The University of North Georgia is pleased to announce the 22nd Annual Research Conference, a university-wide event for all campuses. This year, the conference will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Dahlonega campus in the Library Technology Center.
<h4>Best Presentation Prize for completed essays/posters</h4>
Students who wish to be considered for the Best Presentation Prize should also upload their complete presentation essay and/or poster under the “Additional Files” tab by Friday, March 3, 2017. Additional smaller prizes will be awarded as well. The awards ceremony will take place at noon in room 382 of the library. The keynote speaker will begin immediately after.
Please contact the CURCA office upon submission of the abstract if you require transportation between campuses for the event: <a href=”mailto:curca@ung.edu”> CURCA@ung.edu</a>.

UNG Annual Research Conference 2017

ARC Program 2017

Due to the high global demand for petroleum based products and fossil fuels, scientists are actively searching for alternative and bio-renewable energy sources. The US. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a list of the “Top 10 + 4” bio-based chemicals, with furan-containing compounds highlighted for their high potential in the production of biofuels and petroleum based compounds. The enzyme of interest, MfnB, is found most prominently in methanogens and has the ability to takes two molecules of simple compounds glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to create a furan-containing compound. As one can imagine, industrial applications of MfnB might usher in a new era for the synthesis of furan compounds to be used in the generation of liquid fuel via enzyme-catalyzed reactions. In order to achieve such a goal, we need to first understand how the MfnB enzyme works and the structure of MfnB. In doing so, we can elucidate what makes it unique compared to other enzymes in producing such complex compounds. Through site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic study and structural study, our team seeks to understand MfnB catalytic mechanism. Primers carrying desired mutation have been made, and we are currently in the process of introducing the mutations into the gene. Candidates for mutation were chosen based on structural analysis and a sequence alignment of close relatives of methanogens in which amino acids were conserved. The modifications are introduced in order to determine which amino acids are functional in the mechanistic pathway. Understanding this unique mechanism will add greatly to existing knowledge in the field of biochemistry to determine why this enzyme can carry out five reactions as opposed to the usual two (?).Uncovering the molecular basis of catalytic mystery will serve as the basis for enzyme engineering. The engineered catalytic machinery can then be used for generating building block compounds to meet the needs of industrial biofuel production and the fabrication of other biomaterial products.

5. Mechanism of the enzymatic synthesis of furan-containing compound

Mosquitoes are known to vector a wide variety of parasites and pathogens, including Dirofilaria immitis (dog heartworm) and other nematode worms. Both mosquitoes and nematodes are known to be hosts of intracellular bacteria, such as Wolbachia, with different effects on the hosts. Wolbachia infection can be detrimental to mosquitoes, for instance causing reduced vectorial capacity and sterility, while infection enhances virulence, survival, and reproduction, of parasitic nematodes. An understanding of the dynamics among these three organisms can give insights into ways these relationships can be exploited to control disease transmission. We propose weekly surveys of mosquito populations on the UNG, Gainesville campus by setting up two Sentinel 2 traps. The two traps will be placed on prominent locations, with signs posted alongside in order to provide impactful information to the UNG community. After trapping, we will identify all mosquitoes to species and sex, then dissect females for the presence of nematode worms. Using Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards, which can be used to extract, isolate, and store DNA, we propose to screen for the presence of Wolbachia DNA in both mosquitoes and nematodes. We will use quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to measure the degree of Wolbachia infection. This project aims to both determine and inform the community of the potential of local mosquitoes to transmit infectious diseases to both humans and pets. Future directions include applications of these findings in an attempt to control mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.

23. Surveillance of Mosquito Populations and the Occurrence of  Nematodes and Wolbachia Infections on the UNG-Gainesville Campus

Avian diseases in poultry have been well studied. Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) and Mycoplasma are two pathogens that have ample documentation about infection rates in poultry. Both of these diseases can be transmitted by other species of birds, including songbirds (Order: Passeriformes). However, studies on wild birds as disease vectors and available literature on the “spill over” between wild birds and poultry flocks are minimal. Therefore, any surveillance of wild songbird populations for the prevalence of these diseases will greatly expand our current knowledge about potential transmission between poultry flocks and wild birds. A recent study showed birds with a current infection are less likely to exhibit regular behaviors including flight. Considering this, we do not expect to find any positive samples. However, if birds are found to be carrying these pathogens, we will build a database of species that test positive for the study pathogens and their migratory patterns. This will enable better understanding of what regions of domestic poultry flocks are more susceptible to infection of these pathogens by the songbirds in that area. This study collected and tested fecal and visceral samples of resident and migratory wild birds in Georgia and will increase the literature on wild birds as disease vectors to the domestic poultry flocks of financial importance in the State of Georgia.

Infectious Disease Survey of Migratory Birds in Georgia

My research is focused on the Appalachian community of Batesville, Georgia. The purpose of my research is to prove that Appalachian kinship communities are still existing and essential to being classified as Appalachian. I accomplish this through the analysis of the history of the Batesville community. Three aspects that are represented in an Appalachian kinship community are: yeoman/self-sustaining mentality, tightly knit families, and comradery shared between neighbors. By possessing these qualities, Appalachian kinship communities are able to express happiness despite the struggles they encounter throughout their history which shows their resiliency. My research also proves that Appalachian kinship communities still exist. Like other Appalachian communities, Batesville experiences economic hardships throughout their history as well. Illegal whiskey production and distribution is one of the common coping mechanisms used by the people in the Batesville region in order to satisfy their essential needs. Batesville was also a community that was used to generate revenue for the local logging industry. Whiskey stills and logging industries are notorious characteristics of Appalachian communities, but the significance is seen through the people of those communities. The purpose of making illegal whiskey and working for logging industries, that were ultimately destroying their homeland, was to survive. Batesville is a prime example of this but more importantly they did not just survive, they thrived. Although that might not seem like the case to outsiders, the joy shared within the community and family proves otherwise.

Batesville, Georgia: Appalachia Kinship Community

Previous studies have shown that bacteria found on public wheelchairs can spread illnesses in healthcare settings, but there is little research on whether patient-owned wheelchairs spread pathogens to the public. Wheelchairs are frequently cleaned in healthcare settings with a variety of agents. We sought to find out what pathogenic bacteria are on patient-owned wheelchairs and whether or not patients cleaned their chairs. We collected swabbed samples from the transport handles, armrests, seats, rims of the wheels, and anti-tipping bars from twelve wheelchairs included by swabbing each location for 30 seconds. Additionally, the owners of the wheelchairs filled out a brief questionnaire regarding their use and age of the wheelchair. Once samples were received, they were plated on tryptic soy agar (TSA) and incubated at 33 ̊C for 24 hours. After the incubation period, the plates were removed, examined, counted, and later identified using the Biolog GEN III Bacterial Identification System. We found that seats and armrests of adult wheelchairs consistently had the highest number of colony forming units (CFU) when counted. A pediatric wheelchair had the highest concentration of bacteria on the transport handles (where caregiver holds on) due to the patient’s inability to use their arms. A Bacterial Count Index was also established for comparison of the samples. Opportunistic pathogens such as: Bacillus pumilis/sefensis and Streptococcus salivarius ss salivarius were also identified.

10. Analysis of Bacteria from Patient-Owned Wheelchairs

There is a well-documented increase in the use, misuse, and diversion of prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD, especially for adolescents. Considering the sensitivity of neural development during adolescence, there is a need to investigate the implications of these drug exposures. We previously studied the alteration of dopamine- and neuroplasticity-related gene expressions in the dopaminergic prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum (STR) following exposure to clinically relevant doses of amphetamine (Adderall; AMPH) and methylphenidate (Ritalin; MPD). From our findings, we hypothesized that MPD exposure has neurotoxic implications, decreasing gene expression, and AMPH-induced neuroplasticity is coupled with change in neurotoxicity gene expressions. Female and male C57Bl/6J mice were given 1mg/kg of AMPH, MPD, or an equivalent volume of saline during early adolescence (P22-31). After the last injection, the STR and PFC were micro-dissected and the total RNA from each region was isolated. We noted mRNA expression changes of genes using a PCR neurotoxicity-array in several functional domains using quantitative RT-PCR. In both the PFC the STR, drug, drug by sex, and drug by sex by domain differences were noted. With many alterations inducing apoptosis and few inhibiting apoptosis, apoptosis is a candidate for neurotoxic effects in both AMPH and MPD treatments. Overall the genetic expression patterns suggest a greater effect in the male PFC. The drug-induced effects extrapolated provide valuable insight into the susceptibility to drug-induced neurotoxicity during this key developmental window of early adolescence. Such long-term susceptibility to psychostimulant-induced neurotoxicity has many implications to include neuroplasticity, behavioral regulation, and clinical outcomes.

31. Neurotoxicity Gene Expression Following Adolescent Amphetamine and Methylphenidate Exposure

There are countless differences between males and females from the way they look, voice pitch, muscle tone, etc. Some would argue that the variations between men and women are solely due to genetics, but there are distinctions that are not influenced by genetics. One such distinction is the imbalance of language use among males and females. This paper aims to explore the research of multiple linguistic variables specific to men and to women while also revealing how societal expectations influence language differences. The topics to be address are word choice variation, conversational styles, hypercorrect English, tag questions, disclaimers, and the entrapment of gender roles. Also, to determine if the research holds up, I included my own research gathered from a three question survey. The paper concludes with a study that exposes the unfortunate consequences of attempting to break away from gender roles and why they continue to thrive in modern society.
Keywords: linguistics, tag questions, disclaimers, gender roles, expletive, hypercorrect English, conversation style, word choice, miscommunication, and audience

Effects of Societal Gender Roles on Male and Female Language Use and Communication

Following the discovery of gold in the north Georgia mountains, new and complicated mining techniques were introduced, irreversibly transforming the landscape in and around Lumpkin County in the mid-nineteenth century. Complex networks of mining ditches were constructed to direct high-pressure water to hydraulic mining operations in Dahlonega. Although largely forgotten, these ditches remain visible across much of Lumpkin County, hidden in the woods and under decades of leaf litter. This paper discusses the archaeological investigation of the mining ditches present in the county, reporting data collected from archived maps and historical sources. During the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017, historical documents including maps, letters, and newspaper articles were collected, facilitating the creation of a modern, georeferenced map displaying the locations of many of the ditches in the county. Solutions to problems associated with georeferencing these older, archival maps will be presented. Results of this archaeological investigation demonstrate the scale of hydraulic mining operations in Lumpkin County and provide the basis for a broader investigation of the consequent landscape transformation.

Archaeological Documentation and Assessment of Hydraulic Mining Ditches in Lumpkin County, GA

Wildlife populations continue to decline; it is imperative that sensitive populations are continually monitored, but there are not enough qualified individuals for this. We designed a three-week summer course, first taught in 2016, titled “Plant and Animal Interactions” (PAI) with all three authors involved in the course, two are teachers Dr. Evan Lampert and Dr. James Diggs, and one was a student (JBF). The goal of PAI is to teach undergraduates how to observe the interspecific interactions between populations of plants and animals, specifically phylum Arthropoda. Undergraduates are trained in the collection and identification, to order, of insects, and the identification, to family, of plants. Students are taught how to lay out transect lines, set up quadrants, and how to identify herbivory patterns. The 2016 class culminated in a trip to The Kathy Stiles Freeland Bibb County Glades Preserve, a plant biodiversity hot spot with eight endemic plant taxa and 60 plant taxa of conservation concern, to practice all field techniques learned. Over 1500 observations of interactions between arthropods and rare, endemic plants were produced by undergraduate students who became more confident with field work and possessed a greater interest in the natural sciences.

UNG Annual Research Conference 2017

Best Presentation Prize for completed essays/posters

Items in this collection

ARC Program 2017

5. Mechanism of the enzymatic synthesis of furan-containing compound

23. Surveillance of Mosquito Populations and the Occurrence of Nematodes and Wolbachia Infections on the UNG-Gainesville Campus

Infectious Disease Survey of Migratory Birds in Georgia

Batesville, Georgia: Appalachia Kinship Community

10. Analysis of Bacteria from Patient-Owned Wheelchairs

31. Neurotoxicity Gene Expression Following Adolescent Amphetamine and Methylphenidate Exposure

Effects of Societal Gender Roles on Male and Female Language Use and Communication

Archaeological Documentation and Assessment of Hydraulic Mining Ditches in Lumpkin County, GA

FINDINGS OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS CODUCTING ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS IN THE BIBB COUNTY GLADES “BOTANICAL LOST WORLD”.

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Items in this collection

ARC Program 2017