Category: Poster Presentation

The Relationship Between Students’ Approach to Learning and Future Thinking in a Science Class

Presenter: Madeleine Smith – Neuroscience, Psychology, and Educational Foundations

Faculty Mentor(s): Jenefer Husman, Sara Hodges

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Supporting student motivation in post-secondary introductory science courses is an important step in increasing student retention in STEM fields. Prior research has focused on a variable- centered approach to students’ motivation to learn, but a person-centered approach to looking at the relationship between self-regulated learning and motivation variables is necessary. Additionally, research suggests that students’ future goals and their perception of the future influences their performance in school. This study aimed to identify the relationship between future thinking and motivational and self-regulated learning profiles. 385 participants were recruited from an introductory science course at a large Northwest university and completed an online self-report survey on their motivation, goal orientation, self-regulation, knowledge building strategies, and future thinking. K-means cluster analysis indicated that there are three motivational and self-regulated learning profiles. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted and showed that students’ actions towards their future goals are a stronger predictor of their profile adoption than the clarity of their future goals. Understanding the relationship between students’ future thinking and their adoption of learning profiles can help post-secondary science instructors alter course structure to support student motivation and self-regulated learning.

Refining cloud exclusion methods in tropical montane forest change detection with Landsat timeseries

Presenter: Sophia Shuler – Geography, Spatial Data Science and Technology

Faculty Mentor(s): Lucas Silva

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Satellite based remote sensing is one of the most accessible methods for implementing large-scale terrestrial change detection. However, cloud cover contamination of images is a frequent barrier to the use of change detection algorithms, particularly in places where cloud cover is frequent, such as in tropical mountains. In this project, I offer a method for cloud detection that can improve the quality of satellite image time series in tropical regions. Using both a cloud mask and a cloud index, I detected clouds in a set of Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-7 ETM+ time series from a tropical montane forest in Oaxaca, Mexico to a higher degree of accuracy than would be achieved by using the cloud mask alone. This method was used in sequence with the Breaks For Additive Season and Trend (BFAST) method in order to detect forest disturbances. After using a cloud index threshold of 2.8, the percentage of clouds detected increased from 91.8% to 94.4%. Additionally, this method yielded a 161% increase in the number of forest disturbances detected by BFAST. These results are applicable to change detection projects in regions with frequent cloud cover, where accuracy is limited by the climate conditions.

 

Optical Based Sensing of Shear Strain using Reflective Color Patterns

Presenter: Maryam Shuaib – Human Physiology

Faculty Mentor(s): Mike McGeehan, Keat Ghee Ong

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Stimuli and Response, Poster Presentation

There is an increasing need to measure shear force in biomedical applications. Many shear force sensors exist, but are often impractical as they can be bulky, require large amounts of power, and are sensitive to electromagnetic interference. The goal of this project is to apply new optoelectronic sensing principles to measure shear strain. Optoelectronic sensors have various advantages including a smaller design that is able to measure multi-axial shear strain. This particular sensor functions through optical coupling of an LED that emits red, green, and blue (RGB) light, which is then reflected off of an adjacent surface displaying a color pattern consisting of randomized color pixels (Figure 1A). Shearing between these surfaces is measured using a photodiode, which senses changes in the RGB light intensities due to the shifts in the color pattern’s position. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of various color patterns and classification algorithms to determine multi-axial shear strain. The optimal sensor configuration was found to be Pattern 3 (Figure 1B) with a Weighted K-Nearest-Neighbor algorithm with an accuracy of 98%, and a misclassification cost of 0.07 millimeters. The accuracy and robustness of the sensor-derived measurements, along with the practical and scalable design, support the use of this sensor in a multitude of biomedical applications.

Signal Crayfish Behavior, Health, & Habitat in the Tryon Creek Watershed

Presenter: Kyla Schmitt – Economics, Environmental Studies

Faculty Mentor(s): Alexis Barton, Reyn Yoshioka

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

In Portland, Oregon, signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) earn the title of “keystone species” by consuming otherwise-inaccessible detritus, which can then be passed up the food chain to various other species, and carving up riverbeds, an act which greatly influences aquatic habitat quality. This study questioned whether habitat factors impact signal crayfish health and behavior in the Tryon Creek Watershed. Overall, crayfish were disproportionately likely to be observed in locations with high human impact levels; silt/sand or boulder and cobble substrates; culverts, runs, and pools; and water 10-39 cm deep. Juvenile crayfish were disproportionately likely to be observed in locations with low human impact levels, silt/sand or cobble and gravel substrates, and water 0-19 cm deep. Unhealthy crayfish—specimens that were deceased, immobile, struggling, or consisted of severed appendages— were disproportionately likely to be observed in locations with culverts or riffles and water 0-19 cm deep. The study found no evidence for an established population of invasive crayfish in Tryon Creek, although further monitoring (particularly in the Tryon Cove area) is necessary to confirm this finding. The study’s analysis also suggested that human-caused ecosystem disruptions can seriously decrease the health and wellness of signal crayfish populations if not managed mindfully and holistically, pointing to a need for better waterway designs that benefit fish and crustaceans alike.

An investigation of novel left-right patterning genes in zebrafish

Presenter: Maisey Schering – Biochemistry, Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Katie Fisher, Daniel Grimes

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Breaking of left-right (L-R) symmetry is a fundamental part of animal development. To facilitate this, cell to cell communication via extracellular fluid flow plays a critical role. Failure of this communication results in developmental diseases such as congenital heart disease and abnormal L-R positioning of the organs, termed heterotaxia. Understanding the mechanisms by which fluid flow signals control asymmetry is essential for understanding how to treat these diseases. In embryonic development of zebrafish, the model organism of this project, asymmetric flow in Kupffer’s vesicle (KV) breaks L-R symmetry. The flow signal results in asymmetric repression of an mRNA, dand5, triggering asymmetrical development of the emerging organs. How cells sense and transduce fluid flow, leading to dand5 repression, is not understood. My mentor in the Grimes lab, Katie Fisher, performed a literature review that resulted in 90 novel candidate genes which might regulate L-R asymmetry. These genes are all expressed at the right time and place during development to control fluid flow signaling. We are using a CRISPR/Cas9 screen to identify which of these genes are essential for L-R patterning. Several genes of interest have been identified and homozygous lines with these mutations are currently being generated. I will describe our ongoing screening efforts and early results. By completion of this project, we will know how these novel genes act to ultimately control organ asymmetry.

Measuring soil respiration in response to enhanced silicate weathering and mycorrhizal associations

Presenter: Emily Scherer – Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Hilary Rose Dawson, Lucas Silva

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Enhanced silicate weathering (ESW) is emerging as a top contender to reduce atmospheric carbon and mitigate climate change by accelerating soil C sequestration. However, little is known about ESW’s potential for success on global and regional scales. Applying basalt dust to soil can draw down atmospheric C, boost nutrient availability for crops, and counter soil acidification, yet it may also heighten microbial activity and release soil C via respiration. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), ectomycorrhizae (EcM), and plant community composition can also alter weathering rates. Our research tests soil respiration rates in the presence of basalt dust and mycorrhizal associations in local Willamette Valley soils. We hypothesize that respiration will increase due to the fertilizing effects of basalt but that a faster pace of weathering will result in a net C sink. We predict that respiration and sequestration will be greatest in the presence of EcM fungi. To test this theory, we potted four tree species, each known to form an AM or EcM relationship, in soil mixed with none, low or high concentrations of basalt dust. We measured baseline soil pH, initial C stocks, and nutrients. Currently, we are measuring respiration using a soil CO2 flux chamber. As the project advances, we will measure changes to these variables, plant biomass, and inorganic C stocks. This study will contribute to the literature regarding the potential of ESW to offset anthropogenic C emissions.

The Relationship Among Parental Stress, Child Well-Being, and Routines During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presenter: Ciera Sanders – Psychology

Faculty Mentor(s): Sihong Liu

Session: (Virtual) Oral Panel—Health and Social Science, Poster Presentation

Children are the beacons that will carry their knowledge, ideas, and voices into the future. It is crucial we ensure children are given ample opportunity to develop into healthy adults. Parental stress can negatively impact child well-being. Could the impacts be mitigated by consistent use of family routines? Using data from the RAPID-EC national survey that began in April 2020 and is still ongoing, I compared pre-pandemic ratings of parental stress and child well-being to assessment levels during the pandemic. Then, I examined how parental stress influences child well-being. I completed my analysis by examining the impact family routine has on parental stress and child well-being. I found that parental stress has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and child well-being was significantly and negatively impacted during the pandemic. Parental stress levels prior to the pandemic were significantly linked to increased levels of behavioral problems from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic. Further analysis determined family routines were not protecting children from the negative impacts of parental stress; however, family routines were significantly associated with lower levels of behavioral problems. Although family routines were not indicated as a source of protection from parental stress, managing family routines, and other tools for stress reduction could promote optimal developmental outcomes among young children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Differences in the Morphology and Reproduction of Boltenia villosa Across a Latitudinal Gradient

Presenter: Carmen Sanchez-Reddick – Marine Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Craig Young, Caitlin Plowman

Session: (Virtual) Poster Presentation

While the larval and early juvenile stages of Boltenia villosa are well documented in the literature, little is known about the adults. Early documentation of B. villosa describes a relationship between the body size and the stalk length as individuals with smaller bodies tend to have longer stalks and individuals with larger bodies tend to possess very short stalks. Anecdotal evidence suggests that larger individuals with short stalks make up the populations found in Washington, while Oregon populations consist of smaller individuals with longer stalks. The present study aimed to develop a qualitative understanding of the changes across the latitudinal gradient of Boltenia villosa. This was achieved by using a combination of morphometrics to determine any significant differences between different populations and histology to compare reproductive output. Preliminary results suggest a significant morphological difference between the two populations in body proportions and spine character despite their genetic similarities. Our understanding of the reproductive differences are continuing to be developed. These results indicate the possible existence of a subspecies of Boltenia villosa due to the distinct populations, but more research into each morphotype’s range is needed. This research also provides a broader understanding of how different marine environments can curate specific characteristics to appear in their inhabitants’ populations.

Coursed-Grained Approach for the Protein Dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Variants

Presenter: Ruben Sanchez – Biochemistry, Biology

Faculty Mentor(s): Marina Guenza

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) utilizes a spike protein to recognize the receptor protein Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) of human cells to initiate COVID-19. It is known that the spike protein adopts an active (open) conformation from an inactive (closed) conformation to initiate its infectious cycle. But it is unknown whether the different variants have mutations that affect the protein dynamics of the spike protein. It was hypothesized that the amino acid mutations of more transmissible variants will have increased protein dynamics leading to a dramatized Monod-Wyman-Changeux model. Identifying and targeting these dynamics may lead to the development of pharmaceuticals that may inhibit the infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, two variants of the spike protein were analyzed using molecular dynamic simulations and the Langevin Equation for Protein Dynamics (LE4PD) to quantitively analyze residue fluctuation within their respective spike proteins. LE4PD quantified the protein dynamics and demonstrated that the more infectious variants have higher fluctuations in their protein dynamics.

Utilizing real time strain to modulate patient-specific rehabilitation optimizing bone recovery

Presenter(s): Walker Rosenthal – Human Physiology

Co-Presenter(s): Alyssa Vongphachanh

Faculty Mentor(s): Kylie Nash

Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation

Severe bone injuries often result in high complication rates and poor functional recovery. Mechanical loading through rehabilitation is a longstanding treatment for these injuries, but current practices are still challenged with variable healing, limiting this promising therapeutic [1,2]. Recent advancements in implantable strain sensors may promote better understanding of how rehabilitation induced loads contribute to healing outcomes [1]. Our lab uses this idea in a rat femoral segmental model stabilized with an internal fixation plate embedded with an implantable strain sensor to analyze the mechanical environment throughout healing for different loading conditions. Past work has found that load-sharing (compliant) fixation devices exhibited improved healing outcomes when compared to load-shielding (non-compliant) fixation plates [3]. We investigated the effects of rehabilitation on bone volume by using a wireless compliant fixation device capable of acquiring real-time micro-strain measurements on a segmental defect in the femur. We found that bone union occurred in 3/3 rehabilitated rats and only 2/4 in non-rehabilitated, sedentary counterparts. Rehabilitated rats experienced a higher mean strain amplitude and their bones bridged earlier than their sedentary counterparts. Our findings suggest a relationship between strain and bone healing outcomes. We hope to further explore the effects of rehabilitation intensity on local defect strain and thus bone healing outcomes.