University of Utah Undergraduate Research Abstracts, Volume 10, Spring 2010

009_Undergraduate Abstracts

THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 5 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Shawn Allen David Stevenson ANALYSIS OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND FRACTURES IN CHILDREN WITH NF1 Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder of the Ras-MAPK pathway, (affecting 1/3000) presents early on in childhood. Previous studies have shown abnormalities of bone structure and bone mineral density (BMD) leading to fracture, scoliosis, and pseudarthrosis. NF1 are also reported to have poor motor coordination. It is known that muscular forces impact bone accrual, and we hypoth-esize that decreased muscular strength contributes to BMD and fractures in NF1. Methods: 37 NF1 individuals and 37 age- and gender-matched controls (+/- 1yr) were evaluated. Grip strength was measured using a validated grip strength dynamometer. Two measurements of each hand were taken and the calculated average recorded. Fracture histories were obtained in order to compare fracture rates of the two groups. Grip strength was not available on all individuals in which fracture his-tory was available, leading to 2 cohorts ("grip strength cohort" and "fracture history cohort"). The grip strength cohort included 15 NF1 individuals and 15 controls, while the fracture cohort included all 72 individuals. Results: The fracture cohort consisted of 20 males and 17 females in each group (mean age of NF1 and controls was 10 years; range 3-22 years). 27% of controls and 32% of NF1 individuals reported at least 1 fracture. The grip strength cohort consisted of 9 males and 6 females in each group (mean age of NF1 and con-trols was 9 years; range 4-21 years). The mean grip strength value of the controls was 14.18 kg (range 0- 51.0) and 7.21 kg (range 0-29.5) for NF1 individuals. Discussion: There was a 2-fold decrease in grip strength in NF1 individuals suggesting that muscular strength is decreased in NF1 children. In addition, the fracture rate was slightly increased in NF1. NF1 individuals have decreased BMD which may contribute to increased fractures, and physical therapy pro-grams to increased muscular strength and bone loading may improve BMD and fractures in NF1. We are currently in the process of performing a multilinear regression analysis controlling for variables asso-ciated with fractures (eg. age, gender, physical activity and calcium intake) in order to validate our pre-liminary results in a larger group of NF1 individuals and controls. Shawn Allen (David Stevenson) Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics University of Utah 6 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 THE SCARS OF DISASTER: THREE CITIES TRANSFORMED BY FIRE How do we react when our cities crumble and burn to the ground? How are we equipped to rebuild them? These questions, as well as the constant threat of catastrophe in our own community living on a fault-line, prompted my research exploring the narratives of three cities that have undergone forms of incredible devastation to lead ultimately to an artistic project that could bring these matters to life visually. I chose three different time periods and locations in an attempt to show that disasters are a universal reality for all communities: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 in Tokyo, and the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. Although these subjects are immensely complex on their own it was important for me to find parallels between them to illustrate how disasters can be very telling of how societies mirror and reflect each other in sometimes unfortunate ways. Although the rebuilding of a city after a horrible catastrophe demands a great communal cooperation and a generous spirit of collectivism, there is always the reality of lurking opportunists, desperate victims, angry groups that desire blame and vengeance, and violent mob-rule that can cause a great deal of havoc before order is re-established. The situation usually boils down to economics and power-relations that were preex-isting and only accentuated by the disaster. The challenge of constructing visual art from these subjects was my next concern. How could these histories be recreated through visual media? I wanted to maintain a connection to the technologies of the period under study or to mimic what I found in the media of the time in sources like newspa-pers, documents, or illustrations. These considerations led to decisions such as the setting of type and letterpress-printing of forms and broadsides advertising relief for the Chicago piece; the updating of traditional Japanese Namazu-e (catfish-prints) to create a modern version for today's Tokyo while still employing traditional woodcut techniques; or digitally manipulating images from the 1992 media coverage of the Rodney King trial and ensuing riots following the acquittal of the four police officers charged with excessive force. I was also interested in using the forces of destruction directly in my working processes experimenting primarily with kerosene and "painting" with fire on a large construct-ed wooden map of 1871 Chicago. As a whole, this project ultimately allowed me the opportunity to selectively re-construct history using a variety of media that I deemed appropriate for the context of each event. John Andrews John Andrews (Justin Diggle) Department of Art and Art History University of Utah THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 7 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Daniel Angerbauer Angela Wang CLINICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE EFFICACY OF ACUPUNCTURE IN TREATING LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS Objective: To examine in a prospective fashion, the treatment effects of acupuncture on patients with lateral epicondylitis. Methods: New patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were measured at baseline levels for pain and grip strength using a visual analog pain scale and a Jamar dynamometer, respectively. All patients received six identical acupuncture treatments from the same acupuncturist at approximately one week intervals. Patients were again measured for pain and grip strength at 1, 3, and 6 months after comple-tion of their treatment. Results: Eighteen patients enrolled in the study and showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in pain at 1, 3, and 6 months compared to baseline levels. There was no statistically significant increase in grip strength over baseline measurements at any of the follow-up times. Conclusions: Our findings support other studies in the literature showing acupuncture as an effective treatment of lateral epicondylitis. At all of our follow-ups, there was a statistically significant decrease in pain compared to baseline levels. We do realize that we cannot differentiate clearly between the results of acupuncture versus the natural history of healing for lateral epicondylitis in our study. Therefore, to determine the treatment effects of acupuncture on lateral epicondylitis in the long-term, further research needs to be done with larger sample sizes, consistent follow up, and control groups. Grip strength does not appear to correlate with a decrease in pain in this condition. Daniel Angerbauer (Angela Wang) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Utah 8 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN'S EMOTION REGULATION STRATEGIES AND FAMILY FACTORS Recent research has demonstrated the impact that development of effective emotion regulation has on other areas of children's development. The achievement of successful emotion regulation brings about social competence in peer relationships and family interaction, the ability to deal positively with stress, and lower levels of problem behavior (Diener & Kim, 2004; Compas, Connor-Smith, Saltzman, Thomsen, & Wadsworth, 2001). A number of studies have also clearly established the role a secure parent-child attachment plays in influencing competence in nearly every realm of human life (see Bowlby, 1958; Sroufe, 1983; Ainsworth, 1984). The present study, part of a larger ongoing project, examines how strategies school-age children use to regulate their emotions in the presence of stressful parent interaction are related to multiple family factors, including the children's perceived attachment security to the parents. The larger study included 100 first-, third- and fifth-grade children, ages 6 to 11 years old, and their parents. Attachment was measured via self-report questionnaires, and videotapes of family and parent discussions were coded for the children's emotion regulation, parental supportive-ness, and parental negativity. Gender and age differences exist in emotion regulation strategies and were controlled. Children's emotion regulation strategies were associated with both children's perceptions of attach-ment security and parents' adult attachment styles. For example, children's greater perceived attach-ment security to both parents was associated with greater positive affect and engaging parents about their marital discussion task. Children whose mothers had high avoidance in their own adult attach-ment relationships exhibited more dysregulation and attention-getting behavior. Children whose mothers reported being ambivalent in their adult attachments were more likely to distract themselves, sooth themselves, and wander during the task. Greater attachment security in parents and children appears to be related to more effective emotion regulation strategies, whereas insecure attachment patterns are related to less effective coping. In addition to attachment security, observed quality of family interaction was also related to children's emotion regulation. Marital conflict that escalated negatively during the discussion predicted more attention-getting and externalizing strategies in the children. Results also indicated that an increase in parents' supportiveness was associated with a decrease in children's use of attention-getting and exter-nalizing emotion regulation strategies. These results point to the importance of family factors in chil-dren's development of emotion regulation strategies. Parents model coping strategies, and children may learn emotion regulation through everyday family life. Although previous research has focused mainly on infants and preschool children's attachment security, the present study indicates that attach-ment security and family interaction are important predictors of socioemotional development even in grade-school children. References Ainsworth, M. D. S. (1984). Attachment. In N. S. Endler & J. McV. Hunt (Eds.), Personality and the behavioral disorders, 1, 559-602. New York: Wiley. Bowlby, J. (1958). The nature of the child's tie to his mother. International Journal of Psycho-analysis, 39, 350-373. Compas, B. E., Connor-Smith, J. K., Saltzman, H., Thomsen, A. H., & Wadsworth, M. E. (2001). Coping with stress during childhood and adolescence: Problems, progress, and potential in theory and research. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 87-127. Diener, M., & Kim, D-Y. (2004). Maternal and child predictors of preschool children's social competence. Applied Developmental Psychology, 25, 3-24. Sroufe, L. A., Fox, N. E. Pancake, V. R. (1983). Attachment and dependency in developmental perspective. Child Development, 54, 1615-1627. Jacqueline Askvig Jacqueline Askvig (Marissa Diener) Department of Family and Consumer Studies University of Utah Marissa Diener THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 9 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Craig Barton John Bosse DIETARY CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION INFLUENCES THE SEVERITY OF VASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS While the impact of salt consumption on blood pressure (BP) in humans and experimental animals has been well studied, the role of fat and sugar in clinically relevant models of hypertension is unclear. We evaluated BP in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY; a "control" / normoten-sive rat for the SHR) rats that consumed standard (CON, 10% fat, 34% sucrose, 36% starch, 20% protein) or high-fat (HF, 60% fat, 6% sucrose, 14% starch, 20% protein) chow from 6-16 weeks of age. As expect-ed, BP (mmHg) was elevated (p<0.05) in SHR-CON (159 mmHg ± 2) vs. WKY-CON rats (118 mmHg ± 2), and in SHR-HF (144 mmHg ± 2) vs. WKY-HF animals (118 mmHg ± 2). Interestingly, hypertension was less severe (p<0.05) in SHR-HF vs. SHR-CON rats. While the latter finding was unexpected, one explana-tion might involve the lower sucrose and starch content of the HF diet. In this regard, vascular function might be better preserved in SHR-HF vs. SHR-CON mice, and thus precipitate lower BP. To investigate this, 6 week old SHR and WKY rats consumed HF or CON diets for 10 weeks. Mesenteric and femoral arteries were excised from each animal, mounted on wire-type myographs, and their function was assessed using isometric tension techniques. To evaluate endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation dose-response curves to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, respectively, were per-formed. To assess receptor-mediated and non receptor-mediated vasoconstriction dose-response curves to phenylephrine and potassium chloride, respectively, were completed. To determine basal nitric oxide production, tension development in response to NG monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) was performed. Compared to SHR-CON rats we expect to observe: 1) greater endothelium-dependent relax-ation; 2) similar endothelium-independent vasorelaxation; 3) less receptor and non-receptor mediated vasocontraction; and 4) greater L-NMMA-induced contraction, in vessels from SHR-HF rats. Craig Barton, John Bosse (J. David Symons) College of Health, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes University of Utah J. David Symons 10 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 RADIATION DOSE AND SHIELDING IN A WORKING ENVIRONMENT CONTAINING RADIOACTIVITY In any activities involving radioactivity, radiation dose is always a major concern. It is crucial to make sure that the radiation dose is within safe limits for any persons exposed to it. Once that is established, it is still always optimal to find ways to decrease the dose to as minimal value as possible. This schematic is applied in practically every working environment containing radiation. This can take place at anywhere from a nuclear power plant to astronauts in space crafts exposed to cosmic radia-tion. In our case, UNEP has several neutron sources in a designated source room. The main sources of radia-tion are a 241- AmBe sealed source and Cf-252 sealed source. These neutron sources generate gamma-rays, alpha particles, and neutrons. The sources already have some shielding. However, whenever it is required to move a source a person must enter the room. For this reason the project addressed the design of shielding in the source room. First, measurements were taken and then a map of the flux of the gamma and neutron radiation was created. With the flux map we were able to determine the hotspots in the room. This told us where we needed to focus our attention on increasing shielding. Alterations to the shielding were done with high density concrete bricks. To evaluate the results the flux of the radiation in the room was recalculated. The rooms' average radia-tion count per second went down by approximately 16%, and at the peak areas, the radiation was decreased by as high as 75%. This project was a success. The dose acquired by any one occupying any time in the source room has been effectively decreased. Olga Baykova (Tatjana Jevremovic , Dong-OK Choe) Department of Nuclear Engineering Olga Baykova University of Utah Tatjana Jevremovic THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 11 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS THE ROLE OF GLUT-1 ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY In order for the heart to meet its substantial energy requirements, it is capable of metabolizing a variety of metabolic substrates. Metabolism of fatty acids accounts for the majority of ATP production in the adult heart with the remaining being derived from glucose and lactate. Glucose entry into the heart is mediated by the glucose transport family (GLUT 1-12), of those, GLUT 1 and GLUT 4, being the most highly expressed. It has been demonstrated that life-long overexpression of GLUT1 in mouse cardiomy-ocytes protects the heart against the development of contractile dysfunction in mice subjected to aor-tic constriction. These results support the hypothesis that increase in glucose utilization may be cardio-protective in the onset of pressure overload hypertrophy. Therefore, we hypothesized that cardiomy-ocyte- restricted GLUT1 KO mice will lack the protective effects conferred by GLUT1 and increased glu-cose uptake in the context of pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy , and therefore, are not going to be able to metabolically adapt, becoming more susceptible to impaired contractile function. Hence, the overall aim of this study is to investigate how GLUT1 KO mice will respond to pressure overload hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic banding. For that 8-10 week-old male WT and GLUT1KO mice will be subjected to transverse aortic banding for 4 weeks, after which cardiac function will be assessed by echocardiography. Heart metabolism will be measured in isolated working hearts. Heart weight to tibia length measurements and western blots for hypertrophy markers will be performed to determine the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Our preliminary data at basal state showed that GLUT1KO mice have a 50% reduction in GLUT1 mRNA expression in whole heart relative to WT mice, and adult mouse cardiomyocyte isolated from GLUT1KO mice present a 2-fold decrease in basal and insulin-stimu-lated glucose uptake when compared to WT. Although glucose uptake is reduced, no changes were found in glucose oxidation and glycolysis in the working heart. Heart function was also unchanged as measured by echocardiography and in isolated working hearts. Heart weight to tibia length ratios were unchanged between WT and KO mice, but LVPWd (Left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole) was significantly increased in GLUT1 KO mice relative WT, suggesting that even at basal state, GLUT1 KO mice might be more susceptible to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Our next steps will be to evaluate cardiac function, metabolism and hypertrophic response in GLUT1 KO mice subjected to aortic banding. Bokang Bogopane (Dale Abel, Renata Alambert) Department of Endocrinology University of Utah Bokang Bogopane Dale Abel Renata Alambert 12 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 FPP GENE AND PROTEIN KNOCK-DOWN IN RAW AND PRIMARY OSTEOCLASTS The National Institute of Health has recognized osteoporosis as a significant and growing health prob-lem affecting 44 million Americans. During the aging process, the natural balance between two essen-tial cell types, osteoclasts, that break down bone, and osteoblasts, that rebuild bone, shifts to favor osteoclast activity over that from osteoblasts, resulting in net bone loss and de-mineralization. Bisphos-phonate drugs are clinically common to treat osteoporosis, but have many unintended negative side effects. Therefore, new osteoporosis treatment options less harmful for patients are highly desired. We have sought to inhibit the function and survival of mature osteoclasts by targeting them and their pre-cursor cells with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against farnesyl-diphosphate synthase (FPPs), an enzyme that regulates the mevalonate pathway essential for osteoclast function. Delivery of siRNA to cells allows for controlled down regulation of specific gene message (mRNA) expression. FPP mRNA knockdown and FPP protein knockdown in cell cultures after siRNA delivery were verified through reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blots. FPP gene knockdown in primary osteoclast cultures resulted in succesful FPP mRNA silencing, but no significant FPP protein knockdown was achieved. This contrasts our recent results using the same strategy against the key osteoclast signal molecule, RANK. This siRNA therapy area requires fur-ther investigation for new osteoporosis treatment options. Alexandra Panasuik Buffington Alexandra Panasuik Buffington, Yuwei Wang Small (David Grainger) Department of Bioengineering University of Utah Yuwei Wang Small David Grainger THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 13 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS IF UTAH GOES NUCLEAR, WILL UTAH GLOW NUCLEAR? With its legacy of bomb testing, toxic radioactive fallout that moved "downwind, " the development of nuclear waste storage industries, and a uranium tailings remediation-relocation project currently under-way near the Colorado River, the State of Utah remains at the core of controversy with complex environ-mental, political, social, and legal aspects. This project explores themes of social and environmental injustice, beginning with the 1941 discovery of uranium in Utah's neighboring Native American Reserva-tion lands, which led to economic "Boom and Bust." Although mining brought work to the reservations, and provided a temporary boost to a destitute Native American economy, local miners were used as a cheap, expendable labor force, and many became ill and died of lung cancer due to exposure of radioactive materials and lack of ventilation within the mines (Kuletz, 1998). In 1978, a Public Health Service study asserted that of every six uranium miners, one had died, or would die prematurely, of lung cancer (Grindle & Johansen, 1994). Energy Solutions LLC of Utah currently handles the majority of the processing, recycling and disposal of nuclear waste and related materials in Utah, most of which is imported from other states. One proposed site for the temporary storage of used nuclear fuel and other waste near Clive, UT, which is located in the Skull Valley Indian Reservation, ~45 miles west of Salt Lake City. There is a conflict between the Goshute Native American tribe and the Utah State government, who disagree on whether or not the Tribe should be able to accept low-level nuclear waste for storage on their reservation. Some critics have noted that there is undue placement of nuclear waste near minority and Native communities, and constitutes a kind of environmental racism. Another opinion emphasizes the role of the tribe as a sov-ereign state that should be empowered to develop its own economy, even if toxic waste is involved. Many Utahns are concerned about nuclear waste storage and its potential dangers. Are the existing laws that regulate nuclear waste classification, handling, and storage adequate for protecting humans and the environment? What are the potential health and environmental hazards associated with trans-portation and storage, and how is contamination monitored and safely mitigated? Do the economic benefits of a "nuclear economy" outweigh possible consequences? Ethically speaking, what are our responsibilities to the future generations of Utah who will become the guardians of our waste? As moral agents, we have a responsibility to act as proxies for the rights of future generations, so that they inherit a planet that will sustain their welfare and basic survival. Is long-term, safe disposal of the radioactive waste materials created by nuclear power a possibility, or is this a burgeoning environmental crisis that will leave behind a legacy of pollution? Should we stop now to think and premeditate on health and environmental safety? Or shall we choose to begin and continue a cycle of premeditated abuse that delimits the rights of future generations? References Grindle, Donald A., and Bruce E. Johansen (1994). Ecocide of Native America: Environmental Destruction of Indian Lands and Peoples. Chap-ter 8: The High Cost of Uranium. Clear Light Publishers. Kuletz, Valerie L. (1998). The Tainted Desert-Environmental and Social Ruin in the American West. Routledge. Kristyn Burrell (Kathleen Nicoll) Department of Geography University of Utah Kristyn Burrell Kathleen Nicoll 14 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 MOLECULAR DISSECTION OF PINCH IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER In multicellular eukaryotic organisms, cellular proteins regulate cell migration and adhesion. Integrins are one group of such proteins, which act as transmembrane receptors, exchanging information between the extracellular environment and intracellular signaling pathways. Integrins build up at spe-cific sites on the cell periphery known as focal adhesions, where they recruit other protein complexes and ultimately regulate cell movement and adhesion. By studying these proteins and the roles they play in migration and adhesion of cells, developmental processes, and illnesses such as metastatic can-cer in which cell migration is mis-regulated can be better understood. The focus of this research project is PINCH, (particularly interesting new cysteine- and histidine-rich protein), a critical protein in the cyto-plasmic complex that is recruited upon integrin activation. PINCH is characterized by five LIM domains to which various proteins bind. The goal of this project is to construct mutants of PINCH that disrupt interactions with its two known binding partners in Drosophila, integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and Ras Suppressor 1 (RSU-1). Thus far, I have successfully generated a version of PINCH with a deletion of LIM1, the domain which binds ILK. This PINCH delta LIM1 transgene was injected into Drosophila embryos, and after several generations of crosses, individual transgenic insertions have been mapped to the X (4 lines), 2nd (4 lines), and 3rd (7 lines) chromosomes. We are now performing the crosses necessary to determine if the PINCH delta LIM1 transgene can rescue the lethality of the PINCH null mutant which will indicate whether LIM, and its interaction with ILK, are essential components of PINCH function. Transgenes carrying point mutations in the LIM5 domain of PINCH, (D303V and K305E), which disrupt the interaction with RSU-1, are still in the process of being constructed. Kinley Cahill Kinley Cahill (Julie Kadrmas) Department of Oncological Sciences University of Utah Julie Kadrmas THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 15 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS THE PROMOTIONS EFFECT Marketers use different types of promotional offers to attract consumers to buy their products. Two of these offers are price discount and quantity discount. Price discount and bonus quantity are both catego-rized under the ambit of mechanisms to create price discrimination (Khan and Jain 2005) and the inherent managerial assumption is that consumers react in a similar manner to both. Quantity discount is defined as offering more of the product for the same price and price discount is defined as offering the same product at a reduced price. Therefore, in the case of a price discount consumers pay less prices but in a quantity discount they pay regular price. However, we find that even when the price paid is the same consumers react differ-ently if the promotion is framed in a different ways. Consider the following example. The same promotion is defined in two different ways. Description 1: Imagine that you are on a vacation on a cruise and you want to check your email since you were not carrying your computer. The cruise concierge informs you that it will cost you about $10 for 20 min-utes at a rate of $0.50 per minute. Regular offer You spend: $10 Rate: $0.5/minutes When you reach the computer room you find that they are offering a special promotion. If you spend $10 the rate per minute is halved and will be $0.25. Promotional offer You spend: $10 Rate: $.25/minutes How much do you like the promotion? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dislike neutral like a lot Description 2: Imagine that you are vacationing on a cruise and you want to check your email. Since you are not carrying your computer you contact the cruise concierge for options. He informs you that for $10 you can use the computer in the ship café for 20 minutes. Regular offer You spend: $10 You get: 20 minutes When you reach the computer room you find that as part of a promotional offer they are offering 20 extra minutes for your $10. Promotional offer You spend: $10 You get: 20 + 20 extra minutes How much do you like the promotion? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dislike neutral like a lot In an initial data collection we find that people like the promotional offer more when description 2 is used. The difference between the two descriptions is that in the first description the promotion is focused on getting a price cut while the description 2 is focused on receiving more. If one considers both descriptions carefully, it is evident that in both situations for the same amount of money you receive the same quantity of the product. We call this the promotions effect. This effect has important implications for both researchers and managers. Researchers have generally considered the differences or similarity between a price discount and a quantity discount. We show that even the same promotional offer with equal terms can cause differen-tial liking. From a managerial point of view this effect helps them plan more tailor-made promotional offers. The findings of this research will inform that consumers view promotional offers in a very distinct manner. In this project we not only demonstrate the promotions effect but also try to understand why con-sumers seem to prefer description 2 over description 1. We propose that consumers focus on different aspects of the two descriptions. In description 1 they focus on the price cut while in description 2 they focus on double the quantity. People always like to get more of anything rather than getting the same amount even though it is for a lower price. Thus, because of the aspects people focus on in the two descriptions, despite the fact that both are equivalent offers, people like description 2. In our initial study we found support for the promotions effect. In future studies we plan to achieve two aims. Fits we plan to replicate the promotions effect in realistic situations. In order to do this, we will col-lect data at several store outlets like banks, food outlets and cell phone stores. We will design promotional offers for products that are available in these stores. Our second aim is to design studies that can help us delve into the reasons that cause the promotions effect. Talmage Call (Arul Mishra) Department of Marketing University of Utah Talmage Call Arul Mishra 16 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 STRENGTHENING OUR GRIP ON ARTHRITIS Background: While medications are available which, to some extent, relieve certain symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis temporarily, understanding of the disease and its progression at a cellular level is insufficient for development of an effective vaccine or treatment for the cause rather than the symp-toms. The current study aims to more fully investigate the cellular pathways and effects of the mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAM) super antigen (and related immune responses) on similar strains of mice through examination of tissues and measuring cytokine concentrations. Methods: Female mice were injected with varying concentrations of MAM both intraperitoneally and intravenously. The mice were observed on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the severity of their arthritic symp-toms and the toxicity of their responses recorded. The mice were then killed and plasma sera (red blood cells being intentionally excluded) and supernatant from spleenocytes were collected and ELISA cytokine assays run to determine interleukin concentrations compared relative to the severity of the mycoplasma injected. Other mice were exposed to MAM intranasally and killed after 72 hours, having cytokine assays run in conjunction with HE staining of slides made from extracted lung tissues. Results and Conclusions: Injections of higher doses of MAM resulted in increasingly acute reactions in toxicity and arthritic severity. Specific interleukins likewise showed significant variation in abnormal concentration with respect to MAM severity. Lung tissue conclusively showed greatly increased and irregular cellular growth/activity. The study shows that effective tracking of the MAM super antigen can be achieved by cytokine assay, thus allowing for further development of combative medical proce-dures against rheumatoid arthritis accordingly, especially in a preventative manner. Further investiga-tions will likely include the use of PCR techniques. Jordan Christensen Jordan Christensen (Hong-Hua Mu) Department of Internal Medicine University of Utah Hong-Hua Mu THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 17 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Tayler Clough John Francis THE CASE FOR MONARCHY: A STUDY OF THE ROLE WILLIAM IV PLAYED IN THE REFORM YEARS OF 1832-1835 It is generally recognized that the emergence of representative government has a long, complex, unsure and often surprising history. Scholars of government have often turned to constitutional studies in order to identify events and forces that have shaped the course of representative governance. They have produced ample literature on revolutions, constitutional conventions, and on theorists such as Locke and Montesquieu. While these and other important events in history can be identified with rela-tive confidence, what is far less certain are the participants and the role they played in the event. Among the examples ripe for enquiry, is the challenging period of reform in Britain between 1832 thru 1835; a period whose success was attributed mainly to its parliamentary ministers. However, a closer examination reveals that aside from the ministers, a significant role was played by the Sovereign; an often understated but important figure for the narrative of Britain's representative government. The difficulty in passing the Reform Act of 1832 is well-known in the history of 19th century govern-ment. Justifiably recognized as the hard work of Lords Grey, Russell, and Melbourne, the bill's fruition would come to mark an important period in representative development. Less familiar however, is the important role William IV played in securing the bill's passage and easing what had become with the bill's opposition, a constitutional crisis. Only two years later, William would find himself once again fac-ing another crisis but this time it would be one of his own making, resulting in the strengthening of the House of Commons and limitations for the crown. Little more than a footnote in the development of the British constitution, William's involvement during the early reform years of 1832-1835 reveal a figure whose actions helped to shape representative government and began transforming the partisanship of monarchy into the non-partisan power of contemporary monarchy. Tayler Clough (John Francis) Department of Political Science University of Utah 18 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 SATELLITE OBSERVATION OF CHANGES IN ENHANCED VEGETATION INDEX CAUSED BY TAMARISK DEFOLIATION BY THE SALTCEDAR LEAF BEETLE Tamarisk, also known as saltcedar, is a riparian tree introduced to the United States during the 1800s as an ornamental and for erosion control. Tamarisk has become an invasive plant species and has rapidly displaced native riparian plant species across the western U.S. Due to the negative effects of tamarisk, the saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) has been released as a potential tamarisk biocontrol. The beetle was released along the Colorado River north of Moab in 2004, and since 2007 the beetle has caused widespread defoliation of tamarisk along the Colorado and Green Rivers in Utah. Through the use of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) 250 meter spatial resolu-tion 16-day composite images, it was possible to effectively monitor tamarisk defoliation by the saltcedar leaf beetle in two study areas including the Colorado and Green Rivers. Due to the high tem-poral resolution, and the available red, blue and near infrared wavelengths, changes in the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were observed. A distinct drop in EVI caused by tamarisk defoliation was found during summer months on the Colorado River in 2007 through 2009. Defoliation in the Green River study area did not occur until 2008, allowing comparison between the two study areas (beetle present vs. no beetle present) for 2007. This comparison reveals whether changes in canopy area resulting from tamarisk defoliation will likely result in significant reduction in evapotranspiration. Austin Coates Austin Coates (Philip Dennison) Department of Geography University of Utah Philip Dennison THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 19 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Kevin J. Cook Dorthyann Isackson STEM CELL CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION FOR IN VIVO DELIVERY WITH PERCUTANEOUS IMPLANTS The high rate of infection associated with long-term percutaneous implants is commonly due to poor integration of host tissue with the implant. This poor integration results in an epidermal downgrowth at the skin/implant interface. In an effort to improve host tissue integration, and combat epidermal downgrowth, microporous polyurethane percutaneous implants will be seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The use of ASCs to improve and accelerate wound healing is well docu-mented in literature. Their potential to initiate a robust and rapid tissue integration into the porous polyurethane percutaneous implants will be evaluated in an animal model. Prior to in vivo delivery, the ASCs were characterized, and their functional compatibility on the porous polyurethane scaffolds was examined. For in vivo tracking, the cells were labeled with a fluorescent dye, requiring cell to dye opti-mization. The polyurethane scaffolds were fabricated, measuring 15 x 2 mm (diameter x height). SEM imaging determined the porous polyurethane scaffold to have an average pore size of 200-400 μm, and porosity of 80-90% (Figure 1). Characterization of the ASC population was determined through success-ful differentiation into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages (Figure 2). Fluorescent-labeling optimization of the ratio of cell to dye concentrations was determined by combining 1 x 106 cells/ml with the follow-ing PKH26 dye concentrations: 2μM, 5μM, 10μM, and 15μM (Figure 3). Ideal PKH26 dye specifications were determined using fluorescence microscopy analysis, evaluating cell viability and fluorescent-label-ing intensity. ASCs stained with 5μM and 10μM dye concentrations displayed ideal fluorescent intensity and retained high cell viability. To determine ASC compatibility with the microporous polyurethane scaffolds, PKH26 stained ASCs were cultured in combination with microp-orous polyurethane scaffolds. The ASCs dis-played acceptable viability and proliferation when seeded on the scaffolds. Kevin J. Cook, Dorthyann Isackson (Kent N. Bachus) Department of Orthopaedics University of Utah Kent N. Bachus Figure 1. SEM image of microporous polyurethane implant at 100X magnification. Figure 2. (A) Undifferentiated ASCs stained with Oil Red O as a control. (B) Adipogenic differentiated ASCs , stained with Oil Red O. (C) Osteogenic differentiated ASCs, stained with Alizarin Red S. All 10x original mag. Figure 3. ASCs stained with PKH26, a fluorescent cell tracking dye. (A) ASCs with a 2μM PKH26 dye. (B) ASCs with a 5μM PKH26 dye. (C)ASCs with a10μM PKH26 dye. (D) ASCs with a 15μM PKH26 dye. All 20x original mag. 20 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 Amanda Crittenden Heather Hirschi EQUITY IN EDUCATION: AN EXAMINATION OF SALT LAKE CITY DUAL IMMERSION PROGRAMS I am examining Dual Language Immersion programs in Salt Lake City because I want to understand the current situation of bilingual education in order to better understand the social obligation as well as the economic imperative for linguistic diversity. Rather than strive for equality in education, working to achieve equity in the classroom functions on the premise that resources be distributed according to student needs. I anticipate that my research will facilitate a discussion of how equity may be achieved in the classroom. As Utah's cultural and linguistic makeup diversifies, the need for bilingual education increases. Why teach children two languages instead of just focusing on one? While a common language can lead to better cross-cultural communication, it is important to preserve the first language and culture of the English Language Learner. Losing the L1 (first language) in order to acquire English leads to linguistic imperialism - the "worldwide expansion of one language at the expense of others [languages]" (Kram-sch 2003). Another issue surrounding English domination is linguicism, a term coined by Robert Phillipson to refer to "discrimination and prejudice on the grounds of language, analogous to racism, sexism" (Kramsch). Dual Immersion programs attempt to circumvent this prejudice and achieve bilin-gual, biliterate and bicultural individuals. "Bilingual education can be viewed either as a small matter of pedagogy in another language and lim-ited to the school building, or as a broad sociological innovation centered in the school but finding its strength and exerting its strongest effects far beyond the school grounds among adult speakers of that language" (Gaarder 1977). By combining my background in linguistics along with my faculty advisor's knowledge of social justice issues, I examine bilingual education from a linguistic as well as a sociologi-cal viewpoint. References Gaarder, A. B. (1977). Bilingual schooling and the survival of Spanish in the United States. Rowley, MA: Newbury House Publishers, Inc. Kramsch, C. (2003). Language and culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Amanda Crittenden (Heather Hirschi) University Writing Program Department of Linguistics University of Utah THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 21 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS HOW TEMPERATURE AFFECTS THE ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF PHEIDOLE DENTATA: A FOCUS ON EGG LAYING RATE Background Ants can control certain traits by moving to different areas of their nest with temperatures that stimulate or inhibit that trait. For example if a colony required more brood the queen would move to an area of the nest with a temperature that stimulates her egg laying rate. Knowledge of the rela-tionship between temperature and ant traits is incomplete. The long term goal of this research is to fully understand how temperature affects the success and characteristics of P. dentata colonies by ana-lyzing how different temperatures affect certain traits, such as the egg laying rate. To determine this effect colonies were raised at temperatures of 25°C, 27°C, and 30°C to collect data on egg laying rate. Results Quantitative results demonstrate that egg laying rate increases from 25°C to 30°C. The results demonstrate that the relationship between these three temperatures is a Guassian curve. Conclusions This analysis demonstrates a general trend for the affect temperature has on egg laying rate. However the data acquired from this experiment is not complete enough to accurately predict how egg laying rate will change at variable temperatures. Temperature increases egg laying to 30°C, but the high temperature at which egg laying rate should start to decrease is unknown. To accurately predict the effect temperature will have on egg laying rate at any reasonable temperature more data will have to be collected on egg laying rates at a temperatures in the range of 15°C to 35 °C. Daniel Davis Daniel Davis (Donald Feener, Martin Moyano) Department of Biology University of Utah Donald Feener 22 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 DO MICE WITH TARGETED DISRUPTION OF THE ENZYME DIHYDROCERAMIDE DESATURASE (DES) DEVELOP CHARACTERISTICS OF THE METABOLIC SYNDROME? Mice that consume high-fat (HF) chow have increased fat mass, insulin resistance, and glucose intoler-ance i.e., systemic disturbances characteristic of the metabolic syndrome. HF fed mice also exhibit decreased vascular function and hypertension i.e., cardiovascular complications. We use this model to study mechanisms that contribute to vascular dysfunction associated with diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes. Recently we evaluated the contribution from ceramide. Ceramide is a fat-derived sphingolipid that accumulates in vascular tissue during conditions of overnutrition. In HF mice treated concurrently with myriocin - a pharmacological inhibitor of ceramide biosynthesis - vascular ceramide accumulation did not occur, systemic metabolic disturbances were less severe, and cardiovascular com-plications were prevented, compared to HF mice treated with placebo. Because two end-points were favorably altered in myriocin-treated mice i.e., vascular ceramide accumulation did not occur and the toxic metabolic environment was less severe - the precise mechanism responsible for the prevention of cardiovascular complications was unclear. To address this issue we have used mice with targeted dis-ruption of dihydroceramide desaturase (des) isoform 1 (des1+/-) and mice that have an intact des1 gene (des1+/+). The des enzyme is required for ceramide synthesis. The purpose of this project is to determine whether des1+/- and des1+/+ mice develop systemic metabolic disturbances characteristic of diet-induced obesity to the same degree. Should this occur, together with the anticipated lack of arterial ceramide accumulation in des1+/- mice, we will be able to discern the precise contribution from ceramide to vascular dysfunction. Results will be presented from des1+/- and des1+/+ mice that consumed 10% or 45% fat for 12 weeks regarding metabolic (i.e., body composition, glucose and insulin tolerance) and functional (i.e., in vivo and in vitro myocardial function, in vitro arterial reactivity) endpoints. Findings from these experiments will increase our understanding of how ceramide might contribute to cardiovascular complications associated with diet-induced obesity. Michole A. Deesing Michole A. Deesing , Nicholas B. Deeter (J. David Symons) College of Health, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes University of Utah Nicholas B. Deeter J. David Symons THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 23 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Nicholas B. Deeter Michole A. Deesing DOES CERAMIDE CONTRIBUTE TO VASCULAR DYSFUNCTION? EVIDENCE FROM MICE WITH TARGETED DISRUPTION OF THE ENZYME DIHYDROCERAMIDE DESATURASE Arterial dysfunction exists in patients with diet-induced obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The responsible mechanisms are unclear. We recently showed that when mice consume a high fat (HF) diet for 12-14 weeks free fatty acids (FFAs) are elevated, vascular dysfunction exists, and a metabolite of excess FFAs - the sphingolipid ceramide - accumulates in blood vessels. Since exogenous, pharmaco-logical concentrations of synthetic ceramide evoke endothelial dysfunction, we sought to determine whether endogenous production of vascular ceramide in response to HF feeding produces similar results. To do so we used mice with targeted disruption of the enzyme dihydroceramide desaturase (des) isoform 1 (des1). Arteries from wild type mice (des1+/+) are capable of producing ceramide whereas mice that are heterozygous null (des1 +/-) for this enzyme cannot produce ceramide. For example, compared to vehicle-treated vessels, 500 uM palmitate incubation for 3 h increased (p<0.05) ceramide concentrations in arteries from des1+/+ but not des1+/- mice. We hypothesized that vascular dysfunction evoked by HF feeding would be less severe in des1+/- vs. des1 +/+ mice. Seven week old des1+/+ and des1+/- mice consumed standard (10% fat) or HF (45% fat) chow. At approximately 17-19 weeks of age, metabolic characteristics were assessed, and segments of resistance (i.e., mesenteric), conductance (i.e., aorta), and intermediate-sized (i.e., femoral) arteries were obtained. Vascular reactivi-ty was assessed in these vessels using isometric tension techniques. First, indices of receptor (i.e., phenylephrine-evoked) and non-receptor (i.e., potassium chloride) mediated contraction were assessed. Second, endothelium-dependent (i.e., acetylcholine-evoked) vasorelaxation was assessed in the absence and presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Third, endogenous nitric oxide synthase production was assessed using NG monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Finally, vascular smooth muscle function / endothelium-independent vasorelaxation was assessed using sodium nitroprusside. We anticipate that ceramide accumulation will contribute importantly to vascular dysfunction. As such, we expect indices of dysfunction to be less severe in HF des1+/-vs. HF des1+/+ mice. NIHR 15HL091493, ADA7-08-RA-164 Nicholas B. Deeter, Michole A. Deesing (J. David Symons) College of Health, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes University of Utah J. David Symons 24 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 WORKING TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SALT LAKE My research with Dr. Werner and the Salt Lake Department of Sustainability has focused upon the com-muting habits of Salt Lake City and County Government Employees. This analysis of commuting behav-ior is based off of a comprehensive survey that was administered in the spring of 2009 throughout all government departments. My research emphasized the commuting trends and personal commuting behavior of city employees. In a period of vast development and expansion within Salt Lake City it is vital to understand the implications of transportation patterns and how those affect the city's evolu-tion. Beginning with the transportation patterns of city employees is an excellent preliminary step in the examination of Salt Lake commuting habits as an entire population. By analyzing the results of the commuter survey I found physical and behavioral commuting trends within the surveyed population that can be used as a preliminary database for the larger populous of Salt Lake City. The research that is based off of this survey examines prominent physical and behavioral aspects of commuting to gain information on the carbon foot print of city employees, the trends seen in transit use differing regional-ly and departmentally and what initiatives should be implemented to increase overall transit use throughout the Salt Lake City and County Government. The most prominent mode of transit was per-sonal vehicle use at 71% with an average of 40 miles round trip. Salt Lake city and county government employees emitted 5,679 tons of CO2 via city vehicle and personal vehicle use. They drove 17,563,837 miles over the course of 2008. The largest determinant of how they commuted was convenience and the largest incentive to change behavior to a more public transit oriented mode was access to a vehicle in case of an emergency. Based upon these findings of current commuting behavior it can be inferred that public transit must become more reliable, time efficient and accessible in order to raise ridership and decrease carbon emissions Ashley Edgette Ashley Edgette (Carol Werner) Department of Psychology University of Utah Carol Werner THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 25 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Jennifer Edwards Whitney Wooderchak CEREBRAL CAVERNOUS MALFORMATION SYNDROME DETECTION THROUGH CCM1, CCM2, AND CCM3 FULL GENE ANALYSIS Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations of abnormally enlarged clusters of capillary channels (caverns) affecting the central nervous system. CCMs are characterized by seizures, nonspecific headaches, focal neurologic deficits, and cerebral hemorrhages caused by weak vessel walls and dramatically reduced blood flow. However, some can be asymptomatic. The preva-lence of CCM is estimated to be 0.1-0.5% (1 in 200-1000). Familial cerebral cavernous malformations, which are defined as the occurrence of CCMs in at least two family members, have an autosomal domi-nant inheritance pattern. Mutations found in the following three genes are associated with familial CCM: CCM1 (chromosome 7q11.2-q21), CCM2 (chromosome 7p13), and CCM3 (chromosome 3q26.1). Current genetic testing to confirm a diagnosis of CCM is limited with comprehensive testing available only in Europe. This prompted us to design an assay to detect mutations in the CCM genes that would increase the detec-tion rate and turn around time for CCM genetic testing. We developed a sequencing assay to detect mutations in and around each CCM exon. Primers were optimized to reproducibly amplify sequences of interest. Assay accuracy was confirmed by sequencing two positive samples and five normal samples with a detection rate of 100%. Sequencing reactions were repeated five times for each gene to assess the accuracy of the test. Amplification and sequenc-ing quality for all exons were excellent indicating that the assay is robust. Currently, we are validating the accuracy and precision of a multiplex ligation-dependent probe ampli-fication (MLPA) method to detect large deletions and duplications of the CCM genes. These aberrations would not be detected using conventional sequencing. Together, the sequencing and MLPA assays will allow for the increased detection of CCM mutations and ultimately lead to better patient care. This diagnostic test will be the first commercially available, comprehensive test for CCM in the United States. ARUP-UROP Scholars Program Jennifer Edwards1 (Whitney Wooderchak1, Pinar Bayrak-Toydemir1,2) 1ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah 2Department of Pathology University of Utah Pinar Bayrak-Toydemir 26 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 DEVELOPMENT OF A MOUSE MODEL FOR STUDIES OF GLIAL FUNCTION IN THE RETINA We are currently developing a mouse model for studying Müller glia cells, a class of nonneuronal cells found in the retina of the eye. We have recently shown (Vazquez-Chona et al., 2009) that a 3 kilobase regulatory region of the mouse Rlbp1 gene is sufficient to drive Müller glia-specific expression of a reporter gene in vivo. This same region has been used to generate a new construct, Rlbp1:CreERT2, in which Cre recombinase could be used to excise targeted DNA sequences thus allowing gene manipula-tions, either activation or inactivation, in Müller glia cells. These manipulations can be carried out at desired time points due to the presence of the ERT2 sequence. Cre-driven recombination can be induced by the injections of tamoxifen into the animals at a particular time of development. Eleven founder lines, carrying the Rlbp1::CreERT2 transgene, were established. Next, the transgenic animals were bred with a mice line carrying the floxed lacZ (gene encoding ‚-galactosidase) reporter gene. The T1 generation of animals were tested for their ability to drive recombination as indicated by a positive lacZ immunohistochemical staining. Out of the original eleven founding lines, five showed expression in 30 to 50% of all Müller glia cells. Two lines showed expression throughout the entirety of the cell, while in two others ‚-galactosidase expression was limited to glial cell nuclei. We are currently testing if this pattern of expression is faithfully transmitted into subsequent generations of mice. Once that is established we will be able to employ our transgenic animals in studies to address the unique roles Müller glia play in mammalian retinal function, disease, and regeneration. Kristina Evans Kristina Evans (Anna Clark, Ed Levine) Department of Ophthalmology University of Utah Ed Levine THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 27 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Brent M. Evans Jared P. Rutter IDENTIFYING GENOMICALLY ENCODED MITOCHONDRIAL PROTEIN FUNCTION Mitochondria are responsible for a wide array of important functions within the cell such as production of ATP, cell signaling, cell differentiation, and control of the cell cycle including growth and apoptosis. Although understanding of mitochondrial protein function has been greatly enhanced due to high throughput mitochondrial protein identification and yeast protein knockout (KO) collections, approxi-mately one-third of mammalian mitochondrial proteins are essentially uncharacterized. Several of these uncharacterized proteins are highly conserved throughout eukarya, indicating their fundamen-tally important roles. We have chosen thirty-two of these uncharacterized proteins for further research using a systematic approach involving five different phases. Phase I involves phenotyping yeast cells with deleted genes of interest on different stressor and carbon source plates. Phases II-III continue a more in-depth study of yeast strains demonstrating intriguing phenotypes by detecting associated proteins, performing metabolomic analyses, and testing hypotheses of the role of each protein in a biological pathway. Phases IV-V carry our protein study into higher eukaryotes, including mammalian cells, with the ultimate goal of identifying mitochondrial proteins that demonstrate relevance for human disease. Two examples of yeast KO strains that demonstrate intriguing phenotypes are YGL080w and YDR511w. YGL080w KO shows decreased growth on non-respiratory carbon sources, and even slower growth on non-respiratory carbon sources that lack leucine. From these phenotypes, we hypothesize that YGL080w plays a role in the coupling of the glycolytic pathway and leucine synthesis. YDR511w KO displays slow growth phenotypes on respiration medium plates, especially acetate. This implies that perhaps YDR511w plays a functional role in the electron transport chain or TCA cycle. Another interesting characteristic of the human homolog of YDR511w is mutations are correlated with alcoholism. With new discovery and greater understanding of proteins of the mitochondria, we will be able to better understand the mechanism of human disease. Brent M. Evans (Jared P. Rutter) Department of Biochemistry University of Utah Thomas Orsak 28 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 THE ROLE OF RACE AND ETHNICITY IN RECIPROCITY WITHIN EFFECTIVE MENTORING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT Racial disparities in education affect ongoing cycles of poverty and reproduction of the working class among communities of color. Other disparities include a structural separation between generations of immigrant and other ethnic families, opportunity gaps based on race and socio-economic status, and a mentoring gap where millions of youth are denied mentors within educational systems. Youth of color have unique needs influenced directly and indirectly by cultural traditions and systemic issues connect-ed to race. Mentors take on a vital role that needs to account for these relevant issues. Much of the debate and research around same-race mentoring is without consideration of reciprocity among mentee-mentor relationships. Qualitative methods within an action research methodology are utilized as part of this project to account for the role of race and ethnicity in mentoring programs and educational advocacy. Qualitative methods include interviews, surveys, focus groups, as well as a col-lection of literature and community-based narratives. Surveys of Pacific Islanders in high school and university settings are assessed. Focus groups assess needs and opportunities among students, fami-lies, and communities. A collection of literature from national mentoring organizations and partner-ships accompanied by collected narratives and community-based reflections from over two years of program development also influence the conclusions that will impact further program development. Mentors who carry the capacity for cultural humility and who respect individual-family values and worldviews are vital to effective communication and connection. Response to racial identity and cultur-al values greatly impacts relationships. Often cross-race relationships negatively impact mentees by negating structural inequity. On the other hand, same-race mentors with appropriate familial involve-ment bridge cultural and opportunity gaps by sharing experiences. Recruitment and commitment of mentors of color can potentially close the mentoring gap and enable same-race matches especially needed among young males of color. There is great reliance on program design and planning as well as management, operations, and evaluation to foster these values and goals. Mutual engagement and empowerment as well as ability to relate to one another can strengthen functions in educational access. Without imposing goals, mentoring relationships need to allow goal setting, self-reflection and exploration, as well as mutual benefit and development. Carlene Folau Carlene Folau (Joel Arvizo) Department of Family and Consumer Studies University Neighborhood Partners University of Utah Joel Arvizo THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 29 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Gareth L Gardiner Tom Martins LUCIFERASE REPORTER GENE TRANSFECTED CELL LINE FOR DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF NEURTRALIZING ANTIBODIES IN IFN- TREATED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS Introduction Interferon beta (IFN-b) is a cytokine used in first line therapy of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). IFN- has been shown to reduce MS relapses by up to 38%. This is believed to be due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which may maintain the integrity of the blood brain-barrier. Studies have shown that up to 90% of MS patients on IFN- may develop neutralizing antibodies to the cytokine, thereby counteracting its effectiveness. This can occur as soon as six-months after therapy is initiated, creating a necessity for the substitution of a different cytokine. Because of this, there is a need for a rapid, sensitive method to detect neutralizing antibodies to IFN- in patients undergoing therapy with this cytokine. Methods We employed a new functional assay which measures IFN- neutralizing antibody utilizing a division arrested human cell line. These cells have been transfected with a luciferase reporter gene down-stream of the IFN- chimeric promoter. The pathway is triggered by binding of IFN- to the IFN-receptor, which translocates NF-KB transcription factor to the nucleus. Patient sample is serially diluted and spiked with known concentrations of IFN- . The cells are then thawed and added to the IFN- ‚ spiked patient serum, and incubated for 18hrs at 37C? with 5% CO2. If the patient sample contains neutralizing antibody it will bind to the IFN- ‚ and prevent activation of the receptor, impeding the luciferase/NF-KB pathway. The cells are then lysed in a solution containing luciferase substrate, gener-ating light which is detected by a luminometer. The amount of neutralizing antibody is determined by the dilution of the serum which shows a ten-fold reduction in IFN- ‚ activity. Results The IFN- ‚ neutralizing assay demonstrated 100% correlation with the traditional IFN- ‚ inhibition of viral cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, correctly identifying 25 out of 25 samples as positive for the pres-ence of neutralizing antibody. Specificity studies indicated no cross-reactivity between the IFN- ‚ receptor of the cell and high concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1b, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 18, TNF-· and IFN-Á. Additionally we tested 58 healthy adult normal controls all of which were negative for neutraliz-ing antibodies to IFN- ‚. Reproducibility was good, with intra-and inter-assay CVs less than 10% and 20% respectively. Conclusions Studies have found that IFN- ‚ therapy can be effective in decreasing the frequency and severity of MS relapses. Patients receiving IFN- ‚ should be monitored for the presence of neutralizing antibodies to the cytokine. These division arrested, transfected cells offer clear advantages over preexisting assays for the detection of neutralizing IFN- ‚ antibodies. The use of this assay for monitoring MS patients for neutralizing antibodies may lead to more effective therapy. ARUP-UROP Scholars Program Gareth L. Gardiner (Tom Martins, Harry R. Hill) Department of Pathology University of Utah Harry R. Hill 30 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 A COMPARISON OF DOPAMINERGIC TOXINS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DROSOPHILA MODEL OF IDIOPATHIC PARKINSON'S DISEASE More than 1 million Americans currently suffer from Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) and 50,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Animal models of PD have been developed in primates and rodents, using genetic and toxin-based approaches. A Drosophila model of PD was published in 2000 and relied on the misexpression of human mutant alpha-synuclein in dopaminergic neurons; these results have not been replicated. We are using dopaminergic toxins to develop a model of Idiopathic PD in Drosophila, a premier genetic screening organism. Such a model would allow the identification of genes involved in dopaminergic neuronal susceptibility to chemical risk factors in the environment via genetic screens. These screens would define the genetic basis that confers neuroprotection against some of these toxins. Because we have resolved the issues making earlier Drosophila work so problematic, we are in a position to screen effectively using behavioral assays. In order to draw firm connections between dopaminergic neuronal losses and observable behaviors, we compared three different toxins: rotenone, paraquat and 6-hydroxy-dopamine. These toxins exert a pathological influence on dopamingergic neurons by inhibiting the first oxidative chain in mitochon-dria. The toxins were compared in male and female flies using the five most commonly scored behav-ioral assays in the field. They were also compared histologically for dopaminergic neuronal losses. Here we present data, suggesting that 1) there are gender specific susceptibilities to these toxins, that 2) the vast majority of neurons have been destroyed by the time behavioral symptoms become appar-ent, and that 3) none of these toxins generate perfectly penetrant phenotypes in isogenic populations. These observations can be made of human PD patients as well, and suggest the mechanisms of PD pathology may be conserved. Kevin Garff Kevin Garff, Kenny Helmandollar, Whitney Oswald (Aloisia Schmid) Department of Human Genetics University of Utah Aloisia Schmid THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 31 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Christopher Gloschat Rob S. Macleod MODEL DEVELOPMENT FOR SHAPE ANALYSIS OF LEFT ATRIUM Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition characterized by irregular and uncoordinated electrical activity and contractions in the atria. It is the most prevalent heart rhythm disorder in the United States affecting over 2.2 million Americans. AF significantly decreases the effectiveness of atrial contraction resulting in reduced cardiac output and increased risk of stroke with 15 percent of strokes occurring in people with atrial fibrillation. Initial treatment is typically attempted using antiarrhythmic drugs to con-trol rate combined with anticoagulants, often combined with an electrical shock, aimed at restoring normal rhythm. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is the most successful curative approach and uses a RF emitting catheter introduced into the heart to ablate, or burn, the tissues responsible for AF. Current research suggests that dilation or enlargement of the atria could be both a cause and effect of AF, but there are persistent open questions regarding the nature of atrial remodeling. Answers to these questions could improve identification of patients at risk, enable better evaluation of disease progres-sion, and facilitate monitoring of patients under treatment. ShapeWorks constructs models of the geo-metric variability of the surfaces of similar shapes, allowing for statistical comparisons of shape and insight into inter-group differences that may exist. Studies based on this model could provide a means of stratifying patients by the risk of progression of AF and the success of outcome of RF ablation. Christopher Gloschat (Rob S. MacLeod) Department of Bioengineering University of Utah 32 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISAM OF NANO-ZINC OXIDE TOXICITY IN COLON AND SKIN CANCER CELLS From previous studies of various nanoparticles, ZnO has been established as toxic at a cellular level. The mechanism of this toxicity is unknown but data suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and superoxide generation are important factors related to the nanoparticles. We propose that the disrup-tion of the mitochondria is due to Zn liberation within the cell and accumulation in the mitochondria which induces autophagy. Mitotracker Green and Rhodzin-3 are used as dyes to measure free Zn ions in the mitochondria of ZnO treated cells. Fluorescent confocal microscopy reveals some concentration of Zn ion in the mitochondria supporting partial mitochondrial targeting by the Zn ions. However, due to the inherent instability of Rhodzin-3 future experiments are planned to asses this and clarify the localization of Zn ions in the cell. Confocal microscopy and the Lysotracker dye are used to analyze the effects of these Zn treatments on the cell's lysosomes to observe autophagy. The ZnO treated cells results show high concentrations of lysosomes in the outlaying processes of the cells not found in the experiment's controls. These vesicular bodies are theorized to contain the mitochondria degraded from Zn exposure and are grouped together, characteristic of autophagy. In addition, quantitative PCR is used to detect the presence of the LC3B gene which is the only autophagy related gene that is tran-scriptionally regulated. Results show a sporadic expression of the LC3B gene in cells treated with nano Zn, suggesting that autophagy is not the primary method of cell death. This research does however suggest and recommend further study of the cell death mechanism of nano Zn particulates. In under-standing this mechanism, Zn nano materials could be utilized to target and destroy tumor cells or used as a drug delivery system as they are taken up by cells. John R. Griggs John R. Griggs (Philip Moos) Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology University of Utah Philip Moos THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 33 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Justin D. Grisham Sara A. Hahn JOINT-SPECIFIC POWER PRODUCTION AND FATIGUE DURING A HIGH INTENSITY CYCLING BOUT PURPOSE: Many recreational, vocational, and rehabilitation activities require exercise intensities that result in task failure or termination due to fatigue. Previous investigators have reported changes in joint-specific function (power, torque, kinematics) during fatiguing maximal (30s) cycling. Alterations in joint-specific function have not been reported during intermediate duration steady-state submaximal exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which muscles spanning the ankle, knee, and hip joints produce power during an acute trial of fatiguing submaximal multi-joint exercise. METHODS: Nine trained cyclists (30.5±9yrs) performed an acute trial of counterweighted sin-gle- leg cycling at 110% of their double-leg lactate threshold power (239±33watts). Participants cycled at this power until they could no longer maintain this specified power (64±10s). Pedal reaction forces and limb kinematics were recorded with an instrumented pedal and spatial linkage system, respective-ly. Joint powers were calculated using inverse dynamic techniques and averaged over complete pedal revolutions and over extension and flexion phases. The initial and final six seconds of the trial were used for analysis and differences in joint-specific powers were assessed using paired t-tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Pedal power did not significantly differ from the first 6 sec (rested) to the final 6 sec (fatigued) (263 vs. 255). Knee flexion power decreased (-26±9watts p<0.05) while hip extension power increased (24±9 watts p<0.05) as did hip transfer power (11±2watts p<0.001). DISCUSSION: The differences in power produced across each joint after transition from a rested to a fatigued state indi-cate changes in motor control strategies as a method for maintaining a targeted power. Justin D. Grisham, Sara A. Hahn, Steven J. Elmer (James C. Martin ) Department of Exercise and Sports Science University of Utah James C. Martin 34 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 ACUTE HIGH-INTENSITY SINGLE-LEG CYCLING DECREASES PERCEIVED EXERTION ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSEQUENT SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE Previous investigators have reported that nociceptive afferent neurons innervating skeletal muscles respond to a milieu of metabolic byproducts typical of high intensity exercise. Neural inhibitory responses may be reduced following benign exposure to stimuli. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investi-gation was to evaluate physiological and perceptual responses to an acute trial of high intensity single-leg cycling. We hypothesized that acute exposure to high concentrations of metabolic byproducts would habituate afferent nociceptors and ultimately reduce perceived exertion associated with subse-quent exercise. METHODS: Nine trained cyclists (30.5±9yrs) performed a graded cycling exercise test (3 min; 35 watt/stage) to determine power at lactate threshold (1 mmol above baseline) before (baseline) and 48hr after acute single-leg cycling. Blood lactate, heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed during the final 30s of each stage. Following the grad-ed exercise test each participant performed single-leg cycling at 110% of their double-leg lactate threshold power (239±33watts). Participants cycled repeatedly at this power until volitional failure. Tri-als were repeated until participants had accumulated a total of 5min. Legs were exercised with a count-er balanced design. Differences in dependent variables were assessed using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, RPE decreased during all stages prior to each subject's lactate threshold (- 0.59±0.29 p<0.05). There were no alterations in blood lactate and VO2. Peak lactate concentrations fol-lowing single-leg cycling trials were 13 ± 2.2 mmol/L. CONCLUSSION: These data demonstrate that an acute exposure to an extraordinarily high perturbation of the metabolic milieu reduced perceived exer-tion associated with subsequent sub maximal exercise. Note that blood lactates concentrations follow-ing single-leg cycling were similar to those associated with maximal aerobic exercise but were pro-duced within the muscles of one leg. Thus, the disturbance in homeostasis in those muscles was likely twice as large. These results may have implications for treatment of patients with inappropriately func-tioning nocioceptors (e.g., fibromyalgia). Supported by PEAK Graduate Student Research Grant. Justin D. Grisham Justin D. Grisham, Sara A. Hahn, Steven J. Elmer (James C. Martin) University of Utah Sara A. Hahn James C. Martin THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 35 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Sara A. Hahn James C. Martin MUSCULAR ADAPTATION TO MULTI-JOINT ECCENTRIC AND CONCENTRIC EXERCISE AT EQUAL WORK LEVEL Previous investigators have reported greater improvements in muscle size and isometric strength following chronic eccentric exercise training compared to intensity-duration matched concentric exer-cise training. The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic eccentric exercise training results in greater improvements in dynamic leg function (stiffness and power) when compared to work matched concentric exercise training. Twelve participants were assigned to either an eccentric (n=6) or concen-tric training group (n=6). Each group trained on an eccentric or concentric cycle ergometer 3 days per week, for 7 weeks with total work being matched between the two groups. Vertical spring stiffness of the legs and maximal jumping power were measured before (baseline) and after 7 weeks of training. Compared to baseline, leg stiffness improved by 10 ± 3% in the eccentric group. Leg stiffness, com-pared to baseline, did not change for the concentric group. Compared to baseline, maximum jumping power improved by 7±2% in the eccentric group. The concentric group did not significantly increase jumping power when compared to baseline. These data indicate that chronic eccentric exercise results in improvements in dynamic leg function. Mode of exercise may account for improvements in dynamic leg function, as eccentric muscle contractions may result in muscular adaptations that increase muscle stiffness and improve muscular power. Improved dynamic leg function would be important for athletes as it could improve running economy and as a result, sport performance. In addition, enhanced dynamic leg function may have a beneficial role in Physical therapy by possibly improving mobility and reducing the risk of falling. Sara A. Hahn, Paul McAllister, Mitch Craven, Steven J. Elmer (James C. Martin) Department of Exercise and Sport Science University of Utah 36 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 A COMPARISON OF JOINT-SPECIFIC POWER AND FATIGUE DURING INTERMITTENT HIGH INTENSITY CYCLING Many endurance, strength, power and rehabilitation exercises require intermittent exercise to partial or complete fatigue. Previous investigators have reported changes in joint specific power during short term maximal cycling. No previous investigators have looked at joint power changes during intermit-tent fatiguing cycling. Our purpose was to evaluate the extent to which partial recovery restored joint-specific powers compared to their pre-fatigued state. Four trained cyclists (age:28±11yrs) performed single-leg cycling at 110% of their double-leg lactate threshold power (264±30watts). Participants cycled at this power until volitional failure, after which they rested for 3min and then repeated the effort (6-7intervals at 46±12sec) until 5min of total work was accumulated. Pedal forces and limb kine-matics were recorded. Joint powers were calculated using a sagittal plane inverse dynamics model and averaged for the initial six seconds of the first and last intervals and were normalized to initial values. Power produced during the first 6s of the first and last intervals were compared using paired t-tests. Pedal power did not significantly differ between the two intervals (277vs.272±12watts). Power pro-duced from ankle extension, knee flexion, and hip flexion was significantly reduced from the first to the last interval (p<0.05). Power produced from hip extension and hip transfer power significantly increased (p<0.05) while knee extension power was not significantly different between intervals. Total power for each interval remained unchanged despite changes in joint-specific powers produced from the first to the last interval. These data suggest adjustments in muscle recruitment to maintain target power output during intermittent fatiguing cycling, indicating that partial recovery does not restore joint-specific power to the pre-fatigued state. Sara A. Hahn Sara A. Hahn, Justin D. Grisham, Steven J. Elmer (James C. Martin) Department of Exercise and Sports Science University of Utah James C. Martin THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 37 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS James Hall Ryan Smith COMPLEX COMPOSITE TRUSS SYSTEMS IN ARCHITECTURE Architecture is an art that utilizes a broad palette of materials. Among the newest and least under-stood group of materials are advanced composites. Advanced composites are engineered materials that utilize two or more distinct, high performance materials, which remain separate in finished struc-ture. They boast high strength to weight ratios, opening architectural possibilities previously unex-plored by current building materials. Relatively little architectural specific research has been per-formed investigating specific applications of a certain complex carbon fiber truss system. This study began with a survey of composites in architecture and culminated in the investigation of the current and possible uses of complex composite truss systems in architecture. My work included the analysis of the intrinsic and extrinsic properties of the materials and geometric configurations, investigation of current uses, and postulation about possible future applications. This speculation occurred between myself, my colleagues, and my professors. The postulations developed to fruition through examination and evaluation using criteria and are expressed through a series of informative diagrams that portray the material characteristics, pro's and con's, and economic considerations for each possible use. The theoretical implications of my research are far reaching and could lead to greater and more serious investigation of the use of complex composite truss systems in architecture. James Hall (Ryan Smith) College of Architecture + Planning University of Utah 38 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 AN INTEGRATED STEP-WISE PROCESS TO FABRICATE PLANAR SCAFFOLDS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING We have designed a new multifunctional scaffold frame (A), mask (B), and lamination/elongation device (C) to allow for scaffold precipitation, post deposition scaffold processing, and culturing of myocardial cells. Fifty-four scaffold frames are fabricated on an individual polyester sheet using a knife plotter, and secured to a steel plate using magnets adhered to a mask. The frames are then sprayed using a phase separation technique (D) to lay down the polyurethane. The scaffold frames are then cut, placed on the elongation device, laminated, elongated to 70 percent of their original length and dried for 24 hours (E). Next, the scaffolds are placed in the bioreactor using the multifunctional frames as an interface, seeded with cells, mechanically stimulated, and left to grow over a period of weeks (F). This combination of processes is particularly valuable because: first, the frame is multifunctional allowing it to be used during scaffold precipitation, elongation, cell preparation, and as an interface between the bioreactor and scaffold. Second, numerous scaffolds can be prepared in one application. Third, the mask allows for a specific area within the frame to be sprayed. Fourth, the lamination/elongation device allows for lamination of the scaffolds along with elongating the scaffolds 70% of their original length. FIGURES 1: A) 54 Scaffolds frames. B) Mask adhered to scaffold frames by magnets. C) Lamination/ elon-gation device. D) Scaffolds being sprayed onto mask and frames. E) Laminated scaffolds (left) elongated 70% of their original length (right). F) Scaffolds seeded with cells inside bioreactor. Jason Hansen Jason Hansen (James Kennedy, Robert Hitchcock) Department of Bioengineering University of Utah Robert Hitchcock A B C D E F THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 39 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Brian Hebdon Ryan Smith PREFABRICATION IN ARCHITECTURE Prefabrication in architecture, the process of manufacturing parts or section of a building for assembly, is an alternative to conventional site built practices in the design and construction industry. Prefabrica-tion technologies are more prevalent today, and these technologies are changing the way architects, contractors and engineers approach design. The goal of researching prefabrication in architectural design is not to produce statistical analysis or to study the aesthetic nature of prefabrication, but rather our primary goal is to discover how the balance of design quality versus production quality is achieved and how these are related to the culture of a place. To discover the balance of design and production, two building projects, which incorporate substantial amounts of prefabrication, were selected and researched. These two projects: the St. Ignatius Chapel on the campus of the Seattle University in Seattle, Washington and Simmons Hall at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, were designed by the office of Steven Holl Architects. The qualitative areas of focus were quantitatively researched by collecting data through a written survey and a verbal ques-tionnaire through conference calls with key individuals who played a part in the prefabrication design of our case studies. Another method of research taken was through meeting with local design firms to discuss our case studies and prefabrication, in general, as a method of design. Through our analysis of these two case studies we have discovered that prefabrication has dramatical-ly altered the approach, design, and final results of the structure. In the case of the St. Ignatius Chapel, where tilt-up construction was used, incorporating prefabrication allowed for maintaining the client's budget, accelerated the schedule time and building construction, and enhanced the contract structure of the design/build process. Similar results were found through examining MIT's Simmons Hall. This structure contains a completely new form of prefabrication that was designed by Steven Holl and his trusted engineer, Guy Nordenson. The exterior "PerfCon" panels - prefabricated, perforated, reinforced concrete panels - allowed for the interior to be flexible and created a self-supporting truss system. By selecting this form of prefabrication the office of Steven Holl Architects and their client, MIT, were able to avoid a local construction feud, be more economical, achieve extraordinary construction accuracy through computer software, and to implore natural heating and cooling techniques. Brian Hebdon (Ryan Smith) College of Architecture + Planning University of Utah Courtesy of Steven Holl Architects 40 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 [p]REFAB: MATERIAL REUSE THROUGH PREFABRICATED TECHNOLOGIES Prefabrication in architecture, an off-site process of manufacturing parts or sections of a building for assembly, is an alternative to conventional site built practices in the design and construction industry. Prefabrication technologies are more prevalent today, and these technologies are changing the way architects, contractors and engineers approach design. This technology has reached areas of green building but has not yet introduced the reuse of material into prefabricated members. The goal of this research is to invent a system of prefabrication, [p]REFAB, that can be utilized for designing and build-ing with only reused building materials. Currently our society has a teardown, throwaway, and rebuild mentality. Even with proper motives, such as replacing an old dilapidated building with a new green building and renovations of existing structures, so much waste is being sent to our landfills. What if we could salvage every piece of a build-ing before it is demolished? What if those materials were then introduced into a new building? What impact could this method of construction have on our environment, society, and our idea of what architecture is and can become? The investigation of this research exploits the statistics of building material waste collecting in local landfills. From this information, we will identify how many homes and buildings can be constructed using the [p]REFAB technologies. Through this research, [p]REFAB, has become identified as an off-spring of MHM wall system. MHM walls, "solid wood walls", are composed of 24-mm-thick dried boards of various length received from various species of wood. Locally, beetle kill wood is the main source for production. Our offspring of MHM will utilize similar construction techniques, but instead of using beetle kill wood, we will use wood that has been salvaged during residential and commercial building deconstruction. This wood will be reused from framing, roof, and floor systems. Through this new technology of [p]REFAB we can eliminate mass the quantities of wood filling up our landfills and apply it to new homes that will benefit from the ecological and passive benefits of MHM walls. Courtesy of Kip Apostle, Euclid Timber Frames, Heber City, Utah Brian Hebdon Brian Hebdon (Ryan Smith) College of Architecture + Planning University of Utah Ryan Smith THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 41 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Heidi Heninger DETECTION OF AQUAPORIN-4 AUTOANTIBODY BY ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOSORBANT ASSAY Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) present with similar symptoms of pain, visual deficits, muscle weakness, and bladder or bowel dysfunction and may have similar brain and spinal column lesion patterns by magnetic resonance imaging; however, NMO patients have a worse progno-sis and different recommended treatment regimen so it is important to distinguish these diseases. Aquaporin-4 receptor (AAQP4) antibodies confirm a diagnosis of NMO and these antibodies are not detected in sera from MS patients. AQP4 antibody concentration was semi-quantitatively determined by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) in sera from 57 MS patients, 100 healthy donors (HD), and 40 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), an unlinked autoimmune disease to establish the cut-point for the ELISA assay. ELISA AQP4 antibody detection was compared to indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining of frozen tissue, the gold standard method of AQP4 autoantibody detection, in 75 patient sera. A 97.5% quantile cut point of 3.660 U/mL (95% Confidence Interval: 3.292, 4.024) for the MS, HD, MG-ELISA negative and ELISA negative-IFA negative patient sera was in close agreement with the commer-cially established cut point of 5 U/mL. AQP4 antibody levels were less than 5 U/mL in all MS and HD sera and 39 of 40 MG sera. 95% (71 / 75) agreement was observed between ELISA and IFA detection methods. Of the 4 sera with discordant results, 3 tested ELISA positive-IFA negative and 1 tested ELISA negative-IFA positive. No age or gender effect was observed among any of the test groups. Detection of AQP4 autoantibodies by ELISA was as sensitive as IFA and has several advantages over IFA detection methods. These include greater capacity throughput, less variation due to technician inter-pretation, and improved physician ability to follow efficacy of alternative treatment regiments by track-ing AQP4 antibody titer. ARUP-UROP Scholars Program Heidi Heninger (Thomas Haven) ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology University of Utah 42 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 SONG AND TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOR IN THE YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD The role of song in the elaborate territorial behavior of Yellow-Headed Blackbirds (YHBB) (Xantho-cephalus xanthocephalus) is incompletely understood. Males arrive at the breeding grounds in April and defend a territory which provides breeding sites to multiple females. To address the role of song in territorial behavior (against rival males) and in mate attraction (female-directed) we studied a popula-tion of individually marked males over 3 breeding seasons. Males sing two distinct song types: the accenting song and the buzzing song (Figure). Buzzing song is characterized by a long noisy syllable (buzz) whose amplitude is considerably lower than that of buzzes in the accenting song. Throughout the breeding season, males used both song types. In situations when another male or female YHBB flew over the territory, males sang almost exclusively accenting songs, supporting the hypothesis that the accenting song is used for long-range communication. To test the use of the buzzing song as a short-range signal, we placed a caged male YHBB in the territory of each of the eleven, wild, adult males. All of the territory holding males approached the cage and sang vigorously and almost exclu-sively the buzzing song. These results demonstrate that the buzzing song is used in male-male close-range communication and suggest that the song might convey information about the quality of the male. To address this latter possibility, we explored several song features for inter-individual differences. Each individual sings an acoustically distinct, stereotyped version of each song type, allowing individual recognition by song (Figure). The accenting song was further analyzed by measuring the acoustic duty cycle and the stereotypy of syllable duration and inter-syllable intervals (n=20). There was substantial inter- and intra-individual variation. The duty cycle of individual males ranged from 39% to 68%, and the mean coefficient of variation for duration measurements ranged from 8% to 19%. Based on these differences between males, future work will explore whether song characteristics are correlated with reproductive success of the males. Spectrograms of accenting (left) and buzzing songs (right) of two male YHBB (liblue top; liblue/pink bottom) recorded in 2009 illustrate individual-specific acoustic characteristics, which are more pro-nounced in the accenting song. Amanda R. Hoepfner Amanda R. Hoepfner (Franz Goller) Department of Biology University of Utah THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 43 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Allison Hoffmann UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS WORKS ON PAPER COLLECTION My project is to research and implement the most effective way that the Utah Museum of Fine Arts' collection of works on paper can be catalogued and organized in its new, permanent location. "Works on paper" is a broad term encompassing woodcuts, intaglios, lithographs, screen prints, aquatints, pas-tels, charcoals, and watercolors that are done on paper. The UMFA has a great many works on paper, classified both alphabetically and by geographical region, that have been kept loosely within the draw-ers of ten cabinets in two different storage areas of the museum. The new system of organization con-solidates the collection into two categories, American and Foreign, with the works arranged alphabeti-cally by artist's last name. The objects are being placed in boxes that prevent unnecessary movement within their assigned cabinets. The new locations of the works are tracked via barcode and accession number using the museum's computer database, Argus. Another aspect of this management system is preventative conservation, which is aimed at reducing the deterioration of objects in the museum's collection. Each work is pulled from its current location using proper handling techniques and the current materials in contact with the work are assessed. If the materials such as mat boards and adhesives are damaging to the work, they are removed and replaced with an acid-free mount to support the work, which is then placed in an acid-free bag to pre-vent dust and abrasion damage. Consolidating the collection into fewer cabinets will allow the collection to grow and the conservation techniques will preserve the works on paper for future generations to study and enjoy. When the proj-ect is completed, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts will have an accurate record for each object in Argus that will allow the staff and other authorized users of the collection easier access. Allison Hoffmann (Sheila D. Muller) Department of Art and Art History University of Utah Sheila D. Muller 44 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 DETERMINING THE AGE OF NEUROLOGICAL DEGENERATION IN DROSOPHILA ALD MUTANTS Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare and very often fatal neurodegenerative disease, with the most common form being X-linked (X-ALD). The X-ALD form occurs with an estimated incidence of 1:17,000. Currently there are no treatments to counter this condition. The most severe form of the X-linked form is cerebral ALD, which affects about 45% of patients. This disorder is diagnosed in boys usually between the ages of 4 and 8 years. With this form, a progressive neurological degeneration occurs, oftentimes without the parents noticing until the child is of school age. The beginning symptoms include school failure, hyperactivity, visual and hearing loss, and cognitive impairment, and progresses to paralysis, leading to a vegetative state and eventually death. The pathway responsible for ALD in humans is the Acyl-CoA synthease (ACS)/ABC transporter pathway. Studies have shown that this path-way is conserved in humans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting that ALD might be accurately modeled in the fly. I am attempting to determine when neural degeneration is first evident in the Drosophila ACS mutants bubblegum (bgm) and doublebubble (dbb). To test this idea directly, I am assessing brain morphology in newly eclosed and aged wild-type and mutant (bgm1, dbbKO, and bgm1 dbbKO) flies. In particular, I am determining the ages of onset (in 3-day adult-age intervals: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days after eclosion) of three neurogenic defects that the Letsou lab has already characterized in bgm and dbb mutant flies (laminal degeneration, retinal degeneration, and thinning of the fenestrated membrane). In brief, adult brains (ranging in age from 0-18 days as outlined above) are dissected, preserved in Bouin's fixative, and processed using standard methodologies. Brains are embedded in paraffin to obtain 6 μM horizontal sections. These are subsequently stained with hematoxylin and eosin to facilitate imaging of brain morphology. Sections are examined visually and scored for retinal and optic lobe defects. I expect that ALD will be accurately modeled in Drosophila. In this regard, I expect to see normal brains at birth but an age-dependent progressive degeneration. I also expect to determine the age of degenerative onset. Brittany Howard Brittany Howard (Anthea Letsou) Department of Human Genetics University of Utah Anthea Letsou THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 45 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Jessica Johnston USING CARBON NANOTUBES FOR NANOME-TER- SCALE ENERGY TRANSFER MICROSCOPY We investigate optical energy transfer between fluorophores and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNTs are grown on silicon-oxide wafers by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Whisker-like CNTs are then lifted off the substrates by atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips via Van der Waals forces, and are subsequently shortened by application of electrical pulses. The tip-attached CNTs are then scanned over fluorescent CdSe-ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with sub-nm precision while the fluorescence rate is recorded. A novel photon counting technique enables us to produce three-dimensional maps of the QD-CNT coupling, revealing nanoscale lateral and vertical features. All nanotubes tested (>50) strongly quenched the QD fluorescence, apparently independent of chirality. In some data, a delay in the recovery of QD fluores-cence following nanotube-QD contact was observed, suggesting possible charge transfer in this sys-tem. In the future, we will perform time-resolved studies to quantify the rate of energy and charge transfer processes. We will also investigate this energy/charge transfer process between tip-attached CNTs and single fluorescent molecules. Due to the short fluorescent life of the single molecules under normal experimental conditions, we are currently investigating environments that will lead to signifi-cant increases in single molecule fluorescent capabilities that will allow us to effectively study the energy/charge transfer process. Jessica Johnston, Eyal Shafran, Ben Mangum, (Jordan Gerton) Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Utah Eyal Shafran Ben Mangum Jordan Gerton 46 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 INFLUENCE OF INTEREST AND PERFORMANCE ON INDIVIDUALS'MOTIVATION TO PERSIST The study's purpose was to identify predictors of long-term, independent learning. Early researchers suggest mastering material is important for sustained efforts (White, 1959), whereas others propose the belief that learning can be useful is critical (Eccles, 2005). However, the Self-Regulation of Motiva-tion Model (Sansone & Thoman, 2005) suggests knowing how perceived usefulness affects interest while learning is important. Undergraduates (n=107, 68% female, 72% White, mean age=23) were ran-domly divided into three groups. In the first two, students were told they would learn HTML skills help-ful in creating either personal (personal application) or organizational (organizational application) web-pages respectively. Condition three mentioned they would learn HTML skills without specifying appli-cations (neutral). All participants completed the same online lesson. Following a quiz to assess mastery, students reported interest in the lesson (5 items, alpha=.88). Finally, students could request three months' access to an online college-level HTML class (the measure of likelihood of continued, inde-pendent learning). Regression analyses indicated that outlining potential applications did not directly predict subsequent requests for online class access. However, relative to the neutral condition, personal and organizational application conditions predicted greater interest (t(106)=2.139, p=.035, b=.619) and higher quiz scores (t(107)=2.476, p=.015, b=.446). In turn, Pearson correlations indicated the more interesting students found the initial lesson, the more likely they were to request online class access (r(106)= .361, p<.000). In contrast, greater mastery (higher quiz scores) was not significantly associated with access requests (r(106)=.179, p=0.065). Information regarding learning's potential usefulness was not directly associated with greater likelihood of sustained learning over time, but was associated with greater interest while learning. Interest was, in turn, associated with greater likelihood of learning more about the topic in the future. Although information about usefulness was associated with greater material mastery, mastery was less important for predicting learning over time. Robert Kent Robert Kent, Tonee Peterson, Cassandra Hansen, Tamra Fraughton (Carol Sansone) Department of Psychology University of Utah Tonee Peterson Carol Sansone THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 47 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS NOVEL DIPEPTIDE IN INGA THOUGHT TO PLAY A ROLE IN HERBIVORE DETERRENCE Over half of the macrorganisms composing tropical forests are plants and their herbivores. Due to their tight co-evolutionary history with herbivores, tropical plants produce chemical defenses to protect vul-nerable tissues such as their leaves. In tropical forests, over 70% of a leaf's lifetime damage occurs in the first few weeks of expansion, thus, young leaves are under great selective pressure to defend them-selves. Analyses of the young leaves of a widespread tropical tree genus, Inga, have revealed that a variety of chemical defenses can be present, both within a species and within an individual. Analysis of one species within Inga, I. tenuistipula, has revealed the presence of a previously undescribed dipep-tide that is thought to play a role in herbivore deterrence. Using flash chromatography, high perform-ance liquid chromatography, mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, isolation and char-acterization has revealed a cinnamate derivative of a glutamic acid-deoxyserine dipeptide. Unpolymer-ized amino acids, such as tyrosine, previously assayed have been shown to have defensive characteris-tics, although the potential defensive properties of this compound remain to be assessed. We are char-acterizing the diversity of chemical defenses in this recently radiated genus in an effort to better understand the dynamics of such widespread plant-herbivore interactions. Susanna Khachaturyan (Thomas A. Kursar, Phyllis D. Coley, John Lokvam) Department of Biology University of Utah 48 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 CERAMIDE-INDUCED DISRUPTION OF ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE DIMERIZATION IN BOVINE AORTIC ENDOTHE-LIAL CELLS (BAECs) IS NOT SECONDARY TO PEROXYNITRITE FORMATION Using pharmacological and genetic approaches to inhibit ceramide biosynthesis in mice, isolated arter-ies, and/or BAECs, we have shown that ceramide impairs arterial function by decreasing endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) activity in a tissue autonomous manner. eNOS dimerization is required for optimal eNOS enzymatic activity. Peroxynitrite has been shown to uncouple eNOS by dis-rupting protein dimer formation. We therefore hypothesized that ceramide-induced superoxide anion (O2•-) generation disrupts eNOS dimer formation as a result of increased peroxynitrite accumulation, which lowers NO bioavailability and decreases endothelial function. BAECs were treated for 3 hours (h) with: vehicle (V); 500 ÌM palmitate (pal); or pal + the ceramide synthesis inhibitor myriocin (M, 10 ÌM). Relative to V, pal increased: ceramide accumulation (measured by HPLC) by 1.6±0.1-fold (n=6); reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (measured by DCFDA fluorescence) by 3.2±0.2-fold (n=31); and O2•- production (measured by ESR) by 1.25±0.07-fold (n=13, all p<0.05). These changes were blunted (p<0.05) in BAECs treated with pal + M. Three independent methods to estimate nitrotyrosine forma-tion [i.e., immunoblotting (n=14-18), ELISA (n=16), and immunostaining (n=12)] showed no evidence for pal-evoked peroxynitrite accumulation. Despite the lack of pal-evoked peroxynitrite formation, insulin (n=10) and VEGF (n=10)-mediated increases (p<0.05) in p-eNOS at S1177 and S617, and the eNOS monomer : dimer ratio were prevented (p<0.05) by pal, but were restored by co-incubation of pal + M. These findings indicate that ceramide-evoked disruption of agonist-mediated eNOS phosphoryla-tion and dimerization occurs via a peroxynitrite - independent mechanism. NIHR15HL091493, ADA7- 08-RA-164 Christopher Kowalski Christopher Kowalski, Lloyd Wilson, Janvida Rou (J. David Symons) College of Health, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes University of Utah J. David Symons THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 49 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Hanna Kratochvil IDENTIFICATION OF OCTN2 CARNITINE TRANSPORTER INTERACTING PROTEINS Primary carnitine deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that impairs the capacity of the body to obtain sufficient amounts of energy from fat. It is caused by a mutation in the SLC22A5 (SoLute Carrier family 22 member 5) gene encoding OCTN2 (Organic Cation Transporter, Novel number 2). OCTN2 mediates the uptake of L-Carnitine into numerous tissues of the body. Some patients however, have no mutations in this gene, yet they have carnitine deficiency and their cells are unable to transport carni-tine. One possibility is that the activity of OCTN2 is regulated by interaction with a number of intracel-lular and/or other membrane proteins. A defect in these proteins may impair the activity of the trans-porter and lead to carnitine deficiency. Co-immunoprecipitation studies with a Green Fluorescent Protein tagged OCTN2 transporter has identified potential OCTN2 interacting proteins. Among these, a Non-Muscle Myosin was detected in several of the bands precipitated with OCTN2. This myosin is expressed in most cells and tissues, where it is involved in several functions including cytokinesis, cell motiliy, and maintenance of cell shape. In this study, we characterize the possible interaction between the two proteins and define its relevance to carnitine uptake. Following aims: 1) Validation of the inter-action between the two protiens using co-immunoprecipitation studies, as well as immunofluores-cence studies and, 2) Functional studies aimed to determine the role of myosin in carnitine uptake. This will be achieved using siRNA gene silencing as well as over-expression of MYH9. The identification of proteins interacting with OCTN2 will improve our understanding of how membrane transporters work and provide candidate genes for testing in patients with carnitine deficiency, but otherwise normal SLC22A5 gene. The Ann K. Volkman Scholar in Health Sciences 2009-2010 Hanna Kratochvil (Orly Ardon, Nicola Longo) Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics University of Utah Nicola Longo 50 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 DETERMINING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ARTERIES IN NEONATES FOR UNDERSTANDING THE INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE Abstract- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a bleeding disease, which affects the ventricular system of the brain. IVH is common in neonates, especially those with very low birth weight. The cause of this bleeding is not currently known. It has been thought that the forming ventricular structures in the neonate brain are susceptible to IVH. This study has analyzed data collected from umbilical arteries obtained from neonates of different gestational ages. The overall hypothesis is that the umbilical artery of neonates at different gestational stages has different mechanical properties, coinciding with differ-ent risks of intraventricular hemorrhage. We believe that the umbilical and intraventricular arteries may have similar timelines for development so that changes in umbilical vessel properties mirror those in the cerebral ventricular system. Comparing the mechanical properties of umbilical arteries at different gestational stages will begin to address these hypotheses. The resulting data showed that very early gestational stages of development had less structural stability, but after the gestational age of 31 weeks a difference in stability cannot be seen. Furthermore, this research lays important groundwork needed to further predict and prevent the widespread occurrence of neonatal IVH. Juhyun Lee Juhyun Lee (Ken Monson) Department of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering University of Utah Ken Monson THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 51 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Brandon D. Lindquist COMPARISON OF THE JOINT-SPECIFIC POWERS DURING DOUBLE-LEG AND SINGLE-LEG CYCLING Long term single-leg cycling, performed with similar biomechanics to double-leg cycling, could poten-tially be useful in the fields of preventative health, physical therapy, and sport performance. Our pur-pose was to compare joint-specific powers produced during double-leg cycling, single-leg cycling, and counterweighted single-leg cycling. Six cyclists (age: 25±5y; mass: 71±3kg; height: 1.75±0.04 m) per-formed sub-maximal cycling on a friction braked cycle ergometer at 80rpm during 4 different cycling conditions in the following order: double-leg cycling, counterweighted single-leg cycling with no instruction, counterweighted single-leg cycling with instructions to emphasize the extension phase of the pedal stroke, and single-leg cycling. Double-leg cycling trials were performed at 320W and single leg trials were performed at 160W. To prevent any preconceptions about how to perform single-leg cycling trials participants perform 5min of double-leg cycling at a self selected intensity between each cycling condition. Counterweighted single-leg cycling (no instruction and instruction) did produce similar pedal powers to double-leg cycling whereas single-leg cycling without a counterweight did not. Joint-specific powers at the ankle and knee were also similar between the counterweighted (no instruction and instruction) and double-leg cycling conditions. Counterweighted single-leg cycling with instruction seems to be more biomechanically similar to double-leg cycling at the hip. These results may have implications for preventative health by providing a familiar method of exercise to individuals with cardiorespiratory limitations who may otherwise be unable to perform long trials of aerobic exercise; for physical therapy to help correct deficits that may exist as a result of stroke or trau-matic brain injury; and for professional sports by providing a long term training method to cyclists in order to maximize the cardiac output delivered to a single leg and therefore increasing mitochondrial and capillary density. Brandon D. Lindquist, Steven J. Elmer (James C. Martin) Neuromuscular Function Laboratory, Department of Exercise & Sport Science University of Utah James C. Martin 52 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON SAGEBRUSH PRODUCTIVITY AND DROUGHT STRESS INFERRED FROM RADIAL GROWTH AND C OF ANNUAL RINGS Basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata) is the most widely distributed woody plant species in western North America, and is considered critical habitat for several threatened and endan-gered species. Climate change over the next century, however may pose a considerable threat to the current distribution of sagebrush. The frequency and intensity of drought is expected to increase over the next century, potentially resulting in the widespread mortality of sagebrush plants throughout the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Unlike most desert shrubs, sagebrush forms distinct annual growth rings. These individual rings may be analyzed for several physiological and morphological attributes related to its response to climate, included the analysis of stable isotope ratios of whole wood. The objective of this research is to analyze the stable carbon isotope ratios ( C) in annual growth rings of sagebrush occurring in the southwest-ern edge of the Colorado Plateau. Our goal is to determine if mortality and sensitivity to forecasted cli-mate change can be predicted from C in growth rings. Specifically, the proposed research will: 1) determine the relationship of ring width (radial growth) and C of growth rings with climate, and 2) compare the carbon isotope ratios of recently deceased sagebrush plants with those of co-occurring live plants. Previous work has shown that individual sagebrush plants growing near Escalante, Utah had a fairly direct correlation between C of individual rings and the regional annual Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) (Figure 1). The data in Figure 1 suggests that regional drought directly impacts the water balance and carbon uptake of sagebrush as reflected by the large variation in C. Stable carbon isotope ratios in sagebrush may predict patterns of mortality. The future distribution of sagebrush under predicted climate conditions may depend on its sensitivity to large variations in drought - interdrought cycles. Carbon isotope ratios in annual growth rings may provide clues to how sagebrush will respond to drought. Drought induced mortality may be correlated with large inter-annual fluctuations of C in growth rings Ironically, prolonged wet periods may also promote suscep-tibility to future drought: a hypothesis that we intend to test using C analysis. Rachel Lofgren Rachel Lofgren (Kevin Hultine) Department of Biology University of Utah Kevin Hultine Figure 1. Carbon isotope composition ( 13C) of annual growth rings in sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) plants (n = 4) versus the regional annual Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). The data are from four plants grown near Escalante, Utah varying in age from 30 - 70 years old. ANOVA relationships 13C and PDSI are significant in all plants; regression equation: 13C = -24.00 - 0.35*PDSI (P < 0.05) [Hultine and Bramble, THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 53 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Patrick D. Loftus OVERCROWDING OF AN EPITHELIUM SQUEEZES CELL OUT To maintain the physical health of many organs, the number of epithelial cells that die must match the number of cells that divide. If cell division is slower than cell death, the protective epithelial barrier function is compromised, whereas if cell division rates are faster than death rates, epithelial cancers result. When cell death, or apoptosis, occurs in an epithelial monolayer, each dying cell sends signals to its live neighbors, which form an actin and myosin ring that squeezes the dying cell out in a process called extrusion. While apoptotic stimuli induce cell death as well as extrusion, we have also found that extrusion appears to precede cell death during development, suggesting that extrusion could be driv-ing cell death in vivo. We hypothesize overcrowding of cells, due to normal cell proliferation, will initi-ate the extrusion pathway and drive the extruding cells to die and, thereby, regulating homeostasis in normal cells. Madin-Darbey Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells were grown into epithelial monolayers on a stretched silicone matrix. The matrix was released from its stretched state, thereby compressing the monolayer and increasing cell crowding. The monolayers were immunostained with markers for extru-sion and apoptosis. Overcrowding of the monolayer activated the extrusion pathway independent of the apoptosis pathway. At the onset of overcrowding 3% of the total number of extruding cells were non-apoptotic. At two hours post overcrowding, the number of non-apoptotic extruding cells increased from 3% to 45%. In normal tissues these extruded cells die from a lack of survival signals. Typically, metastatic tumors can override survival signaling and, therefore, extruded tumor cells could be impervious to death after extrusion. Extruding tumor cells blocked from apoptosis could leave the monolayer, enabling them to initiate metastasis to other sites in the body. This study will aide us in understanding how tumor cells metastasize and how tissues normally maintain homeostasis. Future steps involve identifying the specific extrusion signals activated by overcrowding. As we further under-stand extrusion signals we will be able to identify targets for metastasis regulation, thus increasing the survival rate of those suffering from cancer. Patrick D. Loftus (George Eisenhoffer, Jody Rosenblatt) Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute University of Utah George Eisenhoffer 54 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 AGL61 INTERACTS WITH AGL80 AND IS REQUIRED FOR CENTRAL CELL DEVELOPMENT IN ARABIDOPSIS Upon fertilization of the CC, endosperm development is initiated providing nutrients for the seeds developing embryo. The transcription factors AGL61 and AGL80, which encode Type I MADS domain proteins, are necessary for the proper development and function of the central cell. AGL61 and AGL80 show similar expression patterns where expression is localized exclusively in the nucleus of the central cell and early endosperm. Additionally, both agl61 and agl80 phenotypes exhibit a reduction in size of the central cell and a reduced or absent CC vacuole. Due to these expression and phenotypic similari-ties, along with AGL61 and AGL80s positive interaction in yeast two-hybrid assays, we proposed that AGL61 and AGL80 function as a heterodimer, regulating downstream factors involved in CC develop-ment. To determine whether AGL61 and AGL80 interact in vivo, we completed a biomolecular fluores-cence complementation (BiFC) assay. Our current and future work will focus on determining which genes are downstream of AGL61 and AGL80. Currently, GFP promoter constructs representing many CC-expressed genes are being crossed into agl61 and agl80 mutants. Furthermore, any CC-expressed genes that are downstream are crossed with a third mutant, DME (another regulatory gene down-stream of AGL61 and AGL80), to further dissect the CC gene regulatory network. Kyle Logan Kyle Logan, (Josh G. Steffen, Gary N. Drews) Department of Biology University of Utah Kyle Logan Darryl L. Kropf IDENTIFYING POLARITY MUTANTS IN ECTOCARPUS SILICULOSUS Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control polarity during early zygotic growth is very important. In many organisms, polarity establishment is determined before fertilization, which makes it difficult to identify the genetic and molecular pathways necessary for asymmetric growth and cell differentiation. Heterokonts, or brown algae, are different because polarity is determined after fertiliza-tion and is further controlled by environmental cues, most notably light. Although it is known that the cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in polarity establishment, information regarding the genetic and molecular pathways that control this process has been limited due to the lack of genomic data. Recently, the filamentous brown alga, Ectocarpus siliculosus, was chosen as the first genetic and genomic brown algal model organism. The genome has now been sequenced and annotation is well underway. We have shown that E. siliculosus establishes polarity and begins asymmetric growth by growing away from a unidirectional light source. This process is similar to other brown algae, where the cytoskeletal mechanisms that control negative photopolarization are well characterized. We are currently in the process of identifying mutants that show contrasting developmental traits. These include phototransduction and cell polarity mutants. Phototransduction mutants are compromised in photopolarization and/or phototropism and cell polarity mutants fail to establish polarity and initiate localized tip growth. After the mutants are selected and isolated, standard genetic backcrosses, along with next generation sequencing, will allow us identify genes responsible for the genetic and molecu-lar pathways responsible for cell polarity in E. siliculosus. Kyle Logan (Darryl L. Kropf) Department of Biology University of Utah THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 55 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Shan Lu MODULATION OF POLYAROMATIC HYDROCAR-BON TOXICITY BY CARBON NANOMATERIALS --ASSESS THE RESCUE EFFECTS BY NANO-CAR-BON MATERIALS ON PHENANTHRENE TOXICITY IN SOLUTION Nanomaterials are researched and used increasingly in consumer products, technological applications, and medical treatments. However, in many cases the toxicological implications of these new materials lag behind the application of these materials. Carbon nanomaterials (CNM) represent what is possibly the most-studied class of nanoparticles, but much disagreement exists concerning their toxicity and much work remains in their toxicological assessment. Since many CNM have intrinsically high specific surface area and all CNM have much molecular commonality with ubiquitous organic pollutants, there is some concern over the ability of CNMs to interact with and modify the effects of such toxicants. This project focuses on assessing the impact of a variety of CNMs on the toxicity of phenanthrene-a com-mon, mutagenic, polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The zebrafish embryo (ZFE) model was employed to examine both mortality and sub-acute, developmental abnormalities arising from phenanthrene exposures and the effect of CNMs upon the occurrence and severity of toxic endpoints. Distinct forms of CNM, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), fullerenes (C60), and carbon black (CB), were found to distinctly modify phenanthrene toxicity in ZFE. Subsequently, CNM surface areas, mor-phologies, and intramolecular bonding characteristics were assessed to elucidate the source of the observed modulation of phenanthrene toxicity in the presence of CNMs. Shan Lu (David Grainger) Department of Bioengineering University of Utah Clinton Jones David Grainger 56 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS SPRING 2010 THE CINEMATIC DISPLAY The Interplay medium is a live performance art that happens simultaneously in multiple locations across the globe, filmed, streamed over the Internet and mixed into a surrealistic cinematic experience. For this project we are developing the user interface for the Cinematic Display for tele-matic perform-ances using the Access Grid video-conferencing software. The Cinematic Display consists of a control computer, three display computers, and three projectors. Windows are placed on the Cinematic Display and arranged artistically in real time during the performance by changing window size, placement, and content and is the form in which the content from the satellite sites is exhibited. This research into the user interface along with the research and programming in the area of Comput-er Science is attempting to add features to the Access Grid software such as cinematic transitions, map-ping video to 3-D objects, and a better window management interface. As programming is completed, other functions of the research will be testing the user interface for functionality as well as document-ing the controls in a manual for the user interface for future researchers. The aim is for our compiled effort to culminate in creating a customized version of the Access Grid software that can be used in tele-matic performances such as the Interplay. If successful, our research will allow a more cinematic viewing experience as well as create a comprehensive control interface that will give the Operator more features and easier control over the Cinematic Display. Colin McDermott Colin McDermott, JOsh Bross (Elizabeth, Jimmy Miklavcic) Center for High Performance Computing University of Utah Josh Bross Elizabeth Miklavcic Jimmy Miklavcic THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH 57 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Kristen D. McIntosh ANALYSIS OF ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN COMPOSITION OF A HYALURONIC ACID-BASED HYDROGEL Articular cartilage provides the mechanical properties necessary to cushion our joints. However, when articular cartilage becomes damaged its biomechanical properties change leading to further degener-ation and eventually osteoarthritis. Once damaged, cartilage is very limited in its ability to repair itself and current treatment methods only cause further damage to either the subchondral bone or the sur-rounding cartilage [1]. Therefore, there is a need for an enhanced method of articular cartilage repair. Hyaluronic Acid-based hydrogels have been identified as a possible solution for enhancing the treat-ment of articular cartilage damage by acting as a scaffold to encourage cartilage re-growth [2]. How-ever, for this method to be effective, the hydrogels must have certain biodegradable properties in order to maintain mechanical stability and promote the appropriate amount of nutrient diffusion through the scaffold. The goal of this study was to test and characterize the degradative properties of six different hydrogel formulations with varying concentrations of carboxymethyl hyaluronic acid (CMHA-S), gelatin (Gtn-S) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to determine an optimal gel for-mulation for use as a scaffold material. Testing was carried out by submerging each hydrogel formulation in solutions of hyaluronidase (5units/mL, 10units/mL or 50units/mL) , collagenase (0.2mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml or 2.0 mg/ml) and a combi-nation of collagenase and hyaluronidase at their lowest concentrations. Analysis of the average time to degradation reveals that collagenase combined with hyaluronidase significantly reduces the aver-age time to disintegration when compared to either 5 units/mL hyaluronidase or 0.2 mg/mL collage-nase alone (p<0.05). These results indicate a synergistic effect on degradation when enzymes are com-bined. This study also demonstrated that material 9 consistently exhibited an interm