URS Abstract Submission Examples

Name: Adair, Rachel
Major: Business Economics
Faculty Research Mentor: Holli Seitz, Communication
Funding: ORED Undergraduate Research Program

Using Diffusion of Innovation Theory Attributes to Predict Intention to Click, Make, and Share HappyHealthy Recipes on Facebook
Background: HappyHealthy is a social marketing campaign that aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. In order to increase HappyHealthy recipe adoption, there is a need to understand the attributes of a recipe that predict intention to click recipe links, make recipes, or share social media posts. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to identify Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) (Rogers, 1962) attributes that predict intention to click, make, or share HappyHealthy recipes on Facebook. Methods: In a web-based survey hosted by Qualtrics, 812 US adults evaluated one randomly selected HappyHealthy recipe social media post from a pool of 45 recipes. Participants rated their likelihood of clicking the link to see the full recipe, making the recipe, and sharing the recipe, each measured on a scale from 1 (not at all likely) to 10 (extremely likely). Participants also responded to items measuring relative advantage (r=.5, p<.01), compatibility ( α=.72), complexity ( α=.64), and trialability of the recipe on a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 indicates a higher value. Linear regression analyses were used to predict the effect of DOI attributes on the three outcome measures (intention to click, make, and share). Results: Relative advantage and compatibility were significant predictors of intention to click the link to view the full recipe. Relative advantage and compatibility were also significant predictors of intention to make the recipe. Finally, relative advantage and compatibility were significant predictors of intention to share the recipe. Conclusion: Relative advantage and compatibility are significant predictors of intention to click, make, and share HappyHealthy Facebook recipes. Thus, healthy recipes that are perceived as being higher in relative advantage (I.e., quicker and easier) and compatibility (I.e., fitting the user's current cooking style) may be more likely to be adopted.

Name: Callender, Emily
Major: Animal and Dairy Science
Faculty Research Mentor: Zully Contreas-Correa, Animal and Dairy Sciences
Co-Author(s): Nicolas Marchant, Lindsey Dearborn, Leyla Rios de Alvarez, Caleb Lemley, Micheal Pesato
Funding: 2022 MAFES Strategic Research Initiative

Preliminary Effect of Cottonseed as a Source of Gossypol on Hepatic Portal Blood Flow as an Indicator of Metabolism in Meat Does Artificially Infected with Haemonchus contortus
Cottonseed diets provide animals with high levels of protein and energy to support growth, while it could have potential anthelmintic effects that are beneficial to small ruminant operations. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of a cottonseed diet and parasite load on the hepatic portal blood flow which is an indicator of hepatic clearance rates and metabolism. Forty Boer x Spanish cross does were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (n = 10 per treatment group) in a 2x2 factorial design consisting of a group that received commercial pellets with no parasite infection (CON) or commercial pellets plus Haemonchus contortus infection (CONP) andcottonseed supplementation withno parasite infection (CS) or cottonseed supplementation plus artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus (CSP). On week 8 post-treatment, hepatic hemodynamics measurements were collected via Doppler ultrasonography on the right side of the animal at the 10th intercostal space. Mean velocity, diameter and blood flow from the hepatic portal veinand does' body weight were analyzed with a One-way ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS with diet and parasite load as the main effects and their interaction. A diet by parasite interaction (P = 0.026) was observed for the mean velocity of the hepatic portal vein, which was decreased in CSP versus CS treatments. A diet by parasite interaction (P = 0.012) was observed for the diameter of the hepatic portal vein, which was increased in the CSP treatment versus all other groups. However, absolute hepatic portal blood flow and body weight was not different (P > 0.05) amongst treatments. In conclusion, cottonseed interacted with parasites to decrease mean velocity and increase the diameter of the portal vein. This change in hepatic hemodynamics could have implications for mediating metabolism and clearance.

Name: Mechatto, Abigail
Major: Microbiology
University: Louisiana State University
Faculty Research Mentor: Michael Stout, Entomology, LSU
Funding: Undergraduate Research Grant from the Discover Undergraduate Research Program at LSU

The Relationship Between Deterrence and Toxicity of Plant Secondary Metabolites Against Fall Armyworms
Secondary metabolites are nonessential compounds found in all organisms that provide selective advantages by mediating ecological interactions with other organisms. This research explores the mode of action of various secondary metabolites naturally found in plants. There are numerous compounds that are currently being tested for deterrence and toxicity against the insect Spodoptera frugiperd (fall armyworm), including caffeine, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and gramine. During experiments, a calculated realistic amount of each compound is put on leaf disks from soybean (Glycine max) plants, and the effects on the behavior and physiology of fall armyworm larvae are analyzed by measuring both area of plant eaten and the growth (weight gain) of the insect. Additional experiments will soon begin incorporating the compounds into insect diet over a longer period, as well as experiments to compare the behavioral and post-ingestive effects when plants other than soybean are used. These experiments test the hypothesis that insects will be most deterred by compounds that are deleterious [or have negative effects on] to the growth of insects. Research on the effects of natural plant metabolites on insects helps to explain the range of plants that insects are known to ingest. This research is relevant in many ways, particularly for the topic of pesticides. A better understanding of the effects of these secondary metabolites may lead to development of natural insecticides to protect plants from insect consumption.

For more examples, please view the Spring 2023 Abstract Booklet: https://www.urcd.msstate.edu/sites/www.urcd.msstate.edu/files/2023-05/Spring%202023%20URS%20Abstract%20Booklet%20-%20Updated%20May%202023_1.pdf