The Open Poster Presentation sessions include poster presentations and displays of research, scholarly, and creative work across all disciplines, all UW-Eau Claire campuses, and CVTC.
Enoate reductase from Bacillus coagulans (ERBC) is a promising biocatalyst that has been shown to reduce the carbon-carbon double bonds of cis,cis-muconic acid in vivo, generating adipic acid, an important precursor used in the synthesis nylon-6,6. Our research has shown that ERBC is capable of reducing carbon-carbon double bonds in a variety of molecules produced using the extradiol dioxygenase BphC. Since the native substrate of ERBC is unknown, studying its activity with a variety of similar substrates will be beneficial for evaluating the scope of its reactivity. Our research aims to identify promising substrates using UV-visible light spectroscopy and to characterize enzymatic products through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Identification of possible substrates and subsequent engineering and enhancement of the catalytic activity of ERBC can enable the development of environmentally benign synthetic methods for the production of a variety of commodity chemicals.
Dichloromethane (DCM) is an organic solvent with complimentary properties such as low boiling point, slight polarity, and efficiency in dissolving organic molecules that have resulted in DCM being used in many chemical industries with various important applications in synthesis and purification. New restrictions of DCM use are taking effect May 2025, that aim to minimize the risk to human and environmental health via controlled exposure limits. In our undergraduate organic synthesis research, DCM is used in separations during the purification process and as a reaction solvent, therefore it is ideal to find viable alternatives to DCM to have an informed decision on when to opt into using DCM. Alternative solvents and mixtures that possess similar properties regarding solubility and volatility have been identified by the American Chemical Society and career chemists, but each reaction needs to be independently optimized. Diethyl ether, ethyl acetate/ethanol (3:1), and dioxane will be tested as both reaction solvents and purification solvents for several organic synthesis reactions and evaluated based on purity and percent yield for viability as replacement for DCM use. Spectroscopic methods including 1H-NMR and FT-IR will be used to compare the effectiveness of the chosen alternatives.
Biomolecular condensates (BMCs) are naturally occurring membraneless organelles formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). They play significant roles in various cellular processes, including signal transduction, gene expression, and stress response. The thermodynamics of condensate formation involve a complex interplay between entropy and enthalpy. The loss in entropy due to ordered assembly formation inside the liquid-like condensate is compensated by the increase in intermolecular interaction enthalpy. The main factors that promote LLPS include changes in biomolecule concentration and intermolecular interactions. The LLPS process is sensitive to pH, temperature, and ionic strength. LLPS of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and unstructured domains/regions of proteins (IDPRs) are well documented. Recent studies suggest that globular proteins also form crowder-induced biomolecular condensates. However, the precise role of molecular crowding in LLPS-driven biomolecular condensate formation remains understudied, especially for globular proteins. A thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of protein condensate formation and the impact of phase separation on enzymatic reactions is crucial to addressing issues related to cellular physiology. To investigate the molecular mechanism of condensate formation in crowded environments, globular proteins such as bovine serum albumin and prolyl-tRNA synthetase are being used alongside synthetic crowders like polyethylene glycols of variable sizes. Additionally, variable salt concentrations are employed to understand the effects of multivalent interactions in BMC formation. We will present the preliminary results of different globular protein samples with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) as crowding agents at high and low salt concentrations.
I am a Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Major with an interest in healthcare. Currently a student at UWEC, I aspire to attend medical school with the dream of becoming a doctor.
Light is important for plants as an energy source for photosynthesis, as a measure of day/night and seasonal cycles, and as information about the surrounding environment. For this reason, plants have evolved a sophisticated set of pathways to detect and respond to light, which allows them to adjust their development in response to changing conditions. Red and far-red light are detected by photoreceptors called phytochromes. A genetic screen for Arabidopsis thaliana mutants altered in red-light response conducted by the Gingerich lab identified mutations in PHYB, the gene encoding the major phytochrome involved in red-light responses. We have found that one of these mutations, which is predicted to alter a single amino acid in the phyB protein, increases sensitivity to not only red-light but also blue. Furthermore, this increased blue sensitivity is exacerbated when the genes LRB1 and LRB2 (which encode proteins functioning in complexes that initiate red-induced degradation of the phytochromes) are disrupted. This suggests a previously unrecognized interaction between blue-light response and the red-light phytochrome response pathway. Characterization of the blue-light response of this mutant will be presented.
Biologists have long recognized the importance of two native rodent species – California ground squirrels and voles – as important ecosystem engineers and prey for a suite of predators in California ecosystems. However, in the twelfth year of studying California ground squirrels at Briones Regional Park, for the first time, we observed ground squirrels shifting their diets from primarily granivorous to actively consuming vole prey. In 2024, our team documented a total of 74 events involving the hunting, killing, and/or consuming of voles by ground squirrels. Here we explored associations between vole density and these events. First, we extracted iNaturalist data to quantify vole numbers. Vole sightings in 2024 were regionally high at our site and seven times greater than the 10-year average statewide. Second, we created heat maps to show that vole-squirrel events occurred mostly where vole and ground squirrel burrows were the closest at our site. Our findings reveal important associations between this unusual peak in vole numbers, close spatial proximity between voles and squirrels, and the emergence of novel carnivorous behaviors by squirrels. Thus, spatial overlap with a locally abundant prey in a boom year likely contributed to the emergence of unusual dietary shift by a granivorous mammal.
Natural selection is expected to favor foraging behaviors that allow animals to maximize energy gain in novel situations. Whereas many species are known to regularly hunt prey and eat meat, squirrels are largely considered to be flexible omnivores that consume mainly grasses and seeds. However, our team recently documented the widespread hunting of California voles (Microtus californicus) by California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi). This novel behavior is unusual for the species and has not been studied before. Here, we analyze the behavior of ground squirrels during these predation events (N=22 events). We characterized the hunting sequence for the first time in the California ground squirrel. We define hunting as the active pursuit of prey. We know that some mammalian hunters (cursors) chase prey over distances whereas sit-and-wait predators use stealth to ambush prey. We found that California ground squirrels were successful in 59% of their hunts, typically chasing, pouncing, and then biting the neck or head of the vole before consuming it. Revealing these opportunistic patterns of behavior contributes to our broader understanding of mammalian hunting styles.
Anthropogenic changes are expected to influence behavior, stress physiology, and ultimately, lifetime fitness of animals. For social animals, external stressors imposed by human activities may interact with the social environment to either exacerbate or buffer stressors. In the context of human-induced rapid environmental change, long-term data on individually recognized social mammals has the potential to offer novel insights into the extent to which organisms can cope with social and ecological stressors. In this research, we established a new project focused on the behavioral ecology of North American beavers (Castor canadensis), a native ecosystem engineer, through monitoring using camera traps. We surveyed various public lands and identified several active family groups of beavers in West-Central Wisconsin. Our camera trap data indicate that the behavioral patterns and their interactions with other local fauna vary temporally within days and across seasons. Future research will focus on their social behaviors, including their monogamous lifestyles, dominance structures, communication systems, and movement ecology. The plethora of wildlife we monitored on our camera traps illustrates how beavers play a key role in shaping diverse and healthy wetland ecosystems. This research therefore has important implications for the management of wetlands and conservation of beaver populations in the region.
The goal of Clarifying JONAH is to design and implement data collection methods within JONAH to establish a baseline, track progress towards goals, and communicate impacts in the Chippewa Valley. Since 2007, JONAH has been working with individuals, agencies, and organizations to help make our communities healthier, safer and better places for everyone to live and work. Their work is important, yet little has been done to evaluate their impact on the Chippewa Valley. In this study, localized data will be gathered, analyzed, and shared to provide feedback on how the taskforces are advancing the goals of JONAH. I will attend and observe their meetings and conduct interviews to gather data on existing attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions, which I will then analyze with theory of planned behavior. This program will improve the existing communication and coordination between the stakeholders within JONAH such as WISDOM (the statewide organizer), the community organizer in Eau Claire, the seven taskforces, the volunteers partnering with JONAH, and the community at large. By tracking the relationship between JONAH’s efforts and their results, JONAH and their partners can better demonstrate their ability to resolve critical social issues impacting the Chippewa Valley.
How well does the general public understand the current recycling process in the United States? Does Eau Claire County recycle a significant amount of waste? Where does it go? This study hopes to answer these questions and more by surveying Eau Claire County residents on their recycling habits, as well as interviewing employees at the top recycling companies operating in Eau Claire county to determine the level of public disconnect from the material reality of recycling and waste management.Many people assume the recycling system functions well and serves to reintroduce waste back into production of new consumer products and packaging, but in reality only a small amount of material is recovered. The rest takes up space in landfills or becomes incinerated to produce electrical energy. Recycling materials comes with several costs: Time, money, and energy. Often, the costs of recycling outweigh the benefits, and without the profit incentive there are no companies willing to recycle materials. Previously, the United States shipped most of its recyclable waste overseas to China, but following a 2017 Chinese decision to halt waste imports, American companies were forced to find alternate methods for waste disposal and material recovery. This research focuses specifically on waste management and material recovery in Eau Claire County, but it has broader implications for the rest of the United States.
The design of skateparks plays an important role in promoting positive mental health benefits within communities. Public Spaces like skateparks are created to be used for physical recreation and provides a place for social interaction and community. Skateparks have been shown to reduce stress and yield as an outlet for self-expression. Because of this, skateparks not only create a place for community and physical activity, but also can be a space for individuals to feel a sense of individuality and belonging. This paper explores the connection between skatepark designs and mental health and how that plays a significant role in city space planning with the intent of harboring community cohesion and individual wellbeing.
Dunn County Potter’s Field contains over 100 unmarked graves of persons from the County Poor House and the County Asylum (both now demolished) in Menomonie, Wisconsin. Community interest in locating the graves prompted non-invasive scans of Potter’s Field using ground penetrating radar (GPR). GPR transmits electromagnetic (EM) pulses into the ground, which reflect off subsurface changes before being received and recorded digitally. A 16x50m grid was collected along the site’s western boundary with a Sensors and Software pulseEKKO Pro GPR unit with 500MHz antennae. GPR traces were triggered every 0.02m via odometer wheel, and lines were collected with a spacing of 0.25m. Alternating strong and weak reflections are repeated in a sub-parallel, semicontinuous pattern throughout the grid. The strong reflections are often underlain by steep-angled hyperbolics. The reflections were identified 0.6–1.5m below the surface, each measuring 1.0m by 2.25m, and spaced 1.0m apart. Reflections were interpreted as two probable rows of individual graves. In Fall 2024, 42 crosses were placed at each probable grave, however further scanning is recommended to locate remaining lost graves. The GPR work at Dunn County Potter’s Field is a model for other cemeteries; providing means of locating and restoring honor upon unmarked graves worldwide.
Geography and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I have worked in the private sector and the public sectors in the 13 years I have been involved in Land Information. I have worked within a wide array of Geospatial and Land Information projects from development to implementation... Read More →
During the Holocaust from the 15-17 of December 1941, ~2,749 Jewish women and children were massacred behind a foredune along the coastline of Šķēde, Latvia. The execution trench has not been located, despite numerous photos of the killings. The research aims to identify the location of the trench using shallow, non-invasive subsurface imaging tools to respect Jewish Halacha burial laws, avoiding disruption of the deceased. Based on earlier research including current and past aerial imagery, witness testimonies, and historical photos of the killings, a 15x30m (NW-SE) GPR grid was laid down within the foredune. Using a Sensors & Software pulseEKKO Pro GPR system, lines were collected every 0.25m with 500MHz antennae and a step size of 0.02m, which allowed subsurface depths of ~4m (0.10m/ns velocity). The subsurface reflections dip at a 30-34° angle, with erosional truncation occurring at ~17-21m and extending ~3.1m below the surface; these dipping layers are interpreted as a probable trench ~5m wide throughout the grid. Based on witness testimonies, the trench is hypothesized to be ~100m long (S-N). The findings have been shared with the local Jewish community for memorialization, and the research provides a framework for identifying unmarked graves worldwide.
Geography and Anthropology, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I have worked in the private sector and the public sectors in the 13 years I have been involved in Land Information. I have worked within a wide array of Geospatial and Land Information projects from development to implementation... Read More →
This project, focusing on the Wisconsin rural-urban political divide in historical perspective, aims to answer the following research question: Is there evidence of urban-rural electoral polarization in Wisconsin from the mid-20th to the early 21st century and, if so, what were the causal factors? Researchers who have studied political polarization in recent presidential elections have sought primarily to correlate single election results to ideological differences between urban and rural communities. In contrast, this project adopts a longitudinal approach by comparing presidential election results from the Wisconsin Historical Society for the periods 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. Our research demonstrates that electoral polarization among urban cities in our sample grew between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. However, this urban polarization was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. Similarly, electoral polarization increased among rural towns between 1948-1968 and 1992-2020. It too, however, was greater than polarization between the sampled urban and rural communities. These conclusions suggest that standard assumptions regarding the rural-urban “political divide” in Wisconsin presidential elections are overly simplistic. Specifically, they fail to account for causal factors such as regional geography among and between urban and rural communities from the mid-20th century to the present.
Seafaring and coastal women around the Americas during the 18th and 19th centuries lived on the periphery of a male dominated world, where cultural gender prescriptions ran into the reality of women’s work roles expanding and economic needs. This trend is reflected in the work of women within various Atlantic world industries such as piracy, whaling, and coastal and port activity. While women’s roles and agency changed because of new expectations caused by the formation of Atlantic world society, they were still unable to completely transgress the world’s standard expectations for women during the 18th and 19th centuries. While women were participating in this new society and found new agency, Atlantic seafaring still upheld gendered separation and expected roles across the various industries within that limited full transgression of gender roles. Using the practices introduced by gender historians Jeanne Boydston and Joan Scott, this poster presentation will study both women and gender in the Atlantic world and also examine the power structures within. Expanding the study of women in the seafaring world beyond focus on transgressive women like pirates Anny Bonny and Mary Read helps us to see how women involved as shopkeepers, tavern and boarding house owners, laundresses, and dependent widows sought personal and economic opportunities but still faced constraints from the societal gendered power structure.
Food insecurity is a significant issue facing many American households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides increased access to food for families in need. Additionally, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. However, poor nutrition among children and adults, including low FV intake have contributed to rising rates of obesity in America. It is particularly challenging for low-income households to purchase/eat the recommended amount of FV. Farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of fresh, local and healthy foods, especially FV, but data show that low-income households are much less likely to shop at farmers’ markets. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market (ECDFM) sponsors a Market Match Program (MMP) incentivizing This presentation uses 2023 and 2024 survey data to highlight the many benefits of the MMP, while also exploring a variety of barriers to using the MMP mapped to corresponding changes that might reduce these barriers. Our results show most SNAP shoppers do not regularly shop at the market with the most reported barriers being limited market hours/locations, limited SNAP benefits running out and not remembering. We also provide demographic characteristics for all survey respondents.
Food insecurity is a significant issue facing many American households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides increased access to food for families in need. Additionally, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. However, poor nutrition among children and adults, including low FV intake have contributed to rising rates of obesity in America. It is particularly challenging for low-income households to purchase/eat the recommended amount of FV. Farmers’ markets (FM) offer a wide variety of fresh, local and healthy foods, especially FV, but data show that low-income households are much less likely to shop at FM. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market (ECDFM) sponsors a Market Match Program (MMP) incentivizing SNAP households to shop at the market. This presentation uses administrative data to tell the story and describe trends in both utilization and spending by SNAP shoppers at the market from 2018 – 2024 which importantly spans before, through and after COVID. Our results show more SNAP shoppers/SNAP spending at the ECDFM in the first two years of the pandemic, while both measures (utilization and spending) subsequently declined in the next two years coming out of the pandemic.
According to CDC, among chronic conditions, Diabetes is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US. Access to health care is most essential to stay healthy for a diabetic person. With high cost of supplies, medication, education, and medical care to manage diabetes, affordable and adequate health insurance is imperative. Before the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, Medicaid program primarily covered pregnant women, low-income families with children, and elderly and disabled people with Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The expansion extended coverage to most of the adults up to 138% Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and it was adopted by 27 states in 2014 and by 2021, it increased to 39 states (including DC). Past literature provided evidence that this led to a significant increase in the total Medicaid coverage and consequently a decrease in the total number of the uninsured individuals in the expansion states. This paper examines the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid Expansion on diabetes diagnoses, and its management to prevent health complications caused by diabetes. Exploiting the differential timing of adoption of Medicaid expansion by different states, we employ a staggered difference-in-difference framework to compare the diabetes outcomes in the expansion states (treatment group) with the non-expansion states (control group).
This project explores Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system, focusing on its approach to serving urban, rural, and Indigenous communities, as well as its role in enhancing population health. During a faculty-led intercultural immersion, we partnered with local experts and healthcare providers in the country and engaged in site visits to learn more about their healthcare system. The system has notably contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced infectious disease transmission, and lower rates of infant mortality while adapting to the growing burden of chronic disease in an aging population. Unlike the privatized and fragmented U.S. healthcare system, Costa Rica provides universal access, offering a valuable case study in alternative care models. By comparing the Costa Rican and U.S. healthcare systems, this project underscores the benefits and challenges of universal care, contributing to a more holistic approach to improving healthcare access and equity.
As climate change continues to escalate, it is evident that some countries are making substantial efforts, while others fall behind. Through participation in a Faculty-Led Intercultural Immersion program, we observed that Costa Rica has emerged as is a pioneer in developing a green economy, prioritizing sustainability, and implementing environmental protections. This project investigates Costa Rica’s existing policies and future initiatives aimed at improving planetary health, with the goal of identifying strategies that may inspire global efforts. Additionally, we seek to raise awareness of the urgent effects of climate change and emphasize the importance of international collaboration, particularly the role of the United States, in promoting a healthier and more sustainable planet.
Mosquitoes are harmful, disease-carrying vectors that pose significant publichealth risks worldwide. Aedes aegypti, known for transmitting Zika Virus, Dengue, andyellow fever, poses a threat in various climates, while Aedes triseriatus—native toWisconsin—transmits the La Crosse virus.While much is known about adult mosquito behavior, less is understood about thesensory behaviors of mosquito larvae. To address this gap, our lab is investigating thechemosensory behaviors of Ae. aegypti and Ae. triseriatus larvae, particularly in relation toforaging. We have refined protocols using the InVision device, a high-resolution camerasystem designed for tracking aquatic invertebrates, to monitor and quantify the behavior ofmosquito larvae in response to chemical gradients emitted from a point source.With these methodologies, our research now focuses on sensory behaviorvariations across all mosquito larval and pupal stages. The mosquito life cycle consists offour instar (larval) stages, followed by a pupal stage before emerging into adulthood. Ourprevious findings suggest that L1 Ae. triseriatus and Ae. aegypti larvae do not rely onchemosensory modalities to locate food. Preliminary results indicate that foragingbehavior increases in L2-L4 instars, suggesting a developmental shift in foraging strategiesas larvae progress through these stages.
Dietary flexibility allows animals to respond adaptively to food pulses in the environment. Here we document the novel emergence of widespread hunting of California voles and carnivorous feeding behavior by California ground squirrels. Specifically, we aimed to investigate whether the age and sex of squirrels explained the extent to which they engaged in hunting, consumption, and/or competition over voles. This work is part of a long-term study at Briones Regional Park in California where squirrels of known ages and sexes are regularly live-trapped, marked, and released. In 2024, from June 10th to July 30th, we recorded all sightings of squirrels hunting, killing and/or consuming voles both opportunistically on trapping days and during formal behavioral observations. We found no significant difference in the age-sex composition of those individuals that engaged in any of these behaviors compared to those that did not hunt, consume, or compete over voles. Thus, juvenile and adult ground squirrels of both sexes depredate, consume, and/or compete over vole prey. Given that participation in hunting and consumption of voles was so widespread across members of the study population, future studies are required to understand whether these novel foraging behaviors were learned individually or spread socially throughout the study population.
Squirrels (Rodentia; Sciuridae) are a well-known and diverse group of rodents, including the charismatic ground-dwelling members of the Tribe Marmotini. In particular, the California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is an emerging model system for the study of social and risk-sensitive behaviors in a rapidly changing world, as well as the physiology of resistance to snake venoms. To complement extensive natural history information for O. beecheyi, we provide a chromosome-scale genome to facilitate molecular studies focused on the genetic basis of ecologically important traits, population genetics, comparative genomics, and social evolution. The final scaffolded genome was 2.27 Gb contained in 9,960 contigs and placed into 28 1,383 scaffolds. The scaffold N50 was just over 125 Mb. We used the presence of 10,248 complete genes detected by BUSCO v5 specifically to compare broad patterns of chromosomal synteny between chromosomal scaffolds for O. beecheyi and two other sciurid rodents. The recovered pattern of synteny suggests several fusion and fission events for O. beecheyi to the other two species. This new information should advance our understanding of O. beecheyi, particularly concerning the study of social and risk-taking behaviors, and comparative studies of mammalian genomic biology and evolution.
Aging is a complex biological process influenced by a range of genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. Studying normal aging can help us better comprehend age related diseases and potentially lead to the identification of therapeutic targets. In this study, we use large transcriptomes collected from mouse and human brains (Tabula Muris and GTEx) to investigate genes, gene networks, and biological pathways that are selectively engaged at different biological ages through brain aging. We use a novel network biology platform called NetDecoder to determine which genes are highly utilized within brain specific biological networks; high utility genes are those that encode for important proteins that are crucial to a specific function, even if they are not differentially expressed. Our approach is unique because we can recover genes relating to the aging brain that are not differentially expressed, meaning they likely would not be pinpointed by other labs.
Cattle that eat the same feed and come from the same environment can emit methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, at vastly different levels. An estimated 32% of anthropogenic CH4 can be traced to ‘enteric fermentation’ in livestock production. During enteric fermentation, specialized microorganisms will digest complex plant fiber to create compounds like acetate and hydrogen (H2). Some of these organisms, called methanogens, will consume and use these products to produce CH4. Emerging data suggests natural inter-animal variation in CH4 emissions could derive from host genetics or differences in rumen microbial digestion. Here, we will analyze 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from rumen microbiomes to look for differences in the structure and composition of microbial communities from the rumen of twenty beef cattle of varying CH4 emission levels. There is no significant difference in microbial community diversity by CH4 emission level. We will analyze microbial community structure and composition to identify microbial taxa associated with high and low CH4 emissions. The findings of our work will begin to explain why some cattle emit higher methane levels compared to others, and may aid in finding solutions to reduce methane emissions in cattle while keeping their feeding efficiency and meat production high.
Grazing steers partner with their rumen microbiomes to efficiently convert plant-derived carbohydrates into meat. Considering the socioeconomic importance of the beef industry, it is critical to develop strategies that maintain quality while lessening negative environmental impacts. Diet supplementation and hormonal implants have been shown to variably impact methane emissions and animal performance. The response of the rumen microbiome to such treatments remains unknown. Here, we will analyze 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the rumen microbiome from grazing steers across four treatment groups: diet supplemented, hormonal implanted, combined diet and implant, and no intervention. The diet, implant, and combined treatment showed no significant impact on methane emission or N excretion over the 90-day grazing trial. Given this lack of difference, we hypothesize the rumen microbial communities will not be different across treatments. However, we hypothesize the 90 days of grazing will significantly alter the rumen microbiome. Results from this study will provide insight into rumen microbiome dynamics during the life cycle of a grazing steer, further informing management strategies.
Extradiol dioxygenases are known to oxidatively cleave aromatic pollutants, such as catechol. DfdB is an extradiol dioxygenase whose activity on substituted catechols has not been studied. Catechols and other aromatic hydrocarbons are a by-product of coal conversion, coal tar chemical production and other coal industries and are found in the air and wastewater surrounding these facilities. As catechol substrates are possible human carcinogens, their potential breakdown by DfdB is a significant area of interest. Ultimately, this research aims to define the conditions under which DfdB breaks down catechol substrates most efficiently and characterize the products of this bioremediation pathway. To accomplish this goal, the enzyme kinetics of DfdB were measured with varying concentrations of catechol substrates using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-vis) Spectroscopy, and initial rates of reaction were calculated. Upon analysis, the data suggests that DfdB experiences concentration-dependent substrate inhibition, which has been noted for other extradiol dioxygenases. By measuring kinetic profiles for a variety of substituted catechols, we have better defined the characteristics of DfdB as a potential bioremediation catalyst. This information will be leveraged to improve the utility of this catalyst broadly for synthesis and bioremediation.
Exercise provides individuals with various physical benefits, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening bones and muscles, and increasing flexibility and mobility. Additionally, exercise promotes numerous mental benefits, reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function. Unfortunately, with various types of exercise, ranging from strength training to interval training, it's difficult for individuals to choose the one that will provide the best results. In this study, we decided to examine the cognitive effects of interval training compared to a prescribed fitness plan amongst UWEC's Community Fitness Program (CFP) members. To do this, participants of the interval training and the control group were asked to commit to 2-3 workouts a week and took a baseline test, examining their cognitive abilities. After 4 weeks, the two groups were retested, took a week-long break, and resumed training. Through this experiment, our group hoped to discover if interval training, compared to a prescribed fitness plan, had a greater impact on cognitive function, providing more insight into the vast world of exercise, potentially directing new exercising individuals looking to seek higher cognitive function or redirecting veteran exercisers to help them realign their goals.
A satisfactory understanding of the electron, including the nature of its structure and dynamics, has remained elusive since its discovery by JJ Thomson over a century ago. Recently, one of us has developed a working model for the electron that can explain its most enigmatic properties, including: 1) its dual wave/particle behavior; 2) its spin=1/2 nature; and 3) its ability to orbit a positively-charged atomic nucleus without spiraling into its core. Here, we present a visual depiction of two orbiting electrons in the n=1, s-orbital (helium) shell. We employ the animation program, Blender, to incorporate the time-dependent behavior of the different components of the electron, and show how its spinning components work together, simply following Maxwell’s Laws, to generate a stable electron shell surrounding the atom.
The cell of an organism is a complex environment filled with molecules, which are essential for survival. To fully understand the cellular environment, it is imperative to have powerful techniques that can be used to analyze molecular interactions. Spectroscopy, which is the study of the interaction of light with matter, is one of the primary ways to analyze molecules within a sample. Two spectroscopic techniques that are especially useful in identifying properties of molecules are Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. While both techniques analyze light interactions, each provides different types of information. Fluorescence Spectroscopy is useful in identifying structural changes in a molecule due to any perturbations in the surrounding area. Raman Spectroscopy identifies the molecules present within a sample, generating a spectral fingerprint of the sample and allowing us to view how a sample changes in composition over time. We are currently using Fluorescence Spectroscopy to analyze how molecular crowding impacts protein function. Furthermore, we are using Raman Spectroscopy to analyze the difference between saliva samples of healthy individuals and saliva samples of individuals affected by breast or lung cancer.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a flexible, non-toxic polymer. It is considered biologically inert and has numerous applications in medicine and industry. PEG is often attached to drug molecules in a process called PEGylation to enhance their stability and solubility, decrease the immune response, and increase circulation time throughout the body. Recently, PEGylated lipids have been included as an ingredient in COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, PEG molecules of variable sizes are commonly used for studying the effects of molecular crowding and confinement on the conformation and function of proteins and nucleic acids. Despite being considered biologically inert, recent studies have shown that PEG interacts with biomolecules such as proteins. To gain a deeper understanding of PEG-protein interactions, we are using Raman Spectroscopy to investigate the effect of PEG of variable sizes on the vibrational modes of amino acids and proteins. This vibrational spectroscopic technique identifies unique fingerprints of molecules based on the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light. We will present the preliminary results of our study.
Menstrual cups have become increasingly popular in recent years for their environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, and user comfort. Most menstrual cups are made using silicone, taking advantage of its flexible and leak-proof material properties. However, there has been limited research on the hydrolytic degradation of silicone biomaterials, particularly in the acidic vaginal environment, raising potential safety concerns. The objective of this research project is to study the hydrolytic degradation of silicone under acidic conditions to better understand the safety profile of biomedical devices like menstrual cups. Our initial study tested 40 silicone samples over a 29-day period at 37 °C and 67 °C in a 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. Results of this accelerated study indicated a maximum mass loss of 11.4 %. Future studies will be performed using a vaginal fluid simulant (VFS) primarily composed of a lactic acid buffer system to assess physiologically relevant degradation behavior and to characterize potentially toxic degradation products. Ultimately, this research aims to develop a standardized workflow for studying the degradation of polymeric biomaterials in a VFS that could also be applied to other biomedical devices such as intravaginal ring (IVR) drug delivery systems.
Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress that is also vital to human development. Previous studies in lab have shown that cortisol exposure of zebrafish embryos resulted in hypolocomotion with increasing cortisol concentration. Cortisol acts through two receptors, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR). We tested if the activation of the GR receptor would produce similar effects on behavior to cortisol exposure. Dexamethasone is a synthetic gluccocorticoid that selectively binds to the GR. Zebrafish embryos were collected and treated with different concentrations of dexamethasone at 4-6 hours post-fertilization (hpf) in a 12-well plate. The resulting zebrafish were transferred at 5dpf to a 96-well plate, which was then measured in an 18-minute alternating light-dark assay to assess their locomotor behavior using a commercial motor tracking system. Two rounds of experiments, consisting of concentrations ranging from 100 to 1 uM showed differential relative behavioral phenotypes at different concentrations. These experiments inform our understanding of how corticosteroid receptors affect zebrafish behavior in embryonic development.
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones vital to development and many physiological responses. The body’s primary glucocorticoid, cortisol, is released in response to stress and binds to two receptors: mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Excess prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids has been linked to adverse effects on neurodevelopment. Previous work in the lab found that an increase in embryonic exposure to cortisol resulted in decreased swim behavior in zebrafish larvae 5 days post-fertilization (dpf). The goal of this study was to identify how selective MR exposure would affect behavior in larval zebrafish using deoxycorticosterone (DOC), a natural precursor to cortisol that binds to MR. Zebrafish embryos were treated with decreasing concentrations of DOC (1 µM, 0.3 µM, and 0.1 µM) at 4-6 hours post-fertilization (hpf) in a 12-well plate. Larvae were transferred at 5dpf to a 96-well plate and assayed using a commercial motor tracking system (Noldus DanioVision). Initial results indicate that the swim velocities for larvae exposed to 0.3 µM DOC were higher than control groups in the first dark cycle, but no other significant differences were observed. By investigating how DOC affects neurodevelopment in zebrafish, these results can inform future studies on the role of MR agonists in development.
This study investigated the diversity, growth, and abundance of macroalgal species on reefs surrounding San Salvador Island, The Bahamas, amid ongoing ecological change. Coral reef ecosystems are undergoing significant shifts due to climate change, habitat degradation, and the spread of invasive species. Understanding macroalgal communities during this transition is critical, as these organisms play a key role in reef structure and function. We conducted quadrat sampling and photo surveys across three reefs representing different levels of degradation. Algal diversity, including variations in growth forms and color patterns, was estimated from photographic data collected at over 50 quadrat locations. A subset of samples was analyzed to confirm species identifications and to assess photosynthetic capacity and growth strategies through quantitative measurements of biomass and chlorophyll content. Reefs around San Salvador Island support a diverse macroalgal community, including calcareous algae (Halimeda spp.), fleshy browns (Dictyota spp.), greens (Udotea spp.), and filamentous species. This study establishes a valuable baseline for understanding macroalgal responses to environmental change and contributes to ongoing reef conservation efforts.
Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms that cause schistosomiasis, a highly prevalent neglected tropical disease impacting over 250-million people worldwide. Life cycle progression through a snail intermediate host during their first larval stage, which are called miracidia, is required for worms to become infective to humans. The mechanism miracidia use to locate snails is not known. However, a secreted snail peptide known as P12 has been shown to elicit responses from miracidia that suggest it may serve as a cue for them in locating their snail hosts. The objective of this study was to investigate the role and structural requirements of P12 in Schistosoma mansoni miracidia host-seeking. P12 was cloned and sequenced from five snail species, revealing natural variation at 7 key residues. Quantitative methods were employed to characterize miracidia behavioral responses to snail cues and synthesized P12 variants. Preliminary findings suggest that stimulant gradients are required to elicit behavioral changes in miracidia. Infection experiments with live snails were carried out to determine if P12-rich solutions can disrupt these gradients and dysregulate miracidia sensation. Miracidia dysregulation control strategies are an under-researched approach to reducing the prevalence of schistosomiasis, but they could have especially significant impacts in endemic regions of the world.
I'm a junior at UWEC majoring in microbiology. I am a researcher in the Wheeler lab here on campus (in the Biology Department). My research focuses on using quantitative methods to study parasite chemosensory behaviors. At CERCA, I'll be presenting a poster (Poster 036: Investigating... Read More →
This project is titled Tick-Borne Disease Risk and Climate Change: A Survey-Based Analysis of Eau Claire County Residents’ Knowledge and Perception. Tick-borne diseases are an increasing concern in the United States, including Wisconsin, where they are common. Evidence suggests that climate change is contributing to this rise, as warming temperatures expand the geographical range of ticks and extend their active season. The aim is to assess Eau Claire County residents’ awareness and understanding of the rise in tick-borne diseases, as well as their perceptions of the role climate change plays in this issue. Data is being collected through an anonymous online survey, with 75 participants so far. Preliminary results show that most participants (76%) are between the ages of 18-24, and 92% live in suburban areas. Regarding tick-borne disease concern, 48% are somewhat concerned about contracting one, and 33% somewhat agree that the risk in their area is high. While 74% report taking preventative measures, 43% feel they are not well informed about tick-borne diseases and prevention steps. Concerning climate change, 61% of participants express being extremely concerned, and opinions about its link to tick-borne diseases are divided, with 36% strongly agreeing and 36% remaining neutral. Data collection is ongoing.
At the Costa Rican-Panamanian border, Indigenous migration has historically supported both Costa Rica’s economy and the livelihoods of Indigenous populations throughout Central America. In this project, “From Bean to Border”, we examine cyclic migratory patterns of indigenous people and the role it plays in Costa Rican coffee production. This project was inspired by our Faculty-Led Immersion program, “Global Health in Costa Rica” in which our group spent ten days in Costa Rica learning about how migration, labor, and public health are all interconnected. By learning directly from small-scale coffee producers, we traced the journey of the coffee bean from cultivation and harvesting to processing and roasting. This provided insight into how labor-intensive coffee production can be for those who are a part of the industry. Our findings highlight the intricate connections between Indigenous migration, economic structures, and health outcomes, underscoring the need for a more equitable and sustainable coffee industry.
Economic insecurity is a critical but often overlooked determinant of public health. This study investigates how financial instability contributes to poor health outcomes. Financial instability is characterized by unpredictability of income, employment insecurity, and limited access to basic needs like food, clothing, housing and access to healthcare, all which affect physical and mental health outcomes. By analyzing the intersectionality of economic insecurity, healthcare access, and the role of social systems including healthcare policies and safety nets, this research aims to identify key factors that negatively impact health and wellbeing and exacerbate these effects. This research primarily relies on quantitative data from closed ended survey questions, supplemented by qualitative data from the addition of three open ended survey questions. The survey explores an individual’s economic position, experience with healthcare accessibility and the perceptions of the effectiveness of social programs. The objective of the research is to discover in what ways economics affect health and to highlight systemic shortcomings in addressing these issues. The findings from this research can provide insight to those dedicated to developing more effective interventions that would mitigate negative health consequences and improve healthcare accessibility.
This study explores the impact of various factors, particularly information sources, on the cognitive dimensions of well-being in Japan and the United States. Drawing on data from the World Values Survey Wave 7, we find that different sources of information influence well-being, measured by happiness and life satisfaction, in distinct ways across countries. We analyze the implications of these findings and offer policy recommendations in the context of the ongoing debate on information censorship.
Food insecurity is a significant issue facing many American households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides increased access to food for families in need. Additionally, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. However, poor nutrition among children and adults, including low FV intake have contributed to rising rates of obesity in America. It is particularly challenging for low-income households to purchase/eat the recommended amount of FV. Farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of fresh, local and healthy foods, especially FV, but data show that low-income households are much less likely to shop at farmers’ markets. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market (ECDFM) sponsors a Market Match Program (MMP) incentivizing SNAP households to shop at the market. This presentation connects our work to the literature on offering incentives to SNAP shoppers at farmers’ markets. Our results show that the ECDFM MMP faces many similar challenges to other FM incentive programs. Additionally, we reference our participation in a statewide coalition to develop and expand these types of programs across the state. We conclude with policy recommendations in the context of the history of SNAP.
Isolated cases of plague and widespread paranoia infected San Francisco. Fledgling practices of bacteriology debuted the ability to identify Petis bacteria. No longer was it the faceless enemy of the Black Death. Yet a contentious set of unknowns remained — competing medical groups clashed politically, socially, and professionally over the plague's transmission, treatment, and existence. Often to the detriment of Chinese Immigrants. Previous scholarship documented the outcomes of the plague and subsequent political battles as a vector to the construction of race, intertwining it with public health. This paper then looks at the commonality between these competing groups; the absence of critical epidemiological knowledge. It utilizes a study of ignorance, intentional or incidental, through the analysis of archival court cases, medical journals, correspondence, and newly translated Chinese newspapers. Rather than focusing on the outcomes of these battles, it shifts its focus to the underlying foundations. In this poster presentation, I then argue that the insertion of each group's respective ideology into the unknown variables formed the results of the plague; ignorantly shaping knowledge, and racist systems of policy while conversely allowing the Chinese to counteract them. Thus revealing how knowledge itself is the battleground for power.
This research explores how Chinese cuisine has evolved in the United States, focusing on the historical adaptations made by early Chinese immigrants and the ongoing cultural shifts reflected in contemporary Chinese food. Existing scholarship highlights how immigrant communities modify traditional cuisine to align with local tastes, often creating a hybrid culinary identity. To investigate this phenomenon, I conducted interviews with Chinese exchange students to compare authentic Chinese food with its American counterpart and surveyed American students to understand their perceptions of American Chinese cuisine. The findings suggest that the evolution of Chinese food in the U.S. reflects broader cultural adaptation processes, where historical necessity has given way to modern innovation and cross-cultural exchange. As cultural identity continues to shape perceptions of authenticity, food remains a powerful medium for connection and mutual understanding. Future research should further examine how cultural adaptation extends beyond cuisine into markets, traditions, and perspectives, deepening our understanding of how cultures influence and reshape one another.
We aimed to increase awareness of the local flora and fauna that many people may not be aware of that live in the Chippewa River. We decided to create glass mosaics to adorn the windows of the bus stop in front of Haas Fine Arts Center as it is an accessible location for many people passing through Water Street. We used glass for its translucent properties, durability, and longevity to ensure that no harm would be brought to the local environment through use of toxic materials and to make sure it will last for years to come with little need for maintenance. The various colors of the glass pieces and the location result in the appearance changing throughout the day and seasons as the available light differs, keeping it intriguing for and visible for both visitors and the bus drivers they are waiting for. Our project resulted in a beautiful piece of art that succeeds in showcasing many local endangered fish and demonstrating the talents of graduates from the art program. The location nearby the river may also tempt curious minds to see if they can spot any of the creatures themselves.
This research project seeks to compare the craftsmanship and performance of commercially available handmade oboe reeds produced by ten professional oboe reed makers and share our observations via our OboeForEveryone.com website. By focusing on key parameters such as pitch, response,dynamic capabilities, and ease of playing, we aim to help adult amateur and student oboists make informed decisions regarding reed selection for purchase.
This research highlights the differences between Japanese pop music from other pop music and examines Japan in relation to the country's popular music genres including insight to globalization. This in-person research conducted in Japan analyzes the impact of the U.S. and Japan’s relationship in regards to the music industry.The central questions of this research is how Japanese and American fandoms differ in the context of cultural exchange and how Japan’s relationship with the U.S. has affected this exchange. Fan communities, data from album and concert sales of Japanese Pop and Rock artists are analyzed in order to evaluate the reception of these genres in domestic and foreign markets. This research considers the historical relationship between Japan and the U.S. before and during the development of this genre.This study provides insight into Japan’s global cultural identity by showcasing globalization in Japan through the lens of the Japanese music industry. Japan’s history with the U.S. sheds a new perspective on the pop culture breakout of Japanese media, and the growing collaborative relationship with America. From using weapons of war to culturally influencing one another, this research lends insight to the changing relationship between these two countries.
This study explores how apology videos differ across platforms and speaker statuses, and how these factors shape their perception by an audience. Linguistic coding on a dataset of publicly available apologies from the past five years is used to identify several linguistic markers that influence the perception of apology videos. In addition to these linguistic markers, videos are analyzed based on speaker type (celebrities, online influencers, private individuals, and brands) and format (long-form pre-recorded videos, short social media clips, and traditional live media statements). A survey measures audience reactions, including emotions elicited, perceived sincerity, and perceived effectiveness. A qualitative analysis then compares apology strategies to these audience perceptions in order to identify patterns.
In this paper I will be discussing the relation between Japanese manga and anime, and the changes from the transition from manga to anime due to censorship laws and changes within post-WWII Japan. Continuing, I will discuss what these laws and changes within Japan are meant to accomplish and what their application/results could have on their media as a whole. Next, I will be discussing what changes are made to media when exported to other countries to adhere to their redactive laws. The definition of censorship that I will be using for this paper is: “Places where media that has been changed to limit the themes, concepts, or actions that are deemed unsensible or unwanted by a large, usually government, body.” This definition is meant to include things that are commonplace such as blurring or black boxes, or even censorship that’s more transformative via cutting out parts of original material completely.This research will make people aware of how media can be changed to convey a certain culture's beliefs on what is “appropriate” for a certain group of people. To take it to a more extreme level, this research will also convey how strict/effective censorship can be at a non-concerning level- not censoring certain content to prevent learning about certain information. And how potentially concerning censorship could be put in place with similar laws. And finally how censorship reflects a culture as a whole.
One of the most controversial topics of conversation among scholars and a lay audience in the United States is how much protection the First Amendment should give people, specifically regarding freedom of speech. The political theory aspect of this project focused on what paternalism is and its potential uses through Mill’s “On Liberty”, Dworkin’s “Paternalism,” and secondary literature that discusses freedom of speech in a paternalistic context. The legal aspect of this project focused on court cases that showcased people’s thoughts on the limitations of one’s freedom of speech. Through my research, I found that paternalism, in theory, could be used to limit someone’s freedom of speech if they are under the age of majority; however, limiting an adult’s freedom of speech has not been successfully done in the courts. This is due to the difficulty of proving that by limiting an adult’s freedom of speech, the government is saving the person from themselves while also not violating the Harm Principle set out by Mill.
The aim of this study is to understand how flatworms use their sensory capacities in their environments. Parasitic flatworms are a threat to human health globally. Understanding how these worms can find hosts to infect would help advance parasite control. This study focuses on Girardia dorotocephala, a species of free-living planaria we are developing as a flatworm model, uses chemoreceptors located in their auricles to sense their surroundings. While planaria are not parasites, they possess many of the same traits as parasites within the phylum. Both planaria and parasitic flatworms belong to the Platyhelminthes and have some of the same morphological features and molecular pathways. Because of the similarity between the two clades, we can use planaria as a model organism to better understand flatworm behavior. To initiate this project, we recorded and tracked planaria when placed in separate controlled environments. Experiment followed the planaria’s movements when placed in the presence or absence of food, or under different light conditions. We were also working on sequencing the genome to help identify genes potentially involved in sensation, setting up G. dorotocephala as a model flatworm for sensory experiments.
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by three parasitic flatworm species,including Schistosoma mansoni, relies on freshwater snails as intermediate hosts. Interrupting theparasite’s ability to locate snails could provide a novel strategy for disease control. Praziquantelis the current treatment of choice for human infections, and it exerts its effect by targetingtransient receptor potential (TRP) channels on the parasite, leading to death of the worm. Despiteits effectiveness in eliminating adult parasites, treated individuals remain susceptible toreinfection.In this study, a drug screening approach was used to identify compounds targeting the transientTRP receptors in miracidia, a larval stage of the parasite. A custom 96-well acrylic device wasdesigned; worms were added to each well and treated with 10 µM of drug.The impact of eachcompound on miracidia behavior was assessed to identify potential drug candidates. Toaccurately monitor their responses, a high-resolution recording device was utilized. This systemenabled precise observation of miracidia motility and orientation, allowing identification ofcompounds that disrupt general movement or host-seeking behavior. Preliminary findingssuggest that TRP channel modulators play a role in altering miracidia navigation, offering apromising avenue for disrupting the parasite’s life cycle.
I'm a junior at UWEC majoring in microbiology. I am a researcher in the Wheeler lab here on campus (in the Biology Department). My research focuses on using quantitative methods to study parasite chemosensory behaviors. At CERCA, I'll be presenting a poster (Poster 036: Investigating... Read More →
Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease caused by human-infective parasites of the genus Schistosoma. The larval stage, called miracidia, infects a snail intermediate host and matures into cercariae that are shed into water. Cercariae penetrate human skin and migrate to blood vessels connecting the intestines and liver. Here, mature parasites lay eggs that follow the flow of blood into the liver or against the flow into the intestines. Intestinal eggs will mature, be defecated into fresh water, and hatch to miracidia to continue the cycle of infection. In contrast, liver eggs have reached a dead end, but these are routinely harvested from rodent lab hosts for research use and maintenance of the life cycle. Previous evaluation of transcriptomic differences between the liver and intestine eggs revealed distinct functional differences, yet nothing is known about differences between miracidia derived from these eggs. We isolated distinct infected mice tissues and hatched miracidia. Using these miracidia, we performed RNA-seq analysis and found distinct transcriptomic clusters and differentially expressed genes between the samples. Future directions include experiments to test for differences between these miracidia in behavior and infection capacity. These findings will lead to deeper insights about relevant differences between miracidia from different tissues.
I'm a junior at UWEC majoring in microbiology. I am a researcher in the Wheeler lab here on campus (in the Biology Department). My research focuses on using quantitative methods to study parasite chemosensory behaviors. At CERCA, I'll be presenting a poster (Poster 036: Investigating... Read More →
Plastic pollutants are a significant environmental concern. Biodegradable plastics are a large area of research because if plastics are accidentally released into the environment, biodegradable plastics will break down into harmless byproducts. A blister pack is a type of packaging that consists of plastic pockets that hold individual pills. Current blister packs on the market are not biodegradable and contribute to environmental harm. The goal for this research project is to find an eco-friendly material to replace current blister packs that can also handle chemical reagents (such as medical reagents). Initial testing focused on developing a film from cassava starch that was adapted from the literature. The standard ASTM D543 was used to evaluate the resistance of the material to chemical reagents. The samples were placed under strain using a 3D printed strain jig, the chemical reagent was applied, and the samples were held at fixed temperature for varied amounts of time. After chemical exposure, the samples were tested to determine changes in mechanical properties. These results will be used to determine if cassava starch can replace traditional plastic blister packs to open the door to many environmentally friendly swaps in the medical field.
Tumor ablation is an effective, minimally invasive technique for cancer removal. The procedure uses medical imaging and a needle-like probe, which is guided to the target cancerous tissue where it is subsequently heated or cooled to a cytotoxic level. Thus, surrounding tissue must be separated from the cancerous tissue to prevent damage to healthy tissue. Saline and carbon dioxide are current methods of separation, but both migrate from the site due to gravity and cause risk of postoperative pain. To create a stable, stationary, and thermally protective barrier, a biocompatible foam has been developed with FDA-approved materials to optimize tissue separation for a typical 60 minute procedure. As progress continues, further characterization of the foam is being tested using rheology, which mimics deformation during foam injection and quantifies stability as a function of time and deformation rate. Current project goals involve developing a freeze-dried procedure that maximizes the shelf life of the foam and minimizes preparation steps for future commercialization and clinical use. Continued testing is essential for confirming previous qualitative tests of the foam’s material properties and providing data required for publication and implementation of these foams in a clinical setting.
This project seeks to develop a mechanically flexible cooling pad that can be used by medical patients to provide targeted pain or inflammation relief to injured or surgical areas. We are seeking to develop a device that is fully temperature controlled and can be used for long intervals of time up to several hours. We have identified several possible configurations to maximize cooling power while retaining as much geometrical flexibility as possible. We are currently pursuing two distinct cooling methods, and working to engineer a complete system for both methods that is able to sense and adjust temperatures produced by the cooling pad. In this poster we will describe some of the key geometrical and experimental variables under study, and work needed for continued improvement.
Architectural coatings are categorized as either solvent-based or water-based, with the latter gaining popularity due to their lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content and simplified manufacturing process. However, their performance can be limited compared to oil-based alternatives. To address these challenges, dispersants are incorporated to enhance stability and prevent titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particle aggregation, the primary pigment in the majority of architectural coatings. Our research investigates the structure-property relations of stimuli responsive polyethylene glycol:poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) [PEG:PDMAEMA] block copolymers and specifically their application as an eco-friendly TiO₂ dispersant in water-based coatings. These block copolymers were synthesized via ARGET ATRP (Activators ReGenerated by Electron Transfer - Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization), a process which allows for precise control of block length with minimal catalyst use. Various block length ratios were synthesized and characterized, with stress-dependent flow properties analyzed using rheometry and interfacial activity assessed via pendant drop tensiometry. Paint formulation performance was compared to a market standard through Leneta chart and water droplet testing, evaluating opacity, gloss, and resistance to leeching. These findings highlight the potential of incorporating PEG:PDMAEMA polymer dispersants into architectural coatings as a viable alternative to solvent-based coatings while maintaining essential performance properties.
Small-diameter grafts have revolutionized artery repair since their introduction in 1954, providing life-saving solutions for patients with vascular diseases. These grafts are typically manufactured by extruding expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) into tubes. This research focuses on optimizing the tooling and flow cavity design for paste extrusion of small-diameter vascular graft components. One critical parameter in the extrusion process is the reduction ratio, or the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the material before and after extrusion. By varying tooling position and dimensions, we aim to create optimal reduction ratio profiles for various graft dimensions to facilitate successful extrusion processes.
Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts are commonly used to repair and reconstruct blood vessels in vascular bypass surgeries and peripheral arterial reconstructions. However, current ePTFE grafts often cause scar tissue formation due to their dense structure, limiting long-term effectiveness and integration with the body. The goal of this research is to create an ePTFE graft with properties similar to cells found in an organism so it can fully penetrate, and not have a reaction making a scar tissue. To reach our goal, we expanded and characterized Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), transforming it into ePTFE. The research is currently in a testing phase, where we are evaluating the graft’s performance using Tensile Test, to test their break point, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to evaluate how the material behaves under different thermal conditions, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to evaluate the melting and thermal behaviors of the sample. These tests help optimize the graft's properties, thermal stability, and biocompatibility, ensuring it can perform effectively within the body and integrate with surrounding tissues.
In lakes, mosses are distributed in deeper waters than any other form of plant life. Little is known about these plant communities, and this ongoing study by Dr. Lonzarich and his students is the most comprehensive of its kind. Prior work in this lab has explored the distribution and factors affecting the occurrence of mosses from 70 lakes in Wisconsin. The objectives of this study were to identify the mosses collected from these lakes using a DNA barcoding approach, which involves DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the LTS gene (barcoding gene), and sequencing using the Sanger method. An altermative method using the RBCL gene and next-generation sequencing is also being used. By identifying the species through online gene databases, the study intends to unravel the geographic distribution patterns of deep-water moss species in the state. The study builds on previous work that found difficulties in identifying moss species based on morphological characteristics due to their unique growth forms in deep-water habitats. Initial indications from morphological assessments suggest the presence of distinct geographic patterns in the distribution of deep-water mosses within Wisconsin's lakes.
Mobile applications like PictureThis use artificial intelligence to identify plant species, providing a convenient tool for users without botanical expertise. However, the accuracy of these applications remains uncertain, which is particularly important in ecological and conservation contexts, as misidentifications can have serious consequences. This study evaluated the reliability of PictureThis by comparing its identifications with genetic sequencing results from plant samples collected on the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire campus. Ninety-four plant samples were analyzed, with sixty-five yielding positive genetic identifications. Of these, thirty-three (51%) matched the species-level identification provided by PictureThis, while twelve (18%) were confirmed at the genus level and five (8%) at the family level. The remaining fifteen (23%) showed no correspondence between genetic sequencing and app-based identifications. Discrepancies may stem from the app’s inability to identify certain plants, such as grasses, or its reliance on superficial similarities. Notably, genetic analysis confirmed that twelve plants identified by the app as non-native were actually native to Wisconsin, indicating an overestimation of non-native species. These findings highlight the limitations of AI-based plant identification apps and emphasize the need to supplement such tools with scientific validation when making ecological or conservation decisions.
Obesity affects about 42% of adults in the United States. Most states report obesity in 30% of adults (the State of Obesity 2022: Better Policies for a Healthier America), with health-related costs estimated around $150 billion (Zamosky, 2013). As multimodal therapies are most effective in reducing obesity’s effects, this study seeks to determine if cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone released upon food consumption that reduces meal size and duration, affects the discriminative stimulus effects of 22-hrs food deprivation. Sprague-Dawley rats (24 females, 24 males) were trained to press the left lever after 22-hr food deprivation. Fifteen responses earned a 45 mg food pellet, and 15 right lever presses resulted in 8 seconds of darkness. Contingencies reversed under 2-hr food deprivation. After acquiring discrimination (males: M=76, SEM 7, females: M=83, SEM 7 sessions to criteria), subjects were injected with saline (1 ml/kg body weight) or CCK (1 to 10 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 minutes before a 5-minute test session. Food intake was then measured. CCK did not alter "hunger"-like responses nor affect lever pressing rates or food intake. In food tests under 22-hr deprivation, male rats ate more grams of food, while female rats ate similarly in both deprivation conditions.
The aim of this project is to research and conceptualize the current as well as historical nuance of the tolerance of religion. The question this research will answer is whether society should embrace a more tolerant view of religion and instill the views of free speech and religion into the younger generation. This research comes at a time of significant differences among the population surrounding the topic of freedom of religion. Although many Americans continue to embrace the freedom of conscience behind the First Amendment, there is increasing polarization around how far religious freedom should go, which freedoms “count” as religious, and how the religious and irreligious should coexist with one another. This project's approach will use political theory, constitutional law, and historical writings to examine this question. The political theory aspect will characterize views of tolerance within scholarly works and how it applies to religious expression. The findings will be used to evaluate the standing of tolerance in today’s discourse and attempt to find changes. The findings of the research conclude that tolerance is still a heavily raised issue and has been since political discourse entered into the sphere of human interaction.
As modern thought has transitioned from religious to scientific research, there has been a hard line driven down the middle of the two branches suggesting that the two cannot exist with one another. In the 21st century, the idea that science is the only accurate way to perceive the world is one of the most dominant views, relegating mysticism and religion to a separate corner, unrelated to science, but this is contrary to a very long human tradition of mystical practices. Even though science is the dominant school of thought, there are still millions to billions of people globally who participate in faith practices across religions and spiritualities, so what continues to draw people to faith? The researchers conduct interviews across faith practices and beliefs to gain a deeper understanding of what compels people to follow ideas inconsistent with modern thought. Through a mixture of answers from positive psychology, natural expression, and human connection, the beginnings of an answer may be found.
The purpose of this research is to explore the increasing threats of censorship in libraries, the laws supporting or opposing censorship, and the impact of censorship on librarians through the use of language and rhetoric. Through examining the current political climate surrounding libraries, censorshipm and diversity, I hope to emphasize how libraries can become involved in the promotion and protection of intellectual freedom and democracy by advocacy, policy making, and popular mobilization (i.e. solidarity with each other). The primary method of research is comparing legislative texts, national advocacy organizations, and case studies. Restrictive and protective approaches to intellectual freedom were compared using Idaho HB710, Alabama HB385, California AB1825, and Vermont Act 150 legislative documents. Idaho and Alabama bills were used for their definition of “harmful materials” and for procedural aspects of criminal charges as examples of state policies restricting free inquiry; California and Vermont bills were used as examples of states protecting intellectual freedom. The primary conclusion is that libraries cannot afford to be censored in order to provide equal access to information and to promote the democratic principles they serve. Through lobbying for protective policies, raising public awareness, forming legal relationships, and obtaining continued federal support, libraries will be able to stand up against these pressures and restate their commitment of delivering needed services to all members of society.
I will be examining the history of Disney and Nintendo, how they have helped construct the childhoods of Japanese and Americans alike, and how they have helped the two countries heal from the second World War.Disney first took off around the start of WWII when they released Snow White and The Seven Dwarves in 1937. During the American occupation of Japan in the 1950's, as their movies flooded into the country, they helped to create a new, thriving animation and entertainment industry. Following WWII, Nintendo found growing success in this new entertainment landscape after a striking a partnership with Disney in 1958 to produce playing cards. Come the 1970s and 80s, they took the world by storm with revolutionary gaming systems. Come today, Disney and Nintendo are two of the biggest companies in the world. Disney is responsible for a sizable amount of popular animated movies and champions theme parks globally. Nintendo has pioneered the video game market and has greatly influenced positive public perception on gaming. Though both companies market towards children and families, they’ve found large fan bases with adults.
In media, or what we consume for entertainment, like movies, music, books, etc.... a motif is a form of repetition in some form. Whether that be a song, song title, a theme, or literally anything else, these motifs act as a way for one piece of media to connect to another. There are certain psychological effects that come with these motifs as well, like a sudden noise in a scary movie is associated with fear, or a happy go-lucky tune is associated with being happy. In video games, there are certain sounds that are synonymous with good things like a bell ringing or an upbeat tune. Instruments can also be included in this, with pianos or violins being associated with sadder songs or drums and electric guitars with heavy metal, head banger music. Symbols can also be a staple of motifs, like the symbol of death or God/heaven. Even if you don’t notice it, motifs are everywhere, and if you listen or look closely, you can notice them.
Can the clarinet learn to play with a singing quality by studying vocal repertoire and technique? This was the central research question addressed in our UWEC Student-Faculty Research that we considered through the study of repertoire and historical context of Bel Canto music written by French composer Pauline Viardot as well as a vocal approach to the selected pieces. Dr. Alyssa Powell guided my study of three pieces that demanded slightly different artistic approaches. These were, Fleur desséchée, Povera me, and L’innamorata, all by the remarkable and lesser-known composer, Pauline Viardot. For each piece, I learned the French and Italian diction with the help of Dr. Ken Pereira, considered agogic stress of the text with the music, determined the articulations needed to convey the many vowels and consonants present in the language via the clarinet, considered registration as a singer would, and combined the results of this work in a performance. I performed the three works alongside Shawn Muench, local pianist, in a recital. Examining the tone colors, breathing habits, and articulations from a vocalist’s perspective was especially helpful in stretching my musical interpretive skills.
The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of a student-led art session with college students. Participants are randomly selected by volunteer. Participants will be given a pre- and post-session survey. The survey will assess demographics and then stress levels pre- and post-session. The post-session survey will also assess likelihood to continue the use of art therapy in professional as well as non-professional settings.
This follow-up study investigates how school factors (e.g., administrative support, workload, etc.) and teachers’ characteristics (e.g., teacher efficacy) influence teachers’ retention through their fifth year in the profession. There is currently a nationwide teacher shortage that has presented challenges for schools and administrators. Eight percent of teachers leave the profession each year, with special education among the disciplines most affected by this attrition rate. Within the field of special education, approximately 40% of teachers leave the field by their fifth year of teaching. While preparing new teachers is one solution, retaining teachers in the field presents a more efficient choice. Participants in this study include fifth-year teachers (n= 6) who previously participated in a study on teacher induction during their first year of teaching. Methods include a survey on teacher efficacy and semi-structured interviews. Preliminary surveys completed by participants have indicated that all participants are working in the field of education, well above the national retention averages. Student and faculty researchers will present the identified themes in participant’s survey and interview responses that pinpoint which factors contributed to their retention and how that information might be used to improve pre-service programs.
This ongoing study investigates how psychological flexibility correlates with teacher burnout across three populations with different professional demands: preservice teachers, primary teachers, and college professors. Teacher burnout is common, which creates multiple concerns like teacher turnover and worse student outcomes (Chang, 2009). One promising intervention used to decrease teacher burnout in K-12 teachers is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which targets psychological flexibility – the ability to adapt to different situations to pursue one’s goals (Emery, 2011). By administering questionnaires related to psychological flexibility and teacher burnout to preservice teachers, primary teachers, and college professors, we seek to show how these components connect in different populations. If psychological flexibility is negatively correlated with burnout across all three populations, ACT may be effective for all three populations. When data collection is complete, we expect to see a difference in correlations due to the diverse demands of the job. We also expect overall burnout to differ across groups: if individual factors are more significant, we hypothesize that preservice teachers will experience the highest level of burnout. Alternatively, if contextual factors are more important, we hypothesize that inservice teachers will experience the most burnout.
The reason that we are looking into the relationship that stress had on our mental and physical health is that we are all college students so it is important to us to understand our stress, and to control it to help our health. We look to our peers and see significant levels of stress that seem to make people less happy overall. This made us question why people get stressed in the first place? Is it their class load, their workload, or anything else that they go through day to day? To answer these questions, we have looked into several different people's perspectives to see what they have discovered on the issue. Along with this we also conducted our own research to figure out our own conclusions.
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI; injuring oneself without intent to die) is prevalent among college students. Many report using NSSI as a coping mechanism, including managing suicidal thoughts and urges. Due to the coping-regulatory effects of NSSI for individuals, perceptions of NSSI coping effectiveness may relate to increased ability to resist attempting suicide. This study aimed to examine individuals’ perceived effectiveness of NSSI on the ability to resist suicidal thoughts and urges the next day. 132 participants with a recent history of NSSI and suicidal ideation completed a daily diary protocol assessing engagement in NSSI, perceived effectiveness of the NSSI, suicidal urges and the ability to resist suicide attempts. Multi-level dynamic structural equation analyses will be conducted with individual responses mean-centered to capture within-person differences across days. It’s anticipated that on days participants perceive their NSSI as effective, they will report lower suicide urges and greater ability to resist attempting suicide the next day. This would support the role of NSSI being a coping mechanism and suggests suicide risk may increase if NSSI effectiveness lessens over time. Additional clinical implications of the results will be discussed.
Building on prior sexual abuse research that has retrospectively examined sexual abuse in institutional settings, this project examined files from the Boy Scouts of America “Ineligible Volunteer” database. Through a retrospective content analysis, the research team analyzed BSA files of 49 individuals in Wisconsin deemed “ineligible volunteers” by the organization. Several patterns emerged from the content analysis. This poster introduces multiple case studies that highlight various patterns of institutional abuse observed in the BSA IV files. Implications of the results and directions for future research also are discussed.
Everyday policing during the pandemic was both critical and challenging. A handful of studies focus on COVID-19 in relationship to the change of police officer’s perceptions toward police performance and departmental change. This study attempts to identify perceived differences between pre-COVID and post-COVID policing. This research utilizes four domains: Normal Policing, COVID-19 Policing, Protective Measures, as well as, Gender Roles and Social Ostracization, to distinguish key differences in policing. To achieve the objective, this qualitative research conducted a semi-structured interview process with local front-line officers in the State of Wisconsin. Preliminary results indicated substantial changes between normal policing and COVID-19 policing. Moreover, police officers perceived differences in how protective measures were being enforced differently at the departmental level and at the individual level. Officers expressed changes in shift structure resulted in animosity between day and night scheduled officers. Finally, police officers sensed how gender roles and social ostracization could affect the atmosphere of departments and police performance. Future work should investigate if these departmental changes are generalizable.
Amanita muscaria, commonly known as fly agaric or fly amanita, is a mushroom renowned for its distinctive appearance and psychoactive properties attributed to its compounds, ibotenic acid, and muscimol. Contemporary interest in Amanita muscaria has surged, driven by anecdotal reports of perceived psychological and medicinal benefits. However, no clinical studies exist thus far. This study employs thematic analysis of discussions from the “r/AmanitaMuscaria” subreddit on Reddit to explore users’ reasons for its consumption and the positive and negative experiences associated with this mushroom. A total of 998 principal posts and their associated 9,542 comments were analyzed, revealing thematic trends in adverse effects, perceived positive outcomes, reasons for use, modes of consumption, and thought perceptions. Findings highlight that users experienced more positive than adverse effects, and adverse effects experienced were minimal and primarily self-limiting. These findings may be particularly salient in clinical settings, as medical providers might find it challenging to uncover Amanita muscaria use among their patients unless presented with severe adverse effects. Future research is recommended to investigate Amanita muscaria’s pharmacology further to inform patients and medical providers of safe practices. Finally, an innovative methodological strategy is warranted to examine Reddit posts in-depth to understand users’ perceptions and attitudes.
Scheduling classes is a challenging and time-consuming task. The mathematical technique of linear programming has the potential to simplify this challenge by building a model of linear constraints to find the most optimal solution that satisfies all the constraints. In this project, we are implementing a linear programming model using the DOCplex library in Python. The objective function represents instructor satisfaction with different courses and the constraints represent limitations such as the fact that one instructor cannot teach two courses at the same time. These constraints allow many ways to build a schedule. The goal of our program is to identify the most optimal solution, that maximizes the professor's satisfaction and class availability. We will present a system for encoding the preferences about number of preps and back-to-back courses, as well as discussing the advantages of using binary variables to represent combinations of courses, professors, and meeting patterns (such as MWF 9-9:50) instead of individual day-time pairs. We will also present results from adding constraints and preferences about course distribution throughout the day, depending on whether the number of sections is above or below a threshold.
Knowing what types of enzymes a molecule will interact with can aid drug development by minimizing side effects due to unwanted interactions. In this project, we built and interpreted models for classifying enzyme substrates. We utilized the machine learning technique XGBoost in Python to build a predictive model for each enzyme class using the original molecular data as well as top linear combinations of the data obtained using Principal Components Analysis. We will discuss the process of developing code to automatically tune the parameters of XGBoost to optimize the model. We will also present examples of how to interpret these models by writing code to visualize the impact of variables in each model and identifying common factors in the top contributing variables of significant principal components to characterize each enzyme class. For example, we found that the probability of a molecule interacting with oxidoreductase enzymes is positively associated with the number of nonpolar regions. A particular descriptor is NOCount, the number of (polar) NO groups in the molecule, which was negatively associated with the probability of interacting with oxidoreductases.
Composite Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x (Bi-2212) wire has great potential as a material for high temperature superconducting magnets, which can conduct electricity with no resistance and achieve magnetic fields exceeding 20 T. However, Bi-2212 wire needs to realize improved geometrical homogeneity in order to be effective for large magnet applications, and there are a large number of geometrical variables that can impact the overall homogeneity. By measuring intrinsic characteristics of the wire and submitting them to a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), high dimensional data can be diminished, while identifying important trends in the data. The broader goal of this algorithm is to specify the variables that contribute to the inhomogeneity and allow us to give design feedback to wire manufacturers, so that they can improve their wire fabrication techniques. An example of this is the ability of the PCA to find trends between the area and the coefficient of variation of area, such that the uniformity of the wire area can be seen.
Rare-earth doped barium copper oxide, more commonly referred to as REBCO, is a high temperature superconductor that can carry extraordinarily high levels of electric current (many kiloamps) at magnetic fields above 20T. In previous research, we discovered that the secondary phases in the tap can vary in size from 0.24µm2 to 0.41µm2, reducing the tape homogeneity and limiting its performance capacity. To explore the source of these defects, 30 cm long samples were obtained from 6 different manufacturers and 1 cm samples were cut from each end. Samples were etched and imaged using scanning electron microscopy, then thresholded to isolate secondary particles located on the REBCO layer through ImageJ software. Python code was developed to compare trends between samples. Manufacturers A and B have an average particle area of 0.701µm2 and 0.368µm2, respectfully. Manufacturer A also has an increase of 42.5% in particle area from edge to edge at the same longitudinal position, showing variation along the width, length, and between the producers. This research provides valuable insight for manufactures into the discrepancies present among different samples and helps establish a baseline for variation along the length.
Superconductors are materials that can carry electricity without resistance at cryogenic temperatures, which is useful for large magnet applications such as particle accelerators. Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8-x (Bi-2212) is a superconductor capable of producing very large magnetic fields (>20 Tesla), but processing the Bi-2212 into usable, filamentary round wire forms is challenging. The fluctuations in the size and shape of Bi-2212 filaments in a composite wire can affect processing capability and wire performance. The focus of this project was to create a programmed application that would simplify the image analysis process. The program takes as input a series of black-and-white thresholds of transverse wire cross-sections. The program then returns as output a spreadsheet with filament measurements and basic statistical data on the filaments over the series of images. The key measurements of a filament are its area and circularity. The key statistical data of a filament is its coefficient of variation, which provides information about its homogeneity along the wire. Previously, this analysis took up to 5 hours of manual analysis and data manipulation. Using the new program has reduced this time to up to 5 minutes of automatic analysis, improving productivity by 60 times.
Curling is a strategic ice sport that presents unique challenges for AI research due to its combination of complex decision-making and intricate physical dynamics. This project aims to develop a physics-based curling simulator to address these challenges, enabling accurate modeling of stone movement, ice conditions, and sweeping effects. Our approach involves utilizing an existing physics engine, MoJuCo, to simulate realistic curling interactions. We implemented physics models based on leading theories for basic curling shot selections. The simulator initially focuses on stone dynamics and shot selection, with more complex features such as sweeping effects being added in later iterations. A visualization web app displays shot outcomes and will eventually support AI training and data analysis.In addition to the simulation application for curling research, we developed a training module for both the physics of curling and interacting with the MoJuCo library. This module is designed to help new student learn about the complicated physics of curling. This module also helps students learn how to implement and maintain MuJuCo based features into the simulator.
Curling is a strategic team sport that presents unique challenges for artificial intelligence (AI) research, particularly in decision-making and physical simulation. However, a significant barrier to AI development in curling is the lack of structured and accessible datasets. This project aims to address this gap by leveraging standardized video feeds from Curling Stadium to generate datasets suitable for AI research. Our approach involves developing software that uses image detection models YOLO (You Only Look Once) and SAM (Segment Anything Model) to analyze YouTube videos of curling matches, tracking objects such as rocks and players to gather data on their positions and movements. The expected outcome of the larger project is a structured and scalable dataset that can be used for AI-based curling research, including game strategy analysis and predictive modeling. This project lays the foundation for broader AI applications in curling by automating data collection, enabling machine learning models to analyze strategic decision-making, and fostering human-AI collaboration in sports analytics.
The Internet of Things (IoT) encompasses a variety of systems and devices that enable data exchange across networks. With this interleaved connectivity comes an inherent vulnerability to attacks. Traditional intrusion detection in IoT environments has been primarily human-reliant, but modern malicious methods surpass manual approaches. Machine Learning (ML)-based Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) show promise but require refinement to match human-monitored IDS effectiveness.This study involved a literature review of research involving the NetFlow dataset NF-ToN-IoT-v2, created in 2022 to enable ML-based IDS development. With balancing, the dataset includes approximately 16 million net-flows, with 63.99% attack and 36.01% benign. The data’s imbalanced nature was addressed through methods like down sampling to reduce training bias. A hyper-parameter tuning pipeline was used to optimize algorithm testing and cross-validation, especially for different data balancing methods.The algorithms tested based on previous research found during literature review include Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and XGBoost. Comparative analysis using confusion matrices and bar plots enabled the evaluation of algorithm effectiveness. Overall, this research highlights the potential of ML approaches in IoT IDS development, through leveraging NF-ToN-IoT-v2 to enhance detection accuracy and bridge the gap between human-monitored and ML-driven solutions.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic cancer, accounting for over 90% of cases, and is characterized by aggressive growth, early metastasis, and resistance to therapy. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving PDAC is essential for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. In this study, a multiomics approach was applied by analyzing both DNA methylation and RNA-sequencing datasets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma project.The methylation dataset included significantly more tumor samples than normal samples, and a similar imbalance was observed in the RNA-seq dataset. This disparity posed a challenge for direct feature selection, as it could lead to a model biased toward tumor-associated features. To address this issue, six data imbalance correction techniques were evaluated and compared: Random Oversampling, Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE), and Adaptive Synthetic (ADASYN) for oversampling, along with Random Undersampling, Cluster Centroids, and AllKNN for undersampling. Identifying the most effective imbalance correction method is essential for improving feature selection accuracy and facilitating the discovery of novel genes associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A deeper understanding of these oncogenes could contribute to the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests and personalized treatment strategies for PDAC.
As the use of car dashboard cameras (dashcams) has increased, the availability of dashcam imagery has also increased. In recent years, dashcam imagery has been predominantly used in conjunction with computer vision techniques for autonomous vehicle systems. However, this research explores an alternative application of these technologies in the domain of public safety and security. Specifically, we apply object detection to dashcam imagery to address the challenge of identifying vehicles associated with active Amber Alerts. With the goal of aiding law enforcement in locating abducted children more efficiently, we employ the YOLO (You Only Look Once) object detection model, a state-of-the-art deep learning framework known for its real-time performance and accuracy. Our methodology involves training and fine-tuning the YOLO model on a custom dataset of dashcam footage, incorporating diverse environmental conditions such as varying lighting, weather, and traffic scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the model achieves high precision and recall rates in detecting target vehicles, validating its effectiveness for real-world deployment. This research highlights the potential of leveraging deep learning and computer vision techniques to address critical public safety challenges, offering a novel application of these technologies beyond their traditional use in autonomous driving. Our findings contribute to the growing body of work in computer science that seeks to harness AI for societal benefit.
Analytics have been less utilized in women’s professional tennis (WTA), compared to other professional sports. Despite unique difficulties in predicting match outcomes, there has been a spate of recent articles that utilize prediction tools applied to men’s profession tennis (ATP) data. Our research adds efficiencies and new features to previously-created probabilistic models for longitudinal predictions of WTA matches. We compute, update, and analyze a set of related summary statistics along with specific match details for individual players and integrate these with Bradley-Terry algorithmic modeling of match probabilities to incorporate strength of schedule. Data for player statistics and results of WTA tournaments was obtained from a GitHub repository under a Creative Commons license. We edited and created original functions in R: wrangling the data across an appropriate time window, court surface, and player rank; and implementing an existing algorithm for prediction and assessment. We also apply Elo ratings for comparative prediction, utilizing a longitudinal update and weighting by strength of win. We discuss the methods and coding, and apply elevated error analysis of match predictions compared to observed match outcomes to determine the overall accuracy of our model; accurate predictions could further inform the ranking of WTA players.
Professor, Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
I have been teaching at UW - Eau Claire since 2006, covering courses in undergraduate statistics (introductory and upper-level) and Master’s-level data mining and programming. My research is in data-mining techniques, with a focus on penalized regression. My recent (last ~ 6 years... Read More →
The internet was created in 1983. After this social media had a boom in the early 2000s with the rise of MySpace and Facebook. Many platforms surfaced from this including Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter as known as X. Social media has changed the way we communicate and interact with people. Additionally, social media has significantly impacted relationships through instant messaging and video calls. However, it introduced challenges such as jealousy, trust issues, and unrealistic expectations set by influencers and content creators. This paper examines excessive social media use can lead to digital dependency, where people prioritize online interactions over their relationships whether it be friendships or romantic relationships. Additionally, it can lead to division in relationships and the feeling of exclusion. Also, it can lead to feelings of jealousy and comparison because of social media.
The University of Maine states that 4.8 Billion people all across the world who use social media. That is 68.57% of people in the world. Social media is built to keep people coming back to the app. As a result of this, several people find themselves addicted to their phones. As a result it’s beneficial to find out how many people are addicted to social media and their phones while also figuring out why people keep using social media despite it’s proven mental health impacts. Everyone always says how bad social media is for people and yet no one ever wants to quit using social media. I’m going to survey people of all age groups to see why they keep using social media, what benefits people get out of social media, and why they refuse to leave social media. I’d like to give a report based on the age group and the way they use social media.
Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are a critical public health issue in the United States linked to elevated morbidity and mortality. Mutual help groups (MHGs), which provide peer advice and support, are among the most widespread forms of treatment for individuals with AUD. Twelve-step MHGs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), are the most utilized and evidence-based interventions for AUD. In recent years, several secular 12-step/AA alternative MHGs have emerged, including Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery, LifeRing, and Women For Sobriety (WFS). The outcomes and mechanisms of these 12-step alternative MHGs are poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a systematic review with the goal of updating the scientific literature on outcomes, moderators, and mechanisms of change of SMART Recovery, LifeRing, and WFS for alcohol use problems in adults with AUD. Our review was pre-registered with PROSPERO and followed PRISMA guidelines. Alcohol-related outcomes, such as alcohol abstinence/reduction in alcohol use, heavy drinking, and other negative consequences were examined. Additionally, we included analysis of engagement-related outcomes, like membership characteristics, moderators of engagement/involvement, and mechanisms of change for MHOs. Preliminary Results from our qualitative review suggest differential alcohol-related and engagement-related outcomes by MHG. These findings highlight the importance of defining similarities and differences between MHGs, as individual differences in patient history and/or ideology disprove notions of universal MHG suitability. Study findings provide valuable insights into the different mechanisms and moderators of 12-step alternative MHGs that may inform future precision medicine strategies.
Individuals meeting NSSI-Disorder (NSSI-D) criteria differ from those who do not on key psychological and behavioral factors. NSSI is strongly associated with suicide ideation and research suggests it may increase suicide risk by reducing fearlessness about death, aversion to death/self-injury, and altering cognitive biases toward suicide. However, limited research examines these differences. This study tested whether individuals meeting current NSSI-D criteria reported higher levels of fearlessness about death, suicide-related biases, suicide ideation and plans, and lower aversion to death than those not meeting criteria. Participants (N = 308; 83.4% female, 87.7% White, 28.9% current NSSI-D) with past-year NSSI or suicide ideation completed assessments in our research lab. Independent samples t-tests found significant group differences across all variables except fearlessness and aversion toward death. Hypotheses were partially supported. Aligning with prior work, those meeting NSSI-D criteria reported lower aversion to death and higher suicidal thoughts and behaviors than those not meeting criteria. Findings highlight the need for further research on NSSI-D’s role in suicide risk and intervention development.
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide are major public health concerns and represent behaviors most practitioners will encounter during their career. Unfortunately, many mental health providers lack confidence in their skills for treating suicidal and/or self-injuring patients. Factors such as concerns about liability, emotional contagion and suicide severity appeared to moderate willingness to treat. There is a lack of research whether these patterns emerge regarding providers’ willingness to treat NSSI, a known risk factor for suicide. This study aimed to explore therapists’ willingness to treat clients with NSSI, Depression, or suicide risk. Participants were emailed through midwestern state licensing lists and asked to answer questions about a hypothetical patient from one of the three conditions. Analyses included chi-square, ANOVA, and regression. Participants showed a lower willingness to treat or accept a patient who has a history of Suicide compared to NSSI or Depression. In addition, both regression models identified significant variables, those being confidence, negative attitudes towards self-harm, and liability concerns that associated with willingness to accept or treat. We also found that the perceived risk of the patient negatvely correlated with willingness to treat. Mental health providers could benefit from increased training about suicide to build their skills and confidence.
An exploration of an Afrocentric Pedagogy within Higher Education: A review of LiteratureAfrican Pedagogy in Education is an examination of an Afrocentric model of learning and teaching that could potentially enhance student learning outcomes. This method of teaching revolves around a more universalistic vs. individualistic worldview, alternative modes of teaching to supplement student learning, and more. As test scores and average grades have been consistently dropping among students in America, it is important to recognize what this negative trend might be rooted in- perhaps our Eurocentric way of teaching in America. Furthermore, it is essential to recognize who is often at a disadvantage when learning from a Eurocentric perspective. Through an analysis of literature revolving around the Afrocentric perspective, academic motivation, models of Afrocentric teaching, and student outcomes from learning from an Afrocentric perspective, the goal is to bring to light a means of teaching and learning that could produce enhanced student outcomes. This literature review will lay out the historical context, benefits of, and means of teaching, through the lens of Afrocentric pedagogy. Keywords: Afrocentric pedagogy, Eurocentrism, academic motivation.
University support services are an integral function in helping students thrive in an academic environment and have helped thousands reach their goals on the path to earning their degrees. That being said it’s important that students are fully aware of the services that are offered to them, and for them to have a positive view of said services, if we expect them to utilize these important resources. For that reason, a university’s ability to properly communicate to students the services available to them is imperative for the success of their students – this is especially true for demographics that are otherwise disadvantaged in some way, such as first-generation or disabled students. This study was primarily conducted to measure what methods may be most effective in advertising support services for students across campus, particularly focusing on Chippewa Valley Technical College and University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire students and their perceptions of various services offered by their institutions. To do this, a survey was conducted asking students about their knowledge of, opinions on, and the frequency in which they use services, as well as how they learned about them. In understanding the outcomes of different methods of advertising, universities can broaden the number of students that are able to use their services, potentially increasing rates for graduation, student retention, and academic standing, as well as generally improving the overall experience of their students.
In 2023, Wisconsin legislators passed Wisconsin Act 20. This law required schools, including higher education institutions, to evaluate their literacy programs to align with the new Act 20 standards. Several classes offered at UWEC focus on teaching literacy methods, including UEM 433: Inclusive Literacy Methods in Grades 4-9. Our research aimed to determine if the course content taught in UEM 433 covered the components of Act 20. We first read through the Act 20 legislation and determined its key components. We then reviewed course materials, including assignments, objectives, and readings and noted whether they addressed specific aspects of Act 20. We found that the course addresses most concepts of Act 20, but not sufficiently in the area of oral language. We were able to find evidence of other areas addressed in Act 20 but determined that more information could be included in the course for areas such as vocabulary surrounding assessment and roles of faculty. We added a reading addressing middle grade oral language development to the course. Further research could be conducted to determine if oral language is a gap that persists across university middle level English Language Arts teacher education courses.
This study explores the relationship and impact of digital media—such as social media, video games, and television—on early childhood mental development in children ages 1 to 18 years. It recognizes both the potential benefits and risks associated with moderate or excessive screen time. Data was collected through a survey that included a series of questions regarding children's digital media usage patterns, in conjunction with standardized measures of emotional and social skills. This research aims to examine the influence of digital media on cognitive, socioemotional, and behavioral development in children, while also analyzing the role of parental mediation in this context.
Social work students require robust mental health crisis response skills, yet traditional coursework may not provide sufficient practical training. This study examines the effectiveness of embedding Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training within existing social work curriculum to enhance student learning outcomes. The goal of MHFA is to provide emotional support and information about helpful resources to people experiencing mental health crises. For this study, we are taking a mixed methods approach to assess the extent at which the integration of MHFA training into a social work mental health course improves students' knowledge of mental health issues and crisis response strategies. We are also hoping to assess how MHFA training impacts students' self-reported confidence levels in responding to mental health situations. The team will utilize three quantitative measures: Pre and post MHFA knowledge assessment, Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and the Selfefficacy in Mental Health Crisis Response Scale. In addition, the intention is to have one focus group of students who completed the training share their thoughts on the learning process. The hopes of this study is that it will demonstrate the effectiveness of MHFA training and lead to a larger scale implementation of MHFA training within UW- Eau Claire.
PURPOSE: Evidence demonstrates that undergraduate students experience a chronic lack of sleep with 60% being qualified as poor sleepers. Additionally, poor quality and quantity of sleep and sedentary behavior has been shown to increase all-cause mortality in the general population. Given the high prevalence of poor sleep quality in undergraduate students raises the question of how various exercise modalities would affect the quantity and quality of sleep of undergraduate students. METHODS: A total of 23 college students were recruited. Participants were split into three groups: journaling (control), aerobic training (AT), and resistance training (RT), and completed three, 30-minute sessions of the intervention for three weeks. Two accelerometer and inclinometer devices were worn at baseline and the third week of intervention to track quantity and quality of sleep. Group x Time two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was employed to compare the differences in outcome variables across the three groups. RESULTS: There was no interaction effect between group and time on total sleep time, number of awakenings, average length of awakening, and sleep efficiency (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Three weeks of AT and RT compared to journaling did not have significant effects on undergraduate students’ sleep quality and quantity.
We have seen a noticeable lack of understanding amongst undergraduate CSD students in upper-level courses when recalling information on how speech sounds are made by mouth. We developed a game to reinforce knowledge about the articulation of speech sounds. We are expecting this game, used in class as a brain warm-up, to reinforce previous knowledge which is necessary for graduate school and a career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. To play the game, the course professor will give each student a black notecard and display a prompt (ex. “she __ about phonetics.”). Each student will identify a word that fills in the blank based on syntactic constraints. Students will identify sounds and write down the place, voice, and manner of articulation for each sound in the word (e.g., voiceless, interdental, fricative for the “th” sound in “thinks”). When finished, students exchange their work with another and identify the phonetic symbols for all sounds described. This game will be played weekly for the remainder of the semester, and we will analyze the collected data at the end of the semester.
In the American population alone, roughly 3 million children stutter in their lifetime (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2017). The purpose of our research study is to explore how stuttering is represented in children’s picture books. We are building upon existing research that describes representation of disability in books. For data collection, we have gathered a sample of 20 children’s books with a variety of characters who stutter. We are using inductive methods of analysis including a constant comparison approach and consensus building to develop categories describing the representation of stuttering children’s picture books. to are analyzing any trends and/or patterns that appear through our analysis. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2017, March 6) Stuttering. Unites Stated Department of Health & Human Services, National Institute of Health https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/stuttering
Motivational interviewing is a counseling style that speech-language pathologists can use to guide clients in making change that is led by client priorities and values. Making change and taking action is typically preceded by a period of ambivalence. Our study examines how ambivalence manifests in the counseling conversations between speech-language pathologists and caregivers with children with a language impairment. Counseling conversations between a speech-language pathologist and three caregivers was recorded and transcribed. Inductive methods of analysis are employed to examine how caregiver ambivalence manifests across these sessions. Themes are presented so that clinicians can develop a greater understanding of the conflicting emotions and attitudes caregivers face when taking action to support a child with language impairment.
Intergenerational programs in long term care settings, which connect older adults to younger generations, have been recognized for combating social isolation, promoting empathy and understanding across age groups, and challenging ageist stereotypes. With the increasing popularity of these programs, this research aims to study the implementation process and development of these initiatives, identifying best practices and challenges in order to promote successful strategies for the future. This study compiles data from 21 intergenerational programs conducted by undergraduate healthcare administration students during their residency in a nursing home from 2020 to 2024. We conduct an in-depth review of the projects, investigating facility demographics, methodologies, and results, and evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in various dimensions, including care quality, social isolation, and the psychological well-being of nursing home residents. Furthermore, we examine the most common barriers students encountered, such as limited resources and community engagement, as well as factors that promoted success, including teamwork and communication. By exploring these projects, we seek to offer recommendations for future program implementation, supporting the health and well-being of older adults and encouraging meaningful interactions across age groups.
This research will examine the positives and negatives of management styles and their influences on employee motivation. Everyone has opinions on their workplace, whether good or bad. Those opinions are largely based on how much work they are required to do and how much appreciation they receive for completing their workload. The significance of this research is important as it helps identify ways to make the workplace a better, positive environment while improving the amount and quality of work completed. The research paper aims to identify which management style best impacts employee motivation. Information has been gathered through a survey to help provide more informed and first-hand accounts of the effects of management on motivation.
Knot Theory, Link Homotopy, and QuandlesIn the 1950s Milnor defined the notion of link homotopy. Since then, its study has been central to the field of knot theory. In the 1980s, Joyce, building on the work of Takasaki, defined a mathematical object called a quandle which is well adapted to the transformation of knot theoretic questions into algebraic questions. Trivial orbit quandles, defined in 2007 by Harrell and Nelson, are a type of quandle useful for studying link homotopy. In this poster, we define a new trivial orbit quandle called the reduced free quandle, and we go about classifying it for 2 and 3 generators. This gives classification of 2 and 3 component links up to link homotopy.
Iterated function systems offer a framework for generating complex, self-similar patterns through the iterative plotting of points. An iterated function system is a family of functions that map R^2 to R^2. For each iteration of the system, a variation is chosen with a certain probability. The asymptotic points make up the final fractal image. In this work, we examine specific variations using various heuristics that measure behavior between iterations and reveal the system's deeper patterns that improve our understanding of the system's intrinsic behavior. Our research focuses on developing and applying a multitude of heuristics designed to analyze the dynamic behavior of individual variations within these systems. Through visualizations produced by each heuristic, we illustrate the distinct characteristics of each heuristic across multiple variations.
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays use organic compounds to emit light of many different colors on screen technologies. They can produce a wider range of colors and have higher energy efficiency than traditional LEDs. For this research, I will be working with Dr. Radue to investigate OLEDs assembled by Dr. Rybicki’s research group. The OLEDs consist of a glass slide, indium tin oxide (ITO), tris- (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (AlQ3), calcium, and aluminum. Last year’s research revealed that exposing an OLED sample to short wave UV light leads to a reduction in peak transmittance amplitudes. Measurements were taken using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and data from samples exposed and unexposed to UV light was compared and analyzed. Currently, Dr. Radue and I are focusing on changes in magnetoresistance and the IV (current-voltage) curve as the OLED devices are exposed to short wave UV light. If no significant changes occur from the UV light, devices will instead be exposed to an x-ray source. After determining the minimum exposure needed to change magnetoresistance, measurements will be conducted on an uncoated AlQ3 sample exposed to the same amount of radiation. Said measurements will be performed using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy.
When we look up to the stars, we only see a brief snapshot of the universe’s life. The stars change over the course of many millions of years, making it difficult to observe their behaviors. Consequently, astrophysicists who wish to study the lives of stars turn to computers to model them. This project utilizes Modules for Experimentation in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), specifically the wd_builder module, to model the behaviors of white dwarf stars. These are the leftovers of average-sized stars, like our Sun, that have reached the ends of their lives and collapsed into hot, dense stellar remnants. We have developed a suite that allows computational astrophysicists of all backgrounds to easily and efficiently build models of white dwarf stars that they can utilize for their own research purposes. By streamlining the process of modeling a white dwarf computationally, and by employing the power of modern physics, we can trim the process of white dwarf building from hours down to minutes. For the future of this project, this suite could push the boundaries of stellar astrophysics physics, allowing us to study kinds of white dwarfs that haven’t been observed in space, or to dissect more puzzling real-world white dwarfs with unexplained behaviors and characteristics.
Physics and Astronomy, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Dr. Bill Wolf is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UWEC. He conducts research in computational stellar astrophysics with a team of undergraduate students and also serves as the director of the L.E. Phillips Planetarium.
The purpose of this project is to build a data collection system that can obtain pressure readings in a wind tunnel to determine the speed of the airflow. In this project, data is collected by a pressure sensor and then is interpreted by a microcontroller. This involved building the circuit and programming the microcontroller to receive data from the sensor. We then used an equation that relates the readings from the sensor to a pressure value. When this is complete, we will be able to obtain real time pressure readings from a wind tunnel, which can be used to interpret the impact objects in the wind tunnel have on the airflow. The next step of this project will be to calibrate the sensor with the wind tunnel and determine the baseline airflow profile of the wind tunnel.
Understanding the aerodynamics of systems is crucial in the design of vehicles and structures. Wind tunnels provide a controlled environment to analyze airflow around models that help inform the design process. Large scale wind tunnels are expensive and in this project, we are investigating whether we can observe similar behavior to large wind tunnels using a smaller scale version that can be constructed at significantly lower cost. In this poster we describe our design and present measurements of the airflow showing the effectiveness of design features such as a flow straightener, screen, and baffles to reduce turbulence. Construction of the wind tunnel also provides a platform for future research opportunities.
This research details the results of work done in Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA) on cataclysmic variables. Cataclysmic variables are binary systems of stars that orbit each other with a period of a few hours. In these systems, mass is transferred between one star and the other, often alternating between times where mass is transferred quickly, and other times where it is transferred slowly. Recent work has suggested that the transferred matter is rapidly processed from hydrogen and helium to carbon and oxygen, resulting in the long-term growth of the star that received the matter. Our model uses MESA to track the variable mass transfer at small time scales. We show that long-term growth is inhibited by periodic explosions known as classical novae that eject most of the matter that was transferred, casting doubt on the earlier results indicating efficient stellar growth.
Physics and Astronomy, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Dr. Bill Wolf is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UWEC. He conducts research in computational stellar astrophysics with a team of undergraduate students and also serves as the director of the L.E. Phillips Planetarium.
Aim: To explore the use of various definitions for the exact moment a collapsing cloud of gas and dust becomes a star, often called the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS).Context: In stellar models, the definition of when a collapsing cloud of gas becomes a fully-fledged (hydrogen burning) star, can be characterized in many ways. To obtain data, we stop a computational star model when each of the various “definitions” is met, graph, and analyze to determine how well the data represents a newly matured star.Methods: This study uses MESA (Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics) to generate computational star models for 30 stars of initial masses between 0.126 solar mass and 100.0 solar mass. The stopping conditions explored involve the central hydrogen abundance, the ratio of power created by fusion to total power leaving the star, and, most notably, a quantity that compares the local luminosity gradient with the nuclear energy generation rate, which should balance for a star that is powered primarily by nuclear fusion.Results: We present Hertzsprung Russell diagrams depicting the isochrones of star models using the different stopping conditions. While the investigated stopping conditions typically generate similar star populations, some are able to catch stars slightly earlier in their evolution. We make a subjective argument for favoring a luminosity gradient vs. nuclear energy generation rate definition of the ZAMS.
Physics and Astronomy, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Dr. Bill Wolf is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UWEC. He conducts research in computational stellar astrophysics with a team of undergraduate students and also serves as the director of the L.E. Phillips Planetarium.
Once roughly five times the size of the Lake Superior in the United States, Megalake Chad was a vast inland lake that has drastically receded over the past 5,000 years, leaving behind geomorphic features and drainage patterns indicative of its former expanse. This study investigates the geomorphic features and hydrology of this ancient lake using topographic data. Specifically, we utilized the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30-meter Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for analyses, generating slope maps to enhance our understanding of surface drainage patterns. To identify drainage features potentially overlooked by slope analyses, radar remote sensing data was used. Because much of Megalake Chad's northern basin is in the Sahara Desert radar sensors like PALSAR and RADARSAT are valuable for their ability to reveal subsurface features under the sand. Integrated topographic surface analysis and subsurface mapping offers a promising approach to uncovering buried channels and alluvial fans/deltas. Our findings not only reinforce evidence of a large ancient lake, but also reveal previously underexplored drainage patterns with potential valuable water resources and arable land.
This project is investigating the nature of gold mineralization at the Atlas Mine, western Montana. Rock and powder samples were provided by LJB Explorations Ltd. to characterize the textural and mineralogical associations of gold mineralization at the mine. These samples included rocks from ore stockpiles, waste piles, and crushed, high-grade samples. The rock powder was processed for heavy mineral concentrates, including gold, using gold panning and a Gemini Table. The rock samples and heavy mineral concentrates were mounted in epoxy then polished to a finish of 1 µm. These samples were then examined using an SEM-EDS with a goal of determining textural and mineralogical associations with gold that could assist LJB Exploration Ltd. in targeting additional gold concentrations on a larger scale. Results from the SEM for the high-grade powder sample produced flakes of gold, roughly 20-30 µm, with associated heavy elements consisting of iron, silver, lead, and trace yttrium. Rock samples had flakes of gold in the range of roughly 20-100 µm in size, with associated heavy elements consisting of primarily iron, with a more substantial amount of silver as well.
This research project aims to explore the characteristics of long-term care professionals in various career stages through the use of the Long-Term Care Administrator (LTCA) Self-Assessment Tool (Johs-Artisensi et al., 2016). In previous research, differences were found when comparing the LTCA characteristics of freshman/sophomores with their results as emerging leaders (1-2 years postgraduation). This project will analyze differences and/or similarities of LTCA results of current residency students from when they were freshman/sophomores in the UWEC Health Care Administration (HCAD) program against their results four months into administrative residency (~1-3 years later), as well as the results of current residency students’ preceptors. This study will demonstrate how 10 LTCA characteristics of students progressing through their academic career may change over time, while also allowing for the comparison of results in three different career stages. Results will either confirm previous findings, explore differences, and/or provide further insight on leaders in long-term care.
This study examines the impact of goal orientations (results-oriented vs. process-oriented) on team dynamics and performance evaluations within global virtual teams, challenging traditional assumptions about team efficiency. Drawing on Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (1959), Locke's Goal-setting Theory (1967), and intrinsic motivation frameworks, we analyzed data from the X-Culture Project, encompassing 3,660 undergraduate business students in 925 global virtual teams during Fall 2020. Our research specifically investigates how different approaches to incentive mechanisms and goal orientations influence team member perceptions and evaluations. Through multivariate regression analysis, we found that while both results-oriented (focused on monetary rewards and certificates) and process-oriented (valuing collaborative experiences and relationships) team members reported similar levels of subjective satisfaction, their peer evaluations differed significantly. Results-oriented members received lower peer evaluations, being perceived as less creative, less effortful, and less task-compliant. Conversely, process-oriented members were evaluated more positively, demonstrating stronger leadership qualities, active thinking, and perceived work ethic. This favorable evaluation of process-oriented members may be attributed to their stronger focus on team relationships, communication, and collaborative learning, which are particularly crucial in virtual environments where building trust and maintaining engagement require extra effort. Their emphasis on the journey rather than just the destination likely leads to more consistent participation, better communication patterns, and stronger relationship building – all qualities highly valued by peers in virtual collaborative settings. These findings challenge conventional wisdom about incentive structures in global virtual teams and suggest that process orientation may offer a competitive advantage in virtual collaborative environments. The study contributes to our understanding of team dynamics and has important implications for designing effective incentive mechanisms and managing diverse goal orientations in virtual team settings.
A variety of instructional approaches are employed in educational settings to promote student learning and engagement. Two such approaches are subject-centered and problem-centered learning. Subject-centered approaches structure the curriculum around specific subject matter, which is presented in a linear manner. In contrast, problem-centered approaches emphasize application and relevance to real-world scenarios, with information discussed iteratively as the class unfolds. Problem-centered learning offers advantages such as increased student collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking (Stutt, 2023). Additionally, best practices for teaching courses related to diverse populations include the active application of concepts and the use of written reflections, which foster higher-level critical thinking and conceptual integration (Keegan et al., 2017; Simon-Cereijido et al., 2023). The purpose of this research was to examine how student learning in a course on diverse populations was influenced by a subject-centered approach compared to a hybrid problem-centered approach. The course was taught using a subject-centered approach in one semester and a problem-centered approach in another. In both semesters, students completed reflections on guided clinical scenarios involving diverse populations. These reflections were analyzed for quality and depth of critical thinking, enabling a comparison between the two semesters. Findings from this study can inform future pedagogical approaches and course design.
Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) work to support children's speech and language development. SLPs are required to provide culturally and linguistically responsive services. Books used within SLP sessions should include high-quality representation across a variety of aspects of identity, as the use of culturally relevant, inclusive literature serves to increase treatment outcomes, mitigate stereotypes, promote self-efficacy, and help children develop a sense of belonging across identities. The purpose of this research was to understand student perceptions of, and the impact of, a class session designed to teach students about the use of inclusive children's books. The class period included a lecture about the value of considering representation across different aspects of identity, application practice which allowed students to actively select books while considering both clinical targets and representation, and reflective assignments. The reflective assignments were analyzed to discover changes in students’ thoughts regarding the aspects they considered while selecting books for therapy, the importance of considering aspects of representation, and how challenging it is to access books with diverse representation. Results will be used to inform future decisions about the value and impact of class sessions devoted to this topic.
Our research aims to describe perceptual and acoustic features of the word-final "l" sound across two different dialects of English: Midwestern English and Southern White Vernacular English. The English /l/ is an articulatorily complex sound that is considered one of the late-developing sounds. One common pattern used by both children with typical speech development and those with speech sound disorders is vocalization, which occurs when word-final /l/ is produced as a back vowel or glide (e.g., [bɛʊ] for bell). In addition, vocalization of /l/ is a normal feature of certain dialects of English. For our research, we recorded Midwestern speakers producing word-final /l/ in single words. Trained transcribers then transcribed the words and coded the degree of vocalization. Productions were also analyzed acoustically. The results were compared to a set of existing data for word-final /l/ produced by speakers of Southern White Vernacular English. Data analysis is ongoing, but preliminary results suggest differences in the degree of vocalization across dialects.
The research question is: is the 8-minute self-paced (8SPV) VO2max test a valid method for measuring VO2 max? VO2 max is the highest rate at which oxygen can be consumed during intense exercise and reflects the efficiency of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. There are validated VO2 max protocols (ie. Bruce and 10-minute self-paced), however, existing protocols have evidence pointing toward peripheral fatigue being a limiting factor, therefore a shorter 8-minute test could lead to better VO2 max result. UWEC students will be recruited and three VO2max tests will be performed for each participant. The three protocols will be conducted using a treadmill and the VO2max will be measured using the metabolic cart. The tests include the 8-minute self-paced, 10-minute self-paced, and Bruce protocol. One-way repeated measures ANOVA will be implemented for comparing the VO2max across three protocols. The anticipated result is that the 8SPV will provide consistent results with the validated protocols. If validated, the 8SPV protocol can be used in future research.
The purpose of this study if to investigate the effectiveness of exergaming in combination with resistance training to reduce fall risk among individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). PD causes many balance impairments and fall risks due to the underlying physiology of the disease. Six participants were recruited from the Parkinson’s Exercise Program at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and were split into two groups. For the first four weeks, Group 1 will engage in two 15-minute exergaming sessions along with 75 minutes of resistance training per week while Group 2 will only be doing 75 minutes of resistance training. After the initial four weeks, the groups will switch, and Group 1 will only do resistance training while Group 2 will do the two exergaming sessions along with resistance training for four weeks. Fall risk will be assessed at the beginning, middle, and end of the study using a fall risk assessment on the BioDex Balance System and a Timed Up and Go - Cognitive assessment. This research is still in progress. We hope that this study will provide valuable insight into effective strategies for decreasing fall risk among individuals with PD.
Parental relationships play a crucial role in shaping the emotional, psychological, and social development of a child. We are conducting this research to better understand the development of children directly correlated to the parents' relationship with the child. Our research heavily focuses on the direct effect of the parent's marital status and the development of a child. We discuss multiple different branches of the topic such as how a parent-child relationship between self-concept and career maturity in children and adolescents. As well as, the link between later parental conflict and adolescents adjustment in divorced and intact families. Another topic is, the value of children of divorced and non-divorced parents. Lastly, the parental impact of the child is the main topic of what we researched.
Muscle growth is a complex topic, with many influencing and detracting factors, many of which vary in effectiveness from person to person. In order to better understand these factors in the context of strength training, research was performed on contributors to an individual’s perceived muscle stimulus, which likely correlates with the amount of actual muscle growth detected. A survey was distributed to multiple individuals of varying levels of experience in strength training, focusing on variables such as contraction type, range of motion, volume, repetition amount, and amount of effort in each exercise. Other contributors like diet, growth supplements, age, sex, experience level, and build were also monitored.
This study examined the reliability of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) compared to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to track body composition changes in Division III football athletes across an entire off-season training program. A sample of Division III male college football athletes (n=32) participated in this study. Total body composition analysis was measured using DEXA and BIA at three time points throughout the off-season training program. These time points represented the beginning (January), middle (May), and end (August) of the off-season training program. Change scores (post-pre) were calculated between time points to quantify changes across time points. Paired-samples t-tests were employed to examine any significant differences (p<0.05) between DEXA and BIA. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to examine agreement between methods across time. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in FM, FFM, and FFMI changes between DEXA and BIA within the January-May time frame. A significant difference (p<0.05) between DEXA and BIA was detected in FM, FFM, and FFMI changes in the May-August time points. BIA showed an acceptable level of reliability in tracking early off-season changes in body composition compared to DEXA, however, the BIA significantly underestimated changes in FM and overestimated changes in FFM during late off-season programming.
Speech-language pathology students are paired with supervisors in their initial clinical experiences. What expectations do novice clinicians have for their clinical supervisors prior to beginning the experience? Students enter their first clinical experience with varying expectations of the support they will receive and a mismatch in expectations can lead to frustration. We surveyed students at accredited speech-language pathology programs. Graduate and undergraduate students responded to one open-ended question and 22 Likert scale statements about expectations. The survey replicated the research of L.C. Larson from 1981 (Larson’s Expectations Rating Scale). Participants from 17 universities completed the survey during the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. No significant differences were found between graduate and undergraduate responses across the Likert scale items. These three lowest expected behaviors were the same items as identified in the original study. Differences emerged when comparing the top three highest expectations across studies. Notably, today’s students most expect clinical supervisors to function as coach/mentor while students in the 1980s most expected supervisors to identify weaknesses in clinical skills and reflect on strategies for things that could be done differently. This tells us that student expectations have changed so supervision practices may need to change as well.
The field of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is predominantly white, with 90.5% of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identifying as white. This contrasts with the diverse population served by SLPs, which is increasingly multilingual and multicultural, with children from Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds representing more than 53% of the population. This mismatch may reduce the effectiveness of services provided and highlights the critical importance of recruiting and retaining students of color in the field of speech-language pathology. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire undergraduate students’ choice of major and to understand how these factors differ based on student-identified race and ethnicity. Sixteen undergraduate students, both CSD and non-CSD majors, were interviewed to explore the factors that led to their choice of major. The results will provide insights into the influences shaping students’ major selection across different races and ethnicities. Findings can inform efforts to increase diversity within CSD undergraduate programs, ensuring that students from all backgrounds have equitable opportunities to enter the field of speech-language pathology.
The primary objective of this project is to provide comprehensive education on insurance markets within Spanish-speaking countries. This project is particularly aimed at students who are considering traveling to Latin American countries or other international destinations. Understanding the intricacies of insurance in these regions is crucial for students to ensure they are well-protected against potential risks.
This research proposal investigates the communication tool preferences of native English speakers (NES) and English as a second language (ESL) learners within global virtual teams, focusing on the interplay between communication frequency (CF), communication tools (CT), team conflict (TC), and identification (ID). The study posits three hypotheses: (H1) communication frequency is negatively correlated with team conflict, suggesting that increased CF reduces TC; (H2) higher communication frequency positively influences the use of information-dense communication tools, such as Zoom, over less dense tools like text messaging; and (H3) communication tool preferences differ based on identification—NES members shift from low-density tools (e.g., texts) in low-frequency settings to high-density tools (e.g., Zoom) in high-frequency settings to minimize conflict, while ESL members consistently prefer text-based tools across all frequencies to mitigate interaction tension and reduce conflict. Based on the data collected from 153 global virtual student teams which participated in the X-Culture project, we found that higher communication frequency will reduce team conflict across both groups, with NES members not showing any preferences on communication tools, while ESL members exhibit a persistent reliance on text-based tools to address linguistic and social challenges. These findings aim to deepen insights into effective communication strategies in linguistically diverse virtual teams, providing actionable guidance for enhancing collaboration in globalized educational and professional settings.
The Paleoproterozoic Penokean Orogen in Northern Wisconsin is known to host multiple volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits which are important sources of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ag, and Au. Despite known large and potentially economic VMS deposits, limited outcrop exposure has hindered detailed reconstructions of the VMS-hosting environment to guide future exploration. Zircon petrochronology can help us give a more complete understanding of the magmatic environment in which they formed. This study sampled felsic igneous rocks to determine the timing and tectonic settings of VMS deposits in the western Penokean Orogen. Samples were pulverized and heavy mineral separates were obtained by various magnetic and density separation techniques. The zircon mineral grains were imaged by cathodoluminescence and backscattered electron microscopy at Laurentian University, Canada. Zircon isotopic (U/Pb, Lu-Hf) and trace element data were analyzed via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS). U/Pb isotopic data constrains timing of magmatism. Trace elements and Lu-Hf data constrain the tectonic setting and crustal architecture. Preliminary results have indicated two distinct VMS-forming magmatic events during the Penokean Orogeny that have similar tectonic and magmatic styles.
The Plover Au deposit, located in Marathon County, WI, is host to a series of andesite, schist, and felsic/mafic intrusives which have undergone at least 3 phases of deformation, hydrothermal alteration, and greenschist grade metamorphism. With its proximity to the larger and better explored Reef Deposit, a more complete understanding of the formational history and geochemical footprint of the Plover prospect can add to regional understanding and better gold exploration models. For this study, two holes (PL-76-1 & PL-76-4), totaling ~1,180 linear feet of core were logged and described to highlight the volcanic stratigraphy and lithologic variety. Cores and samples were characterized by petrographic and geochemical analyses. Mineralization at the Plover deposit is characterized by cross-cutting vein networks containing boudins and vugs, and zones of brecciation. Hydrothermal alteration is suggested based on sericite/talc alteration within volcanic strata and zoned sulfide (pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite), quartz, and calcite veins and vugs. Since high Au concentrations are typically present within brittle massive/semi-massive sulfide veins, formation of these deposits likely occurred after Penokean deformation/metamorphism and are related to a younger tectonic/magmatic event.
Modern technology and renewable energy require large amounts of metals that are derived from minerals. Many of these resources are imported, and there is a tremendous effort to domesticate our mineral extraction and processing. Several of these critical minerals, such as Ti, are found in Wisconsin, but little data is available to guide future mineral exploration efforts. This study describes the petrology and geochemistry of the Round Lake Ti Deposit in northern Wisconsin using historic drill cores stored at the WGNHS. The Round Lake intrusion that hosts the Ti mineralization is related to 1.1 Ga Mid-Continent Rift magmatism. The main intrusion is a magnetite-ilmenite rich gabbro, ranging from 35-50% magnetite-ilmenite and 15-50% coarse grained plagioclase laths. Movement and flow of magmas during emplacement formed porphyritic and trachytic textures with aligned plagioclase crystals. In addition, there are other intrusive phases associated with the magnetite-ilmenite gabbro intrusion. The anorthosite has 55-90% euhedral plagioclase, 10-15% magnetite, and 5-15% pyroxene. The magnetite rich gabbro and anorthosite make up the intrusion and is crosscut by a fine-grained gabbro and granitic dikes. Petrographic and geochemical data and interpretations improve our understanding of Ti-bearing magmatism in the Mid-Continent Rift system.
The Ritchie Creek Cu-Zn deposit, located in the Paleoproterozoic Penokean Volcanic Belt (PVB) of northern Wisconsin, is one of many volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits known in the region. Previous studies suggest that VMS mineralization is concentrated on the western edge of a felsic volcanic center, likely formed in a back-arc or intra-arc rift environment, with mineralization occurring within bimodal volcanic sequences. These interpretations were largely based on core descriptions and comparisons to other global VMS deposits. This study aims to improve the understanding of the tectonic and volcanic setting of the Ritchie Creek deposit by re-examining historical drill cores and stratigraphic units. Over 1,000 feet of historic drill core was logged, and 22 samples were collected for petrographic and geochemical analysis, focusing on trace element characterization to better constrain the volcanic and tectonic setting. Sulfide mineralization is hosted in three main units: a quartz mica schist with disseminated sulfides, a sericite- and chlorite-altered quartz mica schist, and an intermediate meta-felsite that transitions into a rhyolitic tuff with localized sulfides and quartz veins. This project provides insights into the volcanic and tectonic processes that shaped the Ritchie Creek deposit, enhancing the understanding of VMS mineralization within the Penokean Volcanic Belt.
Minerals, such as monazite and xenotime, are an important source of rare earth (La, Ce, Nd) and high field strength (Th, Nb, Zr) elements which are essential for modern energy, communication, and military technologies. These critical minerals are often sourced in pegmatites associated with alkalic complexes, such as mines at Mountain Pass, USA, and Mount Weld, Australia. The Paleoproterozoic Eau Claire Volcanic Complex is intruded by granitic pegmatite dikes that postdate peak metamorphism, potentially linking them to 1.7 to 1.4 Ga fractionated alkalic magmas in the region. These pegmatites are highly fractionated, garnet-bearing, and low in calcium. The high concentration U, Th, La, Ce, and other rare earth elements put this pegmatite in niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) class of pegmatites. This study collected bedrock samples from several locations across the Eau Claire Volcanic Complex (Little Falls, North Fork, Muskeg) to describe the trace mineral compositions. The minerals in the pegmatite samples were geochemically analyzed using a scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The major minerals in the samples are mainly plagioclase, quartz, and biotite. They contain minor mineral chemistry of Fe- and Mn-garnets, samarskites, xenotimes, monazites, thorites, and barites and may represent a potential source for critical minerals in Wisconsin.
The Mineral Lake Intrusive Complex (MLIC) is a relatively large (50 x 6 km) layered mafic intrusion (LMI) located in northern Wisconsin. Because LMIs are typically rich in platinum, chromium, vanadium, and titanium deposits, the MLIC has excited much interest for its potential to host valuable economic deposits. However, the entire southern boundary of the MLIC is defined by a significant thrust fault that placed the plutonic body on top of older Archaean crust. The fault separated the upper half of the intrusion from much of its lower half (not exposed), where the bulk of the economic deposits are expected to be found. There is an orphan, ~8 km^2 ultramafic intrusion (the Rearing Pond intrusion; RPI) adjacent to and of the same age as the MLIC. The RPI is composed of minerals expected at the base of a large LMI and may represent early crystallization within the MLIC. LMIs are characterized by distinct top-to-bottom stratigraphy in their Mg/Fe and Ca/Na ratios. We present whole-rock and mineral Mg/Fe and Ca/Na ratios using XRF and SEM analyses to test the hypothesis that the RPI represents the earliest crystallization in the MLIC, and to estimate the volume of missing material.
