2015 arkansas undergraduate research conference proceedings

2015

Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference

& 99th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas

Academy of Science

Joint Meeting

April 10 & 11, 2015 Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, Arkansas

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Mission of the Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference

The mission of the Arkansas Undergraduate Research Conference is to provide in one combined activity, a place for undergraduate students to present original research findings, as defined by their field of study. Open discussion, honest criticism, and sincere encouragement are critical to the success of the conference. Finally, it is hoped that this opportunity will be available for all, especially for whom presentation at national professional meetings might be unavailable.

HSU Undergraduate Research Committee

T. David Bateman – Undergraduate Research Director, Assistant Professor of ChemistryLea Ann Alexander – Associate Librarian Martin Campbell –Professor of Chemistry

Rafael Bejarano – Associate Professor of PsychologyVal Gudrian – Assistant Professor of German

Ajay Aggarwal – Associate Professor of ManagementFranc Hudspeth – Assistant Professor of Counselor Education

Steven Todd – Assistant Professor of PhilosophyPatrick Wempe – Associate Professor of Recreation

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The Arkansas Academy of Science

The Arkansas Academy of Science began meeting in 1917 as a group of scientists wishing to establish regular avenues of communication with one another and promote science and the dissemination of scientific information in the state. The Academy is a volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan, non-political, professional organization consisting of scientists who pay dues to join with other scientists to promote science in the state and region. Funds generated by the Academy annual membership dues provide students with assistance to attend college, conduct research, and provide for travel, supplies, and other expenses through grants and awards. They also support the annual meeting of the Academy. They are also used for encouragement to Arkansas students access to college and attainment of college degrees. By further promoting the work of Arkansas students, the Academy increases collaboration among the scientific community and provides a more comprehensive network for scientific academics. These endeavors promote a higher standard of education within Arkansas and will encourage and promote a higher quality of life through educational opportunities.

The Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science is published yearly in April containing the proceedings of the scientific contributions from the previous Academy meeting. It is distributed to libraries in 30 of our 50 states, 25 foreign countries, is included in at least ten abstracting services, and is listed in the State Academies of Science Abstracts.

Officers of the Academy

President: Dr. Abdel Bachri Department of Chemistry & Physics, Southern Arkansas University

President Elect: Dr. Ann Willyard, Department of Biology, Hendrix College

Vice President: Dr. Edmond Wilson, Department of Chemistry, Harding University

Past-President: Dr. Jeff W. Robertson, Department of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

Secretary: Dr. Jeff W. Robertson, Department of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

Treasurer: Dr. Mostafa Hemmati, Department of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

Journal Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Mostafa Hemmati, Dept. of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

Journal Managing Editor: Dr. Ivan Still, Department of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

Newsletter Editor: Dr. R. Panneer Selvam, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Arkansas

Historian: Dr. Collis Geren, 16116 Pin Oak Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701

AAS Representative to the AAAS: Dr. Charles Mebi, Department of Physical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University

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Schedule and Table of ContentsFriday April 10, 2015

Executive Committee Meeting, 11:30Garrison Activity Center, Wilson Room

Registration & Check-In, & AAS Journal Pick-up 12:30-5:00 pmGarrison Activity Center, Ross Room

Oral Presentations 2:00 pmFriday Oral Presentation Schedule

Session Title Location Page

1 Biology: ecology and genetics Reynolds 120 72 Biology: morphology and notes Reynolds 303 83 Chemistry: theoretical and synthesis Reynolds 322 94 Chemistry: analytical and biochem Reynolds 330 105 Physics and Engineering Reynolds 127 116 Psychology I Garrison - Galloway 127 Psychology II Garrison - Wilson 13

Interdisciplinary Poster Session 5:00 pmGarrison 2nd Floor, Ball Room List of titles Page 17 - 24

Banquet and Keynote Address 6:30 pmMark A. Williamson, PhD – Geochemist, Geochemical Solutions, LLC.

"Why Research?"Garrison Center Ball Room

Keynote Speaker Biography Page 6Poster Titles Page 17Abstracts Listed Alphabetically by First Author Page 25Index of Authors Page 70Announcement of Next Year’s Meeting Page 73

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Schedule and Table of ContentsSaturday April 11, 2015

Registration, Check-in and Continental Breakfast 7:30-10:00 amReynolds Science Center Lobby

Oral Presentations 8:30 am

Session Title Location Page

8 Biology: Notes and Ecology Reynolds 120 149 Chemistry general Reynolds 330 1510 Physics and Computer Science Reynolds 322 16

General Meeting of the Membership 11:30 amReynolds 322Everyone is encouraged to attend and participate in thisAnnual general membership meeting. Come see whatYou have been missing!

Keynote Speaker Biography Page 6Poster Titles Page 17Abstracts Listed Alphabetically by First Author Page 25Index of Authors Page 70Announcement of Next Year’s Meeting Page 73

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Keynote AddressIntroduction by Dr. Ingo Schranz, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Mark A. Williamson, PhDGeochemist

Geochemist, Geochemical Solutions, LLC. Environment, Forensics, Engineering

"Why Research?""Research has been described as the scholarly pursuit of new

knowledge, discovery, or creative activity in an area with the goal of advancing that area's frontiers or boundaries. The foremost reason for conducting research can be as varied as the people

who are asked. However, there are several over-arching reasons that lay the foundation of why we research. Among these are the

joy of direct experience, personal growth, search for beauty or truth, and a commitment to reason in problem solving. To be

human is to pursue these ends and is the answer to the question “Why research”.”

Profile: Dr. Williamson is an environmental geochemist with over 25 years of experiencing in consulting, basic/applied research and educational settings. Mark has worked extensively with the mining and associated industries and has been involved in geochemical studies and site evaluations across the United States as well as the Philippines, Peru, Australia, Indonesia, Argentina, Canada and Magnolia. Dr. Williamson has substantial experience with acid rock drainage (ARD), which began 25 years ago with his Ph.D. graduate studies in the kinetics of pyrite oxidation and sulfur geochemistry. His experience also includes characterization of mine material for potential ARD formation using industry standard methods, prediction of water quality from mine facilities, support for engineered construction design of mine waste facilities, pit lake evaluations, and water treatment design support. In addition to ARD, Mark has conducted studies involved with metals in aquatic and terrestrial environments, geochemical engineering, and the fate and transport of chemicals in the environment. He also has provided expert witness forensic support in a number of matters.

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Friday Oral Sessions Begin at 2:00 pm

Session 1 Biology Ecology and genetics Reynolds 120Chairperson: Cynthia Fuller, Henderson State University

2:00 Available Forage in Shorebird Habitat in Southeast ArkansasJean E. Aycock and Christopher G. Sims, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

2:20 Natural Nutrient Sources in the Cache River Watershed, ArkansasMary K. Kilmer, Nicole Poe, Shelby Chappell, and Jennifer L. Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

2:40 Fruit Consumption Rates and Potential Seed Dispersal Species for the American PersimmonJillian F. del Sol, Charli N. Davis, Natalie Skinner, Mimi Rebein, and Matthew D. Moran, Ph.D.Hendrix College

3:00 Ecology of the Trapdoor Spider, Myrmekiaphila comstocki, in the Ouachita Mountains of ArkansasLaurence M. Hardy, Ph.D.Ouachita Mountains Biological Station

3:20 Break

3:50 Introduction of Florida Bass Alleles into Largemouth Bass Inhabiting Northeast Arkansas Stream SystemsWilliam J. Brockway and Ronald L. Johnson, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

4:10 Expression Analysis of an Insect Glucose Oxidase Transgene in TobaccoJesse B. Kitchens, Jordan Burt, Colby Smith, and Nathan Reyna, Ph.D.Ouachita Baptist University

4:30 Investigating the Effect of Stratospheric Radiation on Seed Germination and GrowthKiara V. Newhouse, Bryant Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

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Session 2 Biology Morphology and Field Notes Reynolds 303Chairperson: . Henderson State University

2:00 The Prevelance of Patellar Tendonitis in Men's and Women's SportsTerance A. Carter and Margaret Tudor, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:20 Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Three-toed Box Turtles, Terrapene Carolina triunguis (Reptilia: Testudines), from Arkansas and OklahomaC.T. McAllister1, R.S. Seville2, D. Motriuk-Smith2, C. Hudson2, M.B. Connior3 and H.W. Robison4

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming-Casper, Casper, WY 826013Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 7271249717 Wild Mountain Road, Sherwood, AR 72120

2:40 Red Crossbill Invasion of Northwestern Arkansas during Winter 2012-2013Kimberly G. Smith and Joseph C. Neal University of Arkansas

3:00 Atypical Head Markings of the Ouachita Map Turtle in the Upper Ouachita River of ArkansasAllison Surf and Renn Tumlison, Ph.D.Henderson State University

3:20 Break

3:50 Testicular Histology and Sperm Morphometrics of the Bird-voiced Treefrog, Hyla avivoca (Anura: Hylidae), from ArkansasStan E. Trauth, Chris S. Thigpen, and Matt B. ConniorArkansas State University

4:10 New and Noteworthy Additions of Vascular Plants to the Arkansas FloraTyler L. Childs, Sydney Grant, Tiffany Graves, Ethan Holicer, Seth McBroom, Logan Thomas, Allen Leible, James Peck* and Brett Serviss, Ph.D. Henderson State University *University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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Session 3 Chemistry: Theoretical and Synthesis Reynolds 322Chairperson: Bradley Rowland, PhD Henderson State University

2:00 Semi-empirical Quantum Chemical Calculations of Al3+-bound Amino Acid Complexes Modeled for Neurodegenerative DiseasesSteven Adams, Fontaine Talyor, Jacques Iragena, and Frank Hahn, Ph.D.Philander Smith College

2:20 Thickness Uniformity for PECVD SiNDaniel Bullock, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

2:40 Synthesis and Characterization of Copper(II) Complex with Hexadentate Hemi-Cage LigandMegan Fuller, Charles Mebi, and Anwar Bhuiyan, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

3:00 Bond Valence-Length Relationships from Atomic Orbital ExponentsFranklin D. Hardcastle, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

3:20 Break

3:50 Bond Valence = Bond Length Relationships for Carbon-Carbon and Carbon-Oxygen BondsConner Harris and Franklin D. Hardcastle, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

4:10 Electrodeposition of Copper Sulfide Rods and WhiskersMichael Jason Newell, Joshua Vangilder, Maqsood Ali Mughal, Kayla Wood, Shyam Thapa, and Robert Engelken, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

4:30 The Use of a Dinuclear Molybdenum Oxalate Quinolinium Salt as an Oxidizing AgentJake G. Windley and Burt Hollandsworth, Ph.D.Harding University

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Session 4 Chemistry: Analytical and biochemistry Reynolds 330Chairperson: Vincent Dunlap, Ph.D. Henderson State University

2:00 Design of Tautomerically Ambiguous Cytosine-Based Nucleosides as Potential Anti-HIV AgentsDuy Ha, Chase Elkin, and Vincent K. Dunlap, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:20 RNA Phosphoramidite Monomer Synthesis: An Examination of Phosphite Selectivity ImprovementSarah Holt, Kyle Harvey, and Vincent K. Dunlap, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:40 Development of a Quantification Method for Gold Nanoparticles in Mass Spectrometry ImagingGunnar A. Klemmer Harding University

3:00 Analysis of Two Base-Ring Ware II Juglets from the Late Bronze Age for Opioid Derivatives via GC-MSJackson R. Petty and Dennis Province, Ph.D.Harding University

3:20 Break

3:50 Development of Breath Analysis MethodsMaegen L. Sloan and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

4:10 BalloonSAT: High Altitude Measurement of Methane ConcentrationJennifer R. Sullivan, Bryant Fong, and Tillman Kennon, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

4:30 Determination of Mercury in Living and Non-living SystemsJames Lowe, Dylan Campbell, David May, Allie Davis, Allison Surf, T. David Bateman, Ph.D. and Renn Tumlison, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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Session 5 Physics and Engineering Reynolds 127Chairperson: Rick McDaniels, Ph.D. Henderson State University

2:00 Terrain Effects on Tornado’s Path DeviationNawfal S. Ahmed and R. Panneer Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

2:20 Wave Profile for Anti-force Waves with Maximum Possible CurrentsM. Hemmati, R. Horn, W.C. Childs and A.K. MeredithArkansas Tech University

2:40 Calculus PathologiesShomari Hunter and Duane Jackson, Ph.D.Henderson State University

3:00 Generation of Ince-Gaussian Laser BeamsKelsey D. Ray and Jessica Young, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

3:20 Break

3:50 Control and Power Factor Analysis of a Solid State DC TransformerHussain Sayed, Ahmed Zurfi, and Jing Zhang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

4:10 High Resolution Spectroscopic Studies of Earth’s AtmosphereEmily J. Valerio and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

4:30 Atmospheric and Solar Laboratory at HardingKyung Yoon and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

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Session 6 Psychology Garrison: GalllowayChairperson: Henderson State University Psychology Faculty

2:00 Blurred Family Lines: How Surrogate Parenting Styles Affect Children Throughout Their LivesMatt D. Baldwin and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:20 The myGaze® Eye Tracker: A Visionary Device for a Visionary ExperimenterLogan Elmore and Emilie Beltzer, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:40 Is it Better to be Loved or Feared?Brittany A. Freeman and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

3:00 The Effect of Computer-Based, Interactive Modules on Student Learning of DiffusionRachel M. Rowland, J. Steve Oliver, Georgia W. Hodges, and Janet Lanza, Ph.D.University of Georgia

3:20 Break

3:50 Causes and Consequences of Rivalry: How Do Rivals See Each Other?Steven H. Jacobs and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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Session 7 Psychology II Garrison: WilsonChairperson: Henderson State University Psychology Faculty

2:00 What's Wrong With Harley Quinn? Systematically Eliminating Potential DiagnosesAshley R. Bles and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:20 Red Hood Vigilantism: Manhood, Motivation, and MurderDillon C. Hall and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

2:40 Motives and Methods of Machiavellian Manipulation in "Batman: Hush"Coley R. Henson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State Universtiy

3:00 Beyond Batgirl: Posttraumatic Recovery and Coping MechanismsBrian C. Maulden and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

3:20 Break

3:50 The Dark Knight Shines: Practical vs Positive Motives for Helping Others Meet Their PotentialO'Dell R. Perry-Johnson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

4:10 Relationships between Asociality and Manipulativeness: Can you Manipulate People Without Understanding Them?Darian N. Sisson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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Saturday Oral Sessions Begin at 8:30 am

Session 8 Biology: Notes and Ecology Reynolds 120Chairperson: Ph.D. Henderson State University

8:30 Genetic Analysis of Bacteria from Cave Crickets from Blanchard Springs Caverns, ArkansasLeah Efird, Itzela Cruz, Caitlyn Gosch, Taylor Lee, Charlotte Wetzlar, and James Engman, Ph.D.Henderson State University

8:50 The Arkansas Endemic Flora and Fauna: An Update with Additional SpeciesH.W. Robison1, and C.T. McAllister2

19717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 721202Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745

9:10 Tree Morticulture to Produce Food Plots for WoodpeckersSeth W. Pearson and Robin M. Verble-Pearson, Ph.D.Texas Tech University

9:30 Break – Reynolds Lobby

9:50 Recent History of Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) Observations in Arkansas, With Notes on the Individual Killed in Bradley County, Arkansas in 2014Renn Tumlison1 and Mark Barbee2

1Henderson State University, 2Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Monticello, AR 71655

10:10 New Records and Observations of the American Badger (Taxidea taxus) in ArkansasRenn Tumlison1 and Blake Sasse2

1Henderson State University 2Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mayflower, AR 72106

10:30 Vertebrate Natural History Notes from Arkansas, 2015R. Tumlison1, M.B. Connior2, H.W. Robison3, C.T. McAllister4, L.A. Durden5, D.B. Sasse6, and D.A. Saugey7 1Henderson State University, 2South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado, AR 71730, 39717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 7212, 4Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 7474, 5Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, 6Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mayflower, AR 72106, 7Nightwing Consulting, Jessieville, AR 71949

10:50 Fire in Ozark Oak ForestsRobin M. Verble-Pearson, Ph.D.Texas Tech University

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Session 9 Chemistry Reynolds 330Chairperson: Bradley Rowland, PhD Henderson State University

8:30 Solubility Studies of Titan’s Hydrocarbon LakesMalissa M. Hoehn, Brandon M. Daughety, and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

8:50 Titan: A Model for Early Earth?Connor D. Purvis and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

9:10 Physiological Effects of Massage Therapy in College Students and the ElderlyHunter Wayland, Christine Dickson, Anneq Ahmad, Ph.D., T. David Bateman, Ph.D.Henderson State University


9:50 Analysis of Byproducts of Lactobacillus and Yeast Species Metabolism in Water Kefir via Gas ChromatographyJustin Hunn and Dennis Province, Ph.D.Harding University

10:10 Development of Higher Impulse Hybrid Rocket MotorsRachel A. Beeman and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

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Session 10 Physics and Computer Science Reynolds 322Chairperson: Henderson State University

8:30 Robotic Arm for Space MissionsStephanie J. Inabnet and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

8:50 An Inversion Algorithm with Bayesian FormulationYijun YuPhilander Smith College

9:10 Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation Motor Drive for a Battery ElectricOsman A. Martinez and Kevin R. Lewelling, Ph.D.University of Arkansas - Fort Smith


9:50 WIFI Guidance of the Mars RoverDaniel H. Schwartz and Kevin R. Lewelling, Ph.D.University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

10:10 Smart Phone Control of Robotic VehiclesShelby V. Sorrells and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

10:30 High Resolution Spectrograph DesignBrennan M. Thomason, Stephanie J. Inabnet, Tamara B. Thomason, and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

10:50 Comparing the Effect of a Hemispherical Dome and a Rectangular Prism Building on Tornado Wind Using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Simulation.Majdi A. Yousef and Panneer R. Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

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All Disciplines Poster Session

Garrison Center – Banquet Room Friday, 5:00 PMSession Chair: Tommy Finley, Ph.D. Henderson State University

Abstracts Listed Alphabetically by First Author

1. A Study of the Correlations Between Bulge Luminosity and the Maximum Rotation Velocity for Spiral GalaxiesIsmaeel A. Al-Baidhany, Wasmaa A. Jabbar, and Sami S. Chiad, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

2. A Study of the Relation Between the Spiral Arm Pitch Angle and the Momentum Parameter of the Host Spiral GalaxiesIsmaeel A. Al-Baidhany, Wasmaa A. Jabbar, and Sami S. Chiad, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

3. Poly(ionic) Liquids: Imidazoles with Ester LinkagesMary A. Andrews and Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D.Henderson State University

4. Diversity of Freshwater Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae) Evaluated by Sequence Analysis of the Plastid Gene, ccs1Jakyra Austin, Alice Cardona-Otero, Miguel Taylor, Marvin Fawley, and Karen Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

5. First-GenerationMatt D. Baldwin and Emilie Beltzer, Ph.D.Henderson State University

6. Evaluation of the Plastid Gene ccsA for Use in Delimiting Species of the Alga, Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae)Roberto Bernal, Frederica Davidson, Karen Fawley, and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

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Authors should have poster mounted before 5:00 and should be present at least 30 minutes during the poster session to talk about their work. Authors must post on board with their poster number in order fo judging to be successful. Posters should be removed after the banquet.

7. The Laws of Attraction: Batman and Bad GirlsEmily J. Blanton and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

8. Metarhizium Attachment FactorsSusie Brown, Kesha Pilot, Stefan jaronski, and Cynthia A. Fuller, Ph.D.Henderson State University

9. Growth of Soccer in the US: MLS Marketing to MillennialsChristian T. Buechel and Sarah Jensen, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

10. Malignant Narcissism: The Dark Side of Loving YourselfErica L. Chafton and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

11. Effects of Leaf Litter on Dissolved Nutrient Levels in Natural StreamsShelby B. Chappell and Jennifer Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

12. Natural Product Discovery through Bioassay Methods on Ilex deciduaOktawia Clem and Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D.Henderson State University

13. Riddle Me Not: Cognitive Challenges and Criminal BehaviorMichelle L. Coley and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

14. Clowning Around: What Motivates a Multiple Murderer?Emily Culpepper and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

15. A Model for Character Strengths and Virtues: Lessons from Positive PsychologyLogan E. Elmore and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

16. Wavelength and Light Intensity Effects Photosynthesis and Growth of Selenastrum capricornutumAbby Fain and Jim Taylor, Ph.D.Ouachita Baptist University

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17. Characterization of Algal Strains from the Class Eustigmatophyceae Isolated from ArkansasKaren Fawley and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

18. Node Development in Free Wavepacket EvolutionJosh Ficut and Brad A. Rowland, Ph.D.Henderson State Univesity

19. Good Girls and Bad BoysRaven D. Gonzalez and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

20. The Killing Joke: Can Trauma Create a Psychopath?Connor A. Goodson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

21. A Natural Approach to Combatting Antibiotic Resistance in BacteriaLillian T. Howerton and Dale A. Amos, Ph.D.University of Arkansas- Fort Smith

22. Analysis of Byproducts of Lactobacillus and Yeast Species Metabolism in Water Kefir Via Gas ChromatographyRachel K. Humble and Elizabeth Margulis, Ph.D. University of Arkansas – Fayetteville

23. Ion Chromatography Characterization of Particles Collected from NE ArkansasJerry Jones, Bryant Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

24. Water Quality of the Wastewater ReachTiffany Hunnicutt, Elisa Neibling, Jana Strom, and Timothy S. Wakefield, Ph.D.John Brown University

25. Ion Chromatography Characterization of Particles Collected from NE ArkansasJerry Jones, Bryant Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

26. Analyzing Contact Metamorphism of the Stanley Shale in the Magnet ove Igneous Intrusive Complex

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Tyler Kee and Lindsey M. Waddell, Ph.D.Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

27. Aquatic Effects of a Localized Oil Spill on Lake Conway, AR and its TributariesMolly E. Kennon and Jennifer L. Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

28. Testicular Cycle and Spermatogenesis in the Rough Greensnake, Opheodrys aestivusJ.D. Konvalina, S.E. Trauth, and M.V. PlummerArkansas State University

29. Crepidostomum cornutum (Digenea: Allocreadiidae) from Midget Crayfish, Orconectes (Procericambarus) nana (Decapoda: Cambaridae), from ArkansasC.T. McAllister1, W. F. Font2 and H.W. Robison3 1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402 39717 Wild Mountain Road, Sherwood, AR 72120

30. Helminth Parasites of the Blackspotted Topminnow, Fundulus olivaceus (Cyprinodontiformes: Fundulidae), from the Interior Highlands of ArkansasC.T. McAllister1, C.R. Bursey2, T.J. Fayton3, W.F. Font4, H.W. Robison5, M.B. Connior6 and D.G. Cloutman7

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus, Sharon, PA 161463Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 395644Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana 7040259717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 721206Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 727127P. O. Box 197, Burdett, KS 67523

31. Acanthocephalan Parasites of Select Fishes (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae), from the White River Drainage, ArkansasC.T. McAllister1*, M.A. Barger2, T.J. Fayton3, M.B. Connior4, D.A. Neely5 and H.W. Robison6

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Peru State College, Peru, NE 68421

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3Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 395644Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 7271275Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Chattanooga, TN 37402569717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120

32. The Eastern Boxelder Bug, Boisea trivittata (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae): Confirmation in ArkansasS.W. Chordas III1 and C.T. McAllister2

1Center for Life Sciences Education, The Ohio State University, 260 Jennings Hall, 1735 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 2Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745

33. A Noteworthy Geographic Distributional Record for the Milliped, Apheloria virginiensis reducta (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae), from the Arkansas DeltaC.T. McAllister1, R. Tumlison2 and H.W. Robison3

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR 71999 39717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120

34. Gene Discovery for Bioactive Phenylpropanoids in Echinacea SpeciesLauren Clai E. Morehead, Jordyn Radke, and Stephen Grace, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

35. The Search for Antibiotic Producing Bacteria at Henderson State University, a Collaborative Effort by BIO3094 StudentsDaniel Morgan, Payten Frunzi, and Cynthia A. Fuller, Ph.D.Henderson State University

36. Closed-Form Representations for Exponential FormsNicole Nichiniello, Declan Mulhall, and Juan D. Serna, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

37. Comparative Study of Oil and Grease Analysis in Water SamplesAddison T. Ochs and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

38. Screening of Flathead Catfish for Heavy Metals in Ouachita River, ARCasey C. O'Hara and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

39. Monitoring Treated Wastewater Quality

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Kara A. O’Neal and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

40. A Device to Measure Skin Sensitivity to Nociceptive Heat Using a Photon Beam Heat SourceLinna J. Perkins, Walker, A.H.1, Griffith, M. R.2 , Dobretsov, M.3, Chowdhury, P.4

University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences(1)Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway AR 72035(2) Dept. of Radiation and Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72204(3)Dept. of Anestheology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72205(4)Dept. of Biophysics and Physiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72205

41. A Comparison of the Communities of the Alga, Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae), in Different Lakes in North Dakota and MinnesotaNelsha Peterson, Freddie Rivera, Samuel Vincent, Misty Hill, Karen Fawley, and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

42. Grief in GothamTiffany R. Pitcock and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

43. Continuity vs Stages: How Does Developmental Delay Impact Language Aquisition?Emily R. Reynebeau and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

44. Cabbage Inhibits Nitrate Reduction in Celery during StorageCynthia Robinson, Autumn Webb and Jinming Huang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

45. Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Turnover in Natural and Restored Forested Wetland Sites in Southeast ArkansasChris J. Sheldon, Robert L. Ficklin, and Stacy D. Wilson, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

46. High Altitude Light Intensity from Balloon Borne SensorsHeather R. Southe, Bryant Fong, and Tillmen Kennon, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

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47. Analysis of a Ribosomal Protein Gene in Tumor DevelopmentSeth St. John, Wray Devon, Helen Beneš, and Mary Stewart, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

48. The Tangential Velocity Profile Within a Viscous VortexMatthew N. Strasser and Rathinam P. Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

49. New Host and County Records of the Fish Leech Cystobranchus klemmi (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) in ArkansasChristopher S. Thigpen, Lina I. Bagwell, John D. Konvalina, Samuel A. Schratz, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

50. New County Record of Black-Spot Disease in ArkansasChristopher S. Thigpen, Lina I. Bagwell, John D. Konvalina, Samuel A. Schratz, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

51. A Case of Frugivory in a Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) from Northeastern ArkansasChristopher S. Thigpen, Travis D. Marsico, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.rkansas State University

52. Status of Renewable Energy Research at Arkansas State UniversityJoshua Vangilder, Kayla Wood, Shyam Thapa, Maqsood Mughal, Michael Newell, and Robert Engelken, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

53. Molecular Cloning to Improve Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion Assays in Dicytostelium discoideumOlivia Vogel, Ericka Vogel, and Kari Naylor, Ph.D.University of Central Arkansas

54. Research Kinetics of Carbonate Aerosols in Carboxylic Acid EnvironmentsKristiana A. Watson, Bryant N. Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

55. Origins of Serial and Spree MurderDylan A. Weaver and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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56. Recolonization of Meiofauna after Physical Disturbance in a Gravel Bed StreamMelissa K. Welch, Laura Berryman, Shrijeeta Ganguly, and Arthur V. Brown, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

57. Model Identification and Wall-Plug Efficiency Measurement of White LED ModulesAhmed Zurfi and Jing Zhang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

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Complete Listing of Abstracts

Listed alphabetically by last name of first author

Semi-empirical Quantum Chemical Calculations of Al3+-bound Amino Acid Complexes Modeled for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Steven Adams, Fontaine Talyor, Jacques Iragena, and Frank Hahn, Ph.D.Philander Smith College

Recent studies have shown that oxidative processes of metal-binding (Cu, Al, etc.) amino acid residues such as methionine (Met), histidine (His), tyrosine, (Tyr), glutamic acid (Glu), etc., have been known to form conformational change of pathogenic proteins (e.g., β-amyloid (AβP), α-synuclein, etc) for the neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), etc. In this study, theoretical semiempirical calculations for newly constructed 3-D modeled compounds between pathogenic amino acids and aluminum metal ion (Al3+) were performed by AM1 and MNDO approximations in gas and water phases to investigate hermochemical properties of the neuronal degenerative complexes. We found that AM1 in gas phase was a better computational approximation method of examining thermostabilities of the Al3+- amino acid complexes vs. MNDO based on the data comparison with NIST data of reference molecules. The obtained thermochemical stability order was Met>Tyr>His>Glu with Al3+. More interestingly, the newly obtained ΔHreaction revealed the specific coordinated chemical bond information of 4, 3, 2, and 4 for Glu-Al3+, His-Al3+, Met-Al3+, and Tyr-Al3+, respectively. The resulting data will have large potential impact on the development of drugs to inhibit those targeted coordinated bonds between the amino acids residues and Al3+ during conformation changes of the pathogenic proteins.

Terrain Effects on Tornado’s Path Deviation

Nawfal S. Ahmed and R. Panneer Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

Tornados are considered a major risk for lives and the economy. Researchers have investigated tornados in many avenues: tornado geneses, tornado forces, tornado damage, tornado path and direction, and tornado interaction with structures, etc. Recently few researchers reported from wind tunnel and computer model that when a tornado goes over a hill, the path of the tornado deviates. In this work further detailed study of the extent of path deviation for various ratios of tangential velocity to translational velocity are investigated. Wind tunnel, field and computer model data are investigated to examine the effects of topography on tornado path deviation (i.e. turns in tornado path while interacting with topography). Field data from both Tuscaloosa (2011) and Mayflower (2014) tornados is considered in this study to examine effects of topography on tornado path deviation. Computer model is utilized to run six different ratios of angular velocity to translational velocity (Vϴ/Vt) (i.e.1-4, 6, 8) and study the effects of changing this ratio on tornado path deviation. The topography shape considered in this work is a ridge. Results show that (Vϴ/Vt) ratio has significant influence on a tornado path deviation. As the ratio increases, the deviation shape changes from a straight line to single curvature then to double curvature. For ratio (Vϴ/Vt) =1, the deviation shape is almost a straight line. For 2≤ (Vϴ/Vt) <4, the deviation shape becomes a single curvature shape. When the ratio (Vϴ/Vt) ≥4, the deviation shape changes to double curvature. Numerical results for (Vϴ/Vt) ≥4 is comparable to wind tunnel data. Therefore the computer model is considered for further investigation. The University of Arkansas (UA) computer model results for tornado path deviation shape are comparable to both experimental and field data.

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A Study of the Correlations Between Bulge Luminosity and the Maximum Rotation Velocity for Spiral Galaxies

Ismaeel A. Al-Baidhany, Wasmaa A. Jabbar, and Sami S. Chiad, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The goal of this work is to study of the correlations between bulge luminosity and the maximum rotation velocity for spiral galaxies. In this work, the maximum rotational velocities (Vmax) were obtained from the HyperLeda, whereas values corrected for maximum velocity rotation corrected for inclination were estimated using the post basic calibrated data images taken on the Spitzer/IRAC 3.6µm images of 57 spiral galaxies of different morphological types. We found the bulge luminosity using a two-dimensional bulge-disk decompositions.

A Study of the Relation Between the Spiral Arm Pitch Angle and the Momentum Parameter of the Host Spiral Galaxies

Ismaeel A. Al-Baidhany, Wasmaa A. Jabbar, and Sami S. Chiad, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

In this work, we used a sample of 49 galaxies to show that there is a proportionality relation between the spiral arm pitch angle (P) and the momentum parameter (Mbulge σ*/c) of the host spiral galaxies, where Mbulge is mass of the bulge and σ* is the stellar velocity dispersion. We found the bulge mass using the virial relation Mbulge=Kσ2re/G with the virial coefficient K=5.0, while the stellar velocities dispersion were taken from the literature.

Poly(ionic) Liquids: Imidazoles with Ester Linkages

Mary A. Andrews and Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D.Henderson State University

It is well known that polymers can be created through condensation of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol giving an ester linked polymer and water. Starting with substituted imidazoles, we have designed a variety of N,N-substituted imidazolium diesters and dialcohols to become monomers in the synthesis of polyesters. These polyesters with imidazolium backbones are expected to be effectively odorless ionic liquid monomers that will lead to odorless polymers. A plastic of this nature would be useful for enclosed chambers in which air quality is extremely important.

Diversity of Freshwater Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae) Evaluated by Sequence Analysis of the Plastid Gene, ccs1

Jakyra Austin, Alice Cardona-Otero, Miguel Taylor, Marvin Fawley, and Karen Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

Characterization of diversity in microalgae has been limited by the paucity of morphological characters that can be used to discriminate among taxa. Recent research in our lab has shown that the small, coccoid alga, Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae) can be characterized by analysis of the DNA sequences of the plastid gene,

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rbcL and ccsA. The rbcL gene has previously been used to characterize different species of this genus, but the ccsA gene is much more variable and provides approximately twice as many variable characters as rbcL. However, additional loci that are highly variable would provide more characters that could be used for more robust phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses. By examining recently published chloroplast genomes of all the named species of Nannochloropsis, we determined that the gene ccs1 is similar in variability to ccsA. Primers were developed to amplify ccs1 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent DNA sequencing. Our results show that ccs1 locus reveals slightly more diversity among freshwater strains of Nannochloropsis than the ccsA locus. The combination of ccs1 and ccsA should be a powerful tool for understanding the taxonomy, ecology and phylogeography of these simple organisms.

Available Forage in Shorebird Habitat in Southeast Arkansas

Jean E. Aycock and Christopher G. Sims, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

Approximately 500,000 shorebirds travel through the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) each spring and fall. During migration, the average 40 g shorebird needs to eat approximately 8 g of invertebrates per day. While shorebird stopover habitat guidelines for the MAV are based on an expert estimate of 2 g of invertebrates/m2, this estimate has not been quantified in Arkansas. Invertebrate biomass available for shorebird foraging was examined on five properties in southeastern Arkansas during spring and fall migration (fall 2010, spring and fall 2011, and spring 2012). Macroinvertebrate biomass was less than the estimated 2 g/m2 in three of the four sampled seasons. Further validation of the expert invertebrate biomass estimate should be undertaken in the other regions of the MAV. These results suggest that current land management of shorebird stopover habitat in southeastern Arkansas is not providing adequate invertebrate forage to reach the current habitat management goals.

First-Generation

Matt D. Baldwin and Emilie Beltzer, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Enrollment and retention of first-generation students at colleges and universities across the United States pose unique challenges for those students, their professors, and the institution’s administration. First-generation students tend to be under-prepared educationally and can experience difficulty adjusting to an academic lifestyle. For these students, who characteristically possess strong work ethic, the frustrations accompanying these initial setbacks can quickly escalate into diminished self-confidence and motivation to succeed. Thereby prompting higher drop-out rates among these groups of students. To expose this phenomena I plan on proving that traditional freshman students who are undeclared majors are more susceptible to experiencing a diminished since of well-being than compared to traditional freshman students who have a declared course of study. The idea being that the lack of direction is the mitigating variable in poor student performance at universities and technical colleges across the country. This proposed work applies meaningfully to other “non-traditional” student populations (e.g. older individuals returning to school, prior military service, etc.) as well as to other contexts in areas of industrial-organizational psychology in which success at the group/organizational level is dependent on success at the individual/employee level.

Blurred Family Lines: How Surrogate Parenting Styles Affect Children Throughout Their Lives

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Matt D. Baldwin and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

How do parenting and grandparenting styles influence children while growing up and later on in life, and how do family upheavals such as parental death make a difference regarding the childs outlook on life, relationship success, self control, self esteem, and general development as a human being. Bruce Wayne, at an early age, tragically loses his nurturing, supportive parents. The family butler, Alfred Pennyworth, becomes his father figure. As an adult, Bruce (Batman) mentors several youngsters who experience their own life altering tragedies. What type of parenting style does Alfred use in raising Bruce, what style does Bruce raising the Robins, and how do their approaches differ? This fiction has real world implication regarding the modern family as a whole and the blurred lines in family roles.

Development of Higher Impulse Hybrid Rocket Motors

Rachel A. Beeman and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

Hybrid rocket motors are the main choice of the civilian space enterprise. This is because hybrid rocket motors are less complex, more robust, safer and less expensive than either solid rocket motors or liquid rocket motors as used in the Space Shuttle Program. The main drawback of hybrid rocket motors is the slightly lower thrust produced. Our goal is to see if the thrust of hybrid rocket motors can be improved by the use of different fuel grain materials than currently employed. At this time, hybrid motors are made almost exclusively of hydroxyterminated polybutadiene (HTPB). We are studying the feasibility of additive manufacturing (3D printing) of hybrid rocket motor fuel grains. Beginning with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer we print fuel grains of different geometries to increase the burning rate (fuel regressionrate) and thus the thrust. The results of our efforts will be reported.

Evaluation of the Plastid Gene ccsA for Use in Delimiting Species of the Alga, Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae)

Roberto Bernal, Frederica Davidson, Karen Fawley, and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

Nannochloropsis is a genus of algae comprised of very small (less than 5 μm) unicells and is known primarily from the marine environment. Nannochloropsis is a member of the class Eustigmatophyceae, a group of yellow-green algae that is related to diatoms and brown algae. Some strains of Nannochloropsis are important food organisms for aquaculture because they reproduce very rapidly and possess fatty acids that are not found in other types of phytoplankton. Species of marine Nannochloropsis are also under intense study as candidates for biofuel production. The seven species that have been described from the marine and freshwater systems cannot be discriminated by either light or electron microscopy, and therefore the species have been delimited primarily by DNA sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) and the plastid gene (rbcL) encoding a subunit of the photosynthetic protein Rubisco. We previously described some new varieties of the freshwater species N. limnetica from lakes in North Dakota and Minnesota, with identification based on 18S rDNA and rbcL. Although these new varieties varied from N. limnetica var. limnetica in rbcL sequences and (sometimes) morphology, we were unable to name these varieties as distinct species without sequence data from additional loci. Recently published chloroplast genome sequences from multiple species of Nannochloropsis can be used to assess the diversity of individual genes and design PCR primers to amplify highly variable regions. One plastid gene that is highly variable in Nannochloropsis is ccsA. We designed PCR primers for this gene and show that DNA sequences

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of the ccsA locus are approximately twice as variable as rbcL. Results of analysis of the ccsA sequences revealed previously undetected diversity among freshwater N. limnetica strains and the marine species, N. oceanica. Our study shows that the plastid gene ccsA can provide rapid assessment of the diversity and identities of strains of Nannochloropsis. The ccsA locus should be the gene of choice for future analyses of diversity and phylogeny of Nannochloropsis.

The Laws of Attraction: Batman and Bad Girls

Emily J. Blanton and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Why does Batman have so much trouble putting the beautiful bad girls away? Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn - even though all of them do bad things or walk in the grey, he still fails to put them away. Is it their beauty? Research shows that people in general are less likely to convict and punish attractive people. Is it his lust? Specific hormonal, neurological, social, and emotional factors could impair judgment when sexually aroused. Or could it be that in these women, he sees himself? The closest thing to a law in Social Psychology is that people tend to prefer others as a function of how similar they are to themselves. The possible explanations have significance when looking at real issues of interpersonal attraction, relationships, and criminal justice.

What's Wrong With Harley Quinn? Systematically Eliminating Potential Diagnoses

Ashley R. Bles and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Who is Harley Quinn? What’s really wrong with this fictional character? Is she an anti-hero, a good girl who just fell in with the wrong crowd, a female version of the Joker, or just plain crazy? Is she something else entirely? Using the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a guide, this presentation will analyze different potential diagnoses for Harley Quinn as depicted in comic books and other media. Potential diagnoses include histrionic, dependent, and antisocial personality disorders as well as psychopathy and obsessive compulsive disorder. Systematically eliminating unlikely diagnoses along the way can identify a best-fitting diagnosis. Diagnosing fictional characters like Harley can help students and professionals rehearse diagnostic procedures and better understand mental illnesses.

Introduction of Florida Bass Alleles into Largemouth Bass Inhabiting Northeast Arkansas Stream Systems

William J. Brockway and Ronald L. Johnson, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus) have been introduced throughout much of the southern U.S. for the past 40 years. This bass species readily hybridizes with the extant largemouth bass (M. salmoides) with no measureable loss of fitness. Within Arkansas, the Florida bass is currently stocked in the southern half of the state, yet historically was stocked through a greater range. Previous studies of a northern Arkansas hatchery and a reservoir revealed the existence of Florida bass alleles in each. Other studies in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas have revealed the presence of Florida bass alleles in stream systems proximal to lakes stocked. Our goal was to

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investigate, using microsatellite analysis of seven diagnostic loci, the presence of Florida bass alleles in a variety of northeastern Arkansas waters to determine if Florida bass or hybrids had escaped from stocked waters. We found rare instances of Florida bass alleles in several drainages consistent with previous studies demonstrating a lack of containment of Florida bass once stocked.

Metarhizium Attachment Factors

Susie Brown, Kesha Pilot, Stefan jaronski, and Cynthia A. Fuller, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Fungi in the genus Metarhizium are insect pathogens, whose natural habitat includes soil and insects, and a variety of plant species. Metarhizium strains are used as organic insecticides worldwide, and are being developed as commercial biological control insecticides in the US. Root colonization presents a novel approach for using these fungi, but field trials where fungi were applied to the soil or to root systems have yielded inconsistent protection against insect pests. Attachment factors for insects (MAD1) and plants (MAD2) are required for insect pathogenesis and plant colonization, respectively. While the presence and expression of the mad2 gene has been confirmed in strains of Metarhizium able to colonize cabbage, there has been little effort to assess whether other strains, including those being developed as biological control insecticides, possess or express the mad2 gene. The goals of this project are for undergraduate student researchers at Henderson State University to assess whether mad1 and mad2 genes are present in five strains of Metarhizium being developed as insecticides, and if so, to determine the functional expression of the MAD2 protein using onion skin attachment assays. Students have designed primers for mad1 and mad2, extracted fungal DNA and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thus far, both mad1 and mad2genes are present in four of the five Metarhizium strains. Students are currently developing protocols for performing plant adhesion assays, and these methods will be presented, as well as plans for future research.

Progress Toward Trifluoromethylated Curcumins

Jarrod D. Brown and Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Curcumin, a constituent of the widely used natural product turmeric, has been shown to possess significant biological properties including anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity. It suffers significantly from poor bioavailability, however, and often requires huge dosages to obtain significant medicinal benefit. Progress towards the synthesis of selectively trifluoromethylated curcumin analogues is reported. Replacing one or more hydrogens with a trifluoromethyl group has become an increasingly common and beneficial approach to seeking enhanced bioavailability in pharmaceuticals. We describe our attempts to prepare various trifluoromethylated vanillins, as key building blocks in the total synthesis of curcumin analogues bearing one trifluoromethyl group on each ring providing a way to attempt to make the well-documented properties of curcumin more accessible.

Growth of Soccer in the US: MLS Marketing to Millennials

Christian T. Buechel and Sarah Jensen, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

The purpose of this research is to highlight the importance of marketing to Millennials - people born after 1980 – to continue the growth of the United States’ domestic professional soccer league, the Major League Soccer, or simply abbreviated, MLS. Understanding the positioning of the league in the competitive American sports industry,

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this paper asserts the need for the MLS to differentiate itself through focusing primarily on this market segment. After explaining key characteristics that lend the importance of Millennials, this research will outline sthree crucial areas of focus for the MLS to create focused marketing directed towards Millennials. Research methods implemented in this study include both data gained from primary research in the form of a focus group and a survey, as well as secondary, historical data gathered from online and text resources. Quantitative and qualitative data will reinforce the initial beliefs that make Millennials the ideal marketing demographic to fuel the rising popularity of the MLS in the American sports market.

Thickness Uniformity for PECVD SiN

Daniel Bullock, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

Silicon nitride (SiN) is widely used as a passivation or encapsulation layer in the production of semiconductor devices. Typically this film is produced using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. In this paper we discuss a novel approach to the standard PECVD technique to SiN deposition by introducing a pulsatingplasma. Specifically, we investigated the thickness uniformity as a function of different process parameters, namely, RF power and process chamber pressure.

The Prevelance of Patellar Tendonitis in Men's and Women's Sports

Terance A. Carter and Margaret Tudor, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Very little research has been done that proves male athletes develop tendonitis more than female athletes. The research article by Sheri A. Hale reviews the etiology of patellar tendinopathy. This article discusses some of the questions about gender in patellar tendonitis. Some authors believed that extrinsic factors was the main cause of patellar tendonitis. Since most athletes play on the same surface with one another and not every athlete develops patellar tendonitis, this raised speculation to believe intrinsic factors must be involved. Gender would be considered an intrinsic factor when dealing with patellar tendonitis pathology. Lower extremity alignment was said to be the main cause of patellar tendonitis. Lower extremity alignment includes the Q angle, pelvic angle, and tibio femoral angle. Women naturally have wider angles than men do which could possibly lead to injury. Surprisingly reports showed that none of these factors were related to patellar tendonitis. Men athletes generally weigh more than female athletes. Many researchers agreed on the factor of height not being caused by patellar tendonitis. Many authors have studied patellar tendonitis between genders. One author by the name of Jarvinen found patellar tendonitis to occur more in men than in women. Ferretti on the other hand found no significant difference between the two. Research found that basketball players on average jump 70 times per game. Each jump has the potential to bring 8 times a person’s body weight on to their knees. Men generally jump higher than women which would bring more force to their needs. Richards did a study on 10 Canadian volleyball players. He discovered many differences in knee joint dynamics between symptomatic and asymptomatic players. His predictions showed correctly that 8 out of the 10 players indicated patellar tendonitis because of peak tibial external-rotation during spike-jump take off. This article concluded that researches should find better rehabilitation techniques for this pathology. The ability to create a preventive exercise program should be looked at as well.

Malignant Narcissism: The Dark Side of Loving Yourself

Erica L. Chafton and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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Why do some people fall in love with themselves? Narcissistic individuals show extreme self-absorption, tending to neglect and disregard the feelings of others. Out of all of Batman’s enemies, the Riddler, is known for being one of the most egotistical of them all. Do his obsessive qualities in other areas (for example, his need to send riddles) play a role in his obsession with himself? This presentation looks at the origins of extreme narcissism, including malignant narcissism, in terms of insecurity, parent-child relations, self-esteem, and possible biological factors. An in-depth analysis of fictional characters can make looking at real world criminals with similar issues easier.

Effects of Leaf Litter on Dissolved Nutrient Levels in Natural Streams

Shelby B. Chappell and Jennifer Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

The continued growth of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico has drawn attention to excess nutrientsin streams and rivers. Although anthropogenic activities are thought to be the primary source of excessnutrients in waterbodies, natural sources of nutrients are also present in streams and rivers. Onepotential natural source is leaf litter associated with senescence (drought or seasonally-induced). Weexamined two species of leaves as potential sources for dissolved nutrients in receiving waters. Hickory(Carya sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.) leaves were collected at three times during the growing season; presenescence,mid-senescence and post-senescence, and placed in aerated water for two weeks. Watersamples were collected every other day and analyzed for levels of dissolved nutrients (orthophosphate(PO4

-3), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2

-)). Here we present the results from this study and offer suggestionsfor possible future experiments.

New and Noteworthy Additions of Vascular Plants to the Arkansas Flora

Tyler L. Childs, Sydney Grant, Tiffany Graves, Ethan Holicer, Seth McBroom, Logan Thomas, Allen Leible, and Brett Serviss, Ph.D. Henderson State University James PeckUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock

Two species of Forsythia: F. suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl. and F. viridissima Lindl., are reported as new for Arkansas. These records represent the first voucher specimen-based documentation of the genus Forsythia in the state’s flora outside of cultivation. Two species of monocotyledonous angiosperms, Canna indica L. and Miscanthus sinensis Anderss., are reported as new for Arkansas. The Canna indica record is the first documentation of the Cannaceae family in the state’s flora outside of cultivation. Four additional species of non-native angiosperms: Deutzia scabra L., Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack., Rhodotypos scandens (Thunb.) Makino, and Trachelospermum jasminoides (Lindl.) Lem., are documented for only their second occurrences in the state.

Natural Product Discovery through Bioassay Methods on Ilex decidua

Oktawia Clem and Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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Natural products obtained from locally harvested plants are an important source of common medicinals, and nearly half of current pharmaceuticals were initially discovered in plants. A large portion of earth’s flora, however, has not been chemically investigated. One such unexplored plant species is Ilex decidua, or deciduous holly, a small shrub native to the southeastern United States. Other species in the llex genus have shown cytotoxic, antioxidant, or other medicinal activity, and the leaves of various hollies, such as Ilex paraguensis are used in preparing medicinal teas, with yerba mate as a flagship example. In an effort to explore bioactivity of I. decidua, plant samples have been collected, dried and separated into seeds, stems, berries and bark. Some of the components have been extracted with a series of solvents with varying polarity. These extracts are being evaluated for interesting biological activity using a variety of assays, including brine shrimp bioassay, microbial toxicity assay, TLC, HPLC and GS-MS analysis. Series of other tests such as Folin-Ciolteau antioxidant activity assay and hematoma tumor cytotoxicity test are employed to broaden the array of assays and identify the fraction with highest beneficial activity. The samples will be then isolated for detailed study in an attempt to purify the active compound. Where possible, the structures of the molecules responsible for a new activity will be identified by NMR. Investigating the phytochemistry of unexplored plants will allow us to better understand the bioactivity of plants in the Arkansas flora and could potentially lead to the discovery of new pharmaceuticals.

Riddle Me Not: Cognitive Challenges and Criminal Behavior

Michelle L. Coley and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Why does someone become obsessed with intellectual challenges? Why do some criminals actively challenge the police even though it raises the odds that they may get arrested? The Riddler, Batman’s puzzle-obsessed enemy, is in many ways more like real world criminals than most of Batman’s other foes. Does a preoccupation with puzzles this extreme come about because of obsessive compulsive disorder, Need for Cognition, Need for Achievement, or other more complicated motivations? This presentation looks at the origins of such an extreme need for an intellectual challenge, including specific diagnostic criteria for relevant mental disorders in accordance with the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 criteria.

Clowning Around: What Motivates a Multiple Murderer?

Emily Culpepper and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

What motivates the Joker, the serial-spree-mass-murdering Clown Prince of Crime in Batman comics? Because the Joker’s background is unknown, revealed only through inconsistent lies, we must assess him strictly by observable behavior. By looking at the forensic psychology of real world criminals, we can speculate on the fictional character’s motives. That in turn can help us practice assessing real criminals whose backgrounds are unknown. Is he insane? Does he have conditions such as Schizoaffective Disorder or any form of Schizophrenia? If he is actually sane, what’s wrong with him? By using DSM-5 criteria, we can diagnose him for mental illness, but that might not explain his or many real killers’ behavior. How do we diagnose people who defy diagnoses?

Fruit Consumption Rates and Potential Seed Dispersal Species for the American Persimmon

Jillian F. del Sol, Charli N. Davis, Natalie Skinner, Mimi Rebein, and Matthew D. Moran, Ph.D.Hendrix College

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In this study, we attempted to identify potential seed dispersers of the suspected anachronistic fruit the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), a species that may have lost its coevolved dispersers during the Pleistocene extinction event. We used wildlife cameras in four locations to record animal visitations to persimmon trees. We recorded the animal species visiting and the rate of fruit disappearance at each site. We found that 77% of the persimmon fruits were consumed and that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were the most prevalent visitors to the sites, making up over 90% of the animals captured by the cameras. Deer are ruminants and do not appear to be effective dispersers of large-seeded fruits such as persimmons. Proposed seed dispersers for persimmons such as the coyote (Canis latrans) and the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) were infrequent visitors. Our results indicate that potentially effective seed dispersers do not visit fruiting trees in large numbers and it is unclear by what means the American persimmon is effectively dispersed today.

Genetic Analysis of Bacteria from Cave Crickets from Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas

Leah Efird, Itzela Cruz, Caitlyn Gosch, Taylor Lee, Charlotte Wetzlar, and James Engman, Ph.D.Henderson State University

This project is using molecular genetic techniques to survey the bacterial flora of Ceuthophilus gracilipes, from Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas, considered the most biologically diverse cave in the Ozark Plateau. A survey of cave organisms' bacterial flora has the potential to identify previously unreported/undescribed bacteria. Our goal is to further the understanding of life in this cave system by identifying bacteria from cave crickets through DNA sequencing. Cave crickets were obtained from various locations in the cave and taken to the lab, where bacterial samples were collected from their body surfaces and digestive tracts. These samples were plated on selective media, with resulting cultures stored at -80 °C. A conserved region of ribosomal DNA (16S subunit)from these colonies was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced using universal bacterial primers. Sequences were compared with those in the GenBank database, which is an archive of DNA sequences, allowing identification to genus and species level. Initial work has identified Pseudomonas protegens, Serratia proteamacula from the digestive tract. Species of Serratia fonticola, Hafnia alvei, Chryseobacterium sp.,Flavobacterium sp., and Vitreoscilla sp. The identification of other samples is ongoing.

The myGaze® Eye Tracker: A Visionary Device for a Visionary Experimenter

Logan Elmore and Emilie Beltzer, Ph.D.Henderson State University

The myGaze® peripheral eye tracking device holds potential to become the basis for many significantstudies in the future of Henderson State University’s psychology department. For our proposed study,we are interested in how ingrained objectification attitudes may affect how one views a member of thesex in which he or she is attracted. We plan to use the eye tracker in order to determine whether aperson’s responsibility level—as well as modesty level of clothing—affects an onlooker’s focus ofparticular physical features. In addition to cognitive-social psychology studies, the eye tracker may alsoapply to studies involving clinical psychology, psychology of religion, industrial organizationalpsychology, forensic psychology, and applied psychology

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A Model for Character Strengths and Virtues: Lessons from Positive Psychology

Logan E. Elmore and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

How do people maintain sanity and moral principles in a cruel world? Does everyone have a breaking point? Commissioner James Gordon, a character in Batman comics since 1939, somehow stays strong despite repeated tragedies throughout his personal and professional life. Positive psychology offers reasons why some people may be able to endure and maintain personal integrity in the worst of circumstances. Unlike the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which assesses people for signs of mental illness, positive psychologists assess people’s strengths and virtues. This presentation identifies these strengths and virtues (Wisdom and Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Transcendence) in this character and relates them to experiences in real people. Looking at a fictional character’s strengths and virtues can help people undergoing therapy, crisis, or trauma recovery identify their own strengths and virtues.

Wavelength and Light Intensity Effects Photosynthesis and Growth of Selenastrum capricornutum

Abby Fain and Jim Taylor, Ph.D.Ouachita Baptist University

Algae’s growth response is different for varying wavelengths and intensities of light across the visible light spectrum. In this experiment we explore how different wavelengths of LED light, representing different colors, at different intensities affect photosynthesis in a species of algae, Selenastrum capricornutum. Based on the results we will be able to determine the ideal colors and intensities to use when growing algae in microgravity.

Characterization of Algal Strains from the Class Eustigmatophyceae Isolated from Arkansas

Karen Fawley and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

The Eustigmatophyceae are a little-known class of unicellular algae related to the Xanthophyceae, Chrysophyceae, diatoms and brown algae. Until very recently it was thought that the class was not very diverse and that the organisms were rarely encountered in nature. Although the Eustigmatophyceae are green, the presence of a large red, yellow, or orange lipid body in the cytoplasm makes them fairly easy to distinguish from green algae (Chlorophyta) and the yellow-green algae (Xanthophyceae). Most of the known members of the Eustigmatophyceae are small (< 10 micrometers), spherical or elliptical organisms with very simple morphologies. Some of these algae have sculpted or ornamented cell walls, but most are smooth-walled. We have isolated 3 strains of Eustigmatophyceae from plankton samples from eutrophic Lake Chicot, Chicot County and 1 strain each from a shale seep in Middle Fork Barrens Natural Area, Saline County, the shore of Lake Monticello, Drew County, a small oligotrophic pond in Drew County, and a sphagnum pool in the Warren Prairie Natural Area, Bradley County. Characterization of these strains using DNA sequence analysis and light microscopy revealed that the strain from the Middle Fork Barrens is a member of the common soil genus Eustigmatos. However, the other 6 strains are all likely to be new taxa.

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Node Development in Free Wavepacket Evolution

Josh Ficut and Brad A. Rowland, Ph.D.Henderson State Univesity

Recent work by the Poirier group at Texas Tech University has demonstrated that hyperbolic secant wavepackets (𝜓(𝑥)=sech(𝑥)) develop an infinite series of nodes when undergoing evolution via the time-dependent Schrodinger Equation in a potential-less environment. This work has inspired us to investigate other wavepackets for similar behavior and to understand the origin and behavior of these nodes. We chose to investigate wavepackets of the form 𝜓(𝑥)=11+𝑥𝑛, where n = 2, 4, 6,….20. Preliminary results show that these wavepackets also develop nodes, the number of which depends on the value of n selected. Explicit numerical integration schemes have resulted in scattered wavepackets which are very noisy. We have worked to solve this problem by introducing an implicit numerical integration scheme, which has served to damp the noise. We are currently working on applying a new numerical technique, known as numerical analytic continuation, which we hypothesize will yield great insight into how the nodes are developing and evolving on the real-axis.

Is it Better to be Loved or Feared?

Brittany A. Freeman and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Nicolo Machiavelli, the 17th- century diplomat famously known for his writings on political manipulation, said it is better to be feared than loved, but is that true? Batman enemy Jonathan Crane, known as the Scarecrow, has no love for other people and instead makes himself feel powerful by making other people feel afraid. Why would anyone, whether that means a fictional character or a real life bully or terrorist, feel such a strong need to control people through fear? When do fear-based manipulations work and why? Is it innate or learned? Scientists debate fear origins. The Scarecrow preys on both natural and acquired fears, using both psychological and physiological methods. This presentation looks at the soft and hard science of fear and the degree to which real science plays a role in the Scarecrow’s stories.

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper(II) Complex with Hexadentate Hemi-Cage Ligand

Megan Fuller, Charles Mebi, and Anwar Bhuiyan, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

Transition metal complexes have been investigated for use in biological electron transfer reactions such as artificial photosynthesis. Polypyridine complexes are the most investigated complexes because of favorable photophysical, photochemical, and redox properties. It was observed that forming complexes with cage ligands can alter inherent photophysical properties of the complexes in an advantageous manner. This talk deals with the synthesis and spectroscopic investigation of copper(II) complex containing hemi-cage hexadentate ligand. The ligand wasprepared by the reaction of 1,3,5,-tris(bromomethyl)benzene and 5,5’-dimethylbipyridine in presence of diisopropylamine and n-butyllithium in dry THF at -78 °C. The product was recovered by extraction with dichloromethane and purified by column chromatography and recrystallization. The complex was characterized by absorption and emission spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetric method, and magnetic measurements.

Good Girls and Bad Boys

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Raven D. Gonzalez and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Why do good girls fall for bad boys? Although many girls already know the outcome and consequences of falling for the bad boy, they do it anyway. In Batman comics, a young psychiatrist becomes obsessed with the Joker, falls in love with him, and loses her own sense of self as she redefines herself to be more like him. She dons a harlequin costume, begins acting more like the Joker, and even renames herself Harley Quinn after the nickname he gives her. Individuals who are raised by con artists and other perpetual liars tend to grow up to be one of two ways: skeptical or gullible. She is very intelligent and could very easily chose to be the skeptical, but she chooses the exact opposite. She seems to be more comfortable playing this role than she would be if she chose to see the reality of her actions. Possible psychological problems that shape this behavior include dependent personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, social chameleonism, and other identity issues.

The Killing Joke: Can Trauma Create a Psychopath?

Connor A. Goodson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

The graphic novel “The Killing Joke” depicts the Joker as a failed comedian who suffers tragic family loss and physical disfiguration, after which he becomes a murderous psychopath. The motion picture “The Dark Knight” similarly depicts Harvey Dent’s decent from hero to villain after his own tragic loss and physical disfiguration. Can people really become that evil, that abruptly? This presentation examines these characters in terms of psychology’s Dark Tetrad (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellianism, and sadism) in order to explore the real psychology of evil.

Design of Tautomerically Ambiguous Cytosine-Based Nucleosides as Potential Anti-HIV Agents

Duy Ha, Chase Elkin, and Vincent K. Dunlap, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Antiretroviral therapy for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has developed with great success over the last few decades. While the current therapies are successful, patients often meet with severe side effects and the mutagenic nature of the HIV virus leads to a constant need for new drug development. One such method of development involves incorporation of bases that exist in multiple tautomeric forms and thus containing ambiguous hydrogen bonding faces. We have synthesized a set of cytosine-based nucleosides with such characteristics, which, when incorporated into the viral DNA, lead to destabilization of the DNA. When combined with the high error rate of the RNA polymerase enzymes of the HIV virus, such incorporation may lead to an error catastrophe thus resulting in collapse of the virus. Presented here are the results of the synthesis.

Red Hood Vigilantism: Manhood, Motivation, and Murder

Dillon C. Hall and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

What could motivate an individual to become a revenge-seeking, villain-murdering vigilante? What drives real world vigilantes, terrorists, and others who take action in the name of revenge and justice? In Batman comics, his

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second sidekick Jason Todd is brutally beaten to death by the Joker and his trusty crowbar. When Jason comes back to life he displays a newfound view by employing some old-school street justice: gunning down anyone he deems unworthy to live. What psychological issues could be involved in turning a once “by the books” kind of kid into a murderous anti-hero? Why do some people show resilience in the face of trauma and become stronger people, while others crumble? Can PTSD alter ingrained personality? What possible security issues could lead a person to commit murder? Can revenge-like behaviors be explained by psychological theories of motivation? Stay tuned to find out!

Bond Valence-Length Relationships from Atomic Orbital Exponents

Franklin D. Hardcastle, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

Bond valence-length empirical relations provide a way of calculating bond valence (bond order orbond number) directly from bond lengths. Linus Pauling (1947) was the first to suggest the“empirical” logarithmic dependence of bond order or valence, s, to bond length, R, as s = exp[(Ro-R)/b], where Ro is the bond length of unit valence and “b” is an empirical fitting parameter.In the present study, Pauling’s empirical relation is derived from quantum mechanical arguments.A theoretical expression is derived for the “b” parameter in terms of published atomic orbitalexponents. This allows the systematic determination of bond valence – length correlations for anychemical bond.

Ecology of the Trapdoor Spider, Myrmekiaphila comstocki, in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas

Laurence M. Hardy, Ph.D.Ouachita Mountains Biological Station

In 2000, while pursuing other studies of organisms in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas at the OuachitaMountains Biological Station, numerous burrows of Myrmekiaphila comstocki were discovered. This study focusedon the burrow ecology of this uncommon and interesting spider. The main objectives were to determine: when thespiders are active during the year, temperatures in and around the burrows, the orientation of the open door relativeto the immediate slope of the ground, the microhabitat of the immediate vicinity of the burrow door, size changes of the door, the associated weather conditions and time of day when burrows are open, how long individual burrows are used, and the failure rate of burrows. A total of 742 observations of burrows were taken over 35 nights beginning on 3 December 2003 and ending on 17 March 2009. This presentation will concern only the method of burrow identification, temperature conditions, and burrow sizes. Burrows were individually identified by placing a plastic stake 30 cm, at 0° azimuth, from the burrow. Weather conditions were recorded at the beginning of each observation period and included the air temperature 1 m above the burrow, the air temperature 1 cm above the burrow, and the temperature of the soil surface within a few centimeters from the burrow (on bare soil). Also, notes were recorded about the wind (presence and general strength), percent of cloud cover, precipitation, or any thunder or lightning. The temperature at the bottom of the burrow was 8-21°C. The air temperatures at 1 cm above the ground surface represented the environmental temperature experienced by ahunting spider. A total of 98 hinge measurements were made during 742 burrow observations. (mean = 16.9, range 5-25). The rate of change of the hinge width can be used as an indicator of the relative change in burrow diameter and, possibly, the size of the spider. When the lid was open, 49% of the observations showed the spider present at the entrance (86 of 174). Hinge widths when spiders were present were 10-27 (mean=17.4, n=57).

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Bond Valence = Bond Length Relationships for Carbon-Carbon and Carbon-Oxygen Bonds

Conner Harris and Franklin D. Hardcastle, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

The empirical logarithmic dependence of bond order (s, or valence) on bond length (R) was firstdeveloped by Pauling (1947),𝑠 = exp [𝑅𝑜 − 𝑅𝑏] where Ro corresponds to a bond length of unit valence and b represents a fitting parameter. Since then, experimental values for the b parameter have been recorded anywhere within the range of 0.25 to 0.90. Many have accepted a universal b value of 0.37 while allowing Ro to be the fitting parameter, however, it has been found that this value yields unreliable valences for longer and shorter bonds. Addressing this issue, a theoretical expression for the b parameter was proposed recently, allowing its determination from the orbital exponents of the anion and cation participating in the bond. In this study, working bond valence – bond length relationships were determined for C-C and C-O bonds through the use of the previously-mentioned b expression, orbital exponent data from Clementi and Raimondi (1963), and a collection of X-ray diffraction data from various studies. The resulting relationship are proposed to work for any bonding environment.

Motives and Methods of Machiavellian Manipulation in "Batman: Hush"

Coley R. Henson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State Universtiy

Who manipulates others, why do they do it, how do they do it, and what can we do to insulate ourselves against manipulation? In the Batman story arc titled, “Hush,” a mysterious enemy is manipulating Batman, his friends, and his enemies for unknown purposes. What inspires an individual to manipulate others? This presentation looks at the known science of how people overtly and covertly influence others. Possible explanations include reward theory, positive and negative reinforcement, deceit, suggestibility, and psychophysiological mechanisms. Psychology looks processes involved in manipulation in order to understand, predict, and explain how it affects people’s lives

Solubility Studies of Titan’s Hydrocarbon Lakes

Malissa M. Hoehn, Brandon M. Daughety, and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

Titan is Saturn’s largest moon and the second largest moon in the Solar System. It is fifty percent larger and eighty percent more massive than Earth’s Moon. It has a dense atmosphere unlike any other Solar System satellite and is the only place, other than Earth, that has stable bodies of liquid. It has permanent lakes of liquid hydrocarbons (ethane) on its surface; it has methane clouds and rains methane. Titan’s atmospheric pressure is about 1.5 Earth atmospheres. Most of what is known about Titan comes from the Cassini Mission. Some of the moleculesfound in Titan’s atmosphere are: ethylene (C2H4), acetylene (C2H2), benzene (C6H6), ammonia(NH3), acetonitrile (CH3CN) and dicyanoacetylene (C4N2). Our studies are designed to shedlight on atmosphere -- hydrocarbon lake interactions using specially designed optical cells thatcan operate at high pressures (2 bar) and low temperatures (77 K) and spectrographs that canmeasure transmittance at wavelengths from the ultraviolet and well into the near infrared: 200 –1700 nm.

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RNA Phosphoramidite Monomer Synthesis: An Examination of Phosphite Selectivity Improvement

Sarah Holt, Kyle Harvey, and Vincent K. Dunlap, Ph.D.Henderson State University

With the explosion of new research in the field of RNA, a significant demand for synthesis of oligoribonucleotides has materialized thus allowing the phosphoramidite method for oligomer synthesis to become a very valuable tool in biochemical research. As a result, the demand for synthesis of phosphoramidite monomers has increased. However, there is a lack of selectivity between the 2'- and 3'-OH groups in RNA for phosphite addition, resulting in a reduction in efficiency of synthesis. Silyl protecting groups have been developed to improve selectivity for the 2'-OH; however, in order to obtain the greatest utility, RNA monomer synthesis still must be streamlined. To this end, we have developed a structural analog of the 5'-OH dimethoxytrityl (DMT) protecting group, which while conjugated to an imidazole, aims to improve selectivity for 3'-OH phosphitylation via neighboring group participation. Synthetic procedures will be examined.

Wave Profile for Anti-force Waves with Maximum Possible Currents

M. Hemmati, R. Horn, W.C. Childs and A.K. MeredithArkansas Tech University

For theoretical investigation of electrical breakdown of a gas, we apply a one-dimensional, steady state, constant velocity, three component fluid model and consider the electrons to be the main element in propagation of the wave. The electron gas partial pressure, and therefore the electron temperature, is considered to be large enough to provide the driving force. The wave is considered to have a shock front, followed by a thin dynamical transition region. Our set of electron fluid-dynamical equations consists of the equations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, plus the Poisson’s equation. The set of equations is referred to as the electron fluid dynamical equations; and a successful solution of the set of electron fluid dynamical equations has to meet a set of acceptable physical conditions at the trailing edge of the wave. For breakdown waves with a significant current behind the shock front, in addition to the set of electron fluid dynamical equations, the shock condition on electron temperature needs to be modified as well. Considering existence of current behind the shock front, we have derived the shock condition on electron temperature, and for a set of experimentally measured wave speeds, we have been able to find maximum current values for which solutions for our set of electron fluid dynamical equations become possible. We will present the wave profile for electric field, electron velocity, electron temperature, and electron number density within the dynamical transition region of the wave.

A Natural Approach to Combatting Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

Lillian T. Howerton and Dale A. Amos, Ph.D.University of Arkansas- Fort Smith

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern worldwide. The evolution of superbugs such as those recently seen at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center, have reemphasized the need for new antimicrobials. In this study the use of natural oil extracts demonstrated antibacterial properties similar to some antibiotics. The concentration and mixture of these oils yielded various results, some more successful than others. The use of zinc (Zn) and Oil of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) yielded highest antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus epidermis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more resistant to zinc and oregano but more susceptible to White Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) extracts. The data show that S. aureus was highly

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susceptible to the antibiotics bactrim and chloromycetin. This was determined by analyzing the zone of inhibition of each culture when challenged by the antimicrobials. The natural alternative to these antibiotics Zn and Origanum vulgare alone and in combination inhibited the growth of S. aureus. S. epidermis was susceptible to the antibiotics chloromycetin and gentamicin. The natural alternatives clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) and Thymus vulgaris were better able to inhibit the growth of S. epidermis compared to these antibiotics. We were very interested in Pseudomonas aeruginosa because of its ability to form biofilms thereby making it more resistant to antimicrobial agents. P. aeruginosa was resistant to all tested antibiotics with the exception of polymyxin B which developed a small zone of inhibition on only some plates. Thymus vulgaris oil demonstrated more antimicrobial effects towards P. aeruginosa than the tested antibiotics. These data allow us to conclude that the natural alternatives used in this experiment worked as well as, or better than, the tested conventional antibiotics.

Analysis of Byproducts of Lactobacillus and Yeast Species Metabolism inWater Kefir via Gas Chromatography

Justin Hunn and Dennis Province, Ph.D.Harding University

Water Kefir is a fermented beverage with suspected probiotic benefits that result from the fermentation metabolism of water kefir grains, which are polysaccharide grains enclosing various microbes. Included in the microbial population can be organisms of various genera and species, but mainly include; Lactobacillus: Lb. casei/paracasei, Lb. harbinensis, and Lb. hilgardii, and yeasts: S. cerevisiae and D. bruxellensis. Although much is known about the microbial species within the water kefir grains themselves, very little is known about the diversity of metabolic byproducts produced from the organisms. Therefore the aim of this research is to determine, detect, and quantify the byproducts of water kefir metabolism and fermentation pathways. From this quantification, possible health benefits or detriments may be determined. Of particular interest is the presence of specific analytes: methanol, ethanol, butanol, acetone, acetic acid, lactic acid, butyric acid, various volatile aroma compounds, and carbohydrates.

Water Quality of the Wastewater Reach

Tiffany Hunnicutt, Elisa Neibling, Jana Strom, and Timothy S. Wakefield, Ph.D.John Brown University

Sager Creek is a1st 3rd order stream in the northwest corner of Benton County, Arkansas. The water quality of ‐Sager Creek has been studied from 2010 to 2014. The Wastewater Reach is one of the four sites studied, and receives effluent directly from the Siloam Spring’s wastewater treatment plant. Annual data from this reach was collected and analyzed using the Hilsenhoff Family Level Biotic Index and the Simpson Diversity Index. Water chemistry parameters of conductivity, dissolved nitrate, and dissolved phosphate levels were also sampled and analyzed. By conducting this research, we were attempting to see if the water quality at the Wastewater Reach had changed significantly over time. Our null hypothesis was that there would be no statistical difference between the annual data analyzed from the samples collected between the years 2010 2014. The null hypothesis could not ‐be rejected for any of the analyzed indices or water chemistry parameters with the exception of dissolved phosphate. The years 2013 and 2014 did show a significant decline in the phosphate levels compared to the year 2011. However, since there was no correlating change in either of the measured indices, this significant difference in phosphate levels did not translate into any significant change in macroinvertebrate assemblage. Overall, this

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analysis indicates that the Wastewater Reach stream health has remained relatively stable between the years 2010 to 2014.

Calculus Pathologies

Shomari Hunter and Duane Jackson, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Calculus is the mathematical study of change, focusing on rate of change and accumulation. Calculus can be divided into two main parts: differential calculus and integral calculus. Differential calculus revolves around the rate of change and the slopes of different curves. Integral calculus mainly focuses on the gathering of different amounts of items and the areas of curves. Differential and integral calculus intertwine as part of the fundamental theorem of calculus. For the most part, calculus is straightforward when dealing with simple examples, nevertheless, there can be some interference to deeper understanding of the basic concepts of mathematical analysis. Pathologies are examples of problems that prove the opposite of valid properties. Some examples of pathologies in calculus include a function that is continuous everywhere, but not differentiable anywhere, a divergent alternating series that goes to zero, and a function without a limit, but the limit exists along all the lines

Robotic Arm for Space Missions

Stephanie J. Inabnet and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

A robotic arm, designed and built by our collaborators at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will be installed on a robotic vehicle. This vehicle serves as a test bed for carrying a suite of instruments designed by our team for space missions. The robotic arm is a valuable and addition. First of all, it is powerful enough to help the robot get out of trouble should it get stuck while traversing its programmed path. Secondly, it is being equipped with a high resolution video camera for improving the ability to navigate through rough terrain and to inspect areas ofinterest during missions. Finally, it will be used as a tool for drilling holes into the surface of a planet or moon in order to plant weather stations for monitoring soil and air temperature, wind speed and direction and solar radiance on a planetary body. The results of our work on this project to date will be presented.

Causes and Consequences of Rivalry: How Do Rivals See Each Other?

Steven H. Jacobs and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

How do people feel about their rivals, and what does that say about them? Whether it is a rivalry between individuals, teams, corporations, or nations, people involved in rivalries tend to show specific attitudes and perceptions toward one another. Batman and his arch-nemesis, the Joker, exemplify some of these qualities at their most extreme in terms of their emotions (anger, depression, fear, resentment, empathy) and perceptions (social perception, mirror-image perception) regarding one another. Do rivals need each other? How does rivalry affect the rivals themselves in terms of polarization, escalation of commitment, or challenges to better themselves?

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Ion Chromatography Characterization of Particles Collected from NE Arkansas

Jerry Jones, Bryant Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Aerosols’ effect the Earth’s ecosystem by changing the global reflectance properties of the atmosphere depend on their chemical composition. They may also cause adverse health effects with increased concentrations associated with urban activities such as traffic congestion and/or industrial emissions. This study was performed to characterize and compare the chemical composition of aerosols found in rural and urban NE Arkansas areas. Aerosol samples were collected at two sites 40 miles apart using a mini-particle collector and analyzed using ionchromatography in Jonesboro an urban center, and Joiner a rural town. The majority of aerosols collected contained chlorine, fluorine, bromine, nitrate, phosphate components. One sample collected from Jonesboro contain sulfate indicative of high industrial activities.

Analyzing Contact Metamorphism of the Stanley Shale in the Magnet Cove Igneous Intrusive Complex

Tyler Kee and Lindsey M. Waddell, Ph.D.Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts

A 1963 study described the geochemistry of igneous rocks of the Magnet Cove Intrusive Complex and mapped a zone of contact metamorphism extending outward between 1,000 to 2,500 feet from the intrusion. Since the study, no more detailed investigations of the effects of the heat of the intrusion on the surrounding Stanley Shale have been conducted. It is evident by visiting Magnet Cove that the zone of metamorphism exceeds these limitations because rocks >2500 feet from the intrusion were observed to display characteristics of hornfels. Toinvestigate this observation, samples collected from Jones Mill Quarry were made into thin sections and examined under a petrographic microscope. Porphyroblastic nonfoliated subhedral biotite growing inside a cryptocrystalline quartz matrix alongside mediumgrained quartz, or perhaps andalusite, was observed in the sample 100 feet from the intrusion. The granoblastic biotite crystals observed in the nearest sample were not present in any other samples taken farther from the intrusion, thus indicating a clearly defined biotite isograd. According to a 1952report, Ouachita sedimentary rocks display regional metamorphism consistent with the chlorite zone but lack a welldeveloped foliation. Thus, while it is clear from the texture of the first sample that the biotite formed through contact metamorphism, thereby indicating exposure to temperatures of approximately 400° to 500° C, it is difficult to distinguish whether the surrounding chlorite zone rocks were altered due to contact or regional metamorphism. Future studies could address this by using an SEM to better resolve the mineralogy of the cryptocrystalline samples.

Aquatic Effects of a Localized Oil Spill on Lake Conway, AR and its Tributaries

Molly E. Kennon and Jennifer L. Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Oil spills, no matter where they occur, elicit environmental concern and avoiding these disasters should be priority. Of particular concern to prevent oil spills are old pipelines that are not regularly maintained and carry large amounts of crude oil for long distances. One such pipeline is the 65 year old Pegasus pipeline owned by

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ExxonMobil. On March 29, 2013, 795,000 liters (L) of Wabasca Heavy Canadian crude oil spilled into a neighborhood of Mayflower, Arkansas, when the Pegasus pipeline ruptured. This spill led to the evacuation of many homes in the surrounding neighborhood and drained into a nearby cove of Lake Conway, via drainage ditches in the affected neighborhood. This lake is popular for recreational fishing, thus concerns were raised not only about the potential effects of the oil spill on area residents but also the lake and its biological community. This project studied the effects of the oil spill on the surrounding area by exposing water and sediment samples to freshwater test organisms. Samples were collected at six sites in the affected neighborhood and in Lake Conway.Chronic Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) tests were performed on the water samples using Pimephales promelas and Ceriodaphnia dubia. Acute sediment toxicity tests were performed using Chironomus dilutus. These tests measured sub-lethal toxicity in at least one of the sampled sites, indicating that further investigation of environmental after-effects is warranted.

Natural Nutrient Sources in the Cache River Watershed, Arkansas

Mary K. Kilmer, Nicole Poe, Shelby Chappell, and Jennifer L. Bouldin, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

The Cache River Watershed, Arkansas, is listed as a focus watershed of the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, indicating its potential as a source for nutrients contributing to the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. More specifically, intensive agricultural activity in this watershed is thought to be the primary source for potential nutrient pollution. Although the majority of the watershed has been severely altered through channelization and deforestation to maximize agriculturally productive land, some unaltered areas still remain. Unaltered sites are natural streams with surrounding riparian buffers. Nutrient inputs are expected to be highest in altered areas of the watershed due to channel and riparian changes and surrounding agricultural land usage. This study examined dissolved nutrient concentrations (orthophosphate (PO4

-3), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2

-)) at altered and unaltered sites in the Cache River Watershed for two growing seasons (May-October, 2013-2014). PO4

-

3 and NO2- concentrations were significantly greater at altered than unaltered sites; however no significant

difference was observed in NO3- concentrations. This lack of significance is due to an unexpected increase in NO3

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concentrations at unaltered sites during the latter half of the growing season. Unaltered sites have significantly greater overhead canopy cover than altered sites. We suggest that leaf litter associated with senescence (drought or seasonally-induced) could account for the increased NO3

- concentrations at unaltered sites.

Expression Analysis of an Insect Glucose Oxidase Transgene in Tobacco

Jesse B. Kitchens, Jordan Burt, Colby Smith, and Nathan Reyna, Ph.D.Ouachita Baptist University

What links programed cell death with multiple human diseases is its induction by reactive oxygen species through oxidative stress signaling pathways. Interestingly, there is a strong conservation of signaling pathways and the homology between genes in plants and animals in relation to how their cells respond to oxidative stress. Because of this strong conservation, a comparative genomics approach can be used in plants to dissect the complex signaling mechanisms related to human disease. To elucidate oxidative stress signaling pathways, tobacco plants constitutively (CAM 35s promoter) or induciblely (XVE-estradiol promoter) expressing an insect glucose oxidase (GOX) genes were created. In the plant, GOX converts cellular glucose into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and Glucono delta-lactone. The hydrogen peroxide is a super oxide molecule with the ability to cause oxidative stress. Leaf disc assays were used to determine H2O2 production in leaves at different developmental stages. Additionally, western blot analysis was done in tandem with the disc assay to determine the expression pattern of common anti-oxidante defense proteins such as, Ascrobic Acid Peroxidase (APX), Pathogenisis Protein 1 (PR1), and Glutathione

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Reductase (GR). Plants expressing GOX show no visual phenotypes however, necrosis is seen by soaking leaves in a 20mM glucose solution; presumably by increasing GOX substrate levels. Results for the both the inducible(XVE:GOX) and the constitutive (35s:GOX) line will be presented.

Development of a Quantification Method for Gold Nanoparticles in Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Gunnar A. Klemmer Harding University

This research involved using mass spectrometry imaging as a means for accurately quantifying functionalized gold nanoparticles in organ tissue slices. The research concluded that homogenized chicken breast is not a suitable matrix for analyzing the nanoparticles using laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) imaging because no concentration gradient of ligand ion signal was observable. Homogenized beef liver showed more contrast between concentrations by allowing better signal from both the ligand and Au+ ions, suggesting that a gradient could be quantitatively calculated. Laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging remains the better method for quantifying gold nanoparticles in organ tissue slices due to more observable concentration gradients in standard.

Testicular Cycle and Spermatogenesis in the Rough Greensnake, Opheodrys aestivus

J.D. Konvalina, S.E. Trauth, and M.V. PlummerArkansas State University

We examined the testicular cycle and spermatogenesis in the rough greensnake, Opheodrys aestivus, from snakes collected over a period of 19 years in Arkansas. Seasonal seminiferous tubule histology revealed a temporal strategy of germ cell development. Using light microscopy we photographed different cell types and constructed a cell wheel showing the entire spermatogenic cycle. To examine the testicular cycle we picked 10 seminiferous tubules at random from each month and measured the seminiferous tubule diameter and epithelial height. We found that tubule diameter was smallest in April, increased to peak length in June, and returned to pre-breeding levels by October. Epithelial height exhibited a similar pattern with an increase in height from April to June, followed by a drastic decrease in height in July. September and October showed the lowest epithelial height. Evidenced by our findings, Opheodrys aestivus exhibits pre-nuptial spermatogenesis. More studies of this nature are needed to give us a clearer picture of spermatogenesis within the suborder Serpentes.

A Device to Measure Skin Sensitivity to Nociceptive Heat Using a Photon Beam Heat Source

Linna, J. Perkins, Walker, A.H. , Griffithm, R. , Dobretsov , M. , Chowdhury, P.University of Central Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Exposure to both microgravity and space irradiation possess undoubtable risk of acute and late degenerative nervous system impairment. There are large uncertainties with regard to vulnerable space flight-associated functions of NS and consequences of their deterioration. Our hypothesis is that, prolonged exposure to

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microgravity and low grade irradiation act additively leading to development of a mild prediabetic state and heightening a risk of diabetes-associated microcirculatory complications, including development of neuropathic symptoms. We propose testing our hypothesis using a set of experiments in which pro-neuropathic effects of simulated microgravity and low grade whole body irradiation exposure will be tested in isolation and combined. Two major outcome measures will be used – measurements of pain on pressure and by using photons heated rat hind limb withdrawal thresholds (measures of deep muscle and superficial skin nociceptive sensitivity). The loss of skin sensitivity to nociceptive heat is a usual sign of degenerative neuropathy, while deep muscle pain or deep pressure hyperalgesia is common in humans with neuropathy and muscle disease and very sensitive indicator of prediabetic state (mild insulin resistance and/or insulinopenia) in rat models of diabetes and muscle disuse. We present here the design or a novel device that will be used in experiments to determine the loss of skin sensitivity to nociceptive heat. This design will allow for scientists to more accurately determine the temperature sensitivity plantar surface as compared to previous experiments.

Determination of Mercury in Living and Non-living Systems

James Lowe, Dylan Campbell, David May, Allie Davis, Allison Surf, T. David Bateman, Ph.D. and Renn Tumlison, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Cinnabar mining for the acquisition of mercury was one of the leading industries in Arkansas from 1931 into the mid-1940s. Mercury is a persistent bioaccumulative toxin, thus the focus of this project is to assess the regional impact of historic mining upon waters, soils, and organisms of southwestArkansas by evaluating mercury content. Cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry is the methodused to determine mercury levels in samples, which are treated in accordance with EPA-establishedprotocols.

Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation Motor Drive for a Battery Electric

Osman A. Martinez and Kevin R. Lewelling, Ph.D.University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

This presentation will review progress being made on designing and building a motor drive suited for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) using 3-phase induction motors. Commercially available motor drives used to control conveyor belts and air handlers do not respond well to abrupt changes encountered while driving an electric vehicle. The motor drive design best suited for our BEV will be powered by a 108 cell, 19 kW Lithium Ion (LI) battery with a nominal 360 V output. This motor drive will accept the DC battery output and produce 3-phase AC voltage which is proportional to the driver’s accelerator pedal position. A prototype ½ horsepower drive was designed and tested during the summer of 2014 using Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) and an Arduino microcontroller with limited success. Remedies for these shortcomings will be addressed during this presentation with a preview of future applications of this technology to lightweight robots as well as BEVs.

Beyond Batgirl: Posttraumatic Recovery and Coping Mechanisms

Brian C. Maulden and Travis Langley, Ph.D.

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Henderson State University

How do people adapt to life after a traumatic experience, especially one that involves loss? How do combat veterans, firefighters, police officers, and other people who work in dangerous occupations cope when injury in or outside the line of duty impairs their ability to perform that duty in the future? In Batman comics, the Joker shoots and paralyzes the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. She then takes her other strengths such as her photographic memory and computer skills to achieve good works in other ways, under the alias of Oracle. Why will some people compensate for similar losses while others cave? Which coping mechanisms facilitate post-traumatic growth and which ones impede it?

Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Three-toed Box Turtles, Terrapene Carolina triunguis (Reptilia: Testudines), from Arkansas and Oklahoma

C.T. McAllister1, R.S. Seville2, D. Motriuk-Smith2, C. Hudson2, M.B. Connior3 and H.W. Robison4

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming-Casper, Casper, WY 826013Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 7271249717 Wild Mountain Road, Sherwood, AR 72120

We collected 45 three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) from nine counties of Arkansas and four counties of Oklahoma, and examined their feces for coccidial parasites. Nine of 24 (38%) turtles from Arkansas and six of 21 (29%) from Oklahoma were found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria ornata. This represents two new geographic distributional records for E. ornata. Measurements of individual isolates of E. ornata as well as morphological characteristics are provided with comparison to its original description and to another Terrapene coccidian, Eimeria carri. In addition, we noted an adelid pseudoparasite being passed by a single T. c. triunguis from Oklahoma that likely represents a parasite of arthropods.

Crepidostomum cornutum (Digenea: Allocreadiidae) from Midget Crayfish, Orconectes (Procericambarus) nana (Decapoda: Cambaridae), from Arkansas

C.T. McAllister1, W. F. Font2 and H.W. Robison3

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402 39717 Wild Mountain Road, Sherwood, AR 72120

The midget crayfish, Orconectes (Procericambarus) nana Williams is a diminutive species (maximum length = 3.0 cm) that is found in the Neosho River Basin of northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. In addition, O. nana has been reported in the Illinois River and into the White River drainage of Arkansas. In Arkansas, it has been collected from sites in Benton and Washington counties. This crayfish is found in clear-flowing, permanent small creeks and larger streams with substrate consisting of limestone gravel and cobbles. It was once thought to consist of two subspecies but a recent mtDNA study by Dillman and associates supported full species status originally suggested by others for O. nana and the Neosho midget crayfish, O macrus. Because this species habitat is under constant threat from agriculture, road construction and urbanization, causing sedimentation and water pollution to its habitat, in addition to construction of dams, it has a State Heritage rank of S2 (imperiled) and assessed as vulnerable by the American Fisheries Society. Although information is available on the ecology of O. nana, nothing,

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to our knowledge has been published on any parasite of this crayfish. Here, we report a trematode parasite from O. nana from Arkansas.

Helminth Parasites of the Blackspotted Topminnow, Fundulus olivaceus (Cyprinodontiformes: Fundulidae), from the Interior Highlands of Arkansas

C.T. McAllister1, C.R. Bursey2, T.J. Fayton3, W.F. Font4, H.W. Robison5, M.B. Connior6 and D.G. Cloutman7

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, Shenango Campus, Sharon, PA 161463Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 395644Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana 7040259717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 721206Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 727127P. O. Box 197, Burdett, KS 67523

The Blackspotted Topminnow, Fundulus olivaceus (Storer) is a medium-sized fish that ranges in the Mississippi River basin from eastern Tennessee, western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and central Missouri south through eastern Oklahoma and Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico. In Arkansas, it is one of the most widespread and common fishes, occurring in all river drainages with a statewide distribution. This fish avoids swift current and is found primarily in quiet backwaters and pools where it often occurs along the margins near emergent vegetation. This topminnow is a surface feeder on insects and small crustaceans. Although information is available on the ecology of F. olivaceus, little is known about its helminth parasites. As far as we can determine, only a single monogenean, Gyrodactylus megacanthus Wellborn and Rogers from Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi F. olivaceus and an acanthocephalan, Neoechinorhychus cylindratus (Van Cleave) Van Cleave have been reported from this topminnow. Here, we report four new host records as well as a distributional record for parasites of F. olivaceus from the Interior Highlands of Arkansas.

Acanthocephalan Parasites of Select Fishes (Catostomidae, Centrarchidae, Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae), from the White River Drainage, Arkansas

C.T. McAllister1*, M.A. Barger2, T.J. Fayton3, M.B. Connior4, D.A. Neely5 and H.W. Robison6

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Peru State College, Peru, NE 684213Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 E. Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 395644Life Sciences, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville, AR 7271275Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute, Chattanooga, TN 37402569717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120

Little is known about the acanthocephalan parasites of non-game fishes of Arkansas. Over the last decade, McAllister and colleagues have reported acanthocephalans from the Pirate Perch, Aphredoderus sayanus from the Caddo River, Clark County and Rolling Fork River, Sevier County, respectively, unknown cystacanths in Black-Spot Shiner, Notropis atrocaudalis and Yellow Bullhead, Ameiurus natalis from Nix Creek at Texarkana, Miller County,

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and Acanthocephalus tahlequahensis in the Banded Sculpin, Cottus carolinae from Flint Creek, Benton County. However, we are not aware of additional reports of acanthocephalans from non-game Arkansas fishes. Here, we report five new host records as well as two new distributional records for acanthocephalans from non-game fishes of the state.

The Eastern Boxelder Bug, Boisea trivittata (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae): Confirmation in Arkansas

S.W. Chordas III1 and C.T. McAllister2

1Center for Life Sciences Education, The Ohio State University, 260 Jennings Hall, 1735 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 2Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745

The documented hemipteran fauna of Arkansas has grown tremendously in the last 25+ years. Recent reports by Chordas and colleagues have documented new records for the state and greatly extended our knowledge of this insect fauna. Although common and widespread, the eastern boxelder bug, Boisea trivittata (Say, 1825) was not included in the Arkansas hemipteran list. Surprisingly, our literature search did not contradict the notion of the lack of a refereed published report for this species in the state. Here, we document B. trivittata, with deposited voucher specimens, for Arkansas.

The Arkansas Endemic Flora and Fauna: An Update with Additional Species

H.W. Robison1, and C.T. McAllister2

19717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 721202Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 74745

Arkansas supports a diverse variety of endemic biota with most being found at sites in the Interior Highlands (Ozarks and Ouachitas) of the state. Since 1988, several compilations have progressively increased the number of endemics while some species have been found elsewhere and/or have been removed from the state list. In the current report, we provide an update to the list by adding 13 taxa, several of which are fish parasites, making a grand total of 149 species.

A Noteworthy Geographic Distributional Record for the Milliped, Apheloria virginiensis reducta (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae), from the Arkansas Delta

C.T. McAllister, R. Tumlison2 and H.W. Robison3

1Science and Mathematics Division, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 747452Department of Biology, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, AR 71999 39717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120

The milliped, Apheloria virginiensis reducta Chamberlin, 1939 is an attractive and colorful relatively large-bodied xystodesmid that ranges west of the Mississippi River from south of the Missouri River in central Missouri to

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extreme southeastern Kansas, the Interior Highlands of Arkansas, and further south to the far southeastern extremity of the Ouachita Physiographic Province in Oklahoma. In Arkansas, the reported distribution of A. v. reducta includes upland habitat in the Ouachita and Ozark Physiographic provinces including scattered records outside these provinces in four counties of Crowley’s Ridge in the far eastern part of the state. Interestingly, Shelley and McAllister (2007. Western North American Naturalist 67:258-269) noted “though Arkansas east of the Ouachitas has been poorly investigated, the milliped’s absence from the heavily sampled adjoining corners of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana suggests that its absence from Coastal Plain areas to the north may be real.” Therefore, given that no record of A. v. reducta has been reported previously from the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, we herein report a newly discovered population of this milliped from outside upland habitat in the Delta of far eastern Arkansas.

Gene Discovery for Bioactive Phenylpropanoids in Echinacea Species

Lauren Clai E. Morehead, Jordyn Radke, and Stephen Grace, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

The purpose of this research project is to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds in Echinacea pallida, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea purpurea as well as discover the genes responsible for formation of said compounds. In particular, the aim is to identify homologs of hydroxycinnamoyl-quinate transferases (HQTs), an enzyme family that catalyzes the production of phenylpropanoids. Similar past projects have focused on other plant species, and the gene pathway of Echinacea has yet to be identified and characterized. With the protein sequence for a HQT (NP_001234850) in the tomato plant, we used BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) to find protein sequences in the E. purpurea transcriptome that were similar. These sequences became the basis of primers to be used on the cDNA extracted from Echinacea samples. With the use of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we determined what phenolic compounds were significantly present in Echinacea leaves and flowers. These compounds are known antioxidants and are most likely the compounds that give Echinacea its medicinal efficacy. At this point, we have identified 4 HQT gene candidates that are consistently expressed in Echinacea leaves and flowers. Identifying and characterizing these genes will be key in perhaps producing Echinacea plants with more significant antioxidant capacity. Moreover, understanding the pathway can potentially open the door for bioengineering these compounds in larger amounts.

The Search for Antibiotic Producing Bacteria at Henderson State University, a Collaborative Effort by BIO3094 Students

Daniel Morgan, Payten Frunzi, and Cynthia A. Fuller, Ph.D.Henderson State University

The rising threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a worldwide health and economic challenge. In 2013, in the US alone, over 23,000 people died as a result of infection with antibiotic resistant bacteria, and more than 2 million cases of disease due to antibiotic resistant bacteria were documented. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria are not only associated with higher treatment costs but also with higher patient mortality. Antibiotic resistant have been detected in every part of the world. In spite of the growing resistance, most pharmaceutical companies have forsaken antibiotic discovery to pursue development of more lucrative medications. Few new antibiotics have been discovered in the last 30 years. The lack of new antibiotics, coupled with the ever-increasing number of antibiotic resistant bacteria, make for a grim future in which diseases that were once easily treated with antibiotics can no longer be cured. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Executive Branch, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), have recently released reports outlining the serious threat of antibiotic resistance and proposing strategies to combat antibiotic resistant bacteria. Goal Four of the Executive

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Branch report and the CDC report is centered on finding new antibiotics. One goal of the Small World Initiative undergraduate laboratory curriculum aligns with the CDC and Executive Branch Goal 4, and is to crowdsource the discovery of new antibiotics in locally obtained soil samples using undergraduate students. Undergraduate students in Henderson State University’s BIO3094 Introduction to Microbiology Classes (Summer 2014, Fall 2014, and Spring 2015) have screened soil samples obtained from HSU and Arkadelphia for antibiotic producing bacteria. Each group of students plated various soil samples, isolated selected bacteria, and screened them for the ability to inhibit the growth of safe relatives of common pathogenic bacteria. Several bacteria have been identified that produce possible antibiotics. Students performed colony PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using DNA encoding 16s rRNA as the template, and the products were sequenced. The bacteria were identified to the genus level and represent a diverse spectrum of gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Research is still in progress to identify additional antibiotic producers, as well as to begin characterization of the inhibitory compounds.

Electrodeposition of Copper Sulfide Rods and Whiskers

Michael Jason Newell, Joshua Vangilder, Maqsood Ali Mughal, Kayla Wood, Shyam Thapa, and Robert Engelken, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

We present preliminary, serendipitous results regarding the facile production of large CuxS “nanorods”, on the order of a micron in diameter and up to 2 centimeters in length, using an electrodeposition technique. The rods, or microfibers, were electrodeposited onto graphite substrates at a variety of deposition voltages from an ethylene glycol bath of elemental sulfur, CuI, InCl3, and NaCl originally intended to produce CuInS2 thin films for solar cell use. The microfibers grew readily at low temperature with slow stirring, approaching lengths of centimeters within a few hours. Initial measurements using EDX/EDS indicate a stoichiometry near CuS. Research is continuing with the intention of not only better understanding and optimizing the process, but also identifying potential applications for the rods.

Investigating the Effect of Stratospheric Radiation on Seed Germination and Growth

Kiara V. Newhouse, Bryant Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

Three seed types: bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), corn (Zea mays) and radish (Raphanus sativus) were flown in a high altitude weather balloon into the mid stratosphere to investigate the effect of high altitude radiation on germination success and seedling growth. After recovering and planting the seeds, the bean seeds showed lower germination success with exposure to high altitude radiation, and consequently stunted seedling growth. Corn and radish seeds experienced a statistically significant positive effect on germination success from radiation exposure compared to control seeds, but negative effect on seedling growth. Overall, the field experiments presented here support laboratory studies that show radiation exposure on vegetable seeds has a negative effect on the germination success and seedling growth on all types of seeds investigated.

Closed-Form Representations for Exponential Forms

Nicole Nichiniello, Declan Mulhall, and Juan D. Serna, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

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It is well known in mathematics that an analytic function of a linear operator can be casted as an infinite sum if the operator is represented by a non-singular matrix, and the function admits a McLaurin expansion. Typical examples of this are the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff (BCH) series and the matrix exponential often used in quantum optics. It can be shown that, by using the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, these power series can be reduced to a finite number of terms without the need of simply truncating the series to obtain an approximation. In this work, we present some techniques used to derive closed-form expressions for analytic functions of linear operators defined on unitary spaces of dimension 2 and 3 over the field of complex numbers

Comparative Study of Oil and Grease Analysis in Water Samples

Addison T. Ochs and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

The purpose of this project was to introduce student researchers to a comparative study in oil and grease analysis. The project compared traditional and updated extraction techniques for quantifying oil and grease in standards and samples. The traditional method utilized n-hexane as an extracting agent and distillation to determine oil and grease concentrations in samples. Standards for this method were prepared using acetone, stearic acid, and hexadecane. This typically yielded a 55%-78% recovery. The updated method, Xenosep EPA Method 1664A,utilized n-hexane and methanol to determine oil and grease concentrations. This method yielded a 94.5% recovery.

Screening of Flathead Catfish for Heavy Metals in Ouachita River, AR

Casey C. O'Hara and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

Metals are being utilized in industries and agriculture; particularly heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic constitute a significant potential threat to human health because they are associated with many adverse effects on health. The consumption of fish is recommended because it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been associated with health benefits due to its cardio-protective effects. Southern Arkansas is home to many industrial plants thus there is concern of heavy metal accumulation in fish. Additionally, a new wastewater line was built that combines domestic and industrial waste with water release in the Ouachita River. Forty flathead catfish were collected from Ouachita River, AR. The fish were digested using vanadium (V) oxide and analyzed for arsenic, mercury, lead, copper, and cadmium using ICP-OES. Additionally, fish were analyzedfor aluminum, copper, and phosphorus. Elevated concentrations of arsenic and mercury were found in fish.

Monitoring Treated Wastewater Quality

Kara A. O’Neal and Gija Geme, Ph.D.Southern Arkansas University

Most homes and businesses send their wastewater to a treatment plant where many pollutants are removed from the water. Once the water is cleaned to standards set and monitored by state and federal officials, it is typically released into a local water body, where it can become a source of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Some wastewater treatment plants are able to remove more nitrogen and phosphorus from their discharges than others depending on their equipment and how they treat wastewater. The purpose of this study was to monitor quality of released water to a local creek by the local wastewater plant. Water was sampled weekly from the creek below and above the release point. Water was analyzed for chlorine, fecal and total coliform, E. coli, pH, dissolved

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oxygen, ammonia, and BOD-5. Some of the water samples collected showed chlorine and fecal coliform concentrations above the established reporting limits.

Tree Morticulture to Produce Food Plots for Woodpeckers

Seth W. Pearson and Robin M. Verble-Pearson, Ph.D.Texas Tech University

Morticulture is a management strategy in which trees are selectively killed to meet specific objectives. This technique has been used to spur colonization of decay and wood-boring beetles in forets. We assessed the effects of tree morticulture in Arkansas bottomland hardwood forests on production of insect larvae for woodpecker food sources.

A Device to Measure Skin Sensitivity to Nociceptive Heat Using a Photon Beam Heat Source

Linna J. Perkins, Walker, A.H.1, Griffith, M. R.2 , Dobretsov, M.3, Chowdhury, P.4

(1)Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway AR 72035(2) Dept. of Radiation and Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72204(3)Dept. of Anestheology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72205(4)Dept. of Biophysics and Physiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock AR 72205

Exposure to both microgravity and space irradiation possess undoubtable risk of acute and late degenerative nervous system impairment. There are large uncertainties with regard to vulnerable space flight-associated functions of NS and consequences of their deterioration. Our hypothesis is that, prolonged exposure to microgravity and low grade irradiation act additively leading to development of a mild prediabetic state andheightening a risk of diabetes-associated microcirculatory complications, including development of neuropathic symptoms. We propose testing our hypothesis using a set of experiments in which pro-neuropathic effects of simulated microgravity and low grade whole body irradiation exposure will be tested in isolation and combined. Two major outcome measures will be used – measurements of pain on pressure and by using photons heated rat hind limb withdrawal thresholds (measures of deep muscle and superficial skin nociceptive sensitivity). The loss of skin sensitivity to nociceptive heat is a usual sign of degenerative neuropathy, while deep muscle pain or deep pressure hyperalgesia is common in humans with neuropathy and muscle disease and very sensitive indicator ofprediabetic state (mild insulin resistance and/or insulinopenia) in rat models of diabetes and muscle disuse. We present here the design or a novel device that will be used in experiments to determine the loss of skin sensitivity to nociceptive heat. This design will allow for scientists to more accurately determine the temperature sensitivity plantar surface as compared to previous experiments.

The Dark Knight Shines: Practical vs Positive Motives for Helping Others Meet Their Potential

O'Dell R. Perry-Johnson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

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What kind of person would adopt a juvenile delinquent, offer a job to an ex-convict, mentor a criminal’s child, or offer help to their own worst enemy? Are these simply practical/cynical things to do in order to keep those people out of trouble or does this reflect optimism about human potential? Batman offers a way for at risk teens and former delinquents a chance to help others and be better citizens at the same time. He offers up his home and other resources for them to help them join his war against crime. Is he simply turning them into his own weapons or is he helping them become their own heroes? This presentation will explore these questions through the lenses of humanistic psychology, existential psychology, Gestalt psychology, and the more modern positive psychology.

A Comparison of the Communities of the Alga, Nannochloropsis (Eustigmatophyceae), in Different Lakes in North Dakota and Minnesota

Nelsha Peterson, Freddie Rivera, Samuel Vincent, Misty Hill, Karen Fawley, and Marvin Fawley, Ph.D.University of Arkansas-Monticello

Some hypotheses on the distribution of algal species posit that the same species are likely found in many different locations. We evaluated this hypothesis by examining strains of the small, coccoid alga Nannochloropsis that were isolated from lakes and ponds in North Dakota and Minnesota. We evaluated the diversity of the strains using sequence analysis of the highly-variable plastid locus, ccsA. Our preliminary results show that the strains isolated from the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in North Dakota are highly diverse, with at least 12 different ccsA sequences. A single strain isolated from a pond in Itasca State Park, Minnesota is distinct from the ANWR strains. We have found 3 different ccsA sequences thus far in a recent collection of strains from Lake Christina, Minnesota. Two of these are new ccsA sequences not yet found at other locations. We have several strains still to be characterized. The sequences from these strains may change our understanding of distribution patterns. However, we are able to conclude from the completed research that freshwater Nannochloropsis are much more diverse than marine species.

Analysis of Two Base-Ring Ware II Juglets from the Late Bronze Age for Opioid Derivatives via GC-MS

Jackson R. Petty and Dennis Province, Ph.D.Harding University

It has been suggested that Base-ring juglets from the Late Bronze Era (circa 1650 BC) were used totransport opium. The debate between archaeologists stem from the appearance of these characteristicjuglets coinciding with the emergence of the opium trade and the aesthetic properties of the vesselsclosely resembling an inverted opium pod in size, shape and detail. Specifically, two separate Base-Ring II juglets from the Late Bronze Age were analyzed to determine if the major components of opiumlatex (most likely from the Papaver Somniferum L. poppy) could be detected and quantified. Theprimary components of the latex (from the narcotic cultivar C048-6-14-64) are the alkaloids morphine,thebaine, and codeine. Gas Chromatography with a Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer detector (GCMS)was used to detect for these compounds by matching the mass spectrum of the components found in thejuglet extraction to known standards of these alkaloids. In addition, Single Ion Monitoring (SIM) wasimplemented to analyze ions specific to the opiates of interest. The detection was further validated bymatching the retention time of components to that of the eluted standards. Samples were prepared forGCMS analysis by extraction with a 5:1 mixture of chloroform and isopropanol, derivatized withbis(trimethylsilyl)acetemide, and then analyzed with a final solvent of dichloromethane. Preliminarytests suggest the presence of morphine in one of the two juglets with a retention time of 11.632 min. Inthe same juglet there is a promising codeine SIM peak at 10.895 min. Further research will focus on

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concentrating samples for higher detection levels, establishing a Limit of Detection (LOD), detectingthebaine, and extracting ionic salts of opiates.

Grief in Gotham

Tiffany R. Pitcock and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

How do people cope with repeated losses? For some people, tragic loss is rare, but there are people who must face it many times. In Batman comics, the character Tim Drake loses his mother, his father, his best friend, his girlfriend, his adoptive brother, his adoptive father, and others. Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross has famously identified five stages of grief that many, though not all, people follow when facing terminal illness or loss of loved ones: denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance. People facing repeated losses are less likely to follow this pattern every time because death becomes too common in their lives. This character is not prone to depression. He often dwells in denial, and after some of these characters turn out not to be dead, he becomes more prone to persistent relentless bargaining. Looking at a grieving character is a useful exercise when trying to relate to real people who are grieving, including many who may be suffering survivor guilt or even PTSD.

Titan: A Model for Early Earth?

Connor D. Purvis and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

Titan, the second largest Moon in the Solar System is a laboratory for studies leading to information about early Earth. Titan has a rich abundance of carbon containing compounds, yet has little oxygen present making it similar to Earth before oxygen was injected into the atmosphere by algae. It is one of the most Earth-like worlds with its substantial atmosphere (1.5 bar) and the presence of liquid lakes (ethane) found nowhere else in our Solar System. Titan receives radiation from the Sun but also is bombarded with particles and radiation from its mother, Saturn. We are investigating the photolysis of mixtures of hydrocarbons found on Titan in order to determine the origin of the different compounds found in the atmosphere of Titan. We have developed a special chamber for photolysis studies that will allow investigations at 2 bar pressure and temperatures observed in the Titan atmosphere. Our studies will be predominately spectroscopic with measurements from 200 nm to 1650 nm. Preliminary results from our research will be presented.

Generation of Ince-Gaussian Laser Beams

Kelsey D. Ray and Jessica Young, Ph.D.Arkansas Tech University

Due to their finite transverse size and slow divergence, laser beams can be described in terms of solutions to the paraxial wave equation (PWE). Two well known solutions to the PWE are the Hermite-Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) solutions. HG laser beams exhibit Cartesian symmetry and LG beams exhibit cylindrical symmetry. The Ince-Gaussian (IG) beams are the third group of the exact solutions to the PWE exhibiting elliptical symmetry. IG modes are the continuous transition modes between HG modes and LG modes. The experimental discovery of the group is fairly recent and its applications are still under research. We have been able to experimentally generate IG beams by manipulating HG modes using an astigmatic mode converter. The HG modes are formed by

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inserting fiber into a HeNe laser cavity. The experimentally generated beam intensity profiles have been compared to theoretically expected beam intensity profiles.

Continuity vs Stages: How Does Developmental Delay Impact Language Aquisition?

Emily R. Reynebeau and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Human social development is most rapid during earliest stages in life, seen most prominently in the speed at which a child is able to learn a first language. But what happens if, during these immersive periods, a child is never, or rarely, exposed to fundamental learning opportunities? Cassandra Cain, a reoccurring fictional comic book character from the Batman series, is a prime example of the effects of delayed advancement, due to a childhood submerged in martial arts training. Instead of learning language, she learns combat. Why is it especially important to acquire a first language at such a young age? Why is it so difficult to complete these steps later in life? How does this relate to learning a second language? Is it possible that a lack of language may have positive effects on other areas of the brain? By comparing Cassandra to both modern and classical examples of real feral children, such as Genie Wiley and Victor of Aveyron, we can begin to understand her motives and reactions as she interacts with an environment foreign to her personal upbringing.

Cabbage Inhibits Nitrate Reduction in Celery during Storage

Cynthia Robinson, Autumn Webb and Jinming Huang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

Nitrate (NO3-) in spinach, lettuce, and celery can be reduced to nitrite (NO2

-) during storage as we reported previously. However, nitrate in cabbage can not be reduced to nitrite during storage. More interestingly, we discovered that cabbage can inhibit nitrate reduction in celery during storage. Nitrate concentration was determined by the electrochemical method with a nitrate ion selective electrode, while nitrite concentration was determined by a Griess assay. Our results showed that cabbage juice inhibits 100% in nitrate reduction in celery juice (50%/50%, V/V) during eight days storage in refrigerator at 4oC. If cabbage juice boiled 5 minutes prior mixing with celery juice then no inhibition effect on nitrate reduction observed. If cabbage juice treated with 1mM EDTA prior mixing with celery juice also no inhibition effect on nitrate reduction observed. These interesting results strongly suggest that inhibition of nitrate reduction in celery is metal ion dependent when metal ion is removed by EDTA, a well-known chelator, no inhibition effect observed. Boiling experiment on cabbage also suggest that the inhibition of cabbage on nitrate reduction in celery involving some enzymes. When this enzyme was inactivated by boiling 5 minutes, then no inhibition effect observed.

The Effect of Computer-Based, Interactive Modules on Student Learning of Diffusion

Rachel M. Rowland, J. Steve Oliver, Georgia W. Hodges, and Janet Lanza, Ph.D.University of Georgia

Technology is rapidly becoming standard in K-12 classrooms. Given the accessibility of technology, Steve Oliver and an interdisciplinary team created three computer-based, interactive modules for basic and advanced 9th grade

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biology courses. These modules (on diffusion, osmosis, and filtration) used case studies and contained background readings, computer simulations, and interactive data collections. The effectiveness of the modules was assessed in Pre- and Post-tests for students in traditional, lecture-based classrooms vs. students in classrooms who received both lecture and interactive exercises. Use of the computer-based modules improved student scores on the Post-test. The present project was a follow-up study investigating student learning in the diffusion module in one basic and one advanced classroom. Using questions embedded in the module, we asked the following questions: (1) did students improve as they gained experience in the module?; and (2) which type of interactive materials (e.g., video clip, background reading, data-collection simulation) led to the most improvement in the embedded assessments? We then used Pre- and Post-tests to compare the effectiveness of the diffusion module for students in basic vs. advanced classrooms. Student responses to the embedded questions did not document any growth, primarily because of a lack of student effort in answering the questions. This result also meant that we could not determine which type of interactive material was most beneficial. Preliminary analysis indicated that students in the basic classroom (compared to students in the advanced classroom) improved more on only two of the six questions from the Pre- to Post-test. In the future, students should receive incentives for effort on embedded assessments. Furthermore, data from all classes involved should be analyzed, as should the data from the osmosis and filtration modules.

Control and Power Factor Analysis of a Solid State DC Transformer

Hussain Sayed, Ahmed Zurfi, Jing Zhang, and Jing K. Zhang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

For more than one hundred years, AC power transmission and distribution systems have been dominant systems in the electric power industry because of their inherited advantage of stepping up and down the AC voltage levels using conventional transformers. However, DC power systems have been receiving more and more attention in recent years because of the advantages of DC transmission lines in renewable energy generation, energy storage, and improvement of grid control performance. In such DC power systems, Solid State DC Transformers (SSDCT)will play an important role just like the conventional transformers in AC power systems, i.e. to convert the DC voltage levels throughout a DC power system. An SSDCT consists of dual active bridges (DAB) with a high frequency transformer for galvanic isolation. SSDCTs offer the ability of controlled bidirectional power flow, high efficiency, and high power density. In this work, control and power factor of SSDCT are studied. First, the steady-state operation of SSDCT has been studied for three different modulation schemes of the DAB converter. The three modulation techniques of the DAB converter are: Phase Shift Modulation (PSM), Trapezoidal Current Modulation (TCM), and Triangular Current Modulation (ΔCM). The PSM method is the most prevalent modulation due to its ease of control. However, it has the drawbacks of poor transformer power factor and limited soft switching range. In order to overcome these limitations, triangular and trapezoidal modulations are used where improved power factor, and soft switching at wider operating range are realized. The combined operation of trapezoidal and triangular method and power factor of the high-frequency transformer have been investigated with the goal to attain highest transformer power factor over the complete range of transformer operation. The goal of this project is to set up protocols and hardware for controlling robotic vehicles using Smart Phones. We are also learning other ways of controlling robotic vehicles without having to resort to a communications tether. Our plan is to educateourselves in this important area and to share our knowledge with the robotic community. The newer Smart Phones have computing capabilities that allow sophisticated uses of these devices in all sorts of areas, in particular the controlling of all types of devices anywhere within the network range of the service provider. Smart Phones continue to become an increasingly important part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Several communication schemes have been investigated in this study and the results of our work will be reported.

WIFI Guidance of the Mars Rover

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Daniel H. Schwartz and Kevin R. Lewelling, Ph.D.University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

A joint research project to design and construct a Mars rover between the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS) and Harding University started summer 2012 after receiving funding from the NASA Collaborative Research Program grant and both universities, respectively. The constructed rover is powered by a 20 Ah, 12 V Lithium Ion (LI) battery pack and controlled by a Raspberry PI minicomputer and Arduino microcontroller. The Raspberry PI computer allows a user to access an on-board HD camera and drive the rover via a WIFI connection. Additionally, a robotic arm has been mounted on the rover capable of lifting up to 8 pounds while fully extended. Plans to increase the size and capabilities of this 100 pound rover to carry one adult astronaut will be discussed during this presentation.

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Turnover in Natural and Restored Forested Wetland Sites in Southeast Arkansas

Chris J. Sheldon, Robert L. Ficklin, and Stacy D. Wilson, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

Forested wetlands in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (LMAV) in Arkansas are losing acreage that could alter regional carbon cycles. Multiple restoration projects have been established in this region to abate the loss of wetlands. Studies suggest variations in microtopography are responsible for differences in plant species and soil hydrologic properties in forested wetlands. In an attempt to restore wetland function, microtopographic features have been constructed at some restoration areas in the LMAV. Studying turnover of carbon and nitrogen through leaf litter decomposition is one way to determine if wetland restoration efforts are effectively restoring nutrient cycling to natural wetland conditions. This study is examining leaf litter decomposition in a naturally forested wetland and in an area formally converted to cropland that is now undergoing forest wetland restoration in southeast Arkansas. The soils at both study areas are mapped as Perry Clay soil series. Litter from two tree species present on both sites are being used for the decomposition study: Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash) and Quercus phellos (willow oak). Litter bags were installed in three hydrology influencing topographical features: hummocks/ridges, swales, and flats. The treatments were replicated five times on each study site. In addition to litter decomposition rates, hydroperiod, litter C and N concentrations and ratios, ash free mass of the leaves, soil pH, and soil C and N concentrations are being measured. This study will improve understanding of the influence that anthropogenic changes have on wetland function as agricultural lands are restored to their previous land cover.

Relationships between Asociality and Manipulativeness: Can you Manipulate People Without Understanding Them?

Darian N. Sisson and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Batman’s enemy Poison Ivy, after growing up as a lonely child lacking friends and the social skills to acquire them, shows difficulty understanding people’s motives, even her own. Not knowing how to affect people socially and positively, this character uses pheromones and botanical science to manipulate others, typically in negative ways. Why type of person tries to rob people of free will? It is a legitimate concern. There really are authoritarians who try to keep others from thinking for themselves and those who show authoritarian obedience, preferring not to think for themselves. Is manipulativeness a substitute for real human contact, a way to feel secure, a way to protect oneself, or a reward in other ways?

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Development of Breath Analysis Methods

Maegen L. Sloan and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

The ultimate goal of this project is to take human breath samples and analyze them for biomarkers thatsignal disease. The advantage of this method, as opposed to urine or blood samples is that it is noninvasive.The problem is that the disease biomarkers are present in such low concentrations that it is difficult to measure. We are using a universal method for concentrating our samples that is both inexpensive and comprehensive compared with all other methods. The apparatus is being designed and measurements are being made to determine the limit of quantitation (LOQ) and detection limit (DL) for pentane. A biomarker known to indicate cancer in a person.

Red Crossbill Invasion of Northwestern Arkansas during Winter 2012-2013

Kimberly G. Smith and Joseph C. Neal University of Arkansas

In November of 2012, Red Crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) began to appear in northwestern Arkansas. Subsequently flocks of up to 50-60 birds were seen around northwest Arkansas through spring. Three types were recorded during winter: Type 2 was most common around the Fayetteville area and was associated with a variety of conifers, Type 3 was more common in Carroll County and was associated with short-leaf pines (Pinus echinata), and one individual of Type 5 was recorded in Fayetteville, only the third record of this type east of the Rockies. Birds at the Fayetteville Country Club were observed eating algae (Cladophyra) during December and January, a rare food for passerines. During spring, crossbills began to frequent feeders, particularly those with sunflowers. Two female specimens were collected at that time that had flown into windows, both apparently Type 3. Crossbills were last reported in mid-May.

Smart Phone Control of Robotic Vehicles

Shelby V. Sorrells and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

The goal of this project is to set up protocols and hardware for controlling robotic vehicles using Smart Phones. We are also learning other ways of controlling robotic vehicles without having to resort to a communications tether. Our plan is to educate ourselves in this important area and to share our knowledge with the robotic community.The newer Smart Phones have computing capabilities that allow sophisticated uses of these devices in all sorts of areas, in particular the controlling of all types of devices anywhere within the network range of the service provider. Smart Phones continue to become an increasingly important part of the Internet of Things (IoT). Severalcommunication schemes have been investigated in this study and the results of our work will be reported.

High Altitude Light Intensity from Balloon Borne Sensors

Heather R. Southe, Bryant Fong, and Tillmen Kennon, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

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BalloonSAT is an educational outreach and near-space exploration program that uses payload boxes and weather balloons to investigate various issues and conditions within the atmosphere. HOBO data loggers and solar panels within a payload box were utilized to measure light intensity within the atmosphere. Previous studies show that light intensity follows a parabolic curve with the apex at the tropopause. In an effort to determine if there is relationship between light intensity and temperature, the atmosphere was stimulated in a closed environment with controlled temperatures and light source. An inverse relationship was found between light intensity and temperature, such that solar voltage increases while temperature decreases with higher altitudes.

Analysis of a Ribosomal Protein Gene in Tumor Development

Seth St. John, Wray Devon, Helen Beneš, and Mary Stewart, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Monticello

In humans, mutation of genes involved in ribosome production, including ribosomal protein genes, is known to cause a set of pathologies called ribosomopathies. Clinical symptoms of ribosomopathies include anemia, craniofacial abnormalities and abnormal blood cell production, all of which may be associated with decreased rates of protein synthesis. In some cases, ribosomopathy patients have a predisposition to solid tumor or hematological tumor formation. Similarly, mutations in ribosomal protein genes in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) causes phenotypes consistent with reduced protein synthesis such as delayed development and short, thin bristles in adult flies .In addition, mutation of some D. melanogaster ribosomal protein genes, such as the ribosomal protein S6 gene (RpS6), can cause tumors in developing animals. The RpS6 gene is a “dual gene” because this gene contains information for the RpS6 protein as well as a small non-coding RNA thought to function as a snoRNA. Our current work involves a genetic approach to understanding what phenotypes of RpS6 mutant flies are caused by reduced expression of RpS6 versus effects that may be caused by altered expression of the snoRNA.

The Tangential Velocity Profile Within a Viscous Vortex

Matthew N. Strasser and Rathinam P. Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

The vortex is one of the most complex phenomenon within the field of fluid mechanics. Vortex loading of structures is a relevant problem in many fields. The aerospace community is plagued by blade-vortex interaction, where vortices produced by rotors interact with both the rotors and downstream components of aerospace vehicles creating noise and vibration. The structural design community is concerned with predicting wind design loadings for atmospheric vortices such as tornados and hurricanes. There is considerable debate amongst researchers regarding the radial tangential velocity distribution within vortices. Numerous analytical models are presented in the literature and proposed as representing different types of vortices. In the present work, commonly-used analytical tangential velocity profiles are compared with measured tangential velocity profilesfrom various experimental vortices as well as atmospheric vortices. Two analytical profiles provide excellent representation of the measured tangential velocity profiles and shall be used inCFD simulation to study structural loading by vortices.

BalloonSAT: High Altitude Measurement of Methane Concentration

Jennifer R. Sullivan, Bryant Fong, and Tillman Kennon, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

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The BalloonSAT program is a high altitude research and education outreach program. With several balloon launches Arduino and MQ-6 detectors were sent into the atmosphere at an altitude of 30km (90,000 ft). Methane is 30 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. A calibration curve was made with known concentrations of methane at various temperatures to convert voltage readings into concentrations. Various concentrations were made by changing the ratio of pure methane and compressed air in laboratory controlled conditions. Methane concentration was found to decrease with altitude similar to satellite and UnmannedAerial Vehicle (UAV).

Atypical Head Markings of the Ouachita Map Turtle in the Upper Ouachita River of Arkansas

Allison Surf and Renn Tumlison, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Turtles of a clade historically known as false map turtles (Graptemys pseudogeographica) occur throughout the Mississippi River drainage, but variation throughout their range precipitated taxonomic confusion since their original descriptions. Two forms occur in Arkansas, presently designated Graptemys kohnii (Mississippi Map Turtle) and Graptemys ouachitensis (Ouachita Map Turtle). These have been identified based on unique head markings, but we discovered a population of G. ouachitensis with markings similar to those of G. kohnii. Additional means of discrimination of these species in Arkansas are presented, along with discussion of some juvenile characters that may disappear during ontogeny.

New Host and County Records of the Fish Leech Cystobranchus klemmi (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) in Arkansas

Christopher S. Thigpen, Lina I. Bagwell, John D. Konvalina, Samuel A. Schratz, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Fish were collected on 4 April 2014 from Eassis Creek in Randolph County, 9 April 2014 from McCoy Creek in Pope County, and 17 January 2015 from Jane’s Creek in Randolph County. The fishes were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and stored in 70% ethanol. Leeches (Cystobranchus klemmi) were found on a bigeye shiner (Notropis boops) from Eassis Creek, and central stonerollers (Campostoma anomalum) from McCoy Creek and Jane’s Creek. The finding from Eassis Creek constitutes a new hostand county record. The finding from McCoy Creek constitutes a new county record.

New County Record of Black-Spot Disease in Arkansas

Christopher S. Thigpen, Lina I. Bagwell, John D. Konvalina, Samuel A. Schratz, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Fish were fixed in the field in a 10% neutral buffered formalin solution and placed on ice. The fish werethen stored in 70% ethanol. Species was determined using Fishes of Arkansas (Robison and Buchanan1988), and specimens were examined. Several species were infected with black-spot disease, including

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central stonerollers, Campostoma anomalum, bigeye shiners, Notropis boops, a telescope shiner, N.telescopus, greenside darters, Etheostoma blennioides, rainbow darters, E. caeruleum, orangethroatdarters, E. spectabile, and banded darters, E. zonale. Although these species are known to be hosts of theblack-spot causing trematodes, they were not known to show infection in Randolph County, except from a small mention in a paper on the diversity of fishes in Jane’s Creek (Fowler and Harp, 1974).

A Case of Frugivory in a Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) from Northeastern Arkansas

Christopher S. Thigpen, Travis D. Marsico, and Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

An adult green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) was collected in mid-September 2014 from Jonesboro, Arkansas.The frog was measured, euthanized, and examined before being fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalinand placed into the Arkansas State University herpetological museum. The stomach was removed,cleared of its contents, and measured. The contents were placed into 10% neutral buffered formalin for48 hours and transferred to 70% ethanol. Contents included the remains of a beetle and two fruits fromunknown plants. The contents were photographed, measured, and identified to the lowest achievabletaxonomic level. The beetle was identified as a spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctahowardi Barber [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]). The fruits were identified as Persicaria sp. (likelyP.punctata (Elliot) Small; Polygonaceae) and an as-yet unidentified species of a grass (Poaceae). Fruitsin the stomachs of frogs are rarely reported in the literature, but could represent possible mechanisms forseed dispersal in plants. It is unknown if frogs select to sometimes eat fruits or if fruits are a bi-product ofanimal prey capture or missed predation attempts. In any case, the goal of this report is to raise awarenessof a poorly documented phenomenon in an effort to direct attention to this possible method of seeddispersal.

High Resolution Spectrograph Design

Brennan M. Thomason, Stephanie J. Inabnet, Tamara B. Thomason, and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

We have designed and built a high resolution spectrograph for the 2014 National Student Solar Spectrograph Competition (NSSSC) held by the Montana Space Grant Consortium. This award winning spectrograph is being used in a new Solar and Atmospheric Laboratory at Harding University. It is based on a Czerny-Turner configuration. The focal length of the instrument is 394 mm. The diameter of the gold coated Collimating Mirror is 75 mm. The Grating is a flat rectangular replica grating, Model 290-R from Richardson Grating Laboratories, measuring 50 mm x 50 mm with 1800 lines per mm. The blaze wavelength of the 290-R grating is 500 nm in the Littrow configuration and its blaze angle is 26.7 degrees. The detector is a SONY ILX511 2048 element linear array CCD detector. The wavelength range of the instrument is 400 to 1000 nm. A 400 tooth worm gear rotates the grating upon command from a programmed Arduino microcontroller. The design of this instrument and results from the NSSSC competition will be presented.

Testicular Histology and Sperm Morphometrics of the Bird-voiced Treefrog, Hyla avivoca (Anura: Hylidae), from Arkansas

Stan E. Trauth, Chris S. Thigpen, and Matt B. Connior

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Arkansas State University

We examined the testicular histology and spermatozoal dimensions of the bird-voiced treefrog, Hyla avivoca (Anura: Hylidae), from samples collected in May, June, and July from localities in three counties (Calhoun, Conway, and Little River) in Arkansas. Calling frogs were necropsied in the lab, and testes were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy. Spermatocysts within seminiferous tubules of all males contained large aggregates of spermatozoa. Primary spermatogonia, the largest of all germ cells, ranged from 13.3 – 17.8 μm in diameter (x = 15.37 ±1.22; n = 20). Measurements of sperm dimensions yielded the following length parameters (range, mean ± standard deviation, sample size): acrosome, 2.10 – 3.37 μm (x = 2.58 ± 0.40; n =11); nucleus, 10.22 – 13.71 μm (x = 11.70 ± 0.86; n = 65); acrosome, nucleus, midpiece complex (ANM) in three frogs, 14.87 – 23.98 μm (x = 19.62 ± 2.72; n = 17), 18.83 – 26.96 μm (x = 22.92 ± 2.26; n = 17), 17.40 – 26.96 μm (x = 23.92 ± 3.27; n = 11); principle piece, 24.36 – 27.68 μm (x = 25.98 ± 1.19; n = 14); total tail length (endpiece intact), 29.87 – 39.00 μm (x = 33.37 ± 2.63; n = 23); and total sperm length, 51.02 – 62.98 μm (x = 54.63 ± 3.54; n = 20). Our sperm morphometric findings complement previously published data on this species and fill in gaps that may aid in future intra- and interfamilial comparisons.

Recent History of Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) Observations in Arkansas, With Notes on the Individual Killed in Bradley County, Arkansas in 2014

Renn Tumlison1 and Mark Barbee2

1Henderson State University, 2Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Monticello, AR 71655

In November, 2014, a hunter killed a mountain lion near Hermitage in Bradley County of southern Arkansas, which was the first Arkansas kill in 40 years. DNA samples were submitted to a wildlife genetics lab by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and results indicated that the specimen likely was a transient originating from populations in South Dakota or Wyoming. The post-cranial skeleton was donated to Henderson State University, where dissection revealed some interesting facts about the cat. Recent history of mountain lion sightings and kills are discussed.

New Records and Observations of the American Badger (Taxidea taxus) in Arkansas

Renn Tumlison1 and Blake Sasse2

1Henderson State University2Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mayflower, AR 72106

Records of badgers (Taxidea taxus) were only sporadic in Arkansas until an established, reproductive population was detected during the last decade. Additional county records have accumulated since then, adding to the known Arkansas distribution in northeastern Arkansas, as well as in the Ozark Mountains. Two specimens have been worked into the Henderson State University Collection of Vertebrates, which allowed examination of age and condition. These, along with photographs of several other road-killed individuals, allowed us to evaluate the subspecific affinity of the Arkansas population.

Vertebrate Natural History Notes from Arkansas, 2015

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R. Tumlison1, M.B. Connior2, H.W. Robison3, C.T. McAllister4, L.A. Durden5, D.B. Sasse6, and D.A. Saugey7 1Henderson State University, 2South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado, AR 71730, 39717 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 7212, 4Eastern Oklahoma State College, Idabel, OK 7474, 5Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30458, 6Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mayflower, AR 72106, 7Nightwing Consulting, Jessieville, AR 71949

Although vertebrates are a commonly studied group of animals, the distribution and natural history of many species within Arkansas remains undocumented. We continue to augment current literature with new records of distribution and provide notes on the natural history of selected vertebrates from Arkansas. Herein we include previously unreported records of distribution, reproduction, and other aspects of natural history of the vertebrates of Arkansas. We report new records of bats based on submissions to the Arkansas Dept. of Health for rabies testing, as well as records from field notes of chiropterologists. New to this series, we also report records of parasites taken from mammals in Arkansas.

High Resolution Spectroscopic Studies of Earth’s Atmosphere

Emily J. Valerio and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

A Solar and Atmospheric Laboratory is being created at Harding University. One of the key instruments in the laboratory is a high resolution spectrograph that was built recently. We have improved the design of the instrument and improved its performance. In order to use it for meaningful atmospheric and Solar studies, an accurate calibration is required. We are in the process of calibrating the instrument using spectra from fluorescent lights in addition to neon, hydrogen and mercury gas discharge lamps. For final verification, atmospheric measurements of the water vapor and oxygen spectra in the near infrared region will be measured and compared with values reported in the 2008 HITRAN Database.

Status of Renewable Energy Research at Arkansas State University

Joshua Vangilder, Kayla Wood, Shyam Thapa, Maqsood Mughal, Michael Newell, and Robert Engelken, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

This presentation will provide an update on research on photovoltaic materials and other renewable energy-oriented challenges, for example, biofuel pellets, at the Arkansas State University Optoelectronic Materials Research Laboratory. Focus will be upon electrodeposition of thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium disulfide (CuInS2), and indium sulfide (In2S3), all promising solar cell materials. Copper indium disulfide and indium sulfide also offer advantages of low hazard/toxicity and low environmental impact. With renewable energy serving as an emerging need and opportunity, such research could pave the way for eventual follow-up businesses and economic stimulation in Arkansas. The research also provides the student participants experience that enhances their overall education and marketability.

Fire in Ozark Oak Forests

Robin M. Verble-Pearson, Ph.D.Texas Tech University

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Fire is a conspicuous and important factor influencing the distribution and evolution of forests in North America. In particular, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri are unique in their fire history. This region lies at theintersection of eastern fire management and western fire suppression. Here, I synthesize the fire history of the region and address major issues facing future management.

Molecular Cloning to Improve Mitochondrial Fission and Fusion Assays in Dicytostelium discoideum

Olivia Vogel, Ericka Vogel, and Kari Naylor, Ph.D.University of Central Arkansas

In our lab we are studying the process of mitochondrial fission and fusion to understand the mechanisms for these processes within eukaryotic cells. We quantify the rates of fission and fusion in wild-type and perturbed conditions to determine the role different proteins play in these processes. In order to study the mitochondria, we must be able to view them under a fluorescent confocal microscope. We currently use MitoTracker Red- a vital dye - to label the mitochondria. However, this dye has proven inefficient due to the fact that it can wash out under certain experimental conditions and only stains healthy mitochondria. The purpose of this project is to create a fusion protein that fuses the first 35 amino acids of the mitochondrial protein TopA with the red fluorescent protein mCherry. This fusion protein, once expressed in the cell, will target and fluorescently label the mitochondria. This construct will prove more efficient in the visualization of Dictyostelium discoideum mitochondria by staining all mitochondria, and will not be washed out. These fluorescently labeled mitochondria may then be studied to answer questions about mitochondrial dynamics, such as the rate of fission, fusion, and motility.The cloning process we used can be divided into four main steps: polymerase chain reaction, digestion, ligation, and transformation. In our research, we have currently performed all steps and created a construct. Upon screening our colonies we identified three positive clones. However, after sequence analysis it became apparent that we did not clone the correct mitochondrial targeting sequence. Instead, a primer dimer had been inserted. To eliminate this problem, we ordered complementary oligonucleotides of 129 bases and annealed the pieces together. Once annealed, the pieces were digested and ligated into the vector along with mCherry.

Research Kinetics of Carbonate Aerosols in Carboxylic Acid Environments

Kristiana A. Watson, Bryant N. Fong, and Hashim Ali, Ph.D.Arkansas State University

Aerosols, solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, play a vital role in our changing climate. Our understanding of the behavior of carbonate aerosols in carboxylic acid environments is still limited. Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to analyze the reaction of carbonate aerosols with common carboxylic acids including oxalic, malonic and succinic acids. Identified products include carbon dioxide and other gas phase species. At lower concentrationsof carbonate aerosols, more gas product is produced while greater concentrations of carbonates have lower concentrations of gases which suggest a sequestering process. Aerosols’ effect the Earth’s ecosystem by changing the global reflectance properties of the atmosphere depend on their chemical composition. They may also cause adverse health effects with increased concentrations associated with urban activities such as traffic congestion and/or industrial emissions. This study was performed to characterize and compare the chemical composition of aerosols found in rural and urban NE Arkansas areas. Aerosol samples were collected at two sites 40 miles apart using a mini-particle collector and analyzed using ion chromatography in Jonesboro an urban center, and Joiner a rural town. The majority of aerosols collected contained chlorine, fluorine, bromine, nitrate, phosphate components. One sample collected from Jonesboro contain sulfate indicative of high industrial activities.

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Physiological Effects of Massage Therapy in College Students and the Elderly.Hunter Wayland, Christine Dickson, Anneq Ahmad, Ph.D., T. David Bateman, Ph.D.Henderson State University

Two studies are carried out to determine the physiological response to massage therapy in the human body. The first study examines the effect of massage therapy on the stress biomarker cortisol in college students. The physiological effect of a ten-minute session of clothed Swedish massage therapy is measured using a salivary cortisol enzyme assay. Massage therapy appears to significantly reduce the cortisol levels of college students, with women experiencing more of a drop than men. The second study seeks to determine the effect of hand massage on the mood of elderly residents of a long-term care facility. Salivary oxytocin is measured via enzyme assay to determine changes in mood. Hand massage does not appear to significantly improve the mood of geriatric people.

Origins of Serial and Spree Murder

Dylan A. Weaver and Travis Langley, Ph.D.Henderson State University

What creates a serial killer? Can a traumatic experience turn a good person into a serial killer? History indicates no it cannot, and yet fiction keeps depicting normal people going on killing sprees after a single bad day. In the Batman comics, the character Victor Zsasz tries to make meaning of the world so that his tragic experiences feel like they make sense. He kills people to “relieve them of the burden of life” and cuts a tally mark on his body for each victim. Is he delusional, obsessive compulsive, narcissistic, psychopathic, sadistic, or too unlike any real human being to diagnose? By comparing specific story details to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 criteria, we can assess this character’s possible mental illness. By also comparing the character to real world killers, especially visionary and mission-oriented serial killers, we can assess this character’s realism.

Recolonization of Meiofauna after Physical Disturbance in a Gravel Bed Stream

Melissa K. Welch, Laura Berryman, Shrijeeta Ganguly, and Arthur V. Brown, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

Meiofauna play important roles within streams and have patchy distributions indicating that they are both sensitive to changes in habitat and able to move selectively to optimize conditions. We performed a controlled experiment to evaluate the recolonization of a physically disturbed area of a gravel bed stream by meiofauna. We established control and treatment areas in a uniform flat of Chambers Spring, sampled both areas, disturbed the treatment area with a rototiller and hand implements, re-sampled the disturbed plot, and periodically sampled both plots for 14 days. Surprisingly, the before and after disturbance densities were not significantly different (p >0.05). There were significant differences in meiofauna abundance, diversity and evenness between the control and disturbed plots (p < 0.05). Taxa-specific responses were observed in response to disturbance and time. Rotifers and nematodes densities were the most significantly altered by the disturbance (p < 0.05). For those taxa that were affected by the disturbance, their abundance, diversity and evenness returned to pre-disturbance levels within one week. Some meiofauna taxa recolonize disturbed areas rapidly.

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Stopover Foraging Ecology of Swainson's Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) During Spring Passage Migration Through Arkansas

Shannon Wiley1, Ragupathy Kannan1, Douglas A. James2, Anant Deshwal2

1University of Arkansas - Fort Smith2University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

The stopover foraging ecology of Swainson’s Thrushes on spring passage migration was studied in W. Arkansas in the spring of 2013 and 2014. Observations were made in two forested field sites, one of them urban and the other suburban. The former had a significantly higher woody stem area (cm2) than the latter. For each foraging bservation, the following three parameters were noted: Foraging Stratum (Ground, Shrub, Sapling, Sub canopy, and Canopy); Foraging Substrate (Ground/Litter, Herb, Foliage, Bark, and Air); and Foraging Maneuver (Glean, Probe, Dive/Glean, Hover, Jump Hover, and Hawking). We tested the hypotheses that these foraging variables differed significantly between the urban and suburban sites, and between the two years. These hypotheses were rejected for all three parameters. The consolidated data from both the sites and years revealed that a significantly higher proportion (67%) of the observations were on the Ground stratum, compared to the Shrub (13.7%) and Sapling strata (13%) (n=637 observations). Similarly, a significantly higher proportion (66%) of the foraging substrate used was Ground/Litter, followed by Foliage (16.7%) and Bark (15.8%) (n=637 observations). Gleaning was the most common foraging maneuver used (71.5%), and was significantly higher than Probing (12.3%) and Dive Gleaning (8.4%). The fact that the foraging tactics did not vary significantly between the two sites with significantly different vegetation structure suggests that Swainson’s Thrushes are flexible in habitat choice during migration. Conservation efforts of this declining species should therefore be directed more on habitats intheir breeding and wintering grounds than those on passage migration.

The Use of a Dinuclear Molybdenum Oxalate Quinolinium Salt as an Oxidizing Agent

Jake G. Windley and Burt Hollandsworth, Ph.D.Harding University

A dinuclear molybdenum oxalate quinolinium salt was synthesized as part of a CHEM 450 lab. The complex had potential as an oxidizing agent due to possessing two molybdenum atoms in a +6 oxidation state. The oxidative ability of the compound was analyzed by reactions with 1-octanol, 2-butanol, cyclohexanol,benzyl alcohol, and styrene. These reactions were also carried out with other common oxidizing agents for comparative purposes. In general, the complex was shown to be a reasonably effective oxidizing agent, comparing favorably to otherreagents when dealing with non-hindered alcohols.

Atmospheric and Solar Laboratory at Harding

Kyung Yoon and Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D.Harding University

A Solar and Atmospheric Laboratory is being created at Harding University to place another point on the world-wide grid. We strive to produce accurate and useful data to establish a baseline for global climate change studies. One of the spectrographs used is a StellarNet Black Comet which is a fiber-fed ultraviolet-visible-near infrared instrument that records spectra in the range of 200 to 1000 nm. A second instrument, also fiber-fed, is a StellarNet Red Wave Spectrograph that operates in the near infrared range from 1000 nm to 1650 nm. These two

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instruments work in tandem and are programmed to make episodic data collection at specified times throughout the day. The two data collection fibers, one from each instrument, have been spliced into the same connector and connected to a single fiber mounted vertically outside the building. Presently, water vapor and oxygen measurements are being emphasized over other atmospheric gases until our protocols have been improved to the point where we can accurately extract carbon dioxide spectra.

Comparing the Effect of a Hemispherical Dome and a Rectangular Prism Building on Tornado Wind Using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Simulation.

Majdi A. Yousef and Panneer R. Selvam, Ph.D.University of Arkansas

Nearly 1200 tornados are reported annually in the US. The annual damage caused by tornados can exceed 400 million dollars. Some research has been done to study the wind flow around buildings. For a regular straight wind, the forces on buildings are available for standards or thought wind tunnel, whereas the tornado forces on buildings are still under research. Some work of the tornado forces effect on a cubic building is reported using computer modeling. However, still other studies of the tornado forces effect on different shapes like a dome is not available. In the current study, the effect of a dome building on tornado forces is studied using computer model. The effect of hemispherical dome and rectangular prism buildings having same plan area and height on tornado force coefficients are compared. To study the tornado wind effect, a three dimensional CFD model, based on large eddy simulation, is utilized to numerically simulate interaction between a traveling tornado-like vortex and a building. The Rankine Combined Vortex Model is implemented to model the tornado wind field. This work describes the results of the tornado wind effect on dome and rectangular prism buildings. The conclusions drawn from this study are illustrated by various visualizations. The numerical results show the force coefficients on a rectangular prism building are almost double the forces coefficients on a dome building due to tornado wind. This study might inform the standers to provide a better buildings design especially in tornados regions.

An Inversion Algorithm with Bayesian Formulation

Yijun YuPhilander Smith College

A Bayesian formalism is considered for inverting for the parameters of a heterogeneity profile based on measured scattering data. In the Bayesian framework considered here, it is assumed that there will be a mismatch between the measured data and the model employed, with the error represented as a random process. This statistical formalism yields a likelihood function. A prior is imposed on the parameters to be inverted, also hyperpriors are imposed on hyperparameters. Under this hierarchical Bayesian modeling, the full posterior is approximated as a multi-dimensional Gaussian distribution. The mean of this distribution may be used as a point estimate of the heterogeneity profile, with the covariance matrix providing associated “error bars” (a measure of confidence in the inversion). Finally simplifying the algorithm further through integrating out one hyperparameter. Here the basic Bayesian inversion framework is presented, with example results presented for subsurface-sensing problems.

Model Identification and Wall-Plug Efficiency Measurement of White LED Modules

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Ahmed Zurfi, Jing Zhang, Ph.D.University of Arkansas at Little Rock

In this work, an experimental method is developed to measure the Wall-Plug efficiency of white LED modules without using any apparatus or sensors to measure the intensity of light. The tested LED module consists of a white LED chip affixed on a heat sink. The proposed method is mainly based on thermal and electrical models of the LED module. Therefore, measurements of thermal and electrical power are implemented instead of optical power. The presented method is not intended to replace the existing conventional techniques used to obtain optical and thermal characteristics of LEDs, but it provides a way to measure the Wall-Plug efficiency of white LEDmodules under practical operational conditions. First, the efficiency model of the LED module is identified. Then, wall-plug efficiency is calculated based on the identified model at operating conditions of different temperature and input current. The developed testing system consists of the LED module-under-test and a heater installed on a heat sink identical to the heat sink of the LED module. An automatic temperature controller is developed to control the temperature of the heater’s heat sink and maintain it equal to the temperature of the heat sink of the tested LED module. Tests and measurements are implemented in LabVIEW environment.

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Index of all Authors

Alphabetical by first name

, C.T. McAllister4, 64A.K. Meredith, 11, 40Aaron Meridith, 66Abby Fain, 18, 35Addison T. Ochs, 21, 52Ahmed Zurfi, 11, 24, 57, 69Alice Cardona-Otero, 17, 26Allen Leible, 8, 32Allie Davis, 10, 46Allison Surf, 8, 10, 46, 61Anant Deshwal, 67Anneq Ahmad, Ph.D., 15, 66Anwar Bhuiyan, Ph.D., 9, 36Arthur V. Brown, Ph.D., 24, 66Ashley R. Bles, 13, 29Autumn Webb, 22, 56Blake Sasse, 63Brad A. Rowland, Ph.D., 19, 36Brandon M. Daughety, 15, 39Brennan M. Thomason, 16, 62Brett Serviss, Ph.D., 8, 32Brian C. Maulden, 13, 46Brittany A. Freeman, 12, 36Bryant Fong, 7, 10, 19, 22, 43, 51, 59, 60Bryant N. Fong, 23, 65Burt Hollandsworth, Ph.D., 67C. Hudson, 47C.R. Bursey, 48C.T. McAllister, 49C.T. McAllister1, 8, 20, 21, 47, 48, 49Caitlyn Gosch, 14, 34Charles Mebi, 9, 36Charli N. Davis, 7, 33Charlotte Wetzlar, 14, 34Chase Elkin, 10, 37Chowdhury, P., 45, 53Chris J. Sheldon, 22, 58Chris S. Thigpen, 8, 63Christian T. Buechel, 18, 30Christine Dickson, 15, 66Christopher G. Sims, Ph.D., 7, 27Christopher S. Thigpen, 23, 61, 62Colby Smith, 7, 44Coley R. Henson, 13, 39Conner Harris, 9, 39Connor A. Goodson, 19, 37

Connor D. Purvis, 15, 55Cynthia A. Fuller, Ph.D., 18, 21, 30, 50Cynthia Robinson, 22, 56D. Motriuk-Smith, 47D.A. Neely, 48D.A. Saugey, 64D.B. Sasse, 64D.G. Cloutman, 48Dale A. Amos, Ph.D., 19, 40Daniel Bullock, Ph.D., 9, 31Daniel H. Schwartz, 16, 58Daniel Morgan, 21, 50Darian N. Sisson, 13, 58David Bateman, 2, 73David May, 10, 46Declan Mulhall, 21, 51Dennis Province, Ph.D., 10, 15, 41, 54Dillon C. Hall, 13, 37Dobretsov , M., 45Dobretsov, M., 53Douglas A. James, 67Duane Jackson, Ph.D., 11, 42Duy Ha, 10, 37Dylan A. Weaver, 23, 66Dylan Campbell, 10, 46E. Morehead, 21, 50Edmond W. Wilson, Ph.D., 10, 11, 15, 16, 28, 39, 42, 55,

59, 62, 64, 67Elisa Neibling, 19, 41Elizabeth Margulis, Ph.D., 19Emilie Beltzer, Ph.D., 12, 17, 27, 34Emily Culpepper, 18, 33Emily J. Blanton, 18, 29Emily J. Valerio, 11, 64Emily R. Reynebeau, 22, 56Erica L. Chafton, 18, 31Ericka Vogel, 23, 65Ethan Holicer, 8, 32Fontaine Talyor, 9, 25Frank Hahn, Ph.D., 9, 25Franklin D. Hardcastle, Ph.D., 9, 38, 39Freddie Rivera, 22, 54Frederica Davidson, 17, 28Georgia W. Hodges, 12, 56Gija Geme, Ph.D., 21, 22, 52Griffith, M. R., 53

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Griffithm, R., 45Gunnar A. Klemmer, 10, 45H.W. Robison, 47, 48, 49, 64H.W. Robison1, 14H.W. Robison3, 14, 20, 21, 47Hashim Ali, Ph.D., 7, 19, 23, 43, 51, 65Heather R. Southe, 22, 59Helen Beneš, 23, 60Hunter Wayland, 15, 66Hussain Sayed, 11, 57Ismaeel A. Al-Baidhany, 17, 26Itzela Cruz, 14, 34J. Steve Oliver, 12, 56J.D. Konvalina, 20, 45Jackson R. Petty, 10, 54Jacques Iragena, 9, 25Jake G. Windley, 67Jakyra Austin, 17, 26James Engman, Ph.D., 14, 34James Lowe, 10, 46James Peck, 8, 32Jana Strom, 19, 41Janet Lanza, Ph.D., 12, 56Jarrod D. Brown, 30Jean E. Aycock, 7, 27Jennifer Bouldin, Ph.D., 18, 32Jennifer L. Bouldin, Ph.D., 7, 20, 43, 44Jennifer R. Sullivan, 10, 60Jerry Jones, 19, 43Jesse B. Kitchens, 7, 44Jessica Young, Ph.D., 11, 55Jillian F. del Sol, 7, 33Jim Taylor, Ph.D., 18, 35Jing K. Zhang, Ph.D., 57Jing Zhang, 11, 24, 57, 69Jing Zhang, Ph.D., 11, 24, 69Jinming Huang, Ph.D., 22, 56John D. Konvalina,, 23, 61Jordan Burt, 7, 44Jordyn Radke, 21, 50Joseph C. Neal, 8, 59Josh Ficut, 19, 36Joshua Vangilder, 9, 23, 51, 64Juan D. Serna, Ph.D., 21, 51Justin Hunn, 15, 41Karen Fawley, 17, 19, 22, 26, 28, 35, 54Kari Naylor, Ph.D., 23, 65Kayla Wood, 9, 23, 51, 64Kelsey D. Ray, 11, 55Kesha Pilot, 18, 30Kevin R. Lewelling, Ph.D., 16, 46, 58

Kiara V. Newhouse, 7, 51Kimberly G. Smith, 8, 59Kristiana A. Watson, 23, 65Kyle Harvey, 10, 40Kyung Yoon, 67L.A. Durden, 64Laura Berryman, 66Lauren Clai, 21, 50Laurence M. Hardy, Ph.D., 7, 38Leah Efird, 14, 34Lillian T. Howerton, 19, 40Lina I. Bagwell, 23, 61Lindsey M. Waddell, Ph.D., 20, 43Linna J. Perkins, 22, 53Linna, J. Perkins, 45Logan E. Elmore, 18, 35Logan Elmore, 12, 34Logan Thomas, 8, 32M. Hemmati, 11, 40M.A. Barger, 48M.B. Connior, 47, 48, 64M.V. Plummer, 20, 45Maegen L. Sloan, 10, 59Majdi A. Yousef, 68Malissa M. Hoehn, 15, 39Maqsood Ali Mughal, 9, 51Maqsood Mughal, 23, 64Margaret Tudor, Ph.D., 8, 31Mark Barbee2, 14, 63Martin J. Campbell, Ph.D., 17, 18, 26, 30, 32Marvin Fawley, 17, 19, 22, 26, 28, 35, 54Mary A. Andrews, 17, 26Mary K. Kilmer, 7, 44Mary Stewart, Ph.D., 23, 60Matt D. Baldwin, 12, 17, 27, 28Matthew D. Moran, Ph.D., 7, 33Matthew N. Strasser, 23, 60Megan Fuller, 9, 36Melissa K. Welch, 66Michael Jason Newell, 9, 51Michael Newell, 23, 64Michelle L. Coley, 18, 33Miguel Taylor, 17, 26Mimi Rebein, 7, 33Misty Hill, 22, 54Molly E. Kennon, 20, 43Natalie Skinner, 7, 33Nathan Reyna, Ph.D., 7, 44Nawfal S. Ahmed, 11, 25Nelsha Peterson, 22, 54Nicole Nichiniello, 21, 51

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Nicole Poe, 7, 44O'Dell R. Perry, 13, 53Oktawia Clem, 18, 32Olivia Vogel, 23, 65Osman A. Martinez, 16, 46Panneer R. Selvam, Ph.D., 16, 68Payten Frunzi, 21, 50R. Horn, 11, 40R. Panneer Selvam, Ph.D., 11, 25R. Tumlison, 49, 64R. Tumlison2, 21R.S. Seville, 47Rachel A. Beeman, 15, 28Rachel K. Humble, 19Rachel M. Rowland, 12, 56Ragupathy Kannan, 67Rathinam P. Selvam, Ph.D., 23, 60Raven D. Gonzalez, 19, 37Renn Tumlison, 8, 10, 46, 61, 63Renn Tumlison1, 14, 63Robert Engelken, Ph.D., 9, 51Robert Engelken, Ph.D., 23, 64Robert L. Ficklin, 22, 58Roberto Bernal, 17, 28Robin M. Verble-Pearson, Ph.D., 14, 53, 64Ronald L. Johnson, Ph.D., 7, 29S.E. Trauth, 20, 45S.W. Chordas III, 49Sami S. Chiad, Ph.D., 17, 26Samuel A. Schratz, 23, 61Samuel Vincent, 22, 54Sarah Holt, 10, 40Sarah Jensen, Ph.D., 18, 30Seth McBroom, 8, 32Seth St. John, 23, 60Seth W. Pearson, 14, 53Shannon Wiley, 67Shelby B. Chappell, 18, 32Shelby Chappell, 7, 44

Shelby V. Sorrells, 16, 59Shomari Hunter, 11, 42Shrijeeta Ganguly, 66Shyam Thapa, 9, 23, 51, 64Stacy D. Wilson, Ph.D., 22, 58Stan E. Trauth, 8, 63Stanley E. Trauth, Ph.D., 23, 61, 62Stefan jaronski, 18, 30Stephanie J. Inabnet, 16, 42, 62Stephen Grace, Ph.D., 21, 50Steven Adams, 9, 25Steven H. Jacobs, 12, 42Susie Brown, 18, 30Sydney Grant, 8, 32T. David Bateman, Ph.D., 10, 15, 46, 66T.J. Fayton, 48Taylor Lee, 14, 34Terance A. Carter, 8, 31Tiffany Graves, 8, 32Tiffany Hunnicutt, 19, 41Tiffany R. Pitcock, 22, 55Tillman Kennon, Ph.D., 10, 60Tillmen Kennon, Ph.D., 22, 59Timothy S. Wakefield, Ph.D., 19, 41Travis D. Marsico, 23, 62Travis Langley, Ph.D., 12, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23, 28, 29, 31, 33,

35, 36, 37, 39, 42, 46, 53, 55, 56, 58, 66Tyler Kee, 20, 43Tyler L. Childs, 8, 32Vincent K. Dunlap, Ph.D., 10, 37, 40W. F. Font, 47W.C. Childs, 11, 40W.F. Font, 48Walker, A.H., 45, 53Wasmaa A. Jabbar, 17, 26William J. Brockway, 7, 29Wray Devon, 23, 60Yijun Yu, 68

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Meeting Announcements

23nd AnnualArkansas Undergraduate Research Conference

T.B.D.

Henderson State University

Call for abstracts in Mid-OctoberAbstract Deadline Early March

For all information, to submit your abstract, and to register,

www.hsu.edu/undergraduate-research

For information, contact Dr. David Bateman, [email protected]

100th Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Academy of Sciences

Fayetteville, AR

Date: TBD

See the Arkansas Academy Website for further information.http://arkansasacademyofsci.ipage.com/

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http://arkansasacademyofsci.ipage.com/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.hsu.edu/undergraduate-research

2015 arkansas undergraduate research conference proceedings

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