Enzymatic pathways comprising multi-step biochemical reactions in biological cells constitute a key part of life. Biomimetic reconstruction of these metabolic pathways holds tremendous promise for developing sustainably powered devices. In biological cells, enzymatic components are kept in strict compartments or in serial networks. To mimic this complex hierarchical assembly of enzymes found in nature, a common approach is immobilizing these enzymes on the surface of porous substrates i.e., anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane. However, one common limitation has been immobilization of multiple enzymes with a single type surface chemistry. As a result, these approaches have failed to provide enough capability to control spatial localizations of enzymes on AAO surfaces. Solid-binding peptides (SBPs) offer a novel solution to circumvent these problems with their exquisite recognition and long range solid-coverage properties. The ease of genetic conjugation of these short peptides with large proteins makes them an ideal candidate in utilization as molecular linkers in designing new multi-enzymatic devices. In this study, the utilization of a gold binding peptide (AuBP) as a molecular linker in combination with histidine-tag to immobilize Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Formate Dehydrogenase (FDH) enzymes on AAO based flow bioreactor was demonstrated. The efficacy of the described approach was tested by monitoring the sequential lactate and formate break down by LDH and FDH enzymes spectrophotometrically. The overall sequential catalytic conversion with greater than 90% yield was observed. Furthermore, the surface selectivity of the SBP conjugated enzymes were tested by visualizing their localization on Ni-NTA patterned gold surface using fluorescence microscopy. Cumulatively, this study highlights the utility of solid binding peptides as a molecular linker for addressable immobilization of multiple enzymes in the AAO based devices.

Eclipsing binaries are systems in which two stars orbit and pass in front of each other. They are important astrophysical tools we utilize to measure fundamental properties of stars, such as their masses, radii, and temperatures. Here, we analyzed photometric data acquired from the Kepler satellite in order to model the light as a function of time of specific eclipsing binary systems. We selected these targets from the Villanova Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog. For each system, we used a least-squares optimization method to determine the best fit solution between the model and the observed light curve. Our light curve model has a total of 13 parameters. They include stellar elements such as sum of radii and flux ratio, as well as orbital elements such as period and eccentricity. In addition to providing orbital solutions, our models can be used to search for the presence of additional bodies in the system, such as a third star or a circumbinary planet.

We know that climate sensitivity can vary within species, but the factors that influence which climatic variables influence population dynamics remain unclear. In this study, I am assessing whether macroclimate influences the climate sensitivity of three prominent conifer species: Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), and Alaska yellow cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) on Mt. Rainier. I am analyzing tree core data from three high elevation sites. Each site is located in a distinctly different climatic area on the mountain. I am comparing standardized tree growth to climate variables (mean growing-season temperature, total growing-season precipitation, snow duration, etc.) using linear mixed effect models. This will determine how influential climate variables differ by location and by species. Gaining more insight into which climate variables have the greatest influence on growth in different areas will allow us to better predict how specific plant populations will react to ongoing climate change. Moreover, studying tree communities at high elevations is particularly important, since behavior at treeline will determine whether a species’ range expands, contracts or shifts. Range expansion of one species could lead to the crowding or elimination of another. For example, conifer range expansion on Mt. Rainier could negatively affect the alpine wildflower meadows, a major attraction for tourists. Widespread range contractions could also decrease forest density and potentially reduce the ability of those forests to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Thus, with better predictions of tree shifts, we can make more informed management decisions for ecotourism and conservation.

This abstract is no longer available. Please contact urp@uw.edu if you have any questions.

Research on Mexican-migrants in the United States usually focuses on the 1st and 2nd generations; 1st generation being the migrant who exits their home country, and the 2nd their children born in the Unites States. Often overlooked by the complexities of the two is the 1.5 generation; migrants who were brought to the United States as children and have been socialized here. This is relevant since the 1.5 generation has increasingly become an integral and significant force in the political agenda of Mexican-migrants in the United States. In spite of their contribution to the movement for comprehensive-immigration reform, and small successes such as the Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, there are many of the 1.5 generation that didn’t, and do not, benefit from these legislative efforts, and who have returned to their home country because of these and other circumstances.This proposed research project attempts to analyze how these individuals, specifically females of the 1.5 generation, lead their lives between and across borders by asking the following questions: 1) How do young transnational Mexican women form and reform identities when moving across borders? (2) How have they learned to navigate these transformations and adapt or readapt to U.S or Mexican society? and (3) What role has culture, tradition, community, machismo and the borderlands played in their process of self-identifying? Building on theories of transnationalism, identity and Chicana-feminism, this proposed research explores the themes of immigration, gender, globalization and community through the employment of qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews, participant observation and life histories, such as testimonios, with six women on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Although this is an exploratory study it will serve to better inform our perceptions of undocumented people in the United States who lead their lives across borders.

Women still represent a small percentage of the Oregon police force even 30 years after the first push for integration into the field. As increasing numbers of departments include more strategic efforts to be made to encourage women to pursue a career in the police force, it is important to recognize the difference in how male and female police officers react to crisis situations. Research has shown that policewomen are less physically aggressive which leads to fewer lethal police encounters. Building on prior research of policewomen, my results can add to the discussion to emphasize why women are less susceptible to reacting violently during crisis situations. Data will be gathered through the collection of systemic social observations and in-person interviews with policewomen. Through the lens of the hegemonic masculinity theory, the thematic results from the interviews can assess how the internalization of gender ideologies factors into the use of nonviolent tactics in the field. The goal of the proposed research is to examine these questions; (1) What is the experience of policewomen using nonviolent conflict resolution tactics in Hillsboro, Portland and Forest Grove, Oregon? (2) How do policewomen use de-escalation and nonviolent communication learned in their police training? (3) To what extent do policewomen feel the need to use their gun in a crisis situation? This research will more clearly demonstrate to police departments the increased need for the thorough training in verbal judo, de-escalation and other nonviolent communication skills in initial police training and ongoing training for male and female police officers.

Most of the tissues in our body contain adult stem cells that in theory could combat many aging phenotypes observed in human. However, these stem cells do not regenerate the tissue during aging. To understand, and in the future govern adult stem cell regenerative capacity we need to study the regulators of human adult stem cells. DPSCs are adult mesenchymal stem cells with powerful regenerative capacity that can easily be isolated from waste product, extracted wisdom teeth. Due to low cost and easy accessibility, dental pulp is a more feasible source for mesenchymal stem cells than bone marrow. DPSCs are thought to have the ability to differentiate into multiple cell lineages, and thus hold great promises in tissue regeneration. However, little is known about the molecular markers, cellular regulators, and differentiation capacity of these cells. The goal of my research project is to generate a large diversity set of DPSC to carry on a careful analysis of true common markers and differentiation capacity of these cells. At the moment I have optimized the procedures and isolated DPSCs from over 50 patients in partnership with UW dental clinic. We have now identified the molecular markers of DPSCs, and evaluated their differentiability to better understand the key criteria in the self-renewal and differentiation capacity of these cells. Western blot and flow cytometry analysis shows that most of our DPSCs have a robust expression of CD29 and CD146, both molecular markers of mesenchymal stem cells, but displaying an unexpected diversity on the levels of these markers among individuals. In differentiation tests, we also observe diversity in cartilage and adipocyte differentiation efficiency. With this unprecedented diversity set of easily accessible adult stem cells we will now identify the key components and metabolites that enhance the stemness and regenerative capacity of these adult stem cells.

We have obtained three epochs of observations of the nearby spiral galaxy, NGC 300, using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Using this data, we searched for variability in the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of NGC 300's X-ray point source population. When the entire X-ray source population was considered, the XLFs were best described by using a power law with a slope of ~0.6-0.7. However, the XLFs of intrinsically variable X-ray sources showed significant variability between observations, especially at low luminosities (< 10^37 erg/s). We created synthetic, variable X-ray sources to probe the characteristics of the X-ray point source population in NGC 300. In order to match the observations, our models required that the peak X-ray luminosity of variable sources are significantly lower than commonly assumed, which is characteristic of a mass transfer due to direct wind accretion at significantly sub-Eddington rates.

Oxygen transportation in red blood cells occurs via a protein called hemoglobin. When hemoglobin is either absent, flawed, or impaired, the transportation of oxygen is hindered and this is known as anemia. Due to the prevalence and dangers of anemia, our goal is to effectively measure the concentration of hemoglobin in small volumes of a patient’s blood in order to diagnose critical levels of anemia. In order to do this, we take advantage of Beer-Lambert’s Law – a physical law that states concentration scales linearly with absorbance (a measure of how much light a molecule can absorb at a given wavelength). With the use of a microfluidic device, whole blood flows through an 8 mm x 250 μm x 50 μm channel and is illuminated by a white LED. A portion of the light is then absorbed by hemoglobin and continues at a reduced intensity to a green filter to focus our measurements to the visible green spectra, because it is known that hemoglobin absorbs the most light at about 540 nm, which is in this region. We demonstrate that our devices can determine hemoglobin concentration effectively with less than 40 μL of blood and at a low cost. The immediate impact of hemoglobin measurements of small volumes is its use towards children. The long-term impact is a diagnostic point of care device to solve global needs.

Sea ice plays a vital role in the Arctic ecosystem and is a good indicator of climate change, so it is important to understand the physical processes that control sea ice evolution in order to get a better sense of the detrimental effects of climate change on the environment. Thus, accurate measurements of the features of ice – such as ice concentration – are needed to provide a clearer picture of how and when the ice evolves. This project aims to document and quantify ice variability from airborne imagery during the summer melting season in the Beaufort Sea. Images were taken from US Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness (ADA) flights in June, July, August, and October of 2014, with data collection to be continued in coming summers, including this summer, the summer of 2015. Algorithms were developed to automate the identification and quantification of features of the sea ice and open water such as ice concentration, floe size, melt pond coverage, and melt pond size. This data will be charted over time and space (latitude) to identify and analyze patterns in the evolution of Arctic sea ice. Results from this study will be useful for verifying satellite data, evaluating models, and initializing predication schemes. This information will be helpful for quantifying and analyzing the effects of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem.

Danon disease, a form of cardiomyopathy, results in deficient blood flow due to the weakening of heart muscles and can lead to a shortened lifespan. In collaboration with the Song lab at the University of Colorado, we aim to better understand the differences in contractile function between healthy cardiomyocytes and those from individuals with Danon disease. The Song lab obtained primary adult cells from two control groups—healthy individuals without cardiac problems—and three diseased groups—people suffering from Danon disease. The patient cells were used to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), from which they derived cardiomyocytes that possess genetic information of the original donor. The Sniadecki lab has the technology to make micropost substrates from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), using a soft lithography process. The iPSC-cardiomyocytes were seeded onto the microposts. As the cardiomyocytes contract on the microposts, each post under the cell deflects. Videos were taken at the tips of the microposts underneath the beating cells, to record the post deflection over time. A still image was taken at the bottom of the microposts in order to determine the relative deflection of each post. From the deflection of the posts, we were able to measure contractile forces produced by the iPSC-cardiomyocytes using simple beam bending theory. For this experiment, we used microposts with following dimensions: height = 4.14 μm, diameter = 1.75 μm, and center-to-center spacing of 6 μm. These dimensions gave each post a stiffness = 56 nN/μm, which was used to calculate the force. We hypothesized that the diseased cells will produce lower contractile forces than the control cells. The results produced supported our hypothesis. We hope this study contributes to the effect of Danon disease on the contractile function of cardiomyocytes. Further, this work would exemplify a methodology to investigate cardiac disease modeling and treatments.

Mature Red alder (Alnus rubra) forests are now found in large contiguous patches which stand as legacies of past intensive management (logging, conversion to agriculture, etc.) of previously conifer-dominated forests of the Puget lowlands. King County acknowledges that a disproportionate amount of land under their ownership is comprised of mature alder forests nearing the end of their lifespan. King County is concerned with these forests’ ability to meet certain ecological, social, and economic objectives, such as providing wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, and riparian function. In this study, we analyzed the quantity, distribution, and current conditions of these forests across three watersheds in central King County to provide landscape context. We compare the effects of alternate management approaches of varying harvest intensities on carbon uptake, and examine the distribution of forest types in riparian areas. We predicted that greater intensities of hardwood harvesting with conifer replacement will result in the highest long-term carbon uptake, while improving riparian forest function. To test our hypothesis, we used a forest vegetation dataset that was compiled by Oregon State University’s Landscape Ecology, Modeling, Mapping & Analysis Group in 2014. We combined this data with visual surveys of representative forests on King County property to classify county land into narrow forest cover types, which we then used for further modeling. We used the US Forest Service Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) to model forest treatments and obtain carbon storage projections. We found that coniferous forests provide greater long-term carbon benefits than short-lived hardwood forests. We support increasing conifer presence in mature hardwood forests to increase function and longevity.

Vascular injury causes platelets to form hemostatic plugs. Platelets are activated by high shear and collagen, and adhere and contract to protect a clot from mechanical forces. The role of collagen and the anticoagulants heparin and ASA (Acetylsalicylic Acid), which inhibit thrombin and TxA2 (Thromboxane A2) respectively, are not fully understood. Our lab has designed a microfluidic device to measure clot forces and area. Microfluidic channels with block-post sensors generate shear gradients that induce platelet adhesion. Clots grow towards the post and contract, pulling the post closer. Fluorescence microscopy allows post deflection to be analyzed with MATLAB code using Hooke's Law, and phase images monitor area. First, channels were coated with and without collagen. Then, channels were collagen-coated and blood inhibited with heparin or ASA. Blood was incubated with 15 USP (U.S. Pharmacopeia standard) heparin lithium in H2O or 0.3 mM ASA in DMSO for 20 min. Clots in uncoated channels had lower forces than in collagen-coated channels. Blood with ASA in DMSO had less platelet adhesion and contraction than in blood incubated with DMSO. Blood with heparin in H2O had lower force but higher clot area than without heparin. Reduced force of clots formed in uncoated channels relative to collagen-coated channels suggests that collagen is important in force. Inability of platelets to adhere or produce normal force with ASA indicates that TxA2 promotes platelet aggregation and force. Heparin reduced force but not platelet aggregation, thus thrombin is involved in force generation only. This clot-on-a-chip technology can shed light on the clotting process and diagnose patient clotting issues.

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria (AOA, AOB) are important contributors to soil ecosystem function, as they convert nitrogen (N) as ammonium (NH4+) into nitrate (NO3-), a more readily available form for plant uptake. This study examines the abundance of AOA and AOB in forest soils of the Pacific Northwest that have experienced wildfire 31, 7, and 5 years previously. Charcoal, a common residue of wildfire, may play a significant role in stimulating nitrification in soils, possibly by adsorbing monoterpenes that may inhibit mono-oxegynase activity in nitrifying organisms. The goal of this study was twofold. We first hypothesized that charcoal would increase the quantity and quality of AOB and/or AOA in wildfire-affected soils. To test this hypothesis, we extracted and compared DNA between burned and unburned sites using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We expect to find a greater abundance of AOA and AOB nucleotides in the burned sites indicated by qPCR, and a larger array of species indicated by DGGE analysis. Secondly, we will introduce monoterpenes (α-pinene) into soils with charcoal present, and soils void of charcoal to assess the interaction between the terpenes and charcoal surfaces. We hypothesize that the addition of terpene will readily adsorb onto charcoal surfaces. Therefore, burned soils will show reduced nitrification inhibition compared to soils without charcoal present and result in higher nitrification rates. These data will be matched with an assessment of the AOA and AOB from the burned and unburned soils, with and without the addition of charcoal in order to reach a better understanding of wildfire effects on forest soils.

Fear of predators may cause changes in prey species behavior with cascading impacts on the environment. When large herbivores such as deer are less sedentary, herbivory is dispersed and vegetation does not get browsed heavily in one area. As gray wolves (Canis lupus) naturally recolonize Washington state after a 70 year absence, deer behavior may shift in response to fear. Accordingly, under the hypothesis that greater movement may reduce encounters with wolves, we predicted that deer (Odocoileus spp.) would spend more time traveling in wolf-present areas compared with those from which wolves were absent. To test this prediction, we reviewed video clips recorded on deer-borne camera collars during the winters of 2013-2015 in the study areas and categorized the behavior of the deer. We compared the time deer spent traveling in wolf-present and wolf-absent areas. Our results will help us better understand the impacts of wolf recolonization on the ecosystem, including possible trophic cascades that may result from dispersed herbivory.

Arrhythmias kill 300,000 people annually and effective cardiac drugs are imperative in their management. However, heavy reliance on in vivo testing results in low throughput and ineffective preclinical prediction of human response. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) are a promising cell source for highly predictive, high-throughput in vitro testing. Unfortunately, culture conditions in current hPSC-CM assays leave hPSC-CM tissues immature, making them ineffective at modeling human myocardial drug responses. Tissue culture conditions that mimic the myocardial microenvironment promote the maturation of hPSC-CMs with higher efficiency than non-mimetic conditions. Taking advantage of this, our lab's NanoMEA system successfully melds biomimetically nanopatterned substrates with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) that perform high-throughput electrophysiological analyses of in vitro tissues. However, greater maturation efficiency is necessary to improve NanoMEA screening throughput. Electrically conductive environments promote hPSC-CM maturation, and numerous electrically conductive scaffolds exist. Yet, overlaying MEA electrodes with these substrates results in noisy signals that bar automatic processing. NanoMEA nanopatterns are made of Nafion, a nanoporous polymer that does not negatively impact the recordings from underlying MEAs. Since Nafion exhibits robust self-assembly with electrically conductive reduced Graphene-Oxide (rGO) molecules, we hypothesize that Nafion-reduced Graphene-Oxide (NrGO) nanopatterns will convey the benefits of conducting surfaces without impacting signal clarity. To investigate this, NrGO-nanopatterns are fabricated and characterized using Raman Spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and conductive atomic force microscopy. Then, hPSC-CM monolayers are cultured on NrGO nanopatterns of varying rGO content and differences in morphological and transcriptional maturation markers are assessed. Promising NrGO nanopatterns are then integrated into a multiwell MEA platform to examine their effects on signal clarity and electrophysiological hPSC-CM maturation. If effective, we anticipate that this enhancement to the NanoMEA system will enable faster development of safer drugs, reducing animal model reliance, and improving the treatment of arrhythmias.

Motor behavior is the result of neural programs emerging from the Primary Motor Cortex (PMC). To generate behavioral outputs the PMC integrates exogenous and endogenous sources of variance. Electrical activity from the PMC has been effectively used to operate minimally invasive brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) that can operate prosthetic limbs to achieve basic motor outcomes such as operating a joystick.  Further development of neuroprosthetic technology will rely on a deep understanding of sources of variance to the PMC and how the PMC compensates for this. The circadian system regulates physiology and behavior within the 24-hour time frame and it represents a predictable source of endogenous variance for the generation of motor behavior. The specific pathways by which the circadian clock(s) may modulate PMC motor programs is not understood, but preliminary results from our lab show that the circadian system modulates the PMC electrical activity associated with wheel running in mice. We implanted electrocorticographic (ECoG) electrodes onto the PMC of mice and recorded electrical activity while they ran on a wheel at different circadian times. This showed that the PMC electrical signals associated with wheel-running are modulated in a predictable manner by the circadian system. I propose to replicate these experiments in mice with a malfunctioning circadian clock. I hypothesize that the canonical molecular circadian clock is essential for this modulation. To test this hypothesis, I used ECoG electrodes to record PMC electrical activity of Bmal1^-/- mice, which have no copies of the clock gene BMAL1, and their wildtype (Bmal1^+/+) littermates. This determines whether the circadian modulation of the PMC depends on an intact molecular circadian clock. Understanding the regulatory effects of the circadian system on PMC brain wave activity is crucial for the design of BMIs and their effective operation throughout the 24-hour day.

Universal health care has been a topic of controversy, largely due to the question of resource management. As part of an Exploration Seminar through the University of Washington, a team of students conducted interviews with health centers in Chile to investigate universal health care. Each team member was responsible for posing questions relevant to their area of study and reporting on the research after the program ended. The goal of the program was to assess health system disparities in Chile.This presentation focuses on the role of regional epidemiology, which studies the population in a local area and tailors the universal health care plan to that region. Open ended interviews with community health workers were conducted at twenty-two medical sites throughout Santiago and Southern Chile. The sites ranged from the private sector headquarters to rural outposts in the Southern Archipelago of Chiloé. Translations between English and Spanish were performed when necessary. The study found that Chile has an overburdened public health care system, particularly in specialty areas. Eighty percent of treatments are not as effective as standards per guidelines. Regional epidemiology decreases waste and increases productivity, especially in the areas of primary care and prevention. The strengthened primary care system reduces the burden of care on the tertiary health system. Regional epidemiology is currently expanding to cities outside of Castro and Chiloé Island. Regional epidemiology is an effective tool for improving the Chilean universal health care system. More research should be done to predict whether regional epidemiology will be effective in private health care and other universal health care systems.

 In 1737, Gaspar Miguel de Berrio painted El Patrocinio de San José. Now housed in La Casa Nacional de Moneda de Bolivia, the canvas is one of reverent exuberance. In an aura of golden sand, Saint Joseph’s cloak gently shelters earthbound saints, separating them from the ethereal realm above. The holy figures appear attentive to Christ’s foster father, raptly gazing at the golden glinting figure. Like other Andean Baroque painters, de Berrio juxtaposed European and Pre-Columbian details, though his paintings in particular are exceptional in their subtle yet innovative reappropriations and combinations of motifs. In this presentation, I explore de Berrio’s choice to enclose the saints surrounding Joseph in relationship to Medieval images of the Virgin Mary. Though this connection has been marginally noted in the literature, a proper study of such a striking feature remains necessary to understand the adoption and modification of European iconography by Andean Baroque artists. Studying de Berrio’s oeuvre in relationship to European references, I argue that Gaspar Miguel de Berrio not only intentionally depicted Saint Joseph in a manner similar those medieval virgins in his El Patrocinio de San José , but that this artistic choice reveals the power of the Cult of Saint Joseph in the Viceroyalty of Peru.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global issue that continues to grow as manufacturing and consumption of plastic products increases. Both macro- and micro-plastics are often difficult to discern visually, the latter requiring a microscope, which makes scientific quantification and identification challenging. The full range of plastic’s impacts on/to the marine environment is not completely understood, particularly in New Zealand waters where there is a lack of research on the subject. During the six-week Sea Education Association S-256 research voyage around New Zealand’s North and South Islands, 44 surface water samples were taken to measure microplastic (0.02 – 0.33mm particles) concentrations and 34 neuston net tows were conducted to collect macroplastics (0.33 – 5mm particles). Overall, plastic concentrations in New Zealand waters varied in density and polymer type. However, when compared to major gyre systems such as the North Atlantic and North Pacific, macroplastic and microplastic concentrations in this region were considerably lower. Macroplastics were limited in quantity. 29 total were found along the cruise track, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene polymers; these plastic types come from single-use packaged goods and fishing gear. Microplastic densities were greatest in regions where strong currents converge, suggesting that surface ocean plastic particles are transported by circulation processes. 2,923 microplastic particles were observed, the majority of which were filaments likely indicative of fishing gear. This marine debris may be attributed to relatively high fishing efforts in portions of the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.

Non-traditional isotopes have become increasingly important as tracers for geological and environmental processes on earth. Recently, renewed attention has been direct towards potassium (K) isotopes given the abundance of K in the earth and the potential for significant mass-dependent fractionation between ⁴¹K and ³⁹K. There is little existing research on K isotopes primarily due to analytical difficulties, however recent technological developments have made precise analysis possible. Seawater has the potential to be an excellent geostandard for K isotope geochemistry because of predicted ⁴¹K/³⁹K homogeneity through the water column, and its wide accessibility around the globe. A total of forty-seven, 30 mL samples were collected in July 2015 aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson on the VISIONS 2015 Expedition to Axial Seamount on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Samples were collected from CTD (Conductivity Temperature Depth) casts as well as niskin bottles operated by the Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Science (ROPOS). Seawater profile samples were taken at several locations from 7 m down to 2890 m. Evaluating the K isotopic composition at each depth and geographic location will determine if the K isotope composition of seawater is homogeneous and therefore if seawater may be useful as a future geostandard. If K behaves similarly to other non-traditional isotope systems, ³⁹K will preferentially be released into the hydrosphere during weathering, leaving the residual rock enriched in ⁴¹K. This behavior will be useful in constraining the process of granite weathering, and its effect on the K budget in the hydrosphere. In chemical oceanography, there is thought to be a missing sink for K, and it is theorized that clay formation, crustal fractures, or both may remove K from seawater. Determining the feasibility of seawater as a geostandard for K isotopes will further facilitate new research in these and other geochemical topics.

This project aims to develop a better model for testing gene therapy vectors in vitro. Gene therapy uses a modified virus to insert a functional copy of a gene into a patient’s cells, but testing new viral vectors on 2D cell culture does not accurately predict success in vivo. To address this need, I have designed a 3D-printed microfluidic device for optimized viral vector testing. Cells are cultured in 3D in one channel, while media and viral vector load can be easily adjusted in a connected channel through a gravity perfusion system. The device is currently undergoing tests for cell viability and demonstrating its utility for gene therapy applications. The primary advantage of this device is that cells cultured in 3D mature more similarly to true skeletal muscle and thus are better models for predicting the success of a viral vector in a patient. The small size and fine tune control over the cell’s environment also save time and money during testing, allowing the maximum number of options to be explored. A new, physiologically relevant model for testing viral vectors would expedite gene therapy research to help bring treatments faster to patients in need of gene replacement therapy.

I explore the role of Philosophy for Children (P4C) and critical pedagogy in middle-school education and argue that P4C is a crucial component of an emancipatory education. A critical P4C is necessary to provide students what education ought to provide, that is moral reasoning skills, tools for thinking, and ability to engage in discourse. Proponents often justify P4C claims that philosophy lessons in K-12 education by demonstrating the improvement of outcomes in other subjects and gains in cognitive skills. Instead, I argue for an intrinsic value to engaging in philosophy with children. Critical pedagogy, and the methods developed within its framework, are helpful here to examine the structure of educational practice and its role in dehumanization, which "is a distortion of the vocation of becoming more fully human"; critical pedagogy is intended to be a tool for both the oppressors and the oppressed to become aware of their dehumanization. First, I justify P4C by showing that precollege students can understand and engage in philosophical discussion using academic references and my own experience working with middle-school students at the Ivy School in Portland, Oregon. Next I examine the philosophical influences of P4C alongside critical pedagogy to show how they interact and compliment each other. Lastly, I envision pedagogical techniques for carrying out Critical P4C in the classroom. Implementing critical P4C has the capacity to create communities of inquiry around questions of agency and freedom that are central to critical pedagogy. Critical P4C offers strategies for engaging students in socio-political discussions and promises to break the boundaries between "school life" and the students' everyday life outside the classroom.

Suction feeding is a valuable process to study since most aquatic vertebrates, which make up nearly half of all vertebrates, eat this way. Having a better understanding of this may give important insight into the evolution of vertebrates as a whole. During suction feeding the cranium elevates, causing bending in the vertebral column, resulting in a rotation of the cranium and body plane about an axis of rotation located on the vertebral column. We hypothesized that the vertebral column behaves like a flexible rod and accordingly asked if axial rotation is located more posteriorly with larger degrees of cranial elevation. Using video reconstruction of moving morphology and joint coordinate systems, which use coordinates to measure the 3D motions of bones in a anatomicaly meaningful coordinate space, we compared movement of the cranium in relation to the body in striped surfperch, largemouth bass, and Pacific staghorn sculpin. We found no significant correlation between degree of cranial elevation and location of axial rotation. However, the degree of cranial elevation and location of axial rotation varied among these species in a consistent way. These species’ unique ways of performing these movements could be related to their differences in morphologies.

Mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, mainly rely on olfaction to find a host to feed on. By exploring mosquitoes’ olfactory learning abilities, we can increase our knowledge of how they choose their hosts. Using an olfactometer, we have conducted behavioral experiments demonstrating mosquitoes can associate a single odorant, 1-octen-3-ol, with a punishment. To further these results, we tested if mosquitoes would use their experience to guide their host feeding preferences, even when confronted with strong appetitive stimuli such as heat and potential blood meal. We found mosquitoes are indeed capable of aversive conditioning in the context of feeding. In this present project, we investigate if mosquitoes can learn the association between more complex vertebrate body odor mixtures (e.g. rat, chicken, human) and a punishment. After sampling the body odors of various vertebrates, we will aversively train mosquitoes to these odor bouquets. Mosquitoes are trained by simultaneously pairing the delivery of the host odor with a negative stimulus (mechanical shock), mimicking host defensive behavior. Upon training the mosquitoes, we test them in an olfactometer giving them the choice between the aversively trained odor bouquet and the solvent used as a control. To examine whether learning affects mosquitoes’ preference between two individual hosts, we plan to use both olfactometer and blood feeding assays. Further analysis of chemical profiles of the vertebrates species using a gas-chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) will provide insights on the interspecific variability that may be used by mosquitoes to discriminate between individual hosts. These results help to advance knowledge of the behavior and biology of disease transmitting mosquitoes and provide interesting cues to develop efficient tools (e.g. bait) to fight them.

The microscopic cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus is the smallest and most abundant photosynthetic organism in the ocean, playing a large role in the global cycling of nutrients. Prochlorococcus form ecotypes, which are genetically variable lineages with differing physiological traits adapted to various environmental niches that enable them to be so widespread. They reside in oligotrophic (nutrient depleted) waters where certain required nutrients like phosphate can be scarce, and use a high affinity phosphate uptake pathway to take in phosphate. However, this pathway cannot completely differentiate a phosphate molecule from the physiochemically similar arsenate molecule, leading to the uptake of arsenic into cells, especially when the phosphate to arsenic ratio is low. Recent work performed by my mentors has studied the two pathways Prochlorococcus uses to detoxify arsenic, the efflux detoxification pathway, which was previously known, and the recently discovered putative methylation pathway, and they have found that strains of Prochlorococcus have different genomic capacities for arsenic detoxification. We are currently testing that genomic capacity for arsenic detoxification correlates to relative arsenic tolerance among lab strains of Prochlorococcus by batch culturing and comparing growth inhibition rates of four Prochlorococcus strains that differ in the pathway genes they contain, MED4, NATL2A, AS9601 and SS120. By inoculating the cultures in three different conditions with variable arsenate concentrations and calculating the inhibition rates, we will answer if Prochlorococcus genomic capacity correlates to relative arsenic tolerance. This would have impacts on how we look at the global circulation of arsenic because the two arsenic pathways have varying outputs that affect the circulation of arsenic and can influence the bioaccumulation of arsenic in upper trophic levels.

During pregnancy, women and the developing fetus face the risk of invasive bacterial infection, which can lead to adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth or fetal death. Inflammatory cytokines play a key role during infection-related preterm birth. Previous studies have shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a gram-negative cell wall component, causes increases in inflammatory cytokines and preterm birth in mice. However, limitations exist when comparing the pregnant mouse model to humans. Recently, we conducted a non-human primate (NHP) experiment to identify putative targets of inflammation caused by LPS. However, contrary to expectation, no signs of preterm labor were observed. To determine if the LPS batch used in the NHP model induced inflammation in immune cells, I used an in vitro human macrophage cell culture model.  A human immortalized monocyte cell line, THP-1 cells, was differentiated to macrophages using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and treated with a range of concentrations of LPS, similar to those used for the NHP experiment. Cytokines in the medium were quantified by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). LPS increased IL-1B in a dose-dependent manner. Additional inflammatory cytokines associated with preterm birth such as, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a, will also be measured. The results will be compared to the ELISA results of the same cytokines released in the NHP samples. This work will guide insight into addressing the inflammatory response associated with preterm birth.

Locomotion is a ubiquitous human behavior. The analysis of locomotion patterns is critical for diagnosing and monitoring musculoskeletal disorders. However, current analysis methods are limited to gait laboratories equipped with accurate optical systems and force plates. To address this limitation, this work focuses on developing a process for manufacturing low-cost, individualized, flexible foot insoles equipped with force, acceleration, and gyroscopic sensors. The approach is a three stage three-dimensional (3-D) printing process: (1) 3-D print flexible base layer with electronic compartments; (2) install electronics; and (3) 3-D print flexible closing top layer. The design of the insole with respect to the sensor location is highly modifiable, resulting in subject specific sensor layouts. Moreover, any miniaturized sensor/transducer can be incorporated in the design. The resulting structure is a flexible instrumented insole worn in the user's shoe. Currently, the main application is for real-time sensing for use with a bionic ankle prosthesis. Future applications include real-time sports analysis, sweat sensing for analysis of body chemistry, and energy conversion using piezo electric transducers. Thus, the main contribution of this work is a manufacturing process for low-cost flexible 3-D printed insoles with embedded sensors.

There has been growing policy and research attention to undocumented populations in the United States. Recent statistics indicate that there are currently 42.5 million foreign-born persons living in the United States, of which 11.2 million are undocumented. Immigration enforcement plays a huge role in the lives of undocumented populations and their families. Enforcement may impact immigrants’ health and social well-being in important ways. Indeed, undocumented families experience “extrafamilial acculturative stress,” a term used to describe the fear of deportation which leads to stress and compromised well-being. Documented immigrants in places with high concentrations of undocumented immigrants may be exposed to stress by being connected to undocumented immigrants. They also may experience discrimination by being assumed as having undocumented status. These stressors may impede immigrant populations from accessing health care and obtaining education and employment. For this research project, I have examined some of the implications for immigrants who live in states with a high concentration of undocumented immigrants. More specifically, I examined the association between the concentration of an undocumented population in all 50 states and the well-being of immigrant populations including access to health care, graduation rates, and unemployment rates. I used data from the Pew Research Center to estimate the unauthorized immigrant population as well as the foreign-born population in 2012 and adjusted for the total population. I gathered state-level well-being measures of foreign-born populations from the Kids Count organization and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. I drew data from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research to create control measures capturing economic conditions and other demographic characteristics of the state. My analysis used multiple linear regression models to analyze the relationship between the concentration of undocumented immigrants and documented immigrants’ well-being.
 

Cancer cells can grow into life-threatening tumors and metastases partly because of their ability to evade the immune system. Immunotherapies combat cancer by boosting the natural immune response towards cancer cells. Immunotherapies are often more successful than standard treatments like chemotherapy because they are more targeted and have longer lasting effects with milder side-effects. A key component of immunotherapy is the identification of ligands that selectively target immune cells for drug delivery or immunomodulation. Peptide ligands are of special interest because they are inexpensive to synthesize and can be identified by a library screening technique called phage display. The purpose of this project is to identify peptide ligands to address two needs in cancer immunotherapy. The first need is to enable selective depletion of M2 tumor-associated macrophages, which promote tumor growth and suppress the adaptive immune response. We successfully identified 6 peptide ligands that preferentially bind murine M2 macrophages over M1 macrophages by using phage display and Illumina next-generation sequencing. The second need is to develop technologies for T-cell based immunotherapies. T-cells are an effective target for immunotherapies because they kill pathogens and regulate short-term and long-term immune responses. The identification of inexpensive peptide ligands to specific surface receptors on T-cells will be useful in increasing accessibility and efficacy of these treatments. We applied the successful next-generation sequencing methods from M2 macrophage ligand identification to target the CD28 and CD3e surface receptors on T-cells.

This project will inform a systems biology platform for identifying adverse responses to environmental compounds on testicular development in mice, a commonly used model system in the field of Toxicology. In order to validate the organotypic culture system, we have investigated the adverse effects of the known testicular toxicant, cadmium. To initiate the culture model, we isolate and plate testicular cells from immature mice on postnatal day (PND) 9 in order to capture a developmental window of susceptibility. Based on a literature search derived developmental timeline, we chose to treat the culture on days in vitro (DIV) 2, 5 and 15 with cadmium and quantify effects 24 hours later. We hypothesized that dosing with cadmium during these time points would correspond to impacts on steroid regulation, proliferation, and spermatogenesis processes. In order to evaluate a dose response relationship in our testicular culture, we treated the testis cells with 2.5, 5.0 and 10 uM concentrations of cadmium. To quantify the effects of cadmium in our cell culture model we evaluated; total protein, testosterone production, cell type specific proteins with western blots, LDH cytotoxicity, 3 color assay for live and dead cells and immunofluorescence to capture morphology for DIV 3,7 and 16, 24 hours post treatment for all three doses. Our initial studies have observed that cadmium treatment for all three doses impacted testosterone production, germ cell morphology and proliferation on DIV 7 and 16.  

This abstract is no longer available. Please contact urp@uw.edu if you have any questions.

Systemic immune activation (IA) is a proven key factor in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection pathogenesis and progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The reproductive hormone progesterone plays a role in regulating the immune system, and most cells contain progesterone receptors. Previous studies have linked high-progestogen states in women, such as pregnancy and progestin-based contraception use, to increased infectivity in HIV-seropositive women and increased HIV acquisition in seronegative women. Progestin-based contraceptives such as depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) can create high plasma levels of progesterone analogs. Therefore, studying DMPA use by HIV-seropositive and seronegative women may clarify DMPA’s role in HIV-related IA and genital shedding, and immune changes related to HIV acquisition. We hypothesize that DMPA increases systemic IA. Increased IA could be clinically significant by contributing to increased HIV acquisition in high-risk HIV-seronegative women, and by increasing genital shedding and infectivity among HIV-seropositive women. To answer this question, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected at three postpartum time points over six months from 120 Kenyan women with both HIV-seropositive and seronegative status, including a sub-population in each category that elected to receive DMPA for contraception. Two immunophenotyping panels were developed to measure T-cell IA and cellular subsets of interest using flow cytometry (CD38, HLA-DR, Ki-67, Bcl-2 for T-cell activation; FOXP3, CD25, CD127 for regulatory T-cells; CCR7, CD45RA, CD27, CD28, CD57 for memory subsets; CCR5 for the HIV co-receptor). With preliminary analysis completed for most samples, specific antibody populations have been gated with FlowJo software. After completion, we will compare different population percentages in the four arms of the study, observing how these change with DMPA administration. These calculations will help elucidate expected differences in inflammatory and regulatory changes in both HIV-seropositive and seronegative women with respect to the relationships between DMPA, immune activation, and HIV susceptibility and infectivity.

The central nervous system is protected by a specialized population of glial cells called microglia. In addition to other crucial functions, microglia function as resident macrophages of the brain and mount a coordinated response when activated by infection or injury. Although acute inflammation is a necessary component of repair after injury, chronic inflammation can have neurotoxic – rather than neuroprotective – effects. The dysregulation of microglia is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases and is an impetus for investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate microglial changes in aging and their responses to neural disease and injury. The Garden Lab has previously identified a pathway by which reactive oxygen species or DNA damage modulate microglial anti-inflammatory functions through induction of the p53 transcription factor. Transcriptional activation by p53 leads to increased expression of microRNA’s that suppress the anti-inflammatory transcription factor, c-Maf. The goals for my project are to investigate how c-Maf influences microglial activation states and how changes in the environment influence the expression of c-Maf. In order to assess how c-Maf influences microglia activation, I quantified phagocytic activity in primary murine microglia by flow cytometry in conditions where c-Maf is overexpressed or knocked down. Overexpression or knock-down of c-Maf was accomplished by treatment with adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) containing CMV-promoter driven c-Maf or c-Maf-shRNA, respectively. I also evaluated microglia expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activation markers by qRT-PCR following modulation of c-Maf expression or treatment with cytokines. I observed that c-Maf overexpression resulted in increased expression of anti-inflammatory markers and decreased expression of pro-inflammatory markers, and vice versa for c-Maf knock-down. Through this project, we have a better understanding of the influence of c-Maf and inflammatory cytokines on the molecular regulation of microglial functions, and their roles in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease.

The ability to recapitulate the dynamic presentation of signals in a stem cell’s microenvironment remains a major hurdle in tissue engineering. Controlling cell growth and differentiation in 4 dimensions (i.e., time and 3D space) would allow for heterogeneous synthetic tissues to be produced that match the complexity of their native counterparts. Combining strategies in both light-programmable hydrogels and recombinant protein engineering, we control the cellular microenvironment using proteins site-specifically modified with a bioorthogonal handle and able to covalently bind to a photocaged reactive group in the hydrogel. Previously we’ve demonstrated the ability to photopattern gels with fluorescent proteins that excite at different wavelengths, and have shown that multiple proteins can be patterned independently within the same material with 4D control. These techniques have many potential applications, including improving joint replacement. Current joint replacement therapies often involve use of metals, plastics, and ceramics, and commonly require future revision surgeries. We propose that through our techniques, we can generate a patterned bone/cartilage interface to improve joint replacement, creating a longer-term option for joint replacement. Towards this, we have generated two photopatternable recombinant growth factors, BMP-2 (bone morphogenic protein 2) and TGF-β (transforming growth factor β), known to direct human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. I will encapsulate hMSCs in a hydrogel and direct cell differentiation and growth in 4D using a combination of photopatterned BMP-2 and TGF-β proteins. This research will have significant impact in tissue engineering, as it will enable recreation of complex physiological structures, grown outside the body with the patient’s own cells, that can be used for personalized medicine. Our approach is unique in that it allows for unprecedented control over microscale tissue structures, ultimately matching the complexity of native tissue.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and highly malignant brain cancer diagnosed in adults. Due to its high invasiveness and difficulty of surgical removal, there is a need for novel therapeutics to treat this disease. Recent evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from the Cannabis plant, possesses antitumor properties in a number of cancers. However, the mechanism by which CBD acts to decrease tumor viability and proliferation is unclear. To better understand the antitumor properties of CBD, we tested this compound against standard of care chemotherapy drugs BCNU, Temozolomide, and Cisplatin in human GBM cell lines T98G, U87MG, and U251. Using the water soluble tetra-zolium salt (WST-1) reagent and bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) assay in vitro, we assessed the dose response of CBD on GBM cell viability and proliferation, respectively. Using the same assays, we also investigated the effects of CBD in combination with standard of care chemotherapy. We found that CBD dose-dependently (IC50 = 3.1µM) suppressed viability and proliferation in all GBM cell lines tested, and that this response was more potent than standard of care chemotherapy. In addition, CBD exhibited additive effects when combined with standard of care chemotherapy in vitro. Implications for this research include development of novel cannabinoid-based cancer therapeutics.

Using a similar study completed by José Franco Rodríguez in 2005, I have studied the districts in the City of Seattle to determine the ethnolinguistic vitality of the Spanish language in Seattle. In doing so, I searched through the busiest areas in two neighborhoods for each of the thirteen districts in Seattle to find where the presence of written Spanish was the most prominent. I hypothesized that the ethnolinguistic vitality of Spanish would be greatest in areas in which the population of Hispanic people was greatest, and used census data provided by the City of Seattle to determine the areas with the largest Hispanic population. In order to measure the ethnolinguistic vitality of the language in the city, I took pictures of Spanish signage throughout the city and codified the images based on where they were found, the actors responsible for their creation, the social realm in which the sign was found, and a variety of other factors. In conducting my research, I have also considered the existence of inequity between Spanish and English in the city of Seattle, and have found that signage presented by non-Hispanic entities are more likely to be discriminatory in nature and are more likely to contain grammatical and lexical errors. While I am still in the process of codifying the images, I am seeing a correlation between population of Hispanic people in a given area and presence of Spanish signage in that same area. At the Undergraduate Research Symposium, I will present my conclusions about the overall "health" of the Spanish language in Seattle and the various inequalities between Spanish and English that were encountered during data collection.

Using the UC Irvine Whole Air Sampler, I measured volatile organic compounds (VOCs) onboard the NASA DC-8 during the Student Airborne Research Program. High levels of the harmful chemical ozone were observed near the surface over the Sierra Nevada mountains, which led to the focus of my independent research project on the study of VOC data in order to investigate factors that contributed to ozone production. This was done by calculating the hydroxyl radical reactivity, which can, in proper conditions, be used to predict ozone formation potential. I divided the region into three boxes from east to west, based on wind direction, and the reactivity was analyzed over each region with respect to methane, non-methane alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and biogenic compounds. In the westernmost box the reactivity was 1.7 ± 0.5 s-1 (1σ), in the middle section it was 1.4 ± 1 s-1, and in the easternmost region it was 0.8 ± 0.3 s-1. I compared the data in the Sierra Nevada region with a region known to be heavily polluted, the Los Angeles (LA) basin, and it was observed that the reactivity was 1.1 ± 0.6 s-1, lower than in two of the mountainous regions. In the Sierra Nevada mountains a major percentage of the hydroxyl radical reactivity was the result of biogenic influence, at 24% for the western box, 39% for the middle box, and 31% for the easternmost box, in contrast to only 2% biogenic contribution in LA. My work indicates that biogenic factors greatly contributed to overall ozone formation in the Sierra Nevada mountains. These mountains are strategically protected, and high pollution levels of ozone and other VOCs could lead to health impacts for visitors, vegetation, and wildlife.

All biological systems are dependent on properly folded protein molecules to function correctly. To enable major developments in biotechnology and medicine, an understanding of the protein folding process is needed. Advances in this field have been made, however most of the knowledge gained has been concentrated on structured beta-sheets and alpha-helices. Experimental studies of beta-strand association and the effects of conformational dynamics in unstructured loop regions remain scarce, in part because the timescales of the dynamics leave few spectroscopic methods available for measuring kinetics. Using a model system consisting of two beta-strands connected by a loop of variable length and composition, measurements of beta-strand association dynamics on microsecond to millisecond timescales have been made by employing Relaxation Dispersion Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques. In addition, using multidimensional NMR and Circular Dichroism spectroscopy, sequence-specific thermodynamic effects in the folding of these peptides have been examined. Loop closure was originally thought to be so fast that it would be negligible in the protein folding process, however our measurements show that loop closure rates can vary significantly depending on size and composition. Peptides containing all-glycine loops of length 3 – 16 have been shown to have folding rate constants (1/kf) of 12.3 – 109 microseconds with unfolding rate constants (1/ku) of 636 – 191 microseconds at 300 Kelvin. Insertion of structured beta-turns into the loop region were shown to increase the rate of folding, from 231 microseconds for an all glycine 10-loop to 25.0 microseconds for a length-10 loop containing an organized turn. These measurements have shown that the interplay of conformational entropy and residual segmental motion are crucial to understanding the stability and dynamics of beta-sheets. Current and future work on this project seeks to understand how tuning the dynamics of beta-sheets will affect thermodynamics and kinetics of ligand binding in biologically relevant systems.

From Caesar Augustus onward, various Roman emperors and their family members were officially declared to be gods.  The topic of this paper concerns the imperial deification process and the role subjectivity played in which emperors and imperial family members were accorded divine status.  Specifically, the personal and political considerations of the reigning emperor or senate that served as the basis as to why a certain individual obtained or was denied deification, and the evolution of the divinization process over time, are examined.  Conversely, an alternative act called damnatio memoriae, by which the memory of deposed emperors or other unwelcome persons was condemned to oblivion after their death by the state, is also compared.  The reactions (as preserved in the poetry and prose of ancient writers) of the Romans and imperial subjects to the imperial deification apparatus in general and the conferral of divinity upon specific persons are also noted.  The paper focuses in particular on the reign of Domitian, who upon his succession deified his brother and immediate predecessor Titus, and later his young son as well.  In contrast to past imperial customs of deifying emperors after their death, Domitian demanded to be hailed as a god during his own lifetime, and the paper investigates his justifications for this deviation from the precedent that only a deceased emperor or member of the imperial family could be granted apotheosis.  He suffered the condemnation of his memory after his assassination.  And while poets and writers bestowed voluminous adulations upon him in his lifetime and referred to him as a god, his reputation plummeted precipitously after his death.

The marble plaque showing parturition scene, from 400BC-300CE Ostia, Italy, depicts three women attending to a mother in the midst of her labor. On the left, one of the assistants holds a newborn with cloth covered hands as she observes the midwife delivering the placenta. The final attendant rings out a cloth as she locks eyes with the mother. The marble’s poignant composition draws the viewer in with its forceful narrative of childbirth. Despite its uniqueness and significance, this artwork has been neglected in the scholarship. In order to supplement the resulting deficiency, in my presentation I explore the plaque in relationship to Roman midwifery practices through period visual and literary sources. Paying special attention to the medical writings of Soranus of Ephesus, my inquiry delves into the qualifications of Roman midwives, their training, social status, and prestige. The dynamic and naturalistic aspects of the piece articulates a careful attention to Roman obstetrical, medical knowledge. Moreover, the relief demonstrates the esteem midwives held in Roman society, which is especially relevant considering the funerary function of this relief. The status of midwives is in itself a debated topic in the scholarship due to a lack of documentation, and therefore a careful study of the plaque is vital to our understanding of midwifery and childbirth in antiquity as well as its depiction in art.

Nongovernmental organizations have become important actors and contributors to global governance as states have been superseded as the primary representatives of constituents since the neoliberal era. Many of the current studies on NGOs are moving beyond generalizations of NGO work that provide binary accounts of good and bad, successful and unsuccessful, taking an approach that studies the processes that occur in NGO work and highlighting issues of power. It is argued that NGOs, particularly those that work on issues of gender and women’s rights, are part of what Keck and Sikkink call “transnational advocacy networks” where a set of values and meaning are shared among various actors working on a particular issue at global, national, regional, and local levels. This study addresses the communication that occurs between the various, diverse actors of this transnational network and how those values and meaning are interpreted and shared at each level with a particular focus on NGOs as intermediaries. Organizations that work specifically on issues of women’s rights become new spaces for feminist activism and a renegotiation of prescribed identity. This study is a case study of a women’s organization, Réseau Siggil Jigeen, in Dakar, Senegal that relies on a series of qualitative interviews and a gender-based analysis of women in development to explore feminist struggles and transnationalism in Senegalese women’s organizations. The findings illustrate that actors within these networks hold power in various ways and that values are often negotiated or transformed throughout the network to fit the diverse contexts in which they function. This paper contributes to a broader understanding of transnationalism and transnational networks, where it is ideas that are shared across borders and how the re-negotiation of those ideas in different contexts can lead us to more inclusive discourses and research methods.

Arctic areas such as coastal Alaska are experiencing some of the most severe effects of global climate change. These effects include melting of the permafrost, shorter winters and longer summers, more frequent and severe storms, and a drastic loss of shoreline. These factors have led to the endangering or destruction of many archaeological sites. Interdisciplinary scientists have worked together to form a model to help monitor the condition of coastal archaeological sites and the effect that the climate has upon them. However, in formulating this model they were unable to include the perspective of local indigenous groups and other local community members. The goal of this project is to add to the existing model a way of collecting and including the perspectives of the local communities and indigenous groups who often have better access to and knowledge of these sites than outside interests do. The fieldwork for this project takes place at an archaeological site near Barrow, Alaska which is currently eroding into the ocean due to shoreline loss. By utilizing the existing community ties that the archaeologists working at this site have cultivated I will show that through the involvement of all members of the local community the monitoring of local sites can be more comprehensive.

The models of the universe’s diffuse configuration of hydrogen and helium atoms, known as the Intergalactic Medium (IGM), have become increasingly accurate in predicting the mechanics of the universe. Simulations of the IGM can provide a foundation for cosmology to be built upon. The purpose of our research is to test the accuracy and precision of our latest model of the IGM. Using data from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, we analyzed quasar spectra for absorption lines at the Lyman-Alpha wavelength, creating phenomena called the Lyman-Alpha forest. We then processed this data incorporating scripts written in the programming language, Python, in order to compare the probability distribution function of the Lyman-Alpha absorption of the observed quasar spectra to the simulated quasar spectra. Interpreting our data we found that our simulations fell within one standard deviation of the observed data. Further analysis of our data showed that the simulations were more accurate for quasars at a lower redshift - those which were moving away from us at a slower rate - than quasars at a higher redshift - those moving away from us most rapidly. The largest contributors to error stem from the effects of other material in the IGM causing metal lines, our methods of metal line removal, and the limits of the size and quality of our observational sample. Metal lines skew our understanding of the Lyman-Alpha forest and a larger sample would decrease the variance among the samples. We plan on continuing research and improving the techniques of comparing the observations to models. An increased understanding of an effective model of the IGM can be used as a cosmological map of time to predict the origins of the universe as well as its future.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammation around dental implants due to bacterial infection that can ultimately damage both the soft and hard tissues of the jawbone. After recently discovering that Titanium (Ti) implants play a crucial role in the electrical conductivity of microbial community, we propose a twofold research approach to reduce Ti corrosion known to have detrimental effects to patients' oral health. Aim1 is to create a “stripe-spangled” implant design with a ceramic body coating that isolates the zones of Ti in order to eliminate the biofilm-generated electrical current. Independently, Aim2 uses an electrotherapeutic approach by providing an external power source to counteract the electrical current produced from oral microbiota. Therefore, this poster is primarily focusing on Aim2 to evaluate safety and efficacy of a new oral electrotherapy. We design an in-vitro experiment to simulate a patient's mouth and provide electrotherapy to examine the electrochemical behaviors generated by oral biofilm. Using actual oral microbiota from a volunteer, we found that providing a short-term electrical current affects the microbiota's electrochemical currents. To further our experiment, we will use dogs to test the efficacy of the electrotherapy in vivo. In a broader implication, this research will potentially alleviate medication and invasive surgery to combat peri-implantitis through electrotherapy.

Though researchers have been studying marijuana for decades, little attention has been given to the role marijuana may play in an individual’s self-concept. Previous research has shown that drinking identity (the extent to which an individual views alcohol as part of his/her identity), as measured by the Alcohol Self-Concept Scale (ASCS), predicts alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. The current study sought to explore whether a similar pattern of results would be found for marijuana. Drawing from the ASCS, the newly developed Marijuana Self-Concept Scale (MSCS) seeks to evaluate how strongly individuals identify with marijuana. Stronger marijuana identity was predicted to be associated with more use and use-related problems. Men and non-college individuals were predicted to identify with marijuana more strongly than women and college students. Individuals of legal age (>21) were also hypothesized to be more likely to identify with marijuana. To test these hypotheses, participants (N=380, 54.8% female, ages 18-24) from the Seattle area completed a lab-based survey, which was a part of a larger study assessing the young adults’ developmental transitions and how those transitions relate to substance use. The MSCS and measures of marijuana use and problems were included in the survey. As expected, people who identified with marijuana tended to use more frequently and report more related problems. Men were more likely to identify with marijuana than women. However, we found no significant differences between non-college individuals and college students. In addition, being of legal age to use marijuana did not reveal a significance in identity. Findings suggest the MSCS may be a useful screening tool in future research and/or clinical application. By examining the relationship between marijuana identity and its subsequent use, we may also have the potential to develop more effective therapies and interventions for those who are at risk.

Tooth discoloration is a common aesthetic concern for many individuals, and in response the dental profession and public expend considerable amounts of time and money to improve the appearance of stained teeth. Although many treatments are available to attempt whitening discolored teeth, these methods are typically expensive or cause more harm to the oral health of the individual due to the use of harsh chemicals, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, which often results in tooth hypersensitivity. The peptide-enabled aqueous whitening approach restores the color of teeth by forming a mineral layer on the tooth enamel and consequently masking the underlying discoloration, offering a suitable alternative to conventional bleaching methods. In this approach, peptides direct Ca²⁺ and PO₄^3- ions to form a new mineralized layer on the tooth surface. The aim of this study is to develop a suitable vehicle to deliver remineralization components to an oral environment, promoting enamel remineralization and built-in tooth whitening. With this aim, lozenges composed of varying concentrations of peptide, Ca2⁺, PO₄^3- and other inactive ingredients were manufactured using a hydraulic compression machine, and a suitable formulation was selected based on disintegration times optimized in artificial saliva. The whitening lozenge was then applied to human teeth samples under conditions mimicking the oral environment. Structural and optical properties of the resulting mineral layer were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and a chromameter, respectively. Our results demonstrate that surface discoloration has been successfully masked using whitening lozenges in vitro and, therefore, the color of the teeth was aesthetically improved. The technology developed in this study offers a simple oral hygiene product that acts biogenically in water and results in an additive treatment. The whitening lozenge is expected to considerably impact the dental and cosmetic industry as an over-the-counter product.

 Cyclic diadenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) is an essential nucleotide for bacterial virulence. C-di-AMP has been extensively studied in Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), but is also produced by other pathogens including E. coli, C. trachomatis, and M. tuberculosis. Although c-di-AMP is a signaling molecule in bacteria, host cells detect it as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern. During infection, the host receptor STING senses c-di-AMP and stimulates expression of interferon-beta, an anti-viral molecule. To date, STING is the only known sensor of c-di-AMP, and its promotion of an anti-viral versus anti-bacterial response has been somewhat perplexing. However, our lab has recently discovered another host c-di-AMP sensor, the murine aldo-keto reductase1C13 (AKR1C13) or “RECON”, that induces an alternative, anti-bacterial cellular response to infection. Based on the importance of bacterial clearance and the ubiquity of AKRs across species, we began to investigate whether other murine and human AKRs respond similarly to c-di-AMP. Sequence alignment of AKR genes and data on tissue-specific expression of these genes returned six candidates: the murine AKR1C12 as a potential paralogue, and human AKRs 1C1, 1C2, 1C3, and 1C4 as potential homologues. Cloning techniques allowed me to insert these genes into an E. coli expression vector that I used to purify recombinant protein via affinity chromatography. The binding affinity with c-di-AMP of each protein was tested with radio-ligand binding assays to determine dissociation constants (K_d) and we additionally used enzyme activity assays to quantify inhibition of protein activity. AKRs that bind c-di-AMP will be further characterized in vivo in mammalian cell lines in which expression has been knocked down via lentiviral transduction. Further work in cell lines may elucidate novel pathways that are activated downstream of c-di-AMP detection. Understanding the pathways that naturally clear infections is important to potential medical advances in bacterial infection management and prevention.

A sizable obstacle to the success of wearable devices in supporting good health, independent living, and workplace safety is compliance: is the user wearing the device and wearing it as it was designed? According to the United States Department of Labor, thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries; this costs the industry more than $300 million in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation (“Safety and Health Topics | Eye and Face Protection,” n.d.). This loss easily could be prevented by the usage of protective eyewear; thus is it imperative to know whether workers are complying with safety standards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities be provided (“General requirements. - 1910.132,” n.d.). Therefore, any manual laborer worker is required comply with safety standards, including wearing protective eyewear. This research investigated inexpensive sensors to monitor compliance with regard to safety goggles and workplace safety. To ensure high fidelity and accurate data, it is paramount to understand user behavior in the wearing and use of these devices. Specifically, detailed knowledge regarding the subject’s usage of protective eyewear, including the orientation and location on the head directly to inform the quality of compliance to safety standards. However, the addition of compliance monitoring functionality is limited by size, power consumption, cost, and form factor constraints inherent to the wearable device of interest. These limitations restrict the types of sensors that can be used to achieve compliance monitoring. After literature review and feasibility study of compliance monitoring techniques and existing biomedical wearables, including assessing electrostatic field sensing, magnetic sensing, and various approaches to eye tracking, we have decided to pursue magnetic sensors as the most viable option for compliance sensing. We are optimistic that magnetic sensing may offer a low cost and low energy solution for the detection of direction and orientation of protective eyewear. Therefore, with magnetic sensing we will determine if the protective eyewear is being worn on the bridge of the nose, on top of the head, or completely off of the body to determine compliance with safety standards. A preliminary design has been modeled and simulated to be evaluated for feasibility.

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the importance of international students’ organizations, in the wake of less funding and reduced support. The research on the imperativeness of international students' organizations is significant due to the notable increase in the number of international students in American institutions of higher learning. The gradual proliferation in the number of international students seeking tertiary education has resulted in the need to form friendly associations for students that play a pivotal role in aiding new students in the process of settling in and adjusting to the cultural shock that is experienced after relocating to a new social setting. The research therefore evaluates the practical need for supporting the students’ organizations as a means of ensuring safety and comfort for all the international students. The literature review supports the need for sustainable structures that support better cultural experience for international students. The research was conducted through qualitative methods with the adoption of an exploratory research design. The method included direct questionnaires to various students concerning the importance of supporting international students’ organizations. The results suggest that more students recognize and appreciate the role of student organizations and therefore support any actions meant to stabilize the various student organizations. This research therefore attempts to demystify the assumption that supporting international student organizations is a waste of time and funds.

The study of crop foods, such as maize and corn, offer us important insights on how to create healthier and more abundant crop yields. The initiation and maintenance of callus tissue cultures is a process essential for researching transgenic plants and is constantly plagued by contamination. The media components can influence the formation of callus, shoot, or root tissue as well as culture longevity and general health. The goal of this project is to find an optimal medium for callus formation that contains anti-microbials in order to avoid contamination and promote callus, rather than shoot or root, production. The monocots used are rice and maize. The base medium used consists of Chu N6 Basal salts, 0.7% phytablend agar, and 3% various sugars. I grew tissues on the base media with varying amounts of hormones, additives, anti-microbials, and sugar blends and assessed callus, root, and shoot development as well as the presence or absence of tissue necrosis and microbial contamination. Various tissue cleaning procedures were also tested. I hypothesize that rinsing tissues in antibiotics before plating them would decrease initial contamination and that antibiotic plates could be used to eliminate contamination from already growing cultures. The presence of various hormones and chemicals, such as 2,4-D and silver nitrate, influenced tissue differentiation when applied at certain times. The use of anti-microbials in the washing process as well as in the initial cultures has eliminated most of the contamination issues. It appears that the use of an initial growth medium that promotes callus development and a long-term growth medium to keep cultures healthy will be the key to achieving long-lived callus cultures. The ability to create and maintain these cultures allows the study of transgenic plants and their DNA.

Making the surrounding of a yellow target brighter will make the target appear darker and change its hue to brown. These changes are called darkness induction and brightness induction, respectively. Brown induction is interesting because the shift from yellow to a different dark hue, brown, is not found for the other basic colors—red, green, and blue. To assess whether the same neural and perceptual processes mediate brown and darkness induction, we explore the possible parallels with a checkerboard variation of White’s Illusion, which produces unexpected and theoretically controversial darkness induction effects. Surround stimuli consisted of a 20x10 black and white checkerboard grid. In a portion of the checkerboard grid, either the white or black squares were replaced by a 4x4 set of target squares, leaving the target squares surrounded by either only black or only white squares, respectively. For the darkness induction task, gray target squares were adjusted in luminance (physical light level) so that targets on white matched targets on black in perceived darkness. For the brown induction task, yellow/brown target squares were adjusted in luminance so that each target was right at the boundary between pure brown and yellowish brown, the “brown boundary.” The magnitude of the White’s Illusion effect was expressed as the difference in luminance between the two darkness-matched targets (darkness induction) or the two brown-adjusted targets (brown induction). Preliminary results show the White’s Illusion effect for brown induction to generally be in the same direction, but much weaker in magnitude, compared to darkness induction. This suggests that brown induction cannot simply be concluded as being darkness induction. These results help us to begin to understand the differences in the underlying perceptual and neural processes that mediate the two key properties of human vision, darkness induction and brown induction.

In mammals, fundamental differences evolved between the sex chromosomes of males (XY) and females (XX), resulting in specific regulatory mechanisms, which restore a balanced expression of X-linked genes between the sexes. To do this, one of the female’s X chromosomes is silenced (i.e. X inactivation). However, some genes escape this inactivation and remain bi-allelically expressed in females, resulting in higher expression levels potentially contributing to sex differences. The Car5b gene, which encodes a mitochondria carbonic anhydrase important for heart function, escapes X inactivation in both mouse and human. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) often binds near the boundaries between escape and silenced genes. Car5b is inactivated in mouse brain, but it escapes silencing in embryonic kidney (Patski) cells derived from a F1 hybrid female mouse. Selective CTCF binding at a site near Car5b in Patski cells but not in brain suggests the possibility that a chromatin loop that includes the Car5b promoter may facilitate escape in the cell line. To test this looping escape model, we are deleting the CTCF binding site on the inactive X (BL6 allele) and will evaluate its effects on escape. To establish an allelic deletion at the Car5b locus, a CRISPR/cas9 approach (DNA modifier) is being used with two BL6-specific small guide RNAs spanning the CTCF binding site upstream of the Car5b promoter. We’ve completed single-cell cloning for Patski cells transfected with CRISPR constructs. These cell clones are currently being verified for correct deletion by PCR and Sanger sequencing. Results have shown a positive deletion in the cell cloning colony. Allelic expression of Car5b will then be examined in the clones to investigate whether deletion of the CTCF binding site affects its escape (chromatin architecture). If results are conclusive, such an approach will be utilized to examine other escape gene regions.

In collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, our E E 497/498 Entrepreneurial Design Capstone project addresses the challenge of taking precisely georeferenced photographs of the underwater domain. These photographs will be mapped onto existing bathymetric datasets (from sources like NASA and NOAA) to provide visual textures of static and dynamic underwater points of interest. Our team’s role is the design and implementation of the imaging system hardware, which will complement visualization software under development at Booz Allen Hamilton’s Seattle office. Our design extends the OpenROV 2.8 platform, a small open-source, tethered, remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), with emphasis on developing a successful prototype using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts at minimal cost. In total, our team has implemented (1) the extension of OpenROV into an underwater imaging platform, carrying a payload enabling hemispherical imaging below the ROV; (2) the design of a tethered surface buoy system, with access to Differential GPS data to act as a reference for geolocating the ROV; (3) the design of an ROV-mounted acoustic transmitter and buoy-mounted acoustic receiver array to determine underwater distance between the ROV and each array element; (4) the design of an efficient trilateration algorithm using nonlinear and linear least-squares optimization to accurately position the ROV relative to the buoy based on (3). Our research has significant implications for improving access to the underwater domain, including low-cost maritime sensing and deployment applications and military training and simulation applications.

Approximately one in four patients who receive dental implants experience peri-implantitis, an inflammation of soft tissue and bone around dental implants, within 11 years of implant placement. Peri-implantitis is one of the main causes for implant failure and with 500,000 implants being placed a year, it is critical to develop a product that increases the long-term success of implants. Prior research has shown that the electroconductive properties of titanium used in implants facilitate corrosion by oral bacteria, which in turn leads to an increased risk for peri-implantitis. The goal of this project is to create a composite implant of titanium and insulating ceramic that is biocompatible and capable of osseointegration, but not electroconductive. Our project uses solid ceramic implants that are coated with titanium using a vacuum evaporator. The titanium is deposited in isolated bands and chemically binds to the surface of the ceramic. These islands of titanium will provide a surface against which bone can grow, while the ceramic interrupts the flow of electrons. The implants are placed in a bone model in media mimicking the oral environment, and oral bacteria from a volunteer are injected. The media is then tested for titanium leaching. Going forward we will be testing the implants with osteoblasts in vitro to measure biocompatibility. The improvements to existing and widely used technology will serve to increase patient welfare tremendously. Once an implant fails and peri-implantitis sets in, no more implants can be placed in that area of the mouth. Extending the working lifespan of the implant will prevent a painful condition and the worsening of dental health. The product of this research will be a cost-effective and long-lasting implant that will be better able to withstand the oral environment.

The psychology literature delves into understanding the role of men's self perception of masculinity in help-seeking behavior as well as help-seeking behavior in men with cancer. Help-seeking behavior is behavior that explains the utilization of healthcare of a population or group. What is the role of self perceptions of masculinity in help-seeking behavior of men with prostate cancer? This literature review focuses on understanding this role in men specifically with prostate cancer. The resources used for the review are MedLine, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PubMed, and references within articles. The majority of the literature used were qualitative studies due to the availability in the literature. The literature suggests that men believe that prostate cancer affects their masculinity in both physical and emotional ways such as their physical aspects like strength, ability to provide for and protect their families, reaction to physical pain through peer pressure and social norms, and being viewed as unmanly. There are men that efficiently seek help from healthcare professionals for this disease to preserve their masculinity. Men also inefficiently seek help due to the potential embarrassment of those qualities being diminished by the disease. The limitations to writing the review included small sample sizes, support group participants, and participants that were already diagnosed. The review is also limited because there was no research on men that focused on how masculinity may have contributed to their help-seeking in the initial stages. Healthcare services, such as interventions or programs, should focus on the following indicators when promoting help-seeking behavior to men with prostate cancer: stoicism, privacy, family providing and protection, and being viewed as unmanly due to the physical effects on a man's body. If the healthcare system can overcome these barriers, it will be able to reach men more efficiently and prevent further advancement of diseases like prostate cancer. 

 Variations in sea ice extent have a large impact on the energy budget of the artic and, consequentially, temperature variations in the arctic region. It has been proposed that the recent arctic sea ice melt has influenced mid-latitude weather, yet others argue that arctic warming anomalies also respond to influences from other latitudes. The purpose of this project is to examine relationships between temperature fluctuations in the lower troposphere of the arctic and variations in weather at other latitudes. Using NOAA's 20th Century Reanalysis data, a recent analysis involving interpolation and assimilation of past weather observations, we identified global geopotential height trends during warm and cold years in the arctic region. Preliminary conclusions of these results suggest that warm temperatures over the arctic are associated with low 500mb geopotential heights over the northern Pacific Ocean during winter, spring and fall months as well as high 500mb geopotential heights over the southwestern Pacific Ocean in fall months when temperatures in the arctic are warmer than usual. Our next goal will be to compare the 500mb height maps created to El Nino temperature indices to assess the viability of a claim that arctic temperatures are correlated with El Nino events. As of now, the results indicate that a warm arctic temperatures can be associated with sea surface temperature variations. The conclusion that lower tropospheric arctic temperatures are correlated with El Nino events indicates that care must be taken in associating a warmed arctic with weather anomalies over the continental USA. We will attempt to distinguish the effects of historical El Nino variability from the effects of the recent human-induced arctic melting.

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.

 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.

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.

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

Precedent Model Study (Fall 2015): the primary objective of the 2-week long project is to foster the ability to see and create architectural spaces that are sensitive to human needs and requirements in terms of materiality, scale, and use. Students work in teams to investigate a building, which is selected for its particular architectural language and relationship with its site. Students research, analyze and then create a 1/2" = 1'-0" section model of their building precedent. Then,they develop an evocative section perspective that communicates qualities of the building uncovered during their research, analysis, and model construction. Our group researched Glenn Murcutt's Marika-Alderton House, which was selected by our mentor for its particular architectural language and relationship with its site. Glenn Murcutt’s Marika-Alderton House stands as an attempt to apply modernism and bring about peace in the midst of the tense cultural and uniquely volatile natural landscape of far Northern Australia. His structure was created as a home for Aboriginal artist Banduk Marika and her family, drawing upon both the inspiration of the native people of Australia in their curved-bark long houses, and the inspiration of the European settlers, with their raised corrugated metal woolsheds. It is most essentially the interpretation of structure as elevated, shaded platform. The house “floats” on the air, raised on stilts with a permeable membrane of open windows, allowing the tropical winds to permeate the walls and floor and sweep upward through holes in the roof. The corrugated metal roof with deep eaves protects the house from the sun and heavy monsoon rains. It is intrinsically local, made of natural timber with a steel frame and built using unskilled labor. Glenn Murcutt’s Marika-Alderton House is an example of a structure dictated by the complex cultural and natural web into which it is placed.

Working in small groups, our studio collectively studied various residential projects, focusing on conceptual design, human scale, programmatic relationships, and the buildings' relationship to the site. Our group was assigned the Floodplain House designed by Paul Hirzel Architects. In order to gain a better understanding of the project, our group created 1/4" = 1' basswood section model. The Floodplain House was built to provide a live/work space for the client’s 70 acre winery. The live and work areas are housed in the main body, while a bedroom rests within a grove of cottonwood trees as its own private wing that flanks the main structure. The house sits on the edge of Potlach River to maximize the land for the vineyard, as well as provide an immersive experience for its owner and their guests. At 184 feet in length, a steel Howe truss rests on four thick concrete piers, allowing the house to cantilever above the river similar to a bridge. The structure is elevated at a height above the ‘500 year flood plane’ and to prevent rattlesnake infestations. Building on such a challenging site, the exoskeletal structure doubled as scaffolding during the construction to keep initial costs low. The external structural system allows the walls to be placed and angled freely in order to frame views and suggest movement. Paul Hirzel Architects' Floodplain House effectively incorporates the clients' needs and is responsive to the existing site conditions.

The model is a project from our architectural design studio. In this project, groups of students were assigned an existing building and tasked to build a scale model of it while making a section cut that helped give a better understanding of the building as a whole. Each was built primarily of basswood at 1/4" - 1' 0" scale. In doing so, we were able to compare and contrast the different forms and structures effectively. The building we had been assigned to was the Palmyra House in Maharashtra, India by Studio Mumbai, which was completed in 2007. Studying the house and its model gave us a better understanding of its relationship to its environment. Local craftsmen who had knowledge of traditional construction methods like interlocking joinery were employed for the House’s construction. Focusing on building by hand avoided the need for heavy machinery, which would have damaged part of the existing coconut plantation it is located in. The louvers help bring in air from the Arabian Sea or the plantation, cooling the interior spaces. They also prevent direct sunlight from reaching these rooms while still keeping them well lit with natural light. These characteristics let the Palmyra House naturally fit its site and also leave it undisturbed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deposits of methane sequestered along continental margins and their associated seeps are found worldwide. These seeps are of increasing interest and importance because of their potential as an energy source, their contribution to greenhouse gases, and the unique community of chemosynthetic microorganisms and fauna that they host. One of the best-studied methane seep sites is Southern Hydrate Ridge, which is at a water depth of ~800 m. It is located ~90 km west of Newport, Oregon. Despite extensive geophysical and biological research completed here, no studies have quantified the relationship of seep sites and seafloor geology to the spatial distribution and abundances of microbial and macrofaunal communities. High resolution, georeferenced photomosaics of the individual seeps and the associated biological communities at this site were collected in 2011, using the remotely operated vehicle ROPOS. Detailed analyses of these images has allowed for the quantification and characterization of the diversity and structure of the faunal community. Results show that both the distribution and abundances of seep organisms are highly variable. Further examination of these photomosaics may improve understanding of the relationships between faunal distributions and seep locations, with implications for the impacts that chemical gradients have on these ecosystems.

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.