Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Brigham Young University

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 4681 - 4710 of 10256

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Summary On Fishy Swoi, Sam R. Kennedy, Brent Adams, Richard Hull Jan 2014

Summary On Fishy Swoi, Sam R. Kennedy, Brent Adams, Richard Hull

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Fishy Swoi is a story about a gold fish that is trying out for the part in Jaws. It began as an idea that three students had in one of my animation classes. We created a two and a half minute script and began to animate it in the computer labs of the Brimhall. Although we had were in classes that required much work outside of class and that we were primarily illustrators and not animators, I and my two friends courageously put in extra hours. That was winter semester of 1997. Below is my best analysis of what has …

Go to article

Preventing Salmonella And Other Bacterial Contamination In Poultry Using A High-Adhering Strain Of Escherichia Coli, Jeffrey P. North, Dr. Ron Leavitt Jan 2014

Preventing Salmonella And Other Bacterial Contamination In Poultry Using A High-Adhering Strain Of Escherichia Coli, Jeffrey P. North, Dr. Ron Leavitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 1928 Alexander Fleming revolutionized the world with the discovery of penicillin. Penicillin and the antibiotics discovered thereafter revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. Equipped with these miracle drugs, scientists thought the battle against pathogenic bacteria was won. However, bacteria began to evolve to meet the antibiotic challenge. As the 20th century progressed, more and more bacteria developed resistance to one or more antibiotics. This resistance is achieved through mutation or through horizontal gene transfer, when one bacterium transfers the gene to another bacterium.

Go to article

Analysis Of Unique Genome Segments Of Burkholderia Mallei Obtained From Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Benjamin Nelson Kartchner, Dr. Richard A. Robison Jan 2014

Analysis Of Unique Genome Segments Of Burkholderia Mallei Obtained From Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism, Benjamin Nelson Kartchner, Dr. Richard A. Robison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Burkholderia mallei the etiological agent of the disease glanders, has the capability to cause disease in both animals and humans. Infection is usually caused through inhalation of organisms present in aerosols which results in serious pulmonary and systemic conditions that results in 40% mortality even with vigorous antimicrobial intervention and rises above 90% without such therapy(2). In addition, because of their dangerous nature both organisms have emerged as possible agents which may be used in the production of biological weapons. Recent research conducted in Dr. Richard Robison’s lab has analyzed genomic relatedness in various strains of B. mallei and the …

Go to article

The Effect Of Selenium And Thyroid Hormones On Body Composition In Male Rats, Merrill J. Christensen, Dr. Brian Johnson Jan 2014

The Effect Of Selenium And Thyroid Hormones On Body Composition In Male Rats, Merrill J. Christensen, Dr. Brian Johnson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Introduction Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral needed by the body in extremely small amounts. The main sources of Se in the diet are vegetables and meats. Selenium is incorporated in the enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx). GPx is an antioxidant that scavenges hydrogen peroxide and other organic peroxides to protect the body from oxidative damage.

Go to article

Histology: A Student’S Comprehensive Lab Manual And Corresponding Cd, Jon Christopher Kerr, Dr. Richard A. Heckmann Jan 2014

Histology: A Student’S Comprehensive Lab Manual And Corresponding Cd, Jon Christopher Kerr, Dr. Richard A. Heckmann

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to provide a comprehensive and accurate text for the study of histology–the microscopic study of cells and tissues. In order to facilitate this study, appropriate text corresponding to over 400 histological images was prepared. This manual explains the images, defines and describes the histological and physiological significance of the tissues, and provides an avenue to better understanding of the functions and mechanisms of the human body. Accompanying this manual is a computer-generated program incorporating histological slides, explanatory notes, mock quizzes, tests and a review section. To further augment the learning process, mock quizzes (in …

Go to article

Identification Of The Activator Proteins For The Dna-Protein Interaction Of A Primary Cartilage Enhancer, L. Daniel Holsinger, Dr. Laura Bridgewater Jan 2014

Identification Of The Activator Proteins For The Dna-Protein Interaction Of A Primary Cartilage Enhancer, L. Daniel Holsinger, Dr. Laura Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Abstract: The Human col11 2 gene is responsible for the production of type XI collagen, one of the three components of the collagen triple helix. Disruption of this gene results in varied problems including dwarfism, osteoarthritis and possibly cleft palate. In order to understand more about this gene, a series of experiments were carried out to identify proteins involved in its expression in cartilage-producing Chondrocytes. More specifically, based on what was learned in previous research, efforts were made to isolate the DNA sequences that encode those proteins acting as activators of three known enhancer elements in Chondrocyte cells. Using …

Go to article

Premature Onset Of Osteoarthritis Due To A Col11a1 Gene Mutation, Victoria Ryder, Dr. Robert Seegmiller Jan 2014

Premature Onset Of Osteoarthritis Due To A Col11a1 Gene Mutation, Victoria Ryder, Dr. Robert Seegmiller

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cartilage collagen mutations can alter the load-bearing properties of articular cartilage (AC), possibly leading to premature osteoarthritis. AC consists mainly of types II, VI, IX, X, and XI collagen.1 Collagen fibrils in AC are heteropolymers of types II, IX, and XI collagen2. Type II is the major constituent, making up 95% of the fibril, while types IX and XI are minor components. Collagen fibrillar meshwork is essential as it gives AC its structural and tensile strength. Type XI collagen plays a role in dictating fibril diameter, thus playing a role in the AC’s strength. Mutations in the Col11a1 gene can …

Go to article

Identifying Protein-Binding Sites In The Enhancer Region Of The Col11a2 Gene, Trevor Ellison, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater Jan 2014

Identifying Protein-Binding Sites In The Enhancer Region Of The Col11a2 Gene, Trevor Ellison, Dr. Laura C. Bridgewater

Journal of Undergraduate Research

An enhancer is a DNA sequence that regulates a gene’s expression. It is the binding of proteins to a gene’s enhancer region (at its protein-binding sites) that regulates that gene’s expression in the cell. The Col11a2 gene is activated almost solely in chondrocytes (cartilage cells) (Lui et al., 1995) through this same type of protein binding. The Col11a2 gene is responsible, in part, for the formation of type XI collagen. Mutations in this gene have been shown to cause abnormalities ranging from skeletal deformities to hearing loss.

Go to article

Long-Term Effects Of Hospitalization In Children, Katie Johnson, Dr. Barbara Mandleco Jan 2014

Long-Term Effects Of Hospitalization In Children, Katie Johnson, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In an effort to improve nursing practice with children, this study looked at the long-term effects and memories of childhood hospitalization on adults. In young children, common behavioral changes observed include; initial aloofness toward parents followed by dependency behaviors, nightmares or new fears, resistance to going to bed and waking up during the night, withdrawal, shyness, etc. (Wong & Perry, 1998). These behaviors though temporarily displayed, may have long-term consequences. For example, the hospitalization may ultimately lead to the individual experiencing difficulty with strange environments, forming attachments with peers, and maintaining relationships. On the other hand, this stressful environment can …

Go to article

Analysis Of Microvesicles To Determine Susceptibility To The Enzyme Phospholipase A2, Brent Brimhall, Joseph Callister Jan 2014

Analysis Of Microvesicles To Determine Susceptibility To The Enzyme Phospholipase A2, Brent Brimhall, Joseph Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Microvesicles are small membrane-bound spheres released from certain cells undergoing the decay process. Little is known today about their properties and function at the cellular level. It is hypothesized that microvesicles play a role in cancer metastasis through the action of metalloproteinases enclosed within these spheres. Metalloproteinases are enzymes that act to break up the extracellular matrix of cells. This matrix serves as a type of glue that holds groups of cells together. Without this extracellular matrix in place cells are allowed to break free and migrate to other places of the body. In the case of cancerous cells this …

Go to article

Population Genetic Analysis Of Astacopsis Gouldi., Aaron Madsen, Dr. Keith Crandall Jan 2014

Population Genetic Analysis Of Astacopsis Gouldi., Aaron Madsen, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Astacopsis gouldi has been known to weigh up to 6 kg, and live for as long as 60 years (Horwitz and Hamr, 1988). However, fishing pressure, as well as habitat destruction and pollution have had detrimental effects on A. gouldi populations. The populations of the species in accessible rivers have declined, as have the number of males reaching sexual maturity. These factors led to the placement of A. gouldi on the endangered species list in 1996 (IUCN, 1996). Conservationists are considering the relocation of crayfish from populations in more remote rivers and streams where the decline in numbers has been …

Go to article

Treesaap: A Phylogenetic Approach To Identifying Selective Influences On Amino Acid Properties, Steven Woolley, Dr. David Mcclellan Jan 2014

Treesaap: A Phylogenetic Approach To Identifying Selective Influences On Amino Acid Properties, Steven Woolley, Dr. David Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The program TreeSAAP measures the selective influences on several structural and biochemical amino acid properties during phylogenesis (the history of genealogical development) and performs goodness-of-fit and categorical statistical tests.

Go to article

Effects Of Protein Ratio And Concentration On Nitrogenase Catalyzed Substrate Reduction, Kyrsten Ann Crawford, Dr. Gerald D. Watt Jan 2014

Effects Of Protein Ratio And Concentration On Nitrogenase Catalyzed Substrate Reduction, Kyrsten Ann Crawford, Dr. Gerald D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Although the earth’s atmosphere is approximately 80% nitrogen (N2) gas, this form of nitrogen is inert and must be reduced and “fixed” into a useable form of nitrogen through the process of nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen fixation is an important biological process in the earth’s nitrogen cycle because it provides nutrient nitrogen for plants and animals. The enzyme responsible for conducting nitrogen fixation is nitrogenase, which is found only in certain diazotrophic microorganisms. Nitrogenase is also capable of reducing protons (H+) and small substrates that have a terminal triple bond, such as acetylene (C2H2 …

Go to article

Establishing A Mammalian Expression System For Cyclooxygenase-2, Nathan K. Evanson, Dr. Daniel L. Simmons Jan 2014

Establishing A Mammalian Expression System For Cyclooxygenase-2, Nathan K. Evanson, Dr. Daniel L. Simmons

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cyclooxygenases are proteins that make small molecules called prostaglandins, which relay signals from one cell to another, or from one cell to itself. Prostaglandins are involved in many different physiological processes such as inflammation, contraction of smooth muscle, and regulation of water balance in the kidney. Because prostaglandins are involved in so many different things, they are an important topic of research, and therefore, cyclooxygenases are a topic of intense research.

Go to article

Limitations On Development In Ethiopia, Charis Van Dusen Thatcher, Lynn Curtis Jan 2014

Limitations On Development In Ethiopia, Charis Van Dusen Thatcher, Lynn Curtis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Addis Ababa the 110 years old capital of Ethiopia with a population of 2.3 million emerged from local grass thatched roofed shanties to a densely populated city without planning. Congested living area with serious housing problem with poor housing conditions, poor health and sanitation facilities, shared latrines and kitchens, lack of proper drainage systems added to economic and social problems make life very difficult. It brings the urban poverty level to over 45 percent, positioning Ethiopia as the poorest or second poorest, least developed country in the world.

Go to article

In Search Of Relics: The Pectol-Lee Collection Of Artifacts From Capitol Reef, Michelle R. Munsey, Dr. Marti Allen Jan 2014

In Search Of Relics: The Pectol-Lee Collection Of Artifacts From Capitol Reef, Michelle R. Munsey, Dr. Marti Allen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

To curate an exhibit of leather goods, pottery and processed raw materials from ancient Puebloan cultures at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures (MPC). This exhibit was one discrete component of a larger umbrella project that included publishing a catalogue of the entire exhibit.

Go to article

Dialect And Characterization In Mountain Meadows, Adrienne Landes, Dr. David Bowie Jan 2014

Dialect And Characterization In Mountain Meadows, Adrienne Landes, Dr. David Bowie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Great writers are often praised for their fine ear for dialogue; Mark Twain, Jane Austen, and Thomas Hardy all had the talent for recreating discourse that gives their work authenticity and their characters individuality. While I will not be writing about my contemporary neighbors and countrymen, as did these authors, I have studied the language of my characters in an effort both to enrich the body of existing linguistic research, and also as background research for a play about the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The best dialogue makes use of the eccentricities unique to a society, thus I have recorded the …

Go to article

Conceptualization And Measurement Of Triarchic Abilities For Success In College-Rainbow Project, Michael E. Drebot, Dr. Paul Robinson, Dr. Robert J. Sternberg Jan 2014

Conceptualization And Measurement Of Triarchic Abilities For Success In College-Rainbow Project, Michael E. Drebot, Dr. Paul Robinson, Dr. Robert J. Sternberg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goal of this ongoing research project is to develop and implement a battery of tests that would supplement the current SAT I and II tests, and improve the prediction of academic performance and success of college-bound students during the crucial freshman year of college. The intent is to develop measures that would add incremental validity to the SAT’s, lending to prediction of academic achievement beyond that obtained by (a) the SAT’s and (b) high school grades. By adding new assessments to the SAT, we hope to address concerns about “at risk” students, those who presumably “under achieve,” and others …

Go to article

Inspire Or Damage: A Documentary Film About Travis Eberhard, Brad Barber, Thomas Lefler Jan 2014

Inspire Or Damage: A Documentary Film About Travis Eberhard, Brad Barber, Thomas Lefler

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In making this documentary film, my original intent was to document Travis Eberhard’s personality, humor, and goals as a recently BYU-graduated film student. Specifically, I wanted to achieve this by not asking him any questions about what it was like to live with a wheelchair. This was not to be what I consider “a typical film” highlighting how Travis overcomes the obstacles life has dealt him, or how he deals with being treated differently. However, I believe the project was unique in that I still wanted to achieve some of the same goals such a film might seek after. By …

Go to article

Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions Of Nuclear Ribosomal Dna As A Tool For Phylogenetic Reconstruction, Melissa E. Hardy, Dr. Keith Crandall Jan 2014

Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions Of Nuclear Ribosomal Dna As A Tool For Phylogenetic Reconstruction, Melissa E. Hardy, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Phylogenetic trees are an estimate of genealogical relationships among groups of organisms. They are reconstructed by analyzing homologous nucleic acid sequences from different organisms and deriving an evolutionary relationship from the similarity in sequences.

Go to article

Genetic Analysis Of The Mountain Whitefish, Prosopium Williamsoni, Daniel C. Hambleton, Dr. Dennis K. Shiozawa, R. Paul Evans Jan 2014

Genetic Analysis Of The Mountain Whitefish, Prosopium Williamsoni, Daniel C. Hambleton, Dr. Dennis K. Shiozawa, R. Paul Evans

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Although currently part of the Bonneville Basin system, Bear Lake was once connected to the Snake River system of southeastern Idaho 40,000 years ago. Subsequent geological activity disrupted the exchange of fish populations between the Snake River and Bear Lake.

Go to article

Producing A Transgenic Mouse, Michael Hatch, Dr. David Kooyman Jan 2014

Producing A Transgenic Mouse, Michael Hatch, Dr. David Kooyman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

One of the greatest challenges in the world today is providing adequate nutrition for all, particularly in third world nations. One potential way to improve worldwide nutrition is to use transgenic animals to create a better livestock base. Transgenic animals can potentially be bigger, stronger, and better producers of meat and milk than their non-transgenic counterparts. The purpose of this research project was to produce transgenic mice, serving as a model for what could potentially occur with larger mammals with more agricultural value, such as cows or pigs.

Go to article

The Weeping Wuntzel Tree, Jeffrey A. Goodsell, Brian Christensen Jan 2014

The Weeping Wuntzel Tree, Jeffrey A. Goodsell, Brian Christensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

For this show, my work started out being a look at life, and the places we struggle to attain to, but I quickly found out that my work is more about beauty than anything. I feel that the project was very successful indeed because not only was I able to create a large body of 32 pieces for the show, but I learned some things about my work and myself that I didn’t realize before. I realized that my work, rather than being successfully narrative at this point, lends itself to more formal aspects. While I was trying to build …

Go to article

Computer-Animated Agent In The Virtual Room As A Learning And Teaching Tool, Fabian Fulda, Dr. Randall Lund Jan 2014

Computer-Animated Agent In The Virtual Room As A Learning And Teaching Tool, Fabian Fulda, Dr. Randall Lund

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many people have difficulty learning foreign languages, especially when it comes to pronouncing words and phrases exactly.1 A 3-dimesional animated agent, in this case a computer animation which models the motions of important instruments of speech, can be an effective tool for teaching and learning how to pronounce desired words and phrases exactly.

Go to article

Maya Embedded Language For Artists: An Introduction, James M. Hales, Dr. R. Brent Adams Jan 2014

Maya Embedded Language For Artists: An Introduction, James M. Hales, Dr. R. Brent Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Maya Embedded Language (MEL) is a powerful programming tool for Maya, the leading 3D modeling and animation software produced by AliasWavefront. It has been used by the top motion picture companies in the makings of major blockbuster films such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Toy Story I and II, and Monsters Inc. MEL is further fundamental in other areas such as architecture, commercials, computer gaming, and broadcast media. This programming language provides an open architecture format for Maya. This means artists, programmers, and directors are not limited by the existing functions of a software program and can instead create …

Go to article

Determination Of The Number Of Redox Sites In Mammalian Ferritin, Jason Kenealey, Dr. Gerald Watt Jan 2014

Determination Of The Number Of Redox Sites In Mammalian Ferritin, Jason Kenealey, Dr. Gerald Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ferritin is a protein that facilitates iron metabolism in the body. Virtually all living organisms are dependent on ferritin for iron storage. It has been found in everything including animals, plants and bacteria. Ferritin is formed from 24 subunits, which are arranged to form a sphere with a hollow center. In mammals these subunits consist of two isomers: heavy and light, which are named so due to the difference in their molecular weight. In the center the iron is stored as ferric hydroxide. The mechanism of the iron deposition into the core is not well understood. A part of this …

Go to article

Development Of An Antibody To Utx Protein, Joanna L. Cheatham, Dr. Randy L. Bennett Jan 2014

Development Of An Antibody To Utx Protein, Joanna L. Cheatham, Dr. Randy L. Bennett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Tribolium castaneum, red flour beetle, is an organism whose development is being studied and compared to that of Drosophila melanogaster. The particular goal of this study was to develop an antibody to Tribolium’s UTX protein, so it’s expression may be monitored during embryonic and larval development.

Go to article

Task-Centered Conversation Systems For Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Aric Bills, Dr. Deryle Lonsdale Jan 2014

Task-Centered Conversation Systems For Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Aric Bills, Dr. Deryle Lonsdale

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many language educators have envisioned computer systems capable of providing language learners with intelligent spoken interaction in the target language. Although we can’t expect to see a fully conversant computer for years to come, there are several resources available which can be used to make scaled-down, domain-restricted, speech-driven conversational computer systems from which language learners can benefit. Many of these resources are free for academic use and can be used on a personal computer. My project explores new ways to combine these resources to create useful task-centered conversational systems.

Go to article

Evolutionary Relationships Of Genera In The Lizard Family Iguanidae, Bruce W. Christensen, Dr. Jack W. Sites Jan 2014

Evolutionary Relationships Of Genera In The Lizard Family Iguanidae, Bruce W. Christensen, Dr. Jack W. Sites

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The family Iguanidae contains eight living genera of large, herbivorous lizards that by virtue of their size occupy important ecological niches wherever they are found. They are important elements of the food web, both as seed dispersers and prey for other animals, including humans (1). Of ecological and evolutionary significance, the family also contains several island endemics, including iguanas in the Carribean and on the Tongan, Fijian, and Galapagos archipelagoes.

Go to article

International Harp Archives Website, Kimberly Isom, David A. Day Jan 2014

International Harp Archives Website, Kimberly Isom, David A. Day

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The International Harp Archives at Brigham Young University has attracted the attention of many harpists from around the world. Recently it has received acknowledgement at conferences held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Geneva, Switzerland. The Archives have also been introduced to the American Harp Society in their last semiannual journal. The International Harp Archives has one of the largest collections of harp materials. It has photographs, manuscripts, recordings, harp scores, and many more valuable items. One concern the Archives has is how to make it more accessible to harpists throughout the world. This year I have worked on a website …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last