Tag: Poster 45

The Angry Cookie: Adults’ and Children’s Attribution of Human-like Facial and Emotional Characteristics to Inanimate Objects

Presenter: Mirjam Staeb

Mentor: Marjorie Taylor

AM Poster Presentation

Poster 45

Anthropomorphism is the tendency to describe inanimate objects with human-like characteristics. In this study we investigated individual differences in the perception of faces and emotional expressions in inanimate objects (e.g, a piece of toast with a pattern in the placement of raisins that made it look like a crying face). First, we investigated adults’ tendency to recognize faces in inanimate objects (N=32). The participants were shown pictures of human faces expressing different emotions, objects with features that could be interpreted as resembling human faces, and objects without such features and were asked to describe what they saw in each picture. We hypothesized that the degree to which adults characterized the pictures with human-like attributes would correlate with their scores on the Individual Differences in Anthropormorphism Questionnaire. The results of the adults’ study were used to develop a study with children in which they are shown a subset of the pictures and asked “What do you see in this picture?”. We were interested whether the ability to see faces in objects could be related to the children’s theory of mind, pretend play abilities and individual differences in other aspects of anthropomorphism. There were individual differences in the extent that adults described the pictures in anthropomorphic terms; the children’s data are currently being collected.

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.

Characterization of InxGax-1P grown by Close-Space Vapor Transport

Presenter: Benjamin Bachman

Faculty Mentor: Shannon Boettcher, Annie Greenaway

Presentation Type: Poster 45

Primary Research Area: Science

Major: Chemistry

Funding Source: UROP Mini-grant, University of Oregon, $1000

Indium gallium phosphide (InxGa1-xP) has shown promise as a potential material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation through water-splitting, as well as for use as a passivation layer for high-efficiency gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells. We seek a better understanding of the growth conditions and source material preparation optimal for depositing InGaP2 onto GaAs using close-space vapor transport (CSVT). CSVT is a promising method for depositing materials such as InGaP2, because it uses less toxic precursors and has the potential to be scaled up to an industrial level. Using CSVT to deposit InGaP2 onto GaAs could potentially reduce the cost of manufacturing GaAs devices as well as reduce the risks involved that are inherent in status quo growth techniques such as metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. To characterize the InGaP2 we will utilize x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, Hall effect, SEM, non-aqueous photoelectrochemistry, and Mott-Schottkey analysis. Further work will determine if these devices would be well suited for PEC water-splitting or solar energy generation.

Developmental Synchronization Of The Purple Pitcher Plant Mosquito, Wyeomyia Smithii, as a Result Of Increasing Temperatures

Presenter(s): Kevin Spies − Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor(s): William Bradshaw, Christina Holzapfel

Poster 45

Research Area: Natural Science

The environment factor of temperature plays an important role in the growth and development of ectothermic species. In many species, increasing temperatures have been shown to dictate development rates and gives rise to the synchronization of the mature adults from adolescence. In the purple pitcher plant mosquito Wyeomyia smithii, this phenomenon has not yet been determined to occur. The goal of this research project is to determine whether synchronized development occurs in W. smithii as a result of increasing temperatures. Accurate determination of this adaptation in W. smithii may have important implications in evolutionary biology including being used as a foundation for locating synchronization genes and adding to the current literature for synchronized emergence and the rule of thermal summing. Additionally, this information may aid in the preservation of agricultural crops against W. smithii infestation and may serve as a means of vector control for mosquito- borne disease. The project encompasses subjecting four distinct W. smithii populations to light-controlled incubators (programmed light:day cycle of 18:6) with increasing temperatures from 4 °C to 30 °C. Two cohorts from each population will be introduced to the 4 °C environment; every fifth day, the temperature will increase 2 °C and two cohorts from each population will be placed in the incubator. All populations will be observed for signs of development. Once all W. smithii have reached maturity, data will be undergo an analysis of covariance to determine whether or not synchronized development and emergence has occur in W. smithii.