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Virginia Junior Academy Of Science Awards, 2007

Virginia Journal of Science

Virginia Junior Academy of Science Awards Presented During the 66th Annual Meeting at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, May 23-25, 2007.

Developement Of Serum-Free Media In Cho-Dg44 Cells Using A Central Composite Statistical Design, Ananth Parampalli, Kent M. Eskridge, Leonard Smith, Michael M. Meagher, M. C. Mowry, Anuradha Subramanian

Anuradha Subramanian Publications

A serum free medium was developed for the production of recombinant antibody against Botulinum A (BoNTA) using dihydrofolate reductase deficient Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO-DG44) in suspension culture. An initial control basal medium was prepared, which was similar in composition to HAM’s F12: IMDM (1:1) supplemented with insulin, transeferrin, selenium and a lipid mixture. The vitamin concentration of the basal medium was twice that of HAM’s F12: IMDM (1:1). CHO-DG44 cells expressing S25 antibody grew from 2 x 10⁵ cells to maximum cell density of 1.04 x 10⁶ cells/ml after 5 days in this control medium. A central …

On-Chip Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection Using Integrated Liquid-Core Waveguides, Aaron R. Hawkins, Evan J. Lunt, Phillip Measor, Leo Seballos, Dongliang Yin, Jin Z. Zhang, Holger Schmidt

Faculty Publications

The authors demonstrate surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection on an optofluidic chip. Interconnected solid- and liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs) form a planar beam geometry that allows for high mode intensities along microfluidic channels containing molecules optimized for SERS. The excitation power and concentration dependence of SERS from rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules adsorbed to silver nanoparticles were systematically studied. The data can be described by a model that takes into account the microphotonic structure. Detection sensitivity to a minimum concentration of 30 nM is found, demonstrating the suitability of ARROW-based optofluidic chips for high sensitivity detection with molecular specificity

Factors Affecting The Spread Of A Bioterrorist Agent Through A Building, William Cantrell

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Bioterrorism has become a concern for Americans since the 2001 anthrax letters. Many studies have been done regarding the possibilities of biological attacks since, and most deal with possibilities of large scale attacks. However, there is reason to believe that small scale attacks are more likely. Even though studies have been done revolving around the postal system and the spread of bioagents through mail, few if any studies have looked at an attack on a single building. One particular method of attacking a building would be simply releasing an aerosoled contaminant in the building. This purpose of this project is …

In Vitro Cell Culture Infectivity Assay For Human Noroviruses, Timothy M. Straub, Kerstin Höner Zu Bentrup, Patricia Orosz Coghlan, Alice Dohnalkova, Brooke K. Mayer, Rachel A. Bartholomew, Catherine O. Valdez, Cynthia J. Bruckner-Lea, Charles P. Gerba, Morteza A. Abbaszadegan, Cheryl A. Nickerson

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Human noroviruses cause severe, self-limiting gastroenteritis that typically lasts 24–48 hours. Because of the lack of suitable tissue culture or animal models, the true nature of norovirus pathogenesis remains unknown. We show that noroviruses can infect and replicate in a 3-dimensional (3-D), organoid model of human small intestinal epithelium. Cells grown on porous collage-coated beads under fluid shear conditions in rotating wall vessel bioreactors differentiate into 3-D architectures resembling both the morphologic and physiologic function of in vivo tissues. Microscopy, PCR, and fluorescent in situ hybridization provided evidence of norovirus infection. Cytopathic effect and norovirus RNA were detected at each …

Rational Risk/Benefit Analysis Of Genetically Modified Crops, Stanley P. Kowalski

Law Faculty Scholarship

Safety concerns over the use of molecular biotechnology in the improvement of crops has generated substantial, heated and confusing debates, often driven by ideology and hysterics. Modification of crops is not new, and biotechnology (in its broadest sense) has been used for over a century to accelerate the development of new crops for food, feed and fibre, so as to meet the demands of a growing global community. The introduction of crops developed via molecular biotechnology [Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs)] represents the latest step in this inexorable innovative progression of technology. However, misinformed concern has led to a broad embrace …

Improved Formulation Of A Recombinant Ricin A-Chain Vaccine Iincreases Its Stability And Effective Antigenicity, John H. Carra, Robert W. Wannemacher, Ralph F. Tammariello, Changhong Y. Lindsey, Richard E. Dinterman, Rowena D. Schokman, Leonard A. Smith

United States Army: Publications

Ricin is a potent toxin associated with bioterrorism for which no vaccine or specific countermeasures are currently available. A stable, non-toxic and immunogenic recombinant ricin A-chain vaccine (RTA 1-33/44-198) has been developed by protein engineering. We identified optimal formulation conditions for this vaccine under which it remained stable and potent in storage for up to 18 months, and resisted multiple rounds of freeze–thawing without stabilizing co-solvents. Reformulation from phosphate buffer to succinate buffer increased adherence of the protein to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant from 15 to 91%, with a concomitant increase of nearly threefold in effective antigenicity in a mouse model. …

A Refined Pharmacophore Identifies Potent 4-Amino-7-Chloroquinoline-Based Inhibitors Of The Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype A Metalloprotease, James C. Burnett, Dejan Opsenica, Kamaraj Sriraghavan, Rekha G. Panchal, Gordon Ruthel, Ann R. Hermone, Tam L. Nguyen, Tara A. Kenny, Douglas J. Lane, Connor F. Mcgrath, James J. Schmidt, Jonathan L. Vennerstrom, Rick Gussio, Bogdan A. Solaja, Sina Bavari

United States Army: Publications

We previously identified structurally diverse small molecule (non-peptidic) inhibitors (SMNPIs) of the botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) light chain (LC). Of these, several (including antimalarial drugs) contained a 4-amino-7-chloroquinoline (ACQ) substructure and a separate positive ionizable amine component. The same antimalarials have also been found to interfere with BoNT/A translocation into neurons, via pH elevation of the toxin-mediated endosome. Thus, this structural class of small molecules may serve as dual-function BoNT/A inhibitors. In this study, we used a refined pharmacophore for BoNT/A LC inhibition to identify four new, potent inhibitors of this structural class (IC50’s ranged from 3.2 to 17 …

Impact Of Phlebotomine Sand Flies On U.S. Military Operations At Tallil Air Base, Iraq: 3. Evaluation Of Surveillance Devices For The Collection Of Adult Sand Flies, Douglas A. Burkett, Ronald Knight, James A. Dennett, Van Sherwood, Edgar Rowton, Russell E. Coleman

United States Air Force: Publications

We evaluated the effectiveness of commercially available light traps and sticky traps baited with chemical light sticks for the collection of phlebotomine sand flies. Evaluations were conducted at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, in 2003. In an initial study, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-style trap with UV bulb collected significantly more sand flies than did an up-draft CDC trap, a standard down-draft CDC trap (STD-CDC), or a sticky strap with a green chemical light stick. In a subsequent study, we found that the addition of chemical light sticks to sticky traps resulted in a significant increase in the …

Cell Bank Characterization And Fermentation Optimization For Production Of Recombinant Heavy Chain C-Terminal Fragment Of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E (Rbonte(HC): Antigen E) By Pichia Pastoris, Jayanta Sinha, Mehmet Inan, Sarah Fanders, Shinichi Taoka, Mark Gouthro, Todd Swanson, Rick Barent, Ardis Barthuli, Bonnie M. Loveless, Leonard A. Smith, Theresa Smith, Ian Henderson, John Ross, Michael M. Meagher

Papers in Biochemical Engineering

A process was developed for production of a candidate vaccine antigen, recombinant C-terminal heavy chain fragment of the botulinum neurotoxin serotype E, rBoNTE(H_c)in Pichia pastoris. P. pastoris strain GS115 was transformed with the rBoNTE(H_c) gene inserted into pHILD4 Escherichia coli—P. pastoris shuttle plasmid. The clone was characterized for genetic stability, copy number, and BoNTE(H_c) sequence. Expression of rBoNTE(H_c) from the Mut⁺ HIS4 clone was confirmed in the shake-flask, prior to developing a fed-batch fermentation process at 5 and 19 L scale. The fermentation process consists of a glycerol growth phase in …

Biostability In Drinking Water Distribution Systems In A Changing Water Quality Environment Using Corrosion Inhibitors, Bingjie Zhao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this study, the bacterial growth dynamics of 14 pilot drinking water distribution systems were studied in order to observe water quality changes due to corrosion inhibitor addition. Empirical models were developed to quantity the effect of inhibitor type and dose on bacterial growth (biofilm and bulk water). Water and pipe coupon samples were taken and examined during the experiments. The coupons were exposed to drinking water at approximately 20°C for at least 5 weeks to allow the formation of a measurable quasi- steady-state biofilm. Bulk water samples were taken every week. In this study, two simple but practical empirical …

Genetically Attenuated Plasmodium Berghei Liver Stages Induce Sterile Protracted Protection That Is Mediated By Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I–Dependent Interferon-Y–Producing Cd8+ T Cells, Ousman Jobe, Joanne Lumsden, Ann-Kristin Mueller, Jackie Williams, Hilda Silva-Rivera, Stefan H. I. Kappe, Robert J. Schwenk, Kai Matuschewski, Urszula Krzych

United States Army: Publications

At present, radiation-attenuated plasmodia sporozoites (y-spz) is the only vaccine that induces sterile and lasting protection in malaria-naive humans and laboratory rodents. However, g-spz are not without risks. For example, the heterogeneity of the y-spz could explain occasional breakthrough infections. To avoid this possibility, we constructed a double-knockout P. berghei parasite by removing 2 genes, UIS3 and UIS4, that are up-regulated in infective spz.We evaluated the double-knockout Pbuis3(-)/4(-) parasites for protective efficacy and the contribution of CD8+ T cells to protection. Pbuis3(-)/4(-) spz induced sterile and protracted protection in C57BL/6 mice. Protection was linked to CD8+ …

Anaerobic Digestion: Decision Support Software, Marco Poliafico

Theses

Ireland has significant quantities of livestock; meat exportation is a vibrant sector of the economy. Environmental management of animal wastes has therefore become an important concern. On the other hand in the last decade, national and EU policy debate has highlighted the need to investigate alternative energy: in particular energy for transport.

This study investigates the quantities of animal wastes produced in Ireland and their potential treatment using Anaerobic Digestion technologies. In 2005 Ireland had over 8 millions animals (cattle and pigs) and the annual slaughter accounted for over 4.2 million of these creatures. These animals have been responsible for …

Protection With Recombinant Clostridium Botulinum C1 And D Binding Domain Subunit (Hc) Vaccines Against C And D Neurotoxins, Robert P. Webb, Theresa J. Smith, Patrick M. Wright, Vicki A. Montgomery, Michael M. Meagher, Leonard A. Smith

Michael Meagher Publications

Recombinant botulinum Hc (rBoNT Hc) vaccines for serotypes C1 and D were produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris and used to determine protection against four distinct BoNT C and D toxin subtypes. Mice were vaccinated with rBoNT/C1 Hc, rBoNT/D Hc, or with a combination of both vaccines and challenged with BoNT C1, D, C/D, or D/C toxin. Mice receiving monovalent vaccinations were partially or completely protected against homologous toxin and not protected against heterologous toxin. Bivalent vaccine candidates completely survived challenges from all toxins except D/C toxin. These results indicate the recombinant C1 and D Hc vaccines are not only …

Women In Science And Engineering: Politics Of Gender, Ibironke Lawal

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Women are fewer than men in science and engineering, therefore, the assumption is that women generally prefer arts and humanities. But to some analysts, the reason for the low percentage of women in these careers may be due to innate mental and psychological differences between them and men. Others contend that women have the capacity to excel in any profession and that their fewness in science and engineering can be attributed to other factors. They urge educational institutions and employers to develop programs and specific policies that would allow women to strike a better balance between the demands of work …

Impact Of Wastewater Reuse In Burlington County On Surface Water Quality And Adjacent Wetlands, Crystal L. Mattson

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to assess potential ecological impacts from application of treated wastewater effluent. Indian Springs Golf Course is currently irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. Grab water samples were collected from three (3) ponds located on the golf course over the course of a year and were analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen, total phosphorus, organics, and bacteria. A second golf course, Medford Lakes Country Club is currently irrigated with groundwater. Grab water samples were collected from both locations and analyzed for nutrients and bacteria for comparison purposes.

Results of sample analyses indicate that detriment to the quality of surface water at the …

Optimization Models For Leishmaniasis Control: A Case For Bihar, India, Kaushik Gorahava

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Leishmaniasis, is a family of infectious diseases, which mostly affects poor and developing countries. The highest prevalence and mortality rate of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) the world over occurs in Bihar state of India. Many disease control methods are available; however, procedures aimed at reducing sandfly population by spraying insecticide have been the most effective for controlling VL in Bihar. In this dissertation, optimization models for the control of Leishmaniasis are developed and analyzed. Novel optimization models are built and analyzed to identify the optimal amount of insecticide allocated for controlling the spread of VL in Bihar. Since the vector (disease …

Flight Physician - July, 2006, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A twenty page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

An Adaptive Algorithm To Identify Ambiguous Prostate Capsule Boundary Lines For Three-Dimensional Reconstruction And Quantitation, Rania Yousry Hussein

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Currently there are few parameters that are used to compare the efficiency of different methods of cancerous prostate surgical removal. An accurate assessment of the percentage and depth of extra-capsular soft tissue removed with the prostate by the various surgical techniques can help surgeons determine the appropriateness of surgical approaches. Additionally, an objective assessment can allow a particular surgeon to compare individual performance against a standard. In order to facilitate 3D reconstruction and objective analysis and thus provide more accurate quantitation results when analyzing specimens, it is essential to automatically identify the capsule line that separates the prostate gland tissue …

Warning System For Natural Threats, Herbert Einstein, R. Sousa

Geohazards

Warning systems are an essential component of risk management for natural threats. They trigger active and/or passive countermeasures. This paper introduces the need for and use of warning systems through the review of recent major natural disasters (the Sumatra Tsunami, the 2005 Alpine Flood, the 2005 Hurricanes, Katrina and Rita) but also the potential flu pandemic. Positive and negative lessons are drawn from these cases. This is followed by a review of two specific warning systems which together with the preceding cases leads to a list of requirements for warning systems.

These reviews also show that it is desirable to …

Tsunami Relief Work - Biopesticide Spray Operations - A Case Study, Kadarkarai Murugan

Geohazards

Tsunami occurred on 26th December, 2004 and in India more than 8000 people were killed due to the massive attack. The worst affected districts in Tamil Nadu were Viz., Velankanni, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, India. Official sources said that due to massive death of animals and human beings, the public health has been affected/spoiled and it will cause further outbreak of infectious diseases like diarrhea, cholera and mosquito transmitting diseases. After a week there were incidents of outbreak of mosquito transmitting diseases such as malaria, and dengue. Tsunami had caused a mixing of animal debris in the breeding ground …

Flight Physician - April, 2006, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

An Epidemiological Approach To Terrorism, Kjirstin A. Bentson

Theses and Dissertations

There are many types of models for counterterrorism, explaining different problems that the military faces in the fight against terrorism. This thesis proposes that one of the fundamental assumptions underlying existing models of counterterrorism is that the struggle with terrorists can be understood as a war in the traditional sense of the term. We propose to rethink the struggle against terrorism as a fight against an infection. The epidemic of terrorist ideology within part of the world is a result, from this perspective, of the infectiousness of that ideology. Using the insights of the field of the epidemiology of ideas, …

Flight Physician - January, 2006, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A twenty page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Human Transcriptome Corresponding To Human Oocytes And Use Of Said Genes Or The Corresponding Polypeptides To Trans-Differentiate Somatic Cells, Jose Bernardo Cibelli, Arif Murat Kocabas, Bing Lim, Hasan H. Otu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Faculty Publications

The identification of 101 genes upregulated or differentially expressed by mature human oocytes is provided herein. These genes and the corresponding gene products will facilitate a greater understanding of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, and embryonic development. In addition these genes and the corresponding gene products can be used to effect dedifferentiation and/or transdifferentiation of desired somatic cells. The resultant dedifferentiated cells and somatic cells derived therefrom can be used in cell therapies such as in the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity, and other diseases wherein specific types of cells such as hematopoietic cells may be depleted because of the underlying disease or …

Computational Sciences: At The Intersection Of Science And Engineering--Case Study For Academic And Research Programs, Menas Kafatos, Peter Becker, Zafer Boybeyi̇

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

No abstract provided.

Optimal Impulse Control Of Systems With Control Constraints And Application To Hiv Treatment, Vivek Yadav, S. N. Balakrishnan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, conditions for optimal impulse control of an impulsive system with constraints on control are derived. These hold for a system whose states can be changed instantaneously at discrete times with impulses while a continuous control is being applied between those times. The conditions derived are applied to the problem of optimal HIV treatment. Simulation results are presented to show the treatment procedure. The results obtained show that the intervention method developed leads to good results.

Algorithms For Haplotype Inference And Block Partitioning, Satya Ravi Vijaya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The completion of the human genome project in 2003 paved the way for studies to better understand and catalog variation in the human genome. The International HapMap Project was started in 2002 with the aim of identifying genetic variation in the human genome and studying the distribution of genetic variation across populations of individuals. The information collected by the HapMap project will enable researchers in associating genetic variations with phenotypic variations. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are loci in the genome where two individuals differ in a single base. It is estimated that there are approximately ten million SNPs in the …

Computational Sciences: At The Intersection Of Science And Engineering - Case Study For Academic And Research Programs, Menas Kafatos, P. A. Becker, Z. Boybeyi

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

No abstract provided.

Use Of Polyhydroxyalkanoates For Denitrification In Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, Maria Teresa Gutierrez-Wing

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Increasing demand of aquacultural products is driving the industry toward more intensive culture practices. Aquacultural operations are constrained by limitations on the availability high quality waters and regulatory pressures on the discharges. Recirculating systems can address these issues by reducing the amount of water required in the operation. Closed systems are especially suited where biosecurity is important. In closed systems, nitrate accumulates, limiting the time the water can be reused. In marine inland systems, water reuse reduces the cost of salt for make up water. To increase the water reuse time, some form of nitrate removal process must be incorporated …