Trinity University...Poster Session Location: Center for Sciences & Innovation Atrium & Design Cube Thursday, July 23, 2015 8:15 – 10:00 Multidisciplinary Session A CSI 448 8:15

Trinity University Summer Undergraduate

Research Conference

July 22-23, 2015

31st Annual

Department of Chemistry

Research Symposium

10th Annual

Summer Undergraduate

Research Conference

Summer Undergraduate Research at Trinity Although summer undergraduate research has been going on at Trinity since the 1950s, the first

specific celebration of students’ collective work took place in 1984, when ten students, sponsored by the

Chemistry Department, took part in the campus’s first Undergraduate Research Symposium. Since that

time, the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Trinity University has grown to involve faculty

members from across campus in a wide variety of disciplines. Our 2015 summer program involves over

150 students working with nearly 80 faculty, many of them increasingly in the humanities and social

sciences.

Prestigious national granting agencies have a long history of supporting summer research at

Trinity. The National Science Foundation provided funding for our Research Experiences for

Undergraduate (REU) programs in chemistry (1989-2000), mathematics (1997-2008) and computer

science (2008-2010). In addition to individual faculty research grants, the NSF currently supports Trinity

programs for training science teachers (Robert Noyce Program); scholarships for STEM majors (FAST

and FASTER Programs); and students interested in biomathematics (Interdisciplinary Training for

Undergraduates in Biological and Mathematical Sciences program).

Strong support also comes from the Welch Foundation, which has provided funding for student

and faculty researchers in chemistry since 1997. Recent grants from the Merck Foundation (2001-2009)

and the W. M. Keck Foundation (2003) have supported research collaborations between biologists and

chemists.

Grants in 2004 and 2008 from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provided summer research

fellowships for students, and helped transform Trinity’s curricular offerings in the sciences. These grants

enhanced our outreach to local Bexar County schools.

Recent years have seen strong growth of student research projects in the humanities and social

sciences. In 2008, Trinity started a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program with

funding from the U.S. Department of Education. In 2011, Trinity launched the Murchison Fellowships

program, which funds 10 summer projects proposed by faculty-student teams. In some instances, the

University also supports research opportunities through operating funds. Starting in 2013, the Andrew W.

Mellon Foundation at Trinity specifically supports undergraduate research in the arts and humanities.

Other recent additions include summer research experiences supported in Urban Studies thanks to grants

from the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the San

Antonio Area Foundation. Our campus’s strong Entrepreneurship program along with Arts, Letters, &

Enterprise interns are represented in this year’s conference by students who are engaged in scholarly

experiential learning funded by a generous donation from a member of the Trinity Board of

Trustees.

This year’s conference will include over 100 posters and oral presentations. We are joined in our

presentation of summer research by undergraduates from other college campuses in San Antonio who are

engaged in research at their schools. These students join us from Our Lady of the Lake University, St.

Mary’s University, and University of the Incarnate Word. Their projects are listed here alongside the

work of Trinity’s students and faculty.

I hope that you enjoy the 2015 Trinity University Undergraduate Research Conference.

-Edwin Blanton, Associate Director of Experiential Learning

NOTES

Conference Schedule At-a-Glance

Wednesday, July 22, 2015 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Poster Session

Location: Center for Sciences & Innovation Atrium & Design Cube

Thursday, July 23, 2015 8:15 – 10:00 Multidisciplinary Session A CSI 448

8:15 – 10:00 Multidisciplinary Session B CSI 104

8:30 – 10:15 Chemistry Symposium Session A CSI 437

10:15 – 12:00 Multidisciplinary Session C CSI 448

10:15 – 12:00 Multidisciplinary Session D CSI 104

10:30 – 12:00 Chemistry Symposium Session B CSI 437

11:45 – 1:15 Lunch (for presenters & mentors) CSI Atrium

1:15 – 3:00 Multidisciplinary Session E CSI 104

1:30 – 3:00 Chemistry Symposium Session C CSI 437

1:30 – 3:00 Chemistry Symposium Session D CSI 448

3:15 – 5:00 Multidisciplinary Session F CSI 448

3:15 – 4:45 Chemistry Symposium Session E CSI 437

Poster Presentations

Wednesday 3:30-5:30 PM ● Center for Sciences & Innovation Atrium & Design Cube

# Presenter(s) Title Mentor(s)

1 Alana Effects of Normoxia and Hyperoxia exposure on MLE-12

cell proliferation, migration, and cell junctions. King

2 Azar (Re)Designing Texas: Landscape History

and the Campus-River Connection O’Rourke

3 Ball &

Sullivan

Team Up for Change: Surveying the Impact of Service-

Learning on Youth Stone

4 Bovio Social organization of the Northern Pygmy Mouse,

Baiomys taylori Ribble

5 Cabrera &

Lalani

Differentiation of HDLs/LDLs from Astrocytes purified

via a sucrose gradient Roberts

6 Cantu &

Gamboa

Does Structural Alignment Help Children

Ignore Irrelevant Events? Childers

7

Cohen,

McKay, &

Stein

Escherichia coli chemotaxis: experiments

and models of cell motility in

2D confined space & helical flagella in 3D space

Healy &

Nguyen

8 Crues Using 3D digital models to analyze rock

deformation in the Stillwell anticline, west Texas B. Surpless

9 Debner Beta-Amyloid Induced Mitochondrial Membrane Potential

and Calcium Wave Alterations in Aging Astrocytes King

10 Deckard Muscle Fiber Type, Size, and Social

Behavior in Dominican Anole Lizards Johnson

11 Dunn

A new technique for building 3D models

of bed-scale fracture networks:

a case study from the Stillwell anticline, west Texas

B. Surpless

12 Endresen &

Willey Laser Measurements of Diffusion and Bacterial Biomixing Spiegel

13 Escapita Measuring the Impact of San Antonio Education

Partnership Advising on Student Access and Success Contreras

14

R. C. Evans,

Izquierdo, &

Ulin

Effects of Exercise on the Cuprizone Mouse Model of

Demyelinating Disease Phillips

15 Finch & Petri Predicting Geographic Ranges of Small Mammals:

Lessons From Multiple Species

Ribble, Elaydi,

& Hasfura-

Buenaga

16 Frasch Robotic Chemotaxis and Obstacle Avoidance Nguyen &

Nickels

17 Freund &

Miller

Do winners keep winning because they look more

intimidating after a win Murphy

18 Gray Self-Expansion in the Workplace:

Implications for Burnout and Engagement McIntyre

19

Gulliver,

Patzke, &

Thurman

Using Sedimentary Provenance Analysis to Assess the

Extent of Post-Cretaceous Translation of the Blue

Mountains Province, Oregon

K. Surpless

Poster Presentations (cont.)


20 Hamilton "Having" Knowledge: External Memory in the Digital Age

Hertel &

McIntyre

21 Hanes Investigating the role of a bacterial luciferase in the

biosynthesis of a type II aromatic polyketide. Healy

22 Hoard Diversity Wanted: The Path to Respectability for LGBT

and Integrated Krewes in Mobile Mardi Gras Stone

23 Jaramillo Visual Processing in the Lizard Brain Johnson

24 Johnson &

Parrish San Antonio Food Bank: Fighting Unemployment Navarro

25 Kelleher &

Lhemann

Sedimentology and depositional environments of the

transition interval between the non-microbial bearing strata

and large microbial reef complexes in the Cambrian

Wilberns Formation, Mason County, TX

Lehrmann

26 Kelly The San Antonio Federal Orchestra of 1936-43: A

Forgotten Link in San Antonio’s Musical Heritage Leafstedt

27 Mahapatra &

Poovathoor Autonomous Vision-Based Quadcopter Flight Control Nickels

28 Matthews The Process of Project Management as an Intern

Chocano

29 Muñiz Biogeochemical Characterization of a Gasoline-

Contaminated Aquifer Plenge

30 Oranday Mathematical Modeling and Analysis

of Mental Disorder Diagnostics Balreira

31 Quigley

University-Based Induction Support: Impact on Trinity

Graduates’ Participation in a Beginning Teacher Study

Group

Norman

32 Rodriguez

Engineering the End to Hunger: Simulation of Food

Collection & Distribution Strategies

for San Antonio Food Bank

Easwaran

33 Rojas UVB Regulation Of Stomate Opening In Broad Beans Shinkle

34 Sannoh Emerging Growth Company (EGC) Status: An analysis of

the persistence of underpricing

Persellin &

Holmes

35

Selleck,

Gonzalez, &

Patel

The Story of Plova Chewing Gum Martinez

36 Selznick

Evolution of bone and muscle morphology in the lizard

jaw: associations with diet and social behavior

Johnson

37 Simoneau &

Yazbek

The Impacts of Recycled Water Irrigation

Use in San Antonio, TX Plenge

38 Solano

Knickpoint (Waterfall) Development and Migration

in the North Canterbury Fold and Trust belt,

South Island New Zealand

Gardner

Poster Presentations (cont.)


39 Stark ALE Summer Internship: An Introduction to San Antonio's

Nonprofit Sector Tingle

40 Suarez-Domit Urban bird flight tracking for collision prevention by

stereo-vision techniques Leifer

41 Swanson Techniques for Vibration Reduction in String Trimmers Leifer

42 Swartz Stable Isotope Geochemical Analysis of Cambrian

Bioherm: Central Texas Lehrmann

43 Tchen, Phea,

Samman

Modulating Levels of Neuronal Plasma Membrane

Cholesterol and its Effect on the Toxicity of β-Amyloid:

Mathematical Modeling

Roberts, Elaydi,

& Aminian

44 Thomas Computational model of the afferent connections to

the mesocorticolimbic pathway

Hall,

Al-Baraineh

45 Thorne Using River Channel Profiles to Assess Fault Activity in

the Wassuk Range, Western Nevada B. Surpless

46 Tunon Kynurenine metabolism alters microglial activation

following lipopolysaccharide challenge O’Connor

47 Uroff Microanalysis of diverse feldspars occurring in the Marble

Falls pluton, Llano Uplift, central Texas. Smith

48

Nielsen,

Reynolds, &

Watson

Modeling the Effects of ZO-1 Protein Expression on

Epithelial Cell Migration King

49 Webber The Neuroendocrine Basis of Behavior: Androgen

Receptor Expression in Lizards of the Caribbean Johnson

50 Wright Marching to the Tune of Data Analytics:

A Rank Aggregation Problem Balreira

51 Yang Building a Benchmark Generator for

Dynamic Game Theory Models Xin Jiang

52 Yarberry Parental Alcohol Use Effects Parkinson's Disease

in the Next Generation Roberts

53 Zeb The Mechanisms of Social Behavior: Neuromuscular

Junction Size and Density in Dominican Anole Lizards Johnson

54 Zhang UV-B Radiation Sensitivity in annAt1-4 Arabidopsis Shinkle

Oral Presentations

Multidisciplinary Session A ● Thursday, 8:15-10:00 AM

Moderator: Dr. Matthew Hibbs

CSI 448

# Time Presenter(s) Title Mentor(s)

55 8:15 Diaz Immigration Across the Atlantic Ruiz

56 8:30 Kurpis My Summer Internship at Local Sprout: Playing

the Part of Scientist, Farmer, and Businesswoman Shinkle

57 8:45 Platt

Immunological approaches to identifying proteins

upregulated during neural morphallaxis in

Lumbriculus variegatus.

Martinez-

Acosta

58 9:00 Legros Subsumption Data Structures Fogarty

59 9:15 Espinoza

Empowering Chicana Alliances: Testimonios of

Scholar-Activist Dr. Antonia Castañeda and the

Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.

Sanchez &

Blanco-Cano

60 9:30 Clark The Agency of Young Adult Superheroines in

Marvel's "Runaways" Henderson

61 9:45 Mangalji Visualizing Biological Networks

in 3D Virtual Reality Hibbs

Multidisciplinary Session B ● Thursday, 8:15-10:00 AM

Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Steele

CSI 104


62 8:15 Hoffman The Laundry Crew Martinez

63 8:30 Azar

Texas Chiaroscuro:

Arthur and Marie Berger, Stewart E. King, and

Architectural Regionalism

O’Rourke

64 8:45 Lane O'Neil Ford- An Early and Unexpected

Contributor to Sustainable Architecture O’Rourke

65 9:00 Stercula

The effects of body temperature on lipid

composition and cell membrane fluidity in

lizard brains

Roberts &

Johnson

66 9:15 Corley

High HOPEs: Modeling Electric Fields in the

Earth’s Plasmasphere to Facilitate Estimating

its Temperature

Turner

67 9:30 Legg Plasmon Enhanced Förster Resonance Energy

Transfer Using Gold Nanogratings Steele

68 9:45 Cofer Modeling the 2012 Presidential Elections

Battleground States

Nguyen, Kwessi,

Jiang, Nishikawa

Multidisciplinary Session C ● Thursday, 10:15 – 12:00

Moderator: Dr. Frank Healy

CSI 448


69 10:15 Rojas Confirming the Genotypes of SCE 2600-SCE 2607 Livingstone

70 10:30 Luna Adopting new methods in art education for students

with learning differences Delgado

71 10:45 Farner

No Thermometers in Space: Modeling Cold Space

Plasma in Near-Earth Space to Estimate

Plasmaspheric Temperature

Turner

72 11:00 Medrano Youth Radio Workshops: An Ethnographic Study in

Participatory, Alternative Communication Huesca

73 11:15 Ramirez Computer Simulation of the Anoplophora

glabripennis McGee

74 11:30 Thacker Visualization of Functional Enrichment Analysis of

Genomic Data Hibbs

75 11:45 Stein &

Cohen

Modeling E. coli Flagellar Motility & Chemotaxis

in 3D

Nguyen,

Healy

Multidisciplinary Session D ● Thursday, 10:15 – 11:45

Moderator: Dr. Dennis Ugolini

CSI 104

# Time Presente

r(s) Title Mentor(s)

76 10:15 Ramos

Martinez

Examining the relationship between acculturation

and assertiveness on Our Lady of the Lake

University’s First Generation Students

Gil

78 10:30 Phillippe,

Kotara

The Consequences of Changes in Grassland Species

Composition on Rangeland Forage Value and

Nutrient Cycling

Lyons

79 10:45 Abajian LIGO Charging Noise Minimization Ugolini

80 11:00 Hall Rethinking Homer Pache

81 11:15 Mendiola A Narrative Research Study on the Linguistic

Identity of Spanish/English Bilinguals in the U.S. polanco

82 11:30 Wagner Understanding the Jewish Community of

Dura Europos Spigel

Multidisciplinary Session E ● Thursday, 1:15 – 3:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Michael Soto

CSI 104


83 1:15 Ramnarace

Hope Springs Eternal: Constraining partial

densities of ion species in cold plasma in the

near earth space environment to facilitate

estimation of plasmaspheric temperature

Turner

84 1:30 Olivares

Job Needs of the Eastside: A Study Examining

the Barriers and Workforce Needs of the People

Using the Ella Austin Community Center

Drennon

85 1:45 Cortez

Writing without Boundaries: A Study of the

Pedagogy of a Current Traditionalist Models in

First Year Composition

Lopez

86 2:00 Diller & Heffner Tiptoe Aspirations: 19th Century

Poetry and Ballet Tontiplaphol

87 2:15 Sanchez Escape From Recuperation:

Avant-Garde, The Murderer

DeLeon

88 2:30 Ward Natural Language Processing

for Interactive Media Hibbs

89 2:45 Sherry

Cities of Hope and Freedom; The Parallels

between Harlem and Moscow as seen through

the Accounts of the Black and White Cast

Soto

Multidisciplinary Session F ● Thursday, 3:15 – 5:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Kelly Lyons

CSI 448


90 3:15 McKay & Cohen 2D Simulation of E. coli Chemotaxis and

Motility in Confined Space. Nguyen, Healy

91 3:30 Holler The Dark Pastoral in Karen Traviss's and

Margaret Atwood's Cli Fi Novels Sullivan

92 3:45 Alcorn, Ruge-

Jones

Clicking the “like” button: An in-depth analysis

of Facebook interactions and motivations Sumner

93 4:00 M. Reynolds Constructing the Imaginative Bridge: Third

Generational Holocaust Narratives Aarons

94 4:15

Adams, Bassiri-

Gharb, &

Alvarado

The Effects of Density in a Three-Species

System of Texas C4 Grasses Lyons, Kwessi

95 4:30 Rothenbaum More than Logos:

Controversy in Collegiate Debate Mosley-Jensen

96 4:45 Hofmann, Siegal,

& Middleton

Cape Gelidonya Shipwreck: From the Bronze

Age to the Digital Age

Hirschfeld,

Delwiche

31st Annual Department of Chemistry Research Symposium

Chemistry Session A ● Thursday, 8:30-10:15 AM

Moderator: Dr. Adam Urbach

Center for Sciences & Innovation 437 (Treehouse)


97 8:30 Young Substrate-Specific Inhibition of Insulin-

Degrading Enzyme by a Synthetic Receptor Urbach

98 8:45 Huther

Heterogeneous Catalysis: Synthesis and

Characterization of supported Gold

Nanoparticles

Chandler

99 9:00 Pollock &

Petersen

Hydrogen Adsorption on

Gold Nanoparticle Catalysts Pursell

100 9:20

Dybdal-

Hargreaves &

Shepherd

Probing the Factors that Alter the

Reduction

Potential of Thermus thermophilus Rieske

protein

Hunsicker-

Wang

101 9:40 Grice &

Mobley

Cucurbit[7]uril-Rhodamine Conjugate

as a Nanomolar Sensor Urbach

102 10:00 Andrews Chiral Organic Superbases Bachrach

Chemistry Session B ● Thursday, 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Corina Maeder



103 10:30 Schreib Effects of Dib1 Mutations on RNA

Splicing. Maeder

104 10:45 Meitz XRF Analysis of Spanish Colonial

Alamo Frescoes

Bushey &

Tian

105 11:00 Nickle Enhancing Binding Through

a More Planar ExBox Bachrach

106 11:15 Lopez

Structural and Functional Characterization

of the Sco Protein from Thermus

thermophilus

Hunsicker-

Wang

107 11:30 Bowman The Molecular Characterization of Dib1 Maeder

108 11:45 Whittaker Understanding PROx over

supported Au catalysts Chandler

Chemistry Session C ● Thursday, 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Laura Hunsicker-Wang



109 1:30 Devlin Chemical Modification of the CuA Protein

from Thermus thermophilus

Hunsicker-

Wang

110 1:45 Paige Structural Characterization of Mutants of

the Rieske Protein

Hunsicker-

Wang

111 2:00 Krause &

Salarda

Selective Hydrogenation of

Phenylacetylene and 1-Hexyne over Metal

Oxide Supported Au Nanoparticles

Chandler

112 2:20

Tchen,

Samman, &

Phea

Modulating Levels of Neuronal Plasma

Membrane Cholesterol and its Effect on the

Toxicity of β-Amyloid: Mathematical

Modeling

Roberts

113 2:40 Dwarica &

Levine Nickel Catalyst Synthesis and Screening Chandler

Chemistry Session D ● Thursday, 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Moderator: Dr. Steven Bachrach

Center for Sciences & Innovation 448


114 1:30 Zayat Concentric Saturn-like Systems from

Cycloparaphenylenes Bachrach

115 1:45 Bollampolly

Thermodynamic Studies of Analyte

Retention on Lauryl Acrylate Porous

Polymer Monolith Stationary Phases as a

Function of Mobile Phase Composition

Bushey &

Tian

116 2:00 Piske &

Wassom

Studying the Mass Transport Phenomena

Associated with Evaporation

Kelly-Zion,

Pursell, &

Nguyen

117 2:20 Mandelkorn &

Rundstein

Evaporation Rate of a Sessile Droplet in

Different Pressures and Ambient Gases

Kelly-Zion

& Pursell

118 2:40 Desai

Efficiency Study of Analyte Separations on

Porous Polymer Monoliths as a Function of

Mobile Phase Composition Using Capillary

Electrochromatography (CEC)

Bushey &

Tian

Chemistry Session E ● Thursday, 3:15 – 4:45 PM

Moderator: Dr. Chris Pursell



119 3:15 Rueb The Scientific Analysis and

Classification of Amber Lambert

120 3:30 Nguyen Thermal Analysis of Fossilized Resin by

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Lambert

121 3:45 Hilborn

Cross-linker Studies of a Lauryl Acrylate

Porous Polymer Monolith Using Capillary

Electrochromatography and Scanning

Electron Microscopy

Bushey &

Tian

122 4:00 Steinman Characterization of the Methyl

Bromoacetate-Modified Rieske Protein

Hunsicker-

Wang

123 4:15 Cho Searching for a Möbius Strip with

Cyclometaphenylene Bachrach

124 4:30 Luikart &

Santos

Characterization Studies of Gold

Nanoparticle Supported Catalysts Using the

Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol

Chandler

Abstracts The following 124 pages are presentation abstracts. This legend may be used for authors:

Names in bold are current undergraduate students.

Names followed by an asterisk (*) are presenters.

Names underlined are current faculty mentors.

Poster Session Presentation 1

Effects of Hyperoxia on MLE-12 cell proliferation,

migration, and cell junctions

Nicholas Alana*, Jonathan King

Hyperoxia is a condition that occurs when bodily tissues or organs are exposed to a

higher than normal concentration or partial pressure of oxygen. Hyperoxia-induced lung

injury is characterized by a pronounced increase in inflammation and inflammatory cells

in the lungs, excessive pulmonary permeability, and cell death. The mechanisms

accounting for hyperoxia-induced lung injury are still unclear, however pulmonary

oxygen toxicity can be attributed to elevated quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS)

which react with surrounding tissues, damaging nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. These

ROS damage the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and suppress cell

proliferation, two fundamental aspects leading to lung injury.

Matrix mellatoproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a proteolytic enzyme that degrades the ECM.

Cell junction proteins zonula occludins-1 (ZO-1) and E-cadherin are required for normal

epithelial cellular architecture and function. When MMP-9 is excessively produced, as it

is during hyperoxia, detrimental effects on ECM composition and cellular architecture

may perturb cell movement and function.

The aim of this study was to compare effects of MMP-9 inhibition on cell motility

under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions using a mouse lung epithelial (MLE-12)

model. Cell survivability, and cell junction expression were evaluated as well.

There was a decrease in motility and proliferation of MLE-12 cells subjected to a

hyperoxic environment. However, MMP-9 inhibition with GM-6001 and MMP2/9 led to

increased cell motility in a hyperoxic environment but had no effect on cell motility

under normoxic conditions. Furthermore, MLE-12 cells exposed to hyperoxic conditions

showed a decrease in expression of cell junction proteins, ZO-1 and E-cadherin.

These studies demonstrate MMP inhibition in a hyperoxic-induced lung epithelial cell

model provides a protective mechanism preserving junctional protein integrity, allowing

for the ECM to retain better stability in addition to its inhibition promoting a higher rate

of wound healing.

Funding Source: Kline Foundation


(Re)Designing Texas:

Landscape History and the Campus-River Connection

Jason Azar*

Advising Professor: Dr. Kathryn O’Rourke

Atop its celebrated hill, Trinity University faces downtown San Antonio as a symbol

of the entwining of elite education and civic life. Yet in many ways it is spatially

disconnected from the city. Following careful analysis of the campus’s site and research

into historical precedents, a design proposal, consisting of drawings, photographs, and

models, has been created to show how the Trinity campus might be connected to the San

Antonio River, and to downtown, by constructed landscapes, paths, and reconfigured

roads. Additionally, a vibrant new park system is proposed that connects the

neighborhoods around the university, as well as numerous cultural amenities, to the San

Antonio Riverwalk and downtown by extending the existing Riverwalk infrastructure.

San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the country, yet according to the United States

Trust for Public land, it is ranked sixtieth in terms of the quality and availability of public

parks and green space; this project proposes a way of addressing this deficit and more

meaningfully integrating the university with its setting. The project’s emphasis on

connecting the city and the campus is of direct relevance to the university as Trinity

returns to master planning.

Funding Source: Mellon Initiative for Undergraduate Research in the Arts & Humanities


Team Up for Change: Surveying the Impact of Service-

Learning on Youth

Whitney Ball*, Hannah Sullivan* and Dr. Amy Stone

Our community-based research project is to develop a survey for student

participants of the Team Up Challenge. This presentation outlines the process of

developing the survey. The San Antonio Spurs nonprofit, Silver and Black Give Back,

provides the Team Up Challenge to encourage students to participate in service learning

projects throughout their community. The program incorporates the knowledge students

are learning in their classrooms with components of community service and real world

situations. Our goal is to create a survey to allow Team Up to evaluate their 20 initial

teams at the beginning of their experiences as well as the end of their participation.

Scholars found that students who partake in service learning projects have a

greater motivation to engage in their schoolwork and to be successful throughout their

education. Also by participating students can gain more confidence and self-esteem, have

a greater interest in giving back to and being involved with their community and sharpen

their leadership skills. Team Up Challenge wanted to track and understand if the students

involved in their program were gaining the benefits that usually outcome from taking part

in service learning. We used this research to develop our topics of focus throughout the

survey.

We found that younger students need clear, literal question phrasing and answer

categories as well as a gratuitous amount of pre-testing. Because of the range of ages with

which Team Up Challenge observes in their program; we created two separate surveys.

Elementary-aged students present more challenges while surveying due to issues with

abstract thinking such as self-reflection. Pre-Testing ensures that our survey is easy to

understand to an array of different students, including culturally transferable terms and

phrasing for questions. Through these efforts, we created a survey for the Team Up

Challenge program to use over the next three years. The results will illustrate the impact

of service learning and aid the organization in fundraising for their program.

Funding Source: Spurs Silver and Black Give Back


Social organization of the Northern Pygmy Mouse,

Baiomys taylori

Bovio, R.S.*, Ribble, D.O.

The Northern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys taylori) is the smallest North American

rodent and demonstrates a unique stereotyped singing behavior that has been

characterized as a “barely-audible sequel” in the ultrasonic range. These songs may

function as a signal to attract mates or signal status to conspecifics, but little is known

how these songs function in natural populations. The objective of this study is to

understand the context of these songs in relation to the social organization of natural

populations. We monitored a wild population of Northern Pygmy Mice at the Mitchell

Lake Audubon Center by mark-recapture and radiotelemetry. Our study population

declined from 10 to 0 individuals from February to June. Meanwhile, the cotton rat

(Sigmodon hispidus) population increased from 35 to 75 individuals. We did, however,

successfully obtain the home ranges of two males. Our results suggest Northern Pygmy

Mice abundance decreases in the summer months. We will continue to live-trap and

collect home range data in the forthcoming fall and winter months.

Funding Source: Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fund


Differentiation of HDLs/LDLs from Astrocytes purified

via a sucrose gradient

Karina Cabrera*, Sabina Lalani*, Dr. James Roberts.

High density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are

responsible for transporting cholesterol primarily through Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)

found in astrocytes. ApoE is found to be more abundant in younger astrocytes than older

ones, suggesting a possible cause for degeneration in older neurons. In this study we

sought to understand how ApoE aids the neurons and why its depletion leads to

neurodegenerative effects. We fractioned 4 month and 28 month in vitro cultures of

astrocytes in order to analyze the difference in ApoE concentration. The fractionation is

done using a sucrose density gradient, separating the cells into membrane and nucleus.

Western blots, along with protein and cholesterol assays are used to test for ApoE and its

association with lipids. The assays and western blots reinforced the idea that ApoE is

prevalent in the membranes of the astrocytes. Using a similar fractionation procedure, the

ApoE and lipid composition will later be analyzed in purified astrocyte HDLs and LDLs.

Funding Source: Cowles Distinguished Professors, Trinity University Ronald E. McNair

Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program


Does Structural Alignment Help Children Ignore

Irrelevant Events?

Cantu, Amanda*; Suttner, Selena*; Gamboa, Alexandra*;

Johnson, Clara; Parrish, Sarah; Tatman, Jared; Childers, Jane B.

In the real world, events linked to a verb are interspersed with events linked to

other verbs. Verb acquisition requires children to segment dynamic scenes and link

particular elements to specific verbs. Cross-situational information can help children

deduce which elements link to which verb (e.g., Scott & Fisher, 2012; Childers & Paik,

2009). This study examines whether children could use structural alignment (Gentner,

1983; 1989) to deduce which parts of events are relevant to a particular verb and which

are not.

Two ½-, 3 ½-, and 4½-year-olds participated in one of two conditions. In the

Distractor First condition, each child saw 4 events while hearing new verbs (“She’s

snarfing it!”). Each event started with a distractor action which then flowed into the

target action. In the Distractor Last condition, each of the 4 events started with the target

action and then flowed into a distractor action. Scenes depicted naturalistic events in a

kitchen and a park; each child learned two verbs. When tested, experimenters asked

children to point at the action that represented the novel verb. We will present

preliminary results, and discuss possible implications those results suggest for better

understanding the mechanisms that underlie children’s verb learning.

Funding Sources: Trinity University Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement

Program; Upward Bound; the Steven P. Mach Family; Trinity University


Escherichia coli chemotaxis: experiments and models of cell

motility in 2D confined space & helical flagella in 3D space

Joshua Cohen*, Cameron McKay*, Charles Stein*, Hoa Nguyen, & Frank Healy

Many organisms rely on motility for survival, e.g., in the quest for food or predator

avoidance. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli possess extracellular helical appendages

known as flagella that, through the rotary action of membrane-bound “nanomotors”,

propel the organism through aqueous environments. Motility is governed by the presence

or absence of gradients of chemical attractants or repellents. In order to navigate toward

higher concentrations of attractants, bacteria perform a biased random walk characterized

by an alternating sequence of runs and short-lived, re-orienting tumbles. For example, in

the presence of an attractant gradient, behavior is biased toward longer runs in the

direction of increasing attractant; conversely, in the presence of repellents, tumbles are

more frequent, as bacteria seek suitable “escape routes”.

This biased random walk behavior has attracted interest for biomedical and other

applications. It is envisioned that small devices might be engineered that utilize bacterial

motility mechanisms to swim to specific destinations and deliver payloads. For example,

a nanodevice could carry an antitumor drug to tumor tissue sites in the body, ideally

increasing specificity and minimizing off-target effects of current chemotherapy

treatment methods. The design of such devices would be greatly facilitated by a thorough

understanding of motility mechanics. The objective of this work is to bring together

experimental bacterial motility data and mathematical models to more fully understand

and accurately simulate motility. We are using confocal microscopy-based chemotaxis

assays with motile strains of E. coli carrying plasmid-encoded green fluorescent protein

gene (gfp) or a gfp deriviative. In conjunction with the experimental approach, we are

simulating motility in 2D space with different boundary conditions and obstacles, and

simulating the flagellar dynamics in 3D space, with the long term goal of generating a

unified model of bacterial motility in complex environments.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS-0926702


Using 3D digital models to analyze rock deformation in

the Stillwell anticline, west Texas

Crues, Ashton and Surpless, Ben

Digitally constructed 3D outcrop models could revolutionize the way field

geology is presented and analyzed. We applied this new and rapidly-evolving technique

to our field site at the Stillwell anticline, located in the Trans-Pecos region of west Texas.

The anticline was formed during the Laramide Orogeny, when contractional deformation

created the impressive fault-propagation fold. Since that time, weathering and erosion

have exposed excellent cross sectional views of the rocks affected by folding.

Previous researchers have shown that rock deformation is concentrated within the

hinge and forelimb region of the anticline, but much of the outcrop exposure across those

sections of the fold is difficult to document in the field. To address this problem, we used

Structure from Motion (SfM), which uses an advanced algorithm to match points in

overlapping pictures to construct accurate 3D models.

To capture photos for analysis, we used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) quad

copter with an attached GoPro camera. We removed lens distortion and cropped the

images in order to produce the most accurate visual representation of the site. We then

applied Agisoft Photoscan Professional, which uses SfM algorithms to process the photos

and create high-resolution 3D models of our outcrops.

We exported the completed models to ArcScene by ESRI, georeferenced the

models, and drew bedding, faults, and fracture lines directly onto the model surfaces, thus

creating accurate annotated models of Stillwell anticline outcrops. The models clearly

reveal that deformation in the hinge zone and forelimb consists of ramp-flat faulting, with

interlayer slip also accommodating a portion of total strain. This method of digitally

reconstructing the geologic structures provides an innovative tool that can be used to

supplement and enhance classic field-based techniques.

Funding Sources: National Science Foundation Award #EAR-1220235


Beta-Amyloid Induced Mitochondrial Membrane

Potential and Calcium Wave Alterations in Aging

Astrocytes

Emily Debner* and Dr. Jonathan King

Astrocytes provide support for neurons, including structural, metabolic, and

nervous system repair, however, with age, astrocytes’ ability to provide neuroprotection

decreases. This decrease in neuroprotection increases the likelihood of neurodegenerative

diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). AD is caused by a build-up of the β-amyloid

(βA) peptide, which forms plaques in the brain, disrupts cellular function, and often leads

to cellular apoptosis. Previous research suggests that βA alters mitochondrial membrane

potential (MMP) and calcium waves in astrocytes. The mitochondria produces energy

that the cell uses to function, thus a disruption in its potential would disrupt the cell’s

energy productivity and hindering its ability to prevent βA from forming plaques.

Astrocytes also perform calcium waves, which is an influx of Ca2+ ions. Calcium waves

allow astrocytes to communicate with neurons and other astrocytes and alter cellular

activities, including glutamate release. βA also disrupts these waves, not allowing the

cells to communicate with each other. As astrocytes age, they have been shown to

naturally have lower MMP and more frequent, but larger amplitude calcium oscillations

compared to younger astrocytes. The aim of this study is to analyze astrocytes response

to βA in aging astrocytes to determine how βA affects their ability to produce energy and

perform cellular activities. MMP and calcium waves of young (4 month) and old (28

month) astrocytes were measured using live cells on a confocal microscope. At the time

of imaging, both cells types were exposed to 0.5uM βA and then imaged over time to

determine βA’s effect on the cells. We predict cells with higher MMP will express more

fluorescence and thus are healthier cells, while larger or more frequent calcium waves

will suggest stressed cells.

Funding Source: Murchison Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship


Muscle Fiber Type, Size, and Social Behavior in

Dominican Anole Lizards

Faith Deckard*, Michele Johnson

Behavioral movements are not possible without muscular contractions, and in

turn, the behavioral use of a muscle can influence the structural and biochemical traits of

the muscle. For example, the size of the fibers that compose a muscle, or the types of

fibers that compose the muscle (fast or slow twitch; oxidative or glycolytic), may be

associated with the frequency or duration of the contractions of that muscle. In this study,

we will examine how fiber type and size work together to create movement. We will use

a group of six Anolis lizard species from the Dominican Republic that differ dramatically

in their display of a colorful throat fan called a dewlap. These species vary in the size of

the dewlap, the rate at which they extend the dewlap, and the duration of time for which

they extend the dewlap. Dewlap extension in these species is controlled by a single

muscle, the ceratohyoid. I predict that differences in dewlap extension behaviors are

associated with differences in the morphology and physiology of the ceratohyoid muscle.

Fibers that are larger in size will be used more frequently than smaller ones. We expect

that fibers that are used for quick muscle contractions (fast glycolytic muscle cells), will

be associated with shorter, more frequent dewlap use. Fibers used for endurance (slow

oxidative muscle cells) will be associated with longer and less frequent dewlap displays.

In addition, dewlap extension behaviors may also be influenced by an interaction

between fiber type and size of the muscle cell. These results will give us a better

understanding of the mechanisms underlying the evolution of social behavior.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #1257201 to M. Johnson


A new technique for building 3D models of bed-scale

fracture networks: a case study from the Stillwell

anticline, west Texas

Connor Dunn*, Benjamin Surpless

We developed a new technique to document bed-scale 3-D fracture networks

within the Laramide-age Stillwell anticline, a 10 km long, NW-trending contractional

fault-propagation fold. We focused our study on five structural positions across the fold:

a long, gently-SW sloping backlimb, a gently curved backhinge, a gently NE-dipping

midlimb, a tight forehinge, and a short, steeply-NE-dipping forelimb. Because structural

position within a fold can determine the nature of fracture development, we collected one

oriented sample from each structural section of the anticline. The samples were taken

from the same stratigraphic unit and from beds of similar thickness in an attempt to

characterize differences fracture development based solely on position within the fold.

Each sample was cut perpendicular to the down dip face using a masonry saw, and the

initial cross-sectional face was optically scanned at 600 dpi. Next, a 2-mm slice of the

sample was removed with the saw, and the newly-exposed rock face was scanned. This

process was repeated until the entire sample had been recorded in this way. We

documented all fractures visible in the optical scans using Adobe Illustrator and exported

these results as rasterized images. We imported these images using ImageJ, medical

software commonly used to analyze MRIs, and assembled these image slices into a 3-

dimensional model of the entire sample. Although we documented the greatest fracture

intensities in the forelimb and backhinge samples, previous researchers clearly showed

that fracture intensity within beds is variable on the cm- and m-scale. However, fractures

in the forelimb sample followed a low angle path relative to bedding, suggesting that

shear stresses were responsible for the initiation and propagation of the fracture network.

In samples from other structural positions within the fold, fractures formed at a high

angle to bedding, consistent with formation by tensional stress. These findings are

consistent with previous studies of the Stillwell anticline at different scales, suggesting a

fractal nature to deformation across the fold system. Our results can be used to predict

the development of bed-scale fracture networks in similar fault-propagation fold systems

worldwide.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #EAR-1220235


Laser Measurements of Diffusion

and Bacterial Biomixing

K. Endresen*, B. Willey*, F. Healy, D. Spiegel

In this experiment Forced Rayleigh Scattering (FRS) and Dynamic Light

Scattering (DLS) are used to observe diffusion rates. In FRS a temporary diffraction

grating is created when two pump beams and a third probe beam intersect. In a solution

with the tracer dye methyl red, this diffraction grating stimulates methyl red molecules

into excited states in the same fringe pattern. When the pump beams are turned off, the

fringe pattern decays at a rate corresponding to the diffusion rate. In DLS the electrons in

molecules are polarized by incident light which causes the molecules to act as secondary

emitters of light. An interference pattern is created by the scattered light, and it changes

as these molecules move with respect to each other. These changes can be detected by

fluctuations of light intensity at a given scattering angle that can be used to calculate the

diffusion rate. These methods are used to observe the effects of bacterial biomixing,

which is characterized by increased diffusion rates when bacteria are added to the

solution. Measured by FRS, methyl red was found to diffuse in water 2-6 times faster

when bacteria were present. Both methods are discussed. FRS findings and preliminary

DLS findings will be presented.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #DMS-0926702


Measuring the Impact of San Antonio Education

Partnership Advising on Student Access and Success

Franchesca Escapita*, Dr. Adriana Contreras

According to the 2015 U.S. Census Bureau, about 27.7% of Hispanics in San

Antonio attain a Bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the national average of 15%.

With several city-wide initiatives aimed at increasing the overall percentage of students

obtaining college degrees, college advising for students by community based

organizations has increased significantly in the past decade. With numerous organizations

seeking to help students through services such as college access, advising, and financial

aid, understanding and identifying the degree of positive impact of these organizations is

essential to improving the quality of their services. Therefore, for my research, I will be

looking at the advising staff of the largest local access and success service provider in

San Antonio, the San Antonio Education Partnership, in order to assess their overall

impact on the students they serve and identify best practices in advising.

Funding Source: Trinity University Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement

Program


Effects of Exercise on the Cuprizone Mouse Model of

Demyelinating Disease

Robert Cole Evans*, Alyssa Izquierdo*, Lindsey Ulin*, Dr. Kimberley Phillips

Demyelinating diseases result in the destruction of myelin sheaths that insulate

neurons in the central nervous system, leading to poorer signal propagation and a range

of neurological deficits. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that affects

over 600,000 individuals in the U.S. and 2 million worldwide. Treatments are needed to

combat the physical and cognitive deficits resulting from MS. As many studies have

shown exercise has neuroprotective properties, we examined the therapeutic potential of

exercise in a mouse model of MS. The cuprizone model produces demyelination through

the degeneration of myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. In this pilot study, 27 male

C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a 2 (Cuprizone vs. Normal Diet) x 3

(Exercise: Neuroprotective vs. Therapeutic vs. No Exercise) design for a duration of six

weeks. Subjects were given a weekly behavioral task of sensorimotor function (vertical

pole task), and body weight was also measured weekly. Subjects in the exercise

conditions were provided an activity wheel for voluntary exercise. Results show no

differences in pole task performance across all groups. Collectively, these behavioral

results suggest the vertical pole task does not detect sensorimotor deficits in this model.

While exercise distance and speed declined over the duration of the experiment, the

neuroprotective group had a faster running speed and higher average distance traveled

compared to the therapeutic group. Immunohistological analyses and Western blots of

brain tissue (to quantify Myelin Basic Protein and Proteolipid Protein) is continuing.


Program, Steven P. Mach Family, and Trinity University Neuroscience Program


Predicting Geographic Ranges of Small Mammals:

Lessons from Multiple Species

Heather Finch* and Madeline Petri*

Dr. Saber Elaydi, Dr. Roberto Hasfura and Dr. David Ribble

Species distribution models (SDMs) predict the geographic presence/range of a

species based on previous observations and environmental conditions. Our research team

has developed a method to approximate the growth rates of field mice (Peromyscus).

These growth rates along with existing environmental parameters (temperature,

precipitation and elevation) are used in our SDM to calculate predicted species

distributions. In this study, we test our SDM on eighteen different species of Peromyscus.

In general, our results support the use of our SDM in predicting Peromyscus

distributions. We will review the predictions of our model as it relates to the various life

histories of these species, and how the model predicts the impact of global climate

changes on mammalian species distributions.

Funding Source: The National Science Foundation #DMS-0926702


Robotic Chemotaxis and Obstacle Avoidance

Duncan Frasch*, Kevin Nickels, and Hoa Nguyen

Biology has been a consistent inspiration to the field of robotics. Many robotic

systems operate with sensors that mimic animals’ senses of vision and hearing, and to a

lesser extent, the sense of smell. The biological behavior we were inspired to mimic was

chemotaxis: a method of locating and moving toward sources of food and other chemical

attractants. Chemotaxis is used by organisms such as the bacterium E. coli, the silkworm

moth Bombyx mori, and the dung beetle Geotrupes stercorarius.

In this research project, we developed an algorithm that combined, in a novel

way, the plume gradient-climbing behavior of chemotaxis with the AI-inspired behavior

of obstacle avoidance which allowed a small tabletop robot to seek high chemical

concentrations while avoiding collisions with obstacles.

First, we implemented the chemotaxis algorithm in a robotic simulation

environment. In the next step, a tabletop grayscale gradient pattern (a surrogate for the

chemical plume) was detected and its source (the point of maximum

darkness/concentration) located by an infrared sensor on the underside a simple robot

called an E-puck.

The E-puck is also equipped with radially-facing infrared sensors that can detect

obstacles. The chemotaxis controller was upgraded to include obstacle detection/obstacle

avoidance. The final outcome was E-pucks that reliably navigated past obstacles while

searching for the source of an “attractant chemical.”

This robotic system capable of locating attractant sources in complex

environments could have a number of possible applications, such as detecting and

sourcing chemical leaks on land and underwater, locating illegal drugs and explosives

like trained dogs, or even finding truffles in a forest.

Funding Source: FASTER Grant SURF - National Science Foundation DUE S-

STEM Award 1153796


Do winners keep winning because they look more

intimidating after a win

Danielle Freund, Nathan King, Conor Miller, Elizabeth Walker, Troy Murphy

The phenomenon in which the winner of a competitive interaction tends to

succeed in future interactions and the loser tends to lose, known as the Winner-Loser

Effect, has been noted and explored in many species across a wide range of taxa. It has

traditionally been thought that a winner, by self-assessment of its relative fighting ability,

is more likely to invest further resources in future interactions and more willing to

escalate those fights while a loser is less likely to enter a conflict altogether.

Alternatively, communication signals may play a role in the Winner-Loser effect,

wherein individuals change signal expression depending on their success in previous

fights, which then allows future competitors to assess that individuals fighting history by

simply evaluating signal expression. The mechanism by which birds assess each other’s

relative fighting ability has been linked to bill color in the female American goldfinch

(Spinus tristus). Bill color acts as an intrasexual status signal, informing potential

opponents of the signaller’s health and hormone levels, and bill color can change rapidly

depending on stress or previous social experience.

In this study, we test whether the Winner-Loser Effect is mediated by changes in

bill coloration of female goldfinches. We trained female goldfinches to be either winners

or losers by introducing them into a cage occupied by a much larger or smaller female,

respectively, with a limited food source. We expected that when these trained winners

and losers were then allowed to compete over limited food, winners would dominate.

Furthermore, we predicted that when a novel third-party female (who had no knowledge

of their competitors’ fighting experience) was given the choice to feed at a feeder

controlled by either a winner or loser, the third-party bird would avoid the winner and

feed near the loser. Trials of behavioral interactions were videotaped and are currently

being analyzed.

Funding Source: Biology Undergraduate Research Fellowship (BSURF), Murchison

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Tim and Karen Hixon Endowment for

Environmental Studies


Self-Expansion in the Workplace: Implications for

Burnout and Engagement

Cheryl E. Gray*, Kevin P. McIntyre, Brent A. Mattingly, Gary W. Lewandowski, Jr.

Self-expansion occurs when individuals increase their resources, identities, and

perspectives as they enhance self-efficacy. Previous research has found that workers

experience self-expansion in the workplace, and workplace self-expansion is associated

with benefits to organizations and employees such as lower turnover intentions and

higher job satisfaction. Given that individuals in self-expanding jobs presumably have

increased job resources, these workers should be better at coping with job demands.

Therefore, we predict that workplace self-expansion should be associated with reduced

burnout and work-related stress, and greater job engagement. Results across two studies

(overall N=302) support our hypotheses; workplace self-expansion was associated with

lower levels of job stress (r = -.33, p < .01) and burnout (r= -.39, p < .01) and higher

levels of engagement (r = .71, p < .01). These findings suggest that workplace self-

expansion is a valuable means of increasing job resources, which has a number of

positive cascading effects.



Using Sedimentary Provenance Analysis to Assess the

Extent of Post-Cretaceous Translation of the Blue

Mountains Province, Oregon

Kirk Gulliver*, Mollie Patzke*, Sarah Thurman*, Dr. Kathleen Surpless

The Cordilleran Mountains developed through accretion of numerous terranes

onto Western North America throughout Paleozoic and Mesozoic time. However, the

latitude of accretion remains uncertain; terranes may have been translated significant

distances to their present locations. Further complicating this problem, terranes in Oregon

and Washington are largely covered by Cenozoic flood basalts. Cretaceous outcrop is

limited to isolated sedimentary inliers on the Baker Terrane in eastern Oregon that may

provide additional information for assessing proposed paleogeographic models. One goal

of this project is to determine if these inliers are part of a single basin or represent

multiple sedimentary systems. If there are multiple basins, then these inliers may be part

of separate terranes with differing translational histories. Another goal is to determine the

amount of post-Cretaceous translation by linking the sediment provenance to their source

regions. If translation since the Cretaceous has been minimal then possible source regions

include the Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Blue Mountains, Idaho Batholith, and/or

Klamath Mountains. If the translation has been more significant, the expected source

regions could include the Southern Sierra Nevada, the Peninsular Range, and/or western

Sonora. Finally, we will use information available in the sedimentary inliers to improve

our understanding of source region tectonics.

We collected 67 samples from mudstone, sandstone, and conglomerate cobbles

across five sedimentary inliers (Mitchell Inlier, Bernard Ranch, Antone Ranch, Goose

Rock and Dixie Butte) in eastern Oregon. The mudstone will undergo whole rock

geochemical analysis; sandstone and cobbles have been processed to separate detrital

zircon for U-Pb age dating and Hf isotopic systematics. Additionally, our sandstone

petrography and paleoflow analysis can help better identify source characteristics and

flow direction. Through integration of these various data sets, we will begin to resolve the

geographic and tectonic uncertainties in this region of the Cordillera.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # EAR-1347985


“Having” Knowledge:

External Memory in the Digital Age

Kristy A. Hamilton*, Thomas Coverdale, Paula T. Hertel, & Kevin P. McIntyre

Two studies examined relations between features of external memory repositories

(i.e., personal computers) and confidence in knowing. Participants judged their

confidence in knowledge related to their work or studies and then answered questions

about the way they store and use information. Participants who maintained better

organized repositories were more confident in their knowledge. Furthermore, moderation

analyses showed that participants who navigate through their files by manually clicking

through folders to find documents, but not those who use an automated search feature to

find documents, felt more knowledge confident if they maintained a well-organized

electronic repository. This research illustrates the operation of an organization heuristic in

which people judge some aspect of their organic ability based on a sense of whether

information is easily retrievable, regardless of its source.



Investigating the role of a bacterial luciferase in the

biosynthesis of a type II aromatic polyketide

Madeline Hanes* and Frank Healy

Polyketides are secondary metabolites with an extraordinary range of biological

activities and uses, from antibacterial and antimicrobial agents to antitumor drugs.

Polyketide assembly on type II polyketide synthases (PKS) is carried out by the

concerted actions of monofunctional enzymes as compared to the multifunctional

synthases characteristic of type I PKSs. Type II polyketides can be further classified

based on the arrangement of aromatic rings within their structures; e.g., type II

angucycline polyketides possess a four-ring system with three colinear rings and a fourth

ring situated at an angle. The Gram positive filamentous bacterium Streptomyces

acidiscabies produces the WS5995 type II aromatic polyketides; these are somewhat

unique in that, during assembly, one of the rings undergoes an oxidative cleavage.

We hypothesize that this cleavage reaction is catalyzed by a bacterial luciferase

homolog with Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase activity. The goal of the research project

is the genetic and biochemical characterization of this luciferase homolog and its role in

WS5995 ring cleavage. We have identified genomic regions for amplification of the

luciferase homolog for recombinant protein expression and for amplification of a large

luciferase gene-flanking region for the generation of luciferase gene disruption mutants in

S. acidiscabies. We will use the former to elucidate the function of the recombinant

enzyme and the latter for the characterization of luciferase mutant phenotypes. Results of

this work should provide further insight into secondary metabolite diversity; additionally,

the identification and characterization of an unusual activity involved in type II

polyketide assembly may be valuable in the design of new metabolite structures with

novel biological activities. These could include, for example, new antimicrobials or new

antitumor drugs.

Funding Source: Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (BSURF),

Trinity University


Diversity Wanted: The Path to Respectability for LGBT

and Integrated Krewes in Mobile Mardi Gras

Danielle Hoard*, Dr. Amy Stone.

This project analyzes the performance of the politics of respectability by

marginalized groups, specifically gay men, lesbians, and Blacks in Mardi Gras in Mobile,

Alabama. The politics of respectability describes the process by which members of

stigmatized groups prove themselves to be respectable by conforming to certain moral

standards and distancing oneself from stereotypes associated with one’s cultural group.

Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of U.S Mardi Gras, with a history of exclusionary

practices that have led to the recent formation of gay, lesbian, and Black krewes,

organizations that put on Mardi Gras parades or formal balls. Consequently, Mobile is an

important site to study the process by which minority groups negotiate cultural difference

within an event strongly associated with straight, white, elite culture. This study analyzes

12 interviews conducted with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and Black

participants in Mardi Gras krewes in Mobile, AL in June 2014 and 2015. Qualitative

analysis revealed that respondents do engage in the politics of respectability, particularly

through the act of covering, or the modulation of one’s conduct in a way that downplays

a stigmatized trait. Further, the study also revealed that these minority groups seek

alternative routes to becoming respectable by valuing diversity and inclusivity as a result

of their mutual discrimination.



Visual Processing in the Lizard Brain

Maria A. Jaramillo* Miguel A Webber, Charles N. Stein, Michele A. Johnson

Animals perform visual displays to communicate information about potential

competitors, mates, predators, and prey. Behavioral responses to these complex displays

have evolved as a result of the mechanisms by which visual information is processed in

the brain. In this study we seek to understand how information processing differs among

Anolis carolinensis (green anole lizards) when exposed to visual displays that are either

socially relevant (social) or not socially relevant (non-social). Anoles are highly visual

species, and thus we are able to manipulate visual cues that elicit highly social behavior

to then measure subsequent changes in neural activity within the visual and social nuclei

of the brain. Currently, we are conducting behavioral trials on forty lizards, with each

lizard randomly assigned to one of four conditions – social control (two lizards

displaying at each other), non-social control (a video with just a perch), social condition

(a video with a lizard displaying), non-social condition (the same video as in the social

condition but with the pixels scrambled to ensure no social context is present). Each trial

consists of putting a lizard in a visually neutral arena, presenting it with visual

information from a live anole or from carefully constructed video playback (either social

or non-social) and recording their behavioral responses. Immediately after each trial, we

will flash-freeze the brain of each lizard, and use immunocytochemistry to measure

neural activity in the visual and social brain regions by quantifying levels of an

immediate early gene (c-fos) – in other words, a gene that is transcribed before any new

proteins are made in an activated neuron. Following analysis we expect to gain a greater

level of understanding on how lizards process social information and the degree to which

their brains attend to such visual displays.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # IOS-1257021 to Michele

Johnson; Murchison Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship to Maria Jaramillo


San Antonio Food Bank: Fighting Unemployment

Clara Johnson*, Sarah Parrish and Navarro, Aaron

San Antonio is facing deep financial cuts regarding SNAP benefits, affecting

320,000 citizens confronting food insufficiency. One way to accommodate to such cuts is

to decrease unemployment. To promote employment, the San Antonio Food Bank

established a Workforce Development Department, a sector that focuses on teaching self-

sufficiency in the job search. The department provides job readiness classes, mock

interviews, and one-on-one case management. To better serve the people of San Antonio,

we designed a website for clients where they can see job openings that partner companies

provide, while maintaining a personalized approach to helping Food Bank clients. The

Workforce Development Department is also in the process of creating a board of

industry-driven companies to assist in the Food Bank’s understanding of what employers

look for in potential employees. By bringing in companies to the Food Bank, the

department will help facilitate communication between the clients and the companies

regarding job openings. The goal of the Workforce Development Department is to lower

unemployment and hence decrease the need for SNAP benefits.

Funding Source: Alvarez Internship Grant, MAS Program


Sedimentology and depositional environments of the

transition interval between the non-microbial bearing

strata and large microbial reef complexes in the

Cambrian Wilberns Formation, Mason County, TX

Kelleher, C.*, Lhemann, A., Lehrmann, D.

With the discovery of oil fields in pre-salt strata of offshore Brazil, interest in

lacustrine microbialites has greatly increased. Marine microbial carbonates contain

similar features that allow them to serve as powerful analogues for pre-salt microbial

hydrocarbon reservoirs.

This study aims to describe the factors that led to the origin and growth of the

Upper Cambrian large microbial reef mounds found along the Llano River in Mason

County, TX. In parallel with studies on the middle unit of the Mill Creek section, upper

and lower Mill Creek sections were measured, photographed, and sampled, and spectral

gamma ray measurements were taken at regular intervals. A stratigraphic chart was

prepared to correlate sections from the Llano River and Mill Creek area.

Facies are comprised of alternating mixed carbonate-siliciclastics. Sandstone is

interpreted to represent a high-energy, shallow-subtidal, open-marine environment of

deposition. Silty limestone represents a low-energy, intertidal environment. Siltstone is

illustrative of a tidal flat environment, while glauconitic siltstone was deposited in a

range from tidal flats to shallow subtidal. Heterolithic siltstone/lime packstone facies are

interpreted to have formed in a low-energy, intertidal environment. Skeletal limestone is

illustrative of a shallow-subtidal, open-marine. Intraclastic conglomerate are interpreted

to be the result of high-energy storm events, with the intraclasts locally derived from

nearby facies. Oolitic grainstone formed in high-energy, shallow-subtidal, open-marine

environments. Microbial biostrome facies are interpreted to represent a shallow-subtidal

to emergent tidal flat environments.

Alternating siliciclastic- and carbonate-rich beds and high-frequency oscillations

in gamma ray levels depict cyclical fluctuations in sea level. A general upward trend of

an increase followed by decrease in siliciclastic content reflects a longer-term sea level

fall and rise, representing a low-order depositional sequence. The presence of large

microbial reefs during the long-term decline in siliciclastic content suggests the reefs

formed during rising sea-level.

Funding Source: Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Statoil


The San Antonio Federal Orchestra of 1936-43: A

Forgotten Link in San Antonio’s Musical Heritage

Kassie Kelly*, Carl Leafstedt, Ph.D

One of the most musical cities in the United States for much of the 20th century,

San Antonio today remains a largely unstudied city in many aspects of its cultural

history. Indifference to, or uncertainty about, the value of the arts in central Texas has

left much of the city’s music history – the rise of its institutions, its important individual

figures – no longer remembered. My study centered on the classical music world of the

1920s to 1940s. The San Antonio Symphony was founded in 1939. While researching

archival holdings pertaining to its history, located at the Texana/Genealogy room of the

San Antonio Public Library, I stumbled across references to a previously unknown

orchestra in 1930s San Antonio. Encouraged by my professor, I changed directions and

spent the rest of the summer uncovering the existence of the San Antonio Federal

Symphony, which operated from 1936-43.

The San Antonio Federal Orchestra was federally funded by the U.S. government

as part of the Federal Music Project, a sub-project of the Federal Arts Project created by

President Roosevelt’s relief program, the Works Progress Administration. In the wake of

the Great Depression, the Federal Music Project was designed to give much needed work

to musicians around the country. Here in San Antonio it employed hundreds of local

musicians. Its purpose was to bring music, both popular and classical, to the public.

Conducted by leading San Antonio musicians such as Walter Dunham and Juan Macias,

the San Antonio Federal Orchestra – also known as the “San Antonio Symphony” or the

“WPA orchestra” -- gave frequent concerts at Municipal Auditorium and outdoors at the

Sunken Garden Theater. It fostered in San Antonio a deepening sense of necessity for a

local symphony orchestra. The subsequent founding of what is now called the San

Antonio Symphony, which sprung up ambitiously in 1939 as a separate organization,

must therefore be seen as part of a larger picture of increased employment for classically-

trained musicians in our city coming out of the Depression years.



Autonomous Vision-Based Quadcopter Flight Control

Subrat Mahapatra*, Vivek Poovathoor*, Dr. Kevin Nickels

The quadcopter, an unmanned four-rotor copter, used in this research project is a

Parrot AR-Drone (version 2.0). This quadcopter is equipped with two cameras (front-

facing and bottom-facing), accelerometers, magnetometers, ultrasound sensors, pressure

sensors, and on-board wifi. Autonomous, vision-based flight utilizes the front camera of

the quadcopter from which images are received, processed, and the data is sent back to

the drone to guide itself along the center of a hallway. Images from the front camera are

processed using OpenCV, commands are computed in C++ and then sent to the

quadcopter using ROS (Robot Operating System).

ROS is a software ecosystem that reduces the complexity and redundancies in

programming a robot for specific tasks. The power of ROS is that we can leverage much

pre-existing work, including a basic ardrone_driver, advanced drone_stateestimation, and

even some graphical user interface (ardrone_gui) capabilities developed for the parrot.

Our autopilot then subscribes to the camera feed, computes commands, and publishes

high-level commands to the ardrone_driver to move forward slowly down the hallway,

correcting to always point toward the center of the hallway as it moves.

At this point in the project, we have achieved visual flight control on simple

hallways. Utilizing edge-detection and segmentation, the center of the hallway is

extracted from the image. A simple proportional controller is used on the difference

between the center of the image (a.k.a. the current pointing vector of the

camera/quadcopter) and the center of the hallway. This controller then issues correction

commands using ROS nodes to the quadcopter, and the process repeats, resulting in

autonomous vision-based quadcopter flight control.

Funding Source:


The Process of Project Management as an Intern

Martel Matthews*, Magaly Chocano

This project involves analyzing the interpersonal relationships connected between

intern and employees during project managing. The project being managed in this

specific case was a client who wanted a design brochure, SEO enhancement, and a

responsive website. The goal of this project is to show the minor actions and mannerisms

that have major effects on the efficiency of communication between project manager and

worker. We will be working from the “Theory of Constraints Project Management” to

express the proper steps needed before proceeding in communication with each worker

from an interns point of view.


Program


Biogeochemical Characterization of a Gasoline-

Contaminated Aquifer

Yvette Muñiz, Megan Plenge

Hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifers can be remediated by indigenous microbial

communities, which use the carbon along with electron acceptors such as oxygen for

energy and respiration. Oxygen quickly becomes depleted, forcing microorganisms to use

less energetically favorable electron acceptors and creates reducing conditions. Metals

such as ferric iron and arsenate are solids, or sorb to sediments under oxidizing

conditions, but form soluble species under reducing conditions. Soluble ferrous iron and

arsenite species then contaminate groundwater and move with hydrocarbon plumes.

Arsenite solubility may be caused by direct reduction of As(V) by arsenate-respiring

microorganisms, or through iron reduction, which releases arsenic species adsorbed onto

iron oxides. This study investigates the cause of a localized increase in arsenic

concentrations in a gasoline-contaminated groundwater in Irving, Texas.

Water and sediment samples were collected along the flow path of the

contaminated aquifer. Unstable parameters and redox-sensitive species were tested in the

field and groundwater and sediment samples taken at various, corresponding depths.

PCR-DGGE was utilized to look for changes in community composition, and backscatter

scanning electron (BSE) microscopy was used to look for patterns in colonization of

sediments.

Groundwater chemistry shows reducing conditions are occurring at contaminated

sites, causing iron reduction. PCR-DGGE data is pending. BSE microscopy showed

microbial communities from gasoline-contaminated wells preferentially adsorbed to

sediments with higher concentrations of iron and trace amounts of arsenic, suggesting

that arsenic release could be related to active reduction of either iron or arsenic, or both.

Future work will determine differences in community composition, including the

presence or absence of arsenate-respiring microorganisms, in contaminated and

uncontaminated sites.


Program, R. David Shiels


Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Mental

Disorder Diagnostics

Andrea Oranday*, Dr. E. Cabral Balreira

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the

golden rule book for diagnosing mental disorders. Due to similar diagnostic criteria and

great varieties in symptom combinations, filing a patient under the ideal disorder can be

subject to human error. In this project a computerized system was developed for

assigning a probability that a patient has a mental disorder given a set of diagnosed

symptoms. In this way, diagnoses can be corrected or confirmed so the best method of

treatment can be identified. Additionally, analysis was conducted on how the order of

detection of symptoms influences the diagnosis. Methods were developed to find optimal

diagnostic interviews for each anxiety disorder and were compared with the standard,

Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS). Said methods were validated with case

studies based on the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The results established, from a mathematical

perspective, that the ADIS does not necessarily provide the optimal path to diagnosis and

there exists disorder specific alternatives.


STEM Award 1153796


University-Based Induction Support:

Impact on Trinity Graduates’ Participation in a

Beginning Teacher Study Group

Catherine Quigley*

Dr. Patricia Norman

Beginning teacher retention rates in the United States are continuously low, even

in spite of teacher preparation programs and proper schooling. School districts and state

departments of education have implemented induction supports -- from mentorships to

new teacher orientation programs -- to increase the retention rate of beginning teachers.

Increasingly, however, universities are being asked to provide their own induction

support programs to graduates. Offered by professors of Trinity’s Education Department

to recent graduates of Trinity’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, the monthly

Beginning Teacher Study Group enables novices to use protocols to better understand,

discuss, and solve the dilemmas they encounter in their classrooms. Drawing on

interview data and field notes from study group sessions, we examine the impact of

Trinity graduates’ participation in this form of university-based induction support.



Engineering the End to Hunger: Simulation of Food

Collection & Distribution Strategies for San Antonio

Food Bank

Nicole Rodriguez* & Dr. Gopalakrishnan Easwaran

This project involves analyzing the food collection and distribution system the

San Antonio Food Bank operates on. Two strategies for facilitating food collection and

distribution in San Antonio that impacts the San Antonio Food Bank will be analyzed.

The first strategy involves door-to-door collection of food items (non-perishable food

items) in regular time intervals, similar to the city’s waste collection services. The second

strategy is to designate collection sites in different neighborhoods of the city (possibly six

sub-divisions). These collection sites will receive the donated non-perishable food items

and distribute them to the Food Bank for further processing. The analysis will include

evaluating a wide range of variables such as inter-arrival times, capacity, and food shelf

life, etc. After analysis, a simulation model will be created using computer programs,

ProModel and Solidworks. The simulation models will be analyzed on their economic

impact and effectiveness on reducing hunger in San Antonio. The results will then be

presented to the San Antonio Food Bank for further collaboration and research related to

ending hunger in San Antonio.

Funding Source: St. Mary’s University Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program


UVB Regulation Of Stomate Opening In Broad Beans

Alexsandra Rojas, James Shinkle

Due to its large size and high density of guard cells, broad beans (Vicia faba) can

easily demonstrate the effect of UVB light on stomatal opening. Previously tested at

wavelengths ranging from 275 to 459 nm, a UVB wavelength of around 280 was

determined to cause UV induced guard cell opening due to a still unidentified UVB

photoreceptor. Arabidopsis guard cells, another commonly studied species, have been

observed to increase stomatal opening upon the addition of eATP. We attempted to

replicate these results using, instead of Arabidopsis epidermal leaf peals, four sets of

broad bean leaves which were floated in a buffer solution of 1mM MES 5mM KCL .1

mM CaCl2 (pH 6.1). After one hour, two of the four leaves were then placed under UV

radiation with either a 281nm filter (at 200 mW m-2) or a 289nm filter(at 300 mW m-2) for

two hours. The two others were placed under dark or white light as controls. Upon

peeling the under epidermis, imaging them with a 55i Nikon Eclipse and measuring with

imageJ, the 281nm radiation caused at least 15% (and up to 42%) of the increase in

stomate aperture caused by WL while 289 nm radiation was ineffective, though both

were still significantly less than that of white light. The effects of ATP on both a leaf not

exposed to UV light as well as one exposed to UV light under a 281nm filter will be

measured for open guard cells in order to determine whether or not ATP opening works

by the same mechanism.

Funding Source: Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (BSURF)


Emerging Growth Company (EGC) Status:

An analysis of the persistence of underpricing

Steven Sannoh*, Dr. Julie Persellin, Dr. Amy Holmes

The process of going public is governed by the Securities Act of 1933. The

registration statement is submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by

companies who file an initial public offering (IPO). The Jumpstart Our Business Start-

ups (JOBS) Act was enacted in 2012 by the SEC to stimulate growth and as a result,

create more job opportunities. The Act attempted to encourage capital formation by

creating a new category of issuer referred to as an Emerging Growth Company (EGC).

Companies that qualify for this classification are granted concessions to the standard SEC

rules of compliance in the form of reduced financial statement disclosures. Prior research

suggests that a company filing as an EGC and utilizing the reduced disclosure

requirements is associated with lower IPO prices and short-term underpricing. I extend

this research by examining whether this underpricing persists in the long-term. My initial

findings suggest that there is in fact a long-term underpricing effect associated with filing

as an EGC.


Program


The Story of Plova Chewing Gum

Thayer Selleck*, Vik Patel*, Camilo Gonzalez*, Cole Evans, and Luis Martinez

The founders of the company including Camilo Gonzalez, Thayer Selleck, Vik

Patel, and Cole Evans came together at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year to

take their idea to a whole new level. They originated with the intent of solving a rising

issue expressed by their target market, which was maintaining the dental hygiene people

desired while being on the go. Plova Chewing Gum is the world’s first orally beneficial

chewing gum that removes plaque and kills bacteria in your mouth to prevent the risk of

oral diseases such as gingivitis and whitens your teeth. By winning the Stumberg

Competition, they were given the opportunity to spend the summer working on their

start-up company with the aim of testing every hypothesis that was not solved. They will

continue to work on their company for the rest of the summer with the intent of launching

by November 2015.

Funding Source: Stumberg Competition


Evolution of bone and muscle morphology in the lizard

jaw: associations with diet and social behavior

Leah Selznick* and Michele Johnson

Many animals utilize their jaw and tongue muscles in order to capture and eat

food, and some also use their jaws to bite competitors during combat. In this study, we

test the hypothesis that jaw morphologies of a species have evolved in association with

diet and social combat. We focus this study on lizards, because there is extensive

variation among lizard species in diet and social behavior. Most lizards are classified as

insectivores, but some are also opportunistically saurophagous (consuming other lizards).

The green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis), the Texas spiny lizard (Sceloporus

olivaceus), and the northern curly tail (Leiocephalus carinatus) exhibit occasional

saurophagy. In contrast, the Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), the

little brown skink (Scincella lateralis), and the spotted whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis) are

exclusively insectivorous. Further, the green anole regularly uses its jaw in male-male

combat. For each of these six species, we collected dried jaw muscle mass of 4-6 males,

and for 10 males per species, we measured SVL (snout-vent-length), body mass, head

length, head width, and head depth. We will also cryosection the jaw tissues of 10 males

of each species in order to measure the muscle cell size of muscles involved in

mastication, and the cross-sectional area of the bones of the lower jaw. We predict that

species that utilize the jaw more frequently, and with greater force, will have a larger

relative head dimensions, jaw muscle mass, jaw muscle cell size, and jaw bones.

Funding Source: Texas Ecolab


The Impacts of Recycled Water Irrigation Use in

San Antonio, TX

Samuel Simoneau*, Lindsey Yazbek*, Megan Plenge

San Antonio has implemented the use of recycled water as a supply for municipal

irrigation systems, power plant cooling, and to augment flow of the San Antonio River.

Supplementing municipal water supplies with recycled water is becoming more common

in urban areas, but is limited in scope due to public concerns, and typically is not used for

direct aquifer recharge or agricultural irrigation. Proponents of recycled water use argue

that these limitations are based on public perception alone, and that scientific findings

show little risk of biological or chemical contamination. However, recycled water

typically has relatively high concentrations of salts and nitrate, which may impact the

ability of soil to retain nutrients and sustain some microbial populations. This work

examines the effect recycled water irrigation has on soil microbial community

composition and leachate chemistry. Triplicate samples of St. Augustine sod were

watered with either recycled water, tap water, or deionized water. Qualitative and

quantitative analysis of leachate included leachate volume, turbidity, pH, as well as

spectroscopically-determined anion and contaminant concentrations. Culture-

independent techniques, including DGGE, were used for microbial community analysis.

Leachate chemistry results indicate higher phosphate and sulfate concentrations when

recycled water is used, but does not represent greater leaching than tap water. DGGE

results, which will show differences in microbial community composition, are still

pending, but differences in DNA extraction efficiency suggests that microbial abundance

and/or diversity vary between treatments. Our data supports the use of recycle water in

aquifer recharge zones as water quality will not undergo significant chemical changes.

Further testing will help to determine if the use of recycled water in agricultural irrigation

impacts productivity.

Funding Source: Tim and Karen Hixon Endowment for Environmental Studies,,

FASTER Grant SURF - National Science Foundation DUE S-STEM Award 1153796


Knickpoint (Waterfall) Development and Migration in the

North Canterbury Fold and Thrust Belt, South Island, New

Zealand

Solano, Tristan*, Gardner, Thomas

The purpose of this study is to understand how knickpoints, commonly known as

waterfalls, are controlled by the drainage area upstream of the knickpoint. Knickpoints

are created when the relative base level of a river falls or drops in elevation. The base

level of a river is where the river bed is at zero elevation, usually sea level. Falling base

level causes the river to erode or incise. This commonly starts at the mouth of a river or

where a fault crosses a river and moves upstream. This incision is the response of the

river to the new elevation, and its attempt to return to its state before the change in base

level.

There are two primary controls on the creation and movements of knickpoints: the

underlying geology and the size of the drainage area of the river. The drainage area

controls the discharge and the power of the river, controlling the amount the river can

erode. The more power a stream has, the easier it will be for knickpoints to migrate

upstream.

Is there a minimum drainage area required to for a river to be able to move

knickpoints? This is a testable hypothesis. We believe that small streams will not be

powerful enough to allow knickpoints to migrate upstream. Instead, they will remain at

the river mouth or at the fault scarp because the river cannot erode the streambed to

facilitate upstream migration of the knickpoint.

Our study area is a portion of the northeast coast of the South Island of New

Zealand which is uplifting rapidly and is dominated by marine terraces. The streams on

these costal terraces are ideal for studying knickpoints, as it is very easy to see where the

streams have cut through the soft sediment. We used computer models of these terrace

streams to study the knickpoints. Using ArcGIS 10.2.2 we used the hydrologic toolbox to

identify the streams of interest. Using Lidar and 10m DEM data, we extracted flow

direction, flow accumulation, and watershed data for each stream. This data was then

used in Matlab to generate longitudinal profiles of the streams. Using these longitudinal

profiles, which showed the slope of the stream bed, we were able to identify knickpoints.

Once we had identified them, we again used ArcGIS to extract data on elevation, distance

upstream, and the contributing drainage area for each knickpoint. With this data we will

draw conclusion about how knickpoint migration is affected by the size of the drainage

area. We have just begun to analyze the data. So far we have not seen evidence of a

threshold drainage value.

Funding Source: Annell Bay Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in

Geosciences


ALE Summer Internship:

An Introduction to San Antonio’s Nonprofit Sector

Mason Stark*, Dr. Jacob Tingle

The Arts, Letters, and Enterprise (ALE) Summer Internship program is designed

for students in the sciences and humanities seeking to develop their business acumen

while performing meaningful work with a local business or nonprofit organization. By

engaging in real-world projects, I was able to supplement the analytical skills I have

acquired as a Philosophy major with the applied experience needed to excel in the

professional world.

My position with John Burnam Consulting required me to complete a wide range

of assignments with the following local nonprofits: the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety

Foundation, San Antonio Nonprofit Council, Big Give SA, and San Antonio Christian

Dental Clinic. I developed four specific learning objectives at the beginning of the

summer, which allowed me to guide my decision-making as I completed my projects.

These learning objectives enabled me to not only better understand the value of the work

I completed during the internship but also to articulate what I learned. This poster will

highlight these four learning objectives—in the fields of management, finance,

marketing, and communication—and the corresponding projects completed to fulfill

these goals.

Funding Source: Arts, Letters, and Enterprise Minor


Urban bird flight tracking for collision prevention by stereo-vision

techniques

Juan Carlos Suarez-Domit*

Dr. Jack Leifer

When birds fly near buildings with large windows they can potentially crash into

them; the birds see the sky reflected in the windows and simply try to fly into the space

that they perceive. This paper presents a system that uses MATLAB and consumer

cameras to detect and track birds for collision prevention. The benefit of using consumer

cameras is to enable inexpensive, widespread implementation of this system. This system

implements background extraction, stereo-vision, and Kalman filtering techniques; these

are used to detect birds, determine their position in space, and track their flight. If the

trajectory is predicted to lead to an impact, a separate mechanism is then triggered to

scare the bird away. Quad-copters were used to test accuracy of the system’s 3-D location

and velocity estimation against a variety of backgrounds. Point measurements of a static,

hovering copter were taken and verified with a Leica total station; the absolute error of

the measurements was within 1.5% the cameras’ field of view.

Funding Source: Murchison Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship and other

local, non-institutional funds.


Techniques for Vibration Reduction in String

Trimmers

Nicholas Swanson*, Dr. Jack Leifer

Vibrations from a string trimmer transmitted to a user’s hands have been shown to

cause irreversible neurological, vascular, and muscle-skeletal damage. Lodengraf ™

damping, as well as specially designed structures, have effectively demonstrated the

potential to reduce vibrations in both battery- and IC-powered string trimmers from a

variety of manufacturers.

Lodengraf damping involves light-weight, low density granular materials applied

to a device, either inside existing cavities or as a wrap surrounding the structure. The

energy from the vibrations in the structure are absorbed into the granular material and

converted into heat, reducing the measurable amplitude of vibration in the structure. The

other technique tested reduces vibrations at the grip and handle by shunting energy to a

ribbed, 3D printed clam-shell structure (comprised of ABS) installed around the vibrating

shaft.

In this set of experiments, the effectiveness of applying Lodengraf particles and a

3D printed shell structure to battery-powered string trimmers is explored. The Lodengraf

particles are placed in specially designed hollow 3D printed loop handles as well as the

ribbed clam-shell shaft enclosure (described above) all comprised of ABS. Preliminary

results prompted us to separately assess the effect the clam-shell structure has on

vibration amplitude after our measurements indicated that the effect of the clam-shell on

the string trimmers' vibration response swamped that of the Lodengraf particles.


Program and other local, non-institutional funds.


Stable Isotope and Elemental Geochemical Analysis of

Upper Cambrian Bioherm: Central Texas

Hadley Swartz*, Daniel Lehrmann

The Upper Cambrian microbial mound and reef complexes exposed in outcrop

along the Llano River in Mason, TX serve as an excellent analogue to study reservoir

characteristics of similar systems found to be rich in hydrocarbons off the coast of Brazil.

The aim of this study is to test the phasing apparent in outcrop with respect to

fluctuations in sea level at time of formation, and with respect to shifts in siliciclastic

input into the system. Phase boundaries are hypothesized to be at 1.3 and 5.15 meters.

This study has tested those hypotheses primarily through stable isotope and elemental

geochemical methods.

The interior of the mound was sampled for isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Sample weights range from 91 to 177 μg representing micrite in samples below 120 μg

and calcite spar in samples above 121 μg. Values for δ13C and δ18O were plotted against

elevation revealing evidence of phasing seen in outcrop. Both δ13C and δ18O show a

statistically significant trend toward lighter ratios between 3 and 5.15 meters. The

isotope ratios suggest that a phase boundary exists at 3 meters and not at the previously

hypothesized 1.3 meters.

Elemental geochemical data suggests fluctuating siliciclastic input with no

significant evidence of distinct phasing. Using Al, K, Ti, Na, and Si as proxies for

siliciclastic flux, we can observe an increase in terrestrial input at elevations 1.3, 3.8,

5.15, and 5.6 meters as well as a decrease in terrestrial input at 6.4 meters. The

fluctuations in these values can be attributed to changing sea level. While one of these

fluctuations occurs at a phase boundary, the other fluctuations are not related to phase

boundaries based on the isotope analysis.

Given the difficulty in evaluating phase boundaries in off-shore formations, the

addition of basic isotopic and elemental geochemical data could help tremendously in

better understanding formation architecture.

Funding Source: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, Statoil





Chloe Phea*, Yara Samman*, Rachel Tchen*, Dr. Farazan Aminian, Dr. Kelvin

Cheng, Dr. Saber Elaydi, Dr. James Roberts

β-Amyloid (Aβ) is the main protein involved in the pathology of Alzheimer’s

Disease (AD). Aβ tends to form aggregates on and near lipid rafts causing oxidative

stress in neuronal cells. Lipid rafts are areas of the plasma membrane that contain higher

concentrations of cholesterol, sphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. Cholesterol is

synthesized by glial cells and transported to the neurons via apolipoprotein E (ApoE). In

aging brains, the amount of cholesterol produced and transferred by astrocytes is reduced,

while the rate of turnover in neurons increases due to higher rates of cholesterol

oxidation. We hypothesize that this leads to decreased levels of cholesterol in the

neuronal plasma membrane lipid rafts. Both this decrease and a higher incidence of

Alzheimer’s Disease occur in aging brains, which led us to believe that cholesterol is

protective. Despite this reasoning, the literature supports multiple theories of how Aβ is

affected by changes in cholesterol content.

We treated hippocampal neurons from mice (HT22) with methyl-β-cyclodextrin

(MβCD) to extract plasma membrane cholesterol. We then treated the cells with varying

concentrations of Aβ1-42 and measured the mitochondrial activation induced by the

treatment. We aimed to represent our data with a mathematical model such as the Ricker

model. This model predicts the mitochondrial activation dependent on the concentration

of Aβ (µM) measured as relative fluorescence units at a fixed time. We hypothesize that

decreased amounts of cholesterol would make the cells more susceptible to the oxidative

stress caused by Aβ.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS-0926702, Cowles

Distinguished Professorship Research Fund


Computational model of the afferent connections to

the mesocorticolimbic pathway

Jordan Thomas*, Dr. James Hall, Dr. Areej Al-Bataineh

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that has been determined to be involved with

reward signaling. One of the areas of the brain that produces dopamine is the ventral

tegmental area (VTA). Two neural pathways that originate from the VTA include the

mesolimbic pathway and mesocortical pathway, collectively called the mesocorticolimbic

pathway. This pathway is thought to play a role in reward-prediction error signaling, but

the exact mechanism of how the VTA produces these signals is still unknown. The

purpose of this research was to create a computational model that will outline the afferent

pathways of the mesocorticolimbic pathway. By performing a meta-analysis on scientific

literature over the afferent pathways of the mesocorticolimbic pathway, the exact

function each of these afferent pathways was hypothesized, according to their function in

reward-prediction error signaling. This information was then utilized to develop a

computational model of the afferent pathways of the mesocorticolimbic pathway. This

model allows researchers to visualize the anatomy of the mesocotricolimbic pathway and

provide the physiology of this pathway, along with connecting the user to the original

articles used to construct the model. This model would also give educators an interactive

way to teach the anatomy and physiology of the mesocorticolimbic system.

Funding Source: McNair Scholars Program -- Our Lady of the Lake University


Using River Channel Profiles to Assess Fault Activity in

the Wassuk Range, Western Nevada

Sarah Thorne*, Benjamin Surpless

The Wassuk Range is located on the western margin of the Basin and Range

Province in western Nevada. The range represents the footwall of an active east-dipping

normal fault. Footwall uplift occurs along the entire eastern front, though previous

researchers have found that the southern portion of the range experiences higher rates of

uplift than in the north. Acting as a counterbalance to the fault-related growth of

topographic relief, erosional processes remove rock, which leads to incision of the

footwall and the evolution of stream channels. These channels serve as records that may

reveal differences in uplift rates along the range or may help researchers identify

unmapped faults. We used ArcMap and Matlab software to generate stream channel

profiles and identify abrupt changes in gradient. We then used geologic maps to

determine whether these changes mark lithologic boundaries or faults. Our comparison of

these profiles also revealed that stream channels display significant variation parallel to

the strike of the normal fault system. For example, stream heads begin at relatively lower

elevations in the north, with lower average gradients, while further south, average stream-

head elevations and gradients are significantly higher. These fault-parallel changes

allowed us to divide the range into clear and distinct structural blocks, which are likely

affected by differences in uplift rate along the fault. Our results are consistent with

previous studies that focused on slip rate on the eastern front of the Wassuk Range (i.e.,

higher rates of slip occur in the south than in the north). We believe that this method

could be especially valuable if applied to less well-studied fault systems elsewhere.

Funding Source: Annell Bay Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in

Geosciences


Kynurenine metabolism alters microglial activation

following lipopolysaccharide challenge

Arnulfo Tunon*, Allison M. Dugan, Jason C. O’Connor

Neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases have been linked to

inflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammation disrupts the kynurenine pathway of

tryptophan catabolism which leads to increased levels of neurotoxic metabolites.

However, the modulatory role of the kynurenine pathway on microglia, the resident

immune cell in the brain, has not been investigated. To further investigate this role, BV-2

murine microglial activation was measured in response to in vitro challenge with

lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin that induces an immune response. Furthermore,

BV-2 cells were co-treated with Ro 61-8048, a kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO)

inhibitor. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase is an enzyme that catabolizes kynurenine into 3-

hydroxykynurenine. To evaluate the pro-inflammatory microglial profile, nitrites were

measured via Griess assay while pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-

6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (a target of kynurenine)

mRNA was measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). LPS-treated

cells increased production of nitrites and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and

aryl hydrocarbon receptor. KMO inhibition had no effect on LPS-induced production of

IL-1β, IL-6 and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, but reduced production of nitrites and

TNFα. These results suggest that kynurenine metabolism affects microglial activation.

Funding Source: R25 NS080684; MH09127; T32 NS082145


Microanalysis of diverse feldspars occurring in the

Marble Falls pluton, Llano Uplift, central Texas

James Uroff* and Diane Smith.

The Marble Falls pluton is one of several ~1.1 Ga granitic intrusions, collectively

known as the Town Mountain Granite emplaced into ~1.2-1.4 Ga metamorphic rocks

(Mosher, 1998, Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 110: 1357-1375). The intrusion is unusual in that

it contains a wide variety of megacrysts (i.e., individual crystals larger than ~2 cm) of the

mineral feldspar. We have identified at least six types of feldspar megacrysts: (1)

discrete pink microcline; (2) discrete white/light gray plagioclase; (3) plagioclase with

dark gray cores and narrow white rims; (4) pink microcline surrounded by white

plagioclase rims (rapakivi); (5) white plagioclase cores with varying amounts of

ferromagnesian inclusions surrounded by pink microcline rims (antirapakivi); and (6)

grains with either oscillatory or patchy zoning of both pink microcline and white

plagioclase.

We analyzed samples representing each population of megacrysts with Trinity’s

scanning electron microscope and the electron microprobe at the University of

Oklahoma. Our results suggest that the megacrysts do not represent equilibrium

assemblages and are probably the result of mingling or mixing of magmas of differing

composition. For example, several examples of types (2) and (3) plagioclase megacrysts

have cores of An40-47 with rims of An15, indicating early crystallization from a

significantly less siliceous liquid (e.g., diorite to granodiorite) followed by crystallization

from typical granitic magma. We interpret the rapakivi and antirapakivi textures

exhibited by types (4) and (5) to also be the result of magma mixing, resulting when

magma with a different composition entered the existing crystal-liquid mush, causing

disequilibrium and the megacrysts to begin nucleating a different mineral phase.

Funding Source: W.M. Keck Foundation grant to Trinity University and the Dept. of

Geosciences Edward C. Roy Student Activities Fund.


Modeling the Effects of ZO-1 Protein Expression on

Epithelial Cell Migration

Chrissy Nielsen*, Ryan Reynolds*, Cassie Watson*, Drs. E. Cabral Balreira, J.

Roberto Hasfura-Buenaga, Jonathan M. King.

Tight junctions are a major component in a cell’s skeletal structure, providing key

physical support as well as controlling some of the phenotypic makeup of a cell. Zonula

Occludens-1 (ZO-1) is an essential component of the tight junction scaffolding barrier

proteins with the actin cytoskeleton. A recent study implicated ZO-1 protein knock down

as an important element in cell migration. We employed the classic MDCK epithelial cell

line with endogenous and knock-down levels of ZO-1. These lines were transfected with

a fluorescent mApple-Histone-2B construct to determine real-time cell density measures.

Confluent MDCK monolayers were wounded and migration was visualized using real-

time confocal microscopy. We developed a mathematical model to describe cell

movement and examine the effect of ZO-1 expression. In addition, the project

incorporated the effect of glucose concentration and proliferation in the migration

process. This project explains the mathematical model and the required variables for each

cell line.

Previous literature suggests that cell migration can be modeled by diffusion. In

our project, we introduced a two-step model which combines a one-dimensional diffusion

with a subsequent transport process. Numerical approximations of the solutions were

obtained to the diffusion and transport equations using the finite difference method. The

model incorporates variables for a diffusivity coefficient, velocity of movement during

transport, and a transition time indicating when the model switches from diffusion to

transport.

We found that cells with ZO-1 knocked down often had higher migration speeds

than cells with endogenous ZO-1. We also noticed that cells tended to move faster in

higher glucose media than cells in lower glucose media. We conclude that ZO-1 proteins

play a significant role in cell migration. In the future, we expect to build on this model,

taking into account other physical and biochemical variables such as the energetic

processes that influence the movement of the cells as they migrate.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS-0926702


The Neuroendocrine Basis of Behavior: Androgen

Receptor Expression in Lizards of the Caribbean

Miguel A. Webber*, Michele A. Johnson

Hormones are chemical molecules used in signaling and communication within

even the simplest plant and animal organisms. Sex steroid hormones are a class of

hormones that regulate aggressive and courtship behavior across vertebrates. In this

study, we examine how social behavior is regulated by androgens (male sex steroid

hormones) in three closely-related pairs of Caribbean lizards in the genus Anolis. These

pairs represent three distinct habitat specializations, referred to henceforth as ecomorphs:

trunk lizards, gray lizards that primarily occur on tree trunks (A. distichus & A.

brevirostris); trunk-crown lizards, green lizards that use the low branches of the canopy

(A. coelestinus & A. chlorocyanus); and trunk-ground lizards, brown lizards that occur

low on tree trunks and the ground surrounding them (A. longitibialis & A. cybotes). Each

of these pairs is composed of a species that performs frequent displays of a throat fan

(called a dewlap) during social interactions, and one species that uses the dewlap rarely.

We collected behavioral data on these species in the Dominican Republic during the

summer of 2015. We will use immunocytochemistry to quantify the density of androgen

receptors (AR), proteins activated by binding to androgens such as testosterone, in

muscles and brain regions associated with copulatory behavior and dewlap display

behavior. In particular, we will measure AR density in the the retractor penis magnus

muscle (used in copulation) and the ceratohyoid muscle (used in dewlap display), as well

as in three key areas of the brain associated with sexual behavior: the amygdala (AMY),

ventral-medial hypothalamus (VMH), and pre-optic area (POA). We predict that species

with higher rates of copulatory and display behavior will have higher densities of ARs in

both the brain regions and the muscles that control these behaviors. These results will

help us understand the evolution of the relationships among brain, muscles, hormones,

and behavior.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # IOS 1257021 to M. Johnson


Marching to the Tune of Data Analytics:

A Rank Aggregation Problem

Eliza Wright*, Dr. E. Cabral Balreira.

Drum Corps International (DCI) is the non-profit governing body for junior drum

and bugle corps, for members ages 21 and younger. The DCI competitive summer tour,

consisting of competitions throughout the United States and Canada, finishes in August

with the DCI World Championships. Bands are assigned scores by judges based on their

performance in several different categories, including general effect, visual, and music.

Performance order for the World Class Preliminaries is generally based on the average

scores from three of the contests on tour. The top 20 bands in Preliminaries advance to

Semifinals, and the top 12 there will advance to Finals. We have used data analytics to

measure the performance of the bands during the competitive summer tour and quantify

the factors that determine the competition outcome between the bands. We have

developed our own ranking system using tools from Linear Algebra to predict the scores

and results of the DCI finals. Our method includes adaptations of the Colley and Oracle

methods as well as predictive analytic methods using the scores in each of the categories.

We also address the problem of determining how early in the summer tour one can make

an accurate prediction of the DCI final competition.


STEM Award 1153796


Building a Benchmark Generator for Dynamic Game

Theory Models

Jingqing Yang*, Albert Xin Jiang

The computation of solutions to game theory models is an essential problem at the

intersection of computer science and game theory, and has many applications including

security and game playing. There has been recent progress in algorithms that efficiently

compute solutions for specific dynamic games like Poker, but there is currently a lack of

publicly available generators of dynamic game instances to serve as benchmarks. The

goal of our project is to create a game generator for extensive form games so that further

researchers and developers of game algorithms can test their solvers with these instances.

In this project, we added dynamic, or extensive-form, games into Gamut, an

existing suite of generators for static games. We leveraged gtlibrary, a library of

algorithms for extensive form games developed by Bosansky et al. We modified Gamut’s

structure and class hierarchy, and also wrote new classes for dynamic games, in order to

combine the functionalities of Gamut and gtlibrary.

As a result, our code is now able to generate extensive form games and outputting

games into files that can be read by other solvers, while enabling users to specify

parameters of games as well as generating randomized games.



Parental Alcohol Use Effects on Parkinson’s Disease in

the Next Generation

Briahna Yarberry,* Mona Bains,1 Andrea Asimes,2 Toni Pak,2 and James Roberts

1 University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio TX 2 Loyola School of Medicine, Chicago IL

Parkinson’s Disease (PD), the second most chronic neurodegenerative disease

in the world, is caused by a degeneration of the dopamine-releasing neurons in the

substantia nigra, a region of the brain that plays an important role in movement. PD is

characterized by resting tremors, bradykinesia, impaired balance and coordination, as

well as a host of other motor and nonmotor symptoms that are known to be exacerbated

by alcohol. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell in the brain, have been shown to protect

neurons from degeneration by supplying lipids and cholesterol when the neuron faces

oxidative stress. This transport is primarily mediated by Apolipoprotein E, or ApoE.

Expression of ApoE has been found to be decreased in the offspring of rats treated with

a binge alcohol drinking paradigm, which we hypothesize to lead to a decreased

neuroprotective effect. This project will test the ability of the offspring’s astrocytes to

protect neurons from an oxidative stress insult that mimics PD. Conditioned media

from the astrocytes derived from control or ethanol-treated rat offspring was added to

N27 dopaminergic neurons for pretreatment. MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium), a

toxin that models PD by killing dopaminergic neurons, was then added to the N27s

after removal of the astrocyte media. We propose that the astrocytes of these alcohol

naïve offspring will offer less protection against MPP+ than astrocytes from offspring

whose parents were not binge alcoholics.



The Mechanisms of Social Behavior: Neuromuscular

Junction Size and Density in Dominican Anole Lizards

Zeb, Adam J.* Johnson, Michele A.

In the transmission of a signal from the brain to a muscle, an action potential must

travel down the axon of a neuron towards a synaptic gap called the neuromuscular

junction (NMJ). The NMJ is where the fiber of a muscle and the nerve transmitting the

signal come into contact with one another. When a signal reaches a NMJ, the

neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, is released onto the surface of the muscles fiber where it

is picked up by acetylcholine receptors. These receptors translate the chemical signal into

a muscle contraction. In this study, I examine how the size and density of NMJs vary

among 10 different species of lizards in the genus Anolis (i.e., anoles) from the

Dominican Republic. These species vary dramatically in their use of a throat fan called a

dewlap, a structure extended during courtship and aggressive displays. The extension of

the dewlap is controlled by a single muscle, the ceratyohyoid. I will measure the size and

density of NMJs in the ceratohyoid muscle of 10 males of each of the 10 species by

staining the muscles for acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the

acetylcholine in the junction. I will then use behavioral data on the frequency and

duration of dewlap extension to test the hypothesis that lizards that display their dewlap

more frequently and for longer durations have more abundant and larger NMJs. These

results will provide insight on the evolution of social behaviors and the neuromuscular

traits that underlie them.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # IOS-1257021 to M. Johnson


UV-B Radiation Sensitivity in annAt1-4 Arabidopsis

Jason Zhang*, James Shinkle

The annAt1-4 mutant of Arabidopsis lacks a protein important in maintaining the

plasma membrane of cells and plant resistance to stress. We investigated if the annAt1-4

mutant of Arabidopsis would be more sensitive to ultraviolet-B radiation, due to the lack

of Annexin 1 in the vascular tissue and root system. Wild type and annAt1-4

Arabidopsis seeds were plated on sucrose-based agarose gel, allowed to germinate for

several days until root growth was established, and then exposed to varying amounts of

UV-B radiation. Irradiation with 100 minute UV-B caused 54% and 26% inhibition in

wild type and annAt1-4, respectively, while 30 minute UV-B caused 44% and 17%

inhibition, respectively. Furthermore, irradiation with times as short as 10 minute UV-B

caused 40% and 17% respectively, while data on shorter exposures will be presented.

There was also a lower growth rate in the unirradiated control annAt1-4, and less growth

in the annAt1-4 compared to the wild-type overall. We concluded that although annAt1-4

Arabidopsis had less inhibition and growth than the wild type, respectively, at this time

we could not make any conclusions on the UV-B sensitivity of annAt1-4.

Funding Source: Kline Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Multidisciplinary Session A Presentation 55

Immigration Across the Atlantic

Liliana Diaz *

Dr. Bladimir Ruiz

Recently, immigration is a topic that has made headlines around the world for

various reasons. Just in Madrid, you will find that 13.34% of the population is made up of

foreigners and it will continue to increase with the influx of immigrants. Extensive

research was conducted at Centros de Participación e Integración de la Comunidad de

Madrid (CEPI)- Chamartín where I was able to interact with these people to further find

the roots of these increasing numbers. CEPI Chamartín is a center that is dedicated to

helping ease the transition for anyone who may be needing any sort of aid whether it be

getting a job, obtaining legal help, or perhaps taking courses geared towards their own

educational development.

The Latin American population is strong in numbers and this study helped further

uncover the reasons for migrating thousands of miles away. By taking a random sample

of the people who came to this CEPI (I explained the matters of this project and it was

their decision to participate or not) they answered questions formulated to stigmatize a

conversational interview to help explore the roots of their immigration.


Program


My Summer Internship at Local Sprout: Playing the

Part of Scientist, Farmer, and Businesswoman

Julianna Kurpis*, Jason Zang, James Shinkle

The density of the world’s population is increasing and the climate is drastically

changing, both at an alarming rate. Hydroponic farming is one solution to these

problems: by growing plants indoors in a closed system of nutrient rich water, we can

reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming methods. Over the summer I

worked for a hydroponic company called “Local Sprout.” At the primary location in a

warehouse downtown, kale is grown vertically in a hydroponic system. Basil is grown at

greenhouse located at the San Antonio Foodbank. Local Sprout actually partners with the

foodbank by selling many of the crops on the farm in return for a percentage of the

profits.

I learned the ins and outs of Local Sprout; not only did I learn how to take care of

plants in a hydroponic system, but I also learned a lot about the business side. I assisted

in making deliveries and managing customer orders, as well as providing samples of new

herbs and vegetables to local restaurants. I helped harvest and package plants to sell at the

farmer’s market. I also suggested some ideas and helped rearrange the warehouse in a

more customer friendly way. I attended biweekly meetings between the head farmers at

the Food Bank, the person in charge of the Food Bank, and my boss. In these meetings

we discussed which crops were being farmed and were available to be sold, as well as

what to do with empty fields after harvests were complete.

One thing that led me to Local Sprout was research I have been doing on plant

responses to UVB radiation in Dr. Shinkle’s lab. Ultraviolet light is an important part of

the light spectrum, and UVB is essential for many plant processes. However, many

hydroponic farms, including Local Sprout, do not take UV radiation effects on plant

quality and production. Using what I learned from previous research, I set up two

experiments at Local Sprout: UV light was excluded over a section of basil at the

greenhouse, and UV light was supplemented over a section of kale in an indoor primarily

LED environment. These results will inform Local Sprout how either excluding or

supplementing UV light can improve overall plant quality and yield, affecting factors

such as taste, texture, and chlorophyll and flavonoid levels.

Funding Source: Arts, Letters, and Enterprise Program


Immunological approaches to identifying proteins

upregulated during neural morphallaxis in Lumbriculus

variegatus.

Mark D. Platt1,2* and Veronica G. Martinez-Acosta2. Physiology Department, The Univ.

of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Biology Department, The Univ. of the

Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA2.

Body fragments of the annelid worm, Lumbriculus variegatus, regenerate lost

body parts during asexual reproduction and recovery from injury. Regeneration of new

head or tail segments is accompanied by a transformation of the original fragments

through a process called Morphallaxis. Morphallaxis involves the reorganization of many

body processes and structures, including the central nervous system, to match changes in

segmental position as fragments regenerate (Zoran and Martinez 2009). Morphallactic

events in regenerating or reproducing worm fragments involve the induction of a 66kDa

protein, MP66 (Zoran and Martinez, 2009; Martinez et al., 2005). This 66kDa protein is

recognized by Lan 3-2, a monoclonal antibody that labels a mannosidic epitope born on

proteins expressed in neural tissues within the central nervous system of Lumbriculus

(Martinez et al., 2005). MP66 remains unidentified.

A major focus of the laboratory continues to be the characterization of proteins

that play a role in the unique regenerative capability of Lumbriculus. Using various

immuno-purification techniques coupled with mass spectrophotometric analysis, we hope

to ultimately determine the protein sequence of MP66 and other proteins of interest. The

protein purification work presented here will allow for further biochemical

characterization of the mechanisms involved during Lumbriculid regeneration.

Funding Source: VG Martinez Acosta is supported by the Department of Defense (grant

no. W911NF-13-1-0164).


Subsumption Data Structures

Evan LeGros*

Seth Fogarty

A data structure is a way to organize information within a computer. Different

data structures will speed up or slow down certain operations, and so are appropriate for

different applications. We consider the problem of storing collections of elements using

subsumption, which arises in formal verification. Subsumption is a method that lets us

store fewer elements. The normal structure used in this application is a linked list, which

must check every element on every insertion. Last summer we considered subsumption

of sets. We proposed a new data structured called a subsumption tree, which can avoid

checking every element on an insertion. We examined the performance of subsumption

trees in nondeterministic finite automata (NFA) universality checking. Unfortunately,

This problem proved to be too easy, and the data structure was completely irrelevant.

Thus our results were inconclusive.

This summer, we developed subsumption trees for the case of ranked sets.

Whereas a set only has to consider if it will include a given element, a ranked set attaches

a numeric value to each element. Ranked sets are used in formal verification with Büchi

automata, which can express more robust properties than NFA. We formalized the data

structure and implemented it in C. Initial experiments indicate that this problem can

benefit from a better data structure. Further experimentation is required.



Empowering Chicana Alliances: Testimonios of

Scholar-Activist Dr. Antonia Castañeda and the

Esperanza Peace and Justice Center

Author: Giovanna Espinoza*

Advisors: Ms. Graciela Sanchez and Dr. Rosana Blanco-Cano

Chicana feminism seeks to reinterpret the socio-historic experiences that have

shaped Chicanas’ identities and contributed to the development of resistant spirits that

fight against a history and culture of colonization, marginalization, silence, and

oppression of Chicanas in the United States. To understand how social justice and

empowerment for Chicana communities are pursued and earned within a space that

recognizes the importance of these lived experiences, it is critical to examine these

communities and feminists outside the academic realm. Through an interdisciplinary

theoretical framework encompassing film, ethnic, gender, history, and cultural studies

this paper examines the alliance between Chicana scholar-activist, Dr. Antonia Castañeda

and The Esperanza Peace and Justice Center in San Antonio, TX. I believe that this

partnership between Castañeda’s “ally” role and a non-governmental grassroot

organization provides a unique example of the championing for the pursuit of social

justice and the empowerment of Chicanas within their own communities.


Program


The Agency of Young Adult Superheroines in Marvel’s

“Runaways”

Catherine Clark* & Jennifer Henderson, Ph.D.

Through textual analysis, this study analyzed the representation of the four

primary young superheroines in the first eighteen issues of the comic, Runaways, written

by Brian K. Vaughan. Standing the test of time, Runaways has remained one of the most

popular young-adult comics.

This study focused on multiple aspects of female agency, or lack thereof

including: suggesting an idea, going along with another’s idea, questioning others, being

ordered by others, ordering others, disagreeing with others, overruled by others, attacked,

attacking, taking care of others, protecting others, using superhero powers, and lacking

control over and understanding of powers.

The study revealed these preliminary findings. First, all four female protagonists

possess multifaceted personalities and showcase distinct methods of agency. Second, all

fall broadly within the trope spectrum. For instance, there is the “Beauty” and the

“Feminist.” Although they originate inside of the stereotype, each young woman breaks

free from the norm. In other words, the “Beauty” proves to have the greatest power, while

the “Feminist” nurtures others. Finally, while these four superheroines possess greater

power than their male counterparts; they lack control over their powers often making

them subordinate.

The research will culminate into a submission to the 66th annual International

Communication Association Conference to be held in Fukuoka, Japan in June 2016.



Visualizing Biological Networks in 3D Virtual Reality

Ali Mangalji*, Matthew A. Hibbs

Biological research yields vast amounts of data to be analyzed and interpreted,

and visualizing this data is essential to being able to understand it. An increasingly

common data type is “biological networks” that represent the complex relationships

between individual entities (e.g. genes, proteins), and the connections between those

entities (e.g. physical binding, pathway relationships, etc.). However, it is a notoriously

difficult problem to visualize these biological networks. Although significant progress

has been made in two-dimensional visualization, three-dimensional visualizations have

been much less successful due to issues of occlusion, perspective projection, and lack of

interactivity.

The goal of my research is to devise an interactive, three-dimensional layout for

biological networks via the Unity game development engine. The use of Unity enables

the incorporation of a virtual reality component with the Oculus Rift, potentially

addressing the limitations of prior three-dimensional visualization efforts, by allowing

for close, immersive inspection of the networks.

Funding Source: Howland, Eggen, and Pitts Computer Science Student Summer

Research Fellowship (HEP

Multidisciplinary Session B Presentation 62

The Laundry Crew

Mikki Hoffman*, Edwin Manton, Luis Martinez

The Laundry Crew, a new startup at Trinity University. Over the summer, Josh

Manton and Micaela Hoffman worked alongside Luis Martinez to create this Limited

Liability Company. It will start up this fall, open to all Trinity University Students,

Faculty, and Staff. The process of creating this business will be discussed in the

presentation. We have conducted surveys, research, and met with consultants to start our

service.

www.TheLaundryCrew.com

Funding Source: Stumberg Funds


Texas Chiaroscuro:

Arthur and Marie Berger, Stewart E. King, and Architectural

Regionalism

Jason Azar

Advising Professor: Dr. Kathryn O’Rourke

This project investigates the history and theory of landscape architecture in Texas

in the mid-twentieth century in order to illuminate underexplored aspects of modern

architectural history and identify principles that might guide planning in the twenty-first

century. The paper contextualizes the work of Texan landscape architects Arthur and

Marie Berger and Stewart E. King in a larger history of modernist approaches to

landscape and planning by explaining the personal and intellectual links between the

designers and nationally and internationally renowned theorists of landscape and regional

design. By pairing internationally read periodicals published in the mid-twentieth century

on the work of the Bergers and King with essays on architectural regionalism, the project

demonstrates the centrality of landscape design and theory to the movement of

architectural regionalism. Part two of this project (discussed in the poster session) shows

ways lessons from the work of King and the Bergers might be adapted in designs to

reconnect Trinity University to the San Antonio River and the city more generally.



O’Neil Ford: An Early and Unexpected Contributor to

Sustainable Architecture

Fiona Lane* and Dr. Kathryn O’Rourke

This project examines the historical relationships and thematic continuities in the

work of twenty-first century “green” architects and their predecessors of the mid-twentieth

century who worked before air conditioning was used widely. In the architectural history of

Texas, the roots of many of today’s ideas about sustainable architecture can be traced to

works by architects who sought to create climate-responsive works. Comparing O’Neil

Ford’s early buildings with recent projects by Lake|Flato Architects as a case study, this

project historicizes “sustainable” design and identifies principles that inform work by some

of the state’s foremost architects.



The effects of temperature on lipid composition and

membrane fluidity in lizard brains

Jacob M. Stercula* James L. Roberts, Michele A. Johnson

The ability for species to adapt to both sudden and long term changes in

temperature is crucial for survival. Lipids, the defining feature of biological membranes,

help cells remain viable in a variety of temperate environments by driving changes in

membrane fluidity – the extent of disorder in the lipid bilayer. When cells are exposed to

high temperatures, lipid tails become long and saturated, stabilizing the membrane in a

dominant liquid-solid phase. In contrast, as temperature decreases, desaturases add

double bonds to acyl chains that produce kinks in lipid tails, decreasing surface area and

stabilizing the membrane in a dominant solid-liquid phase. The extent of fluidity in

membranes is known to affect a multitude of enzymes, transporters, and receptors within

the bilayer that alter cellular functions. However, little research has addressed how

temperature differences within and across species affects lipid composition and

membrane fluidity in the brain. Specifically, there is a lack of knowledge in

understanding if species that live in similar temperatures evolve the same membrane

fluidity by adjusting unsaturated fatty acids or if different species have evolved a unique

fluid-state that is optimum to their survival and cellular functioning, regardless of

temperature. To understand this relationship, I conducted a field study of body

temperature with 7 Puerto Rican lizard species in the genus Anolis to identify differences

in brain lipid content across species. Currently, I am also performing a controlled

laboratory experiment where native Texas anoles, A. carolinensis, are housed in one of

two rooms – a hot room (34 °C) or a cool room (26 °C) – to identify differences in brain

lipid content among individuals of the same species and of their first generation

offspring. This experiment will determine how temperature directly influences lipid

content. To measure membrane fluidity, astrocytes from two A. carolinensis brains will

be cultured and allowed to grow to confluence at 26 °C or 35°C. Fluorescent polarization

will be used to quantify the extent of fluidity in the plasma membrane. I predict that body

temperature will be the primary factor driving differences in brain lipid composition

among species and within individuals of the same species. I also predict that lizards who

occupy a hotter environment will have a more fluid plasma membrane than those that

occupy cooler temperatures. These results will add to our understanding of how

organisms can respond to a rapidly changing environment.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # IOS-1257021 and Texas Ecolab.


High HOPEs: Modeling Electric Fields in the Earth’s

Plasmasphere to Estimate its Temperature

Grace D. Corley*, Will R. Farner, Kevin J. Genestreti, Jerry Goldstein, Brian A.

Larsen, Chae M. Ramnarace, Geoff Reeves, Ruth M. Skoug, Harlan Spence, and

Niescja E. Turner

The plasmasphere is a region of cold, dense plasma in the Earth’s inner

magnetosphere and outer ionosphere. The plasma is composed of three major ion species

(hydrogen, oxygen, helium), and electrons. Onboard each of the two Van Allen probes

spacecraft (which pass through the plasmasphere once per orbit), the HOPE (Hydrogen

Oxygen Protons Electrons) instruments count the number of particles, per position per

velocity, for each ion species. These HOPE data can be fitted to an equilibrium

distribution function to describe the particles in the plasmasphere. Because of the electric

fields produced by when the Van Allen spacecraft perturb the ambient plasma, HOPE can

only measure the high-energy tail of the plasmasphere. In order to fit the distribution

function to calculate the temperature from these limited data, we constrain the two open

parameters, bulk velocity and density. The motion of the plasmasphere is subject to ExB

drift from Earth’s geomagnetic and electric fields. In this project, we model corotation and

convection electric fields using solar wind data to constrain the bulk velocity of the

plasmasphere.

Funding:

This work was supported by the NASA Van Allen Probes mission’s RBSP-ECT project

and the Charles A. Zilker Endowment for Physics and Astronomy.

.


Plasmon Enhanced Förster Resonance

Energy Transfer Using Gold Nanogratings

Beth Legg*, Jennifer Steele

Surface Plasmon enhanced fluorescence was observed on gold gratings with a

period of 500 nm. Gratings were manufactured with soft lithography using master

gratings and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds. Grating geometry was verified with

Atomic Force Microscopy, which produces a topography scan of the gratings.

Fluorescence from Atto532 and Atto633 in the range of 550 to 750 nm was enhanced by

up to a factor of 30 relative to a glass slide similarly spin-coated in Atto532 and/or

Atto633. Fluorescent enhancement from the gold gratings corresponds to Surface

Plasmons observed by measuring the transmission of white light through the

gratings. Fluorescent enhancement of two fluorophores on two gratings was studied

using various concentrations of Atto532 and Atto633 to examine the relationship between

concentration of fluorescent coating concentrations and fluorescent enhancement. The

measurements were taken by rotating the detector angle relative to the sample while

keeping the mounted sample fixed, with the 532nm laser pointing in the middle of the

grating. White light transmission measurements were recorded while the incident angle

was varied.

Funding Source: WM Keck Foundation


Modeling the 2012 Presidential Elections Battleground

States

Evan Cofer*, Dr. Eddy Kwessi, Dr. Hoa Nguyen, Dr. Albert Jiang, Dr Katsua Nishikawa

The goal of this project is to build a model for prediction of presidential elections

based on polls that are available at the time of the election, specifically, starting on a

chosen day after the conventions of the two majors political parties. Contrary to existing

models in the literature, this model distinguishes between polls collected by different

firms and uses Monte Carlo methods to construct polling data for a given firm on a day

when the firm has no new polls. Additionally, this model foregoes using uniform swing –

the assumption that national polling dictates state polling – and national polling data in

favor of state-by-state polling data. Conditions specific to a state, such as a candidate’s

home state advantage, are therefore reflected in the collected data rather than in the

model, allowing for more abstraction. Polls among likely voters are used rather than as

registered voters’ polls, as likely voters most readily translate into actual voters. States

were limited to a select few – the so-called battleground states – where no party has a

clear advantage.

Missing polls are generated under the assumption that changes in polls are determined

by the events of that day and are therefore typically moderate but otherwise

unpredictable. This day to day change is represented by adding Ɛ, a standard normal

distributed random number generated using the Mersenne Twister.

A dynamic bootstrap (B = 10,000 samples) is performed on the last day of the election

to produce a probability density function for the election outcome. The model is

considered successful if the state’s actual popular vote falls within a 95% bootstrap bias

corrected and accelerated (BCA) confidence interval. The seed for Ɛ is then shuffled and

the whole process is repeated (N = 2,000) and the median of all estimated value is chosen

as an estimate of the true poll for the candidate. Biases and mean square errors for

different values of N are reported.

Funding Source: Trinity University

Multidisciplinary Session C Presentation 69

Confirming the Genotypes of SCE 2600-SCE 2607

Alexsandra Rojas, Dr. Kevin Livingstone

Budding yeast [Saccharomyces cerevisiae], a eukaryote, has a genome that is

historically simple to manipulate. This, combined with its ability to reproduce

significantly faster than most eukaryotes, makes budding yeast a prime model system.

Stocks of eight stains of yeast, mutated to include antibiotic resistance to either

nourseothricin or geneticin, were acquired from James B. Anderson. In these strains the

antibiotic resistant genes were inserted in the Ura3 gene, each with its own unique

barcode. In order to test the identities of these strains, all eight strains as well as a wild

type antibiotic sensitive control, were streaked on plates containing nourseothricin,

geneticin or no antibiotics. A PCR was then performed on each sample using unique actin

primers, geneticin primers, nourseothricin primers, Ura3 primers and primers for their

appropriate barcodes. Due to unexpected results, with bands for geneticin resistance

appearing in strains that were nourseothricin resistant and vice versa, these tests were

performed multiple times. It was hypothesized that geneticin resistant DNA could still be

present in Narseothricin resistant genes, causing the extra bands. Using these PCR results

the genotypes of our mutant strains was determined and categorized.

Funding Source: Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (BSURF)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharomyces_cerevisiae


Adopting new methods in art education for students

with learning differences

Sonny Luna*, Dr. Rocio Delgado

There is an entire field of research dedicated to defining art and many

professional fields have developed unique definitions of art that they tailor to their own

beliefs and aims. Artists and art educators tend to utilize a product definition of art, where

the focus of art education is on attaining skills and recreating or reinterpreting

masterworks. Practitioners of art therapy are trained to adopt a process definition of art,

which views art as a creative process, which can give insight to an individual's emotional

experiences and can be a tool of therapy. Based on which definition an individual

subscribes to determines how they interpret a student’s success. For students with

learning differences, art should be defined based on the specific needs of the students.

Examples will be be provided drawing from previous research on art programs that meet

diverse student needs.


Program


No Thermometers in Space: Modeling Cold Space

Plasma in Near-Earth Space to Estimate Plasmaspheric

Temperature

Will R. Farner*, Grace D. Corley, Kevin J. Genestreti, Jerry Goldstein, Brian A

Larsen, Lynn M. Kistler, Chris Mouikis, Chae M. Ramnarace, Geoff Reeves, Ruth M.

Skoug, Harlan Spence, and Niescja E. Turner

Located just above the ionosphere, the uppermost region of Earth’s atmosphere,

the plasmasphere consists of atmospheric gases ionized by ultraviolet radiation from the

Sun. Understanding the environment of the plasmasphere and its variability helps

scientists better model the near-Earth space environment. In that regard, an accurate

estimate of the plasmaspheric temperature is useful. Because of the low density of the

ionized space plasma, conventional methods of measuring temperature (e.g., a

thermometer) do not work. In this project temperature is being estimated using the Van

Allen probes satellite mission to measure the energy per charge, position, and velocity of

the ions that compose the plasma. These data are then fitted with a Maxwellian

distribution function, which is used to calculate the temperature of the plasma. However,

due to the limits of the instrumentation aboard the probes, it is not known how accurate

the calculated values for the temperature are. The goal of this project, then, is to calculate

both the temperature and its uncertainty by calculating a reasonable range of possible

temperature values. Applying this method, an idealized Maxwellian distribution function

was calculated and manipulated by varying the input parameters describing the idealized

plasma. The results indicate that this method may be adequate to correctly calculate the

temperature of the plasmasphere within reasonable error. At minimum, this technique

yields a gross estimate of intervals when the plasma is “supercold” versus slightly heated.

Future work could involve the application of a more complicated distribution function to

model the behavior of the plasma, or a less mass-dependent function so that the more

accurate partial density values could be used in place of the total density.

Funding Source: This work is supported by the NASA Van Allen Probes mission’s

RBSP-ECT project and the Charles A. Zilker Endowment for Physics and Astronomy.


Youth Radio Workshops: An Ethnographic Study in

Participatory, Alternative Communication

Megan Medrano*, Dr. Robert Huesca

Youth media training programs can serve as outlets for creativity and self-

expression, while facilitating skill development and personal growth. Through a

combination of library research and ethnographic fieldwork, this study examines youth

media training programs in their structure and impact on participants. Specifically

drawing on field observations and exit interviews of youth on probation who participated

in radio production workshops, this research presents the empowerment experienced and

the skills attained from the youth’s participation in the six-week program. As a result of

learning skills in audio recording and editing, participants were able to manage their own

production. From analyzing the literature and the data collected over six weeks, this study

seeks to understand the importance of youth agency and development in the field of

youth media.


Program


Computer Simulation of the Anoplophora glabripennis

Ramiro Ramirez*, Dr. Shelly McGee

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) has directed the

removal of thousands of urban trees, therefore research has been placed in developing

methods to the control and eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle. A Matlab

simulation of the Asian longhorned beetle infestation of a forest was created to

investigate optimal control strategies and eradicate the wood-boring beetle. The model

was created with dispersal and spatial temporal data collected from previous studies.

Currently, the Matlab computer simulation considers a dispersal rate, survival rate for

larvae and adult beetles, and the probability tree detection. The model is an age/stage

structured model with an implementation of a time-delay, which is the development time

of the beetle from egg to adult. Management treatment, which consists of cutting and

burning infected trees, was implemented into the model. Lastly, numerical results and

future work will be discussed.



Visualization of Functional Enrichment Analysis of

Genomic Data

Isaac Thacker*, Matthew A. Hibbs

Many modern biological experiments produce lists of genes implicated by an

experiment or disease (e.g. genes that appear to be abnormal in a specific cancer tumor);

however, the interpretation of these gene lists is more complex. A common analysis

approach for this problem is to assess the “functional enrichment” of gene lists (i.e.

which gene functions are statistically overrepresented in the lists) compared to existing

databases, such as the Gene Ontology. The purpose of this project is to provide an

efficient, functional, and online visual representation of genomic functional enrichment

data. To do this, we created a database with the ability to complete queries efficiently as

well as a visual representation of the results, based on TreeMaps, to enable the user to

quickly and easily view the data at various levels of detail. Often, existing

implementations of these two ideas lack flexibility, are inefficient, and/or visually

unpleasing (e.g. messy, overly complex, or too large of scale). Although the project is not

fully completed, it still has the ability to efficiently find matches for a user's specified

entries, display relationships in the genomic data, and allows the user the ability to

complete statistical analyses on a subset of the given data.



Modeling E. coli Flagellar Motility & Chemotaxis in 3D

Charles Stein*, Joshua Cohen

Advisors: Dr. Frank Healy, Dr. Hoa Nguyen

In the quest for food, E coli use their helical flagella to move through fluid

environments toward areas of high nutrient concentrations (chemotaxis). If all the flagella

rotate counterclockwise, they bundle together and made the cell propel forward in a

certain direction (called a “run”). Conversely if one of the flagella rotates clockwise, the

flagella unbundle and the cell can reorient itself in a different direction (called a

“tumble”). We model the run/tumble movement of a cell propelled by a flexible

flagellum within a three dimensional nutrient concentration gradient. This is achieved by

coupling the helical flagellar Kirchhoff Rod Model with the structure-fluid interactions

using the Method of Regularized Stokeslets and the intracellular signaling pathway

RapidCell (RC) model. Our simulations provide insights into the flagellar mechanism and

how it aids the cell in moving through its environment.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS 0926702

Multidisciplinary Session D Presentation 76

Examining the Relationship Between Acculturation and

Assertiveness on Our Lady of the Lake University’s First

Generation Students

Juanita Ramos Martinez*

Dr. Karina E. Gil

This research examines the relationship between acculturation and assertiveness on

Our Lady of the Lake University First Generation Students. This research hopes to add to

the body of knowledge by researching a topic that has been under studied. A review of

the literature found a significant gap on the relationship between acculturation and

assertiveness on Latino First Generation students. This is alarming since the Latino

population will be nearly one quarter of the U.S population by 2050 (U.S. Department of

Health & Human Services, 2001) and young Latinos are half as likely to have finished a

four-year college degree (11%) compared to their White counterparts (Fry & Taylor,

2012). Four surveying instruments were used: The Simple Rathus Assertiveness Schedule

(McCormick, 1984), the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics by Marin et Al. (1987)

and researcher created Demographic and Academic Questionnaires. A variety of statistical

analysis were conducted including, Regression Analysis, Analysis of Variance, Multiple

Analysis of Variance, and Correlations. This ongoing research, which will be finalized by

mid-August, is expected to provide new insights on the relationship between acculturation

and assertiveness in first generation students.



The Consequences of Changes in Grassland Species

Composition on Rangeland Forage Value and Nutrient Cycling

Austin Phillippe*, Kendall Kotara*,Kelly Lyons

The rate at which recently introduced, invasive species decompose has the

potential to affect rates of nutrient cycling and soil nutrient composition over time. These

changes can also cause positive feedback loops that perpetuate the invasive species and

hinder native species reestablishment. The introduction of non-indigenous, invasive

species such as Bothriochloa ischaemum (a.k.a. King Ranch bluestem) to Texas

grasslands has resulted in a widespread decline in native diversity and loss of ecosystem

function. In this study, we aim to assess differences in rates of decomposition between

the non-indigenous, invasive King Ranch bluestem (hereafter referred to as KR) and the

native species Schizachyrium scoparium (little Bluestem) and Bouteloua curtipendula

(sideoats Gramma). Based on previous research in arid, C4 grassland ecosystems, we

hypothesize that the native species will decompose more quickly than KR. In other

words, invasion results in a slowing of nutrient cycling. Grass culms typically

decompose more slowly than leaves. Therefore, species with higher culm to stem ratios

are expected to decompose more slowly. To account for species differences in

culm:stem, we assessed the ratio for ten samples of each of our three focal species and

found no significant differences between culm to leaf ratios among them. Based on these

results, we constructed 125 litterbags of each species, containing one gram of biomass

per bag with 60% culm and 40% leaf material. We placed the litterbags at three

properties along paired transects in either KR or native-species dominated areas. The

study is ongoing and will include five collection dates through December 2015. Soils

and plant species composition will be analyzed at all sites and the rates of decomposition

of each species over time will be assessed. Results collected to date will be presented.

Funding Source: Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (BSURF) and

Texas Ecolab


LIGO Charging Noise Minimization

Jacob Abajian*, Dr. Dennis Ugolini

Charging is a dominant noise source for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-

Wave Observatory (LIGO), as moving charge on the surface of fused silica optics causes

a torque that exceeds the anticipated signal. Charge builds up on the optic because of the

use of an electrostatic drive (ESD) for positioning. The charge can be removed, but First

Contact cleaning solution may leave surface patches that retain charge. Another solution

is to use a highly conductive coating, so that excess charge quickly relaxes to

equilibrium. The goals of my research project were to find methods of preparing the

optic to minimize the buildup of charge, to search for First Contact patches, and to test

the relaxation time of two different conductor-coated optics.

We placed a 3” diameter optic in a vacuum chamber at ~10−4 Torr. A translation

stage moved the optic between an electrode pattern and a Kelvin probe, to measure

surface charge. We cleaned the test optic with several agents and measured surface

charge at four-hour intervals. Relaxation times were measured by exposing the optic to

the ESD before taking continuous charge measurements and fitting the data with an

exponential. We used an atomic force microscope to probe a microscope slide cleaned

with First Contact.

Results will be provided for charging rates after cleaning with acetone, methanol,

First Contact, and isopropyl alcohol, and relaxation times for aluminum and zinc oxide

conductive coatings.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # PHY-1404269


Rethinking Homer

Austen Hall*, Corinne O. Pache, Ph.D.

During my Mellon fellowship, I assisted in the preparation of a final manuscript

for the Cambridge Homer Encyclopedia, a forthcoming publication that will present, in a

comprehensive and cohesive format, the best Homeric scholarship available at this time.

My work consisted of two main projects: one focused on editing the sections of the

publication that have already been written, and the other comprised my own research and

writing with the goal of publishing two articles in the encyclopedia.

Both of my articles deal with the reception of Homer by a philosopher, albeit two

vastly different philosophers. One article is on Plato, who lived and wrote in Athens

during the 4th century B.C.E; the other is on Simone Weil, a French philosopher, political

activist, and Christian mystic who lived from 1909 to 1943. Plato’s relationship with

poetry (and thus with Homer) is notoriously complex; he is perhaps most famous in this

regard for denying poets entry into his ideal city in the Republic, but his critique is

complicated both by the poetic elements of his own writing and by the specific nature of

the rejection. The reception of Homer given to us by Simone Weil, on the other hand, is

quite narrowly-focused. In her 1940 essay “The Iliad or the Poem of Force,” Weil argues

that the true subject matter of Homer’s epic is force, and that the way in which force is

portrayed in the poem reflects fundamental and historically transcendent truths about the

human condition; an argument influenced, no doubt, by the contemporaneous Nazi

occupation of her home country.



A Narrative Research Study on the Linguistic Identity

of Spanish/English Bilinguals in the U.S.

Arturo Mendiola, Jr.* and marcela polanco

The number of Spanish-English bilinguals in the United States is rising. Between

1980 and 2011, there has been a 158.2% increase in the number of Spanish-speaking

individuals in the U.S. (Ryan, 2013). The phenomenon of bilingualism has been widely

studied, primarily about the experiences that bilinguals have in each language and how

they switch between languages in different social contexts to express different aspects of

their experience. However, there is a scarce literature on the experiences of bilinguals at

the intersection of both cultures and languages.

The present narrative research (Lieblich et al., 1998) plans to collect data on the

stories that Spanish-English bilinguals tell as it pertains to their linguistic identity at the

intersection of both languages. Six to ten bilingual participants will be recruited for this

research. The way participants construct their identity stories will be analyzed from a

narrative analysis perspective with special interest on the cultural and linguistic

disparities between one language and the other. The findings of this study may add on to

existing research about bilingualism from a multicultural perspective, which could be of

value to educational, counseling, and therapeutic settings.



Understanding the Jewish Community of Dura-Europos

Savannah Wagner,* Dr. Chad Spigel

Although the ancient synagogue of Dura-Europos is well-studied due to its

preserved wall art, extrapolating the worship patterns of the Jewish population is a

complex task that cannot rely on clues from the murals alone. This presentation shows

how the methods suggested in Chad Spigel’s book Ancient Synagogue Seating

Capacities: Methodology, Analysis, and Limits can be used to determine possible worship

patterns based on the seating configurations and capacities of the Dura synagogue

building. When used in comparison to estimates of the city’s population and in

conjunction with other demographic data, the capacities of the synagogue give us an idea

of the size, growth, and even the roles of women in the Jewish community; they also

allow for comparisons with nearby Christian and Mithraic buildings. While the evidence

from the Dura synagogue should not be interpreted as typical of synagogues in all ancient

cities, it does help us develop a more comprehensive understanding of the Jewish

community in this famous city.


Multidisciplinary Session E Presentation 83

HOPE Springs Eternal: Constraining partial densities

of ion species of cold plasma in near-Earth space to

estimate plasmaspheric temperature

Chae M. Ramnarace*, Grace D. Corley, Will R. Farner, Kevin J. Genestreti, Jerry

Goldstein, Lynn M. Kistler, Brian A. Larsen, Chris Mouikis, Geoff Reeves, Ruth M.

Skoug, Harlan Spence, and Niescja E. Turner

The Van Allen Probes are two spacecraft orbiting the Earth, collecting data in the

plasmasphere and radiation belts. This project uses data from the Van Allen Probes

HOPE (Helium Oxygen Proton Electron) instrument obtained inside. The plasmasphere

is a region of space close to the Earth, filled with plasma, a fourth state of matter that

consists of charged particles. The HOPE instrument measures particles between the

energies of 1eV and 50keV. A Maxwellian distribution function is fitted to these data to

estimate the temperature. To accomplish this, variables in the function such as bulk

velocity and density of the plasma must be constrained. Because HOPE measures

multiple ion species (He+, O+, H+), it is necessary to determine the temperature of

specific ion species, and thus the partial densities must be constrained using individual

ion species data from the HOPE instrument.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by the NASA Van Allen Probes mission’s

RBSP-ECT project and the Charles A. Zilker Endowment for Physics and Astronomy.


Job Needs of the Eastside: A Study Examining the

Barriers and Workforce Needs of the People Using the

Ella Austin Community Center

Rosa Olivares*, Dr. Christine Drennon

Goodwill Industries Inc. opened its first Good Career Center on the eastside of

San Antonio, Texas in March of 2015. Goodwill located its new Good Career Center on

the campus of the Ella Austin Community Center since the center already provides

childcare, youth programming, senior and individual and family emergency services to

area residents. Unlike the rest of Bexar County, which has an average median household

income of $52,800, the two zip codes surrounding the Ella Austin Community Center

have an average median household income of $26,111. Within the last few years, the

eastside of San Antonio has seen initiatives to help grow and improve the community.

The Good Career Centers offer services such as job preparation, training and referrals and

are free to everyone. In order to better serve the surrounding neighborhoods, Goodwill

sought to understand the different types of job needs, training and barriers to employment

that residents have experienced. Parents currently using the Ella Austin Community

Center for its child services and seniors from the senior center were interviewed to

understand the work barriers that people face and how jobs have changed in the

community. This paper analyzes the history of welfare, workforce development, local

census demographics and the zip codes from which people come from that presently use

Ella Austin and the Good Career Center through maps using the ArcGIS software. This

paper argues that people from the community need different job assistance and job

training programs than what the Goodwill Good Career Center is providing, so that

residents can obtain higher paying jobs and take the first steps to becoming self-

sufficient.


Program


Writing Without Boundaries: A Study of the Pedagogy

of a Current Traditionalist Models in First Year

Composition

Monique Cortez*,Candace Zepeda

My research is to determine if a Current Traditionalist Model of teaching First

Year Composition (FYC) negatively impacts first-year students’ attitudes and beliefs

regarding academic writing. Rather than use an outdated model of teaching academic

writing, I argue that composition classrooms designed using an Expressivist approach has

the ability to counteract the negative attitudes some first year students may experience in

an FYC course. To support my research, I present a historical analysis of the discipline of

Composition as well as explore a variety of pedagogical approaches used in composition

classrooms that will dictate if there is an impact on the attitudes and beliefs of students in

FYC classes. By examining the history of composition, I argue that the curriculum has

changed drastically to current approaches of composition where students obtain

knowledge on how to structure their academic papers.

I propose that the Current Traditionalist (CT) model uses rigorous rules for

writing college papers and the modes of discourse. The CT approach to academic writing

essentially limits students’ ability to write freely and expressively. What happens to

students during their first year of college in a CT composition class may have drastic

negative effects on activities they will be subjected to in the future. I turn to the pedagogy

of Expressivism, which will allow students more freedom with their writing as well as

creative opportunities, thus resulting in a positive impact from their FYC class. By

applying Expressivist approaches to a FYC classroom, freshmen will be granted the

opportunity to develop a positive composition experience by exploring their creativity

and limiting rigid guidelines on developing academic prose.



Tiptoe Aspirations: 19th Century Poetry and Ballet

Ryan Diller*, Samantha Heffner*, Betsy Tontiplaphol

This project focuses on the relationship between nineteenth century poetry and

ballet, exploring the parallels between ballet’s codified, courtly movement and poetry’s

conventional verse forms. In addition, we have traced the way the chosen poets’ works

reflect and possibly resist the culture of ballet that permeated their contemporary culture,

looking at the transfer of ideas from page to stage, as well as from stage to page. In the

former case, balletic adaptations of Byron’s works and the continuing endurance of

“Byronic energy” in 20th century dance have been explored (special focus has been paid

to the two Byron works that have been adapted into ballets - The Corsair and Manfred -

as well as the great Russian dancer Nureyev’s lifelong obsession with the poet). This

exploration has been additionally informed by examining Byron’s fusion of high and low

culture in his works as well as his notoriously complicated relationship with the stage. In

the latter case - from stage to page - balletic language and the figures of ballerinas

themselves were examined to see how they may have informed Elizabeth Barret

Browning’s poem, Aurora Leigh. Fanny Elssler, in particular, was looked at as a possible

model for an independent female artist when the expectation for women was making a

good marriage. Aurora’s and Fanny’s ambiguity within gender roles was also examined -

Aurora chooses a literary form more closely related to the male; Fanny and her sister,

Therese, often danced en travesti, and Fanny was favorably compared to the Greek god

Hermaphrodite.

Through these examinations of Byron and Barrett Browning, we challenge the

common perception that 19th century poets were scarcely concerned with ballet; instead,

we identify ballet as being in dialogue with the works of both Byron and Barrett

Browning.



Escape From Recuperation:

Avant-Garde, The Murderer

Anthony D. Sanchez*, Abraham DeLeon

The art form Avant-garde, historically, has gone through many interpretations to

what methods and products are considered to be avant-garde. Since the time Olinde

Rodriguez first consciously applied the term to artists, avant-garde has transitioned from

an art form that challenged society and the traditional methods of the institutional art to

what curators would say is an out of date term that only exist in the past. Many art

theorists also claim that avant-garde is dead and Paul Mann, one of such theorists,

explains that recuperation– the absorption, acceptance, and normalization of an idea or

object into society – is to blame for avant-garde’s death.

This project presents a theoretical art form that counters such arguments by using

murder as a medium of art and opens the conversation of avant-garde living in the

extreme fringes of aristic production. This presentation is a theoretical exercise that

explores a rabbit hole in which avant-garde can possible live outside recuperation and

leaves the viewers to contemplate whether or not the theory is acceptable.


Program


Natural Language Processing for Interactive Media

Joshua Ward*, Matthew A. Hibbs

Communicating with computer systems using natural language has been a goal of

artificial intelligence and computer science since its inception. The Turing Test (proposed

by one of the founders/inventors of computer science, Alan Turing) is a “holy grail” of

artificial intelligence research, and is passed when a computer system can convince

impartial judges that they are communicating with a human rather than a computer.

While a notoriously difficult problem, natural language processing systems have made

great strides towards fulfilling Turing’s vision. The goal of this project was to create a

natural language processing framework that could decide appropriate reactions to user

input, but within a constrained scenario through the use of a flexible script. Using a series

of rules, user input is mapped to one or more semantic meanings within a limited scenario

of interactions. These meanings are stored into working memory where they are used to

determine how the AI will react and respond dynamically to user inputs. We have created

an input/response meta-language enabling designers to quickly create plausible

interactive scenarios. Further, we utilize the WordNet database of the English language to

enable the use of synonyms, verb tenses, and colloquialisms within user inputs. The

framework is written in a way that it can be easily incorporated into the Unreal Engine

video game system to create dynamic, language-based interactive media. We will

demonstrate this framework using a simple call center scenario as well as a short

interactive story.


STEM Award 1153796


“Cities of Hope and Freedom: The Parallels between

Harlem and Moscow as Seen through the Accounts of

the Black and White Cast”

Ileana Sherry*, Dr. Soto

In 1932, Meschrabpom films brought twenty-two young African Americans to

Moscow to film Black and White, a propagandistic film depicting American race

relations in an attempt to highlight racism in United States. Although almost all those

involved agree that the film was an artistic and political failure, the literary accounts in

response to the Black and White project reveal a considerable amount of insight into the

black American experience in Moscow during the Soviet regime.

The journey from Harlem to Moscow brought these two distant cities under close

comparison, highlighting the many parallels between African American experiences in

each city. Harlem and Moscow were both cities of purported opportunity for those

racially oppressed like African Americans. The push-pull forces of oppression and

opportunity—not unlike those that gave rise to the Great Migration—shaped the

perception of Moscow for many of the African Americans involved in the Black and

White project. This project seeks to evaluate the real and symbolic representations of

Moscow as a city of hope for African Americans during the 1930s, and its relation to

similar representations of Harlem in the previous decade.


Multidisciplinary Session F Presentation 90

2D Simulation of E. coli Chemotaxis and Motility in

Confined Space

Cameron McKay*, Joshua Cohen

Advisors: Dr. Frank Healy, Dr. Hoa Nguyen

We want to model E. coli hydrodynamic movement toward a food source

(chemotaxis) in a confined space with and without obstacles. This can be achieved by

coupling the intracellular signaling pathway RapidCell (RC) model with the cell motility

in a fluid using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The LBM also allows for the

simulation of boundaries and obstacles, and therefore yields a more realistic simulation of

E. Coli chemotaxis when coupled with RC.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #DMS-0926702

Multidisciplinary Session F

Presentation 91

The Dark Pastoral in Karen Traviss's and Margaret

Atwood's Cli Fi Novels

Alex Holler*, Heather Sullivan

Dr. Sullivan and I are researching how literature, specifically science fiction,

explores climate change, global pollution, genetic modification, and other anthropogenic

changes to "nature" in the age of the Anthropocene (defined by climate scientists,

geosciences, and humanities scholars as the era since the Industrial Revolution marked by

accelerated use of fossil fuels). Since human industrial activities have left their traces on

the entirety of the Earth's surface, scholars are now speaking of the "new nature" and

seeking new strategies for adjusting to the rapidly accelerating changes of the

Anthropocene. We call this project the "dark pastoral" since it uses the frame of the

Anthropocene to grapple with this "new nature."

In this project, we analyze Margaret Atwood's MaddAdamm series and Karen

Traviss's Wess'har Wars series in terms of their portrayal of ecological damage and

radical solutions. It is in science fiction where we most often find direct representation

and analysis of global problems like climate change and ecological devastation, as well as

possible cultural solutions to these problems.



Clicking the “like” button: An in-depth analysis of

Facebook interactions and motivations

Davis K. Alcorn*, Luisa M. Ruge-Jones*, Dr. Sumner

Facebook is a tool that lets us build and maintain relationships with friends,

family, and that one guy from high school. While there have been many studies into other

facets of this site, there has been little research on the use of the “like” button. Our

research looks at individual’s motivations behind clicking the “like” button. Through an

online survey, we collected responses about the various reasons people use the “like”

button. Overall, we have concluded that people use the like function on Facebook under

three circumstances: relational maintenance, self presentation, and pleasing content.



Constructing the Imaginative Bridge: Third

Generational Holocaust Narratives

Megan Reynolds*

Dr. Victoria Aarons

This research examines the ways in which third generation Holocaust writers such

as Jonathan Safran Foer, Nicole Krauss, and Julie Orringer approach the subject of their

own traumatic history and the ways in which trauma has been inherited

intergenerationally. It discusses how, despite the generational divide between Holocaust

survivors and their grandchildren, the trans-generational transmission of trauma continues

to persist. This project examines defining characteristics of third generational narratives

such as the desire to uncover the truth or tell one’s story, the struggles with faith and

personal identity, and the use of imaginative leaps.



The Effects of Density in a Three-Species System of

Texas C4 Grasses

Ann Adams*, Avva Bassiri-Gharb*, Cassandra Alvarado*,

Dr. Kelly Lyons, and Dr. Eddy Kwessi.

Today the dominant grasses in C4-dominated grasslands throughout the southern

Great Plains are non-indigenous and invasive. These grasses, such as King Ranch

bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum; hereafter referred to as KR), negatively affect

grassland ecosystems by homogenizing and reducing the plant species and wildlife

diversity. Unfortunately, control of these invasive grasses has proven difficult and post-

removal reintroduction of native species is contingent on identifying species that can

establish and outcompete KR upon re-invasion.

According to niche theory, species whose niches overlap experience direct

competition with one another. Species can employ different mechanisms in the face of

direct competition, such as niche shift. Alternatively, the most-fit species could dominate

over others. Therefore, we hypothesize that the best competitor against KR will be a

species whose niche overlaps with that of KR, and whose growth is minimally or

positively affected despite this.

To identify species and species combinations that effectively control KR and

assess species competitive behavior (shifts in niche space), we conducted a competition

study between KR and two common native C4 grass species that often grow

sympatrically with KR, little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and sideoats grama

(Bouteloua curtipendula). We also included density as a factor to study density as a

determinant of the mechanisms of competition. In areas of high density, plants may be

more likely to shift their niches away from those of their competitors, whereas the

opposite may be true in low-density areas where the intensity of competition is reduced.

As such, our study manipulates the area in which a constant number of plants are grown

in all possible combinations of the three species.

From this density-controlled design, we will assess species richness, species

composition, and planting density as determinants of KR fitness (i.e., control). We will

use principal component analysis (PCA) to determine which plant traits are most suitable

for modeling competition in this three-species system. Building upon the PCA, a cluster

analysis will be performed to assess if species shift the niche space they occupy when

grown in competition with other native species and KR. This will allow us to design a

predictive model of competition for this three species system with a more thorough

understanding of the species interactions in space and time and in response to the

presence of other species.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS00926702


More than Logos: Controversy in Collegiate Debate

Nathan Rothenbaum*, Dr. William Mosley-Jensen

The world of collegiate policy debate attracts the support of a large swath of

people hailing from diverse backgrounds including academics, business professionals,

politicians, and more. Much of this support emerges not from first-hand encounters with

debate and its practices but rather from vague expectations of what debate has to offer: an

informed citizenry wedded with logic and critical thinking. However when these

outsiders to the debate community encounter collegiate debate and its current practices,

praise turns into disgust. This paper takes the final rounds of the 2013 National Debate

Tournament, the 2014 Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament, and

their resulting media attention as a case study. In these prolific and public rounds,

participants employed a style of argumentation that at times departed from traditional

expectations of debate as a purely logic-driven activity. Analyzing the way debate

participants used more than logos to buttress their arguments, this paper helps explain

how and why these final rounds attracted so much vitriolic attention in the media. This

paper argues that in the process of condemning the 2013 and 2014 national champions,

commentators revealed their own biases and expectations for a model of debate that, in

the end, also values more than logos.



Cape Gelidonya Shipwreck: From the Bronze Age to

the Digital Age

Christopher Hofmann*, Katie Middleton*, Jeremy Siegal* Nicolle Hirschfeld

Our project continues the investigation of an ancient shipwreck from the Late

Bronze Age around 1200 B.C.E. originally excavated in 1960 at Cape Gelidonya,

Turkey. The wreck was explored again in the 1980s, 1994 and finally in 2010 finding

new artifacts with each excavation. Many of the 1960 objects were published in a timely

and comprehensive manner, however many were never made public. The goal of our

project is to display the unpublished artifacts in an online open data format, and create

new photographs and illustrations of the artifacts.


Chemistry Session A Presentation 97

Substrate-Specific Inhibition of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme

by a Synthetic Receptor

Carolyn C. Young* and Adam Urbach.

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates glucose metabolism in

mammalian systems. Insulin is degraded throughout the body by a zinc-metalloprotease,

known as insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which also degrades glucagon, amylin, and

amyloid-beta peptide. Inhibitors of IDE have been reported, and although they show high

affinity and specificity for IDE, the inhibitors are specific to the enzyme, and thus they

also inhibit its other catabolic functions. Previous research by our group has shown that

the N-terminal phenylalanine of the B-chain of human insulin (PheB1) binds with high

affinity to the synthetic receptor cucurbit[7]uril (Q7). PheB1 also happens to be part of the

binding site of IDE. Therefore, we hypothesized that Q7 could competitively inhibit the

binding and degradation of insulin by IDE and that this inhibition would be specific to

insulin versus the other substrates of IDE. Recent progress toward this goal will be

presented.

Funding Source: Welch Foundation and National Science Foundation


Heterogeneous Catalysis: Synthesis and

Characterization of supported Gold Nanoparticles

Alexander Huther*, Dr. Chandler, Dr. Pursell

Since the beginning of the 20th century heterogeneous catalysis has been a vital

field for the industry enabling the creation of materials at far higher rates and lower costs.

There are several different procedures for preparing nanosized gold particle catalysts;

however these often involve the use of costly reagents, and are plagued by issues with

reproducibility. We therefore systematically studied the preparation and characterization

of gold catalysts using a variety of precipitation methods. Several metal oxide supports

were prepared using a sol-gel procedure to that yields high surface area materials. The

surface area of the catalysts was determined through BET nitrogen adsorption analysis.

Gold was then deposited onto the supports with a variety of deposition methods such as

the urea deposition precipitation as well as pH deposition precipitation. Catalytic activity

was evaluated with the preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide (PROX) reaction.

From the analysis we concluded that even small deviations in deposition time and

temperature during synthesis have a large impact on PROx activity. Understanding how

these deviations affect the catalytic properties of the supported gold nanoparticles will

enable us to prepare more active catalysts in the future.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation and Welch Foundation


Hydrogen Adsorption on Gold Nanoparticle Catalysts

Christine Peterson*, Meagan Pollock*, Dr. Chris Pursell

Gold nanoparticles are selective hydrogenation catalysts. Hydrogen adsorption on

the gold nanoparticles is an essential first step in these hydrogenation reactions. The

purpose of this summer’s research was to examine hydrogen adsorption, focusing

primarily on Au/TiO2 catalysts. We observed that the hydrogen does indeed adsorb on the

gold where it dissociates (ca. chemisorption), producing an unusual infrared

phenomenon.

This phenomenon was observed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR)

spectroscopy and is characterized by a broad band change in the light transmittance of the

catalyst. Kinetics and thermodynamics experiments were performed at varying

temperatures from 25 – 50 C to better understand this broad band change and the

chemisorption of hydrogen on gold.

The thermodynamics data was fit using the Langmuir model to determine

equilibrium binding constant at each temperature, while the kinetics data was fit using the

initial rates method and the activation energy was determined according to the Arrhenius

equation. While the rate of the reaction increased with increasing temperature, the

binding constant did not change with temperature.

Additionally, the chemisorption of hydrogen on gold also led to chemistry

occurring on the surface of the TiO2 support. It was observed that –OH and water species

were formed with the addition of hydrogen. These results will be discussed during this

presentation.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation and Welch Foundation


Probing the Factors that Alter the Reduction

Potential of Thermus thermophilus Rieske protein

Michael Dybdal-Hargreaves*, Rachel Shepherd*, Dr. Hunsicker-Wang

The truncated Thermus thermophilus Rieske protein (truncTtRp) is an electron

transport protein that contains a [2Fe-2S] cluster which is ligated by two histidines and

two cysteines. The Rieske protein is located in complex three of the electron transport

chain (ETC). The protein acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of quinol to quinone and the

subsequent reduction of and protons translocation across the inner mitochondrial

membrane. The goal of our research is to determine the effects of various mutations on

the reduction potential. In order to study these factors, mutations are made to alter these

factors. The mutations that we are studying fall into three categories; mutants that affect

the number of hydrogen bonds bound to the cluster, those that change the charged

residues next to the cluster, and mutants that change the overall charge state of the protein

itself. Previous research has focused on of single mutations near the iron-sulfur cluster,

and thus current research is focusing on the effect of double mutations near the cluster to

determine if the charges are additive. In particular, L135E, which adds a charged residue

near the two ligating histidines, and Y158F, which removes a hydrogen bond to one of

the ligating histidines have been combined (L135E/Y158F) to determine how the protein

is changed by both mutations. Currently, reactions with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) of

the double mutant have implicated slowed kinetics of the reduction of the protein. To

probe the effect of overall charge state, a series of Lysine and Arginine mutants have

been produced: R161E, R161A, R173A, K100E, K100E/R173A, K100E/R161E/R173A,

K100E/R161E/R173A. The reduction potential of K100E and K100E/R173A have been

measured, The K100E mutant showed a decrease in reduction potential by 3 mV relative

to truncTtRp, whereas the double mutant decreased by 7 mV. Reactions of all the mutant

with DEPC will also probe if the protein reduces similarly to the wild type protein. A

series of Asp and Glu mutants are also being produced that should have the opposite

effect raises the potential. All of these mutants will have the reduction potentials

measured and the proteins will be structurally and spectroscopically characterized.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # CHE-1055516


Cucurbit[7]uril-Rhodamine Conjugate

as a Nanomolar Sensor

Amy Grice*, William Mobley*, Lauren Smith, Omar Ali, Wei Li, Brittany Vinciguerra,

Lyle Isaacs, and Adam Urbach

Chemical sensors are indispensable to modern civilization and constitute the

enabling technology in medical diagnostics, food and air quality control, and the

detection of chemical and biological warfare agents. Indicator displacement assays, in

which a dye molecule is displaced from a receptor by a competitive analyte, are widely

used as chemical sensors in biochemical systems due to their chief advantage of not

requiring chemical modification (i.e., labeling) of the target analyte. The downside to

current indicator displacement assays is their bimolecular nature--that is, the sensor is

composed of a "reporter pair" comprising a receptor and dye as separate molecules.

Therefore, the sensor is only operable under working conditions in which the dye can

bind appreciably to the receptor, which is at concentrations above the equilibrium

dissociation constant of the dye. In an effort to eliminate the problem of the sensor being

concentration dependent, we developed a single component sensor, Q7R, that consists of

a synthetic receptor, cucurbit[7]uril (Q7), conjugated to tetramethyl rhodamine (TMR), a

widely used fluorescent dye. The synthesis of the conjugate and characterization of its

photophysical and analyte binding properties will be described.

Funding Source: Welch Foundation, National Science Foundation, and Trinity

University


Chiral Organic Superbases

Ann Andrews*

Dr. Bachrach

Organic superbases, such as 1,8-bix(dimethylamino)biphenyl, are strong bases due to

the strain created by the proximity of the nitrogen lone pairs and the large relief of this

strain when protonated. This study looks at the ability of these chiral organic superbases

to transfer the chirality present in these molecules to a non-chiral acit, forming a chiral

conjugate acid and a non-chiral conjugate base. The transference of chirality will be

observed at the pro-chiral carbon to see if the base selectively deprotonates the pro-R or

pro-S hydrogen. The kinetic selectivity was examined by optimizing transition states for

the acid base reaction of ωb97X-D/6-31G(d).

Funding Source: Welch Foundation, Trinity University

Chemistry Session B Presentation 103

Effects of Dib1 Mutations on RNA Splicing

Christian Schreib*, Cody Hernandez, Emily Bowman, Dr. Corina Maeder

Pre-messenger RNA splicing is a molecular process that removes non-protein-

coding segments from mRNA. The process of splicing is catalyzed by a large molecular

machine, the spliceosome. The spliceosome is made up of around 300 proteins and five

snRNAs. Dib1 is one of these proteins that make up the spliceosome in Saccharomyces

cerevisiae. Dib1 is essential for cell viability and splicing, it occupies the active site of

the spliceosome, and it leaves during the catalytic activation of splicing. Dib1 must leave

in order for the pre-messenger RNA to bind to the active site. To characterize the role of

Dib1 in splicing, we will test how mutations in Dib1 affect splicing. To do this, we

created various mutations in the DIB1 gene on the plasmid pSE362 by performing PCR

mutagenesis. These mutated plasmids were transformed into a S. cerevisiae Δ DIB1

strain and grown on a series of selective plates in order to select for usage of the mutated

Dib1. Temperature sensitive pronging assays were performed on these yeasts to test if

any of the Dib1 mutations affected cell viability at 16℃, 25℃, 30℃, 33℃, and 37℃. The

mutations F85A and L76A D78A caused deterred growth in the yeast at 37℃. To

determine if these Dib1 mutants would directly affect splicing, we performed splicing

assays. A splicing extract was isolated from the yeast harboring the F85A and L76A

D78A mutations. These extracts were used to perform a splicing assay with heat

inactivated extracts. Purified wild type Dib1 was added to some of the extracts after they

were heat inactivated to restore the defective spliceosome. The splicing assay was then

run on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel to separate splicing products. The results showed

that the Dib1 F85A and L76A D78A mutants caused splicing to break when heated, and

that the wild type Dib1 added to the mutant extracts after heat inactivation caused

splicing to work again. These results identify a clear splicing defect for Dib1 mutants.

Additionally, the ability to reconstitute the extract suggests that although Dib1 is an

integral component of the spliceosome, it can readily exchange.


STEM Award 1153796


XRF Analysis of Spanish Colonial Alamo Frescoes

Julia Meitz*, Tian Tian, Michelle M Bushey

In the 18th century, Mission San Antonio de Valero was founded, known commonly

today as the Alamo. This Spanish colonial mission once housed frescoes on its walls, but

the images deteriorated over time. Today, they are barely visible. Portable X-ray

fluorescence (pXRF), provides an opportunity to bring the lab to the sample. As a non-

destructive and portable analysis tool, pXRF is useful for detailed study of frescoes

within the Alamo. Our goal is to digitally recreate these elaborate frescoes and reimagine

a cornerstone of Texas history. Areas of interest are analyzed with the pXRF, providing

us with the opportunity to identify distinctive elements in 18th century pigments, based on

characteristic differences in energy emissions. The presence of such elements indicated

by pXRF analysis, supported by multispectral imaging and off-site study of physical

samples with scanning electron microscopy, offers a means of digitally reconstructing the

original appearance of the Alamo. Thus far, several designs in the mission’s sacristy have

been characterized and mapped. Most recently, further in-depth study of formerly

identified stem-like patterns has suggested the possibility of attached flowers, expanding

our understanding of these designs. This research has revealed repeated design elements

and detail on the frescoes in the Alamo sacristy, moving us closer to the complete

recreation of this piece in art history.

Funding Source: Texas General Land Office


Enhancing Binding Through A More Planar ExBox

Zachary Nickle*, Dr. Bachrach

The original ExBox4+ macrocycle is used to understand more about host-guest

interactions, including binding between the host and possible guests. The present goal is

to explore potential hosts that could more strongly bind polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

(PAH) guests. Several PAHs that were considered included: benzene, naphthalene,

anthracene, tetracene, and pentacene. The two analogs proposed have “flatter” top and

bottom sections as compared to the original ExBox4+ host molecule. DFT calculations

(ωb97X-D/6-311G(d,p)) were run with and without the PAH guests, both in the gas phase

as well as in solution. The resulting computed energies were compared to those of the

original ExBox4+ to determine any improvements due to the planar ExBox analogs.



Structural and Functional Characterization of the Sco

Protein from Thermus thermophilus

Liezelle Lopez*, Dr. Laura Hunsicker-Wang

The Sco family of proteins has been implicated in the assembly of cytochrome c

oxidase (Complex IV) of the respiratory electron transport chain, but its function is still

under debate. TtSco has been shown to bind to Cu (I) and Cu (II) ions. However, it is also

structurally similar to thioredoxins and has been shown to be able to reduce the disulfide

bond present in the CuA site of cytochrome c oxidase prior to copper insertion. To

provide evidence of Sco’s role in the assembly of the CuA center, single cysteine to serine

mutants, TtSco-C53S and TtCuA-C149S, were first produced. TtCuA was also conjugated

to a chromophore that is released upon reaction with TtSco. The two proteins were

reacted and monitored via UV-Visible spectroscopy in a 1:1 ratio at 412 nm to monitor

formation of a mixed disulfide intermediate (MDI) between the two. Currently, TtSco and

TtCuA are being reacted to form the MDI at different stoichiometric ratios and

experimental conditions to probe the kinetics of formation of the MDI. Our aim is to

crystallize the mixed disulfide intermediate to visualize and better understand the

interactions between TtSco and TtCuA. Cation exchange chromatography has shown the

most success in separating MDI from unreacted starting materials. A successful condition

for crystallization of the MDI has been found and consists of ammonium sulfate and

polyethylene glycol 8,000. Lastly, the effects of copper binding on the relative stability of

apo and holo forms of TtSco have been studied via chemical denaturation. Interestingly,

preliminary data suggests that holo-TtSco is slightly less stable than apo-TtSco. Future

studies aim to investigate the effect of the copper-ligating His139 on stability of the

protein, both with and without metal bound to gain more insight into TtSco’s ability to

bind metals and the role metal binding plays in its function.

Funding Source: Welch Foundation


The Molecular Characterization of Dib1

Bowman, Emily*, Cody Hernandez, Amber Lucas, Dr. Corina Maeder

Pre-messenger RNA splicing is a process that involves the removal of non-coding

regions of RNA and the ligation of coding regions in order to become a mature

messenger RNA. This process involves the sequential addition of small nuclear

ribonucleic protein particles, or snRNPs, that come together to form a pre-catalytic

spliceosome. Once formed, two snRNPs leave and create the catalytically active

spliceosome. Dib1 has been shown to be a necessary protein for cell viability, in addition

to an integral part of the mechanism of splicing. However, its role in splicing is currently

unknown. The model organism s. Cerevisiae has been chosen due to its fast generation

time and simple gene structures, most intron containing genes contain only a single intron

and do not have alternative splicing. Multiple mutations of the DIB1 gene have been

created previously in order to study their effects on cell viability in s. Cerevisiae. In order

to molecularly characterize Dib1, the protein was purified and quantitative analysis was

performed. Expression vectors containing the DIB1 gene along with two mutants, an

F85A mutation and an L76A D78A mutation in the pET15b vector were transformed into

expression cells in order to make protein for purification. The protein itself was purified

using a Nickel-NTA column followed by a Q-sepharose anion exchange column. CD

spectroscopy was performed on wildtype and will be performed on the F85A and L76A

D78A mutants. However, what has yet to be answered is which step in the process of

spliceosome assembly the dib1 mutants are hindering. This can be answered through the

use of biotinylated pulldowns, in which biotinylated RNA is incubated with splicing

extract from dib1 mutants in s. Cerevisiae and the U4/U6 snRNA ratio is measured using

RT-qPCR in order to determine whether or not the dib1 mutant is hindering the assembly

of the U6/U6.U5 tri-snRNP or catalytic spliceosome complex.

In light of recent structures Dib1 appears to occupy the active sight of the pre-

catalytic spliceosome and be in close proximity of the U5 snRNA. Therefore, we chose to

study the ability of the protein to bind with the U5 snRNA through gel shift assays in

which the RNA is incubated with the protein and run on a native gel to visualize whether

or not binding occurred. This would provide a way to test the ability of Dib1 mutant

proteins to bind to the U5 snRNA and therefore would suggest which residues in the

protein Dib1 are required for interactions with U5 snRNA.



Understanding PROx over supported Au catalysts

Todd Whittaker*, Dr. Bert Chandler, Dr. Chris Pursell

H2 production is an important industrial process, as 10 million tons are produced

annually in the United States alone. Over half of this is used to make ammonia, which is

used for fertilizer. Preferential oxidation of CO (PROx) could replace CO methanation as

the predominant purification technique for H2, given that up to ~10% of H2 is lost in

methanation. Several factors have been proposed over the last 30 years of what influences

Au reactivity in PROx; such as Au particle size and the type of metal oxide support used.

In a recently proposed mechanism, we show that having sufficient water coverage on the

surface of the catalyst is the key to high activity. In this project, we synthesized catalysts

using urea deposition-precipitation on different supports to analyze the effect on PROx

activity. In this way, we characterized both the synthesis techniques and the PROx

reaction. We found that PROx activity is very sensitive to the synthesis conditions,

particularly deposition temperature and time. This should allow us to prepare better

catalysts in the future.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # , Welch Foundation and

Petroleum Research Foundation

Chemistry Session C Presentation 109

Chemical Modification of the CuA Protein from

Thermus thermophilus

Taylor Devlin*, Laura Hunsicker-Wang

The CuA site in Thermus thermophilus is located in subunit II of cytochrome c

oxidase, also called complex IV of the respiratory electron transport chain. Its primary

function is the transfer of electrons from cytochrome c to subunit I where molecular

oxygen is reduced to water. The center is composed of two copper ions bridged by two

cysteines and ligated by two histidines, a methionine, and the carbonyl group of a

glutamine. Due to the similarity of the binuclear metal center of CuA to the Reiske protein

in complex III and parallel importance in redox activities, the reactivity of ligating

histidines, His114 and His157, was probed using the chemical modifier diethyl

pyrocarbonate (DEPC). Modification was observed using UV-Visible and circular

dichroism (CD) spectroscopy at pH 5.0-9.0. Changes in CD spectra and in the ligand-to-

metal charge transfer bands seen in UV-Visible spectra suggest that at least one ligating

histidine is modified by DEPC, but the center is not reduced. The rate of reaction differed

at various pH values. Continued studies aim to verify the modification of ligating

histidines by removing the two non-ligating histidine residues and to better quantify the

pH dependence of the reaction. A better understanding of the deprotonation and reactivity

of the ligating histidines may lead to new insights into the movement of protons across

complex IV and into the intermembrane space.

Funding Source: Semmes Distinguished Scholar in Science Award


Structural Characterization of Mutants of the Thermus

thermophilus Rieske Protein

Ambrose Paige*, Dr. Hunsicker-Wang

The Rieske protein is an electron transport protein that contains a [2Fe- 2S]

cluster that is ligated by two histidines and two cysteines. It is found in the bc1 complex

(complex III) of the electron transport chain. It is the catalyst that oxidizes ubiquinol to

ubiquionone. Its reduction potential is pH-dependent and varies across species. The

structure of the protein points to the types of factors that affect the reduction potential of

the clusters. These factors include, the number of hydrogen bonds to the cluster, the

solvent accessibility of the cluster, the charges adjacent to the cluster, and the ligands

bound to the cluster. Several mutants of the Thermus thermophilus Rieske protein have

been created in order to probe each of these factors. H134C and H154C explore the effect

of a change in the ligands to the cluster, creating a 3 Cysteine-1 Histidine environment

for the [2Fe-2S] cluster. H134C and Wild-type Rieske are being created in full-length for

reduction potential measurements. H134C has also been crystallized and shows only

minor changes to the overall structure. H154C is undergoing characterization using UV

visible spectroscopy and circular dichroism studies. The IscU D73A mutant can also

contain a 3 cysteine-1 Histidine ligation environment. It is currently undergoing cluster

reconstitution for comparison studies to the H134C and H154C mutants. The

L135E/Y158F double mutant explores if the effects of the mutations are additive. This

double mutant contains mutations that alter the charges adjacent to the cluster and the

number of hydrogen bonds to the cluster. This double mutant protein has been

crystallized at 1.3Å resolution and is currently being refined.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # CHE-1055516


Selective Hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene and 1-

Hexyne over Metal Oxide Supported Au Nanoparticles

Heidi Krause*, Erika Salarda*, Dr. Chandler

Gold nanoparticle catalysts have been found to have high selectivity in

hydrogenation reactions, making them potentially useful for industrial reactions;

however, these catalysts do not have high reactivity. Factors that affect this reactivity

include support effects, electronic differences in the metal particles, and number of active

sites on the catalyst. Support effects were studied through the hydrogenation of 1-hexyne

on multiple gold catalysts with varying metal oxide supports. Comparing the

reactivity and alkene selectivity of the different catalysts helped characterize the reaction

and screen catalyst synthesis techniques.The number of catalyst active sites involved was

studied in solution using phenylacetylene hydrogenation. This reaction was intentionally

poisoned with controlled amounts of butanethiol to estimate the number of reactive

centers. These kinetic poisoning experiments showed that a subset of the Au surface sites

were key to maintaining catalytic activity.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation, Petroleum Research Fund & Welch

Foundation





Chloe Phea*, Yara Samman*, Rachel Tchen*, Dr. Farazan Aminian, Dr. Kelvin

Cheng, Dr. Saber Elaydi, Dr. James Roberts

β-Amyloid (Aβ) is the main protein involved in the pathology of Alzheimer’s

Disease (AD). Aβ tends to form aggregates on and near lipid rafts causing oxidative

stress in neuronal cells. Lipid rafts are areas of the plasma membrane that contain higher

concentrations of cholesterol, sphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. Cholesterol is

synthesized by glial cells and transported to the neurons via apolipoprotein E (ApoE). In

aging brains, the amount of cholesterol produced and transferred by astrocytes is reduced,

while the rate of turnover in neurons increases due to higher rates of cholesterol

oxidation. We hypothesize that this leads to decreased levels of cholesterol in the

neuronal plasma membrane lipid rafts. Both this decrease and a higher incidence of

Alzheimer’s Disease occur in aging brains, which led us to believe that cholesterol is

protective. Despite this reasoning, the literature supports multiple theories of how Aβ is

affected by changes in cholesterol content.

We treated hippocampal neurons from mice (HT22) with methyl-β-cyclodextrin

(MβCD) to extract plasma membrane cholesterol. We then treated the cells with varying

concentrations of Aβ1-42 and measured the mitochondrial activation induced by the

treatment. We aimed to represent our data with a mathematical model such as the Ricker

model. This model predicts the mitochondrial activation dependent on the concentration

of Aβ (µM) measured as relative fluorescence units at a fixed time. We hypothesize that

decreased amounts of cholesterol would make the cells more susceptible to the oxidative

stress caused by Aβ.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # DMS00926702, Cowles

Distinguished Professorship Research Fund


Nickel Catalyst Synthesis and Screening

Nico Dwarica*, Gabriel Levine*, Bert Chandler, Chris Pursell

The purpose of our research was to examine the effect of synthesis technique on

the performance and characteristics of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts and to develop a fast, cost-

effective, and simple screen for hydrogenation activity. Pore volume impregnation and

pH precipitation were used to prepare Ni/Al2O3 catalysts of varying weight loadings and

expected particle sizes. The catalysts were screened with liquid-phase hydrogenation of

1-octene using toluene as a solvent and H2 gas as the hydrogen source. The extent of

hydrogenation, and thus catalyst activity, was determined with a UV-visible titration,

using bromine to functionalize the unreacted double bonds. We found that pore volume

impregnation produces more active nickel catalysts than pH precipitation. These

discoveries may enable simpler and more controlled catalyst synthesis for future work

and the screen may enable more rapid evaluation of viability of future catalysts for more

advanced and expensive characterization.

Funding Source: Petroleum Research Fund, National Science Foundation Award # ,

Welch Foundation

Chemistry Session D Presentation 114

Concentric Saturn-like Systems from

Cycloparaphenylenes

Zeina Zayat* and Dr. Bachrach

The optimizations of the host/guest interaction between two cycloparaphenylene

nanohoops were studied using density functional theory (ωB97XD/6-31G(d)). These

complexes are analogous to Saturn systems, where the host is a nanohoop and the guest is

a fullerene. Different configurations of these two-nanohoop complexes were optimized to

look for the highest binding energy. Figure 1 shows an image of one of the optimized

host/guest configurations. Complexes with varying sizes of the nanohoops along with

their relative inclination will be presented.

Funding Source: Welch Foundation and Trinity University


Thermodynamic Studies of Analyte Retention on Lauryl

Acrylate Porous Polymer Monolith Stationary Phases as a

Function of Mobile Phase Composition

Pooja Bollampally*, David Anguiano, Tian Tian, Michelle Bushey

The development of porous polymer monoliths (PPMs) as new stationary phases has proven to

be useful for separations of organic molecules and biomolecules. These PPMs are still being

investigated, and our goal is to examine the thermodynamics of the separation process on lauryl

acrylate porous polymer monoliths. The system is primarily studied by capillary

electrochromatography (CEC). Retention time was recorded for six different mobile phase

compositions (80:20, 75:25, 70:30, 65:35, 60:40, 55:45 acetonitrile: trisma Base) over a range of

temperatures from 25°C to 60°C in 5°C increments. A decrease in retention was observed for all

runs as the temperature increased. Enthalpy and entropy values were calculated from van’t Hoff

plots. The numbers of theoretical plates over the range of temperatures and the range of mobile

phase compositions were also calculated.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award # , and the American Chemical Society

(Petroleum Research Fund).


Studying the Mass Transport Phenomena Associated with

Evaporation

Taylor Piske*, Gregory Wassom*, Dr. Kelly-Zion, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Pursell.

The subject of our research is evaporation, looking particularly at the two mass

transport phenomena of the vapors – diffusion and buoyancy-induced convection.

Diffusion is the outward expansion of the evaporated gas driven by a concentration

gradient and the tendency of the gas to distribute itself evenly throughout a given space.

Convection is the gravitational effect on the gas, which tends to pull the gas down and

prevents it from spreading upward freely into the ambient gas (for evaporated gases that

are heavier than the ambient gas). Traditionally, mathematical models used to describe

the vapor transport of evaporation are diffusion-limited, meaning they do not take into

account the effects of convection on evaporation. The purpose of our research is to gain

insight into how diffusion and buoyancy-induced convection combine to affect

evaporation, as well as how these two vapor transport phenomena are coupled.

Several experiments have been carried out. Evaporation rates in air at one

atmosphere have been directly determined using a gravimetric technique, while a

shadowgraph technique in a pressure chamber has been utilized to measure evaporation

rates in a variety of gases at various pressures. In our most recent experiments, the vapor

concentration above an evaporating droplet of methanol, hexane, and 3-methylpentane

was measured using infrared spectroscopy.

Funding Source: Petroleum Research Fund.


Evaporation Rate of a Sessile Droplet in Different

Pressures and Ambient Gases

Kristen Rundstein* & Brenton Mandelkorn*

Dr. Peter Kelly-Zion, Dr. Chris Pursell

The evaporation of sessile droplets, which are droplets of small radii pinned to a flat

surface, is an important subject of study due to its applications in spraying, coating, ink-jet

printing, surface patterning, and much more. Evaporation of small droplets has traditionally been

thought to be diffusion-limited, but new studies show that the evaporation of sessile droplets is

also affected by the transport mechanism of natural convection. Diffusion is the molecular

mechanism that is driven by the concentration gradient of the vapor cloud above the droplet,

which would naturally form a spherical vapor cloud. On the other hand, natural convection is

driven by the bulk density gradient of the vapor-gas mixture. Experiments have been performed

to analyze the relative contributions of both diffusion and natural convection on the evaporation

of hexane and methanol.

The experiments were conducted in a pressure chamber with pressures ranging from 1 to

6 atmospheres and with ambient gases of air, helium, argon, krypton, and sulfur hexafluoride.

The pressure and ambient gases were altered in order to vary the density of the gas mixture,

along with the diffusion coefficient. Both hexane and methanol were used to vary the

hydrocarbon and learn how the thermophysical properties of each compound influences diffusion

and convection. The evaporation rates were measured using a shadowgraph imaging technique.

This technique consists of a bright light source, parabolic mirrors, and a high definition, high

speed digital camera. The light passes through the pressure chamber and a shadow image of the

droplet is recorded by the camera. The volume of the droplet is then measured over time as it

evaporates. Multiplication by the hydrocarbon’s density produces the evaporation rate.

These experimental results will be compared with a previously determined evaporation

model. This correlation model was developed for multiple hydrocarbons at varying radii in air at

one atmosphere. These additional experiments with hexane and methanol were conducted in

different ambient gases and varying pressures to help further identify the contributions of

diffusion and natural convection. The new data collected should allow a more global correlation

to be created to accommodate varying pressures and ambient gases and therefore provide greater

insight into the vapor transport mechanisms responsible for evaporation.

Funding Source: Petroleum Research Fund


Efficiency Study of Analyte Separations on Porous Polymer

Monoliths as a Function of Mobile Phase Composition Using

Capillary Electrochromatography (CEC)

Shivani Desai*, David Anguino, Tian Tian, Michelle M. Bushey

The number of theoretical plates represents chromatographic efficiency. Efficiency can

be used to quantitatively compare different experimental setups for chromatography or

other separation processes. To better understand the factors that affect efficiency, it is

important to study the interactions between analytes, mobile phases, and stationary

phases. The separation performance of various mobile phase consisting of mixtures of

aqueous buffers or formic acid with different amounts of acetonitrile or methanol were

studied by capillary electrochromatography (CEC) on a lauryl acrylate porous polymer

monolith column. Analytes were alkyl benzene series (toluene through octyl benzene). It

was found that acetonitrile/formic acid mobile phase results in higher efficiency than an

acetonitrile/tris mobile phase. The impact of different ratios of acetonitrile/formic acid on

efficiency was also studied. Future work includes exploring more mobile phases in order

to achieve higher efficiency.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #, The Petroleum Research

Foundation of the American Chemical Society

Chemistry Session E Presentation 119

The Scientific Analysis and Classification of Amber

Nicole R. Rueb*, Joseph B. Lambert

Fossilized plant resin, which has matured over millions of years, is known today as

amber. This material, which typically dates from the Tertiary to the Cretaceous periods, has had

many uses since the Upper Paleolithic time including jewelry, religious relics, and incense.

Scientific analysis of the material began in the Renaissance but was not successful until 1986

when Beck used infrared spectroscopy for analysis of Baltic Amber. Today, amber is primarily

analyzed using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Results from both techniques reveal distinct classifications of the material based on differences

in geographical and paleobotanical origins. NMR has classified amber from around the world

into five distinct groups based on repeatable spectral patterns. Groups A and B are found

worldwide; whereas Group C is found only in the Baltic. Group D is found in Latin America,

Africa, and the Caribbean, and Group E contains only fossilized polystyrene. Specifically, amber

and copal samples from South and Central America, North America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and

East and Southeast Asia were analyzed this summer, with a particular emphasis on samples from

Japan for a focused study.

Funding Source: Welch Foundation


Thermal Analysis of Fossilized Resin by Nuclear

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Truongan V. Nguyen*, Joseph B. Lambert

Fossilized plant exudates, more commonly known as amber, are praised for their

paleontological importance. Along with its younger, less mature relative, copal, fossilized

resins have been the subject of numerous studies using nuclear magnetic resonance

(NMR) spectroscopy. Historically, resins are known for their uses in medicine, incense,

and jewelry. Resin beads are of particular interest because it is believed, during the

shaping process, that they may have been exposed to heat. These heat-treated amber and

copal samples produce NMR spectra that are different when compared with their

unheated resin samples. Heat treatment of these resins may simulate maturation of the

material as indicated by NMR spectra of samples that are known to have been heated. In

order to investigate the effect of heating resin samples, two thermal analyses were

conducted. The first used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), because previous

publications had successfully characterized the age of resins using thermogravimetric

techniques. Results using DSC analysis showed minor patterns within each NMR

classification; however, these patterns were not reproducible enough to be considered

meaningful. Further analysis involved heating resin samples at high temperatures for 12

hours and recording their NMR spectra. NMR analysis of these samples reveals that

changes are observed in the spectra around 200 and 250 ˚C for copals and ambers,

respectively. The results of these thermal analyses are discussed.

Funding Source: The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation


Cross-linker Studies of a Lauryl Acrylate Porous

Polymer Monolith Using Capillary

Electrochromatography and Scanning Electron

Microscopy

Ann Marie Hilborn*, David Anguiano, Tian Tian, Michelle M. Bushey

Recently there has been a revolution in the separations world with the

development of porous polymer monoliths (PPMs) as stationary phases. The structures of

PPMs have many advantages over traditional silica-based columns. The purpose of this

project was to study the performance of columns made with two distinct cross-linkers,

1,3-butanediol diacrylate (BDDA) and trimethylpropyl trimethacrylate (TMPTMA),

respectively. By making small changes in the polymerization recipes, morphology and

separation capabilities may change dramatically. Three recipes of lauryl acrylate porous

polymer monoliths were prepared in fused silica capillary columns. The effects of

different cross-linkers were investigated by capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The

retention time and efficiency of an alkyl benzene series (toluene through octyl benzene)

on these columns were compared across various mobile phases. Cross sections of these

columns were also sputter coated with gold and imaged under scanning electron

microscope (SEM). Quantitative comparison between columns was enabled from SEM

measurements. The morphological discoveries provide explanations for the column

performance. The results of this study provide insights for understanding the relationship

between the structure and property of lauryl acrylate porous polymer monoliths.

Funding Source: The Petroleum Research Fund of the American Chemical Society,

National Science Foundation Award #


Characterization of the Methyl Bromoacetate-Modified

Rieske Protein

Frances Claire Steinman*, Laura Hunsicker-Wang

Rieske proteins are electron transport proteins which contain a [2Fe-2S] cluster

ligated by two cysteines and two histidines. The dimeric Cytochrome bc1 (complex III) of

the mitochondrial electron transport chain contains two Rieske proteins. Previous studies

have shown that the reduction potential of the Rieske protein is pH dependent, which is

due to the deprotonation of the ligating histidines. Previous work by this lab has also

demonstrated that when a truncated version of the Rieske protein from Thermus

thermophilus (truncTtRp) is reacted with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), the ligating

histidines His154 and His134 and the two non-ligating histidines are modified, the

reduction potential is raised, and the [2Fe-2S] cluster is reduced. It has been proposed

that the increased reduction potential is due to electron-withdrawing properties of the

DEPC-histidine adduct. Methyl bromoacetate (MBA) does not have the electron-

withdrawing properties of DEPC, and was used to modify truncTtRp. This reaction was

found to only yield about 20% modified protein, thus the modified fractions were isolated

in order to better characterized the modified protein. The reaction mixture was purified

using an anion exchange column and identified using an isoelectric focusing gel. Two

species were isolated from the column, with one eluting into fractions earlier than the

other, and were independently characterized with UV-visible and circular dichroism

spectroscopy. The MBA-modified protein found in these fractions exhibited small, but

reproducible differences compared to unmodified protein and did not show any signs of

reduction. Additionally, the MBA-modified truncTtRp, unlike the DEPC-modified

protein, was able to be chemically reduced. The difference between the two fractions is

unknown, but could be due to different combinations of modification of the histidine

residues in the protein.

Funding Source: National Science Foundation Award #CHE-1055516


Searching for a Möbius Strip with Cyclometaphenylene

Skylar Cho*, Dr. Bachrach

The plausibility of Möbius strip was explored with various sizes of the

macrocycle cyclometaphenylene 1 using density functional theory. In order to compare

how competitive the Möbius structure will be in terms of energy, the most stable

structures of cyclometaphenylenes were thoroughly investigated. The Möbius-resembling

conformation starts to emerge with the 10-phenyl macrocycle decacyclometaphenylene.

1



Characterization Studies of Gold Nanoparticle

Supported Catalysts Using the Selective Oxidation of

Benzyl Alcohol

S. Luikart*, M. Santos*, B. Chandler, C. Pursell

This study focused on characterizing metal oxide supported gold nanoparticle

catalysts such Au/TiO2 and Au/Al2O3. This interest led us to use selective benzyl alcohol

oxidation as a probe reaction for investigating the inherent reactive properties of these

catalysts. These characterization studies investigated basic kinetics and the effects of

water in the reaction. The basic kinetics of the reaction were examined with reaction

order and Michaelis-Menten analyses. In particular, parameters such as the concentration

of benzyl alcohol and temperature were varied to determine the kinetic properties

associated with the catalysts. In order to investigate the reaction’s dependence on water, a

series of drying studies were conducted to study the change in reactivity as the catalyst

was dried. The effects of water were also examined with Hammett studies, which probed

electronic changes to the active site. These studies highlighted the important, and

previously unappreciated, role that water plays in alcohol oxidation chemistry over gold

catalysts.


STEM Award 1153796

Aarons, Victoria 93

Abajian, Jacob 79

Adams, Ann 94

Alana, Nicholas 1

Al-Bataineh, Areej 44

Alcorn, Davis K. 92

Ali, Omar 101

Alvarado, Cassandra 94

Aminian, Farazan 112

Andrews, Ann 102

Anguiano, David 115, 121

Asimes, Andrea 52

Azar, Jason 2, 63

Bachrach, Steven M. 102, 105, 114, 123

Bains, Mona 52

Ball, Whitney 3

Bassiri-Gharb, Avva 94

Blanco-Cano, Rosana 59

Bollampally, Pooja 115

Bovio, R.S. 4

Bowman, Emily 103, 107

Bushey, Michelle 104, 115, 121

Cabral Balreira, E. 30, 48, 50

Cabrera, Karina 5

Cantu, Amanda 6

Chandler, Bert 98, 108, 111, 113, 124

Cheng, Kelvin 43, 112

Childers, Jane B. 6

Cho, Skylar 123

Chocano, Magaly 28

Clark, Catherine 60

Cofer, Evan 67

Cohen, Joshua 75, 90

Contreras, Adriana 13

Corley, Grace D. 66, 71, 83

Cortez, Monique 85

Coverdale, Thomas 20

Crues, Ashton, 8

Debner, Emily 9

Deckard, Faith 10

DeLeon, Abraham 87

Delgado, Rocio 70

Desai, Shivani 118

Devlin, Taylor 109

Diaz, Liliana 55

Diller, Ryan 86

Drennon, Dr. Christine 84

Dunn, Connor 11

Dugan, Allison M. 46

Dwarica, Nico 113

Dybdal-Hargreaves, Michael 100

Easwaran, Gopalakrishnan 32

Elaydi, Saber 15, 43, 112

Endresen, K. 12

Escapita, Franchesca 13

Espinoza, Giovanna 59

Evans, Cole, 35

Evans, Robert Cole, 14

Farner, Will R. 66, 71, 83

Finch, Heather 15

Fogarty, Seth 58

Frasch, Duncan 16

Freund, Danielle 17

Gamboa, Alexandra 6

Gardner, Thomas 38

Genestreti, Kevin J. 66, 71, 83

Gil, Karina E. 76

Goldstein, Jerry 66, 71, 83

Gonzalez, Camilo 35

Gray, Cheryl 18

Grice, Amy 101

Gulliver, Kirk 19

Hall, Austen 80

Hall, James 44

Hamilton, Kristy A. 20

Hanes, Madeline 21

Hasfura-Buenaga, Roberto 15, 48

Healy, Frank 12, 21, 75, 90

Heffner, Samantha 86

Henderson, Jennifer 60

Hernandez, Cody 103, 107

Hertel, Paula T. 20

Hibbs, Matthew A. 61, 74, 88

Hilborn, Ann Marie 121

Hoard, Danielle 22

Hoffman, Mikki 62

Hofmann, Christopher 96

Author Index

Holler, Alex 91

Holmes, Amy 34

Huesca, Robert 72

Hunsicker-Wang, Laura 100, 106, 109, 110, 122

Huther, Alexander 98

Isaacs, Lyle 101

Izquierdo, Alyssa 14

Jaramillo, Maria A. 23

Jiang, Albert Xin 51

Johnson, Clara 6, 24

Johnson, Michele 10, 23, 36, 49, 53, 65

Kelleher, Caroline 25

Kelly, Kassie 26

Kelly-Zion, Peter

King, Jonathan M. 1, 9, 48

Kistler, Lynn M. 71, 83

Kotara, Kendall 78

Krause, Heidi 111

Kurpis, Julianna 56

Kwessi, Eddy 94

Lalani, Sabina 5

Lambert, Joseph 119, 120

Lane, Fiona 64

Larsen, Brian A. 66, 71, 83

Leafstedt, Carl 26

Legg, Beth 67

LeGros, Evan 58

Lehrmann, Adrien

Lehrmann, Daniel 25, 42

Leifer, Jack 40, 41

Levine, Gabriel 113

Lewandowski Jr., Gary W. 18

Li, Wei 101

Livingstone, Kevin 33, 69

Lopez, Liezelle 106

Luikart, S. 124

Luna, Sonny 70

Lyons, Kelly 78, 94

Maeder, Corina 103, 107

Mahapatra, Subrat 27

Mandelkorn, Brenton 117

Mangalji, Ali 61

Manton, Edwin 62

Martinez, Luis 35, 62

Martinez-Acosta, Veronica G. 57

Matthews, Martel 28

Mattingly, Brent A. 18

McGee, Shelly 73

McIntyre, Kevin P. 18, 20

McKay, Cameron 90

Medrano, Megan 72

Meitz, Julia 104

Mendiola Jr., Arturo 81

Middleton, Katie 96

Miller, Conor 17

Mobley, William 101

Mosley-Jensen, William 95

Mouikis, Chris 71, 83

Muniz, Yvette 29

Murphy, Troy 17

Navarro, Aaron 24

Nguyen, Hoa 7, 16, 68, 75, 90, 116

Nguyen, Truongan, V. 120

Nickels, Kevin 16, 227

Nickle, Zachary 105

Nielsen, Chrissy 48

Nishikawa, Katsua 68

Norman, Patricia 31

O’Connor, Jason C. 46

Olivares, Rosa 84

Oranday, Andrea 30

O’Rourke, Kathryn 2, 63

Pache, Corinne O. 80

Paige, Ambrose 110

Pak, Toni 52

Parrish, Sarah 6, 24

Patel, Vik 35

Patzke, Mollie 19

Persellin, Julie 34

Petri, Madeline 15

Phea, Chloe 43, 112

Phillippe, Austin 78

Phillips, Kimberley 14

Piske, Taylor 116

Platt, Mark D. 57

Plenge, Megan 29, 37

polanco, marcela 81

Poovathoor, Vivek 27

Author Index (cont.)

Pursell, Chris 98, 99, 108, 113, 116, 117, 124

Quigley, Catherine 31

Ramnarace, Chae M. 66, 71, 83

Ramos Martinez, Juanita 76

Reeves, Geoff 66, 71, 83

Reynolds, Megan 93

Reynolds, Ryan 48

Ribble, David 4, 15

Roberts, James 5, 43, 52, 65, 112

Rodriguez, Nicole 32

Rojas, Alexsandra 33, 69

Rothenbaum, Nathan 95

Rueb, Nicole R. 119

Ruge-Jones, Luisa M. 92

Ruiz, Bladimir 55

Rundstein, Kristen 117

Salarda, Erika 111

Samman, Yara 43, 112

Sanchez, Anthony D. 87

Sanchez, Graciela 59

Sannoh, Steven 34

Santos, M. 124

Schreib, Christian 103

Selleck, Thayer 35

Selznick, Leah 36

Shepherd, Rachel 100

Sherry, Ileana 89

Shinkle, James 33, 54, 56

Siegal, Jeremy 96

Simoneau, Samuel 37

Skoug, Ruth M. 66, 77, 83

Smith, Diane 47

Smith, Lauren 101

Solano, Tristan 38

Soto, Michael 89

Spence, Harlan 66, 71, 83

Spiegel, D. 12

Spigel, Chad 82

Stark, Mason 39

Steele, Jennifer 67

Stein, Charles N. 7, 23, 75

Stein, Miguel A. 23

Steinman, Frances Claire 122

Stercula, Jacob M. 65

Stone, Amy 3, 22

Suarez-Domit, Juan Carlos 40

Sullivan, Hannah 3

Sullivan, Heather 91

Surpless, Benjamin 8, 11, 45

Surpless, Kathleen 19

Suttner, Selena 6

Swanson, Nicholas 41

Swartz, Hadley 42

Tatman, Jared 6

Tchen, Rachel 43, 112

Thacker, Isaac 74

Thomas, Jordan 44

Thorne, Sarah 45

Thurman, Sarah 19

Tian, Tian 104, 115, 118, 121

Tingle, Jacob 39

Tontiplaphol, Betsy 86

Tunon, Arnulfo 46

Turner, Niescja E. 66, 71, 83

Ugolini, Dennis 79

Ulin, Lindsey 14

Urbach, Adam 97, 101

Uroff, James 47

Vinciguerra, Brittany 101

Wagner, Savannah 82

Walker, Elizabeth 17

Ward, Joshua 88

Wassom, Gregory 116

Watson, Cassie 48

Webber, Miguel A. 23, 49

Whittaker, Todd 108

Willey, B. 12

Wright, Eliza 50

Yang, Jingqing 51

Yarberry, Briahna 52

Yazbek, Lindsey 37

Young, Carolyn C. 97

Zayat, Zeina 114

Zeb, Adam J. 53

Zepeda, Candace 85

Zhang, Jason 54, 56

Author Index (cont.)

Trinity University is grateful to the following

organizations and donors for their support.

Alvarez Internship Grant

American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund

Arts, Letters, and Enterprise Minor

Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Fund

Chevron

Conoco Phillips

U.S. Department of Defense

Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation

FASTER Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Garrett Wallace Brown

Howland, Eggen, and Pitts Computer Science Student Summer Research Fellowship

Tim and Karen Hixon Endowment for Environmental Studies

W.M. Keck Foundation

Mark W. Kline, M.D. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

The Steven P. Mach Family

Mellon Initiative for Undergraduate Research in the Arts & Humanities

Murchison Undergraduate Reach Fellowship

NASA Van Allen Probes Mission’s RBSP-ECT

National Science Foundation

R. David Shiels

The Semmes Distinguished Scholars in Science Endowment Fund

Shell International Exploration and Production

Silver and Black Give Back

Stumberg Competition

Texas General Land Office

Trinity University Annell Bay SURF in Geosciences

Trinity University Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Upward Bound

Tinker Family Endowment for Geosciences

U.S. Department of Education

Charles A. Zilker Endowment for Physics and Astronomy

Documents

Trinity University...Poster Session Location: Center for Sciences & Innovation Atrium & Design Cube Thursday, July 23, 2015 8:15 – 10:00 Multidisciplinary Session A CSI 448 8:15