Undergraduate Research Initiation and Exploration

This URSA project’s overreaching goal was to become more exposed to research while working with a graduate student as a mentor. This was accomplished by completing tasks such as data collection related to Matthew Balazs’ research on slope deformation and hazard analysis in Seward and Whittier, Alaska. Along with those tasks, I learned to write my own research proposals and became more exposed to other students’ research by attending thesis defenses. Lastly, I studied ArcGIS and then later applied it within my own small research project. This project was very important for my student career and has inspired me to pursue more undergraduate research along with helping other undergraduates find research opportunities. None of this would have been possible if it was not for the URSA Graduate Student Mentorship Award that was granted to Mathew Balazs for the summer of 2013

Apolipoprotein E4, inhibitory network dysfunction, and Alzheimer's disease.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), increasing risk and decreasing age of disease onset. Many studies have demonstrated the detrimental effects of apoE4 in varying cellular contexts. However, the underlying mechanisms explaining how apoE4 leads to cognitive decline are not fully understood. Recently, the combination of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) modeling of neurological diseases in vitro and electrophysiological studies in vivo have begun to unravel the intersection between apoE4, neuronal subtype dysfunction or loss, subsequent network deficits, and eventual cognitive decline. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature describing apoE4's detrimental effects in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically focusing on its contribution to neuronal subtype dysfunction or loss. We focus on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-expressing interneurons in the hippocampus, which are selectively vulnerable to apoE4-mediated neurotoxicity. Additionally, we discuss the importance of the GABAergic inhibitory network to proper cognitive function and how dysfunction of this network manifests in AD. Finally, we examine how apoE4-mediated GABAergic interneuron loss can lead to inhibitory network deficits and how this deficit results in cognitive decline. We propose the following working model: Aging and/or stress induces neuronal expression of apoE. GABAergic interneurons are selectively vulnerable to intracellularly produced apoE4, through a tau dependent mechanism, which leads to their dysfunction and eventual death. In turn, GABAergic interneuron loss causes hyperexcitability and dysregulation of neural networks in the hippocampus and cortex. This dysfunction results in learning, memory, and other cognitive deficits that are the central features of AD

Factors contributing to paediatric tube feeding dependence in New Zealand : the speech-language therapy perspective : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Speech and Language Therapy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Tube feeding dependency can have serious repercussions for children and their families. Most research relates to intervention programmes for tube withdrawal/weaning onto oral feeding. However, there is limited research into factors contributing to tube feeding dependency. Researchers have found failed or slow weaning/transitioning from tube to oral feeding is more likely after the age of five. In New Zealand the highest number of children who remain tube dependent but could transition to oral feeding are over five years of age. Speech–language therapists (SLTs) are one of the main professions involved in managing these children. This two-phase study aimed to determine the SLTs’ perspective of factors contributing to feeding tube dependency in children. This study used a mixed method approach. Forty-three SLTs participated in an online survey and ten of these participants were interviewed. Two interlinking themes were found as contributing factors to tube feeding dependency in children. They were: (1) Medicalisation of tube fed children in infancy as a root cause of tube feeding dependency. Sub themes included the following: Medical emphasis on weight gain; parents and caregivers influence whether a child remains tube dependent; parents giving misleading information to maintain tube feeding and prolonged NGT feeding. (2) Fragmentation of the tube fed child’s continuity of care. Sub-themes include the following: The need for planning tube withdrawal at the time of insertion, insufficient clinical time, funding issues, the need for intensive service at the time of tube weaning, clinician confidence in the education setting and the normalisation of tube feeding by school age. These themes and sub-themes influence tube feeding dependency in New Zealand, according to the perspective of SLTs. This research highlights the need for further exploration of these factors when the tube is first inserted to prevent dependency and allow the transitioning of children to oral foods as early as possible

The Conflicts of Secularization and Islam in Turkey

An examination of the religion of Islam and its unique characteristics, especially those that may relate to the politics and government of the Republic of Turkey, assist in understanding the relationship between the two. The 99% Muslim population affects the country politically and socially. There are many aspects of Sunni Islam, the majority in Turkey, that conflict with the secular nature of Turkey. Despite its apparent differences with the manner in which Turkey is governed, Islam has been able to exist in the country. Although religion is a personal matter, it becomes a concern if one is unable to practice it freely, which has been an issue in Turkey with the headscarf ban and many other reforms made at the formation of the republic. Ataturk was the great influence in Turkey’s major secular reforms, and it is these reforms of the past that create challenges today

The Effects of Early Intervention on the Expressive Language Outcomes of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent challenges in social communication as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and is often observable in early childhood. Expressive language delays are common in young children diagnosed with ASD. Expressive language includes any form of communicative output, such as verbal language, sign language, and the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Early intervention, for the purpose of this systematic review, is defined as speech and language services provided before a child is 5 years (60 months) of age. Evidence suggests that early intervention can lead to positive outcomes in the symptoms of children with ASD. Objective: To determine whether early intervention of ASD in children between 0-59 months of age has positive effects on expressive language development. Methods: A systematic search of the PsychINFO, PubMED, CINAHL, ERIC, and LLBA database was conducted, followed by a qualitative analysis of relevant articles. Studies included monolingual (i.e., English) children who were diagnosed with ASD. Studies were systematically graded and processed using inter-rater procedures. Results: Fourteen articles were included based upon inclusionary criteria. The overall quality of the studies was moderate. The most widely used early intervention techniques included the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Pivotal Response Training (PRT). Conclusions: Consistent high-interval (i.e., 25 hours per week), behaviorally-based early intervention (i.e., before 40 months) may lead to positive outcomes in expressive language development. Clinicians working with young children with ASD should implement behaviorally-based, empirically-supported interventions, such as ESDM or PRT. Future research should prioritize high-quality study designs (e.g., randomized control trials) with larger sample sizes of children diagnosed with ASD, which is necessary to discern a direct relationship between behaviorally-based early intervention and expressive language outcomes for children with ASD.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/csdms/1008/thumbnail.jp

Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid groups – delivering cognitive stimulation with technology

INTRODUCTION: Group-based cognitive stimulation is the only nonpharmacological intervention recommended by the UK National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence (NICE) for people with dementia. The potential of technology to extend the availability of group-based cognitive stimulation has not been tested. METHOD: One hundred and sixty-one people with dementia participated in an 8-session group activity using Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA). Cognition, quality of life and general health were assessed pre-, post- and three-months later. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in cognition and quality of life at the end of the CIRCA group intervention, which was further improved at three-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: CIRCA group sessions improved cognition and quality of life similar to group-base cognitive stimulation approved by NICE. These benefits were maintained at three-month follow-up. The data confirm the potential of CIRCA, which can be populated with different cultural and language contents for different user groups

Artistic Engagements: The Significance of Dance in Ghanaian Culture

Honorable Mention: Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, 2013The art of dance serves an essential component of life in the West African democracy of Ghana, and traditional dance forms still shape the basis for contemporary dance transformations. After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Ghana’s government officials spearheaded efforts to inspire a culturally-distinctive and united nation, which include the revival of dance’s prominent place in their society. However, narrow views still exist of dance in Africa, particularly when speaking from Western perspectives suggesting that art exists “for art’s sake.” This project, which I began during the summer of 2012 in Ho, Ghana, seeks to describe the function and necessity of dance in Ghana and to explore how traditional and contemporary movement aesthetics shape the community and, correspondingly, the individual. Not only did I have the privilege of studying traditional dance steps with local choreographers and of observing the general rhythm of everyday life, I also spoke with ten community members of Ho and its surrounding villages concerning their views about the role and importance of dance to them and their communities. Furthermore, I am developing a performance piece reflective of my research and of the unique connections that I discovered in my travels; the piece will be performed in April during the Department of Dance’s Spring Dance Festival. Through my research, I have identified three broad areas of interest related to Ghanaian dance and its significance: cultural preservation and definition, community solidarity, and existential purpose. My contention is that art does not simply lend itself to amusement but continues as an ever-evolving entity that persists for life’s sake. In peeling back the multiple political, social, and cultural layers, I may show global audiences how to appreciate this unfamiliar cultural form, in order to reveal deeper meaning and prompt appreciation and understanding.Autumn Semester 2012: 1. Arts Undergraduate Research Scholarship: \$3,000 2. Aida Cannarsa Snow Fund: \$1,000Spring Quarter 2012: 1. Aida Cannarsa Snow Fund: \$500 2. SFI through Department of Dance: \$350Winter Quarter 2012: 1. Arts and Humanities Undergraduate Research Grant:$500No embargoAcademic Major: Danc

Within-guild dietary discrimination from 3-D textural analysis of tooth microwear in insectivorous mammals

Resource exploitation and competition for food are important selective pressures in animal evolution. A number of recent investigations have focused on linkages between diversification, trophic morphology and diet in bats, partly because their roosting habits mean that for many bat species diet can be quantified relatively easily through faecal analysis. Dietary analysis in mammals is otherwise invasive, complicated, time consuming and expensive. Here we present evidence from insectivorous bats that analysis of three-dimensional (3-D) textures of tooth microwear using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) roughness parameters derived from sub-micron surface data provides an additional, powerful tool for investigation of trophic resource exploitation in mammals. Our approach, like scale-sensitive fractal analysis, offers considerable advantages over twodimensional (2-D) methods of microwear analysis, including improvements in robustness, repeatability and comparability of studies. Our results constitute the first analysis of microwear textures in carnivorous mammals based on ISO roughness parameters. They demonstrate that the method is capable of dietary discrimination, even between cryptic species with subtly different diets within trophic guilds, and even when sample sizes are small. We find significant differences in microwear textures between insectivore species whose diet contains different proportions of ‘hard’ prey (such as beetles) and ‘soft’ prey (such as moths), and multivariate analyses are able to distinguish between species with different diets based solely on their tooth microwear textures. Our results show that, compared with previous 2-D analyses of microwear in bats, ISO roughness parameters provide a much more sophisticated characterization of the nature of microwear surfaces and can yield more robust and subtle dietary discrimination. ISO-based textural analysis of tooth microwear thus has a useful role to play, complementing existing approaches, in trophic analysis of mammals, both extant and extinct