SEASONAL CHANGES IN THE GROSS ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE OVIDUCT IN AN OVIPAROUS LIZARD, SCELOPORUS UNDULATUS

The seasonal nature of reproductive activity in Eastern Fence Lizards, Sceloporus undulatus, provides an opportunity to examine environmental and hormonal influences on reproductive tract anatomy and physiology. Female fence lizards engage in oogenesis, mating, egg shelling, and egg laying in the spring and summer months, with a period of relative quiescence in the following fall and winter. The oviduct is the site of fertilization and is regionally specialized to receive ovulated eggs, store sperm, support early embryonic development, secrete eggshell proteins and minerals, and oviposit shelled eggs. Seasonal changes in oviduct morphology are evident, but there is limited detailed information about the histological changes corresponding to changes in oviduct function. While descriptive criteria for ovarian and follicular stages have been established, similar staging criteria for the seasonal recrudescence and subsequent regression of the oviduct remain poorly documented. In order to examine these changes, adult female lizards were captured across a sampling period between 2020 and 2023 from the Oconee National Forrest, GA, USA. The oviducts were dissected, weighed, and photographed using stacked imaging for examination of gross morphology. Subsequently, the right oviduct was embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned with a manual microtome, and stained with hemoxylin and eosin. The oviducts of reproductively active lizards exhibit greater epithelial cell height, increased muscularity, and larger and greater abundance of shell glands in comparison to the oviducts of nonreproductive lizards. Our results provide a detailed description of the gross and histological changes in the oviducts corresponding to the annual reproductive cycle of an oviparous lizard in central Georgia. Due to the expansive geographic range of Eastern Fence Lizards, these data will serve as a point of reference for future studies investigating the effects of geographic variation and climate change on reproductive physiology

DETERMINING IF EYESIGHT OF DIVISION II ATHLETES CORRELATES TO SPORT AND HOW IT COMPARES TO A GENERAL COLLEGE POPULATION**

It is commonly observed that baseball and rugby players have better eyesight than the average person. The purpose of this study is to determine if similar observations exist among athletes in other sports compared to non-athletes. Particularly, the study is investigating if Division II athletes in sports that use small, fast-moving balls (including baseball, softball, lacrosse, and tennis) will have better eyesight compared to non-athletes or athletes whose sport does not involve small, fast-moving balls (including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and cross-country). To determine this, all students will complete an athletics participation questionnaire, followed by a vision health history form and measurements of the student’s visual acuity using a C-Chart. 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

BISPHENOL A DETECTION IN BIRD TISSUE: A PILOT STUDY**

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical intermediate in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Due to its hydrogen bonding potential, BPA is soluble in water and thus disperses through contaminated water sources. Its presence in the environment is abundant, posing risks to organisms and their reproduction. BPA functions as a xenoestrogen, resulting in decreased levels of testosterone and feminization of organisms. We have the unique opportunity to determine presence and concentration of BPA in multiple bird species collected by Birds Georgia, Project Safe Flight. Our current study focuses on determining the presence and concentration of BPA in the digestive system, heart, and lungs of deceased birds. As a pilot study project, results are ongoing

HUMAN ACTIVITY LEVELS NEAR MONITORED SECONDARY CAVITY NESTING FOREST BIRD BOXES BEFORE AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION OF A HOUSING COMPLEX**

Within the past 50 years, avian populations have become alarmingly reduced throughout North America. Most of this loss is due to habitat changes associated with increased human urbanization. Urbanization results in direct avian mortality by collisions with human infrastructure such as building windows, cars, cell phone towers, wind turbines, and electric wires. Urbanization also has indirect impacts on bird population size through reduced air and water quality, noise pollution, increased human presence in remote areas, and the presence of human pets. We have the opportunity to examine changes in the presence of humans in a 77-acre forest patch adjacent to the University of North Georgia, Gainesville campus. Five acres of this forest was removed for the construction of a housing complex in 2022. We have been monitoring secondary cavity nesting birds in this forest since 2016, through incidental observations (2016-2020) and wildlife cameras (2021-2024). For the research we are presenting here, we hypothesize that we will find an increased presence of humans in the entirety of our forest patch following the construction of this housing

EXPLORING HYDROGEN BONDING IN SECONDARY AND TERTIARY AMINES FOR ENHANCED TSSE EFFICIENCY: INSIGHTS FROM NMR ANALYSIS

Temperature Swing Solvent Extraction (TSSE) is an emerging technology for efficient separations, leveraging the hydrogen bonding capabilities of amines. This study investigates the role of hydrogen bonding in secondary and tertiary amines, focusing on diisopropylamine (DIPA) and triethylamine (TEA), using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational modeling through WebMO. The analysis provides insights into how hydrogen bonding influences amine behavior and their efficiency in desalination processes. NMR spectroscopy revealed distinct differences in hydrogen bonding effects between secondary and tertiary amines. For DIPA, the presence of hydrogen bonding caused notable broadening of the N-H proton peak on the H NMR spectrum, reflecting hydrogen exchange interactions. Without hydrogen bonding, the peak sharpened, and coupling effects became evident. Additional changes, including the disappearance of specific peaks and shifts in chemical environments, highlighted the dynamic influence of hydrogen bonding on molecular interactions. In contrast, TEA exhibited minimal spectral changes in the H NMR, indicating weaker hydrogen bonding interactions due to its tertiary structure. Peaks shifted slightly, and one peak disappeared, but the overall effects were less pronounced than those observed with DIPA. These differences align with the structural characteristics of secondary and tertiary amines, with secondary amines forming stronger hydrogen bonds due to the availability of N-H protons. This study demonstrates the critical role of hydrogen bonding in the performance of amines in TSSE, particularly in water recovery and desalination efficiency. The findings from NMR spectroscopy and computational modeling underscore the superiority of secondary amines in forming robust hydrogen bonds, thereby enhancing separation processes. This research advances the understanding of solvent behavior in TSSE and lays the groundwork for optimizing amine selection in future applications

DETERMINING THE PATHOGENICITY OF THE H307R VARIANT OF HUMAN BMP15 USING BIOINFORMATICS METHODS

Ovarian dysgenesis (ODG) causes endocrinological imbalances and can, in its most-severe forms, result in complete female infertility. Defects in bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), which regulates folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation through activation of granulosa cells, are one of the sources of this condition. H307R is a human BMP15 variant of potential clinical relevance with respect to ODG presentation. This substitution, which replaces polar histidine (H) with charged arginine (R), is within the critical-to-function TGF-β2 domain, a region of confidence in existing protein structure models. To determine if this variant should be added to those known to cause ODG, we used in silico bioinformatics tools to assess sequence conservation and protein structure impacts. Histidine 307 was found to be invariant across 13 vertebrates, suggesting mutational changes to this site are not well tolerated. Multiple tools that assess homology, functional information and/or physicochemical similarity also agreed that H307R would likely induce deleterious effects on BMP15 tertiary structure. Molecular dynamic simulations (root-mean-square deviation [RMSD] and fluctuation [RMSF]) allow the comparison of wild-type and variant protein motion over time globally (RMSD) and by amino acid (RMSF). RMSD analysis revealed no generalizable change in motion of H307R relative to wild-type across the entirety of the simulation (20ns), but differences in BMP15 behavior were clear, and the average RMSD was reduced (8.78 vs 9.03). RMSF analysis revealed widespread reduction of H307R flexibility, with this reduction including the region of the TGF-β2 domain. Overall, these findings suggest that H307R is likely damaging to proper BMP15 function and might explain ODG symptoms in clinical cases which do not test positive for documented variants. Our results may therefore help lead to future diagnostic strategies for fertility-related conditions. However, validation of our outcome requires in vivo induction of ODG following the introduction of this variant in an appropriate model organism

EXAMINING THE CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE OF NANOCERIA

Mixed-valence cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) have gained significant attention due to their strong redox properties, which make them useful in a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. However, the process of controlling the ratio of Ce3+ to Ce4+ in nanoceria, which is critical for many applications, is not well understood. In this ongoing study, nanoceria with specific Ce3+/Ce4+ ratios were created and extracted from a soluble borate glass by adjusting glass-melting parameters. The glass was heat treated to grow these nanocrystals and observe the crystalline structure. The extracted nanoceria were analyzed through XRD to determine the crystalline structures. Fourier Transform Infrared and Raman spectroscopies were used to observe the structure of both the nanoceria and nanoceria-embedded glass. Further, the Transmission Electron Spectroscopy was used to observe the lattice structures of the nanoceria with coexisting valence states

PROJECT D.O.R.A.: EXPLORATION ROVERS USING ROS2 AND SLAM**

Research in Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) is advancing rapidly, driven by both commercial and scientific goals, including terrain mapping with stationary devices and mobile vehicles. Project DORA, a project under the NASA MINDS initiative, seeks to prototype a fleet of autonomous rovers for surveying and data collection on lunar surfaces, aligning with NASA’s plans to deploy autonomous rovers for lunar exploration within the next three years. The fleet consists of one Youth-ATV and two smaller swarm rovers equipped with advanced sensors like LiDAR and RGB-D cameras to collect detailed color and surface data. Leveraging the ROS2 framework, 3D printing, and electrical engineering, the rovers navigate obstacles, communicate with each other and a base station, and achieve preset goals efficiently. The project integrates innovative solutions in terrain mapping, path-planning algorithms, wireless communication, and energy management to enhance data accuracy and exploration efficiency. By addressing key technological challenges, Project DORA hopes to contribute to the success of NASA\u27s Artemis missions, supporting sustainable exploration of extraterrestrial environments

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT CHOICE IN THE QUEER COMMUNITY**

People who identify as queer - members of gender and/or sexual minority groups - face unique stressors in society both on a personal and political level. Increased incidence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in the queer population due to novel stressors like discrimination or dysphoria can lead to complex problems. First-line treatment options, which are those that are considered standard options by mental health professionals, may not be the best suited interventions for these issues. Previous studies have looked at the barriers to accessing therapy that queer people face, but few studies have looked at individual perceptions of different interventions despite it being an important factor in therapeutic success. This study sought to assess queer people’s perceptions of and preferences for mental health interventions whilst also examining their relationship with and perception of mental healthcare. Participants (n = 112) were recruited through snowball sampling and our university’s online participant pool (SONA). Status as a gender or sexual minority group member was self-reported. Our survey assessed demographic information, anxiety, depression, PTSD symptomology, interest in mental health interventions, and attitudes towards seeking counseling. A list of mental health interventions was developed that was organized by first-line (empirically validated and approved options, considered standard options by mental health care professionals), alternative (conditionally approved for treatment by the APA), and experimental (interventions that are still seeking empirical validation) treatments. Brief summaries of the treatment options were provided and participants were then asked to indicate their willingness to participate in each treatment. Data suggests that queer individuals tend to prefer first-line and alternative treatments, with interventions that medicalize mental illness being the most unpopular. Results could inform clinicians who work with queer populations on possible attitudes that exist towards different interventions

MATERNAL FACILITATION OF JOINT ATTENTION IN INFANTS’ SECOND YEAR OF LIFE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NATURALISTIC AND STRUCTURED CONTEXTS

Joint attention, foundational for early development, shows rapid advancement between 12 and 18 months. Social partners can facilitate joint interactions through Attention-Directing Strategies (ADS). While previous research on the dyadic interplay of joint attention has often used standardized settings, this study examines the relationship between ADS and Infant Engagement States (IES) in natural and structured play conditions. Thirty-one mother-infant dyads, with infants aged 12, 18, and 24 months, completed a multi-part home visit, including a one-hour natural interaction and a 5-minute structured play. Five-minute segments from both contexts were coded for IES and ADS. Cross-lag sequential analysis examined time-dependent relationships between ADS and IES. Two-way ANOVAs were employed to examine differences in behavior across age groups and conditions. All study procedures, including research questions, hypotheses, and analyses, were preregistered. Results indicated that Introducing had negative sequential associations with both forms of joint attention. Maintaining significantly preceded Coordinated Joint Engagement (CJE) at a three-second lag in all age groups, only in natural play [Q(12m)= 0.32, Q(18m)= 0.32, Q(24m)= 0.31]. In structured play, Redirecting was the most likely predictor of Supported Joint Engagement (SJE) and CJE for all ages. Additionally, 24-month-olds displayed more SJE and less Solo Play than 12-month-olds. These findings provide insight into how maternal ADS and environment influence infant engagement, highlighting a context-dependent nature of the effectiveness of ADS. Maintaining, characterized by sustained focus on the infant\u27s object of attention, significantly predicted CJE in natural play. Whereas, Redirecting, involving shifting the infant\u27s attention to a new object, was most effective in eliciting joint attention in structured play. Furthermore, this study highlights developmental changes in engagement within the second year of life, with older infants displaying more supported joint engagement