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Western Collegiate Division Meeting of the Tennessee

Academy of Sciences

Hosted By:

Christian Brothers University & The University of

Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

Saturday, April 6, 2013

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Schedule of Events

Tennessee Academy of Science

April 6, 2013

Christian Brothers University

Registration (Assisi Hall Foyer) 8:30

Welcome and Introduction 8:55

Introduction of Keynote Speaker 9:00

Keynote Address AH 153

Dr. Duane McKenna, Assistant Professor, The University of Memphis, Memphis,

Tennessee

“Genes and Genomes Reveal New Insights into the Evolution of Insect Megadiversity”

Sessions 1- 6 Oral Presentations 9:45

Posters Presentations Assisi Foyer 12:00 – 1:00

Lunch Sabbatini Lounge Thomas Center 1:00 – 2:00

Closing:

Announcement of Best Paper Awards

Business Meeting

Session One: Botany AH 155

9:45 – 11:00

Moderator: Garrett Burton, Christian Brothers University

Session Two: Zoology AH 155

11:00 – 12:30

Moderator: Garrett Burton, Christian Brothers University

Session Three: Health and Medical Science I AH 153

9:45 – 12:15

Moderator: Elton Banks, Christian Brothers University

Session Four: Health and Medical Science II AH 151

9:45 – 12:15

Moderator: Eric Joe, Christian Brothers University

Session Five: Engineering AH 007

9:45 – 10:45

Moderator: Dr. L. Yu Lin, Christian Brothers University

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Session Six: Mathematics AH 007

11:00 – 12:00

Moderator: Dr. Ted Clark, Christian Brothers University

Poster Presentations: Assisi Hall Foyer

12:00 – 1:00

Moderator: Br. Edward Salgado, Christian Brothers University

Judges

Session One: Botany

Dr. Michael Schiebout – Union University

Dr. Martha Brown – The University of Memphis

Session Two: Zoology

Dr. Cheryl Goudie – The University of Memphis

Dr. Bill Simco – The University of Memphis

Session Three: Health and Medical Science I

Dr. Laura Luque de Johnson – Rhodes College

Dr. David Wing – Union University

Dr. Rachel Salmon – Freed-Hardeman University

Session Four: Health and Medical Science II

Dr. Harmon Dunathan

Dr. Oliver Sturm – Rhodes College

Dr. John Mason – St. Jude

Session Five: Engineering

Dr. Bashir Morshed – University of Memphis

Dr. Ted Clarke – Christian Brothers University

Session Six: Mathematics

Dr. Bashir Morshed – University of Memphis

Dr. Ted Clarke – Christian Brothers University

Posters

Dr. Bill Simco – The University of Memphis

Dr. Cheryl Goudie – The University of Memphis

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Dr. Duane McKenna, PhD Assistant Professor

Associate, Program in Bioinformatics

Associate, W. Harry Feinstone Center for Genomic Research

The University of Memphis

Keynote Speaker

B.S. in Biology/Chemistry Western Michigan University

M.S. Entomology University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Training Harvard University

Current Activities:

U of M IT Research Advisory Committee

U of M Standing Committee on Biological Safety

U of M High Performance Computing Committee

U of M Department of Biological Sciences Strategic Planning Committee

Founder and Faculty Advisor for Biological Sciences Graduate Student

Association

Memphis Research Consortium Genomics Subcommittee

Associate Editor: European Journal of Entomology

Editor: Zookeys (International Journal of Biodiversity)

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Session One: Botany

Moderator: Garrett Burton

9:45 The effects of the invasive Ailanthus altissima on root morphology and rhizobial infection of Albizia julibrissin. Austin Johnson*, James E. Moore, and Sandra Thompson-Jaeger, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (AJ, JEM, STJ). 10:00 Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Lichens in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Louis J. Varriano*, Lynda R. Miller, and Thomas J. Sullivan, White Station High School, Memphis, Tennessee (LV) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM, TS). 10:15 Growth responses of different aged individuals of Xanthium strumarium L. in flooded conditions. John D. Wolfe*, Scott B. Franklin, and James E. Moore, Christian Brothers University (JW, JM), Memphis, Tennessee, The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado (SF). 10:30 Interactions between Albizia julibrissin and Ailanthus altissima: two co-occurring invasive trees. Daniel C. Stewart* and James E. Moore, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (DCS, JEM). 10:45 Diversity and Distribution of Lichens in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Katleyn A. Frierott, Louis J. Varriano, Lynda R. Miller, and Thomas J. Sullivan. St. Benedict at Auburndale High School, Memphis, Tennessee (KF), White Station High School, Memphis, Tennessee (LV) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM, TS).

Session Two: Zoology

Moderator: Garrett Burton

11:00 Aggression, altruism, and sexual behavior in the captive vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) at the Memphis Zoo. Allison Julien*, Matthew Roberts, and Sarah Boyle, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (AJ, MR, SB). 11:15 Foraging patterns of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). James R. Dowdy*, Lauren A. Madeira, and Michael L. Kennedy, Christian Brothers University (JD) and The University of Memphis (LM, MK). 11:30 Determining the age of wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), a premiere sport and food fish in the Gulf of Mexico: An assessment of sagittal otoliths as wahoo ageing structures. Patrick M. Graham*, James S. Franks, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (PG) and The University of Southern Mississippi: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi (JF). 11:45 Parasitemia of dogs in the Memphis area as reflected in fecal samples collected from three dog parks. Lee A. Curbo*, Stanley S. Eisen, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LC, SE). 12:00 Assessment of flooring changes on African Elephant behavior. Margaret R. Blake*, Stephen E. Leavelle*, Jennifer J. Marshall*, Brittany Pope*, Sarah A. Boyle, Beth Roberts, Andrew Smith, Amanda Hadicke, Fields Falcone, Katrina Knott, and Andrew J. Kouba, Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MRB, SEL, JJM, BP, SAB) and Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, Tennessee (BR, AS, AH, FF, KK, AJK).

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12:15 Infrared thermography: a noninvasive measure of mouse and rat body temperature. Cameron Volpe*, Ryan Sullivan, and David Hamilton, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CV) and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (RS, DH).

Session Three: Health and Medical Science I

Moderator: Elton Banks

9:45 Is 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin D_3 an active form of vitaminD_3? Sherita Granderson*, Zhahong Yin, and Mitchell Watsky, Christian Brothers University (SG), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (ZY, MW). 10:00 Investigation of behavioral and motor deficits in DJ-1 knockout mice: An animal model for Parkinson’s disease, Jessica E. Schneider* and Michael McDonald, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (JS), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MM). 10:15 Effects of tick saliva on musculoskeletal inflammatory molecules. C. Bahniuk*, L. Coons, N. Poole, J. Cole, R. Smith, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CB), The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee (LC, NP, JC), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (RS). Research performed at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN. 10:30 Effects of alcohol and caffeine on middle cerebral artery diameter. Jessica Dunn*, Kuihuan Jian, and Alex Dopico, Christian Brothers University (JD), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (KJ, AD). 10:45 Neuroprotective treatment for blast-induced vision loss. Lauren D’Surney*, Brendan Lunn; Courtney Bricker-Anthony; Jessica Hines-Beard; and Tonia S. Rex. Christian Brothers University (LD'S) University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis Tennessee (BL, LD'S) and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (CB-A, JH-B, TSR). 11:15 Halting the effects of cocaine sensitization after withdrawal. Jeremiah Mooney* and Jeff Steketee. Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (JS). 11:30 Effects of developmental alcohol exposure on sleep: wake parameters and related behaviors in mice. Danielle Frazier*, Candis Dubois, and Kristin Hamre, Christian Brothers University (DF) and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (CD, KH). 11:45 Comparison of light and electron microscopic analysis of nitroblue tetrazolium staining with alkaline phosphatase to identify mouse retinal neurons. Velita M. Thornton*, Sharon Frase, Dianna A. Johnson, and Fara F. Sudlow, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (VT), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (SF, FS), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (DJ). 12:00 Molecular cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding type 2 ryanodine receptors. Krystyna Clark*, Maria T. Asuncion-Chin, Aditya K. Singh, and Alex M. Dopico, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (KC), and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MA-C, AS, AD).

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Session Four: Health and Medical Science II

Moderator: Eric Joe

9:45 Surface swelling of resin-modified glass-ionomer in saliva, saliva-like solution and water. Michael Drake*, Michael James, Phylicia Combest, Ashanti Braxton, Daranee Tantbirojn, and Antheunis Versluis, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (MD), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee (MJ, PC, AB, DT, AV). 10:00 The effect of surface treatment and novel adhesive on strength of composite repair. Christini Fernando*, Daranee Tantbirojn, and Antheunis Versluis, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CF), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee (DT, AV). 10:15 Conditioned olfactory aversion increases olfactory sensitivity in mice, Lydia N. Hyatt*, Max Fletcher, and Mounir Bendahmane, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LH), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MF, MB). 10:30 The Effects of Dube3a on the Neuromuscular Junction of Drosophila Larvae. Colleen Valdez*, and Lawrence T. Reiter, Christian Brothers University (CV) and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (LR). 10:45 Determination of axonal loss and optic nerve head degeneration in glaucomatous eyes. Lauryn Murphy*, Steven Hart, XiangDi Wang, Eldon Geisert, Christian Brothers University (LM) and University of Tennessee Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, Tennessee (SH, XW, EG). 11:15 Genes in addition to Tyrp1 & Gpnmb gene mutations may contribute to pigmentary glaucoma. Indiana Y Soliman*, Ebony Talbert.* and Monica M. Jablonski, Christian Brothers University (IYS, ET), University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis Tennessee (MMJ). 11:30 Vehicle Accident Preparedness. Ashia N. Rallings* and Bobby Myers, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (AR), James Chiropractic Rehabilitation Office, Memphis, Tennessee, (BM). 11:45 Vergence facility: Test performance variability and relationship to symptoms and phoric posture. Angela J. Williams* and Marc B. Taub, Christian Brothers University (AW) and Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN (MT). 12:00 Corticospinal tract damage accompanies motor dysfunction in a mouse model of closed-head mild traumatic brain injury. Jessica M. Ferrell*, Rhonda Williams, Josh Rogers, Nobel Del Mar, Andrea J. Elberger, Tonia Rex, Marcia Honig, and Anton Reiner, Christian Brothers University (JMF) and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Memphis Tennessee (RW, JR, NDM, AJE, TR, MH, and AR).

Session Five: Engineering

Moderator: Dr. L. Yu Lin, Christian Brothers University

9:45 RFID Door Tracking System for Mid-South Marking Systems, Memphis Tennessee. Justin E. Johnson*, Christian Brothers University, Memphis Tennessee. 10:00 Wind Energy. Nicholaus Smith, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee.

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10:15 Solar Panel Analysis. Hunter Coulston, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee.

Session Six: Mathematics

Moderator: Dr. Ted Clarke

10:45 Rainbow colorings of some geometrically defined uniform hypergraphs in the plane. Brent Holmes*, Peter Johnson Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (BH) and Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama (PJ). 11:00 A Nonlinear Regression with Risk Factors and Stock Return, Xin Shu*, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. 11:15 A Set Partition Analog of the Erdös-Szekeres Theorem. Rui Liu

*, Rhodes College, Memphis,

Tennessee.

Posters

Moderator: Br. Edward Salgado

1. Pack hierarchy of captive wolves utilizing behavior and spatial analysis. Kimber Jones*, Phillip Lyons*, Sarah Boyle, and Andy Kouba, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (KJ, PL, SB) and Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tennessee (SB, AK).

2. Differential metal accumulation and deposition in the fish Micropterus punctulatus. Daniel Davis* and Lynda R. Miller, Arlington High School (DD) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM). 3. The extent to which shows influence behavior of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Madison K. Marullo*, Roberta J.H. Moore*, and Sarah A. Boyle, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. 4. The Effect of Metaphor versus Declarative Narrative on the Reduction of Negative Affect and Stress Caused by Moderate Trauma. Ariel Kingsley*and Dr. Elizabeth Nelson, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (AK, EN). 5. Aggressive and mating interactions of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) at the Memphis Zoo. Amelia D Phelps*, Sarah Boyle, Jason Bankston, and Carolyn Horton, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (AP, SB), and Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, Memphis, Tennessee (JB, CH).

6. Evaluation of salidroside analogs as potential anticancer therapeutic agents. Margaret Cupit*, Adaris Rodríguez-Cortés, Taotao Ling, and Fatima Rivas, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MC) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (AR-C, TL, FR). 7. Terrestrial Natural Products: A Promising Avenue for Anti-Malarial Therapeutic Agents. Megan Hotard*, Yandira G. Salinas, Michele Connelly, Taotao Ling, and Fatima Rivas, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MH), and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (YS, MC, TL, FR).

8. The role of newly identified Aspergillus nidulans myosins in cytokinesis. Xiao Wang*, Terry

Hill, Loretta Jackson-Hayes, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee.

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9. Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) GIS Analysis of Population Decline Across

Arkansas. Alix Matthews* and Sarah Boyle. Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee.

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ABSTRACTS

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Botany

Session One

Moderator: Garrett Burton

9:45 Interactions between Albizia julibrissin and Ailanthus altissima: two co-occurring invasive trees. Daniel C. Stewart* and James E. Moore, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. In order to understand the facilitative interactions of co-occurring invasive trees, we measured the nodule production and growth of a leguminous invasive species, Albizia julibrissin, grown with the allelopath producing invasive species, Ailanthus altissima. We hypothesized Albizia would produce more nodules in the presence of Ailanthus compared to grown with con-specifics or grown solitary. We also hypothesized that when grown with Albizia, Ailanthus would have greater biomass measures due to presumed increases in nitrogen fixation. Results indicated that Albizia did produce significantly more nodules when grown with Ailanthus and allocated more resources to belowground biomass. Ailanthus allocated more resources to aboveground biomass and produced greater total biomass. Albizia’s neighbor status did not significantly influence height or diameter. Results indicated that indeed there is a positive interaction for nodule production for these two species further illustrating the need to understand positive interactions among invasive tree species.

10:00 Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals by Lichens in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Louis J. Varriano*, Lynda R. Miller, and Thomas J. Sullivan. White Station High School, Memphis, Tennessee (LV) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM, TS). The bioaccumulation of heavy metals has been well-documented in epiphytic lichens. We collected lichens from Overton Park, an urban old growth forest, to determine the types and patterns of pollution. The lichens in Overton Park were sampled and analyzed in order to compare the populations from the interior of the park with those near its exterior. Lichen specimens were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine the elemental composition of spots known to contain high-density particles, as seen under a back-scattered electron detector in an environmental scanning electron microscope. The proportions of these lichens containing heavy metals or other elements were then statistically evaluated to determine whether a significant difference in contamination existed between different areas of the park. Lichens in the interior understory were shown to accumulate fewer heavy metals as compared to lichens in the exterior understory. No significant difference was shown to exist between the accumulation of canopy lichens and understory lichens 10:15 Growth responses of different aged individuals of Xanthium strumarium L. in flooded conditions. John D. Wolfe*, Scott B. Franklin, and James E. Moore, Christian Brothers University (JW, JM), Memphis, Tennessee, and The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado (SF). In order to assess the effects of age on flooding tolerance, we conducted an experiment in which biomass accumulations and stem height/diameter were examined for two age cohorts of Xanthium strumarium. We hypothesized that under flooded conditions change in biomass would be greater for younger individuals. We further hypothesized that the older individuals would be more impacted by the stress of flooding; i.e., the younger cohort would grow based on stressor, thus the effects of flooding would be masked. Results show that the older individuals experienced a greater change in biomass for all parameters (root and shoot biomass, increase in total biomass, and root shoot ratio). According to height repeated measures, older individuals actually decreased in height as the number of floods increased (not the case for diameter repeated measures). Our study indicates that younger individuals become acclimated to a stressful environment more quickly and out perform their older cohorts.

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10:30 Interactions between Albizia julibrissin and Ailanthus altissima: two co-occurring invasive trees. Daniel C. Stewart* and James E. Moore, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. In order to understand the facilitative interactions of co-occurring invasive trees, we measured the nodule production and growth of a leguminous invasive species, Albizia julibrissin, grown with the allelopath producing invasive species, Ailanthus altissima. We hypothesized Albizia would produce more nodules in the presence of Ailanthus compared to grown with con-specifics or grown solitary. We also hypothesized that when grown with Albizia, Ailanthus would have greater biomass measures due to presumed increases in nitrogen fixation. Results indicated that Albizia did produce significantly more nodules when grown with Ailanthus and allocated more resources to belowground biomass. Ailanthus allocated more resources to aboveground biomass and produced greater total biomass. Albizia’s neighbor status did not significantly influence height or diameter. Results indicated that indeed there is a positive interaction for nodule production for these two species further illustrating the need to understand positive interactions among invasive tree species. 10:45 Diversity and Distribution of Lichens in Overton Park, Memphis, Tennessee. Katleyn A. Frierott, Louis J. Varriano, Lynda R. Miller, and Thomas J. Sullivan. St. Benedict at Auburndale High School, Memphis, Tennessee (KF), White Station High School, Memphis, Tennessee (LV) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM, TS). Thirty-eight (38) taxa representing twenty-two (22 ) genera of lichens are reported in this floristic study of the lichens of Overton Park, Memphis, TN, an old growth forest converted into an urban park. Over two hundred (200) collections were made from thirty-eight (38) different localities and were grouped together based on location within the park. Differences were found to exist between the type of lichens that dominated the canopy versus those collected on the tree trunks. No significant difference existed between those found on the perimeter of the park versus those found in the interior paths.

Zoology

Session II

Moderator: Garrett Burton

11:00 Aggression, altruism, and sexual behavior in the captive vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) at the Memphis Zoo. Allison Julien, Matthew Roberts, and Sarah Boyle, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. We collected affiliative, aggressive, and sexual behavioral data on the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) population at the Memphis Zoo to determine 1) the influence of location on the expression of these behaviors and 2) whether or not captive behavior paralleled behaviors of wild vampires. In the wild, vampire bats display affiliative behaviors rarely found in other bat species and are among the only bats that are capable of agile, coordinated terrestrial movements in order to better compete for resources in the wild. When bats were terrestrial, 2.8% ± 0.2 of behavioral scans were of aggressive behavior, while values were 0.2%± 0.02 when the vampires were perched. Affiliative behavior represented 0.1%± 0.01 of terrestrial behavior and 11.9%± 1.5 of perched behavior. Sexual behavior represented 1.2%± 0.3 of terrestrial behavior, and 2.7%± 0.2 of perched behavior. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in captivity, natural vampire bat behaviors are retained.

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11:15 Foraging patterns of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). James R. Dowdy*, Lauren A. Madeira, and Michael L. Kennedy, Christian Brothers University(JRD) and The University of Memphis(LAM, MLK). Foraging patterns of the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were studied in an area characterized by a mosaic of habitat types during 2012 at the Meeman Biological Station in Shelby County, Tennessee. Time-stamped, remote photography, using infrared-triggered cameras, was used to assess foraging activity at five camera sites baited with shelled corn. Results reflected a strong diurnal foraging cycle with activity concentrated near sunrise and sunset (crepuscular pattern). Peak periods of activity varied; however, foraging activity was recorded throughout the light hours of the day. No activity was recorded during the dark hours. Time spent foraging was reduced during periods of bad weather. Greatest numbers of turkey, including greatest number of young birds, were observed from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on most occasions. Females were more common at camera sites than males. In general, the species exhibited a wide period of foraging activity daily. 11:30 Determining the age of wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), a premiere sport and food fish in the Gulf of Mexico: An assessment of sagittal otoliths as wahoo ageing structures. Patrick M. Graham*, James S. Franks, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (PG). and The University of Southern Mississippi: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, Mississippi (JF). Wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, are large, pelagic fish that inhabit warm oceanic waters of the world, including the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) where they support valuable fisheries. Sagittal otoliths (calcium-based deposits located near the brain) collected from wahoo caught in the northern Gulf recreational fishery during years 1997 - 2000 and 2012 were examined to determine their usefulness as wahoo ageing structures (age in years). Sixty-five wahoo (22 males, 43 females) used in the study ranged 915 - 1780 mm fork length (FL). Sagittae were cross-sectioned using an Isomet saw, and multiple sections from each sagitta were meticulously processed for microscopic examination. The location and number of annuli on sectioned sagittae were extremely difficult to determine. Assessments indicate ages of 0 - 3 years for males and 0 - 7 years for females, however, poor statistical relationships exist between fish size and age. Future research to age wahoo using sagittae will require numerous specimens and innovative assessment procedures. 11:45 Parasitemia of dogs in the Memphis area as reflected in fecal samples collected from three dog parks. Lee A. Curbo*, Stanley S. Eisen, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. Eighty-nine canine fecal samples were collected from three Memphis area dog parks in order to determine parasite diversity and levels of parasitemia. Each sample was analyzed by a direct fecal smear and by centrifugation. They were examined for Hookworms, Toxocara canis (roundworms), Strongyloides, and tapeworms. Using both techniques for analyzing fecal samples, we found that dogs having more than 1 species of parasite were rare. The centrifugation technique resulted in a reduction of reported uninfected samples, with a concomitant increase of samples infected with 1 or more parasites. Strongyloides, a roundworm whose infective stage are free-living larvae, and tapeworms, whose infective stages reside in intermediate hosts, were far more commonly encountered in Johnson Park than in the other two locations. This may be attributed to the dogs being more likely to be exposed to wild animals at Johnson Park, rather than the other two locations.

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12:00 Assessment of flooring changes on African Elephant behavior. Margaret R. Blake*, Stephen E. Leavelle*, Jennifer J. Marshall*, Brittany Pope*, Sarah A. Boyle, Beth Roberts, Andrew Smith, Amanda Hadicke, Fields Falcone, Katrina Knott, and Andrew J. Kouba, Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MRB, SEL, JJM, BP, SAB) and Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, Tennessee (BR, AS, AH, FF, KK, AJK). In November 2011, the Memphis Zoo replaced the concrete floor of their three elephants’ indoor enclosure with a soft-composite resilient flooring. We collected behavioral data to determine if this environmental change altered the elephants’ activity levels and sleeping patterns. From May 2011 to May 2012, daytime outdoor data of elephants’ activity and movements were gathered. We collected nightly indoor activity and sleeping data from video (377 hours over 26 nights) before and after the flooring installation. Post-installation, the elephant Asali increased time spent sleeping on the ground at night (from 30.6% to 38.5% of activity). The elephant Tyranza decreased time spent lying down, but increased time in standing rest (from 46.5% to 67.4% of activity). All three elephants appeared to be more active (resting less) in the daytime; this change may be related to increased time resting at night. These behavioral changes are expected to increase the elephants’ overall wellbeing. 12:15 Infrared thermography: a noninvasive measure of mouse and rat body temperature. Cameron Volpe*, Ryan Sullivan, and David Hamilton, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CV) and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (RS and DH). One parameter used to assess animal health is body temperature. This is relevant in infectious disease research, as changes in temperature can indicate an animal’s condition worsening or improving. This study aimed to develop a noninvasive technique to measure a rodent’s body temperature, while still housed in its cage. A infrared thermography (IRT) camera was used to record surface temperatures of Sprague-Dawley rats (n=9) and Nude mice (n=10) by converting a heat signature into a color picture. IRT readings were compared to rectal thermometer readings to determine accuracy with the statistics program R. ANOVA results for mice and rats were statistically significant (p<0.05). Linear regression analysis resulted in correlation coefficients of 0.9 for mice and 1.29 for rats. It was concluded that the IRT accurately predicts true rodent body temperature, while avoiding the added restraint, sedation, or surgery that is often required to obtain a body temperature reading in rodents.

Health and Medical Science I

Session Three

Moderator: Elton Banks

9:45 Is 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin an active form of vitamin ? Sherita Granderson*, Zhahong Yin, and Mitchell Watsky, Christian Brothers University (SG), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center (ZY, MW), Memphis, Tennessee. Vitamin D, considered a hormone and vitamin, is activated in the body via UVB radiation from sunlight through the skin and eyes. Vitamin D has an active form, 1, 25- dihydroxyvitamin , and a metabolite,

24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin . The metabolite, 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin , has previously shown to promote wound healing and activate protein kinase C (PKC). Placing 100 and 250 nM concentrations 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin on cultured human corneal epithelial cells resulted in formation of phosphorylated PKC (pPKC) as detected by Western immunoblot with a band at 80-90 kD. ImageJ densitometry of these blots show a slightly higher density of pPKC using 250 nM 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin when compared with either the control or 100 nM of 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin . These results suggest that 24R, 25- dihydroxyvitamin is an active metabolite that can potentially stimulate wound healing in the corneal epithelium by activating PKC.

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10:00 Investigation of behavioral and motor deficits in DJ-1 knockout mice: An animal model for Parkinson’s disease, Jessica E. Schneider* and Michael McDonald, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (JS), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MM). The purpose of this investigation was to collect behavioral data from the DJ-1 knockout (KO) Parkinson’s mouse model. The results characterized behavioral differences between DJ-1 KO and wild-type (WT) genotypes of mice greater than 1 year old. Behavioral assessments of the two mice strains included: rotarod, digigait, radial water maze, horizontal beam, open field activity chamber and force plate actimeter. We observed differences between genotypes with vary degrees of significance. Data were collected from the previously names apparati and motor and behavior results were statistically compared between KO and WT. These data will be used to determine which assessments were observed to have the greatest difference in these two stains of mice in order to develop a protocol to assess younger DJ-1 mice as well as protocols for future longitudinal studies. 10:15 Effects of tick saliva on musculoskeletal inflammatory molecules. C. Bahniuk*, L. Coons, N. Poole, J. Cole, R. Smith, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CB), The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee (LC, NP, JC), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (RS). Research performed at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN. Tick saliva is interesting because it has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory components that may have important implications in the treatment of musculoskeletal inflammatory diseases. We investigated inflammatory cytokine levels in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages after exposure to tick saliva and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a positive inflammatory stimulator for these cells. We found that secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1a), after LPS exposure, were significantly reduced with the addition of tick saliva. Addition of tick saliva significantly increased the levels of Prostaglandin 2 (PGE2). We conclude that there is interesting evidence that tick saliva may be anti-inflammatory and will even reduce inflammatory cytokines in vitro. These results are supported by multiple assays run on the macrophages, showing that tick saliva reduced all macrophages excluding PGE2, the levels of which were increased due to PGE2’s ability to fibroblast migration, synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins and inhibit macrophage phagocytosis. 10:30 Effects of alcohol and caffeine on middle cerebral artery diameter. Jessica Dunn*, Kuihuan Jian, and Alex Dopico, Christian Brothers University (JD), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (KJ, AD). Current societal trends show an increased intake of caffeinated alcoholic beverages, requiring health risk evaluation of such behavior. Using rodent models, our laboratory has previously demonstrated that ethanol concentrations reached in blood during moderate-heavy binge drinking (50 mM) constricted cerebral arteries, which has been related to alcohol-induced cerebrovascular dysfunction. In this study, we used rat middle cerebral arteries and evaluated vessel diameter responses to in vitro application of 10 mM caffeine vs. 10 mM caffeine+50 mM ethanol. Caffeine evoked heterogeneous responses: vasoconstriction, vasodilation and biphasic responses being observed. Remarkably, caffeine+ethanol consistently reduced artery diameter by 1.5-3.0% of control (pretreatment) values. This reduction is significantly smaller (P<0.05) than that evoked by 50 mM ethanol alone under similar experimental conditions. Therefore, current results suggest that caffeine may blunt the cerebral artery constriction induced by ethanol concentrations reached in blood during binge drinking. Supported by: R37-AA11560 (AD).

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10:45 Neuroprotective treatment for blast-induced vision loss. Lauren D’Surney*, Brendan Lunn;

Courtney Bricker-Anthony; Jessica Hines-Beard; and Tonia S. Rex. Christian Brothers University (LD'S) University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis Tennessee (BL, LD'S) and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (CB-A, JH-B, TSR). Our goal was to test the efficacy of erythropoietin (EPO) for the treatment of blast trauma to the eye. Our mouse model induces similar pathology as detected in blast-exposed Veterans. Left eyes of mice were exposed to blast followed by intraperitoneal injections of 5,000U/kg EPO or buffer three times at 24hr intervals, beginning at 0 (Group A), 6 (Group B), or 24 (Group C) hrs post-blast. Gross pathology and intraocular pressure were monitored at 0, 3, and 7 days, then mice were perfused and eyes were collected, sectioned, and labeled for GFAP or TUNEL. There was a statistically significant decrease in the length of retina with TUNEL positive cells and the extent of GFAP labeling in Group C mice compared to controls. These results demonstrate that EPO is effective even when treatment is delayed by one day, and since Groups A and B were ineffective, sustained therapy may be needed. Supported by: Fight for Sight Summer Student Fellowship Award (LD) Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Funds Dr. Haik; Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award (TR); R01EY022349 (TR); Department of Defense W81XWH-10-1-0528 (TR); 5P30EY13080 (TR) 11:15 Halting the effects of cocaine sensitization after withdrawal. Jeremiah Mooney* and Jeff Steketee. Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (JM) and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (JS). The repeated systemic injection of cocaine causes an increase in dopamine activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) as well as an increase in locomotor activity. The present study sought to determine if an injection of a dopamine-1 (D1) antagonist into the MPC would halt the locomotor effects of cocaine after withdrawal. Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control with saline, control with D1 antagonist, cocaine and saline, cocaine and D1 antagonist. Locomotor activity was measured before and after sensitization or control injections using a computer program MicroMax. After cocaine withdrawal period of one day, one week or three weeks, animals received injections of the D1 antagonist or saline. The locomotor activity was re-measured. The D1 antagonist injected animals showed less locomotor effects of cocaine than saline controls. These data suggest that the administration of a D1 receptor antagonist could halt the locomotor effects of cocaine after withdrawal. Supported by a grant from the National Institue on Drug Abuse (DA023215). 11:30 Effects of developmental alcohol exposure on sleep: wake parameters and related behaviors in mice. Danielle Frazier*, Candis Dubois, and Kristin Hamre, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (DF) and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (CD, KH). This study was conducted to determine if exposure to ethanol during postnatal development had an effect on motor incoordination, locomotor activity, learning/memory and sleep:wake behaviors. Mice were injected with 5g/kg, 4g/kg, or 3g/kg doses of ethanol 2 hours apart on postnatal days 4-9. Postnatal ages in mice are equivalent to the third trimester in humans in terms of brain development. The control group (N=11) was given saline injections at an equivalent dose of 5g/kg of ethanol. Mice were then evaluated for sleep: wake parameters using a sleep chamber, locomotor activity using an activity chamber, balance/motor coordination using a rotarod instrument, and learning/memory using a Morris water maze. Mice given higher doses (4g/kg and 5g/kg) of ethanol showed a decrease in motor skills while groups given all doses of ethanol showed an increase in locomotor activity having a p =<0.05. Alcohol exposure during prenatal development was shown to affect these parameters.

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11:45 Comparison of light and electron microscopic analysis of nitroblue tetrazolium staining with alkaline phosphatase to identify mouse retinal neurons. Velita M. Thornton*, Sharon Frase, Dianna A. Johnson, and Fara F. Sudlow, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (VT), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (SF, FS), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (DJ). We have investigated the feasibility of using a single type of staining procedure that might allow the examination of the cellular structure of a given area of the retina at the light microscopic (LM) level and directly compare the findings to electron microscopic (EM) analysis of the subcellular structure of the exact same region. We hypothesized that Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT), an oxidant that is widely used to detect phosphatase activity for LM, could serve this purpose. Retinas were stained with NBT at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 hours at room temperature to determine optimal labeling of retinal bipolar cells. Two hours was the optimal time for NBT for both LM and EM. While LM staining showed specific labeling, EM labeling was obscured by dark precipitates that precluded utrastructural analysis. Based on these results we conclude that NBT would not be a viable correlated staining procedure. 12:00 Molecular cloning and expression of cDNAs encoding type 2 ryanodine receptors, Krystyna Clark*, Maria T. Asuncion-Chin, Aditya K. Singh, and Alex M. Dopico, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (KC), and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MA-C, AS, AD). Ethanol at concentrations obtained in blood during moderate-heavy alcohol intoxication leads to cerebral artery constriction, an action that contributes to cerebrovascular disease. Using a rat model, it has been shown that ethanol-induced cerebral artery constriction involves inhibition of Ca

2+-sparks in cerebral

artery myocytes, which suggests direct targeting of ryanodine receptor isoform 2 (RyR2) proteins by ethanol. Our goal was to isolate and functionally express RyR2 cDNA from rat cerebral artery myocytes to address the receptor’s ethanol pharmacology in follow-up studies. Southern blotting of RyR2 cDNA showed a band near the 15 kb region, suggesting that RyR2 (14,862 bp) was present in pC1-neo plasmid. However, autoradiography films from Western blotting did not show bands in the RyR2-corresponding 565 kDa region. Results indicate that further DNA sequence analysis of the RyR2 cDNA may be required to determine why RyR2 protein expression did not occur. Supported by: UTHSC Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Department of Pharmacology.

Health and Medical Science II

Session Four

Moderator: Eric Joe

9:45 Surface swelling of resin-modified glass-ionomer in saliva, saliva-like solution and water. Michael Drake*, Michael James, Phylicia Combest, Ashanti Braxton, Daranee Tantbirojn, and Antheunis Versluis, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (MD), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee (MJ, PC, AB, DT, AV). Resin-modified glass-ionomers, used in dental fillings, expand when they absorb moisture. This expansion has been shown to cause substantial deformation in the restored teeth, indicating internal stresses. This expansion was shown in water, but in the oral environment the medium is saliva. This study examined hygroscopic expansion of glass-ionomers in water, artificial saliva, and saliva. Circular fillings made with a nano-filled resin-modified glass-ionomer (Ketac Nano, 3M ESPE) or a conventional glass-ionomer (Fuji IX, GC Corp). The surfaces of the fillings were digitized using an optical three-dimensional scanner with a 5-micron resolution after the filling was made (baseline), and after 1, 2, and 3 weeks storage (N=5-10). Both materials showed surface swelling (16-25 microns at week 3) in all storage mediums, but the initial rate of expansion for Fuji IX was lower. After 3 weeks, however, there was no significant difference between the two glass-ionomers or between storage mediums (ANOVA p>0.05).

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10:00 The effect of surface treatment and novel adhesive on strength of composite repair. Christini Fernando*, Daranee Tantbirojn, and Antheunis Versluis, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CF), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tennessee (DT, AV). Adding a new layer of composite to repair an existing cured composite restoration is a dilemma in dental practice. Strong bonds between the old and new composites are crucial. We examined failure strengths after adding composite (Filtek Supreme Ultra) to either fresh or 7-days aged composite using various surface treatments (conventional or a new multi-purpose adhesive systems, sandblasting, silanization) (N=10). Monolithic specimens provided the uncompromised composite strength. Failure strength was determined by 4-point bending under a loading-rate of 0.5mm/min. Results were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by Fisher’s Protected LSD (p=0.05). Mean failure strengths varied between 51MPa (aged, conventional adhesive) to 111MPa (fresh, with O2-inhibition layer); strength of monolithic composite was 122MPa. Addition of new composite significantly reduced failure strength when using conventional adhesives, regardless of surface treatment. However, composite repair using the new multi-purpose adhesive regained strengths that were not significantly different from monolithic or fresh specimens with O2-inhibition layer. 10:15 Conditioned olfactory aversion increases olfactory sensitivity in mice. Lydia N. Hyatt*, Max Fletcher, and Mounir Bendahmane, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LH), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MF, MB). We investigated the role of experience in modulating behavioral olfactory sensitivity in mice. We used a brief-access licking test in which water-deprived mice were tested with serial dilutions of isoamyl acetate in distilled water (10

-3 to 10

-18) and determined the highest concentration that they drank at the same rate

as water. Naïve, unconditioned mice avoided licking odorized water at concentrations >10-7

. To investigate if conditioned olfactory aversion (COA) could alter this sensitivity, two groups of mice were given isoamyl acetate paired with LiCl injections, causing aversion to the odor. One group was injected a low dose of LiCl, and the other was injected with a higher dose. 24 hours later, both groups were tested as above. Low and high dose COA mice avoided licking at concentrations >10

-13 and >10

-15, respectively.

This suggests that olfactory aversive learning can significantly increase olfactory sensitivity to the learned odorant in a dose dependent manner. Supported by: Neuroscience Institute Merit Fellowship. 10:30 The Effects of Dube3a on the Neuromuscular Junction of Drosophila Larvae. Colleen Valdez*, and Lawrence T. Reiter, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (CV), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (LR). Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurological disorder caused by loss of function of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Lack of UBE3A lowers excitatory signaling in the brain and prevents neurons from functioning correctly. This defect has been traced to an impaired ability to release and reabsorb synaptic vesicles indicating that this dysfunction likely occurs at the vesicle level. We used a Drosophila model of AS which is mutated for the fly orthologue to human UBE3A, the Dube3a gene. We also investigated over-expression of Dube3a, which causes autism. These studies were carried out in the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila larvae. We found defects in vesicle size and the number of active zones within synaptic boutons when compared to controls. These changes in vesicle function may contribute to AS phenotypes in humans where the UBE3A gene is not expressed in neurons. Supported by: Neuroscience Institute Merit Scholarship.

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10:45 Determination of axonal loss and optic nerve head degeneration in glaucomatous eyes. Lauryn Murphy

*, Steven Hart, XiangDi Wang, Eldon Geisert,

Christian Brothers University, Memphis,

Tennessee (LM), and University of Tennessee Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, Tennessee (SH, XDW, EG). There is considerable evidence for differential susceptibility of mice to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the main indicator of glaucoma in both mice and humans. In this study we will also be attempting to prove that the primary injury occurs at the Optic Nerve Head (ONH). Glaucomatous conditions were simulated by raising the IOP via microbead injection into the eye of D2 and B6 mice. After perfusion, the ONH, Optic Nerve (ON), and retina were sectioned and immunohistochemical methods were used to show levels of selected proteins. Comparison of average intensity of each protein between the ONH, ON, and retina was obtained. The changes in the optic nerve head demonstrate that reactive gliosis and microglial activation have occurred; however, these differences do not account for the differential effects of glaucoma in the D2 mouse relative to the B6 mouse. Supported by: Ophthalmology Fellowship. 11:15 Genes in addition to Tyrp1 & Gpnmb gene mutations may contribute to pigmentary glaucoma. Indiana Y Soliman, Ebony Talbert.* and Monica M. Jablonski. Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (IYS, ET), and University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee (MMJ). The BXD mouse family consists of the inbred progeny of wild-type B6, which does not develop glaucoma, and the glaucoma-prone D2 strain. The BXD eyes progressively develop pigment dispersion and iris atrophy, followed by increased intraocular pressure and glaucomatous optic nerve damage. The hypothesis tested was that the combined mutations in the Tyrp1 and Gpnmb genes are not sufficient to cause all aspects of the glaucoma phenotype: To assess glaucomatous damage, studies on counting retinal ganglion cells and morphometric assessment of the optic nerve damage were performed. Microarray analyses were used to measure gene expression in all BXD strains, reads from B6 and D2 were mapped against known RNA transcripts to identify expression, which concluded these strains have one or more modifier loci that affect glaucoma severity. Results indicated the BXD mice carrying D2-derived Tyrp1 and Gpnmb mutations develop iris disease: Tyrp1 and Gpnmb phenotypes are both individually dependent on tyrosinase function. For the BXD family, more genes than Gpnmb and Tyrp1 influence the glaucoma phenotype. Supported by Ophthalmology Fellowship funded by the NIH grant. Asterisk (*) denotes both students contributed equally. 11:30 Vehicle Accident Preparedness. Ashia N. Rallings* and Bobby Myers, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (AR), and James Chiropractic Rehabilitation Office, Memphis, Tennessee (BM). The study sought to determine if bracing for impact had an affect on the recovery duration in a population of whiplash injury patients. Thirty-nine patients were recruited from the James Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Office in Whitehaven, Tennessee. The patients selected sought chiropractic treatment, were between the ages of 18-61, and agreed to participate in the study. It was also noted whether they were braced prior to vehicle impact. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that braced patients healed 7-30 days faster than those that were not braced at impact (P<0.05). Therefore, the pre-impact status of a patient has a significant affect on recovery time. Further data were also collected; however, due to the small sample size no other statistically significant differences were observed. These data suggest that pre-impact bracing is important to minimize potential whiplash injury.

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11:45 Vergence facility: Test performance variability and relationship to symptoms and phoric posture, Angela J. Williams* and Marc B. Taub, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (AW), and Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN (MT). Vergence facility (VF) is the number of cycles per minute that a distance or near stimulus can be fused through alternating prism. Variability of VF was examined in 40 participants (ages18-35). The Convergence Insufficiency Symptoms Survey (CISS) was used to divide the participants into two groups: asymptomatic and symptomatic. Esophoric (inward deviation) and exophoric (outward deviation) eye posture was determined using the Howell card at distance and near. VF was performed three times by each patient. VF scores showed a significant increase with each measurement (p<.05), but was not independently associated (p>.05) with CISS symptomatic status, Howell distance, Howell near or gender. VF increased regardless of CISS score, indicating a participant learning curve. This is contrary to the hypothesis that fatigue would lead to a decreased score, specifically in the symptomatic group. This study indicates that VF testing should be repeated three times to reduce learning curve’s impact. 12:00 Corticospinal tract damage accompanies motor dysfunction in a mouse model of closed-head mild traumatic brain injury. Jessica M. Ferrell*, Rhonda Williams, Josh Rogers, Nobel Del Mar, Andrea J. Elberger, Tonia Rex, Marcia Honig, and Anton Reiner, Christian Brothers University (JMF) and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Memphis, Tennessee (RW, JR, NDM, AJE, TR, MH, and AR). A novel mouse model of closed-head traumatic brain injury (TBI) using an overpressure air blast has been created in order to study the many neurological, motor, and behavioral deficits that often accompany such injuries. The approach for creating mild TBI involved the use of a modified paintball gun with the capability to control the blast pressure inflicted on the shaved left temple of adult male mice. The mice were exposed to blast pressures of 0, 20, 50, or 60 psi. Behavioral and motor functions were assessed at one and two weeks post-blast. We found that 0-20 psi yielded no significant motor abnormalities, whereas 50-60 psi yielded clear motor deficits. In the mice that received a 50-60 psi blast, we also found a significant 10% reduction in the size of the left dorsal corticospinal tract (dCST) of the spinal cord, based on the size ratio of the left and right dCST. This damage to the left dCST could be one contributing factor in motor abnormalities following a blast injury with 50-60 psi. This TBI model can be used to investigate the many effects of closed head injury that most frequently occur in military combat situations and sports injuries. Supported by: DoD grant W81XWH-10-1-0528 (TR), Pilot Grant from the UTHSC Neuroscience Institute (AR, AJE).

Engineering

Session Five

Moderator: Dr. L. Yu Lin

9:45 RFID Door Tracking System for Mid-South Marking Systems, Memphis Tennessee. Justin E. Johnson*, Christian Brothers University, Memphis Tennessee. The purpose of this project was to design and implement a Radio Frequency Identification System to detect movement through specific entry point. The system was required to be non intrusive, provide detailed and accurate data through the entry point, to have minimal human involvement and finally to be able to view the data via a webpage. The system was designed using the java programming language to interface between the RFID reader and computer; the data was then converting using JavaScript into a user-friendly webpage. The components of the system after revisions were composed of an Impinj RFID Reader, two Times-7 antennas, and a wireless router. Through the experimental approach we were able to make revisions to the java code and fully implement the systems to the design specifications.

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10:00 Wind Energy. Nicholaus Smith, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. This project was implemented to analysis a wind turbine, purchased by the university, to understand the process of creating energy using an alternative system before implementation. I was asked to discover if the system efficiently created energy, what are the outputs at varying static and wind inputs, and is the payback worth implementation. After weeks of testing and re-testing the system I obtained the output voltages and currents that the client was looking to obtain. These outputs helped me determine the RMS power of the system. It was determined that the system produces energy efficiently for an economical system, but lacks the output power to payback the system in a timely manner. 10:15 Solar Panel Analysis. Hunter Coulston, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. The purpose of this project was to analyze the Sharp solar panel system setup on the CBU campus. The first objective involved installing various test points in order to measure various voltage and current readings at different intensities of light using a Digital Multi-meter and then comparing the readings to the characteristics provided by Sharp. The next objective involved using an Arduino Uno microcontroller to take the same measurements, store the measurements to an SD card, and then comparing the readings to the characteristics provided by Sharp. The final objective involved calculating the payback period. The resulting measurements allowed a curve between light intensity, voltage, and current to be constructed like the curves provided by Sharp. In conclusion, the Sharp solar panel system behaved accordingly to the characteristics provided by the manufacturer, and that the payback period is much larger than the life of the system.

Mathematics

Session Six

Moderator: Dr. Ted Clarke

10:45 Rainbow colorings of some geometrically defined uniform hypergraphs in the plane. Brent Holmes*, Peter Johnson Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (BH) and Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama (PJ). This paper introduces rainbow colorings, hypergraphs, and the problems associated with them. This paper explores work done in finding bounds for the rainbow chromatic number of these hypergraphs on the plane and shows the hexagon tilings used to prove the bounds. This paper found many bounds for the rainbow chromatic number of many different hypergraphs. 11:00 A Nonlinear Regression with Risk Factors and Stock Return, Xin Shu*, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. Four statisticians have proved that P/E ratios have positive effects on the stock price in the linear regression model in 1985. We regress the stock price against P/E ratio with the nonlinear regression model this time and compare its conclusions with the linear regression model. Besides the P/E ratio, we also apply other profitability ratios to this model since our results narrow down the risk factors to the profitability ratio when we regress the stock price against the S&P 500 return. Profitability Ratios show a company’s overall efficiency and performance and the majority of the profitability ratio can be divided into two types: margins and returns. We start out with the margin ratios this time and regress several large firms stock price nonlinearly against these ratios such as the gross margin ratio and net margin ratio.

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11:15 A Set Partition Analog of the Erdös-Szekeres Theorem. Rui Liu*, Rhodes College, Memphis,

Tennessee. The monotonic subsequence problem has been studied in depth. Mathematicians and computer scientists have found and proved various results such as the Erdös-Szekeres Theorem and the algorithms to find the longest monotonic subsequences. Sequence is nothing more than a permutation on a set. Instead of considering permutations, I am more interested in studying the partitions of a set. The objective of my project is to establish counterparts of the results mentioned above in the context of set-partition. In this talk, I will introduce the concept of "freeness" (the counterpart of "monotonicity" in the context of set partitions) and present related results and algorithms.

Posters Moderator: Br. Edward Salgado

1. Pack hierarchy of captive wolves utilizing behavior and spatial analysis. Kimber Jones*, Phillip Lyons*, Sarah Boyle, and Andy Kouba, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (KJ, PL, SB) and Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tennessee (SB, AK). Wild wolves (Canis lupus) maintain a hierarchy between pack members via ritualized fights and body language. Captive wolves devote more time to resting and exhibit less of the diversity of behaviors than wild wolves. The relationship between behaviors and exhibit area remains largely unexplored. The Memphis Zoo houses a pack of 4 Grey Wolves. Behavioral data were collected in accordance with an ethogram and locational data were recorded on an exhibit map created using ArcGIS. Both data types were collected from September 2012 to March 2013 for 85 hours. All occurrences of ritualized aggression and dominance were recorded. A pack hierarchy was observed that will be confirmed by calculating the dominance coefficient. Analysis of GIS data points will determine how each wolf utilized the exhibit and reveal any possible relationship between dominance coefficient and exhibit use. This will inform understanding of aggression and improve the housing of pack animals. 2. Differential metal accumulation and deposition in the fish Micropterus punctulatus. Daniel Davis* and Lynda R. Miller, Arlington High School (DD) and Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee (LM). The Wolf River is an urban waterway that flows through the city of Memphis and empties into the Mississippi River. Fish collected and preserved in 1998 from the lower Wolf River and housed in the University of Memphis fish collection were studied to determine metal pollution in this urban river. The spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus, was chosen because of its higher position on the trophic pyramid and therefore greater chance to bioaccumulate metals or other elements. Samples of gill, liver, and muscle were removed from the preserved fish and examined using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) to determine elemental content. Titanium was the element that was detected with the highest frequency. Differential accumulation of metals by any specific tissue of the fish was not statistically significant.

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3. The extent to which shows influence behavior of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Madison K. Marullo*, Roberta J.H. Moore*, and Sarah A. Boyle, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. Research has shown enrichment activities significantly decrease cortisol levels and the display of stereotypical behaviors in captive animals. We collected behavioral and location data of two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Chloe and Callie, housed at the Memphis Zoo, to investigate the extent that a sea lion show influences behavior. During shows, Chloe spent most of her time (mean ± standard error) performing show behaviors (0.53 ± 0.01). Callie divided her time between three activities: swimming underwater (0.25 ± 0.05), sitting (0.27 ± 0.09), and performing show behaviors (0.30 ± 0.01). Before and after shows, both sea lions spent most time swimming underwater: Chloe (0.49 ± 0.04) and Callie (0.59 ± 0.06). Exhibit use differed before and after shows, compared to exhibit use during shows. The variety and frequency of behaviors exhibited before and after shows appeared fairly random, suggesting that the sea lions do not suffer from chronic stress. 4. The Effect of Metaphor versus Declarative Narrative on the Reduction of Negative Affect and Stress Caused by Moderate Trauma. Ariel Kingsley*and Dr. Elizabeth Nelson, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee. Therapeutic writing often causes significant reduction in clients’ trauma-associated symptoms compared with those that did not write. Previous literature regarding metaphoric language’s effects on various memory centers suggests that using metaphors in therapy may facilitate the reduction of such symptoms. These ideas were combined and explored by having participants either write about their trauma in declarative or metaphoric statement format. A control group copied a story unrelated to trauma. Negative affect, intrusion, and avoidance were measured before and after the writing activities to assess any differences between the groups. It was hypothesized that the metaphoric task would reduce trauma-related symptoms the most. Overall, the hypothesis was unsupported, as the metaphor group did not show an improvement on negative affect or stress. However, there were other significant findings, such as differences between the groups on intrusion and avoidance subscales or specific administrated instances of the negative affect scales. 5. Aggressive and mating interactions of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) at the Memphis Zoo. Amelia D Phelps*, Sarah Boyle, Jason Bankston, and Carolyn Horton, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (AP, SB), Memphis Zoo and Aquarium, Memphis, Tennessee (JB, CH). The interaction between seven giraffe at the Memphis Zoo were observed and analyzed. The objectives of this research were to determine which behaviors, at what frequency, and to whom mating and agonistic behaviors of the male subject were directed. Particular attention was given to the adult male giraffe’s aggressive and mating behaviors, as well as, the location, measured in body lengths, of the male in regards to the female subjects. No substantial differences were found in mating (U=3.5, N1=N2 =3, p=0.8) or agonistic (U=1.0, N1=3, N2=1, p=1.0) behaviors from the male giraffe to either juvenile or sexually mature females. The location of the male giraffe also had no significant relationship with the sexual maturity of the female giraffe, body length 1 (U=3.0, N1=4, N2=2, p=0.8), body length 5 (U=2.0, N1=4, N2=2, p=0.5), and large distance (U=4.0, N1=4, N2=2, p=1.0). Further study may present more data to support the hypotheses tested.

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6. Evaluation of salidroside analogs as potential anticancer therapeutic agents. Margaret Cupit*, Adaris Rodríguez-Cortés, Taotao Ling, and Fatima Rivas, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MC) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (AR-C, TL, FR). Heightened cell migration is a hallmark of metastatic cancer cells, which acquire the ability to metastasize by transitioning from epithelial to mesenchymal cellular phenotypes. This biological process is the leading cause of recurrence and death in cancer patients, so the development of drugs that specifically inhibit tumor metastasis is crucial for the improvement of cancer treatment. Rhodiola crenulata is a medicinal plant containing phenylpropanoids and monoterpene glycosides, which have shown antitumor properties. One of its main components is a tyrosol glucoside known as salidroside. Herein, we disclose our studies on Rhodiola crenulata extracts, our ability to synthesize salidroside, and our focus salidroside analog library whose biological activities will continue to be tested using scratch wound healing assays. Our promising findings regarding the potential of salidroside and its analogs for use in cancer treatment as well as our future synthetic studies will be discussed. 7. Terrestrial Natural Products: A Promising Avenue for Anti-Malarial Therapeutic Agents. Megan Hotard*, Yandira G. Salinas, Michele Connelly, Taotao Ling, and Fatima Rivas, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee (MH), and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee (YS, MC, TL, FR). Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, is a global health

concern. Drug resistance to Malaria is increasing due to various clinical factors, parasite mutations, and a

lack of scaffold diversity in current treatments. In search of identifying new leads to treat this disease, we

are working on a drug discovery program that utilizes traditional Native American medicinal plants. In a

bio-guided screening assay, fractionated extracts from terrestrial natural products were tested against

3D7 and K1 parasite strains. Biologically active fractions were further purified and characterized utilizing

column chromatography, UPLC-MS, and NMR techniques. Promising leads as well as our efforts for

future structure activity relationship studies will be discussed.

8. The role of newly identified Aspergillus nidulans myosins in cytokinesis. Xiao Wang*, Terry Hill, Loretta Jackson-Hayes, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. Conventional myosins are comprised of light and heavy chains, with varied functional domains at the tails of myosins. The head groups usually contain IQ domains where calmodulin and regulatory light chains could bind. In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, five myosins genes have been identified, among which three genes, myoA, myoB, myoE, encode conventional myosins Types I, II, and V respectively. In this work, the roles of myoB and myoE in cytokinesis in A. nidulans were investigated. Cytokinesis in fungi utilizes a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) as in mammals, but the process is complicated because of the construction of chitin cross-walls called septa, which is not well understood. Here we report that myoB is essential for septa formation, and that the completion of CAR is actin-dependent. For myoE, we observed that it plays an unessential role for septa formation. Data reflecting progress in conducting immunoprecipitation on myoE is also presented.

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9. Loggerhead Shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) GIS Analysis of Population Decline Across Arkansas. Alix Matthews* and Sarah Boyle. Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee. The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), a North American songbird, has suffered from significant population decline throughout the late 20th century, primarily as a result of habitat loss. Their preferred grassland habitat is threatened as grasslands are increasingly being converted into row crops and urban areas. Using ArcGIS 10.1 software, I analyzed the population trends of L. ludovicianus from 1992-2010 as a function of land cover change in five sites in Arkansas. I discovered that increased urbanization is strongly correlated to the population decline of L. ludovicianus. However, a weak correlation exists between decreased population size and increased row crops, as percentage of row crops has decreased in all except one study site. Further investigations could be conducted to understand other factors that are contributing to the population decline in L. ludovicianus, such as increased pesticide usage or decreased prey availability.