Previous developmental work has shown that children have a robust preference for their own group members. Another line of research has found that children are able to track the reliability of others and selectively learn from individuals who appear to be more knowledgeable. In the current study, we aim to build on past research and test how group membership and epistemic trust interact. Specifically, using both behavioral and physiological measures, to explore how group membership and plausibility of the speakers’ claims may affect children’s learning decisions and social preferences.

Recent studies have shown that listeners can achieve accurate pitch perception at high frequencies (> 8 kHz) as measured by fundamental frequency (F0) discrimination. However, it is unknown whether listeners can perform more complex pitch perception tasks at high frequencies, such as identifying melodies or the quality of a chord. In this project, we addressed this question by measuring the ability of listeners to (1) identify whether two four-note melodies were the same or different and (2) identify whether a triad was major or minor.

Potassium activity in blood serum can indicate kidney disease, creating a demand for simple, biocompatible sensors for wearable devices that measure potassium activity. These potassium sensors are ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), which measure the potential difference across a polymeric membrane to determine the ion concentration in solution. ISEs have three important qualities: they have a predictable response to potassium, they maintain a stable signal over time, and they have high selectivity to potassium over sodium.

Transmission of pain in spinal cord to brain requires N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity to transmit glutamatergic signaling between neurons. NMDAR activity is decreased due to opiates activating the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) in the short term. In the long term, a tolerance to this effect develops, which is a major contributor to dose escalation and subsequently the abuse of opiates. Cross-talk between MOR and NMDAR is mediated by histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 (HINT1).

Lighting is one of the most basic elements of creating a space, and to continue moving forward in architecture and design, it is important for the technology being used to reflect the time. Smart lighting is able to take the low energy technologies available and program them with high precision sensors and data banks to improve experiences but also to make the space more efficient. This project collects data on how the Internet of Things (IoT) affects smart lighting in positive but also negative ways. Companies utilizing these innovative resources have to be aware of cyber safety.

The Quorum Quenching Enzyme SsoPox W263I (QQE2) was previously found to help break down bio-films and to have a high tolerance for heat. This is important because bio-films frequently harm farmers' crops and cause ships to need excess amounts of fuel. However, this protein has a short life span. Therefore, this protein was modified with either an alkyne or an azide analog using farnesylation reactions. This was done in order to be able to react the conjugate with another substance, such as a polymer in paint, and prolong the life of the quorum quenching enzyme.

With antibiotic resistance becoming increasingly prevalent in clinical settings, older antibiotics such as fosfomycin are being investigated to determine their effectiveness against bacterial infections. Fosfomycin is a first line drug for the treatment of uncomplicated UTIs and has shown activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, as well as multidrug resistant infections.

General and eating disorder (ED)-specific rumination have been identified as key factors that may contribute to eating pathology. Additionally, research suggests that positive beliefs about rumination (e.g., “Ruminating helps me to prevent future mistakes") may impact this association. However, the effect of positive beliefs on the links between rumination and disordered eating has not been investigated.

Colonizing bacteria within the infant gut (the "microbiome") are important for the development of long-term health. Diet and birth mode are key early-life exposures that affect microbiome composition. Fungi also colonize the gut (the "mycobiome"), with some being implicated in health outcomes such as asthma and obesity. Despite the potential importance of fungi in health, there has been a lack of study regarding how infant mycobiomes develop and are affected by biological and environmental factors.

Neurolysin is a mitochondrial zinc metallopeptidase involved in processing of a number of bioactive peptides and it functions to protect the brain from developing stroke. The result of stroke in brain is partly due to neurolysin’s inability to generate enough neuropeptides which act as targets for human disorders. The goal of this study is to co-crystallize neurolysin with a small chemical activator, His-Tyr, to understand how this molecule stimulates the enzymatic activity of neurolysin.