain career paths. The available economic capital to enter a field as well as a desire for a stable income and the ability to maintain a specific lifestyle may influence their beliefs in how successful they will be within an agricultural career.

The expected perceived barriers and motivators will stem from their parents' experiences with agriculture. Previous studies suggested students with diverse backgrounds noticed a lack of representation within a career field which played a vital role in shaping their career decisions. The outcomes of the study can inform better forms of outreach promoting opportunities within agricultural careers to students with migrant backgrounds. Additionally, the results can contribute to programs aimed at increasing inclusivity and support for minority communities within agricultural careers, addressing both workforce gaps and social equity.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an essential tool for detecting invasive species, monitoring endangered species, and identifying pathogens, providing critical data for conservation and ecological health efforts. Traditional eDNA extraction methods often require lab-based processing, limiting their use in field settings. This study presents an optimized cellulase-based protocol for efficient, in-field eDNA extraction from both water and air samples. Cellulase, an enzyme that breaks down cellulose, facilitates the release of DNA from cellulose-based filters under tailored temperature conditions, enabling rapid on-site sample processing. Additionally, a proteolytic enzyme is employed over a brief, optimized interval to ensure complete cellular breakdown, thereby enhancing DNA accessibility.

The protocol integrates Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), a rapid and portable amplification technique that enhances DNA detection without complex thermal cycling. For both water and air samples, the method uses CRISPR-Cas12, a highly sensitive and specific technology, to identify target DNA sequences after amplification, allowing precise detection directly in the field without lab-based resources. In water samples, testing more conservative enzyme amounts resulted in lower efficiency, highlighting the importance of an optimized threshold for robust DNA release and subsequent detection.

This streamlined approach not only supports the usability of CRISPR-Cas12 technology for species detection but also shows potential for pathogen detection in air systems, particularly for airborne pathogens in ventilation and environmental monitoring. This protocol could be a valuable tool in environmental health and safety, expanding eDNA’s role in conservation, invasive species tracking, and public health research across diverse environments.

The aim of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that environmental cues experienced early in life shape animal behavior later in life. Using northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens; NLF) as a model, we tested how exposure to predator cues during both larval and post-metamorphic (juvenile) life stages influences activity levels, foraging, and predator-avoidance behaviors. To investigate this, NLF tadpoles were reared in mesocosm tanks, with half exposed to NLF chemical alarm cues and bullfrog (L. catesbeianus) visual and chemical cues and half exposed only to the empty bullfrog cage. After metamorphosis, juvenile NLF were exposed to bullfrogs in a behavior assay in which they were exposed to a bullfrog behind a mesh barrier at one side of the arena up to three times. NLF behavior in the behavior assay was measured from video recordings, measuring the time spent near the bullfrog and total activity (number of hops). We predicted that NLF reared as larvae with bullfrog predator cues would exhibit increased predator-avoidance behaviors when in the presence of bullfrogs, and we predicted that repeated exposures to the bullfrog will further differentiate behaviors. Our results showed that all individuals spent the least time near the bullfrog in our assay, and bullfrog exposure during the larval period did not affect the time spent relative to the bullfrog; however, larval exposure to predator cues reduced overall activity levels of juvenile frogs. In addition, repeated exposure to bullfrogs after metamorphosis reduced the time spent near the bullfrog as expected. These findings suggest a carry-over effect of larval bullfrog exposure on activity levels, and repeated exposure to bullfrogs after metamorphosis promoted predator avoidance behaviors. These findings have implications for captive-rearing protocols and amphibian reintroduction efforts. By introducing predator exposure in a controlled environment to NLF adults we can help instill stronger predator avoidance behaviors prior to release, potentially increasing their likelihood of survival after reintroduction to the wild.

Autistic Students face various challenges when transitioning from high school to adulthood, including limited services, lack of coordination between schools and adult agencies, and limited opportunities to develop the skills needed for employment and postsecondary education (Whittenburg, 2023). Research is also missing to explore the experiences of autistic students and families from low-income households during this critical period. In this research proposal, I will describe my proposed study to investigate the experiences of these students and families. My focus will be on interviewing autistic high school students and families from low-income households about the support and barriers they experienced during the transition from school to adult life. In my presentation, I will include comprehensive information on my study design, including research questions, recruitment procedures, questionnaire development, data collection procedures, and data analysis procedures. I will also share the draft interview questionnaire I am developing for this project. Examining the experiences of these students and their families can allow us to better support these students by highlighting the interventions and resources needed to decrease challenges and increase supportive approaches. Having insight into the experiences of these students will lead us to evidence-based practices, interventions, and strategies to help students be successful in high school and after graduation. Furthermore, understanding their experiences allows us to assist them in creating a plan for their life after high school.

Gravitational Waves (GW) were theoretically predicted by Albert Einstein in his Theory of General Relativity in 1916. About 100 years later, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) proved their existence after detecting GW from a Binary Black Hole (BBH) merger. Since then, GW research has been at the forefront of physics. When detecting GW, there are many analysis methods used in taking the data received to make future theories and predictions. Parameter estimation is a tool that helps take the data that is acquired from these mergers and configure the regions of best fit for detection. LIGO, our current model works for stellar massive BBH mergers. The current model has not yet caught up with supermassive BBH mergers, these mergers have masses up to a million or even a billion times the mass of stellar massive BBH mergers. The Laser Interferometer Space Antennae (LISA) aims to help with our understanding of supermassive BBH mergers. Yet, the need for deciphering a new model for parameter estimation is required. Scaling a numerically simulated GW can help understand the goal for a new parameter estimation tool. As LISA continues with development, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, the need for new tools is required to keep up with the values and data that will be obtained.

Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by an elevated level of glucose in the blood during pregnancy. The behavioral consequences of gestational diabetes on the offspring have been studied, such as motor and cognitive impairment, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes have limited research. Many individuals who are obese and have diabetes experience emotional dysregulation as well as mental disorders. Studies have shown insulin has demonstrated neurotrophic actions in upregulating synaptogenesis, which is an increase in functional dendritic spines. Dendritic spines are small protrusions on the dendrites of neurons that receive synaptic input to the neuron cell body. Dendritic spine density increases rapidly in the third trimester and until adolescence. We mainly see three sizes of dendritic spines: mushroom, stubby, and filopodia. Mushroom being most mature and filopodia being least mature. Key molecules involved in this process are Brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) and Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). We hypothesize that Insulin upregulates synaptogenesis through BDNF and TrkB and that Insulin resistance inhibits growth in dendritic spines. To test this, we used an in vitro model with BDNF and TrkB knocked down using dominant negative forms of the molecules and an in vivo model using mice. Neurons were stimulated with 500nM of insulin with and without the expression of the dominant negative forms of BDNF and TrkB. From this, we saw insulin increased the density of mushrooms and total spines (P= Mushroom: P < 0.001, Total: P = 0.001). In the presence of BDNF and TrkB dominant negative mutants, we could see that Insulins effect was blocked (BDNF V66M P= Mushroom: P = 0.665, Total: P = 0.625. TrkB P066L P= Mushroom: P = 0.451, Total: P = 0.047).  In the in vivo models, 20mcg of insulin was administered intranasally on post-natal day 7, 24 hours before extraction of the hippocampus for spine density analysis. We found that this administration significantly increased the mushroom and total spine density. (P= Mushroom: P < 0.001, Total: P < 0.001). The results that we collected corroborate that insulin has effects on upregulating dendritic spine density and may influence synaptogenesis.

Our goal is to understand how the bacterial communities found in the Chinook Salmon’s environment compares to the bacteria in the Chinook’s mucus. Pacific Salmon exhibit an anadromous lifecycle which involves migration from freshwater to saltwater and then back to freshwater, where they are exposed to varying environments.  The Mucus serves as a line of defense in the immune system of a fish, and assessing how the pathogens and overall bacterial community on the Chinook reflects that of the surrounding environment can help better understand what bacteria or pathogens the mucus holds, as well as what bacteria/pathogens is found in the water, giving us insight into what the fish may be susceptible to. Chinook’s populations are struggling, and they’re risk of mortality from pathogens is great and can increase with climate change.  To assess host environment microbiome dynamics, we conducted a field study comparing mucus and water samples of spawning Chinook in Red Rock Coulee Creek in Central Washington, as well as a controlled lab study of juvenile fish  in recirculating aquaculture tanks. Samples were collected biweekly for seven weeks, and extracted DNA was sequenced using 16s rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results of this study will help increase our knowledge of salmon physiology and adaptive capacities of salmon to anthropogenic impacts.

The rapid advancement of the space industry has necessitated the development of materials with exceptional thermal and mechanical properties for critical components such as rocket engine nozzles. Precipitate hardened Cu–Cr–Nb alloys, known as GRCop, have emerged as a preferred material for these applications due to their superior heat transfer capabilities, high-temperature strength, and resistance to oxidation and creep. Current research of this alloy includes work on characterization, additive manufacturing methods, and quasistatic mechanical testing. One area of study that has not yet been thoroughly documented is dynamic loading of GRCop. The space industry calls for stringent reliability and safety measures which makes this area of research vital for further use of this alloy. This study focuses on modeling the dynamic mechanical response of a homogenized GRCop sample through Kolsky bar testing to identify its dynamic stress-strain response.

Homerun is a software package designed as a supplement to the RNA sequence analysis software HOMER. While HOMER provides a robust set of tools to summarize the raw data of RNA samples, it is designed to be operated via Linux commands. Using HOMER efficiently requires the user to supply scripts to partially automate the execution of commands.

Homerun seeks to remedy this barrier to entry by automatically organizing input data to a standardized format. Homerun can then begin the process of analyzing data and generating visual summaries, without the user needing to write a new script for each use case. Optional commands can be entered to tune the parameters that Homerun uses in its analyses, but the basic commands allow a user to analyze RNA sequences with little prior experience with Linux systems. Homerun's automated management of files means that project data is always organized in a predictable manner, even in collaborative settings. Input settings are recorded into this standard file structure as well, so that analyses may be recreated, verified, or refined at a later time. After summarizing RNA sequences, Homerun can make the output data immediately interpretable by generating a series of plots showing important trends.

By adopting Homerun, daunting projects are reduced to a handful of commands. This can save hours of time when large sets of RNA sequences need to be analyzed. Homerun's ease of use allows researchers to adopt a new method or explore a new field with little software training. Users are able to place more of their focus on their project's data. For these reasons, Homerun is a worthwhile tool for anybody researching RNA sequences.

Health disparities in Kenya are profound in some areas of the country. This is especially true in Kibera, an informal settlement that represents the largest area of poverty in Nairobi. Kibera faces a wide range of public health challenges common to poverty, including problems with infectious diseases. The purpose of this presentation is to describe an ongoing study designed to address these needs in Kibera and describe student research opportunities and experiences in this novel study. The PBIDS urban study was designed to curb infectious disease rates in Kibera with necessary interventions identified through analysis of household surveys. This is a longitudinal study that began in 2005 with ~30,000 participants. Households are surveyed twice a year, once every six months. During the time that I spent in Kibera with the research team as a student, I observed Community Health Workers who conducted household visits to survey families about their health. My role as a data collector was to interview the residents and ask about their health in the past two weeks, religion/ethnicity/marriage, education, pregnancy notification for all women above the age of thirteen, immunization for all children under five, and water/sanitation/hygiene. Kibera is sectioned off into 10 clusters. The first week, I observed Kwa Mwaura with my mentor Wycliffe Mwika, in Cluster 2. The second week, I observed Soweto with my mentor David Murunga, in Cluster 1. In a typical day, we identified households that still needed to be seen and conducted these surveys. Data collection procedures will be described, including the use of a proxy respondent for families. The data collected from these surveys is analyzed by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in partnership with the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This information is then sent to the Ministry of Health in Kenya. This study's purpose is to prepare the Ministry of Health for interventions in the case of an outbreak. The data can help determine if there is a need for assistance in sanitation such as improving washroom conditions, clean water initiatives, or making a specific vaccine more accessible to the community.

Ultraviolet (UV) cell damage is known to cause serious issues such as cancer and immune system suppression, highlighting the importance of evaluating methods to eliminate damaged cells before they cause extensive harm. Z-nucleic acid-binding-protein (ZBP1) is an interferon-stimulated immune sensor that plays a crucial role in initiating cell death signaling cascades by binding to Z-form RNA, a novel pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). We hypothesize that UV-induced cell damage could lead to the formation of Z-form RNA, allowing for ZBP1 binding and the activation of cell death pathways.  A significant reduction in cell viability was noted in ZBP1-expressing SVEC (mouse endothelial cell line) cells, when compared to ZBP1 knockout cells, 48 hours post UVB exposure.  This was determined using the Cell Titer GLO cell viability assay. ZBP1-mediated cell death pathways include apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. We believe the cell death pathway induced by UV damage will be apoptosis and pyroptosis, due to the lack of a Caspase 8 inhibitor needed for the necroptosis pathway to occur. Our findings will allow us to research into potential cell death mechanisms that can be used for the elimination of UV-damaged cells.

Peas, from the family Fabaceae, form mutualistic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) associated with their root systems. This association is relatively unique to the Fabaceae family, as many plants cannot form such a relationship. Peas can also form a relationship with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. From these mutualistic associations, essential nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), become more available for plants. Canola, from the plant family Brassicaceae, cannot form a relationship with either mutualist. When grown together in a pea-canola intercropping system (peaola), peas may share N resources with canola indirectly through pea’s mutualists. Peaola experiences an increase in productivity compared to monoculture, although the mechanism is unknown. This observation is more pronounced with minimal synthetic N inputs, suggesting that the microbiome plays a key role in N availability as synthetic N inputs decrease the incentive for pea to form a relationship with mutualists. As a result, peaola could be utilized by growers as a method of decreasing their use of synthetic N fertilizers that have negative environmental impacts. We aimed to determine any effects peaola may have on soil inorganic nitrogen (iN) content, a key nutrient for plants. We hypothesized that there would be a higher iN content in seeding ratios with higher pea content due to pea’s mutualistic relationships. We also hypothesized that iN content would have an inverse relationship to N fertilizer application, largely due to the incentivization of pea to form the relationship with rhizobia under low N conditions. In all three of our studies, we saw changes in the diversity and composition of the microbial community. We found that there were no significant differences in the iN concentration between pea, canola, and peaola. We also found no significant difference in the iN concentration across the various fertilizer treatments between all three plant groups. Similarly, we found that changing the seeding ratio causes no change in soil iN. These results suggest that the soil microbiome may help to maintain a form of homeostasis in respect to plant nutritional needs, suggesting that peaola may be an effective method of reducing the use of these environmentally costly synthetic N treatments.

The toddler version of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab-TAB; Buss & Goldsmith, 2000) provides observational measures of distress, including the infant’s reactivity to the stranger approach. Distress and regulation were measured via structured observations, coded for relevant behaviors, such as vocal distress, self-soothing behaviors (e.g., thumb sucking), etc. Prior work has shown positive relationships between maternal psychological stress and stranger fear in infants (Brooker et al., 2013), thus it is hypothesized that there will be a positive relationship between maternal perceived stress (MPS), infant’s negative emotionality, and infant distress and regulation during stranger approach. It is also hypothesized that the MPS effect will further be moderated by infants’ negative emotionality, as infants’ temperament traits have been shown in past work to moderate mothers’ emotionality (Sacchi et al., 2018).

To examine our hypotheses, correlational analyses were performed first to examine relations between MPS, infant’s negative emotionality, and infant distress and regulation during stranger approach.  Although significant correlations between MPS and negative emotionality, distress, and regulation were not observed, moderation analyses were conducted next. An interaction between MPS and infant negative emotionality was significant, suggesting moderation by infant trait-level distress proneness in predicting regulation during the stranger approach (ΔR² = .13, ΔF = 5.07, β = 1.47, p = .03). There were no significant findings in predicting infant observed distress. Results indicate that infants of mothers reporting less perceived stress are able to regulate more often during a fear-inducing task, especially at lower levels of negative emotionality.

Organoids are 3D masses of cells that are made to emulate the structure and function of certain organs or tissues. In this study we compared the genetic expression of a skin organoid to human prenatal skin tissue at different periods of gestation, namely at ages of 7 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, and 17 weeks. Using a single-celled RNA sequencing approach, we found differences that led to an incomplete differentiation and cell complexity of the organoid. We discovered that common markers for immune cells did not show significant expression in the skin organoid, as well as those of vascular and lymphatic endothelium. These markers, present in the prenatal tissue, were found consistently over all time points studied. The differentiation of other cell types, such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts, were also altered due to differences in genetic expression. Additionally, at later time points, such as at 17 weeks, the prenatal tissue continued differentiating, resulting in distinct cell groups also not majorly present in the organoid, such as erythroid cells (HBB+), and adipocytes (LPL+). Accounting for the expression of these genes in future skin organoids would result in a better imitation of human skin, having the potential to create opportunities in fields such as skin cancer research, drug screening, and studying the effects of diseases on human tissue. Thus, we hope for this data to serve as a guideline for future research in skin organoid synthesis.

In this paper, I analyze the Oregon Constitution of 1857, placing it inside of the wider political debates in the United States in the first half of the long 19th century. In the Oregon Constitution, we can see the effects of popular sovereignty, as well as the role that rights do and ought to have inside of a government. The delegates would (a) use the term Democracy in a far more positive light than their ancestors in the 1780s and 1790s; and (b) debate the role of rights in government, debating their origins and their operations. In both (a) and (b) the core ideas of the Jacksonian era Democrats and Whigs would reveal themselves. The Democrats, led by Mathew Deady and Asahel Bush, were more optimistic for people and their decision-making capacity, thus making them more accepting of the idea that rights shouldn’t be written into the constitution, or be placed with all that more reverence. Whigs, like William Lysander Adams, in opposition to the Democrats would argue that the structure of the Constitution would not ensure that rights would not be protracted enough as essences of a person’s existence, nor would the Government be instituted to promote social virtue as the document would posses the strictest secular provisions in the United States. To demonstrate this, I use Michel Serres’ and Christopher Watkin’s ideas on figures to develop the figures of the Democrats and the Whig’s social imaginaries (or worldviews). I then observe speeches made by different members of the constitutional convention and their later debates to show how these different figures were in competition with one another.

Aqueous Zinc-bromide batteries (AZBBs) are a low cost, environmentally friendly energy storage option, but show poor cyclability compared to commercial secondary batteries. Although the application of permanent magnets has been shown to improve the performance of AZBBs, many gaps in our understanding of the mechanistic cause for such improvement remain. This study investigates a possible electrolyte to use in magnetically enhanced AZBBs to further improve cyclability. Tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) is evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), an electrochemical technique that is used to measure peak capacitance by locating oxidation and reduction peaks. Experiments are performed using a three-electrode cell with a glassy carbon working electrode, platinum counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Trials are conducted both with and without a magnetic field to observe the effect of a magnetic field on the observed current and the system’s electrochemical behavior. Results show the magnetic field improved the observed current significantly at the scan rates and various magnetic field strengths tested, with the highest magnetic field strengths showing the most improvement. Since permanent magnets are shown to improve the cyclability of AZBBs, incorporating an electrolyte that responds well to magnetic fields can lead to further increased performance and cyclability.

Maintaining pregnancy and ensuring its success is essential for the sustainability of ruminant livestock production. Abnormalities in placental development is a leading factor in pregnancy loss. Attributing complications in humans are preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, decreased fetal cognitive function, and miscarriage—and of equal importance, the devastation the loss of a child brings. The outer layer of the blastocyst, the trophectoderm, is comprised of trophoblast cells that invade the endometrium and develop the placenta. Trophoblasts have other various roles including hormone secretion and nutrient supply. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the differences between gene expression in varying trophoblast cell types from placental tissues in cattle and humans, and their role in pregnancy loss for both species. Single-cell RNA sequencing data of day 195 of gestation in cattle (n = 2 for each intercotyledonary and cotyledonary locations) and weeks 23 and 24 of pregnancy in humans (n = 4 for chorionic and villous locations) were retrieved from the public domain. The data were filtered, normalized, and clustered using the computational framework Seurat (v5.1.0) in R Studio which identified 12 clusters for intercotyledon tissue and 18 clusters for cotyledon tissue across the two species after the subset of trophoblast populations. Gene expression was not conserved across cattle and human, demonstrating unique trophoblast clusters. Cattle predominately consisted of uninucleate (UNC) and binucleate (BNC) cell types; however, there were UNC to BNC transition clusters present in both tissues, one in cotyledon and two in intercotyledon. Human clusters consisted of cytotrophoblasts (CYT), extravillous trophoblasts (EVT), and syncytiotrophoblasts (SCT), with lower levels of expression in CYT and SCT. Of note, overlap was seen between EVT and UNC and BNC in cotyledon tissue, and between EVT and primarily BNC in intercotyledon tissue. Previous research indicates that the placentas of humans and cattle are different based on appearance and morphology, but this work reveals that there are also underlying molecular differences in cell types and gene expression dynamics. This study aims to fill gaps of knowledge regarding any distinctions between human and cattle specific trophoblasts and investigate potential relationships to pregnancy loss.

Incubation of craving is a time-dependent intensification of craving for a reward throughout abstinence. This phenomenon has been shown for various rewards including drugs of abuse, sucrose, and high-fat diet, and helps to explain the low success rates of dieting and abstinence in human populations. Previously, our lab has shown that forced, high-intensity exercise blocks the incubation of craving for high-fat diets in male rats. However, this model of exercise lacks translational ability to humans, and therefore we aim to determine whether voluntary exercise will exert similar effects. Further, there is limited research into possible sex differences in the incubation of craving paradigm, specifically pertaining to the incubation of craving for high-fat diet. We aim to characterize incubation of craving for high-fat foods in female rats, and investigate the possible role of the estrous cycle in order to have a solid foundation to later investigate the effects of exercise. To investigate incubation of craving, adult rats were allowed to self-administer high-fat diet pellets daily for 10 days. Animals were then tested on days 1 and 30 of abstinence for lever pressing in the absence of a reward. Preliminary data show that male rats given 24-hour access to voluntary wheel running throughout abstinence show blunted incubation of craving compared to controls. In females, we show enhanced food-seeking behavior compared to males throughout training, and preliminary data show that females exhibit incubation of craving at 30, but not 10, days of abstinence, matching what has been shown in males. Further, we hypothesize the phase of estrous at the time of testing may influence the results, although further testing is needed. Ultimately, our work aims to investigate methods to reduce time-dependent increases in cravings throughout abstinence and to apply these findings to improve human dieting strategies. Future investigation aims to study the effects of exercise on incubation of craving in females and to better understand the effects of the estrous cycle on cravings for high-fat diet. Further, we are currently optimizing procedures to begin investigating the role of microglial-neuron interactions and their potential involvement in reducing incubation of craving through exercise.

Objective: Nowadays cognitive decline associated with aging has emerged as one of the growing public health concerns. It’s imperative to find predictors that are associated with the onset of cognitive impairment. Machine learning algorithms are gaining attention for predicting cognitive functioning. While many studies have endorsed the accuracy of machine learning methods, very few examined their consistency in applications. This project comprehensively examines the accuracy and consistency of selected machine learning models in predicting cognition for older adults.

Method: Sample of the data included 158 community-dwelling older adults (72.4% female), of which 72 were healthy older adults (HOA), 45 were with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and 41 were with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The participants selected whether the random shape was the same as the previous one (1-back) appeared on the wearable smartwatch (4x per day for 1 week). Their performance on the n-back measures was used as predictors for their cognitive status. All data were analyzed using selected machine learning methods, including logistic regression, random forest, decision trees, naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, Ridge, LASSO, Elastic net, and supporter vector machines (SVM). Consistency was examined using the newly proposed Bootstrapping-based approach while accuracy was evaluated using AUC and diagnostic statistics such as Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity.

Results: Elastic net was the most consistent algorithm in the classification model with a 0.91 consistency rate, followed by Ridge (0.91), LASSO (0.90) and Naive Bayes (0.84). Logistic regression was the most accurate algorithm with a 0.63 accuracy rate and an AUC value of 0.64, followed by Naive Bayes, LASSO, and SVM.

Conclusion: There is no sole method superior in both accuracy and consistency. The selection of an optimal algorithm should be made with caution. More research is needed to further explore the performance of machine learning in prediction cognition.

California peaches have been associated with outbreaks and recalls involving Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, leading to significant economic losses across the food industry. Therefore, sanitizer intervention is being explored as a strategy for controlling pathogenic contamination on peaches. This study evaluated the efficacy of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) in peach sanitizer interventions against two pathogenic bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella, and also the suitability of Enterococcus faecium as a non-pathogenic surrogate strain in laboratory research. The efficacy of PAA at 10ppm, 20ppm, and 40ppm was tested on E. faecium, a 3- strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes, and a 3- strain cocktail of Salmonella (initial ~6.5 log₁₀ CFU/ml) in a 50 ml system with constant agitation, at contact times of 30 seconds, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes. A 500 μl sample of the respective sanitizer treatment was collected at each sampling time and immediately dispensed into a micro centrifuge tube containing 3 µl of sterile Sodium thiosulfate (ST) stock (50% w/v) which was then vortexed to neutralize the sample. Each neutralized sample was then serially diluted. The solutions were then plated on tryptic soy agar yeast extract plates and incubated for bacteria enumeration. The data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test using IBM SPSS 26 and reported as mean ± SEM with a significance value of P <0.05. At 10 ppm PAA, reductions of 0.13/1.38/2.18, 0.13/2.25/5.86, and 0.27/6.02/6.43 log₁₀ CFU/mL were observed for E. faecium, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella after 30 seconds, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes, respectively. At 40 ppm PAA, reductions of 1.49, 3.04, and 6.43 log₁₀ CFU/mL were observed for E. faecium, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella after 30 seconds, with bacterial levels becoming undetectable after 2 minutes. These results support the conclusion that PAA sanitizer is effective at eliminating bacterial populations of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella at 40 ppm with a contact time of 2 or more minutes. Furthermore, it was concluded that Enterococcus faecium is a suitable surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in Peach PAA sanitizer studies, supporting its potential use in validation testing for L. monocytogenes and Salmonella.

Coxiella burnetii is the causative agent of the zoonotic illness Q fever. Acute infection is associated with flu-like symptoms, but 3-5% of those infected develop chronic Q fever, which can result in infections of the heart valves (endocarditis) and other serious complications. An obligate intracellular bacterium which preferentially infects macrophages in the lung environment, C. burnetii has multiple strategies for manipulating the host cell during its infectious cycle. Programmed cell death and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are two host processes that are targeted by C. burnetii, and these markers are key to studying Coxiella in the cell model. Reactive oxygen species are naturally produced wastes of cellular respiration. Cells also exploit ROS to defend against intracellular pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide is a common positive control for ROS and oxidative stress. One of the major ROS found during oxidative stress, it is very toxic in cell medium, causing rapid cell death, and reacts directly with ROS probes such as DCFH or CellROX green. For these reasons, peroxide may not be ideal for long-term exposure times, (greater than a day) and may cause false or inconsistent signals when used with common ROS probes. Preliminary results show that the application of menadione may be less toxic to cells compared to hydrogen peroxide and does not significantly interact with ROS probes. In this project, menadione was employed to promote endogenous ROS production by inhibiting the electron transport chain and allowing electrons to react prematurely with oxygen in the mitochondrial matrix. We hypothesize that by minimizing treatment toxicity and interactions with ROS probes, pharmacological induction of oxidative stress will allow for better studies of Coxiella’s manipulation of ROS during infection; a key element of C. burnetii’s obligate intracellular lifestyle.

This study will explore the relationship between religious dissonance and relationship strength within the romantic relationships of Generation Z students (born between 1997 and 2012). The literature has historically suggested that interfaith romantic relationships are more likely to face conflict. However, Generation Z is increasingly multicultural and more likely to enter interfaith romantic relationships. Recent studies show that interfaith relationships are successful when they foster open-mindedness, curiosity, and individual religious security. This study aims to show that interfaith relationships fail when these open-mindedness and security qualities are absent. Indeed, they fail when one or both partners experience relationship-religiosity dissonance. I hypothesize that the results of my study will show a strong negative correlation between religiosity-dissonance and relationship strength. In addition, I hypothesize that high levels of religious change alongside high religiosity-dissonance will be concordant with weaker relationships. In contrast, I hypothesize that high levels of religious change alongside low religiosity-dissonance will be concordant with stronger relationships. Generation-Z WSU students in romantic relationships will take versions of the following measures in a single survey: the Communication Patterns Questionnaire (CPQ), the Centrality of Religiosity Survey (CRS), the Revised Faith Development Survey (RFDS), and the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). These measures will be used to examine faith change and religiosity-dissonance against relationship strength. A regression model will be used to analyze the results of this survey. Showing the relationship between religious conviction, relationship dissonance, and relationship strength in college students is significant because of the increase in interfaith and intercultural couples nationwide. This widespread cultural shift has the potential to impact the relationships and, therefore, the structure of society in the future. This study will also serve as the groundwork for future qualitative research that could have the potential to analyze more specific nuances between faith change and relationship change, as well as future longitudinal studies that could examine the patterns of individual ideology shifts, culture changes, and psychological shifts in thought processes and attachment styles over time.

Campylobacter jejuni infection causes millions of diarrheal illnesses annually and is linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), reactive arthritis, and stunted growth in children in low to middle-income countries. C. jejuni must invade the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract to cause disease. Disease onset requires C. jejuni to invade the gastrointestinal tract, facilitated by the adhesions CadF and FlpA, and invasion is mediated by Campylobacter invasion antigens (Cia), specifically CiaD and CiaC. My project focuses on the interaction of CiaC with host cell proteins Epsin-2 and β1 integrin. Epsin-2 is involved in membrane-curvature during invagination of bacteria. β1 integrin is involved in cell survival and cell signaling. Mutated C. jejuni with a CiaC deletion display decreased invasion of host cells compared to C. jejuni wild-type strain. To investigate the interaction between the C. jejuni CiaC protein and host cell Epsin-2, a pulldown experiment was conducted to explore protein-protein interactions. A histidine tag (His6) was added to the amino terminus of Epsin-2, and ran with CiaC through a nickel column. The His tag gives Epsin-2 an affinity for nickel. SDS-PAGE analysis of the column elution revealed that CiaC binds to Epsin-2. Experiments are currently being done to determine if two truncations of the Epsin-2 protein (Δ151-641 and Δ299-641) bind to CiaC. This would give evidence to where the specific binding site is located on Epsin-2. To investigate the binding site of β1-integrin, a similar approach will be taken. There are two NPxY motifs in the β1-integrin protein that are proposed to be involved in the binding of CiaC. Samples with a mutation in each and both will be tested for interaction with the CiaC protein. Additional work will include clarifying and testing the role of CiaC in C. jejuni invasion using an Epsin-2 gene knockout on the host cells. A CRISPER cas9 knockdown will be used to prevent the synthesis of Epsin-2, and C. jejuni invasion will be quantified in Epsin-2 knockout cells and wild-type cells. Identifying the host cell targets of CiaC will provide possible targets for therapeutic development to treat C. jejuni-mediated gastroenteritis.

Pregnancy loss in cattle incurs a substantial economic impact for producers. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the causes responsible for pregnancy loss in cattle. Immune cells serve important roles in the placenta, which are integral in carrying the fetus to term. They are significant in trophoblast invasion, developing and maintaining the placenta, and protection of the fetus and mother. The placenta plays a key role in conceptus attachment and implantation, meaning that any issue in the formation of the placenta can lead to pregnancy loss. The objective of this study is to identify and characterize immune cells of the bovine placenta to determine if these cells may have a role in pregnancy loss. Furthermore, this study will conduct a comparative analysis on the immune cells in the placenta of cattle (Bos taurus) and humans (Homo sapiens) to provide a deeper understanding of potential immune cell function in the bovine placenta. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the mature cattle placenta (n= 2 for each cotyledonary and inter-cotyledonary sites at day 195 of gestation) and humans (n= 4 for each chorionic and villous locations at weeks 23-24 of gestation) was retrieved from the public domain. These data were processed and integrated using Seurat v5.1.0 to compare the clusters of cells between both species and discover the different types of immune cells in each cluster. Gene expression in the NK cell, monocytes, Langerhans cells, T-cells, Macrophage, and B-cell clusters in the inter-cotyledon tissue was conserved across both species, alluding to a similar function. In the cotyledon tissue, the NK cell, monocyte, Kupffer, T-cell, and dendritic cell clusters were conserved across both species as well. Up-to-date knowledge of the role of immune cells in the placenta is crucial to understanding if they have an impact on pregnancy loss in cattle as well as humans. Previous work defines evidence that disturbances in immune cell population can lead to diseases like pre-eclampsia in humans or infertility. Therefore, applying this knowledge comparatively to cattle could inspire further research into the causes and prevention of pregnancy loss.

Earth's earliest history is of fundamental importance for understanding how the Earth formed and evolved throughout time. Direct evidence of that history, however, is lacking—there are no intact rocks older than 4 billion years, meaning that the first 500 million years of Earth's history is missing.  The Jack Hills in Western Australia offers a unique glimpse into this history.  The Jack Hills contain the oldest known zircon (ZrSiO₄) grains, with single crystals dating back 4.4 billion years. Understanding their age and geochemical composition provides insight into conditions of the earliest Hadean Earth (4.5-4.0 billion years ago). The rocks of the Jack Hills are an 80 km long metasedimentary package of siliciclastic rocks interpreted to have formed as an alluvial fan deposit. Contained within this sedimentary package are grains of the accessory mineral zircon. Zircon is unique because are robust time capsules that can be dated to high precision by the U-Pb method. This can be done in our lab using a Teledyne ArF 193nm laser ablation (LA) system coupled with a ThermoScientific Element² ICPMS. The catch is that only a very small number of zircons in these samples (~0.1%) have ages over 4 billion years. We have employed a campaign style screening method of very short ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb age analyses (a few seconds) of several thousand grains to identify the rare Hadean zircon grains.  Once identified, these Hadean grains will be rigorously dated following our standard U-Pb protocol and also analyzed for their Hf isotope composition.

Organized crime can make or break a society as a whole. “Organized crime was first formally identified in Italy in the 19th century during one of these times of political and social transition. It arose out of an environment that comprised of three key components: the end of the feudal system of agricultural production, with a concomitant increase in the number of transactions within that society” With the mass immigration of European immigrants to the United States during the 20th century, it created a new threat for the American government. Along with the introduction of media getting more integrated into the public spotlight, it created a double-edged sword. This project will explore how organized crime groups were able to harness the power of the media from 1900-1960 to shape their image and public perception. By examining the decade-by-decade evolution of the media, we can see the true role they played in the glorification of criminal activity. This project will also explore the deeper roles that many crime syndicates played in the Underworld of the United States during this period. From syndicate members in the military, to these same syndicates helping win wars and battles. These are the untold tales of how the media helped propel the glorification of crime, and how deep many of these syndicates were embedded into American society. Finally, this project will explore the direct relationship between the media and how organized crime groups specifically utilized the media to shape their public perception, influences on their actions, and used previous groups, specifically the Sicilian Mafia, to shape their public recognition along with the legitimacy of their crimes.

Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that infects approximately 50% of the world’s population and is a major cause of gastric diseases. It uses alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C (AhpC) to defend against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the host’s immune response, particularly by neutrophils. AhpC reduces harmful hydroperoxides into water and alcohol, protecting H. pylori from oxidative stress. Previous studies aimed to identify small molecule inhibitors of AhpC and understand their mechanism of action. We identified six novel inhibitors and sought to elucidate their binding interactions with the enzyme. We hypothesize that AhpC inhibition increases oxidative stress in H. pylori, leading to bacterial death. Since protein crystallography is essential for understanding atomic-level interactions, we needed to crystallize the protein-inhibitor complexes to obtain high-resolution structural data. To achieve this, I optimized conditions to produce well-diffracting AhpC protein crystals, which are crucial for obtaining sharp diffraction patterns in X-ray crystallography. A well-diffracting crystal provides high-resolution data, allowing for accurate structural modeling. Optimization involved testing different salt and precipitant concentrations as well as pH conditions. One successful condition included 23% polyethylene glycol 3350 and Tacsimate™ (pH 6), while another used 1.4 M sodium formate and 0.1 M sodium acetate (pH 4). These conditions yielded AhpC crystals 100–300 µm in size. To study enzyme-inhibitor interactions, crystals were soaked in solutions containing novel inhibitors (III to VI) dissolved in different cryoprotectants. The best electron density data was obtained from X-ray crystallography, and we have begun to make 3D models of the AhpC-ligand complex. In addition to crystallography and understanding how the inhibitors are binding to the enzyme, I also want to test for oxidative damage. I have started conducting three assays used in previous studies to test for oxidative damage: the first is a spectrophotometric assay of carbonyl protein groups, the second is a fluorometric assay of double-stranded DNA breakage, and the third is a fluorometric assay of lipid hydroperoxide accumulation. This work will help expand our understanding if whether the small molecule inhibitors bind to AhpC, disrupting its function and increasing H. pylori’s sensitivity to ROS, potentially leading to novel antimicrobial strategies targeting AhpC.

The increasing levels of carbon dioxide emissions has driven research into sustainable methods for converting carbon-rich waste gas from industry into value-added materials. One such method is the COx Thermal Oxidation Process (CO-OP), in which carbon dioxide (CO₂) or carbon monoxide (CO) reacts with magnesium silicide (Mg₂Si) to produce crystalline silicon supported by a mixture of both graphitic and amorphous carbon. This composite has potential applications as an anode in lithium-ion batteries.

Industrial gas streams rarely contain pure CO₂ or CO and understanding how impurities affect CO-OP is crucial for implementation. This research investigates how different gas compositions influence the final material's structure and electrochemical performance in batteries. Preliminary results suggest that the gas composition significantly impacts the morphology of the silicon-carbon composite, which in turn affects its ability to function as an anode. Silicon-based anodes offer significantly higher capacity than conventional graphite anodes, but they suffer from expansion and structural degradation during charge cycles. Encapsulating silicon in carbon can mitigate these challenges by providing mechanical support while maintaining energy storage capacity.

Goal: Study the effect different feed gas compositions have on both the produced composite and the reaction itself.

Results: The experimentation is still occurring and has not yet been completed. Battery testing is ongoing, performed by graduate student Muqiao Su at Dr. Min-Kyu Song’s research lab on the WSU campus. The composite has been identified to change significantly depending on the composition of gas fed to the system, with more carbon present in experiments using carbon monoxide, theoretically providing more mechanical support during the charging process. Morphology has also been seen to change depending on the gas composition, most notably the surface area and the carbon distribution. X-Ray diffraction completed during these steps indicates a pure sample with very little in the way of impurities.

Conclusion: By examining the relationship between feed composition and material properties, this study aims to optimize CO-OP for potential integration into industrial settings where CO₂ and CO emissions could be repurposed into battery materials. The findings contribute to the broader goal of carbon capture and the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Infertility is a global issue, leaving millions unable to reproduce. In females, a main contributor is uterine dysfunction. Issues with the uterus including its functionality, shape, or lining contribute to the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Protein F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBXW7), a critical regulator of various cellular processes, has been frequently found mutated in human disorders. In the uterus, loss of FBXW7 disturbs cell growth and contributes to the progression of uterine cancers. However, its role in pregnancy remains poorly understood. To investigate the function of FBXW7 in the uterus during pregnancy, we employed a conditional knockout mouse model in this study. The progesterone receptor Cre (PgrCre) was used to specifically deplete Fbxw7 in the female reproductive tract. Following the 6-month breeding examination, mice with Fbxw7 uterine depletion (PgrCre Fbxw7f/f) failed to produce a single litter and exhibited abnormal uterine morphology, while 3-4 times of normal delivery were observed in the wild-type controls. Given that embryo implantation, a key step for a successful pregnancy, occurs around gestational day 5 (GD5) in mice. To further investigate the pregnancy failure in PgrCre Fbxw7f/f mice, the implantation sites at GD6 after mating were examined. As expected, we observed 6-9 implants in the uterus of wild-type mice. However, PgrCre Fbxw7f/f mice showed no implantation sites, indicating a complete implantation failure resulting from FBXW7 uterine depletion. Our ongoing study is characterizing whether loss of FBXW7 disrupts endometrial decidualization, an essential process before implantation. We believe that understanding FBXW7's function in the uterus may uncover insights into infertility, ultimately contributing to therapeutic advances for reproductive disorders.

The selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (C=O and C=C) is essential for producing fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biofuels among other products. Cinnamaldehyde (CAL) is a representative α,β-unsaturated aldehyde that can be hydrogenated to hydrocinnamaldehyde (HCAL), cinnamyl alcohol (COL) and hydrocinnamylalcohol (HCOL). Among them, COL, originating from the selective hydrogenation of the C=O group of CAL, is the desired product. Understanding the fundamental reaction mechanisms will enable more efficient catalysts to be developed. Investigation of CAL hydrogenation showed promising activity (~90% selectivity towards COL) on a 5wt% Pt/ZnAl₂O₄ catalyst, presenting higher selectivity compared with pure metal oxides and comparable to literature. The catalyst also maintains selectivity during long reaction times and reusability tests. A ZnAl₂O₄ spinel was synthesized using an isopropanol-meditated hydrothermal approach, followed by Pt deposition through wetness impregnation targeting Pt weight loading from 0.5% to 10%. Pt on pure ZnO and Al₂O₃ supports were compared to the spinel support. The catalysts were tested in a batch reactor and characterized using XRD, XPS and TEM. XRD showed no PtZn alloy formation on the spinel however, literature suggests the likely formation of a Pt-enriched PtZn alloy after mild reduction conditions on ZnAl₂O₄. XPS characterization further revealed that, after reduction, the Pt peak appeared at a higher binding energy on ZnAl₂O₄ compared to reduced Pt on ZnO and Al₂O₃.  This shift suggests the presence of partially charged Pt, which are critical for activating the C=O and achieving selective hydrogenation. TEM images reveal the formation of highly dispersed Pt-enriched PtZn alloy on ZnAl₂O₄ while larger PtZn alloy particles are formed on ZnO. This indicates that the Pt-enriched PtZn alloy with partially charged Pt effectively facilitates C=O bond activation while suppressing C=C bond hydrogenation. In contrast, Pt nanoparticles which formed on Al₂O₃ and PtZn alloy on ZnO do not exhibit these capabilities. In summary, the observed high activity and selectivity arise from the Pt-enriched PtZn alloy with partially charged Pt activating the C=O bond and inhibiting C=C bond hydrogenation. Understanding the mechanisms of CAL conversion on spinel supported catalysts opens the door to control hydrogenation selectivity through the spatial interaction between Pt and spinel.

The rise of unmanned technologies can be attributed to technological advancements and their increasing affordability. These vehicles encompass a wide range of applications, from simple camera systems to sophisticated military uses, and are proving invaluable in various sectors. However, commercial-grade unmanned vehicles encounter significant security challenges, as highlighted by recent studies [4] [5] [6] [7]. A key concern revolves around maintaining operational integrity, prompting the question: how can secure communication and control be ensured between unmanned vehicles and their operators?

In partnership with Dr. Monowar Hasan, this research investigates how a containerized image of an unmanned vehicle’s operating system impacts its communication and control capabilities. We will utilize the Waveshare UGV01 unmanned ground vehicle [8] to carry out two trials: the first trial will be performed on a non-containerized image of the Raspberry Pi Model 4B operating system, and the second trial with a containerized version. Each trial will generate two sets of performance data, focusing on CPU and memory resources, collected via a custom Python script executing operational commands at specified intervals.

The main objectives of this study are to evaluate (a) the overheads and benefits of sandboxed execution and (b) the potential adverse effects on the rover’s runtime operations. We hypothesize that the impact on the host computer’s operations will be minimal, indicating that containerized images for unmanned vehicles could enhance the security of communication and control between the unmanned systems and their operators.

This research is a pioneering exploration into the containerization of autonomous vehicles. By examining the balance between the advantages of security enhancements and operational efficiency, this study aims to contribute valuable insights into the future deployment of unmanned vehicles in various industries. Ultimately, strengthening the communication and control protocols of these vehicles is essential for their safe and effective operation in increasingly complex environments.

References:

1. WAN, Zhiyuan; LO, David; XIA, Xin; and CAI, Liang. Practical and effective sandboxing for Linux containers. (2019). Empirical Software Engineering. 24, 4034-4070. Available at: Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/4502
2. Wan, Zhiyuan & Lo, David & Xia, Xin & Cai, Liang & Li, Shanping. (2017). Mining Sandboxes for Linux Containers. 92-102. 10.1109/ICST.2017.16.
3. Trevor Dunlap, William Enck, and Bradley Reaves. 2022. A Study of Application Sandbox Policies in Linux. In Proceedings of the 27th ACM Symposium on Access Control Models and Technologies (SACMAT) (SACMAT ’22), June 8–10, 2022, New York, NY, USA. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 12 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3532105.3535016
4. Branco, Bruno & Silva, José & Correia, Miguel. (2025). Cyber Attacks on Commercial Drones: A Review. IEEE Access. PP. 1-1. 10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3527698. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387869087_Cyber_Attacks_on_Commercial_Drones_A_Review
5. B. Nassi, R. Bitton, R. Masuoka, A. Shabtai and Y. Elovici, "SoK: Security and Privacy in the Age of Commercial Drones," 2021 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy (SP), San Francisco, CA, USA, 2021, pp. 1434-1451, doi: 10.1109/SP40001.2021.00005. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9519393
6. N. Durfey and S. Sajal, "A Comprehensive Survey: Cybersecurity Challenges and Futures of Autonomous Drones," 2022 Intermountain Engineering, Technology and Computing (IETC), Orem, UT, USA, 2022, pp. 1-7, doi: 10.1109/IETC54973.2022.9796881. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9796881
7. Majeed, Rizwan & Abdullah, Nurul & Mushtaq, Muhammad & Kazmi, Rafaqut. (2021). Drone Security: Issues and Challenges. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications. 12. 10.14569/IJACSA.2021.0120584. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352086927_Drone_Security_Issues_and_Challenges

The integration of technology into mindfulness practice has gained increasing attention, particularly with the emergence of immersive devices like the Apple Vision Pro. With its spatial computing capabilities, the device offers an immersive environment that could enhance focus, engagement, and relaxation—key elements of effective mindfulness practice. However, little research has examined its impact on students' experiences, attitudes, and overall mindfulness outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study explores the experiences and attitudes of undergraduate students using the Apple Vision Pro to support their mindfulness practice.

This qualitative study will employ semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to investigate how undergraduate students perceive the role of Apple Vision Pro in their mindfulness practice. Participants will be recruited from a university setting and will engage in guided mindfulness sessions using the device. The research will explore themes such as usability, perceived effectiveness, potential distractions, and emotional responses to immersive mindfulness experiences.

Findings from this study will contribute to the growing discourse on digital mindfulness by highlighting both the benefits and challenges of using immersive technology for mental well-being. Insights gained may inform the development of future mindfulness applications, guide technology-based wellness interventions, and offer recommendations for optimizing immersive experiences to support students’ mental health.

The effects that urbanization has on wildlife is an ever-growing topic of study, as over 85% of earth surface is affected by human activity in some way. Land use and sensory pollution in particular has recently gained traction as a cause of changing wildlife behavior and survival, including for birds.  One way to help bird populations that have limited nesting habitat is to create bird boxes on the landscape. However, where those nest boxes are placed are likely to influence whether they are beneficial for breeding birds. Here, we focus on the effects of land use and noise pollution on the survival and body condition of three nesting bird species that utilize a nest box system on the WSU campus:  two migratory species (House Wrens [Troglodytes aedon] and Tree Swallows [Tachycineta bicolor]) and one residential species (Black-Capped Chickadees [Poecile atricapillus]). To determine factors affecting growth and survival of these species, we measured nest box orientation, land cover at the nest (grassland or forest), nest height, nest material depth, distance from roads and trails, and ambient noise. We predict that noise level and nests closer to roads will negatively affect nestling body condition and survival. Our results will help inform future nest box placements to increase local bird populations and will help to deepen our understanding of how human activity affects wildlife species.

Current agricultural practices face various concerns such as limited land availability and crop loss due to environmental conditions like drought or increased soil salinities. These are expected to become even more problematic as the climate changes and the human population continues to grow. One potential way to address these challenges is to enhance stress tolerance and improve the yield of major agricultural crops such as potato, the third most important crop plant in the world and a staple food in many countries. In plants, a conserved enzyme complex called CRL3^BPM regulates the degradation of proteins, which allows the plant to efficiently coordinate development and responses to environmental stressors. The BPM proteins are our primary focus, as they bind to substrates and provide specificity to the complex. This project aimed to establish a BPM interactome for potato tuber using a yeast two-hybrid system, in which a potato BPM was used as ‘bait’ to fish out interacting proteins expressed from a ‘prey’ cDNA library generated from different developmental tuber stages. The yeast two-hybrid screening was accomplished by mating bait and prey yeasts and plating on media that only allows growth if the BPM bait interacts with a given prey protein. Identification and verification of these interactions is anticipated to lay the foundation for future work towards the development of novel approaches to improve potato yield, and as CRL3^BPMs have been widely reported to increase abiotic stress tolerance in plants and elevate levels of storage compounds in reproductive organs, this may also be helpful for better protecting plants against adverse environmental conditions.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers diagnosed in the world, with over 1.4 million cases reported annually. Despite a long history of research for treatments, prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men, with over 375,000 fatalities each year. The current treatment strategies have been found to be successful in the early stages of the disease, but as it progresses drug resistance, side effects, and limited tumor targeting efficiency diminish the therapeutics outcomes. Thus, there is a large demand for a more precise, effective and targeted approach. This study focuses on the development of dendrimer based targeted drug delivery system to deliver a potent chemotherapeutic cabozantinib specifically to the prostate cancer cells. Cabozantinib, a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is conjugated to a generation 4 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer, along with the attachment of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeting ligand CTT1298 to selectively direct the drug delivery to PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells. The conjugation of cabozantinib to the PAMAM dendrimer enhances its solubility, stability, and bioavailability. The in vitro studies demonstrate that the PAMAM-dendrimer-cabozantinib conjugate exhibits significantly improved anti-cancer properties compared to free cabozantinib. The targeted delivery system causes the specific internalization of the drug into PSMA-positive prostate cancer cells, promoting efficient drug release and reducing off-target effects. This approach not only enhances the potency of cabozantinib, additionally offers a promising strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy, including non-specific distribution and systemic toxicity.

Hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) are phenolic molecules derived from the lignin biosynthetic pathway and that attach to certain fiber polysaccharides in the cell walls of Caryophyllales plants. Two of the most prevalent HCAs, para-coumaric acid (pCA) and ferulic acid (FA), are associated with health benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. Quinoa in and of itself also has many health benefits including more essential amino acids when compared to cereal grain crops, while also having high amounts of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and dietary fiber. Typically, one consumes polished quinoa, which goes through a process to remove the saponin layer, reducing seed bitterness. However, by removing this layer, HCA concentration within the seed could be impacted as well. Therefore, pCA and FA concentrations in the cell walls of these plants are of great interest when it comes to both comparing the nutritional value of polished and unpolished quinoa and selecting plants for biofortification. We use high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the concentrations of pCA and FA in both polished and unpolished quinoa samples taken from different wild-type plant lines. We have found that there is significantly more FA in unpolished quinoa seeds, however, there is no significant difference in pCA concentration between polished and unpolished seeds. The data will also be analyzed for variations in HCA concentrations between the plant lines in order to indicate possible plant genotypes for biofortification processes like molecular breeding.

This research explores the use of non-Euclidean geometries, specifically minimal surfaces, in architectural design, while proposing practical fabrication processes and methods. Minimal surfaces are mathematically defined as surfaces that minimize surface area while maintaining a constant mean curvature of zero. These surfaces naturally curve and twist, resulting in low- energy, structurally sound, and visually dynamic forms. In architecture, minimal surfaces are applied to create flexible structures with organic spatial forms that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, creating dynamic, liminal spaces that are both functional and aesthetically unique. Our design project, "Komorebi," explores the Japanese concept of light filtering through trees, evoking calm and contemplation though translating minimal surfaces as buildable spatial elements.

Fabricating minimal surfaces presents a significant challenge in architecture due to their complex geometries and the need for precise construction methods and technologies. Unlike traditional surfaces, minimal surfaces bend and twist, forming unique environments that are difficult to fabricate with common tools. This study addresses these challenges by using computational design tools such as Rhino 7, Grasshopper, and Kangaroo to generate minimal surface digital models. The geometries were simplified and subjected to simulations considering tension, gravity, and elasticity, allowing for an understanding of their structural behavior and performance.

The research then focuses on possible solutions to fabrication challenges related to material efficiency and constructability. The physical prototyping phase tested different construction techniques, including concrete spraying and tiling, with Strip Morphology emerging as the most promising approach due to its lightweight, demountable nature and precision. By dividing the minimal surface geometry into flat strips, this method enables the creation of large-scale, curved surfaces using fabrication techniques like laser cutting. This approach allows for the scalable and efficient creation of the surfaces, making them more feasible using common architectural fabrication methods.

The results highlight the potential for adaptable, environmentally responsive designs, offering new construction methods and architectural forms. The use of strip morphology ensures structural stability while maintaining the organic curvature of minimal surfaces, pushing the boundaries of traditional design and opening up new possibilities for innovative design in different scales.

Human hair growth is influenced by the health of the body, affecting fiber length, width, color, curls, and kinks. The human hair phenome captures these unique hair fibers as they collectively change over time. Quantifying these characteristics in high throughput without deep learning is incredibly time and labor intensive. Importantly, hair fibers without the root are easy to collect, store, transport, and lack DNA making hair analysis a promising mechanism for running non-invasive diagnostic tests. I have expanded a novel deep hair phenomics pipeline to digitally detect, extract, and sort hair fibers from multiple species including humans, mice, and bovine. The adaptation of the pipeline can find color value variation of the hairs from root to tip and detect changes in thickness throughout the length of the hair, useful for applications such as determining the number and location of bends. By collecting these characteristics over the lifespan of an organism and with different diseases and genotypes, we can create a database to compare samples for diagnosis. In conclusion, these advancements contribute towards the continued development of deep hair phenomics and its applications in cosmetic, forensic, and health sciences.

Infants of anxious mothers were shown to cope with social challenges differently (Kaitz et al., 2009). Prenatal anxiety is associated with negative affect in infants, increasing their arousal levels, and may lead to deficits in behavior regulation (Lopez-Morales et al., 2022). Infant distress was observed over the course of three tasks from the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (Lab-TAB; Buss & Goldsmith, 2000): stranger approach, masks, and spider presentation. We hypothesized that higher trait and state anxiety (TA and SA) in mothers would be associated with increased infant distress during laboratory observations, and that TA would emerge as a stronger predictor of infant distress relative to SA.

Correlational analyses were performed including both anxiety measures and infant observed distress. Contrary to our expectations no significant correlations emerged. Hierarchical linear multiple regressions were performed to examine maternal SA and TA measured when infants were two months of age, and at six- or eight-month timepoints, as predictors of distress severity, controlling for infant age and sex. Contrary to our hypothesis, SA measured when infants were two months was a significant predictor of infant’s distress severity across two tasks (masks; β = .52, p = .007; stranger approach; β = .45, p = .03), whereas only trend-level effects emerged for TA and SA at other timepoints. This pattern of results suggests that maternal SA in early infancy may be critical to increasing infant distress later in the first-year life, whereas concurrent SA and TA do not play the same role.

Cancer continues to have a devastating global impact, with over 20 million cases worldwide in 2022 and over 2 million recent cases and 611,720 deaths in the US in 2024 alone. The scalability and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies are hindered by difficulties in expanding T cells during production, making process improvements vital. The slow generation of T cells presents a challenge for clinical use. Our research aims to enhance cancer cell therapy biomanufacturing by examining the potential of centrifugal fluidized expansion (CentriFLEX) bioreactors to increase both efficiency and accessibility. The exhaustion of T cells in traditional CAR-T cell expansion leads to slow production, high costs, and ultimately, a less efficacious treatment. The CentriFLEX bioreactor offers an innovative manufacturing solution, balancing centrifugal and opposing fluid forces to retain cells at high densities. The CentriFLEX bioreactor is projected to increase human T cell growth rates by 30% over conventional methods by optimizing culture conditions through continuous refresh of growth medium without cell loss. In prior studies using a bovine parasitic disease model, the CentriFLEX bioreactor expanded T cells to 95% of their maximum growth rate while preserving cytotoxic function. Assessing its performance in expanding human T cells will advance the clinical development of this technology. We will culture a commercially available primary human T cell line for three days in the CentriFLEX bioreactor. The system will employ real-time sensors for continuous monitoring of dissolved oxygen and pH parameters; concurrently, we will collect glucose and cell count data points at a frequency of once every twelve hours. The CentriFLEX bioreactor is expected to efficiently expand human T cells, achieving growth rates close to 95% of the maximum, as observed in a bovine model. By integrating real-time sensor data with a kinetic model of cell culture, we expect improvements in the overall process, leading to a significant increase in the yield and a notable enhancement in the viability of the cultured cells. By optimizing human T cell expansion, this scalable technology makes next-generation CAR-T cell therapies cheaper and more accessible by streamlining manufacturing.

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is an obligate intracellular bacterium responsible for more than 100 million human infections yearly. Following invasion of a eukaryotic host cell, Ct undergoes an asynchronous biphasic developmental cycle, inside a vacuole, termed the (chlamydial) inclusion. Inside the inclusion, Ct transitions between the infectious, non-replicative Elementary Body (EB) and the non-infectious, replicative Reticulate Body (RB). At the end of the replicative phase, the RB cell form differentiates back to the EB cell form (EB reformation) through unknown signals. Research has shown that pharmacological inhibition of glucose metabolism decreases EB reformation, establishing the importance of glucose metabolism during EB reformation. Pyruvate kinase (Pyk) catalyzes the final step in glycolysis where phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) is converted to pyruvate. We hypothesize that the ectopic expression of Pyk will negatively affect EB reformation. To test this hypothesis, HeLa cells were infected with Ct carrying an inducible vector construct in which the addition of the chemical inducer Theophylline results in overexpression of Pyk. Bacteria were harvested from infected HeLa cells and genome equivalents (GE), a measure of total bacteria population were quantified using quantitative PCR. Samples normalized to the same number of GEs were then used to infect fresh epithelial monolayers for analysis of infectivity. After 30hpi, re-infected monolayers were fixed with methanol and labeled with a fluorescent antibody specific to the Ct major outer membrane protein. Microscopy was used to detect fluorescently labeled bacteria inside of inclusions. One fluorescent inclusion is equivalent to one recovered infectious EB. Preliminary data indicates that ectopic expression of Pyk responds in a dose dependent manner to the inducer Theophylline and results in a 2-log decrease in recovered EBs. In total, ectopic expression of Pyk severely affects EB reformation. To expand the scope of this study, we will perform an in-silico analysis to compare the Pyk amino acid sequence from Ct to Coxiella burnetii (Cb), another obligate intercellular bacterium. This comparative analysis will reveal insights into how highly specific intracellular niches have affected the evolution of how glucose metabolism is regulated in Ct and Cb.

The inundation of mental health content on social media has increased public awareness but has also contributed to a rise in self-diagnosis tendencies. While online discussions can help promote understanding and reduce stigma, they can also lead to the misinterpretation of symptoms and diagnostic criteria, particularly for mental health disorders. This study examines how different types of content - diverse, clinical homogeneous, and non-clinical homogeneous - influence self-diagnosis behaviors of Cluster B personality disorders (Narcissistic, Antisocial, Borderline, and Histrionic). Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control, diverse, clinical homogeneous, or non-clinical homogeneous. After completing a baseline survey, they viewed their assigned content and responded to post-exposure self-diagnosis measures. Results were statistically significant, showing that diverse content led to the lowest self-diagnosis tendencies, while non-clinical homogeneous content had the strongest effect in reinforcing self-diagnosis. Although self-diagnosis rates varied across disorders, the influence of content type remained consistent. Additionally, clinical content increased symptom awareness but did not strongly encourage self-diagnosis, whereas non-clinical content significantly reinforced beliefs of having a disorder. These findings highlight the risks of relying on influencers for mental health information and suggest that exposure to a variety of perspectives leads to a more accurate understanding of mental health disorders.

Rodent models of colitis provides an effective approach to research the biological underpinnings of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our lab is interested in investigating the effect on stress on colon inflammation, thus we first aim to establish a rodent model of colitis to simulate the pathophysiology to target therapeutic interventions for IBD and IBS. By use of intracolonic administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) to determine the mechanism by which stress exacerbates colitis symptoms via the gut-brain axis. Previous studies have reported the time course of inflammatory response in PI-IBS models will resolve in 2 weeks, in turn we aim to confirm this time frame in our experiment. 12 week old male and female C57/BL6J mice will be used to represent the control or PI-IBS models at 2 time points of 3 days and 14 days. The mice were anesthetized by isoflurane and  administered 100mg/kg TNBS in 50% ethanol or control through the rectum via 4 cm catheter insertion. Then the mice are held in a vertical position for two minutes to prevent leakage. The effect of the TNBS occurs within two days and recovery from them on to two weeks. The mice will undergo further testing before termination including the carmine red method to test for intestinal transit and oral fluoresceine isothiocyanate dextran for intestinal permeability. Mice will be euthanized by transcardiac perfusion. The formalin fixed tissues will be sectioned, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), and analyzed for degree of inflammation characterized by loss of goblet cells and bowel wall thickness. Together, by establishing a PI-IBS mouse model to simulate colitis. The project findings should indicate altered colon pathology linking to intestinal inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and impaired GI activity. This experiment will lay the foundation for future research investigating the neural circuitry mediating the influence of stress on the gut-brain axis.

Within the past decade, researchers have been exploring the possibility of using hydrogen as an alternative source of clean energy, through the use of solid oxide fuel cells. However, a key issue with this process is the ability to transport and store gaseous hydrogen safely on a large scale. To overcome this challenge, an ethanol-water liquid mixture can be used as feedstock to produce hydrogen at high temperatures (roughly 700^oC) through a catalytic process known as ethanol steam reforming (ESR).

While ESR does solve the issue of safely transporting and storing hydrogen fuel, it is not without its flaws. While the catalytic reaction mentioned previously does produce a sufficient amount of hydrogen, it also produces carbon-rich solid deposits known as coke, whose accumulation could block active sites and subsequently lead to the loss of catalytic activity. One strategy to mitigate coke buildup consists of the addition of alkaline or earth-alkaline metals into the catalyst composition to produce changes in the surface properties that reduce the rate of deactivation. During the last year, our lab has synthesized a nickel-barium catalytic material that has been found to significantly reduce the amount of coking compared to that obtained with nickel alone.

To further investigate the role played by barium on the attenuation of coke buildup,  we have screen-printed pure barium oxide onto nickel foil using an organic binder. We will then run the nickel foil/barium oxide disc in an ESR reactor, analyze the amount of coke buildup, and compare these results to those obtained with a plain nickel foil disc run under the same conditions. We expect the amount of coke on the mixed disc to be significantly less than the pure nickel foil disc, reinforcing the validity of our nickel/barium catalyst.

In the United States, it is estimated that 47 million people suffer from metabolic disorders. These metabolic disorders include hyperglycemia, diabetes, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (Bentley-Lewis, 2015). Women with PCOS contribute to 80% of the anovulatory infertility cases nationwide (Melo, 2015). Interestingly, PCOS is commonly associated with several other metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance which is like gestational diabetes and diabetes 1 and 2. Over the years, it has been demonstrated that women who suffer from these metabolic disorders, also suffer from spontaneous abortions, abnormal pregnancy, and infertility. Thus, investigating how insulin receptors function within the female reproductive is essential for future treatments. Previously, our lab investigated how the ablation of insulin receptors (Igf1r and Insr) using the prg-cre model affected ovulation, cell differentiation, and female fertility in mice. The single ablation of Pgr^Igf1r-cKO resulted in subfertility, and the oviductal function was not characterized. Thus, we seek it characterize it.

 The oviduct, the mouse equivalent to the human fallopian tube, connects the ovary to the mouse uterine horn and is the region in which gametes are transported, and fertilized, and where maturation occurs during early embryonic development. Before fertilization, the ovary releases an egg during ovulation. Oviductal fluid is the fluid that aids in the transportation, protection, and nutrition of the embryo. Many proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and electrolytes are present in the fluid.

To analyze we super ovulated wild-type mice, collected oviducts for immunohistochemistry, and protein localized and gene expression of known insulin-regulated targets using quantitative real-time PCR. Gene expression is characterized by whole oviduct and sectioned oviduct, Infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus. Through analysis, we hope to characterize the role of INSR and Igf1r in oviductal function.

One in ten Americans aged 12 years and older struggle with alcohol use disorder, and globally, alcohol-related harm is responsible for 6% of all deaths annually. Previous research has supported subjective reports from humans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD), men report positive effects mediated by striatal circuits, women report negative reasons mediated by infralimbic circuits. A previous study conducted by our lab supported this further with measured neural activity of the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh), infralimbic medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). In the present study we utilized chemogenetic manipulations of the NAcSh, CeA, and mPFC to determine the functional relevance of the previous neural activity data. Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer alcohol before undergoing intracranial injections of a retrograde viral vector into the NAcSh or CeA; and a DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) virus into the mPFC. After recovery, half the rats were made dependent using chronic intermittent alcohol (CIA) vapor and the other half were used as room air controls for a period of 4 weeks. Followed by self-administration of alcohol in peak withdrawal 30 minutes after a pretreatment with vehicle or deschloroclozapine (DCZ) to activate the cortico-striatal or cortico-limbic circuits. Overall, female rats self-administered more alcohol than males, but both sexes experienced an increase after exposure to CIA. Rates of alcohol administration appear unaltered by the activation of either the corticostriatal and corticolimbic circuits, independent of CIA exposure. This suggests that these neural circuits are insufficient for generation of alcohol dependence in a sex-specific manner. Future directions include adding more rats, and an ongoing experiment with inhibitory and control DREADD viruses. Understanding how these circuits impact self-administration, and if the impact is sex-specific, can further personalize AUD treatments.

Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) have an electrosensory system known as the Ampullae of Lorenzini (AoL) that allows them to detect changes in the electrical field given off by all living organisms to track and hunt their prey, as well as navigation. The pores of the AoL on the surface of the skin lead to jelly filled canals which terminate in an ampullary organ. While they are found along the length of elasmobranchs, AoL are primarily clustered in the head of sharks. This project aims to analyze the AoL patterning across multiple elasmobranch species, many of which come from data deficient fisheries in the Global South. Using Image J, photos of the ventral surface of elasmobranch heads were used to gather morphometric data such as head dimensions, nasal morphology, as well as pore field density and distribution. These data will be used to look for interspecific differences as well as ecological and phylogenetic relationships. Because our methods involve photography and ImageJ, a free to use software, our workflow is accessible to scientists in regions of the world that lack access to expensive equipment and  proprietary software as well as the ability to extensively process samples locally or ship samples internationally to collaborators.

In both architecture and archival disciplines, decay is fought head on. Like the fonds in an archival institution, buildings also store memory. Instead of on paper, the memories and historical information in the built environment are embodied in walls, floors, and ceilings. Additionally, buildings can be storehouses of materials pertaining to a certain person(s). What if we embraced the decay of both archival material and built structure? What memories would a house built for its archivist imbue? What connections could be made from the physical materials stored within? In this project, architecture and archival studies are combined to make a case for what can only be defined as the “in-situ archive”. Late WSU architecture professor Donald R. Heil is the focus and inspiration of this project. His house and work are both things that deserve preservation, but how do you preserve an entire life? Traditional accession of records and physical media causes lost nuance of such a multifaceted life, often leading to unreliable representation created on behalf of the archivist. This project defines two terms: the “guerilla archivist” and the “in-situ archive”.

The “guerilla archivist” visits the location of the “in-situ archive”. They spend time with the materials, and chat with the person overseeing the archive. Said materials are then digitized using tools owned by the guerilla, to ultimately preserve the work. This rebel uses the knowledge that they gain from periodicals, manuscripts, oral histories, and other resources. This knowledge is then packaged to be disseminated. In this presentation, the “guerilla archivist” is the author (Steinar Goheen), the “in-situ archive” is Don’s house in Pullman, and the package to be disseminated is this research project.

Unlike standard A/V digitization, methods were designed to be as accessible to the average person as possible. Oral histories were recorded on iPhone. Photographic film was digitized with a standard mirrorless camera. Tape-based audio/video has been digitized using an off-the-shelf capture card. Future endeavors for this project include distributing pamphlets, papers, and an eventual book.

In 2018, biologists discovered a unique canid species containing coyote (Canis latrans) and red wolf (Canis rufus) ancestry alleles along the coast of Galveston Island, Texas. This was done through scat collection and DNA analysis. This is a remarkable discovery because wild red wolves are thought to have been extinct since the 1980s and were reintroduced to North Carolina. This could be a means to preserving wild red wolf ancestry alleles as it shows that red wolves and coyotes have been crossbreeding before being placed into the captive breeding program by United States Fish and Wildlife Service in the 1970s. Most recently, new sites were sampled during the month of June 2024. The purpose was to expand east and north from reference sites to better understand the home range of these unique canid species. 10 new sites were sampled with a total of 16 sample sites between eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana. This was done mainly with a vehicle and some hiking. 223 samples of scat were collected across the sites. DNA extractions of the collected samples have not been fully extracted yet, but we hope that we will find more of these "ghost" wolves persisting in this region. This would help promote more attention and encourage community-based coexistence. There still needs to be more research done on movement patterns, diet, and behaviors to fully understand this canid species.

Antarctica is a hostile environment compared to many of Earth’s other ecosystems, and as such, the organisms that have evolved to live there have adapted to the challenges inherent to living in the harsh conditions of the continent. One of the groups of animals most represented in Antarctica, especially among what is visible to human visitors, are birds. Birds in general possess several traits that make them highly suited to adapt to these harsh environments. Many birds can travel large distances very efficiently in search of food and other resources through flight, made more effective by centralized body mass and their efficient respiratory system. Additionally, the feather layer of birds provides a lightweight and adjustable protection system against water ingress and heat loss. However, despite all these traits, there are some human-caused threats that many Antarctic seabirds may be unable to cope with, including climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and entanglement with fishing gear, among other issues. Observing the birds living in this region can shed light on the cause of these conservation issues and their effect on Antarctic birds.

During a nine-day cruise in December of 2024 from Tierra del Fuego to the Antarctic Peninsula and back, seabirds were observed and catalogued from the ship and during shore excursions. Observation of birds was conducted with binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens, with birds identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible using the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Merlin app and various printed sources. Observations were catalogued in the Cornell citizen science app eBird. These observations allowed examination of bird species encountered as the ship changed latitude and environment during the cruise. The data collected were used to analyze the distribution and abundance of birds encountered, in comparison with existing data on distribution and population. The observations made generally aligned with expected distribution, behavior, and habitat preference. Albatrosses were sighted only in the open ocean. Gulls and cormorants were observed most often in coastal areas, and penguins were observed in greater numbers closer to colony sites. Overall, the data gathered aligns with previous data on population distribution and ecology.

This study examined how media influenced attitudes toward transgender and gender non-conforming individuals by comparing mainstream and independent media sources, each containing left, right, and centrist content to prevent bias. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups and completed a pre- and post-test survey using a custom scale adapted from the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS) (Kanamori et al., 2017), the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS) (Hill & Willoughby, 2005), and the Attitudes Toward Transgender Individuals Scale (ATTI) (Walch et al., 2012). Participants were exposed to a selection of movie and television clips, along with clips from news articles, to assess whether different types of media influenced perceptions of gender identity through changes in survey responses before and after media exposure. The differences in pre- and post-study survey responses will be analyzed using statistical analyses to determine if the media type (mainstream vs. independent) had a significant impact on participants' acceptance and perceptions of gender diversity. Results will be further analyzed and discussed.

Monkeypox (mpox), a viral disease characterized by a distinct body rash coupled with pustules, is caused by the mpox virus (MPXV) and is closely related to smallpox. With outbreaks occurring throughout the world in recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified mpox as a public health emergency of international concern that has led to a call for a new alternative vaccine strategy for orthopoxviruses available. Currently, there is a live-attenuated orthopoxvirus vaccine that offers protection against MPXV, the Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine, which has to be given in two doses 28 days apart. This vaccination strategy is ineffective in countries where mpox is endemic because individuals will often only get one vaccination before becoming infected or there are insufficient facilities to administer two doses. A modified version of the vector in the MVA vaccine has been made with LD10, an 18 amino acid peptide, incorporated into the MVA vector. This will target and bind to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) preventing it from binding to its ligand (PD-L1). This allows for continued activation of the immune system and prevents T-cell exhaustion. This study's purpose is to assess the efficiency of the single-dose MVA-LD10 vaccine, and to determine the severity of pathological insult that vaccinated mice endured after being challenged with the Western Reserve strain of vaccinia virus (a model orthopoxvirus) compared to the current double-dose MVA vaccination. Pathological insult was assessed via histological analysis with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescence (IF). Neutralizing antibodies and PD-1 expression were also analyzed to compare the vaccines concerning the longevity of the MVA-LD10 immunity given to vaccinated mice. Overall, this work has shown that the MVA-LD10 vaccine provides an enhanced immune response compared to the current MVA vaccine. This should inform further studies focusing on this single-dose vaccination strategy for orthopoxvirus protection in case of a global mpox outbreak.

After an iceberg breaks off from a glacier, it drifts with the current and gradually breaks apart and melts until it is too small to be considered an iceberg. This usually happens over a long period of time. There are many different reasons why icebergs will melt or break apart, some examples are temperature or the size of the iceberg. The smaller icebergs will melt faster, and a warmer temperature will also cause them to melt faster. Understanding how icebergs are melting or changing can help understand rising sea levels and climate change. The goal of this research is to see if there are any environmental factors, such as location and air temperature, that affect the size, shape, or abundance of icebergs in and around Antarctica. The environmental data was collected from instruments on the ship, and the size and shape of each iceberg was collected by everyone on the team. The data that was collected shows that location affects the size and abundance of icebergs but has no effect on the shape. Since temperature usually changes with location, the data shows that warmer temperatures mean smaller icebergs. As the planet gets warmer, icebergs will melt or break apart faster and contribute more to rising sea levels.

The bacteria Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading causes of food-borne illnesses worldwide, responsible for an estimated 1.5 million cases annually in the US and 400-500 million cases worldwide. Infected individuals often experience diarrhea, and in severe cases, C. jejuni can lead to the development of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that can cause paralysis. The disease process of C. jejuni is complex and distinct in comparison to other pathogens, which limits our understanding of its mechanisms. As a result, treatment of this intestinal infection is limited.

The goal of my research is to explore the function of the bacterial CiaD protein, which triggers the host intestinal cell pathway that releases proinflammatory chemokine Interleukin 8 (IL-8). Intestinal epithelial cells produce IL-8 when the Erk ½ pathway is activated. The hypothesis is that a regional domain within CiaD allows it to bind to the host cell Erk ½ signaling pathway, resulting in the release of IL-8 from host cells. Multiple techniques were used to test this hypothesis. To examine the role of CiaD in IL-8 signaling, multiple isolates of C. jejuni were tested: a wild type strain that secretes CiaD, a mutant with the deletion of the ciaD gene, and a mutant with the ciaD gene edited to delete the MKD domain believed to be responsible for binding CiaD to the Erk ½ pathway. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected the levels of host cell IL-8 being produced by C. jejuni-infected epithelial cells. The results of our project showed that host cells invaded by C. jejuni strains with either the CiaD protein deleted or the MDK domain deleted from the CiaD protein secreted significantly lower levels of IL-8 that were similar in concentration.

These findings support the hypothesis that the MKD domain of the CiaD protein is essential for triggering the secretion of IL-8 in host cells. This helps explain why C. jejuni infection promotes an inflammatory response in the intestine.

Seabirds are found in marine ecosystems worldwide. Despite this, seabirds account for a relatively small portion of the Aves class (3.5%). Seabirds are also at greater risk of extinction than many other avian groups. Of the estimated 340 seabird species, 10% are near threatened, 28% are globally threatened, and 5% are critically endangered. Decreasing population sizes are reflective of their environment’s health and integrity. Major causes of seabird population declines are due to fishing by-catch, climate change, and physiological stressors. It has been estimated that 160,000 seabirds are killed annually as a result of longline fisheries bycatch. Sea ice extent is predicted to have incredibly decreased by 2100. The changes of sea ice extent impacts krill and food distributions, forcing seabirds to alter their behavior. Sea ice extent and changing temperatures are two indicators of climate change. Monitoring abundance and distribution of seabirds is crucial to their survival. Throughout the course of our expedition to the Antarctic peninsula, we documented species abundance and behavior via observation periods. First, we analyzed our data in order to estimate population sizes and distributions. We also compared the known behaviors of these birds to the behavior of those recorded to get a better idea of how behavior may change in the presence of a boat. We compared our data trends along with historical data sets on seabird abundance, overfishing, and sea ice loss, so we can better understand population trends in response to external stressors. We noticed an increase in interactions between species, which reinforces previous research on the impacts of climate change. Overall, most species’ abundance followed relatively similar trends to sea ice extent. In comparison to changing temperatures, species’ abundance was negatively correlated. Additionally, distribution patterns can be seen slightly trailing the distributions of boats, particularly for the order Procellariiformes (albatross and petrels). Increased breadth and time for data collection sets are needed to conclusively understand population change over time, especially as it relates to threats.

Understanding the mechanisms that are required to achieve scarless regeneration is an understudied area of research and has implications for generating pharmacological treatments to induce regenerative processes in adult tissues and to inhibit aging. A key question driving research in the Driskell Lab is: Why do mammals heal more effectively and without scarring during their early development compared to adulthood? Previous studies have found that wounds that occur in embryonic tissue heal regeneratively without scars. In addition, scars lack hair follicles, one of the major mini organs that are required to reform functional skin instead of a scar. This undergraduate research project, originally established by Maya Boyle and conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Driskell, addresses a pivotal question of whether dermal Lef1 expression is essential for scarless wound healing in skin wounds during development. Our work involves the comparative analysis of H&E section from skin wounds in murine embryos of wild type and Dermal Lef1 knockout mice, to quantify hair regeneration. The findings from this project hold promise for understanding which genes and cell types are required to activate in adult tissue to support regeneration and prevent aging.

This work presents the development of bio-inspired insect scale swimming microrobots and micro-actuators. The goal of this research is to better understand how bio-inspired swimmers produce thrust via their interaction with the water, and to use this information to create a robot that can be controlled with a single actuator driving a single tail. This work contributes toward the long-term vision of autonomous and submersible aquatic microrobots. Teams of these robots have great potential for applications where navigation in confined aquatic environments is essential. These applications include aquatic search-and-rescue, water-quality monitoring, research of marine habitats, and inspection of watercraft.

The Very Little Eel Inspired robot (VLEIBot), is a 45-mg swimmer that uses a 6-mg SMA actuator to undulate a tail inspired by eels and tadpoles. This robot is made of carbon-fiber and uses surface tension forces to stay afloat. The actuator powering the VLEIBot is made from a 1cm long carbon-fiber beam, with two parallel Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires tied between the ends of the beam. When an SMA wire is heated by passing electrical current through it, the molecular structure of the material changes, causing the wire to contract. This bends the carbon-fiber beam, and a linkage is used to convert this actuator displacement into a flapping of the tail. By attaching two of these robots in parallel, a 90-mg robot was created that was fully controllable on the surface of the water.

To achieve the goal of a controllable robot with a single actuator and tail, a new type of actuator was created. This actuator is composed of SMA wires on both sides of a carbon-fiber beam, allowing the beam to bend on both sides. This actuator has been implemented on the Fish-and-Ribbon – Inspired Small Swimming Harmonic roBot (FRISSHBot). Due to the bi-directional nature of the new actuator, the FRISSHBot does not need a linkage mechanism, which reduces complexity and allows the tail to be biased for left and right turning. The FRISSHBot can be controlled on the surface of the water, overcoming the challenge of controlling a microrobot with a single tail.

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) respond to light independently of photoreceptor inputs. IpRGCs mediate vital physiological processes such as circadian photoentrainment, mood, and sleep (Aranda & Schmidt, 2020). However, little is known about their specific functions, forming a large knowledge gap about these processes. Historically, ipRGC investigation has been limited to electrophysiological recordings, and morphological studies which are tedious and time consuming. Development of genetic mouse lines has allowed isolation of ipRGCs and crude targeting of certain subtypes, however, this is often limited to using genetic systems separately. The novel use of intersectional genetics has led to the development of lines that strategically isolate ipRGC subtypes and populations and provide more efficient targets to probe. The purpose of this study is to identify the population that is labeled by an intersectional genetic line in hopes use to further investigate the functions of ipRGC subtypes. This study investigated the Opn4S-FlpO; Tac1-Cre line using immunofluorescence to identify morphology and projections of the cells, electrophysiological recordings to measure light response, insituhybridization, and RNAscope to unequivocally distinguish between M2 and M4 subtypes. In preliminary studies, the cells appear morphologically like M2 and M4s, and project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We anticipate the electrophysiological recordings of the cells will demonstrate light responses like M2s and, insituhybridization and RNAscope experiments will stain like M2s rather than M4s. This unique population of M2s project to the SCN, the location of our internal clock. However, M1s also project to the SCN, and circadian rhythm functioning has been isolated to these projections (Chen et al., 2011). Given M1s and M2s both project to the SCN, it will be essential to further investigate the functional differences between the M1 and M2 projections.

Twenty-one breeding lines of barley were evaluated for their chemical composition and functional characteristics. The results from this study will inform plant breeders of the characteristics of grains that are desirable for food application. Whole grain barley samples were milled and tested to determine their composition, including crude fat, protein, ash, and moisture content. The samples were also evaluated for their water and oil holding capacity (WHC and OHC), emulsion ability and stability (EA and ES), water absorption and solubility indexes (WAI and WSI), and pasting properties.

Apart from ES, significant differences in the physiochemical properties across the samples were observed. The degree of setback, or starch retrogradation, ranged from 170.400 to 61.133 BU, with 14WAI-3611.8, 14WAIM-3606.3, and 14WAI-3615.2 exhibiting the lowest values, making them best suited for use in bread or baked goods to prevent staling. To further maintain the quality and safety of a food product throughout storage, moisture and fat content must be limited. 14WAI-3611.15 exhibited low values for both characteristics, which will decrease the risk of lipid oxidation and slow microbial growth when used in production. Additionally, the ash and protein content of the barley samples ranged from 2.069% to 1.315%, and 14.731% to 11.273%, respectively. 14WAI-3615.2, 14WAI-3602.4, and 14WAI-3602.5 were in the groups with both the highest ash and protein content, making them suitable for use in value-added products or to increase the nutritional content of existing recipes.

Moderate correlations were observed between pasting properties and WSI. A negative correlation was found between WSI and setback, indicating that flours that solubilize well in water tend to undergo less retrogradation, which can help maintain the desired texture of sauces and pasta. Similarly, a negative correlation was found between pasting temperature (PT) and breakdown, showing that samples that gelatinize at higher temperatures tend to remain stable over time. Therefore, these barley lines are suited for use in extrusion processing.

The results of this study will determine the benefits and disadvantages of twenty-one new barley breeding lines in the food industry and help plant breeders understand what compositional characteristics of barley are desirable for food applications.

Heat exposure is a common occurrence throughout any individual’s life, however, with the growing concern of climate change, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the psychological effects of heat exposure on humans.  One well-documented effect is that higher temperatures are related to a decline in cognitive function (Hou, 2023). This could be, in part, due to a decrease in an individual’s effort to save some of their cognitive power. It is also, in part, due to thermal comfort reduction and changes in blood flow within the brain that contribute to a loss in cognitive function during more extreme heat exposure (Taylor, et al., 2016). Individuals are willing to conserve cognitive effort in the face of a large reward (Westbrook, et al., 2013).

This study explores whether effort might be dampened due to the impairment of cognitive processes in experimental heat stress manipulation using a within subjects design examining self-reported effort after performing two cognitive tasks. This will be conducted within a 50-minute period in a temperature chamber. The cognitive tasks performed in the temperature chamber will include a backwards digit span (BDS) task, as well as a stop-signal arrows task (SST).

We hypothesize that there will be a reduction in performance on the backwards digit span and arrows tasks. Our results will be based on a paired sample T-Test of the self-reported effort scores. These scores will be compared to the performance of the participants in the BDS and SST games. Testing heat exposure’s effect will provide more contextual information about heat’s effects on young to early middle-aged adults.

In the past few decades, the human population of the United States has been exposed to many environmental toxicants despite understanding how detrimental these exposures could be for both their health and that of their subsequent offspring. By studying the epigenetic changes of multiple generations of model organisms exposed to these same environmental toxicants, these potential effects can be analyzed. The previous study exposed three generations of rats in succession, starting with the F0 generation to the agricultural fungicide vinclozolin, the F1 generation to a hydrocarbon jet fuel mixture, and gestating females of the F2 generation to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) to investigate the potential ramifications these exposures had to the subsequent generations of this line. Generations F1-F5 were examined for alterations in the epigenetics of the male sperm as well as the pathology of both sexes, of which significant changes to the sperm’s differential DNA methylation regions and similarities of about 50% of DNA methylation regions of the F3-F5 generations were observed. The pathology of each generation’s reproductive organs of the rats (testis, kidney, ovary, and prostate), as well as occurrences of obesity and tumors, was assessed, which in turn used Deep Learning (DL), a newly developed artificial intelligence-based histopathology analysis, to analyze the results. These observations revealed the occurrence of compounded disease impacts in both obesity and metabolic parameters, however, all other pathologies analyzed plateaued at the F5 transgenerational generation with only minor increases, demonstrating that the multiple generational exposures that humans have experienced, lead to an overall increase of epigenetic impacts and susceptibility to obesity. Currently, while the subsequent generation, F6 outcross, is being analyzed by the same DL system as the previous study; preliminary findings indicate that this generation also experienced significant changes. Using histology images and data, it is clear that there is a consistency between the pathology of the previous F5 generation and the current F6 generation, which should indicate that the effects experienced in generations F3-F5 due to exposures to environmental toxicants are still present in the F6 generation.

Sharpie markers are widely used in labeling containers throughout the world. Although common labeling materials are useful, they present a hazard if they contain elements that could be activated in a nuclear reactor, resulting in radioactivity from the labeling material. This poster will discuss the current methods for labeling samples and the analysis of the irradiation of samples labeled with 6 different colored Sharpie markers and how they compare to the Trace Element Sharpie markers.

Menopause, defined as one year since the last menses, typically occurs around age 51 in women, is marked by a decline in ovarian hormones, and is linked to symptoms like anxiety and brain fog. Cannabis has become increasingly popular for treating symptoms of menopause, but our understanding of its effects on affective and cognitive behaviors remains limited. Therefore, to study the influence of cannabis under menopause-like conditions, we compared the effects of chronic cannabis vapor exposure in young adult female mice lacking ovarian hormones (ovariectomized, OVX) vs. mice who underwent SHAM surgery. One week after surgery, mice were randomly assigned to cannabis (150 mg/ml), Vehicle (VEH), or room air groups. Cannabis and VEH vapor groups received 3-second puffs of vapor every 5 minutes for a total of 6 puffs per 30 min session for 21 days. After a 5-day drug-free period, mice were tested on a battery of behaviors to examine the long-term effects of cannabis on menopausal-induced affective and cognitive behavior We hypothesize that chronic cannabis exposure alleviates anxiety and depression while improving memory and cognitive flexibility.

Briefly, mice underwent the following tests in a randomized order: the 4-choice reversal task, Open Field (OF), Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), and sucrose preference tests (SPT). The 4-choice test assesses cognitive flexibility, where mice initially learn to associate an odor with a buried food reward and then must learn a new odor-reward pairing during a reversal phase. The OF and EPM are anxiety tests that assess time spent exploring open, anxiogenic portions of an arena. The SPT tests for anhedonia, indicated by a reduced preference for sucrose water in a two-bottle choice paradigm. We hypothesize that cannabis will reverse OVX-induced cognitive flexibility impairments and OVX-induced increases in anxiety and anhedonia. Therefore, we predict OVX cannabis mice will exhibit: 1) enhanced reversal learning, indicated by decreased trials to criterion and fewer errors, 2) reduced anxiety, indicated by increased time spent exploring open portions of arenas, and 3) higher sucrose preference compared to OVX VEH. This study will offer further insight into the effects of cannabis on menopausal-induced affective and cognitive symptoms.

Gender differences among sexual assault victims is a social invariant that has not been questioned much by research, contributing to the limited access of resources and support for victims who do not fall into the stereotypical female victim and male offender typology of sexual assault. The dominant explanation for this invariant is based on the pervasive nature of traditional gender roles, in which women are expected to inhabit a passive, weak role, leaving men to be either protectors or predators. Earlier research emphasizes statistics and social views on gender differences around victims and their experiences. The existing research on female sex offenders and/or male victims of sex offenses has focused on establishing typologies of victims and their experiences. In this research project, I use legal cases to find patterns of how differently female sex offenders get treated in the justice system compared to men, as well as how male victims are constructed in court proceedings. Based on the extant research, I expect to find that female sex offenders are treated more leniently than male sex offenders, but also that male victims of sex offenses are constructed as having more agency than female victims.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a common and severe complication of retinal detachment (RD) that can lead to permanent vision loss. Unfortunately, the primary treatment for PVR is surgical repair which poses an issue as the surgery can cause RD to recur. In the US, approximately 4,000 patients are affected per year, ranging in cost from $13,000 to $47,000 per case. The incidence of PVR has remained relatively stagnant despite improved surgical techniques over the past several years. This highlights the need for innovative therapies to address PVR. Nanomedicines have shown promise for treating various diseases and are emerging clinically. In this study, a nano-drug delivery system (NDDS) was rationally designed to target diseased retinal tissues via systemic administration, removing the need for further surgery. The systemic administration is particularly vital as many current retinal drugs involve direct injections which can lead to complications such as hemorrhages. A highly efficient click chemistry approach was used to synthesize the NDDS. PVR progression is characterized by inflammation and abnormal cell growth in retinal regions. Preliminary in vitro studies show our NDDS targeting microglia and retinal pigment epithelial cells at a higher rate than the free drug. In a mouse model of PVR, our fluorescently labeled NDDS demonstrated its ability to target the damaged retinal regions. Additionally, PVR involves the activation of specific type 2 cannabinoid (CB2) receptors which become elevated after retinal trauma. Medications that target these receptors can reduce cell growth and inflammation but struggle with side effects and poor water solubility. These challenges were addressed in the development of a highly water soluble NDDS that delivers treatment directly to the retina, exhibiting a controlled drug release. These studies indicate that our NDDS is a promising candidate for PVR treatment as well as other inflammatory conditions of the retina.

Life depends upon asymmetry of biological processes. One of the most spectacular examples of the asymmetry in plants is the phragmoplast. It is the dominant mechanism for the production of new cells in land plants and is considered a key cellular advance that enabled the colonization of land. Interference with the phragmoplast asymmetry perturbs plant growth and can result in lethality. The asymmetry is generated and maintained by nanotubes known as microtubules. They consist of a tubulin polymer and can exist in four key states: nucleation, growth, shrinkage, and disassembly. The transitions between these states depend on the pool of free tubulin in a cell and the presence of microtubule stabilizing/destabilizing proteins. One such protein, KATANIN enhances microtubule disassembly through microtubule severing. KATANIN mutants fra2 and leu1 have a characteristically unusual phragmoplast asymmetry. This unique phenotype is also present in the microtubule nucleation factor MACET mutant mce4-1mce-5. The phenotype is caused by a known disruption in phragmoplast asymmetry in mce4-1mce-5, however the mechanism remains unknown in fra2 and leu1 mutants. We aim to determine the mechanism that causes the faulty phragmoplast asymmetry in fra2 and leu1 mutants. To determine this, the asymmetry of fra2 and leu1 phragmoplasts mutants expressing proTuB2:mNeonGreen-TuB2 were imaged using super resolution confocal microscopy. Then, various attributes of the phragmoplast were measured using ImageJ to conduct image analysis including length, angle, distance to cell wall, width, and turnover of tubulin. Results show that both mutants had similarly significant elongated phragmoplasts compared to wild type, possibly due to the observed increase of microtubule stability in mutants. Percentage of atypical phragmoplasts increased in mutants (WT 55.6%, leu1 63.6%, & fra2 71.4%), with more intensely abnormal phragmoplasts correlated with percentage. Future work will focus on expanding quantity data for the phragmoplast in mutants and on measuring behavior of individual microtubules in the mutant and the control interphase and dividing cells.

In the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab at Washington State University, we use ultracold atomic gases to probe the quantum mechanical foundations of nature. Currently, a new experimental apparatus is being built to form degenerate Fermi gases using lithium-6 - an attractive platform for exploring quantum many-body physics among other interesting phenomena, such as quantum hydrodynamics or modeling neutron star conditions. Creating these extreme states of matter requires an assortment of complex experimental technique and instrumentation. In particular, we need to confine and slow the atoms - which, in our experiments, are initially moving around 1000 m/s.

This poster describes techniques used to prepare the cooling and trapping light needed to perform these experiments. Our custom-built external cavity diode lasers provide a finely tunable light source. With our saturated absorption spectroscopy (SAS) implementation, we can precisely lock the frequency of each laser to the atomic transitions in lithium we intend to exploit for confining the atoms and cooling them to the nano-Kelvin regime. With our SAS setup, we are able to resolve the hyperfine structure of lithium - small splittings of its energy levels due to interactions with the nucleus. By tuning our trapping and cooling light around these particular energy transitions, we can bring our 1000 m/s stream of atomic lithium to effectively absolute zero.

The Washington State University Department of Anthropology Osteology Collection houses three complete contemporary human skeletons. The Osteological Collection was created several decades ago, and the skeletal material likely originates  from India, which served as the source for most anatomical skeletons obtained prior to 1985. Current ethical standards support continued study of anonymous skeletal material not covered by NAGPRA (the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act). Enhanced study of unknown individuals can be used to raise awareness of the historical acquisition of human remains without consent by generating more detailed identities and life histories for these individuals. Through analysis, life histories of skeletal specimens become crucial in utilizing them in a teaching context. Although the Anthropology Osteology Collection is limited, Individual P43 has significant potential for reconstructing life history and teaching students about rare examples of pathology, trauma, and nutritional deficiency. Because skeletal specimens that present signs of pathology or trauma are both incredibly rare and difficult to acquire, the individual referred to as P43 is an invaluable resource in our teaching collection. This study provides details about the identity and life history of Individual P43 through detailed osteological analysis, including standard estimates of biological sex, stature, age, and ancestry, and descriptions of observed skeletal pathologies and trauma. The skeleton exhibited evidence of severe periodontal disease, linear enamel hypoplasia, and extensive osteoarthritis, resulting from a life experience of labor-intensive subsistence, nutritional stress during development, and little access to medical or dental care. There is additional evidence for healed trauma to the individual’s neck, potentially affecting other parts of the body. These details suggest low economic status, which is likely related to the individual’s fate as an anonymous skeleton. This study provides additional details regarding the individual's identity and life experience which can be used to generate empathy and aspects of personhood within a teaching collection context. Future isotopic analysis is suggested to expand our knowledge of P43 including when they died, and their estimated geographic origin. Combined with this study, additional isotopic information can be used to inform future culturally informed decisions regarding burial, cremation, or repatriation.

The construct of academic success often lacks a holistic measure of a student’s life and backgrounds. Based on a literature review, York et al. (2015) identifies six facets of academic success: attainment of learning outcomes, career success, academic achievement, satisfaction with school resources, acquisition of skills and competencies, and persistence. As a follow-up, we developed a survey using York et al. (2015) framework and explored the interplays between college students’ perceived academic success and their demographics, including racial identity, gender, and family socioeconomic status (SES).

A sample of 556 WSU undergraduate students completed an online 46-item survey assessing their perceived importance of academic success. The sample was diverse in terms of gender (63% women, 27% men), race/ethnicity (57.6% White, 41.5% non-White) and SES (as measured by household income and highest parental education level). The survey items were adapted from previously developed measures (e.g., Heppner & Peterson, 1982; Bandura, 1989) as well as established academic admissions assessments (e.g., GPA, GRE).

We first conducted preliminary analyses to categorize 46 academic success items into respective categories. We then performed main analyses (e.g., independent t-test and one-way ANOVA) to examine the relationship between students’ perceptions of academic success and demographic variables. Our findings indicate that, compared to female students, male students were more likely to perceive academic success in terms of utilizing campus academic resources, participating in extracurricular activities, and developing intrapersonal skills. Regarding race/ethnicity, White students were more likely than non-White students to associate academic success with achieving high grades, utilizing campus resources, engaging in extracurricular activities, and developing interpersonal competence. Interestingly, Asian students placed greater importance on simply achieving passing grades than White students, whereas White students placed more emphasis on career success compared to Black students. In terms of SES, our findings reveal that students whose parents attended college valued the use of campus resources more than those whose parents did not pursue higher education. Conversely, students from the lowest-income households were more likely to consider in-class resources essential to their academic success than those from the highest-income households. Implications for college students academic support will be discussed.

Genetic factors play a crucial role in determining hair follicle development morphology, yet the specific influence of certain genes on hair type, thickness, and length remains largely unexplored. Our study investigates whether the global knockout of Padi4 affects these characteristics in murine fur / in the murine fur coat. To achieve this, hair samples were meticulously separated and mounted on slides for high-resolution imaging. An automated slide scanner was used to capture detailed images, which were analyzed through the use of a hair fiber analysis pipeline. This AI-based analysis was employed to quantify thickness, length, color, and other quantifiable characteristics of each individual hair fiber, ensuring an objective assessment of structural variations. We then manually classified the hairs into the four canonical hair types and performed our analysis using the single-cell transcriptomics package, Scanpy.

As autonomous systems, from robotic manipulators in homes to personal AI assistants on computers, become increasingly prevalent, aligning these robots with human stakeholders’ preferences and values is a critical challenge. Current methodologies involve robots learning to emulate human intentions through interactive feedback, particularly from physical corrections provided by users. However, in dynamic real-world settings, users may prefer to modify the environment’s state directly rather than teleoperating the robot. Our work investigates how robots can effectively learn from these online state corrections to enhance performance and align with human preferences across various domains. We leverage probabilistic models of human preference to enable Bayesian inference based on iterative state corrections. Recognizing that humans seek clarification when uncertain, our approach allows robots to prompt for guidance upon encountering significant uncertainty. We will evaluate our system’s adaptive learning and proactive dialogue capabilities compared to a system without dialogue, measuring task completion efficiency and the reduction of error states. This research aims to develop robust, user-friendly autonomous systems that generalize learned behaviors and continuously improve through human interaction.

The transport of sugars in a plant is important to its growth. Understanding the specifics of how plants transport these sugars (photo assimilate translocation) is crucial to improving yield and productivity. This project aims to understand how factors such as pruning influences the physiology of the transport mechanism. The evidence for the effect of pruning on the transport of photo assimilate could be the next focus for plant engineering efforts aimed at improving fruit yield. Pruning has been shown to improve yield and allows for an earlier harvest in apple trees (Autio & Greene, 1990). The transport of sugars in plants is from sources (leaves and other photosynthesizing tissues) to sinks (fruits, root tubers and others). It is important to understand how productivity of a plant’s sinks can be improved by manipulating the sources. The two model species for this project, morning glory (Ipomoea nil) and apple (Malus domestica) will be treated to a split stem design with one half fully foliated and the other half completely defoliated. In the morning glory, the plants will be allowed to grow up to about one meter before pruning to two identical stems. Both stems will be allowed to grow up to three meters then one of the stems is defoliated to mimic the effects of pruning and the other is left fully foliated. The photosynthetic capacity of the foliated stem will be measured post-pruning using a Li-Cor instrument, and compared to control plants. Stem samples will be harvested at about ten meters and prepared for SEM imaging. The sieve tube elements will be imaged and analyzed using ImageJ to determine the conductivity of the transporting phloem. The same principle is used for the apple trees. One half of the plant is defoliated and the other is left foliated. The fruit is allowed to grow on both sides. Photosynthesis is measured on the foliated half in comparison to a fully foliated plant. Fruit development post-pruning is tracked and samples of the stem and fruit are picked for analysis. Sieve tube conductivity and fruit sugar will be analyzed from the apple samples.

Pulse tube cryocoolers utilize pressure waves oscillating within a packed bed heat exchanger, known as a regenerator, for active refrigeration. Using hydrogen instead of helium as the coolant provides increased refrigeration performance over a range of operational conditions due to lower viscous dissipation. Hydrogen also provides the potential to augment the cooling capacity via ortho- to parahydrogen spin conversion which can absorb or release up to 702 kJ/kg. The practical design aspects of regenerators and catalyzation reactors are synergistic, however this synergy has not been investigated. To achieve both catalyzation and high regenerator effectiveness the material must meet three key aspects: high heat capacity, high thermal conductivity, and the ability for the surface to be oxidized to induce catalyzation. This study investigates the catalytic activity and acoustic performance of 2.5-mm-diameter spheres of oxidized iron, brass, and stainless steel. Acoustic onset temperatures of the system including a thermoacoustic engine, pressure amplitudes, and ortho-parahydrogen conversion activity are reported. The goal of this study is to aid in optimization of a catalyzed thermoacoustic regenerator where lower viscous losses are paramount to cooling efficiency.

The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in liver metabolism, uterine inflammation, and behavior associated with different vaginal discharge characteristics of dairy cows. Vaginal discharge (VD) from 244 Holstein dairy cows in a WA dairy was visually assessed within 10 days postpartum. Cows were segregated in groups based on the highest VD score observed as follows: VD 3 (n = 82) = clear discharge or mucopurulent with < 50% pus; VD4 (n = 97) = mucopurulent with ≥50% of pus or nonfetid reddish-brownish mucus; VD5 (n = 65) = fetid, watery, and reddish-brownish. All cows were fitted with automated activity monitoring devices at day -14 relative to calving and followed through 14 days postpartum. Total daily rumination and activity time data were collected. Blood albumin, cholesterol, and bilirubin were assessed at days -14, -7, 1, 3, and 7 relative to calving to calculate the liver health index (LHI; positive values are positively associated with cow performance/health). Uterine cytology to access the prevalence of immune cells (PMN) in the uterus was performed at day 7 postpartum. Prepartum behavior was different among the groups as VD5 cows had reduced (P< 0.05) daily rumination and activity (469 and 445 min) time compared with VD3 (502 and 458 min) and VD4 (488 and 446 min). Postpartum behavior was different among the groups as VD5 cows had reduced (P< 0.05) daily rumination and activity time (490 and 448 min) compared with VD3 (525 and 462 min) and VD4 (515 and 455 min). Although prepartum LHI was similar among VD groups, VD5 cows had a smaller postpartum LHI (-0.65) compared with VD3 and VD4 (0.51 and 0.08). Postpartum uterine inflammation tended to differ (P = 0.06) among VD groups, as greater prevalence of PMN was observed between VD5 and VD3 (49.0 vs. 32.7%), but not between VD4 (40.3%) compared with VD3 or VD5. In conclusion, VD5 was associated with differences in behavior, liver metabolism, and greater degree of uterine inflammation.

Drug-seeking behavior is often triggered by drug-related memories recalled upon exposure to drug-associated contextual cues. Upon retrieval, drug-associated contextual memories become labile which allows them to be updated or therapeutically manipulated. Such labile memories must be restabilized into long-term memory through a process known as memory reconsolidation in order to be preserved. Alteration of the labile memory trace or interference with the reconsolidation process can weaken drug-associated memories and reduce subsequent cue-induced drug craving and relapse. We have previously discovered that inhibition of the dorsal hippocampus cornu ammonis 3 region (dCA3) or of the dorsolateral septum (dlS) after memory destabilization has opposite effects on cocaine memory strength despite the existence of direct connections between these brain regions. We have hypothesized that the dCA3→dlS pathway may function as an inhibitory feedback circuit that regulates memory strength. Thus, we have investigated the effects of chemogenetic inhibition of the dCA3→dlS pathway on contextual cocaine memory strength. We predicted that the inhibition of this putative inhibitory circuit would strengthen drug-associated contextual memories and, therefore, increase subsequent context-induced drug-seeking behavior. Inhibiting our dCA3→dlS pathway after memory destabilization resulted in a strong trend towards a reduction in drug-seeking behavior in the first cohort of rats. While additional data collection will be necessary, these preliminary findings suggest that dCA3 inputs to the dlS support the maintenance and/or salience of cocaine memories and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment strategy of cocaine-use disorder.

In the wake of this evolutionary world, the growth of digital media has become more common in everyday life. Gen Z is a group of young adults who are tech-savvy and social media influenced; they have made up their lives through devices. Practices like renting, reselling, and upcycling encourage creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion industry. There is an urge to investigate this young generation’s sustainable shopping behaviors. To thoroughly understand Gen Z consumers’ perspectives on apparel rental services, we collect data through semi-structured interviews with individuals born between 1997 and 2006, who meet the criteria of being Gen Z and at least 18 years old. We aim to gather 30 responses, with an equal number of male and female participants. Semi-structured interviews are considered suitable for our study because they allow interviewees the freedom to express their thoughts while receiving guidance from the researcher, enabling the collection of informative responses that can be analyzed to address the research questions. This study aims to answer three questions: (1) Why does Gen Z like to rent instead of buy? (2) Under what circumstances do Gen Z like to rent instead of buy? (3) What are Gen Z’s preferences toward different second-hand rental platforms (business-to-consumer versus consumer-to-consumer) and product types? The research findings show that Gen Z enjoys renting because renting saves time, money, resources, and maximizes item usage while reducing waste and pollution. Gen Z likes to use platforms, such as Rent the Runway and Nuuly, subscription-based rental platforms of designer clothes without paying high retail prices, and Tulerie, a second-hand consumer-to-consumer clothing rental platform.Consumers shop for casual, evening, and special events without commitment to purchase and own the products. Most Gen Z shoppers believe that wearing new outfits to hang out with friends makes them happy. However, buying and owning clothes cost more money. Thus, they perceive the values of renting clothes to keep their wardrobe up to date with less cost. Moreover, Gen Z is aware of our climate crisis and understands that renting is more sustainable than buying products and only wearing them once.

Programming a Method for Documenting NetProv is a custom data visualization that represents Grace, Wit, and Charm (2011), a foundational work in Netprov by pioneering artist Rob Wittig.  NetProvs are a form of born-digital storytelling involving real-time improvised performances transpiring over online platforms.  Actors in a Netprov are given a topic to post about on a social media platform; audience members respond to it and each other’s posts, resulting in an organically developing story over a specific length of time.  The problem my project solves is how to document these performances outside the Twitter environment to make them accessible to scholars.  My research, therefore, consisted of working with this artist to develop a way to visualize Netprovs for continued online access so that we retain the participatory, interactive, and experiential element that it features.

Among Wittig’s many works, Grace, Wit & Charm (GWC) remains his most famous.  This Netprov performance took place on Twitter, spanning the course of a two-week period and consisting of over 800 posts by 50 actors and online responders, known as players.  GWC is broken down into chapters and sub-chapters, each carrying a theme that drives the narrative.  Netprovs, and particularly GWC, are heavily dependent on time-based relationships.  This is both related to the chapters/subchapters, but also the interactions between players.  After testing, I settled on using programming languages -- D3.js, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 – to implement a 2d environment that utilizes an x-y grid, with time mapped to the X-axis.  Use of filters and visual markers helps scholars to easily navigate and juxtapose specific regions of the performance.  Players are mapped to the Y-axis, with the most active at the top of the grid.  Posts are represented as blue squares on the grid, corresponding to who posted and when.  These nodes are connected to metadata that describe their corresponding tweet, allowing scholars to view the tweets contents.

The project now resides at The NEXT, in its Rob Wittig Collection.  It was also the topic of my research project for the INTR/HT Summer School that took place in Poznan, Poland in 2024.

Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death induced by an accumulation of lipid peroxides in the presence of iron. Our lab has previously linked the polyunsaturated fatty acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) with ferroptosis in germ cells, resulting in sterility in the roundworm C. elegans. Cells can reduce the accumulation of lipid peroxides by sequestering them away in lipid droplets, which are dynamic organelles made of a membrane of the phospholipid phosphatidylcholine (PC). Ongoing work in our lab demonstrates this sterility can be rescued by nutrients vitamin B-12 and choline, restoring functional germ cells by potentially increasing levels of PC synthesis. This study aims to investigate the impact of DGLA and nutrients vitamin B-12, choline, and methionine, on lipid droplet size and abundance in C. elegans. To test this, we used wild-type strains supplemented with DGLA and nutrients and then observed lipid droplet size using Nile red staining. Initial results showed a significant increase in lipid droplet size when supplemented with DGLA and a substantial reduction in lipid droplet size when supplemented with PC precursors. We also observed a reduction in droplet size in wild-type worms grown with HT115, a strain of E. coli with sufficient vitamin B-12, compared to OP50, a strain of E. coli deficient in B-12. Additionally, we utilized mutants of the C. elegans ortholog of the enzyme methionine synthase, metr-1. METR-1 is an enzyme that converts homocysteine to methionine using B-12 as a cofactor. We found similar results when metr-1 was supplemented with DGLA and PC precursors, but vitamin B-12 had no effect on lipid droplet size. These findings suggest dietary components modulate lipid droplet dynamics in C. elegans by increasing PC synthesis. By elucidating how specific nutrients counteract the effects of DGLA, this study contributes to a better understanding of lipid metabolism and its role in protection from ferroptosis. Further research is important to fully unravel the role of lipid droplets and dietary components in lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis.

Aphantasia, or the neurocognitive inability to form mental imagery, remained mostly unresearched for more than 100 years until recent studies explored its relationships with neurodiversity and important cognitive abilities including perceptual priming, visual working memory, cognitive load processing, language comprehension, executive functioning, and self-regulation.  This study aims to examine the prevalence of aphantasia and explore its potential associations with neurodivergence (including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and visual working memory capacity. Given that research on aphantasia is still in its early stages, particularly concerning its connections to neurodiversity and memory functions, this investigation seeks to address these knowledge gaps. Previous studies on neurodivergence have suggested notable impacts on working memory and cognitive load processing. Data collection is in process via an online Qualtrics survey containing aphantasia, neurodivergent, and visual working memory measurements, and demographic information. Results are hypothesized to show a negative correlation between the presence of aphantasia and visual working memory performance, a negative correlation between neurodivergence and visual working memory performance, and a positive correlation between the prevalence of aphantasia and neurodivergence. By investigating these interrelationships, this research intends to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in these areas and potentially inform future studies and interventions.

Oilseed crops are one of the most valuable agricultural assets, valued at over $220 billion USD. Plant oils (primarily triacylglycerols) from these crops are utilized in various commercial products (e.g., biofuels, cosmetics, and food). Beyond their economic significance, plant oils have diverse roles in plant development and are stored in seeds and fruits. Oil breakdown is involved in seed germination and seedling development, and it has additional roles in membrane lipid remodeling and organ formation. Of the numerous genes expressed during seed development, many GDSL esterase/lipase (GELP) genes are significantly expressed. GELPs are a group of evolutionarily conserved enzymes that are found in most organisms, especially plants. Recent proteomic analyses from developing seeds indicate that some GELPs are associated with oil droplets in seeds. Yet, their roles in oil breakdown or accumulation, particularly in Arabidopsis thaliana, remain unclear. Among the 105 predicted GELPs found in Arabidopsis, some are involved in tissue development; however, their biochemical functions and substrates are largely unknown. In our lab, we focus on oil metabolic processes in seeds. Thus, we selected three GELPs expressed specifically in seeds: GELP12, GELP35, and GELP36. Here, we phenotype genetic knockout plants lacking enzymatic activity of these GELPs. We observed minor oil composition changes in all plant lines, with pronounced changes in the GELP36 mutant. GELP35 knockout plants grown in the dark exhibited a minor increase in root length with or without the addition of sugar. Furthermore, we evaluated overexpression lines of GELP35 and observed significant changes in seed oil. Together, this indicates that although difficult to define, these GELPs show promise as being important in lipid metabolism and early embryo development.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is an important biofuel crop that can be enhanced by inoculation with endophytic fungi. Promoting microbial symbioses within these plants is a potential method to help increase yields. The purpose of this study is to examine the interactions between these two fungal endophytes and switchgrass. We hypothesized that Trichoderma, a classic plant growth-promoting fungal endophyte, could protect switchgrass from the potentially plant growth-inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum. In vitro growth interaction experiments showed that a novel Trichoderma species grew over top of Fusarium oxysporum, and F. oxysporum proliferated on average 0.4 ± 0.2 times slower in the presence of the novel Trichoderma than on its own. This is consistent with past research showing that Trichoderma could have antagonistic and parasitic effects on plant pathogens like F. oxysporum. Inoculation of switchgrass seedlings with spores of the novel Trichoderma species increased aboveground fresh weight and dry weight, belowground fresh weight, and total root volume of switchgrass plants. Seedlings inoculated with Trichoderma alone (n=40) had on average 22 ± 16 percent higher shoot fresh weight and 30 ± 12 percent higher root fresh weight than seedlings inoculated with F. oxysporum alone (n=68). Seedlings inoculated with both F. oxysporum and Trichoderma together (n=53) had on average 25 ± 7 percent lower root fresh weight than seedlings inoculated with Trichoderma alone and 20 ± 10 percent higher root fresh weight than plants inoculated with F. oxysporum alone. These findings reinforce past research showing that Trichoderma fungi can improve plant health and reduce the effects of biotic stress.

In this research project, I use photometry to learn about black holes in small galaxies by studying their brightness versus time. Using data from surveys called CRTS (Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey) and ASSAS-SN (All Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae), I download data for a sample of low-mass galaxies known to have supermassive black holes. I then create light curves for each galaxy and compute the fractional variability. The fractional variability allows us to calculate fluctuations in light which indicate turbulence from the accretion disk surrounding black hole. This research will allow us to gain a better understanding of black holes by studying them in their early stage of growth.

Cytokinesis is the final process of cell division; after the nuclear contents of a parent cell has been duplicated and re-organized, it’s cleaved in half to form a completed daughter cell. Cytokinesis in plants is distinct from animals in the ways that they cleave cells, such that plants have the “phragmoplast” instead of the contractile ring used by animal cells. Both kingdoms use  filamentous proteins called microtubules (MT) to transport, segregate, and cleave the contents of the cell. The phragmoplast is a ring-like structure made primarily of MTs, which guides the deposition of a cell “plate” to divide cells down the middle, instead of contracting. To better understand cell division in plants, my research focuses on characterizing the unknown effects of a microtubule associated protein gene expressed in root apical meristems (RAM), the primary site of mitotic cell division in roots. I sterilized and cultivated seeds from three knockout mutant lines of Arabidopsis thaliana (mce7, mce2, and mce457) alongside the control species (Col-0), to determine how root traits differ from wild type plants when these genes are non-functional. Images for A. thaliana roots, root meristem, and root meristematic cells were captured using macro and microscopic photographic techniques. All lengths were measured and analyzed using the software ImageJ/Fiji, and Prism. The root lengths between plants were not statistically significant, though oddly enough, the RAM data provides strong evidence of phenotypic shortening in the meristems of mce7 mutants. The shorter average meristems in mce7 were considered very statistically significant when compared to the lengths of the control (unpaired t-test, ***p<0.0001). To further investigate this shorter phenotype, the lengths of individual root cells found within the RAM were measured and analyzed. This data revealed a trend of dramatically shortened root cells mid-meristem in mce7, but otherwise suggests normal growth patterns at the “entrance” and “exit” of the meristem. This region of physical cell shortening better characterizes mce7’s phenotype, and I hypothesize that the interactions between this gene’s encoded protein and phragmoplast microtubules facilitate root cell elongation in the meristem during cytokinesis.

The spread of viruses like the beet curly top virus by the beet leaf hopper, Circulifer tenellus, is impacting economic crops all across the western United States. These viruses significantly decrease crop yield but are hard to manage due to the seasonality of the vector. These leaf hoppers move between economic crops and non-crop host plants throughout the year. This experiment aims to shed light on the seasonal movement of beet leaf hoppers and the roll economic crops and non-crop host plants have in viral transmission. By preforming gut content analysis on beet leaf hoppers that were collected from hemp fields in Washington, we can better understanding their movements and predicts future developments allowing us to cultivate a more efficient management plan.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between impulsivity, a relatively stable trait, and emotional responses in natural environments, specifically urban parks. Previous research indicates that exposure to nature can reduce impulsive decision-making, enhance social connectedness, and increase pro-social behaviors, as well as reduce stress, improve mood, attention, and happiness (Berry et al., 2021; Berry et al., 2015). Specifically, we are interested in understanding individual differences in both trait impulsivity and state impulsivity, how these may change in natural environments, and their influence on emotional responses within urban greenspaces. The study uses data collected from 395 participants in the Chicago area during the summer of 2022. Trait impulsiveness was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), while state impulsivity was measured through ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) during park visits. We aim to explore the relationships between trait impulsivity, state impulsivity, and self-reported emotional responses to park qualities, such as noise, maintenance, and naturalness, using regression analysis. We hypothesize that individuals with higher trait impulsivity will exhibit more impulsive responses in park settings, but that these reactions will be reduced by the natural context and park qualities. This study aims to inform the design and maintenance of urban parks and greenspaces, with the goal of promoting well-being and positive outcomes, especially for populations with high impulsivity.

Body condition score (BCS) has been widely used as a practical tool to measure the overall nutritional status of animals and, indirectly, their health condition. Cows that develop reproductive diseases early after calving show physical changes in body condition score. A total of 79 Holstein dairy cows managed under an organic USDA program were assessed to determine the health status and the BCS. After clinical evaluation (assessment of body condition score in a scale 1 – 5, where 1 = emaciated and 5 =obese, rectal palpation and collection of vaginal discharge) out of the 79 cows, 36 were deemed to be clinically healthy (CH) and 43 were diagnosed with metritis (MET). Metritis is a polymicrobial uterine infection in cows, most prevalent in the first two weeks postpartum A blood sample was collected to determine the cellular components: packed cell volume (PCV), number of white blood cells (WBC), proportion of Neutrophils, Basophils, Eosinophils, Lymphocytes and Monocytes. Blood samples were processed by applying a stain procedure involving methanol, eosin, and methylene blue. The white blood cell (WBC) count was determined using a BioRad TC20 automatic cell counter. The cell counter uses advanced auto-focus technology and a complex procedure to provide accurate cell counts in under 30 seconds. The WBC count is estimated by calculating the percentage of each leukocyte type per 100 leukocytes with a 40x magnification and multiplying by the total WBC count. The leukocyte types counted were lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. When comparing healthy vs. metritis affected cows no differences were observed between any of the hematological characteristics nor the BCS (CH cows was 2.49 ± 0.45 and MET 2.30 ± 0.49). However, regardless the health status of the animals there was a significant positive correlation between BCS and Neutrophils cells (P= 0.0003, r² = 0.21) and a negative correlation between BCS and Lymphocytes, (P<0.001, r² = 0.32). The results of this study showed that the BCS of the cows have a correlation with neutrophils (which are the most common WBC) and the lymphocytes in the blood.

The Northern Leopard Frog (NLF) is a Washington state-endangered species, primarily threatened by habitat loss, altered surface waters, and predation from fish and invasive American bullfrogs. This study examined whether predator exposure during the larval stage affects anti-predator behavior after metamorphosis. Specifically, my project tested whether chemical and visual predator cues in captivity induced tail morphology changes similar to wild “turbo tadpoles,” which develop shorter, deeper tails in response to predators. If our cues triggered this response, we could more confidently link behavioral differences after metamorphosis to predator exposure. We collected NLF tadpoles from North Dakota at two developmental stages: one batch just after hatching (minimal predator exposure) and another ~1 month later. Upon the second batch’s arrival at WSU, all tadpoles were photographed and measured using FIJI image analysis software to assess whether natal predator exposure affected size and tail morphology. First-batch tadpoles were returned to their tanks, while second-batch tadpoles were placed in additional tanks (n=15/tank). Half of both batches were exposed to a caged bullfrog (novel predator) and homogenate mimicking chemical cues from predator consumption of NLFs for 11 days before a subset of tadpoles (n=5/tank) was re-measured. As predicted, tadpoles with longer invertebrate predator exposure prior to collection initially had deeper tails than those collected earlier. Bullfrog predator cues further increased tail depth, except in a warmer tank, suggesting cue degradation at higher temperatures. Post-metamorphic behavior assays showed that second-batch frogs were less active in the presence of bullfrogs, and the least active individuals had the deepest tails as larvae. This provides the first evidence that predator-induced tail plasticity is linked to neural changes affecting post-metamorphic behavior. These findings suggest that both morphological and behavioral responses to predators during the larval stage could influence NLF survival after release. Understanding these effects may help refine rearing strategies for conservation efforts.

Circadian photoentrainment is an essential process that synchronizes physiological processes with the external light-dark cycle, regulating sleep, metabolism, and behavior. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) play a crucial role in this process; however, their subtypes and specific connectivity patterns are not fully understood. Refining our understanding of ipRGC diversity is critical for uncovering how retinal signals shape circadian rhythms. This project aims to compare the labeling, connectivity, and functionality of ipRGC subtypes using two transgenic mouse models, Opn4-Cre-PVIB-FLPO-INTRS-GFP and OPN4-GFP. We hypothesize that the dual reporter model will provide greater specificity in targeting ipRGC subpopulations and offer new insights into how these cells contribute to circadian photoentrainment. We will use immunohistochemistry, perfusions, and cryosectioning to compare expression patterns of ipRGCs in relation to circadian centers such as the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Fluorescent labeling and high-resolution imaging will be used to map ipRGC subtypes, allowing us to assess their connectivity and functional diversity. Additionally, we will examine the extent to which these subtypes project to other non-image-forming brain regions, such as the olivary pretectal nucleus (OPN) and intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), to gain a broader perspective on their role in circadian regulation. Preliminary findings suggest that the Opn4-Cre-PVIB-FLPO-INTRS-GFP model enhances targeting specificity in labeling ipRGC subtypes, particularly within the M4 pathway. This improved specificity will help refine our understanding of the functional heterogeneity within ipRGCs. By improving the precision of ipRGC mapping, this research will advance our knowledge of retinal contributions toward circadian regulation. These findings may provide a foundation for future studies on circadian rhythm disruptions and lead to more effective light-based interventions for sleep and mood disorders, potentially improving therapeutic strategies for individuals with conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or shift work sleep disorder

The present understanding of increased plume formation in bottom-heated mantle convection comes from an analysis of a mobile lid tectonic regime, such as plate tectonics. It is unknown if this correlation between convection style and plume formation is present in a stagnant lid tectonic regime, such as on Venus. Using underworld3, the research models both bottom- and internally-heated mantle convection in a stagnant lid regime to observe the effects on plume formation. We model a pie-slice of mantle and lithosphere with periodic boundaries on a timescale of ~0.5-1 Ga. This work has implications for understanding the origins of the many plumes on Venus, which provides insight to its mantle convection style and therefore its internal composition.

The ongoing conflict in Syria has created a humanitarian crisis, leaving many without adequate access to emergency aid. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combines spatial and logistical data to optimize the placement of emergency aid stations, ensuring efficient and equitable distribution of resources. This project aims to identify potential locations for aid stations in Syria by considering pertinent factors, including proximity to affected populations, infrastructure accessibility, and conflict zone boundaries.

A major challenge in distribution of humanitarian aid is identifying locations where aid is often delayed or inaccessible due to proximity to hospitals and other facilities. By employing a GIS model that incorporates high-resolution raster data, road networks, and conflict zone analysis, this project evaluates potential sites based on their accessibility and ability to serve both conflict-affected and refugee populations. The model uses road networks from open source data and satellite imagery to assess the time required to reach key areas, helping to prioritize aid station placement where it can most effectively alleviate shortages.

The project focuses on areas that are further from hospitals, ensuring that underserved regions receive timely aid. The analysis provides an evidence-based approach for NGOs and other humanitarian organizations, helping to guide decision-making and improve the efficiency of aid delivery.

Ultimately, this project contributes to the broader goal of improving disaster preparedness and response in conflict zones. These features allow the model to be used and modified by any agency or individual with need. The unique value of this model is in large part due to the use of open source tools, aided by real-time data, and collaboration by use of cloud environments. Organizations that utilize GIS for humanitarian purposes, like the OpenStreetMap “HOT” service and GIS Corps offer volunteer services to provide data synthesis for areas that require relief work. By utilizing GIS tools to optimize aid station locations, better support for more resilient and sustainable humanitarian efforts in Syria and similar regions facing crisis.

Desert kangaroo rats (Dipodomys deserti) construct burrows that create protected microenvironments, promoting increased microbial activity and biofilm formation. These biofilms bind sand particles together, enhancing the tensile strength of the burrows. Our previous work demonstrated that kangaroo rat burrows exhibit significantly higher tensile strength than surrounding surface sand due to the cementation effects of biofilms. Previous studies treated clean sand with biofilms to improve its mechanical strength and have reported varying effectiveness depending on the biofilm species used. In this study, we hypothesize that a fungal species isolated from naturally biocemented burrow soil can enhance the tensile strength of clean sand through biofilm-induced cementation. We isolated and identified Aspergillus tamarii, a dominant fungal species found in kangaroo rat burrows in the Sonoran Desert, AZ. Subsequently, we developed a method for large-scale production of A. tamarii. The process involved growing A.tamarii into pellet form in batch reactors, filtering the pellets, then drying them for 24 hours at 60^oC. Once dried, they were ground into fine powder and inoculated into clean sand for tensile strength testing. First, two methods of inoculating A. tamarii into sand were tested: one involved autoclaving the fungal pellets before powderization, while the other was conducted without autoclaving. We then investigated the effect of ion (Calcium and Magnesium) enhanced growth media on the tensile strength of sand. Brazilian tensile strength tests revealed that the addition of 5% non-autoclaved fungal biomass resulted in up to 120kPa tensile strength. Furthermore, calcium and magnesium enrichment in the fungal growth media showed significant increase in tensile strength of sand. Microscopy imaging confirmed biofilm-induced cementation through fungal biopolymer formations. The high tensile strength observed using A. tamarii suggests its potential as a natural cementing agent for soil improvement in geotechnical engineering applications.

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menses that is accompanied by the depletion of ovarian follicles, resulting in declining levels of estrogen in women. This natural process induces symptoms such as weight gain, uneven fat distribution, sleep disturbances, dysregulated temperature, and irritability. Cannabis use has become increasingly popular among menopausal women, yet its significance to metabolic effects within this population is poorly understood. The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in energy distribution, metabolism and adiposity, which are altered during menopause. Ovariectomy (bilateral removal of ovaries) is often used in preclinical research to reduce the circulating levels of estrogens and mimic aspects of menopause. Aiming to test the effectiveness of cannabis in reducing menopause-induced metabolic side effects, young adult (postnatal day 90) ovariectomized (OVX) and sham surgery (SHAM) female mice were exposed to 21 days of daily vaporized cannabis (CAN), vehicle (VEH, PEG-400), or room air sessions. Metabolic characteristics were tracked starting one week prior to OVX or sham surgery and throughout the 21 days of vapor exposure. Measurements included body weight, body composition, activity level in the home cage and pellets consumed per day. Following euthanasia, uteri and gonadal fat pads were weighed. Our preliminary data indicate that OVX surgery was successful, as uteri weighed significantly less in OVX compared to SHAM mice. Our preliminary data indicate that OVX had the expected effects of increased weight gain and increased fat accumulation. Ongoing data collection will clarify whether cannabis modifies the effect of OVX on these outcome measures. While data analysis is ongoing, changes in activity levels and food intake may indicate a potential link to cannabis regulating metabolic homeostasis in the absence of estrogen. Future data collection will allow further exploration of how cannabis interacts with menopausal metabolic shifts. This interaction can ultimately provide insight into potential adverse effects or therapeutic remedies for menopause aged females.

Previous research has examined how effects of acclimatization might impact exposure to hotter or colder environments. Ideally, acclimatization usually takes place over the course of one to two weeks when gradual exposure is possible, however this is not always a realistic situation for everyone (CDC, 2024). Previous research has shown that acclimatization enhances comfort perceptions with one study noting that acclimatization improves heat tolerance and reduces discomfort during exposure to high ambient temperatures (Schweiker et al., 2018). Additionally, factors like age and gender influence thermal comfort. One study suggested that younger adults generally experience a higher preferred temperature than older adults, highlighting the importance of considering individual differences in thermal research (Battistel et al., 2023). This study examines how ambient outdoor temperature and preferences of participants might be related to comfort and the perception of temperature during an experimental heat manipulation. Participants were all young healthy adults (18 – 35 years old) who completed two 50-minute sessions in a temperature chamber set at 70 °F (neutral) and 110 °F (hot condition). As a possible covariate, outdoor temperature and humidity were noted at the start of each session. Perceptions of temperature and comfort levels were measured four times throughout the session. Additionally, prior to arriving at the session participants filled out a baseline survey where temperature preferences were measured. I propose to examine the relationship between outdoor temperature (at time of session), participants’ thermal comfort and perception during heat exposure. I will also examine whether participants’ general temperature preferences impact heat perception and discomfort during the session. From a methodological approach this study focuses on a combination of controlled experimental conditions, repeated measures, individual differences (like baseline temperature preferences), and real-world covariates like outdoor temperature and humidity. With these factors it helps researchers draw meaningful conclusions about the relationship between acclimatization, thermal comfort, and environmental factors. This approach has the potential to enhance our understanding of complex factors that influence thermal comfort perceptions, particularly in extreme conditions.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the leading substance use disorder in the US (NSDUH, 2020). To better understand the neurological underpinnings of AUD, researchers often utilize rodent models. However, female mice have historically been understudied due to estrous cycle complexity. Importantly, current biomedical research involving mice often involves single housing conditions, which is known to increase anxiety levels in female mice compared to their male counterparts (Palanza, 2001). Additionally, in contrast to humans, it is well established that female mice voluntarily consume more alcohol than male mice (Radke, 2021). Given these findings, it is critical to determine how single and group housing differentially influence stress and voluntary ethanol (EtOH) consumption between sexes. I hypothesized that stress in female mice under single housing conditions increases their EtOH consumption relative to less stressed group-housed mice. To assess my hypothesis, male and female mice started in group or single housing conditions with daily two-hour periods of open access to two bottles each, one with 10% EtOH and another with water. After three weeks when steady levels of EtOH consumption had been reached, mice were switched to the other housing condition, single or group, and their EtOH consumption was compared. In parallel experiments, we compared stress and negative emotionality between the two housing conditions by quantifying blood corticosterone (CORT) and low frequency ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), respectively. CORT levels were measured in each mouse three days after USV sessions to assess basal stress levels. Interestingly, we found that single housed female mice consumed significantly more EtOH than group housed female mice (licks: p=0.005; g/kg: p=0.005), but there were no significant differences in males. Additionally, female mice overall had significantly higher blood corticosterone levels (p=0.032) than male mice despite no differences in low frequency USVs, suggesting an increase in basal stress but no differences in vocalized negative emotionality. Through this experiment, we gained insight into how single housing stress may contribute to excessive EtOH consumption in female mice. Data from this study provides foundational support for differential housing conditions for males and females to minimize stress during experimentation.

What happens after you die? How do we find meaning in a world where suffering is inevitable and unjust? What actually goes down at a Texas Roadhouse? God and the Devil attempt to answer all these questions and more in Post-Promethia, a two-hour, two-woman show. Set on a classic American road trip, Post-Promethia draws from multiple religious traditions and classical mythology to retell the story of redemption in a contemporary setting. Inspired predominately by the works of Milton and Aeschylus, Post-Promethia reimagines the relationship between God and the Devil as one of individual insecurity, mutual blame, and eventual reconciliation. This play was inspired by the widespread critique that Milton’s Devil in Paradise Lost was “too Promethean”– that his portrayal gave Lucifer too much humanity, and would inspire feelings of pity within his readers. In Post-Promethia, the Devil is similarly aligned with humanity, as he attempts to preserve human life for the sake of his own redemption against God’s wish to destroy Earth. As the Devil contends with his selfish nature and simultaneous desire for others approval, so too does God wrestle with his desire for perfection and his inability to achieve it. Through their interactions with classic American culture, including farmers markets, mega churches, national parks, military recruiters, and an actual cult, God and the Devil unveil the meaning of suffering, our moral duty to others, and the value of life despite its hardships.

Post-Promethia was written over the course of two years, seeing the authors through travels, studies, cult interactions, and religious pilgrimages. The source list is composed of over twenty major religious and academic sources from the Western canon, including the works of Dante, Plato, Ovid, Sartre, Nietzsche, and more. Edits of the original script were overseen by students and faculty of the Department of Theatre, Film & Television Studies at Aberystwyth University in Aberystwyth, Wales. The performance opened at Washington State University on October 18th and 19th, in Wadleigh Theatre through Stage Student Theatre. It received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and garnered audience praise through a response form.

Introduction: The phenomenon of "the munchies" is well-known, but there is very little scientific research examining the phenomenon. This clinical trial examines the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on food intake and whether food intake is associated with decreases in intoxication ratings.

Methods: Participants (N = 92) were healthy adult (21+) cannabis users recruited from the Pullman community. They were randomly assigned to vaporize placebo (n = 31), 20 mg THC (n = 30), or 40 mg THC (n = 31) using a Volcano Vaporizer in a double-blind manner. After vaporizing cannabis or placebo, participants completed 1 hour of memory tests and then spent 3 hours in a "chill-out" room stocked with a variety of snacks and beverages. Research assistants observed participants through a one-way mirror, recorded their food and beverage intake, taste ratings for each item, and self-reported intoxication ratings at 30-minute intervals.

Results: One-way ANOVAs revealed significant differences in total caloric and macronutrient intake between groups (all p-values < .0001), with both THC groups consuming significantly more calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein than the placebo group (p < .0001), but no significant differences were found between the 20 mg and 40 mg THC groups (p = .171). Pearson correlations indicated that higher intoxication ratings were significantly associated with increased calorie (r = 0.50), fat (r = 0.49), carbohydrate (r = 0.48), and protein (r = 0.40) intake (all p-values < .0001). Additional analyses revealed significant negative correlations between the change in intoxication level and caloric/macronutrient intake during the first hour. Total caloric intake was negatively correlated with the change in "high" (r = -0.25, p < .0001), with a moderate sized correlation with fat intake (r = -0.30, p < .0001), and small sized correlations for carbohydrate (r = -0.21, p < .0001) and protein intake (r = -0.10, p = .0011).

Discussion: These results suggest that THC increases food intake, and this increase is associated with subsequent reductions in intoxication ratings —possibly reflecting the body’s attempt to metabolize and clear THC, with the "munchies" serving as a physiological response to restore homeostasis.

Lactate oxidase (LOX) from the bacteria Aerococcus viridans is an enzyme that converts lactate and oxygen into pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide. It is thought to reduce breast cancer (BC) cell growth by limiting lactate, a key energy source for BC cells, and causing oxidative stress by producing hydrogen peroxide. These effects alone, however, could not reduce BC tumor growth, and LOX was shown to associate with BC tumors over normal tissue, suggesting other mechanisms are involved. Uncovering these mechanisms could help in developing a new BC treatment.

Our studies revealed that LOX selectively binds PAFAH1B2, the beta subunit of an enzymatic complex involved in tumor progression, found in high levels in BC cells but low levels in normal cells. Solving the structure of the complex could take years. To speed up the process, we used crystal structures of LOX and PAFAH1B2 to generate 10 models of the most probable orientations of the proteins for an interaction to occur. We then confirmed their stability by placing the models in a simulated natural environment and used molecular dynamic simulations to determine whether long-lasting stable complexes were formed.

Long-lasting stable complexes were formed in two similarly oriented models, suggesting that these models represent the actual PAFAH1B2 and LOX protein interaction. The amino acid residues critical for binding stability during the simulations were identified from the most stable models and will be used in further studies confirming the binding mode and uncovering how the LOX-PAFAH1B2 interaction suppresses BC tumor growth.

AI-driven methods have gained significant attention and achieved promising results in cancer detection. However, early detection of pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge due to the inherent class imbalance in medical data and difficulties in data collection. This research aims to address these challenges by integrating two AI-based approaches. To mitigate class imbalance, we propose a combination of cost-sensitive learning and data augmentation techniques. For data collection, we leverage federated learning as a decentralized training framework to enhance data privacy while enabling collaborative model training across multiple institutions. The anticipated outcomes include improved early detection rates, enhanced diagnostic accuracy, and better generalization across diverse data modalities.

Black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) and white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) were once abundant across western North America. However, populations in both species have greatly declined across their range and are now considered to be functionally extirpated in the Pacific Northwest. These declines have been attributed to early depredation control, altered predator communities, habitat loss, and climate change. This study aims to determine habitat characteristics associated with occupancy of both species of jackrabbits using camera trapping images in eastern Washington. We build models predicting jackrabbit occupancy from remotely-sensed GIS layers (e.g., topography, roads, cropland use, plant communities).  Our models will expand the limited knowledge available for wildlife managers on jackrabbit ecology, distribution, and habitat selection in the sagebrush steppe in eastern Washington. Additionally, these findings could inform a review of the status of both jackrabbit species as state candidate species, and allow a listing for State Endangered, Threatened, or Sensitive.

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is a gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium and is the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Query (Q) fever in humans. The most common route of infection is through inhalation of contaminated aerosols from infected livestock, which can present asymptomatically or as flu-like symptoms; <5% of people infected will develop chronic Q fever. It is highly infectious, needing ≤10 particles to cause disease. C. burnetii creates a Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV) within cells, affecting the uptake of glucose, leading to pH changes, lack of host cell nutrients, and apoptosis. Previous models demonstrate Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) flies are susceptible to the Nine Mile phase II (NMII) strain of C. burnetii. Here, we examine modified strains of C. burnetii NMII using the D. melanogaster model. We infected a group of flies with a carbonic anhydrase deletion, Tn425, and a group with a carbonic anhydrase complemented Tn425. We used phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), as our negative control, and Nine Mile phase II (NMII), as our positive control. We hypothesized that due to the anhydrase deletion, the fly's cells would be able to overcome infection, and predicted that this group would then show mortality rates similar to the negative control. Conversely, with the carbonic anhydrase complimented Tn425, we predicted that mortality rates would better replicate those of the negative control. Our preliminary data supports our hypothesis that the anhydrase deletion exhibits lower mortality rates. The data also support the sex-dependent mortality rates demonstrated in previous C. burnetii D. melanogaster infections. This research will help to better our understanding of the C. burnetii infection pathways, helping to mend the knowledge gap about this zoonotic disease and possible treatments.

Antibodies are the key to preventing the human immune system from infection either bacterial, viral, or parasitic, and play an important role on protection against SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies are used to fight infectious pathogens in two pathways: neutralization through the antigen binding (Fab) domain or through activation of Innate immune cell response through Fc-Receptors. For SARS-CoV-2, antibody neutralization can happen if the virus Glycoprotein called spike is blocked from the receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) present on epithelial cells at the nose, mouth, and lungs. Monoclonal Antibodies have been used as immunotherapies. Monoclonal Antibodies can be made in labs to better engage the innate immune system and create better responses to an infection. We do this by using Golden Gate cloning to specifically make point mutations in the Fc domain of the antibody CR3022 to better interact with innate immune cells. As the Fc mutated antibodies interact with innate immune cells through the Fc-receptors present on these cells, we tested the binding capability of these Fc mutated antibodies to Fc-receptors. Bio-layer interferometry allowed us to collect quantitative data for different Fc-receptors, FcγRI, FcγR2A, and FcγR3A  which are present on the surface of monocytes. We found that different Fc mutations altered the binding to different Fc-receptors. We observed a high binding affinity to FcγRI which can induce phagocytosis, the engulfing of a pathogen. Not all Fc-mutated antibodies limited FcγRI but with low affinity receptors FcγR2A, and FcγR3A and had a medium binding affinity were nulled. We aim to create more point mutations within our gene region to specifically bind each receptor. This will allow us to better understand how a antibody interacts with innate immune cells to elicit a response through each Fc-Receptor.

Objective: This study explores how compensatory strategy (CS) use by older adults supports completion of future everyday tasks, which require prospective memory (PM). Based on prior research, we hypothesized that better PM performance would correlate with several commonly used strategies, including digital/technology-based strategies, alarms, paper notes, and environmental cues.

Method: Participants were 143 older adults (M age = 69.52; 77% female; M years education = 16.85). Between testing sessions participants completed two PM tasks: complete questionnaires and call lab at specified time; record exercise and provide information when cued at second testing session. Participants were encouraged to use strategies to facilitate successful completion. At session two, accuracy of PM performance was recorded (PM Accuracy; higher scores indicated better performance) and strategies used to support PM task completion were categorized as follows: technology, paper planners, loose paper, internal, organization, simplify, part of routine, alarm, asking for help, and environmental cues. Spearman correlations were used to examine associations among strategy type and PM Accuracy. Hierarchical regression was used to determine which strategies predicted PM Accuracy. Demographic variables significantly related to the outcome variable (age, global cognition) were used as covariates. Global cognition was measured using the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICS).

Results: Better PM Accuracy was significantly, positively related to use of technologybased strategies (𝑟𝑠=.21, p = .01), internal strategies (𝑟𝑠=.18, p = .03), alarms (𝑟𝑠= .36, p < .001), environmental cues (𝑟𝑠= .21, p = .01), and trended towards significance for simplifying (𝑟𝑠= .15, p = .076). Hierarchical regression revealed that the addition of CS significantly predicted PM accuracy (16% additional variance explained, F(7, 135) = 7.00, p < .001), above and beyond demographics. Specifically, alarms (b = 0.33, SEb = 0.14, β = .20, p = .02) and environmental cues (b = 0.42, SEb = 0.14, β = .23, p = .003) emerged as significant predictors.

Conclusion: Results showed that the use of specific types of strategies may benefit realworld PM performances of older adults. Findings may inform cognitive interventions on which strategies may best support functional independence for those experiencing symptoms of cognitive decline.

This research will explore young adult books to which adolescents are exposed in various spaces, including local and national bookstores, as well as online sites focused on literature.  The researcher catalogs the various perspectives and identities reflected in the books found after compiling yearly published young adult literature (YAL) and thematically coding it for representation and other content aspects. With a focus on Asian American YAL, the researcher identified what books are celebrated under “Best Books” lists from reputable literary awards, reader’s choice awards, and books displayed in local bookstores in Washington State and Idaho, including universities and popular bookstores. Current findings show that Asian American narratives and authors are underrepresented in comparison to their White counterparts. Discussion includes possible reasons for the lack of representations of the othered, which are thus further minoritized. The researcher calls for a needed change with retailers and readers to diversify narratives consumed with YAL.

Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) deposits in northern Chile primarily consists of Jurassic-Cretaceous volcanic (andesite) and plutonic (diorite) rocks. The formation of these rocks was the result of crustal extension in the late Cretaceous that created a low-relief volcanic arc, an environment suitable for ore mineralization. The processes driving ore mineralization in northern Chile are typically attributed to arc-magmatism and associated fluids. However, the exact source of the fluids driving ore mineralization remains unclear. This study aims to identify the source of the fluids that formed in an IOCG deposit by examining halogen (Cl/Br) ratios in scapolite. Scapolite is a halogen-bearing mineral phase that has been determined to be an important tool for characterizing fluids, as its Cl/Br ratios are a direct reflection of the fluid from which it crystallized. Different fluid reservoirs (e.g. seawater, magmatic fluids, evaporites, and residual bittern brines) have distinct Cl/Br ratios so by quantifying this ratio in scapolite we can classify the source of the fluids that formed the IOCG deposit. To achieve this, scapolite from two separate drill-core samples were analyzed via electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The EPMA data show an average Cl concentration of ~3.57 wt. % and indicate that some scapolite occurs as veinlets, sometimes closely associated with ore minerals. My LA-ICP-MS analyses of scapolite yield a surprising result: the fluids that lead to scapolite formation are not magmatic, as would be expected in such systems. The geochemical signatures of the studied minerals suggest that the source of these salty fluids was sedimentary, likely accumulated in a deep sedimentary basin. The findings from this project are crucial for understanding the formation of IOCG ore deposits, particularly regarding the roles magmatic versus sedimentary fluids play in the mobility of base metals and the alteration of such systems pre-, syn-, and post-ore formation. Identifying the source of mineralizing fluids can improve various exploration models while contributing to how mineralizing systems can evolve in various geological settings.

Since plants lack mobility, they have evolved complex methods to survive and reproduce by reacting to environmental changes. Plants adjust their survival mechanisms through gene activation and deactivation during stressful conditions such as drought. Our research focuses on the AT-HOOK MOTIF CONTAINING NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) gene family which have been most studied in Arabidopsis thaliana which serves as a model organism for plant studies. Our research aims to determine how AHL genes function as they appear to regulate other genes through switch-like mechanisms. The majority of scientific research on AHLs has been conducted using Arabidopsis because it serves as a dicot model. In addition to our work with Arabidopsis, we study Brachypodium distachyon which serves as a monocot grass model. Brachypodium holds significance due to its genetic relationship with vital crops such as wheat and barley. The study of AHL gene function in both Arabidopsis (dicot) and Brachypodium (monocot) enables us to understand how these genes regulate key plant characteristics such as flowering time. Our research aims to assess the effects of AHL gene groups clade A and clade B on plant growth and development with a focus on flowering time. Previous studies have examined these two groups but our research focuses on their functions in both Arabidopsis and Brachypodium. The comparison demonstrates whether research findings from Arabidopsis apply to crops that hold economic significance. Our research aims to determine whether AHLs hold the same significance for grass monocots as they do for dicots. Our study demonstrates that AHL genes play crucial roles in Brachypodium seedling growth, root development, and flowering time in a manner similar to that seen in Arabidopsis. AHLs have maintained similar functions throughout plant evolution since before the emergence of flowering plants. Learning about these genes may enable us to enhance crop development in future crop improvement efforts.

Legged robots have demonstrated superior mobility over wheeled platforms in complex environments such as human-oriented spaces and emergency scenarios, making them a key focus in robotics research and industry. Despite this, previous research on legged robots has primarily been conducted in industry and graduate-level academia, leaving limited opportunities for undergraduate students to get hands-on experience with robotic walkers. We addressed this gap by designing, manufacturing, and assembling Marshall, a fully 3d printed, 8 kg, 12-degree-of-freedom quadruped robot during the 2024-2025 academic year. With Marshall feature complete, we have already begun the development of more capable platforms to be manufactured next semester with SLAM, computer vision, and more powerful actuators. Our work resulted in the first indigenously developed quadruped at WSU to achieve untethered walking, demonstrating the feasibility of student-led robotics innovation here in Pullman.

Striated muscle contraction is regulated by many different proteins within the sarcomere. For proper muscle contraction to occur, the thick and thin filament, primarily composed of myosin and actin, respectively, must be properly maintained. Leiomodin-2 (Lmod2), an actin-binding protein found in cardiac muscle, helps regulate the length of thin filaments (TFs) in the sarcomere. Although initially Lmod2 was thought to only bind the pointed end of the TF via two N-terminal actin-binding sites (ABSs), we recently discovered that Lmod2 can bind along the sides of the TF in a Ca2+-dependent manner via three actin-binding sites located in the C-terminal region of the protein. We cloned and purified a fragment containing one of the two newly discovered ABSs from residues 454-521 and performed co-sedimentation assays with TFs to test its competition with full-length Lmod2. We found that the fragment can bind independently to TFs, however, there was no reduction in the amount of full-length Lmod2 that binds TFs with the addition of the fragment. We also performed co-sedimentation of the fragment at low or high Ca2+ concentrations. We found that a statistically significant amount of the fragment bound at the higher calcium concentration, though it remains unclear whether this is due to the activation of the thin filament or if the fragment itself is responsible.

Introduction: Cooking is a complex everyday task requiring both cognitive and physical abilities, which can decline with age and neurodegenerative disorders, impacting independence. This study investigated how cognition and physical function predict accuracy and duration on a naturalistic cooking task, hypothesizing significant relationships for both.

Methods: Participants were 35 community-dwelling older adults, across the cognitive continuum from cognitively healthy adult to mild dementia (age in years: M = 74.40; education in years: M = 16.46; 69% female; 97% White, Non-Hispanic or Latino). Participants were asked to complete a naturalistic cooking task in their own homes. Participants were instructed to slice an apple, prepare a slice of toast with jelly, fry or scramble an egg, prepare a glass of water, clean all items used, and bring all items to the kitchen table. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognition. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was used to assess physical functioning, specifically gait and balance. Hierarchical and multiple regression analyses were conducted controlling for demographic variables related to outcome measures.

Results: After controlling for sex, hierarchical regression revealed that the addition of cognition and physical function significantly improved the prediction of cooking accuracy, DR2 = .44, DF(2, 31) = 16.05, p = < .001. In the final model, both cognition, t(31) = -5.09, p .05.

Conclusions: This finding highlights the crucial role of cognition in cooking task accuracy, over and above differences between males and females. Females tended to perform more accurately on the cooking task, which may reflect generational effects where women primarily did the cooking. To better support independent living in older adults, future research should explore additional factors influencing everyday functional performance as well as ways to mitigate difficulties.

During the time of Z-form DNA's (Z-DNA) discovery, they were unaware of its role in the cell. Today, it is believed that the Z-DNA conformation is associated with cellular stress and can even induce cell death. The program Zhunt3 was established to determine a given sequences propensity to take this Z conformation. It was proposed by that same developer that the Z-conformation may play a role in transcription factor binding via the conformational change allowing for more efficient binding to DNA. To this end we utilized zhunt3 to map the human genome for Z-DNA prone Regions (ZDRs) with notation of known genomic features including genes, pseudogenes and intergenic regions. We further analyze these high propensity sequences across eukaryotic model organisms to analyze for patterns between ZDR and Transcription Factor relationships as well as points of conservation of high ZDNA propensity. Through this analysis we hypothesized that Z-DNA may play a role in stress-related transcriptional changes potentially allowing for a quicker response to stress factors.

Colloidal Metal Oxide Nanocrystals (NCs) have the potential to improve photocatalysis for organic wastes, such as phenols and Methylene Blue, due to having high photostability and tunability, and it is their tunability that causes them to be the target for subsequent research. This research plans to employ modern synthetic techniques to form chromium-doped strontium and chromium-doped barium titanate NCs using hydrothermal synthesis at high temperature and pressure. By controlling the size and dopant, we will be able to explore and manipulate the properties of the nanomaterial. The role dopants have on stabilizing the compositions of the material will be studied. This project will use state of the art instrumentation, such as Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and X-Ray Diffraction, to confirm structure, structure formation, electronic structure, and phase stability. By exploring the properties of chromium-doped barium and chromium-doped strontium NCs, the discoveries made here will inform understanding of photocatalysis applications to reduce the pollution of wastewater and also enable structural property correlations to be made.

Kangaroo rats are known for their remarkable ability to navigate diverse terrains with high-frequency hopping. However, whether they need to generate different muscle forces to hop on different surface substrates is unknown. This study aims to analyze and compare the ankle extensor forces of kangaroo rats while hopping on sand and solid surfaces using kinematic and in vivo force data. We used a custom-built circular treadmill with a wooden surface by itself and then added sand to simulate natural terrain variability. High-speed video recordings captured each hop, and DeepLabCut (DLC), a machine learning-based pose estimation software, was employed to track anatomical landmarks. We then extracted kinematic data and synchronized it with in vivo ankle extensor force measurements to assess muscle control strategies. Force patterns were analyzed by isolating data from 0.1 seconds before to 0.2 seconds after landing. Our results indicate that muscle forces were similar for hopping on sand and solid surfaces, suggesting that kangaroo rats employ similar neuromuscular control strategies to regulate muscle forces regardless of substrate properties. In previous studies, the general characteristics of hopping, like the overall frequency and time spent on surface versus in flight, was not different between both surfaces. Our results for muscle forces agreed with the lack of differences, implying their feet are able to provide a stable platform for propulsion even on sand. Our findings provide insight into how kangaroo rats adapt their locomotor mechanics to variable terrains, which has implications for biomechanics, ecology, and bio-inspired robotics. The integration of deep learning and force analysis proved effective in streamlining data processing while maintaining accuracy. This approach offers a powerful tool for investigating locomotor adaptations in subjects that thrive in variable environments.

Fetal alcohol exposure is associated with a myriad of nervous system impacts. Retinal abnormalities and visual deficits are both common and highly underdiagnosed features observed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Pre-natal exposure to ethanol increases the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in the fetus, which can lead to visual dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and other health defects. Evidence suggests that therapeutic hypothermia can be neuroprotective when applied to cases of retinal ischemia, retinal hypoxia, and other ROS linked eye diseases. The role of hypothermia in protecting against retinal damage caused by pre-natal alcohol exposure remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if therapeutic hypothermia can be neuroprotective against ethanol-associated retinal damage.

Zebrafish larvae entrained to a 12:12 light–dark (LD) cycle at normal temperature (28°C) were exposed to a 6h period of mild hypothermia (22°C) or hyperthermia (34°C) prior to daytime-only treatment of 1% EtOH from 5 through 7 days post-fertilization (dpf). Survival rate was assessed every 24h from 5-9 dpf. The functional effects of EtOH were determined using an optomotor response (OMR) assay at 2 days post-exposure. Whole eye samples (n=8-10) were collected at zeitgeber times (ZT) 0, 6, and 18 at 2 days post-exposure for subsequent RT-qPCR.

Exposure to repeated daytime bouts of 1% EtOH significantly reduced OMR visual performance, and increased mortality, compared to controls. Mild hypothermia (22°C) significantly mitigated the decrement in visual performance following EtOH exposure compared to larvae maintained at 28°C, whereas mild hyperthermia (34°C) showed no significant rescue. We also observed transcript differences in the eye for a subset of genes related to redox homeostasis, proteostasis, and cold/heat-shock genes known to provide protection against neuronal damage; specifically, the catalyzing enzyme for reducing oxidant levels, gpx1a (p<0.05, n=4), ubiquitin E3 ligase, park2 (p<0.05, n=4), and the cold stress-response factor for mRNA stability and translation, cirbpb (p<0.05, n=4).

Together, these results demonstrate that mild hypothermia may influence vulnerability to EtOH damage in neurons and potentially involve mechanisms associated with preserving redox homeostasis and proteostasis under oxidative stress.

Deficits in cognitive flexibility, or the ability to change strategies according to shifting environmental demands, is a core symptom of many stress-related neuropsychiatric illnesses including major depression. Recruitment of the mesolimbic dopamine pathway is fundamentally involved in flexible decision making but the upstream mechanisms that modulate the mesolimbic pathway to orchestrate cognitive flexibility are less well understood. The lateral habenula (LHb) is an evolutionarily conserved brain region that has dense excitatory inputs to the ventral midbrain to dynamically constrain activation of mesolimbic dopamine neurons that participate in reward seeking and cognitive flexibility. Clinical and preclinical studies indicate that the LHb is hyperactive in patients with major depression and in rodents exposed to chronic stress, while targeting the LHb has emerged as a viable treatment strategy in patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, the impacts of activating LHb neurons on cognitive flexibility remains largely unknown. 

To this end, we injected an excitatory DREADD construct (AAV9-hSyn-hM3D(Gq)-mCherry) bilaterally into the LHb of Sprague Dawley rats (n = 21 male, 14 female). Following recovery, rats were trained in an operant-based attentional set shifting task where they were required to use different lever-pressing strategies to obtain sucrose reinforcement in daily training sessions. On test day, rats received intraperitoneal injections of the DREADD ligand deschloroclozapine (DCZ; 1mg/ml) to activate LHb neurons (or vehicle) 1 hr prior to testing for cognitive flexibility whereby rats were required to shift the previously learned strategy. Based on the prior literature, we hypothesized that DCZ administration would impair cognitive flexibility relative to vehicle treatment. Contrary to our expectation, we did not find evidence of impaired cognitive flexibility as measured by the number of trials required to meet criterion in the shift and reversal learning components of the task. However, we found that chemogenetic activation of the LHb led to a significant increase in the number of omissions made during the set shifting task, which suggests that LHb activation decreases behavioral engagement during reward-based decision making. Overall, these findings suggest that the LHb is an important site of action underlying engagement of reward-seeking strategies without necessarily affecting flexible decision making.

Changing climates across the world have forced animals to adapt in order to survive. Animals, particularly those in agricultural settings, face significant challenges due to rising temperatures and altered weather patterns. The skin has a critical function in protecting an animal from the environment in which it resides. Within skin, sweat glands play a role in thermoregulation and maintenance of the body’s internal temperature and can be leveraged to better understand the adaptations animals must undergo to survive the effects of climate change. We hypothesize that sweat gland size and density are changing to help animals adapt to different climates. To address this hypothesis, we had a detailed evaluation of the sweat glands of cattle from various age groups and cattle breeds, including Highland and Steer (Bos Taurus). We also investigated the aging of these mini organs in the development of cattle, so we can better understand how their physiological needs shift in climate change. The comparison between Highland and Steer cattle (Bos Taurus) will provide insights into the genetic basis of climate adaptations to genetically engineer cattle to resist climate change. Furthermore, our findings will contribute to a broader understanding of how animals respond to climate change and provide valuable information for sustainable agriculture practices. This study will bring us one step closer to genetically modifying livestock that can survive our changing climates, thus ensuring livestock production and safeguarding global food security for a future world with an ever-warming temperature.

The fashion industry has continuously reinvented itself since its inception, shaping economies and influencing cultures worldwide. However, this industry's rapid production and consumption cycles have led to severe environmental and ethical consequences. Millions of garments are produced annually worldwide, relying on vast use of various resources, and often at the cost of environmental degradation, pollution, and resource depletion. The U.S. EPA estimates that most apparel products end up as waste in landfills, as less than 15% is recycled annually. With fashion production and consumptions rates increasing and utilization rates per item decreasing, textile waste has become a major environmental concern.

This research project explores sustainable solutions within fashion production by repurposing textile waste. I collected and categorized fabric scraps, threads, and textile remnants from student projects accumulated in the apparel design studios at WSU based on color, fiber composition, and size. These materials varied in fiber content, texture and structure, presenting a challenge in finding cohesive reuse methods. Through experimentation with different techniques, I aimed to assign new value to discarded fibers and fabrics, aligning with the principles of a circular economy. Specifically, I designed a garment using a discarded prototype as a base and scraps as surface design elements, using layered fabric and other textile manipulation techniques. The ultimate  goal of this research and creative endeavor was to transform waste into a valuable resource, demonstrating how sustainable practices can be integrated into fashion design to minimize environmental harm.

Migrant farmworkers experience an increased number of workplace hazards and discrimination compared to other demographics. My project will explore if work culture plays a part in this disparity. I will focus my research on my hometown of Wapato, Washington and will conduct informal interviews with migrant farmworkers to record their stories. Among migrant farmworkers there is a notion that you must make yourself indispensable because jobs are not a guarantee. An employer may see this attitude and take full advantage of it, resulting in harsher working conditions for migrant farmworkers than for other employees. This problem is exacerbated as many migrant farmworkers cannot leave their jobs, so employers take advantage of them for cheaper labor. For this project, I aim to provide first-hand accounts of how work culture impacts migrant farmworkers by recording oral histories and bringing to light to these issues within my community. By shedding lights on these issues, I hope to help provide solutions to these issues.

To access atmospheric nitrogen, leguminous plants developed mutualisms with soil bacteria in the genus Rhizobium allowing the bacteria to infect their roots and form structures known as nodules. From these structures, rhizobia convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia via nitrogen-fixation in return for nutrients and shelter from their host. Rhizobia vary in their nitrogen-fixing efficiency and therefore their attractiveness to host plants. To test how hosts determine how to prioritize efficient strains of rhizobia, I evaluated how peas interacted with two isogenic rhizobia strains identified as Fix+ and Fix-. Fix-, the non-fixing bacterium strain lacks the ability to fix nitrogen due to a mutation leading to the inability to take up host carbohydrates. Because the Fix+ and Fix- strains are isogenic, the host plant cannot distinguish between them during inoculation and will form mutualisms with both. Host control occurs only after infection where the host plant will identify nodules composed of inefficient rhizobia and reduce support. Fix+ nodules thrive as they receive plant support, whereas Fix- nodules remain small. I hypothesize that the severity of host control over an inefficient rhizobia strain will be reduced when an efficient strain is present to compensate for nitrogen fixation. Additionally, I hypothesize the concentration of root localized nitrogen will be lower in the mixed treatment group compared to the Fix+ group due to competition with the inefficient Fix- strain. I aimed to identify plant response mechanisms to rhizobia inoculation while quantifying factors such as nodule proliferation, plant morphology, and changes in the carbon/nitrogen ratio in root and shoot tissue depending on the treatment. To test these hypotheses, I prepared four treatment groups using peas, a host plant of rhizobia: a control, a Fix+, a Fix-, and a mixed inoculation group. Two-week-old peas were inoculated with respective treatments and grown for 5, 10, 15, and 20 days before being evaluated. Results indicate that the presence of Fix- in both single and co-inoculated treatments led to reduced plant size, nodule count, and nitrogen content, indicating that plants inoculated with inferior rhizobia strains must spend resources controlling inefficient rhizobia partners.

Waterman (2015) notes that “going through the valley of distress is the route to the peaks of self-understanding and well-being.” In transitioning from sport, athletes must engage in identity work despite confusion and ambiguity (Wendling & Sagas, 2021). Sport governing bodies play a key role in helping athletes navigate career transitions (Hong & Coffee, 2018), yet little is known about how transition emotions and adjustment time affect career development and well-being. Using Marcia’s (1966) identity status paradigm and neo-Eriksonian identity theory, we examined career identity profiles of former NCAA athletes and their relation to well-being, transition duration, and emotional challenges.

We surveyed 358 former NCAA student-athletes (Division I: n = 316; Division II: n = 23), aged 22–40 (200 females, 270 Whites). The questionnaire included the Career Identity Development Inventory and well-being measures (flourishing, career satisfaction, purposeful work, social well-being). We also developed a 5-item scale (α = .94) measuring negative transition feelings and a 3-item scale (α = .89).

A two-step cluster analysis identified six career identity statuses: Achievement (N = 52), Achieving (N = 86), Foreclosure (N = 31), Moratorium (N = 75), Carefree Diffusion (N = 69), and Troubled Diffusion (N = 26). MANOVA results showed that athletes in moratorium and troubled diffusion, who were highly confused about their career identity, reported the lowest well-being scores. In contrast, those in achievement and achieving exhibited optimal career identity status and higher well-being.

Foreclosure and carefree diffusion groups, which avoided career exploration, experienced fewer negative emotions and shorter transitions. Meanwhile, achieved and achieving individuals reported high ambivalent emotions, suggesting that discomfort may serve as a catalyst for growth. Athletes in highly confused statuses experienced greater negative feelings (𝜒²(2, N = 154) = 10.25, p = .006, Cramer’s V = .26), while those in foreclosure and carefree diffusion had shorter transitions (𝜒²(2, N = 154) = 9.25, p = .01, Cramer’s V = .25).

Our findings highlight the paradox of identity growth—embracing the discomfort of transition may foster career identity achievement. Further research is needed to explore the developmental and psychosocial challenges of athlete career transitions.

According to the CDC, more than 75% of US adults do not meet physical activity guidelines. Physical inactivity increases cardiovascular disease risk, while engaging in exercise substantially lowers that risk. Experiential learning projects, like Washington State University’s Health and Fitness Clinic, allow undergraduates to apply exercise training skills in a real-world setting to promote health in the community. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to assess cardiovascular health and fitness outcomes after a 2-month student-led nutrition and exercise clinic. METHODS: Students led clients through a bi-weekly personalized fitness program for 8 weeks based on the clients’ individual needs and goals. Eligible participants were consented to take part in the research study and had their fitness and vascular health assessed before and after the 8-week program. Vascular function was assessed by Doppler ultrasound-measured femoral artery blood flow during a passive leg movement (PLM) test. Vascular stiffness and blood pressure (BP) were measured with SphygmoCor XCEL, including large artery pulse wave velocity (PWV) and both brachial and central BP. General fitness was assessed using a stationary bike test for aerobic fitness, a push-up test for muscular endurance, and a single-leg balance test. Clinic attendance was tracked, and a clinic satisfaction survey was completed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Eleven clients (7 women, 4 men) were consented and completed the 8-week study, with an average clinic attendance rate of 81%. The participants’ rated clinic satisfaction positively, with a score of 4.6 out of 5. There were significant improvements in both aerobic fitness and push-up test score (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed for BP, PLM and PWV tests of vascular health. Despite non-significant changes in blood pressure measurements, 9 participants had clinically meaningful improvements. This included lowering BP categories from high to elevated BP or elevated to normal BP. Similarly, for the balance test, 5 participants raised their scores from below average to above average. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results demonstrate the health benefits of a student-led clinic. This is the first year of a 3-year annual study in which we hope to see continued expansion and improvement.

Cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels are essential in the vertebrate visual organ and phototransduction cascade, helping convert light input into electrical signals in photoreceptors. CNG channels are assembled as tetramers with specialized features for gating and regulation. For example, CNG channels are potentiated following extracellular cleavage by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which increase their sensitivity to sub-saturating cyclic guanosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cGMP). Evidence suggests these channels also are regulated by alternative splicing (AS), producing CNGA3 subunit isoforms. The purpose of this study was to explore AS events for cnga3a transcripts in zebrafish at different stages of development and time-of-day.

To determine the expression levels for these variants in the zebrafish retina, we designed variant-specific primers spanning unique exon-exon junctions to detect AS events for inclusion or exclusion of optional exons 3 (e3), e4, and/or e5 in zebrafish cnga3a. Whole eye samples from larvae (n=8-10 eyes) were collected at zeitgeber times (ZT) 6 and 18 at 7 days post-fertilization (dpf) and retinal tissue (n=2 eyes) was collected from ~2-year-old adults at ZT 3, 9, 15, and 21 for RT-qPCR.

To confirm their specificity, we first tested these primers on plasmid cDNA representing cnga3a splice variants cloned from adult zebrafish; amplicon bands were visualized and confirmed by non-quantitative PCR. Relative mRNA fold changes in adult zebrafish showed a seven-fold increase in expression for the X1 and X2 (p<0.05, n=4) cnga3a variants at ZT21 compared to ZT9, with only a four-fold increase for the X3 (p<0.05, n=4) variant, consistent with previously reported expression of constitutive cnga3a (exons 7 and 8). Comparison between adult and larval zebrafish (7 dpf) shows that splice variant’s X1 and X2 have a consistent profile of expression over 24 hours; however, the X3 (p<0.05, n=4) variant in larvae demonstrated higher expression midday compared to midnight, in contrast to adult transcripts. This suggests that X3 may play a role in early photoreceptor development.

These results provide insight into similarities between human AS events and exon organization (exon synteny) for cnga3 orthologs and their homologous patterns of AS, producing mRNA variants and protein isoforms with specialized gating & regulation during development.

In 2022, roughly 40% of Washington State students were food insecure as defined by the Washington State Experience Survey, a rate three times the national average. Even more alarming is that specific groups of students reported higher levels of food insecurity than the average: LGBTQ+ (55.4%), students with dependents (61.1%), and former foster and homeless youth (75.9%). However, little is known about the ways students' behavior, environment, and sociocultural characteristics impact their relationship to food and food insecurity, and how programs can use this information to design more effective interventions. This study took a mixed-method approach—drawing on semi-structured interviews, skill-based surveys, and state-wide assessments--to identify the barriers and experiences causing food insecurity for students. Students reported a variety of material hardships affecting their food security including finances, time, motivation, accessibility, transportation, and a lack of community around food. Consequently, they reported skipping lunch, breakfast, and/or having irregular mealtimes, while also experiencing limitations to their academic success. Lastly, a main coping strategy for food insecure students is cutting the size of or skipping meals due to limited funds or access to more food, but Washington State Students were less likely to do so compared to the rest of the state. Given the newly defined student experience, the study concludes that institutions of higher education could implement upstream interventions based on student experiences to reduce barriers to education and opportunities for social mobility.

Permafrost peatlands are ideal environments for the accumulation of organic carbon due to low oxygen conditions and high vegetation productivity paired with low decomposition rates. Permafrost peatlands serve as carbon sinks that contribute to a cooling effect on the overall climate of the Earth. However, the degradation of these sinks due to higher ground and air temperatures is changing the rate at which carbon is being released into the atmosphere—a process that can cause a positive climate feedback.

Permafrost peatlands are a mosaic of palsas, raised areas typically consisting of herbaceous shrubs and lichen and underlain by permafrost peat, sphagnum-dominated bogs, and permafrost-free fens dominated by sedges. Prolonged increasing annual temperatures and precipitation result in the thawing of the permafrost which in some cases gives rise to ecosystems that are more methane and carbon dioxide productive such as bogs and fens.

The focus of this research was to compare methane and carbon dioxide fluxes from across a set of thawing sites that have been actively transitioning from palsas to fens over a period of four years: 2018, 2019, 2023, and  2024. In 2024, methane and carbon dioxide fluxes were measured with a static flux chamber and a portable gas analyzer at two palsa and three fen sites in Stordalen Mire, located in a discontinuous permafrost area in Arctic Sweden. Over the four-year period of measurements, the most recently thawed or transitioned sites (palsa to fen) have the highest methane fluxes–even greater than the site that has remained a fen. This indicates that these transition sites are hot spots for microbial decomposition of recently thawed peat and also that their location shifts as thaw progresses making them transient but important locations in these climate-sensitive landscapes.

My project, Green in the Gills, is a result of a Fall 2024 final assignment in Dr. Yichien Cooper's Integrating Arts into the K-12 Curriculum. Focusing on addressing regional issues, this six-week-long assignment encourages us to research, collect, analyze, and apply data to an original piece of handmade textile art as a form of arts-based research through data visualization. I collected data on excessive levels of toxic algae found in Washington State’s lakes and rivers between 2007 and 2024 and researched the impact toxic algae had on people and the environment. I researched toxic algae because it is a problem in the Columbia River. I wanted to understand what it is, why it is so problematic, who is affected, and the factors contributing to its growth. Additionally, I explored whether regional data maps show any visual correlations with the data map I created. Using the information I gathered from Washington State’s Toxic Algae Monitoring Program, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and local news sources (among others), I created a mixed media portrayal of the location, severity, and impact of toxic algae. The resulting piece of art is an abstract form of a Chinook salmon on hand-stitched felt, whose belly can be unbuttoned to reveal a hand-stitched map of Washington State on linen cloth with beads and sequins to represent samples of toxic algae found by county. The act of unbuttoning the salmon is a form of symbolic revelation of the hidden but pressing nature of toxic algae in Washington State. The salmon is also hung from braided yarn and adorned with a hook and beads that spell the most sampled algae, a googly eye, a rhinestone gill, and a "necklace" with 18 small glass jars hung from two strands of yarn and filled with colored beads representing samples per year. Through my research, evaluation, and creative process, I have learned about the impact of toxic algae, and hope to share my interpretation with others by opening up the conversation about human behavior and the consequences of long-term environmental impact on other species.

Despite advancements in medicine, instances of birth defects remain common in human pregnancies. Maternal contributions to birth defects have traditionally been studied, since women carry the embryo throughout its development. However, recent studies indicate that paternal factors have a larger role in embryo development than previously thought. Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) is a widely conserved epigenetic modification that plays a major role in embryo development. While most histones are removed from sperm during sperm production, histone H3 is retained. Interestingly, sperm H3K27me3 levels are linked to male fertility. However, the role of sperm H3K27me3 in fertility remains undefined. To better understand the role of sperm H3K27me3 in offspring development, we used a transgenic mouse line to diminish H3K27me3 methylation. These mice overexpress Kdm6b (Kdm6bOE), which encodes a protein responsible for demethylating H2K27me3. In combination with Nanos2-Cre, which is only active in the male germline, we could accomplish KDM6B Overexpression in sperm. In our ongoing studies, Nanos2-Cre+;Kdm6bOE+ males were mated with wild-type females in a 6-month breeding trial to examine litter sizes, rates of neonatal death, and anatomical abnormalities. Alongside the breeding trial, we collected prenatal embryos from other wild-type females to examine for abnormalities. Our preliminary results have shown decreased litter sizes, along with an increase in instances of prenatal death and an array of developmental abnormalities. Some of the defects observed include musculoskeletal defects such as missing appendages and vertebrae, along with deformed skulls. Our findings suggest that paternal H327me3 in sperm may serve an important role in regulating development of offspring.

This project highlights the creation of interactive visualizations analyzing food service performance and regional trends, utilizing data from the Washington Hospitality Association (WHA) in collaboration with Washington State University (WSU). Using Python, historical data was transformed from wide to long format for more efficient analysis and integrated into a geoJSON shapefile for precise location-based mapping. A key feature of the project is the use of Power BI's beta shapemap functionality, which enables advanced geographical visualizations of performance metrics and regional variations. Ongoing work focuses on implementing benchmarks that compare yearly metrics to national averages. This planned enhancement will ensure districts are identified as high-performing based on standardized measures rather than relative performance alone, offering clearer insights into areas of excellence and growth. Future efforts also include refining dashboard usability and restoring an AWS PostgreSQL infrastructure to enable reliable data generation and long-term project sustainability. Comprehensive documentation will support future researchers in maintaining and building upon this work, ensuring it remains a valuable resource. This presentation will explore the technical methodologies, challenges, and innovative tools that drive this project. By showcasing how data-driven tools, including Power BI's cutting-edge features, can uncover trends and inform strategic decisions in food service, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of partnerships between academia and industry.

Alzheimer’s and dementia (AD) are debilitating neurodegenerative diseases with profound socioeconomic impacts. Previous studies have uncovered various genes and genetic variants linked to AD disease risk. However, understanding how transcription factors (TFs) and gene regulatory networks interpret DNA to cause disease has remained a black box. A recent technological advance, capped small (csRNA)-seq, enables the investigation of gene regulatory networks in human postmortem tissue samples by capturing active transcription processes of both promoters and enhancers. This allows for identifying the gene regulatory basis of dementia-associated disease hallmarks.

Analysis of csRNA-seq data from 15 patients’ brains (region) from a cohort comprising 10 control individuals and five dementia-negative patients reveals differential gene regulation, suggesting distinct changes in gene regulatory networks associated with AD. De novo motif and regression analysis identified TF binding sites associated with differentially regulated TSRs or clinical measures of AD severity, highlighting putative enhancers and highly expressed genes such as TXNIP and RUFY3 in AD patients. The outcomes of this research endeavor highlight gene regulatory differences and the transcription factors, enhancers, and genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, providing original insights into affected brain regions. The goal is to identify perturbations in gene regulation related to clinical and pathological severity of AD. Future directions include expanding the sample size and integrating with a genome-wide association study for more robust assumptions. Identification of gene regulatory differences can reveal potential therapeutic targets for interventions aimed at restoring normal gene regulation and mitigating Alzheimer’s impacts. Overall, this approach secures a proof of principle and identifies putative enhancers and new genes associated with AD patients, paving the way for defining AD-associated transcription factor networks and monumental discoveries with larger sample sizes.

The increasing commercialization and dynamism of contemporary sport demands a deeper understanding of player transitions and social integration. The NCAA’s Transfer Portal, for example, has intensified student-athlete transfers, highlighting the need for effective retention and adaptation strategies. This study examines the role of music autonomy, specifically, the impact of player-controlled music choices, on social interaction and potential positive social outcomes.

Despite the widespread presence of music in sport environments, its role in fostering positive team dynamics remains underexplored. This research addresses this gap by studying the WSU Men’s Club Soccer team during the 2024/25 season. Thirteen newcomers participated, each selecting personal playlists played at key moments (i.e., such as walking onto the field, warm-ups, and cooldowns) times that naturally facilitate unstructured social interaction. More than 50 on-site observations ensured that each player’s music was featured at least four times throughout the season.

To mitigate the limitations of subjective qualitative data, this study employs a democratic data collection approach with rigorous triangulation. Systematic Social Observation (SSO) documented spatial dynamics, interaction types, and socialization radii (Baggetta et al., 2022) when music was played. SSO generates quantitative, observational social science data, while tracing various internal associational dynamics leading to social interaction. These observations were supplemented by pre-season surveys on team cohesion and social capital, as well as end-of-season interviews, which provided deeper insights into the sustained impact of music autonomy on team dynamics.

Preliminary findings indicate that granting new players autonomy over team music significantly enhances sociability, particularly in open practice spaces where interactions were more frequent and diverse than in confined settings such as locker rooms. Most importantly, music—given its unique ability to reflect an individual's diverse life experiences—enabled newcomers to leverage their cultural capital, fostering positive social outcomes such as in-group trust and perceived cohesion. These insights offer practical guidance for sport practitioners on leveraging music for social integration while also introducing a novel methodological approach to studying team socialization.

To further extend these findings, dissemination efforts will include presentations at the WSU Recreation Center and publications on Sport Coach America, ensuring direct engagement with coaches and athletes.

Climate change is broadly expected to increase the frequency and impact of infectious disease in wildlife. This is particularly true for ectotherms that rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature, and who’s physiology and even immune function are consequently temperature-dependent. Pathogen replication is also temperature-dependent, and so the net effect of changing temperatures on the outcome of host-pathogen interactions (e.g., transmission, mortality) are difficult to predict.

For instance, the replication of ranaviruses—a genus of often lethal viruses of ectothermic vertebrates, including amphibians, reptiles, and bony fish—and the outcome of experimental challenge studies vary with environmental temperature. However, there are no clear, consistent patterns. Temperature-dependent replication rates appear to vary a great deal among studies, but these used different virus strains as well as few and idiosyncratic temperatures. Similarly, some studies have found that colder temperatures improve outcomes for hosts (i.e., lower mortality and/or infection intensities) compared to warmer temperatures, while others finding the opposite, but again, the temperatures, virus strains, and host species have differed.

We set out to describe the thermal performance of a suite of five diverse, representative ranaviruses to 1) better characterize viral replication across temperatures and 2) determine whether thermal performance is conserved among strains. We grew each virus at each of five ecologically relevant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, and 32°C) in cell culture (flathead minnow [Pimephales promelas] epithelial cells), collecting samples at 4–6 times post inoculation. We quantified the number of viral genomes in extracted DNA using Taqman real time PCR and then fit a logistic growth model to the data to estimate the intrinsic growth rate of each strain at each temperature. We found that replicate rates were slowest at the temperature extremes—essentially zero at 32°C for most strains. We also found that the temperature at which replication was highest varied among strains. Next steps include examining the replication rate and antiviral response of the host cells as a function of temperature.

Weed science has been largely successful in improving crop yields by focusing on herbicide development and field management techniques. However, increasing number of reported herbicide resistant weed populations across the Pacific Northwest (PNW) has initiated the search for novel weed management strategies. Here, we propose the utilization of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), CRISPR-CAS technology, and tissue culture and regeneration as a multistep strategy to investigate and potentially leverage unique physiological properties of PNW weeds. We chose to first develop tissue culture and plant regeneration protocols for locally significant weed species Chenopodium giganteum (common lambsquarters, goosefoot) and Salsola tragus (Russian thistle, tumble weed). As proof of concept to show C. giganteum and S. tragus are susceptible to gene editing, we also aim to induce a transient but directed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the putative primary acetolactate synthase (ALS) homeologs of each species via a modified CAS9 variant. With this generalized plant regeneration and gene editing pipeline, we hope to provide the tools and framework that will enable the investigation of any weed species. The value of this pipeline underscores the growing need to examine biochemical mechanisms driving off target herbicide resistances, how to potentially inhibit weed seed dispersal, and how to limit weed seed germination.

When picturing the start of transcription, it is likely that most people think of one particular image. One promoter for regulation, one start site to provide a target, and a polymerase to begin one of the most important processes in utilizing DNA. In reality, the initiation of transcription is a highly regulated process that requires more regulation than just the sequence in front of it, otherwise known as the promoter, and thus utilizes unique interactions between different regions of the genetic code in order to determine what kind of transcript will be produced. One such method of regulation involves a region known as an enhancer, interacting with the gene of interest’s promoter in one of two models. The first model is called a localized interaction, where a single enhancer interacts with one promoter at a time via chromatin looping. The second model, broad interaction, involves multiple enhancers and multiple promoters being forced together with cohesion proteins in order to create a highly concentrated area of necessary molecules, like polymerases, for transcription initiation. The goal of this research is to distinguish between the two models, and further decode their function, using enhancer knockouts and transcription start side profiles. Using these methods, localized interactions are indicated if a single promoter’s start site profile is affected, whereas broad interactions will be indicated by a change in multiple promoter’s start site profiles.

With the rise of social networking sites like Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and TikTok, there is a growing concern regarding how these websites impact one’s mental health and self-image. Specifically, I would like to examine whether there is a relationship between social media use (SMU), mental health (MH), and levels of self-esteem (SE), as it is a relevant topic. Previous research has established associations between SMU and various aspects of MH (Kross et al., 2013; Marino et al., 2018; Franco & Carrier, 2020). Additionally, studies have reported that younger generations experience challenges with self-image, elevated levels of anxiety and depression, and high rates of SMU (Prasad, 2023). Given these findings, it is crucial to examine the interrelationships among SMU, MH, and SE.

Hypotheses:

• H1: There is a significant negative correlation between SMU and MH.
• H2: There is a significant negative correlation between SMU and SE.
• H3: There is a significant interaction between MH and SE and SMU.

References:

• Franco, J. A., & Carrier, L. M. (2020). Social media use and depression, anxiety, and stress in Latinos: A correlational study. Human Behavior & Emerging Technologies, 2(3), 227–241. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.205.
• Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., Shablack, H., Jonides, J., & Ybarra, O. (2013). Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well-being in young adults. PloS one, 8(8), e69841. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069841.
• Prasad, S., Ait Souabni, S., Anugwom, G., Aneni, K., Anand, A., Urhi, A., Obi-Azuike, C., Gibson, T., Khan, A., & Oladunjoye, F. (2023). Anxiety and depression amongst youth as adverse effects of using social media : A Review. Annals of medicine and surgery (2012), 85(8), 3974–3981. https://doi.org/10.1097/MS9.0000000000001066.
• Marino, C., Gini, G., Vieno, A., & Spada, M. M. (2018). The associations between problematic Facebook use, psychological distress and well-being among adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 226, 274–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.10.007.

Cannabis is commonly used for stress relief, yet its long-term effects on the stress response remain unclear. Human studies indicate that chronic cannabis users exhibit a blunted cortisol response, suggesting altered stress regulation. Similarly, in a rat model, one month of daily cannabis self-administration results in a blunted stress response, particularly in females.

Objective: The mechanisms underlying this blunted stress response remain unknown. We hypothesize that chronic cannabis use reduces stress-induced activation of CRHR1-positive neurons, with a more pronounced effect in females.

Methods: A transgenic rat model expressing fluorescently tagged CRHR1 receptors was used. Male and female rats underwent 30 days of daily one-hour cannabis vapor self-administration, with a vehicle control group. After 24 hours, all rats were exposed to 30 minutes of restraint stress to activate the stress response. Brains were extracted, sectioned, and immunostained for CFOS, a marker of neuronal activation.

Analysis: Overlapping CFOS expression with CRHR1-positive neurons will identify stress-responsive neuronal activation. We predict reduced CFOS activity in CRHR1-positive neurons, particularly in stress-related brain regions like the central amygdala (CeA), in cannabis self-administering rats compared to controls. Additionally, we expect this effect to be more pronounced in females.

Significance: Understanding the mechanisms of cannabis-induced alterations in the stress response can provide insights into human endocrinology and the rising intersection of cannabis use and stress regulation.

The Redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) is a small fish native to the western United States and is known for having a shiny red stripe along the length of its body. In fishes, a mouth to body length ratio is typically used as an indicator of a fish’s diet, and changes in mouth size due to increases in body size are an evolutionary path of least resistance for transitioning among ecological niches. In particular, fry and adult fish have different relative mouth sizes given their body lengths, which results in substantially differing diets. This research study aims to understand more about the relationship between body size and morphology of various Redside Shiner populations in and around eastern Washington. Measurements were taken using calipers to measure body length, width, and depth; caudal peduncle width and depth; eye diameter; head depth; mouth width and lower jaw length, all with an accuracy of ∓0.01mm. Data was analyzed and converted into linear regressions in R. We hypothesized that there would be a correlation between body length and body width overall, and that populations from ponds and shallow water ecosystems would have disproportionately larger mouths for their body size compared to fish populations in river ecosystems. This study may provide insights into the capacity of fishes to adapt to a changing ecosystem as climate change alters prey availability.

Accurately priced financial options are critical to risk management and strategically made decisions in financial markets. The Black-Scholes model has been the historical standard. However, its assumption of constant volatility often results in pricing errors. This research explores how stochastic volatility models, such as the Heston model, improve option pricing accuracy.

Defining the Black-Scholes and Heston models has highlighted their differences in assumptions and resulting dynamics. Our Python-based Monte Carlo simulation models asset price paths and stochastic volatility using discretization techniques such as Euler-Maruyama. Additionally, it estimates option prices by averaging discounted payoff. Using historical option price data collected from datasets such as Yahoo or Quandl, we will apply the model and compare predictions to market prices. The performance will be evaluated using mean squared error (MSE) metrics.

Our research aims to show how stochastic volatility models reduce pricing errors, especially for options with long maturity or high implied volatilities. This study evaluates when the additional complexity of stochastic models is justified. Extensions would include the addition of features such as price jumps or testing the model on exotic options. Deliverables include a clear explanation of the Heston model and its derivatives, Python code for simulating path and pricing options, and graphs comparing theoretical prices to market prices. As well as, insight into model strengths, limitations, and potential extensions.

Adolescence is a critical period for brain development, particularly in the dopaminergic system which plays a central role in the onset of psychiatric disorders. Environmental stressors, including drugs and psychosocial stressors, experienced during adolescence may contribute to the emergence of psychiatric diseases in adulthood due to disrupting ongoing developmental processes. One remarkable example is the continued growth of dopamine axons, also known as dopamine axon innervation, from the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in adolescence to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in adulthood. This late dopaminergic innervation of mPFC is pivotal for executive functions like behavioral inhibition and sociability. This study aims to investigate how adolescent cannabis exposure impacts dopamine axon innervation to mPFC (Experiment 1) and how combined effects of cannabis exposure and social isolation stress during adolescence impact mPFC-dependent behaviors into adulthood in mice (Experiment 2)

Experiment 1 will focus on the effect of cannabis vapor exposure during adolescence on late-growing dopamine axon innervation of mPFC. Dopamine transporter-Cre (DAT-Cre) mice (n=20) will receive viral injections at postnatal day (p)22 to selectively label dopamine axon terminals that begin in NAc during adolescence but end up in mPFC by adulthood. After 10-days recovery from surgery, pair-housed mice will be randomly assigned to into cannabis (150mg/ml) or vehicle (PEG-400) vapor groups and undergo daily 30 min. exposure sessions from p33-p37. After a 10-day drug-free period, mice will be perfused, and brain sections containing NAc and mPFC will be collected for microscopy dopamine axon terminal quantification.  In experiment 2, mice will be single or pair-housed (n=20/group) from p22-p32, then exposed to cannabis or vehicle vapor from p33-p37 (n=10/group x treatment), followed by a 10-day drug-free period, after which all groups will undergo a series of behavioral tests to measure anxiety, social interaction, and impulsivity in adulthood. Once imaging and behavioral data is analyzed, results from Experiments 1 and 2 will be compared to predict how dopamine innervation could have been affected by cannabis and/or social isolation stress. Although there are limitations in translating findings to humans, this research lays the groundwork for future studies on the interaction between environmental stressors, neurodevelopment, and psychotic disorders.

Many stocks of Pacific salmon, native to the Pacific Northwest, are currently threatened due to a variety of factors including hydropower, hatcheries, overfishing, habitat loss, and introduction of non-native species. While these are well established to be detrimental to salmon, the culmination of these stressors can also influence the natural immune defense against disease. Specifically, the mucus microbiome which influences fish health, and may be essential for fending off pathogens. This project aimed to study the dynamics of the microbiome through mucus sampling, DNA extraction, and genetic analysis. We analyzed several populations of Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon as well as Steelhead from multiple geographically separate populations and characterized changes throughout river migration. We found that different populations of the same species harbored different microbiomes, and that the microbiome did not change throughout river migration.

Understanding the dynamics of Pacific salmon’s mucus can improve our knowledge of disease incidence and disease susceptibility within their populations.. This can improve our knowledge of the physiological factors which influence salmon health, and increase our understanding of adaptive capacities of salmon and steelhead to anthropogenic change.

The Idaho Cobalt Belt, within the Mesoproterozoic Belt Supergroup's Lemhi sub-basin near Salmon, Idaho, exhibits significant enrichment in the “critical” mineral cobalt across various sites. Active exploration for cobalt mineralization is underway. Cobalt serves diverse functions, from powering electric vehicle batteries to being a key component in smartphone batteries. Anticipated cobalt demand is poised to surpass our current supply capabilities in the near future.

One intriguing aspect of cobalt enrichment in the Idaho Cobalt Belt is the largely unknown source of cobalt. The timing of cobalt mineralization remains debated, with multiple remobilization events being probable. However, certain cobalt-mineralized zones are found within distinct rocks known as biotitites, predominantly composed of the mineral biotite. Although cobalt is typically associated with mafic rocks, biotitite units have not been regarded as a likely source, primarily due to their relatively thin layers in outcrop (i.e., not a large intrusion). However, microscopic analysis reveals that these biotitite units are metasomatic rocks that were significantly altered through interactions with aqueous fluids. Understanding the exact role of these biotitites is crucial for determining the potential sources of cobalt and identifying additional mineralized zones. The main questions I’m trying to answer with this research project are:

1. How old are these biotitites – are they the same age as the Co mineralization?
2. What was the original composition of this rock before alteration? Could the rock itself be a source for cobalt mineralization?

Via U-Pb radiometric age dating, I determined an age of 1230 ± 10 Ma for the biotitites. This age aids in identifying units of similar ages that might also be associated with cobalt mineralization. Geochemical analysis of biotitite samples suggests they originated from sedimentary processes rather than mafic igneous activity. The rocks are highly iron-rich, a feature unlikely to result from sedimentary processes alone. Instead, iron was likely introduced through hydrothermal fluids around ~1230 Ma, coinciding with cobalt mineralization. The prominence of these fluids suggests they played a key role in altering rocks and transporting metals. These findings highlight the Lemhi sub-basin and Idaho Cobalt Belt as highly prospective for mineralization beyond known resources.

Understanding the genetic basis of canine eating behavior is critical for addressing nutritional challenges, such as obesity and feeding disorders, that affect a dog’s health and well-being. The interplay between genetics and nutrition, particularly the roles of the AGOUTI Signaling Protein (ASIP) and Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R) genes, provides valuable insights into how genetic factors influence appetite regulation and food motivation in dogs. 

Previous research has shown that the AGOUTI gene is linked to pigmentation and behavior, potentially affecting food-seeking tendencies. In contrast, the MC4R gene is a key regulator of appetite suppression and energy balance in mammals. However, there is limited knowledge about how these genes interact with dietary factors to shape canine feeding behavior. 

This study aims to investigate the influence of genetic variations in the AGOUTI and MC4R genes on dogs’ eating behavior through genetic screening and behavioral observation. Genetic profiles will be analyzed to identify variations in these genes, and their association with food motivation and appetite regulation will be evaluated. 

By exploring these genetic and nutritional interactions, this research seeks to inform personalized dietary strategies tailored to a dog’s genetic predisposition, ultimately enhancing canine health and quality of life. Understanding these mechanisms could also contribute to broader knowledge about the genetic factors underlying feeding behavior in mammals. 

Shroomwood is a procedurally generated 2D action-adventure dungeon crawler where players take on the role of Shroomie, a courageous mushroom defending his home from once-peaceful creatures turned hostile. As players journey through dynamic dungeons, they discover new weapons, upgrades, and abilities to aid in strategic battles against fierce enemies. Mastering combat, dodging attacks, and overcoming increasingly challenging foes, players will face the ultimate test against the final boss controlling these corrupted creatures.

Originally created in just 48 hours for the Crimson Game Jam—a fast-paced competition where WSU students develop games based on a theme within a tight timeframe—Shroomwood quickly grew beyond its initial prototype. Following the jam, our team expanded to include ten dedicated WSU students who continue to develop the game during the academic year.

Our development process thrives on continuous feedback and iteration, fostering a collaborative environment between players and developers. By actively engaging with our community, we ensure that player experiences directly shape the evolution of Shroomwood, creating a game that resonates with its audience.

Game development is a multidisciplinary art form that blends visual design, music, sound, gameplay mechanics, and storytelling. It demands strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and even marketing and business acumen. Real-world knowledge from various fields often influences game design, making diverse skills and perspectives invaluable. Our team embraces this diversity, encouraging every member to contribute ideas that inspire and shape the gameplay experience.

We are developing Shroomwood using Unity, a versatile, free game engine that offers extensive customization. To manage our assets and collaborate efficiently, we utilize GitHub, a web-based version control platform. Combined with various media development tools, these technologies support our goal of releasing a fully polished game by the end of 2026.

Every human being on this planet has a 24-hour clock that induces mental, physical and behavioral changes throughout the day. This subconscious clock is called your circadian rhythm. Alongside rods and cones, there are lesser understood cells called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGC’s) that play a part in the entrainment of this circadian rhythm. These ipRGC’s are located in the retina and express the photopigment melanopsin, they were discovered through the finding that humans with an intact retina who were blind and completely lacked rods and cones, could still entrain their circadian rhythm through light. Leading researchers to believe there must be a third undiscovered photoreceptor. Researching ipRGC’s is essential for the understanding of how the circadian rhythm is entrained during exposure to light. IpRGC’s are also found to be essential for the constriction of the pupil when exposed to high intensities of light. There are multiple subtypes of ipRGC’s each having their own characteristics, functions, and brain projections. Since ipRGC’s only makeup about 5% of retinal ganglion cells, having mouse lines who strictly label ipRGC’s without any leaky expression into other ganglion cells is crucial for exploring the roles of each subtype. There are many Cre-lox mouse lines under the melanopsin promoter Opn4 that label specifically ipRGC’s, while very few Flp-FRt lines. The goal of this study is to characterize a Flp-FRT mouse line to see if it too specifically labels ipRGC’s. This is done by cross breeding a Opn4-Cre mouse line with the Opn4-FlpO line to produce mice containing both FlpO and Cre under the Opn4 promoter. Cells containing just FlpO fluoresce red, while cells containing FlpO and Cre fluoresce green. If the vast majority of cells fluoresce green then the FlpO is expressed in the same cells as the Cre line, making it a useful tool for intersectional genetics.

Fire is one of California’s greatest threats with fires occurring more and their damage becoming greater. Species not accustomed to this increased fire regime can be impacted in their ability to reproduce and reestablish. The Coulter pine (Pinus coulteri) is characterized by its large cones which can grow up to a foot long and its limited range. While there is an increasing amount of wildfire research on pines in California, and a limited few on the post-fire recovery of Coulter pine, the specific effects of fire on Coulter pine seed vitality has yet to be examined.  A large portion of damage caused by fire is immediate, but many other long-term factors play a part in how the environment recovers from fire, such as the vitality of seeds post-fire which contributes to species ability to reestablish and for a new forest to grow. For this study I have received support from my mentor Dr. Henry Adams, and permission from his colleague Dr. Alistar Smith to conduct experiments at the University of Idaho IFIRE lab, one of the only combustion labs located on a university campus. I will burn Coulter pinecones in various temperatures to mimic different levels of fire severity using pine needles as fuel to control the heat produced. I will then attempt to germinate the seeds gathered from both burned and non-burned pinecones in the same soil with the same treatment to determine the percentage of seeds viability. As the West Coast grows hotter, we risk the extinction of many species and ecosystems and examining post-burn seed vitality will provide quantification of long-term fire damage on already restricted species. My hypothesis is that there will be an exponential change in the percentage of germinated seeds with a higher percentage of seeds being viable with lower fire exposure groups and the percent of viable seeds being much lower in the higher exposure groups. This research can be expanded to other pine species, such as the Ponderosa pine. Upon project completion, I will write an article with the intent to publish.

A collateral impact of cancer therapy in males is damage to testicular tissue which leads to infertility. Many ablative chemotherapy and radiation treatment regimens destroy cells in testes that are responsible for sperm production. This results in decreased sperm count, impaired motility, and potential genetic abnormalities in the sperm. For adult male cancer patients, sperm can be extracted and frozen for later use in assisted reproductive techniques thereby allowing for fathering of a biological child. However, this strategy is not feasible for prepubescent males that are not generating sperm. Currently, approximately 75% of prepubescent boys become infertile after undergoing chemotherapy for cancer and no strategies are available to preserve their fertility. Sperm production is a stem cell-based process, and this regenerative population exists in the testicular tissue of prepubescent boys. Here, I propose a therapeutic intervention concept in which sperm-producing stem cells of prepubescent male cancer patients are extracted from testicular tissue prior to chemotherapy and preserved in a frozen state or in an in vitro cell culture system. The ex vivo preserved stem cells would then be reintroduced into the patient’s testicles post-cancer therapy to allow for regeneration of sperm production in adulthood and natural fertility. The proof-of-concept stage of research to develop this concept will be conducted using a mice model that has been engineered to have infertility that reflects the collateral damage of cancer therapy. Outcomes of this research are expected to provide insight into mechanisms causing male infertility in humans and establish a treatment strategy that preserves venting the fertility of prepubescent males undergoing chemotherapy. If successful, this research would significantly improve reproductive health for men and be a vital advancement in the field of reproductive biology.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting approximately 8.3% of U.S. adults. Existing psychotherapies and antidepressant medications are not fully effective for up to 30% of patients, who have treatment-resistant MDD. Several studies have shown that treatment with psilocybin mushrooms can lead to lasting positive outcomes for patients with treatment-resistant MDD. However, the mechanisms by which psilocybin reduces symptoms of treatment-resistant MDD are not yet completely understood. Previous studies have found that psilocin, a psychoactive metabolite of psilocybin, targets two mechanisms of MDD: dysregulated neuroplasticity and neuroinflammation, which have both been linked to the gene fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). The FNDC5 protein is proteolytically processed into the peptide irisin, which is secreted by muscle in response to exercise. Irisin diffuses through the blood-brain barrier, leading to the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and morphological changes in microglia and astrocytes. FNDC5 is also expressed centrally within neurons and microglia. Research conducted previously in the Wayman Lab by Elizaveta Zhivaya has provided evidence to support that FNDC5 expression is required for psilocin-induced glutamatergic synapse growth in hippocampal neurons derived from rats. We hypothesize that FNDC5 expression also mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of psilocin on microglia. Our proposed experiments involve establishing cell cultures of both wild-type and FNDC5-knockout mouse microglia. The intent is then to induce an inflammatory response, treat cells with psilocin, and measure whether FNDC5 is involved in subsequent anti-inflammatory action. The findings from this project hold promise for understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the effects of psilocin on the brain and its efficacy as an approach to treatment-resistant MDD.

Racially and ethnically minoritized college students report lower levels of perceived life satisfaction, influenced by factors such as gender, racial and ethnic identity (Norman et al., 2021; Mahanta & Aggarwal, 2013), socio-economic status (e.g., income, financial aid, student loans), and perceived levels of social support (e.g., friends, family; Kim & Chatterjee, 2019; Masuda, Williams, & Tallis, 2021). Although many studies on perceived levels of life satisfaction in college students broadly samples students from all undergraduate years (Jenkins et al., 2013; Allan et al., 2023), they often overlook the unique stressors experienced during major life transitions, such as the shift from high school to college, which may affect levels of perceived life satisfaction. The current study focuses on racially and ethnically minoritized first-year students at a large university in the Pacific Northwest.

A baseline survey was administered, instructing participants to answer questions regarding racial and ethnic pride, discrimination, life satisfaction, emotional support, stress, and other variables of interest. Demographic information was also collected at this stage. Questions on the baseline survey were derived from multiple scales within the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), including the Emotional Support Scale, General Life Satisfaction Scale, Family Relationship Scale, and the Meaning and Purpose Scale. Other academic scales such as the Perceived Stress Scale, College Student Stress Scale, GAD-7 Anxiety Scale, Distress Index, Ethnic Identity Scale, and the revised Depression Scale from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CESD-R-20) were utilized in the baseline survey.

We hypothesize that low-income status and racial/ethnic minority status will be positively correlated with lower perceived life satisfaction, with moderators such as the amount of social/familial support, first-generation student status, self-efficacy, and student loan/scholarship status.  These expected findings will contribute to the growing body of evidence highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion initiatives on college campuses, underscoring the importance of interventions that target low-income students (e.g., information about food pantries, used clothes closets etc.) during the college transition period to improving the perceived life satisfaction among racially and ethnically minoritized students.

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) mediate a wide variety of subconscious physiological and behavioral responses to light. This includes circadian photoentrainment, pupillary constriction, light-dependent regulation of mood and memory, as well as influences on the sympathetic nervous system. There are currently six known morphological subtypes (M1-M6) of ipRGCs, distinguished by their level of melanopsin expression, morphology, dendritic stratification, and distinct brain projections. The M1 subtype of ipRGCs express the highest amounts of melanopsin and send strong projections to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which comprises the mammalian circadian clock. To develop new genetic tools to study the function of individual ipRGC subtypes, we created the Opn4LFlpO line, which expresses the FlpO DNA recombinase under control of the melanopsin promoter, which recognizes an FRT sequence. When crossed with a fluorescent protein marker mouse line (Ai65F), Opn4LFlpO labels a population of ~ 300 M1s. Previously, the only genetic tool available to study a subset of ipRGCs was a process in which all ipRGCs expressing the transcription factor Brn3b were ablated using diphtheria toxin, leaving only a population of ~ 200 Brn3b-negative M1 ipRGCs. We will compare the cell populations labeled by the Opn4LFlpO;Ai65F line with the Opn4Cre/+; Brn3bzDTA to assess their similarities. In the Opn4LFlpO line, the gene encoding the FlpO recombinase has been fused to the carboxy terminus of melanopsin with an intervening P2A sequence, which inhibits peptide bond formation during translation. This allows two separate proteins to be expressed using a single mRNA. Using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy on retinas as well as brain sections to map projections, allows for comparison of these two lines. Through RNAscope in situ hybridization, we can compare the expression of marker genes, such as adenylyl cyclase-activating peptide, galanin, and Brn3b. The comparison of the older Opn4Cre/+; Brn3bzDTA line and the new Opn4LFlpO line created by the Brown lab and collaborators will allow us to further define the functional roles of subpopulations of M1 ipRGCs and pave the way to develop genetic techniques to study other ipRGC subtypes through intersectional genetics. Furthering research on ipRGCs is vital because of their responsibility for non-image-forming visual functions.

Blood donation rates among college students, particularly within younger populations, remain low, despite the ongoing need for blood in public health initiatives. While research has previously explored various messaging strategies, such as altruistic, egoistic, positive, and negative framing, limited exploration has been given to how the combination of textual messaging and visual elements, such as anxiety-reducing design features, can influence donor intention. This gap in research underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the most effective ways to communicate the importance of donating blood to young people.

This study investigates the effectiveness of different blood donation communication strategies by conducting a survey among students at Washington State University.  The survey examines the impact of a messaging campaign  that integrates both altruistic and positive messaging, alongside visuals of a design intervention developed by the Health and Design Research Lab. The design intervention specifically features anxiety-reducing interior elements, such as soothing lighting and nature view, aimed at enhancing the donor experience. The study compares the influence of these messaging strategies on donor intention.

Preliminary findings suggest combining altruistic messaging with positive framing is the most effective approach to increasing blood donation intention among college students. Additionally, incorporating visual elements that reduce anxiety— such as design interventions focused on comfort— further enhances the effectiveness of the messaging strategy. These findings contribute valuable insights into how the integration of messaging and design can increase donor intention. This can provide a potential model for more effective blood donation campaigns targeting younger populations.

Spermatogonia are stem cells that divide and differentiate within the testis to produce spermatozoa (male germ cells). Previous studies on spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation used chemotherapeutic agents to deplete the recipient testis of spermatogonia. These studies showed that in some cases hormonal treatments with either testosterone or leuprolide (a GnRH-agonist) following transplantation increased the extent of germ cell colonization within the testis of adult rats. It is thought that such treatments work by suppressing endogenous testosterone production, since the germline-depleted testes were shown to have elevated levels of intratesticular testosterone compared to controls; however, the mechanism for this is currently unknown. Recently, a rat Nanos2 knockout model was generated to allow SSC transplantation without the use of harsh chemotherapeutics. Male organisms homozygous for the knockout Nanos2 allele show a complete lack of spermatogonia in the testis but are otherwise healthy and develop normally. This makes them ideal candidates for SSC transplantation and eliminates the need for cytotoxic agents in order to deplete the host testis of spermatogonia. We plan to test whether hormonal treatments impact germ cell colonization in testes of Nanos2 knockout rats. We hypothesize that hormonal treatment of Nanos2 knockout SSC transplant recipients with either testosterone or leuprolide will not improve transplantation outcomes in prepubertal animals but may influence colonization in adults.

This study involves an analysis of data collected from attendees of the Spanish-speaking orientation program, La Bienvenida, at Washington State University. La Bienvenida is an orientation program completely in Spanish aimed to help Hispanic families navigate the college experience and help facilitate the transition to college. The program focuses on providing resources, information, and support to help Hispanic students and their families feel more connected and prepared for their academic journey.

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this orientation program in promoting student success and retention through two key success indicators: year one (GPRA 1) and year two (GPRA 2) outcomes. These are the measures that focus on credit completion, semester and cumulative GPAs, which were chosen as important indicators of academic success and student retention into their second year of college. This study examines data from three groups: students who attended the La Bienvenida and a part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), non-attendees from the CAMP program, and migrant attendees not a part of CAMP who serve as the control group.

The study compares the academic success of the three groups focusing on credit completion and GPA as indicators of student achievement over the span of nine years from 2014 to 2023. Early results indicate that La Bienvenida attendees group have demonstrated higher retention rates and credit completion of 24 credits or more when compared to non-attendees. This study contributes to understanding the role of La Bienvenida in improving academic outcomes for underrepresented students, specifically students from migrant farm working backgrounds.

Immune response to infection in pregnant mothers is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Often, neuropsychiatric disorders are comorbid with alcohol use disorders (AUD), resulting in increased hospitalization and mortality rates. Research concerning the mechanisms of how early exposure to infection impacts brain development is limited. This not only hinders our ability to create effective therapies, but also prevents us from taking proactive measures to decrease the prevalence of disorders linked to prenatal exposure to infection. Previous research has found the combination of maternal immune activation (MIA), a model of prenatal exposure to infection, and adolescent alcohol exposure (AE) results in increased alcohol drinking behaviors in adult offspring. This project had two goals: (1) to determine if said increased drinking behaviors also occurred in operant alcohol self-administration, and (2), considering that oxidative stress is thought to be associated with immune responses, to determine if the antioxidant n-acetylcysteine (NAC) could prevent the effects of MIA on alcohol self-administration motivation. On gestational days (GD) 14 and 16, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to NAC or saline, and to an immunostimulant (poly I:C) or saline on GD 15. This yielded four treatment groups: NAC+poly I:C, NAC+saline, saline+ poly I:C, and saline+saline. All rats were given constant access to 10% ethanol solution during adolescence (postnatal days 78-118), then trained to self-administer the same concentration of ethanol in adulthood during 30 minute sessions, 5 days per week. The data collected from these sessions support the theory that MIA+AE causes increased motivation for alcohol self-administration in adult males, but not females, in a manner that can be suppressed by NAC. These findings provide evidence to support the hypothesis that MIA causes oxidative stress in the fetal brain, contributing to increased motivation to consume alcohol in adulthood. Current studies are investigating the impact of MIA on cannabis self-administration, and future studies should investigate the impact of alternative antioxidants such as cannabidiol on MIA-induced alcohol self-administration.

This project investigates the secrets behind sharkskin's remarkable ability to reduce underwater drag, with potential applications in soft robotics and underwater clothing. Sharkskin's distinctive denticles, which are scale-like structures, are central to this efficiency, and the study examines how their arrangement, size, spacing, thickness, and flexibility combine to achieve optimal drag reduction.

To replicate these unique properties, advanced 3D printing techniques are employed. Digital Light Processing (DLP) is used to fabricate micro-scale denticles, while Stereolithography (SLA) creates resin molds for a flexible Ecoflex substrate. Designs are developed and modified in CAD to produce sharkskin-inspired models, with DLP-printed denticles inlaid into the flexible substrate. Testing and analysis, including enhanced imaging via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ensure that dimensions are verified and parameters optimized for minimal drag. Additionally, a pressure drop experiment will test the 3D printed sharkskin underwater to further evaluate its drag-reducing performance.

The anticipated impact is widespread, as the optimized biomimetic sharkskin is expected to enhance performance in soft robotics, underwater clothing, and other applications by increasing speed, improving antimicrobial properties, and boosting energy efficiency.

This research is led by Ph.D. student Sonja Sargent Sparks, with support from 3D printing expert Dr. Kaiyan Qiu, and offers valuable learning experience for all participants.

Despite being sequenced over two decades, our understanding of how our genome dictates when and where genes are turned on is still limited. A key step in this regulation of gene expression is at the level of transcription, or the process of creating an RNA copy from DNA. Our genome has tens of thousands of genes and even more enhancers, all with unique expression programs. How these programs are encoded and interpreted by proteins called transcription factors remains unknown.  It has been suggested that our genome is insufficient to decode this complex code. To overcome this limitation, scientists recently turned to synthetic biology to study more artificial DNA variation. While overall successful, a downside of creating artificial DNA sequences is the time that this process takes as well as cost. Rather than creating new DNA sequences, I plan to create artificial transcription factors instead. TFs are key regulatory proteins that bind hundreds to thousands of DNA regions to either promote or repress transcription. By engineering “Frankenstein TFs” we can readily engineer, and study thousands of changes allowing us to dissect the mechanisms of transcription regulation at a faster rate. Through this process I hope that we can better understand how gene regulation is encoded in our genome and contributes to human diversity. Our findings have the potential to shed light on fundamental biological processes and advance our understanding of gene regulation, ultimately bringing us closer to answering the question: what makes us human?

There are no cures and limited treatments for systemic scleroderma (SSc). SSc is an often-fatal autoimmune disease where excessive collagen deposition (fibrosis) in the skin and internal organs causes significant loss of mobility, pain, and tissue dysfunction. SSc pathology is characterized by three main processes: autoimmunity, restricted blood flow to tissues, and fibroblast dysfunction leading to fibrosis of ranging organs. In this study, previously published single-cell transcriptomics data from normal and SSc skin was reanalyzed using Seurat and CellChat packages to examine these three core pathologies. CellChat analysis of signaling between fibroblast, immune, and endothelial cell populations identified the CXCL signaling pathway as perturbed in SSc skin. Differential expression testing corroborated this observation, implicating macrophages as a significant source of CXCL signals and pathologically relevant cell populations as receivers of CXCL signals, suggesting a powerful role of CXCL signaling in SSc development and pathology.

Personality disorders (PDs) are detrimental as they can affect things like interpersonal relationships, response to treatments, and mortality rates (Tyrer et al., 2015). Considering this, a large amount of research has been done on PDs, but less on those that fall in cluster C.  Cluster C PDs refer to those characterized by anxiety, fear, and a need for order and control and include avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) (Massaal-Van der Ree et al., 2022). Given that cluster C personality disorders are defined as involving dysfunction in self-concepts, it is not surprising that researchers have investigated the role of self-concept in cluster C disorders. However, most of this research investigating the self in cluster C disorders has not measured the self-concept appropriately. Specifically, self-researchers have discovered that people possess a family of selves, multiple self-concepts that are each associated with specific others (e.g., self-with-mom, self-with-friend, self-with-partner, etc.) (Baldwin & Dandenaeu, 2005). Regarding the research that has been done on the role of self-concepts in PDs, it almost exclusively has focused on early maladaptive schemas which assesses global self-concepts unattached to relational contexts (Kunst, 2020). The Relational Self-Schema Measure (RSSM) is a relatively new self-concept measure that does assess multiple self-with-other representations (Scott et al., 2021). Specifically, respondents identify the four people they most think about or interact with and for each of these persons assesses how the self-experiences four factors: relatedness satisfaction, control satisfaction, autonomy frustration, and self-esteem frustration. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cluster C PDs and RSSM factors as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. By using a cross-sectional research design, I will measure PDs using the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and anxiety and depression through the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively.

Psychosocial stress is ever-prevalent in society and has been shown to disrupt motivated behavior bidirectionally depending on stressor type, duration and intensity. Due to the multitude of these factors, there is a large variability in responses in rodent models, especially so in female models. Critically, female models of social stress are not well established, leading to an underrepresentation of females in stress research. Recently we found that males and females have divergent responses where males increase, and females decrease appetitive operant responding for sucrose during chronic non-discriminatory social defeat stress (CNSDS). During CNSDS, effects on motivated behaviors between males and females are most pronounced on day two of the 10-day protocol, warranting an examination of the brain regions involved. The lab has previously identified a direct connection from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and lateral hypothalamus (LH), two regions separately associated with both stress and motivation. We hypothesized that CNSDS would induce motivated behavior changes and that both the BLA and LH would proportionally increase in cFos expression (a proxy for neural activity). To confirm our hypothesis, we adapted the CNSDS model into a two-day protocol. After two days of CNSDS, mice were perfused 90 minutes following the stress session to examine cFos in both the BLA and LH to determine the effect of CNSDS. Our results indicated both BLA and LH regions exhibited increased levels of cFos compared to controls, supporting continued investigation into the connection between these two neuroanatomical regions during social stress.

This study is a focus on different chemical treatments and coatings on dried corn husks. This material was used for a prototype of an indoor pavilion. Our design featured an unexpected yet sustainable material – corn husk. This material is used in all facets of life besides the built environment. The natural fiber is severely underutilized in architecture despite its versatility and adaptability. A precedent study of Seaweed pavilion brought up the challenge of using natural fibers in architecture, and we sought to expand on that notion through a cultural lens. In our precedent research, we found a method that twisted corn husk into a rope that improved its tensile strength, making it strong enough to hold the weight of a person. A review of the current literature in materials science showed a variety of cellulose based fibers being treated to expand their mechanical properties. Current studies lacked a test on corn husk, the natural fiber we were working with. We then conducted a series of experiments on dried corn husks, both as structure and surface. These treatments included processes of acetalization, peroxide treatments, and other topicals. The final treatments used were beeswax, pva resin, benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid. We tested treated dried corn husk for hydrophobicity, light permeability, pressure, and tension. Our tests found that beeswax was the most successful in hydrophobic properties and light permeability. We found that pva resin was the most successful in improving tension and pressure impact tests. These test results, as well as the untreated corn husk, showcase how natural fibers can be a sustainable and versatile material in the built environment as both structure and surface.

Despite the near completion of the human genome sequence in 2003, the mechanism of gene regulation remains poorly understood. Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that initiate gene expression by binding to DNA. To start transcription, TFs bind to specific sites that recruit RNA polymerase to make mRNA for further processing. Interestingly, TFs have been observed to have binding sites for themselves, meaning there is a place they can bind to initiate or inhibit replication. We refer to this as autoregulatory grammar, since it is written self-regulation in its own gene. Autoregulatory grammar has also been observed in transcription factors like NRF1 that are traditionally considered activators. These activators have shown to repress themselves when binding downstream. The ability for an activator to repress itself when high concentrations are present is not well understood. By editing out the site downstream that NRF1 can bind to, we believe there will be an observable change in the level of expression of these transcription factors. High affinity, low affinity and mutated sites will be used downstream to see if expression changes. CRISPER optimization around the downstream binding site will be used to replace the site with synthetic promoters that will use homology directed repair. With these edited cells, we will then utilize single cell cloning and western blot to look at the expression in the modified cells. We expect to see less expression in high affinity binding sites, medium expression in low affinity binding sites, and high expression in mutated sites. Understanding this downstream regulatory site will lead to a greater understanding of transcription factors and gene expression which can lead to new treatments for genetic diseases and further the frontier of specifically targeted therapeutic treatments.

The United States is well known for its vast terrain, large mountain peaks, and beautiful bodies of water. The U.S. government monitors the water quality of these bodies of water, or more specifically, lakes and rivers to ensure that pollutants or any other outside factors do not cause problems for the local fish and wildlife. There are a wide variety of markers that are looked at to ensure good water quality such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrient densities. Therefore, the previously stated bodies of water need to be sampled to better understand their quality. Water sampling is the act of taking a specific quantity of water away from the main body of water for further analysis. This sampling is usually conducted via dropping some sort of device into the body of water and pulling it up. This device usually amounts to being some sort of bucket device being dunked into the body of water, closed or capped somehow, and then pulled back out of the water. Water sampling can be best summarized using the term: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”. The art of water sampling has not changed very much or progressed quickly outside of niche circumstances. As such, creating a state-of-the-art water sampler is feasible. One simply needs to design a better bucket. Or an alternative way of getting said bucket to its destination. One such conceivable way of doing this is by designing a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) to move the water sampler to any location within a body of water for remote sample retrieval. This is where our team comes in. Tasked by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and our school Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU-TC), we have set out on a year-long journey to design a cost effective vectored ROV with water sampling capabilities for our senior design project. Join us as we discuss our project’s design, its capabilities and our other findings.

Vagal afferent neurons are integral in the transmission of information from the visceral organ systems to the brain and in regulating autonomic reflexes, the parasympathetic nervous system, and bodily homeostasis. Thus, understanding the cellular processes that control vagal afferent signaling are key to maintaining health and treating disease. The regulation of intracellular calcium concentrations is an important part of cellular function and neuronal signaling; including mediating synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release.

Recent evidence suggests the novel presence of intracellular transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channels within the organelle membranes in vagal afferent neurons. TRPV1 channels are calcium permeable, and when activated, cause calcium to enter the cell, which increases neuronal excitability and promotes a specialized form of spontaneous glutamate release at their central terminals in the brainstem nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). However, the role of intracellular TRPV1 in neuronal activity has yet to be studied. My research aims to investigate the role of intracellular TRPV1 channels in calcium signaling and their effects on spontaneous glutamate release in vagal afferent neurons. I will accomplish this via using advanced fluorescent calcium imaging and ex vivo electrophysiological measurements of vagal afferent neurons and their signaling processes.

I predict that activation of intracellular TRPV1 channels will mobilize calcium release within vagal afferent neurons which in turn controls the frequency of ongoing spontaneous glutamate release. Preliminary findings indicate that the majority of vagal afferent neurons express TRPV1, including in the intracellular organelles, and that it is capable of controlling synaptic transmission. Additional experiments will investigate the specific mechanisms through which intracellular TRPV1 signals and is controlled. Findings from these experiments will provide key information on the intracellular signaling mechanisms of TRPV1 channels within vagal afferent neurons and their contribution to neuronal excitability and glutamatergic transmission. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms should lead to further research into new, more specific therapeutic targets for conditions involving vagal signaling, such as obesity, gastrointestinal, and cardiorespiratory disorders.

The field of anthropology is grappling with a crisis. The challenge of properly rehousing older archaeological collections, while accommodating newer ones has become increasingly difficult due to a lack of space in academic institutions and museums. For decades, archaeologists have prioritized excavation, often overlooking the potential of existing collections. As a result, institutions have accumulated “orphaned” collections, or materials with limited associated documentation or ownership. Historically, these collections have been used as teaching tools for students to gain hands-on experience, and while this is important, they also have value for research.

My research addresses the curation crisis by digitization and rehousing documents associated with the excavation of Cariguela Cave in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. Cariguela Cave was occupied from the Middle Paleolithic to the Medieval period, and artifacts from the cave show evidence of changes in human behavior throughout this period. My effort will create an accurate account of all the records associated with research at the site, ensuring both greater access to the materials for researchers and the long-term preservation of the documents. I previously rehoused the portion of the archaeological collections from the site which are stored at WSU and am working to connect the archaeological objects with the written documents. The digitization and connection of documents with archaeological materials will provide the foundation for research into these objects.

Heart failure is a debilitating physiological state where your heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the energetic and metabolic demands of the body. The prevalence of heart failure continues to rise and despite new treatments, there is still significant morbidity and cost. Some recent drugs are in development for the treatment of heart failure, one of which is called Danicamtiv. Danicamtiv targets the myosin cross-bridges, which produce the force and shortening to power cardiac contraction and pump blood around the body. Danicamtiv is classified as a myosin activator, and we hypothesize that Danicamtiv will increase cardiac muscle contraction. To test this, we will assess the mechanical and contractile properties of human cardiac tissue samples, which we get from collaborators at the University of Kentucky. We plan to work with cardiac tissue samples that come from healthy human donors and tissue from patients with heart failure who are undergoing a cardiac transplant. This research is intended to determine if the proposed effect of the Danicamtiv changes with the different donors, or with heart failure. This experiment is expected to contribute to the knowledge of how this drug works at the molecular and cellular level. Even though Danicamtiv has been studied in animal models of disease, and is in human clinical trials, it is not well understood how potent its direct effects are on human cardiac tissue function.

The objective of this project is to design and build a system to monitor grout during filling and curing within a 1000-gallon mock tank at the Cold Test Facility (CTF). To achieve  this, the system has been broken down  into subsystems: a Doppler flow meter, resistive temperature devices (RTDs), a photoelectric sensor, and a camera. The Doppler flow meter will measure the volumetric flow rate of the grout during pouring. The RTDs will record the temperature of the grout during solidification and curing. The photoelectric sensor will provide grout displacement measurements within the tank, and the camera will provide a live visual of the process. Within these subsystems, several designs have been developed and considered for equipment interface with the mock tank. Ultimately, final designs were selected by considering the design complexity and compatibility with the risers located on the tank lid. Additionally, a House of Quality (HOQ) has been created to translate the prioritized customer requirements into useful technical requirements and engineering specifications. Correlations have also been assigned to technical requirements to identify possible trade-offs and optimize the designs within the given subsystems. This HOQ is used throughout the project to maintain focus on the key objectives. Equipment and interface designs are tested at the AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear Technology Center (ATC) using a grout simulant and different grout formulations. To achieve this, a test platform has been designed that accurately represents the setup of the mock tank. Then, the chosen designs and equipment will ultimately be used at the CTF to measure the placement of the Closure grout determined by the civil engineering students to observe the grout’s properties.

Mitochondria are highly regarded as the powerhouse of the cell with their varied cellular and metabolic functions. These functions rely on a cooperative supply of mitochondrial proteins and phospholipids. Mitochondria contain vast amounts of lipids that could influence overall cellular lipid homeostasis. One way we can effectively examine the mitochondrial response to stress is to measure the formation of lipid droplets, as there is strong evidence demonstrating an increase in lipid droplet size when the mitochondria is impaired. Lipid droplets are an essential neutral storage site for excess energy, in addition to being actively involved in lipid homeostasis. Lipid droplets have been linked to many diseases including fatty liver disease, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Lipid droplets have been known to congregate around mitochondria due to the need of energy during the production of these organelles. We used two separate strains of ATFS-1, a transcription factor responsible for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The first strain is a loss of function mutant that is unable to initiate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mUPR), and a gain of function strain that has a constitutive expression of the mUPR. We will conduct nile red staining and perform microscopy on worms to analyze lipid droplet size, then perform gas chromatography / mass spectrometry to measure differences in the lipid composition. These studies will provide in-site into the role of mUPR in response to lipid droplets.

A prominent issue in cybersecurity is social engineering based attacks. Cybercrime of this nature aims to manipulate and deceive people into voluntarily and/or unsuspectingly granting access to sensitive information to nefarious individuals. Existing research indicates cybercrime awareness is a significant factor in preventing cyber-attacks. In this paper, we review the literature covering inoculation theory, a methodology that has potential to be used as a tool to promote social engineering cybercrime awareness. Inoculation theory states: Exposing/training individuals, in some capacity, on modified versions of cyberattacks or other information/items will train people to recognize them and take appropriate action when the real version presents itself. Current research on inoculation theory diverges into two ideologies, supportive inoculation, and active inoculation. This review summarizes current academic literature on both and investigates how they can potentially be used in future research on preventing social engineering cybercrime.

“Tessitura in Bloom” is a Virtual Reality (VR) experience that investigates how interactive storytelling, spatial design, and music can evoke emotional transformation and self-reflection in a virtual environment. Our team is made up of seven undergraduate DTC majors at WSU Vancouver who took the special topics course, “Spatial Computing,” taught in Fall 2024 by Dene Grigar.

Our development process followed the principles of action research as described by Stefano Vannotti, using an iterative cycle of design, testing, and optimization (Vannotti 54). This approach aligns with “research through design,” where the creation of research artifacts serves as a method of generating knowledge and enables us to solve specific research questions (Vannotti 56). Rather than treating “Tessitura in Bloom” solely as a creative project, we positioned it as a research artifact. To bring our story to life, we used the game engine, Unreal Engine 5, and code editor, Visual Studio Code, for game engineering and scripting. All 3D assets are original work created in 3D graphics applications, Maya and Adobe Substance 3D Painter, with the user interface designed in Adobe Illustrator. Original music was composed in FLStudio, and version control was managed by GitHub with GitLFS.

We demonstrated our project at the Future of Text in XR Symposium in November 2024, where scholars and industry leaders working in the area of Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) from around the world were able to experience and provide feedback, including Ken Pfeuffer, associate professor of computer science at Aarhus University in Denmark, and Portland-based journalist Kent Bye, who hosts the Voices of VR podcast. Their feedback helped us refine the experience, optimizing both emotional impact and usability.

We will require access to electricity, table to hold the VR equipment, laptop we will bring, and an internet connection. Judges and showcase attendees will be able to experience “Tessitura in Bloom” first-hand via a VR headset we will provide.

References:
Vannotti, Stefano “Let Us Do What We Do Best: But How Can We Produce Knowledge by Designing Interfaces?” Interface Cultures.  Christa Sommerer, Laurent Mignonneau, & Dorothée King. Transaction Publishers: New Brunswick, NJ, 2008. 51-60.

Histology, the study of tissue structure and function, has been a key component of medical research and diagnostics since its inception. In this project, we are analyzing a crucial procedure for histologists–staining. We decided to focus on differential connective tissue staining, with an emphasis on Herovici staining techniques due to its role in staining collagen and other structures in the integumentary system. Our experiment aims to showcase the interactions between the polychrome solution’s individual components and the tissue at a molecular level. To do this, we examined the chemistry of the three dyes used in Herovici staining: Picric Acid, Methyl Blue, and Acid Fuchsin. We hypothesized that due to the properties of each dye, they would have a specific affinity for staining individual structures. We have observed that overlapping dye affinities cause tissues stained with polychrome to have a mixed coloration. Some regions and structures will be affected by one dye far more than the rest and will not showcase the mixing of dyes nearly as much as others, which bind to multiple dyes. To test this theory, we ran an experiment isolating each dye to examine their reaction before finally performing the standard protocol. Our results suggest that affinities of each dye respond on a chemical level to structures, and in regions of high fibral diversity, those stains exhibit a composite effect. Improving our understanding of how tissue staining techniques work will improve our understanding of the tissues themselves and better enable us to use Herovici protocol for future investigations.

Within the Classical music repertoire, there is a lack of Native American representation. Indeed, organizations such as Chamber Music American and New Music Today have each undergone efforts to increase the visibility of Native American composers. In response to this problem, PI Patrick Donoghue collaborated with mentor Dr. Jacqueline Wilson (Yakama), Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Music Theory, to commission an original work for bassoon and guitar by Navajo composer Michael Begay.

Begay’s works span many different musical genres, including Classical, Experimental, Noise, and Metal. Starlight for bassoon and guitar envisions a journey through the Grand Canyon, looking up past the walls at the Milky Way. It involves both traditional as well as extended techniques not typically used for both the guitar and bassoon, providing a unique and immersive soundscape.

After receiving the piece, Dr. Wilson and I promptly got to work with personal practice and rehearsing. This piece certainly brought some interesting challenges for me, as I am not typically a classical guitarist. Using fingerstyle, seating position, and certain performance practices were all certainly novel and a learning curve in the process of getting the music ready to perform. Our world premiere of this piece was at the Washington/Idaho Symphony Orchestra Silverthorne Chamber Series Concert in Lewiston, Idaho on November 3, 2023. From there, we had many more performances to follow including the Native American Music Festival, the WSU Guitar Studio Concert, and Wilson’s Faculty Recital. These efforts culminated in the premiere recording of the work, which will appear on Wilson’s forthcoming release on WSU’s peer-reviewed label, Daughter of the Wind: Works for the Bassoon by Living Native Composers.

Over 10 billion dollars’ worth of crops worldwide are lost annually to microscopic roundworms called nematodes, which can parasitize plant roots. One of such nematodes is the Columbia root-knot nematode (CRKN, Meloidogyne chitwoodi), which infects both potato roots and tubers. Washington harvests over 154,000 acres of potatoes every year and is a leading producer in the United States. CRKN is a problem because infected tubers are rejected by the industry and this nematode is a quarantine pest for several countries. To succeed in parasitism, CRKN uses a needle-like structure to secrete molecules called effectors into the plant. These effectors can be used to manipulate the host in many ways, such as suppressing immune responses and interfering with cell development. Understanding these effectors and the genes they target within plants is extremely important to work towards minimizing nematode-related crop losses and creating nematode-resistant potatoes. The Gleason lab previously investigated the CRKN effectors using a transcriptome analysis of CRKN’s pre-parasitic stage, the second stage juvenile (J2). Mc8727 is among the effector candidates with higher expression in J2s, indicating it is relevant in some capacity for early steps of nematodes’ parasitism. Because effectors are typically secreted from nematode glands, an in-situ hybridization was performed and confirmed its gland localization. Analysis of Mc8727 expression during CRKN life cycle showed the effector is more expressed by pre-parasitic J2s, followed by parasitic J2s 4 days after potato roots inoculation. Surprisingly, transgenic plants overexpressing Mc8727 were more resistant to CRKN, indicating Mc8727 might be triggering plant defense responses. To address this possibility, we evaluated three defense response hallmarks, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) burst, callose deposition and defense-related gene expression. Our data shows that Mc8727 overexpression lines had increased ROS burst and callose deposition as compared to control plants. Additionally, defense-related marker genes are differentially expressed in these overexpression lines. Taken together, our results indicate that, rather than manipulating the plants to benefit CRKN, Mc8727 is recognized by the plant innate immunity, triggering defense responses. In the future it will be interesting to assess CRKN parasitism in silencing lines and identify its possible interactors from potato plants.

Housing shortages and affordability crises are present in towns and cities all throughout the United States. These issues create multifaceted challenges (e.g., homelessness, social inequality, brain drains) that make policy solutions difficult to discern. Many of these issues, however, are a result of structural conditions that are largely unavoidable in their respective markets. In this paper we propose a land-use typology that captures key structural conditions commonly cited in the literature, specifically speaking to the interactions between supply elasticity and changes in demand. We argue that the success of mainstream policy responses like (de)regulation, subsidized construction or upzoning are context-dependent, and may only be effective under certain conditions. This typology presents a succinct tool with which common policy responses can be better contextualized before being adopted.

Wildfires are natural occurrences that have historically shaped forest ecosystem dynamics. However, due to fire suppression and climate change, forest ecosystems are increasingly at risk of transforming into non-forested areas as their fire regimes and post-fire recovery dynamics are altered. We expect plant communities to respond to gradual ecological changes through smooth transitions, whereas relatively large, abrupt regime changes lead to community state shifts. Communities can exist in alternative stable states, representing distinct configurations of various equilibrium conditions. Changes to community composition and structure in response to disturbances often alter species coexistence and diversity patterns. This study aims to investigate fire-related impacts on vegetation composition and species dominance in sites subjected to prescribed fire. Treatments include unburned, spring-burned (low intensity), and fall-burned (high intensity) within the Priest River Experimental Forest, Idaho. Tree and understory identity, survival, and growth were collected to analyze community composition and structure changes after fire disturbance. We hypothesize that fall-burned units will yield higher tree mortality rates than unburned and spring-burned units. Furthermore, older trees are expected to be less susceptible to burning treatments than younger trees due to their increased bark thickness and moisture regulation. We also anticipate changes to the understory plant communities due to an overrepresentation of disturbance-tolerant species. Understanding the consequences of environmental change becomes increasingly challenging when communities exist in alternative stable states. Investigating changes in fire regimes and their subsequent effects on plant communities is critical to assess the long-term persistence of forest ecosystems.

Salmonella enterica causes 1.35 million infections in the United States each year. While most Salmonella infections are mild and self-resolving including symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain, a concerning 10-20% succumb to severe outcomes, including inflammation and gastrointestinal bleeding (GI). This project focuses on how Salmonella’s growth is affected when competing against diverse microbiota with different metabolisms. To examine the growth dynamics of a GI microbial community we isolated a series of diverse species that are members of the swine microbiome and grew them in the presence of an S. enterica. The 11 species I work with were isolated under hypoxic (1% oxygen) and normoxic conditions (20% oxygen). These 11 isolates make up what we term a nanobiome, aiming to represent a portion of what the microbiome is like in vitro. Species isolated under hypoxic conditions are presumed anaerobe while species grown in normoxic conditions are presumed aerobic. The intestinal environment was replicated by culturing cells in fecal-enriched media and maintaining 37° C in a hypoxic atmosphere. Growth over 18 hours was tracked using absorbance and fluorescence to quantify the effects of the nanobiomes and invaders. A thorough analysis of cell growth was averaged theoretically and graphed to distinguish the activity of S. enterica competing with the microbiome. As a result, we learned that the anaerobic bacteria within a gut microbiome play an important role in preventing infection, reducing S. enterica, inhibiting it from out-competing the native microbes, and further influencing the usage of microbiome competitions for future clinical work. Overall, these experiments give us an insight into the pathogen’s colonization and assist in understanding the importance the microbiome plays in preventing infection.

Cold injury is an issue for grape growers in regions with low winter temperatures. This injury often occurs when air temperatures drop faster than the vines can acclimate. There are viticultural practices that may exacerbate this risk of damage, including the use of grow tubes overwinter. We addressed this concern through a series of experiments that observed air temperature immediately surrounding Vitis vinifera ‘Chardonnay’ vines when grown in paper, plastic, or no grow tubes during the 2024-2025 winter in eastern Washington State.  The experiment used a randomized block design, with four replicates per treatment.  Internal-tube temperate (or immediately surrounding temperature in the case of no tubes) was recorded every 15 minutes using HOBO data loggers; solar radiation was recorded at the nearby AgWeatherNet ‘Prosser’ weather station. Overnight, all treatments achieved the same air temperature immediately surrounding the vine. During the day, the range in temperature difference between paper tubes and no tubes was 3ºC. This temperature difference range exceeded 14ºC comparing plastic tubes to no tubes, with the air temperature inside plastic grow tubes being warmer than ambient air. The largest differences between ambient and plastic grow tube temperatures were generally associated with sunny days. Daily accumulated solar radiation was a positive predictor for increased daytime air temperature inside plastic grow tubes (R² = 0.58) over ambient air temperatures, but had no influence on the daytime air temperature inside paper grow tubes (R² = 0.007). We are also investigating the impact these daytime temperature swings have on bud cold hardiness. While preliminary, this study highlights the role grow tube material choice may have on vine winter temperature response. Results could be used to enhance cold-hardiness models for young vines, accounting for grow tube material choice and forecast weather conditions.

3D apparel simulation is an innovative technology that enhances sustainability by minimizing fabric waste and reducing the time needed for physical prototyping. Traditional methods of exhibiting historical garments present challenges, including the necessity for mannequins that accurately replicate the body shapes of the original wearers. In past centuries, women from upper and middle classes wore corsets and maintained rigid postures, which influenced garment fit and drape. In addition, physical exhibitions require extensive space and careful handling, as fragile textiles can easily undergo deterioration over time. Virtual garment displays offer an alternative that preserves historical pieces while improving accessibility for a wider audience. Utilizing advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software such as Browzwear VStitcher for flat pattern development and 3D simulation supports sustainability and advances technological innovation in apparel design.

This study examines historical garments from the Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles Collection at Washington State University, focusing on the virtual reconstruction of a historical corset. The objective is to assess the effectiveness of 3D apparel simulation as a tool for sustainability and explore how the CAD technology can be used to exhibit historical garments. A corset from the collection was selected and measured to ensure accuracy in reconstruction. The gathered data was used to develop flat pattern pieces, which were then digitally simulated using Browzwear VStitcher. The virtual corset was compared to the original garment to determine the accuracy of the simulation. Understanding the relationship between body and garment is essential in both historical and modern apparel design. This research provides valuable insights into historical pattern-making techniques and their cultural relevance. Moreover, it highlights the role of CAD technology in sustainable fashion, demonstrating how virtual reconstructions can reduce material waste, protect historical artifacts, and create new opportunities for digital fashion education and exhibition.