IUSB Undergraduate Research Conference

Permanent link for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2022/20113

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The Search for Bardet-Biedl Syndrome BBSome Genes in Tetrahymena
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2016-03-25) Petersen, Anne E.; Roberts, Brandon; Wilkes, David E.
Bardet-Bied l Syndrome (BBS) is a disease that causes retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, learning disa bilities, renal involvement, and male hypogenitalism. BBS is an autosomal recessive disease and is genetically heterogeneous. There are 18 genes to date that have been found that when mutated lead to most cases of BBS. However only 7 of the genes make up a protein complex known as the BBSome (BBS 1,2,4,5,7,8, and 9) The BBSome is a protein complex that functions in primary cilium biogenesis. Thus, our research focuses on determining if the BBS genes that make up the BBSome are present in Tetrahymena thermophi/a. We performed RT-PCR to test if each of the 7 genes would have cDNA bands present in the agarose gel plates, which we then compared to the gDNA ladder bands to determine whether or not the gene was being transcribed into RNA and made into a protein, and this would suggest that the BBS gene is present in the etrahymena genome.
Identification of Fusarium and Trichoderma species associated with Alliaria petiolata and native species of Hydrophyllum
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2016-03-25) Nascimento, Adriene; Rice, Angela; Marr, Deborah L.
The focus of our study was to identify the strains of Fusarium and Trichoderma associated with a non-native plant host Alliaria petiolate (garlic mustard) and a native plant host Hydrophyllum appendiculatum.
Early Development of a Glyphosate Biosensor
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2016-03-25) Black, Voleta; Rogers, Amanda; Krista, Schilling; Tobias, Sell; Vrydaghs, Andrea; Kemmerling, Kourtney; Stinnett, Austin; Rizk, Shahir Samir, 1978-
Glyphosate is a member of the class of molecules known as phosphonates and is the active ingredient in the herbicide “Roundup”. As the use of “Roundup Ready” crops increases across the globe, growing concerns regarding environmental contamination create demand for an effective method to detect glyphosate. The aim of our project was to convert a bacterial protein into a biosensor for glyphosate. We used phosphonate binding protein (PhnD), which naturally binds to phosphonates, but has a low affinity for glyphosate ((Kd ≈ 650μM). Our goal was to increase the affinity of PhnD for glyphosate. To accomplish this, we designed and then tested three mutants of PhnD for their ability to bind glyphosate. The mutant proteins were expressed recombinantly in bacteria, isolated, and tagged with the fluorescent reporter Alexa 488 for analysis of binding via fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that introducing asparagine or serine mutations at position 205 had no significant effect on affinity. However, an asparagine mutation at position 177 improved binding affinity for glyphosate by approximately 100-fold (Kd ≈ 8μM). While improvements need to be made in the future, this mutant in particular represents a significant step toward the creation of a useful biosensor and a reliable way to test glyphosate concentrations in soil.
Color Perception of Autistic Children and Repetitive Motor Stereotypies in a Classroom
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Leonard, Lauren E.
Color fills the world around us. It makes up the physical environment, the clothing people wear and the food they eat. Color is also a point of aesthetics in homes and schools. But color can also have functions. A function or purpose of color could be to create an optimal learning environment for students or to make patients feel welcome in a doctor’s office. Colors can be associated with many responses, which can affect people differently. Autistic children, in particular, may perceive colors differently; therefore, endure a different type of response to colors compared to neurotypical children. Repetitive behaviors, also known as stereotypic behaviors, are a behavior of autistic children that can be displayed visually, vocally and in forms of motor movements (Ghanizadeh, 2010; see Table 1). These types of behaviors can occur in any type of situation, including excitement, boredom and stress (Ghanizadeh, 2010). Stereotypic behaviors are considered negative behaviors because they are distracting, nonfunctional behaviors that are usually uncontrollable (Ghanizadeh, 2010). These behaviors engross a child fully therefore, inhibiting learning opportunities (Ghanizadeh, 2010).
Visual Habituation in the U.S. Prison Population and effects on Recidivism
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Goff, Mary M.
Normal visual habituation occurs after repeated exposure to a visual stimulus lessens the novel impact of that stimulus on the observer. Adaptation to visual stimuli occurs after repeated exposure lessens the emotional response of the observer to the stimulus. Because of these visual mechanisms working together, humans are able to ‘get used to’ just about anything, even highly emotional stimuli. A function of the U.S. prison system is to prevent crime by incarcerating guilty criminals, and to deter these individuals from reoffending upon release. It is proposed in this work that because individuals possess the ability to ‘get used to’ the visual and emotional environment while incarcerated, it makes them more likely to habituate to a relatively unchanging visual field and leads to an increased likelihood of recidivism upon release due to hypersensitivity to the world outside of prison
Color Perception in Autism: The Use of Color Overlays to Reduce Symptoms of Visual Stress
(2017-03-31) Szymanowski, Sydney
Unusual sensory processing is common among individuals suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Individuals with ASD often experience visual stress when reading black print on a white page. They are also often hypersensitive, which is over sensitive, or hyposensitive, which is under sensitive, to certain lights and colors. Colors and their individual meanings are used everywhere in both our social and natural environments. When someone sees a color or is picking out a color, it is impossible for them to ignore their social and natural associations for that color. A social association is a learned association between color and the meanings formed in a socio-cultural environment A natural association is a learned association between color and meanings formed in a biological environment. Although colors are very important, everyone experiences and perceives colors differently. Also, color perception and preference differs greatly from culture to culture
Facial Expression Recognition Across two Cultures and Bipolar Disorder
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Fox, Sarah
Individuals with bipolar disorder are expected to have more difficulties identifying facial expressions especially from cultures with closed off facial expressions
Biopolar Disorder and Recognizing Facial Emotions
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Bueno, Mercedez C.
People with bipolar disorder are unlikely to recognition facial emotions
Emotional Facial Expression Recognition in Women with PTSD
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Clapper, Skylar
Emotional facial expression recognition occurs ever second of every day, without anyone noticing they are processing this information. Anytime we see another person, we are mentally trying to figure out how they are feeling based on the expressions on their face. For most people, this comes without any form of trouble or conscious thought, but for others, it is something they cannot do accurately. Most processing of this information occurs in the amygdala, which when damaged, causes issues when trying to understand emotions. There are other areas associated with emotion as well, such as the temporal lobes, hippocampus, insula, medial prefrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. Individuals diagnosed with PTSD display a wide array of symptoms, the two that are important for this research and isolation and the feeling of negative emotions. Women are more likely than men to display symptoms of PTSD, which is a result of cognitive differences. People diagnosed with PTSD have different reactions in the amygdala and other brain regions that affect facial recognition
Color Perception in Children with Anxiety
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Osowski, Jessica
This research looks at color perception and children with anxiety disorder and presents potential colors that most likely will elicit a negative or positive response in children with anxiety disorder
Attractive Image Therapy Through Social Media Among the Depressed
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Sanchez, Anabel J.
Attractive images can help individuals cope with depression through the use of social media.
Facial Expression Recognition of Emotion Impairments in Men with Borderline Personality Disorder
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Blair, Samantha
The overwhelming research has concluded that female patients with borderline personality disorder have a visual perception impairment associated with reading emotional facial expressions, so it is easy to conclude that men with the disorder would face similar impairments. It is, however, possible that the men with the disorder could face similar strenuous impairments when faced with neutral or ambiguous faces. Men with borderline personality disorder would encounter impairments with facial expression recognition, more than likely they would associate neutral or ambiguous faces with negative emotions. These impairments could be worse than female patients due to sex differences in anatomy and cultural context.
Influence of Color on Affect and Academic Performance
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) Alvarado, Jordan
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the color scheme of a room would influence an individual’s affect and performance in an academic context.
Reading Can Slow the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2017-03-31) McCallie, Kathleen Jo
Reading is a mentally stimulating activity that creates neurological connections within the brain (Watkins, 2012 ). It is a highly beneficial activity for brain health (Siemasko, 2014). The majority of people learn to read at a young age. We are taught how to read in school and we begin with the basics; learning the alphabet. We start by memorizing the letters and the sounds each letter makes. Beginners start by decoding one-syllable words and work our way up to words with multiple syllables (Kelly, 2017). Since reading activates multiple parts of the brain, and creates new connections between neurons; then a person who has Alzheimer’s disease could use reading as a tool to slow the progression of their disease. While plaques and tangles block and destroy connections, reading creates new connections. This could counter the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and bring back cognitive ability that was once threatened.
Testing effects of the SSRI drug Paroxetine on survival of a freshwater amphipod (Hyalella sp.)
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2016-03-25) Lewis, Joshua
Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that typically are used as antidepressants and as treatment for anxiety in humans. It has been realized that these drugs are showing up in bodies of water from our waste water. As these drugs pollute the waterways, it can negatively growth, survival, or reproduction in aquatic organisms. The main goals of my study were to develop protocols for maintaining healthy amphipod (Hyalella species) cultures in the lab, and test how well amphipods were able to survive when exposed to different concentrations of the SSRI drug paroxetine (Paxil). Amphipods in the Genus Hyalella are common in lakes and rivers throughout the Midwest. Larger volumes of water (30 mL), maximizing air/water surface (to increase oxygen levels) and some vegetation are needed to maintain healthy Hyalella cultures. Even small concentrations of the paroxetine SSRI drug can kill freshwater amphipods.
The Influence of Religiosity on the Types of Health Concerns People Pray About
(Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2014-03-28) Mantiziba, Nyaradzo
It is only in recent decades that interest in understanding the relationship between religion and health has reawakened in scientific and academic spheres. According to Wulff (cited by Duriez, Soenens, & Hustebaut, 2005), there are four different specific attitudes towards religion that people have. These four attitudes are Orthodox (Literal Affirmation), External Critique (Literal Disaffirmation), Relativism (Reductive Interpretation) and Second Naiveté (Restorative Interpretation) (Duriez et al, 2005). In this study, I examine whether the religious attitudes people have influence the types of health concerns they will pray about.
The Effects of the SSRI Paroxetine on Feeding Rates of the Larval Mosquito Aedes aegypti
(IU South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2014-04-18) Van Do, Alice; Clark, Thomas M.
Paroxetine is an antidepressant drug that is found in aquatic habitats. It is a serotonin specific reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases the amount of serotonin in synapses, mimicking increased activity of serotonergic pathways. Studying the effects of the SSRI paroxetine in freshwater animals such as Aedes aegypti larvae (mosquito larva) may help us see what physical and behavioral impact the drug may have on these animals and how it may affect the ecosystem. The testing of feeding rates of mosquito larvae exposed to paroxetine was conducted because of the known influence of serotonin on appetite. In order to see the influence of serotonin on appetite Aedes aegypti were exposed to different concentrations of paroxetine (1x10-5, 1x10-6, and 1x10-7 mmol/L). The effect of paroxetine on feeding rates are expected to affect growth and development of mosquitoes, suggesting ways that paroxetine and other SSRIs in the environment will likely alter the ecosystem.
Embracing the Inevitable Wrinkles
(IU South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, 2014-04-18) Lynn, Christina
Goals: To propose a model for healthy aging that will enforce a more positive perception toward the process of aging. To relate knowledge of contemporary research on how a healthy lifestyle can optimize cognitive capacity in older adulthood, and how such factors can ultimately be beneficial towards continued brain health.
The Education of Parents on Proper Bedsharing Techniques for Reduction of the Risk of SIDS
(Indiana University South Bend, 2013-01-13) Carapia, Jennifer
Evidence based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to delivering quality healthcare. Integration of best evidence from well-designed studies, patient care data and research combined with clinical expertise and patient values can improve the quality of care as well as patient outcomes. EBP begins with an inquiry that is either problem focused or knowledge focused. The PICOT question formulated focuses on the etiology of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and asks “Are babies who properly bedshare at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than those who do not?” The controversy over this debate is both delicate and multifaceted, making this a difficult topic to research and discuss. It requires an understanding of correct terminology, basic biologic necessities and cultural appreciation. The problem posed from my PICOT question stems from the concern that providers are not accurately assessing babies sleep habits and therefore not accurately providing important and essential education in order to promote a healthy sleep environment. Bedsharing is an important component from a biological standpoint. However the fear of SIDS and the recommendations regarding safe sleep from the AAP have had a damaging impact on proper bedsharing practices. Science has already determined that breastfeeding is protective against SIDS. Bottle fed babies are twice as likely to die of SIDS compared with breastfed babies. The “collective wisdom” surrounding this controversial topic remains conflicted due to the current AAP recommendations, however, best evidence illustrates that proper bedsharing is not a risk factor for SIDS, and may potentially decrease the risk of SIDS. Proper bedsharing promotes maternal/infant bonding which can lay a solid foundation for a healthy child. Educating parents on proper bedsharing in order to create a safe sleep environment and reducing the risk of SIDS without sacrificing maternal/child bonding must be executed and may be potentially lifesaving.
How teachers of an urban school corporation in the Midwest approach teaching multicultural democracy education in U.S. History classes
(Indiana University South Bend, 2013-01-13) Ojutalayo, Ayo
Teaching history in the traditional way has always been criticized as making history boring and not challenging students’ critical thinking ability. Using the multicultural democracy model makes history more interesting to students. Students also graduate being more aware of their responsibilities in the society. Multicultural democracy is not the same thing as multicultural education. Multicultural education concerns itself with students knowing, appreciating and respecting the diverse cultures in our society, and their respective contributions to the society. Unlike multicultural education, multicultural democracy incorporates other forms of diversity in addition, including religious diversity, gender diversity, diversity in sexual orientation, and diversity in socioeconomic class. Available literatures indicate that teachers that use multicultural democracy model are motivated by personal interest in and history in activism. It is not common to see all the elements of multicultural democracy in a class. However, turning politically disengaged students into socially active citizens is an essential element that must be present in a multicultural democracy education. Qualitative methods were used to collect data separately from four (two male and two female) teachers using semi-structured interviews. Analysis of responses was done by coding the interview data. The following themes emerged during coding: there are time constraints in U.S. History classes therefore it is difficult to teach multicultural democracy education; multicultural democracy education is best taught in government classes and not in history classes; and when the school corporation does not dictate what is taught in the classroom, there is academic freedom. Even though some elements of multicultural democracy education takes place in all the four teachers’ classes, there was no indication of deliberative and critical pedagogies in the classrooms nor students’ social activism.

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