BGSU :: Offices :: Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship

Serological diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains by polyclonal antibodies:
Comparison of the slide agglutination method with the ELISA technique.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that frequently causes nosocomial infections, accounting for approximately 11% of these infections. In burn and cancer centers, it is the leading gram-negative isolate causing 30% of all infections. During the past few years, the frequency and distribution of different serotypes of P. aeruginosa, at four Northwest Ohio hospitals, were determined in our laboratory. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the routinely applied serological method of slide agglutination, with the more recently developed ELISA technique, to determine sensitivity and specificity of each assay. It was found that the slide agglutination and the ELISA technique produce similar results and useful information. However, the ELISA technique was found to be more sensitive. It was concluded that the ELISA technique is the most sensitive and cost effective method for the serotyping of P. aeruginosa isolates.

The purpose of this project is to study the longevity of interracial marriages by comparing them to married couples of the same race and ethnic background.

First, I intend to study and focus on the history of interracial marriages throughout the U.S. Next, I plan to discuss whether or not interracial marriages has effected society as a whole. Finally, I plan to discover if these relationships last longer than relationships where couples share the same race.

As one of my experimental methods, I have interviewed several interracial married couples by asking them open-ended questions about their personal lives and relationships. I have already conducted fieldwork by observing the interaction interracial couples at certain locations and events. More importantly, I have looked at published and historical sources pertaining to the history of interracial marriages.

After searching articles pertaining to the history of interracial marriages, I have found that interracial marriages have been steadily increasing over the past years. Recent studies show that since 1970, a small but steady increase of interracial marriages has occurred in the U.S. , including those involving African Americans and Whites. More importantly, I found that interracial marriages share the same lasting effects as other marriages. In other words, the longevity between interracial relationships and same race relationships is similar.

As mentioned above, the longevity of interracial marriages is similar to longevity of marriages where couples are of the same race.

vi. I believe that interracial relationships have made a great impact on society today because it allows individuals to be more open to diversity and difference. This study has taught me that every married couple shares the same ups and downs in a marriage, regardless of their race

Trans women cope with issues of marginalization and oppression based on gender identity (Ryan & Rivers, 2003). The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of trans women using the lens of successful aging. Using a qualitative inquiry approach, research questions were developed focusing on aspects of successful aging, such as physical, mental, and social engagement issues. Sample recruitment consisted of attending trans meetings, email postings, and the snowball effect. The transcribed interviews are reviewed with a successful aging lens. Thematic analysis (Lubroksy, 1994) is used to identity themes. The themes focusing on the trans experience and successful aging will be discussed and focus on the concept that gender is social construct. Data revealed that public policy focuses on men and women using a biological definition. Physical well-being, societal, age-graded expectations - even assisted living facilities policies are affected by the biological construction of sex rather than the social construction of gender! This biological construction negatively impacts well-being and ultimately a trans woman's ability to successful age. Implications focusing on creating trans-friendly, inclusive policy will be described based on the exclusion that aging trans women identify through the interview process.

Testing Water Quality in the North Branch of the Portage River Using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

The Portage River , which is 60 miles long, is one of many small streams draining into Lake Erie . It has seven major branches and drains an area of 611 square miles (Lake Erie Coastal Ohio 2004; Portage River Basin Council 2003). The predominant land use in the area is agriculture; as a result this river is monitored for many elements and nutrients to ensure water quality. In 1994, the Ecological Assessment Unit of the Division of Surface Water for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency did a study on the water quality of the Portage River . The study found all values of copper, barium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, and strontium to be below the required standard at the Bowling Green Road and the Poe Ditch just beyond BGSU campus testing sites. In this study, water samples will be collected from two locations from the North branch of the Portage River . One will be near the Historical Society on Route Six and County Home Road . The other site will be Poe Ditch near the golf course on the BGSU campus. Several elements, including copper, chromium, manganese, nickel, cobalt and barium will be analyzed using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer to determine element levels. Results will be compared to the 1994 measurements to determine how water quality has changed.

Stock option expensing models: Financial reporting accuracy in corporate valuation

The purpose of this study is to analyze financial reporting accuracy in the expensing of stock options and examine the impact of alternate accounting models on corporate valuation. A fundamental analysis of Intel Corporation financial statements from 1994-2003 was performed to determine if there was a significant difference in net income due to the use of three alternate stock option expensing models: APB No. 25, SFAS No. 123, and HR 3574. An RBD Analysis of Variance showed that a statistically significant difference existed in the population mean net income calculated by the SFAS 123 accounting model when compared to the control value computed by APB 25. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that use of the HR 3574 accounting model valued a firm differently than the control. Overall, the study found sufficient evidence at the .01 significance level to reject the null hypothesis that there is no significant difference in corporate valuation due to use of the alternate stock option expensing models.

The Globular Cluster NGC 104 also known as 47 Tucane was observed over 14 nights. The images (I filter) were reduced and processed to look for variable stars in NGC 104. Upon analysis a known RR Lyrae star v9 was found in NGC 104. Further analysis of v9 revealed that its apparent magnitude was 13.198, and that it had a pulsation period of 0.733 days.

The idea of this project began with the realization that, as a future educator, I will be working with students of varying needs in my classroom every day. The basis of my research has been on how an educator can adjust teaching styles and practices for students with varying abilities; in my case, I have looked at students who are hard of hearing, those who have reading and writing disabilities, and those labeled as gifted and talented. Through interviews and observations with teachers who currently work in integrated science classrooms, I have been able to develop ideas on how to increase the educational experience for all students. In addition, personal accounts found online gave insight into changes that can be made for the entire group and for the targeted students. Adjustments may be made in classroom layout, presentation of educational materials, assigning work in and out of the classroom, and performing assessments. The process of learning what teaching style works best for any given student is something gained through experience, but knowledge of common practices can aid both the teacher and the student. Information regarding students' abilities and an understanding of varying teaching tools can help a teacher provide the most successful academic environment for any student, including those with varying special needs.

Effect of Acetaldehyde upon Cathepsin G and Mast Cell Chymase, Two Hypertensive Enzymes

Cathepsin G and mast cell chymase (MCC) are enzymes which can transform angiotensin I (ANG I) into angiotensin II (ANG II). The ANG II is a hypertensive peptide hormone which promotes vasoconstriction and retention of salt and water by the kidney. Many alcoholics generally exhibit hypertension as well as peripheral hypotension. Since acetaldehyde (AcH) is the first metabolic intermediate in the aerobic oxidation of ethanol to CO2 and H20 and can be readily transported by the blood throughout the body, a study of its effect upon cathepsin G and MCC was initiated. The cathepsin G-AcH mixture was pre-incubated for 15 minutes in ice and the MCC-AcH mixture was pre-incubated for10 minutes in ice prior to testing them for their capacity to cleave the chromogenic substrate, succinyl-ala-ala-pro-phe p-nitroanilide at 50° C. (for Cathepsin G) and at 37° C. (for MCC). Absorbance of released p-nitroaniline was measured at 410 nanometers as a consequence of enzymatic activity. Relative to control activity (in the absence of AcH), the AcH-exposed cathepsin G exhibited an increase of enzymatic activity. In contrast, AcH-exposed MCC affected a decrease in enzymatic activity. These opposing effects, in part, represent the dynamic influence of AcH on two fundamentally hypertensive enzymes and contribute to earlier knowledge generated in this laboratory which suggest that renin, a hypertensive enzyme, has increased activity as a result of exposure to AcH whereby angiotensin converting enzyme have similar hypertensive actions as cathepsin G and MCC, is inhibited by AcH. These studies reflect the unique response of different enzymes to the same challenge (AcH), thereby modifying both hypertensive and hypotensive effects. (Supported, in part, by the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio)

The Effect of Voluntary Exercise on Neurogenesis in Senescence Accelerated Mice

It is known that with age, the capacity to produce new neurons decreases significantly. This decline in neurogenesis is thought to have implications for Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and stroke, and specifically the neurodegenerative aspects associated with each. In an attempt to produce new neurons to compensate for the loss, there have been animal models that illustrate certain conditions that yield new neurons. These environmental conditions include social, visual, tactile, and olfactory stimulation, and physical activity that consists of voluntary access to a running wheel. Most significantly, it has been demonstrated that voluntary exercise provides the largest capacity for neuronal proliferation and survival. With this in mind, we tested the effect of exercise on neuronal proliferation in mice that have been genetically altered to age at an accelerated rate (SAMP-8) by granting unlimited access to a wheel for three weeks and administering six injections of the cell proliferation marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). As expected, there was a decline in the number of new neurons produced with increased age of the mouse. Although it is known that the cognitive effects of aging (i.e., memory impairment) have an onset at approximately seven months, neurogenesis was found to significantly decline at five months. The data obtained demonstrate that there is a relationship between the capacity for neurogenesis and age in the SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, it was established that exercise increased proliferation for both the young and middle aged animals. Future studies will examine the methods by which the neuronal population can be reestablished in the aged animals.

This project is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). Among the twenty-four poorly explored geological formations in the park, drip-walls and waterfalls have sparked the interest of diatom taxonomists. The rich environment of drip-walls and their varying altitudes, along with their vertical nature which creates a physical barrier that helps to prevent cross-contamination and exotic species introductions by tourists and civilians, makes drip-walls ideal for the study of endemic diatom species. This study explored and documented the diatom Frustulia on the drip-wall habitats at a Place of a Thousand Drips.

Estimating Interstellar Reddening from the Intrinsic (V-I) Colors of RR Lyrae Variables

We present refined light curves for six field RR Lyrae variable stars. The refinements include new data and improved photometric calibration compared to previous work. For each star, we derive the intensity-mean magnitudes, light amplitudes, and colors at minimum light. We combine our results with literature data to estimate the mean, dereddened RR Lyrae color at minimum light to be {(V-I)min = 0.58 mag with a star to star scatter of 0.024 mag. Any dependence of color on metallicity is too weak to be formally detected with the available data. One of our stars exhibits the Blazhko effect. The star's minimum light color is unchanged at the two observed phases of the star's Blazhko cycle, while the maximum light color changed significantly. This insensitivity further supports the reliability of minimum light (V-I) colors as a tool for measuring interstellar reddening.

Social Behavior Development of Young Rats Whose Mothers Consumed Small Amounts of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)

Asia D. Johnson (Biological Sciences), Shannon M. Burt, Maegan E. Horinek, Logan E. McKnight , and Christina Asbrock

Mentors: Dr. Lee A. Meserve, (Biological Sciences) and D. H. Casey Cromwell (Psychology)

Polychlorinated biphenyl eaten by pregnant rats alters thyroid status, neurochemistry, and neuroanatomy, and learning/memory of offspring. Less is known about development of social behavior after PCB exposure. This study will compare developmental behavior of control and PCB exposed young rats using established social behavioral measurements. Mothers of control rats will be fed regular chow, and the diet of PCB-exposed rats will contain 12.5 or 25.0 ppm of PCB (PCB 47/77 mixture). Conditioned place preference test will measure ability of 12-14-day-old rats to discern between a characteristic odor (lemon extract) associated with the mother and that odor associated with a cotton ball. Social interaction will be estimated by observing play behavior in 30-50-day-old rats. Comparative social investigation of 50-60-day-old rats of an adjacent cage that is either empty or contains a littermate will be determined using the social port test. Finally, over the range of 22-60-days-of-age, general motor abilities of the rats will be compared. It has been confirmed that control rats show a preference for an odor when it has been associated with the mother. It is anticipated that PCB exposed rats will display a lesser ability to discriminate in this test. It is further anticipated that PCB exposed animals will display less play behavior and be less socially investigative than controls. Given previous studies, hyperactivity of PCB animals is likely. Results from this study can be generalized to other endocrine disruptors like PCB. Extrapolation to dietary PCB in humans may be possible.

A Neurophysiological Analysis of Inhibitory Gating in the Striatum of Freely Moving Rats

Inhibitory gating has been proposed as a filtering process located within central nervous system networks. The integrity of the inhibitory networks can be evaluated by presenting two identical sensory stimuli in rapid succession. Inhibition of the response to the second stimulus represents robust gating of the input. Inhibitory gating has been demonstrated in several brain regions both within and outside primary sensory pathways. Our goal is to examine whether the sensory inhibitory process would be observed in a traditional motor structure, the striatum. The striatum is part of the basal ganglia system and has been thought to be involved primarily in movement initiation and postural control. More recent evidence has suggested the striatum plays a key role in sensory and motivational processes. The significance of the study includes a potential reevaluation of the basic function of the basal ganglia that could include incorporating sensory inhibitory mechanisms to the well-established behavioral operations. To complete this goal, we have implanted animals with chronic recording wires into the striatum to measure the amplitude of single unit and local field potential responses during repetitive auditory stimulus presentation. Tones were presented for 10 ms with a 500 ms interstimulus interval. Pairs of identical tones were presented every 10 s. Preliminary results include observations of single unit tone responses from the striatum that clearly show a persistent inhibition over 100 trials. This reduction in sensory responsiveness was observed in diverse auditory-responsive units with different firing characteristics including different response latencies and durations and baseline firing rates.

This project is also my Senior Honors Project. For my project, I taught an Indonesian percussion (gamelan) piece to a sixth-grade music class at a local elementary school. I met with the class once a week for nine weeks, and the culminating event was a field trip to BGSU, where the students had the opportunity to perform the piece on the actual gamelan housed there. This project was an exploration of how to teach world music authentically in a classroom setting. I taught the piece using methods that would be traditional for Indonesian music. Also, the project was an exploration of the concept of transfer, especially the differentiations of low-road and high-road transfer, which are both a step beyond mere learning. It was shown that the students all exhibited low-road transfer, and high-road transfer most probably occurred for some of them, although, as was shown, it is hard to quantify and measure. It was also shown that world music, when put in a classroom context, can be a vehicle for this transfer to occur.

Imaging Viral Gene Expression Patterns in Live Transgenic Mice Following Oral Luciferin Administration

Mice expressing the firefly gene luc under the control of various gene promoters have been imaged in several studies to monitor tumor growth, infections, and circadian behavioral or physiological rhythms. This approach enables ongoing changes in gene expression to be tracked in the same animal for several days, thereby eliminating the variation between control and drug-treated mice. For this study, transgenic mice containing the promoter and enhancer of the major immediate-early gene of the human cytomegalovirus controlling luc (CMV::Luc) were used to image multiple body areas simultaneously during normal activity. CMV:Luc tissues respond to cell depolarizing treatments and agents acting through inflammation pathways. To improve imaging of internal structures, the mice were crossed with a hairless albino mouse line (HRS/J) resulting in the bioluminescent Hr-CMV line. Previously, we showed that anesthetized Hr-CMV mice display strong bioluminescence in the pancreas, muscle, eyes, and other structures following intraperitoneal injection of the luciferase substrate luciferin 15 minutes before imaging. In other studies, intravenous luciferin injection was used. Here we describe how oral administration of the sodium luciferin salt at 1 mM in distilled water leads to strong bioluminescence throughout Hr-CMV mice within 40-50 min. Mice given food and water ad libitum readily drank the luciferin solution and could be imaged repeatedly on subsequent days without any apparent adverse effects. These results show that luciferin is not appreciably degraded in the gut and can be easily administered without the stress of injection and any concomitant effects on behavior that could alter gene expression.

There currently exists two realms of computer science the open and the closed. Closed or proprietary systems are ones where the end-user has no access to or knowledge of the inner workings of the system. Console video game systems, such as Microsoft's X-Box are one such example. Open systems, conversely, are ones in which the end user has access to the core of the system and open systems are often developed by a diverse community of computer scientists. Linux, the increasingly popular operating system, is one of the most significant open systems to date. A subset of the Linux community has set about merging the two realms with the X-Box Linux Project an effort to convert the X-Box game console into a powerful and cheap personal computer. Years of work has resulted in a successful Linux based computer running on the X-Box. Our assessment seeks to apply this work, which essentially is hobbyist research, to practical computing paradigms. As we follow the document procedures for creating an X-Box system we will describe the benefits and costs from various user types such as higher education and middle-tier home user. Our work will show that the X-Box Linux Project has been strong progress in developing a cheap personal computer but still has barriers to overcome before widespread adoption will be possible.

Purpose: The purpose of our research is to devise and implement an efficient and scalable parallel algorithm to model thin film growth.

Background: Our initial model used an algorithm known as synchronous relaxation (SR) algorithm. Researchers at University of Toledo then used the algorithm to model thin film growth in a parallel computing environment. However, the algorithm was not efficient (scalable). Our project focus is to improve scalability and its implementation of the algorithm.

Approach: Our initial approach to the problem was to first to rewrite parts of the existing computer program to make it more readable and ensure that it was implemented properly. We later decided to rewrite the program from the ground up using C++, whereas the previous one was written in C. This modification made the program more readable and slightly more efficient. We are using the modified SR program as a benchmark to validate our result. Now, we are implementing a new algorithm with a new design which uses a Distributed Simulation technique known as Time Warp to try and overcome the inherent problems of the initial SR algorithm.

Results so far: The re-implemented SR algorithm is slightly more efficient than the original one. The Time Warp algorithm has just been implemented and initial test runs using small problem sizes have yielded fast execution times.

Homelessness will be researched and explored through a documentary. The purpose of the documentary is to examine the services provided for women experiencing homelessness in NW Ohio. Two Toledo shelters, the Aurora House and the Family House, are participating in the project. Both are providing information concerning the positive role that shelters play in the lives of women. Shelter directors will speak about specific services that are offered, and shelter residents will be asked questions concerning positive experiences resulting from shelter services. Two to three directors and ten residents will be interviewed for the documentary. To date, interviews with the Aurora House have been completed, but the Family House has yet to participate. The first interviews provided positive feedback, and the women indicated that the Aurora House and the services offered were beneficial. Services such as life skills training, child care, substance abuse counseling, and educational programs were among some of the most beneficial programs for the women interviewed. Similar results are anticipated from the upcoming interviews to be conducted with the Family House. Interviews will be supplemented with research and information pertaining to homelessness, with a focus on women and special needs that they may have. Once completed the documentary will provide a positive view of shelters, and will support funding and community involvement in shelter services.

Vernal pools are temporary woodland pools that are essential breeding areas for salamanders and other amphibians. The absence of fish allows substantial biodiversity, but all aquatic species must complete their development before the pools dry up in summer.

This qualitative survey had two goals. First, explore the biodiversity of two vernal pools in the Oak Openings Preserve both in the water and around the immediate area as the surrounding habitat may affect life in the pool. Second, raise the awareness of the public to the importance of vernal pools as important habitat and breeding areas for many species.

The vernal pools and the nearby surrounding areas were monitored twice a month from March until the pools dried up using minnow traps, dip nets, and species-specific field guides. Over thirty-five species of macroinvertebrates and 105 species of plants were identified at the two pools along with reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and spiders. This data was entered in an excel database for analysis and the results shared with the Metroparks of the Toledo Area, state and national organizations.

The survey has provided a baseline of biodiversity information for the two pools. At both sites a strong correlation was shown between water depth and the number of aquatic species. The survey confirmed that vernal pools are unique ecosystems with tremendous biodiversity that are critical habitats for many species.

Taphonomy of Small Vertebrates from the Sheriden Pit site of northwestern Ohio

Fossil bones of many small vertebrates are present in a 9,170-year-old layer within the Sheridan Pit site of northwest Ohio . This analysis attempted to identify these bones and teeth and to learn more about their taphonomy and long-term preservation potential. Three types of teeth were found in this layer using the wet-sieve technique, as well as a variety of bones preserved in three different ways. The bones varied in their probability of cracking or shattering, and this quality was directly related to the color of the bones, orange, brown, or creamy white. The white bones were the strongest and the orange bones were the weakest. These bones and teeth were coated with Au/Pd coating and viewed using the SEM to examine their patterns of cracking and using the EDAX to determine their elemental composition. Different trace minerals were present in the different colors of bone, particularly iron and manganese, representing different degrees of contamination from ground water and clay minerals. The bones remain mostly unaltered, but the trace elements are related to their deterioration. Ground water may have influenced the number of cracks, although they may also have resulted from the treatment of wet-sieving. Most of the bones in the layer show the weakest, orange-colored condition. Since the bones have already deteriorated this much in only ten thousand years, it is likely that few of them will completely fossilize.

The Effect of Glycosaminoglycans upon the Interaction of Factor Xa with Antithrombin III

Mentors: Dr. Doris Beck (Biological Sciences) and Dr. Arthur S. Brecher (Chemistry)

A comparison of four glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) upon the interaction of Factor Xa (FXa) with antithrombin III (ATIII), as followed by SDS-PAGE with Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining was initiated. Three m L of Factor Xa (12.2mg/mL) was mixed with 3 m L ATIII (8.7mg/mL). One minute thereafter 1 m L heparin 17K (H) (1 m L) was added thereto, together with 6 m L of Tris/NaCl buffer, pH 7.4. The mixture was pre-incubated at R.T. for 15 minutes after which time the samples were diluted appropriately and prepared for SDS-PAGE. The SDS-PAGE was run at 30 initial amps and 90 initial volts for 60 minutes. The gel was subsequently stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue, destained (100mL ACS reagent grade methanol, 100mL glacial acetic acid, and 800mL dH 2 O), and stored out of light in Gel Equilibrium Solution A (150mL methanol, 15mL glycerol, filled to 500mL with dH 2 O). Upon visual interpretation of several gels, several preliminary qualitative conclusions were drawn (prior to future planned quantitations). It was observed that the chondroitin sulfates A, B (Dermatan Sulfate [DS]), and C all appear to promote primary complex formation of FXa a , as well as FXa b ; with ATIII. Chondroitin sulfate B also appears to promote the generation of secondary FXa a ; and FXa b ; with ATIII. Heparin appears to promote more 2° and 3° complex formation rather than 1° complex formation, supporting formation of the 1° complex and its subsequent more rapid degradation of the heparin. In summation, all the GAGs which were tested stimulated formation of [Xa-ATIII] complexes and their degradation to different extents.

The Co-localization of Menkes Protein and the Amidating Enzyme in Anterior Pituitary Cells

Copper is required for the normal function of several important enzymes, while excess copper is highly toxic and can produce detrimental effects. Therefore, copper homeostasis is carefully regulated. Disturbed copper homeostasis is observed in Menkes disease, a lethal disorder characterized by neurodegeneration and connective tissue abnormalities. Mutations in the Menkes protein (MNK), a P-type copper transporter ATPase, can cause copper requiring enzymes, such as peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM), to malfunction. PAM is essential for the carboxyl-terminal amidation of over 50% of all neuropeptides. Since copper transport and use is essential for PAM amidation, we are examining the behavior of endogenous MNK in the anterior pituitary of rats. Both PAM and MNK are highly expressed in the anterior pituitary, where MNK has been observed to localize to distinct punctate vesicles as well as the trans-Golgi network. However, it remains unclear whether MNK and PAM are expressed together in all five-cell types present in the anterior pituitary. Currently, we are using sequential immunostaining with two rabbit polyclonal antibodies, one directed towards the carboxyl-terminal of the MNK protein and the other at PAM, in addition to anterior pituitary cell-type specific markers, to gain a better understanding of the cell-specific relationship between MNK and PAM. Our hypothesis is that MNK will be expressed in all the anterior pituitary cell types, as PAM is expressed all. In general, this study is important as it will provide us with a better understanding of the subcellular involvement of MNK in its delivery of copper to PAM.

Regions of TolQ and TolR proteins essential for maturation of bacteriophage P1

The integrity of the outer membrane of Gram negative bacteria is dependent upon proteins of the Tol system, which transduce cytoplasmic membrane-derived energy to as yet unidentified outer membrane targets. Mutations affecting the Tol system render E. coli resistant to bacteriophage P1 by blocking the phage maturation process. This does not involve outer membrane interactions, as a mutant in the energy transducer (TolA) retained wild type levels of phage sensitivity. Conversely, mutations affecting proteins of the energy harvesting complex (TolQ and TolR) were resistant. Further characterization of specific mutants suggested that phage maturation was not coupled to energy transduction. Whereas deletion of the TolR gene knocks out both energy transduction and phage maturation, an insertion into the TolR gene that knocks out energy transduction did not alter P1 maturation. Similarly, a mutation in the TolQ gene (Q181N) that knocks out energy transduction did not alter P1 maturation. Further, the addition of an 11 amino acid "tag" to the amino-terminus of TolQ did not affect energy transduction, however, this TolQ derivitive could no longer support P1 maturation. This suggests that the maturation of P1 Phage requires conditions influenced by the amino terminal regions of TolQ and TolR.

Interspecific and Intersexual Differences in Chemoreceptor Densities of Bladder Grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Pneumoridae)

Adam Ray Smith (Biological Sciences)

Mentor : Dr. Moira van Staaden (Biological Sciences)

Click here to view a Powerpoint summary.

Life history traits, from mating strategies to feeding patterns, are often reflected in an organism's sensory array. By profiling the receptor arrays of closely related species with known life history strategies, it is possible to determine how differing strategies are reflected in receptor patterns. The mouthparts of Acridid generalist feeders display a more diverse array of receptors than do those of specialist feeders. However, receptor distributions have not previously been investigated for more primitive grasshoppers, nor for antennae. The antennal arrays of two closely related species of bladder grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Pheumoridae) were profiled using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine differences in patterns of receptor structure and density. Bullacris membracioides is a specialist feeding on only two host species, whereas its congener B. unicolor is a generalist, featuring at least eight plant species in its diet. If receptor patterns for the antennae follow those observed for the labrum, B. unicolor should have a much more diverse sensory array. Intersexual comparisons were also performed to determine the feasibility of pheromone detection in contributing to mate selection and location. Preliminary analyses indicate pronounced interspecific and intersexual differences in the basic antennal structure as well as receptor profiles.

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Impacts of Productivity on the Growth Rates of Young-of-the-Year Western Lake Erie White Bass

Open-lake Bays have been known to hold higher productivity levels than areas within an open-lake. Therefore, the Maumee and Sandusky Bay are considered decent nursery sites of young-of-year fish rather than open-lake areas in Lake Erie . Higher productivity levels create increasing growth rates for YOY fish habituating the bay areas at the given time. White Bass were collected to examine daily growth within five selected sites, one in each bay and three in the western Lake Erie basin. Stomach contents and otolith daily increments were analyzed to show that White Bass where the fish were consuming the greatest amount of fish and if a correlation exists between the amount of prey consumed and the otolith daily ring increments. The Maumee and Sandusky Bays show that the prey variability is the greatest, from the studies performed on the individual fish stomachs. The results also show that bay fish show the greatest amount of growth compared to the other sites that were tested. Using the results from both procedures, we are comparing the diets of White Bass between the five zones and comparing the growth increase in daily rings of otoliths.

The American legal system's conception of legal responsibility has serious ramifications for whom we punish and for what crimes we punish. The impetus for this American notion of responsibility is the political theory of John Locke, heavily steeped in individual responsibility. Numerous scholars, including Robert Bellah, Richard Madsen, William Sullivan, and Ann Swidler have made similar observations regarding the link between American individualism and responsibility. My research project reveals the effect of these views on the American legal system by demonstrating their role in recent case law. Specifically, I will examine the effects of the American view of responsibility on the recent Supreme Court decisions set forth in Grutter v. Bollinger, Lawrence v. Texas, and Ashcroft v. American Civil Liberties Union. I will make these effects more visible by examining how alternative theories of responsibility put forth by Joel Feinberg and R.A. Duff would have altered those case law decisions.

Investigating Fossil Preservation of the Florissant Formation, of Florissant Colorado using the Scanning Electron Microscope

Jennifer VanFossen (Geology)

Mentor : Dr. Peg Yacobucci (Geology)

The 34-million-year-old Florissant Fossil Beds, in Florissant, Colorado, are a unique locality. These ancient lake beds hold the richest and most diverse record of plants and insects from the Eocene. The preservation is very distinctive; plants and insects were stuck to mats of single-celled diatoms that then sank to the lake bottom. I looked at several different specimens of both plants and insects using the Scanning Electron Microscope to determine why the preservation of this particular locality is so good and whether preservation of plant material differs from that of insect material. The way the specimens were preserved can be seen in fine detail, looking particularly at how the diatoms surrounded the particular specimen, be it plant or insect. While plants seem to have lain on top of the mats, the insects were entangled within them. Insect parts are, therefore, more likely to be preserved as molds, rather than intact material.

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Spatial and Temporal Variability of Water Chemistry in the Western Basin of Lake Erie with Applications to Interpreting Fish Otolith Microchemistry

Water samples collected from the Western Lake Erie basin, Sandusky Bay , and Maumee Bay were analyzed for strontium content using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. New laboratory protocols were developed to reduce contamination, and the samples were analyzed following EPA standard protocols. The values obtained for samples collected within a 24 hour period in August, 2004 showed the Sandusky River water has significantly greater Sr concentration (1360 to 2890ppb) than the Maumee River water (768 to 1290ppb), which was in turn greater than in the Lake water samples (383 to 1330ppb). Further, these samples showed a systematic decrease in the Sr concentrations going from the head of Sandusky Bay out to the Lake , and continuing out into the Lake . In addition, a comparison to samples collected in June, 2004 at the same locations in the two bays show lower Sr concentrations overall, but with Sandusky Bay samples still having significantly higher concentrations (1130 to 2180ppb) than Maumee Bay samples (325 to 477ppb). These results indicate there are significant spatial and temporal variations in the Sr content of water from the Western Lake Erie basin. These findings provide critical data for interpreting microchemical patterns found in fish otoliths in order to address important questions of fish stock discrimination and habitat use in the Western Lake Erie basin. Strontium was selected for the first stage of this analysis because it is easily detected in fish otoliths; the next phase is to analyze the water for other elements detected in the otoliths, including persistent bioaccumulating toxic metals.

Geology of the Mt. Erebus Side Crater

Brian Winter (Geology)

Mentor : Dr. Kurt Panter (Geology)

Mt. Erebus is the southernmost active volcano in the world and is located on Ross Island in the southern Ross Sea region of Antarctica . Mt. Erebus is a large 1670 km³ that stands 3794 meters above sea level and possesses a large summit with an active lava lake (Dibble et al., 1991). The summit crater contains an active tephriphonolitic lava lake. This volcano has been the focus of an intensive study for the past thirty years. Most of the focus has been active monitoring of the gas emissions and seismisity readings. Details of the volcanoes geology and physical volcanology are lacking in many areas. One such area that has not been formally mapped or described is the inactive crater to the west of the active main crater. The side crater (150 meters wide and 100 meters deep) exposes sequences of lavas and pyroclasts that reveal a complex history of the youngest stage of Mt. Erebus 's growth. The objective of my study is to 1) detail the geology and stratigraphy of the side crater, 2) to determine the petrography and chemical composition of the volcanic units, and 3) to determine the petrogenesis of a key sequence of lavas that includes a red-black color banded unit.

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