Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium · 2016-08-04 · The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Academic Achievement Programs

The 24th Annual National

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium

McNair Scholars: Decolonizing the Academy

August 4th - August 7th, 2016

University of California, Berkeley2016

The 24th Annual National

Ronald E. McNair

Scholars Symposium

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars ProgramAcademic Achievement Programs Center

Division of Equity and InclusionUniversity of California, Berkeley

2515 Channing WayBerkeley, CA 94720-2410

Phone: 510-642-7935Fax: 510-642-7129

http://aap.berkeley.edu

The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium • 2

Welcometo the

24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair

Scholars Symposiumand to the

University of California, Berkeley

The staff of the Academic Achievement Programs Center and the Berkeley McNair Scholars Program hope you have a wonderful

stay in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We have included campus maps inside. Please check Guidebook for suggestions of places to see and things to do.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your stay more enjoyable.


McNair Symposium 2016 Table of Contents

McNair Symposium Page 1

Welcome to the 2016 Symposium 2

Table of Contents 3

Schedule at a Glance 4

Acknowledgements 7

Guest Speakers 11

About Dr. Ronald E. McNair 15

Letter From Vice Chancellor Na’ilah Suad Nasir 16

Letter From Juan F. Esteva Martínez 18

Symposium Schedule 20

Abstracts 60

Index 167

Maps (Dwinelle, UC Berkeley Campus) 174


Schedule at a Glance

24th Annual National

Ronald E. McNair Scholars SymposiumSummer 2016


Wednesday, August 3, 2016

1:00 pm-4:00 pm Symposium Registration at Foothill Dormitories

Thursday, August 4, 2016

7:30 am-9:30 am Symposium Registration at Foothill Dormitories7:00 am-7:30 am Pre-Symposium Activity: University of California, Davis Tour

Buses load from Foothill Suites 2700 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94720(Cross Hearst Ave. and Highland Pl.)

7:30 am-8:00 am Pre-Symposium Activity: Stanford University TourBuses load from Foothill Suites 2700 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94720(Cross Hearst Ave. and Highland Pl.)

9:00 am-1:00 pm Davis and Stanford University Tours 10:30 am-4:30 pm Symposium Registration in Dwinelle Hall Lobby11:00 am-Noon Pre-symposium Activity: UC Berkeley Tour Dwinelle Lobby2:45 pm-3:45 pm Pre-symposium Activity: UC Berkeley Tour Dwinelle Lobby4:00 pm-6:00 pm Welcome & Plenary Session A in 155 Dwinelle Hall 6:30 pm-7:30 pm Faculty and Directors Apéritif Heyns Patio, Faculty Club7:30 pm-9:30 pm Faculty and Directors Dinner, Heyns Room, Faculty Club

Friday, August 5 , 2016

7:30 am-4:00 pm Registration & Assistance Desk in Dwinelle Hall Lobby7:30 am-8:45 am Continental Breakfast in Dwinelle Hall Lobby9:00 am-9:55 am Plenary Session B in 155 Dwinelle Hall10:00 am-11:20 am Breakout: STEM Disciplines in 155 Dwinelle Hall (Diana Lizarraga)10:00 am-11:20 am Concurrent Session A in Dwinelle Hall10:00 am-11:00 am UC Berkeley Tour from Dwinelle Lobby11:30 am-12:30pm Graduate School Panel in 155 Dwinelle12:30 pm-2:00 pm BBQ Lunch & Graduate School Fair, Campanile Esplanade


Graduate School List

Case Western Reserve UniversityColumbia University

ILIFF School of Theology, DenverPhillips Exeter Academy

Stanford UniversityThe Pardee RAND Graduate School

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Davis

University of California, Los AngelesUniversity of California, Merced

University of California, San DiegoUniversity of Chicago

University of Chicago, Urban Teacher Education ProgramUniversity of Illinois at Chicago

University of Minnesota University of San Francisco

University of Southern CaliforniaVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

2:00 pm-3:20 pm GRE Workshop 145 Dwinelle Hall2:00 pm-3:20 pm GRE Workshop The Princeton Review 155 Dwinelle2:00 pm-3:20 pm Financial Literacy Workshop 251 Dwinelle2:00 pm-3:20 pm Concurrent Session B in Dwinelle Hall3:30 pm-3:50 pm Coffee Break in Dwinelle Hall4:10 pm-5:30 pm GRE Workshop 145 Dwinelle Hall4:10 pm-5:30 pm GRE Workshop The Princeton Review 228 Dwinelle4:10 pm-5:30 pm Financial Literacy Workshop 258 Dwinelle4:10 pm-5:30 pm Concurrent Session C in Dwinelle Hall4:10 pm-5:30 pm Concurrent Session C in Dwinelle Hall5:40 pm-6:45 pm Cultural Event Mariachi Halcones de Oakland and Raffle

Saturday, August 6, 2016

7:30 am-4:00 pm Registration & Assistance Desk in Dwinelle Hall Lobby7:30 am-8:45 am Continental Breakfast in Dwinelle Hall Lobby9:00 am-9:55 am Plenary Session C (Graduate School Workshop) in 155 Dwinelle Hall10:00 am-11:20 am Concurrent Session D in Dwinelle Hall10:00 am-11:20 am STEM Graduate Workshop 155 Dwinelle Hall11:30 am-12:20 pm Plenary Session D in 155 Dwinelle Hall12:30 pm-1:50 pm Lunch in Dwinelle Lobby with Poster Presentations



2:00 pm-3:20 pm Graduate School Workshop 155 Dwinelle Hall2:00 pm-3:20 pm Concurrent Session E in Dwinelle Hall3:20 pm-3:50 pm Coffee Break in Dwinelle Lobby with Poster Presentation 4:00 pm-5:20 pm Graduate School Workshop 155 Dwinelle Hall4:00 pm-5:30 pm Concurrent Session F in Dwinelle Hall 5:45 pm-6:45 pm Cultural Performance Flamenco Caminos and Raffle

Sunday, August 7, 2016

7:30 am-4:00 pm Registration & Assistance Desk in Dwinelle Hall Lobby7:30 am-8:45 am Continental Breakfast in Dwinelle Hall Lobby9:00 am-9:55 am Plenary Session E in 155 Dwinelle Hall10:00 am-11:20 am Concurrent Session G in Dwinelle Hall11:30 am-12:25 pm Plenary Session F in Dwinelle Hall12:30 pm-1:00 pm Closing & GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE!!! in 155 Dwinelle and Cultural Perfor-mance Danza In Xochitl In Cuicatl1:00 pm-1:30pm Lunch at Dwinelle Plaza6:00 pm-12:00 am San Francisco Bay Cruise-Dinner and Dance

Buses load from 6-6:30 pm at Foothill Suites,

2700 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720

Buses will DEPART PROMPTLY at 6:30pm and return at Midnight



Acknowledgements

The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium would like to thank all those whose support has made this event possible.

At the Department of Education, we are pleased to have theopportunity to thank:

Arne Duncan, Secretary of EducationLinda Byrd-Johnson, Director, Office of Federal TRIO ProgramsDenise Rosier, Program Specialist, Office of Federal TRIO Programs

At the UC Berkeley campus, we welcome the opportunity toacknowledge:

AdministrationDr. Nicholas B. Dirks, Chancellor, University of California, BerkeleyDr. Na’ilah Suad Nasir, Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion, University ofCalifornia, Berkeley

UC Berkeley StaffWilliam Neill Gross, Educational Technology ServicesBen Hubbard, Educational Technology ServicesCynthia Ladd-Viti, Graduate Outreach & Summer Research CoordinatorJoyce Peng, Classroom Scheduling, UCBKendra Karnes, Office of Registrar, Scheduling

Offices and ResourcesAfrique Sogue (West African PerformanceBancroft HotelBerkeley Event ServicesBrown Audio Visual Services, Otis BrownCarolyn’s Creole KitchenCominos FlamencosCommodore Cruises & EventsCopyMat HaywardDoubletree HotelDanza In Xochitl In Cuicatl (Danza Azteca-MexicaDr. Joseph L.Brown, Stanford UniversityDurant HotelD&D Designs and Screen PrintingEastshore Charter LinesETS Berkeley (Educational Technology Services Berkeley AV)

Acknowledgements


Symposium Coordination TeamAaron Cobian CrewAureliano Yepez Filming crewCarlos Jimenez CrewClarence Ford CrewClint Ternell CrewDavid Maldonado CrewDepree Doyle Movie Edditing DirectorEdward Rivero-Lulo Tour GuideFele Uperesa Tour GuideInna Shapiro Symposium Coordinator

Acknowledgements

Event MagicGuidebookHilton GardenMariachi Halcones De OaklandMichael’s Transportation ServicesMoe’s FlowersNorthside CaféOxford AbstractsBerkeley Stamp & Engraving Co.Ronnie McFarland, Casanares CateringUC Berkeley Faculty ClubUC Davis Event Services, Teresa BrownUC Davis Visitor’s ServicesUniversity of California, Berkeley-Dormitories

UC Berkeley Academic Achievement Program Center StaffAlejandro Garcia, McNair Program AdvisorAlejandro Sabogal, Ph.D., McNair Program AdvisorBrit Bostic, Business and Operations ManagerDiana Lizarraga, Diversity STEM ProfessionalFabrizio Mejia, Executive Director, Student Equity and SuccessInna Shapiro, McNair Program AssistantJavane Strong, Student Support Services DirectorJennifer Bradford, George A. Miller Scholars Program DirectorJuan Francisco Esteva Martínez, McNair Scholars Program DirectorKarina R. Palau, Ph.D., McNair Program AdvisorMichelle Samuel, Student Support Services AdvisorNa’ilah Suad Nasir, Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion, McNair Program Principal Inves-tigatorRené Kissell, McNair Program Instructor


Jamal Batts Tour GuideJames Manriquez Symposium Coordinator Assistant Janneth Liborio Tour GuideJorge Cardenas Symposium Movie DirectorJose “Danny” Marillo CrewJuan Francisco Esteva Martinez McNair DirectorKarina Palau McNair AdvisorMarissa Ramirez Tour GuideMegan Espinoza Symposium Coordinator Assistant Melanie Plasencia Tour GuideMichaela Palmer VolunteerMonica Ruiz Symposium Coordinator Assistant Reynalda Quintero McNair Director AssistantRichard Rodriguez Information TechnologyRobert Demarco CrewSara Beroff Tour Guide

UC Berkeley Faculty MentorsAlex M. Saragoza, Ph.D. Ethnic StudiesAlexander Paulin, Ph.D. MathematicsAndrew L. Barlow, Ph.D. SociologyAnneks Lenssen, Ph.D. Art HistoryBrian Powers, Ph.D. SociologyCeleste Langan, Ph.D. EnglishChiyuma Elliott, Ph.D. African American StudiesChris Zepeda-Millan, Ph.D. Ethnic StudiesCristina Natacha Mora, Ph.D. Plant & Microbial BiologyDana R. Carney, Ph.D. Hass School of BusinessDaniel Fisher, Ph.D. Near Eastern StudiesDavid B. Graves, Ph.D. Chemical EngineeringDorothy J. Hale, Ph.D. EnglishDouglas S. Clark, Ph.D. Chemical EngineeringJeffrey L. Edleson, Ph.D. Social WelfareJennifer Sowerwine, Ph.D. Environmental Science, Policy, and ManagementJoseph Lavery, Ph.D. EnglishKaren B. Sokal-Gutierrez, Ph.D. Public HealthKent G. Lightfoot, Ph.D. AnthropologyKristine A. Madsen, Ph.D. Community Health & Human Development Kurt C. Organista, Ph.D. Social WelfareLisa Trever, Ph.D. Art HistoryMahassin Mujhid, Ph.D. Public HealthMichael Burawoy, Ph.D. Sociology

Acknowledgements


Patricia Hilden, Ph.D. Ethnic StudiesStephanie Ries, Ph.D. Cognitive NeuroscienceStephen P. Hinshaw, Ph.D. PsychologySymposium ModeratorsEdward Rivero, UC Berkeley Graduate and Graduate StudentAmy Andrea Martinez, UC, Santa Barbara McNair ScholarFele Uperesa, UC Berkeley Graduate and McNair ScholarJanneth Liborio-Lulo, UC Berkeley Graduate and McNair ScholarJuan F. Esteva Martinez, Program DirectorKristophe Green, UC Berkeley Graduate and McNair ScholarMarissa Zweiger, UC Berkeley Graduate Student and McNair ScholarMatthew Gonzales, UC Berkeley Graduate Student, Cal State Long Beach McNair ScholarMelanie Plasencia, UC Berkeley Graduate Student, Rutgers McNair ScholarMichael Singh, UC Berkeley Graduate Student and McNair ScholarSamantha Erigio, UC Davis Graduate Student, UC Berkeley McNair Scholar

At the University of California, Davis we thank:Teresa Brown, Senior Manager, Conferences and Event ServicesJaques Bowyer, McNair Scholars Adviser

Guest Speakers

Acknowldegements


Donald Asher is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate admissions pro-cess. Tens of thousands of students have seen his lectures, tapes, and teleconferences. He is the author of nine books, including Graduate Admissions Essays, the best-selling guide to graduate admissions.

Dr. Sam Bersola has 26 years of experience serving students in all four sectors of California’s higher education system: the independent colleges and universities, the University of Cali-fornia, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges.

As the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education at UCLA since 2008, he oversees direc-tors in the areas of graduate academic affairs; financial services & fellowships; outreach, inclusion & diversity; information technology & institutional research; budget & personnel; and operations & external relations.

He earned a Ph.D. in education policy from Stanford University, a master’s in educational administration and social policy from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UC Berkeley.

Dr. Bersola is a published researcher on the transitions from college to graduate school and from high school to college. He began his career in undergraduate admissions, working at University of Southern California, California State University Maritime Academy and Amherst College, specializing in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students. He also taught high school mathematics and college counseled students in California, Massachusetts and Great Britain.

Prior to arriving at UCLA, he served as Chief Operations Officer and Executive Director of Residential Life at UC Santa Cruz and Vice President and Dean of Student Services at Mission College in Santa Clara, CA. As a 2015-16 American Council on Education Fellow, he shad-owed two deans at Yale for a semester and the President of San Francisco State University (Les Wong) for a semester. He was recently appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve on two committees/councils: the California State Advisory Council on Early Learning and Care and The Committee on Awards for Innovation in Higher Education. He recently became a board member of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education.

Joseph Brown received his B.S. degree in physics from Southwest Texas State University and an Sc.M. degree in biomedical engineering from Brown University. After working for IBM as a marketing representative he was admitted to the Ph.D. program in social psychology at Stanford University. His research focused on the influence of stereotypes and prejudice on the intellectual identities and performance of women and minorities. He is currently the Graduate Diversity Recruitment Officer for the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stan-ford University. He has also lectured in the department of psychology.

Guest Speakers


Cristina Castro is a Financial Wellness Peer Mentor at the University of California, Berkeley. She gives workshops on financial literacy to undergraduate students.

Cynthia Ladd-Viti is the Assistant Director for the Office for Graduate Diversity at the Uni-versity of California, Berkeley. She also directs the Summer Research Opportunity Program, and coordinates programming and activities to promote the goals of the Graduate Diversity Programs. She often travels across the nation to recruit students across the nation.

Diana Lizarraga is a Diversity STEM university professional with over 21 years of experi-ence with student-centric programs. She is a proud alumni of McNair Scholars Program, NSF LSAMP/CAMP, Hugh Edmondson Pathology Research Fellow, and MESA programs. She attended four community colleges before transferring to UC Davis to earn her B.S. degree in Agriculture, Systems, and Environment. Her Masters in in Organizational Development with a specialty in Diversity Leadership. She is currently working on her doctoral degree in educational leadership. She runs several programs and initiatives for UC Berkeley under the umbrella program name of Cal NERDS. She has a specialty in working with underrepresented student communities; low-income, first-generation, LGTBQ, foster, undocumented, transfer, women, re-entry,and untraditional students. She has a strong foundation in high impact learning, hosting research conferences, building faculty relationships, and developing part-nerships to improve student outcomes. She has expertise in student research presentations, creating diversity recruitment plans, women in STEM support, community-building strate-gies, hyper-connected techno student advising models, retention ecosystems, and graduate school preparation activities.

Juan Francisco Esteva Martinez is the Director of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at the University of California, Berkeley where he coordinates the independent research of a cohort of first-generation college, low-income, and underrepresented undergraduate scholars. He also is the Director for the Program for the Study and Practice of Indigenous Languages and Culture at the Myers Institute where he coordinates Indigenous language courses open to both students and the general community. Juan Francisco obtained two baccalaureate degrees in Chicano Studies and Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley (1995) and he is currently completing his doctoral degree from the State University of New York at Albany (expected 2016). In 1998, Juan Francisco joined the Street Organiza-tion Project housed at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where, as a leading ethnographic researcher, he assisted in the collection of data to document the politicization of gangs in the New York City and South Central Los Angeles areas. Juan Francisco is the author of the article “Urban Street Activists: Gangs and Community Efforts to Bring Peace and Justice to Los Angeles Neighborhood” published inGangs and Society. He has also contributed entries to the Encyclopedia of Gangs. Juan Francisco has been and active participant in the Danza Azteca Movement both in the Bay Area and New York City. Juan is an alumnus of the Chi-


cano Latino Youth Leadership Project (1987).

Paul N. MacDonald, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean for Graduate Education in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and a Professor in the Department of Phar-macology. Dr. MacDonald received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1988 and completed postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Mark R. Haussler at the University of Arizona. He was previously on the faculty at Washington University and St. Louis University before arriving at Case Western Reserve University in 1999. For over 20 years, his laboratory has studied vitamin D, transcriptional mechanisms of the vitamin D receptor, and the significance of the vitamin D endocrine system in skin and bone physiology. Dr. MacDonald is the DIrector of the NIH-funded, Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP), a program designed to enhance under-represented minority matriculation into biomedical Ph.D. training programs at CWRU and across the nation. He is firmly committed to enhancing the graduate education mission in the the School of Medicine and to improving diversity in the graduate student population. Dr. MacDonald’s overall mission is to ensure that all graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are provided the best educational approaches, training experiences and individualized skill development in order to attain early success as leaders in academic, industrial, or other research-related professions.

Josephine Moreno, Ph.D. is a Graduate Diversity Officer at the University of California, Davis. She recruits talented graduate students for the humanities, social sciences, and education fields. She also provides support and advise for continuing graduate students of diverse backgrounds. Dr. Moreno is a regular speaker on issues of diversity and higher education, graduate admission processes, and in graduate mentoring.

Na’ilah Suad Nasir is the Vice Chancellor for Division of Equity and Inclusion at the Uniersity of California, Berkeley. She is also the H. Michael and Jeanne Williams Chair of African American Studies, and holds the Birgeneau Chair in Educational Disparities in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Berkeley. Her program of research focuses on issues of race, culture, and schooling. She is the author of Racial-ized Identities: Race and achievement for African-American youth, published by Stanford University Press in 2011. She has also published over 30 articles in scholarly journals. She received a teaching award from the African American Student Development Office in 2011, and she strives to integrate her scholarly work with her commitment to commu-nity and engaged scholarship.

Dr. Kendrick Perry Paul N. MacDonald, Ph.D. joined the Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science in June 2016 as its Director of Diversity and Outreach. Previously, he was the Director of the McNair Scholars and DiscoverLaw.org PLUS programs at Suffolk University in Boston. He earned his doctorate in higher education from the University of


Virginia, Master of Public Administration and graduate certificate in nonprofit management from North Carolina State University, and BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jamee Stahl is a Financial Wellness Peer Mentor at the University of California, Berkeley. She gives workshops on financial literacy to undergraduate students.


Dr. Ronald Ervin McNair

Dr. Ronald Ervin McNair was born in 1950 in a segregated low-income community in Lake City, South Carolina. In 1971, he graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics. He then enrolled in the Mas-sachusetts Institute Technology. In 1976, at the age of 26, he earned his Ph.D. degree in laser physics.

Dr. McNair soon became a recognized expert in laser physics while working as a staff physi-cist with the Hughes Research Laboratory. Selected by NASA for the space shuttle program in 1978, he was a Mission Specialist aboard the 1984 flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

For his achievements, Ronald E. McNair received three honorary doctorate degrees and many fellowships and commendations. These distinctions include: Presidential Scholar, 1967-71; Ford Foundation Fellow 1971-74; National Fellowship Fund Fellow, 1974-75; Omega Psi Phi Scholar of the Year, 1975; Distinguished National Scientist, National Society of Black Professional Engineers, 1979; and the Friend of Freedom Award, 1981. Ronald E. McNair also held a fifth degree black belt in karate and was an accomplished jazz saxophon-ist. He was married to Cheryl Moore and was the dedicated father of a daughter, Joy Cheray McNair, and a son, Reginald McNair.

After his death in the Challenger explosion in 1986, members of Congress provided funding to establish the Robert E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program to encourage students from low-income, first-generation college backgrounds or students from groups under-represented in fields of graduate study to enroll in graduate studies. This program is dedicated to the high standards of achievement inspired by Dr. McNair’s life.

About Dr. Ronald E. McNair


August 4, 2016

The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars SymposiumMcNair Scholars: Decolonizing the Academy

Letter from Na’ilah Suad Nasir Vice Chancellorfor the Division of Equity and inclusion

Dear McNair Scholars Community:

I welcome you to the University of California, Berkeley. I am very pleased to convene this Annual Ronald E. McNair Scholars California Symposium, which has now reached its 24th anniversary. This year, the Symposium will welcome over fifty institutions from across the country. Your hard work and accomplishments are not only a reflection but also pay homage to the life, aspirations, and legacy of Challenger Astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair.

As all scholars, you are studying and contributing to the existing bodies of knowledge in your respective fields. From here, you will continue to grow as academics. You will continue to develop and advance the way we think about research, the skills and techniques that can be utilized, the applicable theoretical frameworks that help inform research topics, and the interpretation of the evidence you collect. You should be very proud of yourselves, McNair Scholars. I applaud you and your accomplishments and I invite you to think of this symposium as a tribute to you: to your endurance and progress, to your future endeavors as scholar.

This week, many of you will report your research findings and their implications to your respective fields. If you are not aware already, your McNair scholarship continues to impress scholars, educators, and politicians just to name a few. The depth and rigor of your investigations encompass an array of interests across disciplines. This year, for example, you will witness scholarship on topics ranging from the sociology of death street gangs, to the rise of the prisoner reentry industry, to the study of dark matter.

We hope you use the critical feedback you receive at this symposium to finalize your work, and prepared it for publication in our Ronald E. McNair Scholars California Symposium Journal. We encourage you to stay connected to the McNair community and we hope that you allow us to continue to be part of your transition from an undergraduate researcher to a doctoral program graduate student, professor and, and beyond.

McNair Scholars contributions to the bodies of knowledge have the potential to enhance and to positively transform society and shape our world.

Lastly, let me extend many special thanks to the professors, directors, mentors, staff,


graduate students, and advisors for the contributions they make help to the McNair Scholars reach their achievements.

Best regards, Na’ilah Suad Nasir Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Professor, Graduate School of EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley


August 4, 2016

The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars SymposiumMcNair Scholars: Decolonizing the Academy

Letter from Juan Francisco Esteva MartínezDirector of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

Greetings on behalf of Chancellor Nicholas Dirks, Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion Na’ilah Suad Nasir, McNair Scholars, faculty mentors, graduate student tutors, and the staff of the UC Berkeley Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. We extend to all of you an enthusiastic welcome to the University of California, Berkeley.

This year, our symposium theme is “Decolonizing the Academy.” The McNair Scholars Program’s mission deals directly with this theme at the structural and ideological level. What does it mean to decolonize the academy? Structurally, it means to prepare excellent researchers that will challenge the conventional paradigms, theories, and methodologies, and it requires that we continue pushing our colleges and universities to make way for this kind of innovative research. McNair Scholars come from demographic groups that are often excluded from the institutions of higher education and communities that are often stigmatized and dehumanized by mainstream researchers. And yet, year after year, I see that the McNair Scholars who present their work at the University of California, Berkeley do not fail to address issues that directly affect their communities, including lack of access to health services, Black Lives Matter, formerly incarcerated students in higher education, undocumented students, gender and violence, and many more. I also see that McNair Scholars conduct scientific research that can positively affect their communities such as research on diabetes, hypertension, social anxiety, and stereotype threat. Decolonizing the academy requires that we create the institutions that will afford students like these the venues to present their work and to publish it. This is why, year after year, we continue to organize this prestigious symposium where McNair Scholars can present their work. This year, we are excited to further this effort by releasing the first issue of the Ronald E. McNair Symposium Journal, which will provide all symposium participants with the opportunity to publish their work.

I frequently say that confronting structural discrimination requires a structural answer. That is what McNair is: a structural answer to the inequity and exclusion that has permeated colleges and universities in this country.

While McNair Programs are engaged in challenging the structures of academia, they also are engaged in fostering the researchers who work to decolonize knowledge. Decolonizing the academy at the ideological level requires that we debunk, deconstruct, and counter hundreds of years of colonial knowledge generated with the specific purpose of controlling,


enslaving, and exploiting colonized populations in order to extract their wealth and labor. The days of phrenology and eugenics may be long gone, but neocolonial theories like the culture of poverty are coming back and gaining alarming acceptance in the academy. That is why it is important to produce the committed researchers that will confront new racist theories.

This conference owes its success to the participating colleges and universities’ commitment to bringing enthusiasm, collegiality, camaraderie, and intellectual stimulation to share with the academic community. Our staff enjoys the opportunity to create a positive environment where McNair scholars hone their research presentation skills, learn more about the graduate school process, and speak with graduate program recruiters. More importantly, we are committed to continuing to build an environment where scholars can meet and network with other peer researchers and fellow McNair scholars from around the country.

We encourage all scholars to attend the plenary presentations and engage with their peers in a positive exchange of ideas that will help us build the next generation of scholars. This year, we expect to welcome over three hundred scholars and educators from forty-five McNair Programs, graduate schools, and service organizations.

The entire McNair community assembled here is proud of this year’s presenters. We highly value each scholar’s effort and time, as well as the energy invested in their research projects. These scholars offer important contributions and challenges to current bodies of knowledge. On behalf of faculty, staff, mentors, family, and friends, please accept our congratulations, and know that we are committed to continue supporting McNair Scholars to obtain doctoral degrees.

Finally, I would like to thank the Berkeley McNair Staff and all those who have made this event possible. Enjoy the symposium and your time in Berkeley!

Respectfully,

Juan Francisco Esteva MartínezDirectorRonald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement ProgramUniversity of California, Berkeley


Full Schedule

Full Conference Schedule

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

1:00-5:00 pm Symposium Registration at Foothill Suites, 2700 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720

Thursday, August 4, 2016

7:30 am-9:30 am Symposium Registration at Foothill Suites, 2700 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 947207:00am-7:30 am Pre-Symposium Activity: University of California, Davis Tour Buses load from Foothill Suites, 2700 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 947207:30 am-8:00 am Pre-Symposium Activity: Stanford University Tour Buses load from Foothill Suites, 2700 Hearst Avenue, Berkeley, CA 947209:00 am-1:00 pm Stanford University Tour9:00 am-1:00 pm University of California, Davis Tour 10:30 am-4:30 pm Symposium Registration in Dwinelle Hall Lobby11:00 am-Noon Pre-symposium Activity: UC Berkeley Tour2:45 pm-3:45 pm Pre-symposium Activity: UC Berkeley Tour4:00 pm-6:00 pm Welcome & Plenary Session I in 155 Dwinelle Hall 7:30 pm-9:30 pm Faculty and Directors Dinner at the Faculty Club-Heyns Room


Full Schedule

Plenary Session I--- Welcome ---

Thursday 4:00PM - 6:00PM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Cultural PerformanceAfrique Sogue (West African Performance)

Welcome RemarksFabrizio Mejia

Executive Director Educational Equity and ExcellenceUniversity of California, Berkeley

Juan Francisco Esteva MartínezDirector of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program


Karina R. Palau, Ph.D.University of California, Berkeley McNair Advisor

Greeting from the Honorable Barbara LeeMember of Congress, 13th Congressional District

Keynote SpeakerNa’ilah Suad Nasir, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Equity and InclusionUniversity of California, Berkeley

Bernardette Pinetta - University of California, Los AngelesUnconscious Malice: How Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotypes Shape Disparities in Disci-

pline

Romel Harmon - University of California, BerkeleyFrom Prison Walls to Lecture Halls: How Formerly Incarcerated students use the Under-

ground Scholars Initiative to navigate the Criminal Justice System

ModeratorJuan Francisco Esteva Martínez

Director of the Ronald E. McNair Scholars ProgramUniversity of California, Berkeley


Full Schedule

Faculty and Directors’ Dinner

Thursday 6:30PM-9:30PM in the Faculty Club, Heyns Room

Mariachi Alcones de OaklandApéritif in Heyns Patio

Speakers

Juan Francisco Esteva Martinez

McNair Scholars Program Director, University of California, Berkeley

Cesar “Che” Rodriguez, Ph.D.

McNair, the Decolonization of the Academy, and the Fight Against FascismAssistant Professor in Criminal Justice Studies

San Francisco State University

Juan Berumen, Ph.D.TRiO-S3 Program Coordinator


ModeratorBrit Bostic

McNair Scholars Program University of California, Berkeley


Full Schedule

Friday, August 5, 2016

7:30 am-4:00 pm Registration & Assistance Desk in Dwinelle Hall Lobby7:30 am-8:45 am Continental Breakfast in Dwinelle Hall Lobby9:00 am-9:55 am Plenary Session II in 155 Dwinelle Hall

Plenary Session II

Friday 9:00AM - 9:55AM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Anabel Chavez - Augsburg CollegeRomantic Relationships: Autobiographical Memories & Satisfaction

Cuyley Beatty - University of Nevada, RenoInvestigations of laser plasma plume evolution as a function of target geometry

ModeratorPerry Fittrer, Ph.D.

University of Nevada, Reno

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math(STEM) Workshop: How do I get my first STEM job?

Friday 10:00AM-11:20AM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Diana Lizarraga, BS, MA Cal NERDS Director


Moderator University of California, Berkeley


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session A

Friday 10:00AM—11:20AM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel A1 Dwinelle 234Justin Cintas—Loyola Marymount University

Realm Balance: Psychological Adjustment in the Age of Technological Immersion

Cristina Ceja—University of California, Davis

Testing Attentional Capture by Abrupt Onsets

Andrea Cancino, Amarina Chavez, Catherine Konold, Jamil McPherson —Westminster College

Social Perceptions and Negative Attention Bias Toward Persons with Dental Anomalies

Panel A2 Dwinelle 243Natalia Toscano—University of California, Los Angeles

Danzado to (Re)member: Danza Mexika and the Awakening of Xican@ Indigeneity and Consciousness

Gustavo Garcia—University of California, Los Angeles

Indigenous Resistance to Schooling: The Revolutionary Spirits of Xican@ Temachtianis

Paulina Pineda Severiano—University of California, San Diego

The Latino/a Racial Identity in the US

Valentín Sierra—University of California, Davis

The Rise & Fall of AB101: Native American Voices in Ethnic Studies

Panel A3 Dwinelle 242Kimberly Ruiz—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The Effect of Ethnic Identity, Psychological Functioning, and Stress on Expectations for Children’s Life

Jelisa Powell—Knox College

Play My Way: How Do Social Models and Personality Affect Children’s Play Behavior?

David Castallano-Ladd—University of California, Davis


Full Schedule

Examining the link between teachers’ ratings of students’ abilities and the development of gender disparities in students’ achievement and domain-specific self-efficacy beliefs related to elementary

and middle school reading and math

Michala Saenz—University of Northern Colorado

Phenomenological Study of Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers’ Experiences with and Perceptions of the Inclusion Model

Panel A4 Dwinelle 205Crystal Singletary—Knox College

Black and Ugly: Skin Bleaching and Psychological Well-Being in African American Women

Chandra Reyna—Boise State University

How far does influence go?: Racial ideology, anti-racist action, and university culture

Khadejah Ray—University of California, Los Angeles

Superwoman: Navigating the University as a Young Black Student Leader

Panel A5 Dwinelle 79Karly Higgins—University of Wyoming

Titin Purification: A gel centered approach

Theodore Ruffins—Knox College

Glutamine Synthetase Activity and Morphology of Astrocytic C6-Glioma Cells Exposed to Testosterone

Salimah Hussien—

Light-Triggered Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells to Neurons

Panel A6 Dwinelle 228Andrea Jindracek—Knox College

Another Rubicon: An Alternative History of the Roman Republic

Leah Tyus—University of California, Berkeley

Tree-people: The Aesthetics of Enchantment and the Rupturing of Cognitive Structures

Stefan Torralba—Knox College


Full Schedule

Becoming in that Enchanted Place: Nostalgia and Childhood in Winnie-the-Pooh

Panel A7 Dwinelle 83Aysia Demby—University of California, Berkeley

The Development of an RF Driven, Surface-Produced H- Ion Source

Manuel Retana—University of Nevada, Reno

Evaporation Model Development for Forced Helium Dehydration of Used Nuclear Fuel Canister

Jacob Fausett—University of Nevada, Reno

Feedback Amplifier for Parametric Cooling of an Optically Trapped Nano-Sphere

Nicholas Herrera—The University of Texas at San Antonio

Mechanisms Involving The Tuning of Emission Wavelength of Colloidal Carbon Quantum Dots

Panel A8 Dwinelle 251Borman Quinonez—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Effects of Juglone on Southern California Annual Herbs

Amy Ontai—St Edwards University

Effects of Ashe juniper-dominated versus Oak-deciduous-dominated areas on soil ecology in South Central Texas

Sherlee Alvarez—University of New Hampshire

Understanding the Role of Replication Protein A 1E in the Immune Response of Arabidopsis thaliana Against a Microbial Pathogen


Full Schedule

Graduate School Panel

Friday 11:30AM-12:30PM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Samuel Bersola, Ph.D. - University of California, Los AngelesAssistant Vice Provost, Graduate Division

Joseph L. Brown, Ph.D. - Stanford UniversityGraduate Diversity Recruitment Officer

School of Humanities and Sciences

Josephine Moreno, Ph.D. - University of California, DavisGraduate Diversity Officer, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) & Education

Cynthia Ladd-Viti - University of California, BerkeleyAssistant Director Office of Graduate Diversity


ModeratorFrank Torres, Ph.D.

McNair Scholars Program DirectorCal Poly Pomona


Full Schedule

BBQ Lunch & Graduate School Fair

Friday 12:45PM - 2:00PM at Campanile Esplanade

Organizations in the Graduate School Fair

Case Western Reserve UniversityColumbia University

ILIFF School of Theology, DenverPhillips Exeter Academy

Stanford UniversityThe Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolUniversity of California, Berkeley

University of California, DavisUniversity of California, Los Angeles

University of California, MercedUniversity of California, San Diego

University of Chicago University of Chicago, Urban Teacher Education Program

University of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Minnesota

University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of San Francisco

University of Southern California Virgina Tech Graduate School


Full Schedule

GRE Workshop

Friday 2:00PM-3:30PM in Dwinelle Hall 145



GRE Workshop

Friday 2:00AM-3:30PM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Adam Cadre - The Princeton Review

Financial Literacy Workshop

Friday 2:00PM-3:30 PM Dwinelle 251

Christine Castro—University of California, Berkeley

Creating a Spending Plan


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session B

Friday, August 5, 2:00PM-3:20PM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel B1 Dwinelle 228Viridiana Martinez—Westminster College

Modeling Agricultural Suitability in the American Southwest

Ellen Street—University of California, Davis

HDL lipidomic, proteomic and functional changes in response to whole egg consumption in overweight and obese women

Brittany Rivera—Loyola University Chicago

The Impact of Invasive Buckthorn Debris on Wetland Soil Quality and Native Flora Reestablishment

Panel B2 Dwinelle 259Marco Ramirez—California State University, Northridge

The “Bittersweet” Tale of Urbanization: Challenging Diabetes with Ancestral Mesoamerican Food Traditions

Briana Martínez-Surmick—University of California, Berkeley

The Power of Culture, Community and Food: Native Americans in Oakland, CA Healing Together from Type II Diabetes

Elizabeth Ruano—University of California, Davis

Cultural Factors Associated with Fast Food Intake among Hispanic Immigrants in the US

Panel B3 Dwinelle 242Alexandria Hidrovo—University 0f New Hampshire

Applying MP UV Disinfection with Low Wavelength Monitoring to Achieve Sustainable Public Health Protection

Alejandra Ruiz—University of California, Davis

Water Quality Analysis of Atopoltitlan


Full Schedule

Gilbert Rivera—St. Edward’s University

Corona Discharge and Tropospheric Ozone Levels

Panel B4 Dwinelle 258Sofia Beltran—University of California, San Diego

Experiences with Community Resources and Supports for LGBTQ Ethnic and Racial Minority Adolescents in British Columbia, Massachusetts and Minnesota

Jacie Wach Slaymaker—Westminster College

Evaluating a School Nurse Shortage in Utah

ReaShondra Walker—Augsburg College

Comparisons of Adverse Childhood Experiences:In Patients seeking Out-patient Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services

Antoine Stevens-Phillips—University of California, San Diego

Substance Use and Retention in HIV Medical Care in the Bronx, New York

Panel B5 Dwinelle 205Roberta Dousa—University of California, Berkeley

Networks of Postmodernity: Connection, Authorship, and the Printed Literary Journal

Jason Bircea—University of California, Berkeley

“soundless words”; Faulkner, Rulfo and the Representation of Consciousness

Anissa Fritz—University of Kansas

A Local Print Newspaper’s cause and effect on the Working Class Poor

James Bithos—University of Nevada Reno

Shakespeare and the Art of Interruption in Macbeth

Panel B6 Dwinelle 243Stephanie Franco—University of California, Berkeley

Academic Achievement in Ethnic Minority Women with ADHD: Group Differences in Parenting Behaviors and Peer Relationships


Full Schedule

MaLeaha Semerad—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Emotional Injuries by Parents and Forgiveness in Families

Clarissa Abidog—Boise State University

Family Matters: The Implications of Family Support on Multiracial Identity Development

Panel B7 Dwinelle 254Mythoua Chang—Augsburg College

Sentiment Analysis Framework and Classification of Word Sense in Product Reviews

Sadia Ansari—Loyola University Chicago

Tree Representations of the Symmetric Group

Shimin Deng—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The Dynamics of a Predator-Prey Model in a Lake Environment

Elliot Sandfort—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Effects of Diversity on Ad-Hoc Collaboration in Open Environments

Panel B8 Dwinelle 234Jordan Hurst—Knox College

Ask Me About Race: The Problem with Colorblind Casting

Myrianna Bakou—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The Impact of Mechanistic and Animalistic Dehumanization on the Perception of African American and European American Women in Advertisements

Ann Tran—University of California, Los Angeles

“A Bra’s Gotta Fit [...] Like a Glove!:” Jackie Chiles & Johnnie Cochran, Prosecuting Satire & Parody in Post-Racial American Television

Amanda Eke—University of California, Davis

To be Young, Gifted and BLACK


Full Schedule

Coffee BreakFriday, August 5, 3:30PM-3:50PM Dwinelle Lobby

GRE Workshop




GRE Workshop


Adam Cadre - The Princeton Review

Financial Literacy Workshop

Friday 4:10PM-5:30 PM Dwinelle 258

Jamee Stahl—University of California, Berkeley

Managing Debt


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session C

Friday, August 5, 4:10PM-5:30PM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel C1 Dwinelle 219Michelle Fuhrman—University of Nevada, Reno

Expanding the Scope of the Pauson-Khand Reaction: Dichloroacetylene as a Substrate in the Intermolecular Pauson-Khand Reaction

Blanca Gomez—University of California, Davis

Synthesis of Indolylmalonamides and Analysis of their Photophysical Properties

Jeremey Shropshire—Xavier University of Louisiana

Synthesis of Stimuli-Response Nanomaterials as Potential Drug-Delivery Agents

Panel C2 Dwinelle 223Omar Alonzo—University of California, Berkeley

Type II Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors in Latino Subgroups

Taylor Kelso—Westminster College

Mixed Methods Evaluation of Kids Play International’s Impact on Child Nutrition

Julián Ponce—University of California, Berkeley

Central Valley Fruitful Lands with a Thirst for Potable Tap Water: An Analysis of Beverage Consumption, Perceptions of Tap Water, and Policy Approaches to Reduce SSB Consumption

Among Latinos in Kings County

Panel C3 Dwinelle 229Elisa Magallanes—University of California, Davis

Examining Confidence and Persistence Among Working Latina College Students

Estephanie Munoz—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

The Militarization of Latina/o Youth

Mayra Puente—University of California, Los Angeles


Full Schedule

Locating College Choice: Understanding the Available Postsecondary Pathways of Rural Latinas

Amy Aldana—University of California, Los Angeles

Breaking Stereotypes: High School Transition Worries among Immigrant Minorities

Panel C4 Dwinelle 243Laura Prieto—Loyola University Chicago

The Virtual Dance Ensemble: Artists with Parkinson’s Project

Alexis Bell—Knox College

Make a Joyful Noise! Music Making in Worship and Community Building

Jayel Gant—Knox College

Moving the Heart: Explorations in Somatic Practice and Empathy

Panel C5 Dwinelle 234Armando Tellez—University of California, Los Angeles

A Model Continuation High School: Pathways Towards Success for Latino Males?

Alexandrea Henry—University of California, Berkeley

The Influences of language and socioeconomic status on parental involvement in the West Contra Costa Unified School District

Christina Muñoz—University of California, San Diego

Social Networks and Social Capital: Examining Latino Student Networks in Primary Education

Everardo Reyes—University of Northern Colorado

Music Deserts: How Social Inequality Affects Accessibility to Musical Resources Important to Actively Participating in Music

Panel C6 Dwinelle 205Andrew Cannon—Rutgers University

Lowering the Percolation Threshold for Electrically Conductive Graphene/Polymer Composites by Aligning Graphene with an Electric Field

Cordero Nuanez—University of Nevada, Reno


Full Schedule

Mechanical response of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) brushes reinforced by intertube bridging

Genaro Hernandez Salgado—University of California, Berkeley

Studying the Transparency of Electrostatic Grids

Cultural Event and Ra le Mariachi Alcones de Oakland Friday 5:45PM-6:45 PM Dwinelle 155


Full Schedule

Saturday August 67:30AM-4:00PM Registration and Assistance Desk in Dwinelle Lobby

Continental Breakfast7:30AM-8:45AM Dwinelle Lobby

Plenary Session III

Saturday 9:00AM- 9:55AM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Donald Asher - Asher Associates, Educational Consultant

One of the nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate admissions process.

Tens of thousands of students have seen his lectures, tapes, and teleconferences.

He is the author of nine books, including Graduate Admissions Essays,

the best-selling guide to graduate admissions.


Full Schedule

STEM Graduate WorkshopSaturday 10:00AM-11:20AM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Readying Yourself for the Next Academic Stage: A Look at the STEM Graduate Admissions Process

Kedrick Perry, Ph.D. - University of California, BerkeleyDirector of Diversity and Outreach

Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S)

Attending graduating school in a science, technology, engineering, or math related field is a catalyst for personal development, scholarly growth, and professional success. You will have the opportunity to to become a specialist in your field, collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the world, and become a creator of knowledge. But first, you have to

get into graduate school.

Applying to STEM graduate programs can be a daunting and complex process but knowing what it takes to be a competitive applicant will move you closer to achieving

your academic goals. Topics covered will include: GPAs, picking the right school, the GRE, funding, recommendation letters, research, personal statements, statements of purpose,

and an application timeline.


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session D

Saturday 10:00AM—11:20AM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel D1 Dwinelle 219Heather Snyder—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

The Magic of Numbers - A Study in n-sided and 2n-sided Magic Polygons

Natasha Clark—Augsburg College

Study of the Northern Lights Impact on GPS Signals

Alexis Clavijo—Rutgers University

Growth of Single Layer Graphene by CVD

Panel D2 Dwinelle 209Emilio Medina—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

The Effect of Power-Posing on Stereotype Threat

Lorena Sierra—St. Edward’s University

Students with Intellectual Disabilities and their Access to a Postsecondary Education

Melissa Walman—University of California, Los Angeles

Priming Students to Interpret Difficulty Positively in order to Appreciate Desriable Difficulties

Khanh Tran—University of California, Davis

Math: A Key Factor Influencing Students’ Decision in Pursuing STEM Majors

Panel D3 Dwinelle 223Rodolfo Davila— University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Sci-Fi Films’ Pirouette of Artificial Intelligence as an Abstract Frankenstein, Contrary to the Third Adam

Cassandra Gutierrez—Knox College

Dragons, Elves, and the Racism That Binds it All Together:The World of Dragon Age As a Race-Based Society as Explored Through the Experiences of the Elves of Thedas


Full Schedule

Karen Thao—Augsburg College

Influence and Portrayal of Asian American Masculinity in Science Fiction/ Fantasy Characters: Hikaru Sulu (Star Trek: The Original Series), Hiro Nakamura (Heroes), and Glenn Rhee (The

Walking Dead)

Panel D4 Dwinelle 215Jamie Bucholz—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

An Etiology of Wasting Disease in Sea Star Leptasterias

Mark Ellie Alonzo—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Identification of the Genes that Regulate Silk Production in Spiders: A Computational Biology Approach

Briana Zacharias—University of California, San Diego

Ocean Acidification and effects on shell calcification from spatial and temporal perspectives

Christopher Dorsey—Loyola Marymount University

Ecological Influences on Foraging Strategy in Sciurus niger (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Panel D5 Dwinelle 205Aisha Ali—University of California, San Diego

Credit Interlinking and Agricultural Markets: Examining the Effects of Trader Inputs on Differential Pricing in Uganda

Essence Parker—St. Lawrence University

Ban-the-Box: An Economic Experiment

Kimberly Luna—Boise State University

Idaho’s Seasonal Farmworkers

Panel D6 Dwinelle 229Elinam Ladzekpo—University of California, Los Angeles

Racial bias in feedback?: Whites’ perceptions of Black Evaluators’ critical feedback

Jessenia Tovar—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona


Full Schedule

Charismatic Leadership Communication and Perception during a Crisis

Elizabeth DeRosier—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Do Generational Differences Exist? Management Best Practices

Matthew Plinck—University of California, Berkeley

Leadership, Bias, and Non-Verbal Communication: That’s The Way the Cookie Crumbles Testing the Effects of Leadership on bias and decision making Implications for studying police violence

against minorities using an organizational lens

Panel D7 Dwinelle 234Chase Tillar—East Central University

A Mathematical Model of Passive Flux Meter Performance

Paul Navarro—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Flight Testing, Data Collection, and System Identification of a Multicopter UAV

Isaac Guzman—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Autonomous Path Planning System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Panel D8 Dwinelle 246Davi Singer—Augsburg College

Development of Tools for RNA interference (RNAi) of the Engrailed Gene in Daphnia magna

Andres Villegas—Rutgers University

Effects of MicroRNA Dosage in the Gene Regulation of the MeCP2 Protein

Brent Arnoldussen—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Effects of the mycorrhizal helper bacterium Peanibacillus validus on the growth and life cycle of Rhizophagus intraridices and mycorrhization in vitro

Maryam Mohamed—Augsburg College

Development of RNA Interference (RNAi) tools to study the Six3 gene in Daphnia magna


Full Schedule

Plenary Session IV

Saturday 11:30AM-12:20 PM Dwinelle 155

Kaleiah Schiller - University of Wisconsin-River FallsEye of the Pig: A Glimpse into Ocular Thermography on Piglets Inoculated and Exposed to

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

Deandra Elcock - University of Northern ColoradoInvestigations of laser plasma plume evolution as a function of target geometry

ModeratorNatalie Strobach, Ph.D.

McNair Scholars Program DirectorUniversity of Wisconsin, River-Falls

Lunch and Poster Presentations

Saturday 12:30PM-1:50PM Dwinelle Lobby

Graduate School Workshop

Saturday 2:00PM- 3:20PM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Donald Asher - Asher Associates, Educational ConsultantOne of the nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate admissions process.

Tens of thousands of students have seen his lectures, tapes, and teleconferences.He is the author of nine books, including Graduate Admissions Essays,

the best-selling guide to graduate admissions.and some attendees may wish to attend both.

Donald AsherEducational Consultant

Asher & Associates


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session E

Saturday 2:00PM—3:20PM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel E1 Dwinelle 219Richard Flahive—University of California, San Diego

“Career Pathways and Mechanisms: A Comparison of Undergraduate Job-Taking at Elite Private Universities, Top Public Flagship Universities, Regional Universities, and Liberal Arts Colleges in the United

States”

Mary Quiroga—University of Nevada, Reno

Entrepreneurship and Inequality: How Small Businesses Affect Communities in the United States

Silvia Valadez—Loyola University Chicago

Respondents’ Reported Likelihood of Participation in Medical Research: Reasons Provided during Cognitive Interviews across Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age and Educational Attainment

Ashley Garrard—University of Central Missouri

The Arms Race in University Student Recreation and Wellness Centers

Panel E2 Dwinelle 209Maria Angelica Wong Chang—University of California, Davis

Optimization of the Electrolysis of Levulinic Acid into 2,7-octanedione: An Exercise in Green Electrochemistry

Melissa Puga—University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Heavy Metal Binding with Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymers

David Hernandez—University of Utah, Salt Lake City

Absorption of CO2 from syngas using a hollow fiber membrane

Panel E3 Dwinelle 223Vanessa Baca Carroll—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Exploring the Interrelationship between School-Work Life Balance among College Students


Full Schedule

Teresa Duarte—Westminster College

A Mixed Methods Study of Preconception Health Literacy Among College Students

Talegria Brown—Boise State University

Physical Activity and Coping Tactics in Undergraduate Students

Panel E4 Dwinelle 215Adriana Trujillo—University of Northern Colorado

Exploring Living Heritage Conservation: An Ethnography of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Danny DeSantiago—University of California, Berkeley

Effects of Religious Cultural Beliefs on the Relationship with the Environment of Traditional & Christianized Hmong in Thailand & California

Sean Ippolito—Boise State University

Renewable resources: a driver for economic growth

Panel E5 Dwinelle 205Ariana Yanez—University of Northern Colorado

One Speaker Two Idiomas: Exploring Code Switching

Cynthia Garcia—University of California, Los Angeles

Toddlers’ Attention to Pragmatic Cues: The Role of Language Experience

Rory Wilson—University of New Hampshire

Who We Are and How We Say it: An Exploration of Pronouns and Transgender Identities

Carla Ibarra—University of California, Berkeley

The Use of Spanish: Influence of Class on language among 1.5-generation Mexican immigrants to the United States.

Panel E6 Dwinelle 229Nalya Rodriguez—University of California, Berkeley

The Religion of Violence: Understanding the Normalization of Violence through Media in Salvadoran Society


Full Schedule

Jorge-David Mancillas—University of California, Berkeley

Death Around the Corner: How Los Angeles Street Gangs Conceptualize Life and Death

Nickolaus Stiles—St. Edward’s University

The Role of Religion in Punitive Behavior

Panel E7 Dwinelle 234Shrishti Bhattarai—University of California, Davis

The Effect of Postmortem Interval on Oxytocin Receptor Density in the Brain

Martha Mendoza—University of California, Berkeley

Investigating the link between linguistic and non-linguistic cognitive control in bilinguals

Nicole Claiborne—University of Nevada, Reno

Lateralized Visual Processing of Faces and Words

Jorge Yanar—Loyola University Chicago

Individual Differences in the Neural Noise of Younger and Older Adults

Panel E8 Dwinelle 246Kyly L. Baxter—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Are Technology-Assisted Therapies for Social Anxiety Acceptable for Rural Individuals?

Berenice Monarrez—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

An Integrative Outlook on Burn Survivors and Post-traumatic Growth

Bryanna Nelson—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Horticultural Therapy: Perceived Stress Levels of Middle School Students With and Without IEPs

Katerina Sosa—Knox College

Less Pleasure and More Risk: Risk Taking Behavior in Victims of Sexual Assault


Full Schedule

-Coffee Break-


Poster Presentation


Graduate School Workshop

Saturday 4:00PM- 5:20PM in Dwinelle Hall 155

Donald Asher - Asher Associates, Educational ConsultantOne of the nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate admissions process.

Tens of thousands of students have seen his lectures, tapes, and teleconferences.He is the author of nine books, including Graduate Admissions Essays,

the best-selling guide to graduate admissions.and some attendees may wish to attend both.

Donald AsherEducational Consultant

Asher & Associates


Full Schedule

Concurrent Session F

Saturday 4:00PM—5:30PM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel F1 Dwinelle 219Daniel Davila—University of Wisconsin, River Falls

The Color of Affect in Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colors Trilogy

Brenda Lara—University of California, Los Angeles

Mujeres Malas y Mujeres Buenas: Structures of Power and their Influence on Mestiza Categorization

Alaa Al-Barkawi—Westminster College

The Importance of Creating Hijabi Counter-Narratives in a Post-9/11 World

Panel F2 Dwinelle 209Matthew DeSelm—University of Northern Colorado

Synthesis of O-phenyl-N-(9’-acridinyl)-hydroxylamines

Kegan Rahe—University of Nevada, Reno

Reaction of Ketone Donors and Aldehyde Acceptors Via the Hydrogen Borrowing Method With Secondary Amine and RUthenium Catalysts to yield Hydroxyaldehydes

Panel F3 Dwinelle 223Briana Thrift—University of California, San Diego

Nuts and Olestra for Persistent Organic Pollutant reduction (NO-POPs) Trial: A pilot investigation

Zekarias Ashenafi—University of Northern Colorado

Effects of fish oil supplementation on the localization of the prostaglandin F2alpha FP receptor on bovine luteal cell plasma membrane

Su Yeon Kim— California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Utilizing Immunohistochemical Staining Techniques to Determine the MyHC Isoform Expressions in WT and HD Transgenic Mice


Full Schedule

Marwa Mhtar— California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Impact of Western Dietary Pattern on Development of Incident and Recurrent Clostridium difficile Associated Disease: A Systematic Review

Panel F4 Dwinelle 215Adrian Chavez—University of California, Berkeley

En paz, en un hogar sin fronteras: Assessing Housing Barriers for Battered Latina Immigrants and Their Families

Shonte Johnson—University of California, Berkeley

Falling Through the Cracks: A Closer Look at Homeless Subpopulations That Get Left Behind

Kyria Brown—University of Wyoming

The “Cascade of Intervention” as Applied to Street-Based Sex Workers When Narrating Their Pregnancy and Childbirth Experiences

Devin Wiggs—Augsburg College

“Cosmopolitan Café: A Third Place for those without a First Place”

Panel F5 Dwinelle 205Jide Ifonlaja—Augsburg College

Validation of a Modified Functional Movement Screen Test for Division III Male Soccer Players

Elena Angueira-Bosch—Knox College

Caffeine Supplementation and Sports Performance

Shanna Burris—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Raising the Independence of Para-Equestrians

Brianna McKay—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Test-Retest Reliability of the 40-Yard Dash and Vertical Jump Assessments in Youth Athletes

Panel F6 Dwinelle 229Valerie Saiag—University of California, San Diego


Full Schedule

The Inhabitant of the Cordilleras: An Andean Expression of Art in Paris

Marco Covarrubias—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

The Generation of 1959: Competing Visions of the Cuban Revolution

Nicholas Perez—University of California, Berkeley

Empires of Displacement: Native American Encounters at Fort Ross, California and Fort Davis, Texas

Ramon de Santiago—University of California, Berkeley

Across Three Oceans: Shipwrecks as Early Modern Globalism

Panel F7 Dwinelle 234Carly Blasco—Westminster College

Attentional Bias in Women During the Menstrual Cycle

Shannon Miller—University of Nevada, Reno

Sexual Dysfunction as It Relates to Single Sexual Victimization Verses Multiple Sexual Victimization Experiences.

LaJaun Willis—University of North Dakota, Grand Forks

Women’s Appearance Manipulation Techniques and Poor Body Image

Martha Moreno—University of California, San Diego

Relationship Between Maternal Communication and Eating Disorder Symptomology in Mexican-American Women

Cultural Event and RaffleFlameco Caminos

Saturday 5:45PM-6:45 PM Dwinelle 155


Full Schedule

Plenary Session V

Sunday 9:00AM-9:55AM Dwinelle 155

Linda M. McNulty—The University of Texas at San Antonio

The Spatial Metaphorics of Ambiguity in Greek Culture

Steven Diaz—University of Northern Colorado

Kinetic Study of Silver Nanoparticle Formation

ModeratorFrank Torres, Ph.D.

McNair Scholars Program DirectorCal Poly Pomona

Concurrent Session G

Sunday 10:00AM—11:20AM in Dwinelle Hall

Panel G1 Dwinelle 219Audrey Aday—California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Ability Uncertainty Among Females in Engineering: Can Wonder Woman Save the Day?

Genesis Galo—Earlham College

The Effectiveness of Gender Equity Legislation

Priscilla Torres—Loyola Marymount University

The Women of Northern Ireland and Liberia: Intermediaries in Building Peace

Panel G2 Dwinelle 209


Full Schedule

Jesenia Robles—Boise State University

Islam is the New Black: Muslim Perceptions of Law Enforcement

Sylvia Bracamonte—University of California, Berkeley

Organized Resistance and Crime Policy: Exploring Gang Injunctions, Racialized Space, and Community Activism in Oakland, California

Josephine Chi—California State University, Northridge

Sa-I-Gu: Revisiting the Los Angeles Riots through a Korean Perspective

Panel G3 Dwinelle 223Emma Stephenson—University of Wisconsin, River Falls

Evaluation of circulating plasma amino concentrations of beef heifers fed a low quality forage and supplemented protein

Sara Odegard—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

A Comparative Analysis of Pain Treatment Options During and Following the Disbudding of Calves

Joshua Garcia—University of California, Davis

Impact of a Novel Antarctic Rhizobacterium on Root Architecture and Productivity of Tomatoes, Ryegrass and Alfalfa

Panel G4 Dwinelle 215Jaquelin Ortuno—St. Edward’s University

Efficient Mosquito Vector Abundance Comparison Between Developed and Protected Natural Areas

Soua Thao—University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Natural Compounds from Hmong Herbs for Heart Failure Attenuation Using a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model

Cara He—University of California, Berkeley

Variation in Estrogen Sensitivity amongst Multiple Populations of <i>Xenopus laevis</i>

Panel G5 Dwinelle 229


Full Schedule

Martin Vela-Sanchez—University of California, Berkeley

“Liberating Our Perspective: A Decolonial Approach to the Language of Imprisonment”.

Kimberly Miranda—University of California, Los Angeles

Resisting Displacement: A Rasquache Approach to Arte y Cultura en Boyle Heights

Miriam Juarez—University of California, Los Angeles

Anti-Heroes in Myriam Gurba’s “Primera Comunión” and “Dahlia Season”: Twenty-First Century Chicanas in Urban Contemporary Fiction

Panel G6 Dwinelle 234Sara Reyes—University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The Differential Effects of Stressors during Pregnancy on the Mental Health of Cohabiting Midwestern Couples

Diamonique Walker—Augsburg College

Narrative Coherence of Autobiographical Memory as it Relates to Executive Function

Taylor McGinn—University of Northern Colorado

Perceptions of Same-Sex versus Opposite-Sex Domestic Violence


Full Schedule

Poster Presentations Dwinelle Lobby

Hanna Morales—Wesleyan University

Syntheses of fluorinated trehalose derivatives to test their impact on protein stability

Alejandra Garcia—Loyola Marymount University

Assessing Multiple-Paternity in the Green Lynx Spider Peucetia viridans

Alice Gavarrete Olvera—Loyola Marymount University

Age and Relational Memory: Using Explicit and Implicit Measures to Evaluate Differences in Relational Memory Performance in Healthy Young and Older Adults

Carla Ventura—Loyola Marymount University

A Review of Psychological Theories and Research on Non-Financial Motivations for Work: Implications for a Basic Income Guarantee

Logan Gin—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

REALISE Videos: Developing a free, online video collection to help undergraduate STEM instructors use active learning in large-enrollment courses

Lorena Cruz—University of New Hampshire

“I basically speak Arabic...NOT!”

Kevin Calvelo—Loyola Marymount University

Computational Predications of UV-vis Spectra of Anthocyanin Molecules

Stephanie Hopkins-Spencer—University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Thermal Tolerance in Tigriopus Californicus in High-Stress Cyclic Temperature Environments

James Holley-Grisham—St. Lawrence University

Comparing Genres of Movie Scripts

Cindy Flores—Wesleyan University

UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE: BIOGENIC SILICA AS A PRODUCTIVITY PROXY FOR INTERGLACIAL AND GLACIAL PERIODS 3 TO 5 MILLION YEARS AGO

Trixie Anne Roque—Loyola Marymount University

Surrogate Reservoir Modeling (SRM) for Waterflood Optimization Using CMG-IMEX Simulator and IBM Analytics


Full Schedule

Panel LunchPoster Presentations Dwinelle Lobby

Elizabeth Apala—East Central University

GRB 150518a at Different Wavelengths

Rachel Torrez—University of California, Berkeley

Structural and Conformational Changes that Regulate Dimerization in the HIV 5’ Untranslated Region

Isai Garcia-Baza—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Parental Support and Cultural Influences on Higher Education Attainment and Success Among Hispanic Students

Joshua Dickens—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Musical Engagement of Cochlear Implant Recipients: Listening May Impact Musical Habits and Overall Enjoyment

Rashiidah Richardson—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Black Space: Black Students’ Social Media Engagement

Yamilex Bencosme—University of New Hampshire

On Our Way to Ending Sexualized Violence: Engaging Bystanders and Building Awearness

Catherine Montgomery—Loyola University Chicago

The Effect of Family Structure on the Relationship of Parental Support and Involvement and Sense of Belonging in School in African American Male Adolescents

Jasmin Sanchez—University of Wisconsin-Madison

Factors Influencing Engagement of OutSmart Flu

Jalynn Harris—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rise and Evolution of a Student-led Movement: Rhodes Must Fall and the Post-apartheid South African state

Erika Ortega—The University of Texas at San Antonio

Ciencia para todos/ Science for everyone

Richard Giddens, Jr.—University of Texas at San Antonio

(Re)viewing and (Re)membering Violence: Testimonios of Queer & Trans Tejan@/x Sexual Assault Experiences

Erika Estrada—University of California, Davis


Full Schedule

Evaluation of Chlorine Alternatives for Antimicrobial Treatment of Recirculating Water in Postharvest Handling of Tree Fruit

Jane Henderson—University of San Diego

People Before Parts: Cultural Consensus Modeling in the Flint Water Crisis

Janki Patel—Loyola University Chicago

Cardiorespiratory Responses of the Kettlebell Snatch

Hannah Taff—East Central University

Effects of Diet-Induced Obesity and Exercise on Knee Joint Tissues of Mice Bred for High Voluntary Exercise

Cristina Rodriguez—Loyola University Chicago

Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project: Undocumented Students’ Identity, Agency & Education

Teyana Backey—Xavier University of Louisiana

Public perceptions of Wrongfully Convicted Prisoners: The impact of Labeling Theory and Stigma

Ha Tran— Loyola University Chicago

Classroom-based Discussion in Middle School and Bilinguals’ Language and Literacy Development

Nicole M. Dosamantes—Loyola University Chicago

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Scalp Electroencaphography Recordings from Older Adults with Exceptional Memory Ability

Amy Cutter—Boise State University

Developing a tree-ring chronology for reconstructing past climate conditions, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, UT

Lamin Keita—University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Role of Ethnic Inequality in Explaining Al-Qaeda’s Differential Success in Mali

Moussa Siri—University of New Hampshire

Effect of Land Use on Sediment Transport in Streams Draining Coastal Watersheds

Tyrian Robertson—Earlham College

Health Reform in the 1920s and 1930s: U.S. Involvement in the Creation of the


Full Schedule

“Overpopulation Crisis” in Puerto Rico

Cynthia Holler—University of New Hampshire

Investigating the Role of Mediodorsal Thalamus in Cortical Communication

Melissa Vázquez—Loyola University Chicago

Language Based Classroom Interaction- Middle School Students’ Language and Literacy DevelopmentMelissa Vázquez, Perla B. Gámez, Ph.D Loyola University Chicago

Chantal Martinez—Boise State University

Who Uses Social Networking Sites? Exploring Associations among Personality, and the Relationship with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Caitlin Mercier—Xavier University of Louisiana

The impact of learning experiences on STEM+M students’ confidence levels

Darian Martin—Xavier University of Louisiana

The Status of Mental Health at HBCUs

Kyjeila Latimer—Xavier University of Louisiana

The Status of Mental at HBCUs

Ve’era Davis—Xavier University of Louisiana

The Syntactic Complexity of Children’s Books and its Impact on Preschoolers’ Later Reading Success

Nicolas Padilla—University of Wisconsin-Madison

Characterizing Lithium Motion in Lithium Batteries by Fluorescence Microscopy Using a Lithium Sensitive Probe

Shaunna Newton—University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Influence that relationships have on Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

Nicolas Breceda—Loyola Marymount University

Distribution of Ultra-Low Frequency Wave Power in the Magnetosphere During Geomagnetic Storms

Cory Washington—University of Wisconsin-Madison

Exploring the Best Ways to Communicate Utility Value for First-Generation College Students

Kiara Childs—University of Wisconsin-Madison


Full Schedule

Move or Be Moved: Black Liberation and the Reclamation of Space on Social Media A pilot study of Black Twitter

Sarah Pardi—Loyola Marymount University

Analysis of the synergistic effects of mixed populations of rhizobial soil bacteria on host plant roots, infection, and the development of nodules

Kimberly Neagle—Boise State University

How Education Level and Willingness to Learn Affect Older Adults in their use of Mobile Technology in Southwest Idaho

Sylvana Santos—Loyola Marymount University

Encouraging Diversity in STEM Fields Through Smartphone Applications

Ryan White—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Bismuth Layered Materials for Self-Assembly

Jacqueline Lopez—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

How Cleanliness Fueled American Imperialism During the Spanish-American War

Nick Morgan—Wesleyan University

How Prison Privatization Affects Incarceration Rates: A Synthetic Control Analysis

Marketa Burnett—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Academic Self-Concept and Advanced Math and Science Course Enrollment in High School

Phylicia Currence—University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Black Student Experience at a PWI: The Role of Familial Support

Bryanna Dowcett—University of New Hampshire

Synthesis and evaluation of carbapenem β-lactams containing bulky hydrophobic C-6 side chains as potential inhibitors of carbapenemases

Stephanie Cassidy—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Religious Embodiment: Psychological and Physiological effects.

Yamilex Bencosme—University of New Hampshire

On Our Way to Ending Sexualized Violence: Engaging Bystanders and Building Awareness

Megan Foxworth—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Racial Socialization, Race-related Stress, and Psychopathology in Preschool-Aged


Full Schedule

Children

Beau Garcia—University of New Hampshire

Quantifying the reproductive success of a declining shrubland-obligate songbird the praire warbler (Setophaga discolor), breeding in an active gravel pit in southeastern New

Hampshire

Marissa DeCaro—University of New Hampshire

Examination of the relationship between resting state EEG neural osciallations and lexical semantic retreival in mild traumatic brain injury

Menshian George—University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Is there a relationship between brain size and sociality in mammals?

Vanessa Canuto—The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Domestic Workers in Central North Carolina Reveal Contradictions

B. Landry—Xavier University of Louisiana

Oxidation of Cytochrome 436/583 Is Rate-Limiting When Acidiplasma aeolicum Respires Aerobically on Iron

Botswana

Plenary Session VISunday 11:30 AM-12:25 PM in 155 Dwinelle Hall

Jazmin Castillo - University of Nebraska–LincolnEstimation of Distribution and Abundance of the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in the

Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana

Ana Ibarra - University of California, BerkeleySyncretizing Powerlessness and Responsibility: How Berkeley’s Excise Tax on Soda Might

Change the Narrative in Decision-Making to Consume Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Amongst Parents in Berkeley, CA

ModeratorJuan Francisco Esteva Martinez

McNair Scholars Program DirectorUniversity of California, Berkeley

Full Schedule

Closing Remarks & Grand Prize Raffle

12:30 – 1:00 PM in Dwinelle Hall

Danza Azteca Mexica

In Xochitl In Cuicatl

Lunch at Dwinelle Plaza1:30PM-2:30 PM

San Francisco Bay Cruise—Dinner & Dance6:00 PM—12:00 AM

Buses load from 6-6:30 pm at Dorm Unit #3, 2400 Durant Avenue(Cross Street is Dana Street)

Buses will DEPART PROMPTLY at 6:30 p.m. and return at Midnight



Abstracts

0002 —Session G1 Room Dwinelle 219 Sunday, August 7, 10:00AM-11:20AM

Ability Uncertainty Among Females in Engineering: Can Wonder Woman Save the Day?

Audrey Aday, Viviane Seyranian California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

Belonging uncertainty is a state occurring in academic settings when members of socially stigmatized groups are more uncertain of the quality of their social bonds and subsequently more sensitive to issues of social belonging (Walton & Cohen, 2007). Individuals experiencing belonging uncertainty may also experience ability uncertainty, or a sense of uncertainty regarding one’s ability and competence in a given domain (Lewis & Hodg-es, 2015). One population that may be particularly discouraged by feelings of belonging uncertainty and ability uncertainty is women in engineering, given their underrepresentation in the field (Kokkelenberg & Sinha, 2010). This study aimed to determine whether undergraduate females in engineering report higher levels of belonging uncertainty and ability uncertainty than undergraduate females in other majors. Results from a pilot study among 135 undergraduate students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona suggest they do. Finally, this study explored the effects of a nonverbal behavioral intervention (high-power versus low-power posing) on sense of belonging uncertainty and ability uncertainty. Based on existing literature regarding power posing (Cuddy, Wilmuth, Yap, & Carney, 2015; Carney, Cuddy, & Yap, 2010), we predicted that high-power pos-ing would lead to increased feelings of power, which would in turn mitigate the effects of belonging and ability uncertainty. Our findings demonstrated that high-power posing had no significant effect on levels of belonging uncertainty or ability uncertainty. Limitations and future directions for research are discussed.

0003 —Session A3 Room Dwinelle 242 Friday, August 5, 10:00AM-11:20AM

Play My Way: How Do Social Models and Personality Affect Children’s Play Behavior?

Jelisa Powell Knox College, Chicago,IL, USA

How much do social models affect children’s behavior? Is there a difference in play behavior due to watching social models? Does personality affect the way children play? Children tend to imitate the behavior of social models who they trust and relate to; social modeling varies in terms of personality traits (Hermes, Behne, & Rakoczy, 2015). Extraverted children seem to be more likely to imitate social models’ behavior than introverted children (Suda & Fouts, 1980). Through these past findings, it is suggested that there may be a similar relation-ship to these variables and play behavior. Fifty Mechanical Turk workers, who were the biological parent of a kindergarten child, filled out a series of questionnaires on their child’s understanding of commercials, personal-ity, and play behavior. We hypothesized that children’s extraverted (versus introverted) personality, and social (versus nonsocial) play behavior, would be positively related to each other, and that this relationship would be mediated by children’s social interest (versus disinterest) and ability to imitate (versus not imitate) social models’ behavior seen in commercials. If children’s behavior can be influenced by social models on television, it could affect the way children develop over time.

0004 —Session F3 Room Dwinelle 223 Saturday, August 6, 4:00PM-5:20PM

Effects of fish oil supplementation on the localization of the prostaglandin F2alpha FP receptor on bovine luteal cell plasma membrane

Zekarias Ashenafi, Patrick Burns, Michele Plewes, Peter Graham University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine gland that secretes progesterone, a hormone critical for early embryonic development and maintenance of pregnancy. Prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha is an endogenous hor-mone produced by the uterus and regulates the function of CL during the estrous cycle in non-pregnant cows and must be blocked during pregnancy. In pregnant cows, inadequate control of PGF2alpha will lead to the


Abstracts

regression of CL and loss of the embryo. Therefore, decreasing sensitivity of the CL to PGF2alpha may improve pregnancy. In several signaling pathways, receptors coalesce into lipid microdomain to activate intracellular signaling. It has been hypothesized that omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids can interfere with lipid microdomain struc-ture and signaling. This research examined the effects of fish oil on localization of FP receptors on the plasma membrane following PGF2alpha stimulation in luteal cells. Ovaries bearing the CL were collected from the slaughter house and digested. Flasks were randomly assigned to control or fish oil treatment. Mixed luteal cells were treated with saline or 10nM PGF2alpha for 15min. Lipid microdomains were isolated from the bulk lipid using non-detergent protocol and discontinuous sucrose gradient. Ten fractions were collected from top to bottom with fraction 1-4 assigned to be lipid microdomain and fraction 5-10 bulk lipid. Western blotting was used to determine the localization of FP receptors. More FP receptors in control cells were localized into the lipid microdomain upon binding to PGF2alpha and differ significantly from the cells treated with fish oil supplementation (p=0.048). The FP receptor appears to move into lipid microdomains following the addition of ligand and was affected by n-3 fatty acid. In conclusion, addition of n-3 fatty acids decreased the localization of FP receptors to the lipid microdomain and may increase the survival of CL.

0005 —Session Plenary D Room Dwinelle 155 Saturday, August 6, 11:30AM-12:20PM

The Validity of the Six Minute Walk Test in Determining VO2peak in Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Deandra Elcock1, Dan Shackelford2 1The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA, 2The University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabili-tation Institute, Greeley, CO, USA

INTRODUCTION: Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is critical for developing and implementing an exercise prescription to guide a cancer survivor’s (CS) rehabilitative exercise program, which will improve physiologi-cal and psychological values in CS. Many clinicians choose a submaximal protocol, the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) to determine VO2peak. The University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute’s (UNCCRI) treadmill protocol is cancer-specific and accurately determines VO2peak.PURPOSE: To determine the valid-ity of VO2peak obtained from the 6MWT compared to the VO2peak obtained by the UNCCRI treadmill protocol. METHODS: 34 CS completed the UNCCRI treadmill protocol and the 6MWT in randomized order one week apart. VO2peak derived from the four commonly used equations for the 6MWT were compared to VO2peak obtained from the UNCCRI treadmill protocol. RESULTS: All four 6MWT’s equation mean differ-ences significantly underestimated VO2peak compared to the UNCCRI treadmill protocol (p <0.001). CS also exercised at a higher intensity executing the UNCCRI treadmill protocol. CONCLUSION: The 6MWT significantly underestimates VO2peak, inhibits CS from training at a higher intensity level, and should not be used in formulating an exercise prescription. Training a CS utilizing an inaccurate VO2peak can inhibit the benefits of chronic endurance training, which are known to increase the overall quality of life in CS. Therefore, clinicians should utilize the UNCCRI treadmill protocol in determining VO2peak in CS.

0006—Session A4 Room Dwinelle 205 Friday, August 5, 10:00AM-11:20AM

Black and Ugly: Skin Bleaching and Psychological Well-Being in African American Women

Crystal Singletary Knox College, Galesburg, IL, USA

Eurocentric beauty ideals lead many darker-skinned women to feel as if they are not beautiful. Some of these women develop low psychological well-being as a result. To fit Eurocentric beauty standards, women around the world bleach their skin. Though there has been some research on skin bleaching in other countries around the world, very little research has been done on the relationship between psychological well-being and skin bleaching in the United States. The interactions between skin color, skin bleaching, self-esteem, anxiety, and depression are addressed in this study. 150 African American women (75 bleachers; 75 non-bleachers) com-pleted an online survey. If skin bleaching is not associated with enhanced well-being, a better understanding


Abstracts

of the psychological ramifications of this behavior will be necessary to provide women with resources that encourage self-acceptance. Those results would show the importance of deconstructing the harmful, White beauty standards that exist in American society.

0007—Session D6 Room Dwinelle 229 Saturday, August 6, 10:00AM-11:20AM

Charismatic Leadership Communication and Perception during a Crisis

Viviane Seyranian, Jessenia Tovar California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, California, USA

Leadership communication is the systematic transfer of meaning by which individuals influence others. To gain a better understanding of how leaders should optimally communicate during a crisis, it is important to analyze a leader’s use of language. Research in leadership communication using the Social Identity Framing Theory reveals that using ingroup language helps a leader collectively identify with others and creates a way to unite others under a common group vision (Seyranian, 2013; 2014). Specifically, we examined how the use of ingroup (“we” and “us”) and outgroup (“they” and “them”) language during a crisis affected the perception level of a leader’s charisma and effectiveness. Human participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk, an online platform that provides users with unique work opportunities that require human intelligence. Each participant was randomly assigned to read one of four speeches, which varied in language type and the presence of crisis. Then, participants answered a survey featuring a Likert scale, a rating scale developed to measure attitudes directly (i.e. strongly agree to strongly disagree). A detailed analysis of participant responses was used to determine whether leaders who used ingroup or outgroup language during crises were perceived as more charismatic and effective. Findings revealed that leaders who used ingroup language during a crisis situation were perceived by followers as more charismatic. The implications of this research are to help leaders in society today improve their communication skills and tactics. This study will also expand the scarce literature on the effect of a leader’s use of outgroup language during a crisis to influence followers.

0008 —Session Poster Room Dwinelle Lobby Saturday, August 6, 12:30PM-1:50PM

The impact of learning experiences on STEM+M students’ confidence levels

Caitlin Mercier, Luis Marquez, Ercilla Glean, Wyndolyn Ludwikowski Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, USA

Career workshops are often organized by career centers on college campuses in order to present vocational information to students. Due to low retention and graduation rates of STEM+M students, these students are often targeted for these specific workshops. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is not often assessed. This study investigated the impact of two types of learning experiences, vicarious learning and verbal peer messages, presented during career workshops on the confidence levels of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM+M) students. Vicarious learning describes a learning experience where observers watch others engaging in activities, convincing themselves that they have the ability to engage in the same activities. Verbal persuasion describes a learning experience where suggestion leads people to believe they can efficiently cope with past situations. The study utilized pretest-posttest experimental design. Vicarious learning experiences were presented in the form of a video, highlighting a variety of physicians performing re-spective duties. Verbal persuasion was presented through peer messages. Within the study, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. One group viewed the video and received verbal persuasion from the researchers. The second group of participants only received the verbal persuasion from researchers but did not view the video. The third group of participants only viewed the video with no verbal persuasion from re-searchers. The fourth group of participants did not view the video nor receive verbal persuasion from research-ers. We expect to find that vicarious learning and verbal peer messages increase self-efficacy in science-related activities with the highest levels of self-efficacy developing as a result of experiencing both learning experienc-


Abstracts

es. This research can provide essential information how workshops can effectively inform students of STEM+M fields, as well as students’ confidence in pursuing careers in the STEM+M fields.


Synthesis of O-phenyl-N-(9’-acridinyl)-hydroxylamines

Matthew DeSelm, Michael Mosher University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

DNA intercalates, such as derivatives of 9-aminoacridine, can be effective anti-tumor agents. These com-pounds associate strongly with DNA, which can lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis; however, they can also have a similar effect on healthy cells. O-phenyl-N-(9’-acridinyl)-hydroxylamine, a novel anti-tumor compound, should be less susceptible to hydrolysis in vivo than existing 9-aminoacridine derivatives. The result would be a decrease in required effective dose in patients and a wider therapeutic window. The goal of this research is to synthesize O-phenyl-N-(9’-acridinyl)-hydroxylamine via the condensation of chloroacridine and an appro-priately substituted O-phenylhydroxylamine. This compound will be isolated from the reaction mixture and extensively purified to prepare the target DNA intercalator. In addition, a series of related compounds can be prepared by selection of different arenes and aryl iodides in the first step of the synthesis. Once these O-phe-nyl-N-(9’-acridinyl)-hydroxylamines have been prepared, further research will aim to characterize their proper-ties including their binding affinity for genomic DNA.

0010 —Session D2 Room Dwinelle 209 Saturday, August 6, 10:00AM-11:20AM

The Effect of Power-Posing on Stereotype Threat

Emilio Medina, Viviane Seyranian, Sarine Aratoon, Gracie Flicker, Jason Nerio, Jessica Galvan Mixco-Cruz California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

Stereotype threat is experiencing judgment based on common stereotypes associated with one’s group, which can lower test performance (Spencer, Steele, & Quinn, 1999; Crocker & Park, 2004; Beilock, Rydell, & McConnell, 2007). The current study tested the idea that power-posing can decrease the negative impacts of stereotype threat (Carney, Cuddy, & Yap, 2010; Cuddy, Wilmuth, Yap, & Carney, 2015). A sample of 213 female college students were recruited from California State University, Pomona. Participants were asked to perform a power-pose technique after being exposed to a stereotype threat manipulation or not. Then, all participants completed a math exam. A two-way analysis variance (ANOVA) tested was used to see if participants who perform the high-power pose technique will differ in math scores from the participants who perform the low-power pose technique. Participants who performed the high-power technique performed significantly higher than those who low-power pose after being exposed to stereotype threat manipulation.

0011 —Session C6 Room Dwinelle 205 Friday, August 5, 4:10PM-5:30PM

Mechanical response of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) brushes reinforced by intertube bridg-ing

Cordero Nuanez1, Cayla Harvey1, William Mook2, Erik Hector Haroz3, Johann Michler4, Yury Gogotsi5, Siddhartha Pathak1 1Univesity of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA, 2Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, 3Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA, 4Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructure, EMPA - Swiiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Thun, Swit-zerland, 5Department of Materials Science and Engineering and A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute, Drexel


Abstracts

University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

In this work, we report on the mechanical behavior of a dense brush of small-diameter (1-3 nm) non-catalytic multiwall (2-4 walls) vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs), measured using spherical nanoindenta-tion and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in-situ micro-pillar compression testing. These VACNT brushes were produced using high temperature vacuum decomposition of 6H SiC single crystals that results in a very small 0.35 nm inter-tube distance and high density close to 0.95 g/cm3, which is 10 or more times higher than carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced by other techniques. At these small inter-tube distances, electron beam irradiation has been shown to introduce stable links between neighboring CNTs. The purpose of this current work is to study the mechanical behavior of VACNTs subjected to such inter-tube bridging.

For in-situ SEM micro-compression experiments we utilize a focus ion beam (FIB) micromachining technique to fabricate VACNT micro-pillars of varying diameters. Micro-compression testing of VACNT pillars of varying diameters allows us to study the mechanical and viscoelastic response of the VACNT bundle as a function of the amount/degree of intertube bridging. The micro-compression results demonstrate a significantly higher buckling strength for pillars with smaller diameters, suggesting reinforcement from the outer rim containing crosslinked CNTs. Decreasing the pillar diameter is also seen to cause a more brittle failure in the VACNT pillars. Our results show that increasing the volume of the crosslinked region in VACNT pillars results in an increase of their mechanical properties under compression such as their elastic moduli (which increases from ~13 GPa to ~100 GPa) and yield strength (from ~ 0.5 GPa to 4 GPa), but decreases the viscoelastic response (as well as abil-ity to withstand large strains) of the VACNTs. These results are explained in terms of VACNT inter-tube bridging and the lack of sliding between CNTs in their crosslinked state.

0012—Session Poster Room Dwinelle Lobby Saturday, August 6, 12:30PM-1:50PM

The Status of Mental Health at HBCUs

Brian Turner, Darian Martin, Kyjeila Latimer Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA

Over the past ten years, there has been a significant increase in the number of students entering college coun-seling centers with severe psychological problems. However, the accessibility and quality of the centers may not be adequate. The purpose of the current study is to examine mental health care services at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The focal point of the current study will be to examine the structure and function of HBCU counseling centers. Three areas will be evaluated: student’s access to services, utiliza-tion rates, and quality of services offered. The current study will focus specifically on quality of care and service delivery. Quality of care will be examined using the number of available providers and their degree of certi-fication. The results of this study will be a comparative analysis of quality of care and counselor certification (degree, licensure).

0013—Session Poster Room Dwinelle Lobby Saturday, August 6, 12:30PM-1:50PM

The Status of Mental at HBCUs

Brian Turner, Kyjeila Latimer, Darian Martin Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA, USA

Over the past ten years, there has been a significant increase in the number of students entering college coun-seling centers with severe psychological problems. However, the accessibility and quality of the centers may not be adequate. The purpose of the current study is to examine mental health care services at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The focal point of the current study will be to examine the structure and function of HBCU counseling centers. Three areas will be evaluated: student’s access to services, utiliza-tion rates, and quality of services offered. The current study will focus specifically on quality of care and service


Abstracts

delivery. Quality of care will be examined using the number of available providers and their degree of certi-fication. The results of this study will be a comparative analysis of quality of care and counselor certification (degree, licensure).


The Syntactic Complexity of Children’s Books and its Impact on Preschoolers’ Later Reading Success

Ve’era Davis Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

There are a wide variety of children’s books available for use, each with varying levels of difficulty. Some chil-dren’s books are more advanced than others in terms of included vocabulary and �sentence complexity. This study aims to determine if books recommended for preschoolers are sufficient in preparing young children for later success in independent reading and literature comprehension. From a list of popular children’s litera-ture, 5 children’s books were selected: Corduroy, Green Eggs and Ham, Are You My Mother?, Frog and Toad Together, and The Rainbow Fish. Using the Fry Readability Formula, the readability of each book was mea-sured. Four pre-school teachers were then questioned on their likeliness of thoroughly reading the selected books to their students. The readability results are as follows: Corduroy- 5th grade level, Green Eggs and Ham- 1st Grade Level, Are You My Mother? - 6th Grade Level, Frog and Toad Together - 2nd Grade Level, and The Rainbow Fish - 5th Grade Level. Teachers who taught 3-4 year-olds reported that they would read all 5 books to their students thoroughly. Teachers who taught 2 year-olds reported that they would read only Green Eggs and Ham in its entirety. The remaining 4 books would be read only with text simplification and scaffolding. Because these children›s books have readability levels which are much greater than what are expected of preschoolers, we can conclude that preschoolers who are read similar books will likely experience greater reading ability and literature comprehension in the future.


Characterizing Lithium Motion in Lithium Batteries by Fluorescence Microscopy Using a Lithium Sensitive Probe

Nicolas Padilla, Randall Goldsmith University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Throughout the development of lithium ion batteries many methods have been employed to probe the path-ways of lithium ions to the electrodes; however none of these methods have been able to image the time-varying locations and densities of lithium ions, contributors to lithium battery degradation. Real-time imaging can be accomplished with the use of wide field fluorescence microscopy. The first aim of this study is to extract a diffusion coefficient using this technique. A profluorophore (PF) is a molecule that fluoresces only when a certain condition is met. The PF used in this study is from the 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazole (HPBO) family, known for its high lithium ion selectivity. Once the PF has formed a coordination complex with a lithium ion, it will emit more intense fluorescence upon excitation with 405 nm light. This PF will be used as a reporter probe to provide temporal and spatial information of the lithium. A solution that is common in lithium batter-ies was prepared with polyethylene oxide as the electrolyte inside a propylene carbonate and triethylamine solution. This solution was then saturated with PF. While the solution was prepared, a microfluidic device was made with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This was then filled at one end with solid LiCl salt and the afore-mentioned solution was injected from the opposite end. A camera was used to record spatial and intensity data. The relationship between intensity and Li+ position will be used to extract a diffusion coefficient from the experiment. This study as of June 2016 has found that the PDMS channels may have many forces acting upon the PF solution. This has caused complications in extracting an accurate diffusion coefficient. Other methods of sample preparation are being implemented prevent such convolutions.


Abstracts


The Influence that relationships have on Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

Shaunna Newton, Jenny Higgins University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are widely accepted as the most effective forms of birth con-trol. Research has been done in the area of analyzing intimate partner relationships as they relate to most of contraceptive methods, with the exception of LARCs. This study aims to explore how women perceive IUDs and implants within the context of these relationships. Data for this analysis derives from a larger qualitative study of IUD and implant use among 18-29 year-old women in a small Midwestern city, [blinded for review purposes], a semi-urban area of approximately 500,000 inhabitants and home to the University of [X]. Investi-gators conducted focus groups with women who had any history of contraceptive use. To more deeply explore personal experiences of women who had ever used a LARC method, the researchers conducted twelve one-on-one interviews with former or current LARC users. The researchers also selected a qualitative approach for the study given that qualitative research methods are essential for exploring understudied topics, generating hy-potheses (versus showing causation), and answering questions of why, how, and under what circumstances. Six themes emerged from the data analysis conducted: those who justified their introduction of a LARC method based on their long term and “deeply intimate” relationship; those who used LARCs due to the unplanned and transitory nature of their lives; those that make the decision to use LARCs without consideration of rela-tionships at all; those that discontinued their LARC method because of their long term and deeply intimate relationship; and those that continued to use their LARC methods after their relationship ended. Within each theme, condoms and awareness of sexually transmitted infections served as aggregates to considerations about introduction, continuation, and discontinuation of LARC methods.


Factors Influencing Engagement of OutSmart Flu

Jasmin Sanchez University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison,WI, USA

Flu can have strong side effects on high risk population such as college students, which can prevent them from succeeding in their studies by missing class/lectures. Flu is respiratory transmitted virus making university stu-dents a vulnerable population because transmission is more prevalent on a campus environment. The spread can be transmitted interpersonally or indirectly such as touching a doorknob that someone with the flu previ-ously touched, the virus can then be passed to the healthy person. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the lead-ing national public health institute in the United States, is currently surveilling for influenza outbreaks however the time lag of the reports is about a week after the outbreak has occurred. In response to this, researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a smartphone application (app) calledOutSmart Flu, in which students could report influenza symptoms with the hope that flu rates of infection could be detected as they were occurring. Dr. Ajay Sethi’s lab is examining the University participants’ engagement with the app to explore the factors that contributed to the engagement with the app. Using Stata, a statistical software, the author is using data collected from Dr. Sethi’s lab in 2013 to analyze engagement by looking at factors such as similar patterns and demographics of the participants. These results can be helpful when creating OutSmart Flu 2.0 to deliver more accurate results by having a larger population and improving participants’ engagement. OutSmart Flucreated awareness on influenza so increasing the amount of participants could increase the amount of people getting vaccinated and prevent being infected with flu virus.



Abstracts

Move or Be Moved: Black Liberation and the Reclamation of Space on Social Media A pilot study of Black Twitter

Kiara Childs University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

The significant number of Black internet users compared to their white counterparts has caused Black Twitter to become a mainstay of Black social media culture. This pilot study explores the cultural narratives that Black Twitter creates, examining whether Black Twitter could be considered a so-called “counterpublic.” Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study documents the social hierarchies of Twitter, the dominant themes of con-versations taking place there and how this discourse reflects action offline. Through this research the author identifies Twitter as a Black cultural outlet and a platform for civic activism. Important social movements such as #Blacklivesmatter and #bringourgirlsback that originated with one tweet have lead to significant political action. Currently the author is exploring #PhilandoCastile, #AltonSterling and #StaymadAbby. In understanding Black Twitter as a space for the development of grand cultural narratives, we can reveal how tweet activity may be contesting the dominant sphere as well as what values arise from this culturally-motivated social-media usage.


Attentional Bias in Women During the Menstrual Cycle

Carly Blasco Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

It is not uncommon for some women to experience emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression the week prior to the onset of menses when estrogen and progesterone levels drop. Research shows that indi-viduals who experience anxiety have a greater likelihood of experiencing negative attentional bias (NAB). This means the individual tends to focus a greater portion of their attention towards threat based stimuli. The purpose of this study is to examine the reaction time to negative stimuli in premenstruating females and see if it mirrors a similar response as those with anxiety. The current study uses multi-channel Electroencephalogra-phy (EEG) to measure Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), or brain waves, which are associated with specific steps in cognitive processing thought to represent very early allocation of attention to a stimulus. We are particularly interested in a wave that occurs around 150 milliseconds after a stimulus is presented. While wearing the EEG, participants will be performing the Dot-Probe Task. The Dot-Probe Task measures attentional bias in millisec-onds by measuring reaction times to various stimuli and the relation to a dot that appears after the stimuli. In our case if the dot appears behind a negative face we would expect someone with negative attentional bias to respond faster and if it is on the opposite side someone with NAB would respond slower because they have to shift their attention. Following the Dot-Probe Task, participants will complete the Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool (PSST) that measures the severity and impact of premenstrual symptoms. A demographic sur-vey will be used to gather information including when the participants’ last menstrual cycle began to deter-mine menstrual phase during task completion.


Exploring the Best Ways to Communicate Utility Value for First-Generation College Students

Cory Washington, Judith Harackiewicz University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

First-generation (FG) college students underperform compared to their continuing-generation (CG) peers and despite recent efforts to increase participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers, many FG students lose interest in pursuing a STEM career. A potential reason may be that FG students tend to


Abstracts

have more communal (helping-oriented) goals, whereas STEM professions are often perceived as non-commu-nal. However, utility value (UV) interventions (which involve connecting the material to students’ own lives and goals) could help FG students via both direct and indirect methods of communicating communal UV. Currently, the author is running two pilot studies to find out the best way to communicate direct-communal UV and indirect-communal UV for FG students since prior literature hasn’t used communal UV in this way before. In the indirect-communal UV pilot student-participants learn, via PowerPoint, about fungi and respond to one of two prompts that instructs student-participants to write how fungi (or knowledge about fungi) might be used to benefit society or “how fungi (or knowledge about fungi) might be used to benefit your friends and family.” Questionnaires, given before and after the two tasks, measure how confident student-participants feel about the material, how difficult the prompt was for them, and measure if it challenged them to think about the topic in new and different ways. Preliminary results show a pattern of the society prompt is viewed as more challenging for FG students however these participants show more confidence in the material and think about the topic differently after the writing task than with the family prompt: The opposite pattern for CG students. The direct-communal UV pilot, run on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, measures the quality of communal-UV ex-amples presented and how differently it makes them think about the topic of fungi via questionnaire questions and ranking the examples from greatest to least.


Who Uses Social Networking Sites? Exploring Associations among Personality, and the Relationship with Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Chantal Martinez, Kimberly Hardy Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

The amount of literature on social networking sites (SNS) and the question of the impacts it has on sociality has increased significantly in recent years. As a result, greater levels of variable specification is required. Testing the relationships among key variables is important when trying to understand the influential impact of these technological forums. With a recent growth in SNS such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram there is a distinct lack of psychological theory relating to SNS use. Although research has begun to examine the type of people who use SNS, few studies have focused on all three of these websites. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is aimed to investigate how personality influences what type of SNS a person will likely use. Partici-pants will be recruited through social media (i.e. Facebook) to participate in a survey. The online questionnaire package comprising the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised – 60-item version (HEXACO-60; Lee & Ashton, 2007), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory – 29-item version (NPI-29; Ames, Rose, & Anderson, 2006), and the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (HSNS; Hendin & Cheek, 1997). Participants will also complete a SNS usage questionnaire. It is hoped that the results within this paper will contribute in the first steps for the foundation of SNS theory.


Credit Interlinking and Agricultural Markets: Examining the Effects of Trader Inputs on Differential Pricing in Uganda

Aisha Ali University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Over the last decade, microfinance has become an increasingly important tool in poverty alleviation in the developing world. In Uganda, access to forms of microcredit is typically limited to informal sources for those engaged in agricultural production. This paper focuses specifically on relationships within agricultural markets in Uganda where farmers often receive their credit from traders, a process known as credit interlinking. Using regression analysis, the paper attempts to answer whether credit interlinking has an effect on the price traders pay, if the price they pay is lower and by how much. The study uses data from a baseline survey conducted in


Abstracts

110 Ugandan sub-counties by Innovations for Poverty Action in 2015. The results, with the exception of direct credit provision, are consistent with current literature suggesting that there is little correlation between sup-plying inputs and paying lower prices.


Kinetic Study of Silver Nanoparticle Formation

Steven Diaz University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA

With the increased use of silver nanoparticles in modern day applications, kinetic information on the mecha-nism of their formation is useful for further studies on their reactivity in a biological environment. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized via a modified Turkevich method. The synthesized nanoparticles were charac-terized using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The data obtained were plotted as a function of time, and rate constants for the nucleation (k1) and autocatalytic surface growth (k2) were extracted. Comparing the k1 (~10-3) and k2 (~10-1) values supports a two-step mechanism of slow nucleation and fast autocatalytic surface growth.


Music Deserts: How Social Inequality Affects Accessibility to Musical Resources Important to Actively Partici-pating in Music

Everardo Reyes University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

Recent findings in the cognitive neuroscience of music suggest that active participation in music has benefits such as increasing reading comprehension, soothing babies, and helping increase synapses which are benefi-cial in differentiating music and speech from noise. However, these benefits are not accessible to all communi-ties. Department of Education (2012) research reveals that elementary and secondary schools with a higher percentage of poverty have fewer music teachers, music courses, dedicated rooms for music, and proper music equipment. In this research I examine how social inequality in the US correlated with a lack of music instru-ment stores (MIS). These areas can be thought of as Music Deserts. To examine if social inequality affects access to MIS, I identified Music Deserts by counting the number of MIS registered with US Census data within zip codes of New York City and Chicago. I also utilized US Census data to identify characteristics of each zip code (e.g. population size and median household income). After importing data into Statistic Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), I analyzed correlations between music stores per square mile and factors such as education, income, and race. I also ran a linear regression that showed Music Deserts exist and can be associated with percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Music Deserts are important to recognize because they identify areas where a lack of resources deprive lower income communities from benefits associ-ated with active music participation.


How Education Level and Willingness to Learn Affect Older Adults in their use of Mobile Technology in Southwest Idaho

Kimberly Neagle Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

As a person’s age increases, their use of technology decreases (Casado- Munoz, 2015), which can hinder their


Abstracts

access to resources, such as medical care, online products and services, and basic communication. For 90% of American adults, the use of mobile technology is a part of daily life (Pew Research Center, 2014). Previous research shows that if seniors have higher education levels and willingness to learn, they are more likely to use technology (Bailey & Sheehan, 2009). This project will use the cultural evolution theory and social learning to examine how education levels affect a senior’s use of technology, and how their willingness to learn affects their adoption of mobile technology. I will conduct interviews and surveys with 50 individuals, aged 65 years or older; 25 individuals enrolled currently in educational courses and 25 individuals who are not. This research gives a deeper understanding of the factors that influence technology use in seniors, and how to encourage such usage.


Phenomenological Study of Pre-service Early Childhood Teachers’ Experiences with and Perceptions of the Inclusion Model

Michala Saenz University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

In the field of early childhood education teacher preparation programs, ideally curriculum is created to support the education and development of children from all backgrounds, races, cultures, and abilities. As the diversity within the classroom continues to grow, so does the rate of children with special needs that are being included in the general education classroom. This rate increase is consequence of more children receiving special education services within early child care as well as federal legislation mandating that children with special needs must be in the least restrictive environment or the general education classroom. Previous researchers have looked at teachers and their success and confidence in the classroom as far as working with children with special needs and have found that most teachers do not believe that they have received sufficient training to be successful in teaching these children. However, research has yet to be done that looks at the specific experi-ences and perceptions that these general education teachers bring and how those experiences impact their success and feeling of confidence in the classroom. This research looks into the specific stories of individual preservice teachers and how their stories have shaped their perceptions of their abilities to successfully imple-ment inclusivity within the classroom. This research parallels previous research as participants explained their fears of inadequate preparation. The findings in this research could be the first step in a longitudinal study that follows these teachers and researches the actual success of inclusive classroom in relation to their perception and eventually support the need for curriculum reform to offer preservice teachers better preparation to sup-port children with special needs in their classroom.


The Women of Northern Ireland and Liberia: Intermediaries in Building Peace

Priscilla Torres Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

In 2000 the passage of the United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 1325 shed light on an often margin-alized group within international politics: women. Since then, the integration of women in peace-building processes has been a topic of discussion within literature. This paper poses the question: how are women keys to the peace-building process? Through a comparative case study of Northern Ireland and Liberia it is found that the inclusion of women in peace-building merges the strengths of top-down and bottom-up approaches. However, this has been far more successful in Liberia than in Northern Ireland. This paper concludes that the integration of women in peace-building leads to comprehensive peace-building efforts among some of the most forgotten groups within post-conflict society such as female ex-combatants.


Abstracts


Encouraging Diversity in STEM Fields Through Smartphone Applications

Sylvana Santos Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

In 2015, survey data from the Pew Research Center revealed that while computer and game console owner-ship amongst 18 to 29 year olds went down by 10% and 8% respectively between 2011 and 2015, smartphone ownership rose from 52% to 86%. Moreover, 52% of Americans with a household income below $30,000 and 69% of Americans with a household income of $30,000 to $50,000 own a smartphone. These findings sug-gest that smartphones are a viable way to reach low-income, young adults. This study aims to take advantage of this medium and expose underrepresented high school students to concepts in electrical engineering. A game-based, learning app was created to teach students the foundations for analyzing any circuit. The user plays as a companion of the superhero, Jolt (the namesake of the app), and their aim is to repair the damage done by the villain, Blackout. The user is then led through a series of tasks that they must complete in order to save Capa City. Each level covers a skill used by electrical engineers: power calculations, Ohm’s Law, node and loop identification, series/parallel configurations, and Kirchhoff’s Laws. Furthermore, each level proposes a real life situation. For example, in the first level, the user must help an electric utility company calculate the energy demands of the city. Preliminary presentations of the app indicate substantial enthusiasm for its user interface and its implementation of analogies to simplify complex material. Moreover, formal workshops will be conducted to provide concrete data on the app’s effectiveness. After this data is analyzed and feedback is implemented, the app will be published on the Google Play Store. The final objective is to exhibit the app at local schools as a tool for STEM education.


Light-Triggered Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells to Neurons

Kyung Jae Jeong, Salimah Hussien University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA

Neural injuries (either peripheral or central nervous systems) affect a large number of the human population world-wide and in general are considered irreparable due to the lack of regenerative capacity of the neural tissues. Various neural tissue engineering approaches have been employed to differentiate human neural stem cells (hNSCs) into neurons for the purpose of using them in regenerating the damaged neural tissues. Recently, electrical stimulation was found effective to enhance neuronal differentiation of hNSCs. Light-triggered genera-tion of free electrons on the surface of semiconducting materials is an exciting option to achieve electrical stimulation on hNSCs. However, the band gap of most light-harvesting semiconductors falls in the UV range which is harmful to cells. The main hypothesis of this study is that hNSCs will preferentially differentiate into neurons when cultured on dopamine-modified titanium oxide (TiO2) substrates followed by irradiation by visible light (~ 420nm). We have discovered that TiO2 grown on polydopamine (PDA) coated substrates exhibits an absorption peak in the visible light range. The surface chemistry was confirmed by various surface characterization methods including UV-Vis, SEM, EDS, and FT-IR. Using this substrate, the effects of YIGSR peptide on hNSCs adhesion, surface free electron generation on TiO2 by visible light irradiation and differentiation of hNSCs into neurons will be investigated. The results from this research are expected to contribute significantly to the field of neural tissue engineering.


Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Bismuth Layered Materials for Self-Assembly

Ryan White, Anginelle Alabanza, Scott Warren


Abstracts

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

With an increasing focus on environmental impacts of energy use and waste, bismuth has attracted attention for use in thermoelectric heat conversion or cooling. Further, it has been shown that reducing thermoelectric materials’ dimensionality could theoretically offer higher thermoelectric efficiencies, greatly benefiting device performance. However, current methods of Bi material development often employ Molecular Beam Epitaxy instruments, expensive and often unavailable methods. In this presentation, we explore low-cost and commer-cially available materials in order to produce high-quality 2-dimensional films of Bismuth metal through a novel method of synthesizing and subsequently decomposing a Bi precursor species into Bi metal. Various ligands are explored to exert control over structural design of a layered Bi precursor material, with the intent of retaining this layered structure upon its decomposition. The precursors are characterized to determine their structure and crystal behavior in order to work towards achieving the overarching goal of organized self-assembly on a substrate after decomposition. Both solid-state and interfacial assembly methods are explored in order to exert structural control. Once appropriate precursors have been obtained, various decomposition methods are used to reduce the Bi center. Both solid-state photodecomposition and solution-based chemical reduction processes are studied to search for any chemically significant differences in the two methods that would cause alterations in the products. The preliminary results of these tests appear promising as moving toward lower dimensional-ity through layered structures and decomposition methods could significantly improve thermoelectric device performance.


The Black Student Experience at a PWI: The Role of Familial Support

Phylicia Currence University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

It is hypothesized that African American family members play a critical role in supporting African American stu-dents in their college experience. Strong family influences and role models have both proven to benefit African American students, although current research has illustrated that students from single parent households are more susceptible to low academic performance. Researchers have studied the relationship between academic success and family support to further understand how best to assist students academically. Since African Americans have been historically underrepresented in higher education and still are, it is pertinent to further examine this connection within their community. At a predominately White Institution (PWI), African Ameri-can students are underrepresented and often time need support from multiple outside networks to truly be successful. The subjects for this study will be five African American female college students who are all seniors at a predominately White institution from single parent households. This study will investigate whether family involvement among African American college students is contingent upon the structure of their household through the use of a qualitative analysis. This study hopes to find common themes and patterns amongst these students in hopes to extend the research in this area to assist college counselors and educators in understand-ing the role of black families in college success.


Perceptions of Same-Sex versus Opposite-Sex Domestic Violence

Taylor McGinn University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

Current research reveals that the perception of male-on-female DV differs from the perception of same-sex DV (Seelau & Seelau, 2005). The purpose of this research is to examine perceptions of same-sex versus opposite-


Abstracts

sex DV. The sample included 395 graduate and undergraduate students from a large Colorado university who responded to an electronic survey that asked them to read and rate the seriousness of one of four fictitious scenarios of DV: two same-sex DV scenarios and two opposite-sex DV scenarios. The results contradict prior re-search; the current study revealed that only the sexual orientation of the participant had a significant effect on the perceived seriousness of the scenario; those who identified as non-heterosexual found all four instances of DV as more serious. The findings show that college populations may have changing perceptions of same-sex DV suggesting a shift away from heteronormative attitudes.

0033 —Session E5 Room Dwinelle 205 Saturday, August 6, 2:00PM-3:20PM

One Speaker Two Idiomas: Exploring Code Switching

Ariana Yanez, Kimberly Murza University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA

People who are bilingual can sometimes experience code switching, a phenomenon in which they switch back and forth between languages in different environments and circumstances. There are two types of code switching: intersentential and intrasentential. Intersentential is when the speaker uses a whole new sentence in another language. Intrasentential code switching is when a speaker switches one word into another lan-guage within the same sentence. This investigation surveyed Spanish-English bilingual speakers from a cul-tural center located in the Rocky Mountain region using a number of survey items concerning their language development and experiences with code switching. The goals of this study were to gain a greater understand-ing of code switching behaviors by college students and determine whether these behaviors are associated with a suite of student characteristics related to language. I found that there were no significant relationships between type of code switching used or frequency of its use and several variables including age at which participants were exposed to their second language, level of use of their first language, their communication partner, and which language they spoke when code switching. Respondents indicated that they code switched on a daily basis and in different situations due to 1) exposure to a different environment, 2) their speaking partner(s), and 3) lack of proficiency. Findings from this study are a critical first step for any researcher wanting to explore code switching and how it relates to bilingualism.


Domestic Workers in Central North Carolina Reveal Contradictions

Vanessa Canuto University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

Domestic workers have no labor protections in the United States and therefore are susceptible to unsafe and/or exploitative working conditions. Most domestic workers in the United States are women, and the majority of these women are Latina migrants. Due to the rapid demographic change in the South, there has been a vast expansion of Latina domestic workers in North Carolina. Since domestic workplaces are considered private, North Carolina labor legislation excludes domestic workers from protection. This exploratory case study ex-amines the experiences of two Latina migrant domestic workers to reveal their personal narratives and how each one has been affected by not having any work protection. Drawing qualitative data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews, I develop key themes that arise from their own narratives such as: left with no choice, invisibility, family relationships, perceptions of employer, workplace routine and human rights. The interviews reveal that these Latinas came to North Carolina in search of a way to support their families and domestic work is what the only option they feel they have. Despite low pay and/or demeaning employers, these two women are trapped by their financial situations and will do anything to keep their job. Their personal narratives sug-gest that protective labor policy in North Carolina would ensure domestic workers’ human rights.


Abstracts


Is there a relationship between brain size and sociality in mammals?

Menshian George, Joseph R. Burger University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA

The social brain hypothesis (SBH) posits that, across primates, increased social complexity requires greater cog-nition. Indeed, humans have the largest brain relative to body size of any mammal, and brain size is positively related to group size in primates. However, the generalizability of the SBH across animals remains question-able. Here, we investigate the link between sociality and brain size relative to body size across all mammals. We gathered brain and body size data from published studies for ~1500 species across the diversity of mam-mals. We incorporated two distinct metrics of sociality from the literature: social group size and breeding sys-tem. Our data included 34 cooperative breeders, 109 socially monogamous species (with and without paternal care), and over 1700 solitary species. To calculate relative brain size, we first identified the scaling relationship between brain size and body size across all species. We calculated residual variation from this allometry to ob-tain relative brain size. To test the SBH, we then regressed relative brain size on social group size. Additionally, we compared the relative brain sizes of species from different breeding systems. If the SBH is supported, we would expect relative brain size to increase with social group size. Additionally, we would expect cooperative breeders and socially monogamous species to have significantly larger relative brain sizes than solitary mam-mals.


Horticultural Therapy: Perceived Stress Levels of Middle School Students With and Without IEPs

Bryanna Nelson University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

Students being served by Individual Educational Plans, or IEPs, are more likely to suffer from higher stress levels than those who are not. The kinds of stressors these children suffer are different from their mainstream counterparts, and often go unnoticed. Reducing these stress level can be difficult as these children may experi-ence difficulties with problem solving more frequently than those without IEPs (Kim, Park, Song, Son, 2012). Horticultural therapy is a way for the students to feel accomplished about something, which in turn enhances self-esteem and boosts students’ moods, resulting in decreased stress. This study investigates differences in perceived stress levels of an inclusive group of twenty students with and without IEPs over a period of five weeks involving several different horticultural activities (e.g., transplanting vegetable plants, building terrari-ums, and pressing flowers). The students involved in this study are 5th graders, ranging from ages 10-12, from a rural community in Wisconsin; those with IEPs represent various parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) spectrum, including: Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Health Impairments. Students were given the Cohen Perceived Stress test (1994) to measure their perceived stress levels prior to the therapy on weeks one, three, and five. Results revealed that there were no significant differences in perceived stress levels over time for both groups. How-ever, students with IEPs were generally more stressed than those without at the beginning of the horticultural sessions. For most items in the test, both groups of students exhibited either non-significant improvement or the same level of stress. Future research on this topic should include a larger pool of students as well as a larger time frame, and be expanded into more urban areas.


Evaluation of circulating plasma amino concentrations of beef heifers fed a low quality forage and supple-mented protein


Abstracts

Emma Stephenson University of Wisconsin- River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

Protein supplementation is often included in the diets of yearling beef heifers in order to make up for nutri-ent deficiencies in available forage. The objective of this study was to evaluate circulating plasma amino concentrations of beef heifers fed a protein supplement with a low-quality forage. This study will provide data to determine the ideal time after supplementation to evaluate circulating plasma amino acid concentrations relative to protein supplementation. Previous studies have reported hourly blood urea nitrogen concentrations of rumen degradable protein digestion due to protein supplementation, but research on plasma amino con-centrations due to rumen undegradable protein digestion has been limited. Forty Angus, Hereford, and Angus cross yearling beef heifers (409 ± 35 kg) were stratified by body weight (BW) and breed and then assigned to 1 of 4 supplementation treatments; 1) no supplementation (CON); 2) low-fat Distiller’s Grains (LDG) supplemen-tation; 3) high-fat Distiller’s Grains (HDG) supplementation; and 4) cottonseed meal (CSM) supplementation. They were also provided ad libitum intake of low-quality hay (8.65% CP, 1.13 Mcal NEm/kg). Supplementation of CSM, LDG, and HDG was provided at 0.4%, 0.7%, and 0.8% BW, respectively, to provide a similar crude pro-tein intake of 0.08% BW. Hay was fed twice a day at 9:00 and 16:00, supplement was fed at 8:00 prior to hay feeding, and AM supplement refusals were fed before 16:00 hay feeding. To determine plasma amino concen-trations, a subset of 3 heifers per treatment were randomly selected for bi-hourly blood draws. Blood samples were drawn on day 26 at -2, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 hours post-supplementation. Amino acid concentrations will be analyzed on each sample. The data will be analyzed to determine differences in time of amino acid con-centrations and what hour post-feeding peak concentrations occur with protein supplementation.

0038 —Session Plenary D Room Dwinelle 155 Saturday, August 6, 11:30AM-12:20PM

Eye of the Pig: A Glimpse into Ocular Thermography on Piglets Inoculated and Exposed to Porcine Reproduc-tive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)

Kaleiah Schiller University of River Falls, River Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Since the late 1980s, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has become a ravaging disease in the swine industry. Due to the virus’s ability to mutate and spread, many measures have been explored to prevent and isolate the sweep of this disease. Detecting early clinical signs of illness is imperative to mitigating the spread of PRRS by sorting sick pigs from the presumably healthy population. This study investigates the use of IRT (Infrared Thermography) to sort ill pigs, and also to non-invasively determine core body temperature. IRT measures radiated temperatures, and therefore is a promising tool for identifying a positive viremia state in swine by indicating febrile signs via thermal images. In the current study, 28 Large White x Landrace and Duroc nursery pigs, 18-21 weeks old, were designated to one of three different groups: the Control (Con) group, low virulent strain of PRRS (B3), or high virulent strain of PRRS (B5). Piglets in group B3 were intramuscularly in-jected with a mild strain of PRRS (inoculum MN-184) and piglets in group B5 were injected with a more severe strain (OK-184). In the initial stages of the study 12 piglets were designated to the control group, 8 to B3 and 8 to B5. Once piglets were inoculated with the assigned strains, two pairs of 4 contact piglets from the control group were introduced to groups B3 and B5. For the remainder of the study ocular images of the left eye and microchip readings indicating core body temperature were recorded for data analysis. This study will confirm whether there is a correlation between microchip readings and the IRT temperatures, and disclose if IRT can be a useful tool for indicating febrile signs among pigs with PRRS.


A Comparative Analysis of Pain Treatment Options During and Following the Disbudding of Calves

Sara Odegard University of Wisconsin River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA


Abstracts

The prevention of horn growth or removal of the horns is a common practice on cattle in the dairy industry. Disbudding is the process of destroying the horn bud and horn generative tissue before fusion to the skull through either cautery disbudding or chemical disbudding, whereas dehorning is the amputation process of removing the horns after they have fused to the skull. Disbudding and dehorning are deemed necessary to ensure the safety of animal handlers and other animals within a herd, but it is well known that both of these processes cause pain. Many studies (Doherty et al. 2007, Sylvester et al. 1998, Coetzee et al. 2008) have indi-cated increases in cortisol and Substance P, two physiological indicators of pain, during the acute and chronic stages of pain. However, there is much less information on the management of the pain experienced after the acute pain caused by the disbudding process. Evaluation of the current published literature recognizes the lack of research for an effective and convenient method of controlling disbudding pain. This study used 60 Holstein calves divided into 4 groups (CTRL, SHAM, M1, M2) to research the use of one or two doses of the non-steroi-dal-anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Meloxicam to determine if it is an effective means for pain management associated with the procedure of caustic paste disbudding. M1 calves were administered Meloxicam on the day of the disbudding procedure (D1), and M2 calves were administered Meloxicam on D1 and 24hr after the procedure (D2). Data were analyzed using Student’s T-tests, protected by Tukey’s Tests in SAS 9.4. The results indicated that Meloxicam is not effective in the reduction of Substance P and cortisol release associated with acute and chronic pain with caustic paste disbudding.


Realm Balance: Psychological Adjustment in the Age of Technological Immersion

Justin Cintas, Richard Gilbert Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA

The concept of balance has been central to models of psychological health and adjustment throughout the modern history of psychology. In the first half of the 20th century, Freud and other major theorists defined mental health in terms of the balance between internal psychological forces. After World War II, with the introduction of millions of women into the labor force and the rise of feminism, roles for men and women became more diverse and complex, where they were now challenged by the balance of work, relationships, and individual needs. The 21st century has become an Age of Technological Immersion consequently creating a new element of psychological integration: Realm Balance. Individuals now confront a world in which increas-ingly realistic and ubiquitously available digital platforms form a parallel context for human function such as work, social interaction, education, and entertainment that rivals the power and significance of the physical world. Younger generations are becoming attached to their digital devices creating maladjusted individuals in the society. Studies have shown a correlation between prolonged immersion and adverse developmental skills, difficulty socially interacting, as well as a variety of health concerns. With this being said, technology will inevi-tably remain prominent so being proficient on digital platforms is essential. However, without a corresponding increase in time the allocation of attention cannot remain exclusively or predominantly in the virtual. Instead, the goal of this research is to propose a variety of strategies which can be considered for adults and children to cope with in order to remain balanced. These recommendations will eventually develop into a model of psychological adjustment that can help individuals adapt to a world that simultaneously operates in multiple realms of experience.


The Magic of Numbers - A Study in n-sided and 2n-sided Magic Polygons

Heather Snyder University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

A Magic Polygon is based on the Magic Square and evolved from the idea of Perimeter Magic Polygons. Like a Magic Square, a Magic Polygon can be drawn by taking the shape, using the numbers 1 to 2n+1 (where n is


Abstracts

the number of sides) and putting a number in the center, corners, and the midpoints of the edges. The idea is that every edge and diagonal should all add up to the same value, the magic sum. The research questions are as follows: (1) For what values of n does a Magic Polygon exist? (2) Are there formulas for the center num-ber and magic sum? And (3) Would a n-sided and 2n-sided polygon work the same? This study examines the mathematics behind Magic Polygons of any numbers of sides, exploring the numerical structures and patterns leading to these constructs, and searching for a comprehensive algorithm for generating Magic Polygons. Using already established research for Magic Squares, one can convert the equations to refer to the number of sides of the square instead of how many rows and columns it has. From the Magic Square, we find that the middle number can be calculated by n+1. The magic sum can be found using 3(n+1). Once the equations for the magic sum and center number were made in terms of the number of sides, it was logical in terms of medians and averages. After a deeper understanding of the Magic Square, the next step was to see what polygons the equa-tions would still work for. Due to the configuration of n-sided polygons, the design and equations only seem to apply to the symmetry of the 2n-sided polygons.


Raising the Independence of Para-Equestrians

Shanna Burris University of Wisconsin, River Falls, USA

A large population of para-riders is emerging due to the increased popularity of hippo therapy. This special-ized therapy positively affects mobility, balance, and mental and emotional states. This project consists of two parts: the design and building of a mechanical lift to lift a Western saddle onto the horse independently, and a survey to examine the desire and need for independence in paraplegic equestrians.

The saddle lift is designed to function from the height of a wheelchair. A pulley system with a 4:1 ratio to offset the weight of the saddle, which is lifted using repurposed bridle pieces and hooks. These pieces are removable after release from the lift so as not to interfere with the rider and to maintain the integrity of the saddle. Trials included many different pieces and styles until the final design worked 10/10 times, with ongoing trials daily with different horses and riders abilities. A barn door track is used to accommodate to movement of the horse. A secondary leather strap is connected to assist with position of the saddle from chair height.

To further evaluate the usefulness of this type of assistive device, a five-question survey was sent to multiple para-riders and certified therapeutic riding instructors of the PATH program. Riders were asked to rate on a scale of 1-10 how important their independence was to them; what some of the challenges are in tacking up the horse and preparing to ride; how long they have been riding or teaching and whether it was at a set location; and what challenges they would like the world to know about para-riding. Instructors were asked to answer in relation to their students and challenges they have seen. Early results show an emphasis on the need for assistive devices like the one I have designed.


A Model Continuation High School: Pathways Towards Success for Latino Males?

Armando Tellez University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA

Latino males are overrepresented in the more than 500 California continuation high schools (CHS) and these students are often left out of the larger educational discourse (Ruiz de Velasco & McLaughlin, 2008). Because Latino males are more likely to be viewed as “threatening” and potential “problems” (Lopez, 2003), they are more likely to pushed out of school at higher rates compared to their female counterparts (Covarrubias, 20111). While CHS serve as California’s dropout prevention strategy, they are constantly referred to as “dump-


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ing grounds” (Kelly, 1993) and “exit ramps to nowhere” (Ruiz de Velasco, 2008). In 2012, the California Depart-ment of Education (CDE) and the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) partnered to identify “model” CHS that implement innovative programs and offer adequate resources and opportunities for their students to graduate. Despite this work to identify successful “model” CHS, previous research on the experi-ences of Latino males in CHS apply deficit perspectives and “at-risk” frameworks (Malagon, 2010). However, this qualitative study utilizes S. R. Harper’s (2012) Anti-Deficit Achievement Framework and Yosso’s (2005) Cultural Community Wealth model to examine Latino males’ experiences at a model CHS and their post gradu-ate aspirations. In addition, this study will investigate how institutional agents at a “model” CHS cultivate/fos-ter the aspiration of Latino males. Data will be collected through participant observations and semi-structured interviews with eight Latino males between the ages of 15 and 21 who attend a model CHS. Through such inquiry, this project seeks to understand how Latino males navigate the stereotypes of being in a CHS and to identify individual, familial, cultural, and communal resources that they use to succeed. The findings will inform policies, practices, and infrastructure that aim to improve the schooling experiences of Latino males at model continuation schools.


How far does influence go?: Racial ideology, anti-racist action, and university culture

Chandra Reyna Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

In recent years, universities have found themselves in the spotlight for their approaches to grievances of racial bias and discrimination. To better understand how university culture can influence millennials’ understanding and explanations of racial phenomena, I examine students’ civic engagement activities. Special attention is paid to their level of commitment to racial equity and how this mirrors that of the university. Using Bonilla-Silva’s four frames of colorblind racism, I explore the nuanced ways in which students account for racial inequity and explain their inaction to remedy it. I hypothesize that the university’s culture will influence students racial ide-ology and by extension, their activism. In-depth, face-to-face interviews will be conducted with approximately 30 students. Preliminary results show four frames emerging: traditional colorblind, colorblind soft, strategic colorblind, and power analysis.

0045 —Session B6 Room Dwinelle 243 Friday, August 5, 2:00PM-3:20PM

Emotional Injuries by Parents and Forgiveness in Families

MaLeaha Semerad, Gilbert Parra University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Problems in family relationships are related to poor mental and physical health outcomes. There is a need to better understand factors that influence the development and maintenance of problems in families. In some families, the actions and/or inactions of family members can contribute to the negative emotional experiences of other family members. These hurtful experiences have been called emotional injuries. Emotional injuries inflicted by parents may be particularly important for children’s psychosocial adjustment. When children are not able to forgive their parents for emotional injuries, their inability to forgive may have implications for the development of key skills and competencies. One such developmental skill that may be influenced by unfor-giveness of parents is emotion regulation. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether there is an association between unforgiveness of parents and one component of emotion regulation, rumination. Par-ticipants were 18 and 19-year-old undergraduate students (n = 194, 86% women). Participants were asked to recall events/circumstances in which they felt wronged or hurt by a parent/primary caregiver (i.e., emotional injuries). Then participants were asked to answer questions related to emotion-focused parenting behaviors and forgiveness associated with the event/circumstance that was deemed most hurtful. Forgiveness was assessed using a modified version of the Transgression-Related Interpersonal


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Motivations Inventory (TRIM) and four questions were created for this study to assess continued hurt. The Sad-ness and Anger Rumination Inventory (SARI) was used to examine individuals’ rumination on sadness and anger on events in their life. Findings indicated that positive associations were found between continued hurt and both rumination of sadness (r = .29) and anger (r = .24). Practical implications of results for mental health professionals will be discussed.


Sci-Fi Films’ Pirouette of Artificial Intelligence as an Abstract Frankenstein, Contrary to the Third Adam

Rodolfo Davila University of Wisconsin River Falls, River Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Science fiction films have commandeered the nativity of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and have assigned a retell-ing of Frankenstein-like dogma to the creation of A.I. Science Fiction gives people a window into what could be. Fear about A.I. and its uncertainty gives rise to technophobia and is reinforced in Sci-Fi films. The problematic ingredient in sci-fi films telling stories about the future, especially with A.I., is that it uses examples of charac-ters and plots from the past: a false past. A past made of myths, folklore, fairytales, and religious undertones that target people’s fears.

Some may see A.I. as the third Adam, coming to take our place as acting gods. Like all computers though, A.I. is limited and constrained by its programming. The word artificial in A.I. indicates that it is not real intelligence, not aware or motivated by its own agenda. The moment A.I. does become aware, it ceases being artificial and becomes intelligence. This research focuses on James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931), Saturn III (1980), and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) to analyze the systematic application of the Frankenstein model to depictions of artificial intelligence.

As A.I. becomes more prevalent in our daily lives, we will need realistic plots for science fiction films contain-ing A.I.. This comparative film analysis argues that people accept this portrayal of our demise in sci-fi films as a relatable inevitability resulting from human fallibility and dissent from our supposed creator, but that this understanding reveals ignorance of the limits of A.I.


Effects of Diversity on Ad-Hoc Collaboration in Open Environments

Elliot Sandfort, Leen-Kiat Soh University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Collaboration is a key element of multiagent systems. Typically, collaboration is achieved through pre-coor-dinated interaction protocols. But if these protocols do not exist between agents, we call this kind of col-laboration without pre-coordination “ad-hoc collaboration.” Ad-hoc collaboration is important because many real-world scenarios have ad-hoc teams, such as a group of search and rescue robots, contractors working on a building, and free-lance software developers working on a group project. Open environments, however, can complicate the study of ad-hoc collaboration. In an open environment, agents and tasks to be completed may enter and exit the environment. Openness is significant because it increases the accuracy of multiagent systems as models of the real world. One aspect of ad-hoc collaboration in open environments that has not yet been explored is diversity. Diversity has two dimensions: the distribution of agent types in the environment, and the distribution of task types in the environment. Diversity thus adds another layer of realism to multia-gent systems. Our work aimed to study the effect of diversity in open, ad-hoc collaborative environments. Specifically, we focused on how different distributions of agent types affect collaboration and performance. By doing this, we can discover how to make multiagent systems more robust at handling real-world scenarios. We accomplish the work by extending an existing ad-hoc collaborative framework. Our extension introduced


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three agent types: Apprentice, Specialist, and Generalist, and compared the individual and combined perfor-mance of these three types. The agents performed the simulation using different reasoning strategies and the performance of all agent groups was compared. By comparing results among agent groups, we determine how openness is handled in diverse environments. We also determine which task selection strategies perform the best and which distributions of agent types are most beneficial for maximizing performance.


Examination of the relationship between resting state EEG neural osciallations and lexical semantic retreival in mild traumatic brain injury

Marissa DeCaro, Stephanie Barlow, Robert Ross University of New Hamshire, Durham, NH, USA

Mild traumatic brain injury is an impact to the head that occurs and causes neurological symptoms for any pe-riod of time. The impact to the head can cause disruptions in structural brain networks, including white matter tracts. Mild traumatic brain injury may lead to cognitive function deficits, including language related abilities. The current study aims to assess how brain network activity is related to lexical semantic retrieval, a critical component of language comprehension, in people that have mild traumatic brain injury. Lexical semantic re-trieval allows for the retrieval of word meaning. The current study involves measuring brain function via neural oscillations during a resting state EEG analysis and correlating oscillatory power with performance on the Bos-ton Naming Test. The oscillations that will be examined are theta (4-8 Hz) and gamma frequencies (30-100 Hz) because they are linked to the storage and retrieval of long-term memory, which is related to lexical semantic retrieval. Gamma oscillations have also been found to be related to ambiguous images, like those of the Boston Naming Test. Using the Boston Naming test will allow us to assess the patient’s ability of word retrieval. It is important to investigate differences in brain network connectivity after traumatic brain injury as new therapeu-tic techniques may become possible with a deeper understanding of how mTBI changes brain function. If I can correlate performance on the Boston Naming Test to neural network activity at rest then it will provide insight into how changes in neural communication, measured by brain oscillations, impact lexical semantic retrieval in mild traumatic brain injury.


Anti-Heroes in Myriam Gurba’s “Primera Comunión” and “Dahlia Season”: Twenty-First Century Chicanas in Urban Contemporary Fiction

Miriam Juarez University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA

In Myriam Gurba’s short stories “Dahlia Season” and “Primera Comunión”, coming-of-age Chicanas Esperanza and Desiree shape their identities within defiant subcultures in urban locations. They are rewritten as figures of La Virgen, La Malinche, and other symbolic idols prominent in Chicana/o popular culture that stem from the history of colonization. I argue for these prominent figures to be read as anti-heroes. The traditional anti-hero, usually flawed and unconventional, serves as an embodied critique of an overarching society. While the anti-hero persona is primarily ascribed to White heterosexual men in what is deemed “popular” culture and the canon, the power to critique an oppressive society becomes a power exclusive of those who do not fit into this mold. By using the anti-hero as an analytic, I aim to understand how Esperanza and Desiree’s defiant identities are also valid critiques of a racist and sexist society and therefore I push forward the notion of a Chicana anti-hero. I will also center how these characters are shaped by the subcultures of their urban settings to further argue the Chicana anti-hero persona. I will compare in what ways Gurba’s Chicana anti-heroes are different from other Chicana protagonists of late twentieth century canonical Chicana texts to get an expansive under-standing of different forms of how Chicanas have written about resistance. In this way, I look at how Gurba is rewriting cultural idols in contemporary urban fiction and highlight how Chicana authors have been continu-


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ally working against different forms of oppression. By proposing the idea of the Chicana anti-hero, I ultimately begin to bridge Chicana literature and popular cultures with the mainstream literary canon.


Modeling Agricultural Suitability in the American Southwest

Viridiana Martinez Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Considering that in the next several decades the global population is predicted to increase from a current 7.3 billion to 11.2 billion, particular attention must be placed on evaluating agricultural potential. Models predict that by the year 2100 there will be unprecedented droughts in the American Southwest due to climate change, impacting a very important agricultural region for the United States. Our study seeks to determine how agri-cultural suitability in the American Southwest is expected to change over the next several decades. Using an agricultural suitability index, derived from global climatic and soil quality variables, and model output data from the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, our study will determine the agricultural suitability of the American Southwest between now and the year 2100. The results of this study will provide policymakers as well as stake holders with insight into the potential impacts climate change may have on agriculture.


Exploring Living Heritage Conservation: An Ethnography of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Adriana Trujillo University of Northern Colorado, Evans, CO, USA

Taos Pueblo, a Northern New Mexico Pueblo, is designated as a World Heritage Site that continues to engage in traditional cultural practices. Because it is a living community practicing traditional customs, it is considered a living heritage site. Living heritage refers to the continuity of tangible and intangible heritage that is main-tained by the core-community. Western conservation approaches have rarely integrated community-based strategies when protecting dynamic cultural sites. The purpose of this research is to explore conservation strategies at Taos Pueblo and how they reflect a living heritage approach. Using Rapid Ethnographic Assess-ment Protocol (Taplin, Scheld, & Low, 2002), I worked closely with the community by immersing myself in the culture through an emic perspective. I conducted semi-structured interviews with 5 residents of Taos Pueblo; the questions referred to preservation processes, restoration projects, preservation of the Tiwa language, sa-cred ceremonies, and the evolving heritage. I inductively analyzed interview transcriptions in NVivo to identify themes. A few of these themes include conservation strategies that facilitate the restoration of adobe homes, encouraging involvement in sacred ceremonies at a young age, and restricting photographs and recordings of the Pueblo. I used Poulios’ (2014) framework to interpret the extent to which Taos Pueblo’s conservation practices reflect a living heritage approach. I witnessed the perpetual connection the people of Taos have with their roots, which explains their concerns with maintaining the continuity of their heritage. Through a living heritage approach, the tangible and intangible heritage of Taos Pueblo and other dynamic cultural sites can be successfully conserved because this approach provides support for long term conservation.

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Coenzyme M is an Archaeal Antioxidant

Brandi Russell, Alicia Ortiz, Rebecca Roston, Nicole R. Buan University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA


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All organisms experience oxidative stress to varying degrees, which can irreversibly damage enzymes, lipids, and DNA. To protect themselves, cells produce antioxidants like glutathione that react with reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide or hydroxyl radicals before they have a chance to cause damage. Glutathione is the most ubiquitous antioxidant in nature; it is used in many bacteria, throughout eukarya, and some bacte-ria. It also acts as a signaling molecule, a reductant, and aids in detoxification. Despite the presence of natural antioxidants like glutathione, cells can still be damaged by ROS. New antioxidants or ROS-scavenging molecules could be beneficial in engineering microbes or plants to withstand oxidative stress. Methanogens are strictly anaerobic methane-producing archaea. Like all archaea, methanogens lack glutathione. However, methano-gens do contain high concentrations of Coenzyme M (CoM), a low-molecular-weight thiol that is a C1 carrier in central metabolism. In previous research, overproduced CoM was found to have antioxidative qualities in methanogens exposed to oxygen. It is our prediction that CoM may enhance the effects of thiol and redox protein metabolism in other organisms because it is smaller, has improved ROS capabilities, and methanogen proteins will not be affected by enzyme feedback inhibition pathways that can thwart metabolic engineering efforts. In this paper, we show that CoM is non-toxic at levels that provide protection from oxidative stress to the bacteriumEscherichia coli, and can protect cells from exogenous oxidants. Therefore, our preliminary data suggests CoM can act as an antioxidant in other organisms by augmenting protection provided by the endog-enous glutathione. Future work will focus on identifying the biochemical mechanism of ROS protection by CoM in E. coli and the plant, Arabidopsis thaliana.


The Effect of Ethnic Identity, Psychological Functioning, and Stress on Expectations for Children’s Life

Kimberly Ruiz, Cynthia Willis-Esqueda University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

The purpose of the study was to examine if Latino parents’ stressors, life satisfaction, and ethnic identity would influence expectations about children’s life outcomes. Previous research (Cotterell, 1992) has indicated that parents’ own life outcomes influence children’s life outcomes. For this study, adult Latino parents (N = 50) in a community sample were individually interviewed, in English or Spanish, and completed a questionnaire that measured ethnic identity (Multi Ethnic Identity Measure or MEIM), parental expectations (e.g., My child will experience good mental health, My child will speak both English and Spanish as an adult), psychological distress (Kessler 6 and a stress scale), and life satisfaction (Trait Hope scale and Life Satisfaction scale). Female parents reported less satisfaction with life compared to male parents, but males reported more contact and worry over law enforcement. Parents who had lived in the U.S. longer reported more assimilation and higher ethnic identity. It was predicted that Latino parents with lower ethnic identity, higher stress levels, and lower life satisfaction would have lower expectations for children’s life outcomes. Results confirmed this, in part. The findings contribute to an understanding of Latino parents’ own notions of themselves, and how those notions have a potential to influence children’s future outcomes.


The Differential Effects of Stressors during Pregnancy on the Mental Health of Cohabiting Midwestern Couples

Sara Reyes, Rebecca Brock University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Numerous studies have shown that stress is a robust risk factor for depression (e.g., Howe, Levy, & Caplan, 2004; Brown & Harris, 1978). For many couples, pregnancy is a period of enhanced stress due to the numer-ous biological and psychological demands that emerge during this major family transition, demands that may contribute to an increased vulnerability for developing depression (Parcells, 2010; Epifanio, Genna, De Luca, Roccella, & La Grutta, 2015). Given the high prevalence of maternal depression during the perinatal period


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(7%–19%; O’Hara & McCabe, 2013), it is important to clarify whether pregnancy-related stress is indeed associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in pregnant couples, above and beyond stress more generally defined. The present study was conducted with a sample of 50 couples navigating the transition into parenthood (50 mothers, 50 fathers). Couples completed a series of questionnaires during pregnancy, reporting on their experiences with stress and depressive symptoms. For both mothers and fathers, higher levels of global perceived stress (e.g., loss of control over important things in life, lack of confidence in ability to handle problems) significantly predicted higher levels of depression. Annual joint income—a proxy variable for SES—was not uniquely related to depression for mothers or fathers. Consistent with our hypotheses, concerns specific to pregnancy, delivery, and labor (e.g., concerns regarding health of baby, fear of losing the baby, worry about labor and delivery) uniquely predicted general depression beyond global perceived stress and annual joint income, but only for mothers. Results demonstrate the deleterious consequences of pregnancy-related stress and highlight a notable gender difference that may have implications for how couples collaboratively navigate the transition into parenthood.


The Arms Race in University Student Recreation and Wellness Centers

Ashley Garrard, John Crooker, Christopher Azevedo University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO, USA

The goal of this research is to understand the relationship between the determination of student recreation center fees charged to students and the available amenities at the facilities for institutions comparable to the University of Central Missouri (UCM). Previous research indicated that demand-side pressure has forced universities to provide consumption amenities to attract and retain undergraduate students (Jacob, B., Mc-call, B., & Stange, K., 2013, p. 3). Student recreation centers appear to be a part of this trend. Under Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as “Master’s Colleges and Universities-Larger Programs,” there are 169 peer institutions to UCM. The pool of peer institutions was narrowed down to thirty-seven universities that are most closely matched to UCM based on eleven characteristics, such as undergraduate enrollment and graduation rates. Information pertaining to student fees and amenities of these universities was collected from the websites and by contacting the institutions. The data was recorded in an Excel file. A dynamic optimization model was developed to provide a framework for understanding university decision-making regarding available recreation center amenities and the fees charged to enrolled students. After building a theoretical framework, UCM’s student recreation center data and the thirty-seven comparable institutions were considered. Using insights from the theoretical model, regression techniques were used to identify the empirical importance of recreation center amenities in explaining the determination of recreation center fees charged to students. The estimation results were also presented and evaluated. The investigation found results consistent with demand-side pressure inducing universities to compete by offering consumption amenities such as student recreation centers. Opportunities to extend the research include building a larger data set across many years as well as gathering more extensive data regarding student recruitment.


“A Bra’s Gotta Fit [...] Like a Glove!:” Jackie Chiles & Johnnie Cochran, Prosecuting Satire & Parody in Post-Racial American Television

Ann Tran University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA

Seinfeld, the self-proclaimed “show about nothing,” follows the daily lives of post-modern and pop-iconic char-acters Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George in New York. Existing discourse on Seinfeld analyzes race in terms of these four Jewish-American characters as well as their assimilation into modern-White identity


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and society. While researched across many disciplines, ranging from Economics to Cultural Studies, little work has been done on the show’s problematic Black | White racial politics. As a satirical situation comedy, I argue that Seinfeld reinforces racial neoliberalism through the normalization and perpetuation of Black racial stereotypes. In this study, I propose to center the only recurring African-American character, Jackie Chiles, who is mostly known as a parody of OJ Simpson’s defense attorney Johnnie Cochran. Using Critical Theory as my overarching framework, I incorporate TV criticism, character, and performance analysis to understand how Chiles, particularly in the season finale, is characterized as a solitary Black figure in a predominantly White landscape. Further, I argue that the Jewish cast achieves assimilation into Whiteness through this problematic racial juxtaposition to Chiles. To do so, I will investigate how Seinfeld employs the neoliberalization of race, and how Blackness and Jewish-White identity inform each other in the show. Additionally, I will examine how the show critiques society while simultaneously reinforcing problematic representations of Blackness that we see in Chiles, even if he is meant to be a parody of Johnnie Cochran. By expanding on Critical Race theorist David Theo Goldberg’s concept of racial neoliberalism, I argue that the show re-produces and reinforces new forms of racism through its comedic medium. Moreover, I will deconstruct neo-liberalism’s color-blind façade with its powerful post-racial and multicultural implications to prove that Sein-feld is indeed about something.


Test-Retest Reliability of the 40-Yard Dash and Vertical Jump Assessments in Youth Athletes

Brianna McKay, Joel Cramer University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Introduction: Limited data exist on the reliability and sensitivity of the 40-yard dash (40-yd) and vertical jump (VJ) tests in youth athletes, which are popular combine performance assessments. Purpose: To examine the test-retest reliability for the 40-yd and VJ in youth athletes. Methods: Seventy-seven 5 to 15-year-old athletes (mean height ± SD = 153.0 cm ± 14.9; weight = 45.8 kg ± 16.3) volunteered for the performance assessments during two visits separated by 24–72 hours. Athletes were divided into three age groups (5–9, 10–11, and 12–15 years old). The 40-yd was assessed in seconds (s) with a digital timing gate, and the VJ was assessed in centimeters (cm) with a vertec, both performed on indoor field turf. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, standard errors of measurement (SEM), coefficients of variation (CV), and minimum detectible changes (MDC) were calculated from the repeated measures analysis of vari-ance (ANOVA) from test 1 to test 2 for both assessments. Results: There were systematic decreases in 40-yd times from test 1 to test 2 for the 12 to 15-year-old group, but there was no other detectible systematic vari-ability for any other variable. The ICCs ranged from 0.78 to 0.96, which were greater than zero. MDCs (calcu-lated from SEMs) for the 5–9, 10–11, and 12–15 age groups were 0.49, 0.70, and 0.38 s for the 40-yd, and 6.7, 4.3, and 13.7 cm for the VJ, respectively. Conclusions: Twelve to 15-year-olds may need a familiarization trial (i.e., test run) for the 40-yd. Based on the age of the athlete, 0.4–0.7 s and 4–14 cm changes in the 40-yd and VJ, respectively, may be necessary for individual youth athletes to consider their improvements “real” beyond the errors of the measurements.


The Dynamics of a Predator-Prey Model in a Lake Environment

Shimin Deng, Yu Jin University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

In this paper we explore the dynamics of predator-prey models in the lake environment. We separate the lake into two depth levels for prey to live in and assume predator species live above the lake. In these models,


Abstracts

we assume logistic growth for the prey in the surface level of the lake and no birth for the prey in the bottom level of the lake. Then we consider three different types of recruitment for predators and hence create three different predator-prey models. The purpose of this study is to examine how factors such as lake depth affect populations of both predator and prey. We discuss the stability and instability of the equilibrium solutions and provide numerical simulations to graphically demonstrate the population dynamics of the system.

0059 —Session Plenary E Room Dwinelle 155 Sunday, August 7, 9:00AM-9:55AM

Estimation of Distribution and Abundance of the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana

Jazmin Castillo, Andrei Snyman, John P. Carroll University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

Changes in land use and increasing human populations in southern Africa has negatively impacted the distri-bution and abundance of large predators (African lion Panthera leo, leopard Panthera pardus, and spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta), even in protected areas. The Northern Tuli Game Reserve (NTGR) in Botswana, is a protected area within a matrix of human impacted landscapes. Adjacent land use and human populations are changing dramatically, including increasing human population, villages, modern farming, subsistence farming, and livestock grazing. We hypothesized that spotted hyena abundance would be larger within the reserve core than near the reserve boundaries and human populations. In 2008-2009 and 2015-2016, spotted hyena sur-veys were conducted throughout the reserve during the winter months of May-June. A series of calling stations at fixed sites, covering about 75% of the 72,000 ha reserve, were used in order to attract predators using a buf-falo calf in distress call projected through loud speakers. Each calling station lasted an hour where all predators and their behavior were recorded. Spotted hyenas were observed at 95% of the 19 calling stations. The 2008-2009 abundance estimate was 116 hyenas (95% CI 74-159). Our 2015 survey revealed there are currently ap-proximately 150 hyenas (95% CI 117-182), a larger density calculated than in the 2008-2009 survey. Although our numbers increased, there was no statistical increase. The mean number of hyenas seen at calling stations was 5.3 ± 4.2 SD. Distribution of hyenas was negatively related to proximity to reserve boundaries and human activity, as was behavior. Snares were seen mainly on animals near boundaries. Our data suggests humans are impacting hyena distribution and behavior within this protected area. Although abundance estimates suggest a stable population throughout the reserve, it is important to understand possible cascade effects of this finding on hyenas and the other dominant predators in the region.


Are Technology-Assisted Therapies for Social Anxiety Acceptable for Rural Individuals?

Kyly L. Baxter, Chandra L. Bautista, Debra A. Hope University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether technology-assisted therapies are appropriate for rural individuals with social anxiety. A better understanding of these tools is important as there are many barriers that deter these individuals from seeking treatment. Technology-assisted therapy could be the key to providing reliable therapy that is easier to access and cost-effective to those who may lack the necessary resources. Although technology-assisted therapy has shown to be efficacious, it is also important to study how potential clients accept the treatment. To perform this study, 306 participants were recruited from a univer-sity’s psychology department for an online study that would measure client-rated credibility for face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and self-paced and coach-supported internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). After reviewing information on the three types of therapy, participants were asked to complete a client credibility scale for all three therapy types, a self-report Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN), and demographic questions that focused on participants’ identities as rural and urban individuals and previous therapy experience. Based on previous research, it was expected that participants would find coach-supported


Abstracts

ICBT and face-to-face CBT to be more credible than self-paced ICBT. General results have supported this expec-tation as self-paced ICBT has been rated as slightly less credible than the other two modes of therapy. Results have also shown that an individual’s rural-urban identity has no effect on how credible they view the therapies. As treatment outcomes are heavily influenced by the client’s view of treatment, the present findings may have broader clinical implications for technology-assisted therapies across demographic groups.


The Impact of Mechanistic and Animalistic Dehumanization on the Perception of African American and Euro-pean American Women in Advertisements

Myrianna Bakou, Sarah Gervais University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dehumanization and race on impression formation of European American and African American women in advertisements. Content analyses have shown that Euro-pean American and African American women are both objectified in print media, but African American women tend to be likened to animals more so than European American women. Integrating this work with psychologi-cal theories of objectification and dehumanization, the present work explored whether objectified African American women attributed less humanness than their European American women counterparts. Advertise-ments portraying an African American or European American woman in an animalistic or mechanistic manner were presented to participants in an online study. Impression formation was the assessed by examining the degree to which people attributed competence, warmth, morality, agency, and experience to women. Ani-malistic and mechanistic dehumanization and objectification as well as violence proclivity and discrimination were assessed. Inconsistent with hypotheses, African American and European American women were mostly perceived similarly. Instead women (both African American and European American) depicted in a mechanistic manner were regarded as less competent, warm, moral, as well as less agentic and less smart. Likewise, people dehumanized and justified violence against a woman (regardless of race) represented in a mechanistic man-ner. Also contrary to hypotheses, European American women were objectified to a greater degree than African American women. Implications for objectification and dehumanization theories will be discussed. Additionally, recommendations for how practitioners, researchers, advertising agencies, and everyday people understand dehumanization in print media will be considered.


Quantifying the reproductive success of a declining shrubland-obligate songbird the praire warbler (Setopha-ga discolor), breeding in an active gravel pit in southeastern New Hampshire

Beau Garcia1, Matthew Tarr1 1University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA, 2NH Fish and Game Department, Durham, NH, USA

Shrubland habitats have been declining in New England since the mid 1950’s and in response, many shrubland obligate species such as prairie warblers have also been declining. These species now rely on anthropogenic habitats such as gravel pits, which have been found to have the largest abundance of adult prairie warblers in southeast New Hampshire. However, it is unclear if gravel pits can actually support viable breeding populations of these birds. I am studying the reproductive success of a population of prairie warblers breeding in a 100 ac gravel pit in Dover, New Hampshire in 2016. To evaluate the habitat quality of my site, I quantified the abun-dance, age structure, and reproductive success of each breeding pair of prairie warblers and calculated the an-nual rate of increase (λ) for the entire population breeding at my study site. I expected that the rate of increase (λ) for this habitat would be enough to balance local mortality rates and that the majority of the population will consist of older birds. This study will provide valuable information on understanding where these birds reproduce successfully, which is critical to guiding management and conservation efforts aimed at benefiting this declining bird species.


Abstracts


Islam is the New Black: Muslim Perceptions of Law Enforcement

Jesenia Robles Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

Although many studies have investigated minority discrimination in the criminal justice system, only a small portion focuses on the Islamic community. Hostility towards the Islamic community has, unfortunately, been on the rise in the United States since the attacks of 9/11. Current Middle Eastern conflicts have led to an influx of Muslim refugees into the US. This increase has further diversified neighborhoods, therefore, it is just as im-perative to explore police-Muslim interactions as it is to explore police interactions with other minority groups. Healthy police-community relationships are important for an effective police department, and it is the central idea behind community-oriented policing. The present study asks: how do Muslim community members per-ceive the police, and how do their interactions with police affect their perceptions of law enforcement? Similar to racial minorities, it is hypothesized that Muslims perceive the police more negatively than average, and that their interactions with police negatively affect their perceptions. A survey will be distributed to a sample of Muslim community members to measure their perceptions of police. A snowball sampling method will be used, facilitated by a prominent member of the Muslim community. The sample will be drawn from a mid-size city in the Northwest.


Racial Socialization, Race-related Stress, and Psychopathology in Preschool-Aged Children

Megan Foxworth University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

African Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities are affected by systemic discrimination, creating, among other issues, unfavorable circumstances for raising and nurturing children. Parents may be able to partially protect children from the effects of discrimination through racial socialization in addition to fostering a safe environment for identity development. In older children and adolescents, racial socialization has been shown to protect against the impact of discrimination on outcomes like school performance, mood, depression, substance-use, self-esteem, however little has been done to evaluate how the relationship between racial socialization and discrimination affect outcomes for young children. Researchers have previously found that age affects the type of socialization messages that a child receives, and the understanding of cultural defini-tions of race that a child has. For example, younger children receive more egalitarian messages that emphasize equality and fairness, older children may be taught explicitly about the existence of race- based bias. Messages about race are introduced as the child ages. This study seeks to examine whether racial socialization plays a role in the impact of racial discrimination on the development of psychopathology in young children (ages 4-7 years). The current study hypothesizes an interaction between socialization messages, racial discrimination and age where socialization messages which emphasize racial pride will protect against the negative effects of discrimination specifically in older children who increasing recognize and use culturally relevant racial catego-ries. Racial socialization will be measured using the Racial Socialization Questionnaire- Parent Version. Racial Discrimination will be gauged through the parents’ experiences of discrimination using the Williams Everyday-Discrimination Scale, Major Experiences of Discrimination Scale and the Heightened Vigilance Scale. Outcomes as it relates to psychopathology will be assessed through parent report on the Child Behavior Checklist (ages 1-5) and (ages 6-18).



Abstracts

On Our Way to Ending Sexualized Violence: Engaging Bystanders and Building Awareness

Yamilex Bencosme, Victoria Banyard University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Sexual assault is a prevalent issue on the majority of college campuses in the U.S today. Recently, a great deal of attention has been given to this epidemic which has led many college communities to invest in implement-ing sexual assault prevention programs and centers to supports victims and survivors. In this study, second-ary analyses will be performed of data collected from first year college students. The purpose of the study is to further understand what factors make it more or less likely that incoming college students will take action when they see potential risk for sexual assault or relationship violence. The range of factors that encourage a bystander to intervene, the measures that effect bystanders to take action, and the importance of active by-standers will also be discussed. Bringing awareness to college communities about sexual violence will ultimate-ly decrease the frequency of sexual assaults. Bystander intervention has been widely accepted as an effective method to preventing sexual violence.


Feedback Amplifier for Parametric Cooling of an Optically Trapped Nano-Sphere

Jacob Fausett, Andrew Geraci University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA

This research is part of Dr. Andrew Geraci’s experiment with an optically trapped nano-sphere where the results may have implications for quantum information science and quantum simulation. In order to achieve these results it is necessary to cool the motion of the nano-sphere to overcome instabilities as the cavity is pumped down to high vacuum. Once at vacuum, the sphere will be optically coupled to ultra-cold atoms and sympathetically cooled towards its motional ground state. The objective of the research presented here is to develop the electronics for a parametric feedback amplifier to achieve this cooling in the main experiment. Parametric feedback offers a simpler and more robust solution when compared to other methods, which typi-cally requires multiple lasers for trapping and cooling independently, where as parametric feedback is able to modulate the power of the trapping laser to achieve similar cooling results without the need for additional optics. This research involves the design, development, and testing of the electronic circuits that will make up the feedback system. Each component is quantitatively analysed via an oscilloscope for desired functionality and concludes with implementation of the completed system into the larger experiment where initial cooling results will be produced and analysed.


Family Matters: The Implications of Family Support on Multiracial Identity Development

Clarissa Abidog, Mary Pritchard Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

According to Urie Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory, family has some of the greatest impact on how their children develop. Recent research has suggested that resilience mitigates multiracial adolescents’ struggle to develop ethnic identity continuity (Kramer, Burke, & Charles, 2015). Alternatively, some evidence supports that multiracial individuals experience maladaptive psychosocial functioning due to ethnic identity confusion (Bracey, Bamaca, & Umana-Taylor, 2004; Shih & Sanchez, 2005). The current study hypothesizes that multiracial adolescents experience more identity crises when their families are unsupportive in their identity exploration endeavors. Although research has investigated ethnic identity development in minority groups, few studies have focused on the interaction between multiracial identity and personal identity development. The present study seeks to determine how the strength of family support interacts with identity exploration in


Abstracts

multiracial individuals during emerging adulthood. A self-report questionnaire was distributed to Psychology students from a public university in a metropolitan city of the Pacific Northwest. Additional participants were collected from the general public via social media and through Amazon Mechanical Turk. While data collection will not conclude until August, preliminary results yield unanticipated similarities between monoracial and multiracial groups. It is crucial to the development of future generations of multiracial adolescents that their experience is understood so that psychologists, doctors and community workers may have a better under-standing of individual differences.


Physical Activity and Coping Tactics in Undergraduate Students

Talegria Brown Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

Research suggests that college student stress has risen drastically over the past 30 years. There are a variety of ways to cope with stress, some more effective than others, but research on which methods are the most ef-fective for college students is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of different coping mechanisms on college student stress levels. Introductory Psychology students at a large metropolitan univer-sity in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed. Students completed A Quantitative Assessment of Stress Toler-ance (Helen, 2014) survey, which helped determine what is causing stress and how physical activity compares to other forms of coping mechanisms. On average students only exercised one to two days per week. Given their level of inactivity, it is not surprising that we found no correlation between stress from major life events and physical activity, or between stress symptoms and reported physical activity. Due to this inactivity, we are conducting a phase two surveying students who frequently utilize the Recreation Center. Data collection is underway.


Religious Embodiment: Psychological and Physiological effects.

Stephanie Cassidy, Patty Van Capellen University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel hill, NC, USA

Emotions and physiological responses can change depending on one’s physical posture. This is the basis for embodiment research. The postures used in religious settings such as, bowing one’s head in prayer or lift-ing hands in worship, have not changed much since 1400 BCE. Considering the importance placed on these postures throughout time, more investigation is needed to study what type of emotions and physiological responses would be elicited from these postures. In one experimental study (N = 35), using a within-subject design, participants will perform, in a counterbalanced order, three postures. Specifically, the research-ers hypothesize that a posture in which the hands are raised and one is looking towards the sky (looking up posture) will increase positive emotions such as gratitude and inspiration, self-transcendent experiences, and parasympathetic response (as indexed by respiratory sinus arrhythmia) compared to a neutral posture (i.e., standing straight hands at your side). The researchers also hypothesize that a posture in which the hands are clasped in front of the chest and one is bowing their head (looking down posture) will increase negative emo-tions, humility, and decrease parasympathetic response compared to the neutral position. Additionally, the researchers will explore the effect of posture on sympathetic response (as indexed by finger pulse amplitude). The potential implications will be discussed, particularly, how this study on religious postures might relate to parishioners’ well-being.



Abstracts

Synthesis and evaluation of carbapenem β-lactams containing bulky hydrophobic C-6 side chains as potential inhibitors of carbapenemases

Bryanna Dowcett, Marc Boudreau University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Bacterial resistance against antibiotics is on the rise across the nations. Every antibiotic introduced to the clinic has developed resistance against it, making the discovery of new anti-bacterial medicines one of the top public health priorities. Beta-Lactam antibiotics are among the most successful antibiotics ever introduced to combat bacterial infections, however the rise of resistance has called for structural modifications in the search for new methods of fighting against infection. This has resulted in the introduction of the carbapenem class of beta-lac-tams into the clinic; however, resistance to this class has emerged as well. Carbapenems are often used to treat infections as a last resort; therefore the increasing resistance against them is particularly distressing. Ideally, by introducing a bulky, hydrophobic, C-6 side chain to a carbapenem through multi-step synthesis, enzymes in the bacteria will not be able to disable the function of the administered antibiotic.


Study of the Northern Lights Impact on GPS Signals

Natasha Clark Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

From cell phones to sonars, most technology relies heavily on the use of GPS satellites for navigation and other services. A subdivision of space physics, the study of the earth’s space environment, called space weather, studies the way naturally occurring events in space can affect the Earth’s environment, space travel, satel-lites, and satellite signals. One of these naturally occurring events are auroral lights. They result from col-lisions between gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere and charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere.These ionizing collisions produce electrons. In addition to navigation, GPS satellite signals can be used to measure this increase in the number of electrons. Often, collecting data from GPS satellites is a more reliable way of obtaining quantitative information about auroral lights and number of electrons since they are able to disregard variables such as clouds or daylight. The purpose of our study was to compare fluctuation in electron density provided by the GPS satellites to all-sky camera images during pulsating aurora. We generated plots that showed the path of satellites as they traveled over time which was then superimposed over auroral images to show the correlation between auroral variations and the GPS measurements. In order to verify the correlation, GPS derived electron density was plotted over time to show the relationship between electron density and auroral variation. We found that for more intense events there was a clear correlation. More auro-ral events will be analyzed in the future to verify this correlation for pulsating aurora events.


Influence and Portrayal of Asian American Masculinity in Science Fiction/ Fantasy Characters: Hikaru Sulu (Star Trek: The Original Series), Hiro Nakamura (Heroes), and Glenn Rhee (The Walking Dead)

Karen Thao Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

The purpose of this research is to identify how Asian American masculinity is constructed in science fiction/ fantasy television shows. I examine the roles of three Asian male characters in the science fiction/fantasy genre: Hikaru Sulu (Star Trek: The Original Series), Hiro Nakamura (Heroes), and Glenn Rhee (The Walking Dead). My research reveals that both “yellow peril” and the “model minority” discourses produce ambivalent representations of Asian American masculinity. All three characters: Sulu, Hiro and Glenn embody some ste-reotypical traits, such as their loyalty to the white protagonist, but at the same time they challenge hegemonic


Abstracts

masculinity by negotiating their role as a male and creating their own masculinity to align with their identity as Asian Americans.

0073 —Session Plenary B Room Dwinelle 155 Friday, August 5, 9:00AM-9:55AM

Romantic Relationships: Autobiographical Memories & Satisfaction

Anabel Chavez Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

The present study focuses on the social function of autobiographical memories, specifically how remembering relationship-defining memories can affect the satisfaction within a romantic relationship. Previous research has found a positive correlation with remembering relationship-defining, positive memories and an increase in romantic relationship satisfaction. However, very little work has been studied on how relationship-defining memories that are negative in emotional valence relates to satisfaction in a romantic relationship. The pres-ent study involved participants from the Augsburg College community and the surrounding area who were in a romantic (but not marital) relationship for at least 6 months. Forty-one participants participated in two separate sessions. In the first session, participants responded to the Relationship Assessment Scale as well as the Positive and Negative Quality in Relationship Satisfaction Scale to establish baseline scores. In the second session, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (redemptive negative memory vs. nega-tive memory) in which they recalled and wrote about a negative memory, and then responded again to the two questionnaires given in the first session to measure how negative memory recall affected relationship satisfac-tion. Based on previous correlation research, it was hypothesized that the redemptive negative memory condi-tion would actually increase relationship satisfaction, however in this experimental study the results indicated that participants in the redemptive negative memory condition had significantly lower relationship satisfaction scores after memory recall.


Sentiment Analysis Framework and Classification of Word Sense in Product Reviews

Mythoua Chang, Shana Watters Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Sentiment analysis is the process of identifying the underlying attitude or feelings in text or spoken languages. This study seeks to determine the underlying opinions of product reviews. Our framework utilizes a decision tree that determines whether a reviewer would recommend or not recommend a product. The results of the decision tree algorithm are compared to a baseline algorithm using positive and negative words and the actual recommendation provided by the original reviewer. We collected 262 reviews from Walmart and JCPenny to classify using both the baseline algorithm and decision tree.


Development of RNA Interference (RNAi) tools to study the Six3 gene in Daphnia magna

Maryam Mohamed Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Daphnia magna has a cyclopean eye which provides an opportunity to study disorders that affect the middle of the face and brain--midline defects. That is significant because humans suffer from midline defects such as cleft lip and palate; it is estimated to occur in 1/16,000 live births. This study explores the role of the Six3 gene


Abstracts

in the development of the cyclopean eye, a midline structure, in Daphnia magna. Six3 is of interest because it has been shown to be important for eye specification in vertebrates. We have developed RNA interference (RNAi) tools to knockdown the expression of the Six3 gene and observe the phenotypic changes in the Daph-nia offspring. These tools will permit us to characterize the role of the Six3 gene in Daphnia eye development which we hope will contribute to a better understanding of midline defects in general.


Natural Compounds from Hmong Herbs for Heart Failure Attenuation Using a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Model

Soua Thao University of Wisconsin - River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

The goal of this study is to isolate compounds from Hmong traditional medicines and use a zebrafish model to test whether they have the potential to help cure heart failure. The first step is to extract compounds from the herbs pseudoginseng and an unknown compound from the Paederia family, which are commonly used in Hmong traditional medicine for heart conditions. The crude extract was tested with a zebrafish heart failure model, which resembles a human heart failure in many aspects. Later in this study the crude extract will be broken down into multiple fractions and tested again. Once a positive fraction is identified, the compounds in the positive fraction can be identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Pure compounds will be purchased or synthesized and tested for their potential to attenuate heart failure followed by molecular characterizations. Within the Hmong community, these medicines are favored treatment methods for patients with heart problems. This study argues that the herbs have a potentially unknown compound that would attenuate the heart failure in zebrafish and likely in humans as well.


Development of Tools for RNA interference (RNAi) of the Engrailed Gene in Daphnia magna

Davi Singer Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

The legend of the cyclops has been a part of international folklore for centuries. Daphnia magna, other-wise known as the water flea, is a naturally occurring cyclops which can serve as a model to study the de-velopmental genetics underlying cyclopia. In this study I explored the role of the engrailed gene in Daph-nia eye development. In Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies), silencing of the engrailed gene affects segmentation during early development. Additional studies suggest that engrailed is one candidate gene involved in eye field development. In order to understand the role of engrailed in Daph-nia development I sought to knockdown its expression using RNA interference (RNAi). First, the sequences of Drosophila melanogaster and Daphnia magna engrailed genes were aligned and showed a high level of sequence identity. Next, I performed PCR amplification of the engrailed gene. Work continues to clone the PCR product into the RNAi feeding vector L4440. Through this work we are developing tools to study the role of engrailed in cyclopean eye development and believe Daphnia magna can serve as an important model organism for understanding the genetic basis for midline disorders.


How Cleanliness Fueled American Imperialism During the Spanish-American War


Abstracts

Jacqueline Lopez The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Prior to the nineteenth century in the United States, being clean was an act reserved primarily for the white and wealthy citizens. As the desire to be clean became more widespread in American culture throughout the nineteenth century, it was notably regarded as a symbol of status and class. These associations emerged in the popular American imagination nearly simultaneously with the United States’ emergence as a major world power. This was particularly present during the Spanish-American War, where the United States annexed Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines as American territories. American newspapers instigated these associations through their political cartoons and advertisements for soap during this time period. I will analyze the different components of a series of political cartoons from various different newspapers published during the Spanish-American War. In extracting similar themes and portrayals of seven political cartoons and advertisements, I will conclude that portraying the three countries as infantilized, unclean, and primitive showed that the countries were not meeting American standards of cleanliness. The rampant association between the level and status of one’s cleanliness and civilization fueled the belief that the countries were uneducated and uncivilized, thus un-able to govern themselves. Having the countries in this concept subsequently enabled American imperialism to acquire the territories during that time and continue to exercise control over them currently, whether through maintaining the territory as an official U.S. territory, or upholding a 54 year embargo on all trade in Cuba.


Academic Self-Concept and Advanced Math and Science Course Enrollment in High School

Marketa Burnett The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

African Americans are an underrepresented population in the STEM fields. When students enroll in advanced classes in high school, they are more likely to succeed in STEM fields, but African American students’ enroll-ment rates in advanced classes are significantly lower than those of White students. I examined sex differ-ences in science and math self-concept between African American boys and girls in the 7th grade and to what extent math and science academic self –concept predicted students’ subsequent enrollment in honors, AP, and IB math and science classes in high school. African American youth (N = 99) reported their science and math self-concept in Grade 7. Course enrollment information was taken from students’ transcripts after they had completed high school. Results showed that boys and girls did not differ on seventh grade math and science self-concept nor on number of advanced courses taken in high school. Middle school academic self-concept was positively related to later honors course enrollment in both math and science for girls, and to advanced math courses for boys. However, when prior achievement was controlled, self-concept no longer predicted course enrollment. Further research is needed to explore the relationships among racial identity, academic self-concept and honors course enrollment. Understanding these factors will allow for more effective education policies that would in turn help to increase STEM success in African American youth.

Keywords: Academic Self-Concept, STEM, African Americans, Honors Course Enrollment


An Etiology of Wasting Disease in Sea Star Leptasterias

Jamie Bucholz1 ,2 1San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

Sea star wasting disease has greatly impacted sea star populations along the Pacific coast during the past decade. Leptasterias ssp, otherwise known as six rayed stars, have seen a vast drop in numbers due


Abstracts

in part to the disease, including the total disappearance of some clades. Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) is generally characterized by curling arms, lesions, and tissue disintegration. Although the effects of wasting disease on keystone predator Pisaster ochraceus are well studied, by comparison studies of the etiology of wasting disease in Leptasterias species are sparse. In order to assess how wasting disease affects Leptasterias ssp, stars collectefd from various open coast locations showing signs of the disease and healthy stars were tracked on a daily basis as they progressed throughout the course of wasting disease. High magnification photographs of lesions on each star were taken using a dissecting micro-scope. Variability of disease progression has been found, among different affected individuals, suggesting there may be multiple disease etiologies in Leptasterias. The standard morphological features of each star affected by wasting disease are also being examined, to identify if wasting disease has a higher prevalence in certain monophyletic groups. This data may allow scientists to improve the characterization of wasting disease, and to understand potential environmental factors that may contribute to the susceptibility of the disease.


Comparisons of Adverse Childhood Experiences:In Patients seeking Out-patient Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Services

ReaShondra Walker Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the number and types of Ad-verse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in patients receiving treatment in the outpatient Mental Health (MH) and Chemical Dependency (CD) department at one of the Health East Hospital in Minnesota. This project serves as a pilot to ascertain the validity and reliability of the research processes. This topic is important because those that suffer from adverse experiences during childhood are at an increased risk for disease, disability and early death. ACEs lead to increased stress which then could lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, and could potentially result in mental illness. This study measured whether there was a significant difference in ACE scores between patients receiving treatment from the MH department, the CD department, and a combination from both Mental Health and Chemical Dependency (MH/CD). Following IRB approvals, patients were given the option to fill out the ACE survey. There survey results showed significant statistical differences between the three groups. Persons receiving services from MH/CD had a significantly higher number of ACEs than those presenting with CD. Persons receiving services from CD were significantly less likely to have reported emotional neglect than persons receiving MH services or MH/CD services. Finally, people receiving services for MH were significantly less likely to report having experienced separating or divorced parents than the other groups.


Utilizing Immunohistochemical Staining Techniques to Determine the MyHC Isoform Expressions in WT and HD Transgenic Mice

Su Yeon Kim California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brains of the affected individual. This results in motor, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders, impair-ing the individual’s ability to move. Curiously, HD patients also develop muscle atrophy, weakness, and im-paired muscular function, though there is no clear understanding of why this occurs. This disease currently has no cure. The purpose of this study will be to better understand the impairments in muscular function associ-ated with Huntington’s Disease. Specifically, this study addresses the expression of specific protein (myosin heavy chain, MyHC) isoforms that are known to play an important role in muscle function in muscles from transgenic mice (R6/2 mice) that are genetically altered to display HD symptoms and wild-type (WT) con-trols. Our preliminary data suggests that changes in muscle fiber characteristics (myosin heavy chain composi-


Abstracts

tion) occurs with HD and may contribute to muscle dysfunction in HD patients.


Becoming in that Enchanted Place:Nostalgia and Childhood in Winnie-the-Pooh

Stefan Torralba Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, USA

Literary critics and children’s literature scholars see children’s literature as a literary space in which they can examine the poetic, psychological processes through which children develop selfhood. Thus the children’s book to critics serves as both a mirror of the child reader and an object to ease the child reader’s conception of selfhood. Simultaneously, critics and scholars see the children’s book as an object that allows adults to resume symbolically the ecstasy of childhood as well as disseminate this adult construct of childhood, for childhood can only be defined by adults. I will conduct a critical analysis of A.A. Milne’s collection of Winnie-the-Pooh texts, drawing from psychoanalytic, structuralist, and narratological theory, to examine how Milne’s texts represent an adult conception of childhood as well as the process through which the child attains selfhood. My paper will prove that the Hundred Acre Wood is a transitional space in which language and identity are fluid and that said fluidity plays an essential function to children and adults like.


Oxidation of Cytochrome 436/583 Is Rate-Limiting When Acidiplasma aeolicum Respires Aerobically on Iron

B. Landry, K. Hunter, T. F. Li, R. G. Painter, R. C. Blake II Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, La, USA

Very little is known about the electron transfer reactions that occur during aerobic respiration on soluble iron by Acidiplasma aeolicum, a member of the Euryarchaeota phylum. We monitored electron transfer reactions among colored cytochromes in intact archaeal cells using an integrating cavity absorption meter that permitted the acquisition of absorbance data in suspensions of intact cells that scatter light. The respiratory chain of Ap. aeolicum was dominated by the redox status of a cellular cytochrome that had absorbance peaks at 436 and 583 nm in the reduced state. Intracellular cytochrome436/583 was reduced within the time that it took to mix a suspension of the archaea with soluble iron at pH 1.5 and 45° C. Steady state turnover experiments were conducted where the initial concentrations of ferrous iron were less than or equal to that of the oxygen concentration. Under these conditions, the initial absorbance spectrum of the bacterium observed under air-oxidized conditions was always regenerated from that of the bacterium observed in the presence of Fe(II). The reduced intracellular cytochrome436/583 represented a transient complex whose subsequent oxidation appeared to be the rate-limiting step in the overall aerobic respiratory process. The velocity of formation of ferric iron at any time point was directly proportional to the concentration of the reduced cytochrome436/583. These observations were consistent with the hypothesis that reduced cytochrome436/583 is an obligatory steady state intermediate in the iron respiratory chain of this bacterium. This method comprises a new and powerful approach to examine the extent and rates of biological events in situ without disrupting the complexity of the live cellular envi-ronment.


Empires of Displacement: Native American Encounters at Fort Ross, California and Fort Davis, Texas


Abstracts

Nicholas Perez University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

While recent scholarship gives attention to Native American agency as it relates to the Spanish mission system, the same may not be said about military forts on the nineteenth-century American ‘frontier.’ Using archival material from Fort Davis, Texas and Fort Ross, California, this paper argues for a comparative approach in studying how groups form the Comanche/Apache and Kashaya Pomo tribes employed geographic mobility as a form of resistance in the face of Euro-American fortified occupation. This research reveals how, in the face of violent change, complex negotiations between Native American groups and the government institutions that controlled these militarized posts resulted in Native American survival and cultural maintenance. Furthermore, focusing on Native American agency under fort occupations forces an examination of the long term historical implications regarding tribal recognition.


Another Rubicon: An Alternative History of the Roman Republic

Andrea Jindracek Knox College, Galesburg, IL, USA

Historians cannot speculate on alternatives to reality without using fiction. In this project, I am writing a fiction piece that considers what might have happened if Julius Caesar had not lived to cross the Rubicon and wage civil war on the Roman Republic. In my story, the political situation in Rome is allowed to calm. I alter history so that Caesar is killed early in his Gallic campaign, about the year 55 BCE; before this date, I adhere strictly to recorded Roman history, and only slight changes are made for about five years after Caesar’s untimely death. My narrative, set about 50 years later, follows a fictional general trying to win glory on a military campaign as well as political supremacy against his personal enemies. He ultimately turns against Rome as Caesar does. This work focuses on the various pressures toward greatness that might inspire my general to go too far in his ambi-tion. I write both in the style of modern fiction and in the style of a Roman military commentary, a genre that is now only represented by Caesar’s writings, using the commentary to depict the way events are related to the Roman people and the more modern style to describe what really happens.


“Cosmopolitan Café: A Third Place for those without a First Place”

Devin Wiggs Augsburg College, Minneapolis, USA

This ethnographic project explores the “social contract” Cosmopolitan Cafe has with the homeless population in the surrounding university neighborhood, where it has a reputation for being friendly and accommodat-ing amongst the local “travelers, homeless, and home-free.” This research seeks to understand how this cafe functions as an organization that can sustain this accommodation in the midst of their domiciled customer patronage. A mixed methods approach of participant observation, interviews, and secondary statistics was used. This research uncovers spatial and cultural factors that make this accommodation propitious. Located between two “hangout spots” for homeless individuals in the university neighborhood, the outdoor patio of the cafe brings domiciled actors of the cafe and homeless actors into frequent contact, and homeless individu-als can build rapport, create relationships, and enact civility to establish a positive reputation amongst the cafe actors. Despite that Cosmopolitan Cafe developed an austere official policy towards the homeless population over the course of my observations, employees create “personal policies” that diverge from the cafe’s offi-cial policy, and dictate how they will personally accommodate to homeless non-customers. Personal policies towards homeless non-customers are fashioned around the reputation, politeness, deviant behavior, and familiarity with the homeless individual.


Abstracts


Analysis of the synergistic effects of mixed populations of rhizobial soil bacteria on host plant roots, infec-tion, and the development of nodules

Sarah Pardi, Nancy Fujishige Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Legume plants form mutualistic relationships with various rhizobacteria in the soil, which promote plant growth by improving nutrient acquisition, modulating plant hormone levels, and protecting the plant from biotic and abiotic stress. The rhizobacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti and Bacillus simplex are known to have symbiotic relationships with white sweet clover, Melilotus alba. S. meliloti induces the formation of root nodules, where the bacteria reside and fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form of nitrogen plants can effectively use. Nitrogen is the most limited macronutrient in soil but is essential for plant development. B. simplex enhances plant growth and survival under stressful conditions. Studies have shown that plants co-inoculated with S. meliloti and B. simplex exhibit better growth, including more mass, greener color, and taller height. This research project examined whether B. simplex enhanced infection and nodulation by S. meliloti and its pilA mutants. The pilA genes encode Type IV pili; mutation of these genes delays root infection. An experiment was conducted in which M. alba was inoculated with combinations of the two rhizobacteria. Half of the M. alba plants were inoculated with S. meliloti and the other half were co-inoculated with S. meliloti and B. simplex. Plant growth was observed and dry weights of shoots and roots were measured with a scale. Roots were GUS stained and observed using micros-copy to visualize the location of the bacteria, infection process, and nodulation. The results supported previous research and indicated that co-inoculation with S. meliloti and B. simplex yielded more robust plant growth than a single inoculation of S. meliloti.


Evaporation Model Development for Forced Helium Dehydration of Used Nuclear Fuel Canister

Miles Greiner, Mustafa Hadj Nacer, Corey Trujillo, Manuel Retana University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA

After being used, nuclear fuel assemblies are stored in a water pool for some period of time then transferred to a canister underwater. The canister is then lifted and drained. Some water may remain at the bottom and in the crevices of the canister. Essentially, all water and moisture must be removed to prevent corrosion and/or formation of combustible mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in the canister. Forced Helium Dehydration (FHD) is a process used for high burnup fuel in which heated helium is circulated through the canister to evaporate and remove moisture. The objective is to determine the amount of water remaining in the canister after FHD. In this work, a geomet-rically-accurate-three-dimensional CFD model of a nuclear fuel canister is created to simulate FHD. ANSYS/Fluent CFD code provides a multiphase heat and mass transfer analysis to assess if FHD meets dryness re-quirements imposed by the U.S. NRC before the canisters are approved for long-term storage. Different phase change models need to be considered (model boiling, free surface evaporation, diffusion, and condensation) to accurately simulate FHD.

Currently, a simple 3D model of nuclear fuel assembly with a 3×3 array of heated rods was created. This model is used to test the developed evaporation model as it does not require a lot of simulation efforts (500,000 ele-ments). Then, once the evaporation model is validated, it will be applied to 1/8th full scale model (60 million elements) of nuclear fuel canister. A User Defined Function (UDF) will be used to apply the evaporation model to the simulations. Both the 3×3 and the 1/8th models have been completed and verified. The evaporation model will be completed and validated against analytical results. Finally, the evaporation model will be applied to the 1/8th model to simulate FHD and estimate the remaining amount of water.


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Rise and Evolution of a Student-led Movement: Rhodes Must Fall and the Post-apartheid South African state

Jalynn Harris University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States Minor Outlying Islands

On April 27, 1994, South Africa saw the legislative unshackling of the National Party, and then began a journey into post- apartheid independence. Yet, over two decades later, the politics of inequality are still present in a racially and socioeconomically separate country. Inequalities in the new democracy has led Born-free youth to re-open the books of Bikonian Black Consciousness and question the status quo. At the University of Cape Town, on March 9th 2015, excrement was thrown at a statue of Cecil Rhodes—a prominent 19th century colonial settler. This action led to the formation of Rhodes Must Fall (RMF)—a collection of students and staff organizing against institutionalized racism at the University. This study looks at the experiences of student- activists who were pivotal to the rise of the Rhodes Must Fall group and its evolution to a national movement known as Fees Must Fall. This study uses social movement theory by Herbert Blumer to analyze the stages of Rhodes Must Fall. Six (6) semistructured interviews with RMF activists were conducted, audiorecorded, and transcribed. Interviews were then analyzed using the stages of social movement and findings demonstrate significant alignment with the trajectory of social movement theory.


Optimization of the Electrolysis of Levulinic Acid into 2,7-octanedione: An Exercise in Green Electrochemistry

Linglin Wu, Maria Angelica Wong Chang, Mark Mascal University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Increasing concerns about the future of our planet’s environment due to the consequences of the burning of fossil fuels has stimulated research in green chemistry, in which environmentally sound practices are integrated into industrial processes. In this work, the electrochemical synthesis of 2,7-octanedione from the biomass-de-rived feedstock levulinic acid has been optimized for scale-up to demonstrate its potential use in the produc-tion of renewable biofuels and polymers.


Substance Use and Retention in HIV Medical Care in the Bronx, New York

Antoine Stevens-Phillips, Laramie Smith University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA

Introduction: This study aims to assess the relationship between an HIV patient’s substance use history and their recent patterns of retention in HIV care using univariate statistics. Data was obtained from 101 people living with HIV (PLWH) accessing care at the Comprehensive Health Care Center (CHCC) in the Bronx, NY. Demographics: average age 50, 52% male, 55% Latino/a, 40% non-Hispanic Black, and 75% unemployed or on disability.

Methods: We assessed use of 5 substances (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, opiates) using the WHO-ASSIST v.3.0; looking at lifetime use, problematic use, recent use (i.e. past 3 months), and lifetime injection drug use. Retention was measured by the number of quarters (e.g. 3 month intervals) over an 18 month period a PLWH went withouthaving an HIV care visit using a range of 0 – 6, 0 =


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perfectly retained (i.e. attended all visits) and 6 = poorly retained in HIV care (i.e. attended no visits).

Results: Respondents with lifetime use of marijuana (Tau-b = -.215, p = .022) or cocaine (Tau-b = -.257, p = .006), and problematic use of cocaine (Tau-b = -.281, p = .003) or opiates (Tau-b = -.234, p = .015) had better retention in HIV care patterns at the time of interview. Similarly, respondents with lifetime cocaine use (Tau-b= -.231, p = .008), problematic use of cocaine (Tau-b = -.212, p = .016) and opiates (Tau-b = -.196, p = .026), recently used cocaine (Tau-b = -.185, p = .032), or ever used injections in their lifetime (Tau-b = -.205, p = .020) had lower CD4 values.

Conclusion: These findings may suggest, that PLWH who reported substance use histories are visiting their health care providers more frequently due to a poorer health status.

0093 —Session PlenaryA Room Dwinelle 155 Thursday, August 4, 4:00PM-6:00PM

From Prison Walls to Lecture Halls: How Formerly Incarcerated students use the Underground Scholars Ini-tiative to navigate the Criminal Justice System

Romel Harmon UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA, USA

The formerly incarcerated population must navigate a constellation of institutions, systems, and gate-keepers as they attempt to reintegrate back into main-stream society. Some within this population have entered higher education in an attempt to interrupt cycles of recidivism. How does the formerly incarcerated student popula-tion at a tier 1 research institution use an organization of similarly-situated individuals to navigate the Criminal Justice System? The contributing factors such as social, psychological, political, and economic influences are also discussed and examined in some detail. These factors are anticipated to have a definitive impact that may have the capacity to be counter-productive for this particular population. For example, some of the inter-viewees found dealing with the stigma that is associated with incarceration difficult to manage at times. The methodology used for this research project is qualitative and consists of in-depth interviews and participant observation. The interviews focused on personal experiences that could be used to identify relevant factors that positively impact the academic journey while also highlighting those forces that prove to be self-defeating. The research interacted with 8 formerly incarcerated individuals who are both students at a tier 1 research institute and members of the Underground Scholars Initiative organization. The interview consisted of 26 semi-structured, open-ended questions that allowed the participants to respond and report on relevant and impact-ful information. Major findings thus far would indicate that a community of formerly incarcerated students in and of itself, while positively impactful, requires the application of concomitant services and resources to effectively address the numerous challenges encountered by the formerly incarcerated student population. An in-depth look at how formerly incarcerated college students engage with networks that help them attain de-grees at tier 1 research institutions will expand the current literature and may develop dialogues that engage and enhance contemporary perspectives.


Understanding the Role of Replication Protein A 1E in the Immune Response of Arabidopsis thaliana Against a Microbial Pathogen

Sherlee Alvarez, Nancy Fernandes, Kevin Culligan University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Understanding the mechanisms of plant biotic defense is imperative to help decrease agricultural crop dam-age by pathogens. Pathogens can potentially enhance infections by inducing DNA damage within the host. One example is DNA double-strand breaks caused by Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen in


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plants. Plants encode various mechanisms to repair double-strand breaks, including a pathway called homolo-gous recombination repair that is regulated by the protein complex RPA (Replication Protein A) in response to abiotic stress. We further hypothesize that RPA plays a central role in regulating repair of pathogen-induced double-strand breaks. To test this, we will quantify hyper-susceptibility of mutant lines of Arabidopsis thali-ana in response to pathogen infection (P. Syringae), employing a plant infiltration assay. This assay involves whole plant infiltration, followed by measurement of CFU counts of persisting bacteria within the leaf tissue. Of particular interest in this study is the role of one subunit of RPA, termed RPA1E, since mutants of the encod-ing gene display strong hypersensitivity to agents that induce double-strand breaks. Our current results suggest other RPA subunits (RPA1C) display hyper-susceptibility to pathogen infection. These results will ultimately provide initial insight in how agricultural crops defend themselves from microbial invasion by determining whether RPA1E responds to a pathogen infection and if it is required in the defense response of A. thaliana.


Less Pleasure and More Risk: Risk Taking Behavior in Victims of Sexual Assault

Katerina Sosa Knox College, Galesburg, Il, USA

Sexual assault occurs more frequently to women than to men. As a result of sexual assault, some women de-velop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a debilitating condition that affects the way an individual functions in everyday life. Surveys measuring PTSD symptomology and risk taking behavior were used to analyze the risk taking behavior of sexually assaulted women. PTSD has been associated with alterations in reward system circuitry. Hence more risk taking behavior was expected in women with PTSD compared to sexually assaulted women without PTSD.


Black Space: Black Students’ Social Media Engagement

Rashiidah Richardson University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hil, USA

Racial homophily is the tendency for people to form social bonds along same race connections. In a colorblind world, it is easy to perceive social media as a melting pot of different peoples, cultures, and perspectives. Yet, the pattern of racial homophily exist in online networks. A closer examination of the internet would reveal that alleged “neutral spaces” are sites of contentious debate which perpetuate the same racial power dynamics, assumptions, and bias we see plaguing wider society. Talking about race and racism in public discourse can yield hateful, insensitive, and even traumatizing reactions. However, social groups have formed which center race identity and promote same race connections. Digital media has become a critical tool for exposing social injustices and raising race relations to the forefront of our nation’s consciousness. As a result, the importance of understanding how segregated online spaces affects people’s perception and engagement in racial issues is more apparent. The current study examines the factors contributing to Black/African American student’s choice to participate in these race centered spaces and the function of these spaces. Students were recruited from a Predominantly White Institution and a Historically Black University in the Southwest United States. In a mixed methods designed students were surveyed using Qualtics software in which they answered a series of closed and open ended questions concerning engagement in social media, experiences with online racial victimization, and participation in social media groups which center black identity. The objectives of this study are 1) to gather the degree to which Black/African American students experience racial discrimination in their online encounters on social media, 2) to assess the factors contributing to Black/African American students joining race based social media group, and 3) to explore the function of race based social media groups.


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Musical Engagement of Cochlear Implant Recipients: Listening May Impact Musical Habits and Overall Enjoy-ment

Joshua Dickens UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Hearing loss exist in various forms. There are several treatment options related to the severity of hearing impairment. Cochlear implants are an option for an individual with severe to complete hearing loss. A cochlear implant is an electrical medical device that replaces the function of the inner ear, enabling recipients to regis-ter sound. Cochlear implants, are most operative and satisfactory with speech perception. However, hearing the more complex sounds of music is a less satisfactory experience for recipients.

This study aims to address this barrier by testing the experience of cochlear implant recipients who listen to a specific musical collection. A Spotify playlist was designed by MED-EL (a hearing implant company) to encour-age postlingually deaf cochlear implant recipients to listen to music. Three cochlear implant recipients were recruited for this study, and in which they completed structured surveys after listening to the Spotify playlist. In order to understand the impact and progression of musical engagement throughout the participant’s life, the survey asked questions which prompted participates to provide insight to their musical experiences prior to the onset of hearing loss, after receiving a cochlear implant, and after being introduced to the MED-EL Spotify playlist. This study seeks to answer whether the MED-EL Spotify playlist allows for a better musical experience for cochlear implant recipients by examining two areas 1) musical habits and 2) musical enjoyment.


Shakespeare and the Art of Interruption in Macbeth

James Bithos University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

Interruption is an important motif in The Tragedy of Macbeth, a motif which repeats itself incessantly through-out the play, gaining momentum as it goes. Interruption affects the lives of most of the characters in the play. It defines the story of Macbeth on many levels, including plot, speech, thought, and action. Duncan’s reign is interrupted by a fateful usurpation, while the Macbeth’s ascend to the highest heights, only to come crashing down to earth again. Duncan’s heirs flee their homeland in disgrace, eventually to return triumphant, thus restoring to Scotland its God-given order. All of Scotland has been interrupted, suffering under the yoke of Macbeth’s unhinged tyranny. Only the three Weird Sisters seem immune to the ugliness of Scotland’s ordeal. Macbeth is the story of an interruption of monumental proportions which sets in motion a cascade of bloody and unnatural consequences. This chain of events can easily be described as an uncontrolled spiral of consequent interruptions all radiating outward from a single, massive disruption of the natural order which lay at the center of the play, namely Duncan’s assassination. It reverber-ates outward from the singular trauma of regicide, creating a domino effect of politically motivated murders. Interwoven chains of interruptions paint a complex picture of a man, a woman, indeed, a kingdom, profoundly disordered. The methodology employed includes a detailed review of all pertinent literature and a thorough combing through of Macbeth to locate, mark and analyze all individual occurrences of interruption. This paper seeks to illuminate the many different ways that interruption is used in The Tragedy of Macbeth to convey the idea of interruption writ large, and the various ways that individual characters create, and are impacted by, these interruptions.


Caffeine Supplementation and Sports Performance


Abstracts

Elena Angueira-Bosch Knox College, Galesburg,Illinois, USA

In this paper I will identify relationships between caffeine use and sports performance. Caffeinated products are among the most popular supplements in the world of sports. Does caffeine enhance sports performance?; if so, what protocols/precautions should be followed? What is the most efficient dosage and when should it be consumed? To answer these questions, I will examine the results of published studies in the field. This literature review is part of an ongoing research program on how athletes can optimize their performance while minimizing risks.


Parental Support and Cultural Influences on Higher Education Attainment and Success Among Hispanic Stu-dents

Isai Garcia-Baza The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

In spite of the high educational aspirations that Hispanic parents have for their children, about half of Hispanic high school graduates enroll in community colleges instead of four-year institutions. Hispanic high school graduates are also less likely to enroll fulltime or in selective universities, and have higher high school dropout rates (14%) than Blacks (7%) and Whites (5%). Although informal parental support (e.g., talking about the im-portance of education) might increase Hispanic students’ educational aspirations, familism cultural values such as the desire to live at home and the sense of obligation to make financial contributions to family may under-mine parental support. The goal of this study was to develop a scale of parental support for higher education for use in Hispanic populations. The scale contained the following subscales of parental support: college-tar-geted encouragement, general academic encouragement, instrumental support, financial support, and displays of pride. The subscale for instrumental support (tangible actions that promote academic success and college matriculation) further differentiated among parental, adult mentor and peer sources. Additionally, subscales for friendship behaviors, parental family planning advice, family financial obligation, and family physical attach-ment were included. Participants were Hispanic, first generation (i.e., born outside United States) or second generation immigrants (i.e., parents born abroad), who were over the age of 18, and who were currently en-rolled in college, or had attended college previously. Participants completed the survey and then shared their thoughts about the relevance and comprehensibility of the questions.


Growth of Single Layer Graphene by CVD

Alexis Clavijo Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

The unique properties of graphene have triggered numerous multidisciplinary and technological studies. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a prominent technique for growth of high quality uniform single layer graphene. In this work, we investigated copper pretreatment, optimal growth parameters, and the transfer of CVD grown graphene. In atmospheric pressure CVD, surface morphology of copper determines the growth behavior of graphene, thus we introduced a copper polishing method to enhance growth. We then studied, through changes in growth time and flow balances of hydrogen and methane, the effect on graphene domain size and shape. Furthermore, to take full advantage of the electrical properties of the resulting graphene, we studied the influence of transfer parameters on the final structure and developed a transfer process to arbitrary substrates. Final sample quality was characterized through optical microscopy, AFM and micro-Raman spectroscopy.


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Impact of a Novel Antarctic Rhizobacterium on Root Architecture and Productivity of Tomatoes, Ryegrass and Alfalfa

Joshua Garcia1, Manuel Gidekel2, Amelie Gaudin1 1University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA, 2Creative BioScience, Santiago, Chile

Conventional agriculture relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers to provide crops with essential nutrients for growth. Yet, synthetic fertilizer usage can have several negative impacts on the environment including con-tamination of groundwater and alteration of soil ecological processes. Numerous studies have suggested that plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) may be agronomically efficient and environmentally friendly tools in abating fertilizer demand. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of a novel species of rhizobacteria collected from the roots of Deschampsia antarctica to improve root architecture and productiv-ity of tomato, alfalfa and ryegrass. In vitro studies of the bacterium in question suggested it alters root architecture and promotes root branching via the regulation of gene expression in root meristems and shortening of the root elongation zone. Our hypothesis was that such changes to root morphologies, if they occurred in vivo, could aid in nutrient uptake, thereby reducing the need for fertilizer and other inputs in different cropping systems. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to monitor shifts in root architecture, biomass accumulation, yields, chlorophyll content and total carbon and nitrogen content of tomato, ryegrass and alfalfa. Results from our experiment suggests that in vitro observations hold in soils and the bacterium indeed alters root architecture in tomato via an increase in fine root development and such changes to the root systems may aid in nitrogen uptake in low-nutrient soils. However, these changes did not lead to significant increases in biomass accumulation, yield, or chlorophyll content as hypothesized. Further, the rhizobacterium did not alter alfalfa growth while it increased chlorophyll content but not biomass accumulation or total carbon and nitrogen content in ryegrass forage. While we were not able to definitively determine if the bacterium promotes plant growth from this trial alone, our results suggested various trends and we are currently conducting further experimentation.


Flight Testing, Data Collection, and System Identification of a Multicopter UAV

Paul Navarro, Alex Ruiz, Subodh Bhandari California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, USA

This presentation talks about the flight testing, data collection, and system identification of a multicopter UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). A flight dynamics model of a multicopter is developed using a system identification technique. The collected flight data is converted to a frequency response using CIFER software. The frequency response is then used in the identification of transfer function and state-space models. The response of the developed model is compared with the flight data for verification. Open-loop and closed-loop frequency sweep data was collected during flight test. The processed data was then used for the model identification. Response of the closed-loop transfer functions matched the flight data very well while the response of the transfer func-tions obtained using open-loop data, through similar analysis, is inconsistent due to noise and disturbances. Work is underway to remove noise from the data using filters. Also, more flights test will be conducted to col-lect better quality data.


Resisting Displacement: A Rasquache Approach to Arte y Cultura en Boyle Heights


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Kimberly Miranda University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

The working class community of Boyle Heights, located in East Los Angeles is experiencing gentrification, caus-ing rent increase and displacement of housing and businesses. This has thrust Boyle Heights into a social, racial and class warfare. Longstanding working class residents and business owners are forced to uproot and leave their memories, community and homes behind because they can no longer afford to stay in the neighborhood. Community activists are responding to these spatial changes by organizing themselves in cultural community spaces, creating art, dialogue, actions and awareness. Some of these art forms include printmaking, spoken word and zines (mini self-published magazines). In this project, I focus on how activists, artists and residents reclaim their compromised space in Boyle Heights. Specifically, this study examines how artivism, which is a bridging of art and activism is grounded in rasquachismo and is being used to resist gentrification in Boyle Heights. Rasquachismo is a practice associated with Chicana/o communities that make the most from the least with a combination of resistant and resilient attitudes. (Mesa-Baines, 1999) Rasquachismo in this project is not meant to be understood as an aesthetic but as a means of one’s own social capital that is both defiant and ingenious. I argue that rasquachismo be utilized as a theoretical framework that is anti-deficit in studying anti-displacement and space in gentrifying areas. This framework will specifically be applied to Boyle Heights, which offers an alternative analysis that has often been overshadowed when thinking about resistance in under-served Chicana/o neighborhoods in the greater Los Angeles area. This framework offers a lens through which Chicana/o’s can be understood as resistant when navigating through a capitalistic domain.


Structural and Conformational Changes that Regulate Dimerization in the HIV 5’ Untranslated Region

Rachel Torrez, Akshay Tambe, Jennifer Doudna UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

The evolution of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly dependent on its ability to exchange genetic material between different strains of the virus. As an essential part of viral replication, RNA dimeriza-tion allows for a process known as viral recombination via a mechanism called reverse transcriptase template switching. This process ultimately leads to the genetic variation found in HIV and aids in its ability to exchange genetic information in a way very similar to sexual reproduction. Our research seeks to better understand the structural elements and conformational dynamics that govern dimerization in the HIV 5’ untranslated region in order to gain more insight into this aspect of HIV’s life cycle. Using a combinatorial library approach, we produce a set ~1,000 sequence variants, and with a method known as SHAPE-MAP, read out their secondary structures and conformational changes in a multiplexed manner. This can later be analyzed to determine the secondary structure. We believe that this data set will provide valuable insight into the biochemical mecha-nisms that govern dimer formation and ultimately the evolution of HIV.


Relationship Between Maternal Communication and Eating Disorder Symptomology in Mexican-American Women

Martha Moreno, Becky Marquez University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

This study focused on the issue of high obesity prevalence in Mexican-American women and their harmful behavior relating to eating disorder symptoms that may result from weight loss attempts. The purpose was to investigate the relationship between maternal communication and eating disorder symptomology in adult daughters and determine whether this relationship depended on acculturation. A community sample of 59 overweight or obese Mexican or Mexican-American adult mother-daughter dyads (N=118) completed ques-


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tionnaires. Positive and negative maternal communication was assessed with the Parental Eating and Weight Messages (PEWM) Survey. Eating disorder symptomology was determined using the three subscales of Oral Control, Dieting, and Bulimia and Food Preoccupation of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Acculturation was measured by the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA-II). Positive maternal communica-tion was correlated with higher Oral Control (r=0.35, p<0.01), but not with Dieting or Bulimia and Food Preoc-cupation. Positive maternal communication was associated with lower acculturation scores (r=-0.39, p<0.01). The relationship between eating disorder symptomology and maternal communication did not depend on the daughter’s acculturation or acculturation dissonance between the daughter and mother. Interventions focused on improving positive communication in the mother-daughter relationship may reduce the risk of eating disor-ders in young women.


Autonomous Path Planning System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Isaac Guzman California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, California, USA

An Autonomous Path Planning System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones is crucial for UAVs to be commercially integrated into the National Airspace System (NAS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demands highly accurate Path Planning Systems in autonomy for UAVs to be safe to fly in the NAS. With the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) sensor in and out, the position and velocity of the UAVs can be transmitted in real time. The ADS-B sensor out will allow UAVs to communicate with surround-ing aircraft and neighboring ground stations, allowing for relative position and velocity data to be processed. This is crucial for collision detection and avoidance between UAVs in flight. The expected result will be a complete mathematical model of the aircraft that will be used for developing an obstacle avoidance algorithm for the UAV. This research will increase the level of UAV autonomy by allowing a more reliable and economical path planning system for the UAV to operate in the NAS.


GRB 150518a at Different Wavelengths

Elizabeth Apala1, Alicia Soderberg2, Michael West3 1East Central University, Ada,Oklahoma, USA, 2Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA, 3Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

Gamma Ray Burst (GRB’s), extremely energetic flashes of Gamma Rays , are caused by either deaths of massive unstable stars or colliding binary neutron stars. A unique burst, GRB 150518a, had two recorded bursts fifteen minutes apart which is very rare and is considered to be ultra-long, lasting around thirty minutes total and is associated with a Supernova explosion. Gamma rays are emitted by supernovae, neutron stars, black holes, and quasars and by studying GRB’s it allows us to see more deeply into how these objects function. The first few days of GRB 150518as’ detected afterglow was plotted in different wavelengths, including optical, x-ray, radio, and infrared, in flux verses time to show its behavior as its afterglow faded. Data is continuously being added as time goes on.


Breaking Stereotypes: High School Transition Worries among Immigrant Minorities

Amy Aldana, Danielle Smith, Sandra Graham


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University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Transitioning from middle to high school is challenging for many adolescents (Benner & Graham, 2009). The freshman dropout rate in California is approximately 25%, however there are disparities as to who drops out. For example, Latino students had a dropout rate of 14% as compared to Asian students’ dropout rate of 4.7% (California Department of Education, 2014). Foreign-born residents accounted for nearly three-fourths of all high school dropouts (California Department of Education, 2014). Expectations and stereotypes of students also vary based on their racial/ethnic group (e.g., “Model Minority” Asian and “lazy immigrant Latinos”). Using Life Course theory (1960) as a framework (examining students’ experiences with attention to social identities, school context, etc.), the current study examines the complex intersectionality of ethnicity, immigration status, and cultural stereotypes on school transition worries. As part of a larger, ongoing longitudinal project, surveys were administered to 2,000 eighth graders from 26 California middle schools. Participants include Latino and East/Southeast Asian students who identify as first generation (foreign born), second generation (parents born outside the U.S.), 2.5 generation (one parent born outside U.S.) and third generation (parents and child born in U.S.). Preliminary findings using ANOVA illustrate that first and second generation students have overall higher levels of concern than 2.5 and third generation students. Furthermore, Asian participants have more social concerns (e.g., being picked on) and institutional worries (e.g., school being too big), while Latino students are more concerned with failure (e.g., not graduating high school). Shedding light on the nuances of transition concerns across individuals from various social identities is a vital step in improving outcomes for struggling students.


Identification of the Genes that Regulate Silk Production in Spiders: A Computational Biology Approach

Mark Ellie Alonzo California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, California, USA

The molecular basis of spider silk production is of broad interest because of its possible mechanical applica-tions. For instance, dragline silk, which is produced in the major ampullate gland of certain spiders, has been found to be tougher than nylon and Kevlar®. However, even though there is research on the mechanical and structural properties of spider silk, the gene expression and regulation responsible for spider silk production remains largely unexplored. In this project, I will try to identify the genes that regulate spider silk production by analyzing several RNAseq libraries from major ampullate glands of Lactrodectus hesperus. A de novo transcrip-tome assembly will be constructed from these RNAseq libraries using the program Trinity because the specie does not have fully sequenced genomes available. This transcriptome will be used to reference back the mRNA transcripts using the tuxedo tools (Bowtie2, TopHat, Cufflinks, CummeRbund) in order to analyze their different levels of gene expression. Statistical analysis of the gene expression will be performed using the Bioconductor package. This analysis will provide insight into the genes that are either upregulated or downregulated during silk production in spiders.


Surrogate Reservoir Modeling (SRM) for Waterflood Optimization Using CMG-IMEX Simulator and IBM Ana-lytics

Trixie Anne Roque1, Muhammad Zulqarnain2, Mayank Tyagi2 1Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Layers of sedimentary rock and organic materials subjected to extreme temperatures and pressures over mil-lions of years form viable petroleum deposits known as oil and gas reservoirs. The oil and gas (O&G) industry generate massive amounts of data sets from the exploration and production (E&P) of hydrocarbons from these reserves. The data collected by the O&G industry help in developing production models to interpret


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the subsurface information and optimize E&P operations. The developed surrogate reservoir model (SRM) forecasts the behavior of a reservoir during the waterflooding phase (also known as secondary recovery) of oil extraction. This involves injecting pressurized fluids into the reservoir in order to sweep the residual oil not recovered by the primary recovery phase. In contrast to traditional numerical reservoir models, which require high-computational costs in exchange for accurate predictions, the SRM combines high-speed calculations and accuracy. Simulations were performed using a commercially available black-oil reservoir simulator and a simpli-fied version of the reservoir described in the Ninth Comparative Solutions Project conducted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE-9). Field timecourse cumulative oil production data based on varying injector well locations, water injection rate, and producer well oil rates were collected. The Time Series Modeling feature of IBM SPSS Modeler, a predictive statistical analysis software that allows real-time model deployment and provides automatic modeling technique identification, was used to analyze the collected data. Gauging the effectiveness of the model required a fraction of the overall data to be used as target values. With a coefficient of determination value close to 1.0, the resulting model demonstrates a high correlation to the data gathered from the reservoir simulations.


How Prison Privatization Affects Incarceration Rates: A Synthetic Control Analysis

Nick Morgan Wesleyan University, Middletwon, CT, USA

Over the past 40 years, the US has experienced an unprecedented explosion in criminalization and incarcera-tion despite significant decreases in reported violent crime offenses. To accommodate this inordinate growth in incarceration numbers, private prisons were reintroduced into the American system in 1984 to house excess prisoners. The introduction of private prisons brought in its path the introduction of profit incentives to the prison industry. The interaction between big business, government and incarceration has been termed the prison industrial complex and has received substantial attention from scholars. Much of the literature sur-rounding this topic however lacks an empirical basis. I hope to contribute empirical support by using a syn-thetic control methodological framework to examine the impact of prison privatization. The synthetic control methodology allows for precise quantitative inference in small-sample comparative studies. The methodol-ogy creates a control group consisting of states without private prisons, which is then weighted for similarity to treatment states with private prisons, based on predictors of the incarceration rate. Incarceration rates in the synthetic control group are then compared to the rates in treatment states. In Texas, preliminary analysis indicates that since privatization, incarceration rates have risen considerably, relative to a synthetic compos-ite of states that were nearly identical to Texas. I anticipate this research to be a starting point for scholars to examine the prison industrial complex from a more quantitative perspective. Proving that private prisons contribute to prison population growth would highlight the fact that the private prison industry as well as the various industries that service the private prison industry rely on and encourage high incarceration rates for the success of their business. This paper may be of interest to policymakers, as it highlights the perverse incen-tive on which the industry is motivated.


Distribution of Ultra-Low Frequency Wave Power in the Magnetosphere During Geomagnetic Storms

Nicolas Breceda, David Berube, Jeff Sanny Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Since their discovery in the mid-nineteenth century, ultralow frequency (ULF) waves have been the subject of numerous investigations whose results have provided a significant contribution to our understanding of space weather. In particular, ULF waves have been found to be associated with geomagnetic storms, as the level of ULF activity during the recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm appears to determine whether the storm is


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accompanied by an occurrence of relativistic electron flux during that period. In this study, we investigated ULF wave activity in the dayside magnetosphere during geomagnetic storms based on magnetic field data from the THEMIS mission (satellites THEMIS-A, THEMIS-D, and THEMIS-E). During the period under consideration, 2010-2015, we identified 15 geomagnetic storms for which the satellites were located in the dayside magneto-sphere. Using magnetic field data from each satellite, we calculated the average ULF wave power before, dur-ing, and after each storm. We then determined the change in wave power for each storm both as a function of local time and as a function of distance from the Earth. We found that the increase in wave power is generally greater in the afternoon sector. In addition, we observed that the effects of geomagnetic storms on ultra-low frequency wave power penetrated more deeply into the magnetosphere in the afternoon sector than in the morning sector. These results have implications for modeling the acceleration of energetic electrons to relativ-istic speeds during the recovery phase of geomagnetic storms.


UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE: BIOGENIC SILICA AS A PRODUCTIVITY PROXY FOR INTERGLACIAL AND GLACIAL PERIODS 3 TO 5 MILLION YEARS AGO

Suzanne O’Connell, Cindy Flores, Noah Spriggs, Eliza Carter, Chidubem Okechi Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA

Paleoclimatology, the study of Earth’s past climate shows how Earth systems responded to different climatic conditions. As Earth warms, high latitudes such as Antarctica experience the most warming, melting ice sheets and contributing to sea level rise. The dominant contributor to current warming is the rapid increase in atmospheric CO2, exceeding 400 ppm. We can look to the past to predict the future. About four million years ago, atmospheric CO2 was about 400 ppm (Pagani et al., 2009). Sea level was higher (5 to 40 meters (16 to 131 feet)) and average temperatures were warmer (3 to 4 degrees Celsius). Through analysis of sediment cores, tubes of sediment recovered from the ocean floor, taken from the northwestern Weddell Sea near the tip of the Antarctica Peninsula, we seek to understand how climate responded to increased warmth. This study uses two environmental indicators, weight percent biosilica, a proxy for productivity, and weight percent sand and gravel (IRD), which fell to the ocean floor from melting icebergs. Today surface water from the Weddell Sea is among the most nutrient rich in the world contributing to high productivity. We hypothesize that high biosilica content corresponds to warmth and increased productivity and should therefore correlate with high IRD. Values for biosilica range from 1.30 to 13.35 weight percent and are extremely variable. IRD values ranges from <1% to 26% and vary less. The highest values of biosilica correspond with both high and low levels of IRD. The biosilica-IRD relationship is more complex than our initial hypothesis, suggesting different oceanographic regimes, with high productivity when there is no IRD, indicating an ice-free ocean and both high and low productivity when melting icebergs are abundant.


Syntheses of fluorinated trehalose derivatives to test their impact on protein stability

Hanna Morales1 ,2, Hanseol Song1, Christina Othon1, Erika Taylor1 1Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA, 2NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, West Hartford, CT, USA

Trehalose, a compound found in tardigrades and other organisms, is a disaccharide with osmoprotectant properties which aids in the preservation of proteins under extreme environmental conditions. Amongst the possible explanations for such behavior is the theory that trehalose molecules are able to displace water mol-ecules and form hydrogen bonding interactions with a protein, effectively maintaining the protein’s structure, mobility, and activity (1). Trehalose’s glassy matrix structure and viscosity have been suggested to decrease protein mobility, as well. Another widely accepted model proposes that the hydrogen bonding interactions


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between trehalose and water molecules lead to decrease in water loss and in protein mobility. Studies test-ing sugar halogenation have suggested that fluorination of trehalose increases the disaccharide’s ability to stabilize protein structures (2). Our research focuses on the difluorination of trehalose. Analysis is conducted using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to confirm synthesis of 6,6’dideoxy-6,6’-difluorotrehalose and 4,4’-dideoxy-4,4’-difluorotrehalose. Further analysis through viscosity, absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission, and circular dichroism spectroscopy will explore the extent to which fluorinated derivatives of trehalose affect protein stability. Syntheses of fluorinated trehalose derivatives follow a six-step process, the initial steps having been conducted and having resulted in the isolation and proper char-acterization of 6,6’-dihydroxy-polybenzylated trehalose. The development of innovative pharmaceuticals and biopreservatives might be possible if highly effective preservation of protein structures is observed.

1. Jain, N.K., Roy, I. (2009). “Effect of trehalose on protein structure.” Protein Sci. 18(1): 24-36. 2. N’Go, I., Golten, S., Ardá, A., Canada, J., Jiménez-Barbero, J., Linclau, B., Vincent, S. P. (2014). “Tetrafluorina-tion of sugars as strategy for enhancing protein-carbohydrate affinity: application to UDP-Galp mutase inhibi-tion.” Chemistry. 20(1):106-12.


Comparing Genres of Movie Scripts

James Holley-Grisham, Ivan Ramler St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, USA

Stylometry is the statistical breakdown of deviances in literary style among writers or genres. It can be used in situations where people come across books that they like, and search out the author in hopes that the author has written similar books. In this study, the theory of stylometry is tested using movie scripts from the internet to determine whether or not different stylometry methods can be used to distinguish between different genres of movie scripts. R, computer coding software, is used to filter through the flooded data and is then analyzed using a variety of stylometry techniques to represent each data set. Finally, numerical representations such as Type-Token Ration are used to create cluster plots through grouping the similar data sets. When analyzing the data, there is evidence of a correlation between the numerical representations of stylometry and the genre of a movie script. For example, results show that action movies tend to have a greater dialogue than romance movies because the actors need to use the dialogue to set the scene. These findings will impact the fields of statistics and literature because statisticians will have the ability to group different pieces of work according to different time periods, authors, and possibly genres.


Impact of Western Dietary Pattern on Development of Incident and Recurrent Clostridium diffi-cile Associated Disease: A Systematic Review

Marwa Mhtar Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

Clostridium difficile is one of the many etiological agents of antibiotic associated diarrhea and is implicated in 10-35 percent of the cases in the US. Due to increase in the incidence of C. difficile infection (CDI), emergence of hyper virulent strains, and increased frequency of recurrence in highly developed countries, it has become important to assess behavior that could be exasperating the epidemic. While the disease is explained to be caused by overuse of antibiotics it does not explain why the disease is only a problem in industrialized western nations. A review of existing literature reveals a definite link between diet and the microbiome, which lead to the hypothesis that there is a link between the western dietary pattern and emergence of the hypervirulent strain Clostridium difficile PCR 027. An


Abstracts

ANOVA single factor test was preformed comparing rates of infection per nation and its mainstream diet. The results show that there is a correlation between western dietary pattern in conjunction with aggressive antibiotic usage causing this nosocomial infection. Therefore the western diet could be considered to be a significant risk factor that deserves further investigation.


Make a Joyful Noise! Music Making in Worship and Community Building

Alexis Bell Knox College, Galesburg, USA

This study examines the interrelationships of music making, worship, and community building in the First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, Illinois. The methods used include participant-observation, informal and semi-structured interviews, and coding analysis of transcriptions. I interviewed the senior and associate pastors, a musical director, and members of the worship team, choirs, and congregation. I focused on the lived experiences of participants, their preferences in musical styles, and levels of participation in music making to better understand personal and collective values embodied in worship. In this religious context, music is ca-pable of inspiring powerful and moving affective experiences while offering a deeper connection and praise to God. In particular, I found that familiarity with music motivated participants’ preferences in style and allowed for more meaningful and memorable moments in worship.


Moving the Heart: Explorations in Somatic Practice and Empathy

Jayel Gant1 ,2 1Knox College, Galesburg, IL, USA, 2Paul K. and Evalyn Elizabeth Richter Memorial Funds, Galesburg, IL, USA

The term ‘empathy’ was popularized in recent years by Carl Rogers, one of the founders of the humanistic ap-proach to psychology. Though there is still debate over a clear definition, we now have evidence that empathy is an important factor in social interactions. Recent studies have shown that empathy is trainable. Performing artists must utilize empathy to collaborate and portray ideas to audiences. Integrated mind-body approaches to training performers may positively affect their levels of empathy. I have studied five somatic practices (tech-niques commonly used for training actors and dancers): Alexander Technique; Body-Mind Centering; Authentic Movement; Laban Technique; and Viewpoints; to make connections between Somatics and the empathy form-ing process. My research discusses empathy’s roots in the physical body and the potential for training empathy through movement techniques.


The Rise & Fall of AB101: Native American Voices in Ethnic Studies

Valentín Sierra UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA

All across the United States, Ethnic Studies as a discipline and informed curriculum at the secondary level has come under attack by state legislatures and politicians across many levels. Here in California, Governor Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 101 on October 9th, 2015, which proposed to formally introduce Ethic Stud-ies classes to all public high schools in conjunction with state standards and college requirements. Originally


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aimed at addressing issues of equity for the state’s increasing minority students population, AB101’s failure to become state law channels the complicated, turbulent, and polarizing history of Ethnic Studies as an academic field and discipline in the United States, more broadly and in California specifically. Formalized in the late 1960s under the Third World Liberation Front student protests at San Francisco State University, Ethnic Studies advo-cates sought to legitimize the often silenced or distorted narratives attributed to people of color from around the world. With the vetoing of AB101, this paper chronicles and analyzes the history and intergenerational role of Native American activism in the creation and maintenance of Ethnic Studies as well as the related field of Native American Studies. In telling ourstories not histories, primary documents and ethnographic testimonies are widely centered throughout this paper as the often unknown and untold stories of Native peoples in the fight for Ethnic Studies are brought to light.


Ban-the-Box: An Economic Experiment

Essence Parker, Meryl Motika St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, USA

Failure to find successful employment increases a person’s likelihood of entering back into the criminal justice system (Doleac). Employers’ view having been arrested as a signal of less productivity and thus ex-convicts of equal ability or greater ability than non-convicts are sometimes left unemployed. This paper uses a computer-based laboratory experiment programmed using Z-tree software to test whether the timing of adverse infor-mation, in this case whether a potential employer sees an arrest record before or after deciding to interview someone, affects employers’ hiring decisions. The hiring process has three stages. In stage 1, the employer receives resumes and decides who to interview. In stage 2, the employer conducts interviews. In stage 3 the employer makes a decision on who to hire. An arrest record can be provided to an employer in either stage 1 or stage 3. We predict that if an employer learns that a potential worker has an arrest record in stage 1 then that worker is less likely to make it to stage 2 based on the adverse signal. However, if this information is provided in stage 3, an employer has a better chance of knowing the worker’s actual productivity, thus increas-ing the probability that a skilled ex-convict will be hired. This coincides with the rationale behind Ban-the-Box policies, which are currently being adopted by many states and cities across the nation. Furthermore, we predict that learning of an arrest record after stage 1 is advantageous to employers because it allows them the opportunity to maximize profits by choosing the productive worker even if that person has an arrest record.


The Latino/a Racial Identity in the US

Paulina Pineda Severiano UC San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.

The work is a philosophical study of the issue of race, that looks specifically at the Latino population in the US. It analyses the difference and overlap between the Latino ethnic and racial identity, and argues for the need to focus on the Latino racial identity, in order to address issues of racialization and racism. The work discusses the reality of racialization, showing how race is present almost everywhere and how Latinos are a group that is ‘taken to be a race’. Although there are objections to speaking of Latinos as a race, there is a need to deter-mine how one is to identify within the context of our racialized country, such as how to answer the question of race in questionnaires. Within this context, I argue that the Latino identity is often both racial and ethnic for a large number of people, and analyze the assertion of the Latino racial identity as a means to resist and fight racism, and as a possible tool to create solidarity.


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Validation of a Modified Functional Movement Screen Test for Division III Male Soccer Players

Jide Ifonlaja Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a battery of 7 tests to assess movement patterns and to identify limitations that can indicate a higher risk for injury. It’s unknown whether a shorter version of the FMS could yield the same results, which would allow for more efficient screening in athletic settings. The purpose of this study was to validate a modified version of the Functional Movement Screen in Division III male soccer play-ers. 16 soccer players were scored once for original and modified FMS, while 21 healthy college-aged males were scored twice by an FMS certified athletic trainer. The modified version includes the deep squat, shoulder mobility, and active straight leg raise - and a new test the single leg squat. Reliability was calculated as Pear-son Product Moment. Concurrent validity was calculated between modified and original FMS scores, using R Statistical Software. Mean age for the soccer group was 19.6 ± 0.73 years, with mean FMS score of 15.6 ± 1.5 and mean modified FMS score of 7.3 ± 1.63 of a possible 10 points. Mean age for the control group was 20.5 ± 1.19 years, with a mean FMS score of 14.8 ± 1.64 for trial 1 and 15.3 ± 1.5 for trial 2. There was a strong correlation (r =0.74) between trials for both the original and modified FMS scores and a strong correlation of 0.73 between the original and modified FMS. Trial 2 scores were approximately 3% higher for both original and modified FMS. The differences between trials were likely due to the practice effect. The addition of a third trial could possibly have attenuated this. The findings suggest the modified version of the FMS is valid for division III male soccer players. Athletic trainers and coaches may use this modified version for more efficient screening.


Do Generational Differences Exist? Management Best Practices

Elizabeth DeRosier University of Wisconsin: River Falls, River Falls, WI, USA

The workplace has changed dramatically in the last century. Extended workplace participation into late adult-hood has increased the age range of the workforce, with as many as four generations often working side-by-side. Stereotypes suggest that distinct generational differences exist in the workplace, but academic research suggests otherwise: De Meuse and Mlodzik (P. 3 2010) state that, “the current body of peer-reviewed research does not support the popular media proclaiming a workplace crisis due to vast generational differences.” I cre-ated a cross-sectional study of 100 participants employed at a local chain grocery store who were then sorted into four generations, broadly grouped as Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Par-ticipants took a 26-question survey assessing perceptions on management best practices. The surveys asked participants to rank their preference of management methods as if they were starting a new job and were able to choose the management practices. Based upon previous research I expect to find little or no effect of generational differences on preferences of management practices.


Thermal Tolerance in Tigriopus Californicus in High-Stress Cyclic Temperature Environments

Stephanie Hopkins-Spencer University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA

Climate change, or the rapid change in climate patterns, is a phenomenon that our earth endures as indus-trialization, deforestation, human waste, and other events cause atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to rise. This rapid change in temperature can have lasting, negative effects on many species, including various aquatic


Abstracts

populations.Trigriopus californicus, or copepods, are common models used to test mortality-related events in high-stress environments caused by simulated rapid temperature change. Copepods, found in coastal tidal pools of northern and southern California, are known to exhibit spatial adaption, however its relation to thermal tolerance is unclear. In this study, competition assays comparing northern and southern populations were performed at a thermal cycle of 12o-28oC (later reduced to 14o-26oC after original cycle showed low vi-ability) and at a constant of 20oC as a control. After nauplii mature to copepods in each northern and southern population-pair, thermal-fitness can be assessed by scoring sample plates using population-specific primers, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. Thermal-fitness is described as the ability of offspring to thrive or survive in high-stress environments. Previous research shows that southern populations have a trend of higher thermal-fitness when compared to those of northern populations. Preliminary data has supported this trend as Bird Rock offspring (southern population) appear to have higher survival rates than Bodega Head offspring (northern population) at fluctuating temperature conditions. Additional competition assays will be conducted and scored to show the relationship, if any, between populations of Bodega Head and San Diego, Santa Cruz and Bird Rock, and also Santa Cruz and San Diego. This data may have further implications on the nature of genetic adaption to high-stress caused by climate change.


Applying MP UV Disinfection with Low Wavelength Monitoring to Achieve Sustainable Public Health Protec-tion

Alexandria Hidrovo University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Drinking water treatment is essential to obtain a healthy regulated source of water that is distributed through-out a community. There are various methods to disinfect water; some have more negative effects toward pub-lic health than others. For example, disinfection with chlorine causes disinfection byproducts to be produced within treated drinking water. Disinfection byproducts are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency because they have the potential to cause cancer and other negative health effects if levels of exposure exceed legal limits. Ultraviolet(UV) light disinfection does not produce these disinfection byproducts which is why it is becoming a preferred method for water disinfection. The issue that medium pressure UV disinfection technol-ogy faces currently, is the lack of a proven, regulatory accepted method to monitor low wavelengths. These low wavelengths (200-240nm) have been demonstrated in the literature to effectively inactivate regulated viruses, such as adenovirus, that are found in drinking water. Being able to take advantage of these low wave-lengths could help many communities develop more sustainable compliance with the EPA, 2006 Groundwater Rule which requires demonstration of 4-log removal/inactivation of human enteric viruses.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the ability of low wavelength monitoring in UV treatment units that have the potential to reduce their energy use and total UV system costs while improving public health protection in small drinking water systems. This research, will study the effectiveness of new sensors that can effectively monitor low wavelengths and determine the energy and cost savings that will result in more sus-tainable UV disinfection systems. Data will be recorded and analyzed at two different water treatment plants to determine the effectiveness and reliability of the sensor and also to demonstrate the potential energy savings that can be realized if these low wavelength sensors are approved by the regulatory community for use.


Sexual Dysfunction as It Relates to Single Sexual Victimization Verses Multiple Sexual Victimization Experi-ences.

Shannon Miller University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA


Abstracts

Sexual victimization can be defined as any type of sexual contact or behavior that is deemed unwanted and has been considered psychologically damaging. Although there is ample research that discusses sexual victimiza-tion against women and even revictimization, there is little research regarding sexual dysfunction. Moreover, sexual dysfunction in women is very prevalent in our society outnumbering even the amount of men with a similar dysfunction. Research also has shown a clear prevalence of sexual victimization as well as revictimiza-tion among women but no research has evaluated how single verses multiple sexual victimization experiences could impact different domains of sexual function. The purpose of this research is to help expand knowledge of sexual dysfunction in women while assessing if a correlation can be detected between sexual dysfunction and a single sexual traumatic event verses multiple sexual traumatic events and whether that significance is relevant. My hypothesis is that a positive correlation exists between sexual dysfunction and revictimization. To assess this hypothesis, self-reporting data from female college students will be gathered and a Pearson correla-tion will be used to analyze the possible existence of a relationship. I believe data will show women that have multiple sexual victimizations verses a single victimization experience will report a more pronounced sexual dysfunction index. I also hypothesize women with multiple sexual victimizations will report higher levels of sexual dysfunction. To analyze this hypothesis, I will be performing three separate one-way analysis of vari-ance (ANOVAs) looking at desire, arousal and pain across all women. I infer data will show a higher level of sexual dysfunction, increased pain and a decline in arousal and desire in women with more sexual victimization reportings then those who haven’t experienced any sexual victimization.


A Mathematical Model of Passive Flux Meter Performance

Chase Tillar East Central University, Ada, OK, USA

The Passive Flux Meter (PFM) is a technology, designed and patented by the University of Florida, to measure groundwater flux and contaminant mass flux. The current PFM design consists of an enclosed mesh casing filled with activated carbon (AC) that is placed into a monitoring well. Groundwater then flows through the device horizontally. The AC is pre-sorbed with fluid-soluble tracers – typically a suite of short-chain alcohol tracers. As groundwater flows through the PFM, the tracer is desorbed from the sorbent (AC) at a rate propor-tional to the Darcy Flux. At the same time, dissolved organic contaminants in the groundwater are sorbed onto the carbon. After some time of deployment, the PFM is removed from the well and sampled. Under Freun-dlich partitioning processes – non-linear sorption – the retardation factor of the tracer becomes a function of concentration. Using previously published analytical solutions to the advective transport equation, a MATLAB script is developed to simulate the performance of tracer desorption from the PFM. It is then possible to create a theoretical model of the PFM elution curve, representing the dimensionless mass remaining in the PFM as a function of time. The script will be used to explore the behavior of alternative sorbent-tracer systems, and help guide their selection by comparing performance to ideal conditions. Furthermore, the script will be used to explore the behavior of contaminant partitioning on the sorbent, and evaluate potential errors in contaminant flux measurements.

0130 —Session PlenaryA Room Dwinelle 155 Thursday, August 4, 4:00PM-6:00PM

Unconscious Malice: How Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotypes Shape Disparities in Discipline

Bernardette Pinetta, Carola Suárez-Orozco University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA

Previous examinations of suspension rates indicate that young men of color are more frequently and harshly sanctioned than their non-minority peers (Clark, et al., 2003). Studies on teacher expectations also reveal that Latino and Black youth are viewed as intellectually inferior to Asian and White students (Tenenbaum, 2007).


Abstracts

The current research project examines classroom interactions, the enactment of teacher bias, and how race and gender can affect teacher and student interactions. By analyzing secondary data of classroom videos, I seek to understand what forms of teacher enactments of bias (disproportionate sanctioning and microaggres-sions) are demonstrated in classrooms across grades, and if there are observable patterns of responses from the students within the classroom. The videos are part of the Measures of Effective Teaching database that recruited fourth- through ninth-grade English, ESL, and Math teachers from six different school districts around the U.S. Videos have been qualitatively coded to account for the frequency of negative interactions students’ face based on their gender and minority status. Preliminary findings show that minority males are often at the receiving ends of negative classroom management and relationship detracting interactions. Specifically, there is name-calling, displays of power, and aggression from the teacher towards these students for minor precipi-tating behavior (i.e., inattentiveness, electronic devices, and food). Given the rise in youth criminalization, it is imperative to look at how teacher biases can affect their responses to student behaviors in the classroom. A better understanding of teacher bias will inform how we see teacher biases and their impact the school-to-prison-pipeline.


The “Cascade of Intervention” as Applied to Street-Based Sex Workers When Narrating Their Pregnancy and Childbirth Experiences

Kyria Brown, Susan Dewey University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA

This study investigates the life circumstances of street-based sex workers under the lens of the “cascade of intervention,” a theoretical concept common within pregnancy-related medical fields. Fifty-five current or for-mer female street-based sex workers participated in in-depth qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted by our research team in area hotels or at a transitional housing facility for women exiting the sex industry. Our participants described a set of two prevailing themes of experiences; (1) poverty and its intersections with addiction, violence, and criminalization and (2) loss of social support through family estrangement and betrayal, loss of parental legal rights, and social service involvement; that the women viewed as influential to their pregnancy narratives that call into question the social systems that surround them far before becoming pregnant while street- and drug-involved. These experiences, along with the societal reaction to them, form a cascade of interventions that in turn shapes their pregnancy and childbirth experiences, excludes them from full social citizenship, and informs the moral discourses that they use in narrating their pregnancy and child-birth accounts. By viewing the women’s life circumstances through the lens of the “cascade of intervention,” social service and health care providers can focus on preventing and remedying the “cascade of intervention” as is the focus in pregnancy-related health care.


Ocean Acidification and effects on shell calcification from spatial and temporal perspectives

Briana Zacharias University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

Anthropogenic CO2 emission is affecting seawater chemistry and the resulting ocean acidification (OA) is of concern for marine organisms that use carbonate to form an exoskeleton. Marine mollusks are one of the most diverse groups of invertebrates and play an important role in functioning of marine ecosystems. The focus of my research is to understand the effects of OA on shell calcification of marine mollusks. Since sea water at high latitudes has lower carbonate saturation state (and hence higher solubility of calcium carbonate) compared to low latitudes, one prediction is that shells of mollusk species should be thinner at high latitudes compared to the tropics. I will use measurements of shell thickness, normalized to body size, along a latitudinal gradient to test this hypothesis. I will also collect fossil data to quantify how shell thickness of coastal molluscan species


Abstracts

along the California coast has changed since the late Pleistocene. Sea water is more acidic today than the last interglacial and so one expectation is thinner shells in modern populations of mollusks compared to the Pleis-tocene. By providing empirical data on how shell calcification in marine mollusks vary latitudinally as well as over time, my research will complement more experimental approaches to understanding the biological effects of OA.


The Color of Affect in Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colors Trilogy

Daniel Davila University of River Falls, Wisconsin, U.S. Virgin Islands

This study focuses on the psychological effects of color in films, particularly the trilogy Three Colors by Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski. This film series serves as an example of how color symbolism can be essential to fully understanding a film. Traditionally, film production capitalizes on “Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotion,” a produc-tion tool relating the use of color in film to the emotion it evokes. There is an alternate color chart developed by Manhke that both expands and contradicts Plutchik’s Wheel and, as I will show, better serves a reading of Three Colors. By involving the three colors of the French flag, Kieslowski overturns traditional production choices for a politically-charged cinematic experience-with three films seemingly void of political charge. For example, Three Colors: White is superficially a dark comedy focused on the protagonist’s attempt to regain the favor of the ex-wife who divorced him when they moved from Poland to France and he became impotent; however, on Manhke’s chart the color white is not associated with these themes, nor even with the emotional states of the characters, but rather with mourning and grief, reflecting the film’s subtle focus on the shifting status of Poland in the era of Unification with Europe. Paul Coates argued that this trilogy was focused on colors as a way to move past the black-and-white binaries of political discourse; using the emotional resonance of color psychology allows Kieslowski to subtly suggest the non-binary dimensions of global political change as a scaffolding to the concrete plot elements of his films. By choosing Three Colors as the focus of his trilogy, Kieslowski literally moves beyond the black-and-white of political discourse to focus on the subtle impact of politics on our daily lives.


Ecological Influences on Foraging Strategy in Sciurus niger (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Christopher Dorsey Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Loyola Marymount University’s urban environment provides accessible food waste surrounded by a dense human population. It is commonplace to observe a fox squirrel,Sciurus niger, eating human processed foods such as a slice of pizza at LMU’s campus, but could the same be said for squirrels at a more rural state park nearby? Using principles from Optimal Foraging Theory, forging behaviors of fox squirrels from both locations are compared to investigate possible differences in feeding behaviors. Analyzing feeding and cache decisions at each site will indicate behavioral responses to a location’s predation risk, satiety levels, and food availability. Seventeen squirrels at LMU and twelve squirrels at Kenneth Hahn park were studied using foods typical of a natural squirrel diet and processed human foods. Various nuts and human foods were offered to determine possible differences in food preferences respective to each location. In addition, the study examines caching preferences and the effect of distance from cover on food selection. Squirrels from LMU and Kenneth Hahn both preferred processed grain products. Larger in-shell nuts were cached more frequently by Kenneth Hahn squirrels when the preferred food was depleted. Results have shown that squirrels on the LMU campus are willing to eat their top preference of food items regardless of distance from cover. Data collection will continue through the academic year 2016-2017 to enlarge the sample size and investigate other variables related to food selection.


Abstracts


Narrative Coherence of Autobiographical Memory as it Relates to Executive Function

Diamonique Walker Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Autobiographical memory can be defined as memories for personally relevant events that one has experienced which will typically have an evaluative aspect, shaping the way an individual experiences the world. Executive function skill level may be a predictor of one’s ability to produce narratively coherent autobiographical memo-ries. In the context of the present study, executive function encompasses attentional control, inhibition, work-ing memory (manipulating items in short term memory) and cognitive flexibility. Previous studies have found results suggesting that executive function has an important role in the retrieval of autobiographical memories. In the current study, researchers investigated the correlational relationship between individuals’ scores on an autobiographical memory task and their scores on three executive function tests to determine if greater nar-rative coherence relates to greater executive function. Participants responded to ten cue words with instruc-tions to give detailed specific memories for each. Participants also did Dimensional Card Change Sorting Task (cognitive flexibility), Flanker’s Inhibitory Control and Attention Task (attention and inhibition), and List Sorting Working Memory Task. Autobiographical memories were coded with a narrative coherence coding scheme that researchers used to rate participants’ autobiographical memories on context, chronology and theme. The three executive function scores were averaged so each participant had an overall score for executive function. Researchers analyzed the data with a Pearson r correlation test to determine if there is a significant relation-ship between the two variables. The results of this study show that there is no significant correlational rela-tionship between narrative coherence of autobiographical memories and executive function.

0136 —Session PlenaryB Room Dwinelle 155 Friday, August 5, 9:00AM-9:55AM

Investigations of laser plasma plume evolution as a function of target geometry.

Cuyler Beatty1, Austin Anderson1, Jeremy Iratcabal1, Eric Dutra1 ,2, Aaron Covington1 1University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89503, USA, 2 National Security Technologies LLC, Livermore, CA 94550, USA

The evolution of laser produced plasma plumes has been studied using a fast framing camera. The expansion of the laser plumes was shown to be dependent on the initial target geometry. Plastic targets were manufac-tured using different methods including 3D printing, CNC machining and vacuum casting. Preliminary target designs were made using a 3D printer and ABS plastic material. These targets were then tested using a 3 J laser with a 5 ns duration pulse. A 16 channel framing camera was used to record the plume shape and propagation speeds were determined from analysis of the images. Targets with a deep conical depression were shown to produce highly collimated plumes when compared to flat top targets. Preliminary results of these experiments will be discussed along with planned future experiments that will use the indented targets with a 30 J laser with a 0.8 ns duration pulse in preparation for pinched laser plume experiments at the Nevada Terawatt Facil-ity. Other polymers that are readily available in a deuterated form will also be explored as part of an effort to develop a cost effective plasma plume target for follow on neutron production experiments.


Computational Predications of UV-vis Spectra of Anthocyanin Molecules

Kevin Calvelo, Emily Jarvis


Abstracts

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Anthocyanins are pigments found in plants that serve as sunblock and antioxidant, protecting plants against reactive oxygen species that can damage cells. These molecules are of interest due to their ability to convert light energy into electronic energy and they display dramatic absorption spectra for wavelengths in the UV and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Anthocyanins appear in different colors such as blue, red, or purple depending on their precise chemical makeup as well as pH conditions. Various anthocyanin structures including, malvidin, quinodal, and aurantinidin were optimized using density functional theory calculations em-ploying the B3LYP exchange-correlation functional with a 6-31G (d,p) basis set as well as the integral equation formalism of the polarizable continuum model for implicit treatment of water solvent effects. Subsequently, the absorption spectra for these molecules as well as variations of these molecules due to pH conditions were calculated via time-dependent density functional theory. Our calculations showed some sensitivity to the inclusion of implicit water solvent effects and dramatic impact according to the pH. For example, in comparing the anthocyanin malvidin with and without a water solvent, the maximum absorbance wavelength decreased from 495.35 nm to 472.69 nm. In addition, a general malvidin molecule has an excitation energy of 499.16 nm with a broad peak over the visible region in its UV-vis spectra. Under more basic pH conditions, the predicted excitation wavelength increases from 499.16 nm to 517.53 nm. Conversely, under more acidic conditions, the excitation energy increases dramatically with the peak wavelength shifting from 499.16 nm to 278.99 nm. These trends are similar to those observed experimentally for these forms of malvidin. Understanding the relationship between the chemical structure and the calculated electronic properties of these anthocyanins could aid the predictive optimization of their UV-vis absorption properties for use as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells.


“I basically speak Arabic...NOT!”

John Chaston, Lorena Cruz University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Sources from the world wide web have introduced the notion that Spanish and Arabic are practically the same language; and that if someone can speak Spanish they can also speak Arabic. The evidence offered for such a claim is wholly based on the Moorish occupation of Spain from 711-1492 AD. The influence of the Moorish kingdom is still seen throughout Southern Spain, and there are remnants of borrowed words in the language, but the two languages are significantly diverse syntactically, morphologically, phonologically, and semantically outside of a small percentage of word borrowings. This project provides a partial yet detailed quantitative and qualitative contrastive and comparative analysis of Arabic and Spanish lexicon, study of synonyms, and listing of usage frequencies of Spanish words derived from Arabic that are still used today. Derivational histories and cultural influences are also provided.


Effects of the mycorrhizal helper bacterium Peanibacillus validus on the growth and life cycle of Rhi-zophagus intraridices and mycorrhization in vitro

Brent Arnoldussen1 ,2 1University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wi, USA, 2University of Wisconsin - River Falls, River Falls, Wi, USA

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), members of the in the phylum Glomeromycota, form symbiotic relation-ships with over 80% of land plants, making it the most ubiquitous symbiotic relationship in land plants. This relationship is important to plants since its increases nutrient and water uptake, and alleviates heavy metal toxicity and certain soil borne diseases. AMF are obligate biotrophs, forming endosymbiotic structures known


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as arbuscules, where the fungus delivers nutrients, especially phosphates and water, in exchange for sugars. The majority of research focuses on the mycorrhizal association between plants and the fungi, but it is now ap-parent that several species of bacteria play vital roles in this symbiosis. The goal of this project is to better un-derstand the relationship between the model AMF Rhizophagus intraridices and Peanibacillus validus, a bacte-rium commonly associated with fungal spores. Strains of this bacterium have been shown to allow the fungus to sporulate in absence of plant roots, which could be useful in research the in vitro and inoculant production. To demonstrate whether other accessions of this bacterium have the same capacity to grow hyphae and spores in absence of a plant root host, the fungus is co-cultured on modified minimal media with P. validus NSF 1000 and P. validus B-14484 separately and in combination. Several spores from each treatment were isolated to document and quantify the hyphae growth and spore production among treatments. Root organ cultures of carrots were treated with AMF spores with and without P. validus to demonstrate the bacterium›s impact on root growth and mycorrhization by percent colonization. This work is ongoing and final results have yet to be recorded and analyzed.


Ask Me About Race: The Problem with Colorblind Casting

Jordan Hurst Knox College, Galesburg, IL, USA

Contemporary casting in American theatre is strongly shaped by people’s ideas about race. There are currently few opportunities for artists of color to participate in theatrical productions or shape how stories about people of color are told. This is widely understood to be a problem, but few people have put forward solutions. One solution already tried was to ignore race altogether and practice colorblind casting. This denied our collective socialization in matters of race and racism, and led to actors of color not being cast at all, or to them being cast in ways that reinforced racist stereotypes. Instead of ignoring race, I propose that we talk about race in an academic and emotional sense to better inform our artistic choices.


REALISE Videos: Developing a free, online video collection to help undergraduate STEM instructors use ac-tive learning in large-enrollment courses

Logan Gin1, Tessa Andrews2, Peggy Brickman2 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, 2University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA

Although teaching solely by lecturing has been widely criticized in undergraduate STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, it remains a common practice (NRC 1996, 2012; AAAS 2011). It is especially common in the large-enrollment courses ubiquitous in undergraduate STEM (NRC 2012). Active learning is a teaching approach that shifts the focus of instruction from a traditional lecture to engaging students in chal-lenging tasks in class. This student-centered approach can involve group problem solving, case-study analyses, and other in-class tasks that facilitate learning. College biology instructors have been slow to adopt active learning, despite its benefits. There are many reasons for this, but one simple problem is that many instruc-tors have never observed these strategies in action (Andrews and Lemons 2015). The Internet provides easy access to videos. Videos allow instructors to see authentic active learning classrooms, raising awareness about these strategies. Additionally, video resources can be used in teaching professional development to stimulate conversations about teaching and learning. The goal of this project was to create a free, online collection of videos that show active learning in large undergraduate STEM courses, and to design and refine the collection to maximize its utility and usability for instructors. A survey embedded in the website, along with interviews with faculty members, will be used to gather data for refinement. We are determining what videos are most appealing, what supplementary resources instructors desire, and how the site design can be improved. Based


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on the results, additional content will be created to better assist instructors in implementing active-learning teaching strategies.


Toddlers’ Attention to Pragmatic Cues: The Role of Language Experience

Cynthia Garcia, Christina Schonberg, Scott Johnson University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

While previous studies show that pragmatic cue attention is important for word learning in children (Tomasello & Akhtar, 1995), fewer studies examine visual attention among younger bilingual children in word learning tasks. Studies show that bilingual children attend to pragmatic cues—non-linguistic cues—more so than mono-lingual children (Brojde, Ahmed & Colunga, 2012; Yow & Markman, 2011). The current study uses eye-tracking to investigate how visual attention during a word-learning task varies between monolingual (n = 10) and bilingual (n = 8) 18 to 22 month olds. In the learning trial, the experimenter presented a novel object, using one of three pragmatic cues (holding novel object, holding and looking at the object, eye gaze toward object), and gave it a name. In the test trial, the novel object from the learning trial was presented alongside a different novel object to see if word learning occurred among the toddlers. Toddlers’ attentional patterns to the experi-menter’s face and novel objects (that were labeled in the learning and test trials) were evaluated using an SR EyeLink 1000 eye-tracking apparatus to measure eye movements. To examine whether word learning occurred, the current study measured how often toddlers attended to the same object (that was labeled in the learning trial) during the test trial. Findings from a 2 x 3 ANOVA illustrate a main effect for cue type; such that, children are more inclined to look at the novel object when the experiment is holding and looking at the object. There were no differences in attentional patterns between monolingual and bilinguals; future analyses will investi-gate how looking behavior between monolinguals and bilinguals may change based on object saliency. These results will expand the current literature on language environment and how the use of social cues influences visual attention and word learning among young bilingual children.


Locating College Choice: Understanding the Available Postsecondary Pathways of Rural Latinas

Mayra Puente, Daniel Solorzano University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

The low college-going rates of rural students remains marginalized in discussions of college access and choice (Antos, 1999; Koricich, 2014; McCracken & Guam, 1991). The scholarship on student college choice rarely addresses students’ geographic context (López, 2009). Furthermore, there is also limited research focusing on both gender and race in the educational trajectories of students from rural communities, particularly, the edu-cational experiences of rural Latinas (Koricich, 2014). Studies largely examine college choice through Hossler and Gallagher’s (1987) three-phase model, which disregards geographic location as a potential indicator of available pathways to higher education (López, 2009). This study will focus on the college choice process of working-class, first-generation Mexican women from California’s Central Valley. Eight college-bound women in their senior year of high school will be recruited to better understand the impact of rurality on postsecondary access. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to highlight the common themes in Central Valley Mexi-can women’s college choice experiences. Additionally, a mapping tool will be used to quantify the distance Central Valley Mexican women are willing to travel to attain their educational goals. Yosso’s (2005) community cultural wealth model will also be applied to understand how Central Valley Mexican women, as rural students, draw on certain forms of cultural capital, such as aspirational and familial capital, to navigate the complex college choice process. This mixed-methods study will contribute to the literature on college choice by ensur-ing that rural students’ college choice experiences and aspirations are represented. Lastly, this study hopes to highlight the role that geographic context can play when addressing the limited educational opportunities


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available to rural students.


Lowering the Percolation Threshold for Electrically Conductive Graphene/Polymer Composites by Aligning Graphene with an Electric Field

Andrew Cannon, Jerry Shan Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

Graphene, a single or few atomic layers of sp2-hybridized carbon in a perfect hexagonal lattice, is the thinnest and one of the most electrically conductive materials. This makes composites incorporating graphene ideal for many applications. Such highly conductive polymers could be used as a cost-effective solution for electromag-netic interference, an increasing concern in the telecommunication sector. Aircraft designers are looking for lighter composite materials that also defend the occupants against high voltages produced in thunderstorms. Graphene composites could also be used for anti-static coatings, adhesives, touch screens, and other elec-tronics. Due to its long thin shape, a low concentration of graphene in a polymer will percolate resulting in a dramatic increase (orders of magnitude) in conductivity. At percolation, a network of filler particles allows elec-trons to pass while avoiding the more insulating matrix material. Our research explored a method for lowering the percolation threshold by aligning the graphene in situ with an electric field. The alignment occurs with the longest axis of the graphene platelet parallel to the electric field.


Superwoman: Navigating the University as a Young Black Student Leader

Khadejah Ray UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Black women at Historically White Institutions (HWI’s) cope with a unique set of gendered and racial microag-gressions by assuming the role of superwoman (Lewis, Mendhell, Harwood, & Hunt, 2012). This role means being resilient, independent, and uplifting one’s community while neglecting self-care, but is also linked to negative health effects such as insomnia, hair loss, anxiety, and depression (Woods-Giscombe, 2010). In un-derstanding how Black women experience this role, I focus on Black women leaders in Black/Afrikan Student Union (BSU/ASU), organizations that aim to uplift the Black community through spreading Black cultural aware-ness, pride, and addressing the social, political, and academic needs of Black students (Williamson, 1999). My study will be conducted through one-on-one semi-structured interviews with eight women at a large, research university in Southern California. I focus on Black women leaders in BSU to better understand how leadership at the intersection of race and gender impacts the internalization of the Superwoman role. This project will de-velop a better understanding of the experiences of Black undergraduate women and their experiences in BSU.


Idaho’s Seasonal Farmworkers

Kimberly Luna Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

Idaho’s agricultural industries depend on Mexican and Mexican-American farmworkers for labor to maintain farms, crops, and livestock. Despite their important role in Idaho’s economy, many farmworkers are undocu-mented and live with the fear of deportation. This study explores Idaho’s Latino migration patterns since the


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railroad companies recruited Mexican immigrants in the early nineteen hundreds to today’s Mexican popula-tion residing in Idaho. Overall, this paper strives to explain why undocumented immigrants are planning to re-main in the United States permanently. In an effort to collect data and understand, a survey was administered in Spanish to 102 seasonal farmworkers who had a residency of more than two years in Idaho. The study finds that 83 percent of undocumented immigrants would remain in the United States rather than return to Mexico. In a previous study (2003), Wampler et al found that 52 percent of undocumented immigrants preferred to stay. The percentage increase will be explained through social factors, rather than economic. Ultimately, this research hopes to inform on the large undocumented Latino population. It is pivotal for Idaho’s lawmakers to make adequate policy implementations to keep a population that has always been crucial to the economic growth of the gem state.


Indigenous Resistance to Schooling: The Revolutionary Spirits of Xican@ Temachtianis

Gustavo Garcia UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

For the last 500 years, Xican@s have faced violent processes of forced conversion and indoctrination by Span-ish missions, and public schools in Nueva Espana, Mexico, and the United States. Although these institutions of public schooling have worked to de-indigenize Xican@ peoples, Xican@ educators in the U.S. have resisted in a multiplicity of ways that include but are not limited to: creating their own educational institutions and indi-genizing their classrooms. Unfortunately for many complex reasons, Xican@ educators and scholars have not published research that speaks to their theories and processes of indigenizing classrooms spaces. Therefore, this research aims to document their experiences by conducting a qualitative study on Xican@ temachtianis (te-mahCH-ti-ah-knees), educators who share ancestral and Indigenous knowledge, in the Los Angeles area (Levya, 2004). More specifically, this study aims to understand the ways in which Xican@ temachtianis are re-sisting and challenging western eurocentric curriculum and pedagogical practices. The project’s goals include: 1) to understand how Indigenous epistemologies influence the way educators conceptualize and construct curriculum; and 2) to unpack how Indigenous epistemologies influence the theory and practice of pedagogy. To gather data, I will conduct semi-structured interviews with Xican@ educators; partake in content analysis of curriculum, units and lesson plans; and engage in participant observation of their courses. By understanding Xican@ approaches to curriculum theory and pedagogical practice, educators can learn Indigenous teachings that help foster spaces of transformational resistance (Solorzano & Bernal, 2001).


Priming Students to Interpret Difficulty Positively in order to Appreciate Desriable Difficulties

Melissa Walman1, Veronica Yan1 ,2, Alan Castel1 1University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

The mindset college students hold regarding the learning process is important to consider when analyzing aca-demic performance. Growth mindset is the belief that intelligence develops through effort and a fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence is static (Yeager & Dweck, 2012). Experienced difficulty in the learning process can be interpreted as impossible or important. Mindsets influence the interpretation of difficulty, which in turn, affects academic performance; however, the combination of mindsets and knowledge of study strategies has not previously been examined (Smith & Osyerman, 2015). Appreciating difficulty influences students to choose desirable difficulties, study strategies that are effective for long-term retention and engage learners by making learning feel more difficult (Bjork, Dunlosky, & Kornell, 2013). In the current study, participants (n =67) from the University of California, Los Angeles and Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), an online participant data-base, were primed to interpret experienced difficulty as important, impossible, or neutral. Participants were


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instructed to learn Swahili-English word pairs; some of which were presented repeatedly, while others were tested repeatedly. This task represented self-testing, a “desirable difficulty” that is effortful and can lead to the experience of making mistakes, but is more efficient for learning than rereading. The study phase was followed by a short delay and final questions were provided after the test phase. We examined whether primed inter-pretations affected monitoring of learning and understanding of what was the more effective learning strategy. Preliminary findings using t-tests found that rating statements about difficulty led to a higher endorsement of a growth mindset. Future analyses will compare college students and MTurk participants to examine judgments regarding which study strategy they find to be more effective. This study will help encourage students as well as teachers to consider other factors that can affect academic performance, like having different mindsets.


Racial bias in feedback?: Whites’ perceptions of Black Evaluators’ critical feedback

Elinam Ladzekpo, Ivuoma Onyeador, Jenessa Shapiro University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Since 1966, Black representation in the American workforce has increased 71%; similarly, the proportion of Blacks in leadership roles increased 670% from 1966 (.87%) to 2013 (6.77%) (U.S. Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission, 2014). Although Blacks are gradually becoming more represented in organizations, limited research has explored how Whites respond to critical feedback from Blacks. Through an experimental design with 500 participants from Amazon Mturk, an online survey system, the present study investigates Whites’ perceptions of Black evaluators’ critical feedback (e.g., critical comments, low essay rating). Race (Black or White) and status (subordinate or supervisor) were manipulated as potential mediators to examine Whites’ perceptions of critical feedback. Based on previous research suggesting that Whites derogate and stereotype members of stigmatized groups for giving critical feedback (Sinclair & Kunda, 1999; Livingston & Sinclair, 2008), I predict that White participants presented with a Black evaluator’s critique of a White writer’s poorly written essay will rate the Black evaluator more negatively than they would a White evaluator. In addition to rating Black evaluators more negatively, I also predict that White participants will suggest that White writers need less remediation when receiving critical feedback from a Black evaluator as opposed to a White evaluator. Find-ings from this study have implications for professional contexts where Whites may discount critical feedback from their Black superiors and associates. As evaluations weigh heavily on the success of employees, being able to give and receive effective and unbiased feedback interracially is essential to the growth of the employ-ee, employer, and organization (Combs & Griffith, 2007).


Danzado to (Re)member: Danza Mexika and the Awakening of Xican@ Indigeneity and Consciousness

Natalia Toscano UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Danza Mexika, which is a tradition of the Mexika or “Aztec” people of Central Mexico, uses dance as a ceremo-nial mechanism for prayer and storytelling. Over the past fifty years, it has become a space for de-indigenized Xican@s to gain an understanding of Indigenous epistemologies and knowledge. The Danza movement in the Southwest of the United States gained popularity during the Chicano movement of the 1960’s and, has since then, been an integral component to the (re)claiming and strengthening of a Chican@ Indigenous identity. Thus as a tradition that has survived and transcended colonialism, Danza Mexika serves as an affirmational space of Xican@ resistance and adversity. This study focuses on the ways in which Danza Mexika informs and drives the development of a Xican@ Indigenous culture, identity, and in particular, delves into the under-standing of an Indigenous consciousness. More specifically, the study explores the process of cultural trans-mission and continuity of Danza Mexika and its effect on Xican@s understanding of Indigeneity and ways of life. This project examines a Danza group located in the San Fernando Valley and will utilize a mixed method


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approach in order to understand the ways in which Xican@s grapple with their Indigeneity and develop an Indigenous consciousness. A six-month participant observation of Danza practices, presentations, and cer-emonies, alongside pláticas will be used to uncover the perspectives of Xican@s who participate in Danza. This research will further our understanding of how this Danza group challenges dominant discourse surrounding Indigeneity and uncovers the way Xicana@s create a space for community transcendence. Furthermore, this study unveils the ways in which Danza fosters a sense of sacred purpose and cultivates an Indigenous consciousness that propels forward the struggle of Indigenous peoples through the continent.


A Review of Psychological Theories and Research on Non-Financial Motivations for Work: Implications for a Basic Income Guarantee

Carla Ventura, Richard Gilbert Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

One of the proposed approaches to addressing the problem of technological unemployment in post-industrial society is for governments to provide its citizens with a Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) – an unconditional, tax-free, guaranteed income, to meet basic needs for subsistence such as food and shelter. In considering the feasibility and benefits of implementing a BIG, questions are often raised around the issue of whether a sub-sidized income would undermine recipients’ motivation to work and lead to a culture of idleness, rather than having the desired effect of facilitating basic economic security in an uncertain labor market. To address this central issue, the current work reviewed and considered psychological theories on the intrinsic motivations to work (i.e. work centrality), and empirical research on the impact of economic windfalls such as inheritance, trust funds, and lottery winnings, on subsequent employment behavior. Collectively, the literature indicated that motivation to work was driven by both financial interests and social-psychological factors such as identity, social status, and social integration. Considering individuals who received a substantial economic windfall, 12% stopped working and 15% reduced their work hours. Summarily, individuals with a high level of work centrality who derived satisfaction from their job, were less likely to change their work habits in response to a windfall. These findings suggest that individuals who receive a financial boost through a small BIG are likely to continue to work, although possibly fewer hours per week, thus indirectly mitigating the expressed concern that a BIG would promote wide spread social idleness.


Lateralized Visual Processing of Faces and Words

Nicole Claiborne, Lars Strother, Matthew Harrison University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

The human ventral visual cortical pathway provides a neural basis for object recognition, and separate neural populations within this pathway process different categories of objects. Two highly familiar but diametrically opposed categories of objects are faces and words, which are preferentially processed in the right and left oc-cipitotemporal cortices, respectively. Here we tested whether or not lateralized visual processing of faces and words can be studied behaviorally using a visual half-field paradigm. The rationale for this approach is that, be-cause visual information is first sent to the contralateral visual cortex, faces should be more quickly processed when viewed in the left visual field and the opposite for words (in individuals with a left-lateralized language system). While there is mixed evidence that this approach is effective, we were able to demonstrate its validity. More importantly, we used this experimental method to study a fundamental difference in the visual process-ing of faces and words with respect to innate processing of visual input versus experience-dependent process-ing of culture-specific visual input (letters and words). Participants in our main experiment viewed male and female faces and names presented in right and left visual hemifields. We found that categorical judgments of


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gender were better for faces in the left hemifields and the opposite for names. This is an important finding that complements a parallel neuroimaging study designed to elucidate fundamental differences in the way our visual system processes biological as compared to linguistic visual stimuli. More generally, the findings from this study support the view that innate visual mechanisms are highly plastic and adaptive to uniquely human behaviors such as reading.


Math: A Key Factor Influencing Students’ Decision in Pursuing STEM Majors

Khanh Tran University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA

Despite strong workforce demands in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, there often seems to be a shortage. The majority of students planning to pursue STEM majors either dropped out of college or switched to non-STEM fields of study. “Among bachelor’s degree students entering STEM fields between 2003 and 2009, nearly one-half (48 percent) had left these fields by spring 2009” (Chen, 2013). This research examines whether math is a barrier that keeps students from pursuing STEM degrees. A research sur-vey was created and sent to students electronically and also in hard-copy form. A total of 107 undergraduates and graduates completed the survey. Data were obtained from survey questions, and the possibility of stu-dents majoring in a STEM field conditioned on their perceptions of math is evaluated using logistic regression. The specified model is able to accurately classify 86.9% of survey respondents. The results presented in this research suggest that math is a key factors affecting students’ decision in whether choosing to major in STEM. This research will contribute to future research on finding suitable solutions to increase the STEM workforce.


Mujeres Malas y Mujeres Buenas: Structures of Power and their Influence on Mestiza Categorization

Brenda Lara University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

In order to understand Mestizas relations to white supremacy and heteropatriarchy, I analyze how Mestizas are racialized, gendered, and sexed across time and space. This investigation draws from Gloria Anzaldúa’s first step of Mestiza Consciousness, which advocates Mestizas to be critical of the histories that have been imposed onto them through colonialism. As a product of colonization, Mestizas are women who emerged from the biological and cultural mixture of Indigenous and Spanish people known as mestizaje. Colonization is the embodiment of heteropatriarchy and white supremacy, which are power structures that privileges hetero-sexual men and whiteness. I argue that these structures have categorized Mestizas throughout history within the dichotomy of malas mujeres (bad women) and mujeres buenas (good women) in Mexico and the United States. Through textual analysis of several works by Chicana historians, such as Deena Gonzalez’s Refusing the Favor, Emma Perez’s The Decolonial Imaginary, and Alicia Gaspar de Alba’s [Un]framing the “Bad Women” I will create a Foucauldian genealogy, a historical timeline used to deconstruct historical events to expose ideologies that are considered “objective truths.” The genealogy will start from the mid-1500s when Spanish blood and culture first penetrated Indigenous society, creating the Mexican-Mestiza in Nueva España. Taking into account the different racial ideologies of Spanish and Anglo-Saxon white supremacy, I shift to an examination of the United States and the genealogy ends in the 1840s to understand how Mestizas were influenced by the Anglo conquest of Mexico’s Northern bodies and land. By demonstrating the effect that white supremacy and heteropatriarchy have had on Mestizas, the research project brings to light the influence power has on the way in which categorization is framed in the history of the United States and Mexico.


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Age and Relational Memory: Using Explicit and Implicit Measures to Evaluate Differences in Relational Memory Performance in Healthy Young and Older Adults

Alice Gavarrete Olvera1 ,2, Kelsey N. Spalding2, Kevin Selden2, Daniel Tranel2, Melissa C. Duff2, David E. Warren3 1Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2University of Iowa, Iowa City,IA, USA, 3University of Ne-braska Medical Center, Omaha,NE, USA

Relational memory involves the formation of arbitrary associations between unrelated stimuli (e.g. faces and scenes). The hippocampus makes a necessary contribution to relational memory, and this contribution can be observed in explicit and implicit measures. Explicit measures indicate that relational memory declines with age, but implicit measures have not been thoroughly studied. Importantly, implicit measures (e.g., eye move-ments) can reveal memory even in the absence of conscious awareness. The present investigation examined the relationship between relational memory performance and age using implicit and explicit measures of hippocampal-dependent relational memory. Participants were separated into three groups: younger adult (age 18-24); older adult group 1 (50-64 y.o.); and older adult group 2 (65-84 y.o.). Participants studied face-scene pairs, and after three presentations of each pair, participants completed a three-alternative-forced-choice (3AFC) associative recognition task followed by a match-detection task (half of the test displays did not contain a studied face-scene pair). Relational memory was evaluated using both explicit measures (overt responses) and implicit measures (eye-movements). Preliminary findings suggest that explicit memory performance dur-ing the 3AFC task was selectively impaired in older adult group 2 as compared to younger adults (p = .027). However, analyses comparing eye-movements made to selected matching faces (i.e., requiring relational memory) versus selected non-matching faces (i.e., not requiring relational memory) revealed that all age groups showed early, relational-memory dependent viewing effects within 750-1000 ms. Our findings link age and with changes in explicit — but not implicit — relational memory which may be attributable to age-related hippocampal atrophy.


Expanding the Scope of the Pauson-Khand Reaction: Dichloroacetylene as a Substrate in the Intermolecular Pauson-Khand Reaction

Michelle Fuhrman University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA

Five-membered rings are very common in biologically active molecules, with cyclopentenones, such as cyclo-pentenone prostaglandins, exhibiting characteristic biological activity. The Pauson-Khand reaction (PKR) is a powerful organocobalt-mediated reaction that can be used for the efficient, atom-economical synthesis of highly-functionalized cyclopentenones from a variety of simple alkene and alkyne starting materials. However, its synthetic utility has been limited mostly to intramolecular applications, with the intermolecular variety being plagued by problems with reactivity and regioselectivity and limited in its scope mostly to reactions between strained bicyclic alkenes, such as norbornadiene, and symmetrical or terminal alkynes, which are gen-erally more expensive than the corresponding alkenes and produce exclusively α-substituted cyclopentenones. Dichloroacetylene has not been explored in organometallic reactions. It is readily produced from trichloroeth-ylene, typically in-situ because of the explosive nature of pure dichloroacetylene. There are several procedures which can be used to stabilize dichloroacetylene, including distillation in a 1:1 molar ratio with diethyl ether. This project explores the use of dichloroacetylene as the acetylenic substrate in the PKR; the α,β-dichloro-α,β-cyclopentenone products that would result would be very difficult to synthesize otherwise. Subsequent, selective functionalization of the two C-Cl bonds at the α- and β- positions is well-known to proceed via various palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions, resulting in a wide variety of highly-functionalized cyclopente-nones.


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Reaction of Ketone Donors and Aldehyde Acceptors Via the Hydrogen Borrowing Method With Secondary Amine and RUthenium Catalysts to yield Hydroxyaldehydes

Kegan Rahe University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

The aldol reaction in organic chemistry is a powerful synthetic tool for the formation of a C-C bonds and has therefore been used extensively in many synthetic organic reactions since its discovery in the late 19th century. This reaction affords synthetic chemists the ability to expand the skeletal structure of organic molecules while retaining excellent stero- and enantio selective control over the hydroxyaldehyde products. The aldol-type’s reaction ability to induce asymmetrical hydroxyaldehyde formation is therefore of great synthetic use in the pharmaceutical, biological, and industrial sectors. This reaction, however, has been almost solely limited to the reaction between a carbonyl and a ketone, ester, or amide derived enolate. There have been fewer studies into aldehyde/aldehyde enolate reactions or, even more remotely, between aldehyde acceptor and ketone donor to produce similar hydroxyaldehyde products. The purpose of this research is to synthesize a hydroxyaldehyde is via the addition of a ketone donor to an aldehyde acceptor. This is accomplished by way of the hydrogen borrowing method using a ruthenium transition metal and secondary amine catalyzed reaction. In so doing, this reaction explores a new method to producing uniquely substituted aldol-type products. Mechanically, the ruthenium readily converts a primary alcohol to an aldehyde and yields a ruthenium hydride intermediate. Subsequently, the secondary amine organocatalyst preferentially condenses with the aldehyde over the ketone to form a nucleophilic enamine intermediate. The enamine/aldehyde adduct then reacts with the ketone to produce a hydroxyaldehyde product. This is then reduced back down to the alcohol by the ruthenium hydride; the ruthenium hydride prevents a retro aldol reaction and yields a diol aldol-type or enolate product.


Renewable resources: a driver for economic growth

Sean Ippolito Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

Global damage and irreversible effects from climate change motivate the development of sustainable ap-proaches to economic growth. We extend the endogenous growth framework with a renewable natural resource which opens the discussion to weak and strong sustainability. Weak sustainability allows for limitless substitution between types of capital (e.g. natural to manufactured) while strong sustainability requires avoid-ing crossing planetary boundaries. The use of nonrenewable resources has increasing costs due to depletion and pollution. This has significant effects on the total value of natural capital and climate change. In our model, renewable natural capital is central in production and innovation. The risk is very high in allowing the non-renewable resource base to deplete since natural capital is essential to the production process. Renewable resource technologies, while costly to implement, are essential as substitutes in for non-renewables in the long run as we face uncertainty from global change. We examine the implications of introducing renewable resourc-es in the endogenous economic growth framework. Romer (1990) introduced endogenous growth by placing emphasis on human capital as a major driver of innovation. Barbier (1999) expanded this framework to include a single exhaustible resource, natural capital. These developments further explained economic growth, in-novation, and the production process. We compare the growth rates, steady state, and dynamics across these models so that we more effectively capture non-linearities and feedback loops. Finally, we explore the question of whether a weak or strong sustainability viewpoint in an endogenous growth framework leads to economic collapse or prosperity.


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To be Young, Gifted and BLACK

Amanda Eke University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA

For decades, black female musicians have contributed to the essential fold of artistry within the United States. Yet, their role as artists has invariably been complicated, if not intrinsically marred, by pressures to become figureheads of socio-political movements. As a result, their public statements have become topics of dialogue and debate for the greater world stage. My research identifies the black female artist as political activist. In both past generations and contemporary times, black female musicians have sought to portray a more multi-faceted and multi-dimensional version of artistry within their music. My presentation investigates this his-tory through song production; lyrical production, music videos, as well as gender roles played by black female musicians, such as, Nina Simone and Beyoncé Knowles Carter. I compare this paradigm to emerging artistic paradigms such as Afro-futurism and social media that actively engage in portraying artistry in a different lens of density. Ultimately this project seeks to use these layers to identify the complex mural of black artistry that exists


Assessing Multiple-Paternity in the Green Lynx Spider Peucetia viridans

Anjali Chakravarti, Nadine Del Rosario, Alejandra Garcia, Anahi Leiva Partnoy, Lauren Sarni, Martina Ramirez Loyola Marymount UNniversity, Los Angeles, CA, USA

In prior studies of P. viridans, Ramirez et al. (2009, 2010) showed that copulatory plugs were not consistently produced after mating, potentially yielding broods with multiple paternity. To better estimate the potential for multiple paternity in P. viridans, 14 females and their brood spiderlings were collected from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles, California. The progeny data was then genetically assessed to determine single or multiple paternity. Female spiders and their broods were analyzed using genotypes at two variable allozyme loci, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI). Three females and their broods showed multiple paternal alleles or a significant deviation from a Mendelian genotype ratio for either LDH and/or PGI. The low frequency of multiple paternity reported by Ramirez et al. (2009), 2 of 12 broods, coupled with the current results, 3 of 14 broods, may be indicative of limited opportunities for the female spider to encounter multiple male partners. Arango et al. (2000), who analyzed broods collected from a site in Mexico, found that the female/male sex ratio shifted from 1:1.5 in April to 1:1 in September. The implication was that females that reached adulthood later in the year may have had access to fewer males, thus reducing the potential for multiple paternity. If a similar seasonal sex ratio shift occurs in southern California, this may explain the low frequency of multiple paternity documented by Ramirez et al. (2009) and the current study.


Effects of Religious Cultural Beliefs on the Relationship with the Environment of Traditional & Christianized Hmong in Thailand & California

Danny DeSantiago UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

The Hmong, a traditionally animistic ethnic group from Asia primarily lives in ecosystems which suffer from intense degradation.[1]Studies that have investigated the connection between religion and environmentalism in Hmong territory and culture are scarce. Many scholars suggest animists have a profound relationship with


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nature due to the interconnection of divinity in natural phenomenon.[2]Using semi-structured interviews and a phemenological grounded approach, I investigated the link between the Hmong’s spirituality and relation-ship with the environment in terms of perception and management and also how Christianity may impact that relationship. Data was acquired from Hmong in California and Thailand. I conclude the following: the traditional system is more environmental than that of Christianity because it based on not only faith, but also a manifestation of the spiritual as empirical occurrences in nature, which has stronger effects on awareness and behaviors in the environment. The herbal practice, also spiritually motivated, can provide a direct benefit by controlling overharvesting. However, the relationship of Christianity and the animist tradition is complex with the potential for inevitable fusion and crossing over, which supports the assertion of it being more akin to a natural phenomenon as it has the ability to even transcend religions. This research overall theorizes on a how different pieces of an animist system can lead to practical sustainable outcomes and how the mental aberra-tion of spirits is conceptualized to make it have such a significant impact in how Hmong understanding and engage with nature.

[1]Donald Allan Gilmour et al, “Rehabilitation of Degraded Forest Ecosystems in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam,” (IUCN Asia, 2000): 1,3,11.

[2]Roger S. Gottlieb, the Oxford Handbook of Religion & Ecology, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010).


The Importance of Creating Hijabi Counter-Narratives in a Post-9/11 World

Alaa Al-Barkawi Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

In this research, I will be discussing the depictions and representation of Muslims and people of the Middle East in post and pre-9/11 forms of literature. Using concepts of orientalism and neo-orientalism, I will be breaking down the history of colonization on these nations and people to explain our current othering and alienation in our post 9/11 world.

While generally Muslim and Middle Eastern people are alienated in Westernized depictions, in this research, I will specifically be looking at the presence of hijabi women. I use the term hijabi to describe women who wear the Islamic headscarf in the Western world or who are being portrayed by the Western World by popular forms of media such as books, television, and films. I believe the common depictions of the hijab as a source of oppression and terrorism is evidence of the alienation and exotification that existed and continues to exist in orientalist and neo-orientalist thought in regards to Middle Eastern and Muslim people. Furthermore, I claim that counter-narratives written by hijabi women can help bridge the gaps of understanding concepts such as Islamophobia and xenophobia. While art itself cannot solve the impending political problems in the U.S. and beyond, the changing of depictions can have further impact our own biases, as representation, not visibility, ultimately affect our larger understanding of terrorism, oppression, and violence in relation to the Middle Eastern and Muslim world.


Effects of MicroRNA Dosage in the Gene Regulation of the MeCP2 Protein

Andres Villegas, Heather McGowan, Zhiping Pang Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, function primarily by patrolling the cytosol in search for complementary messenger RNA (mRNA) targets. In doing so, miRNAs are able to establish mRNA threshold


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levels and, thereby, allow fine-tuning of gene expression. Pathology may result when miRNAs are expressed at anomalous levels. To elucidate the effects of miRNA dosage on the developing and maturing Central Nervous System (CNS), a model of the endogenous aberrant miRNA expression is necessary. Trisomy 21 (T21) provides such a model, whereby afflicted individuals inherit three copies of chromosome 21 (HSA21) resulting in a variety of overt phenotypes including ranging cognitive disabilities among its population. Of special note is the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) that has been implicated to be vital for synaptogenesis and plasticity in the developing brain. In particular, converging evidence points to the synapse as a focal point for the cogni-tive disability phenotype seen in T21. We hypothesize that since certain miRNAs, overexpressed by the extra HSA21, target the MeCP2 mRNA its expression level should be decreased accordingly, and provide a novel ex-planation for the cognitive abnormalities via synaptic dysfunction seen in T21. My role in this ongoing investi-gation is to facilitate experimentation by investigating MeCP2 expression level in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and Neuronal coverslips. Experiments used to test this hypothesis include basic cell culture techniques, immunostaining, western blotting, and luciferase analysis. Preliminary data indicates that MeCP2 expression is indeed downregulated in overexpressed iPS cells further augmenting the known literature on the causes and possible treatment for T21.


A Mixed Methods Study of Preconception Health Literacy Among College Students

Teresa Duarte Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Since approximately fifty percent of all pregnancies are unplanned in the United States, preconception health literacy is important for all women of childbearing age to prevent infant mortality and morbidity. Preconcep-tion healthcare focuses on taking steps to protect the health of a baby in the future. Common concerns for infants include low birth weight, which is associated with smoking, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which are associated with alcohol use during pregnancy, and lack of folic acid in the diet prior to conception, which is associated with neural tube defects, among many other concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess baseline and endline preconception health knowledge among college students in relation to a proposed preconception health peer counseling program on a college campus. Questionnaires and interviews were developed and pre-tested with a convenience sample of twenty college students between the ages of 18-24. Results will be used to develop an appropriate curriculum for a proposed preconception health peer counsel-ing program in collaboration with the Utah Department of Health.


Entrepreneurship and Inequality: How Small Businesses Affect Communities in the United States

Mary Quiroga University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA

Increasingly, economists and the general population are concerned with the rising levels of inequality in the United States. As the US economy crawled out of the Great Recession, corporations were bailed out by the government and retained their profits while everyday people continued to struggle financially. Many econo-mists agree that entrepreneurship ought to lead to growth. However as Americans have witnessed recently, not all growth is equitable. This work uses the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, Gini coefficients, and GDP data to compare levels of entrepreneurship, growth, and inequality in the United States. The preliminary results show a positive relationship between entrepreneurship and inequality.



Abstracts

Effects of Diet-Induced Obesity and Exercise on Knee Joint Tissues of Mice Bred for High Voluntary Exercise

Hannah Taff1 ,2, Erika Barboza1, Thomas Meek3, Theodore Garland Jr3, Timothy Griffin1 ,4 1Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, 2East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, USA, 3University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA, 4University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

INTRODUCTION: Health responses to exercise training are partially controlled by genetics, making it difficult to tease apart the specific benefits of exercise versus genetic background. This study took advantage of mice that were selectively bred for high running behavior to evaluate the role of genetic background on the effects of diet-induced obesity and exercise on aspects of bone, muscle, and knee fat related to musculoskeletal health.

METHODS: Studies were performed on mice selectively bred for high runner behavior (HR) fed either a standard diet (SD) or a Western diet (WD) with or without running wheels (Meek et al. 2014). Femur and tibia bone mineral density (BMD) and quadriceps muscle fat content were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Dexa). Knee joints were fixed and embedded for histological sectioning. Knee infrapatellar fat pad sections were stained with Sirius Red and adipocyte size was quantified using Bioquant software. Student’s t-test was used for a baseline comparison between genotypes on a SD without exercise. We did not observe baseline differences by genotype; therefore, the effect of WD and exercise were assessed separately in control or HR line mice by 2-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: Exercise decreased muscle fat only in the HR Line mice fed a WD. In contrast, exercise decreased knee fat adipocyte diameter only in the Control Line mice. WD increased quadriceps mass in both control and HR mice. WD or exercise did not affect BMD in either line of mice.

CONCLUSION: Genetic background related to fitness level is an important determinant of how exercise and a Western diet affect musculoskeletal tissues, especially related to lipids.


The Inhabitant of the Cordilleras: An Andean Expression of Art in Paris

Valerie Saiag UC San Diego, La Jolla CA, USA

When the enigmatic Peruvian artist Francisco Laso exhibited at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1855, the French art world’s attention was caught by his two highly ambiguous images: the mysterious Inhabit-ant of the Cordilleras and the scowling portrait of the Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro. What was their connection? What hidden message did they convey about an ancient civilization and the Spanish Conquest? From the Mochica jar held by the Inhabitant, to the Jesuit-like robes he wore, Laso left many clues for us to follow, and a 17th-century Peruvian chronicle written by Guaman Poma de Ayala may help find the answers to the message from the Andes.


Absorption of CO2 from syngas using a hollow fiber membrane

David Hernandez University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA

An issue worth addressing is that concerning fossil fuels, which are non-renewable energies that contribute to the pollution of our environment. Biomass, which produces a synthetic gas known as “Syngas”—that offers an


Abstracts

alternative fuel source when it is pure—has therefore become a promising prospect for a clean and renewable source of energy. Unfortunately, the syngas obtained from biomass come with several impurities, such as CO2, that impede its direct use. The gas impurities generated by gasification cause several operating problems to facilities during the post-gasification process, which result in high production costs. This has increased research over the past several decades for improving the cleaning process of syngas. The goal of my research is to thus remove CO2 during the gasification stage, which would decrease the amount of impurities for the later stages and, as such, decrease the production cost. In order to achieve this, a hollow fiber ceramic membrane is packed with a CO2 absorbent that makes contact with syngas as they flow through the ceramic membrane. The absorbent removes the CO2 from the syngas, hence cleaning the syngas from one of its impurities. The expected results of this research is for the absorbent to remove a large amount of CO2 at low flow rates. As the flow rate increases, the absorption rate will decrease but should still remove a significant amount of CO2, which will reduce the operating cost if successful.


The Militarization of Latina/o Youth

Estephanie Munoz California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, USA

Participants’ names have been replaced by the pseudonyms of “Andres,” “Edgar,” “Luis,” and “Martha” with the purpose of maintaining confidentiality.

As the fastest growing population in the United States, Latinas/os have become the most enticing group for the military to recruit. The Department of Defense reports that the Latina/o population made up 20% of the recruiting market in 2010 and it will comprise 38% by 2050. There is limited information regarding the experi-ences of Latina/o youth, specifically those who defer a post-secondary education to join the military. Educa-tional attainment among U.S. Latinas/os has improved in recent years, but this group continues to hold the lowest educational attainment in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups. The presentation showcases the experiences of four Latina/o youth who consider military service as the most viable option, centralizing on the following two questions: Why do Latina/o youth join the military? How does that decision impact their motiva-tions for a higher education? Based on the findings, three themes associated with the experiences of four Latina/o youth are presented: escaping Baldwin Park, under-resourced/poor education, military as “better” option. These four individuals were raised in the city of Baldwin Park, a low-income community located in the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County. An in-depth analysis is presented through fragments of the semi-structured interviews of each individual. The interviews captured information regarding their familial and educational background with the purpose of pinpointing the factors that prompted them to join the military. This presentation highlights the importance of acknowledging the experiences of Latina/o youth in order to un-derstand the factors that prompt them to enlist in military service. At the same time, to use these experiences to help improve the leaks within the educational pipeline to increase the educational attainment of Latinas/os.


Investigating the Role of Mediodorsal Thalamus in Cortical Communication

Cynthia Holler, Brett Gibson, Robert Mair, Erica Brasley University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

Normal function of memory, attention and decision making processes requires effective communication between areas of prefrontal cortex (PFC). It is speculated that the brain accomplishes such communication in part by synchronizing the activity of the areas involved. Studies have uncovered reciprocal anatomical links between mediodorsal nucleus (MD), located within the thalamus, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), but


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the precise interaction of the two areas remains elusive. It is hypothesized that MD controls the flow of com-munication throughout areas of cortex by regulating the frequency of activity within mPFC, thus synchronizing or desynchronizing its activity with other areas of cortex. In this way, MD may contribute to memory, atten-tion and decision making function by altering the frequency of mPFC. This study investigates the MD/mPFC interaction in rats. The activity of mPFC neurons is recorded as the preoperatively trained rats completes a task requiring attention, memory and decision making. To observe how MD influences the frequency of mPFC, activity is recorded on three consecutive days. On day one normal mPFC activity is recorded. On day two mPFC activity is recorded while MD is temporarily inactivated. Finally, on day three, after the MD inactivation has worn off, mPFC activity is recorded to determine if activity returns to normal. We expect that mPFC will display event-related activity within delta and gamma frequencies, that such frequencies will be disrupted when the MD is inactivated, and that the delta and gamma frequencies will return on day three. These data will highlight the importance of interactions between MD and mPFC during attention, memory and decision making tasks.


Mixed Methods Evaluation of Kids Play International’s Impact on Child Nutrition

Taylor Kelso Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Though changes in gender equity and steps to improve child nutrition have been made in Rwanda, Africa, gen-der inequality and child malnutrition persist. Additionally, there is scarce data on nutrition status of children older than five years. Among children younger than five, more than 40% experienced stunting in height be-tween 1995 and 2013. This is a longitudinal cohort study of baseline and follow-up measure that assesses child nutrition status over time (N=129) in Kids Play International (KPI), an afterschool sports program promoting gender equality among genocide-affected populations, and evaluates the program’s effect on gender equal-ity within the community. The relationship between the World Health Organization’s height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ)/BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ) and socio-demographic characteristics is determined through bivariate analysis. To evaluate impact on gender equality, we use grounded theory to analyze a focus group discussion with several KPI coaches, eliciting themes concerning the coaches’ perspectives of gender equality changes. The results indicate that the nutrition status of KPI’s participants improves over time. At baseline (n=67), 35% of child participants are approaching stunting, while 28% are stunted. With a p-value of 0.003, height-for-age improves significantly over time in the program (n=30), suggesting a decrease in chronic malnutrition. The relationships between nutrition status and socio-demographic characteristics may determine which factors promote nutritional health. The focus group discussion suggests KPI’s positive impact on change in gender roles and an improved sense of community. This study may therefore contribute to efforts that positively affect gender equity globally. Due to the small sample size of this study and aging out of the program, more frequent measurements within and outside of KPI is recommended to determine the cause of improved nutrition status. Intervention with food supplements to children with dangerously low HAZ or BAZ scores and follow-up mea-sures are also recommended.


Health Reform in the 1920s and 1930s: U.S. Involvement in the Creation of the “Overpopulation Crisis” in Puerto Rico

Tyrian Robertson Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, USA

This research project looks specifically at the U.S. territory and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the devel-opment of the “overpopulation crisis” managed by birth control and health reform. Health reform in Puerto Rico during the 1920s and 1930s was heavily influenced by U.S. interests in economic and medical advance-ments to promote “modernity” and “development”. This research helps to bring transparency to the involve-


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ment of the United States in health reform, where motivations are driven by U.S. interests, at the expense of the health, livelihood, and freedom of Puerto Ricans, specifically Puerto Rican women.


Experiences with Community Resources and Supports for LGBTQ Ethnic and Racial Minority Adolescents in British Columbia, Massachusetts and Minnesota

Sofia Beltran4, Cheryl Valdez1, Carolyn Porta3, Marla Eisenberg3, Jennifer Wolowic2, Heather Corliss1 1San Diego State University, San Diego, USA, 2University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada, 3Univer-sity of Minnesota, Minnesota, USA, 4University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, USA

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) ethnic/racial minority adolescent popula-tions experience disproportionate health risks (e.g., violence victimization, depressive distress). Linking these adolescents to supportive community resources (e.g., Gay-Straight Alliances) is a key strategy for addressing their health disparities. Intersectionality frameworks can be applied to understand how LGBTQ ethnic/racial minority adolescents navigate their environments and experience community supports. As part of Project RESPEQT, thirty-three LGBTQ ethnic/racial minority adolescents aged 14-19 years participated in go-along interviews. During audio-recorded interviews, participants toured their community to discuss supportive and non-supportive environments and resources. We used content analysis methods to analyze the interview transcripts. Three major themes were identified: 1) privileges and disadvantages associated with intersecting statuses; 2) impacts of intersecting statuses on their perspectives of their environment, community and them-selves; and 3) influences of intersecting statuses on accessibility to supportive resources. Intersecting statuses contributed to how participants negatively and positively perceived their communities and themselves, and how they were able to access and utilize resources. Findings underscore the importance of considering inter-secting LGBTQ and ethnic/racial minority statuses for understanding adolescents’ experiences with community resources for supporting their health.


Glutamine Synthetase Activity and Morphology of Astrocytic C6-Glioma Cells Exposed to Testosterone

Theodore Ruffins, Esther Penick Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, USA

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell in the central nervous system and support neurons by regulating the ion and neurotransmitter concentration in the extracellular environment. One specific role of astrocytes is the regulation of glutamate concentrations. Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, is taken up by astrocytes and converted into glutamine using the enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). Alterations in the concentration of astrocytic GS has been linked with several neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s, ALS, and epilepsy. In nonpathological conditions, GS concentration is altered by the presence of the steroids estrogen and cortisol. Astrocytes also contain androgen receptors and testosterone has been shown to alter astrocyte morphology in vivo, yet is is unknown whether testosterone changes GS concentration or the mor-phology of astrocytes directly. Therefore, we have exposed C6 glial cells in vivo to 10 nM testosterone. Our preliminary findings show that C6 glial cells in testosterone exhibit an altered morphology compared to un-treated cells. We will further explore whether glutamine synthetase concentration is affected by the presence of testosterone. Our findings will lead to a better understanding of the role of testosterone-mediated changes in astrocytes.



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Who We Are and How We Say it: An Exploration of Pronouns and Transgender Identities

Rory Wilson, Charlotte Witt University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

To many “he” or “she” is just a word, but for the transgender individual these words pose an emotionally charged socialization. While the trans community has recognized the significance of accurate language in including trans persons in social groups, the relationship between language and an individual’s identity has yet to be fully explored. This research seeks to define the role of pronouns in their connection to the trans individ-ual’s connection to gender identity. Specifically, how someone’s use of accurate pronouns may recognize who an individual is and the adverse impact of inaccurate language. To do this, this study must also define identity to touch upon how individuals can have an autonomous social identity, and what makes the recognition of a person as they see themselves significant, and how that significance has ethical implications for inaccurate language. Ultimately, this study seeks to define the relationship between pronouns, social identity, and gender identity for an individual to ultimately determine the nature of gender identity and the ethical necessity of the proper reflection of that identity in language.


Examining Confidence and Persistence Among Working Latina College Students

Elisa Magallanes UC Davis, Davis, California, USA

Research shows that more than 80 percent of undergraduate students work part-time, which has both disad-vantages and benefits for student skill development. As a growing student population, Latinas/os students tend to have off campus employment and work longer hours in comparison to other students, which can cause de-lays in graduation and slightly decrease GPA. Earlier studies have primarily explored the relationship between work and academics through quantitative approaches and have focused on homogeneous groups of students. This study undertook a qualitative approach to examine how an on-campus, high impact job influenced first generation, low-income, Latina college students’ confidence and persistence. From our data analysis, three sa-lient themes arose: a network of support, empowerment as leaders and skills for long-term success. This study uses Laura Rendon’s (1994) Validation Theory as a theoretical framework to show that receiving validation and motivation in academic settings enables students to persist.


Sa-I-Gu: Revisiting the Los Angeles Riots through a Korean Perspective

Josephine Chi California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA

In April 1992, the infamous beating of Rodney King caused riots in the streets of South Central, Los Angeles. These uprisings snowballed, starting with tension between blacks and whites, eventually reeling in the Latinos and Koreans. However, the media exacerbated racial tensions between all the involved groups. This project looks at the 1992 LA Riots as a platform to examine the media’s impact on the power structure and misrep-resentation of Korean Americans during the riots. I turn to the works of Elaine Kim and Edward Chang, who argue that Koreans are constantly placed as a pawn in a racial hierarchy that they know very little about. In addition, my research will critically analyze the nature of the Korean and African American conflict by analyzing the stories from American and Korean news outlets. Doing so will add to my argument that Koreans were used as collateral to hide the police corruption during the riots, and furthermore, provide insight on the voices that have for so long remained silent.


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Effect of Land Use on Sediment Transport in Streams Draining Coastal Watersheds

Moussa Siri University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA

This research is conducted to understand sediment dynamics in streams of varying land use around Durham, New Hampshire (NH). Sediment deposition in the coastal environment can modify forest production as well as biological habitats, affecting food webs and fish populations (Gamvroudis et al. 2014). The response of sediment transport to land use change in shallow sloped coastal watersheds, across different flow levels is not entirely understood. The study will focus on the impacts of land use, flow levels, and stream slope on sedi-ment concentration and transport in streams. This study is part of a larger study conducted by the Plum Island Ecosystem Long Term Ecological Research program, funded by the National Science Foundation (Wollheim et al. 2005). The research will focus on measurement of suspended sediments draining streams (channel of sedi-ments) of different land use across different flow levels in the Oyster River watershed. The study will compare sediment concentrations and fluxes in one forested headwater stream, one urban headwater stream, and one agricultural stream. These will be compared to the concentrations and fluxes at the mouth of the Oyster River where it enters into the Great Bay in order to quantify retention by the river network. At each site, we will target sampling of sediments across a range of flows to estimate the concentration vs. discharge relationships. Existing water level loggers already deployed will be used to estimate discharge at each site. Findings will inform how land use change alters stream loading to the river network, and how effective the river network is at retaining incoming sediments across different flow conditions.


Dragons, Elves, and the Racism That Binds it All Together:The World of Dragon Age As a Race-Based Society as Explored Through the Experiences of the Elves of Thedas

Cassandra Gutierrez Knox College, Galeburg, Illinois, USA

This paper explores the existence of a race-based society in the video game universe of the Dragon Age game series as analyzed through the perspective of the race of elves within the world. The argument for Thedas - the world in which Dragon Age takes place - being reflective of our own reality in the way Thedosian societies have organized themselves around race and emphasized biological essentialism is made through analyzing the game serie’s lore on the history of the elves and their treatment as shown throughout the series.


Synthesis of Indolylmalonamides and Analysis of their Photophysical Properties

Blanca Gomez1, Julia Jennings1, Annaliese Franz1 1University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA, 2Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Malonamides have a diamide structure that has potential applications in ligands for metals, nuclear waste sequestration and fluorescent chemosensors. Our lab has developed a multicomponent reaction catalyzed by rare earth salts La(OTf)3 and Sc(OTf)3 to access indolylmalonamides, a new class of malonamides. These com-pounds show interesting properties that are affected by their chemical structure, including photophysical and metal binding properties. Of specific interest is the phenol moiety of these malonamides. To assess the affect of the phenol group on fluorescence, a library of compounds was synthesized to study the structure activ-


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ity relationship (SAR). Based on literature precedence, I hypothesized that the addition of electron-donating groups would increase fluorescence intensity. These compounds were synthesized using 8-methoxycoumarin-3-carboxylate, 6-fluorocoumarin-3-carboxylate, coumarin-3-carboxylate and diethyl benzylidene malonate to afford the electron-withdrawing, electron-donating, neutral and phenyl indolylmalonamides respectively. The absorbance, excitation and emission spectra were analyzed in order to assess the quantum yields, Stokes shifts and molar absorptivity values of the compounds. Indolylmalonamides contain an indolyl moiety at the R1 posi-tion, which are commonly associated with fluorescence. However, literature suggests that neighboring diamide structures quench indole fluorescence. This prompted our lab to study the structure activity relationship by adding different nucleophiles at this position, such as methallyltrimethylsilane. Future work will focus on the examination of the amine component on the malonamides for a full outlook on the correlation between struc-ture and function of these malonamides.


The Role of Ethnic Inequality in Explaining Al-Qaeda’s Differential Success in Mali

Lamin Keita University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA

This research offers new insights into why Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been more success-ful in implementing its radical religious ideology and practices in the ethnically defined northern region of Mali than in the equally ethnically defined south since 2012. The entrenchment of radical Jihadism has usually been associated with the repression and intolerance of recalcitrant minorities in authoritarian societies like Algeria, Libya, and Somalia, but Mali is different in that it has a history of political and religious tolerance dating back to the 19th century. Equally long-standing, however, are severe economic and political inequalities between the northern region of the country, peopled mostly by the Tuaregs, and the south, peopled mostly by the Bambaras. My hypothesis is that these inequalities encouraged the Tuaregs to embrace AQIM and its teachings as a means of improving their position in Mali society. The Bambaras, in contrast resisted AQIM radicalization efforts precisely to maintain their position of privilege. The project’s research methodology is qualitative, with the actual evidence used coming from telephone interviews with imams, journalists, and academics in Mali.


Examining the link between teachers’ ratings of students’ abilities and the development of gender dispari-ties in students’ achievement and domain-specific self-efficacy beliefs related to elementary and middle school reading and math

David Castallano-Ladd University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA

Previous research has attempted to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the underrepresentation of women in certain high-status science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related (STEM) college majors and professions. Still, these mechanisms are not fully understood. Using multiple quantitative methods and data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort, this study explores one possible cause by examining the link between teachers’ ratings of students’ abilities and the development of gender disparities in both students’ achievement and domain-specific self-efficacy beliefs related to elementary and middle school reading and math. Teachers’ ratings of students’ abilities in reading and math serve as proxies for the amount of attention, encouragement, and praise a teacher provides a student in these subject areas. Previous research has shown that teachers offer varying levels of support to students based on initial percep-tions of ability, which might ultimately lead to significant differences in students’ academic achievement and self-efficacy beliefs. This is important, as reading and math are two subject areas often considered to be gen-dered, with female students generally perceived to be better at reading and male students generally perceived


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to be better at math. Considering this, and the fact that math is an important skill underlying STEM achieve-ment, the potential effect of teachers’ subjective perceptions of students’ abilities on the development of gender disparities in students’ self-efficacy beliefs related to math, in particular, might explain female students’ long-term avoidance of high-status STEM-related college majors and professions, despite female students’ greater overall academic performance.


Testing Attentional Capture by Abrupt Onsets

Cristina Ceja1, Nicholas Gaspelin2, Steven J. Luck1 ,2 1University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA, 2Center for Mind and Brain, Davis, California, USA

Researchers have long debated whether salient-but-irrelevant stimuli can involuntarily “capture” visual atten-tion. At the center of this debate are bright stimuli that appear suddenly, called abrupt onsets. Interestingly, there is little consensus whether abrupt onsets can actually capture attention in a fully automatic manner. On one hand, stimulus-driven theorists propose that abrupt onsets will always capture visual attention, no matter the individual’s intentions. On the other hand, goal-driven theorists propose that the ultimate intention of an individual determines whether abrupt onsets can capture visual attention. Problematically, both theories make opposite predictions about when to expect capture in the real world. In this study, we test a hybrid account of attentional capture called signal-suppression hypothesis. No studies have previously assessed whether this account generalizes to abrupt onsets, which are largely considered to be a more potent class of salient distrac-tors. We will have participants search for simple shapes, while ignoring an abrupt onset distractor. Critically, we will measure cue validity effects to determine whether attention was involuntarily captured, while also dili-gently ruling out displaywide accounts of capture. Through this study, we hope to provide more data support-ing a hybrid theory that includes both stimulus-driven and goal-driven theories to resolve this long-standing debate over how visual attention is captured.


Effects of Juglone on Southern California Annual Herbs

Borman Quinonez California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, California, USA

In response to the recent California drought, many cities have started to stress to its residents the importance of conserving water (dpw.lacounty.gov); native plants from arid environments have been touted as a way to help individuals and municipalities can meet the water-use reductions imposed by the state. Most native plants will fare well when partnered with other native plants, especially those with which they are sympat-ric, but there are some plants that produce chemicals that are toxic to other plants. One such tree is Juglans californica (California Black Walnut), which, like other members of its genus, produces an allelopathic chemi-cal known as juglone (5 hydroxy-1,4- napthoquinone; Cosmulescu et al. 2014). Juglans californica is a tree of a manageable size that would make a great addition to any native California landscape, but is often passed over due to the unknown effects that juglone may have on other species. The aim of the experiment is to identify companion plantings for J. californica by testing how the seed germination and seedlings of native plant spe-cies respond to exposure of different concentrations of juglone (Questad 2014). In particular, this research will study the following native and non native annuals that can co-occur with J. californica in the walnut wood-lands of Southern California: (invasive) Brassica nigra (black mustard), Carduus pycnocephalus (Italian thistle), Hirschfeldia incana (shortpod mustard), (native) Amsinckia menziesii (common fiddleneck), Deinandra fascicu-late (clustered tarweed), Phacelia distans (distant phacelia), and Pseudognaphalium californicum (California everlasting).


Abstracts


The “Bittersweet” Tale of Urbanization: Challenging Diabetes with Ancestral Mesoamerican Food Traditions

Marco Ramirez California State University, Northridge, California, USA

Acculturation, defined as “cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrow-ing traits from another culture,” is one of the consequences that Mexican-origin migrants face when migrat-ing to the U.S. However, specifically in regards to diet, acculturation may well begin prior to migration. Latino migrants living in urban areas prior to migrating to the U.S. after 2000 already displayed signs of disease-prone dietary habits, such as consuming processed foods (Martinez, 2013). Thus, food acculturation begins before migration, which explains why migrants’ health further declines as a response to U.S. acculturation. In es-sence, this dietary shift from ancestral food traditions to transnational processed-food acculturation partly accounts for the alarming rates of diabetes in Mexican-origin communities. Moreover, “From 1994 to 2006, the national prevalence of diabetes in Mexico more than doubled, going from 6.7% to 14.4%”. Such rates reveal that diabetes begins in Mexico’s urban areas, and further accelerates in the U.S. as “assimilation is associated with an increased diabetes risk in Mexican immigrants” (Afable-Munsuz et al., 2013). To further interrogate such assertions, this study employs an exploratory research design, based on an interview of a family mem-ber, to understand the crisis of diabetes within my own family and its relation to diet. Current studies indicate that diabetes is of particular concern in the U.S., especially within the Mexican-origin community, as “Mexico is the largest contributor of immigrants to the United States and has recently experienced rapid increases in both obesity and diabetes” (Afable-Munsuz et al., 2013). My research offers a window of insight into the main dietary changes that account for the elevated percentage of diabetes in the Mexican–origin communities and further promotes the ancestral Mesoamerican foods that can decrease the diabetes rates in urban settings.


Water Quality Analysis of Atopoltitlan

Alejandra Ruiz, Jeannie Darby UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Although there have been many advancements in the water treatment industry, there are about 780 million people that do not have access to safe drinking water. Many people affected by waterborne illnesses lack eco-nomic resources and live in developing countries, such as the citizens of Atopoltitlan, Mexico. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the current non-potable water source of Atopoltitlan and propose a possible solution to obtain potable water that is both sustainable and economical. An assessment trip will be made in order collect and analyze water samples. The samples will be analyzed using standard method procedures that include the Heterotrophic Plate Count method and the Hatch PathoScreen field test, which detects hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria such as salmonella. The proposal may also serve as a template for other rural towns in developing countries with similar circumstances.


HDL lipidomic, proteomic and functional changes in response to whole egg consumption in overweight and obese women

Francene Steinberg, Ellen Street University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA


Abstracts

An increased prevalence of type 2 adult onset diabetes is associated with high incidence of cardiovascular disease. Preventative solutions may lie within your diet. The objective of this study is to analyze the “good cholesterol,” or, high-density lipoprotein, particle composition and function in individuals consuming eggs vs. yolk-free egg substitutes daily. The study will implement a randomized, repeated measure, cross-over, single-blinded intervention trial to characterize the effects of whole egg consumption compared to consumption of yolk-free egg substitutes on HDL composition and function in overweight and obese post-menopausal women. Blood samples will be collected before and after 4 weeks of dietary intervention. We hypothesize that whole eggs, not the egg substitute, will influence functional changes to the HDL, affecting cholesterol efflux and anti-oxidant capacity. Responders and non-responders will be identified using ApoA-1, a functional HDL protein, in plasma, indicating protective, functional HDL particles. The outcome of this study will provide information regarding human metabolic response to egg consumption in overweight and obese women at risk for develop-ing CVD. Whole egg consumption is expected to alter HDL composition; improving its function. This will help provide whole-food dietary recommendations for targeted, at-risk populations and otherwise strengthen sup-port for whole food preventative healthcare.


Exploring the Interrelationship between School-Work Life Balance among College Students

Vanessa Baca Carroll, Alejandro Morales Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

In 2013 the US census reported that 71% of undergraduate students work. Not only are students working, many are completing internships, conducting research, and participating in school activities to become a com-peting candidate for graduate school and employment. Attending school full time, completing research, and maintaining a job may lead to a decline in GPA. In turn affecting the chances of being admitted into a graduate program. Thus, it is important to understand how college students navigate or balance the multiple roles they play. This study focused on the school-work-life balance of undergraduate students attending a large commut-er school in the West Coast of the US. The participants included 265 diverse students, who were all 18 years or older. Two different five point likert scales were used to determine the participants overall work-family balance. Along with a modified version of work-family balance scale to measure school- family balance. Two seven point likert scales were used to assess participants’ life satisfaction, and satisfaction with work. Through a series of multiple regression, we found that, work-family balance was significant in predicting students life satisfaction. However, school- family balance was found to be the strongest and most significant predictor in students life satisfaction, F(3, 262)= 89.46, p< .001. Work-family balance is possibly significant due to it being the way most students earn a living and pay their bills. However, students are mainly focused on obtaining their degree while relying on their family for support; explaining why school-family balance would carry the most significance. The results of this study provide information on how to help improve the educational sys-tem for undergraduates, especially as they prepare to pursue a graduate education or join the labor force.


An Integrative Outlook on Burn Survivors and Post-traumatic Growth

Berenice Monarrez Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA, USA

In 2015, the National Fire Protection Association issued a report that revealed how every 2 hours and 41 min-utes a civilian fire death occurs. Civilian fire injuries occur every 33 minutes nationwide and 1,298,000 fires in the U.S were reported in 2014. Every year the community of burn survivors is increasing and those survivors after physically healing must learn to cope with a new reality. This research explores the community of burn survivors. Most of the current written literature focuses on military personnel who experienced severe burn


Abstracts

injuries or as educating material for burn injury specialist. Neglected by the social sciences, the community of burn survivors can help us understand why many develop an enthusiastic approach to life in spite of their experiences. The data, currently in the process of being collected, will help answer how non-military burn survivors transcend the title of a victim and embrace the label of survivor, allowing them to experience post-traumatic growth. By employing a qualitative research method based on content analyses derived phone inter-views, along with analyses of online forums that attend to burn survivors and their narratives, this study aims to answer a key question: What coping mechanisms allow burn survivors to overcome adversity, especially if they’ve encountered body disfigurement, amputations and ample scar tissues as a result of their experiences? Data gathering is still ongoing.


Titin Purification: A gel centered approach

Karly Higgins, Mingming Sun, Chaoqun Zhu, Wei Guo University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

Understanding the function of the heart is crucial in developing treatments when problems arise. Proteins dictate these functions and therefore must be understood for successful treatment development. One of these proteins called titin is a giant sarcomeric and the largest protein found in vertebrate animals up-to-date, with a molecular mass of over 3000 kDa. Titin is a third abundant striated muscle protein that is responsible for cardi-ac ventricular stiffness. Like a spring which can produce passive tension, titin can prevent over-stretching of the muscle when contracted. In-vitro studies have shown that the posttranslational modifications of titin would contribute to the force production, however, an in vivo study has not confirmed this. Therefore, we focus on titin purification from in-vivo heart tissue and test the most effective means for titin purification. To do this, we collected approximately 5 rat hearts and exposed them to a gel based purification method that has been modi-fied each time. The main goal is to extract the purest form of titin that can be used for further analyses such as posttranslational modification identification with mass spectrometry. With this, a better understanding of Titin can arise and consequently a better understanding of cardiac function.


The Generation of 1959: Competing Visions of the Cuban Revolution

Marco Covarrubias Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, California, USA

Much of the scholarship on the development of the Cuban Revolution has focused on its relationship to Cold War tensions or the two most prominent figures of the revolution, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. These two figures did indeed have the most power and influence over the course of the revolution, but the Cuban Revo-lution was not solely influenced and shaped by these two influential figures. Both during and after Castro’s take over, there were prominent and influential secondary figures that played a significant role in the guerrilla campaign waged by the 26th of July Movement, the subsequent takeover of the government, and the policies of the revolutionary regime in Cuba. Figures such as Carlos Franqui, Haydee Santamaria, Camilo Cienfuegos, and Celia Sanchez among others held significant influence at different stages of the revolution. These second-ary figures came from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds and had diverse influences and ideologies, yet were brought together for a common struggle. These secondary figures each had a different outcome as a result of their involvement in the revolution; some stayed close to the regime until death, others went into exile. This research looks to shed light on the similarities and differences of the Cuban revolutionaries and how that impacted them and the outcomes and trajectory of the Cuban Revolution itself. Although these second-ary figures came together for a common cause, it was their differences that influenced their relationship to the Castro regime and their experience in revolutionary Cuba.


Abstracts


Heavy Metal Binding with Styrene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymers

Melissa Puga1, Anton Smith2, Aaron Hall2, Shawn Darnall2, Ting Xu2 1University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, 2University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Heavy metal pollution is highly prevalent in rapidly developing countries due to an increased rate of industri-alization and lack of sufficient sanitation. As a result millions lack access to safe drinking sources. Absence of adequate infrastructure as well as cost prevent the use of conventional water treatments methods in many of these areas. As a result, it is important to develop a low-cost and effective method to remove these harmful compounds. The use of post-functionalized, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers would allow for an eco-nomic, safe, and sustainable alternative for the removal of heavy metals during waste water treatment. Post-functionalization was carried out by varying ratios of a combination of metal binding amines in order to tailor the polymer’s binding properties. Polymers were tested for use in the removal of Cu2+ and Zn2+ via a competi-tion assay using metal-metallochromic indicator 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol. Several optimized polymers were found for each metal. Further work includes testing the optimized systems as membranes with varying ratios of styrene to maelic anhydride in order to access metal binding in both soluble and insoluble systems.


The Effectiveness of Gender Equity Legislation

Genesis Galo Earlham College, Richmond, IN, USA

Within the United States there persists a gender gap in opportunity and in certain fields, particularly the STEM field.This research seeks to examine the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of gender equity legislations. I examine the scholarly literature on gender equity legislation, as well as other federal legislation aimed at al-leviating other educational inequities . I was able distinguish three major schools of thoughts that examine the effectiveness of gender equity legislations.These major schools of thought are Socialization, Regulation and Enforcement. The first school of thought argues that gender equity legislation like Title IX, has not properly ad-dressed the underlying social causes of sexism. In contrast the other schools of thought , argue that particular aspects of these legislations , such as their implementations have hindered their effectiveness.I assert that the regulations enacted in these legislations can explain the lack of progress, or limited process on gender equity in certain fields.


The Effect of Postmortem Interval on Oxytocin Receptor Density in the Brain

Shrishti Bhattarai UC Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Oxytocin, a hormone produced in the hypothalamus, is known for its role in promoting positive social behav-ior. Due to oxytocin’s ability to modulate social behavior, it is currently used as an experimental therapeutic for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. However, it is currently not known where oxytocin acts in the human brain. Studies are currently underway to determine the locations of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in human brain tissue. In order to examine oxytocin receptors in the human brain, many scientists use human brain specimens that vary in their postmortem interval(PMI). Tissues with a long PMI could have more degra-dation compared to tissues with a very short PMI. Since the PMI of human brain tissue cannot be manipulated,


Abstracts

we designed a study to evaluate in rodent brain tissue whether PMI will have an impact on the degradation of OXTR. This study examined the relationship between PMI and OXTR expression in prairie voles, a rodent spe-cies with well characterized neural OXTR expression. Donated human brain tissue were also examined to study the effects of PMI on OXTR and to confirm the findings obtained from the prairie voles study. The results from this study will inform future studies on the effect of PMI on OXTR expression in human brain tissue, which are studies that will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological basis of autism.


The Impact of Invasive Buckthorn Debris on Wetland Soil Quality and Native Flora Reestablishment

Brittany Rivera, Brian Ohsowski Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Invasive glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) is an exotic shrub found across the Midwest. Once established, glossy buckthorn can form dense homogenous monocultures, outcompete native plants, and alter ecosystem processes above- and belowground. As a result, restoration ecologist face issues with re-establishing native plant populations in areas buckthorn dominate or have dominated previously. This research will explore the latter, specifically the impact of decomposing buckthorn woody debris on soil properties and native plant rees-tablishment. To characterize this effect, a randomized experiment was established in a degraded calcareous fen at Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois. The treatments, applied in June of 2015 and January 2016, include the removal of glossy buckthorn debris and native seed application. The native seed mix was composed of 15 species that are characteristic to calcareous fens (i.e. Carex vulpinoidea, Lobelia siphilitica, Solidago patula). The seed collected for the seed mix was collected from other areas of the prop-erty where native species had already begun reestablishing. Abiotic and biotic factors monitored include soil organic matter (SOM), soil moisture, soil pH, soil NO3-, NH4+, extractable soil P, soil stability, plant richness, and plant cover. Analysis indicates that soil properties (i.e. SOM, soil P, and moisture) were found at elevated levels when compared to control plots. Furthermore, plant species richness was also significantly greater when compared to control plots. We will continue to monitoring development of the plots for another two months for changes in plant cover.


Developing a tree-ring chronology for reconstructing past climate conditions, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, UT

Amy Cutter, David Wilkins Boise State University, Boise, ID, USA

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes (CPSD) is one of the largest aeolian dune fields in the Colorado Plateau. Dune fields provide a harsh environment for vegetation to become established because of the shifting sands and limited soil moisture. In spite of this, in the CPSD a large, disjunct population of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seemingly thrives within the active dune field. Using the record of growth patterns preserved in the tree rings, we hypothesize these can be used to reconstruct past climate and dune field activity by correlating measured ring-widths with regional climate variables. Here we present the development of a tree-ring chronology from cores collected from live ponderosas growing within the active dune field. Ring widths for each core sample were measured, and the composite measured series were statistically assessed by comparing each series with the master chronology that yielded a series inter-correlation of 0.662 showing that the trees in this stand ex-hibit similarities in their responses to external factors. The climate-growth relationship is tested by correlating the standardized master chronology, spanning from 1775 – 2002, with precipitation data from a nearby climate reporting station in Kanab, UT. This yields a correlation coefficient of r=0.61, indicating that the climate signal in the rings is strong enough to be useful for future climate reconstructions. Calibration and verification of the model is preformed using R; the result is a reconstruction of precipitation dating back to the beginning of the


Abstracts

tree-ring record in 1775. Preliminary results of the reconstruction will be discussed.


Spatiotemporal Analysis of Scalp Electroencaphography Recordings from Older Adults with Exceptional Memory Ability

Nicole M. Dosamantes, Robert G. Morrison Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

As more and more adults are living well into their 80s and 90s, the prevalence of age-related neurodegenera-tive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, has sky-rocketed. As of today, according to the Alzheimer’s Associa-tion, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia. Because women live longer than men in developed countries, this puts women at greater risk at developing Alzheimer’s disease and also more frequently places them in the caregiving role for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. While considerable resources have been directed towards understanding the mechanisms responsible for Alzheimer’s disease we suggest a complementary approach. By investigating very old adults with exceptional memory performance (Super-Agers) we hope to identify the neurocognitive factors which may confer their enhanced cognitive ad-vantage late in life. The ultimate aim is to develop interventions to build these factors in the broader popula-tion. In this study we will analyze scalp electroencephalograms (EEG) made while Super-Agers and controls performed several different memory tasks. Using spatiotemporal analysis techniques we will investigate how the cognitive control and default mode networks differ across these two groups both during task engagement and during rest between trials. We hypothesize that Super-Agers will better engage cognitive control during the task, but also more efficiently switch to the default model network at rest.


Evaluating a School Nurse Shortage in Utah

Jacie Wach Slaymaker, John Contreras Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of students are entering schools with potentially life-threatening chronic health condition. School nurses play a crucial role in providing services to these children and others. Because of their knowledge and training, nurses are the most appropriate source for this care. The state of Utah has had consistently ranked lowest in the nation for per-student spending. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of per-student spending on nurse-to-student ratios, and the impact of those ratios on student at-tendance in school districts in Utah.

METHODS: Two school districts in the state were selected for their variation in size and per-student funding amounts. Using a retrospective study design, data from the Utah State Office of Education, Utah Taxpayers As-sociation, and school district human resource records were used to compare per-student expenditures, nurse-to-student ratios, and student attendance rates.

RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation between nurse-to-student ratios and student attendance. This study provides evidence that per-student spending amounts are positively influenced the nurse-to-student ratios. While school nurse salaries come from a portion of district budgets labeled “student services,” this research suggests that there is not a statistically significant relationship between student services spending and nurse-to-student ratios. This research demonstrates that for the school years evaluated, the more affluent school district had an average nurse-to-student ratio of 1:1,491 whereas the lower-funded district had an aver-age ratio of 1:5,568.


Abstracts

CONCLUSIONS: Neither school district met the proposed national standard of 1 nurse per 750 students. This research suggests that the number of school nurses in Utah can and should increase, but school districts need fiscal support to make this happen. Increasing the percentage of schools with sufficient school nurses is a criti-cal goal for public health efforts in Utah.


Classroom-based Discussion in Middle School and Bilinguals’ Language and Literacy Development

Ha Tran Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Literacy levels during childhood are a key determinant of various aspects of success later in life. Children who grow up speaking only English (EO) have consistently scored better on standardized exams compared to their language minority counterparts (LM learners). This project looks into what key factors of teacher talk are re-lated to students’ reading comprehension over the course of the school year. Specifically, we code teacher talk in middle school classrooms (n=13) for the types of questions they ask during literacy instruction (Nystrand, 2001). Video and audio recordings of middle school teachers were taken at four time points during the school year. Reading comprehension assessments were also administered to students (n=220) in the same classrooms at the beginning and end of the school year. Analyses will examine the relation between the various types of questions asked by the teachers and the students’ reading comprehension growth and to be able to use that information to predict further growth.


The Virtual Dance Ensemble: Artists with Parkinson’s Project

Amy Wilkinson, Sarah Fuller, Laura Prieto Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, USA

The Virtual Dance Ensemble (VDE): Artists with Parkinson’s Project is a practice-based art-making endeavor, which draws on subjective, interdisciplinary, and emerging research methodologies within a performative paradigm to generate new knowledge. The project involves the creation of an original dance film during the Fall months, in which an integrated ensemble of dancers, some of whom are living with Parkinson’s disease, perform movement. VDE explores adaptive dance practices and the kinesthetic expression of emotion, place, and narrative. The project addresses the question of sharing and reflecting personal narratives through move-ment, as well as contemporary design principles, and the reading of choreography as “text”. VDE also includes an investigation into how technology allows dance artists to present work in non- traditional “theater” spaces. The work explores the notion of collaboration including crowd sourcing in the creative process and transforms the idea of community by bringing individuals from vastly different backgrounds together through the joy of movement. Preliminary steps have included a review in in the areas of disability and arts along with the devel-opment of movement and choreography.


Respondents’ Reported Likelihood of Participation in Medical Research: Reasons Provided during Cognitive Interviews across Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age and Educational Attainment

Silvia Valadez1, Dana Garbarski1, Jennifer Dykema2, Dorothy Edwards3 ,4 1Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA, 2University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, 3University


Abstracts

of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education, Madison, WI, USA, 4University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine, Madison, WI, USA

Racial and ethnic minority groups are underrepresented in medical and health-related survey research, with implications for the generalizability across diverse populations of evidence gleaned from these studies. How-ever, little is known about the respondents’ reasons for participating—or not—in medical research studies, and how these reasons might vary across race or ethnicity and by the type of data being collected.

We extend previous research by using cognitive interviewing techniques to examine 1) respondents’ reported likelihood of participating in five increasingly invasive types of data collection, including research studies that ask participants to answer questions about themselves or provide samples of saliva, blood, tissue, or cere-brospinal fluid, 2) the reasons they provide for the likelihood they assigned to their participation; and 3) the reasons they provide for why the likelihood they assign to their participation is similar to or different from the likelihood they assigned to other types of medical research.

Cognitive interviews were conducted with 64 participants in a convenience quota sample crossing dimensions of race/ethnicity (i.e., white, black, Latino, American Indian), gender, age, and education. We examine patterns in respondents’ likelihood of participating in increasingly invasive medical research and examine whether these patterns vary across groups. We coded the reasons respondents provided for their likelihood of participation in an inductive, iterative, and systematic process from interview transcripts. Our qualitative analysis consisted of identifying analytical categories and describing cross-group variation in these dimensions. By focusing on re-spondents’ explanations of their likelihood of participating or not in various types of medical research, we are able to establish participants’ accounts of barriers and facilitators in participating in medical research studies that collect personal information and biomarkers such as saliva, blood, tissue samples, and cerebrospinal fluid, with specific attention to variations across social groups.


Tree Representations of the Symmetric Group

Sadia Ansari, Aaron Lauve Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA

We analyze the minimal generating sets of the symmetric group Sn. (A minimal generating set for Sn is one in which the removal of any element will no longer generate Sn.) For n = 3, 4, 5, we build a rooted tree in Sage Math Cloud for each distinct minimal generating set, such that each node is an element w of Sn, and its path to the root represents a shortest expression for w in terms of the generators. We study properties of this tree (such as depth and balancedness), as well as that of a corresponding (unranked) poset---analogous to the poset of the weak Bruhat order for Sn. Furthermore, we study the orbits of minimal generating sets under au-tomorphisms of Sn, the maximal cardinality of minimal generating sets, and which minimal generating sets (for n = 3, 4, 5) fit into a family of minimal generating sets for any n. (This is a preliminary report.)


Social Networks and Social Capital: Examining Latino Student Networks in Primary Education

Christina Munoz University Of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA

The educational achievement of Latino students in the United States has been a hot topic of concern for decades. Low socioeconomic statuses and lack of access to resources can significantly contribute to falling behind. However, the social capital that Latino students obtain throughout their education is not limited to the relationships with their family, teachers, and counselors. Peer networks may also play a role in educational


Abstracts

achievement. Using social network questionnaires and semi-structured interview data, this study examines the creation of social capital among the friendship and academic support networks of fourth grade Latino students in two classrooms. Preliminary findings show mixed results. In both classrooms, racial/ethnic background did not appear to play a significant role in the development of friendships, however, gender was highly significant. Preliminary findings also found mixed results regarding the academic support networks of Latino students. In the first classroom, Non-Latino students appeared to have stronger academic support networks compared to their Latino peers. In the second classroom, gender and race was highly significant with Latinas having a stron-ger support network. Furthermore, in both classrooms, Latino boys appeared to have weak academic support networks with few in- and out-going ties. In conclusion, this study discusses the possible effect of academic support networks among Latino students in primary classrooms. This study also highlights the greater need for inclusion among student networks.


The Effect of Family Structure on the Relationship of Parental Support and Involvement and Sense of Belong-ing in School in African American Male Adolescents

Catherine Montgomery, Noni K. Gaylord-Harden Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

While adolescents may occupy numerous different environments, the school environment may be the most integral to adaptive psychosocial outcomes. Past research demonstrates that sense of belonging in school in African American youth is an important predictor of academic and behavioral outcomes. Parental support and involvement are important factors for academic success and may influence students’ sense of belonging in school. However, family structure may determine the impact of parental support and involvement in sense of belonging, and little research has examined the moderating role of family structure.

The purpose of the current study is to examine the effect of family structure as a moderator of the relationship between parental support and involvement on sense of belonging in the school setting in African American male adolescents. It is expected that the association of parental support and involvement to sense of belong-ing in school will be stronger for African American boys living with both parents than those living in a single-parent household. Participants will include 269 African American male adolescents (mean age = 15.19, SD = 1.05). Participants completed the Psychological Sense of School Membership Scale (Goodenow, 1993), The Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (Greenberg & Armsden, 1987), the Normative Beliefs about Aggression Scale, the Parent Involvement in School measure (Tolan et al., 2006), and a demographic form.

As expected, preliminary analyses demonstrated that parental support (r[269] = .13, p = .02) and parental involvement in school (r[269] = .26, p < .001) were significantly associated with boys’ sense of belonging in school. Final analyses will examine the moderating role of family structure on the demonstrated associations. Findings from the current study could lead to an enhancement or creation of programs for the support of students as well as their families to produce a greater sense of belonging in school.


Individual Differences in the Neural Noise of Younger and Older Adults

Jorge Yanar, Robert G. Morrison Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

Synchronous oscillations of electrical charge reflective of neuronal firing occur across brain areas while indi-


Abstracts

viduals focus attention, represent complex objects, and learn and remember. It is possible to measure these oscillations using scalp electroencephalography (EEG), and various mathematical techniques have been devel-oped to estimate brain connectivity from these data. Importantly, decreased synchrony in these oscillations has been related to decreased cognitive function, something which naturally occurs as we age. The dominant interpretation of this phenomenon, coined the neural noise hypothesis, posits that decreased synchrony in the neural signature results from a broad increase in spontaneous neural spiking as we age. This has the effect of increasing the brain’s noise to signal ratio, making effective communication across brain areas less efficient and leading to decreased cognitive performance. Changes in neural noise can be quantitatively measured by observing changes to the characteristic 1/f shape of the EEG power spectrum. Whereas increases in neural noise result in a flatter power spectrum, decreases lead to a power spectrum with a sharp negative slope that more closely mimics 1/f, and there is robust evidence demonstrating a gradual flatten-ing of the EEG power spectrum with age, showing promise as a tool for understanding the neural correlates of cognitive degeneration. In this study, we attempt to understand how changes in neural noise as measured by both resting-state and task-related EEG relate to memory function and age, and importantly extend the neural noise analysis to a group of over 80 year olds with the memory ability of typical 50 year olds, termed Super-Agers. A central goal of the larger project is to develop inexpensive screening measures that could be used for monitoring the neurocognitive status of older adults. Of all current neuroimaging methods EEG offers the best opportunity for population-level monitoring because it is noninvasive and relatively inexpensive.


Participatory Action Research (PAR) Project: Undocumented Students’ Identity, Agency & Education

Cristina Rodriguez, Aurora Chang Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The purpose of this research is to examine the ways in which undocumented students enact agency within an educational institution. While undocumented students’ lives are limited by their legal status, this study seeks to explore if and how undocumented students exert power within these limitations. In this paper, I write about the way that 6 undocumented students attending a community college navigate through the higher educa-tional systems to reach their goals. These students have overcome the barriers set out by countless of systems of society to be able to attend college and achieve their dreams. I write about the way they develop their own research question about their social identity related to their status through a supervised participatory action research study. They have shown how difficult their life is in comparison to the traditional college student and the effect that their status plays in their everyday life. They shared their motivations for why they have not been the ones that fall through the cracks of the broken system and the reasons why they continue to strive for higher education and success. Through this study, the participants developed their own research methods to explore the different meanings behind their identity and will develop a way to share and present the research finding with the larger community.


Language Based Classroom Interaction- Middle School Students’ Language and Literacy DevelopmentMelissa Vázquez, Perla B. Gámez, Ph.D Loyola University Chicago

Melissa Vázquez, Perla Gámez Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, USA

Due to the growing rates of Latino-based immigration in the united states, the number of Latino Language Minority (LM) learners in public schools has grown significantly. This is a population who faces academic chal-lenges and has shown to score significantly lower in reading comprehension in comparison to English Only (EO) students. Thus, with low academic performance, Latino students are less likely than their English-only peers to


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have adequate access to enriching educational opportunities. Exposure to high-quality talk is a primary recom-mendation for promoting the development of students’ language and literacy skills, further leading to academ-ic success. In order to increase their chances for academic achievement and reduce the gap between EO and LM groups our objective is to better understand the contributing factors within the classroom that promote Latino students’ language and literacy development. Examining the nature of peer talk in sixth grade rooms will help determine how peer talk influences the language and literacy development of LM students.

Using audio-recorders, speech samples from three hundred sixth grade students and their peers were collect-ed during four different points throughout the year. The student’s speech was transcribed and coded. The data analysis will be ran using the transcripts as well as the vocabulary and reading comprehension assessment that was administered to the target students at the beginning and at the end of the year. The standardized assess-ment scores will be a measurement of the students’ growth in their language and literacy skills, and we’ll be looking for the usage of simple and complex sentences, as well as the use of low frequency words and sophis-ticated words in their peers’ talk. We expect that the peer talk will influence and promote Language Minority learners’ standardized assessment scores.


Cardiorespiratory Responses of the Kettlebell Snatch

Janki Patel, Jeremy Fransen, Ph. D Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

The kettlebell is a piece of training equipment used to practice resistance exercises. Within 100 years following its introduction to Russian society, it became declared a competitive sport in Russia. Since then many other countries, including the United States, have recognized the kettlebell as a sport. The traditional competition is based around three lifts: snatch, jerk, and long- cycle. Little research, to the best of our knowledge, has studied the cardiopulmonary effects of stress in kettlebell sport athletes. The snatch was chosen to research these ef-fects because it is the simplest lift and because it is by male and female kettlebell athletes. The purpose of this study is to use the snatch lift in the kettlebell sport to ascertain if the physiological and metabolic demands of the snatch lift meet the criteria of cardiovascular exercise. This study records the cardiorespiratory responses of twenty five competitive kettlebell sport athletes between the ages of 21- 45. Each athlete has competed at least once, and those with diagnosed hypertension, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, pulmonary/ renal disorders, obesity, and a weakened immune system were excluded from the study. The ath-letes perform a graded maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test on a treadmill to exhaustion. Within the next seven days, the same athlete performs a 5 minute set of the kettlebell snatch exercise using their compet-itive weight bell. The athlete’s heart rate (HR), ventiliation (V2), oxygen consumption (VO2), and carbon dioxide production (CO2) are continuously recorded during the entire VO2max test and 5 minute snatch set. Prelimi-nary data suggests that the snatch lift requires similar metabolic demands as an incremental cardiovascular exercise. The benefits of this research include offering patients an efficient and cheap method of performing cardiovascular exercise.


People Before Parts: Cultural Consensus Modeling in the Flint Water Crisis

Jane Henderson1, Steven Gray2, Laura Schmitt-Olabisi2, Alison Singer2, Artina Sadler3, Maddie Gorman2, Bob Brown2 1University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA, 2Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA, 3Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Flint, MI, USA

The Flint Water Crisis garnered national and international attention after Virginia Tech researchers determined


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lead levels in local water were 800 times greater than federal recommendations. When the emergency manag-er changed the water source from Detroit to the Flint River, exposure to lead and other toxins created a public health emergency affecting thousands of people. Emergency responders and government agencies worked to solve the crisis, but the solutions are disconnected from the continued emotional and physical needs of trau-matized residents. Responding to the Flint water crisis requires a consensus on the causes, consequences re-sponses and solutions, however there is little knowledge whether the Flint community comprised of residents, emergency responders, government officials and community organizations are aligned in their understanding of the crisis. Beginning with resident identified common themes from mental modeling workshops, we created a cultural consensus model allowing us to gauge the level of agreement of beliefs in the Flint community. In surveying the community, we suspect there will be a gap in understanding of the evolution and impact of the Flint water crisis. The culmination of deindustrialization, economic disinvestment, racism, poor leadership and the aging of municipal infrastructure in Flint foreshadows the possibilities other cities may confront in the near future. Flint residents are most impacted and we hope this research will raise community members voices in the solution-creation process. It is our goal that our findings will create effective collaboration leading to better support of residents.


“Career Pathways and Mechanisms: A Comparison of Undergraduate Job-Taking at Elite Private Universities, Top Public Flagship Universities, Regional Universities, and Liberal Arts Colleges in the United States”

Amy Binder, Andrea Abel, Daniel Davis, Richard Flahive UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Much has been written about the effects of college attendance on post-college outcomes. For example, we know from large-scale survey and census data that college graduates earn higher salaries and attain higher oc-cupational levels than people with some college, community college degrees, and high school diplomas (in de-scending order). Yet while this literature has laid out the general contours of these large-scale trends, we know little about other dimensions of the relationship between college education and the labor market. For exam-ple, what is the role of university career centers or other units in this process? How does job-taking vary, across different institutional types-such as selective private elite universities, selective public universities, regional universities, and liberal arts colleges? Are there some jobs that are available only to the elite tier of college graduates, and if so, how are they obtained, and to what degree do they create or sustain social and economic inequality? Because the data that individual universities collect on their own graduates is notoriously bad, to study these questions our research team is combining innovative methods. We use national rankings to then use computational methods to scrape LinkedIn data, showing the relationship between institutional types, and the job sectors where their college graduates work. To understand how students experience planning for and entering the labor market, we also collect qualitative data from each university’s main campus newspaper, where student journalists describe occupational recruitment, job anxiety, and career paths. Through this analy-sis, we gain a much deeper understanding of the distinctive linkages between university/college campuses and the occupational sectors and firms where students take jobs.


Synthesis of Stimuli-Response Nanomaterials as Potential Drug-Delivery Agents

Jeremey Shropshire1, Stassi DiMaggio1, Janet Manono1, Scott Grayson2, Joe Giesen2, Bryan Redmond1, Jamonica Jackson1 1Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Minor Outlying Islands, 2Tulane Univer-sity, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Minor Outlying Islands

Dendrimers are synthetic polymers with a branched, treelike structure. The molecular architecture of den-drimers results in polymers that are well defined in their size and number of terminal groups. The nature of


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the terminal groups determines the particular dendrimer shape, stability, conformational rigidity or flexibility, and viscosity. Dendrimers contain arms, which are uniformly centered on the dendrimer core, The number of arms on a dendrimer is proportional to the dendrimer generation. We have designed and synthesized various ligands to conjugate the dendrimer arms that will serve as unique attachment points for functionally relevant molecules. The click-chemistry ligands synthesized are 3-(4-(2-chloroethoxy)phenyl)propanoate, 3-(4-(prop-2-ynyloxy)phenyl)propanoate and 3-(4-(allyloxy)phenyl)propanoic acid. These ligands will be conjugated to the dendrimer arms using EDC coupling and then attached to linear block co-polymers using thiolene click-chemis-try.


Nuts and Olestra for Persistent Organic Pollutant reduction (NO-POPs) Trial: A pilot investigation

Briana Thrift1 1University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA, 2UC San Diego Health Center, Moore’s Cancer Research Center, San Diego, CA, USA

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) include some of the most well known toxic environmental contaminants, such as PCBs, flame-retardants, and dioxins, with very long half-lives. POPs have been found to be endocrine disrupters, associated with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and the development of neurological disorders. The objective of the NO-POPs trial is to conduct a 6-month randomization trial to examine whether the oil in nuts, vegetable oil, or olestra (a fat substitute) can help people excrete pollutant chemicals from their blood stream into their fecal. This study has three treatment arms: A) Mixture of walnuts and almonds (1 cup), B) Vegetable Oil: regular Pringle crisps (29 crisps), and C) Olestra: fat free Pringle crisps (29 crisps). The partici-pants are asked to consume their assigned diet assignment daily for 6 months, in addition to coming to UCSD for 2 clinical visits. We aim to measure the concentration of 24 POPs in feces after 4 days of treatment and in the blood after 6 months. The level of pesticides will be measured to test the hypothesis that the oil in nuts, vegetable oil, and/or olestra helps excrete the pesticides from participants’ bloodstream into their stool.


The Religion of Violence: Understanding the Normalization of Violence through Media in Salvadoran Society

Nalya Rodriguez UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Using Durkheim’s theory of religion and Baro’s theory on psychosocial relationships, I have developed a theory on the religion of violence to describe the intergenerational transmission of violence in El Salvador since the civil war (1980-1992). Through this “religion”, a system is created which perpetuates and normalizes violence in El Salvador, which was exacerbated by US domestic and foreign policy on gangs and immigration. I seek to study the following questions: How does the religion of violence help explain how gang violence is interpel-lated in Salvadoran society and how can this be seen in social media commentary? And how does the perpetu-ation of the religion of violence further normalize violence within Salvadoran society? To answer these ques-tions, I use my theory on the religion of violence to analyze how three popular Salvadoran online news sources discuss violence by both the state and maras and what consumers say as well. By contextualizing lived religion in El Salvador we can begin to understand how violence becomes interpellated and see how this is reflected in commentary on violence. As a result, two main ideas surfaced when discussing the murder, death, and cor-ruption of individuals. First was a topic I’ll call “kill them all” in reference to mareros, or gangsters, and second is “corruption” which included overall government corruption, allegations towards specific parties, police and newspaper corruption. By understanding the ways Salvadorans perpetuate violence through dialogues on social media outlets, we will be able to discuss the normalizing effects violence during the civil war has today.


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The Power of Culture, Community and Food: Native Americans in Oakland, CA Healing Together from Type II Diabetes

Briana Martínez-Surmick University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Research shows there is a significant health disparity among Native Americans with type II diabetes. American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer from type II diabetes twice more than the national average. (Sahota 2012, 824) There is literature discussing Native Americans with diabetes who live on reservations, but few studies acknowledge “urban Native Americans,” or Native Americans who live in cities. My research will examine how life in the San Francisco Bay Area affects Native Americans who have type II diabetes. Specifically, my research question asks, How do Native Americans with type II diabetes make sense of the cultural differences in health and wellness between reservations and cities? This qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews, par-ticipant observation, and document analysis based on the Intertribal Friendship House, a Native American or-ganization in Oakland, California. Findings indicate that there are obstacles for Native Americans in sustaining a healthy lifestyle in the Bay Area due to the lack of tribal land and inaccessibility to healthy resources, including affordable food. Additional findings highlight the role of European contact on indigenous food traditions and the importance of youth as the hope for a healthier next generation.


Death Around the Corner: How Los Angeles Street Gangs Conceptualize Life and Death

Jorge-David Mancillas UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

Death is an omnipresent force in the world of urban street gangs. The concept of death and how ideas of death motivate human behavior is oftentimes overlooked in sociological research. This study examines the ways in which gang-members’ understanding of death influences the social structures of street gangs. The use of eclectic spirituality and collective catharsis, as a means of gang intervention, transforms gang-members’ conceptualization of themselves and society in relation to death. Through an analysis of in-depth interviews with current and former gang-members, as well as gang affiliates, the findings suggest that nihilistic notions of life and death are socialized in low-income neighborhoods and embraced by street gangs. Active gang-mem-bers negotiate with the constant threat of death through Nihilistic Surivivalism, that is, surviving in the face of hopelessness by embodying an apathetic attitude towards life and death. This social characteristic is correlated with individuals’ histories of trauma related to witnessing and dealing with death, particularly homicides. The results indicate that through cathartic relief and eclectic spiritual healing, nihilistic survivalism can be replaced by a willingness and desire to live which embraces compassionate social action—Compassionate Survivalism—as a means to avoid gang violence, re-integrate into mainstream society and cope with trauma.


Organized Resistance and Crime Policy: Exploring Gang Injunctions, Racialized Space, and Community Activ-ism in Oakland, California

Sylvia Bracamonte UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Gang Injunction policies have been utilized since 1987 by law enforcement as a tool to deter crime by policing


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entire neighborhoods. Existing research on the effects of gang injunction policies relies heavily on mass and other statistical data, yet there is little research on how these policies affect the communities they are imposed upon. In March 2015, the Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland was the first to successfully win the dismissal of an injunction policy. As communities are struggling to resist injunctions with some success, it is crucial that we empirically examine the experiences of the community members most affected by crime policy. This qualita-tive case study draws on archival data and in-depth ethnographic interviews with three to four individuals from groups of key community stakeholders such as individuals named in the injunction policy, their family mem-bers, and community activists to record and analyze a community response to the injunction policy, its possible effects, and the reaction to the dismissal of the policy in Oakland. The findings reveal themes and key issues surrounding the racial nature of the injunction policy and the level of community activism that was instrumen-tal in the dismissal of the policy. In dissecting the case of the Fruitvale injunction, communities facing similar policies may utilize strategies in their own continued struggles with injunction policies or policing of race and space.


Central Valley Fruitful Lands with a Thirst for Potable Tap Water: An Analysis of Beverage Consumption, Per-ceptions of Tap Water, and Policy Approaches to Reduce SSB Consumption Among Latinos in Kings County

Julián Ponce, Jennifer Falbe, Kristine Madsen University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, USA

Drinking potable tap water has been associated with decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). However, more than one million Californians primarily from low-income communities of color, lack access to potable water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards. Kings County, in the Central Valley, is an extreme case in terms of lack of access to potable tap water. It ranked first, among Califor-nia counties, in the number of violations of health-based drinking water standards. Also, from 2005 to 2012 Kings county experienced a 5% increase in SSB consumption, while the California average decreased 11%. Latinos and African Americans are twice as likely to live in communities without potable tap water.Thus, this re-search is necessary specifically among Latinos as more work is required in advocating for communities of color who face environmental inequalities which jeopardize their quality of life. Our objectives are to understand beverage consumption, perceptions of policy approaches to reduce SSB consumption and perceptions of water quality among Latinos in Kings County in order to understand the effects of water quality on SSB consumption. For my study I chose to focus on Kettleman City, which, like most Kings County towns relies on non-potable contaminated groundwater, due to the lack of access to potable tap water. 115 households were randomly selected to be surveyed on their beverage consumption, perceptions of policy approaches to reduce SSB consumption and perceptions of water quality. In order to analyze the data we entered the survey responses into an online data entry system and will use descriptive statistics to summarize the data. I expect to find high consumption levels of SSBs in Kettleman City, which, like most Kings County towns relies on non-potable con-taminated groundwater.This research is essential in evaluating potential policies to prevent the upward trend in SSB consumption.


The Development of an RF Driven, Surface-Produced H- Ion Source

Aysia Demby University of California- Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

The effectiveness of multicusp negative ion sources is well documented. They are used internationally at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), KEK Japan, and ITER for a wide range of applications. In this paper, the volume and surface production ion sources used to create H- are discussed and inefficiencies within the


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surface production model are noted. Specifically, the issues with tungsten filaments being used to create plas-ma are explained. Using a combination of SOLIDWORKS and COMSOL, the apparatus is redesigned to include RF plasma antennae that will replace the tungsten filament and allow for better results in terms of current and energy of output H- ion beams.


Cultural Factors Associated with Fast Food Intake among Hispanic Immigrants in the US

Elizabeth Ruano, Lisa Miller University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA

Fast food, characterized by higher energy densities and high fat content1, is increasingly found in the diets of Latinos living in the US2. A longitudinal prospective study found eating at fast food restaurants was associ-ated with increased risk of insulin resistance, obesity, and poor dietary quality3. Fast food consumption has been shown to affect low-income, urban neighborhoods across the US because of its role as a major nutrition source, particularly among Latinos3. However, few studies have investigated the role of cultural factors on fast food consumption among Hispanics. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of two factors related to culture, language spoken at home and time in the US on fast food consumption among Latino immigrants (n=1489) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey (NHANES). Results showed that among Latinos who speak Spanish at home, length of time in the US did not affect frequency of eating at fast food restaurants. However, among Latinos who speak English at home, those residing in the US longer (greater than 15 years) ate fast food more frequently than those residing in the US for less time (14 years or less). These findings may enhance understanding of the role of culture in fast food consumption among Latino immigrants living in the US.


Variation in Estrogen Sensitivity amongst Multiple Populations of Xenopus laevis

Cara He, Xuan Luong, Tyrone Hayes University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Endocrine disrupters, especially estrogenic chemicals, in the environment are an emerging concern in environ-mental toxicology. Endocrine-disrupting contaminants are of special concern in regards to the global amphib-ian decline. We are exploring how the natural estrogen, estradiol, affects the commonly used lab model, the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). When genetically male larval X. laevis are exposed to estrogen, they develop into female frogs phenotypically. In addition, the proportion that develops as female varies depending on the population. We have found large variations in these ratios between multiple populations. These findings have implications for reproducibility across laboratories, differential susceptibility between individuals and populations in the wild, and question whether X. laevis can be used as a predictor for effects on other species.


Academic Achievement in Ethnic Minority Women with ADHD: Group Differences in Parenting Behaviors and Peer Relationships

Stephanie Franco, Jocelyn Meza, Stephen Hinshaw University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, USA


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Ethnic minority women with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are understudied and continue to suffer in silence. Specifically, they are diagnosed at lower rates compared to their white counterparts, and may have unmet treatment needs (Morgan, 2013). Previous research has found that ethnic minority children with ADHD have lower academic achievement and more negative interactions with peers (Rollins, 2005). Some of the causes for this may be the lack of culturally sensitive psychologists that are available, lack of affordable health care, and language barriers (Morgan, 2013). This study explores group differences among academic achievement in ethnic minority women in contrast to Caucasian women with ADHD. Group differences will also be explored between ethnic minorities and Caucasians in regards to parenting behaviors and peer relation-ships. In this study, statistical analysis will be conducted using a diverse sample of 140 girls with ADHD, which was collected from the Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study (BGALS). The aim of this research is to give a new perspective on the relationships that girls with ADHD hold with their parents, peers, and their personal education. For the primary analyses, ANOVAs will test for group differences between Caucasian women and ethnic minority women. Preliminary results indicate that further exploration of girls with ADHD is a priority, especially the investigations of important subgroups such as persons of a particular ethnic group or social class (Hinshaw, 2002). Understanding group differences is important because research does not extend to these populations, and minority women are more likely to experience dropout rates, grade repetition, school refusal, and controlling parents that contribute to their academic underachievement.


Networks of Postmodernity: Connection, Authorship, and the Printed Literary Journal

Roberta Dousa UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

In our current internet-oriented media ecosystem, how might we conceive of print as continuing to hold a space for emergent literary forms? How might we understand the politics of independent literary publications in 2016 and in what ways are issues of authorship and authority, readerly labor and consumption configured in such literary efforts? This study focuses on the inaugural issue of HOLD –a printed independent literary journal founded in Oakland, California in 2015. HOLD’s diverse range of literary forms stage a negotiation of print’s tendentious relation to contemporary technologies of connection that organize our increasingly digi-tized environment. Utilizing both theoretical and discursive modes of analysis, this essay asks what it means to study an issue of a journal given that it differs from a cohesive literary work inasmuch as it is comprised of a series of collected textual fragments “artificially” unified into a single unit? In what sense is the journal a single “work” or “text” and how might asking such questions illuminate the classic theoretical problem of “the author”? This case study illustrates how this older literary practice of publishing independent literary journals in order to stage aesthetic experiments and, as the editors of HOLD insist, to build “affinities across readers and writers,” figures the space of print as operating akin to the infrastructure of one of the new millennium’s most pivotal technologies –the network. I suggest that the inaugural issue of HOLD enacts a postmodern literary space of fragmentation –as a real and virtual body of conjoined and irreducible meanings –one that produces deviant connections and ambiguous citational affinities.


Type II Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors in Latino Subgroups

Omar Alonzo University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

The prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus in Latinos in the United States represents a public health concern given its disproportionate distribution in this population. Latinos constitute the largest ethnic minority in the United States and it is composed of various subgroups that vary by national origin, culture, and traditions.


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Thus, increasing our understanding of how risk factors affect these subgroups differently is of the essence in order to address the effects of cardiovascular disease in this community.

This study secondary analysis investigated associations between various education, diet, access to neighbor-hood for healthy foods, and acculturation as risk factors for type II diabetes mellitus and the development of such condition in 3,758 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) aged 44-84 years old. By comparing the Latino participants grouped by national origin as U.S. Born, Mexican, Puerto Ricans, Central Americans, and South Americans to Non-Hispanic whites this study compared the effects of various risk fac-tors through logistic regression models. Greater prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus was reported across participants with lower scores of healthy eating index and community resources for healthy foods. Participants also reported higher rates of diabetes associated to acculturation and education. Logistic regression models provide with statistical significant evidence of higher odds of developing diabetes among all Latino Subgroups compared to Non-Hispanic Whites where Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and Central Americans reported highest odds. Significant associations started to disappear for all subgroups except for U.S. born Latinos after adjusting for diet, education, community resources for healthy foods, age, sex, smoking status, BMI, and income. Further study for the sociocultural features of Latino subgroups, the role of the Latino Health Paradox, and improve-ment of neighborhood environment should be considered to improve the approach to reduce the rates of diabetes in this diverse ethnic group.


Across Three Oceans: Shipwrecks as Early Modern Globalism

Ramon de Santiago UC Berkeley, Ca, USA

Ships connect through the exchange and transfer of people and material culture. Shipwrecks present an op-portunity to investigate the transfer of visual and material culture through the connection of world systems. A pair of carved ivory panels recovered from a 1622 shipwreck of the Florida keys is discussed to examine the intersection of world systems, the global flow of people and ideas in the early modern world.


Leadership, Bias, and Non-Verbal Communication: That’s The Way the Cookie Crumbles Testing the Effects of Leadership on bias and decision making Implications for studying police violence against minorities using an organizational lens

Matthew Plinck University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

Individuals of color are frequently and continuously the victims of police brutality. Over a decade of research has been done attempting to find the mechanisms involved behind police shootings of minority group mem-bers. Despite the knowledge gained from the research innocent victims of police shootings are frequently splashed across mass media, offering a constant reminder that something more, potentially something new needs to be done. This research points to ways in which to focus future research pertaining to police violence toward minorities; Specifically, we parallel police precincts to other business organizations. Considering the structural similarities, police precincts “as organizations” could benefit from the extensive amount of organiza-tional behavioral research that currently exists. In addition to suggestions for future research we have conduct-ed a traction study using an organizational top down research methodology, where the leader is the focus. The study looked at the effect of Leaders’ nonverbal communication on observer’s ethical decision making. This research highlights how subtle forms of bias can be contagious and guide ethical decisions.


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0226 —Session PlenaryE Room Dwinelle 155 Sunday, August 7, 9:00AM-9:55AM

Syncretizing Powerlessness and Responsibility: How Berkeley’s Excise Tax on Soda Might Change the Narra-tive in Decision-Making to Consume Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Amongst Parents in Berkeley, CA

Ana Ibarra1, Tara Benesch2, Karen Sokal-Gutierrez2 1UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA, 2UC Berkeley - UCSF Joint Medical Program, Berkeley, CA, USA

Tooth decay is the leading chronic illness among children living in the US. A well-known risk factor for the development of tooth decay is increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Although the decision to consume SSBs is multi-factorial, excise taxes on consumer products have shown to decrease overall consumption. The implementation of Measure D—a 1-cent-per-ounce Soda Tax in Berkeley, CA—offers an op-portunity to explore parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in relation to SSB consumption. Preliminary results elucidated a potential conflict between parent’s beliefs of responsibility and perceived powerlessness to regulate SSB consumption in their household. We designed a follow-up qualitative study to understand this narrative in the context of oral health. A multicultural group of 20 parents that study, work, or live in Berke-ley, CA, was recruited to participate in individual in-depth interviews. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using Dedoose. Results found participants consume SSBs at lower rates compared to consumption among the population in the state of California, and most are in support of an excise tax on soda. However, external influences such as product advertisement, accessibility, and widespread social acceptance of SSBs are perceived as barriers in the pathway to reduce consumption. Addiction to SSBs was perceived to be a powerful internal factor in the pathway of consumption. Diabetes and obesity were of greatest concern to par-ents, and 100 percent of participants associated SSBs with various oral health diseases. Understanding health effects associated with SSBs was often attributed to education, however parents are concerned that lower in-come communities do not have equitable access to information. Findings from our study suggest excise taxes, coupled with equitable distribution of information may be effective in reducing consumption of SSB by provid-ing parents with additional incentives to resolve their perceived powerlessness to limit consumption of SSBs.


Investigating the link between linguistic and non-linguistic cognitive control in bilinguals

Martha Mendoza, Robert Thomas Knight, Stephanie Ries University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Bilinguals constantly need to suppress the activation of their other language while speaking. This has been proposed to result in enhanced cognitive control abilities outside of language, i.e. the “bilingual advantage” (BA). Several studies therefore suggest shared cognitive control processes across linguistic and non-linguistic tasks. Here we investigate this potential overlap using spatially-resolved scalp electroencephalographic recordings. Twelve Spanish-English bilinguals performed a picture-word matching task contrasting incongru-ent trials using false cognates (i.e. picture- foot, distractor: English word- “pie”, i.e. false cognate for the Spanish “pie” meaning “foot”) with congruent trials (matching picture name and word), and an unrelated control condition. In addition, participants performed a non-linguistic flanker task, in which they decided on the direction of a central arrow while ignoring flanking arrows. In incongruent trials, flanking arrows were in the opposite direction of the central arrow, while they matched in congruent trials. A medial-frontal brain potential peaking before electromyographic (EMG) onset has been strongly associated with decision making in non-linguistic tasks. We hypothesized that if this potential is also associated with linguistic decision mak-ing then it should be similarly sensitive to congruency manipulation in both tasks. Longer reaction times and higher error rates were observed in incongruent vs. congruent trials in both tasks. In the non-linguistic task, we replicated the previously observed congruency effect on a medial-frontal ERP peaking on average 64ms before response-related EMG onset. The same ERP was present in the linguistic task but was not sensitive to the con-gruency manipulation. Instead, a congruency effect was found at a left lateralized, more anterior frontal site peaking132ms before EMG onset which was absent in the non-linguistic task. Our results suggest that a strict


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overlap between linguistic and non-linguistic decision-making processes is not warranted. We conclude that factors outside language-related cognitive control processes may explain the BA.


Tree-people: The Aesthetics of Enchantment and the Rupturing of Cognitive Structures

Leah Tyus UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Modernism and postmodernism champion the position of being disenchanting by forcibly rejecting mimetic representations and dominant structures of thought. Pervasive mythical and fantastical figures in literature, like mermaids and fairies, receive more attention in humanities-centered research. Tree-people are signifi-cantly understudied, customarily umbrellaed under ecocritical research. These figures, however, can hold a greater claim in scholarship if they are independent from the all-encompassing term, nature. This paper exam-ines tree-people and announces their significance in literary scholarship by answering the following question: How do tree-people adhere to and/or resist linear modalities of thought and narrative structures? To answer this question, I examine the anthropomorphic tree representations found in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers, the D.C. comic Swamp Thing, and Marvel’s film Guardians of the Galaxy. Gilles Deleuze’s and Félix Guattari’s concept of the root-book, which “imitates the world, as art imitates nature” and their images of thought – the rhizome and the tree discussed in A Thousand Plateaus – comprise the basis of my theoretical framework. Dan Clinton clarifies the distinction between the tree and rhizome in the annotation of “Rhizome,” in A Thousand Plateaus, stating trees are “genealogical, where by contrast ‘the rhizome is an antigenealogy’ (Del-ueze & Guattari).” Testing if the selected tree-people conform to or rupture cognitive and narrative structures, I claim that these rhizomatic figures do both. I attribute this capability to enchantment, contingent on nature’s aesthetic awe, that is evoked by tree-people. In short, the selected tree-people in my study reveal enchant-ment’s relevance in literary theory. Enchantment, as an elusive aesthetic category illustrated through the tree-people I analyze, resists conforming to the dichotomy between rhizomatic and arboreal thought offered by Deleuze and Guattari.


Falling Through the Cracks: A Closer Look at Homeless Subpopulations That Get Left Behind

Shonte Johnson University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA

Alameda County is experiencing a housing and shelter crisis, and homelessness remains a pervasive social is-sue affecting many individuals. Among those most affected are African Americans accounting for over 50% of the homeless population. The battle to end homelessness has been undertaken through policy. The paradigm shift to Housing First policy is widely accepted, evidence based, and best practice to ending chronic homeless-ness. Mainstream literature supports Housing First and highlights its effectiveness for those who are chroni-cally homeless, accompanied by severe and persistent disabilities. This paradigm shift created drastic changes in policy and funding for traditional homeless services, which contributed to gaps in homeless service delivery. In this body of literature, the implications of the Housing First paradigm on African American homeless women will be analyzed. Furthermore, the marginalization of the women who are using traditional homeless services will be examined. The following research question is explored: How can access to shelter and housing be improved in Alameda County for unaccompanied African American women with mental illness? A total of 15 surveys were collected from homeless women that fit the target population. Survey participants were recruit-ed from traditional homeless programs such as drop-in centers and dining halls throughout Alameda County. A total of 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with social work professionals. The professionals were recruited from nonprofit organizations that function to serve the homeless in Alameda County. The major find-


Abstracts

ings from the study are: there are minimal services and funding available to unaccompanied homeless women, new policies have created more barriers for shelter and housing access, it is nearly impossible for unaccom-panied homeless women to get housed, and many are unsheltered. Recommendations include opening more drop-in centers for women with longer hours and in-depth case management, more flexibility with shelter curfews and eligibility, and targeted funding for women’s services.


The Influences of language and socioeconomic status on parental involvement in the West Contra Costa Uni-fied School District

Alexandrea Henry University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA

West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) is a broad district that encompasses some of the highest and lowest performing schools in California. The district itself serves approximately 29,000 students, many of whom come from underrepresented minority backgrounds and low-income households. This study explores the relationship between language and socioeconomic status, and how it affects parental involvement across WCCUSD. This study took place in easily accessible schools and libraries across Richmond, CA and consisted of 7 different focus groups with a total of 66 members from the community. Community members who attended the focus groups included parents, civic leaders, educators and school staff members who desired to have an active voice in their local schools. Through in-depth focus groups and surveys, this study provides a detailed view into the diverse levels of understanding that parents have around school structure, and the ways in which their needs are addressed in the school district. The results of this project suggest which intersectional identities play active roles in access to knowledge and resources across West Contra Costa, as well as how these identities provide a distinct system of privilege and oppression in the educational system. This study contributes to a greater understanding of how social factors, such as race, class and language, determine com-munal access to knowledge around education, and the ways in which that knowledge can be used as a tool of empowerment and upward mobility.


“soundless words”; Faulkner, Rulfo and the Representation of Consciousness

Jason Bircea UC Berkeley, Berkeley, USA

The question of how authentically to represent the consciousness of other people is perhaps most often embedded in critical discussions about the novel. And to be sure, this makes sense; for it is in the novel that the tension between writer and character is most acutely felt. Literary critic James Wood, in his book, How Fiction Works (2008), articulates this point well: “On the one hand, the author wants to have his or her own words, wants to be the master of a personal style; on the other hand, narrative bendstoward its characters and their habits of speech” (Wood, 30-31; emphasis mine). It is this very tension laid out by Wood—that between the author’s “personal style” and his/her character’s “habit of speech”—novels drama-tize in their attempt to represent alterity, otherness. Importantly, the problem of representing otherness is inherent in any novel, irrespective of authorial intent; narratives hold an agency independent of their instiga-tors (Bakhtin). But authors can and do consciously take on the aesthetic (and political) challenge of represent-ing consciousness other than their own. William Faulkner, in his novel, As I Lay Dying (1955), attempts to circumvent the author-character problem (shorthand for Wood’s longer formulation) by negating the authorial presence altogether. Composed of a series of autonomous monologues, Faulkner’s novel privileges a polyphonic structure in which the work of narration is taken up by multiple characters. In contrast, Juan Rulfo, in his novel, Pedro Paramo (1955), consciously undermines any readerly attempt to make “sense” of, or organize, the sheer multiplicity of voices texturing the narrative. Thus, Faulkner


Abstracts

and Rulfo approach the problem of representing otherness from opposing ends: Faulkner seeks to rehabilitate consciousness to character; Rulfo, in contrast, consciously obfuscates his own narrative, rendering question of narration—of who is speaking (or thinking) and when, insurmountable, Sisyphean.


En paz, en un hogar sin fronteras: Assessing Housing Barriers for Battered Latina Immigrants and Their Fami-lies

Adrian Chavez UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA

Between 2003 and 2013, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency deported ap-proximately 3.7 million U.S. immigrants, with about 25 percent of these deportees being parents of U.S. born-children. Studies have shown that increased immigration enforcement through the use of local police and jails has resulted in more cases of deportation related to domestic violence. As a majority of deportees are Latinos, a growing gap exists in our understanding of domestic violence in Latino immigrant or mixed-status families, specifically in cases where service provider-patient interactions may lead to family separation, deportation, and in some instances, homelessness. While the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2013 was expanded to provide legal protection against deportation for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, many undocumented Latina women remain vulnerable to housing instability and homelessness due to ineligibility for most local, state, and federal government housing programs. The current study aims to examine the intersections of immigration enforcement, domestic violence intervention, and housing barriers for battered Latina immigrants and their families, with a special focus on how service provid-ers strategize options for housing. This study utilizes one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with service providers from Latino-based community health centers in the Bay Area. Findings are currently in the preliminary stages.


The Use of Spanish: Influence of Class on language among 1.5-generation Mexican immigrants to the United States.

Carla Ibarra UC Berkeley, California, USA

Mexican immigrants in the United States originate from varying class statuses prior to migration. This article examines how class status influences Spanish language retention among Mexican immigrants to shed light on assimilation processes more broadly. Drawing upon qualitative in-depth interview research with 1.5-generation Mexican immigrants residing in California, I argue that class status influences language retention and processes of language identification. The findings of this research article indicate that upper-class Mexican immigrants maintain Spanish proficiency through frequent use and positive identification with the language, whereas working class Mexican immigrants experience a decrease in the use of Spanish and compartmentalize the language into demarcated environments. The findings are discussed with respect to the broader literature on assimilation and settlement in the United States.


Evaluation of Chlorine Alternatives for Antimicrobial Treatment of Recirculating Water in Postharvest Han-


Abstracts

dling of Tree Fruit

Erika Estrada, Trevor Suslow, Adrian Sbodio University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA

Postharvest treatments for washing, treatments for quality disorders, cooling, and surface sanitization also serve to decrease the presence of plant and human pathogens. However, postharvest water which recirculates increases the risk of transferring pathogens, released into the water system, from contaminated to non-con-taminated produce. This may occur within a single lot or among multiple lots contacted by the same recircu-lating water source. Preventing cross-contamination through the implementation of validated antimicrobial process controls is a key regulatory compliance requirement provision under the Food Safety Modernization Act for both domestic and imported produce. Traditionally, chlorine or hypochlorite’s have been the primary water treatment and process-aide for fresh produce, including diverse tree fruit. Increasingly, retail buyers and consumers have identified health and environmental concerns for continued conventional approaches to hyper-chlorination. Validated non-chlorine alternatives are needed. The current work aims to comparatively evaluate and establish the basic, practical efficacy of three antimicrobial water treatments; chlorine (as sodium hypochlorite -NaClO) as the benchmark standard, a reactive oxidative species formulation (Safe Zone LOD), and peroxyacetic acid under different simulated water quality conditions. Key parameters are concentration and contact time on avocado and peaches as contrasting fruit surfaces. Replicated challenge studies will develop ef-ficacy data targeting 1. Prevention of cross-contamination with Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes; 2. Quantitative and qualitative reduction of fruit surface populations; and 3. Impact of increasing Chemical Ox-ygen Demand on prevention of cross-contamination. These outcomes are anticipated to identify performance limiting parameters for recirculated wash water sanitation; these results are the beginning steps needed to validate operational implementation of food approved, non-chlorine antimicrobials and process controls as part of a comprehensive food safety program.


(Re)viewing and (Re)membering Violence: Testimonios of Queer & Trans Tejan@/x Sexual Assault Experiences

Richard Giddens, Jr. University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA

This study aims to understand the ways that queer and trans people of color, specifically Tejan@/xs navigate their healing while continuing to contend with sexual violence supported and enforced by cis-heteropatriarchy (dominant power structure/cisgender-heterosexual-normativity). How and to what extent does institution-alized cis-heteronormativity affect queer and transgender Tejan@/xs (QTT@/Xs) who have been sexually assaulted and their ability to heal emotionally, psychologically and spiritually from residual trauma; how do QTT@/Xs (re)view and (re)member their experiences of sexual assault; what effect does this introspection have on identity formation as QTT@/Xs? This qualitative research design utilizes methods of personal testi-monios given by six people identifying as queer and/or transgender Mexican-Americans from Texas and their experiences with sexual assault. It is argued that current healing resources located in San Antonio, Texas are marketed toward cisgender, heterosexual women which is problematic for those QTT@/X individuals who have experienced sexual assault. This study aims to create a counter-narrative adding QTT@/X representation to the dialogue of sexual assault awareness and trauma healing resources in San Antonio, also informing social services where QTT@/X individuals seek these resources. A Chicana feminist framework and indigenous research paradigm is followed to allow participants to be fully aware of, and contribute to the creation of this counter-narrative. Structured following Gloria Anzaldúa’s theoretical path of conocimiento, it argues that QTT@/Xs who experience sexual assault are restricted and limited in their ability to heal from trauma by institutionalized cis-heteronormativity located within the current state of social services, and in order to initiate a salubrious path to healing, this cis-heteronormative structure must be acknowledged, contested and transformed to be inclusive of QTT@/X and queer/trans of color narratives and experiences.


Abstracts


Ciencia para todos/ Science for everyone

Erika Ortega, Jorge Solis The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA

This study aimed to understand the development of scientific discourse in bilingual classrooms by novice teachers. Audio recordings of 6 science lessons taught in Spanish by two K-5 bilingual teachers were tran-scribed and coded. It is critical to better prepare our teachers because by 2025, it is projected that one in every four students in the United States will speak English as a second language. [National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2011; National Clearing House for English Language Acquisition, 2007; U.S Census Bureau, 2010]. The data draws from the framework CREDE, the Five Standards for Effective Pedagogy, of a longitudinal study testing the impact of a new science teacher education model. The analysis of science lessons taught in Spanish by bilingual teacher candidates indicated that bilingual teachers can draw from students’ sociocultural knowledge to enhance vocabulary and science discourse. Examples and analysis from this study can be used to expand models of science instruction in bilingual contexts.


Mechanisms Involving The Tuning of Emission Wavelength of Colloidal Carbon Quantum Dots

Nicholas Herrera, Arturo Ayon University of Texas - San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA

The characterization of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is essential to understand all parameters involved in their photoluminescent (PL) properties, properties that have demonstrated their useful application in recent tech-nologies (such as bio-imaging, solar cell technology and quantum dot LED TV displays to name a few.) We syn-thesized CQDs using an electrochemical process where we could control their size distribution by setting the electrical current density during synthesis. We considered a few variables in the role of PL properties - particle size, agglomeration, concentration, surface charge, and overall size distribution in any one colloidal solution, as well as solutions containing a mix of sizes and the ratios of the amount of particles of one size to the amount of particles of a different size. It was confirmed that CQD concentration and size of CQDs play a large role in tun-ing the wavelength of re-emitted light. We hypothesize possible connections between PL properties and other less direct variables such as pH and agglomeration as well. Some preliminary data shows a trend between the stability of the dispersion of the CQDs and size, surface charge and/or pH of the colloidal solutions. The effects of these trends on their PL properties are currently being tested.


Studying the Transparency of Electrostatic Grids

Genaro Hernandez Salgado University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, Ca, USA

The purpose of this endeavor is to optimize the field uniformity of the electric field inside the LZ Dark Matter detector. However, in order to do so, the transformation between the different wire geometries’ transparen-cies need to be taken into account and studied. For this, I have created several electrostatic, axially symmetric models on the simulation software COMSOL. From the COMSOL models I have the data that verified our sus-pected transparency transformations are indeed the case. This contribution toward the LZ Dark Matter experi-


Abstracts

ment, will result in a possible change in the charge of the resistors of the detector and it will help our ability to “fiducilize” the volume of liquid xenon within the detector.


The Spatial Metaphorics of Ambiguity in Greek Culture

Linda M. McNulty, William Michael Short The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Ambiguity has recently emerged as a central theme of literary and linguistic theory (Hagenbüchle 1984). Whereas traditional approaches inspired by Aristotle often viewed ambiguity with suspicion, literary criticisms, particularly of postmodernist orientation, have constructed ambiguity as characteristic or even constitutive of creative expression. In linguistics, meanwhile, ambiguity (often contrasted with vagueness) is a resurgent element of interest in semantic studies of many different languages. But “ambiguity” itself must be seen as a culturally and socially constructed category, as is the case for any abstract concept. In this corpus-based study, I aim to pinpoint how the ancient Greeks conceptualized “ambiguity”, as part of a larger scholarly project seek-ing to understand Greek culture emically (e.g., Cairns 2014). This is achieved through cataloguing and analyzing Greek’s vocabulary of ambiguity, which is particularly rich in amphi-, di-, and peri- compounds, in search of what cognitive linguists call “embodied metaphors” (esp. Lakoff and Johnson 1980). Preliminary analysis indi-cates that Greek speakers’ conceptualization of ambiguity was shaped by the physical and spatial metaphors implicit in each of the aforementioned prefixes, where di- captures this concept through the image of position “on two sides”, peri- the image of movement “around” a central point, andamphi- a mix of these two images. These images form complex metaphor systems which not only inform us how the Greeks themselves under-stood “ambiguity” in their own cultural context, but also, I argue, allow a glimpse into the Greek perspective on aspects of their culture that they themselves understood as fundamentally ambiguous.


Public perceptions of Wrongfully Convicted Prisoners: The impact of Labeling Theory and Stigma

Teyana Backey Xavier University of LA, New Orleans, USA

This purpose of this research is to analyze public perceptions and stigma attached to those who have been ex-onerated. With the American prison population reaching into the millions, thousands of innocent people have become typical in an era of Mass Incarceration. Twenty-six years ago, exoneration did not exist in the American Criminal Justice System. Examining the connection between individual problems and social issues is important for the overall progression of society. Criminals who have obtained the status of “exonerees” are still labeled as deviant. Examining how the stigmatization of these innocent individuals affect reentry into society or the re-entry into prison is prevalent as a result of Western society’s steep Mass incarceration rates.


“Liberating Our Perspective: A Decolonial Approach to the Language of Imprisonment”.

Martin Vela-Sanchez University of California Berkeley, Ca, USA

This project is a brief discursive analysis of some material written by prisoners in multiple California State Prisons. The purpose of this study is to identify the ethical and interpretive problems faced by academ-


Abstracts

ics who interpret, analyze, or review such texts. Prison conducts a labor on prisoners; a labor that alters their minds,bodies, and souls. At its core, the function of prisons is to break people. I also examine how the effects of this systematic assault on human beings, over a long period of time, are unknown to most outsid-ers. Thus few academics possess what I am calling the “lived experience” of imprisonment that results in their sometimes misguided interpretations.

Furthermore , given the labor prisons conduct on prisoners, any interpretation of prison writings require a complicated, “ inter-linguistic approach,” and what I call a “decolonial approach” to interpreting texts written in prison. I will employ the theoretical frameworks of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Achille Mbembe, and Ato Quayson to analyze both writings and their academic reception. These findings will lead to a more nuanced readings of such texts while maintaining the integrity of the risoners’ voices held by the materials.


Corona Discharge and Tropospheric Ozone Levels

Gilbert Rivera, Paul Walter St Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, USA

Ozone is most commonly associated with the ozone layer in the stratosphere; however, ozone is found in the troposphere as well. In the stratosphere, ozone is produced by dissociation of oxygen (O2) with high energy UV light, then subsequently reacting one of the freed O atoms with O2 in the presence of a third molecule to form ozone (O3). In the troposphere, ozone can form via reactions of hydrocarbons and NOx in the presence of sunlight. Ozone can also be formed from corona discharges. Corona discharges are caused when hydrometeors (i.e., ice crystals, ice pellets, or hailstones) approach each other. This leads to significant ionization of the air around the hydrometeors and causes charges to separate in the clouds, which may assist in the production of tropospheric ozone. On September 5, 2013, in Houston, balloon measurements showed high levels of ozone during the ascent as a storm was approaching and low levels during the descent less than two hours later. Our hypothesis is that on days similar to September 5, 2013, the high levels of ozone read by the ascent of the weather balloon, are a result of the corona discharge in the clouds before a storm. Lightning strikes themselves produce significant amounts of NOx, which in the absence of sunlight reacts with ozone, thereby reducing its concentration. We would like to know what is the frequency that we see events such as the one that happened on September 5, 2013, in Houston, TX, in Huntsville, AL? In addition, what implication does this have on the tropospheric ozone budget? We are currently carrying out data analysis of other ozonesonde measurements in order to find evidence that either supports or invalidates our hypothesis.


Effects of Ashe juniper-dominated versus Oak-deciduous-dominated areas on soil ecology in South Central Texas

Amy Ontai, Teresa Bilinski St Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, USA

This project sought to determine Ashe juniper’s effect on soil ecology. Soil samples were taken at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve from six plots characterized as oak-deciduous-dominat-ed or Ashe juniper-dominated. Woody species were identified and measured to calculate biomass, and soil was analyzed for pH, amount of organic carbon and microbial carbon substrate utilization through EcoPlateTM test-ing. Paired t-tests were run on organic matter (OM) and pH, and a multivariate matrix was run on the EcoPla-teTM data. No significant difference was found between pH or OM, (p=.602, p=.857), and different soil plots showed varied microbial communities.


Abstracts


Efficient Mosquito Vector Abundance Comparison Between Developed and Protected Natural Areas

Jaquelin Ortuno, Michael Wasserman St. Edward’s University, Austin, texas, USA

Mosquitoes are of great public health importance due to the numerous pathogens they can carry. In Central Texas, the prime culprits of spreading viruses like West Nile, Zika, and Chikungunya are Aedes albopictus, Ae-des aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus (DSHS). This study used BG Sentinel 2 traps around the St. Edward’s University campus and Wild Basin Wilderness preserve to compare mosquito diversity. A great portion of mosquitoes captured was A. albopic-tus and C. quinquefasciatus, with slight variations. Generally, larger samples were captured on the university campus than the preserve. Further sampling is recommended with emphasis placed on gender and potential screening for disease.


Students with Intellectual Disabilities and their Access to a Postsecondary Education

Lorena Sierra, Anna Escamilla St. Edward’s Universtiy, Austin, Texas, USA

Individualized education programs (IEPs), a crucial component of a student’s academic career, are designed to meet individual needs, build a strong support system and determine goals for the stu-dent. IEPs also address transition to postsecondary education as students approach graduation. Postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities (ID) provide a more inclusive environment, employ-ment opportunities and take into account academic goals as well. A snowball sample comprised of profession-als and caregivers of students with ID were interviewed about IEPs and postsecondary education options to determine the role IEPs play in bridging the gap between high school and postsecondary education.


The Role of Religion in Punitive Behavior

Nickolaus Stiles, Jessica Boyette-Davis St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, USA

A plethora of data shows an unprecedented trend toward religious unaffiliation in the United States. The “Un-affiliated” is the fastest growing and second largest “religion” in the United States, and third largest worldwide. What role does religious identity play in social behavior? How does one’s religion influence how we behave toward others or vice versa? Mounting evidence suggests that being seen as irreligious leads to moral distrust, resulting in biased and prejudicial behavior toward the unfaithful. This study extends this research by investi-gating the role religious identity plays in how much punishment is given and received for a nonviolent offense.


Women’s Appearance Manipulation Techniques and Poor Body Image


Abstracts

LaJaun Willis University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA

This literature review examines the factors that motivate women to use appearance manipulation techniques like cosmetic surgery and unhealthy eating behaviors. According the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 92% of cosmetic surgery recipients are women (2015). In light of women’s disproportionately high rate of par-ticipation in appearance manipulation techniques like cosmetic surgery, this study hypothesizes that societal pressures contribute to women’s poor body image in westernized cultures, and was conducted by searching terms related to such including “societal”, “intrapersonal”, “parental”, “age”, “media”, and “materialistic”. All of these terms, besides intrapersonal, play a significant role in influencing women’s self-perception, or use of appearance manipulation techniques (Eriksen, 2012, Slevec & Tiggemann, 2010). This examination found that when women compare themselves to television images it increases the chance that they will endorse the thin ideal, and internalize societal standards of attractiveness (Botta, 1999). When parents applied their thin ideals to their daughters’ body, it increased the chances that their daughter would start dieting on consistent basis and become self-conscious about her weight (Ferguson, Galindo, Garza, and Munoz, 2014). Social standards of attractiveness such as the thin ideal, are also correlated with materialistic qualities that lead to an increase in the consideration of cosmetic surgery (Brooks & Henderson-King, 2009). Aging was also connected with positive views of cosmetic surgery. The three most popular cosmetic procedures are Botulinum toxin type A, Soft tissue fillers and Chemical peel, which can contribute to a more youthful appearance (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2015). Finally, fathers have a unique effect on the likelihood that their daughters will use an appearance manipulation technique like dieting and cosmetic surgery (Berkey, Camargo, Coliditz, Field, Taylor, and Roberts, 2001, Brooks, Henderson-King, 2009).


Index

24th Annual National

Ronald E. McNair Scholars SymposiumPresenter and institution index

Abidog, Clarissa (Boise State University) 0067Aday, Audrey (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0002Al-Barkawi, Alaa (Westminster College) 0162Aldana, Amy (University of California, Los Angeles) 0109Ali, Aisha (University of California, San Diego) 0022Alonzo, Mark Ellie (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0110Alonzo, Omar (University of California, Berkeley) 0223Alvarez, Sherlee (University of New Hampshire) 0094Ansari, Sadia (Loyola University Chicago) 0202Apala, Elizabeth (East Central University) 0108Arnoldussen, Brent (University of Wisconsin - Madison) 0139Ashenafi, Zekarias (University of Northern Colorado) 0004Baca Carroll, Vanessa (Cal Poly Pomona) 0188Bakou, Myrianna (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0061Baxter, Kyly L. (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0060Beatty, Cuyler (University of Nevada, Reno) 0136Bell, Alexis (Knox College) 0118Beltran, Sofia (University of California, San Diego) 0173Bencosme, Yamilex (University of New Hampshire) 0065Bhattarai, Shrishti (UC Davis) 0194Bithos, James (University of Nevada Reno) 0098Blasco, Carly (Westminster College) 0019Bracamonte, Sylvia (UC Berkeley) 0216Breceda, Nicolas (Loyola Marymount University) 0113Brown, Kyria (University of Wyoming) 0131Brown, Talegria (Boise State University) 0068Bucholz, Jamie (San Francisco State University) 0080Burnett, Marketa (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0079Burris, Shanna (University of Wisconsin) 0042Calvelo, Kevin (Loyola Marymount University) 0137Cannon, Andrew (Rutgers University) 0144Canuto, Vanessa (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0034Cassidy, Stephanie (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0069


Index

Castallano-Ladd, David (University of California, Davis) 0182Castillo, Jazmin (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0059Ceja, Cristina (University of California, Davis) 0183Chang, Mythoua (Augsburg College) 0074Chavez, Adrian (UC Berkeley) 0232Chavez, Anabel (Augsburg College) 0073Chi, Josephine (California State University, Northridge) 0177Childs, Kiara (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0018Cintas, Justin (Loyola Marymount University) 0040Claiborne, Nicole (University of Nevada, Reno) 0152Clark, Natasha (Augsburg College) 0071Clavijo, Alexis (Rutgers University) 0101Covarrubias, Marco (Cal Poly Pomona) 0191Cruz, Lorena (University of New Hampshire) 0138Currence, Phylicia (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0031Cutter, Amy (Boise State University) 0196Davila, Daniel (University of River Falls) 0133Davila, Rodolfo (University of Wisconsin River Falls) 0046Davis, Ve’era (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0014DeCaro, Marissa (University of New Hamshire) 0048Demby, Aysia (University of California- Berkeley) 0218Deng, Shimin (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0058DeRosier, Elizabeth (University of Wisconsin: River Falls) 0125DeSantiago, Danny (UC Berkeley) 0161de Santiago, Ramon (UC Berkeley) 0224DeSelm, Matthew (University of Northern Colorado) 0009Diaz, Steven (University of Northern Colorado) 0023Dickens, Joshua (UNC-Chapel Hill) 0097Dosamantes, Nicole M. (Loyola University Chicago) 0197Dousa, Roberta (UC Berkeley) 0222Dowcett, Bryanna (University of New Hampshire) 0070Eke, Amanda (University of California Davis) 0159Elcock, Deandra (The University of Northern Colorado) 0005Estrada, Erika (University of California Davis) 0234Fausett, Jacob (University of Nevada, Reno) 0066Flahive, Richard (UC San Diego) 0210Flores, Cindy (Wesleyan University) 0114Foxworth, Megan (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0064Franco, Stephanie (University of California Berkeley) 0221


Index

Fuhrman, Michelle (University of Nevada, Reno) 0156Galo, Genesis (Earlham College) 0193Gant, Jayel (Knox College) 0119Garcia, Alejandra (Loyola Marymount UNniversity) 0160Garcia-Baza, Isai (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0100Garcia, Beau (University of New Hampshire) 0062Garcia, Cynthia (University of California, Los Angeles) 0142Garcia, Gustavo (UCLA) 0147Garcia, Joshua (University of California, Davis) 0102Garrard, Ashley (University of Central Missouri) 0055Gavarrete Olvera, Alice (Loyola Marymount University) 0155George, Menshian (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0035Gin, Logan (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0141Gomez, Blanca (University of California Davis) 0180Gutierrez, Cassandra (Knox College) 0179Harmon, Romel (UC Berkeley) 0093Harris, Jalynn (University of North Carolina) 0090He, Cara (University of California, Berkeley) 0220Henderson, Jane (University of San Diego) 0209Henry, Alexandrea (University of California, Berkeley) 0230Herrera, Nicholas (University of Texas - San Antonio) 0237Hidrovo, Alexandria (University of New Hampshire) 0127Higgins, Karly (University of Wyoming) 0190Holler, Cynthia (University of New Hampshire) 0170Holley-Grisham, James (St. Lawrence University) 0116Hopkins-Spencer, Stephanie (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0126Hurst, Jordan (Knox College) 0140Hussien, Salimah (University of New Hampshire) 0029Ibarra, Ana (UC Berkeley) 0226Ibarra, Carla (UC Berkeley) 0233Ifonlaja, Jide (Augsburg College) 0123Ippolito, Sean (Boise State University) 0158Jindracek, Andrea (Knox College) 0086Johnson, Shonte (University of California, Berkeley) 0229Juarez, Miriam (University of California, Los Angeles) 0049Keita, Lamin (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0181Kelso, Taylor (Westminster College) 0171Kim, Su Yeon (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0082Ladzekpo, Elinam (University of California, Los Angeles) 0149


Index

Landry, B. (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0084Lara, Brenda (University of California, Los Angeles) 0154Latimer, Kyjeila (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0013Lopez, Jacqueline (The University of North Carolina) 0078Luna, Kimberly (Boise State University) 0146Magallanes, Elisa (UC Davis) 0176Mancillas, Jorge-David (UC Berkeley) 0215Martin, Darian (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0012Martinez, Chantal (Boise State University) 0021Martínez-Surmick, Briana (University of California, Berkeley) 0214Martinez, Viridiana (Westminster College) 0050McGinn, Taylor (University of Northern Colorado) 0032McKay, Brianna (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0057Medina, Emilio (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0010Mendoza, Martha (University of California, Berkeley) 0227Mercier, Caitlin (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0008Mhtar, Marwa (Cal Poly Pomona) 0117Miller, Shannon (University of Nevada, Reno) 0128Miranda, Kimberly (University of California, Los Angeles) 0104Mohamed, Maryam (Augsburg College) 0075Monarrez, Berenice (Cal Poly Pomona) 0189Montgomery, Catherine (Loyola University Chicago) 0204Morales, Hanna (Wesleyan University) 0115Moreno, Martha (University of California San Diego) 0106Morgan, Nick (Wesleyan University) 0112Muñoz, Christina (University Of California San Diego) 0203Munoz, Estephanie (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0169Navarro, Paul (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0103Nelson, Bryanna (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) 0036Newton, Shaunna (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0016Nuanez, Cordero (Univesity of Nevada, Reno) 0011Odegard, Sara (University of Wisconsin River Falls) 0039Ortega, Erika (The University of Texas at San Antonio) 0236Padilla, Nicolas (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0015Pardi, Sarah (Loyola Marymount University) 0088Parker, Essence (St. Lawrence University) 0121Patel, Janki (Loyola University Chicago) 0208Perez, Nicholas (University of California, Berkeley) 0085Pineda Severiano, Paulina (UC San Diego) 0122


Index

Pinetta, Bernardette (University of California, Los Angeles) 0130Plinck, Matthew (University of California Berkeley) 0225Ponce, Julián (University of California Berkeley) 0217Powell, Jelisa (Knox College) 0003Prieto, Laura (Loyola University Chicago) 0200Puente, Mayra (University of California, Los Angeles) 0143Puga, Melissa (University of Utah) 0192Quinonez, Borman (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0184Quiroga, Mary (University of Nevada, Reno) 0165Rahe, Kegan (University of Nevada, Reno) 0157Ramirez, Marco (California State University, Northridge) 0185Ray, Khadejah (UCLA) 0145Retana, Manuel (University of Nevada, Reno) 0089Reyes, Everardo (University of Northern Colorado) 0024Reyes, Sara (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0054Reyna, Chandra (Boise State University) 0044Richardson, Rashiidah (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0096Rivera, Brittany (Loyola University Chicago) 0195Robertson, Tyrian (Earlham College) 0172Robles, Jesenia (Boise State University) 0063Rodriguez, Cristina (Loyola University Chicago) 0206Rodriguez, Nalya (UC Berkeley) 0213Roque, Trixie Anne (Loyola Marymount University) 0111Ruano, Elizabeth (University of California, Davis) 0219Ruffins, Theodore (Knox College) 0174Ruiz, Alejandra (UC Davis) 0186Ruiz, Kimberly (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0053Russell, Brandi (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0052Saenz, Michala (University of Northern Colorado) 0026Saiag, Valerie (UC San Diego) 0167Sanchez, Jasmin (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0017Sandfort, Elliot (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0047Santos, Sylvana (Loyola Marymount University) 0028Schiller, Kaleiah (University of River Falls) 0038Semerad, MaLeaha (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) 0045Shropshire, Jeremey (Xavier University of Louisiana) 0211Sierra, Valentín (UC Davis) 0120Singer, Davi (Augsburg College) 0077Singletary, Crystal (Knox College) 0006


Index

Siri, Moussa (University of New Hampshire) 0178Snyder, Heather (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) 0041Sosa, Katerina (Knox College) 0095Stevens-Phillips, Antoine (University of California, San Diego) 0092Street, Ellen (University of California Davis) 0187Taff, Hannah (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation) 0166Tellez, Armando (University of California, Los Angeles) 0043Thao, Karen (Augsburg College) 0072Thao, Soua (University of Wisconsin - River Falls) 0076Thrift, Briana (University of California, San Diego) 0212Tillar, Chase (East Central University) 0129Torrez, Rachel (UC Berkeley) 0105Toscano, Natalia (UCLA) 0150Tovar, Jessenia (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) 0007Tran, Ann (University of California, Los Angeles) 0056Tran, Ha (Loyola University Chicago) 0199Tran, Khanh (University of California, Davis) 0153Trujillo, Adriana (University of Northern Colorado) 0051Tyus, Leah (UC Berkeley) 0228Valadez, Silvia (Loyola University Chicago) 0201Vázquez, Melissa (Loyola University Chicago) 0207Ventura, Carla (Loyola Marymount University) 0151Villegas, Andres (Rutgers University) 0163Wach Slaymaker, Jacie (Westminster College) 0198Walker, Diamonique (Augsburg College) 0135Walker, ReaShondra (Augsburg College) 0081Walman, Melissa (University of California, Los Angeles) 0148Washington, Cory (University of Wisconsin-Madison) 0020White, Ryan (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) 0030Wiggs, Devin (Augsburg College) 0087Wilson, Rory (University of New Hampshire) 0175Wong Chang, Maria Angelica (University of California, Davis) 0091Yanar, Jorge (Loyola University Chicago) 0205Yanez, Ariana (University of Northern Colorado) 0033Zacharias, Briana (University of California San Diego) 0132

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2/18/10Floor

DWINELLE HALL

Date:


Maps

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2/18/10Floor

DWINELLE HALL

Date:


Maps

Documents

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium · 2016-08-04 · The 24th Annual National Ronald E. McNair Scholars Symposium The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Academic Achievement Programs