Category: Poster Presentation

An Interspecific Comparison of Variance in Sex-Based Developmental Markers

Presenter: Kyle Morley

Mentors: Andrea Eller and Frances White, Anthropology

Poster: 47

Major: Anthropology 

Sexual dimorphism varies with the degree of male-male competition among primates. Changes in body size of both sexes are well known during ontogeny, but less is known about how osteological developmental markers vary under differing levels of sexual selection. Male-male competition is reflected in a species’ body size sex ratio: humans are reported to have a 1.2 ratio, while rhesus macaques have a 1.6 ratio. We predict greater results for larger bodies and canines in macaque males compared to macaque females and humans as well as greater growth marker variation among macaque males than in these other groups. We documented dental eruption and epiphyseal fusion in 292 macaque skeletal specimens and compared the data to over 25,000 individuals using published human population data. Two-way ANOVAs without replication were used to test whether species had similar variation in dental eruption and fusion time. The two species had significantly different eruption variation (males F=33.71, df=15,1, p <0.0001; females F=119.06, df =15,1, p <0.0001) with macaques more variable than humans. Both species also had different ranges in fusion time (F=7.28, df=13,1, p <0.05) with macaque males more variable than human males. The results support our prediction that macaque males show the greatest variation in these growth markers. Interspecies comparisons of developmental plasticity, such as this study, allow for inferences on how growth variation is affected by sexual selection.

Why Cordova? Exploring the Connection between Science, Policy and People

Presenter: Miró Merrill

Co-presenter: Taylor Richmond

Mentor: Mark Blaine, Journalism

Poster: 45

Major: Journalism

In 1964, the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded uplifted the Copper River Delta. This created a shift from saltwater to freshwater marsh over a broad area, and started a new line of succession for plant and
animal species. The quake, combined with a variety of hydrologic features and a tremendous bio-abundance yet lack of biodiversity, made the region a somewhat controlled environment for scientific study. It’s also a place with significant natural resources that are deeply connected to the Cordova community. Within this environment, we saw an opportunity to explore the connection between scientists, policy makers and constituents, and look at communicating climate science through the network that connects those three groups of people on the Copper River Delta. Using a broad range of multimedia and multi-platform storytelling techniques and tools, we began a multiyear process of documenting attitudes and values communities facing climate change.

Effects of Chronic Passive Heating on Resting Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Body Core Temperature

Presenter: Kaitlin Livingston

Mentors: Christopher Minson and Vienna Brunt, Human Physiology

Poster: 44

Major: Human Physiology 

Repeated bouts of exercise in the heat are known to decrease resting body core temperature (Tc), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and resting heart rate (HR). Although exercise in the heat produces these cardiovascular changes, it is currently unknown whether passive chronic heating provides the same benefits. Our research sought to examine the effects of passive chronic heating on resting Tc, MAP, and HR. Five sedentary, college-aged subjects (4 females, 1 male) were assigned to an 8-week hot water immersion program (4-5 sessions/week). Subjects were submerged to the clavicle in 40.5°C water until a rectal temperature (Tre) of 38.5°C was reached. Subjects maintained a Tre between 38.5-39.0°C during an hour of partial immersion. HR and Tre were measured with a HR monitor and rectal thermistor both at rest and at 5-minute intervals during the heat stress. MAP was measured on another day with brachial auscultation after ≥20 minutes of supine rest. Both resting MAP (81±1 vs. 76±2 mmHg, p=0.02) and resting Tre (37.4±0.5 vs. 36.8±0.4°C, p=0.03) decreased after 8 weeks of passive heat stress with no change in resting HR (63±5 vs. 63±6 beats/min, p=0.26). Chronic passive heat stress reduces resting MAP and Tre similarly to what is observed with exercise heat in the heat. This suggests that chronic passive heat stress could be used to benefit cardiovascular health similarly to exercise in the heat.

Using Zebrafish Models of Usher Syndrome Type 2A to Investigate Retinal Cell Function and Survival

Presenter: Kimberly Lerner

Mentors: Monte Westerfield and Jennifer Phillips, Biology

Poster: 42

Major: Biology 

Usher syndrome is a hereditary disorder and the main cause of deaf-blindness. Patients diagnosed with Usher syndrome experience hearing loss and progressive blindness due to photoreceptor degeneration. The most common form of Usher syndrome is type 2A, which is caused by mutations in the USH2A gene. Although gene therapies for some forms of Usher syndrome are being actively researched, current gene replacement methods are not feasible for USH2A patients due to the large size of the USH2A gene. Zebrafish orthologues of Usher genes can be used as models of human Usher syndrome, and our research will contribute to the use of zebrafish as a model of USH2A. Three different mutations targeting different regions of the gene will be characterized in this study, with a specific focus on the ush2asa1881 mutant. Usherin forms a complex with other Usher type 2 proteins at the base of the connecting cilium in order to load ciliary cargo on this transport system between the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptor cells. We studied the co-localization of other known Usher proteins in the ush2asa1881 mutant background, to see if a mutant form of Usherin disrupted the normal localization of these other proteins. The accumulation of photoreceptor cell death in the retina over time leads to progressive vision loss in human USH2A patients. It may be difficult to see progressive retinal degeneration occur over the much shorter life span of the zebrafish, and mouse models of Usher syndrome have a mild retinal phenotype compared to the degree of vision loss that human patients experience. We devised a system that would challenge the retina to see if we could accelerate the damage that is normally accumulated over a longer period of time. Our findings will be useful in that we have created a functional zebrafish model of USH2A, and our results provide the foundation for a potential treatment though the protection of the retina.

Finding Home in Human Rights: A Correlation between Conflicting Identities of “Home” in the Palestinian-American Immigration Experience and the Global Citizenship Identity

Presenter: Dan Le

Mentors: Diane Baxter, Anthropology; David Frank, Honors College

Poster: 41

Major: Anthropology

For immigrants and refugees, the concept of “home” is seldom a concrete definition, as the question of where “home” is – either in the country of origin or the new country, activates a tension in self-identity. For the Palestinian immigration and refugee experience, the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian Conflict produces an even more complex tension. The purpose of this study is to explore this tension in a Palestinian-American context. To do so, the research project focuses on an oral history project about Ibrahim Hamide, a restaurateur and human rights activist in Eugene for the past 30 years. The project involved taking participant observation notes prior to the series of interviews, conducting the interviews themselves, coding the interviews for common themes, and then analyzing the information with other works about the Palestinian/Arab American experience. The primary findings of this study indicate that Orientalism, a term by Edward Said that means the representation of the Middle East in a stereotyped and colonialist manner, has a major influence on the tension of self-identity. For Hamide, this tension leads him to find solace in human rights activism and embrace a more globalized sense of identity, rather than choosing between his two “homes.” The significances of this research are that it serves as documented piece of history for the Eugene community and contributes to the importance of the human rights philosophy.

A True Northern Paiute Hero: An Analysis of Chief Egan and his Leadership in the Bannock-Paiute War of 1878

Presenter: Kevin Lai

Mentors: Kevin Hatfield, History; Jennifer O’Neal, Special Collections

Poster: 40

Major: Biology

This research paper examines the circumstances surrounding Northern Paiute Chief Egan’s rise to prominence and his heroic depiction leading up to the Bannock-Paiute War of 1878. I argue that despite his Cayuse ancestry, Chief Egan’s wisdom, loyalty, and bravery made him the prime choice to act as leader over the course of the rebellion against Agent William Rinehart and the U.S. government at the Malheur Reservation. Additionally, this paper demonstrates that although Egan knew such a battle against the Americans would surely end in defeat, he decided to take such a gamble solely to give his people another chance at survival–proof of his devotion to the Northern Paiute culture. The paper is based on examination of a wide range of primary sources including letters, hearings, governmental reports, and oral history from community members, to evaluate both tribal and non-tribal perceptions of Chief Egan not only as a member of the Paiutes but as an individual. Battle records were examined to assess Chief Egan’s prowess as a capable war leader. This research helps to redefine what it means to truly be part of a Native American tribe, by blood or acculturation, in addition to contributing original research concerning Northern Paiute cultural identity, loyalty, and responsibility.

Social and Environmental Impacts of River Linking in Tamil Nadu, India

Presenter: Irene Klock

Mentors: Leslie McLees, Geography

Poster: 39

Major: Geography and Japanese 

River linking, the connecting of water canals to divert water to regions that wouldn’t usually receive it, is an important solution to the water crisis in India. The agricultural sector benefits from river linkage through increases in both job and food security on local and national scales. In south India, the water deprived state of Tamil Nadu is planning to create a flood carrier channel by interlinking the Tamiraparani, Karumeniyar, and Nambiar rivers. My research focuses on the potential social and environmental impacts of this flood carrier channel on surrounding villages. I gathered data through a series of surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with the local communities. I then analyzed how the current water system drives local farming practices and compared it to how the new system could change them through alterations in geography, population, and long term traditions.

Differences in Functional Recovery Following Concussion between Males and Females

Presenter: Rachel Klas

Mentors: Li-Shan Chou and Quinn Peterson, Human Physiology

Poster: 38

Major: Human Physiology

Concussion, a brain trauma resulted from linear or rotational acceleration to the head, represents a majority of the traumatic brain injuries (TBI) sustained each year. To understand if there are recovery differences between males and females post-concussion, this research examined males and females with matched controls for two months following the injury. In this study, a 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to observe the trajectory of 29 anatomical locations in order to determine the peak anterior velocity of each subject’s center of mass (COM, the point where the mass is equally distributed) and the medial-lateral COM sway. Symptom severity was assessed based on a 22-symptom inventory and a scale similar to the Likert scale for each symptom (ranking each symptom from 0-6). A three-way analysis of variance, or ANOVA, was performed to analyze the data in order to determine the effect of concussion, sex (male and female), time (72 hour, one week, two week, one month, and two month post-injury), and the interactions between these independent variables. It was revealed that males and females do not objectively differ in terms of the peak anterior COM velocity or COM medial-lateral displacement across the 2-month study, but that females reported more severe symptoms than males. The findings suggest that subjects of both sexes follow the same general gait balance recovery trends and that both sexes report heightened symptoms for at least two months after experiencing a concussion. Across all time points, females reported more symptoms than males, so either males are underreporting their symptoms or females are experiencing more symptoms than males.

The Salmon Connection: Alaska and Oregon

Presenter: Madison Kirby

Co-Presenter: Melanie Burke

Mentor: Mark Blaine, Journalism

Poster: 37

Major: Journalism

This poster draws parallels between Oregon and Alaska found in the reporting of Science and Memory, a climate change reporting project from the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon. Parallels such as the dusky geese migration, braided river systems, and salmon runs help localize the thinking and science behind climate change. Our line of inquiry followed questions about climate change in Cordova, Alaska, and their implications for our home base in Oregon. As journalists, our job is to report, but also to draw light to issues that the general public seems to know little about. With the ever-growing list of “climate-deniers” in the media and political world we found ourselves with a greater task at hand than we anticipated. Using a broad range of multimedia and multi-platform storytelling techniques and tools, we began a multiyear process of documenting attitudes and values in communities facing climate change.

Venting About Ventilation

Presenter: Kelli Kimura

Co-presenters: Yang Lv, Hanzhao Huang

Mentors: Thomas Collins and Alison Kwok, Architecture

Poster: 36

Major: Architecture

The focus of this study was to better understand the effectiveness of natural ventilation in dormitories. We questioned if natural ventilation through two dorm room windows provided adequate ventilation. Mechanical ventilation systems and the combination of different “leak factors” that were potentially bringing in and taking out air were sealed since the focus was solely on the performance of natural ventilation. We predicted that the windows of a dorm room would be sufficient in naturally ventilating a room to exceed ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013, which would mean achieving a ventilation rate greater than 5 cfm/person. CO2 was used as a proxy for ventilation rate per person. Indoor and outdoor CO2 levels were measured so that a CO2 differential could be found. Comparing the CO2 differential to a corresponding ventilation rate per person value allowed us to see if the standard was met. Another part of the study involved mapping bubbles to understand a dorm room’s air movement. Unexpectedly, it was found that not only does naturally ventilating a room greatly exceed the standard, but the standard was also met when no windows were open and all known mechanical systems and air leak factors were blocked. The unpleasant environment in rooms when the latter condition was tested certainly did not meet our subjective comfort standards, which led to questions about whether the ASHRAE 62.1-2013 standard needs reevaluation.