Examining a Potential Alcohol-Based Stereotype Threat on Memory Performance in Younger and Older Adults

Color poster with text, charts, and graphs.The activation of age-based stereotypes associated with cognitive decline has been shown too negatively impact the memory performance of older adults relative to conditions in which those stereotypes are not activated (Barber & Mather, 2014). The current study is an expansion of memory-based stereotype threat research in older populations targeting a possible alcohol-based threat on episodic memory performance assessed via the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory task (Roediger & McDermott, 1995). Although this effect has been shown to impact younger adults’ inhibitory control (Pennington, Qureshi, Monk, & Heim, 2016), no studies have yet examined its impact on memory performance, and no studies have examined this phenomenon in older adults. Results are discussed in terms of the relative impact of each type of threat on memory performance within each age group.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Using Intel’s Realsense Camera to Detect Emotion in Facial Expressions : A Validity Study

Color poster with text and images.Most researchers recognize six universal, basic human emotions: surprise, fear, disgust, anger, happiness and sadness (Busso et al., 2004). Researchers typically identify emotions through the coding of facial markers, speech (e.g., Busso et al., 2004), and physiological features (e.g., heart rate, skin resistance, blood pressure; e.g., Leon et al., 2007). However, these techniques require a substantial investment of time and effort. The current work examined the utility of Intel’s (2015) RealSense USB PC camera and accompanying software as a complement or replacement for these more intensive techniques. If the RealSense camera offers valid, reliable, and efficient ratings of participants’ facial expressions, current emotion research may be simplified and new research areas may more easily include emotional data.University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Program

Investigating Catalytically Important Residues in Escherichia coli Prolyl-tRNA Synthetase Through Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Color poster with text, models, charts, and tables.In the present study, we have employed site-directed mutagenesis to probe the role of four residues in E. coli ProRS (Ec ProRS) on the overall catalytic function. Specifically, we examined the impact of changes in amino acid properties on the interactions between the enzyme (Ec ProRS) and the substrates, proline and ATP.National Institute of Health; University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs