vFURF Abstracts

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Hend Al-Kaylani - Tuesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Peggy Nopoulos (Psychiatry)
Major: Biomedical Sciences

Cognitive dysfunction and decline in juvenile-onset Huntington's Disease
Background
Assessment of cognitive dysfunction and rate of decline may help clinicians determine Juvenile-Onset Huntington’s Disease (JOHD) prognosis and design support strategies. This study aimed to identify group differences in baseline cognitive performance and decline between JOHD participants and those who are at-risk (from a family with HD), but tested Gene Non-Expanded (GNE).
Methods
The analysis included 54 observations from 24 JOHD individuals and 203 observations from 115 GNE individuals. All participants consented in accordance with the University of Iowa IRB. JOHD participants had molecular confirmation of CAG expansion and a clinical diagnosis determined using the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale. JOHD subjects were early in the course of their disease with a mean disease duration at time of initial assessment of 2.35 years (SD = 3.88). Participants completed the adult (WAIS) or childhood (WISC) Wechsler intelligence scales to measure general cognitive ability. We conducted mixed linear regression models to compare the groups at baseline as well as comparison of change over time.
Results
At baseline, the JOHD group scored ~2 SD lower than the GNE group mean on all indices of the WISC/WAIS. The group-by-elapsed-time interaction was significant for all variables (all p < .001). The JOHD group exhibited significant decline in points/year, while the GNE group exhibited little to no change in scores.
Conclusion
Significant cognitive deficits were evident at baseline in individuals with JOHD relative to GNE which is remarkable given the fact that most were seen soon after diagnosis. This could be due to significant decline in function prior to motor onset. In addition, the JOHD group declined rapidly over a period of ~4 years. Quantifying the rate of cognitive dysfunction may help validate cognitive screening tools and to use cognitive decline as a non-invasive biomarker of disease progression.

Zoe-Ella Anderson - Friday at 10:30am
Metaformin and Longevity
Mentor: Gen Shinozaki (Psychiatry)
Major: Neuroscience

Metformin is a commonly prescribed type 2 diabetes drug. Recently, metformin has caught significant attention for purposes other than treating type 2 diabetes, such as increasing lifespan, delaying aging, and other positive benefits. There has also been a conflicting narrative that metformin induces cognitive decline and may increase the likelihood of developing dementia. My team has been working to analyze patient data from previously enrolled subjects to see what effect, if any, metformin has on longevity. We have been collecting information from patient medical records such as if the patient was diabetic, if they were on metformin, their BMI, and insulin use to compare with their outcome. Using this data, we have found that those who use metformin overall have a lower mortality rate. We separated the diabetic patients from the non-diabetic patients and this pattern persists. We plan to also separate people based on their BMI and insulin usage to see if the pattern of lower mortality with metformin use still exists. We also wish to examine the epigenetic effects metformin may have on the body by looking at DNA methylation patterns. We have samples from a small subset of our cohort and plan to examine the epigenomes of those who have taken metformin and those who have not to possibly elicit a biomarker associated with this increased longevity with metformin use.

Ethan Bennett - Tuesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: N. Charles Harata (Molecular Physiology and Biophysics)
Major: Computer Science, Math

Objective detection of functionally active sites in live-neuronal imaging
Abstract In many biological experiments, live cells are imaged in videos (time-lapse imaging) and their signals are extracted in order to interpret biological meanings. The goal of this research is to establish image-analysis tools for effectively detecting signals, even when they are low in amplitude, or heterogeneous spatially and temporally.
In the dataset on which methods were used, a live neuron was imaged in a video, expressing a fluorescent tag which fluoresce when exposed to glutamate. The neuron is then stimulated, causing it to release glutamate, and thus fluoresce, at its active sites.
The algorithm to detect these active site mirrors methods used in existing research, allowing it to be easily integrated into ongoing research. First, the time-trace of each value is normalized. Next, one of seven filtering methods and six trace analysis methods is applied to the time trace of each pixel. If the ratio between average noise level and the highest value in the filtered trace rises above a certain inclusion threshold, then this pixel is marked as being an active site. In addition, we tested its robustness when artificial noises are added to the recorded signals. The algorithm achieved a 99.9% accuracy rate on the raw data and maintained robustness when varying levels of noise and imaging artifacts were added to the raw data.
We found the best combinations for each condition in the raw data. Because the algorithm does not require training data, it can greatly reduce the amount of analysis work, and has easily interpretable output. A method for automating the determination of inclusion threshold was also developed, further reducing the amount of work needed to apply the algorithm.

Shalini Birari - Wednesday at 3:00pm
Mentor: Mary Wilson (Microbiology and Immunology)
Major: Microbiology

Tracking the dissemination of Leishmania Infantum in mice
Leishmania infantum is a parasite that gives rise to the infection visceral leishmaniasis, the most severe form of any leishmania disease, manifesting particularly in Mediterranean countries, Latin America, East Africa, and India. Transmitted through sand-fly vectors, L. infantum travels to the liver and spleen, with the potential to go into bone marrow as well. Majority of the people infected are asymptomatic, with the burden of the disease disproportionately affecting rural and low-income populations. If left untreated, VL can be fatal. The dissemination of L. infantum to internal organs is crucial for the pathogenesis of disease. We want to explore the mechanisms of dissemination, specifically the cells that traffic parasites from the infection site to internal organs, and how long they take to travel to particular areas of the body. In order to investigate this, transgenic L. infantum that expresses both GFP and luciferase will be intradermally injected in the ears of BALB/c mice. Then, at 2 hours, 48 hours, and 1-week post-infection, we will take groups of mice and image them using IVIS to detect parasite dissemination in vivo. Following this, we will then sacrifice groups of mice at the 48 hour and 1-week time points and harvest the preauricular lymph nodes and the spleen for analysis via flow cytometry to detect which specific cell populations are harboring parasites. Based on previous work regarding dissemination of Leishmania spp., we expect to see skin dendritic cells as a predominant cell type that traffics parasites to the lymph nodes in mice

Amanda Caraballo - Monday, November 9, 12:00pm
Invesitgating the possible Novel Co-Factor in the C. glabrata Phosphate Regulation System
Mentor: Bin He (Biology)
Major: Biology

Invesitgating the possible Novel Co-Factor in the C. glabrata Phosphate Regulation System
Regulation by two or more transcription factors (TFs), or combinatorial regulation, is a prevalent feature in eukaryotic gene regulatory networks. This allows the cell to increase the specificity of gene regulation by requiring multiple transcription factors to interact before the gene can be activated. How these TF relationships evolve as species adapt to new environments is an understudied problem. We are investigating the evolutionary loss of a co-TF partner in the phosphate starvation (PHO) response network among a group of related yeast species. This includes the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a related commensal and opportunistic pathogen, Candida glabrata. These two yeast species are useful models because of the variation of their cofactor dependence in the PHO network. In S. cerevisiae, the PHO network master TF, Pho4, depends on another TF, Pho2 to bind and induce its target genes. The ortholog of Pho4 in C. glabrata (CgPho4) does not need Pho2 in its genome and when transferred into S. cerevisiae. Our hypothesis for the loss of Pho2-dependence is that CgPho4 has evolved to work with a different co-TF, one that replaces Pho2’s role. To test this, we will perform a co-immunoprecipitation of both ScPho4 and CgPho4 in the S. cerevisiae background. With this method, we will be able to isolate the proteins that interact with ScPho4 and CgPho4 and identify new cofactors using mass-spectrometry. If our hypothesis is correct, we would expect to see a protein that interacts with CgPho4, but not ScPho4. We know that the novel co-TF or a homolog is present in both C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae because CgPho4 is Pho2 independent in a C. glabrata and S. cerevisiae background. If a novel co-TF is identified, we will validate its role in the phosphate regulation system by gene deletion. Results from either outcome will significantly advance our understanding of how transcription factor relationships evolve. According to the CDC, Candida glabrata is the second most common cause of fungal blood infections caused by Candida species.

Emily Carroll - Thursday at 11:00 am
Electrochemists Try Inorganic Synthesis: Metal(bpy)3 Complexes
Mentor: Johnna Leddy (Chemistry)
Major: Chemistry

Electrochemists Try Inorganic Synthesis: Metal(bpy)3 Complexes
2,2’-bipyridine is a bidentate (bonds to metal in two locations) ligand often used in inorganic synthesis. It complexes to many transition metals and these molecules have characteristic electrochemistry trends that our experiments are aiming to observe. Through their unique binding affinity, we study how 2,2’-bipyridine is interacting with metals. Many studies have been done on complexes like Ru(bpy)3 and the goal of our review paper is to collect synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and binding data for all transition metals in Periods 4, 5, and 6. Several metal(bpy) complexes such as M(bpy)3, where M=Ni, Fe, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn were chosen to be synthesized in our lab to study the electrochemistry firsthand. In this presentation, we demonstrate how to make Cr(bpy)3.

Linhai Cheng - Wednesday at 3:00pm
Mentor: Marcelo Correia (Internal Medicine)
Major: Microbiology

Are Very-Low-Calorie Diets Safe to Use with Patients Who Have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? A Scoping Review
Very-low-calorie diets (VLCD) are manufactured products that replace natural foods and restrict the daily energy intake to around 800 kcal in divided meals. VLCD is a treatment for obesity, which is often complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Typically, VLCD is used for 3 months in weight loss programs for quick reduction in weight by 10% to 15%. Fast weight loss is followed by a refeeding period by means of low calorie/low fat diets aiming at weight maintenance. VLCD is also commonly used for a couple of weeks prior bariatric surgery for liver size reduction. We wrote a scoping review about the efficacy and safety of VLCD in patients with obesity and chronic liver disease. After screening more than 2,000 manuscripts in diverse databases following the methodological framework for scoping reviews described by Arksey and O’Malley, we found 10 manuscripts that met the inclusion criteria and no exclusion criteria for selection. These manuscripts confirm that VLCD promotes clinically meaningful weight loss. Importantly, VLCD can safely improve liver function in patients with obesity and chronic liver disease. Furthermore, we have shown that VLCD can assist patients with obesity and end-stage lived disease to reach the body mass index requirement for liver transplantation eligibility. In conclusion, the literature addressing the utility of VLCD in the treatment of obesity in the setting of chronic liver disease is scarce. However, few manuscripts that reported liver function, weight and safety outcomes suggest that VLCD can safely promote substantial weight loss and improve liver function in patients with obesity and chronic liver disease, notably NAFLD.

Abbigail Denner - Wednesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Brian Lai (Political Science)
Major: International Relations

Introduction to the Intrastate Conflict Peace Negotiation Attempt Dataset
Since January of 2018, our team of undergraduates has been working with Professor Lai to develop a codebook and procedure for collecting data on negotiation attempts in civil war peace processes. Our dataset surveys sixteen intrastate conflicts in Africa from 1990 to present and catalogues over 30 variables related to peace negotiations. Our presentation will discuss the basis of the project, our research process, and the data that we have collected thus far. We will then review the differences between our dataset and several existing datasets on peace negotiations, and consider how this project could be valuable to future research.

Dustin Fykstra - Tuesday at 10:00am
Mentor: Alex Bassuk (Pediatric Neurology)
Major: Biomedical Sciences

Role of LJA5 neurons in a pre-clinical model of chronic inflammatory pain
Chronic pain affects millions of people, but current treatments are largely ineffective and impose serious side effects on patients. The development of new therapies requires a greater understanding of the underlying neural circuitry of chronic pain. We have identified a novel population of brainstem neurons, called LJA5, in both mice and humans. LJA5 neurons demonstrate the first known inhibitory projection to selectively target lamina I of the spinal cord, the external sensory region that transmits all ascending information related to pain, itch, and temperature. It was determined that chemogenetically activating LJA5 neurons reduces capsaicin-induced pain and histamine-induced itch behavior. Capsaicin is an active component of chili peppers and is known to induce pain sensation through activation of the TRPV1 receptors in sensory neurons. Likewise, histamine is the most well-studied endogenous agent to evoke itch. This creates the opportunity to suppress pain and itch in a top-down fashion by selectively inhibiting the sensory pathway at the level of the spinal cord. Further, it creates the opportunity to investigate the function of LJA5 neurons in relation to other types of pain and itch sensations. The specific objective of this study is to determine whether chemogenetic activation of LJA5 is sufficient for suppressing chronic inflammatory pain. Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) is used as a preclinical model for chronic inflammatory pain that could occur with rheumatoid arthritis or tendonitis. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether chemogenetic activation of LJA5 neurons is sufficient for suppressing CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain. Preliminary data demonstrate that activating LJA5 neurons reduces capsaicin-induced spontaneous pain in mice. All nociceptive DRG fibers synapse in lamina I of the spinal cord; thus, we hypothesize that chemogenetic activation will also reduce CFA-induced hypersensitivity.

Jason Gao - Monday, November 9, 10:00am
The role of MTDH in alternative splicing regulation
Mentor: Xianbing Meng (Pathology)
Major: Biomedical Sciences

Cristina Garcia - Monday at 4:15pm
NeuN Expression in Auditory Neurons: Defining Degeneration Susceptibility After Deafening
Mentor: Steven Green (Biology)
Major: Neurobiology

NeuN Expression in Auditory Neurons: Defining Degeneration Susceptibility After Deafening
Nearly 466 million people worldwide have hearing impairment, making it the most common sensory abnormality. The most common cause of sensory hearing loss is loss of the auditory receptor cells known as hair cells. Hair cells are connected to the brain by the spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Replacing the auditory function of the hair cells by a cochlear implant can enable a deaf person to hear. However, the cochlear implant depends on functioning SGNs to carry the message to the brain. In animal models, SGNs degenerate after hair cell loss. To determine the cause of SGN degeneration, Dr. Green’s lab investigated gene expression in the deafened rat spiral ganglion and found upregulation of inflammatory markers associated with immune cell activation and infiltration. Immunosuppressive steroids or NSAIDs could protect the neurons suggesting that the neuroinflammation is indeed a cause of SGN death. However, SGNs are not equally susceptible to degeneration, for example, the functionally distinct type I SGNs are more likely to die than are type II SGNs. Type II SGNs express lower levels of the neuron-specific protein NeuN than do type I SGNs. We hypothesized that NeuN expression levels would be related to degeneration patterns of SGNs observed in the cochlea after deafening. Deafened and hearing rat cochlear preparations were immunohistochemically labeled with NeuN. We compared average neuronal NeuN protein immunofluorescence expression levels by cochlear turn in hearing and deafened rats. We found that hearing NeuN expression is positively correlated with degeneration patterns in the cochlea. These results indicate that the immune system may be preferentially targeting neurons for degeneration that also highly express NeuN.

Amy Gottschalk - Wednesday at 1:00pm
Mentor: Marco Hefti (Pathology)
Major: Neuroscience

The Evolution of Microtubule Associate Proteins
Microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) are critical regulators of microtubule stability in neurons. A distinct set of MAPs unique to human neurons have been extensively studied for their role in neuroplasticity and neurodegenerative disease, yet little is known about the evolutionary origins of these proteins. We therefore used InterProScan to identify tubulin binding domains (PFAM00418) in publicly available eukaryotic reference proteomes from UniProt, which consisted of 1,478 species with 785,763,547 proteins. Of that set, 889 proteins were found with tubulin binding domains and were aligned using MUSCLE. Phylogenetic analysis was done using a maximum-likelihood model in MEGA, which displayed four major branches. Vertebrates were organized into three closely related families corresponding to human MAP2, Tau, and MAP4 genes, while invertebrates with large nervous systems showed a separate proliferation of MAPs. The data indicated a lack of correlation between brain size and number of MAPs per species, but interestingly revealed a comparatively substantial number of MAPs in fish. We therefore conclude that the evolution of brain-specific MAPs occurred early in vertebrate evolution and is common among all vertebrates, while a similar process may have occurred in invertebrates. Further investigation is needed to determine the reason behind the amount of MAPs in fish.

Zeya Han - Friday at 10:00am
Mentor: Isaac Petersen (Psychological and Brain Science)
Major: Psychology

Curvilinear Association Between Parental Control and Externalizing Problems in Early Childhood
Previous studies have shown that higher parental control is associated with increased externalizing and internalizing problems during the early school-age years (Bayer et al. 2011). Prior studies have examined primarily linear associations between parental control and externalizing and internalizing problem outcomes. Limited research has explored the shape of the association between parental control and outcomes. It is still unclear how internalizing problems are associated with parental control as well as a more fine-grained correlation between the externalizing/internalizing problems and the different components of parental control, such as physical control, restrictiveness, and lax control (relatively low parental control). In addition, it is not known whether the finding of a curvilinear association between parental control and developmental reported in adolescents can be generalized to early elementary school-age children. Thus, the current study examined whether there is a curvilinear association of parental control with externalizing and internalizing problems in 3—7-year-old children (M = 4.27, SD =1.03). Participants were 68 parent-child dyads from a community sample from the Midwestern U.S. Parents reported on questionnaires that assessed children's externalizing and internalizing problems (Rescorla, 2005), and aspects of parental control (Rohner, 2005), including lax and physical control (Parent & Forehand, 2017), and restrictiveness (Rickel & Biasatti, 1982). We found that either very high or very low parental physical control, but not general parental control, was associated with an increased risk of externalizing problems as rated by mothers (b= .224, F (2, 225) = 5.982, p < .01. R2= .050) and fathers (b=. 225, F (2, 104) = 7.168, p < .01. R2= .121). We did not find a significant association between parental control and internalizing problems. The results suggest that moderate parental physical control is related to a lower risk for children developing externalizing problems. The potential implications will discuss in the presentation.

Chelsea Higgins - Monday at 12:00pm
The consequence of ploidy on regulatory elements
Mentor: Maurine Neiman (Biology)
Major: Biology, Music

Ben Hinz - Tuesday at 10:00am
Mentor: Lori Wallrath (Biochemistry)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Walter the Fly: Modeling Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy in a Fruit Fly
Lamins are filamentous proteins that form a meshwork inside the nuclear envelope. The protein has three distinct domains: the head, rod, and immunoglobulin-like fold. Lamin are found in every tissue of the human body, and are encoded by the LMNA gene. Mutations in the LMNA gene can result in abnormal lamin, which can be responsible for a range of clinical phenotypes, including muscular dystrophy, cardiac disease, lipodystrophy, and premature aging. Our lab is particularly interested in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), which is characterized by muscle contractures, musculoskeletal weakening and deterioration, and heart defects.
I am researching a mutation that affects the rod domain. This mutation in the genome of Walter, an engineering graduate student, who suffers from this mutation and has musculoskeletal problems and cardiac arrhythmia. The goal of my research is to discover the muscle defects caused by Walter’s mutation.
We approached this goal by modeling Walter’s mutation in fruit flies, then investigating the localization of cellular components in muscle tissue using immunohistochemistry. I have observed that Walter’s mutation strikingly mislocalizes his lamins in small lobules within the nucleus, compared to wild-type lamin that tightly and uniformly surrounds the nucleus. In contrast, the other cellular components that I have investigated appear to localize normally. Taken together, my data suggest that Walter’s mutation causes lamins to disrupt the meshwork, giving rise to abnormally shaped nuclei. Future directions will include a physiological analysis of the muscle and effects on heart tissue.

Hiatt Holman - Wednesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Brian Lai (Political Science)
Major: Political Science, Social Studies Education

Michaela Inman - Friday at 3:30pm
Mentor: Julie Vignato (Nursing)
Major: Nursing

Pregnancy Pain Documentation in the EHR…Missing Link for Treatment
The purpose of this study is to determine elements that effect EHR documentation of pregnancy pain treatments from a large Midwest health system. A lack of effective pregnancy pain treatment may lead to sleep loss, depression symptoms, and negative neonatal bonding. Ninety percent of women report pregnancy-related pain, but pain treatment options remain inconclusive. EHR documentation of pregnancy pain treatments may provide insight into the discussion women are having with their providers. The Person-Centered Care Framework for Reproductive Health Equity states that decisions to seek care is influenced by health determinants which may affect pain treatment options. In the EHR, pain is identified through the self-report Numerical Pain Scale rating greater than 4. A retrospective descriptive correlational study was performed using the EHR from 125 randomly selected pregnant women from a larger EHR dataset of 429 women. Maternal inclusion criteria include: (1) Age 18 or older, (2) English-speaking, (3) pregnant, and (4) able to give informed consent. The results were collected and analyzed in SPSS, version 25.0. The women were predominately White (85.6%), having Commercial Insurance (74.4%), and a partner (76.0%). Back/pelvic pain (18.4%) was the most common pain type reported. Approximately, 26.4% self-reported pain via email messages or phone calls. Thirty-three percent reported pain to their provider and received medication, physical therapy, or nonpharmacological measures as treatment while 12% were documented as having pain but no treatment. Fifty-nine percent of women reported an active pregnancy complication or comorbidity such as migraines or preeclampsia. Six women with uncomplicated pregnancies received pain treatments (14.6%), compared to the 34 women with complications who received treatment (45.9%). Complications and treatment were found to be positively correlated r(2) = .33, p < .001. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies experience pain, but it is not documented equitably. Standardizing pain treatment documentation in the EHR may improve understanding of the treatment options being provided to pregnant women with and without pregnancy complications. Treatment equity among pregnant women is critical to improving health outcomes.

Brianna Iverson - Monday at 4:15
Neurodegeneration in the absence of the nuclear protein, Akirin2
Mentor: Joshua Weiner (Biology)
Major: Biology

Neurodegeneration in the absence of the nuclear protein, Akirin2
Akirins (Akis) are small, conserved nuclear proteins that act as intermediaries between transcription factors and chromatin remodelers to regulate genes. Mice have two homologs of the ancestral Aki gene (Aki1 and Aki2). When Aki1 is knocked out, mutant mice are viable and fertile; however, when Aki2 is knocked out mutant mice die early in embryogenesis. The Weiner lab has shown previously that when Aki2 knockout is restricted to early progenitor cells of the cerebral cortex, there is disrupted proliferation, aberrant neuronal differentiation, and massive apoptosis resulting in a near-absence of the cortex and neonatal lethality. I have been working with a colleague in the Weiner lab to characterize additional roles for Aki2 in postmitotic neurons in the postnatal mouse brain. To restrict Aki2 gene knockout to postnatal cortical neurons, we have utilized the CamKII-Cre driver and a conditional mutant allele of Aki2; Cre activity begins in cortical neurons at around postnatal day (P) 16. We have found that by postnatal day 50 (P50), the cortex is substantially thinner in mutants than in controls, and by P150, there is little cortex left. In the knockouts, astrocytes and microglia are activated. This, and neuronal loss, could be consistent with apoptosis as seen in embryonic neural progenitors; however, there is no evidence for apoptosis in the tissue. This has led us to hypothesize that the mechanism of cell death is by necroptosis, and I have characterized the cell swelling that is typical of this form of cell death. My colleague has also found biochemical evidence for necroptotic neuronal death. Thus, when postmitotic cortical neurons lack Aki2, they undergo a slow neurodegeneration that is partially reminiscent of that in human diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. We are currently investigating further the mechanism of Aki2’s role in neuronal maintenance throughout the lifespan.

Jacob Kaufman - Monday at 3:30pm
Mentor: John Murry (Marketing)
Major: Marketing, Management

What's Old Is New Again: How Today's Vaping Marketing Borrows from Banned Tobacco Marketing Strategies of the Past
In this presentation, I will illustrate how the vaping industry has been using and continues to use the same playbook and strategies of the tobacco industry. Featured in this analysis, I will directly compare cigarettes and e-cigarettes on their advertisements, packaging, flavorings, endorsements, marketing campaigns, and overall design in their products to measure their appeals to youth. I will also analyze statements directly from tobacco companies that directly state how they would appeal to children and then evaluate statements from vaping companies like Juul to see how they are similar. Finally, I will make connections to other industries and demonstrate how similar types of government intervention can reduce their harmful effects on the general public.

Sreelakha Kundu - Friday at 3:30pm
Mentor: Hanna Stevens (Psychiatry)
Major: Microbiology

Evaluating P7C3, a novel therapeutic compound, as an approach to reduce chronic stress induced oxidative stress in placenta and offspring brain
Mothers who are exposed to stress during pregnancy are more likely to have children who are at higher risk for neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder. Studies have shown that when mothers experience stress during pregnancy, the development of specific components of the offspring’s brain is delayed, which may contribute to neuropsychiatric risk. The Stevens lab has identified reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated changes in oxidative stress mechanisms to be mediators of delays in brain development due to maternal pregnancy stress. Excess ROS is toxic to cells of the brain but this mechanism may have its origins in placental response to maternal stress. A neuroprotective compound, P7C3, developed by a collaborator of the Stevens lab, lowers ROS production which may be protective for the placenta or offspring brain exposed to maternal stress. Here, we will examine the impact of maternal stress and P7C3 on placental and offspring brain oxidative stress, assessed by quantifying changes in expression of genes in oxidative stress pathways. With expected results from this study, P7C3 could be developed as an intervention for stress-related disorders during pregnancy to protect the neurodevelopment of children by reducing ROS associated damage.

Alexandra Loren - Friday at 10:00am
Maternal administration of P7C3-A20 corrects deficits in prenatally stressed offspring
Mentor: Hannah Stevens (Psychiatry)
Major: Biomedical Sciences)

Haley Losh - Monday, November 9, 10:00 am
Mentor: Kimberly Leslie (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Major: Neuroscience

p53: A Biomarker in Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women and the deadliest gynecologic cancer. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is mutated in 96% of patients with the most common type of ovarian cancer. Normally, p53 induces apoptosis in cells with excessive DNA damage. Mutations abrogate its protective function. The expression of p53 protein by immunohistochemistry (IHC) may provide evidence for the presence of a mutation in the TP53 gene. Specifically, our hypothesis was that the overexpression of p53 by IHC is indicative of a missense mutation. A chart review of 117 ovarian cancer patients treated at UIHC was used to collect data on p53 expression by IHC. DNA sequencing was performed on seventeen of the patient tumors that also had IHC data. By comparing the DNA sequencing and IHC results, we found that nearly all patients with overexpression of p53 by IHC had a missense mutation in TP53. Next steps include determining whether p53 mutations affect sensitivity to standard chemotherapy and identifying the appropriate alternative treatment for patients who are resistant to standard chemotherapy.

Pedro Marra - Friday at 10:30am
Sepsis detection through a bispectral electroencephalography device and its association with delirium
Mentor: Gen Shinozaki (Psychiatry)
Major: Biomedical Sciences

Sepsis detection through a bispectral electroencephalography device and its association with delirium
Background/Objectives: Early and accurate detection and diagnosis of sepsis is the key vital step to improve this devastating condition. Many previous studies have investigated the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in the detection of encephalopathy in the context of delirium and reported largely positive associations between EEG change and sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Because we have previously developed a point-of-care bispectral EEG (BSEEG) device, which was shown to be effective in detecting delirium and predicting patient outcomes, in this study we set the objective of testing the BSEEG approach for sepsis detection.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study with additional chart review using existing data collected through previous clinical observational studies of delirium at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). EEG raw data and calculated BSEEG scores were included in previously collected data. The relationship between BSEEG scores and sepsis and/or delirium was analyzed as well as the association between sepsis and/or delirium and mortality.

Results: Data was analyzed from 629 patients. 1st BSEEG analysis showed a significant difference between patients with or without delirium (p<0.01), but not between patients with or without sepsis (p=0.09). Nonetheless, the MAX BSEEG analysis showed a significant difference between patients with or without delirium (p<0.01) and between patients with or without sepsis (p<0.01).

Conclusion: While the 1st BSEEG score was not significantly different between patients with or without sepsis, the MAX BSEEG score effec

Maria Martin - Thursday at 12:00pm
Mentor: Brian Lai (Political Science)
Major: International Studies

The Politics and Practices of Refugee Resettlement: Determining Factors for Resettlement Protocol
This study’s purpose is to identify factors that influence varying global resettlement methods. Review of migration data and immigration policies of refugee host countries allowed for the investigation of trends in resettlement protocol. More specifically, the correlation between post-WWII UNHCR resettlement data and host state refugee policy revealed prevalent themes in host states’ resettlement protocol. The investigation confirmed the initial hypothesis that evidence supports factors related to social, economic, and political issues influence refugee resettlement protocol.

Cheyenne McGuire - Thursday at 12:00pm
Global Sounds: Ethnomusicology as a Cultural Bridge
Mentor: Trevor Harvey (Ethnomusicology)
Major: English and Creative Writing for Secondary Education

Jade Miller - Monday, November 9, 10:00am
Mentor: Maria Spies (Biochemistry)
Major: Biochemistry

Inhibition of the RAD52 DNA Repair Pathway in BRCA2-deficient Cancer Cells
A common cause of breast and ovarian cancer is the mutation of the BRCA2 tumor suppressor gene, which in healthy cells encodes the BRCA2 DNA repair protein. Cancer cells missing a functional copy of BRCA2 rely on alternative DNA repair processes such as the RAD52 pathway to survive, thus inhibition of RAD52 in BRCA2-deficient cancer cells is synthetically lethal and an attractive cancer therapeutic approach. One such inhibitor is (-)- Epigallocatechin (EGC), but while this natural compound blocks the RAD52-DNA interaction in vitro, it is easily metabolized in vivo, making it an impractical cancer therapeutic. In this study, three synthetic EGC derivatives (R35, R36, R37) were screened using fluorescence-based binding studies and inhibited RAD52 without blocking other useful protein-DNA interactions. Because of their structural similarity to EGC, these compounds were further characterized to provide insight into their properties as RAD52 inhibitors, and were found to have sufficiently low IC50 values to be considered for further studies such as cell survival assays and eventually, in vivo research as a potential cancer treatment strategy.

Marissa Mueller - Tuesday at 9:30am
Mentor: Laura Frey-Law (Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Accelerometry Analysis Options Impact Physical Activity Measurement
Improving objective physical activity measurement has become an important research topic in the past few decades. Such estimates have important applications in areas including but not limited to athletics, patient rehabilitation, weight loss, clinical research, and tactical performance (e.g. U.S. Army). These can be obtained using activity trackers called accelerometers, which sense motion and require many equations and data filters to translate raw data signals into useful metrics (e.g. caloric output, daily steps, or time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity). However, the cumulative effects of these algorithms are not well understood, and technological advancements complicate comparisons to National Physical Activity Guidelines. In seeking to determine how different analysis methods impacted physical activity measurements, we conducted a secondary analysis using wrist-worn accelerometer data from 134 participants. We found that estimates differed dramatically between equations, ranging from a maximum (mean, standard deviation) of 95.2% (30.2%) for time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to 362.0% (253.9%) for caloric output. A data filter, called the low-frequency-extension, nearly doubled the reported number of daily steps but did not notably affect other measures. In contrast, a different correction—which addresses measurements obtained at the hip versus at the wrist—depreciated some estimates, but not others, as well as correlations between accelerometer estimates and information from self-report activity logs. Differences between methods were even greater when multiple factors were considered simultaneously. This indicates that these algorithms, though previously validated, are not interchangeable. Physical activity measurements are highly dependent on analysis specifications, which emphasizes a need for standardization across clinical applications. Our lab is now working to further assess how incidental lifestyle physical activity impacts, or can be differentiated from, engagement in purposeful physical activity. This may inform the development of future national Physical Activity Guidelines, related algorithms, and accelerometer applications across healthcare, research, and recreational settings.

Madison Nastruz - Thursday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Caterina Lamuta (Mechanical Engineering)
Major: (Biomedical Engineering)

Motorized Laparoscopy
Laparoscopic surgeries are often done with two surgeons. One holds the camera, and the other does the surgery. This causes multiple issues around communication, stability, and control throughout the surgery. Using Creo, we then developed a motorized arm to hold a laparoscope, allowing it to be steady, and have it be controlled by the feet of the surgeon performing the operation. When it is completed, there will only need to be one surgeon, and they will be less frustrated by the quality of the camera view.

Katarina Newcamp - Wednesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Brian Lai (Political Science)
Major: Political Science

James Paulson - Thursday at 1:30pm
Mentor: James Buchholz (Mechanical Engineering)
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Effects of Inflow Velocity Profile and Rotational Accelerations on LEV Formation for a Revolving Wing
Rotating wings and blades are ubiquitous in natural and engineered systems, such as aircraft propellers and rotors, turbine engines, and the flapping flight of insects and birds. It is well-established that the rotating environment can significantly enhance aerodynamic loads in comparison to linear motion of lifting bodies. An aspect ratio 10 rectangular wing is revolved in a cylindrical domain at 45-degree angle of incidence, and the chord Reynolds number Re = 300 (at r/c = 2.0). Four cases are considered. Case A has an approach velocity which varies linearly with the distance from the axis of rotation and Coriolis and centripetal (i.e. rotational) accelerations are active. Case B implements the same inflow but without rotational accelerations. In cases C and D, the rotational accelerations are the same as A and B, respectively; however, the inflow velocity is uniform along the span. Each case exhibits different behavior of the leading-edge vortex (LEV), demonstrating that inflow shear and rotational accelerations both govern LEV attachment. A stable, coherent, attached LEV was only observed in Case A, Case B and C exhibited moderate LEV stability at different points in the rotation, and Case D exhibited no LEV stability at any point in the flow. Consideration of these results reveals that inflow velocity gradient appears to govern leading edge vortex attachment early in the rotation while the rotational effects are important later in the rotation.

Paige Pearson - Wednesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Sylvia Mikucki-Enyart (Communication Studies)
Major: Communication Studies, English and Creative Writing

Sexual Satisfaction & Entertainment Media as Sexual Socialization Agent
The research assessing the correlation of scripted televised media and the possible affect it may have in influencing expectations and behaviors in sexual relationships has not been thoroughly explored. This study addresses how use of scripted television media with depictions of sexual relationships may relate to sexual satisfaction within relationships of emerging adults’ (ages 18 – 29). It aims to provide clarity and address the gap in research of sexual satisfaction and entertainment media by analyzing correlations found in scripted televised media consumption that discusses and/or displays sexual topics and sexual satisfaction within relationships. This study *pending IRB approval at the moment* draws upon a survey filled out by X individuals to assess the level of sexual satisfaction they have experienced with a single partner within the past 12 months and separately gathers information regarding a single Netflix show that contains sexually explicit content. The analyzed sexual satisfaction will then be placed in conversation with the theories of entertainment persuasion and sexual socialization. The goal of this study is to gauge entertainment media’s ability to be used as an educational tool for sexual satisfaction in emerging adults.

Josh Peterson - Wednesday at 3:00pm
Mentor: Marcelo Correia (Internal Medicine)
Major: Biology, Biochemistry

Olivia Powers - Tuesday at 9:30
Mentor: Jason Wilken (Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Reliability and Validity of 3D Limb Scanning for Ankle Foot Orthosis Fitting
Background: Recent decreases in the cost of 3D scanners and improved functionality have resulted in increased adoption for ankle foot orthosis (AFO) fittings, despite limited supporting data. In order for 3D limb scanning to be a feasible alternative to traditional casting methods, a consistent and accurate representation of limb geometry must be produced at a reasonable cost.

Objective: To evaluate the repeatability and validity of multiple lower limb measurements obtained using low-cost 3D limb scanning technology.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, crossover-controlled, cross-sectional, reliability and validity study.

Methods: Physical measurements and 3D limb scans were completed for 30 participants. Eleven measurements were selected for comparison based on their relevance to AFO fittings. Correlations and root mean square differences were calculated between scan and physical measurements. Intrarater-intersession reliability of caliper measurements was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ICC and minimal detectable change (MDC). ICC and MDC values for scan based measurements were calculated for intrarater-intersession, interrater-intrasession, and interrater-intersession comparisons.

Results: All correlation values were above or equal to 0.80. Most ICC values were above 0.95. MDC values for caliper and scan based measurements differed by less than 2.0 mm. MDC values were around or below 4 mm for foot and ankle measures, and under 6mm for circumference and length measures.

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that low-cost 3D limb scanning can be used to obtain valid and reliable measurements of 3D limb geometry for the purpose of AFO fitting, when collected using the clinically relevant standardized conditions presented here.

Ashley Preston - Friday at 10:00 am
Aggregating Behavior of Keratinocytes
Mentor: Edward Sander (Biomedical Engineering)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Salvatore Quaid - Thursday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Vincent Rodgers (Physics)
Major: Physics, Astronomy

Geodesics
The presentation will begin with a short introduction to what geodesics are and what the geodesic equation is. I will then show examples of geodesics as an explanation for the Perihelion shift with a special focus on the planet mercury’s perihelion shift. I will end by showing the geodesics of objects orbiting Sagittarius A* and how they follow the geodesic solutions for a Schwarzchild black hole with the currently accepted mass of the black hole, and how I am currently searching for a Reissner-Nordstrom blackhole with a different mass and some other type of charge which may only be seen in its effects on gravity.

Tyler Roth - Thursday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Phil Kaaret (Physics and Astronomy)
Major: Astronomy, Physics

Soft x-ray detection for small satellites with a commercial CMOS sensor
Imaging is central to astronomy, but imaging of x-rays usually requires complex and expensive detector systems on space borne observatories. Recent advances in radiation sensing technology have led to the development of sensors based on CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology that provide greatly enhanced performance at substantially reduced costs relative to previous technologies. An example of this is the photographic sensors in cell phones, based on CMOS technology, that enable one to take photographs with a compact, low-cost digital device that rival the quality obtained from bulky and expensive digital cameras only a few years ago. We investigate the performance of a commercially available CMOS sensor as an x-ray imaging spectrometer for potential use on an x-ray observatory using experiments we conducted with the Advanced Photon Source x-ray synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois

Elias Schaeffer - Wednesday at 1:00pm
Mentor: Terry Braun (Biomedical Engineering)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Novel Variant Discovery with Matched Neuroendocrine Tumor and Normal Samples
Cancer research and treatment remains difficult because tumors and variants are patient specific. To help alleviate this, we are working to discover disease-causing variants. In this work we used sequencing data from 21 peripheral blood mononuclear cell and matched tumor samples. GATK, Strelka, VEP, and bcftools were used to perform variant calling, and filtering strategies devised to help with assessment. Variants are evaluated on minor allele frequency (MAF), concordance between variant callers, and pathogenicity prediction scores to determine variants associated with cancer.

Anastasia Scholze - Thursday at 12:00pm
Sounding Cinema
Mentor: Nathan Platte (Musicology)
Major: Voice Performance

Sounding Cinema
In this podcast series titled “Sounding Cinema,” we explore musical qualities of film sound, starting with two episodes on the film adaptation of the musical West Side Story (1961). By listening closely to West Side Story first, we can hear director Robert Wise’s unique approach to the film musical and present an introduction to this director whose movies we take a special interest in. We approach this project from a musicological perspective and consider background scores, sound effects, speaking, and singing. Using a podcast format to present research findings allows us to present information and sonic examples of this content in a creative way. Along with analysis of film sound and music, we are able to bring back into the spotlight those who are essential to the creative process but are often overlooked. We look at contemporary news sources, documentaries, memoirs, and scholarly books, along with interviewing authors of these sources and speaking with experts in the industry of film, film music, and media.

Kamara Shaw - Wednesday at 1:00pm
Mentor: Shannon Watkins (Community and Behavioral Health)
Major: Public Health

E-cigarette cessation on Reddit: How users discuss their cessation experience, social support, and recommendations to quit.
Background: There are few evidence-based resources or materials for cessation from e-cigarettes. Understanding how e-cigarette users discuss and approach cessation is important for the creation of future programs. The purpose of this research is to describe conversations about e-cigarette cessation on Reddit, including reported motivations for cessation, experienced facilitators and barriers, social support, and recommendations.
Methods: In two subreddit communities of e-cigarette users who are trying to quit, we searched for posts using five search terms (“advice”, “help”, “recommendations”, “support”, and “tips”) and randomly selected 20 posts. In total, 202 posts were saved as a PDF. We developed a codebook with eight codes and 17 subcodes. Each post was documented on an Excel spreadsheet and marked if the criteria for a code was met as defined in the codebook. Each post was sorted by code for data reduction and thematic analysis.
Findings: Subreddits become a form of social support, particularly for users who are keeping their e-cigarette addiction hidden from friends and family members. Writers of original posts (OPs) share personal stories about their cessation struggles and successes. Often, posts solicited advice or motivate other Reddit users who are quitting or want to quit using e-cigarettes. Commenters answer questions and show support by offering words of encouragement for those who are struggling to quit. Additionally, subreddits are a place for the exchange of advice about products to use, choosing a time to quit, behavioral changes that should be made for a successful cessation attempt, and how to cope with withdrawal symptoms.
Conclusion: By understanding how e-cigarette users describe their cessation experience, more information will be available to develop evidence-based cessation strategies and programs in the future. Knowing what kinds of advice and tips are being shared will be important for the formation of programs targeted to the needs of e-cigarette users aiming for cessation.

Kartik Sivakumar - Tuesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Nandakumar Narayanan (Neurology)
Major: Neuroscience

Midbrain Dopamine Depletion Disrupts Interval Timing: Relevance for Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive dopamine loss and significant deterioration of motor and cognitive processes. Current treatments for PD primarily target motor deficits, but a significant percentage of PD patients also suffer from cognitive symptoms. A stronger understanding of the neural circuitry involved in cognitive dysfunction of PD is essential for creating more comprehensive treatments. The Narayanan lab studies cognition through interval timing, a dopamine-dependent cognitive task that is reliably impaired in PD patients. We hypothesized that the substantia nigra (SN) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), key brain regions involved in dopamine signaling, differentially modulate interval timing behavior. To test this, we depleted dopamine in the SN or VTA of C57 mice and studied the effects on an operant-based interval timing task in which mice are trained to time their movements to receive a reward. Our results suggest that SN dopamine depletion delays the timing of motor responses (impaired accuracy) while VTA dopamine depletion increases the variability of timed motor responses (impaired precision).

Kate Snodgrass - Monday at 3:00pm
“I read one comment and put my Juul away. I read another and pick it up!”: A Qualitative Analysis of Changes in E-cigarette Use Behaviors During COVID-19 on Reddit
Mentor: Shannon Watkins (Community and Behavioral Health)
Major: Public Health, Computer Science, Geography

Eleanor Sullivan - Friday at 10:30am
Mentor: Gen Shinozaki (Psychiatry)
Major: Biomedical Engineering

Effects of Infection and Anti-inflammatory Agents on Dementia and Delirium
In the current aging society, both dementia and delirium create significant burdens. Both dementia and delirium are thought to be related to neuroinflammation. This association suggests that infections, which can cause systemic inflammation, may increase the risk for both these conditions and that anti-inflammatory agents may decrease the risk for these conditions. We utilized chart review of enrolled subjects to analyze history of infection, anti-inflammatory medication, and dementia as well as their Delirium Observation Screening Scores during the enrollment hospitalization. Analysis of this data gave the odds ratios for delirium and dementia when exposed to anti-inflammatory medications or infections. Intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR 0.38 CI 0.24 to 0.59) and any anti-inflammatory medication (OR 0.53 CI 0.35 to 0.80) decreased risk of delirium. No association was seen between delirium and aspirin, glucosamine, or other anti-inflammatory agents. Contrary to expectations, some infections, including respiratory infections (OR 0.62 CI 0.39 to 0.98), wound and surgical site infections (OR 0.42 CI 0.20 to 0.91), and other infections (OR 0.64 CI 0.42 to 0.98), led to a decreased risk of delirium. Sepsis increased the risk of delirium (OR 2.00 CI 1.06 to 3.75). No association was seen between delirium and urinary tract infections or shingles. Risk of dementia was increased with history of any anti-inflammatory medication (OR 2.78 CI 1.53 to 5.05). No association was seen between infections or specific anti-inflammatory agents (Aspirin, NSAID, Glucosamine, or other) and dementia. It is unclear if history of infection is a risk factor for delirium or dementia. However, these results may indicate the anti-inflammatory agents, especially NSAIDS, are protective against delirium and risk factors for dementia.

Steve Tammes - Thursday at 1:30
Mentor: Phil Kaaret
Major: Physics, Astronomy

Soft X-ray Detection for Small Satellites with a Commercial CMOS Sensor
Imaging is central to astronomy, but imaging of x-rays usually requires complex and expensive detector systems on space borne observatories. Recent advances in radiation sensing technology have led to the development of sensors based on CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology that provide greatly enhanced performance at substantially reduced costs relative to previous technologies. An example of this is the photographic sensors in cell phones, based on CMOS technology, that enable one to take photographs with a compact, low-cost digital device that rival the quality obtained from bulky and expensive digital cameras only a few years ago. We investigate the performance of a commercially available CMOS sensor as an x-ray imaging spectrometer for potential use on an x-ray observatory using experiments we conducted with the Advanced Photon Source x-ray synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois

Hanxi Tang - Wednesday at 1:00pm
Functional significance of morphological change in neurons caused by voltage-gated sodium channel gene modifiers
Mentor: Toshihiro Kitamoto (Anesthesia)
Major: Biology

Jacob Tinker - Friday at 3:30pm
Mentor: Terry Wahls (Internal Medicine)
Major: Human Physiology

Health Behaviors Study for RRMS and CIS Patients Recruitment
Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a form of MS in which an individual experiences consistent symptom flare-ups or relapses. Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a disease course of multiple sclerosis in which brain inflammation or demyelination causes an episode of neurologic symptoms that last longer than 24 hours. The Wahls Health Behaviors Study aims to compare treatment of patients with RRMS or CIS that have been diagnosed within the last twelve months. The intervention study arm involves following a paleo diet is gluten, dairy, and egg-free and emphasizes eating nine servings of various vegetables per day. The observation arm is defined by the patient receiving any form of treatment they see fit. Potential participants are first exposed to the study through an online screening survey. The survey contains numerous exclusion criteria that must all be met in order to qualify. Qualified participants are then contacted by the study and must complete a consent to obtain (CTO) medical information form. The study team will then contact the patient’s neurologist’s office to obtain medical records that confirm each patient’s diagnosis. Upon receiving the records each patient will complete a pre-enrollment and consent phone call to confirm their qualification and interest in the study. Participants will complete two virtual study visits twelve months apart. Study arms will be compared based on self-reported surveys from all patients that describe quality of life and symptoms related to their diagnosis.

The Dietary Approaches to Treating MS Related Fatigue study aims to treat symptoms of RRMS through dietary intervention. Potential participants are first exposed to the study through an online screening survey. The survey contains numerous exclusion criteria that must all be met in order to qualify. When the participant completes the survey in correspondence with the screening criteria, they are presented with another survey consisting of seven questions called the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Participants must again score above the appropriate threshold to qualify for the study. When a participant has qualified, they must then gather a consent to obtain (CTO) medical information form and a neurology verification form (NVF) from their neurologist. When the participant has provided these documents to the study team, they will then schedule their first of four visits. This project aims to identify common issues as to why qualified study subjects are unable to participate in the study.

Dane Tow - Monday, November 9, 10:00 am
The role of MTDH in alternative splicing regulation
Mentor: Xianbing Meng (Pathology)
Major: Biomedical Science

Ryan Van Daele - Thursday at 11:00 am
Mentor: Johna Leddy (Chemistry)
Major: Chemistry

Kai Vessey - Thursday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Caterina Lamuta (Mechanical Engineering)
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Brant Walker - Monday at 3:00pm
Mentor: Jeff DeSimone (Economics)
Major: Economics, Mathematics

Revisting the Impact of Ignition Interlock Devices
We study the impact of Ignition Interlock Laws (IILs) on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests. These laws have been promoted as effective policies to reduce drunk driving while producing little disruption in individual's lives. Our analysis uses panel data from 1999-2018 provided by the Uniform Crime Reporting Program of the FBI. Our preferred estimates show the introduction of a strong IIL, or laws that require the installation of a device for all DUI offenders, reduce DUI arrests by 5.78\%. Weak IILs, or laws that only require installation of a device for some offenders, have no effect. These estimates are consistent through a series of robustness tests, do not vary by gender, and are relatively constant through time. Though DUI arrests are not a suitable substitute for impaired driving behavior, this analysis provides a broader understanding of the impact these popular policies have on the prevalent issue of drunk driving

Sydney Walker - Tuesday at 10:00am
Mentor: Margaret Ketterer (Biochemistry)
Major: Biochemistry

How did an Olympic Hurdler Escape Muscular Dystrophy?
Jill Viles and Priscilla Lopes-Schliep are two women who have experienced contrasting adult lifestyles due to differences in their physique. Jill is confined to a wheelchair, while Priscilla is an Olympic bronze medalist. Surprisingly, these two individuals possess a mutation in the LMNA gene. Mutations in this gene cause a collection of diseases known as laminopathies, which include muscular dystrophy and a fat disorder called lipodystrophy. Jill has muscular dystrophy and lipodystrophy while Priscilla has only lipodystrophy. Little is known about the cause of these disorders and currently, there are no treatments.
The LMNA gene encodes lamins, filamentous proteins that form a meshwork on the inner side of the nuclear envelope. Lamins provide structural support for the nucleus and organize the genomic DNA for proper gene expression. The focus of my research is to understand how and why Jill’s mutation affects muscle and Priscilla’s does not. To address this issue, fruit fly models of Jill and Priscilla have been generated. I have performed immunohistochemistry on fruit fly muscles expressing mutant lamins. I have found that muscles expressing Jill’s mutation are more fragile than those expressing Priscilla’s mutation. I have also found that Jill’s mutant lamin mislocalized to the cytoplasm while Priscilla’s caused abnormal nuclear shape. Taken together, these data indicate that the fly models recapitulate aspects of the human disease. Future studies will include tests of muscle function and assaying triglyceride levels.

Laura Weiler - Thursday at 11:00am
Mentor: James Shepherd (Chemistry)
Major: Physics, Computer Science

How to machine learn the long-range interactions in metals
The transition structure factor is a component of the energy that arises from interactions between electrons in a system. More distant electrons are coupled by interactions which tend towards lower momentum and information about these interactions are absent from high accuracy treatments of materials. Here, we hypothesize that this missing information can be filled in with machine learning and test our hypothesis using calculations of simple metals.

Haley Wolf - Tuesday at 9:30
Mentor: Lucas Carr (Health and Human Physiology)
Major: Health and Human Physiology

Increasing Physical Activity in AYA Cancer Survivors Using an mHealth Intervention
Approximately 70,000 adolescent and young adult (AYA)aged patients (13-39 years) are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. Many endure negative physical, psychological, and social effects related to their cancer treatment, reducing their health-related quality of life. Physical activity is one strategy that has been shown to improve these negative effects among adult and pediatric cancer patients. However, very little research has focused on physical activity interventions for AYA cancer survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study pilot study is to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 6-week mobile health (mHealth) physical activity intervention among AYA cancer survivors being treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Eligible participants will receive a Fitbit activity monitor and access to our mHealth physical activity intervention for 6 weeks. The intervention will include regular motivational messages to encourage activity, a social media thread to provide social support, and a series of fun virtual walking races. We will recruit AYA cancer survivors between 13-39 years to participate and we test the impact of the intervention over 6 weeks.

Annamarie Yamamoto - Wednesday at 3:00pm
Mentor: Amy Lee (Molecular Physiology and Biophysics)
Major: Neuroscience

CaBP1 Represses Axonal Growth in DRGNs Through Gene Transcription Dependent Pathways
Mature dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs) have limited capacity to regenerate functional axons after injuries such as physical accidents, diabetes, and chemotherapy. However, there is currently no curative therapy which can regenerate damaged axons to restore function. Therefore, the goal of this study is to understand the basic mechanisms that regulate axonal growth which can help the development of novel approaches to promote regeneration after nerve injury or neuropathy. Previously our lab has shown that Calcium Binding Protein1 (CaBP1) regulates L-type calcium channels and their coupling to neurite growth by gene transcription regulation in mouse spiral ganglion neurons. This result led us to the hypothesis that CaBP1 is a negative regulator of neurite growth in sensory neurons. Mouse primary DRGNs cultures demonstrate that DRGNs from CaBP1 knock out (KO) mice have increased neurite regrowth compared to WT DRGNs. However, it still unknown if CaBP1 has a role in DRGNs axonal regeneration after injury. To investigate this, we cultured DRGNs from adult mice utilizing the replating assay, a previously described experiment that is used to recapitulate axotomy in vitro. This assay is also a tool to distinguish between transcription dependent and independent pathways utilizing a pharmacological approach. DRGN cultures were immunofluorescence labeled and images were collected by fluorescence microscopy and analyzed by NeuronJ to determine the length of the longest axon. DRGNs culture from CaBP1 KO mice had increased axonal length compared to the wild type (WT) DRGNs after in vitro axotomy. CaBP1 KO DRGNs were also more sensitive to transcription inhibitor compared to WT DRGNs. Our findings indicate that CaBP1 KO DRGNs increased axonal length after in vitro axotomy might be dependent on transcriptional regulation. In the future, we aim to further investigate what transcription pathways are altered in CaBP1 KO DRGNs to determine how axonal growth is increased.

Hannah Zadeh - Wednesday at 1:30pm
Mentor: Louise Seamster (Sociology)
Major: Sociology, Psychology

What to do with Structured Unstructuctured Data: Working with Emails from the Flint Water Crisis
In 2016, then-governor of Michigan Rick Snyder released a large corpus of emails following public pressure for transparency after the devastating effects of the city's switch to the Flint River were beginning to become clear. This public archive's utility for contributing to the ongoing work led by Flint residents investigating how and why the Flint Water Crisis happened has been impeded by the disorganized form in which it was released. This project, as a part of the Flint Email Lab at the University of Iowa, seeks to transform this "structured unstructured" dataset into a searchable database of emails that can be easily accessed and used by the public. To do this, the archive in its original pdf form was run through optical character recognition (OCR) and the resulting raw text files are being cleaned and restructured in Python. The unique methodology required by this project exemplifies the interdependence between qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology, as well as the potential of iterative strategies for working with novel datasets.