One limitation of chemotherapy drugs is their impaired ability to penetrate tight junctions between epithelial cancer cells to access the inside of a tumor. Adenoviruses have devised a method for moving between epithelial cells by virtue of binding adenoviral fiber proteins to the human protein desmoglein-2 (DSG-2) found within these junctions. When used in coordination with chemotherapy drugs, a recombinant adenoviral fiber protein, termed JO-1, was shown to improve the efficacy of the cancer drug by opening tight junctions thereby facilitating entry of the drug into the tumor mass. Mutagenic library studies with JO-1 identified point mutations that resulted in increased affinities for DSG-2. An affinity enhanced variant, JO-4, containing a V239D mutation is currently being evaluated for tumor co-therapy. Two additional mutations were identified, one (N293S) lead to an increased association rate, and a second mutation (Y250F) slowed dissociation by stabilizing the complex between the fiber protein and DSG-2. We hypothesized that combining multiple advantageous mutations in a single protein would result in an overall additive effect on affinity and activity. Utilizing more active proteins in cancer therapy can allow for smaller doses and higher potency of chemotherapy drugs in human patients. Two proteins based on JO-4 and containing the Y250F or the N293S mutations were designed in silico, cloned, and produced in E. coli. These proteins were then characterized for functional activities based on the ability to compete with adenovirus infection and the ability to enhance chemotherapy in mouse tumor models.  We expect the proteins with heightened affinity to DSG-2 will block virus infection at lower doses than JO-4 and in conjuction with chemotherapy drugs will stunt the growth of tumors in mice compared to chemotherapy alone.  

The ability of animals to detect minute chemical concentrations and locate odor sources is unparalleled in synthetic systems. This is especially true in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta which can track and find the source of chemical plumes with astonishing efficiency. Male moths, for example, can detect female pheromones at concentrations of 1 in 10¹⁷ molecules of air. In this work, I created a biological odor sensor by measuring the electrical activity of the neurons in a severed antenna in response to their odor detection, (a.k.a. an electroantennogram or EAG). By comparison, commercial gas sensors are incredibly inefficient, large, heavy, expensive, and have slow response times. I have developed a small quadrotor drone which uses an electroantennogram with the antenna of a Manduca sexta moth to track a chemical plume to its source. The EAG signal is measured as the voltage across the antenna and then amplified and filtered to reduce noise. The control module of the drone uses this signal in conjunction with a measurement of the ambient airflow to steer the vehicle. The drone uses a cast and surge search algorithm to follow the chemical plume upwind: flying crosswind until the chemical is sensed, flying upwind until the scent is lost, and then repeating the process. This experiment provides proof of concept that EAGs can be used to direct the flight of an aerial vehicle for the purpose of chemical localization. This provides an odor sensing platform that is many orders of magnitude lighter than commercial odor sensors. The applications of a small, reproducible, chemosensing drone are numerous, ranging from locating contraband to testing biological hypotheses of insect flight.

Microplastics are a marine pollutant estimated to be in the range of 4-8 million tons released annually in to the world’s oceans. Microplastics have been shown to bio-accumulate in marine life, specifically fish and bivalves. Due to the hydrophobic properties of plastics, non-polar organic pollutants will interact chemically and physically. Adsorption of pollutants allows plastics in the marine environment to act as a distribution vector. This project focuses on the microplastic content in food grade sea salts, specifically those made from solar evaporation. Due to the nature of how sea water is concentrated down to form sea salt, these salt crystals are at risk of harboring microplastics. We have investigated the potential for microplastic bound organic molecules in sea salts. To address this we analyzed four kinds of commercially available salt. These salts were dissolved in water and filtered through 2 micron filters, and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize the filtrate. Following this, we washed the filtrate with dichloromethane and analyzed this with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). SEM analysis showed particles of 5-500 m diameter present in teh filtered salt solutions. When microplastics were washed with dichloromethane, phthalic acid was identified in the eluted fraction by GC-MS. Thus, preliminary results indicate the presence of organic pollutant absorbed to the surface of microplastics in sea-salt. Future work will focus on improving extraction of persistent organic pollutants. With microplastics becoming an ever more present pollutant in the global marine environment, the continuation of our research should include the health hazards of ingestion of large quantities of microplastics that have been exposed to the marine environment.

The Hidden Valley is a new theory that extends the Standard Model, our current best description of particles and forces that make up our universe. The Hidden Valley theory, along with others, extends the Standard Model in an attempt describe phenomena like dark matter not yet included in the Standard Model. Hidden Valley particles do not interact with Standard Model particles, and are therefore impossible to directly detect. But by using their predicted decay products, we may be able to prove their existence. We are currently running simulations to try to give us an idea of what we should be looking for when we use data from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Features of the model and the search strategy will be presented.

Upper-division quantum chemistry courses can be intimidating to students due to the complicated nature of quantum theory and the heavy math usage. Learning objectives are sometimes lost in formalism, and students thus have trouble understanding quantum mechanics and appreciating its importance, especially in the context of chemical and biological systems. We are working to change how quantum chemistry is taught and presented and thus improve student learning outcomes. To this end, we are creating a free, interactive quantum chemistry e-textbook. We have formulated a revised set of five learning objectives: to cultivate and apply the mathematical foundations of quantum theory; to explain the properties, simplifications, and assumptions of the core quantum models; to explain the various features of relevant visual representations; to apply quantum theory to spectroscopic analysis, atoms, molecules, and chemical bonding; and to describe macroscopic phenomena using quantum theory. These objectives are intended to make quantum chemistry approachable to students in all scientific fields. We developed an initial design of the e-textbook based on the principles of minimal navigational effort, minimal clutter, maximal sense of place, and easy discoverability to keep students focused and interested. Ultimately, revising the standard quantum chemistry curriculum to emphasize core learning objectives and conceptual understanding will help students better comprehend the material and develop a stronger appreciation for the many applications of quantum mechanics.

The family of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) proteins contains ion channels with a wide array of functions, including invertebrate phototransduction, responding to painful stimuli, responding to temperature changes, and many others. Of particular interest is the polymodal receptor TRPV1, which responds to many stimuli, including capsaicin, heat, pH, etc. TRPV1 is known to play a role in the sensation of both pain and heat; however, the structural dynamics that underlie TRPV1’s ability to transduce these signals are still incompletely understood. Therefore, an understanding of the activation, regulation, and structure of TRPV1 are of clear importance. To address these questions, I have sought to use Xenopus laevis oocytes as an expression platform to perform studies on the structure and function of TRPV1. Since TRPV1 is not naturally expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the genetic information needed for the cell to build the protein was provided for the oocyte via microinjection of RNA. After an incubation period of several days, Western blot techniques were applied to analyze the presence and strength of expression of TRPV1. To better understand specific structural changes made when in the activated conformation, the fluorescent, non-canonical amino acid L-ANAP was integrated into TRPV1 using amber stop codon suppression and an engineered tRNA synthetase. Integrating the non-canonical amino acid ANAP enables structural and functional analysis of the membrane protein via fluorometry. The results of applying such methods to understand the function of TRPV1 will provide insight into the use of TRPV1 for therapeutic purposes, most prominently the reduction of the sensation of pain.

The current industrial agriculture model relies heavily on water and fossil fuels to create the fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides needed to grow, as well as harvest, process, transport and distribute food to urban areas. Urban indoor agriculture systems may provide alternatives to meet nutritional demands of growing populations in urban areas by using hydroponic and aeroponic methods. Indoor methods rely on energy to operate the watering and lightning systems, and temperature controls are needed to maintain a consistent environment for optimal, healthy plant growth. Studies have shown that fungal symbionts can confer tolerance for increased temperatures, drought, high CO2 levels, and protect plants from disease. This study will investigate the role that fungal endophytes play on plant growth and water consumption in aeroponic systems by measuring the potential effect(s) that fungal endophytes (i.e.Trichoderma sp., Curvularia sp. and Colletotrichum sp.) have on Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) growth under reduced water conditions. By quantifying the differences in biomass, rates of growth, water consumption and relative water content between the infected plants and uninfected plants, we will determine if the relationship between the endophyte and the plant increases plant growth while decreasing energy usage and water dependency. New technologies applied to large scale, indoor agriculture operations could decrease water and energy requirements needed to grow food sustainably. Creating energy and water efficient systems could have substantial economic and environmental benefits, by decreasing the carbon footprint associated with agriculture models and increasing access to healthy food in urban areas.

3D printing of materials has been expanding from a process used solely for manufacturing of parts and prototypes in industry to the medical fields during the last decades. The 3D printing process with hydrogels has been used for biomedical applications and the process is also gaining popularity in dental industry, though mainly for model and mold creation, although it has yet to be used for dental composites. The most common dental fillers are either metals, alloys, or resin-based composites. The traditional dental composites, such as ionomers and synthetic resins in addition to metal amalgam are non-adherent to tooth and have different thermal expansion coefficients, which can lead to cracking of the fillers and additional damage to patient’s tooth. Common fillers also have non-natural colors and can leach into the blood stream or oral cavity, causing allergic and harmful reactions. In this research, our aim is to develop a biogenic dental filler using micro-extrusion 3D printing process combined with biomineralizing hydrogel technology. For 3D printable tooth filler, alginate gel was used as the main molecular scaffold along with biomineralizing peptides. After optimizing the rheological characteristics of alginate gel by tuning its concentration, crosslinking properties as well as biomineralization, the efficacy has been characterized in vitro in the presence of Ca⁺² and PO₄^-3 precursor ions. Furthermore, nano- and microstructures of biomineralized dental filler have been tested using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. Our results so far indicate that 3D printable, biomineralizing tooth filler can successfully be developed and, when fully optimized, the technique will allow filler material to be custom-made for patient’s caries. In summary, while the novel tooth filler produces internal structures mimicking the natural tooth and well interfaced with the existing tissue, the filler material is also 3D easily fabricated for clinical implementations.

The goal of this project is to better understand the functions of symbiotic bacteria that live in earthworm kidneys. This project will be focusing on the composting earthworm, Eisenia fetida. Earthworms play an important role in soil ecosystems, breaking down organic matter, aerating the soil, and enriching soil with nutrients beneficial for plants. Many earthworms harbor bacterial symbionts in their osmoregulatory excretory organs, the nephridia, which function like kidneys to manage salt balance and process waste. Two nephridia occur in each segment of the worm (~ 200 nephridia total) with each containing symbiotic bacteria. Eisenia fetida has three species of bacteria that live within their nephridia: Verminephrobacter eiseniae, a Cytophagales member, and an Actinobacteria. These bacteria are passed into egg capsules from the mother to the next generation. The function of these bacteria is unknown. This project is testing the hypothesis that these bacteria are important for supplementing the diet of the worm. To test this, worms are being cured of their symbionts by treating them with antibiotics during early development to prevent colonization. A colony of cured worms has been established and control and erythromycin-treated stocks will be fed various diets to test their ability to handle a lack of nutrients. Their mortality and fertility will be observed to determine the contribution of the nephridial bacteria to the success of E. fetida. We expect that treated worms will have higher mortality than the control group. 

During the height of the last glaciation, the Puget Lowlands were covered by a large lake, Glacial Lake Russell, which catastrophically emptied sometime between 13,000 and 15,000 years ago through the straights of Juan de Fuca. Three icebergs once suspended in Glacial Lake Russell, became stranded in water-logged sediments in North Seattle. These icebergs deformed the landscape, forming three basins of varying depths that became bogs. The creation of these basins in this manner is a relatively rare geological occurrence. A volcanic ash layer was recovered from one of these peat bogs in North Seattle, Washington. The purpose of this research was to determine the age, volcano of origin, and chemical composition of a volcanic ash sample recovered from a peat bog in North Seattle, as a means to gain a better understanding of significant geologic events in this region. Chemical fingerprinting by Ion Chromatography (IC) provided concentrations of specific ions of interest, and carbon dating analysis allowed for the determination of an approximate age for the ash layer. Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), was used to determine metal distribution in the ash layer leading us closer to gaining a clearer understanding of when eruptions occurred and when the region was ice free. The ash layer is not present in the upland sediments, and is theorized to have eroded off seasonal snow-pack and settled in the bog. Large, stranded ice takes a few hundred years to melt out, and the mass of the ice can be approximated from the mass of the sediments displaced from the basin. This could help narrow down when exactly Glacial Lake Russell emptied. Understanding the mechanisms of how this rare form of deformation occurred would advance the geological understanding of the Puget Sound Region.

In the US, the prevalence of smoking is over five times higher in the homeless population than in the general population, which precipitates disproportionately high rates of smoking-related mortality among homeless smokers. Despite the high levels of smoking-related harm experienced in this population, few homeless smokers are ready, willing, or able to successfully quit smoking. The current study’s aim was to document homeless smokers’ perceptions of smoking—both the advantages and disadvantages—to better understand why they persisted in smoking and why it has been difficult to stop. Participants in this study were 24 individuals with the lived experience of homelessness and smoking who were staying at a shelter in Seattle, Washington. Semi-structured interviews were used to assess the reported role of smoking in participants' lives, including participants' understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of their current smoking. Interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis, which is a systematic means of coding and classifying participants’ open-ended interview responses. The most frequently discussed advantages of smoking included social benefits (e.g., using shared experience of smoking as an ice breaker or a social bond), stress relief, and alleviation of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The most frequently cited disadvantages included health concerns (e.g., associated cancer risk and respiratory problems), negative impact on family (e.g., setting a bad example for children, exposing relatives to smoke), and the financial cost of smoking. By documenting the perceived advantages and disadvantages of smoking among individuals with the lived experience of homelessness and smoking, this study provides information that service providers may use to better develop treatment services and alternative smoking treatment pathways to align with this population's needs and interests.

The voice is the primary means by which humans communicate their intentions and emotions. When there is a disruption in a person’s voice, it can affect his or her physical, social, and psychological health. Yet, we still lack strong evidence for which tools to use when diagnosing voice disorders, documenting voice function, or assessing outcomes related to voice interventions. While auditory-perceptual measures are currently the “gold standard”, they are subjective and may result in poor reliability. As a result, there has been growing pressure to search for objective, reliable, and valid methods to measure vocal function, and acoustic analysis of vocal function has become more frequent among clinicians. However, we do not have strong evidence about which acoustic measure or software program best discriminates between speakers with and without voice disorders. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of two different acoustics analysis programs to identify the presence (or absence) of voice disorders. In this study, 175 voice samples from patients with a variety of voice disorders (n=100) and control speakers (n =75) will be analyzed. The analysis will include two acoustic programs that are currently used by voice clinicians: a) Praat, a free downloadable program; and b) the Analysis of Dysphonia in Speech and Voice (ADSV), which is a commercially available program. A cepstral measure, called cepstral peak prominence, will be used to determine whether the voice sample falls within the recognized parameters for a disordered or typical voice. We hypothesize that ADSV will show better sensitivity and specificity than Praat, but that neither program will categorize all samples correctly. Results of this study will help practicing clinicians decide which tools to use to assess patients with voice disorders.

The levenogestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is a progestin-containing hormonal IUD and an increasingly popular, effective method of contraception. The majority of women who discontinue this method do so in the first 6 months due to unpredicted side effects, such as bleeding and cramping. Anticipatory counseling about the side effects of other progestin-containing birth control methods is correlated with reduced removal rates and increased satisfaction with the method. This study examined information LNG-IUS users want to receive about the 6-month adjustment period in a counseling video. We conducted 7 focus groups, totaling 49 women (age 18 and over) that had a LNG-IUS placed in the last 6 months. We asked LNG-IUS users about their experiences with the LNG-IUS and what kind of information would be helpful to manage and understand side effects in the adjustment period. We performed thematic content analysis using a modified grounded theory approach. Starting with an a-priori code list, we added codes and revised the coding hierarchy based on themes that emerged. Women wanted counseling that acknowledged a range of experiences with the LNG-IUS and normalized the option to contact their doctor with concerns. Desired topics of counseling were risks and benefits of the LNG IUS, changes in bleeding and cramping, and explanation of how hormones worked in the body. Women preferred counseling that used statistics, visual aids, and personal stories from other LNG-IUS users. Participants wanted more specific information about what to expect in the first 6 months of LNG-IUS use, delivered in a way that normalized their experience in the context of other LNG-IUS users.

When Mount St. Helens erupted in May 1980, the landslide and subsequent tsunami deposited about 350,000 acre-feet of pyrolized trees into what was left of Spirit Lake. Today this log mat covers approximately 20% of the lake’s surface. While the ecological importance of large woody debris (LWD) has been well established in streams, there has been little research on the nutrient contributions from LWD to lakes. LWD is often removed from lakes for timber and recreational management. It can contribute nutrients to lakes in several ways: (1) through macroinvertebrate processing of the LWD; (2) through physical abrasion caused by wind; and (3) through the production and shedding of biofilm that establishes on the LWD. The resulting inputs may be a significant source of nutrients for oligotrophic (low nutrient) alpine lakes, leading to greater primary productivity. To measure nutrient inputs to Spirit Lake from the floating log mat, three collection sites, representing areas frequently under the log mat or with no log mat coverage, were instrumented with triplicate sediment traps. Sediment traps were also placed under two ~400 ft2 artificial log mats anchored in place in protected bays in the lake. Total inputs of C, N, and P were measured by CHN analysis or ICP-OES. Results were very location specific. The fixed log mat in Donnybrook Cove produced lower C, N and P than was collected nearby by the traps influenced heavily by the mobile natural log mat. In Duck Bay, a warm, organic-rich area of the lake protected from the natural log mat, C and N were greater under the log mat, while P was greater in open water. By understanding the influence of LWD on nutrient cycling in lakes, this study may influence future management decisions concerning the removal or addition of LWD in aquatic environments.

This project intends to answer the following questions: (1) how knowledgeable are teens and young adults on how they can maintain confidentiality when seeking sensitive health care services while under their parent or guardian’s health insurance, and (2) what is the most effective tool to disseminate this kind of information? Although health care confidentiality is protected by law, there still remains the possibility that health information may be disclosed when documents such as the Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) and invoices are sent home. For adolescents and young adults insured under their parent or guardian’s health insurance plan, the potential breach of confidentiality may deter them from seeking appropriate health care. We hypothesize that teens and young adults have little knowledge about how to protect to their health care confidentiality and that a pamphlet is the most effective tool to educate them. To test this hypothesis, we created a pamphlet that provides options on how to maintain confidentiality when seeking sensitive services while on their parent or guardian’s health insurance. We will survey 20 adolescents, aged 13-25, on the pamphlet information, including the content and lay-out. Additionally, respondents are asked about other tools that would be effective in disseminating this information. Survey responses will be analyzed for themes. Thus far, we have interviewed 9 persons between ages 13 and 25. Each respondent stated that he/she was unaware of some information provided in the pamphlet. For example, one young adult stated, “I didn’t know that insurance or laboratory testing could accidentally make it easier for privacy to be lost in the billing process.” Respondents stated that tools such as a website or videos may be more effective to publicize this information. This project highlights the need to inform adolescents and young adults about their rights to maintain confidentiality when under their parents’ health insurance plans.

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is an electrochemical method that measures and identifies in vivo brain analytes during behavioral tasks in rats. FSCV identifies analytes through a chemical fingerprint called a cyclic voltammogram (CV). When an unknown sample is collected, it is important to verify that the analyte being measured is the analyte of interest. To this end, five criteria have been proposed to identify an unknown analyte being measured in the brain, namely: electrochemical, anatomical, physiological, pharmacological, and independent chemical analysis. The brain analyte dopamine has been established under these five criteria, except for independent chemical analysis. We hypothesize that the reason for failing to establish independent chemical analysis is that tissue impedance leads to a discrepancy between in vitro calibrations (independent chemical analysis) and in vivo FSCV measurements. Indeed, recent work in our lab has demonstrated a 50 kOhm difference between the reference and working electrode, in vivo vs in vitro. This difference may cause a shift in the CV for dopamine, making it difficult to use for analyte verification. In order to test whether this 50 kOhm differential can explain the discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro dopamine, we added a 50 kOhm resistor to the circuitry between the reference and working electrode. We then measured a range of in vitro dopamine concentrations in the absence and presence of the 50 kOhm resistor. The CVs generated from these measurements are then statistically compared to in vivo dopamine CVs in terms of qualitative and quantitative agreement. Subsequently, dopamine along with pH measurements at zero and/or 50 kOhm resistance will be used to test the performance of a statistical calibration method known as chemometrics. 

Factors such as temperature, pressure, presence of a catalyst, and reactant concentration are all known to affect the rate of chemical reactions and are well exploited in industry to drive chemical synthesis to favor certain mechanistic pathways. Here we consider the effect of using magnetism to control the rate of reaction for the Briggs Ruascher reaction. This reaction was chosen as a model for magnetic manipulation because it is mediated by both radical and non-radical pathways that compete with oscillatory behavior to produce the same product. Dramatic color changes serve as a visual cue to indicate which path is dominating. Here we put forth magnetic radical arrest hypothesis for the Brigg’s Ruascher reaction. It is known that electrons act like tiny magnets that pair with opposite spins. Because radical species carry a lone unpaired electron, presumably their magnetic fields are not concealed. We proposed that due to the exposed nature of the unpaired radical electrons in the Briggs Ruascher reaction, the progress of the reaction would be affected by the application of a magnetic field. Upon exposure to strong magnets, the radical intermediates of the Briggs Ruascher reaction were expected to aligned their spins with the applied magnetic field affecting their reactivity. Several types of neodymium magnets with various strengths were applied to the reaction in order to determine whether magnetism could prevent or greatly reduce the velocity of the color phase changes for the radical mediated portion of the reaction. We also built an electromagnet to expose the reaction to in order to achieve even greater field strength. The Brigg’s Rouscher reaction was found to be significantly robust and there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the reaction was affected by neodymium fields below a range of 5.8 mT. Results of exposure to the electromagnet are still in progress. The color changing cycles of the Briggs Ruascher reaction were found to follow a decreasing sigmoid mathematical model before going to completion after 9-10 oscillations.

Escherichia coli is a major causative agent of extra-intestinal infections and highly clonal. Our goal was to use the newly developed septatyping method to determine the clonal structure of E. coli population in routinely collected urine samples from a clinical microbiology lab, evaluate the patterns of antibiotic resistance of individual clones, their temporal stability and prevalence in samples with clinically significant load. Isolated E. coli were assigned a clonotype using septatyping, which is a quantitative real-time PCR test consisting of seven reactions that identify the absence or presence of clone-specific SNP’s in two loci – fumC and fimH. The eighth reaction is a reference control, detecting E. coli specific loci, uidA. We identified 40 (out of 128 possible) clonotypes from 647 E. coli isolates. The most prevalent was the 561 clonotype, aka H30 clone (114 isolates, 17.6%), followed by clones 571, 760, 620 and 271 (7-8% of isolates per clone). Clonal structure of E. coli remained relatively stable over the 3-year period (less than 2% difference). Furthermore, clones varied significantly in their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. For example, 561 (H30) is a highly multi-drug resistant clone, whereas 760 and 530 are highly susceptible to all tested antibiotics. Such differential susceptibility can be extremely useful for choosing the proper course of treatment for the patient. When we compared the clonal structure of E. coli isolated from samples with low bacterial load (<10⁴ cfu/ml, usually discarded as contamination) and high load (≥10⁴, clinically significant), most of the clonotypes were evenly split between the two groups. The fact that the same clones can grow both to low and to high numbers in patients’ urine indicates that the cutoff of 10⁴ cfu/ml may need revision as a clinically significant level.

Although smoking has decreased dramatically in the general US population, the prevalence of smoking among homeless individuals has not. Further, severe smoking-related illnesses, such as lung cancer and emphysema, disproportionately affect homeless smokers. Unfortunately, current smoking treatment options, which focus primarily on supporting smoking cessation, yield low quit rates for homeless smokers. Understanding homeless smokers’ experience with and perceptions of these treatment options may provide insight into ways to improve them and help decrease smoking-related harm in this severely affected population. Homeless individuals who were former or current smokers (N = 24) participated in semi-structured interviews that ascertained their prior experience with existing smoking treatment and cessation methods. Conventional content analysis was used to code and categorize participants’ responses. Findings indicated that participants had mixed to negative perceptions of existing smoking treatment and cessation methods. Specifically, participants had concerns about providers not prioritizing smoking treatment, the expense of smoking cessation aids (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy), and potential side effects of medication for smoking cessation (e.g. varenicline). Additionally, when consulting with treatment providers, many participants preferred personalized feedback (e.g. showing a picture of their own lungs) over general information on health risks or advice to stop smoking. Homeless individuals who were former and current smokers had mixed to negative perceptions of existing smoking cessation methods. Instead, they expressed interest in more personally tailored advice and methods. Further research is necessary to explore alternatives to smoking cessation treatments and methods that are more patient versus provider driven.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable disease affecting approximately 1 in every 3600 males in the United States that is caused by a genetic mutation leading to the loss of dystrophin expression in muscles. Dystrophin is a protein that links the cytoskeleton of muscle cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM), and a lack of dystrophin leads to extensive damage to muscle fibers and subsequent loss of muscle function. Proposed methods of treatment, such as direct stem cell injections, have not been effective due to poor cell viability and difficulties associated with the culture of muscle stem cells in vitro. However, the development of implantable, vascularized and functionally mature skeletal muscle tissue patches may be able to address some of these issues. These tissues are made by growing primary muscle cells on biodegradable nanopatterned scaffolds that have been functionalized with sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a potent angiogenic and myogenic biomolecule. The nanopatterning of these scaffolds is designed to mimic the nanotopography of native muscle ECM such that the anisotropic alignment and maturation of cultured muscle cells is induced. With this combination of topographical and biochemical cues, there was an observed increase in the formation of mature, contracting myotubes and the presence of differentiated endothelial cells. Furthermore, increased expression of myogenic and angiogenic genetic markers were found in cells cultured on substrates functionalized with S1P. Current work is focused on the validation of these results with cells featuring a knockout of the S1P receptor 1 gene. Lack of this receptor should lead to S1P-functionalized substrates having little to no effect on cell differentiation and tissue maturation, thereby illustrating the importance of S1P on the observed results. With further research and development, these tissue constructs may be used in the future to treat chronic muscle diseases such as DMD.

The loss of mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear gives rise to many hearing and balance-related disorders in humans. The permanent loss of these cochlear hair cells can be caused by many factors, including age and noise-related hearing loss, and ototoxic medications. A certain class of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides as well as a number of chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin have been identified as ototoxic (being toxic to inner ear structures responsible for hearing and balance), with usage resulting in varying levels of temporary or permanent hearing loss and vertigo. Because of the inaccessibility and complexity of the mammalian ear, the zebrafish has emerged as an effective animal model for studying mechanosensory hair cells due to comparable external mechanosensory hair cells clustered along the lateral line of fish. The external location of the hair cells allows for ease of access and imaging of hair cells for large drug library screens for compounds which protect against ototoxic effects. I followed up on a recent drug library screen of bioactive small molecules which produced three possible protectants against neomycin-induced hair cell loss. To characterize their protective qualities, I exposed zebrafish to different dosages of the protectants and neomycin and measured the amount of hair cell loss to create dose-response profiles for each protectant. Higher protectant doses will increasingly attenuate neomycin-induced hair cell loss. The six tested compounds’ efficacy will be compared to a known protectant compound to see whether they can be further investigated to as a potential ototoxicity-blocking compound (blocking the effects of ototoxicity). The results of this study will identify and describe the efficacy of these putative hair cell protectants and will lead to a better understanding of the role these compounds may play in reducing the effects of ototoxins.

This research is focused on a high school career and technical education program about translation and interpretation (T & I) for bilingual students. Our research evolved around the question: “How does the T & I program and its service-learning component change students’ language ideologies and understanding of their own skills.” We have used an ethnographic approach in able to answer the research question. We have collected data from student interviews and class visits as well as analyzed teaching methods used in classes. Many students have experienced hardships and oppressions in their local high schools because they are bilingual. By taking the T&I class, students have developed confidence about their language skills and started to treat bilingualism as an asset that will help them in the professional world. Many students have shown significant improvement in vocabularies in their native language and they are more willing to translate for their parents because they have witnessed a space where it is valuable to be bilingual. Students that graduated from this program have decided to either pursue a college degree or choose a career related to translation even though it may not be their original intention before joining the program. We believe that similar program in other schools throughout the country should be implemented in order to help high school students achieve better future.

 The impact of foreign aid can often be enhanced or hindered by institutional factors within recipient countries. Previous research on aid and economic growth indicates that state capacity and quality of government institution may have a role in determining the actual influence of foreign aid on economic growth and development. Recently, with the advent of global epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, West Nile, and SARS, there has been an equal rise in international health aid flows to affected countries. We study health aid effectiveness on reducing new HIV infections in developing countries. A fixed effects model, which captures within-country trends, is constructed and tested on HIV incidence rates and public health aid flows, while including variables for state capacity (using tax revenue as a proxy) and government corruption, as well as other control variables. We anticipate positive correlations between HIV incidence and the interaction term for state capacity and health aid, which would suggest that aid is more effective in countries with strong government institutions. 

 The majority of Americans do not engage in regular physical activity. Fitness Zones, a program sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, aims to increase physical activity by providing free outdoor fitness equipment in public parks. This program has gained popularity across the United States; however, few evaluations exist on the effectiveness of the program. Additionally, the majority of previous Fitness Zones were installed in warm locations. The purpose of this study is to examine physical activity patterns of park users in two Seattle parks where Fitness Zones will be installed, as well as to evaluate the effect of weather on park attendance and Fitness Zone utilization in these participating parks. Data collection will be performed in two Seattle parks prior to installation of Fitness Zone equipment with follow up at one of the parks after installation using a combination of observation and survey/interviews of park users. Observations are performed using System of Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). Park attendance will be assessed using a Park User Log and weather condition data will be obtained through Underground Weather. Qualitative content analysis of park user responses and comparison of park user turnout during tolerable versus poor weather differentiated by temperature, wind speed, and precipitation will be used for analysis. In addition, we will use linear regressions to determine correlational strength between park user attendance and various weather conditions. The results will contribute to the understanding of park use, and how to improve physical activity levels of all people in Seattle parks. Results will also describe relationships between Seattle weather conditions, park user attendance, and Fitness Zone utilization. Ultimately, this study will add to the knowledge base about whether Fitness Zone installation in public parks is an effective method to increase physical activity in the Seattle area.

As sensors decrease in size, cost, and power, more and more sensors are being used to generate big data sets – a concept called the “Internet of Things.’’ These data sets must be analyzed to extract meaningful information from it. Consequently, tools or techniques for analyzing large data sets from sensor networks are important. This idea of building a data pipeline for the Internet of Things is what our project is based on. The purpose of our research project was to construct a database to store distributed sensor network data and to enable analysis of the data. Sensor data consisted of information from devices that were connected to nearby wireless networks. The data were gathered using a low-cost and low-power microcomputers, in our case, Raspberry Pis, and were collected from the sensors over several days. These were stored in the database for analysis. The large-scale data sets that result make a database necessary for analysis. The concept of gathering big data sets from sensor networks and performing data analysis can be used in optimization, prediction, control, and other applications. Data pipelines also enable analysis at different time scales from data acquisition. Designing tools for our more data-rich world is essential to understanding the mass of data that we gather each day from the sensors all around us.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public health concern associated with poor health outcomes (health-related quality of life (HRQOL), cognitive deficits). An estimated 1-4% of typically developing children have OSA. Less is known about the prevalence of OSA and co-morbid effects of OSA in children with chronic health conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is an autoimmune disorder associated with joint inflammation, pain, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. A recent study reported a high prevalence of OSA in JIA, however the associations between OSA and health outcomes were not reported. The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the prevalence of OSA, HRQOL, and fatigue in JIA and control children; and 2) compare HRQOL and fatigue in JIA and controls with OSA to those without OSA. Participants included children 6-11 years, with JIA (n=68) and without JIA (n=75). Children underwent overnight polysomnography (PSG). Children and parents also completed the Pediatric Generic Core scale (HRQOL), Multidimensional Fatigue Scale; and parents completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). The analysis for aim 1 examined group differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, PSG OSA indices, parent-reported OSA symptoms, HRQOL, and fatigue. For aim 2, we categorized JIA and control children who met the clinical criteria for OSA by PSG and by PSQ. Mean scores for HRQOL and fatigue were examined in children with OSA confirmed by PSG and PSQ, to children without OSA confirmed by PSG or PSQ. We found that children with JIA have increased OSA by PSG and parent report, lower HRQOL, and increased fatigue severity compared to controls. Results of this study will inform clinical practice by highlighting the need to routinely screen children with JIA for OSA, and the impact of OSA on important patient-reported health outcomes in JIA.

The serotonin receptor subtype 5-HT6, a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is a target of pharmacological agents that has been shown to have promising therapies to enhance cognitive function. Unfortunately, the mechanism by which drugs that activate 5-HT6 receptor signaling activity has on neuronal function is not well understood. Activation of 5-HT6 receptor activity induces a response in both canonical (ACIII) and non-canonical signaling pathways (Cdk5). Interestingly, endogenous 5-HT6 receptors are found solely on the neuronal primary cilia, a small organelle projecting from the cell body like an antenna. Primary cilia dysfunction has been correlated with several brain disorders, such as Meckel Syndrome and Joubert Syndrome. This study examines the role of the 5-HT6 receptors in the primary cilia in order to gain a better understanding of the receptor’s importance in neuronal morphology and cognitive processes. Using primary neuronal cultures from 5-HT6 receptor knockout mice, we rescued expression of 5-HT6 receptors using transgenic expression of wildtype receptors and mutant receptors deficient in a specific signaling pathway (Gs-DEAD-5-HT6 and Fyn/Cdk5-DEAD-5HT6). After the 5-HT6 receptor expression was restored, immunohistochemistry was used to determine the effect of rescuing 5-HT6 receptor expression on cilia morphology. Expression of a fluorescently-tagged dendritic arbor (Map2B-RFP) was used to measure the effect 5-HT6 receptor expression has on dendritic arborization. Preliminary results show that rescue of 5-HT6 receptor expression enhances dendritic outgrowth, and that this increase is dependent on Fyn-signaling pathway. Cilia length was only mildly affected by rescue of 5-HT6 receptor expression, and the 5-HT6 mutants only mildly affected cilia length.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) describes a set of neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by behavioral and cognitive phenotypes with multiple gene involvement. There is a strong association between bowel disorders and ASD, making the enteric nervous system (ENS) a potential target for drug treatment and therapy. The ENS innervates the gastrointestinal system and regulates its function. Current studies of the ENS are limited to the invasive procedure of removal of gut tissue, or animal models that do a poor job of recapitulating the human disease. The work presented here uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from ASD patients that have been differentiated into enteric neurons to model the ENS for study. Fully differentiated enteric neurons pass through an intermediate cell type called neural crest (NC). Here, we report the successful differentiation of iPSCs to neural crest progenitor cells (NCPCs). Treatment of iPSCs with two inductive factors, SB431542 (a TGF-B Inhibitor) and BIO (a GSK-3 inhibitor) generated a high yield of NCPCs. The expression of NCPC markers by TaqMan® PCR gene expression assays, was used to quantitate the extent of NCPC differentiation. To demonstrate the specificity of the differentiation protocol, immunocytochemistry results between NCPCs and forebrain neurons were compared. Together, these findings support the conclusion that iPSCs can be efficiently differentiated to neural crest progenitors as an intermediate in the generation of an “ENS in a dish” to study the chronic constipation suffered by patients with ASD.

This study looks at the arrangement of the classroom and how it affects participation and engagement. Changing the arrangement of a classroom can also have an impact on how students may or may not engage with each other. Using a quasi-experimental field study, students in two class sections were given the opportunity to interact and build a community within a classroom setting by arranging the desks, chairs, and themselves to an arrangement different than the traditional rows and chairs. Two class sections of the same class using the same instructor are used as a control condition. We are interested in exploring student reactions to the classroom redesign in the experimental group and will compare the experimental to the control group in terms of student engagement measures such as class participation, teamwork dynamics, and performance on team projects. This data will be available in early April for analysis and presentation at the symposium. 

When isolated subpopulations adapt to the particular features of the predators, prey, or cooperative partners that are specific to their local environment, populations may become specialized to their local partner and less able to interact with other populations. To what extent might this hypothesis explain the diversification of microbial species, which cooperate or compete with each other in complex communities? We tested whether specialization was a common outcome of evolution between the bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris and the archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis after they evolved together in a beneficial interaction for 1000 generations. To test if D. vulgaris populations tended to become specialized for the M. maripaludis populations they evolved with (and vice versa), we revived 6 independently-evolved communities, separating the D. vulgaris and M. maripaludis populations from one another, and then paired each population back up with its sympatric partner (evolved in the same community) or with 5 allopatrically-evolved partners (evolved in different communities). We used microscopy to quantify the density of D. vulgaris and M. maripaludis to test whether the absolute fitness of either species was higher in sympatric versus allopatric pairings. We also competed allopatrically-evolved and sympatrically-evolved D. vulgaris against one another. We conclude that variation across cocultures in population yield of D. vulgaris or M. maripaludis is not necessarily correlated with whether they evolved in sympatry or allopatry, suggesting that the first 1000 generations of adaptation to a new mutualism may not be characterized by specialization. Our results show that some sympatric pairings were more efficient than allopatric pairings;however no distinct trend was identified. Broader implications of our research include roles in  byproduct inhibition which is an important factor in global carbon cycling within diverse anaerobic environments, including bio-digestion for fuels, wastewater treatment, and experimental evolution. 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits as well as restrictive/repetitive behaviors and interests (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The broader autism phenotype (BAP) is a set of subclinical characteristics that are milder, but qualitatively similar to the defining features of ASDs and are most notably seen in first- and second-degree relatives of individuals with autism (Gerdts, Bernier, Dawson, & Estes, 2013; Ingersoll, Hopwood, Wainer, & Donnellan, 2011). The broader autism phenotype is thought to display the genetic liability to autism, and as BAP characteristics are only part of the total set of autistic deficits, they are thought to represent simpler components that may more easily be tied to underlying genetic causes. While comparisons of BAP traits in parents of simplex (one affected child) and multiplex (multiple affected children) families have potentially suggested different underlying genetic liabilities, there is no research to date comparing these traits in families with identified genetic events. Using the Simon Simplex Collection (SSC), this study looks to explore differences in phenotypic presentation of ASD-related traits by examining the rates of BAP characteristics within simplex families whose autism has been linked to either a de novo (spontaneous) CNV (large structural chromosomal change), a de novo SNV (single base pair change), an inherited event, or has been deemed idiopathic (unknown cause). Parent BAP levels are assessed via two measures, the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ; Hurley, Losh, Parlier, Reznick, & Piven, 2007) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS; Constantino & Gruber, 2005). Mothers and fathers within the four groups are compared on each of the five SRS subscales, the SRS total score, the three BAPQ subscales, and the BAPQ total score. Given the multiple independent and dependent variables, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) is used to compare scores across groups.

 Approximately 500,000 Americans undergo surgery for lower back problems each year. Despite dramatic improvements over the last decade in perioperative care, the outcome of spine surgery is associated with prolonged hospitalization and poor pain management. In April 2014, Harborview Medical Center introduced an enhanced recovery protocol, called the Perioperative Enhanced Recovery from Major Spine Surgery (PERMSS), which aims to reduce significant physiological stress and shorten hospitalization by implementing pre-operative nutrition supplement, standardized analgesic administration, and early mobilization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of PERMSS on post-operative pain relief. This project takes a quantitative approach and follows the descriptive correlational design. From June 2015 to Feb 2016, fifty PERMSS and fifty non-PERMSS patients were recruited and interviewed in their hospital rooms on their first postoperative day. The validated International Pain Outcome survey was used to capture comprehensive data including patient demographics, comorbidity, surgical procedure, analgesic regimen, and patient-reported outcomes. In April 2016, data analysis will be conducted through Stata MP V13.1. to compare the difference between PERMSS and non-PERMSS patient outcomes. We expect a significant improvement in pain management, reflected by less time spent in severe pain, decreased interference in recovery activities, and improved patient satisfaction. The result of this study leads to two potential benefits: first, to introduce enhanced recovery protocol to other similar complex surgeries; and secondly, to reduce reliance on opioids especially in spinal patients who have a 15-30% likelihood to develop failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and become frequent victims of opioid use disorders. In contrast to traditional practice that relies heavily on opioids, PERMSS may help address this problem with its emphasis on multi-modal analgesic, which is a combination of opioid and non-opioid prescription.

Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) affect millions every year. Symptoms are typically transient in nature but recovery time can span weeks to months. The neurobehavioral disturbances resulting from MTBI are associated with lower functional outcomes. Research suggests that well-developed social support networks contributes to improved health outcomes. However, less is understood regarding the existence of a relationship between social support networks and MTBI outcomes specifically. The objective of this study is to establish whether or not there is a relationship between social support availability and perceived symptom burden after MTBI. This study is a secondary analysis of data captured by the AIm:TBI study, which tests whether poorer outcomes from TBI in older adult survivors are associated with an altered post-traumatic immune response. In the parent study, participants were enrolled from the ED if they were 21-54 years of age and had sustained a MTBI within the last 24 hours (N=78). Social support was measured by the MOS-Social Support Scale (range 19-95; higher scores mean more social support). Endorsement of symptoms and total symptom burden at 3 and 6 months was measured using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire (range 0-64; higher scores mean more burden). At baseline, the average social support score was 79.7 (SD 14.9). At 3 and 6 months post-injury the mean total symptom burden was 16.2 (SD 14.4) and 15.5 (SD 15.0) respectively. Analysis of the relationship between the two includes the assessment of relative influence of the type of social support received on symptoms. If the results of this study suggest that there is an inverse relationship between the severity of an individual’s symptoms after MTBI and the quality of their social support network, it may justify the development of interventions to increase social support in specific areas in order to facilitate better outcomes for MTBI patients.

In typically developing children, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with neurobehavioral performance deficits including impaired behavioral regulation and working memory. Less is known about the effects of OSA on neurobehavioral performance in children living with a chronic health condition, such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Our recent study showed a high prevalence of OSA in children with JIA that was associated with slower reaction times and increased impulsivity. The purpose of this study is to compare the frequency of OSA, and the associations between OSA and neurobehavioral performance (behavior regulation [emotional control, inhibition], metacognition [working memory, organization]) in 150 school-age children with and without JIA. We hypothesized that OSA will be increased in children with JIA, and OSA will be negatively associated with emotional control, inhibition, working memory, and organization in comparison to an age, sex match group of control children. Children and their parents underwent an overnight polysomnography (PSG) in a sleep research laboratory. Parents completed neurobehavioral performance measures including Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Child Behavioral Check List (CBCL). OSA frequency between JIA and control children was examined with Chi-square analysis. Group differences (JIA vs. control) in neurobehavioral performance measures were examined with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Bivariate correlations were done to examine the associations between OSA and neurobehavioral performance tests. Findings from this study will provide new knowledge about the effects of obstructive sleep apnea on neurobehavioral performance in children living with a chronic health condition.

Phytoremediation, a plant-based green technology for cleaning hazardous waste sites, has received increasing attention in recent decades. In the 1980s, early research was successful in identifying hyperaccumulators, plants that are able to take up large quantities of available metal contaminants. Subsequent research has identified plant species as likely candidates for arsenic phytoremediation specifically. The ability of vastly different plant species to successfully take up arsenic suggests that multiple modes for entry into the plant exist. Using a broad approach, this experiment focuses on the possibility for different aquatic plants to take up arsenic from their environments, namely contaminated urban lakes. Identification of plant species with the ability to accumulate higher concentrations of arsenic will lead to possible remediation recommendations. This study focuses on the “zone of deposition” for the former ASARCO smelter, located in Ruston, Washington. We collected emergent, floating, and submergent aquatic plant species from eleven lakes contaminated by aerial emissions from the smelter, which specialized in arsenic extraction from copper ores. After washing, drying and microwave-assisted acid digestion, plant samples were analyzed for total arsenic by ICP-MS. Results revealed floating plant species showed low to moderate arsenic removal with no detection of arsenic removal for nearly all emergent species. On the other hand, our results revealed that the highest concentrations of arsenic were consistently found in the submergent plant species, with concentrations exceeding 300 mg As/kg dry weight in milfoil in one lake. Experimental results indicate that submergent species should be studied further for potential use in phytoremediation of arsenic under field conditions.

Dental hypersensitivity (DS) is one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting the majority of the adult population. DS is commonly accompanied by gingival recession and occurs at the cervical third of the crown. DS is usually triggered externally, e.g. by cold, hot, acid, or basic conditions in the saliva, and produces a sharp pain at the root of the tooth. Our objective is to develop a biomimetic treatment protocol comprising a peptide gel formulation to treat DS. Current approaches include desensitizing nerve ends by blocking the axonic action via potassium salts, limiting the permeability of dentinal tubules using synthetic adhesive sealers, e.g. NaF, bioactive glasses, oxalic acid and glass ionomer cements, or forming coagulates inside the tubules using protein cross-linker agents. Although these agents may be effective, clinical validation is still lacking and their short durability against daily tooth brushing, various foods, or drinking of acidic beverages makes their occlusion effects incomplete. We propose to form a mechanically and thermally stable mineral layer and thereby occlude exposed dentinal tubules using a peptide-remineralization approach. Working closely with the Dental School, our approach involves exposing underlying dentin by removing cement tissue at the coronal root surface by scraping away dentin on extracted human tooth to mimic hypersensitivity conditions. The samples are next treated with peptide-enabled remineralization resulting in tens of micrometer-thick new layer over the damaged dentin. The stability of the newly formed layer is then mechanically and thermally evaluated using nanomechanical testing and thermal-cycling, respectively. Our results demonstrate that exposed dentinal tubules are successfully occluded by mechanically and thermally stable mineral layer. Through a molecular biomimetic approach, the method described herein offers a unique solution to dentinal hypersensitivity, which can be used as a platform technology to develop effective in-clinic and over-the-counter hypersensitivity treatments.

A Mycobacterium bovis-based Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is protective against childhood TB meningitis but insufficient for controlling the disease. The development of efficacious vaccines requires mechanistic understanding of host immune response to MTb and the BCG vaccine. We have previously identified that single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene HSP90B1 are associated with development of TB disease in South African children. HSP90B1 is a molecular chaperone for integrins and most Toll-like receptors (TLRs). TLRs recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and are critical for the innate immune response to infection. In a mouse model, HSP90B1-deficient macrophages were unresponsive to ligands that target TLR2, 4, 5, 7, and 9. Our lab has generated an HSP90B1 gene knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in a human monocyte cell line, and I have confirmed successful mutagenesis via a restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Our preliminary data indicates that exposure to TLR ligands PAM2, PAM3 and LPS, in addition to MTb whole cell lysate is correlated with a reduction in Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) secretion in the knockout cells compared to controls. We hypothesize that HSP90B1 is a critical modulator of the MTb-induced TLR signaling pathway, which drives the production of inflammatory cytokines and plays a key role in the immune response to MTb. My objective is to characterize the effects of HSP90B1 on the TLR signaling pathway by stimulating cells with TLR ligands such as flagellin for TLR5, imiquimod for TLR7, and performing cytokine quantification via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Moreover, I will conduct Griess assays to evaluate effects of HSP90B1 upon nitric oxide production, which is an important defense molecule in enhancing efferocytosis, the process of up taking apoptotic cells. These studies will improve our understanding of host immune responses to MTb and potentially lead to development of more efficacious TB vaccines.

Hydrogels have proven to be excellent 3D cell culture platforms, serving as frameworks for synthetic tissue substitutes. Though given the complexity of the native extracellular environment, control over mechanical and biochemical cues within hydrogels is important in mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM), the dynamic framework about which cells function. We seek to provide spatiotemporal control over cell fate within hydrogels formed through photo-mediated oxime ligation, a novel approach to photopolymerization seldom interfering with biological species present in cell encapsulation. By conjugating a photo-cleavable ortho-nitro benzyl (NPPOC) functionality to an aminooxy group, this otherwise spontaneous reaction may be spatiotemporally regulated with UV light. Excitation of the aminooxy-NPPOC complex upon UV light exposure cleaves NPPOC, enabling aminooxy to undergo ligation with an aldehyde. We have demonstrated the successful synthesis of 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecules separately functionalized with benzaldehyde and aminooxy-NPPOC end-groups. We have additionally demonstrated hydrogel formation following UV light exposure to 4-arm PEG solutions of varying compositions, verifying photo-mediated oxime ligation’s viability as a photopolymerization strategy. Following gelation, photo-mediated oxime ligation may be extended towards the incorporation of biochemical ligands via 3-dimensionally patterning NPPOC-conjugated proteins. Combining control over hydrogel geometry and stiffness with protein patterning, this dynamic hydrogel platform will expectedly aid in better understanding cell behavior through emulating the ECM’s heterogeneity. Consequently, an improved understanding of cell-matrix interactions may aid in advancing synthetic tissue substitutes.

As the Arctic warms, understanding the physical processes controlling ice melt will allow us to better understand and make predictions in our changing world. One aspect of the summer melt that is not well understood is the fluid permeability of sea ice. Current permeability tests determine that the ice is permeable, but do not show how permeable. Advanced summer melt ice has a physical structure that is similar to Swiss cheese. With this structure, sea water can penetrate to the interior of the ice sheet. In this project I use Darcy’s Law of fluid flow in a porous medium to evaluate the permeability of 3D printed ice core samples, created from CT scans of field samples. Darcy’s equation is mainly used to evaluate the flow of water in aquifers, but I believe it can be applied to porous summer sea ice as well. To test if this is a valid application of Darcy’s law I will create an apparatus to apply a constant hydraulic head to a 3D printed core. The reasoning behind using printed core samples is that a collar can be printed around edge of the core to prevent side seepage of water, as well as it is a material that will not decay over the course of the test. This test will give me parameters that will be used in a simple computer model for the fluid permeability of sea ice, that would quantify the sea water entering the ice sheet. I expect the results of this experiment to show a new method to evaluating the permeability of sea ice, and the effectiveness of 3D printed cores as a method to evaluate the structure of sea ice. A follow up study of the permeability of summer sea ice would expand on the thermal properties of the ice.

Despite the importance of social support for patients with diverse cancers, there has been no study to date that examines the differences and similarities between partner caregivers' report of communication support given to the patient and the patients’ perception and appraisal of that support. The purpose of this paper is to analyze partner caregiver communication support to wives’ diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer and compare it to the wives’ view of the support they receive from their partner caregiver. One of the most important measures of social support in the research literature is the form and type of communication the partner caregiver offers the wife regarding her feelings and emotions with the cancer. This paper will be a secondary analysis using data drawn from an ongoing clinical trial of women initially diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer and their partner caregivers [both genders]. Analyses will include patient-reported appraisal of received supportive communication using a standardized quantitative measure “What He/She Does for Me”, and the comparable measure of partner caregivers report on a standardized measure, "What I Do for Her." Data will be compared to assess the concordance or discordance between the enacted versus the perceived support. Results will have implications for nurses’ teaching partner caregivers types of communication that in the data are commonly misperceived by the diagnosed patient, including methods spouses can more effectively use to offer support that will be interpreted as support.

The period of time before, during, and after birth (the perinatal period) is associated with the greatest risk of permanent brain injury, due in large part to perinatal asphyxia, where newborn infants suffer lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Unfortunately, perinatal asphyxia, which can cause a hypoxic-ischemic insult (HI), is difficult to prevent or predict, and rates of perinatal asphyxia have remained around 2-4 per 1,000 live births, despite excellent obstetric care. Currently, therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the only treatment that has been shown to provide robust improvement in newborns after moderate or severe perinatal asphyxia. Unfortunately, TH is not universally neuroprotective, and more effective therapeutic methods are necessary to reduce mortality and lead to symptom free survival of newborns with brain injury. In this study, we develop a curcumin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticle for treatment of newborn HI. Currently, we are synthesizing the nanoparticles and doing characterization tests to determine if certain parameters are within the desired ranges. After this procedure, we will continue on and measure the drug loading and release of the nanoparticle. The results of this study are important because this nanoparticle has the ability to achieve high loading, sustained release of curcumin, and rapid diffusion within the brain microenvironment. Curcumin has recently been shown to prevent reduction of omega 3 fatty acids, which are critical to brain function and recovery after injury, particularly in the newborn brain after an HI event. Enhanced delivery of curcumin to the brain via a nanoparticle platform can have significant implications for treatment of HI in the newborn brain.

Protein quality control degradation systems allow the cell to maintain normal function by eliminating anomalous proteins. The attachment of the small protein ubiquitin to lysine residues in other proteins is important for their proteasome-mediated degradation. Ubiquitin is attached to the lysines of proteins by the action of ubiquitin ligases. However, if ubiquitin ligases spuriously add ubiquitin to themselves, they could also be destroyed by the proteasome. Therefore, it is important that ubiquitin ligases have the means of preventing autoubiquitination. One particular ubiquitin ligase (San1) is involved in the degradation of misfolded proteins in the nucleus of yeast cells. We previously found that San1 prevents autoubiquitination from occurring by not having lysine residues in the N-terminal and C-terminal region of the protein. However when lysine residues are introduced to the N- and C-terminal regions of San1, it undergoes autoubiquitination, both within itself (in cis) and by other San1 ligases (in trans). The introduction of lysine residues also causes degradation of San1 by an additional protein. The premise of my experiments is to identify the novel form of degradation as well as the protein(s) involved. Retained stability of San1 within cells with blocked proteasomes indicates that the mechanism is proteasome dependent. Additionally, degradation of San1 in cells containing temperature dependent ubiquitin indicates that the mechanism of degradation is not ubiquitin dependent. Ubiquitin-like modifiers are now being knocked down to determine whether the novel mechanism may utilize them instead. The potential for uncovering a novel protein quality control mechanism relates to many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's which all correlate strongly with high levels of misfolded protein aggregates.

Clusters of rocket motors are classically arranged cylindrically for the purpose of maximizing the effective aerodynamics of the overall cross-sectional design. Alternatively, our team’s rocket booster engine configuration was arranged in a unique square formation around the main engine for the first stage of our launch. This not only simplified construction and reduced the need for extra material to support the engines, but also lent itself to increased stability by making use of the corners of the square as part of the fin design. This first stage consisted of nine identical motors ignited simultaneously. Once the second stage ignited, this nine-engine cluster detached from the rocket and propulsion continued via a single motor. Speeds reached approximately 550 m/s, which is to say approximately Mach 1.6. The mainframe was constructed of carbon fiber with Kevlar reinforcement to prevent the fins from self-destructing upon breaking the sound barrier and/or ground impact. Our payload consisted of electronics for measuring and transmitting acceleration, speed, and altitude, along with a GPS unit for tracking purposes. The rocket's objective was to reach 60K feet, the maximum altitude allowed by FAA regulations, with a supersonic square cluster design modeled after SpaceX’s Falcon9. The research conducted was to study the takeoff, flight stability, and landing of our rocket’s more efficient square orientation in comparison to a typical cylinder design.

The Veterans Health Administration teledermatology program is designed to expand access to dermatological care for veterans. This study seeks to evaluate the quality of the store-and-forward teledermatology (SFTD) care provided to veterans in the VISN 20 (Pacific Northwest) region. SFTD incorporates imaging technology to remotely and asynchronously provide dermatology for patients who experience barriers to care. When a patient sees their primary care provider (PCP) with a suspicious skin lesion, they may initiate a SFTD consult. PCPs are trained to evaluate and treat many skin conditions, but a suspicious lesion may require consultation. The suspicious lesion is photographed by a trained imager and the pictures are sent via secure communication to a consulting dermatologist. Within days, the dermatologist assesses the lesion and provides a differential diagnosis and treatment plan. Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, was used as an indicator for quality of care. Melanomas found in regional SFTD patients between 2009 and 2011 were extracted from existing datasets. Chart reviews were conducted of these cases to understand how melanomas were handled. Melanomas that were mishandled by SFTD were classified as misdiagnosed, mismanaged, incidental, or a combination. If "melanoma" or "lentigo maligna" was not in the SFTD differential diagnosis, then it was classified as misdiagnosed. If the melanoma was not biopsied on the first encounter, it was classified as mismanaged. If the melanoma was not imaged as a suspicious lesion by the PCP, it was classified as incidental. Of the 7964 patients seen by SFTD between 2009 and 2011, there were 69 diagnosable melanomas. 6 of these were classified as incidental, 16 were classified as misdiagnosed, and 4 were considered mismanaged. These results are far below those predicted by previous studies about the quality of SFTD care.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is one of the largest physics experiments in the world, and is best known for the discovery of the Higgs Boson. At the LHC, specialized sensors are used to detect high energy particles as they move away from beam collisions centered in detectors placed around the complex. These sensors are similar to what you would find in a standard camera; however the sensors are tuned to detect particles other than photons. The current sensors in the LHC are slowly degrading from radiation, and are built on an old outdated process. A new sensor is being designed which will not be compatible with the current sensor, requiring a new control system. The project is  focused on building a control system for a model of a candidate replacement sensor. Once the actual replacement sensor has been produced, the control system will be able to assist the testing and validation process of the physical sensor. The emulator control system I have designed offers a high speed method to test the emulated sensor, providing an interface between a host computer and the sensor. The control system is designed to be modular in order to allow researchers to use the design on a variety of different field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) if more speed is required. The design of the control system has been completed and tested, and is currently being inegrated into the sensor mode, creating a full readout system. The creation of a fully emulated readout system is an essential step in improving the results gathered by the detectors in the LHC. 

American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) form four different daily aggregations: after roosting at sunrise (post-roost aggregations), gathering or foraging during the day (diurnal activity centers), before roosting at sunset (pre-roost aggregations), and at night while sleeping (roosts). Crows vocalize in all these aggregation types, but the type of calls they make may differ between each context. We hypothesize that pre- and post-roost aggregations act as information centers where crows use calls to share information about potential foraging areas. We predict that this function would lead to differences in vocalizations between pre- and post-roost aggregations and diurnal activity centers. To address this prediction, we recorded vocalizations from crows in pre- and post-roost aggregations and diurnal activity centers within the greater Seattle area. We analyzed spectograms of these recordings and compared vocal patterns between aggregation types. The total number of crows varied by context, with more crows observed in post-roost aggregations than in diurnal activity centers. Controlling for the number of crows, the average duration of gaps between syllables differed across contexts and there was a trend for the number of calls per recording to differ. These variations in vocalizations may indicate that crows share different information across the three different contexts. In order to determine whether crows might be sharing information about foraging locations on pre- and post-roost aggregations, future work will incorporate playback studies to determine if calls given primarily in pre- and post-roost aggregations cause crows to change their behavior on diurnal activity centers. 

While HIV treatment is improving, there are still problems associated with it. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has unfavorable side effects, is expensive, and requires a lifelong daily pill intake. However, it has been proposed that a therapeutic vaccine could provide durable control of viremia in the absence of ART. This is a difficult approach due to the high mutation rate of the virus. Research has shown that there are conserved elements (CE) within the virus that do not change because they are important for the viral fitness. Accordingly a therapeutic DNA vaccine is being investigated that targets the CE epitopes. To address this, rhesus macaques were infected with SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus), put on ART, vaccinated with four doses of DNA vaccine expressing CE, removed from ART, and their viral loads monitored. A successful vaccine is expected to reduce the viral loads to negligible amounts post ART cessation. My research project investigates the role of CE responses developed during acute infection. I hypothesize that macaques that naturally develop higher CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (types of white blood cells) with CE specificity in response to the acute SIV infection will respond better to ART and CE vaccinations. To investigate this I collected plasma and lymphocytes from the blood during acute infection and analyzed the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells using enzyme linked immunospot (ELISpot) and intracellular cytokine stain (ICS) assays. The viral loads were monitored by measuring the concentration of viral RNA in the plasma. T cell responses measured at each time point was then correlated to viral loads post ART-pre vaccinations or to CE responses measured after the final DNA vaccination by Spearmann Rank correlative test. My findings will help us better understand the significance of conserved elements in controlling the HIV and thus design better human therapeutic vaccines.

In this experiment, the period of a complex pendulum was examined. The pendulum consisted of a long thin rod (physical pendulum) suspended from a pivot with a simple pendulum (a string of negligible mass holding a pendulum bob) suspended from the bottom of the physical pendulum. After release, the motion of the double pendulum is irregular and chaotic for a period of time until which the two pendula synchronize and behave as a single pendulum. It was hypothesized that the synchronization period of the complex pendulum would be longer than the natural period of the individual physical pendulum, due to the increased length. Initial findings indicate that when the length of the string of the simple pendulum and the angular displacement of the physical pendulum remain constant, the synchronization period of the system can be modeled as a simple pendulum and the synchronization time is constant. Further analysis of the complex pendulum will be conducted to examine how varying the simple pendulum length and the initial displacement impact the synchronization time and synchronization period to verify the synchronized simple pendulum model and further explore the complex nature of the system. Understanding the synchronization of chaotic systems can lead to the engineering of more complex systems.

Shear-enhanced adhesion is a mechanism in which binding is enhanced at high flow rates. Some species of bacteria within the genus Streptococcus demonstrate shear-enhanced adhesion under high flow conditions, which are present throughout the human body. The purpose of our research is to understand and compare the effect of constant and pulsatile flow in Streptococcus gordonii, a strain of bacteria that causes infections by binding to human platelets. Our research focuses primarily on cases of infective endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of heart valves caused by various strains of bacteria. Rates of incidence in a general population has been estimated between 2 and 6 cases per 100,000 person-years. In our model system, we utilized a flow chamber to mimic pulsatile flow conditions in heart valves, which oscillate between a low and high flow, with a maximum shear stress of 3 Pa. We took videos of S. gordonii, which uses a serine rich-repeat adhesin to bind to platelets, and determined the number of bacteria that bonded to the surface under constant low, peak, average, high, and pulsatile shear stresses. We analyzed the videos to determine the conditions that enhance adhesion and compared our results under pulsatile flow to constant flow for the same range of shear stresses. Our results indicated that pulsatile conditions promote low amounts of adhesion above 1-2 Pa, demonstrating that pulsatile flow does not explain how Streptococci bind to heart valves at 2-8 Pa. These results disproved our hypothesis that pulsatile flow enhances adhesion at 2-8 Pa. Further research may look to testing the mechanism behind which Streptococci bind to heart valves in bacterial lesions exposed up to 8 Pa in the circulatory system. By understanding the adhesive properties of S. gordonii, our research may contribute to the development of anti-adhesive therapies to treat bacterial endocarditis.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the gene that encodes the protein dystrophin. This disease is incurable and causes severe muscle weakness, respiratory failure, cardiomyopathy, and early death. Understanding the causes of DMD and developing new treatment strategies relies on in vitro models. However, current animal and cell based disease models of the cardiomyopathy experienced by patients with DMD do not accurately recapitulate the human presentation of the disease. Stem cell derived cardiomyocytes provide a platform for improved and personalized disease modeling, however the cells are functionally immature, exist in two dimensional cultures, and do not experience the mechanical stresses of the human heart. There is a need, therefore, for a way to generate three-dimensional constructs of cardiomyocytes and subject them to physiologically relevant mechanical loads for the purpose of promoting maturation and disease phenotype testing. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from the urine of healthy and diseased patients were used to generate cardiomyocytes in vitro (iPSC-cardiomyocytes). Differentiations of stem cells were enriched using metabolic methods, allowing us to generate cardiomyocyte cultures with greater than 90% purity. Three-dimensional cardiomyocyte constructs were generated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds using a cardiac-stromal co-culture method with a combination of collagen and geltrex. In order to further replicate the human heart, a device was designed and fabricated that was capable of applying controllable, uniaxial mechanical loads to the three-dimensional cardiomyocytes and was used to measure the force generation of DMD or healthy iPSC-cardiomyocytes. Future studies involving the device will increase our understanding of the pathology of DMD and allow for novel, personalized treatments to be developed.

Many genetic diseases are currently explained by monogenic mutations; however, a number of human disorders and conditions are genetically complex and cannot be attributed to a single mutation. One of the main research goals at the Waterston Lab is to identify genetic interactions that may give rise to disease, such as synergistic, alleviating, or epistatic interactions that could affect important pathways. By using the small nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, as a model, we have developed a high-throughput approach to look for interactions. Forty different transcription factor (TF) genes were separately knocked down using RNAi bacteria on pooled populations composed of 38 mutated and fully sequenced strains of C. elegans. After growth for several generations in the presence of the RNAi, the abundance of strains in each population was compared by targeting strain-specific single nucleotide variants (SNVs) with Molecular Inversion Probes (MIPS) and sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq system. After growth for over 12 generations and screening for ~115,000 possible genetic interactions, two negative and two positive interactions were detected. Strains that quickly fell out of the population on a given RNAi indicate possible negative interactions. We observed this negative interaction between the strain VC20123 and RNAi for the gene K11D2.4, as well as VC20128 and F22D6.2. Strains that did significantly better than other strains on a given RNAi indicates possible positive genetic interactions. We observed these interactions between VC20424 and B0261.1 as well as VC20514 and let-607. To confirm these candidate interactions, we are growing the specific strains against a control strain. To identify the interactions at the gene level, we are using genetic mapping. Broadly, studying the nature of genetic interactions and potential roles of transcription factors may contribute to the elucidation of human development and complex diseases.

Social deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been linked to irregularities in amygdala activation. The amygdala is a brain structure important for emotional processing and has been a common focus in neuroimaging research on ASD. I intend to expand on this research by investigating the relationship between social anxiety in ASD and the correlated activation (functional connectivity) of the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), a brain structure shown to inhibit amygdala activation. I am performing secondary data analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task data on 31 ASD and 25 control adult subjects matched on intelligence quotient test scores and age. Subjects performed an emotional face and geometric figure matching fMRI task. The social avoidance and distress scale (SADS) was also administered to subjects to assess social anxiety level. I will perform a seed-based region of interest functional connectivity analysis to extract a correlation coefficient between amygdala and vmPFC activation while viewing emotional faces. Using these data, I will correlate vmPFC/amygdala functional connectivity with social anxiety level. I hypothesize that weaker functional connectivity between the vmPFC and the amygdala while viewing emotional faces will be related to higher social anxiety in ASD, but not in the control group. If the data support my hypothesis, this will provide evidence that the vmPFC is related to abnormal amygdala activation and social anxiety in ASD.

The postpartum period can be a challenging experience for many women as they adjust to the physical and social changes of new motherhood. Breastfeeding is one of the postpartum tasks that may be more difficult than expected. Additionally, many women may feel that their postpartum body fails to meet an idealized image, leading to body dissatisfaction. Mindfulness-based interventions have been developed for stress reduction in a variety of health contexts, including pregnancy. Mindfulness-based interventions may provide strategies for new mothers to handle the challenges of breastfeeding the infant and to improve their body image. The purpose of this study is to explore whether participants in a mindfulness based childbirth and parenting class (MBCP) during pregnancy found mindfulness skills beneficial to their breastfeeding experiences and postpartum body image. Women who participated in a ten week MBCP course during pregnancy were interviewed within the first year postpartum to discuss their experiences. The semi-structured interview guide included questions on how participants may have used mindfulness to approach a variety of positive and negative experiences. Findings demonstrate that women used mindfulness to appreciate the positive aspects of their postpartum experiences as well as handle the challenges they faced. During breastfeeding sessions participants deliberately focused on mindful attention on their infants. Women also used mindfulness to appreciate their postpartum bodies for the achievement of giving birth and to show self-compassion for the physical challenges of recovery. Findings have implications for future research on the postpartum experience and intervention design.

Studies have shown that Electrical Stimulation (ES), in the form of electric or electromagnetic field can enhance wound healing by promoting cellular proliferation and expression of growth factors. We hypothesized that ES mediated by negative electric charge is predominantly effective in inducing cellular rehydration of dehydrated mammalian cells, resulting in increased viability and survival. This was tested by analyzing the effects of ES induced in a cellular model through negative electric charge build-up in a parallel plate capacitor system. The system consisted of two identical gold-plated surfaces separated by two polytetrafluoroethylene pillars. Electric charge built up on the plate was manipulated by altering the voltage of the power supply connected in turn to the gold plated surface. Experiments were conducted on the commonly used standard cellular model of mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells under sterile conditions to reduce extraneous variables. The strength of ES was predetermined through a quantitative and qualitative analysis of temperature, pH, and bubble formation in different standard solutions. Cells challenged by partial dehydration with an established range of sodium chloride concentrations will be subjected to the predetermined ES and transferred to different cell culture media- Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) or Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). Cellular viability will be analyzed by Trypan Blue dye-exclusion method. In this way, we will determine whether negative charge promotes viability.

Elevated levels of arsenic have been reported in surface waters of many urban lakes around the Puget Sound as a result of the widespread heavy metal contamination from the late ASARCO smelter in Ruston, Washington. Arsenic is a neurotoxin and carcinogen and a priority Superfund contaminant. However, the mobility and toxicity of arsenic is not fully understood. Physical and biogeochemical processes that lead to elevated arsenic concentrations in the water column and aquatic organisms have been studied well in thermally stratified lakes, but not in periodically mixed (polymictic) oxygenated lakes. This project examines the mobility, bioaccumulation and toxicity of arsenic in four urban lakes in south King County that range from seasonally stratified and oxygen depleted (anoxic) to polymictic and oxygenated (oxic). Specifically, we aim to discover why one of the lakes has elevated levels of arsenic (up to 40 ppb) in surface waters, yet regularly mixes and thus remains oxygenated. Typically, arsenic is only mobilized from sediments when a lake becomes anoxic during stratification. Monthly water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductivity) were measured and water samples (alkalinity, chlorophyll, sulfide, iron, arsenic, and nutrients) were collected at multiple depths throughout the water column. Plankton samples were also collected using vertical net tows. Water and plankton samples were analyzed for dissolved and total arsenic (after digestion) by ICP-MS. Phytoplankton and zooplankton in polymictic oxic lakes accumulated more arsenic than plankton in thermally stratified lakes, even though aqueous arsenic concentrations were similar between the lakes. This data suggests that arsenic in polymictic urban lakes is not only bioavailable, but has the potential to travel up the food chain. This project aims to create a model for predicting arsenic bioavailability based on physical lake characteristics to better predict possible toxicity and, therefore, has important implications for lake management.

Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) from blast exposure is a common injury in the Veteran population, and is associated with memory and concentration impairment. Our lab has shown that Veterans exposed to multiple blast mTBI demonstrate cerebrocerebellar hypometabolism in infratentorial and medial temporal brain regions compared to normal controls. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a protein associated with Alzheimer disease risk and amyloid β protein deposition, is linked to decreased brain function. Therefore, we are investigating effect of ApoE genotype status on the degree of injury associated with repetitive mTBI. We hypothesize that severity of regional hypometabolism in mTBI-exposed Veterans is influenced by ApoE genetic polymorphism, and associated with persistent neurodegenerative processes. We performed ApoE genotyping and positron emission tomography with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) to investigate glucose metabolism in brains of blast-exposed Veterans and age-matched community controls. We used an automated program to segment FDG-PET brain images into 19 independent anatomical regions. Preliminary analysis suggests metabolism in left medial frontal and left parahippocampal cortex of mTBI subjects (n=12) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than controls (n=9). ApoE4 carriers (n=6) were significantly lower in 6 regions compared to non-ApoE4 carriers (n=6) within mTBI subjects: right frontal, right and left occipital, right medial parietal, left caudate, and left amygdala. ApoE4 carriers exposed to mTBI (n=6) were significantly lower in 6 regions compared to non-ApoE4 community controls (n=9): right and left frontal, right occipital, left medial frontal, right medial parietal and right caudate. However, there were no significant findings between mTBI group and controls when non-ApoE4 carrier status was controlled. Further analysis includes voxel-wise comparison, correlation between blast exposure (time since last blast and total number of blasts), and neuropsychological measures. These initial results suggest ApoE genotype patterns of decreased brain metabolism in Veterans exposed to mTBI.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience debilitating social communication deficits that often lead to lifelong difficulties building social relationships. With high prevalence estimates (1:68 children) (Baio, 2014), it is crucial to study social influences, such as family and social networks, on the development of individuals with ASD. As the primary partners in early social interactions, caregivers shape the lives of children with ASD. However, family contributions to the peer social competence and friendships of children with ASD are not well understood. This research will (1) describe caregiver activities that aim to support peer interactions and (2) examine the relationship between caregiver support and peer social competence and friendship quality in children with ASD. Participants include 24 children with ASD, ages 10-13 years old (mean age 11 years, 9 months) and their caregivers. The participants have diverse levels of cognitive ability, from very low to average on the Differential Abilities Scale-Second Edition, and severity of ASD symptoms, from mildly to severely impaired based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, Second Edition. Independent variables measure caregiver support activities of arranging, hosting, and monitoring peer play sessions in the home using the Peer Social Contact Questionnaire (PSCQ). Dependent measures include (1) the PSCQ to examine children’s interactions with specific peers during at-home play; (2) the Friendship Qualities Scale to investigate the quality of children’s reciprocal friendships based on five dimensions of friendship: companionship, help, security, closeness, and conflict; and (3) the Social Skills Rating System to provide a rating of peer social competence. Preliminary results indicate that the majority of children with ASD have at least one friend. We anticipate that caregiver arranging, hosting, and monitoring will be positively correlated with peer social competence and friendship quality (Guralnick, Neville, Connor, & Hammond, 2003; Meek, Robinson, & Jahromi, 2012; Guralnick & Neville, 1997).

Proteins are naturally-occurring biopolymers that are useful in a wide range of therapeutic and imaging applications. Though natural proteins are comprised of just 20 monomeric amino acids, they can be post-translationally decorated to introduce expanded chemical functionality. Though several techniques have been developed, the majority do not provide site-specific modification nor stoichiometric conjugation necessary to preserve protein bioactivity. Additionally, proteins functionalized through these methods have proven difficult to purify after modification, thereby limiting potential clinical and industrial applications. Sortase-Tag Expressed Protein Ligation (STEPL) is a protein functionalization/purification method that solves many of these problems. This method allows functional probes to be site-specifically conjugated onto a protein, while simultaneously separating modified and unmodified proteins. Though this technique has been successfully demonstrated in the DeForest lab, a remaining challenge is to increase yield during protein expression. In our group, we exploit several microbiology techniques to optimize this process. Bacterial strain identity, growth conditions, reaction temperature, and protein solubility have all been shown to influence protein expression. Using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), we found that the STEPL yield increased when conducted for 4 hours at 37°C versus overnight at 18°C. This was determined through mass spectrometry, which showed hydrolyzed proteins after prolonged reaction. For some difficult to express proteins, including growth factors, the STEPL protocol resulted in a negligible protein yield. Through experimenting with a dialysis refolding protocol, functional growth factor Bone Morphogenic Protein-2 was produced at dramatically increased yields. Furthermore, experimenting with E. coli growth and STEPL reaction conditions has resulted in increased yield for many different functionalized proteins. Although progress has been made in producing functionalized protein with the STEPL method, yield remains below that obtained through other methods. Further experimentation to improve the robustness and yield of the STEPL protocol will increase the availability of functionalized proteins in biotherapeutics.

In 2015, the American Heart Association (AHA) stated that sudden cardiac arrest is still a primary cause of death in the United States. During cardiac arrest, lack of intervention to maintain the perfusion of tissues with oxygenated blood leads to irreparable damage to the brain and vital organs within minutes. In 2010, the A-B-C (airway, breathing, circulation) of CPR changed to C-A-B (circulation, airway, breathing) due to strong evidence that supports the idea that high-quality CPR chest compressions help sustain life until the underlying causes of cardiac arrest are addressed. The purpose of this study was to use technology to measure and review chest compression data collected during cardiac resuscitations, and evaluate specific compression parameters, in relation to AHA standards, for overall quality improvement. The CODE-STAT™ technology used in this study measured changes in thoracic pressure during a cardiac resuscitation, and then generated a report stating rate of chest compressions per minute, and total time spent on chest compressions. The data was then given to the hospital resuscitation teams so that they could visualize and discuss the quality of their performance in comparison to AHA and hospital standards. Thus far, results of the study have shown that in-hospital resuscitation teams have compression rates that are too fast and there are too many pauses, or times without chest compressions. A compression rate above 120 beats per minute can decrease sufficient blood return to the heart from the rest of the body, making subsequent compressions less effective at dispersing blood. Too many pauses in chest compressions can negatively impact the pressure gradients in the thoracic cavity that are required to maintain adequate cerebral and coronary blood flow. Hospitals must continue to implement technologies that measure CPR performance so that cardiac arrest patients receive the best possible outcomes for survival.

In the 1960s and onward, Dr. Bruce Nicklas published a series of papers detailing the experiments he performed on the chromosomes of grasshopper sperm cells. Chromosomes are tightly condensed DNA strands that contain the information necessary for a cell to reproduce itself and carry out its designated functions. Some of Nicklas’s most notable experiments led to the findings that chromosomes correct themselves when replicated ‘sister’ chromatids are not properly oriented and will segregate incorrectly when pulled apart. This correction is based upon tension stabilization, or “pulling forces” on the chromosome. If the chromosomes of a cell are arranged improperly, this will lead to incorrect separation when the opposite ends of the cell pull to separate. If this is left uncorrected in the cell, it can lead to cell death, or birth defects like Down syndrome. Chromosome mis-segregation may also contribute to cancer. Inspired by Dr. Nicklas’s work, I seek to compare chromosome segregation in cricket spermatocytes with ingestible compounds like nicotine or aspirin, comparing them to untreated cells and cells treated with a cell phase inhibitor, MG132. Can these effects contribute to a disease like Down syndrome in offspring when the individual consumes some of those compounds? By dosing the cricket spermatocyte cell medium with one of these commonly ingested compounds we hope to observe visual differences in how these chromosomes divide and display themselves under a phase contrast microscope. Knowing whether or not these compounds can impact cell division may give the direction needed by researchers of chromosome disease to find out what can contribute to harmful diseases like Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome.

Crows are intelligent social animals, and many studies have focused on understanding their complex vocalizations. Here we examine the ways in which non-breeding crows use both vocal and non-vocal behaviors across contexts. Both vocal and non-vocal data were collected in the field using video camera recordings at three different behavioral contexts: post-roost aggregations, diurnal activity centers, and pre-roost aggregations. An ethogram of behaviors and vocalizations was developed from the video data and each behavior was illustrated. Each illustration diagramed the movement of the behaviors to provide a visual representation of findings to support future research. We found that cawing was linked with two non-vocal behaviors: head up and body down. This study provides insights into a more complex mode of communication in crows and how such communication differs across behavioral contexts.

Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal to humans that can cause serious health damages. Exposure to arsenic can cause various health conditions such as skin damage, lung, bladder, kidney and liver cancer, as well as nerve and circulatory problems. Arsenic contamination in water and soil can be naturally sourced from local geology or human sourced from pesticide and preservative uses. Studies have shown that rice will uptake arsenic from water and soil. Rice is a very easily digestible grain which makes it very suitable source of nutrition for children, whom are more susceptible to toxins. Therefore, it is important to develop and continue the study of methods that can help to quantitatively detect arsenic in rice. For this experiment, the objective was to look at a previously published method used to detect arsenic and validate its effectiveness on five store-bought rice samples. The broader implication of this experiment is to validate a method and modify it to gain quantitative data in order to assess whether harmful levels can be detected and to determine background levels of arsenic in rice. Rice was powdered and 1.0 g of rice sample was digested in 10mL of 0.28M nitric acid for 90 minutes at 95°C. The samples were analyzed with ICP-MS to detect arsenic based on its mass. A calibration plot with a correlation coefficient of 0.96278 and a slope of 1856.48 was created. The calibration plot was made from concentration of 1ppb, 5 ppb, 10 ppb, and 50ppb in which all had intensities that were detectable. The detection value of the samples falls in between the calibration intensities. The data that is obtained suggests mean concentration of arsenic range from 1ppb to 30 ppb in 10mL solution of HNO3. This indicates that there is a range of 10 ppb to 300ppb per grams of rice. These data are corroborated by other studies analyzing levels of arsenic in rice.

The cultivation of tomatoes is currently a 58 billion dollar industry worldwide. Over the past few years, tomato plants have been subjected to more severe and abrupt climatic fluctuations than ever before. In-depth understanding of the tomato leaf anatomy and physiology can have significant consequences in agriculture. Fluxes (fluid flow rate) in leaf water and sugar-conducting tissues, xylem and phloem, are challenging to visualize in real time. It is important to attempt this measurement using intact leaves as excision interrupts control of normal flow paths. The possibility that vein density and flux influence photosynthetic rate is being investigated here.  Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging modality that performs high-resolution cross-sectional imaging, allowing to visualize the structure and motion in biological samples in 3D.  In this study, we have used a state-of-the-art OCT system with 7 μm resolution, operating at 1300 nm wavelength, to investigate leaf structure, venation and vein flow in live tomato leaves for the first time. The low intensity imaging beam (3 mW) is in the near IR spectral region and imaging is performed at high speed (4 ms/frame) hence, does not interfere with the leaf’s natural physiological processes. We have used Rutgers’ tomatoes for this study. To improve the image contrast in the leaf veins, we are investigating using dye and lipid particles to be taken up by the leaves

Arsenic is a neurotoxin and carcinogen and an important environmental pollutant in the South-Central Puget Sound region. Arsenic emitted by the former ASARCO smelter located in Ruston, Washington, has impacted a large number of lakes in the region via aerial deposition downwind. Previous research has shown that arsenic in some of these lakes is bioavailable, and high concentrations were measured in plankton. In this study we investigate the effect of phosphorus on the uptake of arsenic in Chironomidae larvae, freshwater benthic macro-invertebrates known as “blood worms.” These organisms are commonly found in the low oxygen bottom waters of urban lakes where arsenic concentrations are highest, and they are an important prey species for fish. We created microcosms to mimic two lakes in the region: Lake Killarney (a shallow, eutrophic, high-arsenic lake) and Waughop Lake (a shallow, eutrophic, low-arsenic lake) to examine the impact of phosphorus on arsenic mobility and bioavailability. In previous studies, it was found that a higher concentration of phosphorus, a common component of urban runoff, reduces arsenic uptake by aquatic organisms. Eight replicate experimental microcosms were created for each treatment by half-filling cylinders (5 cm diameter X 10 cm tall) with sediment collected from each lake and then filling the rest with phosphorus-augmented (0, 20, 50 or 100 mg P/L) lake water. After 24 hours of equilibration, five larvae were added to each microcosm. Microcosms were kept in the dark in a cold room at 10°C for approximately one month. Larvae were then removed, rinsed and frozen to euthanize. Samples were split and either dried, digested and analyzed for total arsenic by ICP-MS, or freeze-dried, homogenized and analyzed for metallothionein by HPLC. Our results will be discussed including their implications for arsenic bioavailability in urban lakes impacted by urban runoff.

Understanding composition of avifauna in different ecosystems has been the focus of a wide number of scientists in North America.  Knowledge of the structure of a bird community provides information about the species found in an area as well as their ecological roles. More importantly, a long-term monitoring of species composition in an ecosystem provides an important tool for assessing the status of their populations as well as responses to habitat changes.  University of Washington–Bothell campus North Creek wetlands present one of the most successful restoration efforts of the past 20 years. Faculty and students have been evaluating changes in vegetation composition, stream organisms, invertebrates and other ecological aspects associated with the establishment of the wetland. In the summer of 2015, an effort to establish a long-term monitoring of the bird community was started. We joined these efforts with the goal to determine the composition of the bird community in the winter and spring of 2016. In addition to the ecological research goals, we are also working on producing educational materials that help students and the general public become more familiar with the avifauna of the area. We are conducting auditory and visual point count and transect surveys to determine species composition. We are using distance methods to determine bird abundance along the different vegetation types found in the area. We are also collecting information on the natural history of the species, and documenting the observations with photographic materials that will be used in the elaboration of a photographic guide to birds of the UWB Wetlands. To date, we have registered a total of 51 species within 26 families that are distributed within 8 guilds (insectivores, filter-feeders, nectarivores, frugivores, and carnivores among others). We hope that our work provides important contributions to the long-term documentation of UWB bird communities.

Expansion Microscopy (ExM) is a revolutionary type of fluorescence microscopy that enables super-resolution on conventional microscopes of fixed specimens that have been chemically incorporated into a hydrogel polymer matrix, enzymatically digested, and physically expanded. The original ExM approach utilized special tri-functional antibodies containing a DNA-dye-linker complex to tether the fluorescent dyes to the expandable polymer and yielded an isotropic expansion of ~4x in all directions and a lateral spatial resolution of ~70nm. Recently, we have created a simplified ExM methodology, using conventional fluorescently labeled antibodies or fluorescent proteins, and a variety of commonly available reagents yielding increased fluorescence retention for cultured cells and tissue specimens. Additionally, we have extended this new approach of ExM to Drosophila larvae and brain tissue using an optimized solution of enzymes to digest the robust outer surface of larvae (cuticle) and allow for uniform expansion of the polymer. These simplified methods for expansion microscopy will enable super-resolution microscopy on a wide range of biological samples without the need for specialized reagents or equipment.

The principal technological problem of the renewable energy industry is how to supply energy at its rate of demand and at a marginal cost less than that of present energy storage systems. One of the greatest challenges of this problem is the necessity of storing a portion of total produced energy such that it can be used when the instantaneous rate of energy demand differs from the limits of its instantaneous rate of production to balance out the demand and supply for energy. Our research focuses on the storage problem of current Under Water Compressed Air Energy Storage (UW-CAES) systems; in particular on decreasing the costs and environmental impact of air storage by performing electrolysis in a deep-sea electrolyzer to capitalize on the extreme energy densities already-available at depth and increase the energy density of each storage vessel/balloon by storing both hydrogen and oxygen. We demonstrate a method that increases the efficiency of energy storage by performing electrolysis using the high pressures available at depth, thereby eliminating the use of costly compressors and create a condition for the apparatus to be as close to a thermo neutral state.

 For a nanoparticle to efficiently penetrate within the brain microenvironment, it must avoid any steric limitation it would experience as it moves between cells, vessels, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The particle must avoid any adhesive interactions, via hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, or electrostatic interactions between the particle surface and a cell membrane, protein, or ECM component. Steric limitations are influenced by the brain’s volume fraction and the tortuosity. To maximize diffusion within the brain, it is important to have a bio-inert particle that will avoid adhesive interactions to accurately assess the steric limitations that occur due to changes in volume fraction and tortuosity. However, nanoparticles in the brain microenvironment are exposed to a 300 mM ion concentration in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), which contains multiple divalent cations. Using dynamic light scattering, we sought to characterize nanoparticle size and surface charge in the presence of CSF as a function of particle size, surface chemistry, and exposure time. We demonstrate that the presence of these divalent cations can disrupt the electrostatic double layers that provide nanoparticle stability and prevent nanoparticle aggregation in the brain. Our results demonstrate that within one hour after exposure to physiological CSF, nanoparticles that are electrostatically stabilized begin to aggregate, increasing in hydrodynamic size and polydispersity. Nanoparticles that are sterically stabilized (i.e with polyethylene glycol) aggregated in the presence of CSF, but on a much slower time scale. This aggregation behavior may be one reason why nanoparticles that are otherwise stable tend to aggregate, and therefore do not penetrate, once in the brain microenvironment. Characterizing nanoparticle behavior in the brain can have significant implications for nanoparticle design for drug delivery to brain diseases.

The Puyallup River Outreach Project's (PROP) website functions as a reservoir of information pertaining to the Puyallup River Watershed. Overall, we wanted to improve user friendliness so that we could decrease the bounce rate (rate at which users leave the site after visiting one page). We conducted two usability tests. The first usability test gave target users a stack of cards to sort. Each card represents a page of content for the PROP’s website. The goal of this test was to find out how users would categorize our site's content in order to find a way to improve the efficiency of our site's hierarchy and organization. Overall, we found two primary issues identified by users from this usability test. First, most users were unsure of how to group the “Film Festival” with the other content. Having a direct link on the homepage would alleviate this confusion for users as identified by our A/B testing (comparing two versions of the site to see which performs better). Second, users grouped content differently than what was initially used. Most users made an “Organizations” heading or an “Events/Social” heading for site content. Based on these results, we conducted A/B testing comparing our previous headings (Watershed Library, Organization Library, Be a PROPER, and About Us) with new headings based on our card sorting results (Find Resources, Find Organizations, Get Involved, and About PROP). We found that the new headings had a higher success rate for completing tasks among users. The original bounce rate for the PROP website before implementing changes was 90.54%. After changes, the bounce rate decreased to 71.94%. We expect that these changes will increase public use of and traffic on the website and increase the initiative’s impact on regional environmental education in the future.

Writing is both emotional and intellectual task. For writing tutors, it is not rare to encounter writers asking for affirmation on their work, regardless of the quality of works and confidence level of writers. There is a bias, or expectation, that one’s role as a tutor is to provide intellectual support on the writing material. Thus, there is little literature or discussion on how tutors may provide additional types of support to the writer. Recognition of emotional support in the writing center is significant as it creates a perspective shift on the role of writing tutors and the function of writing centers. The research is designed to observe how often writers seek emotional support (e.g. demand affirmation or approval) from tutors in addition to intellectual support (e.g. grammar checks) and how current tutors engage in providing emotional support. Data for the study is drawn from 40 both undergraduate and graduate tutors who are currently working actively at Odegaard Writing and Research Center. The tutors participated in an anonymous self assessment survey online in which they were asked to identify how frequently they feel, encounter, or engage in specific behavior. The questionnaire is divided into three parts: Tutors’ emotional labor, Tutors’ identification of Writers’ demanding of emotional support, and Tutors’ accommodation of Writers’ emotional demand. This study found 72% of tutors encounter a writer’s emotional expression, 69% of tutors spend time to build a personal connection with a writer, and 67% of tutors often to always try to comfort stressed writers. The findings indicate consistent demand in emotional support from writers and emotional labor on part of tutors. This provides a foundation for further research to be conducted in exploring the roles of academic tutors beyond providing intellectual support.
 

Marine ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) gain energy through the conversion of ammonia (NH₄⁺) into nitrite (NO₂^-) and are among the most abundant microorganisms in the oceans.  AOA are widely accepted as the main drivers of marine nitrification processes, and therefore play a major role in controlling the amount of fixed nitrogen available for primary production.  In order to gain a better understanding of the regulation of the marine nitrogen cycle, the factors influencing AOA abundance and activity in the environment must be studied.  Several Nitrosopumilus maritimus strains isolated from Washington's costal waters were evaluated for their physiological response to key environmental variables, including salinity, temperature, ammonia concentration, and pH.  The AOA isolates display wide ecotype variation and show ranges of growth responses for each environmental variable.  The growth of some of the costal AOA isolates requires a supplement of organic acids, such as pyruvate, oxaloacetate, and alpha-ketoglutarate.  This study provides further insight into the ecological and trophic role of N. maritimus in the environment, and potential responses to changing environmental conditions such as ocean acidification.

Cold seeps, like Southern Hydrate Ridge (SHR) on the Cascadia margin, are ubiquitous features along continental margins where fluids discharge from the seafloor into the water column. The chemical composition of fluid expelled at seep sites is distinct from the surrounding seawater due to sub-seafloor fluid-rock reactions and biological activity. This altered fluid is important in driving biogeochemical processes that allow diverse biological communities to thrive in these environments. Previous short-term fluid flow studies at SHR and other seep systems have observed upward flow of altered fluids concentrated in regions of bacterial mats and downward flow of seawater-like fluids in regions of vesicomyid clams. To investigate longer-term variability in the magnitude and direction of fluid flow at SHR, three continuous-measurement flowmeter/chemical samplers (MOSQUITOs) were deployed in bacterial mats to measure fluid flow rates and solute fluxes. The MOSQUITO continuously monitors three-dimensional fluid flow rates within the upper 50 cm of the sediments by injecting a point source of non-reactive tracer dye and measuring its concentration at various distances away from the point-source injection. The fluid time-series record at each depth was sampled at 4-day resolution, and from these samples, tracer concentrations were analyzed using fluorescence spectrophotometry. This two-year continuous record of fluid flow shows that the flow rate at SHR is temporally and spatially variable, however there is an annual trend of ~20-40 cm/yr of downward fluid flow in regions of bacterial mats. Chloride and sulfate concentration profiles will also be determined from MOSQUITO subsamples in order to examine their fluxes across the sediment-water interface, potential methane hydrate dynamics, and other sources of fluid. This net downward transport of seawater circulation is more constant than previously recognized, it likely plays an important role in controlling the distribution of benthic biological communities, and could be important in marine biogeochemical cycles. 

Every year bee specialists report detection of larger numbers of bee colonies suffering from colony collapse disorder. One of the suggested causes of colony collapse disorder is the increasing use of neonicotinoid pesticides in farming agriculture. Neonicotinoids like clothianidin, thiacloprid and imidacloprid are effective insect neurotoxins created as a safer alternative to previous insecticides. Neonicotinoid pesticides have many distribution methods including dusting methods and application to soil and root systems; leading to their dispersion in a multitude of matrices. The quantity of these pesticides in water and soil samples needs to be measured to further asses the effect of these pesticides on bees and other species including fish and humans. However, differences in extraction methodology can lead to differences in analyte detection. Water and soil samples are complex matrices to be separated before being assessed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Here I present my work in comparing methods for extracting imidacloprid, a specific pesticide in the neonicotinoid category. Results from determining a reliable and accurate method of imidacloprid will help to increase the ability for future research to be conducted on collected environmental samples.

One of the leading causes of depression is stress, and yet not enough is known about the exact mechanism by which stress alters depression. Of the four opioid receptor systems (mu, delta, kappa, and opioid receptor like-1), the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is what my research focuses on. KOR is activated by its endogenous ligand, dynorphin. This is responsible for promoting analgesia, and depression-like phenotypes such as swim-stress immobility. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase involved in regulation of functions such as cell growth, and metabolism. When dysregulated, it may lead to obesity, depression or cancer. Both mTOR and KOR have been shown to independently regulate stress-induced depression. However, there are no studies which tie these two ideas together. One possible link could be the stimulation of p38 MAPK kinase. Stimulation of KOR causes G-protein coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-dependent activation of the p38. Additionally, it is known that p38 causes the inhibition of TSC2, promoting phosphorylation of mTOR. Based on our results, activation of KOR with U50,488 causes an increase in phosphorylation in mTOR in vitro. However, this is also present in negative control cells not expressing KOR, which could indicate that U50,488 also has an off-target effect on a non-KOR mediated pathway. A similar treatment on mice decreases phosphorylation of mTOR after 28 hours in the brain, indicating that after a stressful event, mTOR activation is transient and acute. Furthermore, decreased mTOR phosphorylation after 28 hours in the brain was found to be blocked in GRK3 knockout mice. This implies that decreased mTOR phosphorylation after 28 hours with U50,488, requires the GRK gene. Further experiments, including behavioral testing, will be needed to investigate a deeper relationship between KOR and mTOR. With further research, these studies may lead to developing novel anti-depressants, revolutionizing depression treatment.

Circadian rhythms are vital to maintaining proper mental health. This project seeks to determine whether or not cyclic fear stimuli has the ability to override the natural entrainment of the circadian system to the light-dark (LD) cycle. This work is significant because there are few environmental stimuli that are capable of overriding entrainment of circadian rhythms by the LD cycle (e.g., temperature cycles, temporally restricted food access). Our laboratory has shown that nocturnal cyclic fear stimuli are sufficient to induce a shift in the natural nocturnal foraging and feeding activity to diurnal activity. This reflects the output of an endogenous circadian clock that is entrained to the fear stimuli because the timing of these behavioral rhythms is sustained under constant conditions. Our experimental design involves three stages. First, mice are entrained to a 12:12 light-dark cycle over a seven-day period. Then, mice are subjected to random nocturnal footshocks for fourteen days. Finally, mice are released into constant conditions to determine if diurnal behavior is sustained. Future experiments will examine the role of the amygdala and suprachiasmatic nucleus in generating the nocturnal-to-diurnal shift in behavior. Ultimately, if we know how and why fear changes circadian behavior, then we can potentially create new treatments for sleep disturbances associated with mental disorders that result from trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Recent incidents have shown a significant lack of compliance with traffic laws among cyclists. Previous research focusing on motor vehicle behavior in bicycle-related accidents is extensive, but there is limited research on cyclists’ behavior and compliance. In this study, observations of cyclist behavior and compliance at three major intersections in King County where bicycle-related accidents are most prevalent will be conducted. Also, motorists’ behavior will be observed at these intersections in order to fully understand the relationship and interaction between both modes of transportation. Additionally, a survey of 400 cyclists and motorists will assess their perception of bicycle safety. In addition, this study will evaluate the current infrastructure of the two modes of transportation, which is crucial for potentially establishing new policies and requirements. Observational data and survey analysis are currently in process. Based on trends of information gathered thus far, I anticipate an overall lack of knowledge and compliance of traffic laws from cyclists, and a desire for more bike lanes on roads from both cyclists and motorists. The expected outcome of this research study is to reduce bicycle-related accidents through the cooperation of cyclists and motorists, as well as collaborate with King County administration and law enforcement. The implications of improved infrastructure and policy for bicyclists and motorists include improvements for the environment, public health and better individual health outcomes.

Traditional remote sensing techniques are best suited to aid in large scale geospatial problems. With the advent of terrestrial LiDAR, detailed remote sensing of surface environments has become more practical than ever before. However, terrestrial LiDAR units are expensive and often difficult to carry into remote field locations. As an alternative, using Structure from Motion (SfM), a digital photogrammetry method traditionally used to build models from aerial photos, to build spatial models in surface environments could be adequate for many remote sensing applications if spatial resolution and model accuracy is found to be high enough. The technique we are using to evaluate the efficacy of SfM uses oblique images taken using an inexpensive digital camera, and Agisoft PhotoScan processing software to generate surface environment models. To evaluate the accuracy of these models, we compare the spatial dimensions of objects measured in the field to the spatial dimension of objects measured from the models. Presented here are several examples of the models we have created using SfM and comparisons to on the ground measurements. These examples include both laboratory and natural settings.

Norovirus is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in the world. Although the virus affects multiple populations, from passengers on cruise ships to communities lacking efficient water sanitation systems, a safe and effective vaccine is still under development. However, progress has been made in our understanding of how the body clears norovirus infection. We now understand that interferon lambda (IFNL) is associated with viral clearance in murine models by activating the JAK-STAT signal transduction pathway and inducing transcription of anti-viral genes. With this information, our current project seeks to implement a novel treatment method by using bacteria which secrete IFNL3 to cure the viral infection. We plan to use Lactococcus lactis, a probiotic, as a delivery vehicle for secreting IFNL3. We designed a plasmid construct containing a L. lactis specific promoter that secretes a codon-optimized IFNL3. Currently, cloning and transformation processes to introduce the IFNL3 gene into L. lactis are being optimized. We will then test the functional activity of IFNL3 secreted by L. lactis by incubating these bacteria on macrophage and gut epithelial cell lines infected with norovirus. These initial studies will lead to experiments in murine norovirus models. This treatment method will demonstrate the potential of innovative therapies against infectious diseases and is expected to be beneficial for its low-cost and easy administration.

De novo protein design can be used to create many types of biomaterials. In this project we explored if helical bundles (structural motifs consisting of several alpha helices arranged with rotational symmetry) could be used to create two different nanomaterials: fibers and oligomers. Both structures have broad industrial and experimental applications including small-molecule transport, structural support, and catalysis, so developing a strategy for specific and stable design is an important task. The oligomers (structures made from a small number of repeating units) consisted of two cylindrical layers of helices connected by short loops. The fibers were made with tapered helical bundles which docked into one another and bound strongly to form a string. Both the fibers and the oligomers were designed parametrically; we set intervals for several geometric variables and used the macromolecular modeling program Rosetta to determine which combinations of variables created the most energetically favorable shape for protein folding, as well as which amino acid sequences were most likely to fit these shapes. We then used the HBnet protocol to insert hydrogen bond networks (polar amino acid groups which form hydrogen bonds with one another to increase binding specificity). For each round of design, we chose four designs to express in E. coli based on amino acid ratios, solubility, and hydrogen bond network quality. For the fiber expression, no 6-helix bundles formed correctly, but several 5-helix bundles were successful. We have selected and expressed the oligomers and have used mass spectroscopy and SAXS (small angle x-ray scattering) data to confirm structure. In the future, we will use this design strategy to make stable oligomers and fibers with larger internal radii that can accommodate large molecules such as DNA. 

Student Evaluations of Teaching (SET) is seriously considered when departments make decisions of promotion, tenure extensions, and salaries. University of Washington uses course evaluation as a form of SET. Previous research has shown that SET ratings vary in different situations: characteristics of teachers and of courses may have an impact on the SET ratings. However, some results of different literature are contradictory, and some directional effects of characteristics of instructors and of classes on SET ratings are not clear. This thesis aims to contribute to previous literature and tests if there is evidence that the characteristics of teachers and of classes would have an impact on course evolution scores at University of Washington. By collecting data from University of Washington Seattle Time Schedule and Course Evaluation Catalogue, and running Ordinary Least Squares regression, I wish to reject the null hypothesis that there is no effect of characteristics of teachers and of classes on course evaluation scores. I have collected data from four different departments: Economics, Sociology, Psychology and Political Science; however, I was only able to reject the null hypothesis in data from Psychology. By collecting more data from different departments in my future work, I wish to find more departments that can prove that there are some effects of characteristics of teachers and of classes on course evaluation scores. If there exists other departments, it means students do have preferences on some specific instructors or classes, and departments can use the results to improve course evaluation scores and consider the results when making decisions on promotion, tenure extensions, and salaries.

The vestibular system utilizes sensory organs within the inner ear to maintain balance and awareness of how the body is moving. In the Phillips-Ling lab, we are developing a prosthesis to stimulate the neural pathways of the vestibular system and simulate regular vestibular functioning when the vestibular system fails. When the system is tested in non-human primates, the device’s electrical stimulation parameters can be controlled through the current amplitude and the pulse rate of the biphasic pulses that it produces. In the experiments that I analyzed, non-human pulse rate remain constant during the stimulation train, or modulated stimulation, in which either the current amplitude is changed (AM modulation) or pulse rate is changed (FM modulation). The result is a repetitive eye movement that can be analyzed in terms of position and velocity. The eye velocities from the constant stimulus are then compared to the velocities of the modulated stimulus that share common reference points in terms of current amplitude and pulse rate. Through the analysis of data compiled from the sessions of four non-human primates, I have found that constant and modulated stimulations result in different eye velocities at comparable currents and rates of stimulation. We conclude that the dynamics of the non-human primate’s vestibular system need to be considered when stimulating with electrical pulses. These conclusions will add a new perspective to the conversation when we apply these stimuli to treat human vestibular loss.

Zooplankton serve as vital components to the marine food web, and their distributions implement limits on population growth for organisms of both higher and lower trophic levels. Many zooplankton species, such as Calanoid and Cyclopoid copepods, are the primary food source for the juvenile fishes that are part of the fisheries within the temperate coastal Northeast Pacific, including Chinook, Chum, Pink, and Coho salmon. A better understanding of the environmental parameters that influence zooplankton abundance and distribution is essential for the proper management of these economic and culturally valuable fisheries. This study investigates the correlation between the abundance and distribution of Oithona, other small copepods (<2mm), large copepods (>2mm), euphausiids, hyperiids, gammarids, ostracods, chaetognaths, and larvaceans to dissolved oxygen, salinity, and chlorophyll conditions to determine which parameters have the greatest impact on zooplankton distribution. The ultimate goal of this study is to generate a model to predict the distribution of zooplankton populations under different environmental conditions. It was expected that distribution would favor higher dissolved oxygen, more saline, and high chlorophyll conditions. Samples were collected in Nootka Sound, British Columbia, onboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson during the Oceanography Senior Thesis Cruise at 4 stations using 211-micron closing net. Four samples were collected at each station from 100-75m, 75-50m, 50-25m, 25-0m depth ranges to observe vertical distribution within the upper 100m of the water column. Results identified significant correlation between dissolved oxygen and salinity and zooplankton abundance and distribution. However, abundance appeared to be greater at stations and depths with lower dissolved oxygen and salinity concentrations. We also tested an alternative method of measuring zooplankton abundance and distribution by constructing an underwater video profiler (UVP), designed to capture imaging data of zooplankton at 15m depths, and used video analysis software to quantify this data.

Telehealth is expanding at a rapid pace and gaining acceptance with both health providers and patients, in large part thanks to convenience. Video conferencing in particular has been used in a number of research studies with cancer patients. This study adapted an existing in-person cognitive training intervention into a video-conference intervention for cancer survivors with cognitive or ‘chemo-brain’ concerns. Cancer survivors frequently report cognitive dysfunction symptoms as a top concern. Cognitive training interventions can be an effective method for improving function and decreasing frequency of symptoms. Participants were cancer survivors with cognitive dysfunction symptoms who completed treatment at least six months or more in the past and live 25 miles or more from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. After undergoing a phone screening, informed consent and baseline testing, subjects participated in seven, weekly, one-hour long video-conference education sessions followed by post testing. Pre and post evaluations included mood, quality of life, and symptom measures of cognition as well as objective measures of cognitive functioning. Five participants with mean age of 56 (9.0) and 1.4 (0.45) years since treatment with breast, ovarian, and prostate were enrolled for the video conferencing workshop. Average instructor and topic ratings for both in-person and video conferencing workshops were compared. Data collection was also focused on collecting feasibility and efficacy results. Given the novel nature of video conferencing, results will give insight to the practicality, advantages, and disadvantages of using video conferencing to implement a behavioral intervention.

The purpose of this quality improvement study is to determine if hospital protocols regarding central line disinfection techniques are being followed. A central line is an intravenous access with a catheter leading directly to the heart, and is more permanent than a standard peripheral intravenous line. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a serious concern within patient care settings. Improper central line maintenance techniques contribute to CLABSI incidence, which leads to significantly increased patient health burden, length of hospital stay, medical costs, and mortality risk. Observations will be performed in four intensive care units at a metropolitan level one trauma hospital in the greater Seattle area. Patients with central lines will be identified on observation days. The number of opportunities for central line lumen caps to be covered by an alcohol-impregnated cap versus the number of caps that are actually covered will be counted. Number of opportunities are identified as being: unused lumen of central line, any unused or used peripheral IV, and side ports of tubing connected to central line or peripheral IV, per institution policy. Moreover, if a RN accesses a line during observation, disinfection techniques will be observed and compared to institution policy. We anticipate our results to show a 50% compliance rate with the protocol we are observing. We also anticipate that a lack of knowledge on the protocol will play a role in this, as evidenced by nurses asking questions during our observations. It is the hope of this study to identify if disinfection practices are in compliance with central line maintenance care protocols. If not, then further interventions can be developed and put into place to increase compliance and aid further in the reduction of CLABSI.

 The public consultation on “Equality between Women and Men in the EU," launched by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, received an astounding 4,896 contributions in 2015. In comparison, most public consultations garner less than 500 replies. Although each of the 28 European Union (EU) Member States contributed, 51.7% of the organizations were based in Germany, and 47.5% of contributing individuals lived in Germany. While this level of involvement merits attention by itself, a substantial group of individuals in Germany answered in an eerily similar negative manner to all questions of the consultation. Their responses were highly critical of gender equality policies and denounced action at an EU-level. Why did this group of individuals in Germany, in contrast to the other reponses of Germany organizations and individuals from other countries, react in this negative manner? Moreover, apparent from the patterned responses and almost-verbatim comments, how did this group with anti-feminist tendencies coordinate and mobilize? Our research examines this consultation on gender equality among several others addressing female genital mutiliation, paternity leave, and gender imbalance on corporate boards to analyze potential collaborative networks between European civil society. To organize our data, we code consultation responses into matrices, which allows us to view patterns that could indicate occuring collbaborations. From here, we attempt to unearth the motivations behind and intricancies of these mobilizing networks. Ultimately, our research seeks to explain this uniquely German anti-feminist phenomenon within the public consultation context. 

Escherichia coli is a common bacterium found in the gut of vertebrates, which include humans, where it has a beneficial role. Several strains of these bacteria however can be harmful causing diarrhea and vomiting in humans. Other strains can cause extraintestinal diseases such as neo-natal meningitis, cystitis, and prostatitis. Thousands of crows are known to roost in the Bothell wetlands above North Creek that flows into the Sammamish River. The abundance of crow fecal matter in the water and on land could have hazardous effects on humans that come in contact with the feces since crows are known scavengers that eat food waste from garbage dumps and animals that have already died. The purpose of this research is to investigate the microbes present in the feces, and determine if virulence factor genes that are the source of the pathogenic behavior in humans are present in them. Forty-one different samples of crow feces were taken from the wetland and plated on Eosin methylene blue (EMB) agar to isolate E. coli. The isolated bacteria was processed and the DNA extracted was used in PCR assays to test for 11 different virulence factor genes found in extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. These virulence factor genes were chosen because they were earlier shown to share homology with genes found in E. coli strains isolated from diseased birds. Preliminary research shows that some of the E. coli found in the crow feces had many different virulence genes but others had none at all. Further research is needed to characterize prominence of specific genes and how that would affect humans who came in contact with the feces.

Retinal degeneration is one of the leading causes for blindness in working-age people. It results from the loss of one or more of the seven different cell types in the retina which eventually disrupts the structure and signaling between the cells, ultimately leading to irreversible vision loss. Unfortunately, mammalian retinas cannot regenerate lost neurons, and current therapies only slow down disease progression. Alternatively, cell therapy using self-renewing, pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) could provide an unlimited source of replacement retinal cells. Many groups, including our own have developed protocols to derive retinal neurons from ESCs. While these can generate photoreceptors well, the generation of complete retinas from ESCs in a consistent and more efficient manner has remained elusive. Our research thus focused on optimizing the existing retinal differentiation protocols for mouse ESCs, with the goal of producing more laminated retinas consisting of all retinal cell types. In the current study, we used the three-dimensional method to produce embryoid bodies (EB) from our ESCs. We tested the effectiveness of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) and hyperoxia to enhance retinal differentiation by supplying them to our EBs. The samples were collected every week for five weeks and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We found that both conditions increased production of inner retinal neurons such as ganglion cells and amacrine cells, and EBs grown under hyperoxia were healthier looking. We then compared the ESC-derived retinas to age-matured mouse retinas and found that both retinas were similar in structure with the different cell types organized in the correct arrangement. These results suggest that FBS and oxygen are additional factors that can be integrated into existing protocols to improve the differentiation of mouse and possibly also human ESCs into retinal neurons.

Among middle school age youth, recent research estimates that approximately 1.3% of students identify as transgender (a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned at birth). Transgender youth are at considerable risk for depression, anxiety, and suicide associated with bullying at school or difficulties at home. School nurses are well positioned to identify these youth, intervene, and provide support. Public health study of cultural competence in caring for sexual minorities has begun to emerge, yet little of this research addresses the disparities of care experienced by transgender patients. Previous research has shown that school-based health professionals lack adequate skills and knowledge to care for transgender youth. This study focuses on the state of care within the school setting for transgender youth in Washington State. A survey of knowledge of transgender issues and experiences with transgender youth was conducted among Washington State school nurses serving youth grades 6-12. The UW Catalyst hosted questionnaire was distributed to members of the SNOW (School Nurses Organization of Washington) email list-serv. A snowball sampling approach enabled recipients to forward the survey link to additional respondents. Questions included demographic information (educational attainment, type of work settings, institution size, etc), confidence in ability to provide care to transgender youth, presence and enforcement of the school anti-bullying policy, willingness/interest in receiving additional education, knowledge of community resources, and awareness of/contact with transgender students in the school population. Data from this study provides a picture of the educational needs of Washington’s school nurses in order to care for this sensitive population successfully.

Cryopreservation is a technique that uses very low temperatures in order to store and preserve biological material for an extended period of time without deterioration. With the use of cryoprotectants, a substance that prevents the damage of freezing, cells are protected from the normally lethal effects of freezing. In order to understand the effects of cryopreservation in marine microorganisms, we are developing this technique with Phaeodactylum tricornutum, a marine pennate diatom with a sturdy body type. Diatoms are important drivers for biogeochemical cycles and the versatility of Phaeodactylum tricornutum in different environments allow it to be used as a model organism in studies about global phytoplankton primary production. By using a cryoprotectant such as DMSO, and a two-step freezing protocol, we allow the cells to experience freezing at a gradual rate giving it as stress-free of an environment as possible. Once frozen, the Phaeodactylum will be preserved until the thawing process begins, using a protocol that allows the rate of thawing to be gradual as well. This technique could allow for successful preservation and could be applied to many aspects of biology, in our case a laboratory model for ecological work.

In several studies regarding the history of colonialism, an analogy between female bodies and land has been made. Many scholars have discussed how an Empire exploits its colonies as well as sexually objectifies and claims ownership of colonial women. The main evidence of eroticization can be most manifestly observed in colonial dances among many other cultural phenomena, mainly due to the fundamental physicality of the art form. In this research, I aim to reveal how colonialism affected traditional dance forms of Hawaii and Korea, which had suffered from the rule of the United States and Japanese Empire for decades. Notable changes in the way female bodies were presented in Hawaiian Hula and Korean Shin-muyong (Korean neoclassical dance) are studied, as well as the trace of eroticization that still lives today. In order to identify characteristics of the colonial Hula and Shin-muyong, I shed new light on the lives of two most prominent Hawaiian Hula and Korean Shin-muyong dancers, Kini Kapahu and Choi Seung-hee. I draw on scholarship and archival resources indicating that they had one common strategy for success in the United States and Europe: colonial exhibition. Understanding of the power relation between colonial women and imperial audience of the time can be inferred from the literature analysis. In addition, I take warning against the undying specter of colonialism by illuminating how modern tourism sells the descendants of Kini Kapahu and Choi Seung-hee, or Hawaiian and Korean female dancers of the 21st century, as exotic commodities that satisfy the sexual aspiration of tourist conquerors.

Smoking prevalence among homeless people is nearly 4 times that of the general US population. Homeless people are also disproportionately affected by tobacco-related mortality, which is 3 to 5 times higher than in the general US population. Smoking cessation treatment studies to date have yielded very low quit rates in the homeless population, ranging from 9% to 16%. It has been found that current smoking treatments have not been effective due to their lack of practicality and desirability among homeless individuals. Considering the principles of patient-centered care, we asked homeless smokers what smoking treatment goals and strategies—including and beyond smoking cessation—have been or would be desirable, feasible and effective based on their own lived experience. Participants (N=24) were homeless and were either current or former smokers. Semi-structured interviews included questions on smokers’ interest in smoking treatment and reducing smoking-related harm as well as acceptable means to achieve these ends. We analyzed interview transcripts using conventional content analysis, a method of interpreting qualitative data through a systematic process of coding and classification. Participants reported wanting to continue using nicotine (e.g., vaping and electronic cigarettes) without having to smoke cigarettes or replacing some or all cigarette smoking with other substances, such as marijuana. Engaging in activities to alleviate boredom and stress (e.g., writing, painting and eating) represented further alternative strategies. Former or current smokers with the lived experience of homelessness were interested in learning about safer ways to use nicotine. Participants also had creative ideas about alternative smoking treatment pathways. These findings will be used to better tailor smoking treatment to homeless smokers’ needs and goals.

Short-term inflammation processes are commonplace following traumatic brain injuries (TBI), as they are a normal defense mechanism the body elicits to heal itself. However, when prolonged or chronic, inflammation can become detrimental. One inflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-6, has been shown to be increased in cerebrospinal fluid and blood post-TBI. In other non-TBI related clinical studies, Interleukin-6 has been associated with pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression. In this study, we examined whether plasma levels of interleukin-6 were associated with a higher symptom levels of four symptoms (headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance and depression) in the post-acute phase in patients with mild TBIs. To answer this question, secondary data analysis from a study that is currently underway was used. In the parent study, interested participants were enrolled from the Harborview Medical Center ED if they were 21-54 years of age, had sustained a mild TBI within the last 24 hours, and met other inclusion/exclusion criteria which would have impacted the immune response. Endorsement of symptoms and total symptom burden at 3 and 6 months was measured using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire. Interleukin-6 levels at 3 and 6 months post-injury were obtained from banked plasma samples using a multiplex assay (Millipore, Minneapolis, MN). The sample (N=84) had a mean age of 34.7 years (SD 9.4). At 3 months post-injury the percent of patients endorsing symptoms as a problem were, 35.9% for headaches, 44.9% for sleep disturbance, 50% for fatigue and 32% for feelings of depression. At 6 months, the percentage reporting the symptom was higher for headaches (38.2%). Data analysis is currently underway using chi-squared tests and regression analysis to assess for the association between Interleukin-6 levels. If such an association is shown, this understanding of disease progression in mild TBIs could bring new treatment modalities to the medical realm concerning chronic inflammation.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) variability could be a marker of neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson's Disease (PD). BOLD variability is related to higher cognitive performance and it decreases with age. Also, studies have shown that BOLD variability is correlated with lower levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is decreased in PD and contributes to cognitive and motor symptoms. This motivates our hypothesis that BOLD variability may be correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of alpha synuclein (α-Syn) and amyloid-β1–42 (Aβ42), markers that decrease with advanced PD. We obtained resting state and structural MRI data from 31 de novo PD subjects from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort, who were scanned within 3 months of lumbar puncture. We first regressed out sources of noise such as scanner instabilities, subject motion, and physiological artifacts (e.g. respiration and cardiac effects). Second, we coregistered (registering one person’s brain to other brain image modality (rest to T1)) each data and conducted spatial smoothing. Then, we calculated the standard deviation of the BOLD signal (SDbold) and registered all the subjects’ brains to standard Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) template. Finally, we computed the correlation between each subject’s SDbold and CSF markers We observed a significant correlation between SDbold and α-Syn in anterior cingulate gyrus and premotor cortex, areas that are known to be affected by PD. We did not see the same relationship with Aβ42. Our results suggest a specific relationship between physiological disruption related to PD and α-Syn that might be mediated by dopamine.

Mussels are bivalve mollusks that construct a byssus – an assemblage of protein threads with a strong adhesive plaque that attaches to underwater substrates. A mussel’s survival relies on a strong byssal attachment. Research on this adhesive can help explain trends in mussel attachment and inform how to emulate this glue or design surfaces that mussels cannot adhere to. Our work seeks to understand how abiotic factors affect the properties of mussel attachment, particularly at the thread-substrate interface (plaque). Specifically, we wanted to understand how increased temperature, decreased _pCO₂, and maturity (age) of the plaque affect its mechanical properties. This study involved three local species of mussel, as well as hybrid mussels between two species. The degree of hybridization was determined through PCR analysis. Byssal threads were cut from the animal and allowed to soak in a variety of treatments, and then stress-strain curves were generated for individual plaques. Initial findings indicate no difference in plaque strength after treatment in high temperature seawater. The results of this work could help explain trends in seasonal dislodgement of mussels, which are relevant ecologically and for aquaculture businesses. It can also give us insight into how changing environmental factors associated with ocean acidification will affect mussel attachment, independently of how they affect the organism itself.

Current tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) lack physiologically relevant internal structural organization which limits their mechanical properties and contractility. It has previously been shown that through the utilization of anisotropically nanopatterned scaffolds, vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) can be manipulated to express enhanced contractile phenotypes. We hypothesize that by using vSMCs cultured on nanopatterned surfaces we can create a TEVG, which exhibits native internal structure, that has increased mechanical properties and contains vSMCs with increased expression of contractile markers compared to a graft which lacks internal organization. In this study, we developed a flexible thermoresponsive nanofabricated substratum (fTNFS) which allows for the fabrication of multi-layered cell tubes with well defined internal structural configurations and diameters. Using the fTNFS, individual cell sheets can be stacked into a multi-layered tissue construct which can then be wrapped into a cylindrical shape. The cell tube structure can then be stabilized using a hydrogel. Here, we fabricated multi-layered vSMC tubes with structural characteristics similar to native blood vessels. The TEVGs were then immaged using immunofluorescence microscopy for expression of contractile proteins. The  vSMC tubes produced in this project maintauned internal structures analogous to native blood vessels and expressed contractile proteins.

Past studies in the Pollack Lab have discovered the existence of negatively charged solute-free "exclusion zones" adjacent to hydrophilic surfaces in aqueous solutions. One of these studies has shown that radiant energy expands exclusion zones adjacent to nonmetal surfaces based on wavelength. Another study indicated that these zones also exist adjacent to metal surfaces, but with positive charge. As a result, it is expected that radiant energy will have an opposite effect and decrease the size of the zone. My project explores the effects of radiant energy on these solute-free zones next to metals. To conduct these experiments, an aluminum sample is cleaned and placed into a customized chamber containing a diluted microsphere solution. The sample is left in the dark for 5 minutes to allow for formation of the zone. After the initial 5 minutes, the sample is subjected to the desired wavelength and intensity of light. Pictures are taken at 5 minute intervals to compare the size of the exclusion zones over 20 minutes. Initial results show that lower wavelengths have a larger effect on exclusion zones. However, varying intensities with the same wavelengths tend to produce unusual results where some intensities initially decrease the size of the zone then later causes an increase. More trials are necessary to validate these preliminary findings. Generally, the trends show that radiant energy tends to have a negative effect on these metal exclusion zones. These findings will give way for more research into areas such as electrochemical potential and energy harvesting as we discover the reasons for this behavior.

Biological diversity is known to be a key contributor in benefiting ecosystem productivity and functioning. While phenotypic plasticity (the ability of a single genotype to reflect more than one phenotype under various environments) has been the focus of numerous recent ecological literature, it is still yet undetermined what explicit roles genetic diversity versus phenotypic plasticity have on diversity-productivity relationships in ecosystems. In our experiment, we manipulated genetic diversity as well as variation in propensity for phenotypic plasticity of Arabidopsis Thaliana individuals under drought and non-drought conditions to address the following topics: (1) relationship between genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity, (2) the relationship between genetic diversity and productivity, and (3) the impact of genetic diversity for phenotypic plasticity on productivity. Implications of this study are critical to understand ecological relationships integral for productivity and ecosystem functioning, as well as agricultural practices, in the face of projected climate change scenarios.

Voltage-gated calcium channels are vital to electrical signaling in the human body, and their defects are associated with various neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Finding the 3-D molecular structure of these channels allows us to understand the physical basis for their function of selectively allowing calcium ions through the cell membrane. The Catterall lab uses X-ray crystallography, a technique in which a protein is grown into crystals and then diffracted with X-rays, to study the structure of Ca_vAb, a voltage-gated calcium channel from the bacterium Arcobacter butzleri. However, crystals of Ca_vAb are currently weak and give structures with relatively low resolution. This makes it difficult to see details in the protein’s structure and limits these structures' usefulness. To this end, I have introduced a zinc-binding site into Ca_vAb that increases the strength of the protein-protein interactions that cause it to crystallize. I anticipate that crystals of this altered form of Ca_vAb, when grown in the presence of zinc ions, will incorporate zinc into the introduced binding site, strengthening the crystal. Current results show some evidence for the inclusion of this zinc-binding site in crystals of Ca_vAb. The crystals show X-ray absorption and electron density within the binding site that indicate the presence of zinc. While further studies are needed to completely elucidate the effect of this zinc-binding site, current results are promising. In the future, we hope to take advantage of the anticipated crystal quality from this zinc-binding site for further structural studies on Ca_vAb. For instance, greater resolution will allow our lab to fully determine the mechanism of action by which calcium channel blocker drugs bind to a voltage-gated calcium channel. Furthermore, similar introduced metal-binding sites could be applied to the crystallization of other proteins that have so far evaded structure determination by crystallography.

This project is a modern adaptation of Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years, with a specific focus on racial diversity. Diversity in the arts is essential for artistic progression and innovation, and for maintaining sociocultural health; however, the lack of racial diversity in the performing arts has been a persistent, pressing issue. Artists from marginalized groups are grossly underrepresented in all aspects of modern theatre and performance; this prevents new stories and experiences from being developed and shared in the community. Our production has been specifically cast with UW students of color; the play chronicles the relationship between two young artists as they tackle the many challenges they face from society, one another, and themselves. Throughout the rehearsal process, we will inform the original script (which will remain unchanged) with the experiences and perspectives of young artists of colors. We will also explore how the challenges in the play are compounded by factors including gender, class, self-identity, and more; we want this production to address the unique obstacles faced by people from marginalized groups, especially in the arts. This process will culminate in a series of performances at UW’s Ethnic Cultural Theatre from May 20th through the 22nd. Additionally, all proceeds from the show will be donated to arts education in the Seattle area, with a specific focus on underrepresented communities.

Mathematics, in its own way, is a language, a new, and often abstract, way of viewing the world.  Through examining knot theory, we are able to contribute information to this rapidly expanding field of study, and apply our results to other research disciplines. A mathematical knot is a closed circle embedded into 3-dimensional space, where there exists crossings and regions. We examine the number of region crossing changes necessary to produce an alternating diagram, and define our new invariant as the region dealternating number. This property leads to an invariant, similar to the dealternating number, but offers new insight into the manipulation of knots. We expand our invariant under the connect sum theory to better understand the behavior of the region dealternating number. In particular, we apply the reasoning built for this invariant to prove that the (warping) span of any knot is at most 2, answering a previously unsolved question for warping span. We hope to continue to further these concepts and apply them to other families of knots and subsequent invariants. 

There are many mutualistic interactions that occur naturally in the world. Some of these mutualistic relationships evolve to be obligate, where the presence of one species is dependent on the other for its survival. We study the evolution of an obligate relationship with two model organisms, a sulfate reducer, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, and a methanogen, Methanococcus maripaludis. 22 populations of these organisms have evolved in an environment that has forced their cooperation. When we sequenced these populations, we discovered that at least 13 of the 22 populations of D. vulgaris have lost the ability to reduce sulfate To confirm if these mutations are beneficial or not, we measured the fitness of mutants with knockouts in the sulfate-reducing gene pathway relative to the wild-type strain with either an ancestral or evolved M. maripaludis partner. The final population size of each D. vulgaris mutant will be measured using FREQ-Seq; a technique that quantifies frequencies of various mutations in an amplicon. In previous iterations of this experiment, results presented a discrepancy between replicates (I and II) due to a failed cell lysis technique. We found that only a small fraction of the cells were lysed. With a better cell lysis protocol, we expect to see an increase in D. vulgaris mutant frequencies when paired with either an ancestor or evolved M. maripaludis compared to the wild-type. The data collected from these experiments will help us have a better understanding whether losing the ability to reduce sulfate is a beneficial mutation for D. vulgaris or not.
 

Nationally, twenty-two percent of discharged heart failure patients are readmitted within 30 days. Readmission places the patient at increased risk for complications and has financial repercussions for the hospital due to Medicare penalties under the Affordable Care Act. Previous studies indicate a multi-level approach to the discharge process—including discharge protocols, patient education, and supported transition to home or care facility—reduces readmission rates. Teach-Back is one approach to patient education that includes an assessment of patient learning about self-care, allowing them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding to their nurse or other healthcare professional. The purpose of this study was to understand the nurses’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers to using Teach-Back during discharge. A Quality Improvement survey was distributed to approximately 1100 nurses at University of Washington Medical Center with a 28% response rate. Nurses indicated that primary barriers to using Teach-Back were increased time requirements (58%), burden of documentation requirements (52%) and lack of knowledge on how to perform Teach-Back (36%). Preliminary content analysis of two open ended questions related to Teach-Back integration and implementation identified four themes: efficiency, support, checklists and training. We interpreted these results to suggest that increasing demands on nurses’ time requires efficiencies in other areas to rebalance the workload. Recommendations include a more efficient system of prompts and documentation of Teach-Back. In-service training should be carried out first on units with the lowest rates of Teach-Back. Additionally, we recommend streamlining discharge documentation in the electronic medical records with the aim of time reduction by way of fewer screens and fewer clicks. One limitation of this study is non-respondent bias; since we do not know why 72% of nurses did not respond, we cannot rule out the possibility that the shortage may have been due to lack of confidence with Teach-Back.

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has revolutionized the way we navigate our world, yet there remain many practical geolocalization problems for which the technology is not directly useful, such as in urban environments and scientific field work where GPS satellite L.O.S. (line-of-sight) obstructions are ubiquitous. Motivated by our collaborations with the LEAF School of Anthropology, our work is focused on providing technological solutions for cm-scale GPS-like geolocalization; particularly for researchers doing field work in prohibitive and complicated field topologies through the use of field-configurable ad-hoc geolocalization subnetworks. We present our work on and our methods to utilize time-of-flight measurements from GPS-enabled acoustic and radio frequency sources placed at the boundaries of the field of interest to determine the geographical coordinates of any number of locations within that field.

Electronic cigarettes use a heating coil to aerosolize a liquid made of ingredients which are only approved safe by oral consumption. However, there remains a question as to whether these components may react or decompose to form other, potentially harmful or toxic, substances when exposed to the high temperatures of the vaporizer. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to identify chemicals in generic e-liquid and in the vapor produced from the e-cigarettes. A replica of an electronic cigarette was constructed in order to have better control over the temperature coil and produce vapor in a range of 200-700 ⁰C. Seven of the common and commercially available e-liquids were investigated in this study. The chemicals were quantified in a low parts per million (ppm).The nature and the toxicity of the identified chemicals were then discussed based on the available literature information.

The inland waters of the Puget Sound, Washington, USA, and Georgia Basin, British Columba, Canada, is a complex system of high energy river inputs to lower energy large basins with direct connection to the open ocean through the Straits of Juan de Fuca. High energy systems acting as transport mechanisms for coarse sediment interact with low energy regions with transport deposition of finer sediments to create the vertical stratigraphy of the seafloor. In regions of high energy the seafloor expression is dominated by a rougher seafloor with more geomorphic features of coarser material, while low energy regions are expressed in a seafloor of uniform lamination. This research investigates the link between the surface expression of seafloor roughness and the underlying vertical structure of sediment deposition. Using a high resolution bathymetric surface derived from multibeam sonar synchronized with low frequency sub-bottom acoustic profiles, the depth of acoustic penetration is correlated with a focal calculation of seafloor roughness. Areas of lower acoustic impedance have a larger range in penetration, with lower ranges of penetration persisting in areas of high acoustic impedance. High acoustic impedance is indicative of harder sediments, such as sand, and low acoustic impedance indicates softer sediments, such as mud. The research is a comparative study between a high energy system adjacent to the mouth of the Elwha River and the low energy protected region of South Possession Sound. The research illustrates the strong link between seafloor geomorphology and the terrestrial sources of sediment input and mitigation of sediment transport energy.

Blind programmers bring a unique perspective to the computer developer workplace, and make important contributions to the computer science field. However, blind programmers often cannot use computer development environments because they are inaccessible, and usage can be slow and tedious for blind developers who use screen readers. The goal of our research is to design and build plug-ins for various coding environments to make it easier for blind developers to code. In prior work, Ms. Baker made a plug-in called StructJumper for Eclipse, a Java Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The plug-in creates a navigable hieratical tree based on the nesting structure of a Java class, essentially creating an outline of key points (such as method headings and control flow statements) in the code structure. Blind programmers can switch between StructJumper’s TreeView and default Text Editor to navigate code with greater ease. The usability of StructJumper was tested by seven blind programmers, whose results showed a trend of completing tasks faster with the plug-in then without. This suggests that StructJumper is a viable plug-in to improve accessibility to blind developers. However Java is not the only major programming language developers’ use on a daily basis. Thus we are pursuing further research to extend StructJumper beyond Java and implement plug-ins/add-ons for other commonly used programming languages and development environments, such as for the programming language Python. My work is the start of coding StructJumper as a plug-in for Visual Studio (practically the only screen reader compatible Python IDE). This plug-in is written in Visual Studio using C#, .NET framework, and IronPython to parse Python files open in the IDE.

In the 1990’s, Washington State led the nation in adopting unprecedented punitive legislation, which fundamentally altered the punishment of sex offenses. Due to this history, certain subsets of the sex offense population have indeterminate sentences and could potentially be held for life; this system exists in direct contrast to the overall sentencing system in Washington State, which mandates fixed sentences for all other crimes. The motivations and effects of this divergent sentencing standard have not been fully addressed and deserve careful scrutiny. Furthermore, these policies hold significant consequences for the overall prison population as twenty percent of those currently incarcerated in Washington State were convicted for sex crimes. This project will investigate the legislative and sentencing changes regarding Washington State sex offenses in the last forty years. Through evaluations of historic Washington State criminal codes, I document how legislation regarding sex offenses has intensified since the 1980’s, specifically examining rape crimes. Utilizing Washington State sentencing data, I will demonstrate recent trends in the sentencing of sex offenses and evaluate how the sentences for this population have changed between 1986 and 2013. I will also interview local elected officials, affiliates, and attorneys involved in the sentencing of sex offenses to gain a qualitative perspective on this issue. In evaluating the human consequences of this sentencing model, I argue that we need to reevaluate the structure, motivation, and treatment of sex offenses in Washington State today.

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the feasibility of the electrochemical synthesis of ferrate and bleach using a boron-doped diamond electrochemical cell. As ferrate's only byproduct in oxidation reactions is Fe(III), ferrate is a powerful alternative in the disinfection of waste water treatment to eliminate pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. from water streams, where more traditional disinfectants give halogenated byproducts. However, ferrate degrades rapidly outside of basic solution and current synthetic methods are prohibitively expensive and require hazardous reagents. The two competing syntheses are direct electrochemical production and wet oxidation by concentrated bleach. In the first, difficulties present relating to stability of the electrode; continual oxidation wears the electrode, increasing management and production costs. In the chemical synthesis high concentrations of bleach are required, equilibrium lies to the left, and yield is low. This project attempted to remedy the first by using diamond, a highly chemically resistive carbon allotrope, as the electrode, and to see to what extent electrochemical processes are still hindered. To remedy the difficulty of chemical synthesis the electrochemical cell was also used to oxidize bleach and investigate yields therein. In each case electrochemical synthesis of bleach and ferrate was compared to other methods.

Good communication is crucial to a patient's healthcare experience and an integral part of a nurse's role in providing care. Patients with communication disorders are susceptible to poorer health outcomes and decreased satisfaction with services due to breakdowns in communication with nurses. Literature suggests that nurses should receive training on how to effectively communicate with these patients, but it is unclear whether this training is currently included in nursing school curriculum. What are nursing students at universities across Washington State being taught about how communication disorders impact medical interactions, or how to better communicate with patients who struggle? Are these students lacking the necessary education and training to provide quality care for patients with communication disorders? In an attempt to answer these questions, survey data will be collected from junior and senior nursing students at the University of Washington, as well as from faculty responsible for developing nursing student curriculum at UW and other in-state universities regarding the current communication skills curriculum being taught in this area. Based on preliminary findings we hypothesize that a gap exists in nursing student curriculum related to how to communicate effectively with this patient population, and that the survey data collected will show that nursing students in Washington State are not currently being taught about communicating with patients with communication disorders. The key implication of this study will either suggest a need for nursing school curriculum to implement communication skills training targeted toward patients with communication disorders or show that students are in fact receiving this training. The addition of education and training in this area can help nurses improve the quality of care for this patient population. 

A neuropeptide called corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is shown to be necessary in fear behavior, but it is currently unknown whether upregulated CRF expression in the central amygdala is sufficient for enhancing fear behavior. An increase in CRF expression in a controlled manner will specifically test CRF's ability to enhance fear learning. To achieve this, a Cas9-CIBN complex will be directed towards CRF promoter by small-guiding RNAs where it will recruit the Cry-Vp64 complex. When these two complexes come together, they form a light-inducible transcriptional effector (LITE) that can recruit the transcriptional machinery to the CRF promoter and up-regulate CRF expression in the presence of light. LITE machinery will also provide a method of improved spatial and temporal control to the upregulation compared to currently used methods of upregulation. However, in order to accurately analyze this uniquely controlled method, certain comparable controls are required. This project will serve as the comparison to temporally controlled CRF expression by creating a constitutive CRF overexpression vector. This will upregulate CRF without temporal control and cannot be switched “off”. This continuous effect may elicit compensatory changes to the system over time and reveal important differences between constitutive and temporally controlled CRF expression. The three objectives of this project are to 1) clone the CRF gene into a DNA vector called adeno-associated virus vector (AAV vector), 2) package the AAV-CRF vector into virus, and 3) inject the packaged virus into central amygdala for behavioral analysis. The first objective has been achieved using a standard cloning protocol. The second and third objectives are still in the preliminary phase.

We determine when and in what galaxies Supermassive Black Hole mergers occur and what they tell us about galaxy evolution throughout the history of the universe. We are doing this through analyzing ROMULUS25, which is a simulation--the size of a box that is 80 Million Light Years per side--of the universe from the big bang to the present day. The data from ROMULUS25 includes the evolution of thousands of galaxies and is able to resolve the internal structure of galaxies. We use the programming language python to sift through all of the data in our simulation in order to determine the rate at which Supermassive Black Holes merger together, and what the different conditions are before and after the merger. Our preliminary results suggest that the closer the ratio of masses of the two Supermassive Black Holes are will result in a much lower merger rate. This will help us understand the coevolution of galaxies and Supermassive Black Holes and allow us to predict and contextualize future observations of gravitiational waves from the LISA mission, which is a space-based gravitational wave detector.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major causative agent of urinary tract infections (UTI) and is highly clonal. One of the major clones is a multidrug-resistant H30 clone, which has spread worldwide and is almost exclusively resistant to fluoroquinolones, accounting for 50% of all ciprofloxacin-resistant uropathogenic E. coli. The goal of this study was to determine if H30 clone is prevalent among fecal E. coli, which might explain its high occurrence in extraintestinal infections. We obtained 555 fecal samples from female volunteers and screened them for the H30 clone using a multiplex quantitative PCR test, ST200. This test contains primers for uidA (E. coli specific loci), and primer-probe combinations for ST131, ST69, and fimH30. The combination of positive ST131 and fimH30 probes identifies the H30 clone. The results of fecal screenings were compared to the data on H30 found among urine isolates from women with UTIs. Out of 555 fecal samples, 531 (96%) had detectable presence of E. coli ranging from 10⁴ to 10⁷ cfu/ml. H30 clone was found only in 25/555 samples (4.5%), while it was significantly more prevalent in urine (7.7%, P=0.008). The prevalence of H30 clone in younger (<50 years old) versus older (>50 years old) women didn’t differ significantly for fecal samples (6.1% vs 8.1%, P=0.24). However H30 was significantly more prevalent in older women’s urine samples (5.9% vs 8.6 %, P=0.014). Overall, 44/555 (7.9 %) fecal samples contained ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates. Similarly to urine, H30 clone accounted for almost half of isolates (21/44, 47.7 %),  although resistance of fecal H30 isolates to fluorquinolones was slightly decreased in comparison to urine H30 isolates (84% vs 95%). In summary, the H30 clone preferentially causes UTIs in elderly women and is the major reservoir of ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli in gut microflora, potentially leading to higher infection rates due to mismatched antibiotic therapy.

Sediment cores were collected from White Lake (15°2.46' S 167°5.35' E) and Red Lake (15°1.97' S 167°5.40' E), located on Thion Island, Vanuatu, to analyze precipitation patterns in the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) during the last millennium. The SPCZ is a poorly understood and understudied region of the Tropical Pacific, with a very short instrumental record of rainfall. Extending the record of natural variability in precipitation is important for assessing future risks of freshwater availability to islands in the tropical pacific. Known for high precipitation rates and spanning 3000 km in a NW to SE orientation, the South Pacific Convergence Zone is the most prominent rainfall feature in the Southern Hemisphere. These freshwater lakes contain the dinoflagellate sterol, dinosterol, which acts as a “molecular fossil” or lipid biomarker and is used to infer variations of the deuterium/protium (²H/¹H) isotopic ratio of the lake water over time since algal lipids track changes in environmental water. The fluctuations in the ²H/¹H ratio in both the lake water and dinosterol are linked to changes in SPCZ precipitation since in the tropics, the rainfall rate is correlated with the isotopic composition of rain. Dinosterol was purified using column chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography, identified and then quantified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection. The ²H/¹H ratio of the purified dinosterol was determined using Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry.

The oxygen evolving complex (OEC) is the enzyme in Photosystem II responsible for oxidizing water into oxygen gas. The OEC, a Mn₄O₅Ca cofactor, has one manganese “dangling” off a cubane, and it undergoes several conformational changes as photons provide energy for the splitting of water. The mechanisms and intermediates for the transitions between states are not fully understood, so research into manganese dioxygen chemistry will illuminate this important biological process. In order to characterize intermediates more successfully, we use synthetic, small molecule, ligand framed analogues that emulate the properties of the enzyme. Synthetic analogues have a distinct advantage in characterizing intermediates because the enzyme is limited to activity under conditions of a living organism such as temperature and solvent. By tuning the conditions and coordination sphere of our manganese complexes, we can stabilize metastable intermediates in order to spectroscopically characterize them. Our target is to synthesize a mononuclear manganese superoxo complex modeling the dangling manganese, which has been previously reported as an active site in oxygen evolution. A superoxo must be the last intermediate in oxygen evolution, so by characterizing our complex, we can determine viable mechanisms for the evolution of oxygen off the dangling manganese. We designed the ligand to be sterically bulky and have a low coordination number so there is a selective open coordination site for dioxygen binding. The lower coordination number raises the manganese’s Lewis acidity which allows for reversible oxygen binding. A trans thiolate is incorporated into the ligand framework as it has been previously shown that the sulfur to metal charge transfer band is in the visible region, giving the complex an easily identifiable spectroscopic property. By synthesizing our superoxo complex then characterizing its properties, we can better understand the complex mechanisms of oxygen evolution.

As a consequence of unhealthy lifestyles, the prevalence of hypertensive heart disease is rising both in the United States and globally. Hypertension often results from the chronic activation of adrenergic receptors found in the walls of blood vessels. These receptors are normally activated in times of extreme stress by the sympathetic nervous system. However, chronic activation leads to elevated blood pressure which puts extra stress on the heart and can lead to complications that kill millions of people annually. Drugs such as beta-blockers treat this disease by blocking the endogenous ligand, epinephrine, from binding to the receptor, which relaxes the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. However, this class of drugs ignores another important receptor found in vessel walls, the alpha-1D adrenergic receptor (ADRA1D). ADRA1D is known to contribute to hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy in humans, but its mechanism of action is poorly studied. The Hague Lab conducts pharmacological studies on ADRA1D to elucidate how this receptor confers disease. My project focuses on understanding how the receptor localizes to the surface of the cell where it can be activated. Recently, our lab conducted proteomic screenings to identify intracellular binding partners. The results showed that ADRA1D binds to two unique proteins, a signaling protein, alpha-syntrophin (SNTA1), and a cellular polarization protein, Scrbble (SCRIB). This interaction was later attributed to a conserved binding region known as a PDZ domain that interacts with the C-terminus of ADRA1D. SNTA1 has one of these domains while SCRIB has four. My project attempts to quantify the strength of these interactions to give a better understanding of ADRA1D’s intracellular landscape. By better understanding how this receptor locates to the surface and how it signals, drugs can be created to disrupt these processes and better treat patients with hypertensive heart disease.

In creating the first interactive digital chronology of the history of a little-known painting once fêted as the work of Leonardo Da Vinci, we follow a tale of smuggling and intrigue as the piece moves from the hands of famed Italian art collectors, to Roman dignitaries, American connoisseurs and 'Robber Barons'. Our research has shed light on the fate of this work which had disappeared into apparent obscurity for almost a century.  The narrative has been developed using the open source online platform StoryMap JS, and seeks to visually guide the user through an exploration of the history and significance of this artwork, allowing users both a focused and customized experience.  The ‘Leonardo Project’ derives from work completed by interns on the Emma B. Andrews Diary Project.  The interns have been digitizing and researching the late 19th/early 20th century diaries of the mistress of millionaire art collector turned archaeological excavator Theodore Davis. The 5th volume details the acquisition of the “Portrait of a Girl” and its stealthy exit from Italy, across Europe, and eventually to Davis and Andrews’ home in Newport, R.I.  Intern work has focused on sourcing and analyzing related contemporary material including correspondence, images and other original documents, along with published scholarly articles, to create a detailed digital timeline narrative available to the public. We have uncovered the sometimes difficult interpersonal relationships that influenced the movement of the painting, the story behind its mistaken authentication, and how it has ended up hanging in the cozy hallway of a private home in the US. Our unique digital exhibit gives an unparalleled glimpse into the early twentieth century world of art, politics and acquisition.

This research aims to explore the roots of solidarity in the ongoing violent political context of Colombia. By challenging the general rhetoric of “rescuers” as privileged and educated people, I will try to answer the following questions: Why are people willing to risk their lives or privileges to help others, who are they, and what are their characteristics? My initial findings indicate that in the Colombian context, acts of solidarity and courage are often performed by dispossessed populations. I argue that in Colombia, victims of crimes against humanity become the helpers because solidarity becomes a form of survival. I am exploring some of the most relevant factors shown by victims of State violence such as critical consciousness, sense of community, moral agency, and political agency, which are related to the victims´ commitment to social change. Based on interviews I will do with members of the MOVICE (National Movement of Victims of State Crime), a memoir about my own personal experience as a teenager involved in the social movement, and videos and testimonies from the web archives from the National Center of Historical Memory, I try to identify a pattern for solidarity. By doing this, I highlight different forms of solidarity as processes of resistance against hegemonic powers, where victims play the main roles challenging the status quo. Overall, I attempt to show that in this context, where solidarity is a form of survival, it is also a form of healing from the trauma of political violence, because it establishes relationships rooted in reciprocity.

An ion trap uses electromagnetic fields to trap charged particles in vacuum. We use an ion trap in this way to implement qubits (quantum bits) for quantum operations. Barium (Ba) and ytterbium (Yb) are promising candidates because their photoionization and cooling laser, optics and fiber optics are commercially available and in the visible spectrum. The micro-fabricated surface ion trap confines long chains of ions which are potentially scalable for running real and useful quantum algorithms and building a quantum computer. The current trap can confine Ba-Yb/Ba-Ba ion chains in a harmonic oscillator. As the number of ions increases, the ion chain will form a zigzag pattern and make uniquely addressing an individual ion for quantum gates with a laser beam impossible. But, quartic anharmonic oscillator can produce equal ion-ion spacing. My project can minimize quantum operation errors for quantum gates operation. I find the solutions for the DC electrode voltages numerically, using and improving the existing Boundary Element Method to generate a quartic anharmonic trap. Then, starting from the initial harmonic trap, I use the solution to morph the real trap potential into the quartic one. The changes of ion-ion positions are compared and verified using an EMCCD camera. Then, I determine the resonant frequencies of the ion chains in both the original (harmonic) and the modified (anharmonic) traps. The resonant frequency stays the same for the harmonic trap, but decreases in the quartic anharmonic trap as more ions are added to the chain. In conclusion, the quartic anharmonic trap has constant ion-ion spacing and overcome the zigzag issue which increases our ability to control qubits for quantum operations.

Depressive disorders are a significant public health concern, affecting 11.4% of youth, and are associated with a loss of interest in activities and anxiety, psychosocial problems such as academic difficulties, and psychosocial impairment in adulthood including increased risk for substance abuse and suicide. By providing adequate mental health treatment, adverse effects of depressive disorders in youth and adolescence may be mitigated. Although mental health services for youth are currently inaccessible for 70% of the youth population who would benefit from these services, healthcare is experiencing a trend towards increased access to mental health services both through the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid. My study’s goal is to look at ways to provide these quality mental health services to youth. In order to provide quality health mental health care for youth with depressive disorder, a collaborative care model may be used. Collaborative care uses a multidisciplinary team of primary care providers, mental health specialists, and community support to deliver a multifaceted approach to patients with mental health issues through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy, or both delivered by primary care providers in community health settings. To date, 3 RCTs have evaluated the effectiveness of collaborative care against usual care for youth depression. One mainstay treatment for youth depression has been CBT. While collaborative care is an emerging model of treatment for youth depression, it has not been compared to stand-alone CBT. In this investigation, benchmarking is used to find an applied effectiveness for both collaborative care and cognitive behavioral therapy. I searched through peer-reviewed journals using search engines such as Medline and PsychInfo to gather published studies. Using these results and data, I then used statistical analyses and benchmarking to compare the effectiveness of both CBT and collaborative care.

Water forms liquid crystal structures near hydrophilic (water-loving) surfaces such as human cells . Compounds are excluded from dissolution in the zone containing these structures, and thus this zone is known as the Exclusion Zone or EZ water. EZ is believed to contribute to cell properties and is thus important for healthy cellular function - therefore, it is essential to try and maximize EZ content as much as possible. We evaluated the EZ content of various purported therapeutic or crystallizing waters using the well-established technique of using a microscope to determine the width of the EZ around a piece of tubing. We concluded that different types of water have varying amounts of EZ, with the highest being those observed in KW and Crystal Energy Water. The effect of probiotics, helpful bacteria which reside in the intestine and have varied health benefits, was also investigated. The most clinically studied probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, is known to have positive effects on various body systems, including digestive and immune. This was theorized to be a result of their effects on the EZ content of body water. We investigated the effects of the probiotic by varying its concentration in DI water. It was found that EZ dramatically increased in the presence of probiotic, with a 50% increase over control observed for the recommended dose of probiotic. As a control, we conducted a heat-response study by heating a solution of the probiotic (1 mg/40 ml) to 90°C, at which temperature the bacteria would be killed. The EZ greatly declined, suggesting a large role for live probiotic in EZ formation and therefore health. This research has wide implications for health, suggesting that changing the type of water ingested and taking probiotics could greatly improve cell function and overall health.

Ovarian cancer is the 2nd most frequent female cancer in the U.S. Among couples in which women have been diagnosed with stage III or IV ovarian cancer, the partner is often the caregiver, and his or her social support can greatly impact the diagnosed woman’s disease process. Despite advances in the study of the partner-caregiver’s role, there have been few nursing interventions specifically created to provide emotional healing and recovery for him or her during the disease process. Our study involves a 5-session nurse-delivered counseling intervention designed to address the partner-caregiver’s emotional care. The purpose of my research is to examine the data from before and after the intervention to determine the effect it had on the partner-caregiver’s depressed mood. Each participating partner-caregiver completed a CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression) scale before and after the intervention. The target sample was 10 partners of women diagnosed with stage III and IV ovarian cancer who were enrolled in the Taking Care of Her Program. The data analysis entailed comparing the partner-caregiver’s CES-D scale results before and after the intervention to evaluate the intervention’s impact on the respondent’s wellbeing. Due to the swift and terminal effects of ovarian cancer, and the time period needed to complete the sessions, only five partner-caregivers’ results have been collected to date. Of the five, four scored lower on the CES-D when their baseline scores were compared to their post-intervention scores. Although we are optimistic over these early results, caution is also in order, given the single group design (pre-posttest). There could be plausible other causes of these results. This early suggestive evidence argues the potential importance of this intervention but future research is needed within a more rigorous experimental design with a larger sample.

The goal of the Project 8 experiment is to measure the neutrino mass scale using a new technique, Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy (CRES), which requires a precise knowledge of the magnetic field within the apparatus. The signals from the experiment are located in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is also where electron spin resonance (ESR) can be used to measure magnetic fields. The ESR effect takes advantage of the behavior of unpaired electrons in chemical compounds. When an electron is in an external magnetic field its magnetic moment has two possible orientations: parallel or antiparallel to the field. These orientations correspond to two different energy levels. When microwave radiation is applied to the electron energy transitions between the two levels can be induced and energy is absorbed, flipping the direction of the magnetic moment. This resonance frequency is proportional to the magnetic field at the position of the sample. I have developed a new type of magnetic field sensor to replace the ESR probe currently installed in the Project 8 experiment. The new probe is constructed from coaxial waveguide with a small diameter that allows the probe to be close to the electron-trapping region without interfering with other instruments within the small diameter bore of the magnet. This probe also employs the chemical BDPA, with an absorption curve that is more symmetric and narrow than the chemical used in the old probe, DPPH. A mixture of BDPA and epoxy glue is used to replace a cylindrical section of the waveguide dielectric providing a precise knowledge of the sample position and geometry. I will present the design, test measurements, and initial results obtained with the coaxial ESR probe. Furthermore, I will discuss the incorporation of the new probe into the next generation Project 8 experiment.

Besnoitia besnoiti is an emerging apicomplexan parasite that causes bovine besnoitiosis. Found originally in Africa, and now in many European countries. It causes, among many other things, decreased milk production, sterility in bulls, and an increased mortality rate, which all have severe economic affects. Currently, there is no cure, no publicly available genome sequence, and only a very unreliable vaccine. Our goal is to develop a new drug for the treatment of bovine besnoitiosis. To do this, we will find compounds that inhibit the enzymes that are crucial for the survival of B. besnoiti. Calcium dependant protein kinases (CDPKs) have shown to be promising targets in other closely related enzymes. They are essential for the survival of the parasite and can be targeted by bumped kinase inhibitors (BKIs) which bind to the ATP binding site of these enzymes. We have identified, cloned, expressed, and assayed recombinant BbCDPK1 for the inhibition of its enzyme activity with 63 BKI analogs using previously described luciferase assay. BbCDPK1 was inhibited by low concentrations of BKIs. Experiments so far have had around a 90% inhibition rate, and four compounds in particular have been very effective with only small amounts of compound. Further experiments are planned in vivo, as the BKIs have shown no toxicity in cattle. Our studies thus far indicate that this strategy could lead to non-toxic, selective CDPK1 inhibitors with good PK properties, and are thus excellent leads for further besnoitiosis drug development programs.

Do species evolve in diverse communities, similar to the simple community of our research? We are looking at the evolution that we've seen in a species of sulfate reducers found in our simple laboratory environment and comparing this evolution to that of a large, more complex anaerobic digester of the wastewater treatment plant. In our 'simple community', a methanogen, Methanoccocus maripaludis, and a sulfate reducer, Desulfovibrio vulgaris, were paired. When two species are forced to live together over time we expect to see evolution take place. It was found that after 1000 generations D. vulgaris loses its ability to reduce sulfate in this paired relationship. Using this laboratory pairing as a model, we have looked at the evolution of sulfate reducers in  these two different anaerobic digesters from the University of Washington and Brightwater Municipal Waste Water Treatment Center. Both digesters have similar conditions; they are both anaerobic with low levels of sulfate present. To test our hypothesis we have currently been extracting DNA from weekly samples of both digesters. The dsrAB gene is first amplified, as it is a conserved region throughout sulfate reducers and their relatives. We are now doing Illumina sequencing in order to better determine the diversity of sulfate reducers present. Using this information, we will be able to design primers for the sat apsA and apsB genes. This will show us if any mutations are present among the population of sulfate reducers in both digesters. This will be means for the comparison between real world and experimental conditions. Future work will look for mutations in the sat, apsA and apsB genes. By identifying these loss-of-function mutations in both the digesters, we will be able to see the impact of evolution on sulfate reducers in complex communities.

Women who experienced sexual assault are 2 - 3 times more likely to experience sexual revictimization (SR). Factors that predict risk of SR include emotion dysregulation, guilt, and lower heart rate reactivity when facing sexual threats. These factors overlap with tonic immobility (TI), which is characterized by victim's diminished or absent physical or vocal response during sexual assault ("freeze" response). Post-traumatic maladaptive cognitions also may increase risk for SR, either directly or through increasing risk of TI. Based on prior literature, my hypotheses are: 1. Higher TI will predict higher SV risk; 2. More severe maladaptive cognitions will predict higher SV risk; 3. TI will be predicted by maladaptive cognitions. Participants were female college students reporting prior child sexual abuse or adult sexual assault and high risk alcohol use (n=162) assessed at baseline and 1-month later. Relevant measures were Tonic Immobility Scale (TIS-A), Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, and Sexual Experiences Scale (SES). Thirty-seven women reported SR 1-month following the initial assessment (22.3%). In logistic regression analysis, after controlling for prior adult and child sexual victimization, SR was predicted by TI (p<0.05). Maladaptive cognitions and prior fear response during trauma, an aspect of TI, did not predict SR. Based on multiple regression analysis, TI was predicted by maladaptive cognitions about self but not by cognitions about the world or self-blame, after controlling for prior trauma history (p<0.01). Results suggest TI in women during prior trauma may increase risk of future SR. In addition, more negative beliefs about self, but not self-blame, predicts TI. Findings suggest that prevention efforts may want to target women who experienced prior TI as a means of preventing future revictimization. These prevention efforts may be more effective if they include cognitive interventions.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been identified as a primary driver of climate change, the oceans have been shown to be a large sink of this CO₂. Fjord systems have been identified as potential sinks for the CO₂ in summer due to high primary production, but also in winter due to cool surface waters. Our study focuses on the temperate fjord system of Nootka Sound, BC, Canada, during December 2015. Investigation of this precipitation driven fjord system during a strong El Niño may help us to understand the impacts that warming oceans have on the ability of fjords to act as sinks for atmospheric CO₂. Depth profiles at 12 stations began outside of Nootka Sound and went into the head of Muchalat Inlet. Vertical profiles and water samples at 5 depths were collected using the CTD rosette system onboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. Additional samples from the surface 10cm of the water column were collected within 2 of the inner fjords, Muchalat and Tahsis. Analysis of these samples for dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and alkalinity allowed for the calculation of pCO₂, a measure of the partial pressure of CO₂ in water. From this and atmospheric pCO₂ data provided by Environment Canada, the flux of CO₂ across the air-sea interface was calculated. Preliminary results of surface samples show effluxes of CO₂ near riverine inputs, while surface waters within the inlets appear to be in near equilibrium with the atmosphere. Preliminary transect results show deep waters have higher pCO₂, further analysis will reveal if a relationship between air-surface fluxes and deep water exists.

Despite glaring disparities in obesity trends by race in the United States, little is known about the most effective processes used to engage underrepresented communities in obesity prevention research. As recognized by the U.S. federal government, these underrepresented populations include African Americans, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic/Latinos. As African Americans and Latinos hold the highest age-adjusted obesity rates in the U.S., the purpose of this study is to identify best practices for engaging these local underrepresented communities in academic partnerships for obesity prevention research. Data for this study will be collected through key informant interviews among three published community-based obesity prevention researchers from the disciplines of medicine, nursing, and public health at the University of Washington, a designated research intensive institution. Content analysis will then be performed to describe the approach and process used by researchers to engage underrepresented communities as well as barriers and facilitators to community engagement. Study findings will be used to identify key transdisciplinary strategies for engaging underrepresented populations in obesity prevention research which may also be applicable to other fields of study.

Mall walking has the potential to increase physical activity and improve overall health of older adults but there is insufficient research about how older adults initiate and maintain participation. Older adults are a growing demographic and over half do not meet the daily recommendations for being physically active. Malls provide a safe, convenient, free, flat surface, and accessible venue for older adults to walk. Additionally, benches, water fountains, close parking, and bathrooms make it an ideal walking environment. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to better understand mall walkers’ reasons for initiating and maintaining walking in a local mall walking program. We partnered with a Seattle Parks and Recreation program called Sound Step Strollers that offered weekly mall walking in Seattle. We used a cross-sectional design and included one-on-one interviews and written surveys. Interviews were conducted in person over 6 weeks during mall walking hours and consisted of questions about motivators and barriers to walking. Attendees who listened to a presentation about walking at a local retirement community were invited to complete a written survey that consisted of questions about incentives to walking. Interviews of 9 mall walkers from Sound Step Strollers were conducted as well as 15 surveys from a local retirement facility after the walking presentation. Findings revealed that the primary motivator to participate in a mall walking program was to manage and improve physical symptoms from chronic illness (e.g. arthritis). Additional factors that impact participation in mall walking include the influence of social peers, proximity of walking programs, and that information about the program had been provided at community centers and senior buildings. These findings suggest that coordination between clinicians and mall walking programs could provide a safe and accessible transition of care as well as an opportunity for continued health maintenance for older adults.

Marine ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are abundant marine microorganisms that compose their cell membranes with glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs). These lipids are useful biomarkers for developing a record of sea surface temperature. Through the TEX86 temperature proxy, GDGTs have been able to provide insight into historic patterns of sea surface temperature through the relationship between annual average sea surface temperature and the composition of GDGTs. Existing data suggest that in addition to temperature, other environmental factors might influence TEX86. We postulate that varying light, salinity and peroxide concentrations would have an effect on the GDGT composition of AOA in culture. We conducted experiments with varying light, salinity and peroxide levels to test their effect on TEX86 on strains of AOA. We observed that light levels influenced the GDGT composition. The calculated TEX86 values were higher when the cells were exposed to light. Salinity concentrations above and below the optimal salinity of 25 resulted in lower calculated TEX86 (below 17°C). Peroxide levels did not affect calculated TEX86 temperatures, which suggest the presence of different adaptations that allow for archaea to acclimate to relatively extreme conditions. Our work demonstrates that different environmental stressors have an effect on lipid composition.

The first member of the vanilloid sensing sub-family of transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPV1) is an ion channel located primarily in the nociceptive (pain-sensing) neurons of the peripheral nervous system. It is most strongly activated by high temperatures, protons, and capsaicin, the molecule responsible for the spice of hot chili peppers. From these examples of TRPV1 activators, it has been deduced that this ion channel plays a key role in the sensory transduction of pain that results from thermal burns, acid burns, and ingestion of noxious chemicals. Thus, the TRPV1 ion channel has potential to be a drug target for innovative pain medications and therapies. Before this is feasible, physiologically relevant details of TRPV1 structure and function must be elucidated. Expanding the understanding of how TRPV1 interacts and changes in various environments is also crucial. My research aims to determine if the lipid environment surrounding TRPV1 has significant impacts on its structural conformation. Electron resonance techniques such as EPR and DEER can be used to detect structural information of proteins; however, a number of steps precede this goal. First, I expressed and purifyied TRPV1 in large quantities. Next, I reconstituted the purified channel into vesicles. Vesicles are spheres of phospholipid bilayer and more accurately resemble the plasma membrane environment in which TRPV1 naturally occurs. Then electron resonance techniques were used to compare the structure of detergent-stabilized TRPV1 and TRPV1 reconstituted into vesicles. The comparison of TRPV1 structure in different lipid environments has a lot of implications in the applicability of structural studies conducted outside of physiologically relevant systems and for the future study of TRPV1.

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris spp.) play a significant role as a keystone species in shaping nearshore marine ecosystems of the northern Pacific coast through their primary diet of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, like sea urchins. Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) were hunted to extinction from Washington State in 1911 due the fur trade of the 18th and 19th centuries, and remained locally extinct until their reintroduction to Washington State from Alaska in 1969 and 1970. We studied the foraging ecology of this species since this reintroduction, specifically how the diversity of prey species consumed by sea otters has changed from the 1990s to the present day. The prey switching hypothesis suggests that predators preferentially consume the most abundant prey species, then as a given prey item becomes rare, the predator will add a prey item of the next highest rank to their diet, increasing their diet diversity. Based off of this hypothesis, we expected sea otters in the 1990s to consume a lower diversity of prey species compared to recent years. Using sea otter diet data we collected from 2014-2016 as well as data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey from 2010-2011, we compared prey species diversity from 1990s data to present day data with the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index. Preliminary analyses suggest that sea otter diet in the 1990s consisted primarily of clams, while it consisted primarily of snails in the 2010s.

Betalux’s retrorocket design provided a delayed, forward-facing thrust that opposed the direction of descent, which caused the rocket to decelerate in its downward trajectory and minimized the landing damage. Developments in retrorocket design are intended to facilitate reusable launch systems for spaceflight. The Betalux team used Newtonian physics to predict the launch trajectory, the amount of necessary propulsion to land safely, and to predict the rocket’s motion after initiating the second thrust 150’ before hitting the ground. The 72” high Betalux rocket design includes two motors, protected by a 3” fiberglass airframe. The first launch motor, a K550, is located in the engine mount at the base of the rocket body. While the second motor, a J460, is housed in the payload section. In anticipation of unstable motion after the start of the second motor, this design did not include a parachute recovery system. Betalux was launched and recovered in Black Rock, Nevada in the spring of 2016 approximately a mile from its launch site. The Betalux team has taken the data gathered from its first launch and is currently in the planning stages of Betalux 2.0. Betalux 2.0 is expected to be recovered closer to its launch site.

Eukaryotic cells are constantly locked in genetic conflict with selfish elements. These elements, such as transposons, are detrimental to the host, but rely on the host for their own replication and passage to host progeny. This results in selective pressure on the host to evolve mechanisms to restrict these genetic parasites, and selective pressure on the parasite to evade those mechanisms to survive. I hypothesize that these elements could be a driving factor in the evolution of the host and parasite. One example of the host and selfish element relationship is in yeast and its 2 micron plasmid. The 2-micron plasmid confers a 1-3% growth rate defect to the yeast while utilizing host machinery, making it a selfish element and a source of genetic conflict. The plasmid is naturally occurring in most yeast strains, making this model a currently occurring and natural model of study, as well as having a wide array of genetic tools already developed for this organism. In order to understand how the plasmid is shaping evolution in different yeast strains, we need to first fully understand how it is utilizing host machinery. This allows us to identify genetic changes due to pressure from the plasmid versus other factors. We have screened a yeast deletion collection where non-essential yeast genes were knocked out one by one. DNA was extracted from each strain and checked strains for decrease in plasmid copy number using southern dot blots and/or PCR. In future work, we will then check each candidate gene using bioinformatics tools to look for evidence of positive selection as evidence of an evolutionary arms race between the yeast host and plasmid. This will allow us to form secondary hypotheses about the effects of the plasmid on yeast genome evolution.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory with originally only Spanish as its official language, until English was also officially implemented in 1993. Though English has been becoming more prominent, Spanish continues to be the dominant language used in everyday living. Therefore, we are interested in the returns to speaking English in Puerto Rico for those who predominantly speak Spanish, as well as the magnitude of the return to speaking English within various occupations. This paper uses a multivariate regression model on individual-level data from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Puerto Rican Community Surveys to measure the returns to English-speaking skills on wage. The results reveal a positive relationship between one's ability to speak English and one's wage, such that there is a prominent increase in wage as the level of English-speaking is increased. Furthermore, there is a greater upward trend within the managerial and professional specialty occupations, where the greater the English-speaking skills, the higher the wage. Applications for this research can be used for individuals to decide on foreign language attainment and for governments and school boards to decide on foreign language laws and programs.

 Each year about 33 children 18 years of age or younger are hospitalized and 19 die from firearm injuries in Washington State. Safe firearm storage, including storing firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from locked ammunition is associated with a lower risk of such injuries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 community-based firearm safety events that included the provision of a free firearm locking device (lock box or trigger lock) among firearm owners in Washington State, particularly among families with young children in the home. At each event, participants received training to operate the safety device and advice to store their firearms safely. Participants were asked to complete voluntary onsite questionnaires that established household firearm storage practices prior to receiving the lock box or trigger lock and consent to follow-up phone surveys approximately 4-6 weeks later. Surveys included questions assessing demographics, motivations for firearm storage practices, level of comfort with potential firearm safety counselors (e.g., physicians, law enforcement officers), and changes in household firearm storage practices since the safety event. Participants were compensated for their time with $5 gift certificates. Of 398 event participants, 195 completed both surveys and were included in the study sample. About one-half were female and 81.4% reported keeping a firearm in the home. The results from this research will help determine the best way to improve gun safety within the firearm community.

Alcohol consumption among college students has long been a serious concern. Previous studies of college students have consistently found an association between heavy alcohol use and academic performance. This study examined the peak past month alcohol use as a function of sex, academic major, and academic performance among college students. 3003 participants completed a paid screening survey as part of a larger study evaluating the efficacy of a web-based intervention for heavy drinking and depressed college students. Measures included birth sex, academic major (STEM versus non-STEM; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), grade point average (GPA), and the peak number of drinks consumed on one occasion in the previous month. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses evaluated impact of sex, academic major, and GPA on peak alcohol consumption among college students. Significant main effects indicated that males, those with non-STEM majors, and those with lower GPAs drank more than other students. No two-way interactions were found. However, a significant three-way interaction indicated that males who are in STEM majors with high GPAs drank significantly less than those who have lower GPAs, while this relationship is not true for females, or for males who are in non-STEM majors. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. Future interventions on alcohol consumption among college students can be targeted to specific groups. Future studies using longitudinal designs to determine causality of the relationship between academic performance (attendance, activity involvement, etc., besides GPA) and alcohol consumption among college students are warranted.

Chelating agents are widely used in plants and human industries to capture metal ions and control free metal ion concentrations. Constituent ions in soils (e.g. Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) influence the exchange of a metal ion between two chelating agents. Predicting changes in reaction pathways and the magnitude of kinetic effects is fundamental to understanding dynamic metal speciation where strong chelating ligands control metal ion speciation. This research focuses on the influence of calcium ions on the exchange rate of Ni between nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid (CDTA). Capillary electrophoresis was used to monitor the changes in free chelating agent and nickel-chelating agent complex concentration with time at different pHs and reactant concentrations. Reaction rates and order were compared to those in the absence of calcium ion. The presence of calcium ions reduces overall exchange rates and alters reaction order under the conditions studied. Kinetic modeling is used to support a proposed mechanism for the influence of calcium on this exchange reaction. Knowledge about dynamic metal speciation is fundamental to understanding the ideal soil compositions for plants’ uptake of essential metals and developing remediation methods for hazardous waste sites.

Copper-doped semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) combine the large effective Stokes shifts and broad PL spectra of bulk copper-doped semiconductors with the solution-processability of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals. These properties make copper-doped NCs attractive materials for applications such as luminescent solar concentrators and light-emitting diodes. Copper-doped CdSe NCs are particularly desirable materials because their tunable absorption spans the visible spectrum, and they provide a useful model system for studying the photophysics of copper-doped semiconductor NCs. However, both fundamental studies and applications of copper-doped CdSe NCs have been limited by the inability to simultaneously control the NC diameter, size dispersity and copper dopant concentration during synthesis, This poster reports a new one-pot synthesis of copper-doped CdSe NCs that enables precise control of NC size and copper concentration while maintaining a narrow size distribution. This level of synthetic control is achieved by separating the nanocrystal growth and copper-doping steps, and tuning the reactivity of the copper precursor. Post-synthetic treatments with various surface ligands are also used to tune copper dopant concentration. Fundamental photophysical studies enabled by access to the high-quality copper-doped CdSe NCs provided by this new synthetic method will also be discussed.

People with leg amputations who use prosthetic feet during community ambulation encounter frequent environmental barriers. Uneven ground, such as grassy fields or sidewalks in disrepair, cause excessive forces at the interface between the artificial leg and the residual limb because of torques from the ground acting on the foot. These forces can cause pain, skin breakdown, and falls. Impulsive forces may be reduced by a prosthetic foot allowing medial-lateral rotation of the foot relative to the leg. This study compared the kinetic and kinematic outcomes of an investigational prosthetic (IP) foot to the participant’s usual prostheses. Eight study participants completed a single leg balance test and 5 walking conditions with their prescribed prosthetic (UF) and with the IP foot. The participants walked lengthwise along 10% and 15% side slopes and across domes (Botts’ dots) placed on flat ground. A 3-D motion capture system tracked 36 reflective dots which were placed on key landmarks so that joint angles and spatiotemporal metrics could be computed. One participant’s data was excluded from the ankle joint outcomes. Participants reported reduced forces at the residual limb-prosthesis interface. Preliminary results indicated that the UF and IP foot perform similarly in sagittal plane motion. The IP foot increased the ankle medial-lateral rotation for 5 out of 6 participants. Future research will include comparing a participant’s UF to the IP foot in community trials while collecting activity monitoring, GPS, and logbook data.