Digital Commons Network^™

Using Digital Holographic Microscopy To Characterize Vibrio's Chemotaxis, Jacqueline Acres, Eric Valentino

Student Research Symposium

Vibrio alginolyticus is a marine bacterium that displays distinctive chemotactic behavior. Chemotaxis is the ability to move in response to a concentration gradient, either in the direction of nutrients or away from repellants. Vibrio's single, polar flagellum allows it to form a tight cloud in the presence of a chemoattractant. In this work, we experimentally characterize cloud sizes after both normal culture conditions and simulated microgravity using digital holographic microscopy or DHM. DHM allows visualization of volumetric samples by recording x,y,z and t information in holograms. Plane-by-plane reconstruction retrieves the z-plane information which can then by stitched together into hyperstacks …

Perspectives Of Special Educators And Paraprofessionals On Person-Centered Planning Tools For People Who Use Aac, Samantha K. Stidham, Brandon Eddy, Andryce Andres

Student Research Symposium

Person-centered planning (PCP) is an intervention approach for people experiencing disability. This often results in a document outlining the individual’s preferences in their care, life goals, and transitions. Some people with disabilities communicate using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which supplements or compensates for impairments in speech and language production often involving the use of external communication tools. Current PCP tools may not fulfill the needs of people who use AAC (PWUAAC) due to limited focus on supporting communication. No PCP tools yet exist specifically designed for PWUAAC. The purpose of this study was to inform the design of a …

Mutant Viruses From Hell: Comparing The Capsid Structure Of Vp1 Mutants To The Wild-Type, Jenni Tran, Thejanee Liyanaarachchi, Ignacio De La Higuera, Jono Abshier, Ken Stedman

Student Research Symposium

Viruses can be defined as genetic material tightly packed in a protein coat called the capsid. The spindle-shaped fuselloviruses are found worldwide in hot springs at over 80°C and below pH 4. Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus 1 (SSV1) is a fusellovirus known to infect the archaea, Saccharolobus solfataricus. This research will provide further insights into the survival of macromolecules, particularly proteins, that are present in extreme environments. To study the interaction of proteins within these extreme environments, we are studying the capsid structure of SSV1. The capsid of SSV1 is composed of two main proteins, VP1 (major) and VP3 (minor). There …

The Power Of The Collective: A Multi Agent-Based Modeling Approach To Nuclear Radiation Localization, Benjamin Totten, Christof Teuscher

Student Research Symposium

Gamma radiation is a very high frequency, very dangerous electromagnetic wave that has a chance of being emitted after radioactive decay. Radiation source localization, or locating the previously unknown source of nuclear radiation, in a rapid and efficient manner is critically important, but challenging. We aim to create an architecture for multiple, fully independent agents that cooperate to localize sources faster than existing single-agent architectures, without compromising accuracy. Using Agent-Based Modeling and Deep Reinforcement Learning, agents are enabled to make decisions based on other agents' behaviors while maintaining programmatic autonomy. We hypothesize that radiation sources can be localized faster using …

Using Wgcna To Examine Rnaseq Expression Data In The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Patrick Clouser, Jason Podrabsky

Student Research Symposium

Annual killifish (Austrofundulus limnaeus) live in ephemeral ponds of Venezuela. They have evolved a unique life history that includes experience embryonic diapause; a period of developmental dormancy and metabolic arrest that supports survival during the dry season. Developing and diapausing embryos are extremely resistant to environmental stresses; for example, they can survive for months without oxygen (anoxia). A. limnaeus’ tolerance to anoxia is an important survival mechanism as they can spend months buried in anoxic soil during development. I hypothesize that this extreme anoxia tolerance is supported by gene expression networks that are different from typical vertebrates. To evaluate this …

Research Proposal For An Assessment Of The Potential For The Arbuscular Fungi “Rhizophagus Irregularis” To Aid In Corn Uptake And Availability Of Iron, Caitlin Costello

Student Research Symposium

Global iron deficiency is one factor contributing to malnutrition and varied health conditions. This deficiency accounts for 841,000 deaths and approximately 35,057,000 “disability-adjusted life years lost” (Stoltzfus, R. J. 2003). One way to combat this is to maintain or increase the iron uptake of the globe’s major crops. Research has shown that certain types of mycorrhizal fungi can increase the nutrient uptake of plants. To further this research, we will look at the arbuscular fungi Rhizophagus irregularis and its potential relationship with a short harvest corn variety. This type of mycorrhizal fungi improves plant nutrition including the plant’s ability to …

An Investigation Of Microbial Symbiosis In Vertebrate Embryonic Diapause Using Austrofundulus Limnaeus As A Model, Jose Camara-Lavadores

Student Research Symposium

Studies emphasizing the crucial dynamic between multicellular organisms and microbes continue to broaden our understanding on how these relationships lead to pathogenicity or mutual benefit. Many studies show that microbes can aid hosts through a variety of mechanisms including: metabolism, neuro development, physical performance, and behavior. In this study we aim to characterize the microbiota of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus, and investigate the potential role that microbes may have in supporting embryonic diapause. Diapausing embryos can survive extreme environmental stresses such as anoxia, drought, and fluctuating osmolarity and pH. Understanding the potential role that microbes may play in …

Houseless Water Insecurity During Covid-19 Pandemic, Alicia N. Gamble

Student Research Symposium

Water security is of the utmost importance for the houseless population. However, little is known about how the houseless population has been resilient to water barriers related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to understand houseless individuals' perceptions of public versus grassroots water sources, and the barriers and impacts of these sources. In order to understand these perceptions, individuals experiencing houselessness (e.g. living in tents, vehicles, emergency shelters, couch-surfing, or no roof) that utilize water sources in Portland, Oregon will be interviewed while walking in public areas to gain rich qualitative data, along with GPS data …

Mental Health In Student Leadership: Perceptions Of Ability, Rose M. Jardine

Student Research Symposium

This proposal aims to evaluate the relationship between perceptions of mental health and leadership ability among student leaders in university communities.

Over fifty participants, including faculty and students, from Oregon universities and community colleges are expected to contribute to this study. Participants will answer a survey and be randomly assigned to one of four situations describing a student leader’s disclosure or non-disclosure, both with and without Bipolar 1 Disorder. Bipolar 1 Disorder was chosen for this study based on its intermittence, varying severity, higher associated stigma, and symptomatology that can include externally perceived increased productivity. They will respond to this …

Hemp-Lime Insulation: A Climate Friendly Building Material, Ginger Rose Jensen

Student Research Symposium

It is critical to reduce greenhouse gas from the atmosphere to reduce the impacts of climate change. Oregon’s Climate Action Plan has established goals to reduce emissions by developing ‘Clean Buildings’ and increasing the CO₂ sequestered by the state's ‘Natural and Working Lands’. Carbon negative construction materials like hemp-lime insulation could contribute to both goals.

Hemp-lime is a non-structural insulation material made from crushed hemp hurd, a lime-based binder, and water. It is non-toxic and versatile alternative to traditional insulation materials. Hemp-lime was submitted to be added to the International Residential Codes (IRC) index in 2022. IRC approval would …

Effect Of Eosinophils In Purinergic Receptor P2x3 Expression In Mouse Sensory Neurons, Emily J. Mize

Student Research Symposium

P2X₃ purinoceptors are expressed by airway sensory neurons and activated by extracellular ATP released during periods of cell stress. In asthma, sensitivity to ATP is increased. Airway eosinophilia, which is common in a majority of asthmatics, increases airway sensory nerve density in mice and humans. Whether eosinophils increase neuronal P2X₃ expression in asthma is unknown.

P2X₃ expression was quantified in vagal ganglia from wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice with airway eosinophilia (NJ1726), systemic eosinophilia (NJ1638), and eosinophil-deficiency (PHIL) using RNAscope in situ hybridization. Images were obtained using confocal microscopy. The percentage of P2X₃ positive pixels …

How Are Changes In Temperature And Salinity Impacting Intertidal Mussels?, Casey A. Martin

Student Research Symposium

Marine organisms living within the intertidal zones, such as mussels, experience a wide range of environmental conditions every day. Due to Climate change, these environments are transforming in such a way that may impact a mussels ability to successfully reproduce, grow, and live. Previous studies have shown that successful gamete development in freshwater mussels has been linked to temperature and species behavior has been observed to be influenced by salinity levels. In order to test the impact of temperature and salinity on mussel physiology, mussels were exposed to several treatments with varying conditions. Those conditions included a combination of a …

Reduce, Reuse And Deny: How Sustainability Is Judged By Consumers, Madison E. Hill

Student Research Symposium

This research was an analysis of a series of interviews regarding what factors are considered when deciding if a given product is environmentally friendly or not. Participants were asked to select between products or practices as the generally more sustainable option, and were asked to explain their reasoning for that decision. Participants were encouraged to describe their reasoning behind each choice, but it was noted when certain choices were more challenging than others. Products that green-wash effectively generate trust between consumers trying to ‘do their part’ and industries attempting to capitalize on each side of environmental crises. Most sustainable practices …

Daily Work, Nonwork, And Stress Experiences Of Students, Erika A. Schemmel, Tori L. Crain, Rachel G. Lucas-Thompson

Student Research Symposium

A substantial body of literature exists that examines work, nonwork, and stress in employed adults. Less is known about experiences of stress in adolescents and emerging adults. The goal of the present study is to examine the association between daily activities and next day stress within a sample of students. We propose that students use their personal resources to meet school demands, and then need to replenish those resources, or stress may ensure. One aim of this study is to examine the relationship of hours of exercise and sleep with students’ reports of stress the next day. Additionally, many students …

The Effects Of Running On Arithmetic Problem Solving, Kayia C. Snyder, Nicholas Smith Dr.

Student Research Symposium

In this work, we propose to examine the effects of physical activity on academic performance as physical activity is shown to improve mood, energy levels, confidence, and memory retention. We propose to recruit a sample of 200 psychology students from Portland State University. Each student will be asked to take an arithmetic problem-solving test then asked to study the material for three weeks. Of the 200 students, 100 will be randomly assigned to a physical activity condition, in which they will be asked to run 30 minutes prior to studying, then all students will be asked to take a timed …

Exploring The Function Of Heart Regeneration In Survival Of Anoxia In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Connor Taylor Kime

Student Research Symposium

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world, half of which is caused by myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack. Most of the damage resulting from MI is due to oxygen deprivation that leads to cell death. The resulting cardiac scarring due to MI is chronic in humans and is not yet treatable; the only method of restoration is heart transplantation. Other organisms, such as fishes, show great cardiac regenerative capacity. The annual killifish, Austrofundulus limnaeus, can survive for months without oxygen at certain developmental stages. Examining gene expression responses during anoxic exposure and recovery in …

Respiratory Function In Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals On Testosterone Therapy: A Comparative Study, Jillian River R. Browy, Alicia Heitzman, Deanna Britton, Jeff Conn, Karen Drake, Aaron Ziegler

Student Research Symposium

Introduction: The primary goal of this pilot study was to examine the impact of testosterone therapy, as part of medical treatment to align gender identity, on measures of respiration and voice.

Methods: Participants consisted of a group of transgender and gender-diverse individuals, assigned female at birth, who had been taking testosterone for at least one year and a control group of age- and race-matched peers, also assigned female at birth, who had never taken testosterone. Data were collected on the primary outcomes of respiratory volume and strength, reflected by measures of forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), and …

Impacts Of Doliolids On The Marine Microbial Community Off The Oregon Coast, Melissa Steinman, Anne Thompson, Kelly Sutherland

Student Research Symposium

Marine microbes drive global biogeochemical cycling and are critical to sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. Predation on marine microbes by viruses and single-celled microbes is well documented, yet models of microbial mortality with these sources do not account for observations of microbial death. We examined how an understudied group of animals, pelagic tunicates, could feed on marine microbes using an internal mucous mesh. One group of pelagic tunicates, the doliolids, have the potential to reshape marine microbial communities when they bloom. We sampled doliolids off the Oregon Coast and characterized the diversity, taxonomy, and relative abundance …

Computational Investigation Of The Mechanism Of An Octahedral Ni(Ii) Proton Reduction Catalyst And Importance Of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding, Avik Bhattacharjee, Dayalis S.V. Brown, Carolyn N. Virca, Trent E. Ethridge, Oreana Mendez Galue, Uyen T. Pham, Theresa M. Mccormick

Student Research Symposium

Water-splitting to make hydrogen gas is of extreme importance in the field of alternative energy research. Transition-metal complexes are capable of catalyzing the conversion of water to hydrogen at higher pH, with low overpotential. Our research focuses on the importance of intramolecular hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) on the pKa and thermodynamic stability of the catalytic intermediates of a well-known proton-reduction catalyst, nickel (II) tris-pyridinethiolate. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on the parent catalyst and eleven derivatives demonstrate geometric isomer formation after the protonation step of catalysis. These isomers differ in the relative thermodynamic stabilities and pKa values, which can be attributed …

Stakeholder Perceptions Of Microplastics Management In Oregon, Maya A. Hurst-Mayr

Student Research Symposium

There is currently no federal policy in the United States that specifically addresses microplastics (MPs) pollution. However, states are beginning to act on this issue; California’s SB 1422 initiates measurement of MPs in drinking water resources and Senate Bill 1263 requires the state to adopt a strategy to reduce the ecological impact of MPs in marine ecosystems. Other West Coast states like Oregon and Washington are expected to follow California’s example. It is important to know what the actors who are a part of shaping MPs policy in Oregon would see as barriers and opportunities to doing so. We conducted …

Climate Model Skill At Simulating Large-Scale Atmospheric Circulation Patterns And Associated Temperature And Precipitation Over The Pacific Northwest, Graham Taylor

Student Research Symposium

The ability of the latest state-of-the-art suite of climate models to simulate observed large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns over the Pacific Northwest of North America is evaluated. Twelve representative patterns of atmospheric circulation are identified using machine learning applied to observational data. Climate model data from simulations of the historical period are mapped to each observational-derived pattern, and the resulting differences between patterns, as well as differences in frequency of pattern occurrence, are quantified. In general, models are able to simulate the range of circulation patterns with reasonable accuracy, although model skill varies to some degree across the 25-member climate model …

Developing Therapeutic Alliance Through Improvisation: A State-Of-The-Art Review For The Speech-Language Pathologist, Ryan Depauw

Student Research Symposium

Background: With the needs of patients in modern healthcare becoming increasingly complex, providers may benefit from using adaptive skills to develop therapeutic alliance in patient-centered care. This review examined the potential application and benefit of theatrical improvisational skills in healthcare generally and in the allied health profession of speech-language pathology specifically.

Methods: A literature search was completed across 6 databases. Search terms included “clinical improvisation,” “medical improvisation,” and “applied improvisation.” Searches were limited to journal articles published in English from November 2011 through November 2021. Articles included for full review were of original research and focused on applied …

Qualitative Research Approaches: Descriptive Phenomenology In The Healthcare Field, Emily Goble, Karyssa Stonick, Alison Wong, Deanna Britton

Student Research Symposium

Qualitative research analyzes psychosocial aspects of the world in an effort to synthesize and understand lived experiences. It is a powerful tool for collecting rich data to explore and build theory in new areas of research with limited existing theory. This oral presentation will share an overview of commonly used qualitative research approaches and their applications with a focus on descriptive phenomenology for patient-centered healthcare research. Developed as part of a student-led research team looking into experiences of dysphagia among individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, this project will justify why we selected a descriptive phenomenological approach for this project, provide a …

Patterns Of And Experiences With Dysphagia In People With Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (Heds) With Or Without Dysautonomia, Karyssa A. Stonick, Deanna Britton Dr., Emily Goble, Alison Wong, Alena Guggenheim Dr., Donna Graville

Student Research Symposium

Ehlers Danlos Syndromes (EDS) are collagen-based hereditary connective tissue disorders characterized by decreased tissue integrity. Historically, the musculoskeletal and dermatological manifestations have been emphasized. However, EDS is associated with symptoms and conditions affecting nearly all body systems, including swallowing (dysphagia). A Cohort Discovery analysis at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) revealed that 14.9% ± 0.3% of patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of EDS also have an ICD-10 diagnosis of dysphagia in their medical record. Despite only one article in the current literature, the prevalence of dysphagia in EDS is not insignificant and warrants further investigation. Our long-term hypothesis is …

Dietary And Behavioral Reflux Management, Adam M. Gehr, Deanna Britton

Student Research Symposium

Chronic gastroesophageal reflux is a common contributing factor to dysphagia. Consequently, dysphagia treatment often includes discussion and education regarding behavioral management strategies and dietary modification to prevent reflux, including the provision of written materials to encourage follow-through. The goal of the current project was to revise and update the existing evidence-based pamphlet of behavioral modifications to manage reflux being used at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), including the addition of non-pharmaceutical beverage and homeopathic alternatives to reduce reflux and soothe gastrointestinal (GI) tissues. A scoping literature search was conducted during the period from June 2021 to March 2022 via …

Evaluation Of Oregon’S Food Waste Recovery And Reintegration Policy Adoption Through Civic Capacity, Jenna N. Stathopoulos

Student Research Symposium

The US Food System is complex and multi-layered, containing many areas for improvement. My research focuses specifically on the issue area of food waste. On a global and national scale mitigating food waste can seem too large to manage. Containing complexity across multiple sectors and with extended timelines for improvements, it is indeed a wicked problem, a problem which in its complexity is almost impossible to fully distinguish or address with one (or even multiple) solutions. (Rittel, 1973). However, when we look to local, place-based solutions we can develop more realistic and actionable plans. The state of Oregon is equipped …

Analysis Of Aftershock Parameters For The Alaskan Subduction Zone Tectonic Region, Gabrielle M. Paris (They/Them), Richard C. Hugo, Andrew J. Michael

Student Research Symposium

On 29 July 2021, a magnitude 8.2 earthquake was felt by over 200 people near Perryville, Alaska. The early aftershock forecasts issued by the USGS use default parameters based on expected productivity within a given tectonic region. These forecasts predicted a slower decrease in aftershock activity than what was observed. Even after the USGS adjusted the aftershock forecast parameters, the forecasts did not improve in the long term. Accurate aftershock predictions are important for maintaining public confidence in disaster alert systems. The question I want to explore is: are the generic parameters used in aftershock forecasting accurately describing the observed …

Discussion Of “Guiding Principles For Hydrologists Conducting Interdisciplinary Research And Fieldwork With Participants”, Melissa Haeffner

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Rangecroft et al. (2021) offer a set of principles for conducting interdisciplinary research and fieldwork with participants from a hydrologist perspective. In this invited paper, I present some thoughts from a social scientist’s perspective, not to disagree with their points but to add to them. Specifically, I use my sociology background and interdisciplinary experiences to reflect on qualitative evaluative criteria, power dynamics in the scientific community, barriers to interdisciplinary research, and approaches to overcome obstacles. Individual researchers can educate themselves about other disciplines, and there are also opportunities for institutional change on the part of universities, funders, and …

Global Governance Or Global Government? An Examination Of Anarchy Vs. Hierarchy, Global Civil Society And International Governmental Organizations, Grace R. Purvis

University Honors Theses

The goal of this paper is to argue that we currently have a system of global government rather than global governance. To prove this, It examines two main areas, international hierarchy and global society. In terms of hierarchy, it considers the existence of hierarchy among nations as well as a practical hierarchy in global decision making and functioning. This is shown via an examination of American Empire, Power Transition Theory, the Washington Consensus, the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The second major focus, global society, considers how nations utilize international organizations and technology to allow for the …

Using Data To Improve Public Safety With Kris Henning, Kris Henning

PDXPLORES Podcast

Professor Kris Henning's research focuses on helping criminal justice agencies improve decision-making through data analysis and the implementation of evidence-based practices. In this episode of PDXPLORES, Henning discusses efforts to help law enforcement agencies improve the systems and practices used to report crimes via online portals.

Click on the "Download" button to access the audio transcript.