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Influence Of Stimulus Amplitude On African Clawed Frogs' Choices Between Two Stimuli, Geetha Somarouthu, Austin Shaffer, Joseph Taraba Jan 2018

Influence Of Stimulus Amplitude On African Clawed Frogs' Choices Between Two Stimuli, Geetha Somarouthu, Austin Shaffer, Joseph Taraba

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

African clawed frogs locate prey using their lateral line systems to sense water movements the prey make. We’ve previously studied how the frogs choose between two stimuli; their choice is influenced by several factors including most importantly which stimulus is more rostral (i.e. more in front of them) and which is closer, which also means it arrives first with a larger amplitude. Here, we test whether stimulus amplitude affects choice. We generated surface waves by dipping two rods of different sizes into the water. Rods make waves both entering and leaving the water; both the material and diameter affect wave …


Roles Of H3v In Trypanosoma Brucei, Sandra Haswani Jan 2018

Roles Of H3v In Trypanosoma Brucei, Sandra Haswani

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan that affects the central nervous system. This unicellular eukaryote can be transmitted to mammals by the bite of a tsetse fly. T. brucei evades the host’s adaptive immune response by carrying out antigenic variation of its protective coat of Variant Surface Glycoprotein which allows the infection to persist and be further transmitted. T. brucei lacks the sequence-specific transcription factors found in other eukaryotes, thus chromatin structures at PTU (polycistronic transcription units) boundaries are thought to play important roles in control of gene expression. This paper focuses …


The Use Of Retinoic Acid To Promote Atrial And Ventricular “Like” Cells To Aid In Atrial Fibrillation Research, Nautica Mccully Jan 2018

The Use Of Retinoic Acid To Promote Atrial And Ventricular “Like” Cells To Aid In Atrial Fibrillation Research, Nautica Mccully

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the irregular contraction of the atria, which are the top chambers of the heart. AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting nearly 2.3 million people in the United States, common among people 40 and older. When AF is present the electrical signals that control this process is unbalance. Without proper diagnoses and treatment AF can be a life-treating condition. The use of human cellderived cardiomyocytes will allow the study of cells involvement in atrial fibrillation development. The addition of retinoic acid during a 30-day time course to myocytes allowed us, to investigate retinoic functions, by …


Circadian Clock Proteins Crys Are Involved In Control Of Diet Dependent Acot Expression, Marc Edwards, Allan Poe, Kuldeep Makwana Jan 2018

Circadian Clock Proteins Crys Are Involved In Control Of Diet Dependent Acot Expression, Marc Edwards, Allan Poe, Kuldeep Makwana

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Circadian clocks are evolutionarily conserved molecular timekeeping systems that generate rhythms in physiology and behavior in almost all living organisms and synchronize them with external environment. Living organisms have multiple circadian clocks which control numerous physiological functions. The light entrained circadian clock involves a transcriptional-translational feedback loop which regulates locomotor activity and metabolic processes and coordinates them with daily rhythms. The food entrainable oscillator (FEO) clock also generates near 24 hour circadian rhythmicity by driving food anticipatory behavior in mice. Mice entrained on 12:12hr light-dark cycle have been shown in previous studies to generate circadian rhythms in food anticipatory behavior, …


A Targeted Genetic Screen To Identify Meiotic Cohesin Regulators, Urja Patel, Emilia Kalutskaya, Alexis Brown, Ali Ahsan Jan 2018

A Targeted Genetic Screen To Identify Meiotic Cohesin Regulators, Urja Patel, Emilia Kalutskaya, Alexis Brown, Ali Ahsan

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

During oogenesis in animals deficient for REC-8, a cohesin subunit required for sister chromatids cohesin (SCC), Co recombination fails and sister chromatids segregate away from one another prematurely in meiosis I. Consequently, zygotes inherit two copies of each chromosome. Chromosome segregation in meiosis II fails and the progeny of rec-8 mutant mothers usually survive as viable polyploids. In contrast, homologs segregate randomly during meiosis I in oocytes produced by spo-11 mutants, which lack the transesterase required for crossover recombination. This results in aneuploidy, and nearly all the embryos die. We have shown that mutations disrupting SCC mediated by REC-8 cohesion, …


Weed Communities In Urban Agriculture, Joshua Ryan Jan 2018

Weed Communities In Urban Agriculture, Joshua Ryan

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Urban agriculture has been increasing all over the United States, especially in shrinking cities such as Cleveland, where increases in vacant land have brought opportunities for farming. There has also been a more interest in sustainable farming, as more people prefer locally sourced and organic food. However, like rural agriculture, urban agriculture also faces the problem of weed management, especially when growing organically eliminates some control options such as chemical means. As there is little to no research available on urban agricultural weeds, this research aims to identify and examine urban weed communities to obtain a better understanding of them, …


Screen For Interacting Factors For Trypanosoma Brucei Telomere Protein Rap1, Annelise Radzin, Elizabeth Beran Jan 2018

Screen For Interacting Factors For Trypanosoma Brucei Telomere Protein Rap1, Annelise Radzin, Elizabeth Beran

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) in people and nagana in cattle, both of which are fatal without treatment. This parasite is injected into the host through the bite of the tsetse fly and is able to evade the host’s immune response due to changes in its major surface antigen, variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs). This constant switching prevents the host from making a single antibody that can recognize the antigen and eliminate the parasite. VSG expression sites have been found to be near the telomeres of Trypanosoma brucei, and studies from our lab …


Effect Of Feeding Regimens Of Yap Signaling, Xhuliana Fafaj, Nikkhil Velingkaar Jan 2018

Effect Of Feeding Regimens Of Yap Signaling, Xhuliana Fafaj, Nikkhil Velingkaar

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Many mammalian physiological and behavioral aspects show 24-hour circadian rhythms such as metabolism, sleep-wake cycle, body temperature and blood pressure. These 24 hour rhythms are regulated by circadian clocks, which are internal timekeeping systems located in every body cell and tissue, and synchronize these rhythms with the external environment. At the molecular level, CLOCK and BMAL1 are core clock genes involved in transcription-translation feedback loop which in turn regulate biological processes and coordinate them with daily rhythms. Circadian clock has been demonstrated to regulate cell cycle, cell proliferation and differentiation, but the mechanism in liver is not clearly known. Hippo …


Meiotic Drive In C. Elegans: A Violation Of Mendel's Second Law, Alexis Brown, Emilia Kalutskaya, Urja Patel, Taylor R. Schilling Jan 2018

Meiotic Drive In C. Elegans: A Violation Of Mendel's Second Law, Alexis Brown, Emilia Kalutskaya, Urja Patel, Taylor R. Schilling

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Under normal conditions, alleles segregate randomly during meiosis so that each one has an equal chance of being passed onto the next generation. However, in some cases, a given allele is more likely to be passed on, along with any nearby alleles. These cases are said to exhibit meiotic drive. Meiotic drive allows biased segregation of particular alleles instead of independent assortment. This process is significant because it can drive evolution by altering the genetic makeup of a population. Such a case exists in C. elegans, in which the offspring of males who carry the genetic balancer qC1 along with …


Simulation Of Abiotic Hurricane Effects On Lotic Meiofauna Abundance And Composition, Jamil Wilson Jan 2018

Simulation Of Abiotic Hurricane Effects On Lotic Meiofauna Abundance And Composition, Jamil Wilson

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Freshwater meiofauna are essential in our understanding of freshwater biomes. Their previous lack of attention in literature have sparked many to undergo research about their overall composition and distribution relative to many of the factors on which they depend. While more of these investigations have surfaced, few have looked at community adaptably or lack thereof when confronted with drastic changes to their environment. Therefore, this study observed what kinds of possible changes that can take place in these populations after the lingering effects of an enormous natural disaster. It is the objective of this study to identify the most influential …


Expression And Purification Of Full-Length Recombinant Plasmodium Falciparum Pfmc-2tm Maurer’S Cleft Protein, Alberto R. Williams-Medina, Kush Addepalli Jan 2018

Expression And Purification Of Full-Length Recombinant Plasmodium Falciparum Pfmc-2tm Maurer’S Cleft Protein, Alberto R. Williams-Medina, Kush Addepalli

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains the most virulent form of malaria, resulting in 216 million cases and 445,000 deaths globally. Invasion of red blood cells by P. falciparum leads to the formation of membranous structures known as Maurer’s clefts (MC). Virulence markers of P. falciparum such as PfEMP1 are transported across the MC to the surface of the infected red blood cell. Insight into the formation and function of the MC will be important for the discovery of new vaccine and drug candidates. The PfMC-2TM is encoded by a multi-gene family of 13 members. PfMC- 2TM is a protein …


Toward The Crystallization Of An Archaeal Dihydrorotase, Haley Newman, Ryan Godin Jan 2018

Toward The Crystallization Of An Archaeal Dihydrorotase, Haley Newman, Ryan Godin

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

Dihydroorotase catalyzes the conversion of N-carbamoyl-L-aspartate to Ldihydroorotate in the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines. M. jannaschii is an archaeon that thrives in extreme environments such as the hypothermal vents at the bottom of the oceans in which both temperature and pressure are extremely high. It can serve as a model organism for research purposes. This experiment is a first step toward elucidating the structure of this enzyme in M. jannaschii. Our summer research started using a partially purified enzyme preparation from previous experiments. We further purified the enzyme primarily using hydrophobic interaction and hydroxyapatite chromatographies. Twenty-four closely related conditions …


Quantifying The Ability Of Common Invasive Shrubs To Acquire And Use Water, To Tolerate Drought, And Compete With Native Plants Within Holden Arboretum, Ohio, Sean Fenton, Brooke Sietz Jan 2018

Quantifying The Ability Of Common Invasive Shrubs To Acquire And Use Water, To Tolerate Drought, And Compete With Native Plants Within Holden Arboretum, Ohio, Sean Fenton, Brooke Sietz

Undergraduate Research Posters 2018

There is very little data on the interaction between native and invasive shrubs in Eastern North America. There are a number of traits that make the establishment and impact of shrubs different than other species. Early emergence of leaves and varying rates of photosynthesis play a significant role. How plants use water, and how plants are influenced by drought have not been studied thoroughly. This is important for a better understanding of how plants will respond to the alteration of precipitation regimes that occur from climate change. Research has been predominantly focused on how water availability can shape the interspecies …


Introducing Delays Between Two Lateral Line Stimuli Alters Choices By African Clawed Toads, Kevin Goth, Austin Schaffer Jan 2017

Introducing Delays Between Two Lateral Line Stimuli Alters Choices By African Clawed Toads, Kevin Goth, Austin Schaffer

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

African clawed toads (Xenopus laevis) use their lateral line system to detect prey. The African clawed frog can determine the distance of the origin of a surface wave. This allows the frog to differentiate which stimulus is more important for prey capture. The African clawed toads were put into a glass basin which was filled with water. Above the water basin are four rods that are controlled through a computer program which allow the rods to touch the surface of the water. After recording, each frame was examined in the videos to determine the turn angle and stimuli distance of …


Fungal Colonization Of The Invasive Plant, Lesser Celandine, Allison Paoluccis, David Burke Jan 2017

Fungal Colonization Of The Invasive Plant, Lesser Celandine, Allison Paoluccis, David Burke

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) is an invasive spring ephemeral in Northeast Ohio. This problematic invasive plant forms a dense vegetative mat on forest floors. As a result, R. ficaria prevents the establish of many native species of flora. Despite, the growing concerns about the impacts of this species, little is known about the mechanisms underlying its variable success. This study focuses on determining the presence of beneficial fungal associations as a possible explanation for enhanced plant performance. Samples were gathered from eight sites in the Rocky River Metroparks, Ohio along a disturbance gradient from the riverbank. Microscopy was used to …


Expression Validation Of Mir-149-5p Targets In Prostate Cancer, Grant Wethington, Savita Singh Jan 2017

Expression Validation Of Mir-149-5p Targets In Prostate Cancer, Grant Wethington, Savita Singh

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of mortality in men. Current therapeutics for PCa are androgen depletion by castration or/and anti-androgen based treatments. Androgens are necessary for Androgen receptor (AR) to function as a transcription factor, AR then regulates the expression of genes which promote cancer cell proliferation. However, despite the therapeutic interventions recurred AR signaling, which is facilitated by the acquisition of mutations in AR and its amplification, cholesterol biosynthesis and alterations in the steroidogenesis continue promoting PCa carcinogenesis. Our research is focused on regulatory small RNA molecules know as microRNAs (miRNA) in PCa. Numerous miRNAs …


African Clawed Toads Response To The Distance Choice Of Lateral Line Stimuli, Casey Iyasere Jan 2017

African Clawed Toads Response To The Distance Choice Of Lateral Line Stimuli, Casey Iyasere

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

African Clawed Toads are a model organism for research on sensory integration due to their lateral line system that allows them to sense water movement. This study further investigates the choices made by toads when presented with two lateral line stimuli in the form of surface waves. When such stimuli are initiated simultaneously, toads tend to turn towards the more rostral stimulus or the nearer stimulus, waves from which arrive first. We introduced a delay between stimuli to allow the waves from the farther stimulus to arrive first. Toads were more likely to respond to a single stimulus than they …


Express Recombinant Tb12990 Protein From E. Coli For Dna Binding Analysis, Alex Lotozynski Jan 2017

Express Recombinant Tb12990 Protein From E. Coli For Dna Binding Analysis, Alex Lotozynski

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic protozoan species, causing sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in livestock. Its vector, the tsetse fly, feeds on an infected host and passes the parasites into the bloodstream of other mammalian hosts. The unique challenge for elimination is its complex process of antigenic variation, where the parasite regularly switches its major surface antigen, VSG. When the parasite enters the mammalian host, the host responds by making a corresponding antibody against its major surface antigen, VSG. However, although most parasites are eliminated, a small population can escape due to their altered VSG coat. The expression sites …


An Evaluation Of Unionidae Diversity In The Rocky River And How Population Density Has Changed Over Time In Comparison To Observations Made Over 15 Years Ago, Jamil Wilson Jan 2017

An Evaluation Of Unionidae Diversity In The Rocky River And How Population Density Has Changed Over Time In Comparison To Observations Made Over 15 Years Ago, Jamil Wilson

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

This study was undertaken to determine the changes in freshwater bivalve population since the survey conducted in 2001 in the northern region of the Rocky River, Ohio, USA. During our study, we discovered 69 live specimens and 58 shells most of which were found in two distinct locations near the top and bottom of the area surveyed. Our finds consisted of eight species in comparison to the nine that were seen in the same area of the 2001 study. Our results showed that Leptodea fragilis populations have decreased in the main stream of the Rocky River since the observation 2001, …


Morphological Study And Biochemical Characterization Of The Alveolate Flagellate Colpodella Sp. (Apicomplexa) In A Diprotist Culture With Bodo Caudatus, Lauren Dulik, Raghavendra Yadavalli Jan 2017

Morphological Study And Biochemical Characterization Of The Alveolate Flagellate Colpodella Sp. (Apicomplexa) In A Diprotist Culture With Bodo Caudatus, Lauren Dulik, Raghavendra Yadavalli

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of severe human malaria shares the presence of apical complex organelles with the free-living predatory alveolate, Colpodella sp. In this study we investigated morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics of Colpodella sp. in a diprotist culture containing Bodo caudatus as prey. Colpodella attaches to its prey using the apical end. Attachment lasted for approximately 20 minutes while the cytoplasmic contents of the prey were aspirated into the posterior food vacuole of Colpodella in a process known as myzocytosis. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using P. falciparum rhoptry specific antibodies showed intense reactivity with cytoplasmic vesicles of Colpodella …


Identifying Potential Causes Of Human Birth Defects Through Genetic Studies Of Worm Development, Solomiya Pushchak, Kaveri Khanna Jan 2017

Identifying Potential Causes Of Human Birth Defects Through Genetic Studies Of Worm Development, Solomiya Pushchak, Kaveri Khanna

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

We will use the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans to study the process of meiosis, which is involved in the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs). Its small size, rapid life cycle, transparency and well-annotated genome allows researchers to track the effects of mutations that disrupt gametogenesis. Our preliminary data demonstrated that a genetic screen for mutations that increase the viability of embryos produced by worms lacking SPO-11, a critical factor regulating meiotic chromosomal inheritance, can identify genes required for the accurate transmission of the genome from one generation to the next. To further test this hypothesis, we will continue this screen …


The Effects Of Cell Cycle Position On Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation Or Apoptosis, Asma Saleh, Briana Boslett Jan 2017

The Effects Of Cell Cycle Position On Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation Or Apoptosis, Asma Saleh, Briana Boslett

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced by the same culture conditions as differentiation in skeletal myoblasts, yet these processes result in mutually exclusive physiological endpoints. Dissecting this coordinate regulation could enable selective manipulation relevant to the alleviation of muscle degeneration, the effectiveness of regeneration, or treatment utilizing skeletal myoblast transfer. Analysis of asynchronous cultures of myoblasts in growth media (GM) were determined to have 50% of cells in G1 phase, 30% of cells in S phase and 20% of cells in G2/M phase. When skeletal myoblasts in GM are switched to differentiation media (DM), roughly 70% of cells undergo differentiation …


Phosphorus Variations In Lake Erie And Its Major Tributaries, Shiying Lu Jan 2017

Phosphorus Variations In Lake Erie And Its Major Tributaries, Shiying Lu

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

As a recurring symptom of eutrophication in Lake Erie, massive blooms of harmful algae pose a threat to safe drinking water supply and recreational water use. Causes of the recent re-eutrophication in the lake include changes in the tributary phosphorus loading and/or increases in the internal nutrient loading potentially mediated by the colonization of zebra and quagga mussels. This study is to investigate the phosphorus variations in different nearshore locations of the lake and its major tributaries for a better understanding of the lake's trophic conditions. A total of 21 water samples were collected from Lake Erie and its major …


Purification And Crystallization Trials Of The Dihydroorotase From Methanococcus Jannaschii, Amy K. Dadisman Jan 2017

Purification And Crystallization Trials Of The Dihydroorotase From Methanococcus Jannaschii, Amy K. Dadisman

Undergraduate Research Posters 2017

Dihydroorotase is the enzyme that catalyzes the third step of the de novo biosynthesis of pyrimidines. M. jannaschii is a hyperthermophillic archaeon that can serve as a model organism for research purposes. This experiment is a first step toward elucidating the structure of the dihydroorotase in M. jannaschii. The enzyme was purified by salting out and heating the solution and then putting the supernatant through cation exchange chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Twenty-four conditions were tested to determine if a crystal of dihydroorotase could be formed. Two of these conditions led to preliminary crystal formation. These findings can be utilized …


The Relationship Between Observed And Perceived Measures Of Balance Stability, Lrenzo Bianco, John Demarco, Sarah Gualtier Jan 2016

The Relationship Between Observed And Perceived Measures Of Balance Stability, Lrenzo Bianco, John Demarco, Sarah Gualtier

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

Introduction Injurious falls have risen significantly in the past decade, raising concerns about the efficacy of fall prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between perceived and observed balance measures used in a falls prevention program. Methods Subjects (S) were 70 (F), 59 (F), and 73(M). They were taught the Rate of Perceived Stability (RPS), a perceived measure of balance intensity and completed the Berg Balance Test (Berg), Timed up and Go (TUG), and Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). The Berg and TUG are observed measures and the ABC is a perceived measure. Last, …


Synthesis And Characterization Of Lectin Mimetics (Neo-Lectins), Czharena Kay Rama, Joshua Whited Jan 2016

Synthesis And Characterization Of Lectin Mimetics (Neo-Lectins), Czharena Kay Rama, Joshua Whited

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

The cell surface expresses a variety of carbohydrates such as glycoproteins, proteoglycans and glycolipids. They play critical roles in pathological and physiological processes, including cell signaling, immune responses, pathogen-host interactions, tumor metastasis, and other cellular events. Due to its function and uses in cell communication, it is a curious subject of observation for scientific research. The molecular mechanism of carbohydrate recognition is still undetermined, and lectins, sugar binding proteins, are used to analyze the particular structures expressed on the cell surface. Lectins are normally found in plants and animals, and the isolation process of lectins is laborious, toxic, immunogenic and …


The Identification Of Anti-Cancer Molecular Targets Of Cox-2 Inhibitor Nimesulide, Yuridia Olivera Ortiz, Nethrie D. Idippily Jan 2016

The Identification Of Anti-Cancer Molecular Targets Of Cox-2 Inhibitor Nimesulide, Yuridia Olivera Ortiz, Nethrie D. Idippily

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs which were primarily used for the treatment inflammation and pain have also shown anti-cancer activity in many studies. The mechanism of action of NSAIDs in cancer may involve cyclooxygenase (COX) dependent or independent pathways. According to studies, COX-2 is overexpressed in several cancers such as prostate, breast, nonsmall-cell lung, colon, and pancreas. Nimesulide is an NSAID with COX-2 inhibitory activity and investigations show that it could induce apoptosis in cancer. Previously, a library of compounds was synthesized using Nimesulide as a lead compound. However, they displayed different molecular targets: tubulin and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). …


The Use Of Ipad Pros As An Assistive Device In Occupational Therapy, Osorio Lana Jan 2016

The Use Of Ipad Pros As An Assistive Device In Occupational Therapy, Osorio Lana

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can IPADS be used as an assistive devices for children and adults with disabilities? A literature review was conducted using the keywords, in order to find articles about using iPads as a therapeutic device. As a result it was concluded that iPads due to its versatility and popularity has made great progress as a therapeutic tool. Apps recommended as having a therapeutic purpose were also purchased and installed. The iPads will be used as a learning device amongst the Health Science Programs at Cleveland State University. KEYWORDS: iPad, assistive technology, occupational therapy, tablet, allied health, assistive therapeutic …


Variation Of Bone Microarchitecture Within And Among Contemporaneous Species Of Fossil Horses: Feasibility, Emily A. Edwards Jan 2016

Variation Of Bone Microarchitecture Within And Among Contemporaneous Species Of Fossil Horses: Feasibility, Emily A. Edwards

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

Mesohippus, Miohippus, and Merychippus are extinct horse species that date back fifteen to thirty million years ago, which spanned over three time periods in North America. Each of the horses habituated different terrains from wet to dry. The third metacarpal became the prominent one-toe of horse evolution and is the specimen of this study. The aim is to determine if reorientation, segmentation, correcting size differences, and isolation are feasible. Horse fossils are extensive, documented, and are used as an analogous fossil lineage to humans for this study. Imaging of the third metacarpal was accomplished by micro-CT scanning with a focus …


The Effects Of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Lesion On Swallowing Kinematics And Airway Protection, Saja Abid, Rebecca Z. German Jan 2016

The Effects Of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Lesion On Swallowing Kinematics And Airway Protection, Saja Abid, Rebecca Z. German

Undergraduate Research Posters 2016

The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) carries sensory information from the mucosal tissues of the pharynx superior to the vocal folds, and carries motor signals to the cricothyroid muscles. It also provides partial innervation to the thyroarytenoid and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles. Finally, the SLN initiates the swallow. When a food or liquid bolus is swallowed, the epiglottis and the false and true vocal folds work together to seal off the airway and allow the bolus to pass through the esophagus. If the SLN is damaged, it usually leads to dysphasia in which food or liquid enters the airway. We hypothesized that …