2024 Undergraduate Exhibition

  Adam B. Feinstein1, Christine K. Bowlus1, Matthew Studinski1, Jocelyn M. Delgado1, Jigar Gosalia1, Swapan Mookerjee2, David N. Proctor1. 1Penn State University, University Park, PA, 2Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA Over 15 million people in the U.S. are prescribed cardio-selective beta blockers. However, whether β1-blockade impacts myocardial oxygen demand in combination with the perception of effort during large muscle dynamic exercise has not been explored. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a cardio-selective beta blocker, esmolol (E), infusion during moderate (MOD) and heavy (HVY) intensity cycling exercise on rate pressure product (RPP) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) in young, healthy women. We hypothesized that RPP would be lower and RPE would be higher during E compared to saline (S) treatment conditions during dynamic exercise in young women. METHODS: Thirteen healthy, normally active younger (20-32 yrs) women performed very light (20W warm-up), MOD (85% of estimated lactate threshold, LT) and HVY (50% between LT and the respiratory compensation point) recumbent leg cycling exercise during IV infusion of S and E in randomized order (45 min apart) on a single study visit. Heart rate (HR), brachial blood pressure (BP, automated cuff), RPE (Borg Scale), and VO2 (indirect calorimetry) were measured during the fourth minute of each intensity. RPP (HR x systolic BP) was calculated. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences in RPP, RPE, and VO2 across intensities and treatments. RESULTS: A significant interaction effect for intensity*treatment on RPP was found. Pairwise comparisons revealed that RPP was significantly lower in MODE compared to MODS (12703±1809 vs 15954±3432, p<0.001) and HVYE compared to HVYS (16433±1864 vs 22155±4041, p<0.001). RPP was not different at rest (6782±1030 vs 7297±1273, p=0.066). A significant effect of both intensity and treatment was found on RPE, pairwise comparisons showed RPE in HVYE was greater than HVYs (14.7±1.4 vs 14.0±1.3, p=0.011). There was no effect of treatment on VO2. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the myocardial demand lowering effects of β1-blockade in healthy humans and demonstrate perceived effort increases during high intensity exercise. SIGNIFICANCE/NOVELTY: The beneficial effects of β1-blockade drugs may be complicated by the increased perception of effort during exercise, likely due to reduced oxygen delivery to active muscle.  Supported by NIH Grant R21 AG054940

The overall goal of this project was to expand on pre-existing work published regarding the coupling of biaryl molecules. The main publication that was expanded on involved carbon-carbon coupling and cross-coupling reactions in order to synthesize symmetrical and non-symmetrical biaryl molecules, respectively. The desire to synthesize biaryl products stems from their applications in molecular catalysis, and materials science. These applications stem from the fact that these products can be chiral ligands. Chiral ligands are important in the synthesis of other molecules because in order to synthesize a chiral molecule, chirality in the starting material is required. In the context of BINOL, which is mainly considered in this work, the chirality that this compound possesses is called axial chirality.

My project utilized a lipid monolayer at a water-fluorinated oil interface as a biomimetic cell membrane model. Lipid ternary mixtures are used to mimic cellular membrane heterogeneity, and to understand the role of phase separation. Polystyrene microparticles are introduced to study their interactions, and then located using confocal and side-view microscope. This study deepens understanding of polymer microparticles interactions with membranes, aiming to minimize cytotoxicity and boost therapeutic efficacy.

SpfP is a recently characterized peptide which is suggested to block cAMP Receptor Protein (CRP), a regulatory protein involved in bacterial catabolism of nonpreferred sugars like lactose, with potential applications in manually controlling bacterial growth. In this project, the general mechanism of SpfP inhibition of CRP was elucidated using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results suggest that SpfP allosterically inhibits CRP, blocking its association with DNA promoters, and further structural cryo-EM studies will follow.

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.

Bees endure widespread pesticide exposure throughout their lifecycle from agrochemical applications. Bee larvae ingest pesticides via pollen provisioned by female adult bees. This study examines mason bee larvae (Osmia cornifrons) responses to field-realistic chlorpyrifos doses in theirdiet varying chlorpyrifos concentrations. Survival, body size, anddevelopmental timing were assessed. While high chlorpyrifos levels reducedsurvival, developmental timing remained consistent. Future research shouldexplore the effects of chlorpyrifos on adult bee behavior and reproduction.

trans-Translation is a vital pathway in bacteria that rescues ribosomes stalled on damaged RNA during protein synthesis. ArfB is an alternative rescue pathway to trans-translation found in E. coli and harbored within an operon following a gene referred to as yaeQ. Although yaeQ is an unclassified protein, it is believed to be a nuclease. ArfB may be co-expressed in the same operon as yaeQ to cope with nuclease activity on RNA performed by yaeQ.

This project investigated the relationship between HIV status and maternal B12 status, HIV status and cord blood B12, and the ratio of cord:maternal B12 levels. We measured B12, CRP, and Hb status in mothers at enrollment and in cord blood. We found cord blood from women living with HIV had significantly higher B12 than those who are not. We also found an increased cord:maternal B12 ratio in women living with HIV.

Sunscreen traditionally focuses on blocking UV-B rays, assuming it boosts UV-A protection. However, this assumption questions its efficacy. SPF testing assumes linear protection over time, ignoring the known decay in protection. To reevaluate, we tested three popular sunscreen brands for bacterial growth under UV light exposure. Results revealed all performances fell short of label claims, prompting a reconsideration of sunscreen effectiveness.

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.

Background: Psychological distress among emergency department (ED) providers is a pervasive concern within healthcare. However, the phenomenon of clinicians not seeking treatment is complex, encompassing factors such as providers' fear, limited time, insufficient resources, and stigma. Many of the cited barriers, including resource availability and stigma have improved with recent efforts, however this is still a need on going to address concerns. Therefore, this thesis sought to examine the generational differences in provider perceptions of resource availability throughout training, stigma, and the status of mental health in the ED in hopes of understanding how individual experiences shape perceptions, across three cohorts of ED providers at an academic medical center.Methods: A two-wave, sequential mixed-methods study was conducted to collect data from ED physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs; i.e., nurse practitioners and physician assistants), and resident physicians. The wave 1 survey assessed demographic information in addition to resource availability during training, institutional monitoring, and institutional regulations. Wave 2 qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted to further explore survey findings and themes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.Results: The wave 1 respondent sample included 20 physicians, 10 APPs, and 13 residents (an overall survey response rate of 39% of all ED clinical staff).  There were 13 in-training providers, 21 early/mid-career providers, and 9 senior-career providers included in the quantitative sample. From the survey, more than two-thirds of in-training and early/mid-career providers perceived to have access to wellness programming, mental health counselors, crisis resources, and peer support throughout education and training, whereas less than 25% of senior-career providers reported having the same resources. The results from the survey helped in the development of the interview guide and shaped the qualitative assessment. The interview sample included 6 physicians, 8 APPs, and 2 residents (75% of whom had completed the initial survey). 4 participants were designated as in-training, 6 as early/mid-career, and 6 as senior-career. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: (1) perceptions of mental health care and resource accessibility across training, (2) perceived cultural and self-stigma, and (3) a negative ED culture.Conclusion: Findings highlight a significant disconnect in reported resource availability and stigma across generations. This disconnect may, in part, emphasize the significance of providers' perceptions and clarify how they impact provider mental health and well-being. Future research should examine the evolution of social, occupational, mental, and physiological influences and the impact on provider perceptions, to better understand the mental health crisis in medicine.

This study examines 2203 sympathetic flares from the Sympathetic solar flare (1975-2017) catalogue on the Harvard Dataverse. We analyze key timestamps—start time, peak time, and end time—to delineate the rising and decay phases of these flares. Our findings reveal a correlation between flare duration and the duration of their rising and decay phases, with longer-duration flares exhibiting extended phases. A frequency distribution analysis demonstrates a predominance of shorter-lived flares. We also observe asymmetry in the duration of rising versus decay phases, with the majority of sympathetic flares showing a longer decay phase. Investigation into the change in latitude over the solar cycle indicates a transition from a dispersed distribution to an alignment with the solar equator, particularly evident around 1985, 1995, and 2005. Notably, most sympathetic flares occur within 30 degrees of the solar equator. This study provides valuable insights into the behavior and characteristics of sympathetic flares, contributing to our overall understanding of solar dynamics.

Realizing the potential of nitro-compounds to reduce ruminant enteric methane emissions, my objective was to research and obtain various natural sources of nitro-compounds that have the potential to be developed into ruminant livestock feed supplements. I researched several plant, bacterial, and fungal species as potential sources of the nitro-compound 3-nitro-1-propionic acid (3-NPA). I will present possible sources and biochemical pathways that will be useful targets to explore the synthesis of 3-NPA through further genetic manipulations.

This ongoing study examines gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells' survival when exposed to differentially substituted 4-thiozolidinones. Performed by observing the quality and quantity of cancer cells after timed reactions as well as incubation with varied concentrations of compounds. As we continue with this study, we aim to explore potential therapeutic efficacy in tumor treatment.

Malaria, a deadly disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, remains a significant threat to public health worldwide. Developing effective drugs to combat malaria is challenging due to the parasite's ability to rapidly develop resistance to antimalarials, as seen with existing medications such as chloroquine, quinine, sulfadoxine, and halofantrine. However, a potential target for novel antimalarials lies in the unique, heterogenous ribosomes found in Plasmodium, and their temporally expressed Asexual (A) and Sporozoite (S) types. These ribosomes contain sequence variations between their rRNAs, particularly in expansion segments (ESs), which are protrusions of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequences outside the conserved core rRNA. While the functional roles of eukaryotic ESs are not fully understood, they play crucial roles in ribosome biogenesis and recruit specific effector proteins acting on nascent polypeptides. This evidence of rRNA ES interactions with ribosome-associated factors in eukaryotes leads me to hypothesize that certain rRNAs varying between A- and S-type ribosomes may interact with a protein complex crucial for Plasmodium ribosome specialization. The aim of this project was to develop a reproducible protocol to generate ES probes identical in size and sequence to Plasmodium's ES9S and ES27L sequences that protrude from A-type and S-type ribosomes. I established the experimental workflow by exclusively focusing on creating control ES GFP RNA probes designed to mirror the approximate sequence length and predicted structure of the three sequences for both the P. yoelii ES9S sequence and ES27L sequence, located on Chromosomes 5, 6, and 12. These ESs were chosen for investigation because of their demonstrated specialized functions in other eukaryotic organisms. Throughout this project, I established a reliable and consistent protocol for generating these RNAs that can be applied to the remaining ES RNA probes chosen for this study. This will enable efforts to determine whether the other six ES9S and ES27L A-type and S-type ES possess the capacity to selectively bind effector proteins. These results would demonstrate their specialized translational function in Plasmodium, which could advance understanding of stage-specific Plasmodium ribosomes and their role in translational regulation throughout the malaria life cycle. Through the generation of ES RNA probes known to have specialized functions in other eukaryotic organisms, we aim to uncover whether similar specialized functions exist in Plasmodium, potentially offering valuable targets for vaccines or medications focused on disrupting the translational dynamics of malaria. 

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.

We present the Elliptica code for generation of initial data in simulated binary neutron star mergers. The relevant theoretical models of numerical relativity are described, and we demonstrate the generation of initial data for a simple binary neutron star system. Further, we analyze the accuracy of the numerical model it converges exponentially to the correct solution of Einstein's equations with respect to the computational grid size.

Some long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to contain structures important for function. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have the potential to alter these structures and thus impact function. We have predicted structurally altering SNPs, known as riboSNitches, from the 1000 Genomes Project in human lncRNAs. Currently, we are working to uncover putative functionally relevant structures by looking for lncRNAs with depleted levels of riboSNitches. 

Hemozoin is a crystalline structure released from the detoxification of hemoglobin in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Several studies have shown its effects on inflammation related to inflammasome activation, however its role in autophagy is still unclear. Here, we report that in response to hemozoin macrophages accumulate p62, leading to dysregulation of autophagy and enhanced inflammation. This was further confirmed by the decrease in LC3 II, a protein involved in autophagosome formation. 

Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) have declined across their Pennsylvania range in recent years due to environmental disturbances and are a species of special concern. The objective of this study is to understand how forest temperatures influence behavior in these turtles through the analysis of thermal data gathered from weekly radio telemetry surveys. The results from this study will provide valuable information for land managers to help create suitable habitat for this species. 

There has been growing concern that we are entering a period of democratic backsliding in which people around the globe are seeing significant reductions in their civil and political liberties. In this research project, I examine how socioeconomic factors and institutional choice interact to influence democratic stability using a dynamic logit model on data from around the world, 1950-2020. My project provides insights into the types of institutions and conditions which help to preserve democracy.

Using the visual-world paradigm, we investigate whether L1 German speakers show differences in predicting upcoming nouns based on natural or grammatical gender cues when listening to error-free L1- and L2accented speech. We found that native listeners engaged in predictive processing based on natural gender with both L1- and L2-accented speech, yet they engaged in delayed predictive processing for grammatical gender.

We investigate how variations in protoplanetary disk properties during the giant-impact stage of planetary formation influence the ultimate configuration of planetary systems by running N-body simulations facilitated by the “Reboundâ€

Grape-derived polyfunctional thiols contribute positively to the aroma quality of wines, especially aromatic white wines1. These thiols, such as 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH), 3-mercaptohexyl acetate (3MHA), and 4-mercapto-4-methylpentant-2-one (4MMP), have very low aroma thresholds (ng/L), but impart highly desirable aromas (e.g., grapefruit, passionfruit, blackcurrant) to finished wines2. Recently, studies have shown that the application of urea and micronized sulfur to the foliar during growing season in Pennsylvania resulted in a significant increase (73-300%) in varietal polyfunctional thiol content in finished wines. Unfortunately, the repeated application of these treatments can be time consuming and expensive. In the present study, liquid-chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy was used to investigate the impact of additions of elemental sulfur (S0), in combination with SO2, and/or ascorbic acid to grape juice on the concentration of polyfunctional thiols in finished wines. This approach relies on the recently elucidated mechanism by which S0 is biologically transformed (i.e., via yeast) to hydrogen sulfide during the primary fermentation, which is subsequently capable of reaction with juice-derived C6 alkenes (e.g., trans-2-hexanal, trans-2-hexanol, hexanol) via 1,4 Michael addition reactions to yield desirable polyfunctional thiols. These reactions have been shown to be effectively modulated through the addition of SO2 (a multifunctional antioxidant capable of quenching thiols, scavenging hydrogen peroxide, inhibiting polyphenol oxidase, and quenching carbonyl-containing oxidation products) and ascorbic acid (a strong reducing agent and oxygen radical scavenger). We hope to determine if the S0 addition technique is viable as a simple and cost-effective method of increasing the pool of desirable polyfunctional thiols in Pennsylvania wines.