By: John Cook, Dr. Hari Narayanan and Dr. Jeff Overbey The proliferation of affordable multi-touch devices over the last five years has brought the power of data visualization and interaction to the averageconsumer. However, development and integration of pen-based input via new “smart stylus” tools has not resulted in data visualization applications that respond intelligently…Continue Reading Naturalistic Pen-Based Data Interaction
Functional Studies of Genes Transcriptionally Regulated by Calcium in Xylella fastidiosa
By: Courtney Kloske, Sy Traore, Prem Kandel, Leonardo De La Fuente Xylella fastidiosa (X. f.) is a bacterium that causes multiple lethal diseases in many economic crops including grapes, citrus, peach, plum, almond, coffee, pecan, and more recently olive. It was first described as Pierce’s disease in the grapevines of California vineyards. X. f. lives…Continue Reading Functional Studies of Genes Transcriptionally Regulated by Calcium in Xylella fastidiosa
Fresh market tomato yield and quality as affected by potassium rates and sources
By: Trevor L. Cofer, Elizabeth A. Guertal, James Pitts For many Alabama vegetable growers, fresh market tomatoes represent a significant source of income. Growers often apply high rates of potassium fertilizer at planting because it is thought to be needed to promote growthand uniform ripening. Two tomato growers I spoke with before my project expressed…Continue Reading Fresh market tomato yield and quality as affected by potassium rates and sources
Effects of Upper Extremity Pain History on Softball Pitching Mechanics of the Screwball
By: Gabrielle Gilmer, Jessica Washington, Hillary Plummer, and Gretchen Oliver Approximately 370 overuse injuries were reported in collegiate and high school fast-pitch softball players from 2004-2009 [1]. However, there are few data on softball pitching injury rates and their etiologies. Investigating pain history in softball pitchers could divulge information about injury-susceptible pitching mechanics. The purpose…Continue Reading Effects of Upper Extremity Pain History on Softball Pitching Mechanics of the Screwball
Controlling the ion distribution in artificial muscles for more dynamic actuation response
By: Ethan Hofer, Bass, Patrick; Liu, Jiachen; Cai, Yancen; Cheng, Zhongyang Electroactive polymers (EAPs), also known as artificial muscles, are an exciting new branch of smart materials. Ionic EAPs, a subset of electroactive polymers, contain an electrically insulative polymer matrix as well as ions that can freely move through the polymer. When subjected to a…Continue Reading Controlling the ion distribution in artificial muscles for more dynamic actuation response
Comparison of a handheld glucometer and a clinical biochemical analyzer to measure glucose in porcine blood samples
By: Madison Gohlke, William Nunnelley, Dr. Terry Brandebourg My research question involved developing a sample handling method that allows human point-of-care glucometer (POCG) to accurately measure circulating blood glucose concentrations in porcine blood. Pigs are an apt biomedical research model for humans, specifically regarding the development of obesity and etabolic disease. As in humans, the…Continue Reading Comparison of a handheld glucometer and a clinical biochemical analyzer to measure glucose in porcine blood samples
Recently in Research: Nicole Forchielli
Approximately 65 low-income elderly Lee County residents rely on Meals on Wheels each week, according to Nicole Forchielli, a senior studying nutrition dietetics. Nicole conducted her Undergraduate Research Fellowship this past summer under the mentorship of Dr. Yee Ming Lee in the College of Human Sciences. “I got involved volunteering with [Meals on Wheels] and…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Nicole Forchielli
Recently in Research: Jieong (Jess) Choi
Jieong (Jess) Choi began exploring undergraduate research opportunities her freshman year while enrolled in the Conservation Biology Learning Community. During her time in the learning community taught by Dr. Robert Boyd, Jess learned about research opportunities available to her from faculty members who visited the class. Jess is now a senior studying microbiology (pre-vet) and…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Jieong (Jess) Choi
Recently in Research: Gabby Gilmer
Gabby Gilmer, a junior in chemical engineering, began her undergraduate research involvement fall of her Sophomore year in Dr. Gretchen Oliver’s lab in the School of Kinesiology. Gabby’s research involves studying athletes who suffer from pain in different areas of the body and how that pain affects their athletic ability. “I’m working on two different…Continue Reading Recently in Research: Gabby Gilmer
Recently in Research: Holland Bankston
Holland Bankston is researching how microwave radiation, the kind used in your kitchen appliance, can be used to manufacture a material for energy storage. Holland is a senior studying polymer and fiber engineering. His undergraduate research fellowship is under the guidance of Dr. Xinyu Zhang. “I’m specifically focusing on a faster way to create nanocomposites….Continue Reading Recently in Research: Holland Bankston