Chemical Analysis of Tears: A Novel Approach to Sampling and Analyzing the Tear Film

Dwight Bordelon (Biomedical Engineering), Presenter

The most common disorder encountered in ophthalmology is instability of the tear film, resulting in the manifestation of dry eye syndrome. It has been suggested that proper treatment of this condition would be facilitated by accurate chemical analysis of the tear film. There is currently no method for such analysis without stimulation of lacrimation which alters the chemistry of the normal tear film. This study describes the development and characterization of a novel sensing apparatus for the analysis of the tear film without the need for tear stimulation and without alteration of the sample by evaporation.

The ‘Other’ Wives of Akhenaten: Incest, Intrigue, and Foreign Diplomacy

Kelly P. Bozarth (Art History), Presenter

Only recently have scholars of the Amarna Period begun to analyze the “monogamy” of the pharaoh Akhenaten and his chief consort Nefertiti. This research poster seeks to identify the other wives of Akhenaten, including foreign princesses. It will also outline the role of queenship during the Amarna period, and highlight the issue of consanguineous marriage in the late 18th Dynasty. Special attention will be given to the “King’s Favorite,” Kiya, and the later usurpation of her monuments by the royal daughters.

Are Pretty Interfaces Worth The Time?  The Effects of User Interface Types on Web-Based Instruction

Jongpil Cheon (Instruction & Curriculum Leadership), Presenter

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of three different interface types on Web-based instruction: a text-based interface, a graphical interface and a metaphorical interface. In order to determine differences among three interface groups, learning performance, cognitive load, usability and appeal were compared with various data from 50 undergraduate students in the mid-south. Results indicated there was no difference among the groups in terms of learning performance, cognitive load and usability; however, a metaphorical interface increased learners’ attention. Based on the results, implications for instructional designers are presented.

Osteoblast Phenotypic Expression, Collagen Production, and Bone Regeneration are Enhanced by Composite Chitosan/Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds

Betsy Chesnutt (Biomedical Engineering), Presenter

We have developed a novel porous bone graft scaffold composed of nanocrystalline calcium phosphate in a chitosan matrix that has mechanical properties similar to cancellous bone and porosity and pore size sufficient to support new tissue ingrowth. Here, we show that osteoblast cells cultured on composite scaffolds exhibit increased osteoblast phenotypic expression and extracellular matrix production, as evidenced by increased ALP activity and type I collagen production, when compared with cells cultured on chitosan scaffolds. In addition, in a rat critical sized bone defect model, new bone formation was observed around composite scaffolds 12 weeks after implantation.

Structural Characterization of Lysophosphatidic Acid G Protein-Coupled Receptors by NMR Spectroscopy

Benjamin T. Clayton (Chemistry), Presenter

Lysophosphatic acid (LPA) is a phospholipid that stimulates cancer growth by interacting with its cognate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The conditions leading to cancer are facilitated by the combined effects of abnormal LPA production, receptor expression, and signaling. Design of drug leads against LPA action requires structural characterization of LPA receptors. Computational receptor models are available, but contain errors in loops connecting the core. The receptors are not amenable to most structural characterization methods, however; peptide mimetics can substitute for the receptor core. Experimental characterization of structurally defined loop mimetics is in progress using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Corruption and the Balance of Gender Power

Luciana Echazu (Economics), Presenter

I present a theoretical model that explains the empirical findings of a negative relationship between female participation in the government and corruption. I propose that although psychic costs for both males and females do not intrinsically differ from one another, the cut off values for these costs are different for each gender. Hence, females behave more honestly than males do, not because they are naturally prone to it but because they cannot afford to be corrupt if they are minority. In that sense, the total density of corruption is non-monotonic in the proportion of females.

The Power of Secrets: Predictive Value of Relevant/Irrelevant Client Secrets for Satisfaction with Therapy

Frank Fedde (Counseling, Educational Psychology & Research), Presenter

This study investigated the relationship between relevance of secrets and perceived level of client satisfaction with psychotherapy. Two hundred twenty-six subjects completed an online questionnaire. A lower number of secrets resulted in higher overall perceived level of satisfaction. The higher the subjects scored on social desirability the higher they rated their satisfaction with therapy. The higher the number of sessions clients received as part of their treatment the more they were satisfied with therapy. These findings stress the importance of exploring concealed content in psychotherapy and controlling for length of treatment in future secrecy research. The research also showed that the most frequently identified secrets were in descending order sex, discrepancies between private and public self/masking, habits, and loneliness.

A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand: Cooperative and Competitive Recruitment

Matthew J. Hargrove & Ivan S. Muslin (Management & Experimental Psychology), Presenter

This poster offers a game theoretic approach to the phenomenon of industry-wide labor market shortage. The application of game theory introduces to the recruitment literature the potential of a positive sum model. This model will allow for a cooperative industry-wide recruitment strategy and increases the available applicant pool while reducing employee turnover. Use of institutional theory allows for grounding in how an industry-wide recruitment strategy will lead to newer isomorphic organizational practices. With vital industries such as healthcare and trucking facing a disturbing labor shortage research into increasing industry-wide applicant pools is overdue.

Microphase Separation Induced by Interfacial Segregation of Isotropic, Spherical Nanoparticles

Michael Hore (Physics), Presenter

In a recent experiment [Nano Lett. 5, 1878 (2005)], it was shown that the phase separation of the two polymers can be prevented as a result of the self-assembly of nanoparticles at the interfaces between the two polymers. Motivated by these experiments, we performed large scale simulations, based on the dissipative particle dynamics approach, on immiscible binary (A-B) fluids containing moderate volume fractions of isotropic nanoscale spherical particles. We found that at late times, the average domain size saturates to a predictable value. The dynamics of the phase separation process, dynamical scaling, and thermodynamic stability of the microphase-separated structures will be discussed.

NPP6 as a Model of the Catalytic Domain of Autotaxin

Angela Howard (Chemistry), Presenter

Autotaxin (ATX, NPP2) is a cancer motility stimulating factor that generates the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX is an attractive cancer therapeutic target as it is upregulated in multiple cancers and its expression correlates with invasiveness. Structural characterization of ATX will facilitate drug development. However, attempts to crystallize ATX have failed and it is too large to characterize using NMR spectroscopy. To overcome these problems we propose to use the related protein NPP6 as a model of the ATX catalytic domain (28% identical). The significantly smaller size of NPP6 will allow structural studies to be performed by NMR.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Non-hydrolyzable Autotaxin Inhibitors

E. Jeffrey North (Chemistry), Presenter

Autotaxin (ATX) is a 125kD glycoprotein and member of the nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) super family. ATX catalyzes the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to generate the bioactive lipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA promotes the growth and metastasis of tumor cells through specific cell surface receptors. Blockade of ATX-mediated LPA production is a novel chemotherapeutic strategy. In this study, nonhydrolyzable LPC analogues were synthesized and evaluated as ATX inhibitors. The structure activity relationship identified is being used to guide design of future ATX inhibitors, as well as to help optimize computational models of ATX.

Interpersonal Timing During Counting by Familial Dyads: Does Age Make a Difference?

Douglas F. Parham & Jamie L. Edrington (Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology), Presenters

This study measured the onset of phonation during counting by six dyads containing a mother, her two daughters, and the daughters’ aunt. For each dyad, participants counted in unison from “one” to “ten.” A lead time of phonation was measured for each numeral per trial. An ANOVA comparing Dyad × Numeral on lead times found a significant interaction, F(45, 510) = 2.865, p < 0.001. Post hoc testing revealed that significant differences were mostly due to the younger daughter. The onset of phonation can be used to not only measure interpersonal timing, but also reveal timing differences across dyads.

Mighty Molecular Motor of Mastigocladus Laminosus

W. Brad Robinson (Physics), Presenter

Mastigocladus laminosus (ML) is a type of cyanobacterium. It lives in filamentous colonies on the surfaces of rocks near hot springs. In order to spread to different areas, a chain of cells from one of these filaments will sometimes break off and move away from the main colony. These moving chains, called hormogonia, can push through extremely viscous environments by releasing slime from nanometer scale nozzles located at the separations between cells in the chain. We show that these nozzles must be very powerful, capable of producing forces greater than 120pN, much higher than any other molecular motor on record.

A Three-Dimensional Computational Simulation of Magnetic Positive Positioning in Reduced Gravity

Kevin Roos & Joshua Vincent (Mechanical Engineering), Presenters

A computational simulation of magnetic positive positioning is used to model cryogenic propellant reorientation in reduced gravity. Previous efforts incorporated an electromagnetic field model into a two dimensional incompressible flow model yielding accurate predictions of fluid motion induced by a magnetic field. A new simulation of MP2 is capable of modeling asymmetric flows and transient accelerations. The three-dimensional magnetic force model was developed as a feature of a well validated flow modeling software. Simulation predictions are compared to known solutions and experimental data to support the use of the simulation as a viable modeling tool in the study of MP2.

A Unique Royal Head Revisited

Annie J. Shanley (Art History), Presenter

In 1979, the Corning Museum of Glass acquired a small glass head from a private collection. The head depicts an Egyptian pharaoh and was originally part of a larger statue of blue glass. Since the piece was published by the museum, it has received little attention from the academic community. This study examines the physical and stylistic properties of the Corning head in an effort to place the piece within the existing corpus of New Kingdom royal glass sculpture. I propose that the head depicts Tuthmosis III and was originally part of a statue depicting the pharaoh as a sphinx.

Anxiety as a Mediator of Client Perceptions of Counselor Expertness, Attractiveness, and Trustworthiness

Brett A. Stancil (Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research), Presenter

Scholars and practitioners have sought to identify and understand variables that contribute to beneficial therapeutic outcomes. Social influence theory has served as bedrock for this line of inquiry. Individual differences that contribute to positive therapeutic outcomes and variables that may mediate those outcomes are critical to understanding client opinions of counselors due to the direct effects these perceptions have on clients’ changes over the course of therapy. The purpose of this study was to extend the nature of the research into social influence theory by examining the effects of anxiety on client perceptions of counselor expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness.

Risky Business: The Moderating Role of Risk in Voluntary Turnover Decisions

J ames Vardaman (Management), Presenter

This study explores the moderating role of risk in the relationship between turnover intentions and turnover behavior to provide explanation for why some employees act on their intentions to leave, while most do not. Although recent meta-analytic results suggest that turnover intentions are the single best predictor of turnover behavior, turnover intentions rarely explain more than 15% of quit behavior, suggesting that moderating factors may influence the relationship. Interactions between turnover intentions and two key aspects of risk were examined. The results indicate that both risk propensity and risk perceptions moderate the linkage between turnover intentions and turnover behavior.

Latent Semantic Space Comparison

Jie Wu (Computer Science), Presenter

Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) is a statistical method of comparing the semantic similarity between language units. There is considerable linguistic and psychological research on LSA, and some have argued that LSA has strong similarities with human cognition. The current study tests similarities between LSA spaces which serve as the cornerstone for language units comparisons. Results show that LSA spaces in the same domain, for example, parliament proceedings, are more semantically similar compared to those from different domains, say, parliament proceedings verses high-school texts. And more interestingly, LSA can discriminate texts that are written in different languages, even though their semantic contents are the same.    
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Teach a Man to Fish: Native American Economic Development

David Benson & Aaron Lies (Economics), Presenters

Native American Indian Reservations have for long existed in a poor and impoverished state. In the broader U.S. economy, small businesses are often the driving force behind economic expansion. We hypothesize that an increase in small business activity would help alleviate these problems. To test this hypothesis, we examined data concerning the Lakota Fund, a private initiative intended to spur economic growth in Shannon County, an Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The goal of this study was to estimate the impact of the Lakota Fund on economic performance in Shannon County. Todd County, a similar Native American community was chosen as a control. Preliminary results indicate that the introduction of the Lakota Fund raised per capita income in Shannon County and also the existence of a positive externality on state-wide economic performance. Macroeconomic policy implications of this research are rich and multi dimensional.

Neuropeptide and Social Behavior in Free-Living Prairie Vole Populations

Misha Hari (Biology), Presenter

Various studies have demonstrated a role for the neuropeptide vasopressin in facilitating positive social behaviors, particularly in social species such as the monogamous prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). These studies have been conducted solely in the lab environment and their role in free-living populations has not yet been examined. We examined brain tissue from two populations of prairie voles that typically differ in social behavior and data for these individuals assigning them to one of two behavioral strategies: resident or wanderer. We quantified vasopressin neurons in the brain. No differences were found in vasopressin.

Developing and Assessing Health Impacts of a Sports Snack

Tracy Renner, Sheritha Harris, Patricia Prince-Griffin & Melundee Scott (Health and Human Performance), Presenters

The goal of the research was to create a food bar high in antioxidants, using grocery store ingredients, to decrease muscle damage. The antioxidants used were vitamins C and E. Students evaluated the food bars using sensory evaluations. The Cranberry Oat Bar had the highest acceptability. In future research the bar would be offered to off-season athletes participating in a cross over study. Eccentric exercises and endurance tests would determine whether the high antioxidant snack could prohibit soreness yet promote endurance. This research addresses the need for sports food products rich in antioxidants that are appealing and beneficial to athletes.

The Integration and Feasibility of RFID, GPS, and GIS Usage in the Paving/Gravel Industry

Jason Keen (Management Information Systems), Presenter

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), GPS (Global Positioning Systems), and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) represent technologies where applications are continually emerging. Application contexts where these technologies might be integrated to provide synergistic benefits are especially interesting and promising, and typically include environments where real-time tracking, route optimization, and geographic characteristics come into play, in the paving and gravel industry. The goal of this research is to determine how RFID, GIS, and GPS can be integrated to create a system that improves the correlation of data and tracking capabilities of paving companies.

The Effect of Gesture Processing: How Different Pointing Devices Affect Memory and Speed

Doris Marie Leeper (Psychology), Presenter

This experiment focuses on two types of pointing devices (arrows vs. circles) and their effect on accuracy and speed. The gestures appeared under one of the three conditions: matching, mismatching, and no gesture. Subjects looked at pictures of mechanical devices in these conditions and answered yes/no questions. Participants completed a post-test examining their memory of the conditions and their understanding of the verbal input. 35 students from the University of Memphis took part in this research. Their responses to the questions and decision time were analyzed across conditions. Results and conclusions will be discussed.

Color Representation During Abstract Word Comprehension

Gwyneth Lewis (Psychology), Presenter

Previous experimental research, including my own, shows that words activate perceptual representations. When participants read words like rose they activate colors like red. To investigate whether these findings apply to abstract words like apathy, the current study collected ratings of 100 abstract words from 20 participants who rated words with the colors they most represent them with. If perceptual representations are activated during language comprehension in general, participants reliably agree on colors. If these representations only apply to concrete words, little agreement is to be found. Agreement results for hue, brightness and saturation will be presented and discussed. 

Phase Behavioral and Structural Properties of an Efficient Solvent-Free Model of Lipid Bilayers

Joel Revalee (Physics), Presenter

High-power computers have facilitated the study of lipid bilayer membranes and a variety of their properties. In simulations of such membranes, most of the CPU time is typically occupied by the solvent. It is therefore computationally desirable to develop an accurate model of lipid membranes without explicit solvent. We have designed such a model, and propose that its use can lead to faster simulations and the study of larger membrane structures. Investigations of membrane properties as functions of temperature have revealed a structural phase transition in the membrane from a gel phase to a fluid phase.

Evaluation of Chitosan-Based Tissue Engineering Substrates Made Using Different Organic Acid Solvents

Brandon Shepherd (Biomedical Engineering), Presenter

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, has shown promise as a material for bone/cartilage regeneration. Chitosan materials are typically made using acetic acid solvent. However, materials from different solvents may exhibit mechanical and structural qualities more suitable for bone/cartilage tissue engineering. In this study, materials from acetic, lactic, and formic solvents were compared by degradation studies, compressive testing, swelling ratios, and crystallinity. Lactic materials displayed lower compressive properties and crystallinity than acetic and formic acid materials. Acetic materials swelled the most (average 96.67% volumetric increase). These results show that different acid solvents modulate chitosan properties for bone/cartilage tissue engineering.

Characterization and Minimization of Thermal Signatures

Matthew Schultz (Mechanical Engineering), Presenter

With the increase in technology and the diversity of modern warfare there is a need for development in intelligence gathering methods and systems. One of the important aspects of intelligence gathering methods is infrared imagery and surveillance. Infrared is the section of the electromagnetic spectrum that is emitted due to heat, and the image perceived through this spectrum is referred to as a thermal signature. The goal of this project is to alter and characterize an object’s thermal signature. This will be conducted through a series of three experiments that will focus on emissivity, spatial frequency and background intensity, and varying surface area.

The Effect of Dietary Protein on Self-Grooming in Meadow Voles, Microtus Pennsylvanicus

Keisha Smith (Biology), Presenter

Past research showed that food deprivation affects attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity in meadow voles. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the affects of protein on proceptivity or self-grooming behavior. Meadow voles were placed on a three different protein diets: 9%, 13%, and 22%. The possible outcomes are: voles will self-groom more to high protein donor than low protein donor; only females self-groom more to high protein males or only males self-groom more to high protein females; there is no significant difference in the time spent self-grooming in response to amount of protein in donor’s diet.

Strings and Things for Locating Earthquakes: An Educational Tool for Teaching Introductory Seismology

D. Sarah Stamps (Earth Sciences), Presenter

The purpose of this project is to educate K-12 and collegiate level students about introductory seismology through the use of an interactive, three-dimensional analog computer that uses a map, strings, and a time-distance scale to find the location of an earthquake (lat, long and depth) based on seismic wave arrival times. The locator is housed at the Center for Earthquake Research and Information for use by visitors, but is also transported to classroom settings. This project involved publishing a technical paper in the November/December 2006 issue of Seismological Research Letters (SRL) including instructions for building an analog earthquake locator.

Present-Day Kinematics of the East African Rift System

D. Sarah Stamps (Earth Sciences), Presenter

The East African Rift system (EAR) is often referred to as the classic example of a continental rift zone; however its present deformation and spreading rates are not well constrained. Previous kinematic models utilizing earthquake slip vectors and available GPS data indicate a present-day Nubia-Somalia euler pole near the southern tip of Africa and an independently moving microplate (Victoria) residing between the western and eastern rifts, rotating counter-clockwise with respect to the Nubia plate. Geologic and geodetic data suggest an additional microplate (Rovuma) may be located between the Malawi rift and the Davies ridge. The purpose of this project is to test a recently published kinematic model of the EAR and an unpublished angular velocity for the Somalia-Nubia pole. This model establishes an initial estimate of a Rovuma microplate angular velocity. The model utilizes the most recently available slip vector data and GPS measurements from 14 locations as of July 2006.

Present-Day Kinematics of the Scotia Arc

D. Sarah Stamps (Earth Sciences), Presenter

The Scotia Sea region borders the South American (SAM) and Antarctic (ANT) tectonic plates and consists of several marginal basins surrounded by a narrow band of seismicity. An extinct spreading ridge resides in the eastern portion of the Scotia (SCO) plate, and an active spreading ridge separates the South Sandwich (SSAN) plate from SCO along the eastern edge of SCO. Previous studies have indicated several locations for SCO-SAM, SCO-ANT, SSAN-SAM, and SSAN-ANT angular velocities. This study utilizes updated earthquake data and new GPS vectors to test previous kinematics models and produce new angular velocities.    

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