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Articles 1471 - 1500 of 3451

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The Synthesis Of Lipid A Analogs For Use In Studying The Binding Of Lipid A And Polymyxin B, Paul B. Savage, Dr. Bryce A. Harrison Jan 2014

The Synthesis Of Lipid A Analogs For Use In Studying The Binding Of Lipid A And Polymyxin B, Paul B. Savage, Dr. Bryce A. Harrison

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gram-negative bacteria contain a toxin known as lipid A (1 in Figure 1). During bacterial infections, lipid A may be released from the bacteria and cause a condition known as septic shock, an over-response of the host immune system that may result in death (2). In fact, septic shock kills over 100,000 people annually in the U.S.1 In hopes of developing treatments for septic shock, we are researching compounds that bind and detoxify lipid A. One such compound, polymyxin B (2 in Figure 2), is itself too toxic for medicinal use; nevertheless, we want to understand how polymyxin B binds …

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Information Technology Benchmarking Survey Of Institutions Of Higher Education, Alan P. Hyatt, Dr. Eric L. Denna Jan 2014

Information Technology Benchmarking Survey Of Institutions Of Higher Education, Alan P. Hyatt, Dr. Eric L. Denna

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the realm of higher education, learning is continually facilitated, enhanced, and improved through technology. At Brigham Young University, the summary mission of the Office of Information Technology is to support the mission and objectives of the Church Educational System and its operating units by acquiring, creating, organizing, and making available tools that (1) enhance student learning, faculty teaching, and scholarship, and (2) improve the key decision and administrative processes of the BYU entities.

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The Effect Of Substrate Structure On The Cleavage Efficiency Of Trna 3′ Processing Endoribonuclease, Susanna M. Geary, Dr. Roger Kaspar Jan 2014

The Effect Of Substrate Structure On The Cleavage Efficiency Of Trna 3′ Processing Endoribonuclease, Susanna M. Geary, Dr. Roger Kaspar

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Viruses insert DNA or RNA into host cells and use the cell’s resources to make proteins designed to propagate the virus. Viral proteins can cause disease, as can defective proteins from faulty or damaged genes. The enzyme, tRNA 3′ processing endoribonuclease (also called 3′ tRNase) can specifically cleave RNA that is made to resemble pre-tRNA (1). RNA heptamers can be engineered to form such pre-tRNA-resembling complexes by binding to a target RNA just downstream of a stable hairpin loop (fig. 1). Hence, pathogenic RNA could be targeted and destroyed, thereby decreasing the production of damaging proteins.

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Interrelation Of Faultng, Karsting And Calcite Veining Near The South Flank Fault Zone Of The Uinta Mountains, Utah, Erin T. Duerichen, Dr. Jeffrey D. Keith Jan 2014

Interrelation Of Faultng, Karsting And Calcite Veining Near The South Flank Fault Zone Of The Uinta Mountains, Utah, Erin T. Duerichen, Dr. Jeffrey D. Keith

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the Uinta Mountains, south of the South Flank Fault Zone, a thick sequence of Mississippian limestone is exposed. In the Blind Stream area, this limestone is transected by a series of north-south trending faults and fractures, with associated karsting (ie: large, collapsed cavities resulting from underground fluid migration, dissolving the carbonate rock) and calcite veining.

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A New Light At The End Of The Tunnel: Steps Toward A Nanocrystal Led, Jorj Ian Owen, Dr. Robert C. Davis Jan 2014

A New Light At The End Of The Tunnel: Steps Toward A Nanocrystal Led, Jorj Ian Owen, Dr. Robert C. Davis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that gives off light. An LED works by the combination of electrons and electron holes (a moving, positive charge caused by missing electrons). As the electron and electron hole combine, the electron joins the atom in an excited state (some greater than minimum energy level). The high-energy electron will then decay into a lower energy state by emitting a photon, a packet of energy. LEDs are useful for many reasons. For example, they are extremely efficient in converting electricity into light (unlike conventional tungsten bulbs), they do not get very hot, …

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Significance Of Introduced Bias In The Utah Colleges Exit Poll, Sherstin Merx, Dr. Scott Grimshaw Jan 2014

Significance Of Introduced Bias In The Utah Colleges Exit Poll, Sherstin Merx, Dr. Scott Grimshaw

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since 1982, Brigham Young University Departments of Statistics and Political Science have sponsored the Utah Colleges Exit Poll (UCEP) as both a research tool and as an experience in applied statistics. However, in designing the poll, UCEP routinely deals with administrative and geographic issues that make the task more difficult. For example, just collecting the necessary information from all 29 Utah counties requires the full attention of a designated “Public Relations” committee. Geography is another problem for UCEP. Certain counties are so remote that it is difficult and expensive to include them in the sample.

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Potential Role Of Direct Inhibition And Phosphorylation Of The Sodium-Potassium Atpase In Cataract Formation, Jason E. Wright, Dr. Steven W. Graves Jan 2014

Potential Role Of Direct Inhibition And Phosphorylation Of The Sodium-Potassium Atpase In Cataract Formation, Jason E. Wright, Dr. Steven W. Graves

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Preliminary data suggested that bovine lens epithelial cells (BLEC) are able to increase the amount of sodium-potassium ATPase (sodium pump or SP) in the plasma membrane. I set out to accomplish three objectives: (1) to continue ongoing ouabain inhibition experiments in order to confirm the preliminary data; (2) to examine BLEC’s response to peptide hormones (in other tissues the peptide hormone induced phosphorylation of SP is followed by an observable removal of SP from the membrane); and (3) to confirm our hypothesis that observations of SP redistribution are a manifestation of BLEC’s ability to compensate for the inhibitory effect of …

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Improved Hyperweb Search Efficiency Through Index Replication, Jared Holcomb, Dr. Scott Woodfield Jan 2014

Improved Hyperweb Search Efficiency Through Index Replication, Jared Holcomb, Dr. Scott Woodfield

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The hyperweb is a network based on a modified hypercube1 topology. It is used to create a peerto- peer network for a distributed database (such as a genealogical database.) Two major drawbacks that a peer-to-peer network suffers are a low reliability rate for individual nodes and a slower search speed as the system grows. Both of these problems can be addressed by replicating data across several nodes. First, any particular node has a relatively high probability of being down so a copy of the information a node contains is stored on several other nodes, thereby decreasing the total probability of …

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Using Haptics To Assist Automobile Drivers, Kevin Alejandro Roundy, Dr. Michael A. Goodrich Jan 2014

Using Haptics To Assist Automobile Drivers, Kevin Alejandro Roundy, Dr. Michael A. Goodrich

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this research project was to further Nissan Motor Company’s research in technologies designed to improve driver comfort and safety.

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Ratios Of Positive Definite Matrices, Dena Plant, Dr. Wayne Barrett Jan 2014

Ratios Of Positive Definite Matrices, Dena Plant, Dr. Wayne Barrett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As our research began we focused on proving the hypothesis that for a 4 x 4 Positive Definite matrix A, the ratio

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Using Maple For Calculations In The Clifford Algebra, Jared R. Stenson, Dr. Jean-Francois S. Van Huele Jan 2014

Using Maple For Calculations In The Clifford Algebra, Jared R. Stenson, Dr. Jean-Francois S. Van Huele

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to progress we are often forced to adopt certain conventions. Just over a century ago, several new scientific ideas were emerging which increased the need to revise our mathematical methods and adopt new standard approaches. The Clifford Algebra was one proposed formalism that met the needs of the day yet, for whatever reason, was left behind in favor of the conventional math we are familiar with. However, as we’ve delved deeper into modern science many are now looking back to this forgotten approach because of its conceptual ease and geometrical structure [1]. Understanding the nature, benefits, and limitations …

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The Landau Damping Of A Manhole Cover, Landau Damping, Dr. Ross L. Spencer Jan 2014

The Landau Damping Of A Manhole Cover, Landau Damping, Dr. Ross L. Spencer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Research groups at BYU and the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) are actively investigating the properties of pure-electron plasmas, which fall into the more general class of nonneutral plasmas. Electrons are excited and injected into a Malmberg-Penning trap where they form a cylindrical plasma. By perturbing the confining electrical potentials of the trap, various wave motions can be induced in the plasma. Some of these waves exhibit a phenomenon called Landau damping which transfers energy from the wave motion to the kinetic energy of the electrons, causing the wave to attenuate.

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Variability In Quasars, Catherine Morris, Dr. Eric Hintz Jan 2014

Variability In Quasars, Catherine Morris, Dr. Eric Hintz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This project looked for variability in quasars 3C273 and Mark 509. Between May 2003 and July 2003 several nights of data were taken on these quasars. The project was also to see if “good” data on quasars could be obtained using the BYU 16” telescope, since not much research has been done on this topic at BYU. Over the summer data were also taken on various other quasars whose brightness ranged between 12 and 14.

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Self-Referencing Interferometric Measurement Of Microradian Wedge Angles, Rebecca Olson, Dr. Scott D. Bergeson Jan 2014

Self-Referencing Interferometric Measurement Of Microradian Wedge Angles, Rebecca Olson, Dr. Scott D. Bergeson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We developed a new interferometric method of measuring the wedge angles of beamsplitters and the deviation angles of penta prisms. This method could easily be extended to certify the angles on other optical pieces as well. We built the interferometer and analyzed the images using equipment that we already had in the lab, including a helium-neon laser, a CCD camera, framegrabbing computer hardware, and standard optical components.

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A High Power Green Laser, Bonnie J. Mclaughlin, Dr. Scott Bergeson Jan 2014

A High Power Green Laser, Bonnie J. Mclaughlin, Dr. Scott Bergeson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

High power green lasers are used extensively in laboratories for numerous applications. The cost for commercial green lasers is around $60,000. When I was searching for a research project for my senior thesis for my BS in Physics, Dr. Bergeson proposed I build a green laser for use in the experiments of the Atomic Molecular and Optical (AMO) research group. The laser was designed to pump other lasers with specific wavelengths for studying calcium at extremely low temperatures. We had also hoped to form a kit for building such lasers.

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The Function Of Phosducin’S N-Terminus And C-Terminus Domains, Collin Driscoll, Dr. Barry M. Willardson Jan 2014

The Function Of Phosducin’S N-Terminus And C-Terminus Domains, Collin Driscoll, Dr. Barry M. Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cells use heterotrimeric G-proteins (Gabg) to transduce extracellular signals into intracellular messages. A hormone or other signal molecule binds to a seven trans-membrane receptor on the cell’s surface causing the receptor to change shape. On the inside of the cell this conformational change causes Gabg to split into a Ga subunit and a Gbg subunit complex. Both Ga and Gbg activate effector enzymes that determine the cellular response to the signal molecule. Phosducin (Pd) is a G-protein regulator that works by binding to the Gbg subunit complex and blocking Gbg function in three ways: 1) It blocks reassociation with Ga, …

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Evaluation Of The Activity Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics, David W. Swenson, Dr. Paul B. Savage Jan 2014

Evaluation Of The Activity Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics, David W. Swenson, Dr. Paul B. Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Food-borne illnesses are a continuing problem in the US [1]. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria pose significant threats to the integrity of the food supply and to the health of the public. For example, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1 million infections and 500 deaths are associated with food-borne Salmonella infections each year [2]. Additional concern is caused by the fact that many patients who die from food-borne illnesses are infected with drug-resistant bacteria, and resistant organisms are increasingly found in the food supply [3].

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Metal Ion Analysis For Use In Calculation Of Apparent Molar Volumes And Apparent Molar Heat Capacities Of Copper(Ii), Nickel(Ii), And Zinc(Ii) Nitrates, Eric Merkley, Dr. Earl M. Woolley Jan 2014

Metal Ion Analysis For Use In Calculation Of Apparent Molar Volumes And Apparent Molar Heat Capacities Of Copper(Ii), Nickel(Ii), And Zinc(Ii) Nitrates, Eric Merkley, Dr. Earl M. Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Apparent molar heat capacity, Cp,f, and apparent molar volume, Vf, are valuable thermodynamic quantities in the study of solute-solvent interactions and chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. Work in our laboratory1-3 has demonstrated that fixed-cell differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vibrating-tube densimetry can provide sensitive and accurate data for calculating Cp,f and Vf. We have recently collected data for solutions of copper(II) nitrate, nickel(II) nitrate, and zinc(II) nitrate. As for most compounds, there is a lack of Cp,f and Vf date for these heavy metal nitrates. Our measurements will allow calculation of Cp,f and Vf.

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Ion Chromatographic Quantification Of Trace-Level Perchlorate Concentrations Using 18-Crown-6 As A Mobile-Phase Additive, David Simpson, Dr. John Lamb Jan 2014

Ion Chromatographic Quantification Of Trace-Level Perchlorate Concentrations Using 18-Crown-6 As A Mobile-Phase Additive, David Simpson, Dr. John Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Awareness of the potential contamination issues with perchlorate ion (ClO4 -) came about in 1985 when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first reported contamination in 14 Californian wells ranging from 0.11 to 2.6 micrograms per liter (ppm).1 In 1992 the EPA issued a provisional reference dose (RfD) of 0.14 milligrams per kilogram per day, which set a standard of 18 parts per billion (ppb) in drinking water.2 However, in January 1997 the EPA indicated that a reporting limit of at least 4 ppb would be necessary; yet, procedures to measure perchlorate ion at such low levels were unavailable.3 By March …

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Molecular Pathology Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Lipofuscin-Generated Apoptosis Of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (Rpe) Cells, Aaron Secrest, Dr. Craig Thulin Jan 2014

Molecular Pathology Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Lipofuscin-Generated Apoptosis Of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (Rpe) Cells, Aaron Secrest, Dr. Craig Thulin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly and is currently untreatable. In the central region of the posterior retina (the macula), AMD is caused by damage to and subsequent death of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and, consequently, the photoreceptors that are attached to them, leading to vision loss. The current thinking in the field of ophthalmology is that the eye cannot function efficiently after 50-60+ years of continuously repairing damage caused by exposure to high-energy photons from blue light. The increase in average human life span correlates with a higher prevalence …

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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 …

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Na,K-Atpase Expression In The Epithelial Layer Of The Lens, Karen Merrell, Dr. Steven W. Graves Jan 2014

Na,K-Atpase Expression In The Epithelial Layer Of The Lens, Karen Merrell, Dr. Steven W. Graves

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Na,K-ATPase is a multi-subunit protein that uses ATP to pump Na+ ions out of the cell and K+ ions into the cell. Multiple isoforms of each subunit of Na,K-ATPase have been identified, but the á subunit of Na,K-ATPase plays the most important functional role and has been the most widely studied. Within the lens, Na,K-ATPase is most concentrated in the outer epithelial layer. To study changes in Na,K-ATPase levels I cultured bovine lens epithelial cells (BLEC), and incubated them with various hormones. The abundance of the á3 isoform of Na,K-ATPase was determined by Western blot protein gel electrophoresis using specific …

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The Effect Of Salt Concentrations On A. Vinelandii Nitrogenase, Clinton R. King, Dr. Gary D. Watt Jan 2014

The Effect Of Salt Concentrations On A. Vinelandii Nitrogenase, Clinton R. King, Dr. Gary D. Watt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We are investigating the kinetic effect of salt concentration on the reaction N2 + (6+2n)H+ + (6+2n)e- + 2(6+2n)ATP ­ 2NH3 + nH2 + 2(6+2n)Pi + 2(6+2n)ADP (1) catalyzed by nitrogenase where the spontaneous decomposition of S2O4 2- is the electron source. Under high partial pressures of N2, n has a limiting value of one, but in the absence of N2, nitrogenase simply catalyzes the reduction of protons to H2.

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Development Of A Cellular Model Expressing Cloned Hiv Env Genes, Jeffrey S. Johnson, Dr. Gregory F. Burton Jan 2014

Development Of A Cellular Model Expressing Cloned Hiv Env Genes, Jeffrey S. Johnson, Dr. Gregory F. Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), a treatment that uses protease inhibitors and nucleoside analogs to block replication of HIV, has had a marked effect on decreasing the viral loads of HIV in infected individuals. However, studies have indicated that if a patient receiving HAART for long periods of time (2 to 3 years) is taken off treatment, HIV levels in the blood will increase drastically within several weeks (2). This problem indicates that reservoirs in the body harbor the virus and protect it from treatment until conditions allow the virus to replicate unchecked throughout the body. The Follicular Dendritic Cell …

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Regio- And Stereoselective Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition Between 4-Hydroxycoumarin And Alkenes, Scott Henneman, Dr. Steven A. Fleming Jan 2014

Regio- And Stereoselective Photochemical [2+2] Cycloaddition Between 4-Hydroxycoumarin And Alkenes, Scott Henneman, Dr. Steven A. Fleming

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent photochemical research has proven helpful in understanding the regio- and stereoselective mechanism of four-member ring formation. When compounds cycloadd— combine either inter- or intramolecularly to form rings—a broad assortment of isomers are generally formed. However, the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition process—the tendency of the compounds to combine in specific ways, i.e. the preference for one product over another—can be greatly enhanced through the utilization of a tether group. This tether group can be anything used to control the reacting molecular components involved in a cycloaddition towards combination in a specific orientation. The regio- and stereoselectivity of the …

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Molecular Collisional Energy Transfer Efficiency, Jeffery K. Thomson, Dr. Eric T. Sevy Jan 2014

Molecular Collisional Energy Transfer Efficiency, Jeffery K. Thomson, Dr. Eric T. Sevy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The kinetics of unimolecular reactions are especially interesting in the manner in which they absorb or transfer energy. For a unimolecular reaction to proceed, an activation energy barrier must be overcome. This barrier can be overcome through collisions with other molecules or atoms with sufficient force that excite vibrations violent enough to break chemical bonds. It has been observed that some molecules are more efficient at transferring energy through collisions than others. The reasons why some molecules transfer energy more efficiently are not fully understood. The goal of this project is to provide a window into the events taking place …

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Antibiotic Compounds Isolated From Plant Microbes, Michael C. Haymore, Dr. Noel Owen Jan 2014

Antibiotic Compounds Isolated From Plant Microbes, Michael C. Haymore, Dr. Noel Owen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Flemming in the early twentieth century is seen as one of the most significant medical advances in the past 100 years. Millions of people have had their lives preserved or prolonged due to the use of effective antibiotics since their discovery and wide-spread use. However, with the incredibly diverse and constantly evolving infectious diseases older antibiotics such as penicillin are becoming obsolete in the fight against infection. Thus, there remains a constant need to discover antibiotics effective against today’s diseases. Plants are a rich source of antibiotic compounds. Because plants live and compete in …

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Destructive Testing Versus Nondestructive Evaluation: A Statistical Comparison, Geraldine Hansen, Dr. C. Shane Reese Jan 2014

Destructive Testing Versus Nondestructive Evaluation: A Statistical Comparison, Geraldine Hansen, Dr. C. Shane Reese

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Researchers and developers in manufacturing and industry are often confronted with the problem of testing component functionality. Two important testing methods used on equipment are destructive testing (DT) or nondestructive evaluation (NDE). DT implies that the part is destroyed by disassembly, or it is destroyed by utilizing the equipment to determine if the part was defective. In the case we examined, DT is like exploding a weapon. DT is very expensive and reduces valuable assets, but it is consistently very accurate. This type of testing is often referred to as obtaining a “snapshot in time” because we know at that …

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Wireless Network Signal Analysis, Nathan P. Sharp, Dr. Mark E. Clement Jan 2014

Wireless Network Signal Analysis, Nathan P. Sharp, Dr. Mark E. Clement

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The process of measuring wireless signal strength for networks can be complex and subjective. There is no “tried and true” way of determining the best layout for a network, but with some fairly simple analysis, much can be done to improve the performance of the network. Empirical data shows how much different materials inhibit the signal (see Fig. 1-3 below). For example, in an office setting, determining if brick walls or cubical walls are more penetrable will be very useful when laying out a wireless network.

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Ä13c Isotope Analysis Of Pennsylvanian Carbonates In Arrow Canyon, Nevada, Julia Kahmann, Dr. Scott Ritter Jan 2014

Ä13c Isotope Analysis Of Pennsylvanian Carbonates In Arrow Canyon, Nevada, Julia Kahmann, Dr. Scott Ritter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Carbonate rocks, when sampled and analyzed for their carbon isotopes, carry an isotopic signature that may be used as a correlation tool. When other tools do not suffice, or the present correlation needs to be enhanced, isotope analysis is an appropriate alternative. Arrow Canyon Nevada has extensive, continuous, cyclical packages of pristine limestone making the location a prime candidate for isotopic analysis. As an isotopic signal for the limestone cycles is established, the resulting isotope carbon curve may be used as a correlative to91 for other basins along the Pennsylvanian paleo-margin.

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