The Effect of Sucralose and Sucrose On Activity Levels of Mus musculus

Abbie Stark;
Beta Iota Chapter, Bethel University

       The sweetener, sucralose is claimed to be non-metabolically usable by humans. Previous research has indicated that sucralose had no influence on the blood sugar levels in humans; however, little to no research has been conducted regarding the direct impact of sucralose on the energy levels of animals as shown through the amount of activity they display. Analysis of Mus musculus given a constant availability for fluid intake of sucralose indicated no discernable difference when compared to each individual animal’s activity when the fluid available was either water or sucrose. Neither was there a significant correlation indicated between an increased fluid intake of any of the substances and the activity output. However, there was a consistent increase of fluid intake for sucrose over sucralose. (Audio-mp3)

Luminescent Supramolecular Materials Based on Organomercurials and Arenes

T. J. Taylor, Laxman Pandey, C. N. Burress, F. P. Gabbai
Beta Chapter, McKendree College

       Just like Polyfunctional Lewis Acid (trimeric per-fluoro-ortho-phenylene mercury), Monofunctional Lewis Acid (pentafulorophenylmercury chloride) is known to have interaction with arenes such as phenanthrene to form phosphorescent adducts exhibiting extended binary stacks in the solid state.  (Audio-mp3)

Small Mammal Use of Reclaimed Mountaintop Removal and Valley-Fill Habitats.

Brian Daniels, Matthew A. B. Smith, and Joseph C. Whittaker;
Beta Xi Chapter, Pikeville College

Mountaintop removal mining and associated valley-fill operations are widespread and controversial techniques throughout eastern Kentucky and neighboring states.  The overall ecological impacts of mountaintop-removal mining and valley-fill operations are not well understood.  We examined small mammal populations in habitats impacted by mining activities, specifically reclaimed mountaintop removal and associated valley fills, and those of unmodified forest habitats in eastern Kentucky. Over the course of the summer, we visited six sites classified as mountaintop removal along and their associated valley fills and seven locations classified as unmodified forest habitats. We used mark-recapture methodology to examine the small mammal populations present on each site.  The number of species and number of individuals captured from each type of habitat, reclaimed or unmodified, were recorded and compared.  While there were no significant differences in numbers of individuals, there was a qualitative difference in species composition in the forested versus reclaimed sites. (Audio-mp3)

Aqueous Phase Dechlorination of a Widespread Groundwater Pollutant with Humic Acid and Nickel Ions

Charles Peterson
Beta Iota, Bethel University

       Many chlorinated hydrocarbons are considered to be widespread groundwater pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  This project aimed to contribute to the research being conducted involving the dechlorination of typical hydrocarbons, specifically focusing on dechlorinating trichloroethane (TCA).  To successfully dechlorinate this substrate, a method reported originally by Huizhong Ma was utilized.  However, where Ma used trichloroethene, this procedure replaced that substrate with TCA.    Our research focused on the dechlorination abilities of humic acid and nickel ions to dechlorinate the substrate.  Humic acid is a naturally occurring material and theoretically functions catalytically as a dechlorination agent with the addition of Ni2+.  Using local water from Bethel’s own Lake Valentine, Ma’s procedure was successful in dechlorinating TCA to create vinyl chloride.  GC-MS analysis was performed to verify the results.   (Audio-mp3)

Development of Goat Anti Mouse (Gt x Ms) IgM Specific-Agarose Gel

from Gt x Ms IgM Affinity Purified Antibody

Zachary Schmidt 
Beta Iota Chapter, Bethel University

       The purpose of this study was to develop a new product to bring to market for obtaining goat anti mouse IgM specific-agarose gel from goat anti mouse IgM affinity purified antibody product. An initial mouse IgM product was purified and quantita-tively tested using the ELISA technique via optical density measures to test for levels of cross reactivity with other IgM and IgG products. Acceptable optical density measures provided values <0.05, or below five percent cross reactivity. Goat IgG, Mouse IgG, Human IgG, and Rat IgG all exceeded acceptable levels, and cross reactivity was removed with size exclusion chromatography and confirmed with antibody purifica-tion from blood serum via affinity chromatography. Quantitative ELISA tests confirmed that final levels of cross reactivity were below five percent. 2,2,2-tricholoethanol polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to specify binding affinity of the final goat anti mouse IgM product. Binding specificity revealed unacceptable levels of binding affinity between goat IgG and the final goat anti mouse IgM product. (Audio-mp3)

Investigating the Quartic

Amalia M. Hunter

Sigma Chapter, Our Lady of the Lake University

       This investigation reveals new parameters for the quartic that have never been published. By using these new parameters, the reader will gain the understanding of graphing a quartic polynomial without a graphing calculator. Professors will find this useful especially because until now there has not been a tool to graph the quartic polynomial by hand. (Audio-mp3)

RNA Isolation Techniques for the Marine Chlorophyte Tetraselmis suecica

Thomas Mahan
Beta Chapter, McKendree College

       The algal species Tetraselmis suecica is an essential primary producer for many aquatic species and is known for its ability to survive oil spills and aid in environmental cleanup.  T. suecica undergoes the process of homeoviscous adaptation and incorporates chemical components of oil, such as benzene, into its cell membrane in order to survive oil spills.  Since RNA plays a key role in the signaling pathways of homeoviscous adaptation, it is important to understand what components of RNA allow for this adaptation to occur.  By creating mutagenized strains of T. suecica that are unable to survive exposure to benzene, experiments can be performed to study the variations that occur in the RNA between these mutant strains of T. suecica and the wild-type strain of T. suecica.  In order for these studies to proceed, a series of isolations of RNA of wild-type T. suecica were performed using the reagent TRIzol LS.  The samples obtained were tested using VV spectrophotometry and RNA agarose gel electrophoresis.  Based upon the 260nm/280nm ratio of RNA to DNA and the concentration of RNA from the samples, the techniques of the isolation process were altered in an attempt obtain the best possible ratios and concentrations of RNA.  Once samples with high ratios and concentration were obtained, RNA gel electrophoresis was performed to better analyze the purity and content of the RNA samples.  The effective, and easily repeatable, RNA isolation technique for T. suecica developed through this research will allow further experiments to be performed in comparing the RNA of wild-type T. suecica cells and benzene-sensitive T. suecica mutant cells through the use of reverse PCR. (Audio-mp3)

Measurement of Exercise-Induced Lipid Peroxidation Byproducts in Human Breath by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Carolyn Douglas
Alpha Psi Chapter, Hillsdale College

Free radicals are continuously produced in the body as a by-product of normal energy metabolism.  Several environmental factors can also contribute to production, such as sunlight, smoking, and pollutants.  However, one surprising contributor is exercise.  Although exercise is highly recommended for a healthy lifestyle it leads to oxidative stress.  This paradox has led some to believe athletes may develop heightened defense mechanisms against free radical damage.  In this study, the presence and extent of exercise-induced lipid peroxidation was compared between aerobically trained athletes and sedentary subjects.  Lipid peroxidation was assessed by collecting breath samples and quantitatively measuring three biomarkers; isoprene, pentane, and acetone.  Breath samples were collected in a gas sampling apparatus during three points of aerobic exercise; rest, lactic acidosis threshold (LAT), and recovery.  Analytes were extracted and preconcentrated using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analyzed using GC-MS.  Accurate calibration curves were unable to be obtained; therefore reliable concentrations could not be determined.  Still, several trends were observed within the data.  All subjects were found to have increased levels of pentane during high intensity exercise and lower levels of isoprene.  Acetone concentrations were found to be highly variable.  Higher levels of pentane support an increase in levels of lipid peroxidation caused by exercise.  Differences in levels of lipid peroxidation between previously trained subjects and sedentary individuals were not shown to be significant, inferring that training does not lead to increased defense mechanisms against radicals.  However, due to a limited number of subjects and the method of characterization of “sedentary” and “trained” subjects the data was inconclusive. (Audio-mp3)

Temporal and Spatial Expression of Gata-6 in Xenopus laevis

Robert Richmond
Beta Iota Chapter, Bethel University

       The role of Gata-6 as a transcription factor has been elucidated in certain model organisms and has been shown to be a necessary component of proper lung development in mice.  The model organism Xenopus laevis is an ideal candidate for further studies dealing with lung development and comparison of gene function.  This study examined the role of Gata-6 during the course of lung development, along with the expression of this gene in a selected number of adult tissue types using RT-PCR and gel electrophoresis techniques.  The outcome of this study showed Gata-6 expression before and during lung embryogenesis, throughout early embryonic development, and in all tissue types examined.  These results are consistent with other research showing Gata-6 as a possible factor for proper lung morphogenesis in Xenopus laevis.  (Audio-mp3)

Controlled Release of Dexamethasone from Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Microspheres

Bethany Fast
Beta Iota Chapter, Bethel University

An implantable biosensor that continually monitors and records a patient’s blood glucose levels would be invaluable in the treatment of diabetes.  However, the body’s natural immune response to such a biosensor often impedes its function in vivo.  An emerging tool in drug delivery, microspheres, may make an anti-inflammatory coating for such implantable devices a possibility.  These studies focused on the efficacy of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres to release dexamethasone, a specific anti-inflammatory drug.  All microspheres share a similar release profile in vitro: an immediate burst followed by a lag phase before a period of steady release, but we demonstrated that larger microspheres release over a longer period of time.  By combining populations of both 25kD and 70kD microspheres, we attempted to produce a standardized release rate over an extended period of time, 3-months.  Pre-degraded microspheres of each population were included to eliminate the burst and lag phases and create a more uniform profile.  Furthermore, pre-degraded microspheres were tested in vivo to determine whether the burst effect is necessary to eliminate the inflammatory response.  In vivo studies were also conducted for one month to optimize the dosage of dexamethasone required to control this response. (Audio-mp3)