Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Coalescence Extraction: A Novel Means Of Performing Solvent Extractions, Randall T. Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Solvent extraction is a widely used method of separation in which a given target substance is extracted from a mixture and transported across a liquid-liquid interface into a separate liquid. Typically, the two immiscible liquids are shaken or stirred vigorously to increase contact between the two liquids. This contact is vital to extraction of the target substance and much time and effort is expended in increasing extraction efficiency through improved contact. We have developed a novel method of solvent extraction which makes possible the extraction of large amounts of the target substance in very little time without shaking or other …

Hyperdimensional Julia Set Generation System Software, Kevin Steele

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chaos theory and fractal science is a recently developed technology. Julia Sets, a class of deterministic fractals, have been defined and rendered using computer software in only two and four dimensions. In my Research and Creative Work Scholarship application, I proposed to develop a software system to create and render Julia Sets in more than two and four dimensions. I have completed the software, and used it to verify my definition of and render hyperdimensional Julia Sets, the images of which I have included with this report.

Evaluation And Elimination Of Internet Web Server Bottlenecks, Alen Peacock, Dr. J. Kelly Flanagan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Popular Internet web sites experience a common problem: as the number of people trying to access a site grows, the wait for page downloads for each of those users grows accordingly. In extreme cases, the site becomes completely inaccessible as the server refuses connections over a certain threshold (1).

Synthesis Of Systematically Varied Nucleosides As A Logical Approach Toward Inhibitor Design For Nucleoside Transport Proteins, Lars P. C. Nielsen, Dr. Morris J. Robins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Glucose transporter proteins constitute one class of transmembrane integral proteins that have received much attention in the current chemical literature. Many prominent groups have set out to explore their mechanisms, kinetics, and active sites. Studies have focussed on one of these in particular, Human Glucose Transporter I, the most common and efficient at mediating cellular glucose concentrations. Studies have also proven that certain nucleoside transporters exist, analogous to the sugar proteins, which regulate nucleoside and nucleotide concentrations in cells.

Finding Neutron Detector Efficiency Using Monte Carlo Neutron Particle (Mcnp) Calculations, Eva Wilcox, Dr. Lawrence Rees

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A neutron detector, made by Bart Czirr, has components of plastic and a new compound called lithium gadolinium borate, with a chemical formula of LiGd(BO3)3:Ce3+.

An Investigation Of The Influence Of Polar Vs. Polarizable Substituents In Polysiloxane Stationary Phases For Gas Chromatography, Sarah Morgan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

For my creative work and research scholarship project I proposed the synthesis of four polymers for use as stationary phases in gas chromatography. Each polymer would contain a pendant group with a halogen-substituted benzene ring, making use of the four halogen atoms-fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Since these atoms lie along a spectrum of polarity vs. polarizability, I hypothesized that testing the selectivity of the polymers as GC phases would increase our understanding of the roles of these closely related properties in chromatographic separations. I have chosen to submit selected nuclear magnetic resonance spectra as evidence of the success of …

Use Of An Intermolecular Tether In [2+2] Photochemical Cycloadditions, Brent Siemssen, Dr. Steve Fleming

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Oxetanocin is a nucleoside that occurs naturally in the bacteria Bacillus megaterium (see figure 1a).1 Oxetanocin and its analogues show antiviral activity but have not yet been introduced in any successful drug treatment. Even so, oxetanocin continues to be a model studied to help understand the action of nucleoside drugs. Oxetanocin is a distinct nucleoside because it has a four-membered ring sugar moiety.

Velocity Determination Of Metastable Calcium Ions Using High- Resolution Diode Laser Spectroscopy, Rebecca Vanwagoner, Dr. Paul Farnsworth

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is a useful tool for trace chemical analysis. However, instrument response to the analyte changes with increasing concentration of other elements in solution. This change in response due to matrix elements lowers the accuracy of ICPMS. Most of the matrix effects occur in the vacuum interface between the plasma torch and the mass spectrometer. My goal in this research project was to map the temperatures and velocities of analyte inside the ICPMS interface and look for changes with changing matrix concentration. Knowing where and how changes occur would point to why matrix effects happen …

Study Of The Eclipsing Binary Ah Cancri, Delora Chere' Tanner, Dr. Benjamin Taylor

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Unlike research in many other disciplines, astronomical research is highly dependent upon the weather. My original proposed research was to further the task of calibrating standard stars in the M67 open cluster. Unfortunately the weather was unfavorable during the window of time that this cluster was available for viewing, therefore, I could not secure the amount of data needed to conduct my proposed research. I decided to change the focus of my research to an individual star located in M67, AH Cancri. I was able to use raw archive data of the M67 star field to study this star.

Scalar Waves Scattering Off A Cylinder, David Oliphant, Dr. R. Steven Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Scattering problems are common in physics. A scattered (reflected) wave or particle from an object can give us hints to the nature of the object’s shape, size, color, or composition. This is the basic principle behind sonar, radar, ultrasound, NMR, and even vision. One technique in determining the nature of a scattered wave is called the Method of Moments. It involves solving the Helmholtz equation by representing the object’s response or current as a sum of basis functions and weights. The number of basis functions used is important. If there are too many the computational time becomes inordinate. However, there …

Summary Of Dye Laser Project, Dallin S. Durfee

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to get a dye to lase, you have to pump it with energy. You need to get more of the lasing molecules into the higher energy excited state than the lower energy ground state. The way that I pump the dye is with a flash tube.

Extreme Ultraviolet Ellipsometry, Spencer E. Olson, Dr. R. Steven Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ellipsometry, a common technique used with visible light, measures the change of the state of polarization as it reflect off a material. By so doing, the way that light interacts with materials can be understood more clearly. Also, optical properties, known as the index of refraction and absorption coefficient, can be found from this technique. With these known optical properties of various materials, elements, such as mirrors and polarizers, can be optimized for optical instruments. The name ellipsometry comes from the fact that the technique is based on the analysis of what is called ellipsometrically polarized light. For the simple …

A Presentation Of The Mapping Of Lbn434 And Its Ramifications On The Assumption Of Clear Seeing At High Galactic Latitudes, Kristen Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We recorded three to four images of each section of the nebula. Each group of images was identical in the data recorded; thus, after reduction, the individual images of each group could be combined directly to yield a higher intensity signal output. To reduce the data, I performed the following ~tandard CCD procedures: 1. Bad Pixel Corrections

2. Overscan Corrections

3. Zeroing and Trimming

4. Flat Fielding Corrections

Construction Of A Precision X-Ray Mirror, Mitchell W. Larsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With the expansion of x-ray technology and recent development of laser x-rays, development of a practical, high precision x-ray mirror has become more urgent. One example of a practical and current need for such a mirror is the x-ray microscope at Duke University. The above planned microscope would function by focusing x-rays on a tiny section of a cell frozen during a specific metabolic stage. The molecules in the cell would absorb these x-rays, and then radiate x-rays off. Every element would radiate a unique wavelength of x-rays, and we would thus be able to determine which elements are present …

Modeling Trapped Non-Neutral Plasmas With A Piecewise Parabolic Method, Rachel K. Berg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of my undergraduate research at Brigham young University was to adapt a numerical algorithm known as the piecewise parabolic method to solve problems of interest in the study of trapped non-neutral plasmas. The project took the better part of a year, but ultimately I was successful.

Semiclassical Quantization: Corrections And Causes, Teresa Griffin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My research over the past six months has produced a method of understanding the differences between semiclassical approximation methods and the exact quantum results.

Charge Injection In Semiconductor Nanocrystals And Its Effect On Luminescence And Spin Resonance, James Owen Ostler, Dr. Bret C. Hess

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With diameters of only about 4-5 nanometers, semiconductor nanocrystals exhibit different properties than bulk semiconductors. Because of this there has been a focus in research to discover and exploit these new properties. The CdSe nanocrystal is smaller than the normal wave function of an electron in bulk semiconductors and this produces different properties in the nanocrystals than what current knowledge about semiconductors would dictate. Our experience with the different physical properties of these quantum-confined semiconductors is limited, however the possible uses for these nanocrystals are numerous. This necessitates that we research and familiarize ourselves with the properties of these nanocrystals …

Work Towards Building An Extreme Ultraviolet Ellipsometer, Cort N. Johnson, Dr. David D. Allred

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) optics group at Brigham Young University uses thin film technology to develop multiplayer mirrors and designed to reflect well at certain EUV wavelengths. We need methods of measuring layer thickness on the order of a few angstroms. One method often used in thin film sample analysis is ellipsometry.

Direct Cvd Growth Of Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Nitride Atomic Force Microscope Probes, Matthew Housley, Dr. Robert Davis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is currently one of the most important analytical techniques in nanoscale science and technology. Because it can image surface topography with a resolution better than 10 nm, AFM has allowed the visualization of many nanoscale structures which other microscopic techniques cannot see. Examples include individual DNA strands, extended polymer chains, monolayer steps in crystal surfaces, and carbon nanotube transistors.

A Novel Human Angiotensin Ii Type 1 Receptor Isoform Elicits An Exaggerated Angiotensin Ii-Induced Response, Terry S. Elton, Dr. James W. Ogilvie Jr.

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Hypertension (i.e., high blood pressure) is a significant health problem affecting more than 15% of the population contributing to the increased incidence of heart failure, kidney failure and stroke. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in salt and water homeostasis and the maintenance of vascular tone. This balance is achieved through the actions of the hormone, angiotensin II (Ang II), the biologically active component of the RAS, with its membrane-bound receptors. These receptors, designated as type 1 and type 2 (AT1R and AT2R), bind Ang II with equal affinity. The AT1R, however, which is localized in numerous tissues …

Report Of Progression On The Synthesis Of A Conformational Amphiphile For Nondestructive Diffusion Through Membrane Bilayers, Paul B. Savage, Dr. David B. Mcmullin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The stability of all cellular life in the presence of adverse environmental conditions may be attributed to the function of cellular membranes. Membranes are unique in their ability to act as barriers with selective permeability (1). Such selective permeability allows cells to control and differentiate between the chemical constituents of their intracellular fluid and that of their extracellular environment.

Multivariate Analysis Of Elemental Concentrations In Various Lichen Growth Forms, Seth Washburn, Dr. Nolan Mangelson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Lichens consist of two organisms that live in a symbiotic relationship. The lichen photobiont, green alga, cyanobacteria, or a combination of both, provides carbohydrates from photosynthesis. While the mycobiont partner, a fungus, accounts for the majority of the lichen mass, and provides shelter and nutrients (St. Clair, 1998). Although lichens come in many different shapes and colors, all lichens are grouped into three main categories, depending on their growth type. Crustose lichens attach very tightly to their rock substrate and often appear as if they were painted on. Foliose lichens have a more leafy appearance and are attached to the …

Update On The Reconstruction Of The Cytochrome B Gene Of The Extinct M4mmuthus Columbi, Natalie Mincek

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The intent of this project was to reconstruct the cytochrome B gene from the extinct mammoth Mammuthus columbi. This was to be accomplished through amplification by PCR the fragments of the cytochrome B gene in order to determine their respective sequences, after which these DNA sequences would be combined to reconstruct the entire sequence of the gene.

The Separation Of Transition Metals Using Macrocycles Adsorbed On A Reversed Phase Column, Anthony P. Giauque

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Standard protocol for the analysis of transition metals by conventional chromatographic means calls for the complexation of the transition metal cations prior to their separation. Consequently, this addition of a complexing agent does not allow for conductimetric detection of transition metals due to the high conductivity of the complexing agent in the eluent. It was therefore my intent to develop a system in which the stationary phase would act as the complexing agent and allow the analytes to be detected conductimetrically-the universal means of detection in ion chromatography.

The Hydrolytic Interaction Of Phospholipase A2 And Lysolecithin, Brian Baker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my project was to determine whether the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidylcholine occurs at the sn-1 or the sn-2 position.

Expression, Activity And Inhibition Of Canine Cyclooxygenase, Joel Ellis Wilson, Dr. Dan Simmons

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit their effect by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. However, inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2 by the administration of NSAIDs to both humans and animals often leads to negative side effects, most commonly gastric toxicity, including ulcers, which may progress to perforation with risk of sepsis. Functional COX-1 and COX-2 are both necessary to maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining. Fueled by the discovery of COX-2 and the elucidation of its biological properties, new NSAIDs have been produced that selectively inhibit only COX-2. This new class of inhibitors effectively reduces pain and inflammation with …

Cellulose Acetate/Butyrate As A Support Polymer In Polymer Inclusion Membranes, Arlo Mcginn, Dr. John D. Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Developing efficient means of making chemical separations of solutions is a problem that has long concerned chemists. This ability to separate a solution into its individual components or selectively remove elements of the solution is helpful in the treatment and refinement of nuclear waste and other applications. Common processes in use today are time-consuming and cumbersome to perform. Because of these problems chemists have been interested in developing new methods and procedures for making chemical separations of solutions.

A Partial Asymmetric Synthesis Of The Anti-Tumor Antibiotic Geldanamycin, Bryon Simmons, Dr. Merritt B. Andrus

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Geldanamycin, a member of the benzoquinoid ansamycin family, was discovered in 1970 by workers at UpJohn laboratories.1 Scientists were eager to characterize and assess the biological activity of this natural product, first isolated from the bacteria species Steptomyces hygroscpius.2 It was soon learned that geldanamycin functioned as an antibiotic. More importantly, this antibiotic was also shown to check the proliferation of malignant cancer cells.3 This observation has fueled significant interest in geldanamycin as a potential antitumor drug.

The Flavodoxin Reduced All-Ferrous Fe Protein In Nitrogenase, Tom Lowery Jr., Dr. Gerarld D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nitrogenase, an enzyme system found in a small, diverse group of diazotrophic microorganisms, is responsible for the natural reduction of atmospheric N2 to NH3. Nitrogenase plays a critical role in the earth’s nitrogen cycle and has therefore been a subject of intense study for over thirty five years. Nevertheless, detailed mechanistic explanations of in vivo nitrogenase catalysis remain ambiguous.1

Use Of Gold Nanoparticles To Identify Targets Of Membrane-Active Steroid Antibiotics, Katie L. Jensen, Dr. Paul B. Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Pathogenic bacterial resistance to antibiotics has risen sharply over the past two decades.1 This problem is compounded with Gram-negative bacteria, which, in addition to developing specific resistant mechanisms, also display membrane structures that are impermeable to many hydrophobic antibiotics. Thus, new antibiotics are needed that do not elicit the emergence of resistant organisms, especially against Gram-negative bacteria.