Preliminary Survey of Subtidal Crustaceans on Southeast Sapelo Island, Georgia

The subtidal zone is the area below the low tide line that supports a wide variety of organisms, including subtidal crustaceans, which are understudied on Sapelo Island, GA. To investigate the impact of wave action on biodiversity and develop baseline data, the biodiversity of subtidal crustaceans from two beaches was compared. It was hypothesized that the beach protected from wave action would have higher biodiversity than the beach exposed to wave action. To collect the crustaceans, three different sampling methods were used on each beach: D-net, beam trawl, and Yabbi pump. The beach exposed to wave action yielded higher biodiversity than the protected beach, demonstrated by higher total abundance and total species richness. Despite these higher values, no significant differences were observed between sites other than when using the Yabbi pump collection method. These findings provide important baseline data that can aid in further ecological studies investigating crustacean diversity and distribution in subtidal zones of sandy beaches

ECOLOGY OF SUBAERIAL ALGAE: PHOTOSYNTHETIC CAPACITY AS A FUNCTION OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY IN A NATURALLY- OCCURRING ASSOCIATION

Subaerial algae are defined by their ability to grow on surfaces exposed directly to the air. We are currently investigating the nature of the adaptations that allow these unicellular microorganisms to form rich growths in an environment subjected to repeated and prolonged periods without liquid water. It is well known from laboratory studies that at least some members of the group are able to sustain metabolic activity using water vapor at high relative humidity. However, data concerning the significance of this ability in natural populations are almost completely lacking. To help fill in this gap, we tracked the photosynthetic capacity of a naturally-occurring association of subaerial algae over a period of 7 months using pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry. The association formed a green film covering an area approximately 65 cm x 65 cm on a tiled porch on the campus of Valdosta State University. 20 measuring sites were selected, typically at the center of individual tiles. Baseline fluorescence (F’0), maximum fluorescence (F’m) and quantum yield (Y’) were measured at each site at 1 to 3 day intervals during the study period. A single measurement of relative humidity and air temperature about 1 cm above the surface was also made. Both F’0 and quantum yield showed a strong dependence on relative humidity. Below 70% RH, the value of F’0 remained low, typically less than 10% of the highest values recorded at each site, indicating the presence of photoprotective mechanisms activated in response to desiccation. Quantum yield was near background levels in this range. Above 70%, both F’0 and quantum yield increased with increasing RH. Linear regression of quantum yield vs. RH in this range suggests that significant photosynthetic activity begins at about 70% RH. The relative humidity met or exceeded this value at least 65 times during the study period

DETERMINATING IF CERTAIN DIVISION II ATHLETES HAVE A GREATER WINGSPAN TO HEIGHT RATIO COMPARED TO A GENERAL COLLEGE POPULATION**

In the National Basketball Association, it is commonly observed that players\u27 wingspans are longer than vertical height, while in the general population these values are very similar. This study aims to determine if the wingspan-to-height pattern holds true for Division II men\u27s and women\u27s basketball players. Furthermore, the study will investigate if this trait is present in athletes from other sports (including soccer, volleyball, cross-country, golf, baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis) and in specific positions within those sports. Participants will complete a survey inquiring about current and past athletic participation. The survey will be followed by conducting measurements of each subject’s wingspan and height. Analysis of data will include appropriate statistical tests depending on the data collected. If data exhibit normal distribution, a student t-test or ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey will be used; should data not pass normality, a Mann-Whitney or a Kruskal-Wallis with post-hoc Dunn will be used

EFFECTS OF SUGAR INTAKE ON COLLEGIATE STUDENTS MEMORY RECALL

In higher education institutions cafeterias, most food options contain an excess amount of glucose. Most college students focus on courses and give little thought to what is consumed. This study focused on how glucose consumption affects collegiate students\u27 immediate (MWR) and delayed (DR) memory recall. This study was conducted in the Brewton-Parker College Kinesiology Lab on Mondays at 8 a.m. The convenience sample consisted of 20 participants (10 male, 10 female) with an exclusion of fasted blood glucose levels exceeding 110 mg/dL. Randomly assigned, both experimental and control groups were blind to the supplementation type, with the experimental group consuming a glucose drink of 15g of liquid glucose, while the control group consumed a placebo containing 10 drops of the artificial sweetener. Before supplementation and 10 minutes post, immediate and delayed memory recall was tested utilizing the memory and delayed recalled sections of the SCAT5 concussion testing protocol. For the immediate memory test, participants were read a list of words and repeated as many words as they could remember in any order. The delayed recall was performed after 5 minutes had elapsed with participants instructed to repeat any words on the original list. One point was scored for each correct response. The results of the study determined that there is no statistically significant difference in MWR between glucose (M = 4.4 words) and placebo (M = 4.5 words) supplementation (p = .77). Results did indicate a statistically significant difference in DR between glucose (M= 3.7 words) and placebo (M=3.6 words) supplementation (p=0.04). In conclusion, the study determined that under the conditions described here, there is no statistically significant association between the consumption of glucose intake and cognitive function concerning MWR in college-aged students. However, increased glucose consumption resulted in increased DR

PURIFICATION OF A RECOMBINANT GFP-PREPTIN FUSION PROTEIN**

Preptin is a 34 residue peptide hormone, extracted from secretory granules of pancreatic β cells. It has demonstrated promise as a therapy for two common diseases: osteoporosis and diabetes. The study aims to delve deeper into the metabolic pathway of preptin. The secondary structure and metabolic mechanism of preptin remain unknown. To begin to understand the metabolic capaabilities of preptin, we are pursing a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the peptide via alanine scanning mutagenesis. The following preptin residues were all singly mutated to alanine and analogs were expressed as green fluorescent fusion proteins in E. coli: P17A, V18A, G19A, W27A, R28A, Q29A. Currently, we are optimizing purification of the fusion protein in preparation of site-specific cleavage and isolation of the mutated analogs. By studying the effects of these mutations, we aim to determine which amino acids in preptin\u27s primary structure are vital to its metabolic activity

DATA AND DEBATES: LEGACY RADIOCARBON DATA IN SOUTH ASIA

Archaeologists have long drawn on legacy radiocarbon data to develop chronologies and address research questions. However, this data is often dispersed across site reports, edited volumes, and journals from various countries, which makes it difficult for researchers to track down dates from older excavations. Moreover, legacy dates published before international standards were established sometimes lack complete contextual information including exact provenience, sample material, or processing techniques. As a result, using legacy data in archaeological research can be challenging. This paper presents the latest results of an ongoing and expanding legacy radiocarbon data project that examines patterns in radiocarbon dating over the past 70 years. The analysis reviews date densities in one region in South Asia and also assesses the contextual information published with those radiocarbon dates. The results demonstrate why some archaeological debates continue to be unresolved and they show which regions and time periods need more attention from archaeologists interested in radiocarbon dating. The analysis also enumerates the limits of the data and demonstrate why legacy radiocarbon data must be used carefully

USE OF FLUORESCENT POWDER AS A MARKING METHOD ON MILLIPEDES

Millipedes (class Diplopoda) are a diverse group of detritivores that are crucial for nutrient cycling and decomposition. Despite this, there is little known about these animals, such as home range, population size, sociality, and more. This is partly due to the fact that there has been no effective method for marking millipedes due to their small size, elongate shape, and fossorial nature. There has been some research using fluorescent powder for mark-recapture studies on insects. We tested the effectiveness of fluorescent powder as a marking method on millipedes using multiple species, including Ptyoiulus impressus (Julida: Parajulidae) and Dicellarius paynei (Polydesmida: Xystodesmidae). Initial studies assessed fluorescent powder longevity and impact on mortality of the two species. For both species, the use of fluorescent powder had no apparent impact on individual mortality. There was varying longevity of the powder, with P. impressus retaining powder on leg crevices and D. paynei retaining powder under and around the paranota. However, traces of powder were retained on all marked individuals of both species. For both species, the submersion in water had no impact on powder retention. An outdoor test was also done to assess transfer between individuals and powder retention in natural conditions. For the outdoor test, marked and unmarked individuals were placed into mesocosms for approximately two weeks. Mesocosms consisted of 5-gal buckets partially buried into the soil. For D. paynei, only trace amounts of powder remained on marked individuals due to abrasion and weather. However, all marked individuals retained enough fluorescent powder to be differentiated from unmarked individuals. The outdoor test for P. impressus had to be replaced with Uroblaniulus sp. due to availability; this study is ongoing. Overall, fluorescent powder shows promise as an effective method for marking millipedes

PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS: EMOTION & ANIMACY IN SCENE PERCEPTION

Animate and inanimate conceptual categories represent domain-specific knowledge systems that are subserved by partially distinct neural mechanisms. Recent work suggests that the early posterior negativity (EPN) is sensitive to animacy. Here we test the impact of scene animacy and emotion on ratings of valence and arousal, as well as modulation of the EPN and the late positive potential (LPP). Participants (n=77) viewed 180 scenes of pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant people, objects and landscapes, balanced for luminance and complexity. People scenes excluded erotica & mutilations, in an effort to balance arousal ratings across all scenes. EEG data were recorded from 128 channels and converted into baseline-deviated ERP epochs from each participant and scene category. All scene contents evoked the expected patterns of valence and arousal ratings. However, emotional people and object scenes were rated as significantly more arousing than landscapes. LPP modulation followed the arousal ratings, with the greatest positivity for emotional people scenes, followed closely by emotional object scenes, while emotional landscapes did not modulate the LPP. Modulation of the EPN showed a similar pattern, with pleasant people and pleasant objects prompting the greatest negativity, a pattern that remained in a subset of people and object scenes that were closely matched for rated arousal. The EPN was not enhanced by pleasant, relative to neutral landscapes. Thus, scene content interacts with emotional modulation of the EPN and LPP. Specifically, pleasant and unpleasant landscapes, despite strong valence ratings and reliably enhanced arousal ratings, did not evoke differential ERPs relative to neutral landscapes. In contrast, highly arousing emotional objects are capable of modulating the LPP to a similar extent as moderately arousing emotional people

WHAT IS REASONABLE? EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN CASES OF POLICE ABUSE OF FORCE**

According to the Graham v Conner Supreme Court case, police officers charged with an on-duty crime should be judged against the standard of a reasonable officer. However, the Supreme Court gave an unclear and subjective definition of a reasonable officer, only mentioning that an officer should not be judged with the 20/20 vision of hindsight and that jurors should consider the split-second judgments that an officer in the moment would have. Multiple cases cite Graham v Connor. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Legal Division has a nine-part podcast on how the wording of Graham v Connor can be used to keep officers from going to trial or being convicted. However, some states go beyond the wording of Graham v Connor. For example, California included the totality of circumstances in their pattern jury instructions. The California instructions did not mention the concept of looking at police misconduct without the 20/20 vision of hindsight. My research seeks to determine the effects of different jury instructions in lethal police misconduct cases. I will also look for interactions between juror instructions and juror political affiliation, and Social Dominance Orientation scores. My research uses two types of jury instructions: one set based on California pattern jury instructions, which mention the concept of the totality of circumstances, and juror instructions based on the exact wording of Graham v Connor. I hypothesized that participants given the pattern juror instructions from California will be more likely to convict the police officer than participants given the Graham v Connor jury instructions

BREEDING SEASON BIRD USE OF AND NON-NATIVE PLANTS FOUND IN FOOD PLOTS IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS

Traditional agricultural style food plots, or wildlife openings, are widely used for wildlife management and hunting opportunities on public and private lands in the Southeastern United States. These habitats are often cited as beneficial for game and nongame wildlife, but there are few published studies examining nongame bird use of food plots in recent decades. Modern concerns about the ecological costs of food plots, particularly fragmentation and invasive non-native species, warrant a new examination of this practice. We conducted avian surveys during the breeding season of 2008 at 39 sites composed of three different treatments: traditional food plots, novel food plots enhanced with a shrubby edge, and unmanaged forest. We detected 39 bird species within 50 meters of our point counts. We used a Bayesian implementation of a single-season occupancy model to simultaneously estimate occupancy of each species and derive an estimate of species richness at the three different treatments. Our results suggest that fewer birds use traditional food plots compared to the novel food plot with a brushy edge or unmanaged forest. This difference appears to be due to an increased use by early successional species in novel food plots, probably because brushy edge habitat is not available in traditional food plots, and a decrease in forest interior species around novel and traditional food plots. To assess threats from invasive non-native species from food plots, we surveyed non-native plants in a subset of the plots in May 2011. Thirty-two non-native plant species were found in food plots compared to 1 in the brushy edge and no non-native species in the forest plots. Sixty-four percent of these non-native species were considered serious threats as invasive species. The spread of some of these non-native species from the food plots into the surrounding landscape beyond our vegetative surveys, particularly along roads, suggests food plots may play a role in introducing invasive non-native plants to the larger landscape