This question of why some people possess populist attitudes and others don’t, will be explored through survey research. A survey was distributed through Meta advertisements in order to reach social media users directly. Respondents were asked a variety of questions regarding their social media use, such as how long they use social media, how often they use it for news, and to gauge their political participation through commenting and reposting. Afterwards they are then asked a variety of questions gauging different populist attitudes as established by current literature. 

Ava RohrbaughBiologyacr5882@psu.eduADVISORSPatrick DrewAssociate Director of the Neuroscience Institutepjd17@psu.eduDenver GreenawaltGraduate Studentdig5276@psu.eduKEYWORDSNeurotoxicity, polystyrene, plastics/nanoplastics, trigeminal nerve, endocytosis, air pollution, fluorescenceABSTRACTPlastic is a principal material for most commercial products including water bottles, packaging, and other single-use items. These plastic products will naturally experience mechanical, chemical, and photodegradation which will result in the formation of macro and microplastics. Microplastics can be further degraded into nanoplastics which are toxic to organisms due to their ability to enter more invasive cellular spaces. Nanoplastics can also become airborne and taken in by an organism through the nasal pathway. The reality that microplastics are of increasing concern as a pollutant is not disputed, however, the pathways by which our body internalizes plastic particles and the effects of nanoplastics on our cells need to be further investigated. My project investigates a possible intracellular pathway by studying the in vivo translocation of polystyrene nanoparticles in a mouse model. The goal of this project is to determine if nasally administered polystyrene nanoparticles are endocytosed into the trigeminal nerve (maxillary branch) and translocated to the trigeminal ganglion which is the junction of the trigeminal nerve branches. My contribution to this project was to prepare solutions for nasal administrations, process perfused mice, extract trigeminal ganglia, section samples using a cryostat, and view the trigeminal ganglia on a confocal microscope. The polystyrene nanoparticles I used to model environmental nanoplastics are fluorescently labeled and were imaged in 40um transverse whole-skull sections that included the trigeminal ganglia. 

The present study analyzes the neural overlaps of successful memory in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) for single items and associative pairs oriented proximally and distally. Results showed an increase in neural activity from the single, proximal, and distal conditions, reflecting the increasing difficulty of the respective tasks. There was more neural overlap in the proximal and distal conditions than in the proximal and single conditions. 

As a leader in the supply chain, Panama is a melting pot where numerous cultures coexist, trade, and conduct business. Panama is a key player in the global supply chain because of its diversity, which improves trade connectivity in the Panama Canal and on a worldwide scale. During a week-long embedded travel abroad program, we immersed ourselves in the culture and visited multiple logistics companies to gain valuable insight into Panamanian supply chain operations.

The main goal of this presentation is to highlight the benefits of the strategic location of Panama and the Panama Canal. The planned highlighted areas are as follows: benefits to the economy, benefits to corporations and businesses, and the internal benefit to the culture of the country its self.

Life, as we know it, is dependent upon phosphates; they are necessary for many extant biomolecules, such as nucleic acids and phospholipids. However, due to low solubility, phosphates would have been limited and unreactive in the prebiotic oceans. To alleviate the phosphate dilemma, complex coacervates were used to dissolve and concentrate phosphate from minerals during wet-dry cycles. Analysis from 31P-NMR showed that phosphorylation of glycerol was achieved in a one-pot crowded environment.

For the past 40 years, humans have been seeing a significant increase in obesity. While a part of this is contributed to environment and monogenic obesity, polygenic obesity, where multiple genes affect the phenotype, is a more unexplored avenue of research. From a genome-wide association study, RUNX2 and TMEM151B have been correlated to an increase in obesity. These findings were then replicated in c. elegans to show that this correlative increase is causative of BMI increase.

Organisms use nucleotide-based signaling molecules to translate environmental stimuli into changes in metabolism and behavior. A class of RNA-derived signaling molecules, 2’,3’-cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (2’,3’-cNMPs), are produced by bacteria in response to stress.  The role of 2',3' cNMPs in E. coli, the processes controlled by 2’,3’-cNMP levels, and the proteins involved in the signaling pathways were observed. The significance of this project is they are found in all organisms.  

Escherichia coli combats polymyxin exposure by modifying lipopolysaccharide in the outer membrane via the arn operon. Surrounding this operon is Insertion Sequence 1 (IS1), which codes for a transposase that is only expressed when a -1 ribosomal frameshift occurs (in which the arn operon is duplicated with IS1). After exposing E. coli cells to certain aminoglycosides, then Polymyxin B, these cells exhibited greater resistance to Polymyxin B than cells not exposed to aminoglycosides.

The importance of microtubules in neurons lies in their role of providing a highway network that is used to carry molecular components to various locations within the cell. Microtubule-severing proteins are responsible for regulating these microtubules to tailor the highway network to a cell’s needs. Kat60L1, one such severing protein, is being examined using in vivo live imaging in a Drosophila system to gain more insight into the specific functions of this poorly studied protein.

“Superwormsâ€

Per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 15,000 synthetic chemicals that have produced since the late 1930's. that have been used in various household and industrial products. The PFAS molecules have a fluorinated carbon chain with various functional groups that give them unique properties well-suited for use in non-stick, stain resistant, and waterproof materials. Additionally, they have been granted the nickname name 'forever' and 'legacy' chemicals due to their slow degradability and persistence in the environment. Despite several of the PFAS compounds being discounted and removed from products in the early 2000's, they are still found in the environment, as well as in the blood of wildlife and humans. Exposure to PFAS may vary depending on occupation and use of items known to contain PFAS. Multiple studies have emphasized the dangers of PFAS exposure, as they bioaccumulate in the environment, animals, and humans. Current research shows increased risk of cancers, infertility, reduced fetal growth, and decreased immune response, prompting a need for further public education and awareness. Because it can be difficult to know how best to reduce exposure to PFAS, we are developing a PFAS Footprint Calculator took that will help families and individuals to understand their exposure to PFAS-containing household and consumer products. Users will enter the number and type of products, such as textiles, cosmetics, and food packing into the footprint tool, and based on a literature review on the amount of PFAS in each product type, the tool will estimate a user’s PFAS footprint. Results of the literature review show that PFAS concentrations vary amongst different companies, states, and products; with production and manufacturing contributing to the variation from item to item. The results of the tool will help the user to identify ways to limit their exposure to PFAS, thereby reducing exposure risk to themselves and their families. Preliminary data collection indicates that textiles and cookware could be major contributors to PFAS exposure. The tool will also serve to educate and raise awareness regarding PFAS-containing products, thereby serving to help improve public health.

In the phyllosphere, a microecosystem on plant leaves, diverse microbes impact plant health. Like the root rhizosphere, a healthy phyllospheric community is vital for plant growth.  Flavonoids are plant pigments that influence plant-microbe interactions. Maize with increased flavonoids shows altered stress responses and metabolic pathways. This project explores the connection between maize flavonoids and phyllosphere microbes, using sequencing to identify unique associations. Understanding flavonoids roles in these communities informs future development of high-flavonoid maize lines.

High-Mass X-Ray Binary pulsars (HMXB pulsars) are fast-moving, magnetized neutron stars in a binary orbit alongside a companion star, wherein X-Rays are emitted from their magnetic poles. These X-rays are generated when the neutron star accretes material from its companion and magnetic field deflects it to its poles. Magnetars are also neutron stars, but they are slower-moving with extremely powerful magnetic field strengths to the orders of 10^9T-10^15G making them the most powerful known magnets in the universe. The aim of this project is to show how HMXB pulsars and magnetars differ from each other. We examined two catalogues containing HMXB pulsars (Kim et al. 2023) and magnetars (Olausen & Kaspi, 2014) and extracted data which empirically tell us about their characteristics such as the period, rate of change of period, magnetic field, and luminosity. Our results show the differences between the accretion-powered HMXB pulsars and electromagnetic-powered magnetars. 

The purpose of the study was to determine associations between metabolic syndrome severity and cognitive performance, and the moderating effects of vascular health. In 48 older adults, MetS severity score was negatively correlated with reaction time (r=-0.379, p=0.010) and accuracy (r=-0.351, p=0.023) on a task of working memory. MetS severity was also positively correlated to arterial stiffness (r=0.501, p<0.001). The severity of MetS should be considered an important variable on cognitive decline in this population.

The present study investigated the influence of image proximity and the specificity of image labeling on false memory production. We hypothesized that when images within a pair are presented close together and therefore more likely to be labeled in superordinate categories, false memories will be greater. Participants were asked to overtly label both proximal and distal image pairs. They then completed a surprise memory test for individual images from the pairs. Results will be discussed.

This research explores the stability of ferroelectric phases in (Ba,Sr)TiO3 thin films on GdScO3 substrates. Investigating the interplay of temperature, composition, and strain-state, the study aims to simplify complexities by focusing on one substrate. Computational simulations, varying temperature, composition, and strain contribute to a temperature-composition phase diagram. The phase diagram reveals stable ferroelectric phases in specific regions, forming distinctive patterns. The significance lies in advancing understanding and control of BSTO, a pivotal ferroelectric material with diverse applications.

This research explored how patient satisfaction with cancer care may be associated with perceived experience at a routine follow-up appointment and affect attitudes towards future care. An observational study of 40 adult cancer survivors assessed patient satisfaction at baseline and used these values to predict unpleasantness/pain, stressfulness, perceived outcome of the follow-up appointment, and intention to attend future appointments. This research could help inform how to improve the experience at routine cancer care appointments.

YfbS is a sulfate transporter found in many marine Vibrionaceae. It functions to import sulfate from the marine environment for the bacteria to grow and survive. YfbS contains two RCK domains, a broad class of domains known to control nutrient import. While RCK domains are well characterized in K+ channels, their function and mechanism remain unclear in YfbS. This work shows that the RCK domains are important for YfbS function of importing sulfate.

This research investigates the lipoprotein structure of Bifidobacterium angulatum, and its implications for Toll-like Receptor interactions within the gut microbiome. Through lipoprotein extraction, we aim to extract and analyze the lipoprotein using mass spectrometry and western blot techniques. Our focus is on deciphering the unique structure and identifying the responsible gene, providing insight into innate immune responses. Outcomes may guide knowledge relating to probiotic and antibiotic strategies.

Songbirds are typically diurnal, but will adopt a nocturnal pattern during migration. While the exact neurobiological cause of this switch is yet unknown, I hypothesize it to be related to activity of the neuropeptide orexin. In this study, I utilized immunohistochemistry to selectively stain against orexin receptors A and B in songbird brains. My results showed a consistent distribution of orexin in the ventral tegmental area, periaqueductal gray, cerebellum, optic tectum, and olfactory tract.

Family support for Physical Activity (PA) during adolescence is essential, but understandings of how this tracks into young adulthood is limited, which this study addressed. Methods: A volunteer sample of college students reported current PA levels and family PA (FPA).Results: Among participants (n=113), no differences were noted for current PA by FPA, nor was there a significant relationship between FPA and activity level. Discussion: Future research should identify underlying factors associated with PA engagement among college students.

This study delves into the global impact of body dysmorphia, concentrating on problems with visual processing in those who have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Using self-report questionnaires, clinical diagnosis, and cognitive bias tests on a diverse sample of 446 individuals, the study investigates how BDD impacts visual processing. The findings are expected to demonstrate the greater challenges with visual processing that individuals with BDD have when compared to those without the disease, and they also demonstrate the substantial influence that a BDD diagnosis has. Additionally, a strong primary influence of cognitive biases is demonstrated, indicating that negative attentional biases amplify issues with visual processing. It is noteworthy that there does not appear to be a significant interaction between cognitive biases and BDD diagnosis, suggesting that their combined effects on visual processing are additive rather than synergistic.

In pastoralist Kenyan communities, meeting water needs can be a struggle for families. The responsibility of collecting water often falls upon the women of the house. This poster examines water insecurity in rural Daasanach communities and addresses the role of gender, as well as explores how water insecurity impacts women’s ability to breastfeed. Using data from a cross-sectional survey collected in summer 2023, we found that women  experience more water insecurity.​