New Takes on Old Themes: A Look at Chinese Socio-Political Conditions

New Takes on Old Themes: A Look at Chinese Socio-Political Conditions Alexander Anderson Department of Political Science McNair Scholar from Harding University Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences The rapidity and pervasiveness in which events that were once kept secret are now reported has led to greater awareness of international events and a greater response by the world community. This form of globalization has caused a major shift in the world’s attitude toward the treatment of people. It has also lead to an outcry against real, suspected, or perceived violations of the rights of the world’s citizens. In the area of human rights, there are many rogue nations that refuse to adhere to the presently evolving universal human rights standards but few countries are more under the microscope than China. China’s status as a highly influential state, both economically and politically, leads many to wonder why she persists in violating contemporary human rights standards. Perhaps China’s persistence is due to the influence of Confucian traditions in their society, remnants of now outdated communist ideology, or just Chinese history alone. Which ever it is, China’s socio-political reasoning behind her actions has led to her scrutiny and her being placed at a focal point in a call for international human rights standards. Evidence for possible involvement of IGF type II receptors in regulating growth of two concomitant dominant follicles in cattle Pauline Y. Aad, Sherrill E. Echternkamp2 and Leon J. Spicer1 Department of Animal Science Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Whiteman Award Presentation In a population of cattle selected over 25 yr for twin births (USDA, Clay Center, NE), natural double ovulations result from the simultaneous formation of two dominant (ovulatory) follicles within a wave of growing cohort follicles rather than ovulation of single dominant follicles from two consecutive waves, and is associated with elevated systemic and intrafollicular IGF-I concentrations. However, identification of intraovarian factors that are associated with the formation of two simultaneously developing dominant follicles has remained elusive. Recent evidence has implicated the IGF type II receptor (IGF2R) as a possible regulator of follicular function. Therefore, gene expression of the IGF2R and LH receptor (LHR) in granulosa (GC) and theca (TC) cells as well as estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels in follicular fluid (FF) were quantitated in cows selected (Twinner) and unselected (Control) for twin births and multiple ovulations. Cows were slaughtered between day 3 (at early follicle selection) and day 6 (at early follicle dominance) of an estrous cycle, and ovaries collected. The largest three follicles from each cow were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen, and FF, GC and TC separated and collected. Total RNA from GC and TC was extracted, and levels of LHR and IGF2R mRNA were quantified using multiplex real-time RT-PCR and expressed as relative mRNA abundance normalized to constitutively expressed 18S ribosomal RNA. Follicles were ranked F1 through F3 based on their diameter and estradiol (E2) level in FF; F1 and F2 had greater diameters and FF E2 levels than F3, but no differences in FF progesterone levels were observed among F1, F2 and F3. Twinner cows had on average larger (P<0.0001) F1 and F2 with greater (P<0.001) FF E2 levels than control cows. Expression of LHR mRNA was greater (P < 0.05) in GC of F1 and F2 versus F3, whereas levels of LHR mRNA in theca cells did not differ among the largest three follicles or between control and twinner cows. Abundance of IGF2R mRNA in TC of F1, F2 and F3 of twinner cows was less (P<0.05) than control cows particularly on day 3. In GC, IGF2R mRNA abundance was less (P<0.05) in F2 of twinner than control cows. Follow-up in vitro studies indicate that IGF-I decreases IGF2R gene expression and numbers of IGF2R in granulosa cells, and that IGF2R sequesters free IGF-II reducing the amount of IGF-II that can bind to the IGF type I receptor. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that reduced theca and granulosa cell IGF2R levels in early developing cohort antral follicles of twinner cows, induced by increased IGF-I, may increase the amount of free or bioavailable IGF-II which in turn may act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion to regulate follicular development such that two cohort follicles are selected and become dominant. Barriers to E-Procurement Adoption: When They Really Matter Amjad Abu Elsamen Department of Marketing Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences This article develops a model to explain the potential relationships that affect the adoption of electronic procurement techniques from a business customer perspective. The model was drawn from a comprehensive investigation of literature that addresses various issues in e-procurement adoption. Perceived drivers, perceived internal barriers, and perceived information barriers are proposed as antecedents to e-procurement adoption. Data were collected from a sample of companies in construction industry. Results showed that perceived drivers were the main predictor; more specifically, cost reduction as a primary driver that marketers should focus on in their attempt to target their customers. Internal and information barriers, however, were significant only when business customers were engaged in a new buying situation. Designing Apparel: Convergence of Natural Dyeing with the Traditional Korean Aesthetic of Hanbok Su Kyoung An, Carol Salusso, and KyeongSook Cho Department of Design, Housing, and Merchandising Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Environmental Sciences The purpose of this project was to develop a design collection through combining the wholesomeness of natural dyes with the philosophy of the Hanbok, Korean traditional costume. Within this design process, it was important to examine the range of possibilities for types of 20 natural dyes and a collection of natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk and wool) and several mordants (alum, chrome, copper, and iron) to identify the best options for showcasing the beauty of the natural dyed colors. The Korean traditional dress philosophy of Hanbok was used as inspiration for conceptualizing four apparel designs. Why are natural dyes wholesome? The most important reason for choosing to use natural dyes is the therapeutic benefits of natural dyes. Naturally dyed cloth is healthier than chemically dyed cloth. Sometimes, people who have sensitive skin like babies have problems with the chemically dyed cloth. However, naturally dyed cloth does not have that kind of problem on the body. The second reason is protecting nature. Natural dyes do not cause any pollution in our world because all material used in natural dyeing came from nature without any chemical addition. In the future, more people will want to use natural dyes as more people realize the pollution that is created with the use of synthetic, chemical dyes. Korea was a strict patriarchic culture that followed the religion of Confucianism. The philosophy of Hanbok expressed through Korean traditional costume features beauty of the form defined by silhouette and with limited exposure of bodylines. Hanbok typically included 100 percent natural fabrics that were more believed to be beautiful when dyed with natural dyes than synthetic fabric and synthetic dyes. Another characteristic of Hanbok is generous use of layering. Women put on layers of clothing because of the Confucian edict that says females should never reveal their flesh to others. The layers of undergarments resulted in a voluminous lower body with a curvaceous silhouette because a woman wore a tight-fitting, blouse under her Chogori (Kum, 1998). Layering also aids in featuring natural dyed colors because many naturally dyed colors can be placed in many layers. Thus, Hanbok, the Korean traditional costume, was a very appropriate and effective means for expressing the beauty of naturally dyed colors in natural textiles. Beauty and wellness converged to contribute to an apparel collection that expresses the need to consider wellness throughout the process of designing apparel. Relationship Between Religious Exposure and Self-Concept as an Explanation for Individual Influences Darshon Anderson and Dr. Mark Hamlin Department of Psychology McNair Scholar from University of Central Oklahoma Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences This study sought to examine the relationship between early religious exposure (emphasis on specific behaviors) and an individual’s self-concept. It was hypothesized that individuals with parents who emphasized religion in the home and exposed them to religion often will have a higher self-concept, versus individuals with little or no exposure and emphasis. Because of the continued development of identity and self-concept during adolescence and young adulthood, it was also hypothesized that the younger participants who experienced higher religious emphasis would also have a higher self-concept apart from the rest of the group. The participants were 123 undergraduate and graduate volunteers from the University of Central Oklahoma and employee volunteers from Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company. The researcher developed a 42-question survey using previously developed surveys that included religious participation and self-concept. The first correlation calculated between the religious participation score and the total self-concept score produced no significance. A one-way analysis of variance also revealed no significance between age groups. The findings of this research did not concur with the findings of previous studies and the results indicated that early religious emphasis (exposure) did not correlate with a higher selfconcept. Body Image Dissatisfaction and Eating Behavior Differences in Boys and Girls Jeffrey Anderson and Andrea Kinlen Department of Psychology Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences Current literature suggests that a significant proportion of adolescents may not be satisfied with their weight and want to change it. Previous literature examining gender differences in relation to body dissatisfaction is very inconsistent and tends to focus on women and girls. Some studies have found that boys and girls typically show comparable levels of overall body esteem through much of childhood, whereas others have shown that girls indicate a significantly greater desire for a thinner figure than do boys, although there are no significant differences in their BMIs. Overall, there appear to be gender differences in satisfaction and concerns with weight and shape, with girls showing more dissatisfaction than boys. The focus of this study is to look at the relation between gender, children’s body dissatisfaction, and eating behaviors. This study is to help clarify some of the previous eating behavior and body dissatisfaction literature in regard to gender differences. A total of 75 participants were recruited for this study. Participants consisted of boys and girls who ranged in ages from 9 to 13 years old (M = 10.35, SD = .96). Each of the participants completed the Body Image Silhouettes (BIS) and the Eating Behaviors and Body Image Test (EBBIT). In the BIS participants were asked to select both their perceived body size and ideal body size. The participants eating behaviors was measured with the EBBIT, a 38-item self-report questionnaire that consists of two factors. Factor 1 measures restrictive eating behaviors and body image dissatisfaction (Body Image Dissatisfaction/Restrictive Eating: BIDRE). Factor 2 is a measure of binge eating (Binge Eating Behaviors: BEB). After administration of the test measures the child participants were weighed and measured. Each child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by dividing their weight in kilograms by height in meters squared With the BISDIS as the criterion (BMI and gender were the predictors in each of the regressions), the model was significant for the final regression, F(2, 72) = 20.91, p < .001. For the BIDRE factor, the model was also significant for the final regression, F(2, 72) = 9.60, p < .001. Lastly, the BEB factor, the model was not significant for the final regression, F(2, 72) = .61, p = .55. It is important to note that gender was not a significant predictor for any of the regression models, which is contrary to the research hypothesis. The purpose of the present study was to examine how gender differences were related to body dissatisfaction and eating behaviors in preadolescent girls and boys. Gender differences in body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating, and binge eating behaviors were expected in this study. However, no significant gender differences were found, which indicates that both boys and girls should be studied with regard to their level of body image concerns. Typically, the research has focused on girls and women with regard to body image concerns and eating disorders, and further research is needed using boys and men as participants in order to determine what factors contribute to their body image concerns. Effective Behavior Support: Oklahoma Educators' Response Of Current SchoolWide Positive Behavior Support Practices Melinda Anderson and Dr. Susan Scott Department of Education McNair Scholar from University of Central Oklahoma Presentation Subject Area: Education The purpose of this study was to investigate what kind of behavior support practices are currently found among various Oklahoma schools and whether these practices promote positive behavioral outcomes. The researcher hypothesized that graduate students would report satisfaction levels for current behavior support practices in statistically significant patterns. The researcher further speculated educators who have taught 610 years would be more likely to rate practices as being ‘in place’ and not in need of much improvement than other experience categories. The researcher utilized a non-random convenience sample of 65 participants who were graduate students enrolled in education classes at a mid-size university located in the Midwest. The researcher composed a 24 question survey using previously developed items from a study conducted by Lewis and Sugai (1999). Outcome of a frequency table was run on the educators’ response of satisfaction and the results failed a test of significant difference. Insights were gained from the given responses of the educators who were dissatisfied with current behavior support practices. Evaluation of the Exchangeable Effector Locus of Pseudomonas syringae as a potential signature for Microbial Forensics Christy Baker, Carol Bender, Ulrich Melcher, and Jacqueline Fletcher Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Biological Sciences Agriculture is economically important, and US crops are vulnerable to accidental or deliberate introduction of pathogens. Pseudomonas syringae is a gram-negative plant pathogenic bacterium that is divided into pathovars by host range. Several strains of P. syringae have been sequenced, including P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 which causes bacterial speck of tomato, and P. syringae pv. syringae B728a, causal agent of brown spot of bean. P. syringae shares survival and virulence mechanisms with pathogens that are currently on the USDA APHIS select agent list, but is a model pathogen that can easily be utilized for forensics without biocontainment facilities. The type III secretion system (TTSS) of P. syringae is important in the plant-pathogen interaction, and is located in the genome next to the exchangeable effector locus (EEL). This effector region, which is presumably involved with host specificity, represents a potential signature that could be used in forensic identification. Previous studies have predicted that a correlation may exist between variability in the EEL region, and the geographic origination of strains. In the current study, conserved regions of EEL genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and used as probes to analyze a collection of P. syringae strains isolated from diverse geographical locations. Strains were screened and evaluated for the presence of this potential forensic signature. In the present study, no obvious correlations between the EEL and the year or geographic place of strain origination were noted. EEL probes were amplified from conserved regions of the P. syringae genome, and were able to detect some strains within a pathovar, providing further evidence to support a role for the EEL in host specific interactions. The EEL is a variable region and is a potential signature that could be investigated further for diagnostic or forensic identification of P. syringae. Research and development on technologies for improved strain detection and typing are very valuable to the new field of Microbial Forensics, and will benefit society through better crop protection and improved disease control. Studies are underway to explore other regions of the P. syringae genome that may prove useful for strain typing and identification. The Impact of Computer Mediated Communications on Stalking Severity: An Exploratory Analysis of Cyberstalking Field Data Stephen Barnes and David Biros Department of Management Information Systems Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences The interaction between disjunctive interpersonal relationships, those where the parties to the relationship disagree on the goals of the relationship, and the use of computer mediated communications channels is a relatively unexplored domain. Bargh (2002) suggests that CMC channels can amplify the development of interpersonal relationships, and notes that the effect is not constant across communications activities. This proposal suggests a line of research that explores the interaction between computer mediated communications (CMC) and stalking, which is a common form of disjunctive relationships. Field data from cyberstalking cases will be used to look at the effects of CMC channels on stalking case severity, and exploring the relative impacts of CMC channel characteristics on such cases. To accomplish this, a ratio scaled measure of stalking case severity is proposed for use in exploring the relationship between case severity and CMC media characteristics, anonymity, and the prior relationship between the stalker and the victim. Expected results are identified, and follow-up research is proposed. A Proposal to Study of the Emotional Effects of Presidential Transition on Presidential Assistants in Higher Education Larry Shawn Bassham College of Education Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Education Presidents’ tenure in higher education is a ‘revolving door’. While presidents serve their institutions they have used presidential assistants as professional confidantes. When presidents leave the institution their assistants are remaining to serve the successor. No research to date examines the emotional impact of presidential transition on the presidential assistant. The Child, the Playground, and Eggy-Peggy: A Play Language Remembered Victoria Batten Department of English Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Humanities According to Joel Sherzer, child or play languages are common phenomena among children, especially on school playgrounds. Some of these play languages are simple; others are complex. The play language I grew up speaking is quite complex and may have originated in Scarborough, England, in the 1950s. According to other researchers, Eggy-Peggy is a play language that English teenagers spoke and called Pidgin English. It is this play language that located itself to Kaneohe, Hawaii, during the 1960s, or perhaps earlier. The native language of most Kaneohe school children during the 1960s was Hawaii Creole English (HCE). When Eggy-Peggy emerged on the playground of Puohala Elementary School, many of my classmates and I spoke it and transferred HCE linguistic features to it. I suspect many like me learned EggyPeggy at home, either from caretakers or teenage siblings. This play language, I now call the code, truly emerged when in a language arts class around 1966, our teacher informed us that we had to stop spelling English words the British way and had to start spelling them the American way. Moreover, after researching the linguistic history of Eggy-Peggy, I found its underlying feature in an 1890s autobiography published in London. I also found evidence of the play language itself in a 1940s English novel and references of its use in news reports from Scarborough, England, in the 1950s. Thus, the questions raised in this research are historical ones: When did this play language locate itself to Kaneohe, Hawaii? In other words, when did this play language arrive in Kaneohe, Hawaii? Who might have brought it to the community? And, how long might it have been spoken there prior to the 1960s? Conversion of Colloidal Ag Nanoparticles into Ionic Form through Electrophoresis Heather Beem, and Der-Chi Tien, Kuo-Hsiung Tseng, Chih-Yu Liao, and Yu-Chun Chen Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Physical Sciences & Technology Silver ions (Ag+) are converted electrophoretically at a controlled rate from colloidal solution in two stages. Pre-existing ions are first released to an adjoining cathodic chamber with the application of DC 300 V. The remaining silver nanoparticles are also moved to this chamber after they convert to additional silver ions. The ionic strength here reaches a peak at 0.9 hours. At this point, all silver in the anodic chamber, initially housing the colloidal solution, is depleted. Conductivity and UV-Vis spectra studies detail the system’s activity. The arc discharge colloidal nanoparticle fabrication process maintains the particles in suspension without interference from conventional chemical surfactants, allowing for accurate interpretation of experiment results. Factors contributing to malnutrition of rural adolescent girls from Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Afework Bezabih, Dr Barbara Stoecker, Dr Fitsum Hagos, Dr Gideon Kruseman, Dr Vincent Linderhof, Zenebe Abraha, Dr Mekonnen Yohannes, and Girmay G. Samuel Department of Nutritional Sciences Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Biomedical Sciences Prevalence of malnutrition was assessed in 213 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. The mean age, height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ), body mass index (BMI), and BMI z-scores were 14 years, -1.45, -1.87, 15.7 and -2.20, respectively. More than 35% of the households reported girls did more work than boys. Most households (74%) reported food shortage during the summer. More than 80% of the households had no latrine and their source of water was river and/or unprotected wells (96%). No access to micronutrient supplementation or deworming was reported for adolescents; however, 98% had access to health facilities for illness and immunizations. Stunting and under weight were 26.3 and 44.1% respectively. On the basis of their BMI, younger adolescents were more undernourished than older adolescents (p <0.0001). Reduction in number and quality of meals, and heavy involvement in works like laundry, cattle herding and long distance shopping were the main factors significantly associated with stunting. Differential treatment in food availability, reduction in the quality of meals and heavy workload were associated with both under weight in adolescent girls. Participatory community level interventions to address girls’ workloads and gender role expectations, environmental sanitation, and household food shortages are recommended.(Supported by the Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Oklahoma State University, USA & Mekelle Universtiy, Ethiopia). Fowlicidin-3 Is an α-Helical Cationic Host Defense Peptide with Potent Antibacterial and LPS-Neutralizing Activities Yugendar R. Bommineni, Huaien Dai, Yu-Xi Gong, Jose L. Soulages, Samodha C. Fernando, Udaya DeSilva, Om Prakash, Guolong Zhang. Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Whiteman Award Presentation 1 Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. 2 Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. 3 Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. Cathelicidins are an important family of cationic host defense peptides in vertebrates with both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Fowlicidins 1-2 are newly identified chicken cathelicidins with potent antibacterial activities. Here we report structural and functional characterization of the third chicken cathelicidin, namely fowlicidin-3, for exploration of its therapeutic potential. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that fowlicidin-3 adopts a predominant α-helical structure with a slight kink near the center induced by glycine. Fowlicidin-3 is highly potent against a broad range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 1-2 μM. Fowlicidin-3 kills bacteria quickly, permeabilizing cytoplasmic membranes immediately upon coming into contact with bacteria. Unlike many other host defense peptides, fowlicidin-3 retains bacteria killing efficiency in the presence of 50% serum or physiological concentrations of salt. Furthermore, fowlicidin-3 is capable of suppressing LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory genes in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, with nearly complete blockage at 10 μM. Taken together, coupled with both potent bactericidal and LPS neutralizing activities, fowlicidin-3 appears to be an excellent candidate for future development as a novel antimicrobial and anti-sepsis agent, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Harmful or Harmless:The Effects of Television Usage on Societys Perception of the Black Population Laura Briscoe Department of Psychology McNair Scholar from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Presentation Subject Area: Social Sciences Television is a powerful medium of communication. It acts as the prevailing source of entertainment and information for the public, and previous research suggests that television acts as a catalyst for the formation of stereotypes (Cullingford, 2000). As a minority population, African Americans have been targets of stereotypical portrayals. Characterizations centered on racist beliefs about African Americans have been prevalent on stage and in television. Numerous modern sitcoms seem to contain implicit stereotypes of black people. When it comes to the African American family, television tends to portray the black family in a debasing light (Berry, 1998) and suggests dysfunction and instability. African-American characters’ mannerisms are also often centeredaround buffoonery and senseless behavior (Hammer, 1992). Previous research has shown that television significantly effects the perception of African-Americans and negative stereotypes have emerged as a result of watching black entertainment television (Fujioka, 1999; Ford, 1997). Cultivation analysis research investigates how exposure to television affects perceptions of social reality. It hypothesizes that heavy and light television viewers demonstrate differences in belief based on their viewing habits (Morgan & Signorielli, 1990). Heavy viewers are hypothesized to have beliefs that more closely reflect the reality presented to them on television. Personal experience, however, is believed to moderate the relationship between television viewing and beliefs. Contact plays a fundamental role in how people form opinions of others (Entman & Rojecki, 2000). Individuals with personal experience of a particular phenomenon tend to be less influenced by television portrayals of the phenomenon. Taking this into account, more experience (direct contact) with AfricanAmericans offsets the influence of negative television portrayals. Based on the above research, the following hypotheses were derived: H1: Heavy television viewers, particularly those who watch sitcoms with African-American characters, will see the African-American family as more dysfunctional than light television viewers after controlling for their level of direct contact with African Americans. H2: Heavy television viewers, particularly those who watch sitcoms with African-American characters, will see the African-American population as more irrational, irresponsible, and immature than light television viewers after controlling for their level of direct contact with African Americans. A survey design was used which measured sitcoms, family structure, family functioning (dysfunction), and irresponsibility. Correlational analysis will be used to measure the strength of relationship between viewing sitcoms, direct contact, and stereotypes. Dried plum polyphenols stimulate osteoblast activity and attenuate TNF-α-induced detrimental effects on osteoblastic function in MC3T3-E1 cells. So Young Bu, Edralin A. Lucas, Tamara S. Hunt, Barbara J. Stoecker, Brenda J. Smith Department of Nutritional Sciences Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Biological Sciences 1 Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078; 2 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73190; 3 Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73190; Previous studies demonstrate that dietary supplementation with dried plum has positive effects on bone mass and structure, and significantly increases indices of bone formation such as ALP and IGF-I. Our most recent data show that dried plum has comparable effects to PTH, a potent bone anabolic agent. Potential bioactive components in dried plum responsible for these anabolic effects are its polyphenols that maintain potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammatory mediator such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, the main cytokine in the pathogenesis of bone loss, has been known to disrupt osteoblast development, function and signaling. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which dried plum polyphenols influence osteoblast activity and mineralized nodule formation using the MC3T3-E1 murine pre-osteoblast cell line. Cells were plated and incubated in α-MEM with 5% FBS and 1% P/S and then supplemented with 25ug/ml ascorbic acid and 10mM β-glycerophosphate beginning at 48hrs. Cells were then pretreated with polyphenols (2.5ug/ml, 5ug/ml, 10ug/ml, 20ug/ml) extracted from dried plums and 24hrs later stimulated with TNF-α or control medium. Cell medium was changed every 3 days and intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured at 7 and 14 days and mineralized nodule formation assessed at 18days. Dried plum polyphenols at 5, 10 and 20ug/ml significantly increased intracellular ALP activity by 40% under normal conditions. Polyphenols also prevented TNF-α -induced suppression of ALP activity at 14 days (p<0.001). Dried plum polyphenol extracts increased mineralized nodule formation as evidenced by an increase (by 27.7 %) in density of Alizarin red S staining. We concluded that dried plum polyphenols effectively enhanced the osteoblast differentiation and activity under normal and inflammatory conditions. Future experiments will focus on the mechanisms by which these polyphenols mediate these effects on osteoblast activity and the transcriptional regulation of osteoblast differentiation. Influence of dietary manipulation on DM, N, and P excretion of lactating sows. Justin Bundy, S.D. Carter, M.L. Lachmann, S.K. Jenkins, and Z. Marable Department of Animal Science Oklahoma State University Presentation Subject Area: Whiteman Award Presentation A total of 58 Yorkshire and Yorkshire x Landrace sows (180 kg BW, parity = 1.3) was used during three different lactation periods to determine the effects of reducing dietary CP and P on sow performance and DM, N, and P excretion. Sows were blocked by parity, wt, and breed, and placed into one of two identical, environmentally-controlled, barns with each having a shallow pit, pull-plug drainage system. Each barn was randomly allotted to one of two dietary treatments. The control diet consisted of a fortified corn and soybean meal based diet formulated to 18.5% CP and 0.60% P. The experimental diet (LPP) was similar to the control diet with the exceptions of a 0.50% unit reduction in CP with 0.05% lysine HCL added, and a 0.10% unit reduction in P with the inclusion of 350 phytase units. Both diets were formulated on a true digestible Lysine basis (0.88%). Sows were weighed upon entry into the farrowing house and at weaning. Also, litter weights and weaning weights were recorded to evaluate sow performance. All feed and water intake was recorded weekly. Pit volume, pH, and electroconductivity were measured weekly prior to pit sampling and draining. The pits were refilled with water at the beginning of each week and the beginning volume was measured. Feed and pit samples were collected for DM, N, and P analysis. There were no differences (P > 0.10) in pH and electroconductivity of the slurry for sows fed the two diets. Also, no differences (P > 0.10) in sow weight change, number born alive, number weaned, litter weight, ADFI, or DM, N, and P intake were noted between treatments. Daily DM excreted (g/d/sow) was similar (P > 0.10) between treatments, but daily N excretion was reduced (P < 0.05) for sows fed the LPP diet. Likewise, daily P excretion tended to be reduced (P < 0.10) with the LPP diet. Based on these results, the LPP diet did not affect sow performance, intake, or daily DM excretion. However, the results of this study suggest that feeding an LPP diet to lactating sows can reduce daily N and P excretion.