Category: Poster Presentation

The Cellular Basis of Dermal Bone Evolution and Development in Threespine Stickleback Fish

Presenter: Sophie Sichel

Mentor: William Cresko and Kristin Alligood, Biology

Poster: 58

Major: Biology 

In vertebrates the development of the cranial skeleton is imperative because it provides structure and support for a number of critical organs. Cranial structures vary immensely across vertebrates, but how did these different mechanisms of morphogenesis evolve at the developmental and cellular level? To elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling variation in morphogenesis, I used the opercle bone of threespine stickleback fish as a model. Threespine stickleback are used as a model to investigate vertebrate evolution because of rapid changes between ancestral oceanic and derived freshwater forms of this fish. The opercle bone is a neural crest-derived dermal bone that is critical for respiration, foraging and communication in stickleback, undergoes morphogenesis during development, and varies among populations. Neural crest cells form the facial skeleton of vertebrates through intramembranous ossification. After the initial condensation, bone shaping is hypothesized to be dependent on the recruitment of new osteoblasts in a space and time dependent manner, and variation in bone morphogenesis would therefore be linked to differences in osteoblast recruitment. To test this hypothesis, I conducted in situ hybridizations using a probe to col10a1, which is a gene present in the cartilaginous precursor of mature dermal bone, on stickleback embryos at various times during embryonic development. This probe allowed me to visualize the developing opercle and a proliferation assay to visualize proliferating cells thought to be contributing to the developing bone. I quantified the number of proliferating cells and determined their distribution near the developing edge of the opercle in two different populations of stickleback: a population that exhibits an ancestral phenotype and a population representing the derived phenotype. I will present results describing how the number of cells recruited varies among populations. Determining the molecular and genetic factors that underlie opercle development and how they differ between ancestral and derived populations could provide evidence for how development and evolution interact on a larger scale.

Mapping the Trends: Assessing Paid and Organic Search Behavior

Presenter: Kelly Rodgers

Mentor: Kim Sheehan, Journalism (Advertising)

Poster: 57

Major: Journalism (Public Relations)

Last December, Google Inc. reported a whopping $66 billion in total revenue for 2014 alone. Surprisingly, just one branch of the Google money tree accounted for approximately 90% of that revenue: online advertising. In 2014, Google AdWords generated over $59 billion in advertising sales—income that backs every innovative project, invention, acquisition, and investment Google undertakes. However, to someone using a search engine, the process of how the results on the page appear after the search is conducted is somewhat opaque: some ads are ‘organic’ and appear based on a Google algorithm, and others are paid, or ‘sponsored’ advertisements. Therefore, the search results presented on a page contain certain signals that may affect how users perceive the credibility of the results. Additionally, the manner in which results are presented: through text ads and through map placements, may also affect credibility. Through investigation of search query results presented in a graphic/visual way, we can measure potential impact on user actions, while contributing to existing studies on credibility and user bias.

Paleoecology of the Enigmatic Rhinoceros Chilotherium in Central Asia

Presenter: Selina Robson

Mentors: Samantha Hopkins and Edward Davis, Geology

Poster: 56

Majors: Geology and Psychology 

We report a new occurrence of the rhinocerotid Chilotherium in the Kochkor basin in Kyrgyzstan. While some geologic reports refer to Chilotherium in Kyrgyzstan, no described material exists from the country and all published material has gone missing. Therefore, our new material is important for not only recognizing the occurrence of the genus, but also understanding the evolution, ecology, and dispersion of various fossil taxa including Chilotherium. Few studies have examined the global distribution of Chilotherium. While the taxon is not uncommon, we found that 84% of Chilotherium specimens were found in China. Thus, the Kyrgyz specimens represent an important geographic extension of the taxon, and may clarify the relationship between ecology and species diversity. Our database of Chilotherium occurrences only reports localities above 2,000m elevation. While paleoaltitudes may be different than modern altitudes, recent studies support the construction of both the Himalayan and Tien Shan ranges prior to the late Mio/Pliocene. This indicates that Chilotherium occupied an ecological niche that is different from other rhinos. Of the collected fossils from Kyrgyzstan, Chilotherium is the most abundant taxon. A species level diagnosis of Chilotherium is difficult because the taxonomy is poorly constrained. There are three valid species but close to 20 published species. By mapping occurrences globally, we hope to clarify taxonomic relationships as well as to assign the new Kyrgyz material to a species level.

Analysis of Dynamic Balance Control in Below-Knee Amputees with Use of Powered Prosthetic Foot

Presenter: Shaun Resseguie

Mentors: Michael Hahn and Jake Hinkel-Lipsker, Human Physiology

Poster: 55

Major: Human Physiology 

The powered prosthetic foot (PPF) is designed to provide below-knee amputees (BKA) with active propulsion and plantar flexion similar to that of the biological limb. Previous studies have demonstrated the PPF’s ability to increase BKA walking speeds, while reducing the energetic costs, however, little is known about its effects on dynamic balance control. The purpose of this study was to assess dynamic balance control in a sample of BKA subjects during level-ground walking and obstacle crossing tasks. Control subjects (n=5) and BKA subjects (n=4) were instructed to complete a series of functional walking tasks during each lab visit. The BKA subjects completed the walking protocol twice, first in their traditional passive prosthetic foot and again in the prescribed PPF after two weeks of acclimation. Motion data were collected via a 10-camera system with a 53-marker and 15-segment body model. Center of mass (CoM) motion and peak velocity within the frontal plane were analyzed and used as functional indicators of dynamic balance control. Preliminary findings from the study indicate that BKA subjects wearing the PPF generally experienced a greater mediolateral CoM motion and peak velocity, thus signifying a reduced ability to maintain dynamic balance control. Our findings may be of particular interest to clinicians and PPF designers working to improve the amputee population’s quality of life. Further data analysis is needed to support these initial findings.

Mickey Mouse and the Creation of an Animated Star

Presenter: Brandon Rains

Mentor: Priscilla Ovalle, English

Poster: 54

Majors: Digital Arts and Cinema Studies 

Mickey Mouse is one of the most well-known and influential animated cartoon characters in modern society. All of his mannerisms, voice, personality and characteristics have been created by a team at the Walt Disney Animation Studio in order to achieve success and major stardom. Mickey’s large eyes, rounded shape, inviting smile, energetic and exaggerated actions, versatility and simplicity are all important factors decided by his creators. Other possible influences on his success include technological innovations: synchronized sound, storyboard techniques, and multi-plane cameras. He is a completely fabricated character. I am interested in establishing my own animation and character design techniques based off of the work done with Mickey Mouse. Much of my research will be gathered from extensive analysis of the design, personality and actions of Mickey Mouse in short films from the 1930s. I plan to take all the research I have gathered on Mickey Mouse and alter different processes and techniques in order to fulfill my own goals as an animator. I will also become fully engaged in the creative process and deconstruct drawings and clips by physically drawing Mickey Mouse. My goal is to successfully create an animation that is capable of reaching and influencing a mass audience. As I begin to create my own animated works and star characters it will be crucial for me to understand the sacrifices I am willing to make in order to succeed.

Prehistoric Human Adaptations to Climate Change?: An ArcGIS Analysis of Northern Side-notched Projectile Points in the Northern Great Basin

Presenter: Jordan Pratt

Mentor: Patrick O’Grady, Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Poster: 53

Major: Anthropology

Climate change dramatically transforms the ecological zones that humans call home. Historically there have been many global warming periods, including the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, during which humans were forced to adapt to a loss of water and biotic diversity. The northern Great Basin region of eastern Oregon, provides an ideal case in which to study human adaptation to climate change. In this region, the Pleistocene-Holocene transition was followed by multiple smaller shifts in climate. The early middle Holocene of around 8,000 calendar years before present provided one of these warming periods, in which the local environment became much drier and more arid. Northern Side-notched points, a type of dart point, date to ca 7,000-4,000 cal. BP, and are one of the few pieces of material culture that have reliably been dated to the early middle Holocene in the northern Great Basin. Analysis of Northern Side-notched points collected by the Burn’s Bureau of Land Management District and UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History’s Archaeological Field School will be used to establish a more concrete means of classification for these projectile points, especially those being found in eastern Oregon. Then ArcGIS will be used to geospatially analyze the distribution of the projectile points throughout the Burn’s BLM District compared to known obsidian sources. By analyzing the distribution of projectile points and movement of materials across the landscape, insights can be made into prehistoric trade mobility and settlement patterns which may indicate human adaptions to environmental change.

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Offensive Computer Security Techniques through Group Self-Study

Presenter: Adam Pond

Mentors: Jun Li and Kathleen Freeman, Computer Science

Poster: 52

Major: Computer Science 

Computer security, otherwise known as cyber security, is a broad and dynamic subfield of computer science. It
is concerned with protecting computing systems, embedded devices, networks, and data from unintended or unauthorized access. While computer security was not one of the fundamental ideas at the beginning of computing, it’s now one of the most interesting fields of computer science, especially the arms race between computer security defense personnel and hackers. One of the most important ways we can learn to defend against adversaries such
as hackers is by learning how to think like them. An effective way of thinking like your adversary is by performing penetration tests against the computing system you’re trying to protect. These penetration tests require a unique skill set that is best acquired through trials and tribulations (commonly called capture the flag events). During a capture- the-flag event, you simulate an adversary trying to gain access, or change data on a computing system that you should not be able to. Since this type of studying was not an option through standard academic courses, I set out to create a group environment in which to study and apply offensive security techniques. I will present the curriculum that I created and used during our weekly meetings of UO Security Club and the results and suggested changes from this experience.

Normal as Found: Opportunities and Challenges in Developing a Necropsy Protocol for Evolutionary Veterinary Medicine

Presenter: Carly Pate

Co-Presenters: Andrea Eller and Ulirike Streicher

Mentors: Frances White and Lawrence Ulibarri, Anthropology

Poster: 50

Major: Anthropology and General Science

Evolutionary veterinary medicine is a burgeoning field, applying evolutionary perspectives to comparative and veterinary data. Because evolutionary research focuses on natural variation across species, veterinary medicine is
an obvious partner for understanding nonhuman anatomy. To meet this goal, cross-disciplinary work is required, but we need to be able to compare and exchange data. Utilizing the comparative collections in the University of Oregon Primate Osteology Lab, and in collaboration with both an evolutionary biologist and a wildlife veterinarian, we present a protocol that is designed for many vertebrate species and includes procedures for collecting normal and pathological variation. Published necropsies are surprising rare. Veterinary necropsies tend to be pathology- based, whereas anthropologists’ are focused on normal variation within and between species. The protocols cited and described in veterinary medicine tend to be particular to a single species and do not document repeatable procedures. Anthropological research tends to focus solely on the anatomical area of interest. We are developing a protocol using a uniform and explicit technique, so that the data can be analyzed and compared across disciplines. We pay particular attention to tissues that have evolutionary significance in their degree of variance like fat, skeletal muscle, brain weight, gastro-intestinal tract and bone. We include placental mammals, marsupials, and reptiles in our initial phase of data collection. This protocol will be utilized for ongoing comparative research.

Asymmetrical Heteroatom Substitution in the Indenofluorene Framework

Presenter: Nathaniel O’Neal

Mentors: Michael Haley and Jonathan Marshall, Chemistry

Poster: 49

Major: Biochemistry 

Semiconductors are a key component in electronics because they allow for the control of electron flow throughout a device. Research has shown that organic molecules can act as semiconductors and could prove superior to current semiconductors in use. To further this field of study the Haley lab has developed and experimented on the indenofluorene, an n-type organic semiconductor. However, most of the work done on the framework has been on symmetrical heteroatom substitutions. This has left me with the task of using synthetic chemistry techniques in order to produce asymmetrical heteroatom substituted indenofluorene molecules known as benzo-indaceno-thiophenes. Theoretically, this asymmetry will allow for superior stacking of the molecules in a crystal structure and allow for more efficient electron transfer than its symmetrical predecessors. To date, the substitutions have not made a significant of enough change to the overall motif of the structure to produce a notable difference but the knowledge garnered from such experimentation is valuable to the field as a whole.

Fossil Eulipotyphla from Oregon’s Middle Miocene: New Occurrences and Biogeographic Patterns

Presenter: Danielle Oberg

Mentors: Samantha Hopkins and Edward Davis, Geology

Poster: 48

Major: Geology 

Insectivores (euliptophylans) are not well understood in the Miocene of Oregon. Recent discoveries from a new locality, Cave Basin, in the John Day Formation suggest a greater diversity of insectivores than was previously known. Early Miocene records are extremely poor and lack small mammals entirely. However, the Middle and Late Miocene explode with new families never seen before in southern Oregon. The Middle Miocene has the greatest insectivore diversity with occurrences of ancient shrews (heterosoricidae), red-toothed shrews (soricidae), true moles (talpidae), and hedgehogs (erinaceidae) clustering around the Oregon-California border in southeastern Oregon. Fourteen Middle Miocene localities have red-toothed shrews and true moles, while hedgehogs and ancient shrews are found in two localities. Diversity rapidly decreases for ancient shrews and hedgehogs throughout the Late Miocene and into the Clarendonian, but remains relatively constant for true moles and red-toothed shrews. Red-toothed shrew Late Miocene localities are further south and less clustered than Middle Miocene ones. True mole localities have a greater spread across eastern Oregon, ranging from the Oregon-Washington state line to the southern corner of Oregon. These new discoveries in the Oregon Miocene are a significant addition to the understanding of the Oregon fossil record. Furthermore, these insectivores reveal new insight into the paleoecology of the Miocene, changes in diversity over time, and evolution of insectivores that are still found in Oregon today.