Tag: Poster Presentation

Viktoriia Udovichenko¹
Amy Choi
Nicole Jensen
Nikki Adams
Brittny Mikhaiel²
Faculty Mentor: Levent Atici, Ph.D.^3
1West Career and Technical Academy
²College of Sciences, School of Life Sciences
³Division of Research, Office of Undergraduate Research

ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution in soil affects not only human health and agriculture but also plant growth, plant genetics, and microbial communities. Solutions such as bioremediation have been proposed, entailing the introduction of microorganisms and plants that can break down pollutants. This study will analyze a variety of peer-reviewed academic journals to assess the viability of using bioremediation to combat heavy metal pollution. In situ bioremediation techniques have proven more effective than ex situ techniques or bioreactors (Vidali, 2001). This study specifically covers two types of in situ bioremediation: microbial and plant bioremediation. The effectiveness of using different bioremediation techniques will be evaluated in terms of adverse effects on the microbial ecosystem within the soil, the time taken to decontaminate the soil, and other factors that should be considered.

Christian Rebolledo¹
Faculty Mentor: Levent Atici, Ph.D.^2
1Sierra Vista High School
²Division of Research, Office of Undergraduate Research

ABSTRACT
Many aspects of human biological degradation have been attributed to the continual loss of stem cells throughout the course of an organism’s life. One specific aspect is the underlying disease that is aging. Through the depletion of Sox-2-expressing hypothalamic stem cells (htNSCs), it has been correlated that the decrease of htNSCs results in loss of physiological, and biochemical function in mice specifically. The deductions stated throughout are through the compilation of studies across aspects like htNSC senescence, exosomal neural miRNA production, and protein-associated biological aging. As htNSCs produce exosomal miRNAs including CD81 and lncRNA Hnscr, neural function exhibited in mice has been found to be about 75% less effective in older populations (18 months of age in comparison to 3 months of age) producing fewer miRNA systems. Additionally, the YB-1 protein identified in mice (and humans) has been found to play a key role in the activation of cellular senescence in htNSCs, which through a decrease in specifically the lncRNA Hnscr, results in the compounding effects of systemic aging. These studies suggest that all together, a lack of htNSCs results in a lack of protein and exosomal miRNA systems in mice that aid in maintaining cellular stability. Since mice and humans seem to exhibit similar homology in regards to neural microbiology, it may be possible to reverse the effects of aging in humans through supplemental miRNA and Hnscr systems in vitro, as was done in mice, to further implement these studies in the future.

Yohannes Aklilu¹
Ojas Kadam
Sebastian Yepez
Brittny Mikhaiel²
Faculty Mentor: Levent Atici, Ph.D.^3
1Advanced Technologies Academy
²College of Sciences, School of Life Sciences
³Division of Research, Office of Undergraduate Research

ABSTRACT
Supersonic parachutes are entities that decrease the speed of reentry rocket capsules from supersonic to subsonic speed. Deceleration is an important aspect of re-entry, whether on earth or on other planets. Capsules, with a weight of 2400 kg, reach a speed of more than Mach 2 with less than 62 miles (ca. 100 km) of deceleration length. This puts greater emphasis on the importance of a parachute system that effectively accomplishes a safe landing. Currently, parachutes use nylon and fiber material for landing, however, little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of these materials. Experimental factors like max load, material used, stability, and sustainability are all factors that scale the effectiveness of a parachute design. Through the use of CFD and FSI simulations, as well as physical data collected from experiments, an optimal parachute design will be tested.

Ehdzky-Ray Manzano¹
Faculty Mentor: Andrew Thomas Reyes, Ph.D.^1
1School of Nursing

ABSTRACT
Mediation/moderation models provides an expanded understanding of the underlying mechanism of action of a mindfulness-based interventions, particularly how targeted constructs produce their intended benefits. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the moderating effect of resilience on the relationships mindfulness and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and the indirect effect of mindfulness on PTSD through experiential avoidance as a mediator. A cross-sectional study design was used. We employed a convenience sample of 133 college student military veterans through an online survey (Qualtrics) using measures of resilience, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and PTSD symptoms. To examine the mediating effect of experiential avoidance and the moderating effect of resilience, we used the macro PROCESS (v. 3.5). We found a direct effect of mindfulness on PTSD and a significant mediating effect of experiential avoidance on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. Resilience was also found to have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between mindfulness and PTSD. The major implication of these findings is that higher levels of resilience would strengthen the positive relationship between mindfulness and PTSD and the negative relationship between experiential avoidance and PTSD. This study provides preliminary evidence on the usefulness of integrating resilience development of the mindfulness app we are refining for the next phase of our research study.

Joe Carlos Costa Rodriguez¹
Tremyia Campbell¹
Jasminn Gray²
Faculty Mentor: Jacimaria Batista, Ph.D.^1
1Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction
²College of Sciences, School of Life Sciences

ABSTRACT
Algal blooms have taken place in Lake Mead, Nevada, and a major bloom occurred in 2001. One reason for algal blooms at Lake Mead is excess of nutrients from runoff water discharge during rainy seasons. Algal blooms in lakes and rivers are a sign of eutrophication – an excessive growth of plant life that leads to death of animal life from lack of oxygen. In addition, algal blooms impact the use of water as a drinking source because of the presence of algal toxins. Nutrients that cause algae bloom include ammonia, nitrate, and phosphorus. The objective of this research is to implement a passive system that removes nutrients from runoff water. If successful, such a system could be integrated into runoff street gutters to remove nutrients.
To test the viability of this system, a dual-media consisting of zero-valent iron (ZVI) and zeolite, was built. A synthetic runoff water solution is fed to the columns using a peristaltic pump. The synthetic runoff water composition mimics that of a typical runoff in Las Vegas. The system can be operated at retention times of 30 -180 minutes. The influent and effluent water to the column are sampled daily and the concentration of nitrate, phosphorus, and ammonia are analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the system. It is expected that ammonia will be removed in the zeolite and nitrate will be reduced by ZVI. In addition, microbes growing on the media might be able to remove phosphorus.

Matthew Le¹
Pradip Bhowmik, Ph.D.²
David King²
Faculty Mentor: Haesook Han, Ph.D.^2
1College of Sciences, Department of Life Sciences
²College of Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a pervasive form of dementia that accounts for 60% to 70% of progressive cognitive impairment within the elderly population. This neurodegenerative disease manifests itself through a progressive decline in motor function, memory, and cognition. AD is closely associated with the accumulation of amyloid- β (Aβ) proteins that form insoluble plaques. The formation of Aβ is a hallmark of AD and can serve as a means for diagnosis. Our objective was to synthesize potential molecular probes for a practical and safe means to detecting AD in its early stages. We synthesized the target fluorescent probes by Knoevenagel condensation to yield p-styryl pyridinium salts of different carbon chain lengths by reacting terephthalaldehyde and γ-picolinium bromide salts. Additionally, counterion exchanges of bromide to tosylate and triflimide were subsequently carried out for each salt in the series. The synthesized probes were characterized by proton (1H) and carbon 13 (13C) nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Their fluorescent properties suggest that the synthesized probes are viable candidates to be tested in vivo for their binding to insoluble plaques. These findings will serve as a foundation for research into further carbon chain extensions, counter ion exchanges, and structural modifications of fluorescent probes.

Denali Medina¹
Faculty Mentor: Pamela Burnley, Ph.D.^1
1College of Science, Department of Geosciences

ABSTRACT
Our understanding of the rheology of Earth’s interior can be advanced by investigating the results of high-pressure deformation experiments on polycrystalline samples using elastic-plastic self-consistency (EPSC) modeling. Our experiment investigates quartz, which dominates Earth’s crustal composition and is least resistant to flow during deformation thus its bulk strength is thought to control the strength of the crust. During deformation experiments, a polycrystalline sample is enveloped in a cube-shaped sample assembly which is pressurized by a surrounding multi-anvil press known as a D-DIA apparatus. The D-DIA consists of six tungsten carbide anvils, driven by a hydraulic press that moves the top and bottom anvils independently. The sample is monitored by a high-powered x-ray beam at the Argonne National Lab. X-rays record changes in the distances between crystal lattice planes (d-spacing). Our results and those produced by other investigators show local stress is not homogeneous throughout a polycrystalline sample but varies greatly throughout grain populations. EPSC modeling simulates the anisotropic response of individual grains under load with respect to orientation, boundary conditions, and grain populations to best fit our diffraction data. Our samples reached temperatures ranging from 400 to 840 ℃ and pressures of 1.4 to 2.7 GPa. Lattice reflection spectra on the (101), (110), (200), (201), and (112) were gathered incrementally at sample stains nearing 7%. The lattice strain on these reflections is used along with the EPSC models to derive the bulk strength of the material and which slip systems are operating.

Amy Nguyen¹
Stacey Moeller¹
Faculty Mentor: Samantha John, Ph.D.^2
1College of Liberal Arts, Department of Psychology
²School of Integrated Health Sciences, Department of Brain Health

ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) disproportionately affects Hispanic/Latinx (H/Lx) and Black/African American (B/AA) individuals, who face about 1.5-fold and 2-fold more risk of disease development, respectively, than non-Hispanic whites. Few studies examine AD biomarkers within ethnoracial minorities, especially for newer research techniques, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET). This study reviews current literature on amyloid PET within H/Lx and B/AA populations, exploring methodological approaches. A scoping review of AD literature was conducted to identify publications with H/Lx and B/AA study samples and amyloid PET data. Two researchers combined search results from three databases, deleted duplicates, and independently reviewed publication abstracts to determine study inclusion. Descriptive trends in the literature were examined. Within amyloid PET literature, 26 articles utilizing H/Lx populations and 33 articles including B/AA populations were reviewed. Of those, 7 H/Lx articles and 8 B/AA articles met criteria for inclusion, from which methodological differences and sample effects were evaluated. Identified studies utilized one of three possible imaging markers, Florbetaben, PiB, and Florbetapir. Some studies utilized a cut-off value to determine amyloid status, although different values were used across publications, and other studies utilized a visual read. Within the B/AA literature, 6 of 8 publications described the same study cohort. Differences in methodology for determining biomarker status makes comparison between studies challenging. Limited diversity within study samples decreases the representativeness and generalizability of findings. Further investigation and greater use of amyloid PET within diverse AD samples may improve diagnostic inequalities; however, greater standardization in methodology is needed.

Mayra Camargo¹
Robin Kee¹
Faculty Mentor: Donald Price, Ph.D.^1
1College of Sciences, School of Life Science

ABSTRACT
Drosophila grimshawi are found to do Lek behavior and are consuming more time being sexually active at lek sites. It is believed that this action would result in increased mating success. Males discharge these chemical materials to build communal space for females to attend the sites and perform courtship. Mating achievement varied considerably among males and was connected with the time males spent engaged in sexual activity at lek sites (Droney, 1992). Drosophila grimshawi is used to further distinguish the reproductive responses within its species. The chemical signal would determine if it affects the female behavior for mating. The gene expression in male and female brains would be used for RNA sequencing analysis.

The flies are split into two groups, in which one group is the control. For one group, the male is free to streak the base of the dish for about 3 days. Afterward, two flies, one male, and one female are picked on a petri dish and recorded for about an hour. Viewers are expected to watch the recorded videos, track the behaviors that are visible within these flies, and note the data down on an excel sheet. The results prove the chemical signal alters both behavior and gene expression in both genders. However, it only proves that chemical signaling is a pheromone; it does not stimulate mating. There are larger changes in male genes, so it is more useful in male territorial response.

This research was funded by the Southern Nevada Northern Arizona (SNNA) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP), which is housed within UNLV’s Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach and supported by a grant (HRD – 1712523) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.