Digital Commons Network^™

Evolutionary Genetics Of Balanomorpha Barnacles, Margaret E. Wright, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Barnacles are one of the most commonly encountered marine organisms. They live along the intertidal shores and can easily be seen attached to rocks or pilings. Barnacles have a rich history of study. Many scientists have been interested in these curious organisms. One such scientist was the great naturalist Charles Darwin. The research he begun on barnacles has been continued for over two centuries, yet, after all that time we still know very little about their phylogenic relationships (family tree). The origins and diversity of this unique invertebrate are not understood as well as they should be, given so many …

Tnf: Structure And Function, Raymond W. Grams Ii, Dr. David A. Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

TNF-á is a cytokine released from activated macrophages and mast cells. It was identified a little over three decades ago as a protein responsible for lysis of certain types of cells, with specificity for tumor cells. Despite hopes as an anti-tumor agent, significant cytotoxic effects have excluded TNF-á from targeted therapies against multiple diseases such as osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, allograft rejection, and autoimmune disorders. In order to understand the pleiotropic effects expressed by TNF-á, researchers have attempted to map the functional regions of this gene hoping to discover the amino acid residues related to receptor binding and differentiation, and cytotoxicity. …

The Way Genetic Codes Differentially Filter Molecular Evolution Varies With Nucleotide Substitution Rate Parameters, Ryan G. Christensen, Dr. David Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The nuclei of most extant organisms utilize the universal or standard genetic code. Other codes (e.g. vertebrate, invertebrate, echinoderm, ascidian and insect mitochondrial codes) are quite similar to the universal code (Osawa 1995).

Spatial Analysis Predictive Model Map For Reintroduced Bighorn Sheep Winter Range Areas Along The Wasatch Front Mountains, Jericho C. Whiting, Dr. Jerran T. Flinders

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) are native to the central and northern mountain ranges in Utah. They were historically abundant and extensively used by the resident Native Americans. Due to various anthropological influences, most northern populations were presumed extinct by the 1930s with only several scattered sightings reported until the 1960s (Karpowitz and Stewart 2000).

Anti-Cancer And Anti-Microbial Activity Of Selected Hawaiian And Sonoran Desert Plant Species, Christopher Wickstrom, Dr. Rex Cates

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Previous research into the anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties of certain plant species provided the basis of this project. Plants from various parts of Hawaii and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona had been obtained through interviewing of traditional medicinal practitioners in those areas. The plants were then screened at BYU for any significant inhibition of cancer and/or microbial growth. Significant inhibition was shown by any plant that inhibited cancer tissue or microbial growth by more than 50% over a 24 hour growing period. From the original stock of plants, 20 exhibited significant growth inhibition against one or more of the selected …

The Use Of Stable Isotopes To Determine The Physiology And Ecology Of Reptiles, Jessica Makin, Kent Hatch

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Stable isotope research is becoming more widely used in physiological ecology. Atoms of the same atomic number but different atomic weights are called isotopes. Nitrogen (N) has two isotopes, 14N and 15N, with the latter being the heavier isotope. The assumption is that 14N is excreted at a higher rate than 15N. It is also thought that this should cause an increase in 15N of the protein tissues and preferential excretion of 14N of an animal when the animal is in the process of breaking down proteins.

Evaluating Network Phylogenetic Reconstruction Methods Using Computer Simulations, Steven Woolley, Dr. Keith Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In my quest to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of currently used phylogenetic network reconstruction methods, I have learned several valuable lessons applicable to nearly any research endeavor. I have successfully elucidated some of the conditions that affect the accuracy of two popular software programs for intraspecific phylogenetic inference. Below, I will give a brief background, followed by a description of the specific methods that I used in my evaluations. Finally, I will describe and validate the conclusions that I have drawn from my research, and discuss some things that I would have done differently and will do in the …

Bioassays On Ethnobotanical Plants With Potential Activity Against E. Coli, Staphlococcus Aureus, Candida Albicans, And Hela Cancer Cells, Ryan David Huish, Dr. Rex G. Cates

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During a three month period, ethnobotanical interviews were conducted to identify and collect plants traditionally used to treat skin and mouth infections. Plant parts (i.e. inner bark, young or mature leaves, fruit, etc.) specific to the native informants’ knowledge were collected and preserved in 100% ethanol to maintain the chemical integrity in the field. Methanol and hexane extracts from these plants were tested against microbes in established laboratory bioassays. The total number of plants showing significant activity in these tests was lower than expected. Each plant’s actual potential to inhibit microorganisms may not accurately be represented by this research due …

A Comparison Of The Phylogeny And Drumming Characteristics In Isogenoides, Christian James Hoybjerg, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Isogenoides is a genus of Plecoptera (stoneflies) from the family Perlodidae. The genus is composed of seven separate species and is endemic to North America. Each species has a limited distribution and a distinct system of courtship behavior. The male taps his abdomen on the substrate with a specific “drumming” pattern until he attracts a mate. The female will respond with her own drumming pattern and, in most species, the male confirms the acceptability of the female with a final, distinct answer. This behavior has been hypothesized as both a barrier to cross-species mating and as a mechanism of speciation. …

Dentistry And Oral Health In The Post-Soviet Ukraine, Matthew S. Slivka, Dr. Bill Hess

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the summer of 2003 I spent six weeks visiting and observing 20 different dentists in the Ukrainian cities of Kiev and Donetsk. Upon leaving for the Ukraine, my study was organized so as to focus on learning and understanding the country’s current system of oral health care. To do this, I planned on observing and interviewing dental practitioners, focusing on aspects of practice such as price, availability, sanitation, materials and instruments used, and procedures performed. Many of the dentists I visited with were willing and eager to assist me in my study, but I also came across many who …

Codon-Degeneracy Model: A Sliding Window Approach To Detecting Selection, Joshua K. Sailsbery, Dr. David A. Mcclellan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Detecting selection on a molecular level has a wide range of applications. Knowing the selection that has occurred may lead to reconstruction of phylogeny trees, better understanding of the changes a given protein is experiencing due to evolutionary time, and pharmaceutical applications.

Phylogeny Of The Freshwater Crayfish Genus Euastacus And Their Coevolution With Ectosymbiotic Temnocephalans, Heather C. Shull, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Euastacus crayfish are endemic to the rain forests of the eastern coast of Australia. There are now 43 known species distributed throughout Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Unfortunately many species inhabit areas where human growth, activity, and environmental modification threaten, limit or decrease their population size or natural range (Horwitz 1995; Merrick, 1997). The well being of these crayfish is important because many of these crayfish exist as keystone species in their community. Crayfish are polytrophic and therefore transform energy between a variety of levels and are important for the breakdown of debris (Turvey and Merrick, 1997; Parkyn et …

Inducing Coexistence Of Incompatible Single-Copy Plasmids With Selective Pressure, Geoffrey Benton, Dr. Alan Harker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plasmids, which are circular molecules of extrachromosomal DNA, are often found in bacterial cells. Traditionally plasmids have been considered simply accessories to chromosomal DNA. However, recent publications have demonstrated that plasmids may be more than simply an appendage to the bacterial chromosome.

An Exploration Of The Genotoxic Effects Of Ellagic Acid On Human Hepg2 Cells And Its Potential Impact On Cancer Prevention, Amanda Stevens, Dr. Kim O'Neill

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past few years, cancer prevention has become a more important focus for research in the fight against cancer. Recent studies suggest that perhaps as much as 70-80 % of all cancers could be prevented by diet alone. Ellagic acid is a compound found in foods like raspberries, strawberries, and apples, and is thought to be important for cancer prevention. Benzo[a]pyrene is a potent environmental carcinogen detected in substances such as cigarette smoke, cooked foods, and fossil fuel combustion. Studies involving rodents exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), whose diets included ellagic acid (EA), showed a decrease in tumor formation as …

Initiation Of Chloroplast Dna Replication, Michael Zundel, Dr. Brent Nielson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the macromolecule found in cells that carries all of our genetic information. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus, where the DNA is housed. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts convert light energy into chemical energy, typically in the form of sugar. Chloroplasts contain DNA, which is thought to have evolved from an early symbiotic relationship between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell, or bacterium. The eukaryotic cell engulfed the prokaryotic cell and used it for the conversion of light energy. Chloroplast DNA replicates independent of the cell cycle and the nuclear DNA.

Detection Of Positive Selection In The Gp120 Protein Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Relation To Vaccine Trials, Theodore L. Oliphant, Dr. Keith A. Crandall

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project’s purpose is to determine sites of positive selection in the gp120 envelope protein of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Positive selection is defined as the fixation of changes in amino acid composition in a population. A data set containing the envelope sequence from patients who contracted HIV while participating in a phase 3 efficacy trial of the AIDSVAXTM HIV vaccine was obtained from Vaxgen, the vaccine’s developer. This data is being compared with data sets taken from Genbank to identify sites along the gp120 protein which have mutated, to allow the virus to escape the antibodies generated by …

Phosphorylation Dependent Conformational Changes Of Phob In Escherichia Coli, Allison Sparks, Dr. William Mccleary

Journal of Undergraduate Research

All bacteria must have a way to control cell functions when their outside environment changes. E.coli uses a phosphate signaling pathway to accomplish this. In the bacterial cell membrane, there are proteins that take up phosphate from the environment, transports it into the cell, and triggers transcription of certain genes. The system is comprised of an ATP-dependent transport system which consists of a periplasmic substrate binding protein, PstS, three membrane proteins, PstC, PstA, and PstB, a regulator, PhoU, a transmembrane histidine kinase, PhoR, and a response regulator PhoB. In this system, the response regulator, PhoB is phosphorlated and then activates …

Purification And Characterization Of A Putative Single-Stranded Dna Binding Protein From Arabidopsis Thaliana, Andrew C. Edmondson, Dr. Brent L. Nielsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

DNA recombination is the exchange of segments between homologous molecules of DNA, resulting in expanded genetic diversity. Recombination provides essential genetic variation, but can also cause harmful rearrangements, resulting in genetic disorders in plants, mammals and yeast. The mechanisms and results of these events are still the subject of much research. A variety of evidence supports DNA recombination in plants, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Researchers have proposed a bacterial RecA-mediated mechanism for DNA recombination in mitochondria based on evidence of an evolutionary relationship between bacteria and mitochondria. However, until recently, plant mitochondria had not been shown to contain …

Creating Nutritionist Software To Aid A Poor Community In Northeastern Brazil, Jacob D. Durrant, David D. Busath

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Virgem dos Pobres is an impoverished community on the banks of lake Mundaú in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. Its dirt roads are lined with houses made of mud and plaster, and sewage is disposed of by means of an open canal that runs through the community’s center. The neighborhood’s population is afflicted with many of the diseases common to extreme poverty: bacterial infections like impetigo, malnourishment, measles, mumps, etc. It was a great privilege to be able to work in some small way to help these wonderful people.

The Role Of Ap-1 And Related Inhibitors In Cortisol Secretion And Inflammation, D. Craig Seager, Dr. Allan Judd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases the secretion of cortisol from bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (ZF) and human adrenal tumor H295R cells. However, the biochemical mechanisms involved in IL- 6-stimulated cortisol secretion are not well understood. In previous studies, it has been determined that IL-6 increases the phosphorylation of Janus kinases (JAK) and signal transducer and activators of transcription (STATs). In many tissues, the JAK-STAT pathway and the activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathways interact. AP-1 is composed of homodimers and heterodimers of the proteins c-Fos, c-Jun, JunB, and JunD. Therefore, in this study we determined the effects of IL-6 on the cellular content of …

Chimes: October 11, 2013, Calvin College

Chimes

Chain of bike thefts sweeps through campus by Hayley Cox

Government shutdown affects Calvin by Ericka Buitenhuis

Calvin's PBS show Inner Compass cut after 15 years by Leah Jonker

Calvin's Late Night with Capella performers sing 19-song set by Daniel Paulson

Student life restructure connects student programs by Hayley Cox

'Rush; among year's best by Christian Becker

Knights compete against DI schools by Andre Otte

The Need For Interdisciplinary Research And Education For Sustainable Human Development To Deal With Global Challenges, Solomon Bililign

International Journal of African Development

Major issues in society - developing alternate sources of energy and a sustainable environment, improving health, and minimizing the effects of climate change require a collective effort by different disciplines working in interdisciplinary groups. Indeed, the boundaries between the different disciplines are becoming increasingly blurred. Society’s responses to major social challenges must be informed by an improved understanding of human perceptions, responses, and of the economic and social impacts of the physical, and biological processes to promote social wellbeing. A comprehensive understanding of the main social challenges requires the collaboration of physical scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars and engineers, and …

Mycological Study For A Management Plan Of A Neotropical Show Cave (Brazil), Erika Linzi Silva Taylor, Maria Aparecida De Resende Stoianoff, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

International Journal of Speleology

Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of microorganisms. The allocthonous input of organic matter and microbes into the warm Neotropical caves may favor the development of filamentous fungi, including pathogenic species. Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic species commonly found in caves and associated with bat and bird guano. Many Brazilian caves have been historically visited due to scenic and religious tourism. The objective of this study was to perform a microbiology study for a management plan of a show cave in Brazil, focusing on the presence and distribution of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in the cave. Statistics …

Lanthorn, Vol. 48, No. 15, October 10, 2013, Grand Valley State University

Volume 48, July 1, 2013 - June 2, 2014

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Quizpower: A Mobile App With App Inventor And Xampp Service Integration, David Meehan, Mihaela C. Sabin

Applied Engineering and Sciences Scholarship

This paper details the development of a mobile app for the Android operating system using MIT App Inventor language and development platform. The app, Quiz Power, provides students a way to study course material in an engaging and effective manner. At its current stage the app is intended strictly for use in a mobile app with App Inventor course, although it provides the facility to be adapted for other courses by simply changing the web data store. Development occurred during the spring semester of 2013. Students in the course played a vital role in providing feedback on course material, which …

Girls In It: How To Develop Talent And Leverage Support, Mihaela C. Sabin, Deborah Labelle, Hiranya Mir, Karen Patten, Suzanne Poirier, Seth Reichelson

Applied Engineering and Sciences Scholarship

The objectives of this panel are to inform the audience about national and regional initiatives developed by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) to reach out to middle and high school girls; learn from promising experiences in which the panelists have been directly involved; and discuss venues to scale and sustain efforts to increase women's participation in technology careers. Panelists will describe their particular experiences, and discuss ways to utilize the Aspirations in Computing program to increase enrollment and retention of females in computing. A minimum of 30 minutes will be set aside for question and answer.

Hot Topics In Education, Michael Hartman

Faculty Works: AHS (2004-2023)

Presented at Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Annual Conference (2013) in Las Vegas, NV

Fn14•Trail Effectively Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth., Alexandra Aronin, Shira Amsili, Tatyana B Prigozhina, Kobi Tzdaka, Jacob Rachmilewitz, Noam Shani, Mark L Tykocinski, Michal Dranitzki Elhalel

Department of Medical Genetics Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: New strategies for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are needed, given that currently available chemotherapeutics are inefficient. Since tumor growth reflects the net balance between pro-proliferative and death signaling, agents shifting the equilibrium toward the latter are of considerable interest. The TWEAK:Fn14 signaling axis promotes tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, while TRAIL:TRAIL-receptor (TRAIL-R) interactions selectively induce apoptosis in malignant cells. Fn14•TRAIL, a fusion protein bridging these two pathways, has the potential to inhibit tumor growth, by interfering with TWEAK:Fn14 signaling, while at the same time enforcing TRAIL:TRAIL-R-mediated apoptosis. Consequently, Fn14•TRAIL's capacity to inhibit HCC growth was tested. …

The Daily Gamecock, Thursday, October 10, 2013, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

October

No abstract provided.

The Missouri Miner, October 10, 2013

The Missouri Miner Newspaper

No abstract provided.