Radical Women in Literature: Advancing Progressive Aims or Reinforcing Harmful Beliefs?
Creator:
Olivia Kersten and Dr. Karen Tucker
Date of publication:
August 17, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Radical women in literature risk reinforcing sexist and racist notions because of their violence and unconventional actions. But their potential to advance progressive aims can both empower the reader and positively impact feminist movements. Han Kang's Yeong-hye (The Vegetarian) and Gillian Flynn’s Amy Dunne (Gone Girl) are two contemporary examples of radical women. They use self-harm, gender norm subversions, and violence against others to reassert their autonomy and freedom in a society that confines them. Though their actions can make us uncomfortable, the egregious oppression they face should unsettle us more. In terms of their relationship to the #MeToo movement, Yeong-hye and Amy have different capacities as feminist figures. While Amy is limited by her misogynistic tendencies that include false abuse claims and mistreatment of women, Yeong-hye exhibits a greater capability to enlighten the reader to global oppression, symbolized through her relationship with her sister. The ability to advance feminist aims is critical for the #MeToo movement. If Amy’s risks outweigh her benefits, then her actions can reinforce harmful beliefs about liberated women. In contrast, Yeong-hye’s enlightenment of the reader not only raises awareness about oppression, but also raises support for feminist movements.
NSP2 Expression and Mutation to Determine Regions of Interest for Cytopathic Effects
Creator:
Loome, Jennifer, Klevans, Ian, and Heise, Mark
Date of publication:
August 22, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Describes SURF program where the nonstructural protein of Chikungunya Virus was studied. The research included creating an expression vector for this viral protein, as well as introducing mutations of interest into the expression vector and optimizing the transfection of this vector in cells.
Affiliation Label Tesim:
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and School of Medicine
Using Gravitational Wave Optical Counterparts to Confirm Hubble's Constant
Creator:
Selph, Logan
Date of publication:
August 20, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Over the summer I worked with Prof. Daniel Reichart to repair and prepare the Skynet robotic telescope network for the next LIGO/VIRGO gravitational wave run. This run marks the beginning of the LIGO/VIRGO gravitational wave observation period, where we aim to capture an optical counterpart to a gravitational wave event. This will allow us to calculate Hubble's constant, the confirmation of which will be extremely important to nearly all astrophysics research going forward. The first part of my research brought me to Chile, where we repaired our telescopes at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Afterward, I worked to create and test the tools and software that we will use once the gravitational run begins.
Investigating Toxicant Induced Intracellular Zinc Modulation and Resultant TDP-43 Dysfunction Linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Creator:
Arooji, Omeed
Date of publication:
August 19, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
The majority of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) cases are sporadic, meaning they originate from unknown causes. This study proposes that mouse cortical neuron exposure to an environmental toxicant, here labeled TS5, induces intracellular modulation of zinc and produces dysfunctional, insoluble aggregates of TDP-43, a protein implicated in ALS pathology. Exposure of cortical neurons to TS5 alone resulted in the depletion of TDP-43 from the soluble fraction and visible bands in the insoluble fraction. Additionally, exposure to both ZnCl and TS5 resulted in higher intensity bands in the insoluble fraction and total depletion of TDP-43 from the soluble fraction. Moreover, the fluorescent dye NewPort Green was used to stain cortical neurons for cytoplasmic zinc ions. Images taken after exposure to TS5, TS5 and zinc, and zinc alone suggest that TS5 may modulate the intake of zinc into the cytoplasm by increasing its uptake. The introduction of bivalent metal chelators to exposed cortical neurons resulted in the rescue of pathological TDP-43 into the soluble fraction, serving as potential therapeutic avenues.
Examining How Environmental Chemicals Affect Cellular Pathways Leading to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Creator:
Bhat, Vanya
Date of publication:
August 19, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressing motor neuron disease that affects neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movements such as walking, talking, and breathing. While therapies are developed to treat ALS symptoms, there is no cure for the disease. Toxic environmental chemicals such as pesticides have been found to increase the likelihood of ALS by causing the toxic aggregation of TDP-43, the hallmark protein of the disease. TDP-43 is typically found in the nucleus of neurons. However, in ALS, it delocalizes to the cytoplasm and forms toxic aggregates. Oxidative stress is another factor known to induce TDP-43 aggregation. This study examines whether two pesticides, TS1 and TS3, cause toxic TDP aggregation. Oxidative stress is also studied to see whether it is involved in response to pesticides. Results of this study show that TS1 and TS3 induce toxic TDP-43 aggregation. It is also observed that oxidative stress may play a role in toxic TDP-43 aggregation formation. Further examination of these pesticides and the effects of oxidative stress can lead to novel druggable targets for ALS therapy.
Microplastic Concentrations and Dynamics in Headwater Streams in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Creator:
Hall, Chloe
Date of publication:
August 19, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
The objective of this study is to investigate the concentrations and dynamics of microplastics in headwater streams of the Chattooga River in western North Carolina. The southern Appalachian Mountains serve as the “water towers” for the Southeast, as many important rivers are born in the mountains. Despite their importance to both humans and aquatic biota, no published studies have examined the concentrations and dynamics of microplastics in streams or rivers in this region.
Affiliation Label Tesim:
Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program - Environmental Science
Spatiotemporal Estimation of Radon Exposure for Epidemiologic Risk Assessment
Creator:
Sorensen, Kyle
Date of publication:
August 19, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and is an intermediate product of the decay of uranium. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is hypothesized to cause strokes and other cardiovascular events. Additionally, radon levels seem to be rising across North America and may be linked to climate change. In the early 1990’s, the US EPA created a grouping of 15 radon "risk levels," classified according to indoor radon measurements (pCi/L) from the State Residential Radon Survey (SRRS), aerial radioactivity (ppm eU), geology, soil permeability and architecture type; this is called the radon index (RI). The goal of this analysis is to create a refined spatial model for the geographic distribution of radon using a latent process modeling approach on indoor radon measurement data (SRRS) and the radon index data. The parameter estimates of our model seem to be well-behaved and we will soon construct a method for interpolation and prediction of unobserved radon values.
Visualizing Particles From African Biomass Burning
Creator:
Adrienne Lambert
Date of publication:
August 18, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Discovering which method of rehydration of a solution composed of biomass burning particles provides the best results for Chemical analysis. The presentation explores the importance of my research and the results.
Affiliation Label Tesim:
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Diffusion, playing a vital role in countless biological and synthetic processes, is one of the most fundamental transport mechanisms and thus essential to virtually any field, including physics, medicine, engineering, and even economics. Motile “particles”, such as bacteria or self-propelled colloids, spread diffusively through disordered media. An accumulation of particles in such an environment will thus spread until the final distribution is homogeneous. This project will demonstrate an exotic form of diffusion in which, while particles instantaneously move diffusively, an ensemble of them will not spread over time but localize. This localization effect is considered exclusive to electrons, but we will demonstrate the first macroscopic system with analogous properties.
Investigation of disease-linked hepaCAM mutations in cultured astrocytes
Creator:
Lewis, Robert
Date of publication:
August 17, 2022
Abstract Tesim:
Astrocytes are a major non-neuronal glial cell type that perform many critical functions in the brain. Astrocytes require the protein hepaCAM to organize their branches in a functional manner and make appropriate connections to other cells in the brain. Mutations in hepaCAM cause Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC), a developmental and progressive brain disorder characterized by early onset macrocephaly, seizures, motor dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Little information is known about how these mutations may cause astrocyte dysfunction in MLC. Here I examined how different MLC-causing mutations affect hepaCAM protein localization. To do so, I chose three known MLC mutations that occur in hepaCAM and transfected mutant hepaCAM into cultured astrocytes. The mutants, when compared with wildtype hepaCAM, showed a change in hepaCAM localization. Rather than gathering in puncta along the cell branches, the mutant hepaCAM did not show any discernible puncta. Instead, the mutant hepaCAM protein was evenly distributed around the entire cell. Future research will investigate how hepaCAM mutations can change the morphology of astrocytes and how they appear in mouse brains.
