2010 National Convention Presentations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
2010 National Convention Presentations
|
|
||||||||||
Presentation Abstracts and Video Links (Poster Abstracts below) |
The Role of PI 3-Kinase Regulatory Subunits in Mast Cell Development Mast cells act as both effector and immunoregulatory cells in innate and adaptive immunity. Unlike other cell types, mast cells circulate in an immature form and reach maturation locally by the release of cytokines. The expression of two receptors, c-Kit and IgE, signifies maturation. The c-Kit receptor is a tyrosine kinase receptor. Gain-of-function mutations in this receptor result in disorders such as leukemia, mastocytosis, and germ cell tumors. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is necessary for eliciting responses from c-Kit receptors. The stand-alone function of two PI3K regulatory subunits, p85 and , has not been detailed, but could offer clues into the mechanics of the PI3K pathway. This experiment utilized mast cell progenitor cells taken from p85flox-/-, a conditional knockout, and p85-/-, a total knockout, to detail the roles of these subunits. Mast cell progenitors were matured by the addition of cytokines and were compared to wildtype cells at week intervals. Flow cytometry was used to measure the differentiation of the different cell lines as well as the time spent in cell cycle and survival rate. A proliferation assay also helped to determine the effect of the knockout genes. p85flox-/- mast cells demonstrated significantly less differentiation, proliferation, survival, and cycling than WT mast cells. p85-/- mast cells demonstrate similar amounts of differentiation with a significant increase of proliferation, survival, and cycling compared to WT mast cells. Thus, p85 can be considered a positive regulator and p85 can be considered a negative regulator for mast cell growth and development. Future directions include testing a double knockout genotype and studying downstream signaling events to gain a better understanding of these two subunits. |
Understanding how environments recover after years of being impacted by human activity is essential in the design of management strategies for creating urban nature preserves. At the Asylum Lake property in Kalamazoo Michigan, all but one of the impacted habitats have undergone some recovery except for the Old Field habitat, which has resisted in-growth of trees from the adjoining forests and savannas. Thus, core sampling was done in order to determine soil nutrient levels and also to analyze soil particle composition of Old Field compared to the surrounding Forest 1, and Savanna 2 areas. A vegetation survey was done using a quadrat method in order to quantitatively analyze vegetation surrounding the sampled points. Zn levels for Old field were significantly lower than in surrounding Forest 1 and Savanna South. Sand levels in Old Field and Savanna North were significantly higher than Savanna South. Forest 1 had significantly higher Fe than Old Field and Savanna North. Forest 1 had significantly higher Phosphorus values than Old Field, while Old Field had significantly higher Mg values than Forest 1. With regards to vegetation, Old Field had a significantly higher levels of Bromus inermus (Smooth Brome) than Forest 1. Old Field had significantly fewer Agropyron repens (Quack Grass), Dactylis glomerata (Orchard Grass), Rumex acetosella (Sheep Sorrell), and Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) than Savanna North. Savanna South had more Solidago canadensis (Canada Goldenrod) than Old Field, while Forest 1 had significantly more Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper) than Old Field. These data indicate that the sandy, low nutrient composition of Old Field support more vegetation types such as forbs and grasses, compared to adjacent Forest 1. Interestingly, the Savanna South area bordering Old Field supported the most vegetation with only a non-significant trend of higher Phosphorus setting it apart from Old Field. These data can be used in the design of remedial activities to help speed reforestation in the Old Field area. |
Evaluating the Effect of Physical Soil Properties on Aquatic Plant Growth in Restored Shoreline Habitats Restoration of lakeshore habitats can improve the overall health of a lake ecosystem. Two key elements of the restoration process are monitoring and maintenance. Monitoring of the restored lakeshore at the Chicago Botanic Garden led us to question whether soil compaction could be influencing the growth of native aquatic plant species. Soil compaction, measured using soil bulk density, was correlated to plant health using biomass as an indicator to determine if soil compaction had a significant effect on the overall health of plants. The study examined the growth of two native plant species, Juncus effuses, common rush, and Decodon verticillatus, swamp loosestrife. Juncus effusus displayed a negative correlation between plant growth and soil compaction. Decodon verticillatus showed a positive correlation between biomass and soil compaction. This may in part be due to two different types of clay used during construction of the restored shoreline. We expect that different types of clay will vary in textural properties as well as porosity. In order to determine if soil texture and soil porosity are contributing to plant growth, analysis was conducted to determine soil texture and porosity, and results were compared to the biomass of Juncus effuses and Decodon verticillatus, results are still pending. |
Size Comparisons of Barbicambarus cornutus (Bottlebrush Crayfish) in the Upper Green River, KY Barbicambarus cornutus, a crayfish endemic to the upper Green River drainage basin, (Hobbs 1989) is known to be among the largest of North American freshwater crayfishes (Figure 1). However, relatively little is known regarding the biology of this organism (Taylor and Schuster 2004). We evaluated the sex ratio, body size and weight of B. cornutus based on multiple collections (n= 11) of individuals (n= 87) from two tributaries (Russell Creek and Little Barren River) and the mainstem of the upper Green River. Data analyzed included sex ratio, length (total body, abdomen, and cheliped length and carapace width) and weight (blotted wet weight). In addition to providing a characterization of size and weight for the overall population, sex-specific and stream-specific differences were also investigated. Sex ratio for the entire population (n = 87) was 1.2 M: 1 F. Average body length and weight for all individuals was 84.5 mm and 28.4 g, respectively. Total body lengths and cheliped lengths, while interrelated, were each significantly greater in males (n=48) versus females (n =39). The upper Green River population (n=14) exhibited significantly greater total body length, cheliped length and weight than Russell Creek crayfishes (n = 32). |
The Effects of Agricultural Herbicides on Insect Survival and Development Many of the herbicides used in today's agricultural industry contain toxic substances. While protocols have been established to reduce the negative effects of these chemicals on many vertebrate species the invertebrates, particularly insects, are often left vulnerable. The life cycle of many insects consists of an aquatic larval/pupal stage. This particular stage leaves the insects in jeopardy of exposure to the agricultural herbicides, as the herbicides are introduced into the aquatic environments by run-off. Many times combinations of herbicides are washed into the creeks and streams, as these streams are surrounded by fields producing a variety of agricultural products. Aedes aegypti were introduced to an acetochlor/atrizine containing herbicide, a flumioxazin herbicide, and a combination of both herbicides during the first larval stage. Data was collected throughout the life cycle on the effect of the herbicides by measurements of death, adult transition, and larval size. The results indicate there is significant difference, in all areas, of the control group in comparison to all groups exposed to herbicides. |
|
|
Toward an Understanding of Toroidal Microcavity QED Toroidal microcavities present a new approach for achieving strong coupling between light and single atoms. Cesium atoms couple to the whispering gallery light modes of the toroidal resonator. These modes are excited by coupling highly attenuated coherent laser light through a tapered optical fiber. Understanding the dynamics of this atom-cavity-light system is important for its potential in the construction of quantum networks. Experimentally, it is known that the physical construction of the taper greatly affects the fiber-cavity coupling strength and the laser transmission efficiency, both of which are necessary to achieve high sensitivity to the single-photon fields in the microtoroid system. A number of parameters have been identified and optimized which contribute to the efficiency of the taper pulling apparatus, including torch position and gas flow rate. Fabrication of 99% efficiency tapers has been achieved, with moderate repeatability. Concurrently, the time dependent expectation values of the fields in the atom-cavity system were modeled in an effort to find new, interesting features to observe experimentally. The model consists of a system of time-dependent differential equations implemented in the Mathematica software. The atom-cavity dynamics and output optical fields will be analyzed for a variety of realistic experimental conditions, focusing on the temporal behavior of the light output through the tapered fiber. |
While performing biological studies, researchers often obtain results in the form of images. Therefore, it is important that researchers obtain the best images possible. This study utilized various organisms and prepared slides and compared different tools and techniques for obtaining high-quality images. The images were collected using two different cameras and two different microscopes at various magnifications and lightings. The collected images were then printed using different printing methods and companies to identify how to obtain the best quality prints. Recommendations were made for choosing the best method, depending on what is analyzed. |
Topographic maps, in which the spatial relationships between the cell bodies of equivalent neurons are maintained in their synaptic targets, are a common feature of nervous systems. We are interested in how such maps are established during development and specifically in how overlap between adjacent axon terminals is prevented, a process we refer to as "tiling". To identify the molecular mechanisms involved, we are analyzing how R7 photoreceptor axons tile in the Drosophila visual system. R7s select synaptic targets in two phases. 1) Adjacent R7s extend their axons to adjacent target regions. 2) Each R7 terminal forms synapses with non-overlapping targets. We previously found that Activin signaling is required for proper R7 axon tiling. In the absence of Activin, R7 axon terminals overlap with one another. How does the Activin pathway regulate tiling? Does Activin act and regulate during phase one or phase two of synaptic target selection? Two experimental approaches were used: (1) I tested whether I could eliminate the tiling defect of R7s lacking the Activin pathway by eliminating their ability to form synapses. To do so, I created a double mutant chromosome that contained a mutation in imp-3, a component of the Activin pathway, and a mutation in dsyd-1, which is required for synapse formation. I found that imp-3, dsyd-1 double mutant R7 axons overlapped with their neighbors and conclude that the tiling defect of R7 axons lacking Activin signaling is not caused by excessive synapse formation. (2) I tested whether causing R7 axons to form excessive synapses is sufficient to cause a tiling defect. To do so, I created a mutant chromosome containing a mutation that is known to cause excessive synapse formation in C. elegans. I found that this mutation, a deletion of the fly rsy-1 gene, did not cause an R7 axon tiling defect and conclude that excessive synapse formation is not sufficient to cause a tiling defect. In conclusion, Activin signaling is not preventing excessive synapse formation in its regulation of proper tiling of R7 photoreceptors. Therefore Activin signaling must be acting during the axon pathfinding phase of tiling in Drosophila R7 photoreceptors. |
In the United States arson is one of the leading cause of fires, the second leading cause of death and injuries and can causes an estimated $1.4 billion in property damage each year (U.S. Fire Administration, 2009). Scientists are looking for ways to find those responsible for committing these crimes and bring them to justice. This experiment was designed to determine if a latent fingerprint exposed to extreme heat will deteriorate and be of no use to the crime scene investigator for suspect identification. It was determined that a print can still be retrieved from evidence that was exposed to a high temperature of 288C for aluminum. However, paper, ceramic, and glass did not yield quality prints for identification. |
|
The experiment was undertaken to determine which technique would be better suited to the development of fingerprints on porous surfaces such as paper. Four techniques, which were ninhydrin, iodine fuming, silica gel pack fuming and henna dye were tested and analyzed. Each technique yielded a visible print, but the ridge detail on the iodine fuming sample and the henna dye sample was not distinctive. The ridge detail from the ninhydrin print could be matched to six of the nine points from the control sample and the ridge detail from the silica gel pack fuming could be matched to two of the nine points from the control. Based on the ridge detail, the ninhydrin technique proved to be better at developing fingerprints on porous surfaces, even though the other techniques yielded visible prints. |
Abstract Parasites can be host specific, as exemplified by the relationship between Gyrodactylus rafinesqueii (Monogenea: Trematoda) and the Kentucky snubnose darter (Etheostoma rafinesquei: Osteichthyes, Percidae). Species of Gyrodactylus parasitizing darters have been shown to be host-specific within subgenera. Ectoparasites have not been reported for many species of darter. The purpose of this research is to broaden the understanding of host specificity in darters and compare our findings to previous studies. To achieve this, I will identify ectoparasites in assemblages of darters. Here, I present information on the methods used to collect ectoparasite samples and on preliminary results. |
 K. Marie Damron, Robert W. Arts, & Joseph C. WhittakerChapter: Beta Xi Pikeville College Responses of salamanders to simulated environmental vibration The Appalachia region is renowned for its coal. The vibrations and sounds produced by vehicles such as coal trucks may induce behavioral changes in salamanders. Few studies have shown that salamanders do respond to environmental disturbances. These responses may be behavioral or physiological Species that were examined included Desmognathus ochraphaeus (mountain dusky), Desmognathus fuscus (northern dusky), Plethodon glutinosus (slimy salamander), Plethodon richmondi (ravine salamander), and Notophthalmus viridescens (eastern newt). Overall, there was a total of 31 subjects. Trials consisted of exposing salamanders to simulations of vibrations consistent with those generated by local phenomena such as passing coal trucks. Data for the vibration simulations were collected from a moving coal truck using three low-g accelerometers. Data used for the sound simulation came from video footage of the moving coal truck. Subjects were observed before, during, and after the trials. Before and after each trial, each subject was wiped clean of debris and weighed. The amount of secretions varied between species. Overall, there were 77 standard simulation trials and 29 distance variation trials (i.e. observing behavior at different distances from simulation). Each trial was recorded using a digital video recorder. Overall, nine categories of behaviors were observed and recorded. The relationship between species, behavior, and skin secretions will be further discussed. |
Impacts of surface mining on Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) growth and mortality in tributary streams Coal mining, especially surface mining, threatens both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Appalachia contains a high diversity of fish and aquatic invertebrates that are being threatened, including freshwater mussels which have steadily declined in Virginia waters. To assess whether or not these mussels can be reintroduced, Asiatic clams (Corbicula fluminea) were placed in 10 tributaries of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, each differing in mining disturbance. After 60 days rates of clam growth and mortality were calculated as indicators of the health of the tributaries. Water quality tests were taken every two weeks to further gauge stream health. Although clams grew at each site, growth rates were lower and mortality higher at streams with more mining disturbance. However, because of the overall success of the Asiatic clams, native freshwater mussels may be able to be reintroduced into the Levisa Fork. |
The Bethel University physics department has recently designed and constructed a supersonic shock tunnel for high speed flow analysis. During the summer of 2008 and the summer of 2009, students have used two optical imaging techniques to visualize shock waves and compressible flows generated by the tunnel. The focus of this poster will be the use of shadowgraph and schlieren imaging in order to visualize the supersonic flow around various objects. Included are explanations of both the shadowgraph and the schlieren techniques, some images of standing shock waves around model objects taken using these techniques, and some diagnostic applications of these imaging methods. |
Green River is considered a biodiversity hotspot for both endemic and endangered species. Most of these species rely very heavily on good water quality. Three hundred Springs is a spring system that feeds directly into Green River. The spring is also a popular visitor site during the spring and summer. In order to establish a water quality baseline, water samples were taken from 300 Springs between November and January, 2009-2010. Total 24-hour precipitation and discharge was documented for each sample. Parameters analyzed included copper, sulfates, nitrates, total free chlorines, total phosphates, and dissolved oxygen in milligrams per liter. Results for these parameters were within the accepted range for EPA clean drinking water standards. Surface and karst drainage patterns and associated land use will be taken into consideration when further assessing the water quality of 300 Springs. In addition, two more springs within the basin will be assessed in 2010. Once all springs are analyzed a general comparison of spring water quality and contributing land use will be made. |
Preliminary Studies of the Crayfishes of Clay Hill Memorial Forest Cambarus tenebrosus, Cambarus graysoni, and Orconectes rusticus are crayfish that occur throughout the Green River drainage. This study examines the distribution of these species in White Creek and Feather Creek at Clay Hill Memorial Forest (CHMF). CHMF is located in the headwaters of the Green River Drainage. The focus of the current study was to examine distributions of all species at CHMF and to compare methods of capture for burrowing crayfishes. Cambarus graysoni is a secondary burrower and likely the species responsible for burrows at CHMF, but although five sampling techniques were used, none were effective in collecting C. graysoni from a burrow. Locations of active burrows were recorded with GPS and will be used for a crayfish layer in the GIS base map of CHMF. Crayfish distributions were determined using kick and drag seining. Orconectes rusticus was found only in pools in White Creek while it occurred in all habitats in Feather Creek. Cambarus graysoni and C. tenebrosus inhabit White Creek except for the pools. Orconectes rusticus was common in Feather Creek, while C. tenebrosus is represented by only one individual. Measurements will be used to establish size classes. It is highly possible that there may be size-specific differences in distribution. These measurements are mesial and lateral lengths of the right cheliped, carapace length and depth, and total length (from the postorbital to the end of the carapace). |
Investigation of Thioflavin T for Detection of Amyloid Fibrils The goal of this research is to separate and detect individual amyloid beta aggregates by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence. Amyloid peptides are known to cause neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Huntington's Disease. An area of interest in this field is the aggregation process whereby monomers convert to fibrils. It has been hypothesized that the toxicity of Alzheimer's Disease is related to aggregate size. Developing a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease will require a method to detect individual aggregates. Because amyloid beta (A) 1-40 and 1-42 peptides are known to exist in biological systems, synthetic versions of both peptides were investigated for this work. Thioflavin T (ThT) is commonly used as a fluorescent probe for the detection of amyloid flibrils because it selectively binds to the fibrils inducing an enhanced spectral shift. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Thioflavin T enhancement with the A 1-40 and 1-42 monomers and fibrils by CE-LIF. The CE-LIF data were compared to fluorometer-based analysis on the same samples. Prior to the CE-LIF analysis, the presence of amyloid fibrils in the sample was confirmed by CE-UV. The ThT does cause an increase in fluorescence for the A 1-40 monomer, A 1-40 fibril, and the A 1-42 fibril. The largest increase in signal due to the ThT was with the 1-42 fibril. This is expected because the fibril consists of larger aggregates and is more complex than the 1-40 fibril. |
A knot n-mosaic is a knot represented as an n n matrix of tiles. Given a knot with mosaic number m, we find an upper bound on the crossing number of the knot. |
The Marygrove Weather Station Project: Using Technology to Teach Students This presentation will describe the process and purpose of setting up a weather station on the campus of Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. Main points of the presentation will include: factors to consider when selecting an installation site; the types of data that can be recorded; sample data analysis; the value of this data to college students, faculty, and community; posting data to the Internet; understanding weather and climate in urban areas and their relationships to global weather, climate, and climate change; and ways that "green" architecture and design can impact the urban heat island effect. |
April 2, 2010
