Senior Division Animal Sciences - CSEF Home Page€¦ · · 2017-03-30Senior Division Animal Sciences ... locate and attack prey using only their trichobothria when their vision

Senior Division Animal Sciences

Felix Channiago 2-01-001 The Effect of Airborne Vibration on Sensory Hairs (Trichobothria) of Phidippus Jumping Spiders

Jumping spiders, in the family Salticidae, primarily use four pairs of eyes to locale prey. The large, front-facing pair of binocular eyes called the Anterior Median Eyes (AME), located above the chelicerae (jaws), are the most important and provide the keenest images. In this study, Salticidae spiders were compared to Araneidae spiders (orb-weaver spiders), which primarily use setae (vibration sensing organs) called the trichobothria for hunting purposes. It was hypothesized that the visual Salticidae spiders could successfully locate and attack prey using only their trichobothria when their vision was eliminated. An Olympus SZX10 microscope was used to confirm the location of trichobothria on the metatarsus and tarsus of the Salticidae. After locating the trichobothria, the spiders were introduced to a maze with live prey to determine their prey-location strategies. In the control group, the spiders were allowed to use vision to detect prey, and they detected the prey within a 2 - 6 minute range. It was observed that these spiders detected the prey from at least 5 inches away. The test group of spiders were forced to use only their trichobothria to locate prey by covering the maze with red cellophane. While these spiders were capable of pinpointing the prey without the use of their AMEs, they frequently misjudged the location of the fly, making their predatory response less effective. In conclusion, the hypothesis that Salticidae spiders are capable of pinpointing the location of a fly using only their trichobothria was supported, but there was a reduced predatory response.

Natalie Finamore 2-01-002 When Sharks Fly

When Speedo introduced its “sharkskin” in 2008, the societal impacts were as significant as the athletic ones. True sharkskin is made of microscopic structures called denticles, repeated and arranged to preserve a laminar boundary on the skin’s surface. This experiment tested the effectiveness of biomimetic sharkskin surfaces in a compressible-fluid environment for applications in aviation. Some adaptations of this surface are already being applied, but none use the exact shape of a shark denticle. This leads to questions: Are simple ridges truly the most effective adaptation of a shark denticle? Can a full-bodied denticle provide better aerodynamics than a simple head? How much of an advantage do the ridges provide? Several types of denticle were designed, 3-D printed, and tested at different speeds and angles in a wind tunnel to confirm neutral levels of lift and drag produced. Finally, the inventor files were tested in Autodesk Flow Design to compare for maximum and minimum pressure areas and values. The data reported an overall trend of lower pressure in ridged denticles and significantly higher pressure in full-bodied denticles. The most closely biomimetic unit appears most efficient, based on pressure-reducing effects of the ridges and preservation provided by the denticle body. A next step would be to test denticles based on those of sharks from specific habitats, because aircraft designed to function at specific temperatures, altitudes, or air densities may benefit from differently shaped denticles.

Sydnee Roth 2-01-003 Don't Stress Me Out!

Don’t Stress Me Out is an experiment that was used to determine if body temperature and heart rate could help to identify the porcine stress syndrome, when pigs are given a natural stressful sound. The hypothesis was that when given a stressful sound the heart rate and body temperature would increase. If there was a large increase in heart rate or body temperature, then that pig would be more likely to have the stressor gene. The pigs’ heart rate and body temperature were taken, then they were given a 40-minute break. The pig was then played the sound and observed. The pigs’ heart rate and body temperature were taken once again and 4 ml of blood was drawn for the porcine stress syndrome test. The average heart rate for female pigs was 154.8 beats per minute. The average body temperature for female pigs was 103.82 degrees Fahrenheit. The male pigs averaged 141 beats per minute for the heart rate and 104.08 degrees Fahrenheit for the body temperature.


Amrita Purkayastha 2-01-004 Role of Endothelin Receptor B in Vertebrate Pigment Cell Evolution

Endothelin pathways in jawed vertebrates are critical in the specification of different neural crest cell types, including pigment cells. The ednrb gene attributes to the development of neural crest cells during vertebrate embryonic development which migrate and become other cells, giving pigment cells to the embryo. The purpose of this project is to determine if mutant lampreys are able to express and mobilize some pigment cells even in the absence of ednrb. Thus, the prediction is that lampreys with more working copies of the ednrb gene will express more pigment cells and will have proper migration. The methods used to conduct this project consisted of the genotyping of three different CRISPR/Cas9 mutated lamprey larvae, which included a series of PCRs. The samples were then sequenced and analyzed. It was concluded that ednrb is not necessary for pigment production, but it is necessary for pigment migration. All of the lampreys were mutant with the ednrb gene, but they all produced pigment while they all had improper migration. This claim was strengthened because most of the mutations were in frame mutations rather than frameshift mutations. The work done in this project can help scientists not only understand vertebrate evolution from 400 million years ago, but it applies to the medical world because it is also researching causes of pigment reduction conditions such as albinism and vitiligo. More generally, this project confirms the methods of CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, which can allow scientists to intentionally mutate harmful proteins.

Natalya Komleva 2-01-005 Brain Food: The Effects of Nutritional Changes in Memory Enhancement and Neurotransmitter

Functionality

The researcher was testing how the dietary habits of rodents affected the neurotransmitters functionality by timing their performance in five different mazes. The ratio of added food to the rodent food was 30:70, given protein, lipids, and carbohydrates as the added food. The control received 100% rodent food. Each food portion was given in equal amounts to three rodents for five days and run through one maze a day. Each maze was different in the difficulty as well as the appearance and type of the maze it was. They were placed into the mazes for each day as were times from beginning till they reached the end. This was repeated for five days and on the weekend they would rest and eat regular 100% rodent food to lose all that other added food in their system. After the weekend is over then the adding of food continues for five days as well as the series of tests in the mazes. After all the trials were complete the researcher would them take all the observations and data recorded and compare the result to find that the lipids performed better than the others, followed by proteins and the carbohydrates not playing a role in the following patterns. This resulted in the researches hypothesis being incorrect with the thought of the protein that would perform better than the other options.

Elissa Velasquez 2-01-006 Epi(c)genetics

What if humans could prepare and prime their children for a certain environment? This project looks at whether or not fruit flies can transfer cross generational memories. Over 75% of all human diseases can be tested with similar results on a Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly). This means that if this test was proven on the fruit fly, it could go on to be tested on humans. My hypothesis was that the fruit flies would transfer their memories to their offspring. Three different sets of fruit flies were tested throughout two generations. The fruit flies were placed in the testing environment (a plastic cup connected to two glass cylinders with a piece of electrical tape connected to wires and a battery) for 15min. One tube contained fresh linen febreeze scent and no electrical shock, and the other tube contained a rotten cantaloupe smell but was connected to a battery. Flies entering the Cantaloupe tube faced a small shock. After three tests with shock, I removed generation one and then tested generation two without shock to see if they retained any memory. Then I repeated these steps again. Contrary to my hypothesis the fruit flies retained little to no memories from the previous generation. I would have liked to continue this project, but when it was time to do another test I noticed that some fruit flies were no longer repopulating due to mold in their living environment.


Riley Russell & Anand Chundi 2-01-301 Morphological Effects of a Predator on Crayfish: Fight or Flight?

Many species develop changes in their morphology in response to environmental stimuli. Morphological responses of Procambarus acutus (crayfish) to a largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were tested in this experiment. Two sets of crayfish were tested: one isolated, and the other grown in the presence of M. salmoides for 4 months. During this period, the claw length, carapace length, claw depth, dactylus length, abdomen length, and abdomen width of each crayfish were measured. After harvesting tissue from the claws and abdomens from both sets of crayfish, mRNA was isolated from the tissue samples in order to perform qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reactions). Results show the response to fight or flight stimuli in a prey species. Residual values of dactyl length vs abdomen length were statistically different between crayfish exposed and not exposed to the bass. These results will provide further insight into the effects that environmental stimuli have on morphology and gene expression.

Senior Division Behavioral & Social Sciences

Cassandra Blew 2-02-001 Investigating Triggers of Sundowners Syndrome in Dementia Patients in an Institutional Setting: Year Two

Sundowners syndrome is a clinical diagnosis given to dementia patients. People who suffer from this experience heightened neuropsychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, agitation, confusion, etc.) as the sun sets. It is unknown as to why this phenomenon occurs, so there is no guaranteed remedy. The purpose of this study is to identify a trigger for the syndrome. This is an intensive research study. The process began with rigorous research on sundowning and any related topic. As the study progressed, some focus shifted to how the brain works, why different diagnoses are given, and how neurotransmitters play a part in everyday function (including mood, dementia, circadian rhythms, etc.). A hypothesis was formed that dementia patients who were on both “anti-dementia” medications and antidepressants would have a greater risk of sundowning due to the interaction of the medications and neurotransmitters. Once a deeper understanding of sundowners syndrome and the brain was fulfilled, medical records of dementia patients were obtained. All dementia patients’ records were collected and compared. Any identifiable information was redacted before studied. A total of 50 medical records were acquired. The collected data showed if the patients were on an “anti-dementia” medication and/or an antidepressant and if they were a reported sundowner. Statistics based off this data were then calculated. Final calculations support the hypothesis. Out of all patients who sundown, 54% are on both “anti-dementia” medications and antidepressants. Statistics support the theory that there is a potential link between sundowners syndrome, these two medications, and natural neurotransmitters in the brain.

Angel Castillo 2-02-002 “Extra” Focus

In my project, I tested if gum helped students in tests. I hypothesized that if you chew gum while taking a test then your test score will be better. I first had to make same level tests using a teacher web site and printed them. Then I had to give the 10 participants the first test, half with gum and half without gum. The next day I did the same procedure but, this time with different tests so the participants will not memorize the answers. I then graded the test and created a table and graph. Finally I analyzed my data to see if chewing gum helps students during tests. It does, the people who chewed gum during the test did obtain better test scores. That means that my hypothesis was right. This study will help students know that gum will help them during a test.

Rachel Washburn 2-02-003 The Effect of Classical and Pop Music on the Time To Complete Cognitive Tasks

In this experiment, 30 high schoolers were asked to listen to classical music, pop music, and no music to find out if classical music can improve a person’s time to complete three cognitive tasks concerning reading, math, and maze finding. The 30 participants were split into 3 groups of ten: no music (control), classical music, and pop music. Participants were given the same three tests and listened to either classical or pop music if they were assigned to. From the experiment the average completion time for no music was 3.5 minutes for reading, 12 minutes for math, 7.8 minutes for the maze, and 23 minutes for the total time. Participants who listened to classical music had a faster average completion time of 3 minutes for reading, 10 minutes for math, 7.4 minutes for the maze, and a total of 21 minutes. However, participants who listened to pop music had a slower average completion time of 6.2 minutes for reading, 13 minutes for math, 7.6 minutes for the maze, and a total time of 27 minutes. The reading and math results had the most significant improvement from listening to classical music, however there wasn’t an extreme improvement in time for the maze, most completion times for the maze were about 7 minutes.


Rebekah Heath 2-02-004 The Effects of Reading Speed on Comprehension

The rationale of this project was to see if reading speed effects comprehension more for fiction or non-fiction prose. Reading faster will lesson comprehension for non-fiction more than fiction. Participants read four different passages; two at their normal pace, two at their faster pace. The first passage was fiction, second non-fiction, third fiction, fourth non-fiction. Participants read for one minute at each specified speed, either at their normal or fast pace; then, marked the last word read to get their words per minute; lastly, based on how far they read, subjects would answer comprehension questions. The data gathered from twenty-one participants had a difference in reading speed and comprehension between fiction normal and fiction fast was 33 words faster and a 12% gain. The difference in non-fiction was 95 words faster and a 6% gain in comprehension. The overall efficient words per minute (ewpm) for normal pace is 121; the overall ewpm for fast pace is 182. The results of this experiment proved the hypothesis wrong, the faster pace had 61 more efficient words per minute than the normal pace. Participants read non-fiction slower at their normal pace and quicker at their fast pace, but the comprehension levels for non-fiction fast, although they were fairly close, were still higher than that of non-fiction normal.

Sydney Heffernan 2-02-005 Taste That!

This experiment began with a question: Does gender influence a person’s taste preferences? That question led to another question: Can suggestion change someone’s opinion on their favorite flavor of food? It was hypothesized that suggestion would influence most people’s opinions, and that females would prefer sweet tastes and males would prefer salty tastes. To test this, 34 participants were gathered. There were 17 girls and 17 boys altogether. Each participant was blindfolded and tasted 1 honey stick, 1 toxic waste candy, 1 tbs. of unsweetened baking chocolate, and 1 Lay’s potato chip, separately, with water in between each taste. This process was repeated a second time, but sour was suggested to be the researcher’s favorite flavor. Once the data was collected, it suggested that the number of participants who chose sour to be their favorite flavor increased from 8, before the suggestion, to 16, after the suggestion. This meant that the data supported the original hypothesis. The data also suggested that boys’ favorite flavor was sweet, and girls’ favorite flavor was sour which did not support the original hypothesis that boys’ favorite flavor would be salty and girls’ favorite flavor would be sweet. It was found that more girls switched their favorite flavor to sour after the suggestion than boys. This experiment is important to inform people of how easily the brain can be manipulated. Suggestion is everywhere in today’s world, and it is very important to make decisions for yourself and not be influenced by others.

Ty Piner 2-02-006 Who Dun It? The Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony

I wanted to find which age group (8-12 year olds, 13-18 year olds, and 19+ year olds) would give the most accurate eyewitness testimony. To find this, I staged a mock crime and after each age group witnessed the crime, I took each individual in one at a time and asked a total of 5 questions (each question worth 2 points). I then compared the statements with the actual crime. After I received all the statements, I took the average of each age group. Whichever age group has the highest average gave the most accurate testimony. The age group with the highest average was the 13-18 year olds.


Alyssa Pecoraro 2-02-007 Think Fast!

The research of cell phone reaction time was tested because of its relevancy to today and society’s evolution of technology and people’s dependency on it. The purpose of this experiment is to test whether talking and texting affects reaction time and to see if there is a difference between talking and texting, and which one has a slower reaction time. Test subjects will have a faster reaction time and catch the meter stick faster when they are talking rather than when they are texting was hypothesized for this experiment. Each test subject attempted to catch the meter stick with their non-dominant hand while texting, talking, and neither with their dominant hand. The trial with neither talking nor texting had the fastest average reaction time of 2.38 seconds. The averaged calling reaction time, 4.57 seconds, was 0.19 seconds faster than averaged texting reaction time of 4.38 seconds. The study on cell phones reaction time is very proactive to today’s generation because of the usage that has increased promptly and the skyrocketing numbers of people who depend on cell phones every day and will continue to do so. Auto manufacturers have taken notice in distracted driving accidents that involve cell phones and have started making models that have smart technology that will help prevent these kinds of accidents. With this bit of knowledge, scientists can make further studies and inquires that can help advance and expedite the research and open up new routes of study.

Scott Litwiler 2-02-008 Teenagers Texting While Driving: Computerized Eye Tracking as a Method to Assess Visual Distraction

During Driving Simulations

Approximately 30% of all drivers have recently been found to read or send text or e-mail messages at least once in the past 30 days. Distracted driving claimed 3,179 lives in 2014 alone. With teen traffic fatalities being more common than any other age group, the impact of texting while driving is viewed as a significant problem. Few studies have used simulated driving experiences to directly assess the impact on gaze while driving. In this research, gaze was monitored using a commercial eye tracker mounted to a laptop computer while subjects watched a 10-minute video of normal daytime driving. Each segment of the video was shown twice in random order, once with and once without a cell phone appearing with text messages. Following the video, each subject completed a questionnaire to assess 5 constructs related to risk as a driver. The eye tracking data and correlations were analyzed using scripts written in R, a statistical programming language. The most significant correlation was between experience and actual skill (p<0.001). On average, subjects viewed text messages for approximately 30% of the 3-second window after each text appeared. There was a consistent decrease in objects of interest being observed while text messages appeared. A negative correlation between the amount of media use (based on responses from the questionnaire) and the amount of time that subjects viewed each text was found (p=0.072). Also, as overall risk for poor driving increased, gaze related to other vehicles decreased (p=0.014).


Sarah Davidson 2-02-009 Differences in Functions of Proprioceptive Feedback Mechanisms: In Shod and Barefoot Conditions

This study examined whether proprioception and balance are affected by shod versus barefoot conditions. Previous studies suggest that wearing shoes would decrease proprioceptive feedback and thus negatively affect proprioception and balance. Five tests were conducted on 20 subjects to evaluate: angle recreation, balance, balance with and without sight, and balance with conflicting visual information. The null hypotheses were all accepted (no differences shod versus barefoot). Statistical analysis revealed p-values (.23<p<.90) thus accepting the null hypothesis. Test 1 involved recreating a 25 degree angle. Average angles of 24.45 degrees (shod) and 24.20 degrees (barefoot) were not significantly different (p=.84). Test 2 involved recreating a 15 degree angle standing on sandpaper. Average angles of 16.35 degrees (shod) and 16.70 degrees (barefoot) were not significantly different (p=.76). Test 3 involved standing on a Bosu Balance Board. Average balance scores of 383.60 (shod) and 390.15 (barefoot), were not significantly different (p=.90). Test 4 single leg balance, was not different between conditions either with eyes open or shut (p>.23). Test 5, single leg balance with conflicting visual information was not different between conditions (p=.54). In contrast to previous studies, five different tests consistently revealed that wearing shoes does not impair proprioception or balance.

Tyler Giallanza & Andrew Ying 2-02-301 Overcoming Cognitive Biases in Mathematical Finance: An Artificial Intelligence Approach

Recent research on financial crises has exposed the significant impacts of cognitive biases in financial marketing and identified a dire need for more effective approaches to the stock market that are less error-prone. This experiment explored the potential of artificially intelligent algorithms as a novel approach to finance and the broader field of cognitive psychology, hypothesizing that AI-based algorithms for selecting stocks will be more successful than those based in human intuition because they are not susceptible to cognitive biases and can make decisions and calculations much quicker. Specifically, this experiment focused on overcoming the confirmation and anchoring bias as well as the availability heuristic, all three of which have been previously shown to affect financial forecasters. The artificially intelligent algorithm designed by the experimenters, a GPU-based neural network utilizing the Google TensorFlow Library, was shown to have a 97% accuracy in predicting whether a stock would appreciate or depreciate: a significant improvement over traditional mathematical methods in finance.

Maya Duran & Sayer Guerrero 2-02-302 Strike a Pose

The purpose of this study was to test if body language has an effect on SAT test performance. Our team hypothesized that students who held high confidence poses before the test would score higher and finish in shorter time than the students who held low confidence poses and the students in the control group. To conduct the study, 7/8 grade students were divided into three groups, high confidence, low confidence, and control. Before the test, the high confidence group was shown images of high confidence poses, and the low confidence group was shown images of low confidence poses. The students were instructed to select a pose and hold it for three minutes. Then all groups gathered to take the practice SAT. The data collected did not support the hypotheses. There was no significant difference in the test scores and the finish times between the three groups. The average tests scores were 11.00 for the high confidence group, 10.86 for the low confidence group, and 11.26 for the control group. The average time in minutes that students took to complete the test out of the 40 minutes allowed was 35.04 for the high confidence group, 35.52 for the low confidence group, and 36.76 for the control group. These findings suggest that body language alone cannot improve test performance. Students were not told that their poses were high confidence or low confidence. Due to the placebo effect, test performance may improve with that knowledge, rigorous study, and the addition of positive mantras.


Edwin Bodoni & Evelyn Bodoni 2-02-303 Hearts Over Minds

Successful fundraising must be a priority for every non-profit organization and a sound understanding of why people donate is essential for the implementation of a more powerful appeal. This study tested the impact of three fundraising strategies (ideology, relationship, and self-serving) on high school students’ inclination to make charitable contributions. Fifteen hundred thirty-seven students were invited to participate, and were randomly divided into the Control Group (CG) and three Experimental Groups: Ideology Group (IG), Relationship Group (RG), and Self-Serving Group (SG). They all received a packet containing a cover letter requesting a donation, a consent form, and a survey. The packets also contained a coupon for the SG and an ideology-based fundraising pitch for the IG. By signing the consent form, answering the survey questions, and making a donation, 210 students (85 males and 125 females) grades 9th through 12th became actual test subjects. Ideology strategies were equally effective among participants. Self-serving strategies were most impactful on males. Freshmen and sophomores (especially females) responded most to relationship-based strategies. There was a significant discrepancy between results obtained from the random group distribution of participants, their survey responses, and the group-specific responses. This discrepancy emphasizes the idea that fundraising is a complex process and quantitative research on philanthropy, although valuable, is challenging to conduct. The real reason students donate is probably multi-factorial and applying several fundraising strategies simultaneously may be ideal for optimal results. Whether, students are ruled by their hearts or their minds when behaving charitably requires further research.

Sidney Schaffer & Geneva San Nicolas 2-02-304 In the Eye of the Biased Beholder, Attacking out Attractions from a Different Angle

Past studies have shown the profound affects that entertainment sources have upon day-to-day lives. Modern technology is so easily accessible and ever-present that the psychological effects are undeniable. The researchers sought to test this, to discover if these entertainment sources affected the perception of beauty. To begin, the researchers calculated the average proportions and angles of four facial types. These types were a male and female anime character, video game character, comic book character, and fashion model. Using photographs of a male and a female subject, the researchers then altered the original baseline pictures to the proportions and general aesthetic of each of the four facial types. Using the altered photos in addition to the original photos, the researchers then surveyed a sample group of 25 individuals of differing age ranges, asking them their preference. To maintain anonymity, the researchers assigned a number to each of the surveys, which contained the selected preferences, frequently used entertainment sources, and age range. In analyzing the data, the researchers found a majority of preferences of the natural female photo and of the male-model photo, which had little to no correlation to entertainment sources or generation.


Aubrey Wells & Kaybree Keating & Kaitlin Wells 2-02-305 Me, MySelfie, and I: Experimental Evidence of the Value of Self Esteem and Selfies

With the increase in technology in our society, social media and "selfies" have become a trend that most teenagers participate in. For this experiment we surveyed 556 high school students using questionnaire that was administered by teachers at Fort Morgan and Weldon Valley High School. Our survey studied the relationship between self-esteem levels and the number of selfies teenagers capture and post, as well as the correlation of this information to different personalities. After analyzing the surveys we concluded that the highest number of selfies is taken by teens with high self-esteem with 53% taking 1-10 selfies each week, proving our hypothesis correct. Also, teens with low self-esteem take less selfies but post them more often, which showed that our second point of our hypothesis was incorrect. We also found that teenagers with the personality type of an extrovert had a higher self-esteem then the teens that identified as an introvert, which proved the last point of our hypothesis was indeed true. The conclusions drawn in our experiment show that social media does more than just allow individuals to post pictures. According to our ANOVA data, there is a direct correlation between taking selfies, higher self-esteem, and an extrovert personality. This information can help teens to analyze their own self-esteem and learn how to examine how they feel about themselves. Future studies can analyze better ways to build self-confidence instead of relying so much on social media.

Senior Division Chemistry & Biochemistry

Danae Beauprez 2-03-001 Dying to Know: How Quickly Does Hair Dye Leach Out?

In society, it is a very common and acceptable social norm that many women choose to dye their hair. However, there is the theory that women cannot dye their hair during pregnancy, because the chemicals in the hair dye could potentially harm the fetus and/or the pregnant woman. The purpose for this experiment was to determine the concentration of the hair dye that leaches out of the hair when washed. Twelve samples of hair were dyed: samples underwent a series of washings ranging from 5 to 40 minutes. After the specified washing, samples soaked for 24 hours. Following the soaking period, the concentration of hair dye that leached out was determined with a colorimeter. Dilutions of hair dye were made to create a set of standard percentages, which were used to determine the percentages of hair dye that leached out from each sample. It was hypothesized that 30% of the dye would leach out after 40 minutes of washing. The hypothesis was rejected, because only 1.80% of the dye had leached out by the end of the 40 minute washing. It was concluded that very little hair dye leaches from the hair during washings.

Joshua Chapman 2-03-002 General Formula for Deriving Reaction Rates

In chemistry, many values are considered experimentally derived, such as reaction rate constants, meaning they are found with experiments as opposed to theoretically. The goal of this research project was to create a general formula that could calculate reaction rates for single-replacement reactions based on properties of the reactants. In addition to importance in theoretical chemistry, applications for a formula able to calculate reaction rates without having to use the time and resources to actually run the reaction range from medicine to machines. The approach for this problem was to find correlations in simulated reaction data. Rather than taking data from real reactions with real chemicals, the program analyzes reactions of made up compounds with made up properties. This allows the program to continuously change a single variable, resulting in a continuous change in reaction rate. To model reactions, a program was created that simulates and displays chemical reactions. The tool ArgusLab was used to calculate mechanics of the compounds. While the program’s results weren’t always the same as real results, it often gave strong correlations in reaction data. This was enough to create a formula to represent the simulated reactions. With further development, a more accurate and expanded formula could be created.

Jayden Edson 2-03-003 Improving Latent Blood Testing

The temperature of a luminescent reaction was manipulated in this study. Specifically the temperature of a reaction between a chemical called Bluestar and blood. By using artificial blood and the training version of Bluestar, reactions at different temperatures were observed. Three pieces of carpet with a small amount of artificial blood on each piece were cut and prepared then allowed to dry. One at 38.8 degrees centigrade, one at -1.6 degrees centigrade, and leaving the last at room temperature, they were all tested and photographed. After being timed and photographed the evidence shows that when the sample was heated the reaction is brighter but shorter, but when cooled the reaction is less vibrant and much longer. The evidence shows that this is because when the reaction is heated it uses energy at an accelerated rate so the reaction is relatively brighter and dims at a quicker rate. This also applies to the colder reaction because it is slower and expends less energy.


Kyle Fridberg 2-03-004 A Novel Method of Producing Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles from Gold Ore and Aqueous Sulfuric Acid

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the colored substance produced by the reaction of sulfuric acid and a vein of gold ore that I discovered in Boulder, Colorado. The collected ore reacted with different concentrations of sulfuric acid to produce red and purple solutions. No reference to this reaction could be found. All qualitative and quantitative analyses performed strongly supported the hypothesis that the ore and sulfuric acid react to create solutions of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Visible absorption spectra of the colored solutions were nearly identical to absorption spectra of colloidal AuNPs. Furthermore, incrementally increasing the acid concentration of the solutions caused a gradual shift from red to purple, which is consistent with the color change exhibited by AuNPs when they aggregate. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Transmission Electron Microscopy are currently being used to provide analytical proof that the solutions contain AuNPs. Powder X-ray diffraction of the ore detected marcasite, which reacts with sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen sulfide --- a known capping agent for AuNPs. Previous studies have found AuNPs in weathered gold ore; however, this project provides the first evidence that they can be extracted. As natural AuNPs are irregularly shaped compared to spherical AuNPs produced in a lab, AuNPs produced by this method could be more efficient for applications where a higher surface area or less uniform morphology is desirable. AuNPs are currently used in cancer treatment, catalysis, electronics, drug delivery, and many other applications.

Aaliayh Garcia 2-03-005 Wildland Firefighter Defense System: Phase Two

My intent for this project was to layer organic aerogel with a light weight and easy to access fire resistant material to figure out the perfect material for a future fire shelter. Even though Climax has already created a material that has aerogel woven into it, I wanted to test it myself to see if I could make something similar. This year my hypothesis was “If I combine aerogel with a non-heat conductive material, then there would be less of a chance for overwhelming heat to transfer through the layers.” The steps I took to prove this hypothesis were to make a carbon sol gel, the unpurified stage of an aerogel, using formaldehyde and resorcinol and layer the sol with pieces of an old bunker jacket, Nomex, and fire blanket. The results for the layers were different every time with direct heat from a torch but I found that the sol gel worked best with Nomex more than any other material. The best test went consistently for 49.5 seconds with direct heat from a flame. To conclude, I will hopefully be working with Climax materials in the future to create the safest and lightest fire shelter.

Aliya Godoy 2-03-006 Does Humidity of a Crime Scene Affect Transfer Quality of a Fingerprint?

If humidity level can affect the transfer quality of a fingerprint, then the knowledge to be obtained, is which humidity level will provide the highest quality fingerprints. To do this, first, the left thumb print must be put on a total of 51 glass slides (three per each humidity level). These fingerprints will then be put in varying humidity levels. Each set of fingerprints will sit in a humidity level for four minutes. Latent fingerprint powder and tape will be used to transfer the fingerprints onto paper, labeling each humidity level. To analyze the data the fingerprints will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10, and also marked by the places where powder transferred too much and too little. This project furthers the research and questioning of what temperature and humidity can do to fingerprints at a crime scene.


Brendan Gould 2-03-007 Going Bananas: Using Banana Peels in Polymerization Reactions to Produce Thermoplastics

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if banana peels can be used to make polymers that will be commercially functional and environmentally friendly. If the concentration (0.01 molar, 0.05 molar, 0.1 molar) of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide used in a polymerization reaction were varied, than the polymers’ tensile strength would increase as the concentration increases, and the elongation to failure would decrease. This experiment involved making polymers with different concentrations (0.01M, 0.05M, 0.1M) of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide and measuring the tensile strength (psi) and elongation to failure (mm). There was no control used for this experiment. The maximum force held and the cross sectional area of each sample were measured and converted into tensile strength by multiplying them together. The data collected did not support the original hypothesis. These findings lead to the conclusion that changing the concentration of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide used in a polymerization reaction does not significantly affect the tensile strength and elongation to failure of the polymer produced. There were slight differences in the data, however, when a T – test was performed, random error overlap occurred, meaning that the differing results could be caused by human or procedural error. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that changing the concentration of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide used in a polymerization reaction does not significantly affect the tensile strength and elongation to failure of the polymer produced.

Allen Olmedo Soto 2-03-008 From Poop To Your Table

For my experiment I tested different types of animal manure for their nitrogen concentration and then determined which is best to be used as a fertilizer. The presence of nitrogen in plants affects the above-ground growth of the plant. Nitrogen also helps produce the green color in a healthy plant, and it increases the fruits protein content. If the amount of nitrogen found in manure affects the outcome of plants, then the cow manure will be best used as fertilizer while pig manure will be the worst. In my experiment the dependent variables will be the Nitrogen concentration. The independent variables will be the types of manure used. My research question: “Which manure, from a livestock animal, has the best fitting nitrogen concentration to be used on crops?” I collected various samples of animal manure from the school farm for each animal and test their nitrogen concentration. The type of nitrogen tested is nitrogen, N. I tested each manure sample using the LaMotte soil testing kit. Afterward, I disposed of the manure by returning it back to the farm of origin. Some of the safety measures I took involved using gloves whenever handling the manure and making sure the manure is recent, because old manure can have different bacteria and microorganisms. In conclusion, the experiment conducted determined that the best manure to be utilized as a fertilizer is cow. Although, I proved that my hypothesis was partially correct because the manure that is the worst is chicken and not pig.


Katelynn Salmon 2-03-009 Biodetoxification and Quantification of N-Nitrosamines by Symbiotaphrina kochii

N-nitrosamines are potent mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds in humans and animals present in food and tobacco products. This study was initial research into a system to prevent the onset of gastric cancers in humans caused by N-nitrosamines in food and cigarette smoke after ingestion or exposure. It has been previously determined that the yeast-like symbiont of the Cigarette Beetle, Symbiotaphrina kochii, has the ability to detoxify xenobiotics and other toxins. This study tested S. kochii’s detoxification ability on N-nitrosodiethylamine. Following treatment with yeast the amount of N-nitrosodiethylamine was quantified by GCMS. Samples not treated with yeast were also quantified to determine S. kochii’s effectiveness at detoxification. Its detoxification abilities ranged from as low as approximately 5% to as high as approximately 37% over a one week period. This study also examined possible methods to extract and quantify the tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA), N-nitrosonornicotine, in cigarettes, but, none of the attempted procedures were efficient enough for the amount of N-nitrosonornicotine to be above the limits of detection of the GCMS. Future directions might include work to further test S. kochii’s detoxification ability, work to improve its efficiency at detoxifying these carcinogens, and further methodology development to quantify TSNAs in cigarettes.

Tyson Schneider 2-03-010 Wicktastic

The purpose of this experiment was to determine which type of candle wick has the longest lasting burn time. In a way this experiment came down to knowing the efficiency of a wick. The hypothesis was that the wooden candle will last the longest due to it being the only candle wick other than cotton, and that it doesn`t curl down when burning, while the wood burns straight down. The hypothesis was supported half way. Yes the wooden candle wick burned for the longesty, however after testing the cotton candle wicks an aboservation made was that the straighter the wick the faster it burned. The approach to this experiment was saftey. Other science fair experiments deal with plants, mass, resistence but dealing with fire meant there had to be no funny business. The only main material that was needed to prevent a fire hazard was having a jug of water at the ready. The result of this experiment were probably a little over kill for a science fair experiment. Each wick had twenty four tests and there were five types of wicks, however tis made the averages even more telling. The square last on average fifty seconds was three times slower than the wooden candle wick last one hundred and fifty seconds. The importance of knowing which candle wick has the longest lasting burn time is subjected to people that make and sell candles.

Kylie Franklin & Lauren Wood 2-03-301 It's Electro . . . phoresis

Gel electrophoresis is a technique used to separate charged molecules like DNA, RNA and proteins according to their size. Current uses of electrophoresis include disease identification, personal identification, etc. Our reason for taking part in this project is to further our knowledge in the possibilities of electrophoresis. We assume that the macromolecules of food dye will separate according to molecular size, with the smaller traveling further, moving towards the positive charge of the electrophoresis chamber. Our main question was, “What stainless steel gauge electrode would work best to cause the molecules to separate with the least amount of corrosion?” We began by making our own chamber, comb, and electrodes. Then made our own agarose and buffer solution. After this we poured the solution into the electrophoresis chamber and waited for it to gel around the comb to make wells to hold the dye. Then inserted the electrodes and filled the wells with different colors of dye. To conclude, we placed the negative charge on the electrode closest to the wells, and the positive charge on the electrode farthest from the wells, and then connected the electricity and set the voltage. This procedure was repeated multiple times with different gauged wires. The results showed that we had the least amount of visible corrosion and the most amount of travel with the 19 gauge wire using 27.0 volts. The goal of future experiments would be to further separate molecules with minimum corrosion; this includes alternate metals as electrodes or different voltage.

Senior Division Earth & Space Sciences

Antonio Arant 2-04-001 How Far is Far Away? Parallax Continued . . .

After last year’s project of learning the process of parallax and attempting to measure a distance by the parallax method, I wanted to expand on this process by attempting to measure a star’s parallax. I went through many different ways of trying to capture a picture of my chosen star, Sirius. I first tried using a Nikon Coolpix camera in my Celestron Nexstar 6 telescope’s objective lens area to take a picture through the telescope. Unfortunately, the pictures of the star were too zoomed in and no background stars could be seen. Background stars are used as a reference frame in measuring a star’s parallax. I then tried to use a specialized telescope camera, a Celestron Neximage 5. This camera had the exact same results as the other trial. I finally had some success with using the Nikon Coolpix camera and a tripod to take pictures of Sirius. During the course of my weekly picture taking, I had a meeting with my physical science/math teacher, Mr. Douglas Crowley. Mr. Crowley showed me that my project, in order to work, needed more complex measurements and high level calculus in order to get an accurate end result. Even though my project never did succeed in measuring a star’s parallax, I am adamant in learning the Calculus in order to successfully measure a star’s parallax next year.

Leo Foster Greer 2-04-002 Harvest Project: Correcting Sea State Bias

The ability to precisely measure sea level (Sea Surface Height or SSH) is imperative for monitoring ocean dynamics and the ongoing rise of the ocean. There are many environmental factors that impact the accuracy of this measurement. A phenomenon known as Sea State Bias (SSB), which is due to ocean waves inconsistently reflecting radar signals, remains one of the largest sources of uncertainty. Therefore, the irregularity (or “roughness”) of the ocean dictates to what degree the data should be corrected. To analyze this data, we used computer graphing to correlate the differences between the instruments affected by SSB (radar and LIDAR) and the bubblers, which are not affected. We then proceeded to analyze the frequencies present in the data and in the residual graphs of the data. Through our extensive analysis of these data, we found signals in the graphs that suggest that SSB is not solely dependent on factors such as local weather, wind speed, and Significant Wave Height; instead there is some signal that causes this bias to change with the tide. The most significant mystery we found was the existence of the large residual difference between the two microwave radars. Moving forward, I plan to explore possible explanations for why we see these patterns in the graphs. In conclusion, we determined it is not possible to create this Sea State Bias correction with the data we have now.

Thomas Hatcher 2-04-003 Harnessing the Yarkovsky Effect to Protect the Earth from Asteroids

Potentially hazardous asteroids are affected by the Yarkovsky and YORP effects. These effects describe how solar heat absorbed by an asteroid is released in shadow, resulting in angular and linear thrust. This thrust either speeds or slows the asteroid’s movement depending on the direction of thrust, changing its spin and/or orbit. The purpose of this observational study was to see how the physical features of model asteroids affect its spin when a force is consistently applied, modeling the Yarkovsky and YORP effects. 3D printed spheres with craters or mounds were suspended to simulate asteroids in space. The control was a plain sphere with no features. A concentrated column of moving air was directed at these model asteroids. The force of the air striking the spheres models the Yarkovsky/YORP thrust that translates into rotation. Using longitudinal marks on the model asteroids, measurements were taken on the rate of rotation. The model produced different spin rates depending on the sphere’s features. The control did not spin at all while the other eight asteroids spun at different rates. Mounds had a bigger impact than craters. The fluctuating rate of the models’ rotation suggests the features’ reaction to the force applied varies depending on spin rate. With additional modeling, we will be able to predict which features need to be constructed on potentially hazardous asteroids to change orbit and spin, harnessing the Yarkovsky and YORP effects.


Adrienne Jones 2-04-004 Borax Crystal Growth Response to Environmental Audio Variables

The purpose of the experiment is to determine if the input of environmental audio/frequency selections played to a borax and water solution will affect the growth of the crystal formations during the course of 10 hours. Pipe cleaners hold the borax crystals while they develop for 10 hours under a variety of music, harmonics or musical structures. Music and various tones affect the crystals in negative and positive behaviors. Following my results I tested for different density solutions that have or have not affected the growth of the crystals. Test playing Hertz scales in the audible range are also tested to tell if these variables in increase waves per second are to also to be a key in the increase crystal growth. With my results I conclude that sounds and the manner they are played have affected the crystals.

Rain Orsi 2-04-005 Is Your Faith In Fracking Shaken?

For my science fair project, I collected data from research papers written about natural and induced seismicity. I then compared the data to try and find patterns that could help determine natural earthquakes from induced earthquakes. My findings showed that the induced seismicity I found tended to have lower stress drops, b-values with a higher spread, and shallower depths. The natural stress drops and depths also had a much higher range than their induced counterparts. I concluded that it is not yet possible for me to use my list of indicators to identify induced seismicity from natural seismicity both accurately and consistently. My project is important because it's essential to know the impacts of hydraulic fracturing and geothermal energy. These impacts go beyond just what we can see, and it's crucial to know what kind of effect they have on the earth, so that we can make the best use of these energy sources both safely and efficiently.

Jenna Salvat 2-04-006 Characterization of the Pyroelectric and Piezoelectric Effect Exhibited by α-Crystalline SiO2

The objective of this experimentation was to analyze the piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects that are exhibited by alpha-crystalline silicon dioxide. This was accomplished by using a hydraulic press and a hot plate to provide mechanical displacement and temperature increase respectively to samples of macrocrystalline quartz. Crystals were prepared through application of a conductive wire adhesive to 16 AWG stranded copper wire on the surfaces of opposite m-faces of SiO2. A digital storage oscilloscope documented voltage production in response to temporary polarization induced by displacement and temperature. Each sample’s piezoelectricity was examined by supplying a constant 100 N and a sporadic 20 N; the pyrolectricty was examined by supplying an total increase in temperature of 14° Celsius. The piezoelectric effect was observed in all samples*: voltage generation ranged from 700 to 1100 mV. *Due to incomplete contact between the opposite m-faces of one crystal sample with the hydraulic press and the base plate, the establishment of an induced polarization was not possible. This was a result of the penetration twinning exhibited by the sample, and no efforts could be made to alter crystal shape to facilitate more effective experimentation. The pyroelectric effect was observed in all samples: voltage generation ranged from 200-300 mV. All data was present in the form of minor rapid voltage increases or “spikes” that were detected by the oscilloscope. Alpha-crystalline silicon dioxide’s piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects were verified and characterized. This is a confirmation of the material’s potential application as a micro-thermovoltaic transducer.


Kate DeMarsh & Madison Bohling 2-04-301 Cape Verde Hurricanes: How Genesis Point Impacts Landfall Latitude

This research project centers around finding a statistical correlation between genesis and first landfall latitude from hurricanes originating in the Cape Verde region, off the coast of Africa around the point 16.5388° N, 23.0418° W. It is hypothesized that Cape Verde Hurricanes genesis and first landfall latitude correlation are statistically significant. In order to deduce if a correlation in the selected data is present, the genesis and landfall were used as the x and y points and graphed into a simple scatter plot to see if the R2 was interesting. Furthering these findings, the correlation was visually depicted using a 95% confident statistical model for predicting first landfall. Thus upon providing us with a specific genesis latitude, we can provide with 95% certainty the location of first landfall for a given storm (+/- 2 sigma from the mean first landfall). Through our analyses, we determined, a strong correlation between the genesis and first landfall latitude amongst the 250+ data points, supporting our hypothesis. Our predictive models visually demonstrate the power of this correlation. With our findings leading us to believe there is a strong correlation between genesis and landfall latitude of Cape Verde hurricanes and our model, these components can aid in hurricane predictions, allowing for better evacuation plans and building techniques in the future.

Senior Division Energy

Ashley Aguilar 2-05-001 Converting Mechanical Vibrations into Electrical Energy Via Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs)

As worldwide demands for energy rise, researchers are compelled to look for innovative and efficient methods of generating energy. As a source of energy, mechanical vibrations, such as those from sound, have the benefit of being ubiquitous. Currently, piezoelectric and electromagnetic devices are two methods for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. However, these two methods are limited in their range of frequency in which they can operate. The use of dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) is a potential solution to this issue as DEGs are capable of registering capacitance change from lower sub-Hz as well as higher frequencies. In this case, the necessity of multiple technologies to capture a range of mechanical vibrations for the purpose of energy generation is eliminated. This project shows the potential of inexpensive and easily produced DEGs by demonstrating an increase in voltage when the DE capacitor is mechanically deformed. We were able to increase the voltage of our DEG from 40V to 90V. This converted energy was stored in a secondary capacitor for later use. Given the equation for energy that is obtained from Q=CV is energy means that the energy increased by a factor of 5. In addition to electrical energy generation, a versatile DEG device would possess other desirable features, such as a sound dampening effect. Busy urban areas, airports, and industrial factories are only a few examples of locations where this device could be installed.

Claire Victor 2-05-002 Renewable Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: The Future of Energy

Presently, the global energy sector is in transition; there is a common goal to implement more renewable energy (RE) sources and decrease dependence on non-renewable sources/fossil fuels. However, this transition is far from simple and many complications arise particularly in grid balancing. The unique capabilities of reversible hydrogen fuel cells were explored to increase reliability and efficiency of RE production systems, in transition and beyond. This project investigated the relationship between the efficiency of the reversible fuel cell in electrolyzer mode and water temperature. The voltage across the electrolyzer was recorded at various current intervals at each water temperature using a single cell electrolyzer and a 100-cell stack electrolyzer. The Nernst equation was utilized to calculate the ideal voltage, and hence the efficiency. The experimental results supported the hypothesis that there would be a direct relationship between the water temperature and the efficiency of the electrolyzer. Following experimentation, calculations were made to determine if reversible fuel cells possess the capability to solve the aforementioned RE issues at the large scale. The city of Boulder was used as an example, and it was found that the entire city could be powered completely by stored renewable hydrogen during a peak energy demand day (24 hours) using only 0.2% of the annual energy produced by wind turbines in Colorado. This project demonstrated that reversible hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to solve the problems that accompany RE integration and can be made more efficient by using higher water temperatures in the electrolyzer.


Max Markuson DiPrince 2-05-003 Windmill Efficiency Part 2: Replicating and 3D Printing Natural Leaf Designs To Test Efficiency on a

Vertical Axis Turbine.

Windmill blade efficiency: is there a way to replicate natural tree leaf designs and determine efficiency on a vertical-axis turbine? Using modern computer software, 3D printers, and wind technology, there is. Computer software today can create 3D blade prototypes on the computer. 3D printers analyze these designs and print them very accurately. These blades are connected onto the base and movement from wind generates energy. Comparing blades' weights, volumes, and surface areas to voltage production, you calculate efficiency. The hypothesis, if the blade has a combination of more surface area, less drag, and less mass, then the maple leaf blade will be the most efficient blade because the blade design has the most surface area and the least mass and drag combined - in comparison to the other leaf designs and control blade - and will generate the most voltage most efficiently, was mostly incorrect. The oak blade (containing the least volume, surface area, and mass) produced the most energy most efficiently. Unlike x-axis turbines, y-axis turbines perform better with smaller blades. The more surface area and volume, the more air resistance/dynamic stalling on the backside. Also, blades with gaps contain micro-turbulence. Micro-turbulence allows the air flow to intersect and generate a mini boost. The maple leaf was efficient like intended, but was not as efficient as the oak leaf. It had more surface area, volume, and mass resulting in more dynamic stalling. The solution for the blades would be smaller, lighter, natural blades like the oak leaf.

Jay Chandra 2-05-004 Carbon Coatings on a Copper Antimonide Anode for Enhanced Performance and Lifetime in Rechargeable

Metal-Ion Batteries

The research project focused on the coating of a copper antimonide (Cu2Sb) anode material, characterizing the coating, and determining effects it had on the cycling of a battery. The carbon coating was expected to increase the lifetime of the battery due to maintaining electrical contact throughout the anode, physically reducing the negative effects of the breaking apart of the Cu2Sb anode material, and improving surface electrolyte interface (SEI) formation. It was advantageous to focus on a Cu2Sb anode material since copper antimonide batteries are generally safer than traditional anodes and have the potential for use in sodium ion batteries. The Cu2Sb was synthesized using electrodeposition from an aqueous solution. The carbon coating was formed using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) through the decomposition of acetylene. Battery half cells were made using the anode material, they were repeatedly cycled (charged and discharged), and voltage and current data was collected. The CVD procedure was developed to reproducibly form a consistent, thin carbon coating on the Cu2Sb. Raman spectroscopy showed it was an amorphous graphitic carbon coating. Early cycling data displayed a distinct difference between coated and non-coated anodes. Therefore, the carbon coating altered the electrochemical interactions between the anode material and the electrolyte. To make definitive conclusions about the effect of the carbon coating on the lifetime performance of a battery, extended cycling experiments must be run for a few months. This would allow for the determination of the anode lifetime, which could truly reveal the possible advantages of the carbon coating.


Sean Steinhart 2-05-005 There's So Much Energy: And We Are Missing Out!

When I saw Andre Boswell’s prototype I immediately wanted to experiment and learn about what he did to take solar energy to a whole new level. In the beginning I wanted to focus more on what shape would work the best. Upon further research, I found that making my own glass shapes would be borderline impossible and very hard to calculate all the right angles. I was lost looking for an answer. I looked to a color spectrum and wave length poster, and realized I could test the color of glass. I designed my very own prototype that mimicked Andre Broswell’s. In preparation, the wires popped clean off the solar panel. Then I learned how to saunter an electric wire. I worked to get the wire to produce current from the solar panel. Finally I figured out the current. I went out to test. I got readings left and right and then suddenly I couldn’t get any other readings. The other wire popped off. I worked to now saunter both wires to produce current. I ran into various problems such as negative readings, reduced current flow, and finding the right distance for the orb to sit. In the end I found that yellow glass is as good, if not better than clear glass. I noticed that the readings I were getting were actually less that readings without the orb. I realized that the orbs were focusing light but on a much smaller scale than what was anticipated.

Daniel Orbidan & Ethan Simpson 2-05-301 The Impact of Rutile Phase Titania Nanowire Length on Periphyton Colonization and Voltage Output

As problems with fossil fuels accumulate, society requires information to discover and develop new forms of energy. This project explored the use of titania nanowires in a periphyton-based solar cell, especially effects of nanowire size on periphyton colonization and voltage output. To create different sized nanowires, substrates were exposed to hydrothermal growth process for different periods of time (4 and 20 hours). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of nanowires. The four-hour and twenty-hour substrates were submerged along with two controls (one which is conductive and one which is not) in a nutrient bath to promote algae colonization. Across all conductive samples the highest observed average voltage was 120.22 millivolts, produced by a tin oxide glass slide. The highest average amperage was 4.96 milliamps, also from the tin oxide glass slide. All conductive substrates followed a general pattern of an increase in electricity followed by a decline and stabilization of charge. The four-hour nanowire substrate produced the most significant bio film, adding an extra 0.135 grams. Nanowires did not improve voltage output but could aid algae colonization. Periphyton biomass was not directly related to electrical output.

Michelle Ren & Julianna O'Clair 2-05-302 Energy Production of Microbial Fuel Cells

Identifying alternative energy sources to fossil fuels has emerged as a significant priority. Using the microbes found in soil or wastewater to generate electricity in microbial fuel cells may be part of the solution. How could the amount of energy produced from MFCs be increased? The researchers hypothesized that the sugar solution and salt solution would enhance the power output, and that the soil obtained from the backyard would have a greater power output, since the soil obtained from the drainage ditch was sandier. The researchers constructed two MFCs, with backyard soil in one and ditch soil in another. The MFCs were tested on different resistances and the power output was observed for four days. A sugar water solution was then added to each fuel cell and observations were continued for two days. The researchers then added a salt solution and continued measurements for three days. The experimental results supported the hypothesis as the power output of both microbial fuel cells increased when the salt solution and sugar solution was added. The average peak power output in four days was 1.61E-2µW for backyard and 1.05E-2µW for ditch and increased to 2.30E-2µW and 1.01E-3µW after sugar solution was added. The backyard MFC also had a greater power output with an average peak power of 3.33E-2µW as compared to the 1.06E-3µW for ditch. This experiment demonstrates that the power generated from microbial fuel cells could be used as an effective energy source; a further study to help take advantage of this resource is needed.

Senior Division Engineering

Jay Armstrong 2-06-001 Hands-off Heterodyning: The Science and Technology behind the Theremin

Imagine the wonder that filled a little boy who loved music when he saw a performer wave his hands around a seemingly magical box with two antennas to play a beautiful song. That little boy was me, and the box was not magical, it was scientific, and it’s known as a Theremin. The goal of this project was to develop a Theremin that was relatively cheap while also being small, portable, easy to assemble, and easy to play. I chose to test two different prototypes and see how each one faired in regards to the design criteria. The first model was an Optical Theremin (which is not a traditional theremin), and its circuit board had to be soldered in order to be assembled. The second model was a pitch only Radio Theremin, and the assembly was focused on the case that it would be placed into in order to meet size restrictions. The main difference between construction procedures was that the Optical Theremin would require soldering but would not require a case to be constructed, whereas the Radio Theremin would require a case to be constructed but the circuit board was pre-prepared. The Optical Theremin failed to meet all of the design criteria, as the wire that was to be used was too weak to hold up to daily use, and as such construction could not be completed. The Radio Theremin was a success as it met all of the design criteria and is also very enjoyable to play.

Seth Beedy 2-06-002 A Sand Rail: The Cost

This project searches out a more money efficient way of engineering a sand rail that still meets certain requirements to be a functional and safe vehicle. This research could inform others interested in building their own vehicle with similar specifications on a more cost effective method to do so. This information would have a substantial impact on the off road and sand dune community, which has a high need for these vehicles but not always the money for similar mass manufactured vehicles of this sort.

Aubrey Berger 2-06-003 Mechanized Collection of Organic Spider Silk

Spider silk is a very valuable but elusive material. It is 30 times tougher than steel yet is difficult to obtain. Synthetic production has had limited success because the chemical changes to the silk protein inside the gland are currently too complicated to understand or replicate. The goal of my research therefore was to create a prototype of a system to pull silk from spiders made up of cheap materials and required minimal human interference. In building the prototype, I tested out different designs and improved upon those which showed the most promise. In order to provide the spider with the resources necessary for silk production I tried extracting silk glands for incubation in liquid media, poking holes in exoskeleton to submerge in liquid media, and eventually concluded that feeding pupae to live restrained spiders worked best in keeping the spider alive and healthy enough to produce silk. For silk extraction and collection, I built different rotating spools. Eventually I tested and designed a spool that could automatically collect silk directly from the spinnerets, drastically reducing the manual labor needed. Calculated from my data, the average rate of web production in this system was .0146 mg/minute; according to that, two months of production of one spider would result in about 4,000 mg of silk with very little labor required. In conclusion, spiders’ naturally produce very little silk on their own and while being forcibly extracted; therefore this system would be most effective in collecting silk for biomedical uses.


Shannon Bland 2-06-004 Stop That Flood (Part VI)

This project is on the study of a concrete dam on different stream shapes. My hypothesis is that if the stream morphology is positioned at a 2 meander stream shape, then the water will flood the house slower. I used a T-Wall levee/dam placed in a conservation trailer, and then shaped the three stream shapes. I built a stream bed around the T-Wall and adjusted the water speed to a moderate speed. Then I started the timer when water hit the stream bed, and waited till the water hit 5 millimeters high. I found that the best morphology had an average time of 85 seconds with 2 meander stream. The second best was the Straight river bed with an average of 87 seconds. Third best was the 1 meander stream, it held the water back the least, and it had an average 80 seconds. An ANOVA statistical test showed the calculated that F=2.16. The F-critical value for all shapes was 3.35. This shows that the treatments are not significantly different. My data did support my hypothesis. I predicted that the 2 meander stream would be the best overall the results of this project are that the 2 meander stream did the best by creating little erosion and with little flooding of the land. People should be interested in this project, because it is a great way for us to help prevent flooding in the future.

Leighton Burt 2-06-005 Life Saving Locating: Developing Autonomous Avalanche Rescue Part 3

Avalanches claim approximately 30 lives per year, and innovative technologies are critical in keeping winter recreationists safe. This project attempts to develop a drone based system which uses an avalanche transceiver to autonomously locate avalanche victims with the goal of improving avalanche rescue efficiency. Phase One successfully developed a ground-based rover able to locate an avalanche beacon. Phase Two successfully integrated a transceiver and Raspberry Pi (RPi) computer to create an autonomous navigation system. The system was successful in locating a beacon, thus the next phase was integration of the transceiver and RPi with a drone. Research and experimentation determined that the 3DR Solo was a capable drone for this application, given that it could carry the weight of the transceiver and RPi. The Solo could also be controlled via Wi-Fi by using an open source programming library called DroneKit-Python. Visual drone simulations (SITL and Mission Planner) were used to test and develop DroneKit movement commands for use with the flight guidance program from Phase Two. Initially, the program was successful when used with the simulators, but further research and experimentation is required to fully control the Solo in order to completely accomplish the engineering goal. This project has been successful in identifying a drone platform capable of carrying the autonomous navigation system, developing movement programs capable of accurately navigating the drone. Additionally, the necessary research in order to develop a working prototype. In the near future, the autonomous navigation system will be integrated with the drone to create an initial prototype capable of completing a grid and beacon search.

Chase Cromwell 2-06-006 Stampede Arm

Can 3D Printing be used to manufacture a myoelectric prosthetic arm for under $350? The design criteria for this version were: design-able in free software, prints in a Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printer’s 200mmx200mmx180mm build volume, uses no screws for assembly, and is dimensionally accurate to the model arm (patient). Measurements were taken from a model arm and transposed into OnShape software and printed on a Prusa i3 3D Printer. The prosthetic was then assembled using Velcro and motor shafts as the fasteners. Final testing measured the prosthetic side by side with the model arm. Results from those measurements show that all parts of the arm were the same size with the exception of the forearm which was 1.73inches (15.72%) shorter than the model arm, possibly because of a technical error or design flaw. This design and its properties successfully meet 4 of 5 design requirements. Future expansions could be to program the arm and allow it to function off of a wireless headset or to create a second arm and explore dual mobility processes such as driving or typing.


Anurag Golla 2-06-007 Motility Optimization of the PNIPAm Based Drug Delivery System

Traditional methods of active therapeutic targeting are highly inefficient as a result of their dependence on pressure gradients such as the blood stream to achieve locomotion. This synthetic biology based investigation develops and optimizes the efficiency of an actuated drug delivery vehicle through the use of a novel coupling of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) and anisotropic friction. The PNIPAm drug delivery vehicle has the potential to provide more control and to achieve higher targeting precision. The cross-linked, thermo-responsive PNIPAm, in hydrogel form, is characterized by a 32 degree phase-change temperature threshold. When an alternating magnetic field is applied to magnetic nanoparticle infused PNIPAm hydrogels, the gels pulsate between the hydrophobic (shrunken) and hydrophilic (swollen) states. Controlled motion is achieved with anisotropic ridges embedded into channel-like structures creating a directional force of friction. The efficiency of hydrogel motility, described in terms of the coefficient of friction ratio and the coefficient of friction weighted mean value (roughness), is driven by (1) confinement within the environment, the diameter of modeling channels, and (2) geometric configuration of the anisotropic surface, the tilt of the ridges. The confidence levels of the correlations ( > 95%) positively show (1) the coefficient of friction ratio substantially decreased with higher tilt geometric configuration and (2) the weighted mean increased with lover confinement, achieving optimal conditions at a high tilt value (s/w = 0.5) and confinement (d = 0.008 m). From the colloidal constitutive model, a differential model weighing stress and strain factors against friction forces was developed and theoretically tested.

Isaac Jordan 2-06-008 A Novel Approach for Sensing Seismic Events: Applications of Graphene Nano-flake Powder Composites

The goal of this project was to design a deformation sensor with optimal performance utilizing graphene nanoflake powder, having the potential to replace or rival current sensors on the market in a variety of fields such as heart rate sensors or seismic sensors. After testing many different designs, mixtures and techniques, it was found that the sensor with optimal performance was made by combining 0.2 grams of silicone rubber with 0.06 grams of graphene. The sensor required the additional step of applying voltage while in a semi-cured state to encourage proper orientation of the graphene nanoflakes. The sensor was tested by placing a piece of aluminum foil on a flat surface under the sensor. A steel ball bearing was placed on top of the sensor to act as an inertial mass. 5 volts DC was applied across the sensor via the steel ball and aluminum foil and voltage was measured with an Arduino Uno. Any movement of the steel ball relative to the flat surface causes the ball to deform the sensor which causes a change in conductivity, resulting in a voltage change that is sensed by the Arduino. The voltage data was displayed on a computer for analysis. Sensor characterization shows that the sensor would be effective at detecting seismic waves with a detection range from sub-hertz to over 300 hertz, and is very sensitive. The sensor system has the benefit of being easy to produce and very cost effective with each unit costing less than $20 including electronics.


Krithik Ramesh 2-06-009 Redesigning the Jet Engine to be Impervious to Foreign Contaminants: Part Two

Aircraft Engines are vulnerable to severe damage, which can lead decreased aircraft safety and loss of millions of dollars of profit. I designed a jet engine with improved resistance to ash particulates, bird strikes, and with greater fuel efficiency than the leading jet engine on the market. I simulated each jet engine in real world scenarios to see how each jet engine performed with various stress and load factors I also applied a series of flow tests. The analyzed data focused on the safety factor, Von Mises Stress Factor, Displacement, and reaction force of the each component. Lowering the foreign contaminant accumulation would improve engine performance, fuel consumption, and maker for safer airplanes. To simulate all the flow tests and structural analysis I used the Autodesk Fusion 360 and Autodesk CFD Motion software. I 3D printed one control group jet engine (Trent 1000) and one experimental jet engine. The best performing jet engine was the experimental jet engine followed by control group jet engine 1n (GEnx 1B). The results show that the experimental jet engine could handle structural loads better due to its triangular housing. The data suggest that if the aviation industry employed the experimental jet engine it would improve safety and efficiency.

Amy Nguyen & Katherine Tran 2-06-301 Let It Flow: Developments of a New Two Leaflet Bovine Tissue Mitral Valve Replacement

Worldwide, 15.6 million people have suffered through fevers that cause inflammation to blood vessels and the heart; as some may know, after rheumatic diseases or strokes, there are high chances that the leaflets of a mitral valve have no support system to properly close, maintain efficient blood-flow, and prevent regurgitation. This research was done to serve people who suffer through mitral valve diseases and require an effective valve replacement to increase blood flow and prevent further complications. The experimentation was focused on the development of a bioprosthetic mitral valve, improved through iterative testing. In this process, the independent variables were the length of tissue and design. The dependent variables were the amount of blood-flow and the valve’s capability to open/close. In the process of testing the hypothesis, a pump system modeling the circulatory system, and a duck-billed mitral valve frame to hold the tissue in place were constructed, as well as a size 24 mm D-shaped ring suitable for infants. Instead of utilizing bovine tissue onto the valve for all testing trials, balloons were used as a temporary replacement, due to their similar properties with tissue. With the constructed valve, it is concluded that the smaller the diameter, the less tension will occur throughout pumping. The best results of 22.1 mL/pump have shown that the valve’s 37 mm full dimension with a base-to-curve trim of 10 mm can properly pump blood for approximately a 3-year-old baby. Other ages vary in size.

Senior Division Environmental Sciences

Eric Bear 2-07-001 Determining Water Treatment Planning Using a Classification Model Neural Network

My purpose is to program a water testing and treatment neural network that utilizes machine learning to process water treatment data of various contaminants. Communities would benefit from knowledge of accessible potable water treatment options, enabling a “citizen science” approach to water testing and treatment. While there have been no studies in literature verifying the accuracy of reading colorimetric water quality test strips, programming a computer to analyze RGB values of test strips offers the potential to mitigate human error from color blindness and individual differences in discerning colors. Furthermore, a classification model artificial neural network can be implemented to weigh many features when determining ideal water treatment planning. Within the neural network, water contaminants (nitrate, nitrite, pH, hardness, alkalinity, chlorine, pesticides, arsenic, and lead) are features used to classify corresponding water treatment methods. Given a predetermined data set of contaminants from several geographical locations and their corresponding treatment options, the neural network is iteratively trained using backpropagation to adjust synaptic weights and minimize evaluation error. After training, images of color reagent test strips are processed using a calibrated RGB color analyzer and serve as new scenarios of neural network input. The output of the trained neural network is a prediction of ideal water treatment methods (distillation, reverse osmosis, filters, ion exchange, and softeners) and their respective economic costs. This project has potential for developing a smart phone application for global use in identifying contaminants and determining ideal treatment.

Caitlin Belcher 2-07-002 AsH20

The purpose of this experiment was to test if ash from wildfires harms water quality and aquatic life. My hypothesis for the first one was as the concentration of ash (soot) goes up, Daphnia will turn red and then die. My hypothesis for the second part was the lettuce seeds with ash will fail to germinate or have less growth than the control. I used Daphnia, food, and ammonia buffer. I mixed solutions: 6 gallon jugs of tap water,ammonia buffer,and food. I added ash to each Erlenmeyer flask with the solution. I separated 8 Daphnia into each Erlenmeyer flask and one pellet of food. I found out later I should have crushed up the pellet. For the water testing I used the water solutions with no Daphnia, poured into a flask. I tested dissolved oxygen,alkalinity,and hardness. For lettuce seeds, I labeled petri dishes and put nontoxic paper at the bottom of each one. I put the 5 seeds in each dish with the solutions. The petri dishes were then sealed and incubated for 5 days. I took them out for measurement. The data for each part of the experiment did not support my original hypotheses. The Daphnia didn't live long enough to test my hypothesis, so it was inclusive. A little ash in the seeds helped them grow; like its fertilizer. This leads me to believe that little amounts of ash could help water quality, but more testing is necessary in order to confirm the results.

Victoria Dunivan 2-07-003 Analyzing the Effect of the High Park Wildfire Utilizing Remotely Sensed Data

This project focuses on how the high park fire will grow back after the initial damage. This specific fire was chosen because the area was close enough and recent enough to be analyzed with the utmost knowledge. It was assumed that it would grow back better based on knowledge of burning stalks in agriculture. Farmers burn old stalks to fertilize the ground. I figured this might do the same thing for the forest land. I took satellite images from before the fire as a control. Utilizing the program SAGA, a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was made. This is where the data comes from. Compare this image’s pixel saturation to the images after the fire. This is how It was concluded that the forest is actually growing back steadily but at a more than normal rate. This concept can be applied to any wildfire. This research is very valuable to ecologists. You can use this method to predict when the vegetation will be completely recovered, which was also done in this project.


Sergio Estrada 2-07-004 Identifying the Effects of Frequency of Lumbricus Terrestris, Gryllidae, and Drosophilia’s Environment

(Second Year Study)

Noise pollution has a dramatic effect on ecosystems, specifically the organisms within them. Noise disrupts mating, migration, and hunting patterns which often leads to the decline of population of certain species, this drop in population affects the food web and ecosystem. The purpose of the research was to identify which frequencies had the greatest effect on worms, crickets, and fruit flies. A group of ten worms, crickets, and fruit flies were placed in a tub, under naturogenic conditions for 20 minutes and observed to serve as a control group. Ten different worms, crickets, and fruit flies were placed into 15 different tubs; five tubs were subjected to ranges of frequencies of 1-5 kHz, five tubs to 6-10 kHz, and the last five tubs to 11-15 kHz via a video played through speakers for five minutes. Their behavior was be observed and then compared to the control group’s behavior to identify differences. The data collected found that on average more worms in the tubs exposed to the frequencies between 11-15 kHz moved from the source of the noise. On average, the range of frequencies between 11 kHz and 15 kHz had the greatest effect on the crickets as well, causing their behavior to seemingly stop. Upon observation, the fruit flies’ behavior was affected by all ranges of frequencies with minimal differences in their behavior between the different ranges of frequencies. My hypothesis of invertebrates subjected to frequencies between 11 kHz and 15 was proven correct based off of the data.

Mitchell Fosdick 2-07-005 The Uptake of Copper Ions by Chlorella Vulgaris

Algae are an amazing organism that has countless different applications across all spectrums of life. The project’s previous four years of research focused on isolating a local strain of algae to efficiently produce a biofuel, searching for the exact name of the local strain, determining if it had the energy component to produce a biofuel, and determining how to grow the algae most efficiently outside of a laboratory environment. Deviating from the previous years’ research, the main concern is no longer to work towards creating a biofuel. Instead, the same growing techniques were used to quickly grow up a sufficient culture of algae for experimentation. In addition, the algae culture was introduced to a supply of copper ions. Prior to experimentation, copper nitrate standards were set to determine the amount of the compound would be initially added into the algae culture. When the copper nitrate was added, a sample was taken out of the culture after a set amount of time. Ammonia was then added to form copper tetramine, making the visible spectroscopy test much more sensitive to the amount of copper ions in the sample. Over time, the concentration of copper ions observed in the samples dropped exponentially. Once the algae had reached its tolerance level of copper, it had become noticeably less green and stopped up-taking copper. The maximum tolerance of the algae was reached within 90 minutes, leading one to believe that this is a rather quick method of remediation. Since this is a more environmentally friendly technique of water purification, it has great potential to use on a larger scale.


Josephina Hoskins-Marcantonio 2-07-006 When Even the Early Bird Is Late: Determining the Role of Foraging Niche and Spring Arrival Date Relative to Conclusion of Lepidoptera Larval Cycle on Population Response To Advancing Springs

Spring arrival across the northern hemisphere has been advancing over the last few decades, and in Europe has advanced as much as 2.3 days per decade. As a result of advancing springs, many avian species migrating across the north and south hemispheres have become mismatched with food resources, mainly caterpillars (Lepidoptera), which in turn likely played a part in population declines. I investigated how foraging location and migratory spring arrival date relates to migratory bird population trends in Western Europe. I predicted that early-arriving and ground-foraging species would be less affected by advancing springs than their foliage-gleaning and late-migrating counterparts. I used scaled population trends from most European countries to compare trends between ground-foraging early, ground-foraging late, foliage-gleaning early, and foliage-gleaning late-arriving species separated into four five-year periods from 1975-1995. All four groups have been declining at a rate higher than expected over the 20-year time period and group trends were statistically indistinguishable. All groups did not significantly recover over time. Migratory timing was not correlated with population trends, but foliage-gleaning species always declined less than ground-foraging species. Given these results it is possible that caterpillar populations are increasing unchecked and having negative effects on forests and crops. It is also possible that many migrant species are not adapting to earlier springs, simply because there are no individuals for which selection for earlier arrival date is advantageous. If any migratory bird species are adapting to advancing springs they most likely occupy a generalist niche space.

Lacey Niccoli 2-07-007 Reclaimed! The Effects of Amendments on Soil Reclamation

The goal of soil reclamation is to return the soil to its original condition, or even to improve it. Some of the major concerns include resistance to erosion, soil nutrients, and soil structure. In the reclamation process, amendments are often added to the soil. The goal of this project was to determine which types of amendments are the most beneficial in preventing erosion, improving soil structure, and production of the biomass in a cover crop. Data was collected in this project by planting turf seed in soil that contained different amendments (gypsum, activated carbon, and kelp) and then comparing its average number of sprouts per 100 cm squared, height of seedlings, and biomass against seeds planted in a control soil (no amendments). Two different plots of soil for each amendment were planted, one level ant the other on a slanted surface. Additionally, soil structure and erosion were analyzed. The initial hypothesis that those seeds planted in soils with amendments would have better root beds and thus lead to better soil structure and a resistance to erosion was partially supported. While all the seedlings planted in plots with gypsum, activated carbon, and kelp did show more advanced root development, this did not always lead to reduce erosion. Only slightly erosion was noted in any of the level plots. On the sloped plots, the control and kelp plots both showed significant amounts of erosion. Overall, the most productive plots in terms of growth, density of seedlings and prevention of erosion for both the level and sloped conditions were the gypsum, followed by activated carbon.


Alyssa Rawinski 2-07-008 Western Snowy Plover Nest Site Characteristics and Use of Drone Imagery in Predicting Potential Nesting

Habitat

The purpose of my project is to determine specific nesting characteristics for the threatened shorebird species the Western Snowy Plover, and to see if imagery from a drone can predict potential nesting habitat. Based on literature review, drones have never been used to predict nesting habitat. In the field, I measured surface cover, soil, micro-topography, and surrounding feature characteristics at eleven nests and random control locations. There were significant differences between nests sites and the control points. Specifically, bare soil, raised topography, average highest point, and number of objects all were significantly different between nests and controls. Factors such as percent grass, litter, and woody debris; distance to water level, bank full and new ecosystem; and soil textures and colors were not significant. Drone imagery was obtained for Pond 46, where four known nests occurred. Using those nests, band width signatures were identified. The nest band width signatures were then extrapolated using ArcGIS to create an area of potential nesting habitat. The map of potential habitat was analyzed by a biologist and it appeared to be a reasonable representation of potential nesting areas. Multi-spectral data collected by the drone was used successfully to predict potential Snowy Plover habitat for this project therefore, drones may become a very useful tool in mapping plover habitat in the future. With the emerging technology of drone mapping, and by knowing what characteristics the birds prefer, biologists can hopefully protect those preferred habitats and possibly recreate them, to prevent the species from declining any more.

Michael Savala 2-07-009 Ferro-Solution? Can Iron Nanoparticles Help with Oil Spill Clean-up?

The goal of this project is to test if iron nanoparticles can help clean up man-made disasters such as oil spills, and compare it to other conventional techniques that have been used in past oil spills. In this project I simulated an oil spill using 30 mL of vegetable oil placed onto water with aquarium salt added (to simulate sea water), and investigated the following clean-up techniques; absorbent materials such as sawdust and shredded paper, ferro-solution (iron oxide and citric acid to act as a surfactant) and skimming (using a simple teaspoon). Each technique was tested a total of five times and was mixed on a non-heated stir plate for fifteen minutes to simulate movement of the sea and ocean. It was found that sawdust was the most efficient technique performed, removing an average of 24.8 mls. This was followed by skimming (18.4 mls), then ferro-solution (13.8 mls), and finally shredded paper (5.0 mls). I also noticed that the longer the sawdust and ferro-solution stayed in the water the more oil it removed. The shredded paper was the least effective since it would quickly sink and fail to absorb much oil. Even though it was my third-highest oil removal technique, I believe that ferro-solution still has a lot of potential as an oil removal method. I believe that with more time and testing I could get the correct ratio of citric acid volume to oil volume to make the surfactant more effective in binding with both the oil and nanoparticles.


Max Warnock 2-07-010 The Impact of Odor Control Clothing on Water Boatmen (Corixidae)

The purpose of this project is to see if chemicals in odor protection clothing can diffuse into water and harm aquatic life. The hypothesis is that clothing with odor protection will harm more Corixidae insects than clothing without odor protection. In background research, it was found that there are no regulations requiring clothing companies to label what chemicals are being used in their products. There are no simple tests or test kits available to test water or clothes for the commonly used chemicals and the effects of these chemicals on aquatic organisms has not been studied. My hypothesis that odor control clothing is harmful to aquatic life was correct. These anti-odor agents in clothing appear to be highly toxic according to my experiments. Because water boatmen are more tolerant to pollution than most macro-invertebrates, these chemicals would have devastating effects on the majority of freshwater aquatic life and ecosystems. Odor control socks and other clothes could be a good thing for someone who has a risk of an infection, but for most of us who have access to a washing machine and bathe regularly, odor control is unnecessary and could cause health problems later in life. Another finding from my experiments was that socks without odor control labels have the same toxic silver nanoparticles as the ones labeled odor control. So, I devised a simple test for the presence of odor control agents in clothing that is very low-cost takes less than 12 hours to complete.

Wyatt Wiening 2-07-011 Effect of Milankovitch Cyclicity on Prehistoric Marine Life of the Late Cretaceous Middle Cenomanian

Since the discovery of Milankovitch cycles by Milutin Milankovitch, numerous studies have been conducted. One of the most famous of which used Vostok Ice Cores to relate these cycles to climate change. In this study, the effect of these cycles on prehistoric marine life was analyzed. In order to determine the health of the ecosystem at the time of the Western Interior Seaway, the population density of macro-invertebrates was measured across randomly sampled horizons of the Greenhorn Formation located on the Comache National Grassland.

McKinley Dirks & Alexandrea Rivera 2-07-301 Methods to Reduce Micropollutants in Treated Water

Research has shown that the estrogen and endocrine disrupting compounds found in treated sewage water have dangerous effects for the fish and wildlife living in the receiving waters. In the rising relevance of this issue, scientists are searching for reliable ways to reduce or remove the levels of these destructive substances in treated effluent. Several studies are looking into the effectiveness of biodegradation and photodegradation to reduce the present hormones. This study seeks to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of retention and carbon filtering treatments in decreasing the levels of endocrine disruptors in effluent waters. Twelve fish were tested in three different conditions: unaltered effluent, retained effluent, and filtered effluent. Altered effluent waters were treated without any betta fish in the tanks; when the treatment was complete the fish were transferred into the treated water tanks and lived in their appropriated waters for the duration of the experiment for data collection. Male betta fish were stimulated by a mirror to display aggressive behaviors and several videos were taken of each fish in all three of the groups. The videos were analyzed and the data used to determine the effectiveness of the two treatments in decreasing the amount of compounds and micropollutants in treated sewage water. The results showed that carbon filtering is not a reliable method to cause substantial reductions in endocrine disruptors, but that, with more experimentation, a retention treatment has the potential to be effective in diminishing the levels of harmful micropollutants found in treated sewage water.


Danny Gallant & Brian Phan 2-07-302 The Effect of Human Density Population on EPT Abundance

In this project, the correlation between human population and water quality based on EPT population was observed. There are different ways to observe water quality however, our method gives us a water index that is based off how easily the stream can support different forms of life, specifically of the EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera). These insects have very low tolerances to water pollution, so this is the main reason we can correlate EPT population and water quality. We collected data in Nederland, CO and Boulder, CO, that following a strict data collection protocol where multiple trials were conducted to give us a reliable data set. To keep data consistent, sampling sites were chosen downstream of the town/city, and upstream of any water treatment facility. After calculating a mean along with standard error, statistical tests were ran in order to determine significance. A T-Test was ran in order to determine if there was a significant difference in water quality (based on EPT ratios) in Boulder and Nederland. An ANOVA test was ran in order to determine if there was a significant difference between each subset of insect.

Nathaniel Miner & Drake Ludgate 2-07-303 Black Carbon Detection: A Regional Snow Survey

Black carbon (BC) aerosol particles originate from the combustion process and absorb wavelengths within the visible light spectrum which in turn warms the atmosphere and may contribute to an increase in global temperature. The purpose of this research is to develop a simplified technique for the identification of black carbon within a sample of snow and perform a black carbon deposition snow study. This region included sites east the Continental Divide, along the northern front range of Colorado, into southeastern Wyoming, and into the high plains of eastern Colorado. The researchers hypothesize that it is possible to identify black carbon within a sample of snow using a integrating-sandwich spectrophotometer technique developed by the researchers. Furthermore, that snow samples from late season will contain more undissolved material and detectable black carbon than fresh snow. Snow samples were taken from 32 sites over a period of ten months. Samples were melted and filtered and massed. Spectrophotometric analysis was conducted on each filter for the presence of black carbon. Our data, obtained from multiple sites in northeastern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming, shows that black carbon can be identified through the absorption of visible light wavelengths. Only the most pristine new snow samples from the Laramie Range, WY did not contain detectable black carbon. The snow samples obtained from 2016 late spring/early summer (Berthoud Pass, CO and Laramie Range, WY) contained the highest concentration of particulate matter per cubic centimeter of snow melt. It is possible to detect black carbon using the technique developed by the researchers. Black carbon is common throughout the region surveyed. Further research concerning the effect of long-term black carbon deposition on the rate of snow melt and snow albedo needs to be performed.

Senior Division Math & Computer Sciences

Colin Burdine 2-08-001 Determining the Complexity of Boolean Formulae Modeling NP Decision Problems

To consider a computational decision problem to be ‘NP Complete’, its positive solution language must be able to be expressed in terms of all other NP Problems, such that a surjective function could map every element of the language to the elements of the languages of all other NP problems. Per the Cook-Levin Theorem, it is possible to reduce all NP problems to Boolean formulae (via the Boolean Satisfiability problem). Although the expressive power of these formulae can model all NP languages in a standard formula notation to be solved by a deterministic Turing machine in exponential time, it has never been proven if a formula-specific notation simulated in a Universal Turing machine could solve them in polynomial time. The purpose of this paper is to take a combinatorial approach to recognizing the symmetry and redundancies in Boolean formulae to gain insight into a way of evaluating them without mathematically redundant computations, thus seeking a new approach to the finding the relationship between P and NP decision problems. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to create a comprehensive lower bound for problems that are “computationally impossible,” in terms of run time, transition function space, and problem size. Consequently, this study serves as a mathematical proof-of-concept, seeking to begin to tie some key mathematical set theory principles together, such as the solvability of the P vs. NP problem and the long-debated Continuum Hypothesis.

Elia Gorokhovsky 2-08-002 A Method for the Reduction of Time Error in the Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter

The purpose of this study was to propose a tentative method for reducing the effect of time error on overall error in approximation for the Ensemble Adjustment Kalman Filter (EAKF) as implemented in the Lorenz 1963 system of equations. The analysis in the study uncovered that a small increase in time error caused an overall large, linear increase in approximation error for time error < 0.0076 arbitrary time units. It was also found that an increase in observation frequency directly correlated with an increase in approximation error for any amount of time error using the standard EAKF. The proposed solution involved accounting for time error by using random times in ensemble generation and by using inflation in time to manufacture variance in the ensemble. The proposed algorithm functioned exceptionally well when compared to the standard EAKF at high observation frequency. As expected, the proposed improved algorithm encountered an increase in approximation error over an increase in time error. However, with high observation frequencies, use of the improved algorithm resulted in a significantly smaller amount of error and significantly less variance across trials. Furthermore, though the improved algorithm did not function significantly better or worse than the standard EAKF with low observation intervals, there was much lass variance across trials. The success of the improved algorithm in mitigating error suggests that the improved method would function better than the EAKF in turbulent situations like tornadoes because of high dependence on correct time. However, more generalization to slower models may be useful.


Elliot Gorokhovsky 2-08-003 Adding Data-Aware Sort Optimizations to CPython

Python's list.sort() uses an extremely sophisticated and highly tuned algorithm, designed to minimize the number of comparisons necessary to sort lists with real-world structure. However, no thought is given to the cost of the comparisons themselves. This is unfortunate, since comparisons in any dynamic language, Python included, are extremely expensive: before two objects can be compared, they must first be type-checked, and possibly subjected to other safety checks, to ensure that the appropriate compare implementation is used. In sorting, this is usually entirely unnecessary, since real-world lists with well-defined orderings are almost always type-homogeneous: one can't "compare apples and oranges". We demonstrate, operating under weak assumptions about the distribution of real-world data, that by instead safety-checking in a single pre-sort pass, it is possible to entirely eliminate the overhead of dynamic dispatch in comparisons during the sort. While this idea could be implemented in any dynamic language interpreter, in this project, it was implemented in the CPython interpreter as a simple patch, with benchmarks demonstrating speed-ups of 48%, 48%, and 32% on lists of types commonly sorted in practice: floats, ints, and strings, respectively. When lists of tuples of the above types were sorted, the speed-ups were 63%, 65%, and 56%, respectively. These results suggest that taking the time to prove (at runtime) assumptions about real-world data, in the case where all the relevant objects are available for examination in advance, is an extremely useful method for optimizing the execution of algorithms in dynamic languages.

Caroline Jennings 2-08-004 Population Dynamics of Predation in a Competitive Lupine-Ovine-Grassland Ecosystem: The Simulation

that Cried Wolf

The purpose of this computational biomodeling investigation was to determine if population dynamics were affected by preferences toward risk seeking. I hypothesized that increasing the level and variability of the energy payoff afforded to predators preferring certain prey would affect their population dynamics relative to predators without that preference. Research demonstrates some organisms strongly prefer fixed energy payoffs to uncertain ones. Further, computational biology simulations have highlighted ecosystem-wide consequences of individual-agent behaviors. The experiment involved adapting a standard NetLogo wolf-sheep-grass agent-based model with one predator, one prey, and one resource into a 2-2-1 predator-prey-resource ecosystem simulation. In it, the level and variability of the energy payoff for one prey was adjustable relative to the other prey. The data collected did partially support the original hypothesis. Increasing the level of the energy payoff with one prey had a dramatic positive impact on predator populations favoring that prey. A statistical difference was evident for the different energy levels because the chi-squared test showed that the observed responses in populations differed at the 1% level. Conversely, increasing the variability of the energy payoff for one prey had minimal impact on the relative success of predators preferring that prey. Results are statistically and computationally robust. These findings lead me to conclude that, while increased variability of a payoff does not directly influence a population of predators, an increased average payoff is greatly beneficial to the predators that receive it.


Weston Metzler 2-06-005 Compiling to Higher Levels of Abstraction on Calculators

Calculator programming, while somewhat of a niche, is a uniquely powerful way to write and execute portable, useful, and entertaining computer programs. TI-84 Series calculators are some of the most ubiquitous calculators, but are only programmable in TI-BASIC, an interpreted language, which is excellent for beginning programmers writing short applications, but is too low level and slow to write complex programs. I created an alternative compiled programming language that extends the functionality of TI-BASIC and improves its speed. The compiler will eventually run on the calculator itself, but initially is a cross compiler that runs on a separate computer taking as input source code and outputting an executable to be transferred to and run on a calculator. The compiler was implemented in several phases, which started simple and iteratively developed over each sprint to encompass the full depth of features. Almost all essential data types, control structures, operators, and functions have been implemented from TI-BASIC with many additions to improve access to hardware, raise the level of abstraction, and align the language with standard programming conventions. To evaluate my work, compiled memory and runtime speed were measured and showed that my compiled language outspeeds TI-BASIC at the cost of memory. Added features include user defined functions, imports, code comments, variable scope, and new operations which successfully raised the level of abstraction, increased code reusability, and allowed for code documentation. My language improves on TI-BASIC and benefits both assembly developers and TI-BASIC developers for its control over hardware, speed, and abstraction.

Daniel Zamoshchin 2-08-006 Predicting Clickbait Headlines Using Machine Learning and the Naive Bayes Classifier

Global information consumption is rapidly growing and Clickbait with its inheritor fake news, based loosely on fact, have widely caused misperceptions for readers. The purpose of this study was to create a machine learning model using the Naive Bayes Classifier to classify headlines as Clickbait or non-Clickbait. Clickbait titles are often condemned for their sensationalism, trickery, inaccuracy, and their poor description of the text. If there is a way to detect Clickbait and therefore fake news, then less false information would be spread. This is a common problem for web sites like Facebook where a huge number of fake news is shared daily. This classifier could be improved and implemented in order to flag fake news for users. The program trained on approximately 111,109 news headlines from sources like The New York Times, CNN, BuzzFeed, The Wall Street Journal, and Upworthy. Initial trials had an average run time of 255.6 seconds and an accuracy of 69.81%. Machine learning techniques like token filters, LogSumExp, Laplace smoothing, stemming, and removing stop words were used to increase the speed and accuracy of the Classifier. The program predicted the correct label for approximately 19,304 out of the 22,212 headlines it predicted, resulting in a final accuracy of 86.91% for the Naive Bayes Classifier. The program also had an average run time of 147.39 seconds for the training of the headlines. With growing human reliance on online-based news sources to find out information, the detection and classification of Clickbait headlines has become increasingly vital.


Stephanie Zhang 2-08-007 Gene Expression and Diseases--Phase II: Developing a Model to Predict Cancer Progression

Current cancer stage classifications are coarsely differentiated and thus do not accurately reflect the continuous and variable progression of cancer. One possible way to better measure cancer progression is the idea of pseudotime. The purpose of this project is to use a Gaussian Process Latent Variable Model (GPLVM) to develop a machine-learning process to predict pseudotimes of cancer progression and their uncertainties. Bayes’ Theorem, the GPLVM, and the Corp function were used to find the probability of the pseudotime given gene expression, with squared exponential covariance used in the GPLVM. Metropolis-Hastings provided the machine learning approach. The model was applied to two datasets: (1) a synthetic dataset generated by my model and (2) RNA-seq data from the TCGA skin cutaneous melanoma dataset. This algorithm can effectively and accurately recover pseudotime orderings, as found by applying this model to synthetic data. The results show that the model converges on pseudotime estimates that are similar to their ‘true’ pseudotimes. However, unlike the synthetic data, applying the method to real melanoma RNA-seq data was not as conclusive. The model converges on pseudotime estimates that do not seem to accurately reflect Breslow depth. This lack of correlation is likely due to the dimensional reduction that was imposed on the data prior to running the algorithm. By only using the first two principal components in my analysis, the amount of variation that can be effectively modeled in the GPLVM is dramatically reduced.

Silas Almgren & Jonathan Belcher 2-08-301 Implementation of a Vernam Cipher

In today's day and age encryption is a must in many aspects of technology. Most, if not all, secure encryption methods use very complicated maths and hundreds or thousands of lines of code. To design a method of secure encryption, using less complicated maths and code is would be beneficial. This code will have to produce usable cipher text, must be able to be decrypted by the user, use under 25 lines of code, and be near, if not, unbreakable. To create such a method, we decided to use the classic Vernam Cipher. A Vernam Cipher uses simple alphanumerical addition, it adds a key of numbers to the plain text to produce a jumbled cipher text. After five attempts we were able to meet our criteria by using an implementation of the Vernam Cipher in python. Taking the design of alphanumerical addition put forth by the cipher, we created a method of encryption that is theoretically unbreakable. Although in its current stage it is not entirely practical, as it does not allow encryption of a complete file, it shows promise in becoming a practical, simple, strong, and easily understandable form of encryption.

John Denigan & Anna Slade 2-08-302 Solids of Known Cross Section Investigation

The purpose of this investigation was to test the Solids of Known Cross Section integration theorem. We hypothesized that by building a three dimensional model of the theorem, we could come within 5% of the theoretical volume found using the theorem. This experiment involved creating a model based off of various functions including lines, circles, ellipses, sine waves, and logarithm and all possible cross sections. We recorded the volume of each cross section and compared the sum of all cross sections to the theoretical volume. The data collected supported our hypothesis. The total volume of each trial was below 5% error compared to the theoretical volume. The greatest error recorded by any section was 3.5%.

Senior Division Medicine & Health

Solomon Bloomfield 2-09-001 Amph-1 Knockdown Aggravates Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease in Caenorhabditis Elegans

This study looked at the relationship between the the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ), one of the major hallmarks of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) gene, using Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. Aβ toxicity has been associated with membrane damage. Membrane repair has been linked with the membrane trafficking system and vesicle trafficking proteins. Bridging integrator 1, a gene associated with a vesicle trafficking protein, has been identified through genome wide association studies as a gene that is associated with an increased risk of getting AD. An ortholog of this gene, amph-1, has been identified in C. elegans to be used as an in vivo model for humans. Because Aβ was expressed in the muscle cells of the C. elegans, the paralysis after upshift of three groups of C. elegans was used as a readout for Aβ toxicity. One group had temperature specific Aβ, one group had temperature specific Aβ and amph-1 knockout by RNAi, and the last group had only amph-1 knockout by RNAi. This study aimed to see how disabling the amph-1 gene, and therefore hindering or disabling the membrane repair process, affected the toxicity of Aβ. Results showed a significant, negative effect of disabling the amph-1 gene on Aβ toxicity. The amph-1 knockout without Aβ expression had no paralysis, demonstrating that amph-1 affects Aβ toxicity. This suggests disabling or hindering the membrane repair process is an important step in Aβ toxicity, and therefore an important step in AD pathogenesis.

Maddy Dellinger 2-09-002 Homology Directed Repair: The Difference Between Single Stranded and Double Stranded Donor DNA

The disease Sickle Cell Anemia is caused by a single nucleotide mutation in the HBB gene that encodes for the rigidity of erythrocytes. This mutation can be crippling and even fatal to a person who has the mutation. The purpose of this project was to understand if homology directed repair (HDR), a natural cellular repair mechanism, can fix mutations. The experiments of homology directed repair were performed on the HBB gene of K562 cells. The cells were electroporated with CRISPR/Cas9 complex and with a 158 nucleotide donor DNA either single stranded (ssDNA) or doubled stranded (dsDNA). The ribonucleoprotein CRISPR/Cas9 was used to create a double strand DNA breaks in the HBB gene. Recent report in the literature shows that short ssDNA works better than short dsDNA in HDR. In order to see if HDR had completely replaced the 158 nucleotide sequence in the HBB gene, the target sequences were amplified with PCR technology and sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The results of this study did not show a significant difference between dsDNA and ssDNA donor and a rate of 42% rate of successful HDR. Interestingly, around half of the cells which received double stranded pieces of donor DNA ended up dying after electroporation. Looking at the high rate of undesired mutations that occurred, it is my goal to continue this with this project to better understand HDR. In the future, I would like to see if it is possible to induce HDR in other parts of the cell cycle.


Katherine Larson 2-09-003 Electrical Impedance Tomography as a Tool for Detecting Tumors

The purpose of this research was to determine if it was reasonable to locate an inhomogeneity in a two-dimensional structure by using only electrical measurements taken at the surface. The hypothesis was that Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) would allow an abnormality in a model to be located if the abnormality had different electrical properties than the surrounding material and was larger than the spacing between measurement locations. A round specimen was fabricated to achieve electrical properties similar to biological tissue. 16 electrodes were inserted around the perimeter of the specimen and were numbered 1 through 16. As a control, measurements were first taken of the model without an abnormality. A current source was used to apply 30 mA of current to two adjacent electrodes and the voltage drop was measured across every other pair of adjacent electrodes with a voltmeter. This process was repeated with every other pair of electrodes. A circular hole was then drilled in the model to act as the abnormality and the measurements were repeated in the same way. The measurements were put into EIDORS, an open source inverse solver. The image generated by the inverse solver matched the specimen. Since the results supported the hypothesis, this research has demonstrated the possibility of spatially locating an inhomogeneity in a two-dimensional structure using only electrical measurements taken at the surface. The research was significant because it supported the idea that EIT may have the potential to eventually be used as a medical diagnostic tool.

Anila Narayana 2-09-004 Exploring the Human Genome: A Search for the Eczema Gene

Atopic dermatitis (AD), characterized by pruritus, eczematous lesions, xerosis, and lichenification, is a chronic relapsing dermatitis, often coexisting with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Its cause is largely unknown. There is significant morbidity associated with AD, costing the US $3.8 billion annually. Incidence of AD is increasing and so the financial burden will continue to rise. Determination of the precise genetic defects involved in the pathogenesis could help guide gene therapy and or targeted drug therapy. The purpose of this experiment was to determine which, if any, genes and specific mutations play a role in AD. To do this, multiple gene-analyzing tools were utilized, i.e., BLAST, EMBOSS Needle, and databases from NCBI. This is a bioinformatics project and no human tissue was used. Multiple gene mutations were studied and all mutated sequences were noted to be truncated. A truncated filaggrin gene is likely to be translated into truncated profilaggrin protein with problems in cleavage into functional filaggrin. Additionally, some mutated codons were observed to code for amino acids of a different class. This is speculated to change primary and secondary protein structures with resultant altered protein function, example: CAT replacing CCT at positions 32 and 46 in ACTL9 gene, caused histidine to be coded for in place of proline. Histidine is positively charged, while proline though polar, has no charge; this change in polarity is likely to affect protein structure and function and may lead to AD. Thus, AD is a complex disease with polygenic inheritance with multiple mutations implicated.


Ibrohim Nosirov 2-09-005 Use of SPECT Imagery to Establish a General Statistical Predictive Model for Dementia

Diagnosis of dementia is solely dependent on an expert’s interpretation of symptoms based on previous knowledge and experience. However, this subjective method of data analysis may sometimes prove inaccurate when statistical evidence is not present. Recently, a scan that tracks blood perfusion in the body called SPECT has emerged as a potential tool in the diagnosis of dementia. This study aimed to analyze blood-perfusion, a biomarker correlated with various disorders including dementia, and create a statistical model that predicts and differentiates between major types of dementia. De-identified SPECT z-score data of 129 patients with confirmed dementia was analyzed in the statistical program, SYSTAT. Univariate analysis comparing average z-scores between frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease was performed. Next, a multivariate analysis consisting of principal components analysis and discriminant function analysis were performed to establish patterns of perfusion in dementia patients. The univariate analysis revealed significant differences between the two dementia types for many regions of the brain. The principal components analysis revealed patterns of perfusion for general dementia, but the discriminant function analysis failed to further classify those patterns as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. With advancements in SPECT technology, future studies could analyze scans at a more granular level to produce more accurate predictions and diagnoses. Additionally, further studies could use this model and reevaluate outliers to potentially discover new types of dementia.

Cody Robinson 2-09-006 Over the Limit: The Breath of a Diabetic

Diabetes is a condition that affects the way the body produces insulin and processes glucose. Hyperglycemia occurs when an abnormally high level of blood glucose is present. During hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis can occur due to the production of ketones. Isopropanol is also produced as a byproduct during ketoacidosis. The purpose of this research was to determine if the isopropanol produced by a diabetic experiencing hyperglycemia, can be detected by a breathalyzer test. It was hypothesized if a case of hyperglycemia (blood glucose levels above 300 mg/dl) is present, then blood alcohol levels, as determined by a breathalyzer, will be detected. The experiment monitored a diabetic test subject for a forty five day time period. During this time, the subject tested blood glucose levels normally as advised by the subject’s doctor. In addition, each time blood glucose testing occurred, a blood alcohol test was conducted using a breathalyzer. Confirmatory ketone tests were conducted as needed, as determined by the blood glucose levels. Data analysis shows the hypothesis is maintained 19.5% of the time. Blood alcohol levels were detected 20.5% of the time, with blood glucose levels reading below 300 mg/dl. These findings lead the researcher to believe if there is a presence of isopropanol in the breath, as detected by the breathalyzer, then there is a case of ketoacidosis. Using a breath-analysis device could provide people with a more cost effective way to detect and measure ketones. Correlations have not been made between blood alcohol tests and the ketone test.


Isani Singh 2-09-007 Worse Outcomes in Turner Syndrome Women Compared to Women Without Turner Syndrome

The goal of this study was to compare hospitalization outcomes in women with Turner Syndrome (TS), the condition of missing the second X chromosome, and non-TS women. It was hypothesized that TS patients would have higher mortality and length of stay while having a lower likelihood of being discharged to home, independent of the reason they were hospitalized. TS cases and comparable controls were acquired from a database of hospitalizations. TS women were matched 1:4 to controls based on primary diagnosis code, which is used to indicate why a patient was hospitalized. The study population included 14,890 women (2978 TS), making it one of the largest studies ever done on TS. Adjusted multivariate conditional logistic regression models were used for analysis. TS patients were 44% more likely to die compared to matched controls (Odds Ratio (OR):1.44, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.02-2.02, p=0.04). TS patients were also more likely to have a longer than average length of stay (OR=1.42, 95% CI:1.03-1.95, p=0.03). TS patients were 32% less likely to be discharged to home (OR=0.68, 95% CI:0.60-0.78, p<0.0001). Outcomes were worse for TS patients when solely analyzing patients admitted for a cardiac indication. Cardiac TS patients were 210% more likely to die compared to matched controls (OR=3.10, 95% CI:1.27-7.57, p=0.01). This study will enable clinicians to be aware that hospitalized patients with TS carry a higher risk of adverse outcomes even when presenting with the same diagnosis as non-TS patients (adjusting for age, race, and other factors), particularly when hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases.

Mattie Singley 2-09-008 Sulfites: The Hidden Headache

Sulfites have been used for centuries to prevent spoilage and discoloration. For some people, the presence of sulfites in food and drinks can cause allergic reactions such as hives, tightness in the chest, and headaches. Sulfites are required to be listed on the label if the food contains more than 10 parts per million. The purpose of this research was threefold: survey a broad range of food and drink that had sulfites listed on the label, ascertain if sulfites could be detected in food or drink that did not have sulfites listed on the label, and the quantity of sulfite present in the food and drink which claim no sulfite present. The researcher hypothesized that measureable quantities of sulfites exist in food and drink which claim to contain no sulfites on their labels. A 25 mL sample of each drink was obtained, acidified and titrated. A sulfite sensing probe was used during the titration to determine the endpoint. From the amount of titrant used, the quantity of sulfite present in the food or drink could be determined. Great Value Diced Peaches fruit cups contained the highest quantity of sulfite present at 388 parts per million. Jumex Peach Nectar juice did not contain any measurable sulfite. Approximately 80% of all the tested items, which claim no added sulfites, contained measurable quantities of sulfites. The researcher concludes that sulfites, in sufficient quantity, can be found in many foods and drinks. Expansion of this project will include baby food and formula.


Hari Sowrirajan 2-09-009 Optimization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Vaccine Delivery

Vaccines are the one of greatest health innovations in human history, saving an estimated two million lives annually. They function by exposing the body to an antigen mimicking a pathogen and allowing the body to develop immune protections. The effectiveness of a vaccine is often hindered by incorrect formulation or poor delivery of the antigen. When incorporated in vaccine systems, nanoparticles (NPs) can improve the delivery of the antigen and also function as an adjuvant that further enhances the immune response. This increases the likelihood that the body will develop protection. Properties of NPs such as surface defects can be modified and may influence their ability to function in vaccine systems. This project investigated the impact of three distinct defects on the ability of ZnO NPs to function as a vaccine system. Macrophages play a significant role in the immune system; therefore, evaluating the robustness of their response following NP exposure is indicative of the body’s immune response. NPs were coated with ovalbumin protein, which functioned as the antigen, and exposed to macrophages. mRNA expression of immune response genes and the release of inflammatory cytokines were generally higher following NP exposure. The expression of the MHC-II receptor, which is presented during an immune response, was elevated with the NP exposure. No significant differences could be found between the defective and pristine NPs. Overall, NPs were determined to be an effective vaccine system through the enhancement of the immune response. However, surface defects were not determined to alter their function significantly.

Chelsea Wang 2-09-010 Alterations in Sleep Architecture Resulting from Amygdala Kindling in Mice

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the sudden, unexpected death of an epilepsy patient who was otherwise healthy. The aim of this research was to determine how epileptogenesis induced via amygdala kindling in the mouse model affects sleep architecture acutely and long-term and how these alterations impact the development of spontaneous seizures, which are associated with the onset of SUDEP. It was hypothesized that kindling will cause increased NREM and decreased REM sleep, and that spontaneous seizures would be seen during NREM sleep. Adult C57BL/6J mice were attached to a preamplifier in a recording chamber, and their EEG and EMG signals were measured for 24 hours a day throughout the kindling process. EEG/EMG traces were scored in 10 second epochs. After kindling, mice showed a long-term increase in time spent in wake and a decrease in time spent in NREM and REM sleep. In the 12 hours directly following a seizure, mice showed an acute decrease in time spent in wake and an increase in time spent in NREM and REM sleep. Spontaneous seizures were also observed in several mice during NREM sleep. We conclude that epilepsy induced by amygdala kindling in mice is associated with changes in sleep architecture and can facilitate the development of spontaneous seizures. Additionally, kindling may cause an increase in wakefulness, which could lead to greater excitability through associated sleep deprivation, causing more severe and spontaneous seizures. It can be postulated that sleep deprivation and NREM sleep may be potential SUDEP risk factors.

Hannah Zagone 2-0011 Dissolving the Pain

Companies are always advertising their over the counter pain medications to work the fastest and last the longest. I wanted to test these advertisements. My project consists of using ten different kinds of pills. They all are different brands. It took many steps to complete this project and a lot of time. I made the hydrochloric acid by diluting 1.M acid with 1350 mL of water to make .1M acid. Next I poured 50 Ml of the acid into 3-250 mL flasks. I put the pill into them and turned on the electromagnetic stirrer and timed them until they were fully dissolved. I timed them and watched them dissolve for the most accurate results. I found that JR Ibuprofen dissolves the fastest at 1:07 minutes. I think that it was the fastest because it’s a chewable. Aspirin took the longest because it did not dissolve. I waited over 36+ hours and nothing changed except the color. According to my research, aspirin dissolves in the stomach lining and I only had stomach acid. I definitely want to continue this project next year.


Kate Nakasato & Madison Risi 2-09-301 Meta-Analysis of Brain and Immune Interactions: Anger

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the overlaps in brain activation sites for anger and immune functions. Data was collected from studies published in the CU Boulder Neurosynth database, then compiled into Bayesian posterior probability maps. Areas of overlap were revealed to be the Rostral Ventral Medulla (RVM), Medial Hemisphere Cerebellum, Amygdala, Peristriate Area, Inferior Temporal Area (IT), Parabrachial Nucleus (PBN), Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC), Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC), and Premotor Cortex. The exact neural pathways remain unknown, but the statistically significant shared activation sites between anger and immune function revealed in this investigation provide a strong basis for further research. Such experiments could help improve targeted treatments for various mood disorders, like depression, in addition to inflammatory immune diseases.

Senior Division Microbiology & Molecular Biology

Kaitlyn Carson 2-10-001 The Effects of Wash Water Temperature on Egg Shell Permeability

In this two year study of bacterial contamination of farm fresh eggs, it was discovered that the bacteria naturally found on the outer shell of fresh eggs could be potentially harmful to the consumer. It was also discovered that this bacteria has a very small change of penetrating through the egg’s shell to contaminate the contests of the egg. In the previous study, four eggs from 12 different farms were tested for Salmonella spp. using two different methods as well as other gram negative bacteriums using 2 different methods. Of the nine eggs that grew bacteria, 4 were identified as E.coli spp and the other 5 were enteric bacteria. In this study, 51 farm fresh eggs were used to test the permeability of the egg shell in comparison to three different wash temperatures. The three temperatures used were a cold wash (40° F), a warm wash (80° F), and a hot wash (120° F). The temperature was regulated using a digital thermometer. The five eggs that tested positive were as follows: store bought egg stored in 40° C and inoculated with Pseudomonas spp, unwashed control egg stored in 37° C and inoculated with Pseudomonas spp, store bought egg stored in 25° C and inoculated with Pseudomonas spp, an egg washed in 40° F wash stored in 25° C and inoculated with Klebsiella spp., and an egg washed in 40° F wash stored in 25° C and inoculated with Pseudomonas spp.

Peyton Leyendecker 2-10-002 Manuka Honey Surgical Adhesive

The purpose of this science project was to improve a cyanoacrylate type surgical adhesive to reduce the risk of infections on wounds to which the adhesive is applied. Specifically, the addition of Manuka honey to the adhesive was investigated to determine how it affected the strength of the adhesive and bacterial growth on simulated wounds sealed with the adhesive. In order to determine whether the honey addition reduced infections, slits were cut on pieces of meat on which different formulations of the adhesives were applied, and swabs were taken a day after the adhesive was applied. There was 28.14% less bacteria on the meat with the honey adhesive versus the meat with the normal adhesive, while the honey did not negatively impact the adhesive strength.

Connor Lutz 2-10-003 A Magnetic Primer Designer

A magnetic primer designer is a very useful set of tests. It can help scientists figure out what they need to focus on when copying DNA without actually having any live samples present. The question in this project is to test how matches and mismatches affect the ability of primers to stick to the DNA that is copied during PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The hypothesis for this project is that the number of matches does not have much to do with how many pennies a copy can hold, but the order is what matters more. So that means that less matches can hold as many pennies as more matches. A total of 3 trials were run after each primer and the template were made. All of the data was recorded by hand for each of the eight primers and logged into a notebook. Each primer went through a total of three trials. In the end, of this project the results were not very shocking. They came out to be very close to the expected number of pennies for each primer that they would turn out. Of course the full positive held the most, but up next was a set of three positives. The three positives held more than the four positives. So in conclusion, the hypothesis for this project was proven correct.


Cassidy Plane 2-10-004 Can This Macromolecule Captivate Your Microorganisms?

One of the greatest issues facing farmers in the Western United States is a lack of soil organic matter. Not only does this impact water holding capacity and soil structure, a lack of SOM impacts the microbe communities that depend on carbon for food. The purpose of this project is to compare microbial relationships in the soil of a conventional potato field with commercial potato fields following the application of the following amendments: 3% Biochar, 6% Biochar, Compost, and Green Manure Grazed by Cattle. Throughout the months of June, July, August, and September soil samples were collected and tested for microbial activity in the soils. The fields that were sampled are directly adjacent to each other and have similar soil types. The same variety of potatoes were planted in each field and they were grown using the same watering, fertilizer, and fungicide practices. The data show significant fluctuations in the bacteria and fungi concentration throughout the growing season. However, during the month of September the microbial concentration for bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and undifferentiated microorganisms was significantly higher than all of the other soil amendments. This gives reason to believe the biochar is effectively increasing the microbial activity in the soil when there is a small demand for nutrients by the plants. The results of this project show the great potential in using biochar as an amendment to add carbon to soil as a way to improve soil organic matter, microbe communities, and nutrient availability.

Lexy Riggio-Guadagnoli 2-10-005 Investigating the Ability of D-mannose to Inhibit the Growth of Escherichia coli

Urinary tract infections (UTI's) are the second most common type of infection in the body. UTI's are caused by a bacteria called Escherichia Coli. Typical treatment for UTI's is antibiotics. In cases of recurrent UTI’s women are put on antibiotics for months at a time. With overuse the bacteria becomes resistant. This is a worldwide problem with numerous bacterial infections. This background information gives importance to why research into antibiotic alternatives is vital. The purpose of this study was to determine if D-mannose, a type of sugar related to glucose, showed the potential to be used as a treatment for UTI’s. Three different tests were used to determine if D-mannose showed bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties against E-coli. A Turbidity test, Sub Culture test, and Kirby Bauer test were all conducted in this study. The main purpose for the Turbidity test was to determine if the E-coli fed off of the D-mannose sugar. The Sub Culture test was used to determine how E-coli grew in the blood agar. Kirby Bauer method was used to determine if the D-mannose could be used as a antibiotic by showing antibiotic tendencies. The three findings in this study did not show that D-mannose exhibited bacteriostatic or bactericidal properties in vitro but these findings are not necessarily indicative of what might happen in vivo. The next step to expand upon this research would be gathering more information about the few studies which have been conducted on D-mannose and determining if there are any ongoing clinical trials.


Elora Smith 2-10-006 That Gut Feeling: Identifying the Microbiota in Different Groups of Children

The purpose of my project was to find the difference between the bacteria in atopic children compared to children who are considered healthy. I obtained 6 participants that were considered healthy. This group is displaced as group B. 10 participants with atopic symptoms were placed as group A. I was able to obtain stool samples every other week for three weeks. With each stool sample collected, I performed a serial dilution to help count the colonies on each plated sample. I was able to see the pro dominated organism in each dilution, as well as separating each organism to see the different types of organisms on each plate. I isolated different types of bacteria on each plate given, preformed a gram stain, and ran a VITEK to obtain a probability of the organism being tested. Organisms that were not identified in the VITEK were isolated again and put through more tests. The results support my hypothesis, due to the fact that by observation group B had more of a variety of bacteria growing on their plate. Unique organisms were found on group A plates compared to the normal flora seen mostly in group B. From my conclusion, additional questions arose. Why is there unique bacteria found between the groups? Why does group A’s bacteria show an unbalanced gut? Being able to answer these questions can lead to new ways for creating medicine, as well as being able to understand why this disease exists, and where is comes from.

Avi Swartz 2-10-007 Statistical Analysis of Graft vs. Host Disease and Immune Reconstitution in Humanized Mice

To overcome ethical and technical concerns, humanized mouse models are often used to study the human immune system. Specifically, immunodeficient mice are engrafted with human fetal tissue and hematopoietic stem cells, which then reconstitute a human immune system in mice. The major difficulty with this process, however, is that while the new immune system has to be strong enough to be studied, it often starts attacking the mouse organs, resulting in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and deleterious symptoms or death. In this project, I statistically analyzed data accumulated from 8 years of humanization experiments in a humanized mouse facility to determine factors that affect reconstitution and GVHD (no mouse/human experimentation was performed in my project). I found that better overall reconstitution was linked to a higher risk of GVHD, but residual mouse immune cells as well as reconstituted B cells lowered the risk of GVHD. Different sources of mice are linked with different reconstitution levels. Older donor embryo age is linked to higher immune cell counts. There was a correlation between the year of mouse engraftment surgery and reconstitution level, suggesting a possible increase in mouse or surgical quality over the years. Finally, it takes 6-8 weeks for increased immune cell counts to be manifested as increases in GVHD severity. These results provide hypotheses on the mechanisms of GVHD and immune reconstitution as well as possible therapeutic options for GVHD which can be further tested.


Seth Young 2-10-008 Applied Biomineralization: Increasing Magnetosome Formation in AMB-1 for Industrial Purposes Through

Genetic Recombination of Genes Essential to Magnetosome Formation and Mutation Mediated by UV Radiation

The magnetite crystals produced within Magnetospirllum magneticum (AMB-1) are nearly perfect in their geometry as opposed to lab produced magnetite which tends to have high amounts of impurities. The aim of this research project is to increase the quantity of magnetic organelles (magnetosomes) within the Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) species. My hypotheses stated that the if AMB-1 was genetically altered through the use of genetic recombination with genes essential to vesicle bio-genesis or was mutated through the use of narrow-band UV radiation, then the formation of magnetosomes within the bacterium would increase. The magnetism of the cells was measured using the distance traveled by cells in a set time period when placed in proximity to a neodymium cobalt magnet. This hypothesis was supported for the use of UV radiation, but was not conclusive. The genetic recombination of the mamB was unable to be measured due to time constraints. The UV radiation results indicated an increase in response to the strong magnet, but the large margin of error within the control's first minute creates a necessity for further testing and verification. The mamB gene was unable to be fully transferred to the species of E. Coli (WM3064) as the plasmid seemed to proliferate with low copy numbers within the cells and any attempt at identifying the presence of the plasmid within the cells was met with indecisive results. The gel produced from running the plasmid produced a blurred band which could be the result of transposable elements within the plamsid. The transference of the gene could be accomplished by re-attempting to run a restriction on the pAK22 vector (plasmid Arash Komeili 22) and purify from the gel to run in another ligation. This bacterial magnetite can be used to develop new treatments for cancer, new biological assays, or even transform our technologies within the bio-mechanical fields.

Sarah Danekind & Tesla Newton 2-10-301 Cultivation of Soil Bacteria Across Stress Gradients

The purpose of the first experiment was to observe the effect the amount of water in soil has on bacterial species that exist in soil, and the number of bacterial colonies. It was expected that the number of bacterial colonies would decrease as the amount of water decreased, and less common bacterial species would exist in soil with less water. The purpose of the second experiment was to observe the effect nutrients in soil have on the same things. It was expected that more bacterial colonies, and a greater number of bacterial species, would grow in soil with higher levels of nutrients. The method followed was the creating of plates with gradient levels of polyethylene glycol for the first experiment, and R2A for the second experiment. Plates were observed and samples were sent to another lab for DNA sequencing. The number of colonies did not appear to be affected by the amount of water in the soil. All levels of polyethylene glycol, except the highest level, appeared to have little effect on the species of bacteria in the soil. Species that were not found in other treatments with less polyethylene glycol were found in the plates with the highest concentration of polyethylene glycol. The number of colonies for the second experiment seemed to follow a bell curve, with the highest number of colonies being in the middle range of R2A. High levels of R2A had a profound effect on the species that was not observed at lower levels of R2A.


Shaleese Romero & Breanna Terrones 2-10-302 Bacteria Hysteria II: Battle of the Sexes

The purpose of Bacteria Hysteria II: Battle of the Sexes was to determine which gender has the most bacteria. The hypothesis stated that male subjects between grades 7th and 9th, would have the most bacteria due to the environment they subject themselves to, such as sports. The researchers gathered all materials, and swabbed the mouth of all test subjects. The bacteria was then plated, left to grow over a week. The data in the experiment supported the hypothesis that male students between 7th and 9th grade would have the most bacteria. The males in the 6th-8th grade age group had the largest average of bacteria, with their average being 71.33 colonies and the 12th grade boys had the least amount of bacteria with an average of 3.33 colonies. The independent variable of Bacteria Hysteria II: Battle of the Sexes is the gender of the test subjects. The dependent variable is the amount of bacteria. The constants were how long the bacteria was left to incubate, where the bacteria is taken from, when the bacteria was taken, what temperature the bacteria is kept at, and the same procedure and materials were kept throughout all data collection. Bacteria Hysteria II: Battle of the Sexes data can be used in real-life application because knowing the amount of bacteria in age groups can help determine which ages and genders are at risk for certain viruses or infections. This can also help with what ages and genders you should get certain vaccinations.

Senior Division Physics

Paul Brophy 2-11-001 Non-Newtonian Fluids in Baseball

In baseball every inch counts, so it makes since that throughout baseball’s history players have corked their bats in an attempt to increase the batted baseball’s velocity and distance. This project’s goal was to determine what ratio of Oobleck, a cornstarch and water mixture, best increased the batted ball’s velocity and distance. A Non-Newtonian fluid is a liquid that experiences a change in viscosity due to an applied stress. Non-Newtonian fluids can classified as shear-thickening, where viscosity increases when the amount of stress applied is increased, or shear-thinning, where viscosity decreases when the amount of viscosity increases. Oobleck is a shear-thickening substance. Varying ratios of Oobleck were utilized by pouring it inside the baseball bat making it corked. It was hypothesized that if a baseball bat is filled with Oobleck ratios (cornstarch:water) ranging from 10:90 through 50:50, the batted ball’s velocity would increase by 2-3%, and the ratio from 50:50 to 60:40 would increase the batted ball’s velocity 5-6%. A bat stand was created out of steel to hold the corked baseball bat in place. The Ultimate Home Plate Pitching Machine was utilized to pitch baseballs at the bat to test the batted ball’s velocity. Data was recorded using a GoPro Hero4, and analyzed using LoggerPro software. Analysis showed there was an increase in velocity when the ratio was increased. The velocity increase ranged from 1.28%, between the 10:90 and 20:80 ratio to 1.12%, between 40:60 and 50:50 ratios.

Celestina Charette 2-11-002 As Blood As My Witness

How does height and angle affect the width and length of the drop of blood? Synthetic blood was made corn starch, corn syrup, and food coloring. Then the blood was dropped at different heights and angles to test the drops. The drops were measured by width only for different heights and by width and length for drops at an angle. The heights started at 15° and increased by 5 until 75° was reached. When the width of the drop was tested a height of 15cm and then continued at every 5 cm until 135 cm was reached. The hypothesis in this project was correct for the first part. The larger the angle, the longer and thinner the blood drop got. However, at different heights the hypothesis was incorrect. The drop varied in size with no pattern according to height. The data was sporadic. This information can be used to a lot in crimes scene. It could be compared to a real crimes scene to see where and how a victim was murdered.

Sai Kaushik Yeturu 2-11-003 A Bio-inspired Saddle Mechanism for Mechanical Energy Storage

This project is inspired by the Mantis Shrimp, which is found in nature to release massive amounts of energy while attacking its prey. The high energy storage potential is a result of its hyperbolic paraboloid or saddle like Merus structure. The goal of this project then became to generate a predictive model for the effects of geometric shape on energy storage among 3D printed resin (acrylate) based hyperbolic paraboloids. Geometry was modified by changing coefficient values in an equation that defines hyperbolic paraboloids. A matrix was then created to organize these values in hope that some pattern would emerge for spring constant. The hyperbolic paraboloids were computationally designed and 3D printed using a stereolithographic printer. Then, an Instron Universal Testing Machine was used to obtain force v. displacement curves for each of the saddles. The spring constants were then identified using the linear region of the curve, which marks elastic deformation. The matrix of spring constant data demonstrated that the compressive edge had a significantly greater impact on spring stiffness and energy storage than did the tensile edge. Moreover, statistical significance tests showed that both variables have a significant impact and that print direction was not significant. These findings allow one to further conclude that maximizing energy storage in a hyperbolic paraboloid would mean decreasing curvature on the compressive edge and increasing curvature on the tensile edge. Ultimately, this research would allow for advances in prosthetic legs to maximize energy storage while minimizing displacement, thereby promoting comfort without sacrificing function.


Molly Nehring 2-11-004 Dancing with the Stars: Simulating Multi-Star Solar Systems & the Probability of Planetary Ejection

The overall goal of this project was to accurately model the stability of a planet in various multi-star systems. Through the progression of creating a computer model of our solar system, a binary star system, and a triple star system, I was able to incorporate Newton’s Laws of Motion and Universal Gravitation using the Implicit Euler Method, which is a numerical method for solving complicated problems. For my data collection, I varied the planet distance, initial planet velocity and star distance. I would let my program run until planet in the system was ejected or the time it spent orbiting its sun passed ten million years. The computing time for ten million years proved to be too long—it took approximately 24 hours to run— so I shortened it down to 150 thousand years for the binary system and 2 million years for the triple star system. I found that typically, binary star systems are more stable than triple star systems. This makes since because the binary system is much less complex. My program can be useful to astronomers looking to model real-life multi-star systems, as one can adjust the masses, distances, and velocities of each object in the system to test out the stability lifetime of planets in such systems.

Michael Duran 2-11-005 How Strong Is Water?

Did you know that when you dip your finger in water and pull it out, the water is actually pulling back on you? Here's a way you can measure how much force is pulling back on your finger. In this experiment, I measured the surface tension of different liquids by making and using a single beam balance to measure the force exerted by surface tension on a needle which appeared floating on the surface of the water. “Surface tension is defined as the amount of energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid by a unit amount. So the units can be expressed in joules per square meter (J/m^2). You can also think of it as a force per unit length, pulling on an object” (Mellendorf, 2017). The needle was attached to a string, and I measured how much force was required to pull the needle out of the water. The surface tension of the water provided the resistance. From my measurements, I calculated the surface tension of the different liquids and saw which one had the strongest surface tension. The three liquids I measured were milk, water, and cooking oil. Overall, from my data, I came to a conclusion that water has a much higher surface tension than the other liquids that I had tested.

Katie Gorsline 2-11-006 Friction and Penetration

As someone who loves archery, I am always trying to learn new techniques and improve my precision and accuracy. Obviously, this means I need targets, but as a poor high school student, I don’t have many. As I learn about friction and density, I now realize that cheaper solutions are obtainable utilizing household materials. For this project, I investigated many materials through pulling arrows with spring gauges and actually shooting with my bow and learned that for the most part, density and the coefficient of friction are proportionally related. However, I also learned that as valuable as quantitative data is, the best way to measure a target’s success is through qualitative observations and trial & error. I have a professional target that I used as the control, but logic and common sense also helped me determine the “successfulness” of each material. Obviously, the target should stop the arrow and maintain its shape and structure. Additionally, it shouldn’t fall over due to the absorption of kinetic energy from the arrow. Overall, I learned that Styrofoam acts the most like my target. Also, penetration depth is smaller in less dense objects (which also have smaller coefficients of friction). The results matched my hypothesis quite well, but I’m hoping to take this further since no single material met the qualitative standards mentioned – the Styrofoam had to be weighted down with other materials. In any case, I have now found a way to save money while continuing to pursue this great hobby.


Scott Clousing 2-11-007 The Effect of Temperature on the Decay of Intensity of Sound Waves

Temperature has always been known to affect the travel of sound waves. This research seeks to determine the effect of temperature on the decay of intensity of sound waves. Since different frequencies of sound waves travel differently, a broad range of frequencies will be tested. A smartphone and a portable speaker were placed apart at distances of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 feet. Using FFT Analyzer software on the smartphone, the intensity was recorded in decibels. This was repeated in temperatures of 20˚ F, 40˚ F, and 60˚ F across nine frequencies. For 8 of the 9 frequencies, the difference in decay was unreliably different. However, for the 8000 Hz test, the 60˚ F series decayed at a reliably faster rate than the 40˚ F and 20˚ F series. This was confirmed after conducting a statistical t-test which analyzed their slopes and found that they were reliably different. Therefore, 8000 Hz sound waves decay at a faster rate in warmer temperatures. Further research is needed to confirm the tests of the other 8 frequencies that were tested.

Danielle Wise 2-11-008 Does the Roughness of a Road Cause Friction?

The purpose of this investigation was to find out if the roughness of a road causes friction. The hypothesis of this project was if a model car is released on a ramp lined with sandpaper it will have the fastest time on the least coarse sandpaper. Five different grit were used – 400, 150, 80, 50, and 36. Plain wood was considered the smoothest surface and served as the control. Five trials were timed for each category. The model car traveling on the plain wood control produced the average time of 1.604 seconds. The first sandpaper trial of the finest grade: 400-grit, showed an average time of 1.650 seconds, increasing from the control, as expected. The third, fourth, and fifth trials: 80,50, and 36-grit respectively, showed increasing average times (1.900s., 1.912s., and 2.148s. respectively), as expected as well, all supporting the hypothesis. The second trial, using 150-grit, produced the quickest average time of 1.564 seconds, not supporting the hypothesis. For this particular trial, the tape was placed on top of the sandpaper edges. The tape is a much smoother surface, possibly producing the quicker time. All other trails, the tape was underneath the sandpaper.

Christoph Cikraji 2-11-009 Artificial Gravity Concept for Sustainable Space Exploration

The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility and sustainability of an artificial gravity design induced by magnetic forces by comparing to other artificial gravity designs, specifically by the calculations of torsional forces applied per unit area to the exterior of the torus. This is a continuation of a previous year’s project, and is being further developed using mathematical calculations to differentiate between the torsional forces that are required to rotate a mass to initiate and maintain artificial gravity on a space ship or settlement. The previous year experimentation established the viability of the Electromagnetic Rotation Device (EMRD) design. Research on artificial gravity, the effect of micro-gravity on the human body, long term survivability in space, and electromagnet applications assisted with the conceptual development of this data-based integrated design. Utilizing the research obtained through the literature reviews, a hypothesis was formalized suggesting the EMRD design is a more efficient, sustainable and effective method of inducing artificial gravity. This year, utilizing set variables, calculations were conducted to analyze the differences between torsional forces applied to the exterior of the torus of the EMRD design versus the traditional method of induction using thrusters. In conclusion to the study and the calculations, the integration of rare earth magnets in an electromagnetic field provide for a design for inducing artificial gravity which is more sustainable, safer, and efficient.


Emily Stratman & Emily Evans 2-11-301 Walking with Coffee

In our busy lives, almost all of us have to walk with a cup of coffee. Almost everyone who drinks coffee has spilled coffee on the floor. The researchers see this on a daily basis at our school; since our custodial staff is frequently called to clean up spills near the teacher’s lounge. The research presented here is the results of an experimental study of the relationship of normal walking speed and the initial liquid level in a coffee cup. The purpose of this research is to study the dynamics of sloshing coffee in a coffee cup. The researchers purpose is to determine maximum height of coffee in a cup to prevent spillage. The researchers hypothesize that there is an optimal height of coffee in cup that will allow the coffee drinker to carry a cup of coffee without spilling any of it on the floor. Walking frequency of each researcher was determined and recorded. Coffee cups were filled to various heights with cooled coffee and walked at a normal gait and speed over a distance of ten meters. Distance to first spill at each height were measured and recorded. A height of four centimeters from the top of the cup was necessary to keep the coffee from sloshing out of the cup. It may not be optimal to carry a coffee cup half full around - the height distance necessary to keep the coffee from spilling out of the cup. Thus, a future study of a redesigned useful coffee cup is the logical next step to this project.

Senior Division Plant Sciences

Jessalyn Bay-Voit 2-12-001 The Future of Barley Fodder in Agricultural Farming

My project was intended to show the benefiting purposes of barley fodder and its growth in different environments, while using four different types of water; filtered, tap, runoff, and river water. Three different tests were performed in three locations; in a garage, in a basement, and in a window. Each location has four different pans with barley fodder in them and each pan was watered with a different type of water sample. My results from trial one indicated that all the barley fodder grows with each type of water, when watered 3 to 4 times a day, in the basement and window location. The garage barley fodder froze a few days in because it was not at a proper growing temperature. During trial two, the filtered water grew the best when under the condition of being only watered twice a day. Due to the fact that all of the trays in both trials grew mold, altering the procedure and growing process will be necessary for future studies.

Isabella Bowland 2-12-002 Bad Altitude: Climate Change May Alter Beneficial Relationships Between Plants and Their Fungal

Symbionts

Warming temperatures spurred by climate change are threatening alpine plant populations. A symbiotic relationship with fungi, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE), may help ameliorate abiotic stressors associated with climate change. The goals of this study are to observe fungal colonization levels across differing plants and to determine what variables (plant, environmental, or edaphic) best predict these levels of colonization. While the first goal is exploratory research, the hypothesis of the second goal is that specific plant-characteristics drive plant-fungi symbioses. Percent fungal colonization was determined using light microscopy and a visual counting method. These data were interpolated with plant, environmental, and edaphic variables recorded at each sampling plot and were statistically analyzed. Results revealed that unlike previous studies, thick roots did not favor high colonization. AMF highly colonized forbs (thick roots) and sedges (thin roots), and DSE highly colonized grasses (thin roots). Notably, increased DSE presence correlated with high elevation and low snowpack levels. For plant-fungi symbioses, soil and environmental variables predicted best for DSE, and soil variables alone predicted best for AMF. As a result, as alpine plant distributions shift upward in response to climate change, the DSE distribution may shift upwards maintaining colonization levels. AMF may not be able to accommodate such a shift, however, resulting in decreased AM-plant colonization with ramifications for alpine ecosystems. Expanding this research involves controlled studies determining cause and effect, as well as identifying physiological mechanisms driving plant-fungi relationships. Understanding these relationships may have agricultural applications for the future.

Tristen Jarmon 2-12-003 Hydroponics: The Wave of the Future

I learned a lot about hydroponics throughout this project. For example I didn’t realize there were more than 20 different kinds of hydroponic system. I also didn’t know that you could cut the time needed to grow spinach from seed to harvest from 6 weeks, to 4 ½ weeks. I can also prove that hydroponics is a more effective way of growing almost any plant. Spinach for example, I was able to sprout in 10 days as opposed to the traditionally grown 14 days during my experiment. I feel that this was possible because of the nature of the growing style. Using my method of hydroponics, which is similar to a wicking method the crops we able to easily penetrate the base that they were in and reach the nutrients mixed with their water supply. The also only have to pull nutrients and water from the same place so therefore using less energy to get the nutrients necessary for plant growth. The traditionally grown has to pull it from the soil and use energy to do so. I hypothesized that the hydroponically grown spinach would grow better specifically because of this energy conservation. In conclusion, my hypothesis was correct, the hydroponically grown spinach did sprout first.


Brooklyn Johnson 2-12-004 A Study of Edaphology Using Daucus Carota Subspecies Sativus

The use of nitrogen-based fertilizers have had detrimental effects on our environment. These fertilizers disrupt the nitrogen cycle and cause eutrophication in bodies of water. Farmers use nitrogen-based fertilizers to increase their crop bounty which in turn increase the profit that farmers make. However, there may be other farming techniques that can have similar effects on crops without causing environmental damage. By using organic humus as a fertilizer, key nutrients are being delivered to plants so that the crop yield is greater than with soil alone. The purpose of the research was to identify which kinds of organic humus will most increase the size of the crops receiving it. Three separate containers were filled with soil and carrot seeds were planted. Container A used no organic humus, container B used organic humus from an assortment of vegetables and fruits, and container C used organic humus from carrots specifically. After approximately 3 weeks of growing the carrot seedlings showed differences in size based on the humus or lack of humus they grew in. The carrots grown in container B had a larger length, width, and depth than carrots in container A or C. Container B used organic humus from assorted vegetables, so it is likely that an assortment of nutrients from multiple plants provides the array of nutrients needed for carrots to grow as big and as fast as possible without the use of chemicals.

Michelle Kummel 2-12-005 Microclimatological Feedbacks at Treeline

This research investigates the microclimatic patterns created by the interactions between an abrupt treeline and wind, the effect of microclimates on seedlings, and the creation of feedbacks affecting treeline structure. It was hypothesized that an abrupt treeline acted as a shelterbelt or caused a pool of still air, creating a sheltered zone with very warm daytime and cold nighttime ground temperatures. This should affect seedling distribution. The first study investigated air movement above the treeline and found that a sheltered zone with drastically lowered windspeed was always present through all wind conditions. Daytime air temperatures were warmest and nighttime air temperatures were coldest close to the ground within the sheltered zone. A second study investigated the distribution of ground temperatures. It found that during the night the upper sheltered zone was the coldest, the lower half of the sheltered area and the tundra slightly warmer, and the forest the warmest. In the day, the sheltered zone contained the warmest sections, followed by the tundra, with the forest coldest. A third study investigated the distribution of live and dead seedlings. The majority of live seedlings were found in the upper sheltered zone, which experienced both the warmest and coldest temperatures, and the majority of the dead seedlings were in the lower sheltered zone, where they may have been negatively affected by saplings already present. It is possible to conclude that the treeline creates feedbacks that facilitate it remaining abrupt even through upslope movement in response to climate changes.


Sophia Niccoli 2-12-006 Storage War II: The Effect of Storage Conditions on Feed

The nutritional value of feed is of upmost importance in the livestock industry. When stored in sever conditions of temperature and humidity during the summer, feeds are known to mold and decay. The question investigated in this project is if nutrient values of a feed are influenced under the storage conditions of three different temperatures, two different humidity levels, and in the presence of Aspergillus flavus, a common fungus found in grain storage facilities. After ten days of storage, the feed was analyzed for acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). A greater ADF value indicated lower digestibility of the feed, and a greater TDN value is an indication of the nutrient value for livestock. The initial hypothesis that livestock feeds stored in the presence of Aspergillus flavus will have lower nutritional values than the feeds stored without the fungus, was partially supported. The presence of Aspergillus flavus in combination with humid conditions did increase ADF values, indicating that these feeds would be less digestible for livestock. However, increased TDN values under these same conditions did not support the hypothesis. With increased TDN, it could indicate that more nutrients would be available die to the breakdown of cellulose components of feed by the fungus. However, the safety of theses feeds could be in question, due to the possibility of toxins produced by the fungus.

Karry Pileggi 2-12-007 The Effects of Auxin with External Factors on Root Growth

Auxin is a natural core regulator of growth and development in plants. It provides the information that is required for developmental processes such as tissue patterning and the tropic responses. Light is very important for plant growth and it has a strong influence on multiple factors of the auxin system, controlling auxin levels, transport, and responsiveness (Halliday, 2009). Local auxin concentrations are seen by individual cells where nuclear auxin response pathways direct a range of responses. Plant growth can also be affected by soil nutrients such as Nitrate and Phosphate. Nitrate helps the making of amino acids which are needed to make proteins and Phosphate is a macro nutrient that helps strengthen roots and promotes root growth. This experiment uses the push and pull effects of light and nutrients, such as phosphate and nitrate, on root growth to improve the effects of Auxin on plants. This experiment uses five test groups, Auxin with additional phosphate and nitrate, Auxin with additional Light, Auxin with both additional light and phosphate and nitrate, Auxin alone and a control. The experiment takes place over the span of 5 weeks and data is collected every week. The study concluded that by a little, light with auxin increased root growth. The difference from the other test groups was not huge but it was still present with a slim margin of error. The experiment can improve Agriculture and Horticulture by speeding up the process of maturity in plants.


Parker Randolph 2-12-008 Examining the Effects of Martian Soil, Additives, Water Quality, and Companion Planting on Biomass and

Plant Characteristics

One of the goals of this project is to determine the viability of growing plants in Martian soil, or Martian soil that has been given additives, assuming all other natural conditions are already simulated. Another goal is to determine if the water type given to plants has an effect on their growth. Companion planting tomatoes with spinach and Black-Eyed Peas with Soybeans is also being researched to determine if there is an effect on growth. NASA – Mars Regolith JSC-1 was used as the independent variable and additives, consisting of soy extract and compost, were added to samples of the Martian regolith. For validity, height, leaf number, germination rate, stem robustness, biomass, and soil quality were all measured periodically during the course of the research. After a two month period, the Tomato plants showed the most growth in Mars regolith JSC-1. The Earth control grew the other plant types successfully. The Tomato plant must have grown well comparatively because of its high tolerance to the dense sandy soil. The other plants struggled in stem robustness, yet the tomato plant was very successful in creating a sturdy stem to push through the dense Martian regolith simulant JSC-1 to reach the surface. Conclusively, Tomatoes and other foliage with thick stems and a high tolerance for saturated soil will need to be grown when astronauts colonize Mars. A continuation of this project could include researching if this combination of plants could supply enough nutrient value to keep a human alive in a closed system.

Maria Reeves 2-12-009 The Effects of Increasing Pesticide Concentration on Wisconsin Fast Plants

Past research has shown that pesticides play an important role in society; however, they also lead to disastrous consequences in human health and animal behavior. This could range from respiratory issues, brain degeneration, and food contamination. Increasing pesticide concentration on the Wisconsin Fast Plant allowed a determination of whether it could develop an immunity against a pesticide. The plant grew for a time period of 35 days before pesticides were applied in varying amounts to four of the five different groups. The fifth group did not receive pesticides but was sprayed with distilled water. On the 40-day the spraying of pesticides and water was discontinued on all five groups. Measurements of the plants lasted for 7 days (from the 35-42 day). After experimentation, it was discovered that the group that received a 90% concentration had the most constant height measurements throughout the experiment compared to the other three groups that received the pesticide. A t-test was done between the most significant pair (the average and increasing concentration groups) and yielded a T-value equal to .975. At 12 degrees of freedom, it was determined that there was more than a 70% chance that it yielded a significantly different result, but less than an 85% chance that the group with increasing amounts of pesticides developed an immunity. In conclusion, increasing the concentration of pesticides on a Wisconsin Fast Plant does not result in a resistance against the chemical.

Casey Shaw 2-12-010 Make Way for Duckweed: Observing the Growth Rates of Lemna and its Effect on Atmospheric Carbon

Dioxide Concentrations in a Simulated Carbon Sink

With the increasing prospect of large-scale climate change due to anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, propositions for controlling effects remain focused in reducing emissions as opposed to directly combatting them. Paleontological evidence suggests massive CO2 sequestration in the early Cenozoic by way of the floating fern Azolla; this experiment revolves around testing the capacity of a hardy analogue, duckweed (Lemna sp.), as a candidate for reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations on a large scale. Three replicate trials were conducted to measure CO2 levels and duckweed growth with dry ice added as CO2. Trials were comprised of three groups – C (increased CO2), DC (100 g Lemna, no CO2), and DE (100g Lemna, elevated CO2). Hypotheses included: 1) Presence of Lemna in high-CO2 environments would lead to prominent rates of localized atmospheric CO2 depletion. 2) Lemna populations exposed to higher CO2 levels would experience greater overall growth. CO2 readings were taken every four hours during a 48 hour trial period, while a single duckweed measurement was taken following all three trials’ completion. Data analysis has indicated that although Lemna populations exhibited no determinable growth differences between different CO2 concentrations, a statistically significant decrease of approx. 30.30% in CO2 levels in the DC and DE groups compared to the control groups was observed. Extrapolated into a larger scale, this indicates removal rates of up to 698.2 kg per day by an acre of duckweed, making it conclusive that Lemna is capable of rapidly reducing elevated CO2 levels in a simulated carbon sink.

Colt Spencer 2-12-011 The Greenhouse Effect

In my project I wanted to fix a huge problem in states and countries that do a lot of farming but don't have much water. This project proves that using a product that covers a single plant is more useful than a full greenhouse. In this project I used a cutoff of a soda bottle to use as the mini greenhouse and it showed that by even using this technique you would save water. The water conservation business is big right now because we are using so much water.

Chance Wiening 2-12-012 The Effects of Light Duration on Pinto Bean Germination

Everyone is aware that sunlight is needed for germination and plant growth to occur in plants. However, light has three variables that contribute to plant growth. These include duration, quantity and quality of light. This study examines the light quality on the germination of pinto beans. Regular sunlight, a growth light of red and blue wavelengths, and no sunlight will be used within the experiment to determine which source will germinate the highest percentage of pinto beans.

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Senior Division Animal Sciences - CSEF Home Page€¦ · · 2017-03-30Senior Division Animal Sciences ... locate and attack prey using only their trichobothria when their vision