Thirteenth Annual Undergraduate Research
and Creative Arts Symposium
Abstracts
Daniel Acosta
"Microsatellite Identification in the Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Timothy Wright, Department of Biology
Howard Hughes Medical Institute-NMSU Research Program
Though historically found in the southwestern region of the United States and northern Mexico, the range of the Thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) is now reduced to northern Mexico. One proposed conservation strategy is translocations, which have been put forth by Mexican and U.S. organization. Insights on the success of any translocations from the existing population in Mexico may be obtained through the analysis of genetic variation in existing populations. Translocated individuals must have a high degree of genetic variation to reduce the impact of founder effect, which can drive to genetic differentiation from the population source. Microsatellites are one class of genetic marker that is particularly useful for assaying population variation due to their high mutation rates and variability in natural populations. We designed several primers for microsatellites identified from an existing Thick-billed parrot genetic library to assay genetic variation of this species wild population. These primers have amplified products from Thick-billed parrot DNA from captive populations and are in the process of being optimized. Our next step is to test these primers on wild populations for amplification, and to assess genetic variation of both captive and wild populations by genotyping and calculating allelic diversity.
Roger Alvillar
"Biofilmformation by symbiotic Vibrio fischeri in light organs sepiolid squids"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nishiguchi, Biology
MARC
Mutualistic associations between sepiolid squids (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) and their bioluminescent symbionts has been proven to be a successful model to understand the specificity and attachment between eukaryotic tissues and bacteria. Squid hosts house the bacteria in a specialized bi-lobed light organ complex, where symbiotically competent Vibrio fischeri strains are able to colonize the nutrient rich crypt region of the light organ. Here, we examine the effects of biofilm formation and its role in bacterial specificity and attachment to the epithelial lining of the squid light organ crypts. We used an in vitro assay to determine the ability of both symbiotic and free-living bacteria to form biofilm on sand. Biofilm assays were also performed with Uranyl diphosphate-glucose-6-dehydrogenase (UDPDH) and mannose sensitive hemmagluttinin (mshA) mutant strains. Results demonstrate that symbiotically competent bacteria form denser biofilms at much higher concentrations compared to free-living and mutant counterparts.
Gabriel A. Andrade
"Novel reaction pathways to highly functionalized bis(alkylidene)pthalan derivatives"
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. James Herndon, Chemistry
MARC
Reaction pathways for novel o-alkynylphenyl-β-keto esters have been uncovered. Base promoted cyclization leads to bis(alkylidene)pthalans, a ring system with very limited precedent. Reaction with carbene complexes very cleanly affords the diene derivative, presumably through 1,7-hydrogen shift of the isobenzofuran. Surprisingly none of the vinylogous carbonate was observed, which is more stable and would have been produced through a 1,5-hydrogen shift. The novel reactivity patterns of these densely functionalized ring systems will be explored and discussed.
Eric Archer
"Culture of primary myogenic cells derived from adult muscle and electric organ of the gymnotiform S. macrurus"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Graciela Unguez, Biology
MARC
We have established primary myogenic precursor cell cultures from adult skeletal muscle and the muscle derived electric organ (EO) of an electric fish. Our protocol was modified from that of Fauconneau et. al. (2000). Briefly, skeletal muscle and EO tissues were dissected, cut into 5mm3 chunks and incubated overnight in growth medium (GM: 10% FBS/1% penicillin and streptomycin in L-15 medium). Tissue was then minced to 1mm3 pieces and treated for enzymatic dissociation. Following centrifugation, cells were plated on collagen-coated wells and maintained in GM. Myogenic cell differentiation was induced by switching GM to differentiation medium (DM: 2% FBS/1% penicillin and streptomycin in L-15 medium) for 5 days. We detected both mono and multinucleated cells that were immunolabeled with antibodies against mature muscle markers desmin, titin, and sarcomeric MHC. This differentiation capacity was observed even after several passages. These data represent the first known isolation of myogenic precursor cells from any electric fish muscle, as well as their differentiation in vitro. Establishment of a S. macrurus myogenic precursor cell line will permit investigations of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the regeneration of muscle and its derived tissues and facilitate our studies on the developmental origin of EO.
Rebecca Armstrong
"The Rocky Road to a Hydrogen Economy"
Major: Physics
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Boris Kiefer, Physics
Honors College
It is projected that the U.S. population will increase ~24% before the year 2025 and that the energy demand over the same period will increase approximately twice as much. One possible solution to meet the increasing energy demand is to build a hydrogen based economy. To date these efforts have only led to limited success. In order to understand some of the problems associated with hydrogen storage we performed quantum chemical calculations. Following the idea of oxygen binding to iron in hemoglobin we explored the possibility to use transition metals as binding media for H2 molecules. The estimated storage capacity using manganese is ~15.3 wt% H2 which exceeds the DOE goal for hydrogen storage efficiency by almost a factor of two. The calculations show that the formation of one or more Mn-H2 bonds is energetically unfavorable. These findings highlight one possible difficulty on our way toward a hydrogen economy.
Joanna Beeson
"Calcium-activated potassium channels: Heterologous expression and targeting to Xenopus laevis mitochondria"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Elba E. Serrano, Biology
HHMI, Crimson Scholar Research Scholarship, NIH DC DC03292
An influx of potassium across cell membranes plays an important role in ion homeostasis, neural signaling, and sense reception. One important channel involved in potassium transport is the large conductance calcium activated potassium channel (BK channel). Recent evidence suggests that the BK channel is located on the mitochondrial membrane of some human cells, though the purpose of the channel on the mitochondrial membrane remains unknown. We aim to determine whether the BK channel localizes to the mitochondrial membrane of Xenopus laevis kidney cell line, A6, through heterologous expression of cloned inner ear BK channels. Two constructs were produced representing alternatively spliced variants of the X. laevis slo gene, which encodes for the BK channel. When translated, this construct will encode for a fusion protein of the BK channel and green fluorescent protein, allowing for the detection of the protein using fluorescence. The slo construct will be used to transfect the A6 cell line and fluorescence microscopy will be used to determine its presence on the plasma and mitochondrial membrane. Observation of the expression of the BK channel in the A6 cell line will provide the foundation for future experiments that aim to determine mechanisms underlying exogenous regulation of the channel and ascertain whether BK localizes to the mitochondria of cells of the inner ear.
Nicholas G. Beltran
"Water Purification by Modified Soil Sorbents"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio S. Lara, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC
Some New Mexicans are particularly vulnerable to naturally occurring unhygienic water, especially with uranium contamination. This situation will undoubtedly amplify with the re-establishment of industrial uranium mining. For example, Grants NM, the uranium capital of the world, currently contains approximately seven million dry tons of radioactive waste tailings. New Mexicans in close proximity to uranium mines are more likely to be effected by chemical toxicity or radioactivity. Uranium isotopes are alpha emitters. They are chemically toxic thus causing kidney and brain damage plus chromosomal breakage resulting in translocation. Remote and rural drinking water supplies are especially vulnerable to the issues associated with uranium contamination, and these citizens do not have the means to purify their water. However, soils can be used to purify and they are an appropriate solution, i.e., available, inexpensive, easy to use and a relatively rapid method of removing uranium and other impurities. Preliminary data show that these sorbtion materials do lower the concentration of uranium and other heavy metals such as lead from water. For a complete solution to the uranium problem, our future goals include a field assay to provide reliable detection of toxicity in potential drinking water.
Renee Benallie
"Generation and Characterization of a Grb7-SH2 Domain Single-Site Mutant that Abolishes Dimerization"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Barbara Lyons, Chemistry and Biochemistry
RISE
Growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (Grb7) is a member of a family of adaptor-signaling proteins, containing Grb 7, 10, and 14. Previous studies have verified the Grb 7 protein is over-expressed in approximately 20-30% of breast cancer, interacts with the erbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), and may be involved in cell migration signaling and tumor progression.
A single-point mutation in the Grb7-SH2 domain was performed using the GeneTailor Site-Directed Mutagenesis System where phenylalanine 99 is changed to an arginine in order to abolish the competing dimerization reaction that results in the formation of a homodimer. Two overlapping primers with one containing the arginine mutation were designed. The wild-type Grb7-SH2/pGex2T plasmid was methylated, then thermal cycling using the mutated primers and Platinum Taq High Fidelity, and then transformed into wild type E. coli, where the host cell circularizes and digest the methylated template linear mutated DNA using McrBC endonuclease to generate an unmethylated mutant. Plasmid purification was performed producing a mutated plasmid. Verification of the Grb7-SH2 domain mutation is still in process. With the competing SH2 domain dimerization reaction abolished, a complete Lipari and Szabo model-free analysis of the nuclear relaxation behavior of the hGrb7-SH2 domain may be feasible.
Savannah A. Benally, Salvador Lopez, Jr., Alexander Louie, Glenn D. Kuehn
"Enzymatic Activity of Polyamine Oxidase is a Major Source of Apoptotic Hydrogen Peroxide During the Hypersensitive Response"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Glenn D. Kuehn, Chemistry and Biochemistry
RISE
Polyamines are metabolites that are found in all living cells. Attaining extraordinarily high levels of 10-50 mM intracellular concentrations, their catabolism influences the entry of cells into programmed cell death. It has been found that the catalysis of these compounds is performed by polyamine oxidase (PAO); a reaction that contributes to the production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). As a superoxide radical, H2O2 causes oxidative stress and has been hypothesized to be a major causative agent in forcing cells into apoptosis. This research hypothesizes that the PAO-catalyzed reaction is the major source of apoptotic H2O2 in oat seedlings during the hypersensitive response (HR). Our investigation employs small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) to suppress PAO expression in order to determine the influence of PAO on H2O2 levels in oat (Avena sativa) seedlings. Conducting a 24-hour study based on a H2O2 quantitation method, and PAO concentrations, our results reveal a strong correlation between the concentration of H2O2 in oat seedlings and the enzymatic activity of PAO during HR. Oat seedlings transiently transformed with siRNA demonstrated knocked down levels of PAO activity and H2O2. Together, these data are a strong confirmation of the project hypothesis. Supported by grants no. S06GM008136-32(SCORE) and R25-GMO7667-29 (MARC).
Edward Berndt
"Structure Tensor Fitting Method utilized in Ab Initio protein prediction"
Major: Computer Science
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jing He, Computer Science
CREST
Looking at the current method for basic shape constraints of protein decoy scoring in ROSETTA we may be able to find room for improvement. ROSETTA is a piece of software that can make structural predictions of proteins based on a given amino acid sequence, the current method that they employ for size constraint is called the radius of gyration which is found by the root mean square distance of the proteins parts from its centroid and keeping the smallest value, this method limits ROSETTA to small globular proteins for their Ab Initio, from scratch, prediction methods. Comparing the radius of gyration method to an elliptical fitting method that takes advantage of the overall shape features of the protein and comparing it to a known shape obtained from a Cryo-em image can give us a more detailed fit rather than just a baseline smallest sized protein, another benefit is that it may also enable us to predict the structure of irregularly shaped proteins.
Gilbert Bustillos
"Using Clinoptilolite Zeolite to Conserve Water in Agriculture"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bawazir and Samani, Civil Engineering
AMP
Will a mixture of zeolite with soil reduce soil evaporation and hold moisture longer for plant consumption than non-mixed soil? It is hypothesized that zeolite/soil mixture will reduce evaporation losses, hold water longer for plant use and ultimately conserve water by reducing frequent irrigation.
Zeolite of fine texture will be mixed with sandy soil samples (20% zeolite: 80% soil; 40% zeolite: 60% soil; 100% zeolite; 100% soil) from an agriculture field in the Mesilla Valley, New Mexico and placed in an open container where controlled amount of water will be added. In addition, there will be 32 samples tested in the field, 16 of which will have trees and 16 without; some of the soils will be covered with fabric to act as mulch for comparison with zeolite mixtures. Moisture content and temperature within the soil mixtures will be monitored on 30-minute basis and stored on a data logger for later analysis.
Anticipated, is that the trees will respond to the zeolite mixtures and retain moisture in the soil for longer periods of time; therefore decreasing the frequency of irrigation and allowing the pecan trees to have the ability to survive and/or increase the production of pecans per year.
Nicole Caimi
"Mapping the Chromosomal Location of A Fertility Restorer Gene in Cotton"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Jinfa Zhang, Horticulture and Agronomy
AMP
Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait. CMS usually associates with a specific mutation in rearrangement of mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) in combination with proper nuclear genetic background (i.e., absence of fertility restorer genes), leading to the failure of functional pollen formation. The nuclear restorer genes can recover male sterile effect of cytoplasm and restore pollen fertility. Since CMS plants cannot self-pollinate but can be cross-pollinated, it makes CMS especially useful to produce hybrid seeds for increasing crop yield. CMS system is also used as a model to study the interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic factors. Genetic markers have been used to construct genetic maps for restorer genes, which is an important step in tagging and isolating restorer genes, and marker assisted selections (MAS) for the development of restorer lines in plant breeding. In the current research, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, marker analysis and statistical analysis have been employed to locate one of the fertility restorer genes in cotton genome. The research was initiated in early 2008 and is ongoing. It is expected that several molecular markers will be developed to construct a molecular map to find the chromosome location for the restorer gene.
Jesus Cantu
"The production and detection of photoelectrons for a desktop pulsed x-ray source"
Major: Physics
Faculty Advisor: Jacob Urquidi, Physics
AMP
A pulsed x-ray apparatus allows the investigation of real time changes that take place over thousandths of a second. A small, portable ultra fast x-ray source would allow the further investigation of phase transitions, chemical reactions, transient structures of molecules and the development of stress fractures in materials as they occur. It would also allow university laboratories, hospitals, and industrial production floors to utilize pulsed x-ray diffraction techniques and open new avenues of scientific inquiry of physical processes.
This experiment will measure the amount of electrons produced by several metals via the photoelectric effect. The source of electromagnetic radiation is a short pulsed laser provided by Raydiance™. The 3rd harmonic of the fundamental wavelength is focused on the target metal and the current produced is measured using the wide slit scanning method.
Charlene Carr
"Development of an Efficient Regeneration and Transformation System for Chile (Capsicum annuum)"
Major: Soils
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa S. Gopalan, Plant and Environmental Science
MARC, HHMI
Chile pepper is a high value crop in the world. Most chile peppers are susceptible to different Phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses. Insects and other pests like the root knot nematodes also cause extensive losses in yield and quality of peppers. The abiotic factors can also affect the performance of chile plants.
Breeding programs are in place to improve resistance or tolerance against different biotic and abiotic factors. While traditional breeding techniques have been of great value for chile genetic improvement, biotechnological techniques involving plant tissue culture and recombinant DNA technologies could be powerful auxiliary tools to achieve this goal.
The successful application of genetic engineering strategies to improve chile pepper depends on having an efficient and reproducible regeneration and transformation system. Developing a reliable transformation system has been to standardize protocols for chile regeneration in tissue culture. We have further identified specific Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains for DNA delivery in chile cells. Our lab reports a successful whole plant transformation system using a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene.
Preliminary data suggests high regeneration potential using seedling explants and optimal inoculation time with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Methodologies for in-vitro chile regeneration and optimization of conditions for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of chile are in progress.
Jose G Carrasco
"Development of Surveying Engineering Curriculum Assessment Tools"
Major: Civil engineering
Faculty Advisor: Earl F. Burkholder, Surveying Engineering
AMP
This research looks at new concepts, technology, and methods used in the surveying profession with the purpose of incorporating these into the surveying engineering program at NMSU.
Sources used on the research include surveying undergraduate programs, textbooks, instructors, courses syllabi, college catalogs, journals and trade magazines, students, professional surveyors, department heads, committees of surveyors, and others.
Work done until now has focused on the current surveying engineering curriculum and possible changes that could be made. Background investigations are being made on the meaning of surveying, what surveyors do, the new capabilities of surveying, and the professional practice of surveying. This is being done by, interviewing instructors, current students, and professionals. The current curriculum is used as a staring point. As new methods and technology are identified, suggestions will be developed for incorporating them into the current curriculum. In order of that, a number of questions need to be answered. What are the strengths of the existing curriculum? What material is no longer needed? What should be improved? And what can be added to existing courses? These are the research questions in progress. A list of revisions and possible new flow of courses is being made with the sources described. Excellent progress has been made on the beginning steps of a long on-going effort to update the surveying engineering curriculum at NMSU.
Eunice Cazares
"Effectiveness of Composite Railings on Bridge Integrity"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. William C. McCarthy, Civil Engineering
AMP
Research on the effectiveness of composite railings on bridges is in progress. Recently more and more bridges have railings that are composite to the deck. This results in a great load carrying capacity; but to what level is it fully understood? In this research a greater understanding of the load carrying capacity of composite railings will help define the design limits, potentially establishing effective lengths, and the consequences of losing part of a railing in the integrity of the bridge. The source used to help analyze this problem will be the engineering 3D advanced analysis package, SAP 2000. Further more; SAP 2000 is in the process of fully understanding its procedures as a bridge is currently designed. Once the bridge is completed, the model will be tested by applying loads to this composite railing bridge. By doing literature research it is understood that the importance of the railing?s geometry, size, and safety factor that need to be met. After reviewing literature and applying SAP 2000, conclusions are expected to be developed for potential solutions on composite railings on a bridge; results will be reported later in the final report.
Yoomi Chang
"Hydrophobic Nanoporous Membranes for Cell Transfection"
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Sergei N. Smirnov, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC
Anodized alumina membranes provide new avenues for application in various field including biology and medicine. When the membranes are hydrophobically modified with organic silanes, their nanometer sizes (~60nm) pores repel water from intrusion, which can be employed in cell transfection and drug delivery using the mechanism of hydrophobicity switching. In this mechanism, lipids of cell membrane can decorate hydrophilic and thus let water inside. When pores are loaded with a drug, hydrophobicity switching lets the drug released into the cytoplasm. We investigate a viability of this approach in drug delivery comparing the effects of hydrophobic switching with detergents and the blood proteins (bovine serum). The hydrophobically modified membranes are loaded with Rh6G dye from ethanol solution and kinetics of its release into the solutions of a detergent or bovine serum (BS) are optically monitored. Low efficiency of release into BS is confirmed and variation of rate of release with the pore length into detergent solution is observed.
Alisha Craine
"Working memory and reasoning share a common limiting capacity that affects encoding and recall"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Jim Kroger, Psychology
MARC
It has been proposed that working memory (WM), spatial memory (SM), and reasoning (or use of relation pairs such as "lead is heavier than water") share a common capacity limitation. Exceeding this capacity can affect our ability to hold and use information, including recoding it into new forms, and can lead to decay of information. It is also proposed that decay can also be affected by length of time from encoding the stimulus until recalling it. To evaluate this hypothesis, a computerized task was given to participants in which some trials presented two relation pairs (two words with a meaningful relationship) that constituted two logical statements, or 2-3 pairs of words grouped together without meaningful relationships, followed by a delay between 0-4 seconds. This was followed by a probe indicating the subject should evaluate a statement logically based on the relation pairs, or should recall a paired group. We found differences between performance when the relation pairs or the non-related pairs were employed, suggesting that logically meaningful information places different demands on memory capacity than simple memory for information. In future research we expect to find that frontoparietal and parietal regions activated during these trails.
Jennifer R. Currier
"Penguin personality: Rating agreement between familiar and unfamiliar observers"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Timothy F. Wright, Biology
HHMI
There is increasing interest in how animal personalities, or individual differences in the way animals respond to their environment, are correlated with behavioral, genetic, hormonal, and life history traits. One common method of measuring animal personality consists of a survey measure, where two or more observers review a list of personality traits and score animals based on how much they demonstrate each characteristic. To determine which personality traits show consistent results among observers, inter-rater reliability or inter-rater agreement is performed. This study examines inter-rater agreement with a specific focus on the role familiarity plays in obtaining high inter-rater agreement. Four observers, two familiar and two unfamiliar, completed a personality survey for 8 Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) and the inter-rater agreement among them was calculated. Unfamiliar observers showed agreement on 8 of 30 personality traits, whereas familiar observers showed agreement on 24 of the 30 traits. This suggests that in future studies of animal personality involving the use of the survey measure, better results can be achieved when observers are familiar with the animals they are rating.
Armando De La Cruz
"Fogging System for Concrete Bridge Deck Construction"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Craig Newtson, Civil Engineering
AMP
Early-age shrinkage cracking in concrete bridge decks has been linked to high evaporation rates that occur during placement. Research at NMSU has shown that misting the concrete during placement significantly reduces shrinkage. Further research was conducted to design a misting system that would allow for its implementation during the bridge deck construction process. A static system, which consists of four parallel misting lines comprised of PVC pipes and T-joints, was designed. The T-joints can be equipped with either a misting nozzle or a threaded plug. The pipes are inserted into a c-section of metal framing, which helps protect the pipes from damage that may occur during construction. Steel columns and deadman anchors are used to support the cables that support the pipes. A pump combined with a pressure booster delivers water to the lines from the water source on-site. The mist rate is determined from the corresponding evaporation rate. My project includes conducting additional research to determine the efficiency of the misting system used in the field.
Iris De La O
"Effects of Cattle Grazing and Environmental Factors on Seed Production in Dropseed Grasslands of the Chihuahuan Desert"
Major: Conservation Ecology
Faculty Advisor: Martha Desmond, Fisheries and Wildlife
AMP
This study aims to determine the effects of cattle grazing and environmental factors on seed production in dropseed (Sporobolus spp.) grasslands of the Chihuahuan Desert. Dropseed grasslands are a perennial grass common in the Chihuahuan Desert and associated seeds are an important component of wintering granivorous bird diets. Grassland and shrubland birds that winter in the Chihuahuan Desert are experiencing strong population declines. This research was conducted on the McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Military Reservation. We established 2 grazed and 2 ungrazed plots (25 m2) in 4 pastures for a total of 16 plots. Each pasture had a permanent rain gauge and a low to moderate grazing regime. Seed traps (n = 20) were set in each plot and emptied every 2 weeks from September through January 2004 - 2006. All samples (n = 6400) have been collected and seed are being sorted and identified. At this point, there is insufficient lab analysis completed to make conclusions.
Yvonne Diaz, Alfonson Islas, Dennis M. Hallford, Sergio Soto-Navarro
"Feeding Value of Dry Distillers Grains for Feedlot Lambs"
Major: Animal Science
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sergio Soto-Navarro, Animal Science
RISE
Twenty four lambs (27.8 kg initially) were used in a 63 day finishing experiment in order to evaluate the feed value of dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS). Four concentrations (8, 16, 24, and 32% of diet DM) of DDGS replaced dry-rolled corn in an 80% corn-based finishing diet. Lambs were housed individually and fed once daily at 0800. Fresh water was always available. Increasing level of DDGS had no effect on ADG (P=0.88; 255, 273, 281 and 273 ± 24.8 g/d for 8, 16, 24 and 32% DDGS, respectively). Dry matter intake was not affected (P=0.85) by increasing DDGS level (1304, 1256, 1326 and 1318 + 74.2 g/d for 8, 16, 24 and 32% DDGS, respectively). Feed efficiency was not affected (P=0.78) by DDGS replacement level. We conclude that lamb growth performance is not affected by level of DDGS replacement. Therefore, DDGS can be used in finishing diets for lambs up to 32% without negatively affecting the feed value of the diet.
Jessica Duarte
"Post-transcriptional Regulation by the GS1 Gene, Mediated by the 3' UTR"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa Sengupta Gopalan, Entomolgy, Plant Pathology and Weed Science
AMP
In a previous study, it was found that Soybean Glutamine Synthase (GS1) is regualated by 3'UTR base pairs. Glutamine synthase is an enzyme used in nitrogen assimilation. The ongoing study is to find if the GS1 gene is common among other 3' UTR base pairs of other plants. The project is spefically on Alfalfa GS1 genes (MsGS100 and MsGS13). If the 3' UTR is found to be regulated postranstcriptionally such as the soybean plants then it will prove that this regulation is a universal process in all plants. The Project will be done using PCR, Northern Blotting, SDS- Page, Native Gels, and Western Blotting.
Erika Kathleen Duran
"Code-Switching & the Generation Gap"
Major: Foreign Languages-Spanish
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Patricia MacGregor-Mendoza, Language & Linguistics
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
The present project examines the code-switching practices of 20 Spanish-English bilingual informants, 5 males and 5 females of two separate age groups: under 30 and over 70, residing in the US-Mexico border region. Each informant was asked to perform two oral tasks while mixing both Spanish and English: relate a story from a picture book and tell a fairy tale from memory. These tasks were audio recorded and transcribed word for word. Afterward, informants answered a brief sociodemographic questionnaire. Transcripts of the oral tasks will be analyzed for the frequency of the occurrence of the switches as well as the lexical and syntactical patterns that are employed in making them. A statistical comparison of these analyses will be performed to explore similarities and differences between male and female informants and between informants of different generations.
J Grady Easterling
"Temperature Extremes and Growth in Vibrio fischeri"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nishiguchi, Biology
RISE
Vibrionaceae, a family of luminescent bacteria, can be readily found in the light organs of sepiolid squids. Since vibrio symbionts are transmitted environmentally, they are inherently exposed to a wide spectrum of abiotic conditions. Habitats that have extremes of temperature may prevent dispersal of these otherwise cosmopolitan bacteria. Focusing on temperature assays, using several symbiotic strains of Vibrio fischeri (ES114, EM17, and ET401), we were able to map detailed growth extremes for these strains representing different habitats. All three strains grew at both 12 and 34?C, which represent temperature extremes for all Vibrio isolates. Comparison of these measurements with other abiotic factors will eventually help us understand whether Vibrios that have broad temperature ranges can become a more competitive symbiont.
Jessica Ebler
"Economics of Crop Rotation for Integrated Pest Management in Chile Pepper"
Major: Agriculture Business and Agriculture Economics
Faculty Advisor: Jill Schroeder, EPPWS
Yellow nutsedge, purple nutsedge, and root-knot nematodes occur simultaneously in many crops grown throughout the southern and western regions of the USA. Management that targets individual pests has not been successful or economically sustainable due to enhancement of pest populations that result from interactions among these pest species. This research examined whether a rotation to root-knot nematode resistant alfalfa followed by two mid-season herbicide treatments in the subsequent chile pepper crop would provide acceptable suppression of the pest complex and increase profitability of the rotational system. A two year alfalfa rotation followed by chile pepper ('NM 6-4') was grown in a field infested with this complex. The design was a paired plot design with two subplots; two rows were treated with halosulfuron for nutsedge suppression and two rows were untreated. Red chile was harvested in November of 2007. The herbicide treatment suppressed the nutsedge; however, yields were not affected by treatment and were not acceptable according to production averages for the region. The yield from the herbicide treated areas averaged 1617 ± 827 Kg dry weight/ha and the untreated subplots averaged 1868 ± 748 Kg/ha. The yields were not acceptable due to the failure of the two year alfalfa rotation to adequately suppress the pest complex. Cost and returns were calculated to provide an estimate of the yield required to make the field economically productive.
Norma Escobedo, Eric Archer, Hyun-Jung Kim, Jean-Charles Gabillard, and Graciela Unguez
"Culture of primary myogenic cells derived from adult muscle and electric organ of the gymnotiform S. macrurus"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Graciela A. Unguez, Biology
MBRS-RISE; Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship
We have established primary myogenic precursor cell cultures from adult skeletal muscle and the muscle derived electric organ (EO) of an electric fish. Our protocol was modified from that of Fauconneau et. al. (2000). Briefly, skeletal muscle and EO tissues were dissected, cut into 5mm3 chunks and incubated overnight in growth medium (GM: 10% FBS/1% penicillin and streptomycin in L-15 medium). Tissue was then minced to 1mm3 pieces and treated for enzymatic dissociation. Following centrifugation, cells were plated on collagen-coated wells and maintained in GM. Myogenic cell differentiation was induced by switching GM to differentiation medium (DM: 2% FBS/1% penicillin and streptomycin in L-15 medium) for 5 days. We detected both mono and multinucleated cells that were immunolabeled with antibodies against mature muscle markers desmin, titin, and sarcomeric MHC. This differentiation capacity was observed even after several passages. These data represent the first known isolation of myogenic precursor cells from any electric fish muscle, as well as their differentiation in vitro. Establishment of a S. macrurus myogenic precursor cell line will permit investigations of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the regeneration of muscle and its derived tissues and facilitate our studies on the developmental origin of EO.
Javier Fierro Jr.
"Structure and Function Analysis of the RecN Protein"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shelley Lusetti, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Independent Studies
Recombinational DNA repair is a complex mechanism that requires multiple enzymes to maintain the integrity of a cell?s genetic material. In all organisms, both normal physiological events and environmental factors, such as UV irradiation, can cause DNA damage. We are using the DNA damage resistant organism Deinococcus radiodurans as a model system to investigate DNA repair enzymes such as the RecN protein. The recN gene is required for DNA damage tolerance but the protein's function is unknown. RecN belongs to the Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) protein family which has been identified to play a critical role in many aspects of DNA metabolism. A sequence alignment was carried out on 246 bacterial RecN proteins in order to identify any unique RecN motifs. In the C-terminal domain, near the Walker B box, we identified a highly conserved sequence found throughout all organisms examined, suggesting an important role for RecN function. We have constructed mutant recN genes using site-directed mutagenesis and plan to screen for their effect on DNA repair using genetic and biochemical approaches. We hope to identify this motif as a critical region within the RecN protein.
Jenifer C. Fleming
"DNA-Based Assays for Monitoring Algal Pond Composition for Renewable Biodiesel Fuel Production"
Major: Biochemistry, Biology
Faculty Advisor: Peter J. Lammers, Peter J. Lammers
RISE
Eukaryotic microalgae are a good source of triacylglycerols which can be used for biodiesel production via transesterification to methyl esters. However, a scaleable and economically feasible process for algal biodiesel production has yet to be devised. A key problem has been the inability to maintain pure cultures of high-triglyceride producing microalgal strains for extended periods of time. To monitor the composition of algae in production ponds, qPCR assays are being developed to enumerate strain composition. The rRNA gene will be used in primer and probe design because it contains both conserved and highly variable regions suitable for the design of primers and probes. Here, we present sequence information from the rRNA gene region of several promising strains of algae, as well as multiple sequence alignments which will be used in assay design for the highly conserved and unique regions of the rRNA genes. The conserved region assay will show total algal DNA while the unique ITS-based assays will be used to elucidate DNA content for a specific algal strain. Use of the assay to monitor ecological succession and invasion of microalgal strains will be discussed.
Christopher A. Garcia
"Introgression of candidate loci for reproductive isolation across a cricket hybrid zone"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dan Howard, Biology
RISE, HHMI
Reproductive isolation is a critical aspect in the process of speciation because it inhibits genetic exchange between newly-forming species. Conspecific sperm precedence (CSP), where multiply-mated females preferentially utilize sperm from males of their own species over sperm of different species' males regardless of mating order, is one such mechanism of genetic isolation between incipient species. Two recently-diverged species of North American ground crickets, Allonemobius fasciatus and A. socius, hybridize in a zone of overlap extending from Illinois to New Jersey; however, CSP still provides a strong barrier to gene exchange between the two species. In order to understand the genetic factors involved in CSP, I have looked at introgression across the hybrid zone of candidate expressed sequence tag (EST) loci for CSP, along with neutral protein and DNA markers. By comparing indicative alleles for each species, I have shown variation in movement through the hybrid zone among candidate and neutral loci, which supports possible impeded introgression at EST candidate loci and their importance in reproductive isolation between these two cricket species.
Israel Garcia
"Analysis of molecular models of muscle contraction"
Major: Chemical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard L. Long, Chemical Engineering
AMP
Much debate exists over the muscle models of fast striated muscle. Differences exist in the how these model describe the mechanical and chemical components of muscle contraction. In order to propose a more complete muscle contraction model, an analysis of previous models must be made. By understanding the evolution of these models, a more complete model can be proposed. This analysis will focus on identifying the different types of myosin and their relationship to ATPase cycle, evolution of the ATPase cycle, evolution of fast striated muscle models, and the rate of hydrolysis as a function of load. This analysis has found the assumptions that have gone into developing these key aspects of muscle models. The results will be presented in this report.
Mohammad Mahdi Ghassemi
"Jesus Existed: A Denial That Jesus was Entirely Pauline"
Major: Electrical Engineering / Applied Math
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joseph Robert Denk, English
Honors Thesis
Jesus is either the most influential person, or the greatest hoax in history. Over four centuries of biblical scholars have embarked on a quest in an attempt to discover the historical Jesus and define the details regarding his existence. While these giants have quested for the historical Jesus in his entirety, this Thesis will take on the task of attempting to discover evidence for exclusively the physical existence of Jesus. The research will focus on an amalgamation of sources ranging from canonical and non-canonical texts, to first century documentation and later sources. It is only within the past 50 years that atheists and modern scholars such as Doherty, Maccoby and Price have made the assertion that Jesus is a fraud in his entirety, being merely an invention of Paul.
Ian Gonzales
"Comparative Analysis of Fungal Glyoxylate Cycle Promoters"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Lammers, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC
Mycorrhizal fungi colonize the roots of a vast majority of land plants, improving water and nutrient uptake in plant hosts in exchange for photosynthetic hexose. These hexoses are converted into triacylglycerols (fats) then transported to extra-radical mycelia (ERM) and developing spores. The glyoxylate cycle utilizes the Isocitrate Lyase (ICL) and Malate Synthase (MS) for the conversion of fat back to carbohydrates in ERM and germinating spores. The goal of this project is to analyze ICL and MS promoters from the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor and the transformable arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices. Full length promoter-eGFP constructs were transformed into the Laccaria bicolor system via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. There after, hygromycin resistant transfromants were grown in the presence of either glucose, which should repress glyoxylate cycle promoters, or oleic acid, which should induce the promoters. All full length promoter-eGFP transformants from ICL and MS genes from both fungi have been cultured and analyzed via eGFP fluorescence normalized to crude protein levels (OD 280). Here we report that growth on oleic acid did induced eGFP fluorescence transgenic L. bicolor relative to growth on glucose, but only for the endogenous L. bicolor promoters. The G. intraradices ICL and MS promoters were not up-regulated in oleic acid medium in transgenic L. bicolor. The evidence suggests that transcriptional regulation of the glyoxylate cycle in mycorrhizal fungi is not conserved.
Sarah R. Gonzales
"Synthetic Azole Nucleosides as Potential Antiviral Drugs"
Major: Biochemistry & Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Arterburn, Chemistry & Biochemistry
RISE
The antiviral drug ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) has broad spectrum antiviral activity against many different viruses, although clinical use is associated with dose-limiting hemolytic anemia. Ribavirin mimics purine nucleosides and is phosphorylated by adenosine kinase (hADK) to the 5'-monophosphate (RMP), then further metabolized to the 5'-triphosphate (RTP). We have focused on designing and synthesizing new nucleoside analogs that are effective substrates for phosphorylation by hADK, to exploit the susceptibility of viral replication towards increased mutagenicity or inhibition of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. We observed potent antiviral activity of 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3-ethynyl-[1,2,4]triazole (ETAR) against hantaviruses HTNV and ANDV from screening a panel of five RNA viruses. Mechanistic investigations revealed that, in contrast to ribavirin, the mutation frequency of viral RNA was not affected. Biochemical studies revealed that ETAR produced 5'-mono- and triphosphates in cell culture, and caused a decrease in GTP levels that was partially reversible with guanosine, suggesting that the major antiviral effect was due to inhibition of host inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), combined with inhibition of the viral RNA polymerase. We are currently designing a second generation of ETAR analogs and evaluating the antiviral activity of a selected series against Dengue virus.
Eloy Normando Marquez Gonzalez
"Artificial bone scaffold research"
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vincent Choo, Mechanical and Aerospace Department
AMP
One major challenge in natural bone repair is the inability to regenerate when there is a major tissue loss. The global purpose of the research is to design and fabricate scaffolds that are biocompatible and biodegradable; which can be used to encourage bone regenerate in cases of severe bone loss. The scaffold has to be porous to facilitate osteoblast cells growth and colonization. Sodium Chloride (salt) is used in the fabrication of the scaffold. The salt is aggressive to the human tissue, so it is required that all the salt is removed from the polymer before going any step further. The proposed methodology is to use ultrasonic waves to assist in leaching the salt out of the scaffolds. The main objectives to accomplish are: (1) Design and construction of ultrasonic salt leaching device. (2) Calibration of this device. (3) Perform actual salt leaching test using rod scaffold specimens. (4) Verification of complete salt removal from scaffolds. (X-ray, scanning electronic microscopy with EDX facility, chemical compounds analysis). (5) Write up a research report.
Clayton Gorman, Ricardo Guerrero, Michele K. Nishiguchi
"Characterization of Vibrio isolates from the light organs of Loliginid squids from Thailand (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Michele K. Nishiguchi, Department of Biology
MBRS-RISE
Luminescent bacteria in the family Vibrionaceae (Gamma-Proteobacteria) are known to colonize light organs of squid in the families Loliginidae and Sepiolidae. These bacteria are harbored in morphologically complex structures which presumably enable the squids to perform a behavior known as counterillumination. Two species of loliginid squids, Uroteuthis chinensis and Uroteuthis duvauceli were collected from the coasts of Phuket and Rayong, Thailand, and dissected to extract bacterial isolates from their light organs. Symbionts were cultured and a number of morphological, physiological, and biochemical analyses were completed to determine whether these strains were from the genus Vibrio. Assays included carbon utilization profiles, acid production, growth at various salinities and temperatures, sensitivity to 0/129 vibriostatic agent, and catalase activity. 16S rRNA amplification was also used to determine species level identification of each isolate. Our results provide evidence that all isolates identified were members of the family Vibrionaceae, and confirmed the species identity as Vibrio harveyi. This result is the first record of V. harveyi found in symbiosis with a marine mollusc, suggesting that species of the family Vibrionaceae are less restricted in their ecological niches than previously thought.
Valerie Greif
"Does UV light facilitate fish predation?"
Major: Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wiebke Boeing, Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
ADVANCE
Recently, UV light has been found to reduce survival and influence migration patterns of aquatic organisms. Many organisms migrate down into deeper water layers in avoidance of UV radiation. Furthermore, some field studies indicate that fish predation on zooplankton is enhanced when UV light is present. However it is unclear if this is due to direct UV vision by fish or to different migration patterns of zooplankton. Here, we test the hypothesis that UV light makes zooplankton more visible to fish, directly influencing predation rates. Using aquaria that were covered with UV-transparent or UV-shielding acrylic sheets, we exposed zooplankton and fish to a lamp that emits the entire light spectrum for 3 hours. As our fish predator, we used golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), which is known to have photoreceptors in the UV wavelengths. We found that under high UV conditions, fish actually ate less zooplankton, probably due to a stress reaction. When we lowered the UV input, we did not find a difference in zooplankton consumption in the presence and absence of UV radiation.
Jaime Eduardo Guerra, Javier Cruz-Nieto, Sonia Gabriela Ortiz-Maciel, Timothy F. Wright
"Geographic variation in the vocalizations of the endangered Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha); implications for conservation strategies"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Timothy F. Wright, Biology
RISE
The populations of many species are declining worldwide and conservation efforts struggle to keep pace with extinction rates. Conservation biologists commonly employ strategies such as translocations and reintroductions, which move individuals of endangered species from one part of their range to another. Because individuals from endangered populations are non-expendable, identifying any potential difficulties for the possible establishment of viable populations prior to release of individuals should be a priority. This study evaluates the potential for learned communication signals to constrain conservation strategies such as reintroduction in an endangered species, the Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). We conducted vocal surveys at three geographically distinct breeding populations in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, Mexico. Acoustic analyses utilizing both spectrogram cross-correlations and parameter measurements from spectrograms revealed no significant differences among the three sites in two common call types. Calls did vary among individuals within a site. The observed lack of geographic variation across sampled sites suggests that differences in learned communication signals are unlikely to pose a barrier to the integration of potentially translocated individuals from different populations into newly-established populations.
Jessica Gutierrez
"Structure/Function Analysis of a TBP-related factor TRF3"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nishiguchi, Biology
RISE, HHMI
TATA-box binding protein (TBP) is a highly conserved RNA polymerase II general transcription factor whose function is to initiate the transcription of genes by specifically recognizing and binding to the TATA box and recruiting components of the pre-initiation complex. TBP consists of a C-terminal core domain that is highly conserved throughout all eukaryotes, and an N-terminus that is quite variable amongst species. Recently, a novel protein with high homology to TBP was isolated, TBP-related factor 3 (TRF3). Based on amino acid sequences, the C-terminal DNA binding domain of TRF3 is nearly identical to that of TBP. The N-termini, however, are quite divergent. In an effort to provide further insight on the structure of TRF3 and how it may contribute to its function, epitope-tagged constructs of TRF3 and TBP were generated and utilized in in vitro analyses. In summary, initial results suggest that conserved amino acid changes in the C-terminal domains play a key role in the differences observed between TRF3 and TBP.
Whitney Hill
"Analyzing Redundant Supports Using Finite Element Modeling"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. William McCarthy, Civil Engineering
AMP
This project involves an in-depth study of redundant structures in bridges. By using a two dimensional and three dimensional computer modeling program certain information can be obtained about these redundant structures. To begin the two dimensional program, RISA 2D, was used to obtain the bridge model that best represents a redundant structure. Then different load combinations were added and the bridge model was analyzed with the program. Next a similar model will be created in the three dimensional program SAP 2000. After this three dimensional model is created, an analysis will be run. The analysis of the two dimensional horizontally braced model in RISA 2D determined that the axial and shear forces in each of the steel diaphragm members were larger than that of the cross braced model. The conclusion that can be drawn from these results is that the horizontally braced model distributes the applied load better than the cross braced model. For the future the horizontally braced model will be represented in three dimensions and analyzed using Sap 2000.
Ray Holguin
"Performance Study of Localization Techniques in Zigbee Wireless Sensor Networks"
Major: Electrical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hong Huang, Electrical Engineering
AMP
Localization of devices within wireless sensor networks has become an important issue when applying location based routing or location based tracking. In order to apply a location based routing or tracking algorithm, it is necessary to have prior knowledge of the distance between sensor nodes. In a real world application, the position of a wireless sensor node is not always known. Integration of an external positioning system, such as GPS, can result in increased cost per node as well as decreased battery performance, and thus is not a cost effective solution. In order to apply location based routing and tracking in an efficient manner, there is a need for an efficient, low cost solution to identify the localization of devices within a sensor network. The purpose of this research project is to estimate the distance between multiple Zigbee sensor nodes through the use of the RSSI (received signal strength indicator), and analyze the accuracy of each estimation. Future applications of location based routing and tracking within sensor networks could benefit from an efficient localization solution.
Ana-Alicia D. Huerta, Elizabeth Quintana
"Combined effects of hypoxic and heat stress on pigeons, Columba livia"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marvin H. Bernstein, Biology
MARC
Birds in low O2 (hypoxia) at high altitude experience increased blood lactate and hyperventilate. Birds in extreme heat also hyperventilate. High temperatures at high altitude are not typical and there is no substantial research in which the two are combined. We examine the effects of hypoxia combined with heat in pigeons in an environmental chamber at normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (8% O2) at room temperature (24-27 °C) or 43 °C (109 °F). Arterial blood samples are drawn from the brachial artery via a catheter to determine oxygen (PO2), carbon dioxide (PCO2), lactate, glucose, and pH levels. At room temperature during hypoxia, lactate increased from 1.6 to 9.5 mM indicating increased hypoxic glycolysis. PO2 decreased from 96 to 37.1 Torr. During combined heat and hypoxia, lactate again increased substantially from 0.8 to 7.8 mM and PO2 again decreased. Glucose and pH also changed, but more data are needed to determine trends. At this point we can report that combined hypoxic and heat stress increase blood lactate and change pH, reflecting the animals' compensating mechanisms.
Nicole Hughes
"The Rising Fog"
Major: English
Faculty Advisor: Evan Lavender-Smith, English
Honors Thesis
This story is one in a collection of short stories that make up my final thesis. The stories are interconnected by reoccurring motifs, the most prominent being the idea of opacity. In this story the form fits the content for just as the "true" events in my story will be hard to grasp on to; so it is hard for the characters to know what is true and what is not. They cannot see clearly everything that is directly in front of them. Stemming from this motif of opacity is the complex and brief appearance of reoccurring clues to help both the readers and the characters decide what details in the story are important; in this aspect the short story collection will be something like a mystery.
Vicente Ibarra
"CMOS Imaging"
Major: Electrical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Paul Furth, Electrical Engineering
AMP
Over the past several years imaging systems have increased in price significantly. The cause for this is the technology used to create such systems known as CCD. CCD is a very application specific design that yields high image quality but at a high cost due to its production methods. CMOS imaging systems are considered to be the new wave of imaging and have many benefits to their counterparts. CMOS imagers can be created using common production methods, cost considerably less, and are much faster than CCD because of their architecture. The primary issue associated with CMOS is its poor image quality when compared to current technology. Although there are current CMOS imagers that provide the image quality of CCD, the cost of such devices is comparable to that of a CCD based system. Our research is aimed at creating an efficient imager that will eventually provide the picture quality of a CCD imager but at a fraction of the cost.
Whitney A. Jennings
"Phylogeny of the Rails"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Houde, Biology
MARC
The Family Rallidae of the Order Gruiformes in the Class Aves has an incompletely known phylogeny. Only morphological data link them and molecular data could tell a different story. Rallidae consists of coots, rails, crakes and others. We examined six species of rails from four different genera: Coturnicops noveboracensis (Yellow Rail), Anurolimnas castaneiceps (Chestnut-headed Crake), Aramides cajanea (Grey-necked Wood Rail), Sarothrura elegans (Buff-spotted Flufftail), Sarothrura rufa (Red-chested Flufftail), and Sarothrura insularis (Madagascar Flufftail). We are asking if these species are each other's closest relatives and if so, how are they related? What criterion defines the Family Rallidae and who does the family include? With primers designed for the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) genes, we will be able to isolate gene segments and sequence them. By using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, and gene sequencing we will be able to analyze the genetic data between the six species. We will add our data to previous phylogenetic trees, fill in the taxa gaps, and find out if the Family Rallidae are all each other's closest relatives as it is thought, as well as which of the genera analyzed are more closely related to each other.
Heather Johnson
"The Consequences of Cultural Conflict among Native American Students: Retention, Social Integration, and Culture"
Major: Anthropology/Criminal Justice
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Sandra Way, Sociology
Undergraduate Research Iniative Grant & Charles P. & Zona Kemp Loomis Endowment in Rural Sociology Award
I believe a Western-oriented college environment based on individualistic and middle-class values conflicts with collectivist standards prevalent among Native American populations. I will explore issues of cultural conflict by collecting and analyzing active interview responses of a random sample of Native American students who have participated in the ongoing Transition to College interdepartmental research project. My research on this subject will attempt to determine whether or not cultural differences between the university and the student have effected retention rates, social integration and what role class differences may play in Native student retention rates.
Kellie Ann Jurado
"Synchrony, Adrenocortical Functioning, and Learning in 3-Month-Old Infants"
Major: Psychology & Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Laura Thompson, Psychology
RISE
A relation between the development of attention and self-regulation has been found through studies revealing adrenocortical functioning during a learning task to facilitate memory and encoding of information in infants (Haley et. al., 2006; Thompson & Trevathan, 2008). The current study investigates the role of mother-infant synchrony as a foundational force behind the development of attention and self-regulation with 3 month-old infants. 139 infants and their mothers participated in a biological sampling of saliva, a cognitive task (in which infants were separated from mother), a ten-minute videotaping of mother-infant interaction, and a final saliva sampling. Mother-infant synchrony was measured through Isabella and Belsky's (1991) behavior coding system of maternal-infant interaction. Pairs of mother-infant behaviors were determined to be synchronous, asynchronous, or neither. Self-regulation was indirectly measured through adrenocortical functioning, specifically through the direction of change in cortisol reactivity. The development of attention was measured through the infant's encoding of auditory and visual dimensions of animated auditory-visual stimuli. The data is currently in the process of being analyzed.
Berenisce Kelley
"Understanding Load Distribution Characteristics of Skewed Composite Bridges"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Ricardo Jacquez, Civil Engineering
AMP
The objective of this research is to do a series of finite analyses of steel- concrete composite skew bridges. This will help determinate the impact of skew shapes on distribution of loads in a bridge. A finite analysis is an element used by the computer to model a structure and then test the different load combinations. This software is used to analyze and design a wide variety of structures in 3D. Past research suggest that the more skewed the bridge the less is the need for diaphragms to assist in the distribution of loads in a bridge. The software package used to conduct this research is SAP 2000. Ultimately, a skew bridge will be modeled and compared to a straight bridge. So far, only the basics of the program have been studied like how to input a basic model. Since the research is in the formative stage, no outcomes are available at this time.
Tara Lynne Kinman
"Amicus Curiae Brief: Prior Appropriation Law in New Mexico and Controversies in Water Conservation"
Major: Psychology/Pre-law
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nina Compton, Esq., Department of Finance and Business Law
Honors Thesis
In the state of New Mexico, water is a precious and valued resource. The details regarding its distribution, allocation, and use are a constant controversy in New Mexico law. The influence of the legal history of prior appropriation in New Mexico produces a variety of dissentions related to this allocation theory that promotes heavy beneficial use of water in order for the maintenance of water rights. Consequently, many New Mexicans experience an inner conflict between the ever-present community need for conservation, and their own personal need to maintain water rights. New Mexico State University is not exempt from this internal conflict. Efforts to conserve water on campus could lead to a loss of the university's prior-held water rights. In a moot-court setting, my colleagues and I will present this issue and it's relation to New Mexico water law.
Through an amicus curiae brief I will:
A) Offer a legal opinion to the court based on common law regarding the issue
B) Identify the correct legal judgment for the case based on current law
C) Administer opinions and possibilities for legislative action in addressing this major water issue for the best future interest of New Mexicans
Carol J. Lange
"Effect of Nitrogen on the Production of the Alkaloid Swainsonine in a Toxic Rangeland Weed"
Major: Agricultural-Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tracy M. Sterling, EPPWS
Weed Science Society of America Undergraduate Research Award 2008
Locoweeds are leguminous plants belonging to the Astralagus and Oxytropis genera and produce the alkaloid swainsonine, a nitrogen-containing toxin which poisons livestock and wildlife throughout the western United States. Our previous work showed that swainsonine content varies among collection sites, species, and varieties with swainsonine levels uniformly high in some species such as Astragalus mollissimus variety mollissimus and Oxytropis sericea, but low or non-detectable in other species such as Astragalus mollissimus variety matthewsii and thompsonae. To better predict concentrations of swainsonine in locoweed relative to this genetic variation, further research is being conducted. Locoweed plants will be grown in a greenhouse in the absence of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Rhizobia, and treated with different levels of nitrogen in the soil. Each variety is expected to respond to increased nitrogen levels by producing greater quantity of swainsonine relative to the quantity produced by the same variety without nitrogen supplement. However, each variety will still remain in its category of low or high producers. The results will help to conclude the relationship between nitrogen availability and toxin production.
Tannia Ann Lau
"Global protein expression in hypovirus infected and uninfected Cryphonectria parasitica strains using 2-dimensional electrophoresis"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Angus L. Dawe, Biology
RISE
Cryphonectria parasitica is a fungal pathogen that is the causative agent of chestnut blight. Chestnut blight is a devastating canker disease that virtually eliminated the American chestnut tree. C. parasitica can be infected by a double stranded RNA hypovirus. Hypovirus infected C. parasitica express a reduction in virulence, reduced sporulation, and reduced pigmentation. The aim of this study is to visualize alterations in the expression of host and viral proteins. To compare the global protein expression in hypovirus infected and uninfected C. parasitica, 2-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis was performed. 2D electrophoresis is a method for the separation of proteins by pH and molecular weight. We are looking at the global protein expression profiles because of the distinct phenotypic and physiological changes in hypovirus infected C. parasitica. This study provides an indication that protein expression is altered in the hypovirus infected and uninfected C. parasitica. With this tool it will be possible to further identify differentially expressed proteins by mass spectrometry.
Jessica E. Lazenby
"Factors Influencing Career Development"
Major: Psychology
Faculty Advisor: Rachel L. Navarro, Counseling and Educational Psychology
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
The purpose of this study is to examine how depression and ethnic identity contribute to career decision making self-efficacy, and in turn how career decision making self efficacy influences career development indices (i.e., career indecision, career certainty, and career aspirations) for a sample of college undergraduates. How barriers are perceived and coped with is expected to further explain college undergraduates' career development. It is hypothesized that ethnic identity and coping with barriers will positively influence career decision-making self-efficacy, whereas perceived barriers and depression will negatively influence career decision-making self-efficacy. Career decision making self-efficacy is hypothesized to positively influence career certainty and career aspirations while having a negative relationship with career indecision. A total of 300 participants will each fill out a survey that includes a demographics form and other assessment scales. The survey will include a demographic form and various instruments to measure the aforementioned constructs, including: a measurement of depression, an ethnic identity scale, the Career Decision Self Efficacy Scale, the Career Decision Scale, a perception of barriers scale, a coping with barriers scale, and a Career Aspirations Scale. Results of the surveys will be entered into path analysis for statistical data.
Virginia Lee
"Analysis of Transcript Abundance and Amino Acid Levels in Nitrogen-Deficient and Nitrogen-Sufficient Alfalfa"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa Sengupta-Gopalan, Plant and Environmental Sciences
ADVANCE, HHMI-NMSU
Nitrogen, one of the most important inorganic nutrients in plants, is often the factor limiting plant productivity and biomass accumulation. The long-term focus of this research is the identification of signaling and regulatory molecules that act on genes encoding key enzymes in the nitrogen and carbon pathways in plants. The specific objectives of this project are to analyze previously obtained macroarray data to determine the relative transcript abundance of key C and N pathway genes, and to quantify differences in amino acid concentrations, in N-sufficient and N-deficient M. sativa plants. The plants' N-status is controlled by inoculation with two strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti: a wild-type strain that fixes N2 normally, and a mutant strain that is unable to fix N2. Amino acids were quantified in leaf and nodule tissue from each plant type using UPLC. The total amino acid concentration in the N-deficient plants decreased by half compared to the N-sufficient plants. N-deficiency induced significant changes in amino acid concentrations in both plant organs. Transcript abundance was determined using macroarrays containing probes for several genes related to C and N metabolism. For most of the genes analyzed, transcript abundance did not change significantly in response to N deficiency.
Megan Lockwood
"New High Pressure Structure in Portlandite and Amorphization"
Major: Physics and Mathematics
Faculty Advisor: Boris Kiefer, Physics
Crimson Scholars
We use first-principle calculations to investigate Ca(OH)2 up to 30 GPa. Our results show that the hydrogen array in Ca(OH)2-I becomes increasingly distorted with increasing pressure. However, these changes in are too small to account for the experimentally observed loss of long range order in portlandite. We also observe the Ca(OH)2-I to Ca(OH)2-II at 4.7 GPa consistent with previous work and that Ca(OH)2-II is the ground state up to at least 30 GPa. In contrast we predict that pressure induced amorphization in portlandite is related to appearance of a metastable new structure that becomes more stable than Ca(OH)2-I above 12.8 GPa, comparable to the experimental amorphization pressure in portlandite powders. In this new structure 2/3 of the Ca-atoms are found in a new trigonal prismatic oxygen coordination. The cell shape of this new structure is significantly different from Ca(OH)2-I and is likely to generate long range strain that may be sufficient to account of the loss of long range order The appearance of this new structure provides a unified framework for the understanding of presence of pressure induced amorphization in portlandite and its absence in Mg(OH)2, brucite.
Alexander Louie
"Polyamine Oxidase: A Major Contributor of Reactive Oxygen Species During Apoptosis"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Glenn Kuehn, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC, SCORE, RISE
With implications in apoptosis, cell proliferation, and embryogenesis, polyamines prove to be vital in cell cycle regulation. The common polyamines spermine, spermidine, and putricine exist in all cells. Metabolism of these polyamines via polyamine oxidase (PAO) yields hydrogen peroxide. Increases in cellular levels of hydrogen peroxide triggers cells to enter apoptosis via caspases and mitochondrial dysfunction. However, polyamine metabolism is not the sole source of hydrogen peroxide in cells. Electron transport chain enzymes, oxidases, and cyclooxygenases contribute to cellular hydrogen peroxide. In this study, we employ small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) to transiently knock out polyamine oxidase in Avena sativa (oat) seedlings during hypersensitivity response (HR). During HR cellular concentrations of hydrogen peroxide increase in an oxidative burst which can signal these cells to enter a pro apoptotic state. We demonstrate that seedlings infiltrated with PAO siRNA fail to generate an oxidative burst during induced HR. Characterized by decreased levels of hydrogen peroxide and PAO levels, the failure to generate an oxidative burst suggests that PAO plays a key role in increasing cellular hydrogen peroxide levels during HR. Supported by PHS grant no. S06GM008136-33 (SCORE Program) and R25GM07667-29 (RISE Program).
Chris Marin
"Digitally tuning a wireless fm transmitter"
Major: Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Beasley, Engineering Technology
AMP
Wireless fm transmitters are found everywhere today. People use them with their iPods to listen to music through their home and auto sound systems, musicians use them to make their instruments wireless on stage during concerts and many more uses are common using this device. This research project aims at improving a wireless fm transmitter design that was created in "Communication Systems I" class, ET314. The design currently calls for an analog frequency tuner. We will be removing that from the design and implementing a digital frequency tuner. This will allow us to change the broadcast frequency more precisely and thus improve the design and functionality. First we are going to implement a digital potentiometer on a breadboard with the fm transmitter. Once we verify the functionality we will be incorporating the digital potentiometer onto an existing radio frequency module and modifying the interface to include pushbuttons that will allow us to change the frequency up or down. Then we will research how the digital potentiometer controls and changes the broadcast frequency. Next we will design and test a new printed circuit board layout and make necessary adjustments to ensure functionality.
Wendy Martinez
"The Acculturation Level of Mariachi Instructors/Directors"
Major: Music Education
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric J. Lopez, Special Education and Communication Disorders
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
Knowing the acculturation levels of students in a school environment is important to help them achieve academic success. Knowing the acculturation level of an educator is just as important for instructional reasons. Only a few articles have been written in the area of education showing interest in the acculturative levels of the educators. Specific demographics of Mariachi Instructors/Directors will be obtained (title/role, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, occupation, Income level, level of education, certification, and where earned degree/certification, and place of employment). Each of the Instructors/Directors will fill out and complete the Acculturative Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (ARSMA). With these results, their individual coded levels will serve as a stepping stone for future research of acculturation in music and specifically Mariachi.
Frances Marie Mena
"Logic Forms Study: Changes in Reaction Time to Solution of Logic Problem"
Major: Psychology
Faculty Advisor: Jim Kroger, Psychology
MARC
The study involved teaching participants' basic logic and giving them logic problems to solve. The purpose of this study is to determine if participants are using logic, or simply learning patterns to solve the logic problems presented.
The hypothesis is that the participants' reaction time will decrease as they perform a series of logic problems of a given form, which would indicate that they are responding to the form of the problem rather than using logic.
The experiment was conducted using a computer program that presents the logic problems and measures the participants? reaction time along with their accuracy rates. The forms of logic problems included common logic based on symbolic logic as well as pseudo-logic problems which have been showed to induce errors in logical thinking. Results indicate that the participants did not learn the logic problems nor did they learn patterns in the trials. Many of the participants were unable to attain above a 70% average for three out of the four types of trials. In conclusion, although the participants may not have had the accuracy rate that was sought out, there is still enough information indicating that the participants' reaction times did decrease through the trials.
Danielle Miranda, Jeremy Kreher, Briana Rios, and T. Reed
"Titration of the spindle assembly checkpoint in embryonic cells"
Major: Microbiology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles Bradley Shuster, Department of Biology
MARC, RISE
During mitosis, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors chromosome attachment to the mitotic spindle, and prevents mitotic progression if even a single chromatid is improperly attached. This checkpoint is vital for proper development, yet in the eggs and early embryos of many animals, spindle disruption results in only a moderate delay in mitotic progression. To study checkpoint responses during early embryogenesis, we are using eggs and early embryos of the sea urchins, where RT-PCR analyses revealed that mRNA?s for SAC components were not uniformly present in the early embryo. However, measurements of mitotic arrest in either control- or polyspermic eggs revealed that arrest increased linearly with the increasing polyspermy, suggesting suggest that embryonic cells do have a mitotic checkpoint, but one whose effectiveness is compromised by the poor kinetochore: cytoplasmic ratio of the early embryo. Together, these results suggest that embryonic cells do have a mitotic checkpoint, and current efforts are focused on cloning a fragment of Inner Centromere Protein (INCENP) that when ectopically expressed, can override checkpoint responses. Supported by NIH grants SO6-GM08136 and GM07667.
Enrique Mirazo
"Improving the Antenna for the MAX2606 FM transmitter"
Major: Engineering Technology in Electronics
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeffrey Beasley, Engineering Technology
AMP
The FM radio transmitter MAX2606 is provided with an inefficient antenna. The distance that the device can cover with efficiency is only 1/4 mile. The objective of this research is to design a more reliable antenna for the MAX2606 FM transmitter, which can cover a longer distance of transmission capacity.
The prototype antenna for this research is a ferrite rod loop stick antenna (winding of wire around a small metallic rod of ferrite). The procedure is to build and connect to the transmitter different ferrite rod antennas and perform several tests including distance range of efficient transmission. The resulting data from tests will be recorded and used to determine which antenna is the optimum. This experimental phase is in progress.
The expected result is to obtain an antenna capable to transmit a radio signal to the double or more of distance with very good efficiency. This antenna will be the result of the data collected from the different prototypes under extensive test criteria. The possibility for further research in this project is to design an omni-directional, bipolar, or another type of antenna that requires metallic materials for the MAX2606 FM transmitter.
Carol Morales, Gordon Huggins, Elena Kudryavtseva
"The Effect of Alcohol on Skeletal Muscle Cell Differentiation"
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Barbara Lyons, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC
Alcoholism, a very common disease in the United States, can damage many tissues such as muscle. Previous studies have shown that alcohol has a direct and toxic affect on muscle cells morphology. The focus of this project is to test the idea that alcohol damages the ability of muscle precursor cells to differentiate into mature myotubes. These myotubes are important in muscle fiber development. Further differentiated myotubes are called myoblasts. The mouse myoblast cell line, C2C12, will be grown in culture and subjected to treatments with alcohol and rapamycin. Rapamycin changes cell morphology and will be used as a positive control. Immunohistochemistry will be used for detection of myoD, found in the nuclei of cells, and α -sarcomeric actin, found in the cytoplasm of cells. myoD is responsible for the regulation of cells transitioning to myotubes from myoblasts and α sarcomeric actin is specific for proteins found in the cytoplasm of the cells. Quantitative measurements of cell size and number of nuclei will allow an average value to be obtained. The myotubes formed by cells treated with alcohol or rapamycin should be thinner, more elongated and contain fewer nuclei when compared to cells that have not been treated.
James Moten
"Correlation Between Expression of Acyltransferases and Diversity of Compounds Causing Pungency in Capsicum Varieties"
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary O'Connell, Plant & Environmental Sciences
MARC
This project seeks to identify and determine the relative abundances of six capsaicinoids (capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, homocapsaicin, homodihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, and norhomodihydrocapsaicin) within fruits of varying pungency from the genus Capsicum. In particular, we are looking for amino acid diversity in candidate capsaicinoid synthase enzymes that correlate with the fatty acyl diversity in individual capsaicinoids. Twelve varieties of chiles were collected in late summer and dried, after which capsaicinoids were extracted from the tissue in acetonitrile. Analysis of the extracts was accomplished my means of GC-MS and UPLC. Nucleic acid primers were designed to analyze the gene predicted to synthesize capsaicinoids. Clones of this gene from twelve varieties of chiles are under investigation in an attempt to correlate variation in capsaicinoid profiles with variation in the acyltransferase genes.
Marcia Dickey Mundt
"Post-conflict Development and Natural Resources- A Case Study of Indonesia"
Major: Communication Studies/Government/Spanish
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Yosef Lapid, Government
Honors Thesis
A heated political and economic issue today, post-conflict development has challenged scholars, politicians, and businessmen since the World Wars. Many conflicts are rooted in natural resource disputes, calling upon development specialists and agencies to focus on evenhanded and conflict-conscious natural resource development in order to avoid relapse into violent conflict, the outcome of nearly half of all "resolved" conflicts in the 1990s. In line with the prevailing trends of development and conflict resolution fields, it is clear that a "one size fits all" development strategy is not sufficient to address the diverse post-conflict situations across the globe. Indonesia, a diverse post-conflict nation in terms of ethnic divisions and natural resource disputes, reveals that one development strategy is not enough for even one country. A case study of Indonesia will highlight the unique challenges in the nation and the conflicts since the late 1900s. Seven significant resource conflicts in Indonesia will be examined. The type of natural resource and its impact on each conflict, as well as ethnic disputes and extenuating circumstances which have shaped the disputes will be explored. Strategies for the peaceful development of natural resources will be discussed and recommendations suggested.
Alfreda Destea Nelson
"Synthesis of Phenanthrenes Through [5+5] Cycloaddition"
Major: Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. James W. Herndon, Chemistry and Biochemistry
MARC
Many biologically important molecules contain phenanthrene rings. Phenanthrene rings are present in tanshinones (active components of Dan Shen), and in apomorphine, which is useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The focus of this project is to develop a new synthetic route to the phenanthrene ring system using a [5+5]-cycloaddition approach. The reaction employs partners derived from simple ketones. Pinacolone, or 3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone, is used as the starting material in this investigation. The reaction process involves converting pinacolone into a bromo-aldehyde derivative. The bromoaldehyde is then converted into a tribromo-diene compound via the Corey Fuchs reaction. The tribromo-diene is then converted into a bromo-enyne complex through a selective metal-halogen exchange process. The bromo-enyne is then converted into the Fischer type carbene complex. The carbene complex was then reacted with enyne-hydrazone to produce the phenanthrene ring system in a net [5+5]-cycloaddition reaction. Subsequent reaction products were analyzed via proton NMR. The proton NMR of the carbene complex confirms the phenanthrene structure. These preliminary studies show that it is possible to synthesize a phenanthrene ring system using the [5+5]-cycloaddition approach.
Luis D. Onsurez
"Injection Molding: Continuing to pave the path for Bio-Polymers"
Major: Engineering Technology-Mech
Faculty Advisor: Chris F. Wise, Engineering Technology
AMP
Injection molding is a molding process which presents unique challenges throughout its progression due to its complexity. The quality of finished products can be affected by factors such as mold design, raw materials, and real time changes of process parameters like temperature, pressure, and injection speed. The purpose of our study is to attempt to control the internal cavity Temperature through the use of a new mold design. By first designing a mold with the capability to capture the internal cavity environment like temperature not only do we address obtaining information about the mold design, we believe that we will be able to produce a mold that will be more efficient, improve molded parts and reduce the economic factors found in industry.
Monica Overcast
"The Experiences of a Child who Stutters"
Major: Communication Disorders
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Estelle Klasner, Communication Disorders
Honors Thesis
Communication is a skill that enables us to obtain what we need or want and to interact with others. Every interaction shared by two or more individuals includes some form of communication. This seemingly simple everyday tool is taken for granted. When communication is impaired, no matter how minutely, the individual's life is significantly affected. Most people who have not experienced some form of communication disorders do not understand this. The objective of this thesis is to describe the experiences of one family that is affected by a communication disorder to help personalize communication disorders for those who haven't experienced them and offer understanding for those who have. This will be accomplished by addressing the question "What are the experiences of a child who has a mild to moderate stuttering problem and his family?"
Serina Padilla
"Differential Accumulation Pattern of Met-rich beta-zein in Medicago truncatula and Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)"
Major: Microbiology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa Sengupta-Gopalan, Agronomy and Horticulture
AMP
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the most important forage legume providing quality protein for livestock feed. However, it lacks adequate amounts of methionine (Met), which livestock owners must provide in high protein supplements. A genetic engineering approach to increase the Met content of alfalfa is to express genes encoding for high Met protein. Seed storage proteins of corn, the β- (15kD) and δ-(10 and 18kD) zeins, are very high in Met and are ideal candidates for introducing into alfalfa. The β-zein by itself is stable in the alfalfa leaves but the δ-zein is not. We have also introduced the β-zein construct in a related legume, which is also being used as a model legume for genomic studies, Medicago truncatula. Our preliminary data shows a high level accumulation of β-zein protein in the leaves of transgenic M. truncatula plants when compared to alfalfa β-zein expressors. Our working hypothesis is that the two Medicago species differ with regards to the amino acid composition and in the rate of synthesis of Met rich proteins. An understanding of the basis for accumulation of the Met-rich β-zein between alfalfa and M.truncatula, will allow us to increase the Met-containing proteins in alfalfa using genetic engineering approaches.
Esther Paul
"Glutamine Synthetase Expression Profile in Senescencing Leaves"
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa Sengupta-Gopalan, Agronomy and Horticulture
RISE
Glutamine Synthetase (GS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent assimilation of ammonium into glutamine, using glutamate as a substrate. Plant GS is an octamer and occurs as two major isoforms: a cytosolic form (GS1) and a chloroplastic form (GS2). GS2 is found mostly in the photosynthetic cells and functions to assimilate ammonia produced by photorespiration or the reduction of nitrate while GS1 found in roots, stem and to a small extent in the leaves assimilates ammonia produced by all other processes including protein turnover. Leaf senescence represents the transition from nutrient assimilation to nutrient remobilization. The focus of this study was to analyze GS expression and enzyme activity in different age leaves of soybean and tobacco at the mRNA and protein levels and to determine how GS1 and GS2 might be regulated. GS1 and GS2 polypeptide and GS holoprotein were analyzed by SDS and Native PAGE followed by immunoblot analysis using GS antibodies. GS at the transcript level was analyzed by Northern Blot, analysis using GS1 genes as probes. The results show an increase in GS1 and a drop in GS2 at both the transcriptional and protein level as the leaves senesce.
Jeni Petersen
"Extract From Larrea Influences Rumen Fermentation"
Major: Animal Science/Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Shanna Ivey, Animal and Range Sciences
ADVANCE
Larrea plant extract (LPE) has potential as a rumen modifier, modification of rumen microbial fermentation due to LPE has not been documented. An in vitro experiment (48 h) evaluated additions of LPE on IVDMD and VFA production. Three substrates and five concentrations of LPE were compared to monensin (475.5 μg/mL, MON). Substrates included (DM basis) 100% meadow hay (100), 50% alfalfa-50% ground corn (50:50), and 90% ground corn-10% alfalfa (90:10). Treatments were 0 (Control; CON), 20, 40, 60, 80 μg/mL LPE and MON, means were compared using single degree of freedom contrasts (0 μg/mL LPE vs MON and LPE vs MON) and orthogonal polynomial contrasts within LPE levels. MON fermented with 100 had the lowest (P < 0.01) IVDMD, a linear increase in IVDMD was observed for 50:50 (P < 0.01), not 90:10 or 100 (P > 0.40). LPE addition to all substrates decreased acetate, acetate: propionate ratio (A: P) and increased propionate (quadratic; P < 0.01). Lowest overall A: P was obtained with MON to 90:10 (1.35) and the highest resulted 60 μg/mL LPE to 100 (3.63). LPE changes rumen fermentation depending on diet; differently than MON, and has potential as a rumen modifier in natural meat production.
Roxanna Reyna-Islas
"Evaluation of In Vitro Degradation of Plant Cell Walls With Ruminal Microbes"
Major: Animal Science
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shanna Ivey, Department of Animal and Range Sciences
MARC
For optimal ruminal digestion of plants, bacteria and fungi attach to plant material. Toxic locoweeds are infected by a swainsonine-producing fungal endophyte (E+). An in vitro experiment was conducted for IVDMD, 24 h VFA production and TEM (12 or 24 h) analysis with E+ or E-. Locoweed E+ or E- IVDMD (21.7% ± 2.1 and 21.0% ± 1.2, respectively) did not differ (P = 0.45). Total VFA production was higher for E- than E+ (172.9 vs 159.9 ± 2.72 mmol; P < 0.01). Acetate was 7.3% lower (P < 0.01) and propionate was 15.6% higher for E- and than E+ (P < 0.02). The acetate:propionate ratio was 27% lower for E- than E+ (P < 0.01). Using TEM, microbial cells were evaluated as attached or unattached (but within 3 µm of cell wall). Attachment was not influenced by endophyte or time (P = 0.74 and 0.39, respectively). Time of incubation (P = 0.02) but not endophyte (P = 0.13) affected the number of unattached microbial cells. There were fewer cells unattached at 24 h vs 12 h (0.92 ± 0.18 vs 1.53 ± 0.16 cells/linear µm of plant cell wall). These research methods may serve as a model to study the influence of plant secondary metabolites on ruminal microbe behavior.
Brianna Rios, D. Miranda, J. Kreher and C.B. Shuster
"Development of reagents to study the spindle assembly checkpoint in sea urchin embryos"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Charles Bradley Shuster, Biology
RISE
Maintenance of proper chromosomal ploidy is an absolute requirement for proper development and survival. During mitosis, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) monitors chromosome attachment to the mitotic spindle, and prevents mitotic progression if there are unattached- or improperly attached sister chromatids. Our lab is interested in understanding how the checkpoint functions in early embryos, where disruption of the mitotic spindle results in only mild delays in mitosis. To develop reagents that override the checkpoint (causing mitotic catastrophe), we cloned p31comet from a human cDNA library. P31comet binds the SAC component Mad2, studies in mammalian cells demonstrated that p31/Mad2 binding can override the checkpoint. P31comet was subcloned into bacterial expression vector containing a polyhistidine tag, and recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Purified protein was injected into one blastomere of a two cell embryo, and the timing of the cell cycle progression of the two blastomeres was compared. Although the p31-injected blastomere should have exited mitosis earlier than controls, we saw no acceleration in mitotic progression, and in some cases we observed a delay. Future experiments will vary the concentration of p31 injected, as well as inject cells challenged with microtubule-disrupting drugs. Supported by NIH grants SO6-GM08136 and GM07667.
Ferdinand Rivera
"Allelopathy in Vibrio fischeri"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Michele K. Nishiguchi, Biology
MARC
Allelopathic interactions exist among a large variety of organisms, including microbe to microbe interactions. Therefore, the possibility that the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri harbors this interaction amongst competing symbiotic strains may help explain why different genotypes exist in multiple populations of host squids. In this study, we are testing the hypothesis that different strains of V. fischeri experience antagonistic relationships as a result of exudate production and/or milieu alterations that inhibit growth. Using isolates from Japan (V. fischeri strains EM17 and EB12 derived from squid hosts Euprymna morsei and E. berryi), we have begun to unravel how these strains interact with each other in culture. Cross inoculations of V. fischeri EM17 in V. fischeri EB12 spent media and V. fischeri EB12 in V. fischeri EM17 spent media have not shown any evidence of amensalism relative to controls. Experiments were completed using cellulose acetate filters that may have removed important substances that yield different inhibitory capacities. Future experiments will involve using different V. fischeri strains and changing the initial growth times to help discern whether antagonistic relationships exist in these strains.
John Rivera, Jasmine Pando
"Investigation of Ethanol Resistance in Golden Staphylococcus aureus"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. John E. Gustafson, Microbiology
MARC
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of hospital based and community-acquired infections. By the development of multiple drug resistant mechanisms, combating this pathogen has proven to be difficult. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which has demonstrated resistance to over 20 antimicrobials, has been evolving since the early 1960's. The CDC's recommendation as a first line of defense to protect yourself against S. aureus is proper hand washing. The recent introduction of ethanol based hand gels has been a sign of relief for infection control specialists worldwide. The study we have undertaken is to identify the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of MRSA strains isolated from the Paso del Norte region. The MICs of these strains range from 5-10% and MBCs from 8-16% with one large clonal population (A2) demonstrating both high MIC and MBC levels. It was interesting to note that the largest clonal population of El Paso MRSA strains had relatively high MIC and MBC levels to ethanol. At the same time diversity of clonal variation in the MIC/MBCs are strongly indicative to a genetic determinant for resistance. We are presently isolating ethanol reduced susceptibility mutants from laboratory strains leading to mechanisms of resistance.
Marie Romero
"Genetic Characterization of Undifilum oxytropis isolates from Western U.S."
Major: Biochemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Creamer, EPPWS
RISE
Endophytic fungi play a vital role in the toxicity of locoweed, specifically within the genera Astragalus and Oxytropis. These plants cause livestock poisoning in the Western United States leading to economic losses. Undifilum oxytropis of an endophytic fungus of Astragalus and Oxytropis plants produces the toxic alkaloid swainsonine, which is a α-mannosidase inhibitor. Prior results have shown that fungal isolate characterization between plant species could be characterized using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)and specific PCR. In order to further characterize new fungal isolates from different locoweed species, we are currently optimizing the RAPD-PCR protocol. Different DNA extraction methods are being compared using fungal cultures isolated from both Astragalus and Oxytropis species. Successful amplification patterns will be analyzed for the ability to differentiate between fungi isolated from different locoweed plant species.
Robert S. Romero
"Using Clinoptilolite Zeolite to Conserve Water in Agriculture"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. A. Salim Bawazir, Civil Engineering
AMP
The use of zeolite as an alternative method to conserve water in agriculture was investigated in a pilot study at New Mexico State University in the Department of Civil Engineering. Zeolite of clinoptilolite type is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined near Winston, New Mexico. It is well suited for agricultural applications due to its properties of large amount of pore space, high resistance to extreme temperatures, moderate zeolite-water tension and chemically neutral basic structure. Zeolite of fine texture was mixed with sandy soil samples (20% zeolite: 80% sandy soil; 40% zeolite: 60% sandy soil) from an agriculture field in the Mesilla Valley, New Mexico and placed in an open container where controlled amount of water was added. The experimental setup was duplicated and moisture content monitored on daily basis to determine evaporation losses. Preliminary results showed reduction in evaporation losses from zeolite/soil mixture when compared to pure sandy soil.
Laura Salguero
"Quantitative Determination of Metal Distribution and Morphology in Bone"
Major: Physics
Faculty Advisor: Jacob Urquidi, Physics
MARC
Every element has a unique absorption edge for X-rays. At this energy all of the incident X-ray flux will be absorbed and no scattering event will take place. By taking two measurements, each closer to an absorption edge of a given element, one arrives at two scattering functions whose only difference is the amount of X-rays absorbed by the element being probed. By taking a first order difference of these two data sets a scattering function for the probed element results as everything else subtracts out. If looking at bone, this allows the determination of several properties of the metal (Calcium and Phosphorous) embedded within the bone matrix without the complicating factors of other components. It would allow for a direct measurement of the metal distribution, concentration, morphology, and crystal orientation within the bone sample. The use of energy variance to provide contrast is known as anomalous scattering. The interrelationship between the packing of collagen fibers and the morphology of the calcium hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH, nano-crystals can be investigated by combining standard small angle scattering measurements on the collagen with those taken using the anomalous scattering technique.
Jonathan See
"Substandard Housing in Doña Ana County's East Mesa"
Major: History/Philosophy
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nathan Brooks, History
In the past century the American Southwest has seen an influx of people pursuing the American Dream. This is especially true regarding Mexican immigrants seeking to take advantage of the many opportunities America provides. As a product of this boom, there has been a sharp increase in demand for low-income housing in the borderland. Unfortunately, this has become an opportunity to exploit lax subdivision laws, resulting in hundreds of illegal subdivisions known as "Colonias." These neighborhoods often lack basic infrastructure such as running water, electricity, and gas. This study aims to investigate the legal legacy of Colonias in New Mexico by examining legislative policies enacted in New Mexico and contrasting them with those policies pursued by Texas. Additionally, this study seeks to explore the issue of Colonias within Doña Ana County's East Mesa via oral histories conducted with those living in the area.
Jesus Sigala
"Screening onion cultivars for salt tolerance"
Major: Environmental Science
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Cramer, Dr. Shukla, Plant and Environmental Science
Undergraduate Research Initiation Grant
Soil salinization can result in lower onion yields especially in the arid Southwest where high temperature coupled with low rainfall can magnify salt buildup in the crop root zone. The objective of this project was to screen five different cultivars for tolerance to salinity at seed germination. The treatments consisted of five salinity concentrations (2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS/m) and tap water (0.5 dS/m) as the control. A sponge material was soaked then allowed to drain to the field capacity water content of the sponge. Twenty seeds were placed between two sponges, which were placed in plastic boxes and covered to reduce water evaporation loss. Germinated seeds were counted every other day for two weeks. Results showed that onions in general were tolerant to salinity stress at germination. One cultivar, NuMex Chaco, yielded a 58% germination at 20 dS/m. For all cultivars, germination was delayed with increased salinity.
Juan C. Solis
"Microenvironment in Grapevine Grow Tubes"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. A. Salim Bawazir, Civil Engineering
AMP
Grow tubes are commonly used to protect new vineyards or replacement vines in established vineyards. Grow tubes are commonly used to protect vines against desiccating winds, weather damage, herbicide drift and small mammals. It is assumed that these tubes could reduce evapotranspiration (ET) losses and increase the growth rate for vine allowing the vineyard to be in full production a year earlier than normal. Despite these practices, not much research has been conducted on the effect of microenvironment inside the tubes as the ambient climate changes from one season to another. In this study, microenvironment inside and outside the perforated and non-perforated tubes were monitored during the summer and winter months of New Mexico arid region. The objective was to determine the ranges of temperature and humidity within the tube and their effects on the young vines. High temperatures up to 110 °F were recorded inside the non-perforated tubes during summer months. Relative humidity inside the tubes was higher than the surrounding air showing the reduction in ET losses. No significant difference was observed between the inside tube temperature and ambient temperature during winter months.
Jacquelyn Stanton, Elizabeth Quintana
"Lactate Production during Fumarate Infusion in Hypoxic Rats"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marvin H. Bernstein, Biology
MARC
When animals experience hypoxia (low environmental oxygen), producing adequate ATP for energy becomes a challenge. Researchers have shown that Krebs-cycle intermediates such as fumarate can stimulate ATP production in the absence of oxygen by alternate metabolic pathways. Administration of fumarate was found to improve the survival of rabbits during hemorrhagic shock by stimulating energy production. We want to determine if these alternate pathways can function in hypoxic rats during fumarate stimulation. Prior to administration of hypoxia, blood will be drawn via the femoral artery from rats breathing room air to measure levels of lactate, glucose, O2, CO2, and pH. Hypoxia will then be induced at 8% oxygen and blood levels of the above parameters will again be measured. Fumarate will then be injected intravenously (at a final concentration of 0.125M) during hypoxia. We expect to see a rise in lactate levels during hypoxia, and a decrease after returning to normoxia, indicating an increase in glycolytic ATP production by hypoxic tissues. Though the results with fumarate have yet to be measured, we would expect to see lower levels of lactate production if fumarate stimulates the activity of the alternate metabolic pathways, observed in previous studies.
Gerardo Torres And Lance Aspaas
"Enhancement Training of Student Land Surveyors"
Major: Surveying Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kurt B. Wurm, Surveying Engineering
AMP
The principle of this project is to develop and understand the technical issues involved with the abstraction, manipulation, analysis and subdivision of townships in support of land information system activities.
There are currently two software packages; Windows Geographic Measurement Management (WinGMM) and Windows Cadastral Measurement Management (WinCMM) both have been developed through university research and are used by all government land management agencies. With the evolving government priorities and geospatial data analysis portion of the systems, has since expanded, extensive changes have been made in the field collection of survey data. Such changes include Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and the integration of these data to the relative conventional terrestrial/land measurements.
So it is the goal of New Mexico State University's Surveying Engineering Program under the direction of Dr. Kurt B. Wurm to pursue interest and continuation in the research and incorporate these changes and to facilitate modern survey practice.
Carla Trujillo, Elizabeth Ranker, Elizabeth Quintana
"The effects of clamping the carotid arteries on blood flow in the brain of pigeons"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marvin H. Bernstein, Biology
RISE, HHMI
Clamping the carotid arteries is a common technique used to stop blood flow to the brain to study the effects of lack of blood flow (ischemia). However, preliminary experiments suggest that blood flow is not completely blocked by clamping the carotids. Our aim is to test how much blood flow is stopped during carotid occlusion. The common carotid arteries in pigeons will be clamped for six minutes. Brain blood flow will be measured before, during, and after this treatment using a platinum electrode in the hypothalamus. One breath of 1% H?? in air will be administered to the pigeon. The changes in electric current caused by H?? in brain tissue will indicate changes in brain blood flow. At higher blood flow rates H?? will disappear from brain more rapidly. This rate will be proportional to blood flow. A decrease of blood flow in the brain while the carotids are clamped will indicate that blood flow to the brain has not fully stopped. These experiments are preliminary to further investigations to measure the effects of complete ischemia.
Miles Tucker
"Notes on the Quality of Pleasures"
Major: Philosophy
Faculty Advisor: Jean-Paul Vessel, Philosophy
Classical forms of hedonism imply that any event, life or consequence, is valuable to the extent that it contains a positive balance of pleasure over pain. Many find this theory unacceptable, pointing to how it may ignore the vulgarity of taking pleasure from some abominable activity. To combat such an objection, many theorists maintain a distinction between higher pleasures (i.e. works of art, sunsets on the ocean, etc.) and enjoyments of the lower strand (i.e. excessive drinking, bestial pleasures, etc.). They want to say that these higher pleasures have "quality" about them, in addition to quantity, making them considerably (and perhaps incomparably) more valuable than lower pleasures.
This seems to solve our aforementioned objection and quiet those who reject hedonism as simply too vulgar. But, despite our informal understanding of the quality pleasures might have, it is tricky to generate a clear definition of this concept. I argue that the classical "preference test" J.S. Mill proposed in response to this problem cannot provide acceptable judgments about pleasures. I attempt to show that G.E. Moore's approach to solving this problem is more plausible before suggesting that the aesthetic value of a pleasure may be interestingly linked to judgments about its quality.
Sarah Williamson
"Drainage Field Assessment Protocol"
Major: Civil Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Adrian Hanson, Civil Engineering
NMSU Office of the Vice President for Research, Undergraduate Research Initiative Grant (URIG) and New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation
The valve and float mechanism designed is indented for use in measuring long term hydraulic acceptance rates for residential septic system drain fields. The mechanism regulates water flow and maintains water level in the drain field trench. The preliminary design and testing has been performed in a University laboratory with intent to test the mechanism in a previously established drain field. Long term hydraulic acceptance rates will be measured for the old system, and compared to the new system. The current design went through various stages of development before evolving into a successful model. Three different valve and float systems were designed, yielding flow rates ranging from a quarter gallon per minute to almost three gallons per minute. The most effective valve and float system was the third and final design, using an electric float switch and an irrigation valve. The final design of the device was also the most cost effective design in terms of supplies and construction.
Melissa Wilson
"Neural Substrates of Episodic and Prospective Memory"
Major: Psychology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jim Kroger, Psychology
MARC
Episodic memory, or memory for events, places, and times, along with prospective memory, or memory for an action to be performed when a cue occurs, give us a way to remember what is crucial to our survival or remember what we need to remember in order to achieve our goals. We postulate that frontal cortex may play a common role in both episodic and prospective memory. Brain activity can be observed using an encephalograph (EEG) to record electrical fields produced by neural activity. The data obtained in this experiment was collected via a computer program designed to interact with the program that collects EEG data. The data was then filtered and epoched so the electrical fields might reveal particular patterns of frontal lobe activity during episodic and prospective memory. Analyses reveal neural activity specific to episodic and prospective memory and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between neural processes underlying these two memory phenomena.
Megan May Wong
"Moral Responsibility for Act Utilitarianism: A Response to the Objection from Impracticality"
Major: Philosophy
Faculty Advisor: Jean Paul Vessel, Philosophy
Honors Thesis
This paper presents a distinction between the moral rightness of act tokens and the moral responsibility of the agent of that act token. The soundness of the impracticality objection is assessed as a prime example of how moral rightness and responsibility are often confused. I argue that this objection fails to show that act utilitarianism is not an acceptable normative theory. Instead, I claim that act utilitarianism properly formulates and defends a statement of interesting necessary and sufficient conditions for the moral rightness of act tokens. By distinguishing the questions "What is the criterion for morally right act tokens?" and "how should we assign moral responsibility to the agents of act tokens?" it seems possible to disarm the objection from impracticality. Still, concerns that act utilitarianism is impractical do not disappear. Thus I find it necessary to establish some action-guiding principle to make pursuing moral rightness a proper goal of human beings. A good will principle for agent responsibility is added to complement act utilitarianism. The result is evaluated for soundness based on its practicality and ability to be action-guiding for moral agents.
Sarah N. Work
"A Solution to Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations Using Expedited Natural Desert Carbon Sequestration Processes"
Major: Environmental Science, emphasis in Chemistry
Faculty Advisor: Dr. H. Curtis Monger, Plant and Environmental Sciences
Honors Thesis
Accelerated global climate change caused by anthropogenic sources of CO2 (carbon dioxide) could have dire consequences for all life on earth. If we are capable of utilizing modern scientific understanding, we can lessen the effects of climate change. This project explores using natural desert sequestration processes to increase the rate of reaction and capture greater numbers of carbon molecules out of the air, driving the formation of CaCO3 (calcium carbonate). Desert, or geologic, sequestration methods are more permanent than other proposed methods, including planting trees. Several types of soluble calcium (CaCl2 and CaNO3) are tested over a five-week period in a laboratory setting for their rates of CaCO3 formation at three pH scenarios. Rates of CaCO3 formation will be determined analytically using a mass spectrometer and x-ray defractometer. Methods experimented with in this project produce results that are on a geologic scale, buying our civilization time before we see extreme consequences.
Lacie Yazzie and Kayle N. Brooks
"Constitutive overexpression of Maize SPS in Medicago sativa (alfalfa)"
Major: Biology and Psychology; Microbiolgy
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Champa Sengupta-Gopalan, Plant and envoronmental sciences
RISE
Sucrose-phosphate synthase (SPS) plays a key role in controlling the flux of carbon into sucrose biosynthesis. SPS converts UDP-Glucose and Fructose 6P to Sucrose 6P, which is subsequently hydrolyzed by Sucrose phosphate phosphatase (SPP) to release sucrose. Sucrose produced in photosynthetic tissues is the main carbohydrate transported into the heterotrophic tissues including the root nodule, where sucrose is metabolized initially by sucrose synthase (SuSy). We have recently shown the presence of high SPS activity in the nodules of alfalfa. In our initial studies, we identified two SPS gene members: SPSA, while constitutive, exhibits nodule-enhanced expression and SPSB, which shows leaf-specific expression. This is the first report of a nodule enhanced isoform of SPS. Since the nodule is the site of nitrogen fixation and assimilation, our objectives are to determine how the constitutive increase of SPS will affect the interactions between the C and N metabolic pathways and to establish the function of SPS in the root nodules and how nodule SPS is regulated. To address this, we have transformed alfalfa with the maize SPS gene driven by the CaMV35S promoter and data on the transformants will be presented.
Natasha Yazzie
"Optimization of Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) parameters for analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) from diesel engine exhaust"
Major: Biology
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Antonio Lara, Chemistry
RISE
With poor combustion, copious amount of toxic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are released worldwide into the atmosphere. This includes trucks, automobiles, industry, and the third world needs for heating. The smoke and soot contain the PAHs that are carcinogenic and affect our health adversely. The overall goal is soot and PAH abatement. Therefore, the immediate need is to identify and quantitate the PAHs. Smoke is convoluted; it contains unused fuel, fragmented fuels, and incomplete combustion products. Thus, finding miniscule amounts of PAHs in these convoluted samples is difficult, yet it is these minute amounts of PAHs that are extremely toxic. Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) will be used to identify and measure the PAHs. GC/MS provides accurate detection and identification of chemicals; this will enable us to analyze diesel exhaust samples that are the surrogates for incomplete combustion. We will use the feature of MS ion trap to isolate the molecules of interest and then optimize the GC/MS operation parameters. Optimization is in progress for small PAHs and will be extended to all 16 EPA PAHs and to PAH alkyl derivatives. We hypothesis that soil can trap these PAHs, and GC/MS analysis will help elucidate the PAH abatement.