North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
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New Farmers of America Association
No full textWoman peeling a potato in a kitchen.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/photos/2002/thumbnail.jp
Examining the Involvement of Yap in N-Glycan Branching Mediated NSPC Fate Bias
No full textNSPCs are multipotent and give rise to the three main cell types in the brain: astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. These cells come together to form the complex circuits and structures that make us who we are. Previous work in the Flanagan lab found that the sugar GlcNAc affects the fate of neural stem cells. How GlcNAc regulates NSPC fate remains unknown. However, recent work has shown that GlcNAc treatment appears to promote nuclear localization of Yap, indicating that Yap might be involved in how GlcNAc affects NSPCs fate bias. To assess our research question, we knocked down Yap in mouse NSPCs using siRNA. Immunocytochemistry was then used to identify our cells of interest by staining for known markers of mature neurons. Using fluorescence microscopy we were able to visualize and magnify our stained cells. After completing neuron quantifications, we found no clear effect of Yap siRNA treatment on neurogenesis with or without GlcNAc treatment. We noted interesting neuronal morphologies in Yap siRNA and GlcNAc-treated samples. Regenerative stem cell therapies offer promise as they can be applied to ameliorate deficiencies caused by traumatic brain injury, stroke or neurodegeneration. However, current Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells or NSPCs transplantation therapies would be more efficacious if they were optimized to allow for controlled fate bias of transplanted NSPCs, as different diseases require different compositions of the transplanted NSPC pools. Throughout this project, I explored whether the transcriptional protein Yap is involved in how the sugar GlcNAc affects NSPCs fate bias. Results from this project will contribute significantly to our understanding of NSPC differentiation and brain development and may yield novel targets for improving NSPC transplantation therapies.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/honorscollegesymposium25/1035/thumbnail.jp
Awareness of Diet and Disease Among African American Women
No full textChronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are closely linked to diet. However, many individuals rely on familial teachings rather than formal nutritional education, shaping their health perceptions and dietary behaviors. Understanding how Gen Z African American female college students perceive these links is crucial for developing effective health interventions that address cultural and generational influences. This study investigates how health messaging on social media influences the behaviors of African American women. This poster explores how Gen Z African American female college students understand the relationship between diet and chronic disease, the sources of their nutritional knowledge, and the challenges faced in adopting healthier eating habits. A qualitative research approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews to examine participants’ awareness of diet-related health risks, sources of information, and behavioral adaptations. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key patterns in their perceptions, attitudes, and decision-making processes regarding nutrition and health. Participants identified family health history, media, healthcare professionals, and personal experiences as primary sources of dietary information. While some actively attempted to adopt healthier eating habits, others struggled to overcome generational dietary patterns. Emotional, financial, and cultural ties to traditional foods posed significant barriers to sustained change, often reinforcing unhealthy habits. Findings highlight the need to enhance nutritional education beyond familial teachings and develop targeted interventions supporting sustainable, health-conscious decisions. Breaking unhealthy generational patterns requires culturally relevant strategies integrating scientific knowledge and community support systems to promote long-term dietary improvements.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/honorscollegesymposium25/1026/thumbnail.jp
“Photoswitchable” Directing Template for Remote C-H Bond Functionalization
No full textMolecular photoswitches allow external control over molecular structure and reactivity using light. We proposed creating a photoswitching directing template for opportunities in regio-divergent site-selectivity and unique geometrical approaches to remote C-H bonds. A photoswitchable C-shaped directing template will be designed from the excited “T-shaped” conformers of azo heteroarenes to investigate functionalization by switching between trans and cis conformers under light. This work will share our initial synthesis of key intermediates and studies of their photoswitchability. We end by outlining our future work for realizing goals in remote C-H functionalization with projected screening conditions for optimal functionalization.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/honorscollegesymposium25/1019/thumbnail.jp
Probiotic Properties of Yogurt Products Available in North Carolina
No full textLactobacillus bulgaricus is an essential bacterium in yogurt production, contributing significantly to its distinctive characteristics. The significance of L. bulgaricus in producing high-quality yogurt is paramount, as it plays a crucial role in developing the smooth, viscous texture and tangy, cultured flavor that consumers seek. During the fermentation process, L. bulgaricus enhances the distinct sensory attributes of fermented products, such as flavor, texture, and aroma, contributing to the overall appeal of products. This study aimed to test the viability and probiotic properties of commercially available yogurt products in North Carolina. 67 plain yogurt products from 33 brands were screened, and 14 were shortlisted based on price, sugar content, and product labeling. These products were examined for the viability of Lactobacillus delbreuckii subsp. bulgaricus, an important starter culture in dairy industry. Our results showed that the average L. bulgaricus counts ranged from 0 to 7.97 Log cfu/mL. Out of 14 products tested, only 7 products have viable counts of L. bulgaricus on MRS media and 8 have shown viability on mRCM-Pyruvate media. Our findings indicated that most yogurt products in North Carolina contain viable yogurt culture at levels lower than those stated on the labels. These results suggest that we need to address concerns about the survivability of Lb. bulgaricus in yogurt products available in the market to deliver desired health benefits to the consumers.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1109/thumbnail.jp
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Predicting Magnesium Alloy Hardness with Machine Learning
No full textMaterial hardness is crucial in engineering and manufacturing, affecting component performance and durability. This study examines magnesium (Mg) alloys, valued for their lightweight and stiffness properties, with applications in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical industries. We conducted Vickers Hardness (VH) testing to analyze the effects of alloy composition, microstructure (phase composition and grain size), and rolling on hardness. The study focused on Mg-6Al (6 wt% aluminum) in both cast and rolled conditions. Results showed that rolling increased VH, demonstrating how structural modifications impact hardness. Additionally, machine learning (ML) was employed to predict the hardness of Mg-6Al alloys. Hardness, defined as resistance to localized permanent deformation, depends on grain size, precipitates, dislocation density, and phase composition. The Mg alloy was cast and rolled at NC A&T, with 257 VH data points collected. Using MATLAB’s Regression Learner, Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) showed the best predictive performance. ML integration aims to improve hardness prediction accuracy, reduce testing errors, and enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness in material evaluation.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1130/thumbnail.jp
Improved Synthetic Access to Longer Wavelength Functional AZO Molecular Photoswitches
No full textPhotoswitchable micelles hold significant promise for controlled drug delivery systems, but their reliance on ultraviolet light (365 nm) for photoswitching presents safety concerns for human applications. This research focuses on developing improved synthetic pathways to longer wavelength functional arylazopyrazole (AAP) molecular photoswitches through selective azo-Lewis acid chelation. A key challenge is controlling the chelation pattern to favor the smaller exocyclic chelate for photoswitching ability, rather than the larger endocyclic chelate, which prohibits photoswitching. This work explores a kinetic control approach to manipulate Lewis acid-azo chelation, successfully synthesizing precursor compounds: a hydrazone intermediate (50% yield) and a power ring structure through Knorr pyrazole synthesis (80% yield). Both compounds were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. While some analytical results were inconclusive (FTIR data for both compounds and 13C NMR for the hydrazone), the UV-Vis spectroscopy showed promising evidence of azo bonding with strong signals suggesting photoswitching capability. The research provides foundational steps toward the future development of photoswitchable micelles capable of responding to longer, safer wavelengths of light for biomedical applications, particularly in photopharmacology and optogenetics. Future work will focus on introducing boron trifluoride under kinetic control conditions to achieve the target chelationhttps://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1133/thumbnail.jp
Framework, Microbial community transcriptomics, Quorum Sensing
No full textBoth documented and undocumented immigrant farm labor play important roles in the US agricultural sector. Many livestock producers and meat processors rely on the immigrant labor pool for their operations. Anticipated changes in immigration policy at the national level could result in a reduction in the supply of such workers. A reduction of farm workers at the farm level is expected to result in an increase in the price of livestock such as hogs. The expected increase in the price of whole livestock is expected to result in a decrease in the supply of processed meat. The anticipated labor shortage is also expected to result in additional reductions in the supply of processed meat. This chain of events is expected to result in more volatility in the prices of livestock products at both the retail and farm levels. Producers who are able to access information on such price and quantity changes will be in a better position to plan production activities in order to take advantage of the changes. We use information on the farm-level demand for hogs to illustrate the expected impact of immigrant labor shortages on farm-level price, production and income. We assume labor shortages that could result in 5%, 10%, and 15% and 20% reductions in supply of hogs. We conclude that due to the inelastic nature of the farm-level demand for hogs, producers of hogs could benefit in the form of increased revenues if labor shortages result in price increases for hogs.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1182/thumbnail.jp
New Farmers of America Association
No full textLeft to right: McCoy Harris; Professor R. A. Lewis, teacher of Vocational Agriculture at Mary Potter Academy, Oxford; Dr. H. S. Davis, Principal.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/photos/2026/thumbnail.jp
New Farmers of America Association
No full textDairy cattle show.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/photos/2028/thumbnail.jp