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Welcome to the 15th Annual Scientific Research Poster Session
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You may want to browse the author or discipline list in the 2003 Poster Session Home Page to find the abstract number.
See the Poster Location Map to find its location by number.
Lancie Affonso, Marlon Brown, Troy Nelson, and Arpan Kotecha, Department of Computer Science
Education organizations and researchers have increasingly supported the view that incorporating information technology into learning and teaching is an important aspect of keeping the curriculum relevant and preparing students for their future in a complex knowledge based world. Many faculty members have made it quite clear that they expect students to learn basic information technology skills outside of class so that they can build on that knowledge in class. The purpose of this project is to design, validate and evaluate an online assessment tool that accesses the information technology literacy level of current or prospective students at the College of Charleston. The tests will be designed to meet the Deans' proposed Basic Information Technology Standards for incoming students and will measure: 1)Technology productivity skills 2)Technology communications skills 3)Technology research skills and 4)Social, ethical and human issues.
Dianne Turgeon and Robert Nusbaum, Dept. of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Three Sisters volcanoes are three potentially active volcanoes located in the Cascade Range. The Three Sisters area has a history of explosive eruptions. Current volcanic hazards in the area include landslides, lahars, and debris avalanches due to rocks having been weakened by hydrothermal alteration, as well as eruption-triggered events such as pyroclastic flows.
We used 1996 Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral data to map hydrothermal minerals at Three Sisters. Field spectra were used to reduce the data to surface reflectance. Following image classification, resultant maps were warped to a 30-m U.S. Geological Survey DEM (digital elevation model) to produce a three-dimensional image showing the distribution of hydrothermal minerals. Evidence for the existence of hydrothermal clays, such as kaolinite and montmorillinite, and iron oxides and hydroxides was found on the slopes of North Sister and South Sister, meaning that the area is at risk for landslides and debris avalanches.
Lancie Affonso and Dewaine Cooper, Department of Computer Science
Ubiquitous access to information, anywhere, anyplace, and anytime, will characterize whole new kinds of information systems in the 21st Century. Hand-held devices have very recently and very rapidly become an important tool of practicing professionals in engineering, industry, business, and information technology. The goal of this research study is to investigate how wireless handhelds can assist faculty in integrating various technologies including concept tests into classroom management and assessment procedures. This project will explore the applications of educational handheld software using the College of Charleston's CampusWide Wireless Ethernet. We will utilize software that turns a PocketPC equipped with a wireless card into a web server, a presentation controller, and a quizzing and feedback device for a classroom instructor.
Lancie Affonso, Jonathan Yantis, and Christopher Peters, Department of Computer Science
This research study will explore the latest developments in wireless security including the 802.1x security standard for use in wireless communications, and specifically the use of EAP-TTLS, the innovative protocol that runs on 802.1x and provides strong security over a wireless link and easy security management. The project will utilize software such as SNORT (an open source network intrusion detection system) and KISMET (a 802.11b wireless network sniffer) on a wireless handheld device running Linux. Results from this study will help the School of Science and Mathematics (SSM) monitor and secure the SSM wireless network.
Timothy. W. Giblin, James E. Neff, Jon Hakkila, Robert Dukes (The College of Charleston), Donald M. Drost, Nora Andreasian-Thomas (The University of the Virgin Islands)
The College of Charleston is one of three institutions that belongs to a consortium led by the Division of Science and Mathematics at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) to maintain and operate a research grade telescope at Etelman Observatory on the island of St. Thomas (18 deg, 21 arcmin N, 65 deg W at an elevation 1325 ft with 1.5 arcsecond seeing). Renovations to the pre-existing UVI observatory through an NSF grant to UVI have been ongoing for the past 18 months and include: (i) complete renovation of the control room and housing facility, (ii) installation of a new Ash dome, and (iii) delivery and installation of a turnkey 0.5 m telescope in Spring 2003. We anticipate the observatory to be fully operational in the summer of 2003. The observatory will serve a variety of needs to the consortium members that include research, teaching, and public outreach. The primary research function of this facility will be to perform rapid automated follow-up observations of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) observed with NASA's Swift spacecraft, set to launch in September 2003. With the exceptional sky coverage at Etelman Observatory, we anticipate to collect a database of GRB afterglow (and possibly counterpart) photometry and light curves throughout the duration of the Swift mission. This is work is funded through NSF, DoD, AAS/NASA, and The College of Charleston.
Justin Altum, Luke Bergamini, Jack Daniels, Jamar Nesbit, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
Since the approval of the Charleston County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in South Carolina, there has been a significant level of debate among stakeholders. Proponents contend that the UDO is a step toward limiting the effects of urban sprawl and protecting rural character. Opponents argue the UDO is unconstitutional; these individuals contend that the UDO unfairly limits the personal use of privately owned land. In this project, we address the following research question: What are the UDO's impacts on Wadmalaw Island landholders' level of political participation? To shed light on this question, we analyze the content of local newspaper editorials written by stakeholders, as well as examine the local interest group (representing stakeholders) views. Also, we analyze the participation of landowners at the series of public hearings held during the UDO approval process. This research will illuminate academic and practioner debates regarding the effects of development restriction ordinances by examining the case of the UDO and Wadmalaw Island.
Charles Earl, Natasha Harris, Alexandra Lawrence, Scott Stiller, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
In recent decades, American colleges and universities have significantly increased their environmental awareness and campus activism regarding sustainability. Several definitions of sustainability exist, but one is "meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1984, 8). Numerous colleges and universities are implementing sustainable practices on campuses regarding transportation, energy, food, water, landscaping and waste. While several campuses are conducting these initiatives, few of these are located in the Southeast United States. Some scholars consider student knowledge of sustainability crucial to the successful implementation of sustainable practices on college campuses (Orr, 2002). In this project, we examine student perceptions of sustainability on the College of Charleston campus located in South Carolina. To assess our research question, we conducted random student surveys and analyze these data through multivariate statistical analysis. The project results will provide an assessment of student knowledge about and perceptions of sustainability on this southeastern campus.
Anne Burgeson, Kristen Fehsenfeld, Matt Marcellino, Kate Spencer, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
Environmental justice seeks to ensure that all people regardless of race, class, or socioeconomic status are entitled to equal protection of the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws regulations and policies (Bullard, 1996). Transportation is essential to improving economic and physical mobility in a particular community; however, transportation activities often result in dividing, disrupting, and imposing environmental burdens on minority and low-income communities. Recently, local residents of the Four-Mile Community in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, voiced opposition to the construction of a 1.7-mile road that would divide their long-established neighborhood. To examine the implications of current methods of transportation planning on environmental justice, we interview elites and residents and examine local press coverage. We explore these data through content analysis, a method to objectively analyze text (Berg, 1998). In a broader vein, this project examines the environmental justice implications of current methods of transportation planning in lowcountry South Carolina.
Emily Adams, Tara L. Campbell, Robert C. Gaither, Julio A. Rossington, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
Environmental Organizations vary in the strategies incorporated to meet their missions. Deep ecology is a "call for a total transformation in science and worldviews that will replace the mechanistic framework of domination with an ecological framework of interconnectedness and reciprocity" (Merchant, 1992, 11). Those organizations representing the deep ecology movement have utilized a variety of techniques to share their views. In this project, we examine the affects of strategies presently utilized by two deep ecology organizations, the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and The Detroit Project (TDP). We examine the following research question: Which strategies employed by the EFL and TDP have the most influence on the attitudes and behaviors of college students? To assess this research question, we will conduct three focus group interviews with College of Charleston students. In comparing the reactions of these three groups to the different strategies employed by these deep ecology organizations, we will provide a better understanding of the most effective strategies to affect college students.
Lauren Anderson, Caroline Hornby, Gwen Marcantonio, Eleidy Reyes, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
Many scholars have offered various definitions for Ecofeminism. In this project, we utilize a compilation of these definitions where ecofeminism draws on environmental and women rights, tying them together into a single concept. Since ecofeminism is not a commonly utilized term, we examine the use of the internet in informing citizen knowledge about this social movement. We examine the use of the Internet because it is a newer medium for the spread of information and the Ecofeminist movement --started in the 1970s--is still a relatively new movement. To shed light on our research question, we randomly selected three ecofeminism internet sites, and exposed college students to these sites. Pre and post treatment, we surveyed the participants. Based on previous findings from the literature, we expect that few participants will have a basic knowledge of ecofeminism or an understanding of its goals.
Bryan Cordell, Claire Hall, Sally Hickerson, Jonathan Lucas, and Angela C. Halfacre, Department of Political Science
The smart growth movement examines the impact of increasing development on community and environmental quality. Brownfields are spaces where "abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities with real or perceived environmental contamination" exist (Environmental Protection Agency, 2003). Advocates of smart growth increasingly examine redevelopment of brownfield areas as a viable option for managing growth and preserving green space. This project examines the City of Charleston's brownfield development approach. Specifically, we examine the following research questions: 1) What initiatives are provided to encourage brownfield development? 2) What is the impact of these initiatives to date? We utilize Charleston's enterprise community as a case study. We conducted elite and resident interviews to survey impressions about the use and impact of brownfield development in this industrial and lower-income, predominately minority residential of the city. Our content analysis (a technique to objectively analyze text) indicates that significant barriers exist to brownfield development in this area at present.
Sladek, J.M., and Nusbaum, R.L., Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Mount Hood, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Range, is located 75 km east of Portland, OR. Although it last erupted 200 years ago, the potential for lahars and debris avalanches continues to present a hazard. Debris avalanches threaten proximal areas at Mount Hood, while lahars can travel much further along river drainages. Typically, these flows originate near stratovolcano summits where hydrothermal alteration has weakened rocks.
We used Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer data to identify and map hydrothermal alteration at Mount Hood. Results indicate the presence of iron oxides, alunite, and hydrothermal clays near the summit. We "draped" a hydrothermal mineral map over a USGS DEM to produce a 3D model to view potential edifice failures from a variety of perspectives. The Crater Rock area appears to present the greatest risk of failure. Based on the 3-D model, flows from that area would travel to the south, not endangering Portland.
Maria Malatanos, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at MUSC
We study a mouse model (Rxr-α Knock Out) with heart defects similar to those found in congenital heart disease. The defect studied in this report is the epicardium of the heart. Because there are corresponding increases in transforming growth factor b2 (TGF-β2) and fibronectin in these mice, we believe that this may be a cause of abnormal epicardial growth. Cell cultures were grown using differing amounts of fibronectin to test how this would affect proliferation (by measuring BRDU incorporation), apoptosis (programmed cell death), and migration of the epicardial cells. We found that different concentrations of fibronectin do cause epicardial cells to grow differently. With higher concentrations of fibronectin, cells show higher rates of proliferation and migration. Also, the phenotype varied from the typical flat and smooth appearance of epicardial cells. We concluded cell cultures were healthy because a trivial amount of apoptosis was observed.
Amanda R. Babson, David S. Brown, Simone J. Buckman, Doug K. Christie, Michelle E. Fallis, Charla W. Gamble, Aleah Ledbetter, Megan E. McMasters, Allyson E. Morgan, and Jason R. Ortmeier, Department of Psychology
The Muller-Lyer figure creates a distortion of line length estimates because of oblique-angled contextual cues. The contributions of right angle and oblique angle contextual cues on line length discrimination were tested on twenty undergraduate students. Subjects were asked to judge whether a variable line was the same or different from a standard line. Subjects viewed either a two-dimensional Muller-Lyer apparatus (oblique angle contextual cues) or a modified apparatus (right angle contextual cues). Both apparatuses were composed of lines that were set to 1 of 5 possible lengths that varied by 1 cm increments relative to the standard. Our results indicate that accuracy of line length estimates were more significantly diminished by oblique angles than right angles. Better discrimination abilities were associated with lengthening lines relative to a standard than shortening lines relative to a standard. Further, a significant interaction between line length and contextual cue was found.
Kevin D. Lominac, Department of Psychology
Molecular candidates mediating drug-induced neuroadaptations and their behavioural manifestations are likely those regulating excitatory synaptic activity. Szumlinski and colleagues (2002) reported previously that mice homozygous for a deletion of the Homer2 gene (Homer2 KO) showed enhanced place conditioning to cocaine (COC) and display enhanced COC-induced motor sensitization. To determine whether or not deletion of a related protein, Homer1, also produces alterations in COC-induced behaviours, wild type (WT) and Homer1 KO mice were injected repeatedly with COC (4 X 0, 0.3 or 10 mg/kg, IP) in a place conditioning apparatus and the ability of COC to induce place conditioning and locomotor sensitization were assessed. Consistent with previous observations that food reward is intact in Homer2 KO mice, no genotypic differences in food reward were observed in Homer1 KO mice. Furthermore, like Homer2 KO mice, Homer1 KO mice did not differ from WT animals with respect to basal anxiety or locomotor activity. In contrast to WT mice, 10 mg/kg COC elicited (1) an increase in the acute locomotor response to the drug; (2) sensitization following repeated drug treatment; and (3) place conditioning in Homer1 KO mice. All of these COC-related findings are similar to those reported previously for Homer2 KO mice. In combination, these data indicate that the constitutive expression of not only Homer2, but also Homer1, protein is critical for the changes in behavior produced by acute and repeated COC. Futhermore, these data indicate that the Homer family of proteins may play a role in the determination of acute drug sensitivity and drug-induced neural plasticity, both of which contribute to addiction vulnerability.
Brooke Bivens, Linda Jones (Department of Physics & Astronomy), and Michael Wallace (Medical University of South Carolina)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment that involves light, oxygen, and a photosensitizer. PDT with PhotofrinTM as the photosensitizer is used clinically for the treatment of esophageal dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition that often accompanies Barrett's esophagus. The objective of this project was to develop a clinical method to quantify the amount of photosensitizer in the tumor. A previously developed tissue phantom was modified to model the fluorescence of tissues in the UV and visible region. Different concentrations of PhotofrinTM along with other endogenous fluorophores were placed into the phantom. In order to analyze Photofrin'sTM characteristic fluorescence emission peaks, the emission spectra had to be normalized with the reflectance measurements. As a result, unique PhotofrinTM induced excitation and emission values were identified.
Carolyn Sprague and Robert Nusbaum, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Lassen Volcanic Center is situated at the southern end of the Cascade volcanic arc in northeastern California. The Lassen region has been volcanically active for approximately 3 million years with the latest eruptions occurring in 1915. Today, geothermal areas including Bumpass Hell, Devil's Kitchen, Little Hot Spring Valley, Hot Spring Muds, Mud Pots, and Boiling Lake are the only volcanically active locations in Lassen Volcanic Center. These areas host important minerals that provide clues for modeling exploration for geothermal resources and epithermal mineral deposits. We used AVIRIS (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) to map geothermally altered minerals on and around Lassen Peak. This map was draped over a 10 meter USGS digital elevation model for a three-dimensional representation of the distribution of minerals produced by geothermal processes. Minerals identified or mapped include sulfur, kaolinite, montmorillonite, hematite, and goethite. All are products of geothermal activity at Lassen.
Sara B. Lioi, Laela M. Hajiaghamohseni, Ebony J. Hilton, S. Patrick Dunn, Matthew J. Walters, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Readily prepared oximes of ketones, such as acetophenone and 1-tetralone, were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide [LDA], and the resulting 1,4-dianion type intermediates were condensed with phthalic anhydride or 1,8-naphthalic anhydride. The resulting C-acylated intermediates could be isolated and characterized, or acid cyclized to the targeted isoxazole-carboxylic acids. Each compound was characterized by absorption spectra, with support from combustion analysis. Also, they can be prepared in multi gram quantities following simple recrystallization from routine solvents. Each compound has the potential for use in other syntheses, spectral studies, and biological testing.
Select isoxazole-carboxylic are excellent candidates for agricultural biological testing [USDA grant acknowledged], which will be undertaken. If during the process of completion of these projects a clear need arises for additional proof of structure for a particular compound, X-ray crystal structure analysis will also be performed.
Laela M. Hajiaghamohseni, Sara B. Lioi, Ebony J. Hilton, S. Patrick Dunn, Matthew J. Walters, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The 1,4-dianions of hydrazones, such as 4'-methoxyacetophenone phenyl-hydrazone or 4'-bromoacetophenonre carbomethoxyhydrazone, were prepared in excess lithium diisopropylamide and condensed with phthalic or 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, to give C-acylated intermediates that could be isolated or cyclized to the expected pyrazole-carboxylic acid. Each compound was easily purified and routinely characterized by absorption spectra, with support from combustion analysis. Also, they can be prepared in multi gram quantities following simple recrystallization from routine solvents. Each compound has the potential for use in other syntheses, spectral studies, and biological testing.
Select pyrazole-carboxylic acids are excellent candidates for agricultural biological testing [USDA grant acknowledged], which will be undertaken. If during the process of completion of these projects a clear need arises for additional proof of structure, X-ray crystal structure analysis will also be conducted.
Matthew J. Walters, S. Patrick Dunn, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Several phenylacetic acid carboalkoxyhydrazides were prepared by the condensation of phenylacetic acid chloride with an alkyl hydrazinocarboxylate [e.g., methyl carbazate] and characterized. They were polylithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide [LDA], probably to the trianion-type intermediate. This was followed by condensation of the trianion with electron-enriched esters, such as methyl 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzoate. The C-acylated intermediates were not isolated but cyclized directly with aqueous hydrochloric acid to substituted N-carboalkoxy-3-oxo-1H-pyrazoles, 2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxylates. Related syntheses involving similar phenylacetic acid hydrazides have also been investigated.
All of the products were new, and they were characterized in a standard manner. They also have potential for biological activity, especially in agriculture [USDA grant acknowledged], which will be undertaken. Also, X-ray crystal structure analysis will be necessary for one or two representative compounds in order to completely rule out the possibility of alternate formation of oxadiazoles.
S. Patrick Dunn, Matthew J. Walters, Clyde R. Metz, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Several dilithiated beta-ketoesters, such as ethyl acetoacetate, and beta-diketones, such as 1-benzoylacetone, were condensed with polylithiated methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)-benzoate to give C-acylated intermediates that were not isolated but cyclized directly to the 3-substituted 1,2-benzisothiazole 1,1-dioxides. These heterocyclic compounds with pendant groups in the 3-position would be more difficult to prepare by other synthetic procedures.
The heterocyclic products also have beta-dicarbonyl pendant groups, and all of the materials prepared are new. They were routinely characterized by absorption spectra. Also one or more of these compounds may be excellent candidates for X-ray crystallographic structural analysis.
Substituted benzisothiazole dioxides are documented for the biological activity, including their agricultural potential [USDA grant acknowledged]. This testing will be undertaken.
S. Patrick Dunn, Matthew J. Walters, Jennifer R. Downs, Mildred C. Embree, Sally P. Grant, Clyde R. Metz, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dilithiated oximes, phenylhydrazones or carboalkoxyhydrazones were prepared in excess lithium diisopropylamide [LDA] and condensed with polylithiated methyl (2-amino-sulfonyl)benzoate to give C-acylated intermediates that can be isolated or cyclized to the 5-(2-aminosulfonyl)phenyl-3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles and 5-(2-aminosulfonyl)phenyl-3-arylisoxazoles
Also, several ortho-toluic acids and related carboxylic acids were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide and condensed with methyl (2-aminosulfonyl)benzoate to afford a C-acylated intermediates, ortho-phenacylbenzoic acids. Upon recrystallization from benzene/ethanol or other solvents, these intermediates underwent a two-fold cyclization to isothiazolo-isoquinolinone dioxides. Since this is a new fused-ring heterocyclic system, their structures were verified by X-ray crystallographic analysis with support from absorption spectra and combustion analysis.
Many of these products are excellent candidates for biological testing, especially in agriculture [USDA grant acknowledged], which will be undertaken.
Matthew J. Walters, S. Patrick Dunn, Emily Choi, Amanda N. D'Elia, Morgan E. Warner, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The oximes of select C(alpha)-ketones, such as 2'-acetonaphthone, were dilithiated with lithium diisopropylamide [LDA], and the resulting 1,4-dianion type intermediates were condensed with a variety of electron enriched acetophenones, such as 4'-methoxyacetophenone or 3',4'-dimethoxyacetophenone. This was followed by immediate acid cyclization to heterocyclic products, dihydroisoxazoles, without having to isolate beta-hydroxyoximes.
New dihydroisoxazoles were characterized by absorption spectra, with support from combustion analyses. Prior to this study dihydroisoxazoles of this substitution type [methyl and substituted phenyl group at the 5 position] have been difficult to prepare by other methods.
The extension of the condensation-cyclization of acetophenones with other 1,4-dianion-type systems, such as dilithiated acetophenone phenylhydrazones or carboalkoxyhydrazones, will also be presented.
Ebony J. Hilton, Sara B. Lioi, Laela M. Hajiaghamohseni, S. Patrick Dunn, Matthew J. Walters, Jason S. Overby, and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
A variety of C-acylated carboalkoxyhydrazones have been prepared by the condensation of the 1,4-dianions of a variety of C(alpha), N-carboalkoxyhydrazones with aromatic esters. These intermediate compounds have been isolated and characterized, since most of them were new. Many of these compounds were separately cyclized with acid to the expected N-carboalkoxy-pyrazole that included methoxy, ethoxy, tert-butoxy, and benzyloxy ester groups. These materials were also isolated and characterized. The desired N-H pyrazoles resulted from acid hydrolysis and decarboxylation of these latter compounds.
The new compounds were characterized by absorption spectra with support from combustion analysis. Their use of N-H pyrazoles for making charged tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands (Tp), the neutral and isosteric analogues, tris(pyrazolyl)methane (Tpm) and tris(pyrazolyl)silane (Tps) will be presented.
Jeanne L. Goins and Mark D. Lazzaro, Department of Biology
It has been observed that when treated with Latrunculin B (LATB), which knocks out the microfilaments in cells, large tubules collect at the tip of the pollen tube in the conifer Picea abies (Norway spruce). We believe that those tubules are the endoplasmic reticulum.
In order to test this, germinated pollen tubes were dyed with ER-Tracker Blue-White DPX dye. This dye, selective for the endoplasmic reticulum, allowed us to observe the endoplasmic reticulum in healthy tubes as well as after treatment with LATB. The fluorescence of the dye was seen using an ultraviolet longpass filter. The collection of tubules was monitored via time-lapse imaging.
During the course of this research, we determined that the tubules collecting at the tip of the pollen tubes were the endoplasmic reticulum. Because the microfilaments were knocked out from the LATB, it can also be concluded that microfilaments are connected to the organization of the endoplasmic reticulum throughout the tube.
Sara Myers and Stephanie Dellis, Biology Department
Posterior lumbar interbody fusions (PLIF) are common surgical treatments for establishing spinal stability. Currently, there are no human studies on PLIF operations that employ a single cage obliquely and posteriorly placed within the intervertebral disk space supplemented with transpedicular instrumentation (POLAr). This research determined the efficacy of the POLAr procedure by examining functional outcomes of two-year post-operative patients. Radiographic measurements revealed 3.67mm & 2.67mm average increases in intervertebral disk space along with average lordosis angle augmentations of 3.2o & 4.5o at the L4-L5 & L5-SI levels respectively.
Additionally, this study was designed to determine a correlation between a patient's mental health status and his/her physical functioning level. Subjective patient questionnaires uncovered positive correlations between depression inventory surveys and condition-specific pain questionnaires. These results indicate that the while the POLAr approach to PLIFs is an effective method of treatment, patients' psychological statuses play a distinct role in the physical recovery process.
Rebecca Dagley and Melissa Hughes, Department of Biology
Bird song is known to function in territory defense and mate attraction. In particular, variation in specific song characteristics often correlates with variation in territorial defense and/or attractiveness to females. Although muting experiments have shown song is critical for both territorial defense and mate attraction in seaside sparrows, nothing is known about the particular song characteristics that serve these functions. We analyzed songs of seaside sparrows from three marshes in order to identify potential functionally-relevant song characteristics. We found very little variation among birds in song rate, song order and repertoire size which suggests that these aspects are unlikely to correlate with variation in territory defense or mate attraction. Preliminary data suggest that song sharing is not important in territorial interactions between neighbors. In addition to exploring other aspects of song in the future, we plan to test our standards of song sharing using playback experiments.
Nicholas Holdgate, Linda Jones, and Norris Preyer, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Photodynamic therapy is a cancer treatment involving the excitation of a photoactive dye with visible light. A threshold light dose is necessary to cause irreversible damage to a tumor. The goal for optimal treatment is to calculate the light dose necessary to apply to the front surface of the tumor in order to receive a threshold dose throughout the entire tumor volume. The late LI Grossweiner proposed a dosimetry equation for the calculation of necrosis depth in a tumor requiring the input of diffuse reflectance and penetration depth. Another approach of light dosimetry planning is Monte Carlo simulation, which requires the input of optical absorption and scattering coefficients. The aim of this project is to compare the results of the practical dosimetry equation and the Monte Carlo simulation. The project described was supported by NIH Grant Number RR-6P20 RR16461-02 from the BRIN Program of the Nation Center for Research Resources.
Rea, Erin K., Nusbaum, Robert L., and Balfour, Victoria N., Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Clay mineralogy of soils has important environmental and agricultural implications. We used Airborne Visible Infra-Red Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data to map clay minerals in the Charleston area. AVIRIS is an optical sensor that provides hyperspectral images in 224 contiguous bands from 0.4-2.5 microns. We were interested in spectral absorption features near 2.2 microns where metal-OH- bend plus OH- stretch are diagnostic of phyllosilicate mineralogy.
The AVIRIS data were corrected for atmospheric interference (mostly H2O vapor and CO2) using a Modtran 4+ based algorithm, then the data was calibrated and selection of mapping endmembers.
Two distinct soil endmembers were identified and mapped over an area of approximately 660 km2. Kaolinite is the dominant clay in both endmembers based on the presence of absorption features at 2.208 and 2.165 microns. One of the endmembers displays a weak 2.165 feature, suggesting the presence of subordinate montmorillonite. Field spectra were used to validate results.
Kimberly Switaj and Melissa Hughes, Department of Biology
Territory tenure in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia, has been shown to be correlated with both repertoire size and neighbor song sharing, although the effects differ across populations. A study of a population of song sparrows in British Columbia documented high repertoire size linked with territory tenure while a population in Washington state showed a direct relationship with neighbor song sharing and territory tenure. A population of song sparrows in Pennsylvania showed lower levels of song sharing than the Washington population. Song sharing and repertoire size were both compared to territory tenure in the Pennsylvania population. However, neither was correlated with territory tenure. These results show geographic variation in populations of song sparrows across North America when considering what characteristics determine a male's ability to hold territory longer than his competitors and neighbors.
M. Rothen, J. Bullington, and T.M. Arnold, Department of Biology
Seagrasses are a rich source of phenolics. Many of these, including simple phenolic acids and condensed tannins, have roles as chemical defenses. To understand why seagrass phenolic contents vary, we grew turtlegrass (Thallassia testudinum) and eelgrass (Zostera marina) in bare-root culture and examined their responses to a variety of factors. In eelgrass, tannin levels were not influenced by glyphosate, even though this compound is a potent inhibitor of the pathway. Here only natural within-plant phenolic variations were observed. In contrast, the regulation of these pathways was clearly affected by microbial attack. The presence of necrotic lesions on both species was associated with the increased production of phenolic acids. These results indicate that the SA/PP pathway responds selectively to stressers.
Jeffrey D. Hall and Justin K. Wyatt, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
There is an ongoing search to identify and synthesize new biologically active secondary metabolites. Cytosporones D and E were recently isolated from the antibacterial active culture broth of two endophytic fungi, CR200 and CR146. The two new equipotent cytotoxic trihydroxybenzene lactones show strong antibacterial activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Because the two compounds are equipotent cytosporone E was initially targeted for synthesis and was accomplished utilizing the ortho-alkylation of a chiral oxazoline intermediate as the key step to leading to both enantiomers of the natural product.
Nasar Siddiqi, Faisal Siddiqi, Jeffrey D. Hall and Justin K. Wyatt, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The synthesis of a novel antibiotic cytosporone E was approached utilizing the ortho-alkylation of an aromatic chiral oxazoline derived from 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and L-valinol. This key step has been modeled and the diastereoselectivity of the reaction was predicted based on models derived from CaCheTM. However, the predictions and the results do not agree; therefore, the synthesis of a new class of chiral oxazoline auxiliaries is in progress to address the initial problems associated with the chiral auxiliary derived from L-valinol.
Nathan W. Duncan-Gould, Penny L. Padgett and Justin K. Wyatt, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The current method of synthesis for the chiral oxazoline, which is a key intermemdiate in the our synthesis of the antibiotic cytosporone E, is somewhat to be desired. As of present the synthesis is 4 steps from 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoyl chloride and only yields at best 24-30% overall and some of the intermediate products are difficult to handle and purify. Therefore, we are currently working on a new approach starting with 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoic acid that is also 4 steps, but the intermediates and purification will be easier to handle and the overall yield should increase dramatically. This new synthesis will be presented.
Katie Linder, Jennifer McDuff, and Lisa Thomson Ross, Department of Psychology
Whether more unpredictability or parental alcoholism in one's family of origin contributed to beliefs and drinking was investigated. College students (N=95, 76% female, 79% Caucasian) reported retrospective family views as well as current unpredictability-related beliefs and drinking behaviors. Results suggest several significant correlations at the p < .05 level. Specifically, students with more family adversity and with a higher probability of parental alcoholism also reported more family unpredictability growing up, including more chaotic paternal nurturance. Self-efficacy negatively correlated with chaotic father discipline, while interpersonal trust negatively correlated with chaotic money, chaotic father nurturance, and general family unpredictability. Students reporting more chaotic paternal discipline also reported binge drinking more often. Finally, frequency of drinking and binge drinking associated with an external locus of control. These new links between family unpredictability, unpredictability beliefs, and drinking suggest that perhaps children from unpredictable homes develop unpredictability-related beliefs, both of which contribute to unhealthy behaviors.
Tabetha Boyajian, Department of Physics and Astronomy
The IUE satellite was used to observe HD 26337, obtaining a series of 23 high-resolution ultraviolet spectra taken throughout an orbital cycle of this rapidly-rotating star. Using ICUR, an IDL software package available at the College of Charleston, I have fitted multiple Gaussian curves to the observed ultraviolet emission line profiles. These multi-component fits are then decomposed into symmetric vs. asymmetric and into constant vs. time-dependent components. This allows us to spatially resolve (i.e. image) the outer atmosphere of this star and to study the dynamics of magnetically active regions. Once a realistic spatial map is produced, it will be used to measure the effects of the magnetic activity on HD 26337's chromosphere.
Bill Manaris, Dallas Vaughan, and Christopher Wagner, Computer Science Department
A study on a 220-piece corpus (baroque, classical, romantic, 12-tone, jazz, rock, DNA strings, and random music) reveals that aesthetically pleasing music may be describable under the Zipf-Mandelbrot law. Zipf distributions across certain music-theoretic and other attributes (e.g., pitch, pitch and duration, melodic intervals, and harmonic intervals) appear to be a necessary, but not sufficient condition for pleasant music. Statistical analyses suggest that combinations of Zipf-based metrics may be used to identify genre and/or composer. This is supported by a preliminary experiment with a neural network classifier. We are in the process of developing an evolutionary music framework, which utilizes Zipf-based metrics for fitness evaluation. This will help explore the validity and applicability of these results.
Jamie Taylor and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
In July and August of 2003 sediments were collected using a deep sea submersible along the continental shelf edge by the National of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and CofC faculty. Grab samples were taken from the following sites: St. Augustine Scarp, Jacksonville Scarp, Scamp Ridge, Julians Ridge and Georgetown Hole. These sites form a south-to-north transect along the outer edge of the continental shelf.
Fourteen shelf-edge samples were homogenized, measured, dried and sieved into three grain size-fractions. Each grain size was then point counted in order to determine the abundance of mollusks (bivalves, gastropods) and barnacles along the shelf-edge transect. Next, the abundance of each taxon at each site was compared. Generally, the number of bivalves increased along the transect, the number of gastropods decreased, and the barnacles were variable. The changes in abundance indicate the dominant habitat at the shelf edge for that site and may reflect variations in the current velocity.
Jeremy Holman, Karen Burnett, and Louis Burnett, Grice Marine Laboratory, Dept. of Biology
The blue crab encounters both hypoxia and bacterial infections in its natural environment. We propose that acute exposure to hypercapnic (elevated CO2) hypoxia (HH) alters the crab's ability to clear a pathogenic strain of the bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Male crabs were held in normoxia (well-aerated) or HH water and challenged with Vibrio to achieve a circulating concentration of 105 bacteria/mL. Vibrio was injected directly into the heart and hemolymph was sampled from the pericardium. HH was induced within 30 min and maintained at PO2=30 torr, PCO2=14 torr, and pH=6.7-7.1 for 45, 75, and 240 min prior to injecting Vibrio. Hemolymph bacterial colony forming units (CFU) were counted before injection and 10, 20, and 40 min after. Vibrio caused hemocytes to decline in normoxia and all test all groups. Vibrio was nearly cleared within 1 h in all groups. HH treatment reduced the rate of Vibrio clearance. NSF–REU 99-35204-8555
David Gorney and Michael Johnson, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
The Iberia salt dome in south Louisiana forms a highly productive oil and gas field. Three-dimensional seismic data and well logs from this area were interpreted to develop a structural model of the area by mapping horizons at depths ranging from 4000 to 13000 feet and fault planes surrounding the dome. We determined that the Iberia field is dominated by normal faults extending from the dome in a radial pattern, and a steep upward dip in bedding towards the dome. An area on the north flank of the dome was thought to have the best potential for remaining petroleum reserves. This area was mapped in finer detail in an attempt to delineate the intersection of a known productive horizon and the northward plunging salt plane.
Amy K. Bondurant, and Robert Nusbaum, Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Mount Shasta is a large stratovolcano (4317 m elevation) located near the southern end of the Cascade Range, CA. Shasta volcanism has occurred over the last 590,000 years. An enormous volcanic sector avalanche and debris flow destroyed an ancestral cone roughly 30,000 years ago. While existing research has indicated that a large eruption is unlikely, debris flows pose potential hazards to surrounding communities.
We constructed a three-dimensional model of Mount Shasta by mosaicking 7.5-minute digital elevation model (DEM) quadrangles and creating a shaded relief map from the DEM. This base map and topographic profiles provided the capability to qualitatively assess slope stability in conjunction with locations of hydrothermal alteration (Shastina cone), recent epicenters and glaciers (northern summit), and natural springs (southern summit area). A three dimensional model was produced to enhance our ability to predict flow pathways.
Joseph E. Burgents, Karen G. Burnett, Louis E. Burnett, Grice Marine Laboratory, Department of Biology
Dietary administration of the yeast coat constituent, beta-1,3-glucan, has been reported to enhance disease resistance in shrimp. This study investigated the impacts of feeding a yeast culture feed supplement (Diamond V XP Yeast CultureTM) on disease resistance in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Animals were fed daily with a standard shrimp pellet diet supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, or 1.0% XP. Shrimp (0.5-2.5g) from each test diet were injected intramuscularly with an LD50 dose of the gram-negative pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus. After three weeks of feeding, 48-hour survivals of 1% XP-fed shrimp were 71, 75, and 76%, significantly higher than control survivals (33, 42, 52%). After four weeks, survivals of 1.0% XP-fed shrimp (52, 57, 81%) remained higher than controls (29, 35, 48%). The results of this study indicate that dietary administration of Diamond V yeast culture can enhance the resistance of shrimp to bacterial infections.
Laura Evans-Blake, and Thomas P. Ross, Department of Psychology
The present study examined the factor structure of RFFT traditional and qualitative scores in a sample of 160 healthy college students. Using principle components analysis, three factors emerged that accounted for a cumulative 78% of RFFT score variance. Factor 1 (Eigenvalue =2.16) accounted for 35.92% of score variance and was identified as enumerative strategy use. Factor 2 (Eigenvalue=1.49) was identified as rotational strategy implementation and emphasis on strategic responding. This factor accounted for an additional 24.98% of score variance. Factor 3 (Eigenvalue = 1.05) accounted for an additional 17.52% of score variance and was labeled overall task efficiency and rule adherence. This last factor was composed entirely of the traditional RFTT scores. The present findings are interpreted as support for the validity of the qualitative scores, as they represent a distinct aspect of performance not assessed by the traditional indices. Results also highlight the importance of tallying and interpreting enumerative and rotational scores separately, as they appear to represent distinct facets of strategy implementation. Finally, future directions are presented that include the need to employ confirmatory factor analytic procedures as well as examine the RFFT factor structure in patient populations.
Ashley E. Furr and Thomas P. Ross, Department of Psychology
This study investigated the psychometric equivalence of two forms (CFL, PRW) of the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT; Benton, deS. Hamsher, & Sivan) in a sample of 205 healthy college undergraduates. Using the qualitative scoring system developed by Abwender, Swan, Bowerman, & Connolly (2001), forms CFL and PRW were found to be parallel with respect to most traditional and qualitative scoring indices, except for perseverative responses and semantic cluster scores. The implications of these findings are presented and the need for future research is discussed.
Catherine Wussler and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology
Projectin is a Drosophila muscle protein found parallel to myosin and it has been proposed that projectin plays a key role in the assembly of the sarcomere. Most projectin mutations cause embryonic lethality, however the btl-k mutants survive until the larval stage. By various experiments we are attempting to determine what the exact effects of the mutation are. Mutant larvae were squashed and stained with antibodies specific for projectin and myosin. We used immuno-fluorescence microscopy to determine whether or not projectin formed A-band striations. The presence of myosin striations was also examined. Results show that the myosin forms a striation pattern in all mutant larvae. Projectin stained with the 3B11 antibody showed no striation pattern, while projectin stained with the Carl antibody showed some striation. PCR is also being performed on the DNA of the mutant larvae to ascertain that the larvae being tested are indeed homozygous btl-k mutants.
Alex Ward and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology
Most projectin mutations lead to embryonic lethality when homozygous. The cellular basis for the lethality is unknown but is assumed to result from a disorganization of the myofibrillar system, which is what we have determined.Projectin mutations are not null, i.e., they result in the production of a truncated but stable peptide, which can in some cases participate in at least initial assembly steps. Homozygous lethal mutants also show visible muscle contractions in the embryos. I evaluated the timing and pattern of projectin assembly in 2a/eyD mutants in order to identify possible defective steps. The assembly of projectin was studied and compared to the assembly of myosin using immunofluorescence microscopy. I used immunofluorescence analysis of homozygous mutant embryos, which are embryonic lethal. I also conducted genetic crosses to further characterize a newly isolated mutation, which might be affecting the projectin gene.
Christophe Bounaix and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology
Projectin is a very large muscle protein, which serves as the elastic component of the myofibrillar system in Drosophila. The goal of my project was to determine:
1) the anchoring points of Projectin within the sarcomere
2) its orientation.
To address these questions, I isolated intact myofibrils from indirect flight muscles. These myofibrils were then treated with the protease Calpain to selectively remove Z-bands. I stained these myofibrils by immunofluorescence, using antibodies raised against proteins of the sarcomere. In the first part of my project I tested myofibrils for the presence of Projectin following Z-Band removal. In the second part, I tested myofibrils for the presence of both an NH2-terminus epitope and a central epitope of Projectin, following Z-band removal. I determined that Z-band attachment is not the only anchoring point for Projectin. Our data also support the orientation of Projectin with its NH2 terminus anchored at the Z-Band.
Caleb Wiggins, Michael Gorman (UCSD, Psychology Department) and Elizabeth L. Meyer-Bernstein, Department of Biology
The circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the mammalian brain serves to regulate a daily cycle in physiological and behavioral processes. Under constant lighting conditions, hamsters display a phenomenon called "splitting" where the activity phase of the rhythm separates into two components. Based on this phenomenon, it has been theorized that the clock is comprised of two independent oscillators coupled together. The present study is designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the "splitting" phenomenon. Preliminary data indicate the oscillators are not anatomically distinct and raise the possibility that they are contained within the same cell. Results will contribute to our understanding of molecular clock output mechanisms.
James Crawford, Jason Stokes and Lancie Affonso, Department of Computer Science
Location systems for ubiquitous computing typically provide context dependent content to a user, were the context is defined both spatially and temporally. Research in location aware computing is increasing to meet the anticipated demands of emerging mobile commerce applications. This project will explore practical applications and development of location aware computing systems with the aid of mobile devices. This project will also demonstrate location-aware technology using CougarGuide, a program that presents information relevant to a user's location on the College of Charleston's main campus.
Dewaine Cooper, Johann Dinoso, Andrew Hurd, and Calvin Nante, Department of Computer Science
Our project will examine the educational uses of wireless handheld applications within a learning environment. We will discuss some wireless applications being developed on college campuses across the United States. The project will also explore how one of these applications, ClassInHandTM, is being utilized at Wake Forest University. Additionally, we will demonstrate how ClassInHandTM can be used at the College of Charleston by utilizing the CampusWide Ethernet Network.
Tanner Bleakley, Andy Cope, Jordan Mann, William Slater, and Whitney Vernon, Department of Computer Science
Location awareness allows a mobile computing device to adapt to a changing information environment. This project will explore the interest and applications of location aware computing at the College of Charleston. Some advantages and disadvantages of location aware computing will be discussed.
Jordan Bish, Justin Buchanan, Samantha DiBenedetto, and Jacob Smith, Department of Computer Science
As the demand for mobility and increased flexibility in the work place grows, increasingly more organizations are turning to wireless solutions. At the College of Charleston, students now have the ability of utilizing additional connectivity as a result of the CampusWide Wireless Ethernet implemented by Campus Technologies. This project examines the associated costs, inherent obstacles, and relative gains in order to understand the advantages wireless technologies afford to organizations.
Amy Falkingham, Ryan George, Mark Groenheide, and Trent Tinker, Department of Computer Science
Wireless security is becoming increasingly important as wireless applications and systems are widely adopted. Numerous organizations have already installed or are busy installing Wireless Local Area Networks. Our objective is to accurately locate and map open wireless networks along King Street and Market Street in Charleston, South Carolina using Global Positioning Satellite technology. We will present solutions to the security problems that would be most cost effective for the business.
Marc Bresser, Jim Dossett, Robert Going, and Kristin Weber, Department of Computer Science
Our project will explore the expectations, desires, and demands that consumers have of cellular devices. We will focus on only a few aspects of emerging cellular technology-digital video/photo capability, wireless Internet access, e-mail retrieval, geocentric applications, and e-commerce. A brief comparison of the technologies used in North America, Europe and Japan will be provided.
Shayna Brisacher and Lee Lindner, Department of Physics & Astronomy
A broadcaster must be able to understand the underlying physics behind a storm, yet also be able to interpret and relay this information to the public. A detailed investigation was done to discover the educational levels of broadcasters located in hurricane territory. A clarification of which physics involved in hurricane predictions was necessary for the audience to understand. Appropriate vocabulary was defined. Two types of broadcast guidelines were made relating to local and national television. The guidelines were based on several factors, including the goal of presentation, audience, and time allowance.
Amanda Herron, Mark Lazzaro (Department of Biology, College of Charleston), and Frank Spinale (Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, MUSC)
Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteins shown to play an integral role in the degradation of extracellular matrix. These proteins have also been demonstrated to affect the remodeling of the myocardium following myocardial infarction (MI). Using a transgenic mouse lacking TIMP-1 (an endogenous inhibitor of MMPs), a pharmacological inhibitor, and suture induced MI, the abundance of these proteins were measured with gelatin zymography. It was hypothesized that the abundance of MMPs would increase when given an MI in both the Wild Type (WT) and TIMP-1 knock out (TIMPKO) mice, with the TIMPKO mice increasing to a larger extent. The use of pharmacological inhibition was hypothesized to reduce the abundance of MMPs in both groups. MMP-9 did not significantly change between groups. However, Latent MMP-2 and Active MMP-2 increased with MI in both the Wild Type and TIMPKO groups. Pharmacological inhibition + MI lead to a further increase in the abundance of MMPs in the WT group.
Aadra P. Bhatt and Mark D. Lazzaro, Department of Biology
14-3-3 proteins are ubiquitous in tissue of most eukaryotes, and their family has multiple genes and protein isoforms. They play key functional roles in physiological pathways that are regulated by phosphorylation. Our goal was to examine subcellular localization of 14-3-3 proteins in the elongating pollen tubes of the conifer Picea abies (Norway spruce). Total protein extracts were isolated from growing pollen tubes, separated with gel electrophoresis, and probed with antibodies to 14-3-3 proteins from Arabidopsis. Intact pollen tubes were fluorescently labeled with antibodies to 14-3-3 proteins and examined with confocal microscopy. The 14-3-3 proteins were localized in the shank region, which coincides wiht the localization of H+-ATPase pumps, the nucleus, and the tip of the pollen tubes, where secretory vesicles are delivered to the plasma membrane.
Callie Anderson and Gorka Sancho, Department of Biology
Predation risks can influence spawning behaviors of coral reef fishes, in which highest mortality is suffered during spawning ascents. Attacks by predatory fish are highest on group spawning species during daytime hours. The swimming speed of spawning fishes is hypothesized to be influenced by varying risks of predation. Swimming speed during spawning ascents was determined for 13 species of fishes at Johnston Atoll (central Pacific) through analysis of underwater video footage. As expected, fishes that spawned in pairs were slower than group spawning species. Swimming speed did not vary between fishes spawning at daytime and dusk, nor between group spawning species with specific anti-predatory morphological adaptations. These preliminary results indicate that risk of predation may not influence the swimming speed of reef fishes during spawning. High swimming speeds measured in group spawning species lead us to hypothesize that female mate choice may strongly influence spawning swimming speeds.
Aadra P. Bhatt and Paul C. Marino, College of Charleston, Robert A. Raguso, University of South Carolina
The mechanisms by which primordial flowers first integrated sensory signals with reproductive function remain poorly understood. We chose a group of non-flowering mosses in the family Splachnaceae as a model system, to study such a process. These mosses grow on mammal dung, and like flowers, combine visual and olfactory cues to attract flies and disperse their spores. We charactersized visual reflectance and scent chemistry from 4 spp. of Splachnum and Tetraplodon from Alberta, Canada. Volatile emissions from sporophytes and gametophytes were trapped using Solid Phase Micro-extraction (SPME), separated and identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Gametophytes of most species emitted monoterpenes ubiquitous in terrestrial plants, while sporophytes produced odors characteristic of fungi and carrion, and likely to attract several families of flies. For one species (S. ampullaceum), we dissected mature sporophytes into capsule, apophysis and spores to identify the odors' tissue origin. SPME/GC-MS analyses demonstrated that capsules emit majority of sporophyte odors. Thus, attraction to odor would direct flies to the spores' exact location and enhance dispersal.
Shaun Wood and Norris Preyer, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Using a finite difference equation approximation for second derivatives, it is possible to reduce the 1-D Schrodinger equation to a set of linear equations. This system of equations plus boundary conditions can then be used to calculate numerical solutions to the 1-D Schrodinger equation for a given potential. This method allows solutions in cases when analytical methods do not, underscoring the importance of this and similar methods in the study of Quantum Mechanics. The goal of this project is to compare the wavefunctions and allowed energies of the first fifteen solutions to the Simple Harmonic Oscillator problem to exact solutions. Also, the solutions for a problem with no simple analytical solutions, the Infinite Square Well potential with a finite step in the center, are investigated.
Claire Gollety1, William A. Roumillat2, and Isaure de Buron1
1Department of Biology, College of Charleston
2Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston SC
The philometrid nematode Margolisianum bulbosum is reported for the first time in southern flounders from the Charleston Estuarine System. Because of the commercial importance and mariculture interest of the southern flounder, monthly sampling and dissection of flounders captured in 8 local sites examined the extent of occurrence for this parasite in this estuary. Presence of female worms in the flounder mouth and gill cavity was the determining factor for assessing infection. The parasites were found to be present at all sites sampled with a total prevalence of 70.97% and a total mean intensity of 2.73. A seasonal assessment was made with the higher prevalence and intensities being found in November/December. Females of M. bulbosum were found in higher numbers between the teeth and in the gill cavity. The least preferred microhabitat was the tongue. Questions are raised concerning the unknown mode of transmission and the life cycle of this nematode. This work is currently being funded by SC Sea Grant (NA16RG2250).
Tiffany Baker1, William A. Roumillat2, and Isaure de Buron1
1Department of Biology, College of Charleston
2Marine Resources Research Institute, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston SC
The striped mullet, Mugil cephalus from the Charleston Estuarine system was found to be parasitized by the polyopisthocotylid Metamicrocotyla macracantha among other gill parasites. Mullet of various ages were collected monthly for one year from oligohaline, mesohaline, polyhaline, and euhaline localities. All fish were weighed, measured, sexed, and aged through otolith analysis. Data concerning the number and position of M. macracantha on the gill arches were recorded. The population dynamics of M. macracantha was analyzed according to various parameters such as time of year, varying salinity levels, host gender, age of the fish, location on the gills and presence of other gill parasites. Preliminary results showed that M. macracantha was found more frequently in higher salinities but was not affected seasonally while intensity did not change according to salinity but increased in the winter. Data also showed a preference of M. macracantha for the first branchial pair. This data enhances our understanding of the biology of this species of monogenean, as well as provides insight into the biology of the striped mullet. Funded in part by a BRIN grant.
Jason H. Stephens and Steven C. Jaume, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Two Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) strong-motion sites were installed in Charleston, South Carolina in September 2002. They are located approximately 500 meters apart, 3.5 km north of the center of downtown Charleston on The Citadel campus. These locations were chosen to represent the two geologic site conditions found on the Charleston peninsula. One site (C2SC) is located on approximately 2 meters of artificial fill overlying Holocene tidal marsh deposits. The other (C1SC) is on Pleistocene barrier sand facies. Based on historical evidence from the 1886 M 7.3 earthquake, areas of artificial fill experienced more severe structural damage. On November 11, 2002, a M 4.2 earthquake approximately 42 km south of Charleston, SC was recorded by the ANSS stations. Unfortunately, data communication difficulties prevented recording of east-west ground motion from site C2SC. These same difficulties also caused repeated transmission of data blocks from the other channels. We identified the repeated data blocks using pattern-matching and removed them. We found peak accelerations on the vertical and north-south channels of C2SC were 50-60% greater than at C1SC. We hypothesize that differences in shallow shear-wave velocities at the two sites are responsible for the differences in acceleration.
Dove D. and Beutel E., Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
In their 2000 paper Marple and Talwani identified an area of uplift which they associated with neotectonic activity and possibly the Charleston earthquake. In concert with other neotectonic methods, they determined the existence of this zone of uplift based on river profiles derived from topographic maps, some of which had contour intervals as great as 10 ft. We proposed to increase the accuracy of their initial work by conducting river profiling surveys with an accuracy of 2ft. An accurate map of the uplifted areas would potentially increase our understanding of the earthquake potential in the Charleston area as well as increase our overall understanding of the stress fields affecting the area. Preliminary profiling excursions revealed a lack of resolution in our original methodology. A new methodology was developed based on altitude as a function of barometric pressure. Initial results suggest greater precision yet more testing is necessary to quantify the method.
Edwards D. and Beutel E., Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Detailed mapping of Mesozoic diabase dikes around Lake Jordan, NC reveals three dike trends, NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW. Cross-cutting relationships at this location and at Falls Lake, NC suggest a relative emplacement age for the dikes; NW trending dikes appear to be the oldest, followed by N-S trending dikes, and finally followed by the NE trending dikes. The multiple, cross-cutting relationships suggest a non-plume source for the Mesozoic dikes in NC. If these dikes are assumed to be the product of extensional stress fields and not a plume, then the evolution of their orientations is indicative of an evolving stress field during the break-up of Pangea.
Also apparent from the map is a correlation between topographic highs or spits in the lake and the dikes. Many of these topographic highs have old bridges or roads built along them.
Carly Smith and Robert Nusbaum, Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Mount Shasta, the second tallest volcano in the Cascade Range, possesses an active hydrothermal system.Over time hydrothermal solutions transform volcanic rocks on Mount Shasta into expansive clays such as kaolinite and smectite, making the volcano more susceptible to slope failure including debris flows and lahars.These potential slope failures pose a hazard to the surrounding communities of Weed, Mount Shasta, and McCloud, which are all situated at the base of the volcano.We used NASA's Airborne Visible-InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data to map the surface expression of hydrothermal alteration on Mount Shasta.Montmorillonite, kaolinite, andkaolinite/smectite mixtures, as well as goethite and hematite were identified on the eastern, southern, and western flanks of the volcano.We were unable to detect alteration on the northern flank due to glacier cover.
Thomas Cordella and Jeffrey L. Wragg, Department of Physics and Astronomy
An analog sinusoidal signal, which ranged in frequency from 0- 2 MHz was generated using an arbitrary waveform synthesizer. The signal was passed through an 8-bit analog to digital converter, and sampled at varying rates above the Nyquist rate. The aliased signal was converted back into an analog signal, using an 8-bit digital to analog converter, and was recorded using a 500 MHz digital oscilloscope. Fourier analysis was used to mathematically model and describe the contributions to a signal from frequencies at more than one half of the sampling rate.
T. M. Freismuth and T. Giblin, Department of Physics and Astronomy
We examine the spectral properties of quiescent Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRB) in the BATSE catalog. Quiescent GRBs are bursts whose emission drops below the background level for some period of time that is comparable to the duration of the emission episode, followed by a resurgence of emission. A careful inspection of late times in GRB light curves, after the GRB has presumably ended, reveals some instances of additional emission. This "post-quiscent" emission may have one of two possible origins in the internal/external shock model: (1) it is the result of the internal shocks froms the delayed activity in the progenitor, or (2) it is the onset of the afterglow. Early results show a decrease in the power law index from the pre- to post- quiescent emission, possibly suggesting a different mechanism at work.
William J. Rieter and Jason S. Overby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on a range of main group ansa-metallocenes have been conducted. The effect of various bridging groups on the structural parameters was examined as well as the role of metal-centered lone pairs of electrons in affecting the geometry of the bridged species. Comparison of geometric features of complexes with metal-centered lone pairs to ansa-metallocenes without such lone pairs is also presented to fully elucidate any significant role these lone pairs might play in dictating geometry.
Jon Hakkila, Timothy W. Giblin, Thomas M. Freismuth, Stephen P. Fuller, Amanda J. Sprague, Andrew D. Stallworth, and Kevin C. Young, Department of Physics and Astronomy
The properties of gamma-ray bursts are studied relative to the Internal Luminosity Function (ILF). The ILF (the distribution of luminosity within a gamma-ray burst) can be described accurately using a power-law index modified by a power-law curvature parameter. A flat power-law index indicates a large amount of high luminosity emission relative to low luminosity emission, while a steep power-law index indicates a large amount of high luminosity emission relative to low luminosity emission. The ILF anticorrelates with duration and fluence and correlates with duty cycle, indicating the with large ILF curvatures tend to be longer, brighter (as measured by fluence), and less persistent than bursts emitting a broad range of luminosities. The ILF also potentially provides a link between burst temporal structure, spectral evolution, and luminosity. This work is funded by NASA grant NRA-98-OSS-03 and NSF grant AST00-98499.
David Hoppmann, Garrett Martin, Alexandra Murray, Jonathan Yantis, Brian Young, and Paul Buhler, Department of Computer Science
Autonomous Computing is an effort to automate and streamline computer systems to make them easier to manage and maintain. The complexity of today's computing system is growing at an exponential rate. Without a new approach to building large systems, their complexity will outpace human ability to manage them. IBM has pioneered this effort my committing one quarter of the company's research funds to integrate autonomous components into its products.
Eileen Stocum and Craig Plante, Biology Department
The use of the artificial defaunation of sediments is widespread among studies examining the disturbance and recovery of benthic macrofaunal communities. Standard methods of defaunation include driving sediments to anoxia, freezing the sediment, and sieving. In this study we performed a field experiment to test the assumption that the microbial community is unaffected by these methods of defaunation. Same-sized patches of sediment were defaunated by covering sediment with plastic sheets (weighted by concrete blocks), freezing, or sieving (1mm mesh). The effectiveness of the defaunation was determined by taking sediment cores throughout the study. Microbial samples were collected over a 2-month period to determine both the initial and long-term effects of defaunation on microbial community structure. Numerical effects were determined via epifluroescence microscopy, whereas differences in the microbial community composition were determined through using PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).
Megan C. Barkes and Scott C. France, Department of Biology
To date little is known about the genetics of bamboo corals. In this project, mitochondrial DNA was used to obtain nucleotide and amino acid sequences in the msh1 region of several bamboo coral species. There were two objectives to this project: 1) to determine the genes flanking the msh1 gene, and 2) to examine the effects of pressure on the nucleotide and amino acid sequences in the HNH region of msh1 for shallow and deep sea species of bamboo coral in the same subfamilies. The HNH region of the msh1 gene is a conserved motif of DNA that codes for endonucleases. We did not detect any variation in the msh1 related to depth; all variation appeared to be due to phylogenetic history.With respect to objective 1, we found 16s rRNA to follow msh1; we have not yet been able to sequence the gene proceeding msh1.
Jodie Towers and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and faculty from CofC collected samples along the shelf edge and slope. The samples were collected from the following sites on the following dates: The Charleston Bump, September 2001; The Charleston Lumps (north and south), The Georgetown Hole, and the Scamp Ridge, early August 2002.
Each of the ten samples was analyzed for grain-size distribution and composition within each size to determine the percentage of authogenic, biogenic and lithogenic material present. The samples were homogenized, dried, sieved, and weighed. A point count was taken of each size to determine the composition. Larger size fractions samples of. The Scamp Ridge, The Georgetown Hole and The Charleston Bump were 100% biogenic material; smaller size fractions contained lithogenic and authogenic material as well. Larger size fractions of The Charleston Lumps were composed of authogenic and biogenic material; smaller size fractions contained lithogenic material as well.
Marina Drazba and Robert Nusbaum, Geology and Environmental Geosciences
In 1998 Hurricane Mitch caused a large debris flow on Casita Volcano. The debris flow started on an oversteepened ridge which was weakened by hydrothermal alteration. It swept through the towns of El Provenir and Rolando Rodriguez killing nearly 2000 people.
We mapped the 1998 Casita debris flow using Aster satellite imagery. The debris originated at sites where "arcillas", or clays, existed. The clays are the product of hydrothermal alteration of andesitic and basaltic rocks of Casita. Using ASTER data we extracted a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the area to analyze possible pathways and locations of future debris flows or lahars. We combined the DEM results with the short wave infrared (SWIR) and visible near infrared (VNIR) spectra for the purpose of identifying sites of potential collapse. Comparing the SWIR of the 1998 Casita source area with that of another summit target, suggest potential future debris flow hazards.
William J. Rieter and Jason S. Overby, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Several pyrazole-based carboxylic acids have been prepared by a modified literature procedure. These ligands are envisioned as counterparts to the tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand. Reactions of these ligands with various main group and transition metal compounds are presented and discussed.
Kinsey Boehl and Jeffrey L. Wragg, Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Palmetto PET Services, Charleston, SC
Bombardment of enriched 18O water from an 11MeV RDS 111 proton cyclotron was used to produce the radionuclide 18F via the reaction 18O(p,n) 18F. 18F is used to synthesize 18F-2fluro-deoxy-D-glucose, which is used in positron emission tomography(PET) scans. Data compiled at Palmetto PET Services from 229 production runs for an average of 125 minutes generated 2.241Ci of activity for varying beam parameters. Theoretical yields of 18F were compared to those measured using a CRC-15 PET dose calibrator.
Beth Bartalot and Melissa Hughes, Department of Biology
Snapping shrimp Alpheidae are monogamous, burrow-dwelling crustaceans. We studied pairing behavior in a local species Alpheus angulatus, using staged interactions as well as field data, and compared this species to its well-studied congener, A. heterochaelis. In the field, body sizes of pairs in both species are correlated; within A. heterochaelis pairs, males are larger than females, whereas A. angulatus tends to pair in a 1:1 size ratio. In both species, chela size is a function of body size; this relationship is sexually dimorphic in A. heterochaelis but not in A. angulatus. In staged interactions, females respond less aggressively to pair males than to strangers, suggesting pair-mate recognition. Because chemical signaling is the most likely means of recognition, we described the use of flows that could transmit chemical signals in A. heterochaelis (due to unavailability in A. angulatus). In the future, chemical signaling in A. angulatus should also be investigated.
Amanda Hammond, Department of Biology
Avian skin produces many different feather forms. Although epidermal processes are accurate in producing these different feather forms, random environmental changes, known as developmental noise, can decrease the developmental precision of the structure. Since vertebrates demonstrate bilateral symmetry, developmental precision can be measured by determining the amount of asymmetry in individuals. One would expect to see low asymmetry in wing and tail feathers due to their function in flight. In this study, several features are examined in order to determine the developmental precision of the primary, secondary, and tail feathers of Northern Cardinals, Cardinalis cardinalis. If developmental precision is high, we can conclude that symmetry is selected for either through sexual or natural selection. Also, by analyzing the detailed features of the feather, we can determine which parts of the feather are most important in flight function and from there, perhaps provide some helpful information on the evolution and development of feathers.
Sandra Harper and Kristin D. Krantzman, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Our previous simulations of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) experiments have suggested that mass matching between atoms in the projectile and atoms in the substrate is a critical factor for the effectiveness of polyatomics projectiles. In order to test this hypothesis, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed of the bombardment of a model system composed of a monolayer of polystyrene tetramers adsorbed on a Au{1111} substrate with Au and Au, 2 projectiles. The dependence of the yield and the yield-to-damage ratio will be compared as a function of the number of atoms in the projectile and the incident energy. Mechanisms for the ejection of molecules as a function of projectile and energy will also be presented.
Jeremy Johnson and Linda Jones, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Light scattering occurs when light waves encounter materials with varying index of refraction. Mie scattering occurs when the scattering particles are approximately the same size as the wavelength of light. Visible light of approximately one half micron will engage in Mie scattering with cellular nuclei. This interaction may be useful in the diagnosis of pre-cancerous cells that tend to exhibit larger and more numerous nuclei than normal cells. Polarized reflected intensity is measured as a function of scattering angle for uniformly sized polystyrene microspheres. Reflection measurements will be analyzed with Mie theory to obtain a best fit for the size of the scattering particles. A monolayer of cultured cells will also be investigated. The project described was supported in part by NIH Grant Number RR-6 P20 RR16461-03 from the BRIN Program of the National Center for Research Resources.
Jason M. Bregg, Gamil Guirgis, Rick Heldrich, and James Durig, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Infrared spectra of gaseous and solid forms of cyclopropylbromosilane have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectra of the liquid and solid have been recorded and quantitative depolarization values obtained. Both the cis and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the cis conformer remains in the solid. Variable-temperature studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From the this data, the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 320 +/- 29 cal mol-1 but with the cis conformer being the more stable form which is consistent with the predictions from ab initio calculations at the highest level of calculations. The complete vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing a variety of basis sets of restricted Hartree-Fock and Moller Plesset to second order. The potential energy terms for the conformer interconversions have been obtained from the MP2/6-31G (d) calculations. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained for similar molecules.
Jared Bish, Monica Bocanelli, Dottie Chappell, Nides Thresher, Mark Weldon, and Paul Buhler, Department of Computer Science
Configuration management (CM) is a discipline used in controlling and managing the changes that occur during the evolution of complex software engineering projects. This paper opens with the definition of CM, followed by a brief history of CM developments. The paper presents a discussion of CM users and the various types of CM systems. The four main CM concepts: component, process, structure, and team are discussed. These concepts are mapped onto the software engineering lifecycle to illustrate the role that CM plays in software engineering. Future issues and developments in the realm of CM serves as a conclusion to the paper.
Jordan Felber and Elizabeth King Rhodes, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
Sullivans Island is a barrier island located on the South Carolina coast between Charleston Harbor and Breach Inlet. Sullivans Island's long-term shoreline trend has been stable to accretional due to the Charleston Harbor north jetty, which traps sand on the south end of the island. However, at the northern end of Sullivans Island, migrating sand shoals originating from ebb tidal deltas can have considerable impact on beach dynamics. These migrating sand packets can refract waves so that wave energy is focused on a segment of the shoreline. The additional wave energy can cause temporary but potentially extreme beach erosion, threatening coastal development. Analysis of traditional beach profile data provides a measurement of lateral and vertical shoal migration. Remotely-sensed LIDAR data analyzed in a GIS allow volumetric change calculations and a 2.5-dimensional spatial perspective. During the monitoring period, the northern segment of Sullivans Island experienced erosional and accretional processes. Given the dynamic nature of Breach Inlet and its ebb tidal delta, monitoring patterns of erosion and accretion may permit more accurate predictions of shoreline change in the future.
Stephanie Brooke Wheeler, Fabienne Reisen, Janet Arey, and Phillip Dustan, Department of Biology, College of Charleston and the University of California, Riverside
The South Coast Basin of California is a well-known region of the US afflicted with poor air quality, as documented by air quality management records. Diesel fuel releases, among other things, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the atmosphere. PAH compounds react easily with OH radicals and NO3 radicals to generate secondary products in situ. This study compared polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-derivatives of PAHs in ambient air sampling with those observed in gas-phase chamber diesel reactions; determined PAH isomers characteristic of daytime and nighttime secondary air chemistry; and investigated biogenic and anthropogenic sources of smog formation. Gaseous chamber diesel reactions with the OH (daytime) and NO3 (nighttime) radicals demonstrated formation of secondary products, 1-nitronaphthalene, 2-nitronaphthalene, methyl-nitronaphthalenes, and nitro-biphenol (OH reaction only) by GC/MS identification. Ambient sampling using Tenax and HiVol in Riverside and Los Angeles revealed ambient chemical formation of secondary compounds, including methyl-nitronaphthalenes, nitronapthalenes, and nitrofluoranthene. These ambient and gaseous chamber products were determined by Ames mutagenic assay to be toxic, mutagenic and harmful to human health.
Kevin Young, Department of Physics and Astronomy
The Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) Equation is a nonlinear partial differential equation that describes the motion of weakly nonlinear shallow water waves. This equation was found to exhibit solitary wave, or soliton solutions and the multiple soliton solutions are of particular interest. The two-soliton interaction is investigated and the classical elastic collision is suggested, and discounted, as a possible model of the collision. Hirota's method, gauge transformations and singular solutions are reviewed along the way.
Richard Guerzon, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Details of an apparatus using vacuum to effect the pressure deposition of a heat cured epoxy resin in wooden beams will be presented. Preliminary testing of the penetration dye solution will be discussed. Methods for epoxy penetration and testing impregnated beams will be discussed as well as the design of the testing apparatus itself.
William B. Hartley and Stephanie Dellis, Department of Biology
Previous research has shown that prolonged exposure to a disinfectant can cause E. coli to become resistant to the extent that the disinfectant is no longer effective. In this study, E. coli K-12 was cultured with different concentrations of the quaternary-ammonium compound, Formula 409TM. After repeated exposure and reculturing, we observed the cells becoming more resistant but none to the point of total resistance. This research is still on going. The current mechanism that is being explored is the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) locus. MarA, a transcriptional activator encoded within the marRAB operon, regulates the expression of these genes in response to various antibiotics and superoxide-generating agents. We will test for increased expression of this operon when cells are exposed to Formula 409TM.
Stephanie Wheeler and Stephanie Dellis. Department of Biology
Integration Host Factor (IHF) is a site-specific DNA binding protein that bends DNA. IHF recognizes three unique sites within the attachment region (attP) of bacteriophage Lambda. Site-directed mutagenesis of the H' site of attP can disrupt IHF binding. As a first step in this study, an artificial H' binding site was created. Oligonucleotides were slow annealed to form double stranded DNA containing a 40-base pair H' binding site. The H' DNA fragment was designed to have restriction enzyme sites on the ends. This was ligated into a vector with compatible ends, and transformed into E. coli DH5α cells. Potential clones were identified by the blue/white test. A plasmid minipreparation was performed to identify positive clones, and results will be presented. Oligonucleotides are now being designed that will serve as the mutagenic template to alter the nucleotides of the H' site and thus abolish the binding of IHF protein.
Garron Wright and Stephanie Dellis, Department of Biology
Integration Host factor (IHF) is a bacterial protein that recognizes a specific sequence on DNA and bends the DNA when it binds. This work tests whether a newly-established protocol for IHF purification can be adapted for class use. We obtained a plasmid designed to overexpress the himA and hip genes responsible for the two subunits of IHF. The plasmid was inserted into the overexpression strain E. coli BL21(DE3). The bacterial cells were chemically induced, causing overexpression of the IHF protein. Subsequently, acrylamide gels were run to determine the optimal induction period for IHF. Then, a large-scale induction was performed. The cells were lysed and ammonium sulfate (AS) cuts were performed to "salt out" the IHF. Finally, an affinity column specific for DNA-binding proteins was used to isolate the IHF protein. The chromatography results are forthcoming. The BL21(DE3) strain was found to adequately overexpress IHF protein as seen on the gels.
Kwayera Davis and Kenneth Mighell, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory
Images of the globular cluster M54 from the Hubble Space Telescope?s WFPC2 (Wide Field Planetary Camera 2) have been analyzed for the presence of variable stars. The QDPHOT (Quick & Dirty CCD Stellar PHOTometry) software package for the IRAF (Image Reduction and Analysis Facility) astronomy program was used to create a color-magnitude diagram for the cluster. The presence of many stars in the RR Lyrae segment of the instability strip motivated us to statistically analyze the photometry yielded for the presence of these variables. Out of some 13,000 stars visible in the cluster approximately 1000 variable candidates were identified. We believe that with further work we will be able to definitively identify these stars as variables. This research was conducted as part of the Kitt Peak National Observatory: Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson Arizona.
J. Philip Balem, Christina Demos, Townsend Pope Clarkson II, John Gaskins, Harold Lipka, Mark Williams, and Paul Buhler, Department of Computer Science
The purpose of this paper is to provide a survey of the Semantic Web. The authors will demonstrate how the Semantic Web will be the extension to the World Wide Web (WWW). The Semantic Web will be built upon sophisticated markup languages, such as XML and RDF. These will be used to build ontologies with languages such as DAML, OIL, and DAML+OIL. Through the use of ontologies and descriptive languages, agents and web services will provide the interplay between users and machines. These components will add the functionality of logic to the existing WWW, creating the Semantic Web.
Bryan England, Department of Biology, and Dana Cope, Department of Anthropology
Processing of bulk-sampled sediments from the Los Altares locality of the Aguja Formation in Chihuahua, Mexico has resulted in the discovery of a vertebrate microfauna including the remains of selachians, bony-fishes, and reptiles. The selachian fauna is highly diverse, with representatives from at least a dozen families and over 15 genera, including Hybodus, Chiloscyllium, Ginglymostoma, Cretorectolobus, Odontaspis, Carcharias, Scapanorhynchus, Cretolamna, Squalicorax, Rhinobatos, Protoplatyrhina, Squatirhina, Ischyrhiza, and Ptychotrygon. Many of these taxa have not previously been reported from the Aguja Formation, which extends northward into the Big Bend region of Texas. This suggests more marine rather than brackish-influenced environments in the southern extent of this formation. The fauna includes Squalicorax cf. bassanii, a North African species herein first reported from the Western Interior of North America. The bony-fish fauna is dominated by isolated teeth from phyllodont fishes and also includes remains from Enchodus, Lepisosteus, Stephanodus and other indeterminate material.
Elise Fuller, Kathryn Wordle and Marcie Desrochers, Dept. of Psychology,
We conducted this study to determine if order of instructional material matters and to compare the effectiveness of computer simulation (SIDD software) versus reading material. Eleven College of Charleston upper-level psychology students were randomly assigned to one of two conditions; reading material and SIDD versus SIDD and then reading material. Participants completed a pre-test, mid-test after exposure to one of the two learning materials (i.e., SIDD or reading material), and post-test following experience of both materials. Students test scores improved once instruction was provided no matter the type of instruction. Additionally, analysis of test scores showed that there were no significant differences between order of instructional material. Most students reported that SIDD was most effective in helping them learn the material. Threats to internal validity include practice effects and/or history effects. Our study was also limited by small sample size. Future research needs to be conducted to address these issues.
Kathryn Niles, Grice Program in Marine Biology, David Couillard, and Allan Strand, Department of Biology
Of the ecological processes that determine the landscape dynamics of populations, dispersal is the most difficult to quantify (Nathan et al. 2002). In plants, dispersal events are particularly difficult to observe because of difficulties in marking seeds, the unit of dispersal. Genetic markers provide one avenue to quantify effective rates of dispersal (Cain et al. 2000; Schnabel et al. 1998; Spong and Creel 2001). Because the chloroplast genome is typically maternally inherited (Corriveau and Coleman 1988), it can serve as a marker specific to seed dispersal.
Here, we present a frequency-based analysis of population genetic structure in the chloroplast genome of a widespread beach annual, Cakile edentula ssp harperi. We show that the inferred levels of natural seed movement are higher than other plant taxa and that weak isolation by distance is occurring among SC populations.
Kristy King and Allan Strand, Department of Biology
Plant hybrid zones are highly dynamic areas of evolutionary process and ecological significance. This study is an analysis of a hybrid zone of carnivorous pitcher plants in the Francis Marion National Forest that determines the relative insect-capturing ability of Sarracenia minor, Sarracenia rubra, and hybrids of these two species in order to determine the direction that evolution is most likely to proceed. 65 plants were monitored and assigned a hybrid index value in order to classify each plant taxonomically according to morphological characteristics. These values were then compared with the total number of insects caught by each pitcher and it was determined that Sarracenia minor is more successful at catching insects than S. rubra and the hybrids, but the hybrids are more successful than S. rubra because they exhibit some morophological characteristics of S. minor that may serve to attract insects, namely a highly arching hood angle, a high degree of fenestration, and leaf length greater than flower height above ground. These observations suggest that hybrids have the potential to perform as well as at least some parental species. Therefore, poor predatatory ability cannot explian the lack of hybrids in most mixed Sarracenia populations.
Michael Paolone and Jeffrey L. Wragg, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Sonoluminescence was observed by driving a 27.7 kHz resonant signal through two ultrasonic transducers into a water filled 100mL spherical flask. The relative light intensity was recorded over a range of 283 to 295 Kelvin. It was found that the light intensity increases as temperature is lowered.
Derek Tyner, Adam McCann, Andrew Slater, Edward Patterson, Department of Computer Science
In this paper we will be describing automated workflow systems. We will be giving some background on what workflow processes are, and how and why workflow management is used to control them. Then we will discuss why an organization would wish to automate workflow, and the benefits gained for doing so. We will discuss what kind of workflow processes need to be secure and ways to make them secure. Finally, we will discuss the state of workflow automation today, and where it is going in the future.
Miki Ishikawa, Department of Biology, and Hugh Myrick, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina
Consumption of alcohol can lead to numerous problems in the body. Almost 14 million US adults meet criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. The symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal typically appear between 6 and 48 hours after alcohol cessation. Mild-to-moderate symptoms are vomiting, insomnia, blood pressure increase, etc., and severe symptoms are seizures, Delirium Tremens, Hallucination, etc. Those symptoms are due to multiple neuroadaptive changes in CNS. The CNS becomes more sensitized to the effects of Alcohol Withdrawal with each additional withdrawal episode, and that is called "kindling" effect. Therefore, all episodes of AW should be treated. Many alcoholics can be treated in an outpatient setting. Pharmacological treatment is still under investigation, but Benzodiazepins are the most common medicine to treat Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms. However, more recent investigations suggest that anticonvulsants may be a better alternative given their lack of abuse potential.
Joe Meiring, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Using high resolution spectra of the Ca II K line we probed the circumstellar gas around 2 And. We took a number of high resolution (λ ~ 120,000-220,000) and high signal-to-noise (200-400+) spectra using echelle spectrographs at the McDonald, McMath-Pirece and CTIO observatories. These spectra clearly show variable circumstellar as well as stable interstellar absorption features. Using these spectra we determined the physical properties of the circumstellar and interstellar gas. We give results for the temperature and column density of the variable as well as stable interstellar absorption features for the spectra of 2 And taken at several different epochs.
Allison Gaw and Marcie Desrochers, Department of Psychology
This study examined the effectiveness of using a workbook to supplement an instructional computer simulation program. Participants were 20 volunteers from a subject pool of undergraduates currently enrolled in an Introduction to Psychological Sciences course. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) computer program and workbook with questions, (b) computer program and workbook without questions, and (c) computer program with printed overview of the information contained in the computer program (control condition). The dependent variable was performance on a 24-question posttest. The results do not support the hypothesis that using a workbook either with or without questions enhances learning with an instructional computer simulation program.
Lindsey Combs and Lecole Johnson, Department of Psychology
Every year more and more teens are engaging in sexual risk-taking behavior (National Center for Health Statistics, 2002). Risky sexual behavior includes earlier age at first sex, not using condoms, and more sexual partners. The present study sought out those family factors that influence adolescent sexual risk taking. Students (n=101) from a liberal arts college completed a survey concerning their sexual history and family background. Results indicated that students who reported fewer sexual partners also reported perceptions of more consistent maternal nurturance (r=.25, p=.05), more maternal caring (r=.34, p=.001), and more consistent family meals (r=.38, p=.01). Students who used no contraceptive protection at first sex reported more overprotective fathers (M=28.5, SD=7.77) than students who used a condom at first sex (M = 23.5, SD=7.88), with lower scores here reflecting more overprotectiveness, t(63)=1.98, p=.05). These findings suggest the importance of warm, stable parent-child relationships for healthier sexual behavior among adolescents.
Lewis Leal, Matt Collins, Shane Smith, Chris Gilpatrick, and Thuy Hoang, Department of Computer Science
Applications that deliver content based on the user's location, equipment capabilities and their needs or perform some function based on the time and the machine's location are some examples of context-aware computing. In this paper, we will conduct a survey of context-aware computing, including a detailed examination of two context-aware projects; Nexus and CoolTown. We use the Nexus project as an example of a large-scale, context-aware platform and CoolTown as a useful example of an existing context-aware system. Finally, we identify some of the challenges in the areas of privacy and security that are a consequence of context-aware computing.
Elizabeth C. Welch and Linda R. Jones, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Cricket malphigian tubules have been shown to express multidrug resistance transporters. However, they have not been used in the medical literature as a model for multidrug resistance testing. Previous students in our lab have demonstrated that the tubules express multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2). The objective of this project was to investigate the effect of a standard MDR fluorescent probe kit on the tubules with the long term goal of reporting the malpighian tubules as an accepted model in the medical literature. The MDR probes included calcein, verapamil and cyclosporin A. Calcein is a substrate of both p-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporters and MRP1. Verapamil and cyclosporin A are inhibitors P-gp. Chloro-dinitro benzene was used as an inhibitor for MRP1 and MRP2.
Nolan R. Williams, Kay G. Fernandes, Nicole Redmond, Mark Lazzaro, and Howard C. Becker Biology Department; College of Charleston, and Charleston Alcohol Research Center MUSC and VAMC
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which is pivotal in CNS. It binds to the GABAA Receptor which contains multiple subunits that define the sensitivity to allosteric binding. When the necessary components are present, GABAAR is activated, leading to the influx of Cl- and hyperpolarization. Consistent EtOH exposure may cause neuroadaptations and withdrawal. To see the changes in GABAA function, synaptosomes from 3 conditions (EtOH naive, intermittent chronic EtOH exposure (MW), and continuous chronic ethanol exposure (CE) were created and a chloride flux assay was used to measure uptake at hour 0, 8, and 24 (hour referring to the time following EtOH exposure protocol). Minor differences were noted among any treatment groups at hr 0; however, decreased maximal uptake was seen for both EtOH-treated groups at hr 8, and only the MW group at hr 24 for both tissues. Results such as these imply that AA modification occurs during withdrawal and not during initial exposure.
Spencer Collins and W. Frank Kinard, Department of Chemistry
The lead content of a number of soil samples from near an old home and from the College of Charleston campus has been measured using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF). Elevated lead levels greater than 1000 ppm were found near an old Charleston home. The lead levels were also measured at one site as a function of depth and were found to be fairly uniformly distributed.
The accuracy of the lead levels was certified by comparison with a certified standard from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Charleston data was compared with soil samples from Johns Island. Additionally, correlations of lead levels with barium, chromium, and zirconium levels were investigated to see if the measurements indicated a paint pigment origin for the lead.
Mwende Kiambo and W. Frank Kinard, Department of Chemistry
The uranium content of commercial phosphate fertilizers has been measured using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF). A number of lawn and garden fertilizers purchased at local stores have been analyzed. As expected, fertilizers containing processed phosphate (made from either phosphoric acid or ammonium phosphate) have essentially zero uranium while those containing crushed phosphate rock have significant uranium levels. A high value of 150 ppm uranium was detected in one sample. Levels of lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, and other metals of interest were measured simultaneously with the uranium.
Bradley J. Burns and Linda R. Jones, Department of Physics and Astronomy
St. John's Wort is sold over-the-counter to treat depression. It contains a potent photosensitizer called Hypericin that has been known to cause lethal photosensitivity in grazing animals. If Hypericin accumulates in human skin, it could lead to skin damage upon exposure to red light from the sun. The aim of this project is two fold.. First of all, we are testing over-the-counter preparations for their ability to yield singlet oxygen in the presence of visible light. Singlet oxygen yield is evaluated with spectrophotometric lysozyme inactivation assay. Secondly, we are evaluating the accumulation in rat skin when rats are administered daily therapeutic doses of over-the-counter St. John's Wort. Skin Hypericin content is determined through fluorescence emission with a fiber optic attachment to a spectrofluorimeter. The project described was supported in part b NIH Grant Number RR-6P20 RR16461-02 for the BRIN Program of the National Center for Research Resources.
Derrik Weddle and Robert Frankis, Biology Department
Plants produce hormones that have profound effects on physiology and development. Three different types of plant hormones were experimentally tested to determine if they had any effect on germination and pollen tube elongation. The three tested in this study include auxin (6-Benzylamino purine, a-Naphthaleneacetic acid), gibberellic acid, and kinetin. To perform these experiments, loblolly pine pollen was cultured in standard culture media with or without added hormone. After 48 hours, pollen tube length and percent germination was recorded using digital photography.
Mikhail M. Agrest, Department of Physics & Astronomy
Understanding and the describing of the capillary effects have pure academic interest and practical applications in a variety of fields including, but not limited to membrane technology, bioengineering, environmental control, etc. A pulsating behavior of the gas flow through a capillary into a liquid was discovered to occur at critical pressure, which depends on the radius of the capillary for example see: surface tension and the angle of contact, M.M.Agrest, et al, Colloid Journal USSR, USA, 1984, v.46 #3, pp. 486-487. Now we have derived dimensionless differential equation with certain boundary conditions to model the gas bubble origination, growth and finally launch from the mouth of the capillary. It leads to the expression of the gas flow through the capillary into the bubble. The future study of the motion of the meniscus within the capillary and experimental study of the process to assess the offered theory is proposed. For more information enter
J.W. Pennington, D.M. Amatya (USDA-Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Forested Wetlands Research, Charleston, SC), and T.J. Callahan, Department of Geology
Rainfall and streamflow data from two coastal plain basins for the 1997-1998 period were compared to investigate stream response (runoff) to storm events in both a non-managed watershed and a watershed experiencing understory logging in the Santee Experimental Forest near Huger, SC. Watershed 80 (WS80) is a control watershed and watershed 77 (WS77) is a treatment watershed experiencing both periodic burns and silviculture harvesting. Both contain mixed pine and bottomland hardwood tree species and are approximately 160ha in size.
Event hydrographs, representing streamflow rate over time, show that WS80, the non-managed watershed, experiences a more rapid response to storms than does WS77. The data also indicate a larger total volume of water flows in WS80 during storm events. These data suggest that pristine forests do not necessarily limit storm water runoff (i.e. prevent streams from flooding) in the lower coastal plain.
Justin Buchanan, Kyle Gibbons, Justin Jones, Jacob Smith, Dallas Vaughan, Paul Buhler, Department of Computer Science
This paper presents the fundamentals of Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP). A brief historical timeline of the events relevant to the development of AOP is presented. The concept of separation of concerns and crosscutting functionality motivates a discussion of the benefits of AOP. The paper demonstrates the possible gains that can be made via AOP with the aid of illustrative examples. Various AOP implementation languages are discussed, with a primary focus on AspectJ.
Chrissa Stroh and Marian Dicas, Master of Environmental Studies Graduate Program
In 2001, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the case, Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. United States Army Corps of Engineers (SWANCC), in which federal jurisdiction was removed from isolated, intrastate, non-navigable waters where the sole basis for asserting jurisdiction is the actual or potential use of the waters as habitat for migratory birds (Federal Register, 2003). In response to this action, senators Waldrep and Leventis from the state of South Carolina drafted a bill, the South Carolina Carolina Bays Protection Act (SCCBPA), to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to "protect and conserve noncontiguous wetlands no longer within the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers" (Committee Report, 2001). In this poster, we examine how representatives of non profit organizations assess barriers to controversial legislation in an attempt to shed light on the barriers that surround the SCCBPA.
Zachary Hart, Angela Halfacre, and Marianne Burke, Master of Environmental Studies Program
Sweetgrass (Muhlenbergia filipes) is a non-timber forest resource found from North Carolina to Texas. Sweetgrass has special cultural and economic importance in coastal South Carolina where it is used by the local Gullah community in a specialized form of coiled basketry. Sales of these baskets provide a crucial source of income for many basket makers. The sweetgrass on which these basket makers depend, however, is becoming increasingly unavailable through habitat destruction, private property rights, and range limitation. This study examines stakeholder opinions and perceptions of past, current, and future sweetgrass management. Twenty-three interviews were conducted with Charleston Area basket makers, and interview transcripts were analyzed for emergent themes using content analysis, a technique to objectively analyze text. This study provides essential input for restoring sweetgrass and preserving the centuries-old art of sweetgrass basketry, and offers valuable lessons for incorporating public and stakeholder input in environmental decision-making processes.
Paul Berland and Stephen Schabel, Jr., Master of Environmental Studies Graduate Program
The loss of wetlands in the United States is occurring at an alarming rate. It is imperative that the remaining wetlands be protected to ensure their ability to perform necessary functions such as the provision of habitat to numerous fish species and filtration of potentially harmful pollutants from runoff. Certain individuals such as those who participate in wildlife dependant outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing) may have significant baseline knowledge of the issues associated with the loss of wetlands and may therefore be more likely to participate in groups that strive to conserve the remaining wetlands or work toward this preservation on their own. This study assesses the level of knowledge of wildlife dependent recreationists regarding wetlands. These findings will further inform scholars as well as conservation groups, coastal management agencies and other policy makers in providing appropriate and accurate communications to their stakeholders.
Kellie Harper and B. Lee Lindner, Department of Physics and Astronomy
To make it easier for the public to understand storm surge, I developed a model capable of calculating the depth of surge for a variety of locations and graphically displayed the results. Factors such as storm size, storm location, tide, site elevation, and terrain of ocean floor and coastline were considered in calculating the surge depth at that site. Using motion and shallow water equations the height of the ocean water expected was calculated for a hurricane of each intensity. The values were then used in a separate equation, to calculate the storm surge expected at a specific site, which includes the astronomical tide level, the sites' elevation above mean sea level, and a variety of landfall possibilities. Resulting values were compared to values produced by the SLOSH computer model.
Rashada Ross and Linda Jones, Department of Physics and Astronomy
In photodynamic therapy a dye is injected into a tumor followed by illumination of the tumor by visible light. Neither the dye nor the light are damaging alone, but together they cause singlet oxygen to be produced within the tumor. Merocyanine 540 (MC540) is used experimentally for the purging of bone marrow for leukemia patients. It is known that L1210 mouse leukemia cells are sensitive to this dye and A549 human lung cancer cells are resistant to MC540; however the mechanism of selectivity has not been established. Our hypothesis is that A549 human lung cancer cells have multidrug resistant transporters that inhibit the accumulation of multidrug substrates in that particular cell. Chlorodinitrobenzene (CDNB) is used as an inhibitor of MRP2 transporters. Preliminary results indicate that MC540 may be a substrate of MRP2. Further studies will be done with leukemia cells and normal bone marrow cells.
Wenxia Zhou, Adam Mailloux*, and J. F. McGinty, Dept. of Physiology & Neuroscience, Medical University
of South Carolina
* Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CofC
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether GABAB receptor activation blocks acute amphetamine-induced behavioral activity and neuropeptide expression. Adult male rats were injected with saline or the GABAB receptor agonist, R-(+)-baclofen (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Ten minutes later, the rats received saline or D-amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Behavioral activity was recorded. Acute administration of amphetamine caused an increase in both total distance traveled and vertical rearing activity. Baclofen did not alter total distance traveled but completely blocked amphetamine-induced vertical rearing activity for the 3 hrs after injection. Quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that amphetamine caused an increase of mRNA levels of preprodynorphin (PPD), substance P (SP), preproenkephalin (PPE) in various areas of the brain. Baclofen blocked the effects of acute amphetamine administration on neuropeptide gene expression. These results indicate that GABAB receptor activation modulates acute amphetamine-induced behavioral activity and mRNA expression of neuropeptides in the rat striatum.
Brandon Cash and Marion T. Doig, Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry
A reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to study the food preservative sodium benzoate and its urinary metabolite, hippuric acid. This research was focused upon the time course of hippurate excretion and its dependence on the amount of benzoic acid ingested. During the course of this study, one liter of water was consumed within five minutes and urine was collected every thirty minutes for two hours. Each thirty minute sample was diluted and analyzed by HPLC. From the integrator counts and standard curve, the concentration of benzoic acid was determined. The same procedure was applied after the ingestion of a soft drink with a predetermined (by HPLC) concentration of sodium benzoate to calculate the concentration of hippuric acid in the urine and the overall recovery of the sodium benzoate.
