Platform Papers — Sessions A through I
A1
A STUDY OF PENDULUM OSCILLATION Victoria
M. Lynch and Dr. Otto Raths, Physics Department, Wagner College
Since the time of Galileo, the periodic motion of the pendulum has fascinated
physicists. Our paper presents period measurement data for a 2-meter
and a 13-meter pendulum (the longest ever constructed at Wagner College. Using
period data, precise statistical values of the acceleration due to gravity
(g) were calculated and will be presented.
A2
INVESTIGATING NONLINEARITY IN ACOUSTIC LANDMINE EXPERIMENTS USING
A CLAMPED-PLATE SOIL OSCILLATOR Duong, Dang V., and Murray S. Korman,
Dept. of Physics, U. S. Naval Academy
Nonlinear effects are investigated in the detection of plastic landmines using
acoustic-to-seismic coupling techniques. The soil-plate oscillator is a laboratory
apparatus that represents a good physical model for an inert anti-tank plastic
landmine. The apparatus consists of a thick-walled cylinder filled with sifted
homogenous soil resting on a thin elastic plate that is clamped to the bottom
of the column. Using a loudspeaker, tuning curve experiments are performed
showing a linear decrease in peak frequency vs. increasing amplitude of the
soil surface acceleration. A two-tone test experiment is performed using frequencies
closely spaced near resonance ~ 100 Hz. Combination frequency component profiles
are measured across the surface. A double peaked profile occurred at 2f1+f2
corresponding to a common timpani mode.
A3
COMPLEX ICE ACCRETIONS ON AIRCRAFT WINGS Nicolas Rada and
Gregory Falabella, Physics Department, Wagner College
Last year the disastrous effects of ice accumulation on aircraft were explored
through an experimental approach. A generic icing horn carved out of
soap was employed. In actuality the shape of the ice formation varies
considerably depending on ambient conditions and flight parameters. As
a result, a comprehensive study involving several different ice accretion shapes
was undertaken. Creating durable facsimiles of many different ice accretion
shapes necessitated the development of a new procedure. It entailed
using a digital 3-D model to produce a mold in which melted soap reinforced
with glue is poured and frozen overnight. Preliminary data is encouraging
and indicates that loss of lift is most severe when the ice juts from the surface
at a sharp angle.
A4
COMPLEX IMPEDANCE STUDIES OF ELECTROSPRAYED AND EXTRUDED NAFION MEMBRANES Mueller,
Joshua, Physics Department, United States Naval Academy
The aim of this study was to conduct fundamental scientific research into
the proton transport properties of Nafion polymer membranes produced using
various deposition techniques. The main focus was a comparison between the Electrosprayed
and the traditional extruded film. In addition, a study of the orientation
effects in the extruded Nafion membrane was conducted. Electrospraying
of Nafion is a relatively new method of deposition designed to reduce fabrication
costs of fuel cells. Studies found no significant difference in the bulk
conductivities for the two deposition techniques, and an approximate difference
of two orders of magnitude difference in conductivity when comparing a cross-plane
measurement to the traditionally studies in-plane measurement for low water
contents.
A5
MEASUREMENT OF THE ROTATION PERIOD OF THE ASTEROID
(370) MODESTIA Slingerland, Philip and Briotta, Daniel. Physics
Dept., Ithaca College
The asteroid 370 Modestia was observed from Clinton B. Ford Observatory at
Ithaca College for seven nights covering the period from Aug. 18 to Sept. 12,
2003. R-band differential photometric measurements with a CCD camera showed
clear brightness variations over the course of each night and between nights.
Analysis of periodicity in the brightness uncovers a hitherto unmeasured rotation
period of 15.35 hours.
A6
IMPROVING THE CALORIMETER CUP Anna Arkhipova,
Michelle Bingham, Jared Jax and Gregory Falabella, Physics Department, Wagner
College
The calorimeter cup, used to measure heat transfer, is an important piece of
equipment in many areas of the physical sciences. Our laboratory experience
has indicated that the design of the standard model used in many undergraduate
laboratories is flawed and leads to significant inaccuracies. Despite
its double wall, heat escapes (or enters) from the surroundings. The current
research is an attempt to improve the design without adding to its cost. Through
experimentation we discovered that free convection cycles in the top
portion below the cap are responsible for most of the heat loss. To alleviate
the problem the cap was modified. Preliminary findings suggest that the new
design, although subtle, is a substantial improvement.
B1
SYNTHESIS OF CHALCONES FOR ASSESSMENT AS ANTIMALARIALS
Thota, Darshan S. and Gutteridge, Clare E.
Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
Due to the development of resistance by the malaria parasite, new compounds
are needed to replace existing antimalarial drugs. Studies have shown
that several members of the chalcone class of compound possess significant
activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria. We
will describe the design and synthesis of several novel methoxylated and halogenated
chalcones with potential as antimalarials. Claisen-Schmidt condensation
of substituted aldehydes and ketones furnished the targeted chalcones. They
were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, and then tested for antimalarial activity
against two strains of Plasmodium falciparum.
B2
EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS RESPONSES IN THE ESCHERICHIA COLI
PROTEOME: HEAT SHOCK, COLD SHOCK, AND GROWTH ON GLUCOSE VERSUS ACETATE Spain,
Brett M., Benjamin Bedore, Valerie Griffith, Elisa M. Woolridge, and Eric
S. Eberhardt, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Marist College, Department
of Chemistry, Vassar College
Escherichia coli produces various proteins in response to changes in its environment. When
exposed to elevated temperatures, proteins like DnaK, DnaJ, and GroEL are produced. Transition
to a colder environment increases the expression of cold shock proteins. Altering
the nutrient source from glucose to acetate increases the production of isocitrate
lyase and malate synthase. To assess the impact of these environmental
changes, the proteomes of stressed and control cells were analyzed by 2D gel
electrophoresis. Proteins exhibiting significant shifts in expression
as visualized via PDQuest were excised from the gel, digested with trypsin,
and measured via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Comparison of the peptide
fragments with the Swiss-Prot database successfully allowed the identification
of stress response proteins manifested in all three insults.
B3
ONE PARAMETER APPROXIMATION OF THE BRACHISTOCHRONE (MINIMUM TIME)
PROBLEM Brittany T. Corn, Cho S. Kim, and Dr. O. Raths, Physics
Dept., Wagner College
In 1697, Jean Bernouli addressed a problem that was instrumental to the formulation
of the Calculus of Variations: What is the frictionless path joining two points
such that a mass will slide from upper to lower point in minimum time? Our
paper presents various one-parameter models, which demonstrate other paths,
which produce shorter time than the shortest path.
B4
FLUORESCENT RNA PROBES FOR DETECTING SMALL MOLECULES Rebecca
Burns and Daniel Morse, Chemistry Dept., United States Naval Academy
Beacon-aptamers are RNA molecules that fluoresce (emit light) upon binding
to a target molecule. The high affinity and specificity of binding give beacon-aptamers
the potential to provide simple, fast, and sensitive assays for any target
of interest. To function as a beacon-aptamer, an RNA must have two properties.
It must bind tightly and specifically to the target and it must change conformation
upon binding. The conformational change produces the desired fluorescence by
separating a fluorescent dye from an adjacent molecule that quenches (prevents)
fluorescence. We developed a novel strategy for selecting beacon-aptamers from
a random RNA pool. Using the antibiotic tobramyocin as the target, we isolated
two RNA molecules. We are testing these RNAs for their ability to detect tobramyocin.
B5
SYNTHESIS AND IN VITRO ANALYSIS OF IRON(III)-BASED MRI CONTRAST AGENTS Dawn
Pothier, Dr. Nicholas Richardson, Chemistry Dept., Wagner College
MRI tumor detection by traditional contrast agents has proven difficult due
to rapid excretion from the blood pool. However, a contrast agent that
can reversibly bind to a macromolecule in the blood, such as human serum albumin
(HSA), will remain in the blood pool for a longer amount of time. In
addition, macromolecular binding can decrease spin-lattice relaxation times
(T1) due to the Proton Relaxation Effect (PRE), allowing for enhanced differentiation
between vascularized and non-vascularized tissue, and improved detection of
tumors. A homologous series of ligands, all candidates for HSA binding,
was synthesized and coordinated to iron(III). The relaxivities of the
iron(III) complexes in water and HSA solutions were determined by use of a
20 MHz minispec.
B6
DEEP AQUIFER WATER, AN ALTERNATE SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER
FOR ARSENIC AFFECTED BANGLADESH, Sarah T. Alauddin, Alyssa Kenyon, Mohammad Alauddin, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Wagner College, StatenIsland, NY 10301.
Bangladesh, a developing country with a population of about 130 Million people is in desperate need of drinking water at permissible level of arsenic. About 97% of the population depend on shallow aquifer (40-100ft depth) water as their principle source of drinking water which is highly contaminated with arsenic. In our laboratory, we have analyzed over 120 water samples from deep aquifers (600 ft or more depth) for arsenic (As),boron (B), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy method. While the water samples meet the WHO guideline value for As, Pb and Cd, some samples have B at a level higher than the WHO permissible value. The detection limits for As is 0.50 mg/l, for Pb and Cd are 1.00 mg/l and for B it is 0.05 mg/l. The method validation was checked by parallel analysis of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference water. The deep aquifer water promises as a short term solution for arsenic affected Bangladesh population.
C1
GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS: A GROWING DEMAND FOR "GOOD" CODES
IN THE INFORMATION AGE Carolyn Palinkas, Mathematics Dept., Wagner
College
To ensure that data is transmitted accurately and efficiently over noisy
channels, one must implement "good codes" - codes that reveal unaltered messages,
once decoded. In this study, "good codes" are created using
functions that operate like matrices over algebraic structures known as near-fields. Several
forms of these codes are established and implemented, with the number of parameters
varying. Systematically, a comparative analysis is conducted on the "matrix-like" functions
using the programs GAP4 (Groups, Algorithms, and Programming) and SONATA (Systems
of Near-rings and their Applications). Current results in the area are
minimal, and the findings of this study may be used to advance these results
and to help prove new theorems showing the existence of inverses of "matrix-like" functions
over near-fields.
C2
THE OPTIMAL EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PACKAGE FOR FIRM PRODUCTIVITY: AN
EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS by Miller, Christopher, M, Department of Economics,
United States Naval Academy
In recent years, there has been an increase in personal investment and better
managerial compensation. The average American is investing a larger portion
of disposable income in equity markets. Similarly, managerial compensation
has evolved into options based incentives which have decreased agency conflict.
Both changes in investor attitudes and changes in compensation structures affect
productivity, output growth, and stability. Executives have been criticized
for compensation structure and an analysis of the value of managerial versus
employee options compensation is needed. This paper will show which factors
most impact the probability of improved productivity, growth, and stability
at the firm level. For both employee compensation and investor attitudes,
I will find quantitative effects on productivity, growth, and stability of
the macroeconomy.
C3
USING DROSOPHILA TO TEACH HIGH SCHOOL GENETICS Van Harssel,
Casey and Michael Kotarski, Department of Biology, Niagara University
Drosophila have been used in the university setting for decades to teach genetics. Use
of Drosophila in the high school setting is less common because of limited
resources. In this study, mutant and wild type Drosophila strains were
used to teach a genetics unit in two high schools to determine if the students
learned better with the hands on experience. Based on unit test scores and
student responses to a questionnaire, it was assessed that students learned
better when exercises using the flies augmented the lecture.
C4
VOLUNTARY WATER RESTRICTIONS: A FIELD TEST OF THE RATIONAL CHOICE
THEORY OF COLLECTIVE ACTION Robinette, Christopher D. Department
of Economics U.S. Naval Academy
The rational choice theory of collective action suggests that self-interested
behavior may mitigate the effectiveness of agreements designed to improve group
outcomes in social dilemma situations. Laboratory economic experiments show
that repetition and the ability of parties to communicate and monitor individual
action is important for sustaining voluntary collective action. This paper
provides a field test of the rational choice theory by examining the response
of residents of Baltimore City, Maryland to water restrictions implemented
in periods of drought. Results using monthly water-use data and generalized
least squares regression demonstrate a significant consumer response even to
voluntary water restrictions. Voluntary reductions, however, are slightly below
stated target levels. Their response is greater in emergency situations when
mandatory restrictions are imposed.
C5
THE [GENETICALLY] MODIFIED A&P: AGRIBUSINESS AND POLICY IN THE
GLOBAL MARKETPLACE Robb, Douglas, Political Science Dept., United
States Naval Academy
This paper seeks to understand the important issues surrounding genetically
modified (GM) agriculture and the European Union's importation ban on GM crops. Though
GM crop production has soared since first being introduced in 1990 and is accepted
by American consumers, GM crops have met widespread international opposition. The
developing world, namely southern Africa, seems reluctant to accept GMOs, but
has not yet categorically denied access to them. While the U.S. appeals
to the World Trade Organization to repeal the E.U.'s ban, there are other pertinent
issues-from health anxieties to environmental trepidations to cultural biases
against these so-called "unnatural" foodstuffs. Finally, a
security element of agribusiness both now and in the future will be discussed,
and solutions will be articulated.
C6
STRUCTURE ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHALCONES AND STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUSCera B. Tillett and Clare E. Gutteridge, Chemistry Department, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
Society is faced with an every increasing number of bacterial strains resistant to the current antibiotics. Even the most powerful regimens are becoming obsolete, allowing once minor infections to again pose major health risks. Chalcone and azachalcone derivatives are known to be biologically active, including having potential as a new class of antibiotic medications. A series of chalcone and azachalcone molecules with varying functional groups and arrangements were synthesized and tested against Staphylococcus aureus to determine the compound’s minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC indicates the minimum concentration of the compound required to significantly inhibit the growth of the bacteria in a medium. The findings will help to steer further chalcone and antibacterial research in hopes of finding a new category of antibiotic treatments.
D1
GLUCOSE METABOLISM IN THE FAILING HEART Lionetti, Vincenzo M.D1., Mary Ellen Gana2, William C. Stanley, Ph.D3 Fabio A. Recchia, M.D. Ph.D1
Physiology Dept., New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY1,
Biology Dept, Marymount College of Fordham University, Tarrytown, NY2, Case
Western Reserve University, Cleveland,OH3
Since there is a metabolism switch from fatty acids to glucose in failing
hearts, it was hypothesized that inhibition of fatty acid oxidation will slow
the progression of heart failure. Oxfenicine, a fatty acid oxidation inhibitor,
was administered orally to conscious instrumented mongrel dogs, paced for several
weeks to develop heart failure. Oxfenicine attenuated the progressive decrease
in ejection fraction found in untreated failure dogs.
Ventricular wall thickness was greater for the drug-treated failure group
than untreated. Cardiac remodeling during cardiac failure as measured by metalloproteinase
levels decreased in the drug-treated heart failure group. In conclusion, data
suggest that reduced free fatty acid oxidation in failing dog hearts is a compensatory
mechanism that delays the progressive derangement of cardiac function.
D2
ENDURANCE EXERCISE INDUCED CHANGES IN SALIVARY SEROTONIN
CONCENTRATIONS Zimmerman, Jennifer A, and Zofia Gagnon, Department
of Biology, Marist College
Saliva samples were collected four times from 13 female cross-country runners. Serotonin
enzyme immunoassay was used to determine the concentration of serotonin in
the saliva. The average concentration of serotonin before exercise was
.723 ± .950 mg/ml, after the warm-up, 1.159 ± 1.341 mg/ml, after
intermediate exercise, 1.207 ± 1.457 mg/ml, and after intense exercise,
.985 ± 1.278 mg/ml. The differences in serotonin concentration
were not statistically significant over the four exercise conditions, however,
an interesting trend remains. The initial increase in salivary serotonin
concentration may be due to increased tryptophan release and/or activity of
tryptophan hydroxylase in preparation for central fatigue. The decrease
observed after intense exercise may indicate an increased rate of tryptophan
transport into the brain.
D3
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUMBER OF STEM SEGMENTS ON
LONGEST STEMS, RETENTION OF TERMINAL STEM SEGMENTS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF DETACHED
TERMINAL STEM SEGMENTS FOR 25 SPECIES OF CYLINDROPUNTIA AND OPUNTIA (CACTACEAE) Ji
Eun Kim, Biology Dep., Manhattan College
The aim of this study was to explain a wide range of morphologies of cactus
species; Cylindropuntia and Opuntia. Interest has developed regarding mechanical
stresses at joints between stem segments and how these stresses relate to overall
morphologies and reproductive capabilities of cactus species. In this study
we concluded that number of stem segments on longest stems of plants was a
good predictor of (1) force necessary to remove terminal segments and (2) rooting
and establishment of terminal segments.
Hypotheses about maximum normal stress at failure for twenty terminal joints
per species, the number of joint segments on longest branches for ten plants
per species as well as the percentage of detached terminal segments that become
established for 25 cactus species will be presented.
D4
LIMULUS AND US: BRINGING COMMUNITY AWARENESS TO OUR ECOLOGICAL TIES
WITH HORSESHOE CRABS DePierro, Christine M., Stefanie L. Basciano,
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Mattei, Biology Dept., Sacred Heart University
The horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, predominantly located on the eastern
coast of North America, has been the subject of study since 1997 in Long Island
Sound. This species is economically important to pharmaceutical companies
and ecologically important to the Long Island Sound ecosystem. With the
aid of state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, school groups,
and community volunteers, an active tagging and monitoring program has been
established. In 2003, 719 individuals were tagged showing a 1.16:1 sex ratio. Within
one breeding season, 9% of the individuals returned repeatedly to the same
beach. Ten individuals, sonar tagged in July, 2003, generally stayed
within a 5 mile radius of the breeding beach until December 2003, when the
signals were lost.
D5
ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOUNDS ISOLATED FROM THE SOIL BACTERIUM BACILLUS
POLYMYXA Savva, Yiannis, and Michael Davis. Department of Biological
Sciences, Central Connecticut State University.
Soil is a habitat that harbors widely diverse populations of microorganisms.
Bacteria growing in soil live in highly competitive environments in which space
and access to nutrients are limited. Some microorganisms have evolved specific
mechanisms for the production of antimicrobial compounds that inhibit other
microorganisms present in soil. Our lab seeks to isolate these compounds as
potentially new antibiotics. Two of our bacterial isolates, identified as Bacillus
polymyxa, produce compounds different from each other, and from polymyxin B,
a known antibiotic from B polymyxa. We are purifying these compounds, and will
apply several spectroscopic techniques to determine their molecular structures.
It is hoped that they will be novel compounds that may ultimately play a role
in infectious disease therapy.
D6
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE PHAGOCYTIC ABILITY OF
ASTROCYTES Ermelinda Damko, Department of Biology, Manhattan College, Riverdale,
NY
The phagocytic ability of astrocytes, especially its involvement in the process
of demyelination of neuronal axons, has been a controversial topic. In our
study we examined the role of myelin purity, as a determining factor in triggering
phagocytosis by astrocytes. This role of myelin purity was examined using the
primary culture of Sprague Dawley forebrain astrocytes after 12 to 21 days
in S-20 medium at 5% CO2/ air and 37O C. Besides 10mM EGTA treated myelin and
NP-myelin, axolemma and red blood cell ghost membranes at 1.5 ug/mL, final
concentration, were separately added to the cultures, which at this point tested
more than 95% GFAP- positive, a marker for astrocytes. At 4 OC astrocytes were
bound to axolemma at 4 times as high level as they were bound to EGTA-treated
myelin or RBC membranes. At 37 O C,however, astrocytes were found associated
at very low levels to the NP-myelin but selectively high with EGTA myelin.
This increase in the level of binding was maximal afte!
r 8-10 hours of exposure to myelin. This is evidence that the type of myelin
is a determinant factor in the in vitro model of degeneration of myelin by
astrocytes and furthermore that the mechanism of this process must be depended
on biochemical changes myelin probably during or after microglia phagocytosis
and/or changes. This is supported by the observation that the major difference
between NP-myelin and EGTA myelin is the selective loss of minor high molecular
weight proteins (~100 Kdals) after EGTA treatment.
D7
METHODS FOR AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION
OF AFRICAN VIOLET TISSUE Wyble, Matthew, Jacklyn Finocchio,
Jacquelyn R. Jones and Michael Kotarski, Department of Biology, Niagara University
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) have not been successfully transformed
using disarmed binary Agrobacterium vectors. The optimum conditions for
successful transformation of the pBI121 kanR gus plasmid from LBA4404 Agrobacterium
into African violet tissue were determined. Leaf explant orientation,
kanamycin concentration and bacteria concentration are all critical factors.
Different methods of infection were are investigated.
D8
WILL DUCK TAPE SOON BE RENAMED SNAIL TAPE? THE ATTEMPT TO SYNTHESIZE
A GLUE USING MOLLUSCAN ADHESIVE PROTEINS Sluck, Steven, Biology,
Ithaca College
Some molluscs have been observed with the ability to form an adhesive gel from
their own non-adhesive gels. The adhesive properties of this gel are
thought to be synthesized from the addition of small cross-linking proteins
secreted into the existent non-adhesive gel. Recent studies that have
isolated molluscan adhesive proteins produce a stiffening effect when combined
with commercial polymers. The present study attempted to identify if
stickiness would be a result of combining isolated adhesive proteins with ionic
commercial polymers. Quantitatively, no stickiness was measured with
these particular combinations. However, qualitatively the adhesive proteins
created structural changes to the polymer solutions. The issues raised
in these trials may indicate which factors control the adhesive properties
of these molluscan gels.
D9
EFFECTS OF OPTHALMECTOMY ON PLASMA MELATONIN RHYTHMS IN FROGLETS Amy
Wickett, Biology Dept., Elms College
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal and retina in tadpoles, and may
be secreted by the gut. In froglets there is a peak of melatonin during the
middle of scotophase and lower levels throughout photophase on a 12L:12D cycle.
Previous experiments in froglets sampling only twice during the day showed
that plasma melatonin was down in photophase and scotophase, although not significantly,
after opthalmectomy (EyeX). This finding suggests that the eyes contribute
to circulating melatonin after metamorphosis. My experiment was designed to
see if EyeX in froglets would result in a change of the circadian rhythm of
melatonin after 5 days, and to confirm previous findings with additional sampling
intervals. The results indicated that the circadian rhythm of plasma
melatonin was different after opthalmectomy of froglets, but that the 24-hour
plasma melatonin was not reduced.
E1
HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS 1 MEDIATED APOPTOSIS IN TRANFORMED AND NON-TRANSFORMED
CELL LINES Rachel Kraft, Marie L. Nguyen and John A. Blaho. Manhattan
College and Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
During the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) lifecycle apoptosis is first induced
and subsequently prevented. Studies of transformed and non-transformed cells
have shown distinct differences in apoptotic response. This study examines
four cell types in assays using the wild-type virus as well as a deletion virus,
which does not synthesize the preventers of apoptosis. Both of the non-transformed
cell lines tested require de novo protein synthesis in order to undergo HSV-1
mediated apoptosis, suggesting the existence of a facilitator of apoptosis
(FAP) as a universal requirement. The transformed cells tested do not seem
to require protein synthesis or FAP. Use of HSV-1 elucidated a difference between
these cell types, which may be employed in the future as a cancer treatment.
E2
LARGE SCALE SEQUENCING OF MICROSATELLITE REGIONS IN APHIDS Rakobitsch,
Robin E. and Dr. Marina Caillaud, Biology Dept., Ithaca College
Microsatellite markers are versatile and powerful molecular markers in population
genetics and for building linkage maps. In this study, we sequenced 96 clones
from a genomic library enriched in microsatellite-containing DNA fragments
of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Two methods for sequencing were
used: ABI prism 377 automated sequencer (48 lanes in a gel) and the ABI prism
3700 automated sequencer (96 capillaries). The capillary-based method
was more efficient at producing readable sequences than the gel-based method,
in which human error is more frequent. Microsatellite loci were found in 88%
of all readable sequences produced by the gel-based and capillary-based sequencers. This
shows that the enrichment protocol used to produce the microsatellite-containing
genomic library of A. pisum was successful.
E3
THE ROLE OF COFILIN IN MIGRATION OF ROCK INHIBITED F9 CELLS.
Pagliaruli, Thomas and Mulrooney, James. Department of Biological Sciences,
Central Connectcicut State University.
Cofilin is a small actin severing protein that is regulated by Rho Kinase (ROCK). ROCK
inactivates cofilin by phosphorylating the protein on a serine residue. F9
derived parietal endoderm cells, in the presence of Y27632, a specific and
potent inhibitor of ROCK, display increased migration rates compared with untreated
controls. We propose that the inhibition of ROCK leads to increased activation
of cofilin, which results in a greater release of integrins from cortical actin. This
released integrin is then able to mediate a greater number of cell -extracellular
matrix interactions which results in the observed increase in F9 cell migration.
E4
QUANTIFICATION OF POTENTIALLY PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN WATERS OF THE
HUDSON RIVER Kwiatkowski, Dacia, Lisa Plenkers and Raymond Kepner;
School of Science, Marist College
Liquid samples and biofilms from the surfaces of rocks were collected and compared
as to levels of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the Hudson River National
Estuarine Research Reserve. In terms of the coliform Escherichia coli,
the highest level of 0.35 CFU/mL was recorded in the Saw Kill; this was five
times higher than other sites sampled. As for Aeromonas spp., the biofilm
and water from Stoney Creek had excessive levels of colonies (>150 CFU/mL)
that were much higher than the next recorded level of 31.33 CFU/mL for South
Bay. This demonstrates that biofilms, like water, are a viable source
of isolating potentially pathogenic bacteria and show similar patterns of growth
at a particular site.
E5
HOW MULLUSCAN GLUE PROTEINS CONTROL ADHESIVE GEL MECHANICS Pease,
Laura, Biology Dept., Ithaca College
Many animals use gels for life processes. These gels are composed of
large polysaccharides and, in the case of adhesive samples, smaller "glue" proteins. The
large polymers and glue proteins from the glue of the snail Helix aspersa were
separated to determine the effects of the smaller glue proteins. The
glue proteins were then added to commercial polymers such as citrus pectin,
apple pectin, and agarose in different concentrations. The glue proteins
clearly affected gel mechanics, with a peak in gel stiffness at a glue protein
concentration of 1.4 mg/ml. Some comparisons were made with large polymers
that have identical structures, but different charges, revealing that charge
matters. This suggests ionic bonding between the proteins and large polymers.
E6
THE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF DEMYELINATION AND PHAGOCYTOSIS
BY MICROGLIA, Kulack, Jessica L., College of Mount Saint Vincent
Biology Department Manhattan College
Microglia are the primary immune cells located in the central nervous system
that are essential for defense against pathogens and harmful antigens. In
some cases, however, an autoimmune response forces microglia to phagocytose
its own host cells. The focus here is of microglia when the autoimmune
response is directed against myelin in the CNS. Although the antigen
that triggers the demyelination response is still unknown, the sequence that
follows activation has been carefully modeled. Morphological changes,
receptor upregulation, cytokine interactions with T cells, and subsequent release
of its own cytokines are all characteristics found after microglia activation. In
order to view myelin phagocytosis, microglia are cultured with astrocytes,
separated, and exposed to myelin and appropriate membrane controls.
E7
EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT PROTEASE ON CELL ADHESION
AND VIABILITY. Loiselle, Alayna E, Robert S. Greene. Biology Dept.
Niagara University
The effectiveness of a new recombinant protease to detach cells in culture
was tested. The effectiveness of freshly thawed Trypsin and r-protease was
tested against r-protease stored at 4?c. r-protease stored at 4?c was
more effective than the fresh enzymes at detaching HeLa cells from a flask
in culture, even after storage for four months. The second protocol tested
Trypsin and r-protease stored at 4? for their ability to detach WITT cells
in culture. The attachment time for Trypsin was found to decrease, while
it increased in r-protease treated cultures. The number of cells detached
and the viability of those cells were also tested. These results suggest
trypsin is more stable and effective for use in cell culture than r-protease.
E8
NORTHERN ANALYSIS OF THE EXPRESSION OF DD187533C-CU, A HEAT-INDUCIBLE LOCUS
OF DICTYOSTELIUM DISCOIDEUM by Delaporta, Sara E.,
Advisor: S. Brightman, Dept. of Biology, Sacred Heart University
A soil amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd), responds to stressful stimuli
by producing heat-induced proteins, one of which is encoded by locus DD187533C-CU
(represented by cDNA HS8A). In order to study expression of the gene,
cDNA HS8A was used to generate a biotin labeled probe for Northern Blot analysis
of total RNA that had been isolated from the organism under different stressing
conditions. Our results indicate that in a heat shock time course of
180 minutes, the levels of RNA reach a peak at 60 minutes and decline thereafter. The
effects of other stressors such as cold shock, ethanol treatment, and insecticide
treatment, as well as changes during Dd developmental stages, are also being
examined.
F1
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PHOSPHATASE ACTIVITY OF HEAT INDUCED PROTEIN
HS8A Piesz, Jessica, Advisor: Brightman S., Dept. of Biology,
Sacred Heart University
Protein phosphatases are responsible for regulating the cell's response when
exposed to stressful stimuli such as heat, radiation, or non-optimal pH. Heat
inducible cDNA HS8A encodes a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP)-like protein
of Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd). When expressed in bacteria, glutathione-S-transferase
(GST) fusions of the HS8A protein do not exhibit phosphatase activity in a
p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (pNPP) hydrolysis assay. This may be due to
the presence of an unusual Tyr residue in place of a conserved His in the catalytic
motif of the PTP domain. I have found that mutagenic replacement of the
Tyr with an His restores pNPP hydrolysis activity by GST:HS8A fusion proteins. The
pH dependence of that activity is currently being tested.
F2
ALTERATION IN SECOND MESSENGER CYCLIC AMP LEVEL
IN CULTURED RAT BRAIN ASTROCYTES INDUCED BY EXOGENOUSLY ADDED EGTA TREATED
MYELIN MEMBRANES Kumar, Maanvi and J. Haley, Department of Biology,
College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, NY
Astrocytes are glial cells responsible for providing physical support for the
neurons of the CNS. These interaction were examined using 12 to 21 days old
rat pup, Sprague Dawley, forebrain astrocytes in a serum containing medium
at 37°C with 5% CO2/air. These cultures were found to be >95% glial
fibrillate acidic protein (GFAP) positive. Purified NP-myelin, EGTA-myelin,
Axolemma, and red blood cell ghost membranes were added to the cultures (1.5
u g/ml/cm²). Control flasks without added membranes were also prepared.
After 8-10 hours of exposure, an Amersham's cAMP assay system showed that EGTA-myelin
increase intracellular cAMP levels by 500pmoles/flask. Axolemma, RBC, NP-myelin,
and no membranes were all less than 100 pmoles/flask. This time is significant
for optimum association of EGTA-myelin and Axolemma to astrocytes at 370C.
F3
THE EFFECT OF ENUCLEATION AT VARIOUS TIMES OF DAY ON PLASMA MELATONIN
IN PROMETAMORPHIC RANA CATESBEIANA TADPOLES Scott, Jessica, Biology
Dept., Elms College
Melatonin (ML) is secreted by the pineal gland and retina, and may vary due
to lighting, season, and temperature. Previous enucleation experiments,
performed around 1300 hours on 12L:12D, showed lower plasma ML levels in enucleated
tadpoles. This series of experiments endeavored to examine the
effect of enucleation at 0800, 1345, and 2000 hours on plasma ML in R. catesbeiana.
After three days, blood was collected at 1300 and 0100 hours. Radioimmunoassay
results showed reduced plasma ML at night in the enucleated 0800 and 1345 groups.
However, plasma ML was not reduced after enucleation at 2000 hours. Therefore,
time of enucleation is an important consideration in performing these experiments.
F4
PREFERENCES FOR SAME-SEX SHOALING IN ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO) Lebron,
Janette, Biology Dept., Wagner College
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a model organism in genetics and development. However,
little is known of its normal behavior. We quantified zebrafish shoaling
by comparing time spent by test fish near stimulus fish to time spent near
an empty compartment at the opposite end of a narrow tank. Only visual
cues were available. Test fish spent significantly more time near stimulus
fish than near the empty compartment, in both same-sex and opposite-sex pairings. In
both males (p<0.025) and females (p<0.05), shoaling was significantly
more frequent in same-sex than in opposite-sex pairings. We have confirmed
this preference for members of the same sex by giving fish a choice between
groups of males and females. However, our experiments took place in the
afternoon, while zebrafish spawn in early morning.
F5
IDENTIFICATION OF SOMATICALLY-EXPRESSED GENES REQUIRED FOR POST-MEIOTIC
SPERMATOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA. Jarzobski, M., C. Hickey, J. Perng,
and J. Fabrizio, Biology Dept., College of Mt. St. Vincent/Manhattan College.
While instances of soma-to-germline communication have been uncovered during
early spermatogenesis in Drosophila, the role of the soma remains uncharacterized
during the post-meiotic stages. Enhancer trap analysis has uncovered
five genes expressed in late stage cyst cells (Gönczy et al., 1992). As
an initial approach to uncover the roles of these genes in spermatogenesis, P-element
mutagenesis of one of the enhancer traps was employed. In a complimentary
approach, a collection of GFP-tagged protein traps was screened for gene expression
in the soma. Results of both the mutagenesis and the protein trap screen
will be presented. Taken together, both approaches will lead to the elucidation
of somatically expressed genes involved in soma-to-germline communication during
post meiotic spermatogenesis.
F6
DECEPTIVE CACHEING BY EASTERN GRAY SQUIRRELS McKennna, Thomas
J., Amy E. Jennings, and Sylvia L. Halkin, Department of Biological Sciences,
Central Connecticut State University
In the course of caching acorns, squirrels may perform behavior whose apparent
function is to mislead potential cache robbers. To test whether we could
induce such behavior, we fed peanuts to squirrels and compared their caching
behavior when we just watched them cache nuts, to when we attempted to
dig up each nut after it was buried. Apparently deceptive behavior did
increase, but took different forms in different squirrels, including covering
sites where nuts had not been buried, and caching nuts under low bushes where
we couldn't see them. Some squirrels took longer to bury nuts, and dug
in more places before burying them. Our results indicate that squirrels
increase deceptive behavior in response to the risk of cache robbery.
F7
THE EFFECTS OF COLCHICINE ON SPORE GERMINATION AND MORPHOGENESIS
IN FERN GAMETOPHYTES Schilt, Nina, Elizabeth Zwareva, and
Carl Hoegler(faculty adviser) Biology Department, Marymount College of Fordham
University, Tarrytown, NY
Fern spores (Woodwardia virginica) were treated with colchicine to determine
the effect on development. Fern spores were exposed to colchicine (1.5x10-4
M and 3.0x10-4 M) under 2 different light exposures (continuous vs 12hrLight:
12hrDark). Under both lighting conditions, colchicine appeared to cause a dose-dependent
decrease in spore germination. Under continuous light only, the number of gametophyte
plants in 2-dimensional growth decreased in colchicine [30.8% (control) vs.
20.9% (3.0x10-4 M)], whereas under intermittent light, colchicine had no effect.
Nonetheless, under both light conditions, colchicine caused abnormalities in
the morphology of the gametophyte.
Therefore, colchicine appears to affect germination by interfering with cell
division and to affect the morphogenesis of gametophytes plants by altering
cell shape.
F8
TESTING THE EFFECT OF MOLLUSCAN GLUE PROTEINS ON ADHESIVE PERFORMANCE Andrew
Cameron, Biology Dept., Ithaca College
Many animals glue down strongly using dilute gels. The ability to create
a glue from gels that typically serve lubricating functions is interesting. Previous
work showed that there are specific proteins in the glue that are not found
in typical gels. These have been shown to control gel mechanics. In
this study, we tested the ability of these proteins to increase the adhesive
strength of different mixes of polymers. When the overall concentration
is the same, mixtures of glue proteins and large carbohydrates create adhesive
strengths that are roughly 3x greater than the carbohydrates alone or carbohydrates
with a control protein. The glue proteins worked best when mixed with
the giant polymers typically found in snail slime.
G1
PHENOTYPIC EXPRESSION IS THE ULTIMATE PROOF OF GENOTYPIC MAKEUP Lebron,
Janette, Biology Dept., Wagner College
Special X chromosome rearrangements called attached-X (X^X) in Drosophila
melanogaster forces the male fly to transfer his X chromosome to his F1 sons
(patroclinous inheritance). This allows for inducing X chromosome mutations in the
parental male that can be scored (lethals/phenotypic changes)in the F1 males. The
gametes from the attached X^XY female will be X^X and Y and from the male X
and Y. All the males carrying X lethals will die (1:1 ratio of males
to females is offset), but newly induced observable phenotypes (eye color,
body color, and wing shape) are expressed in the male. X-ray and neutron
beam induced X chromosomal mutations will be investigated in the F1 male Drosophila. The
significance of this method is that it gives an effective way of scoring recessive
mutations (that affect genes on X chromosome) in a diploid system the same
way as in a haploid system.
G2
EXPLORATION OF CANNIBALISM IN LEPTOCHEIRUS PLUMULOSUS JUVENILES.
Kolade, Olusola, Konstantine Rountos, and Jenny Balderama, Biology Dept.,
College of Mount Saint Vincent/Manhattan College.
From water-only experiments to determine LC50 concentration of arsenic III
for Leptocheirus plumulosus juveniles, we observed that the survivorship of
individuals peaked at 300g/L and declined elsewhere. We examined
food limitation and density effects and their relationship to cannibalism.
Sacrificed amphipods were removed within one day suggesting that cannibalism,
which reduces survivorship, was possible. Over 4 days, food addition did not
increase survivorship of fed over non-fed individuals. Different volumes of
container showed no significant difference in survivorship, suggesting that
survivorship was not strictly space dependent. Survivorship did vary with number
of individuals for a given volume. This density dependency is likely mediated
through contact rates between individuals. Swimming behavior may play an underappreciated
role in L. plumulosus cannibalism.
G3
SWIMMING AND FEEDING BY THE SCYPHOMEDUSA NAUSITHOE
PUNCTATA. Wellum, J., S.P. Colin, J.H. Costello. Biology Dept.,
Providence College
The scyphomedusa, Nausithoe punctata,(collected from the Mljet Lake in Croatia)uses
swimming patterns to induce flows that direct prey into tentacles and result
in capture. Examination of their swimming patterns and thier corresponding
boundary layer show the bell margin to be hydrodynamically "solid" even
though the margin is discontinuous due to the marginal lappets.
G4
THE SHORT AND LONG TERM EFFECT OF OPTHALMECTOMY OF BOTH EYES ON PLASMA MELATONIN
IN RANA CATESBEIANA TADPOLES
Richardson, Shaun, Biology Dept. Elms College
The contribution of the eyes to plasma melatonin is unclear in Rana catesbeiana
tadpoles, but short-term experiments have shown a decrease in circulating melatonin
after opthalmectomy. These experiments were designed to compare plasma melatonin
levels in control and opthalmectomized tadpoles after five and eleven days
of treatment. The short-term study demonstrated a significant decrease in plasma
melatonin in the opthalmectomized tadpoles during the scotophase. In the long-term
experiment, however, there was no significant difference between opthalmectomized
and control tadpoles. Control tadpoles had a 24-hour rhythm where plasma melatonin
was high during the scotophase and lower in the photophase. This rhythm was
lost in the experimental group at five-days, but it was returned by eleven
days. Thus, if the eyes contribute to plasma melatonin, other sources of the
hormone can compensate after their removal.
G5
THE EFFECTS OF SIMULATED HERBIVORY ON SOYBEAN LEAF FUNCTION Resti,
Joseph P., Hamilton, Jason G. Dept. of Biology, Ithaca College
Leaf-level herbivory can lead to decreased photosynthetic function, both from
loss of tissue and from decreased function of remaining tissue. Using
both gas exchange and fluorescence measurements, we looked at the effects of
leaf damage on soybean. We found that damage to the main vein resulted
in decreased transpiration from 60% to 85% and photosynthetic rates from 60%
to 80% with no apparent effect on PSII efficiency. Damage between veins resulted
in decreased photosynthetic rates from 70% to 90%, increased transpiration
rates from 130% to 250% and decreased PSII efficiency. These changes
may result in lower soybean yield, affecting farmers and consumers.
G6
DO WE AFFECT THEIR BEHAVIOR? The effect
of crowd size on the behavior of captive sea lions. Rende, Nicole T. Manhattan College
In this experiment I observed two female sea lions and one male sea lion (Zakophus
californianus), in an outdoor exhibit at the Wildlife Conservation Society,
(the Bronx Zoo) in New York City. The study was conducted in October
and November, 2003. The animals were individually identified on the basis
of their size and coloration. I observed the three seals for ten minutes
at a time using instantaneous sampling every thirty seconds. I was able
to classify their behaviors operationally into six categories, swimming above
the water, swimming below water, touching wall, vocalization, on land, and
not visible. During each observation period, the number of visitors at the
exhibit was counted. Unless the sea lions were being fed, I did not observe
the crowd around the exhibit to exceed 90 people.
The sea lions spent a significant amount of time swimming above the water and
on land when there were over forty people observing them. On average,
when there were fewer than 40 people present, the sea lions spent 11.4% of
their time swimming above, 13.6% below water and only 0.9% on land. When there
were 40-90 people present, the sea lions spent 14.1% swimming above, 10.6%
below water and 1.4% of their time on land. The frequency of swimming
above water, swimming below water and time spent on land were significantly
affected by crowd size (t-test, p=0.5). The number of people around the
sea lion exhibit has an effect on the behavior of captive sea lions. Further
research will show whether the observed differences are due to stimulation
or stress.
G7
EFFECTS OF FLAGELLA NUMBER ON RATE OF REFLAGELLATION IN CHLAMYDOMONAS
REINHARDTII Dragon, Kymberly A. Biology Department Eastern Connecticut
State University
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green alga that has two flagella
used for movement and mating. When the two mating types are mixed in
the presence of low nitrogen they will form dikaryons. C. reinhardtii
will drop its flagella when stressed by a low pH and regenerate them over 2
to 4 hours. Matings were created between wild type cells, fa mutants,
which don't drop their flagella in a pH shock, and uni mutants that only grow
one flagellum. These pairings created dikaryones with one, two, three
and four flagella to regenerate. The dikaryons were allowed to regenerate
in the presence of cycloheximide, erythromycin and without any protein synthesis
inhibitor. The rate of reflagellation of each pairing in each treatment
was compared to determine the statistical difference caused by the number of
flagella. These experiments lead to a better understanding of the process
of reflagellation.
G8
HYPOLIMNETIC ANOXIA IN THE LAKE ERIE CENTRAL BASIN: REASSESSING THE
ANTHROPOGENIC PHOSPHORUS PARADIGM Kellogg, J. and W.J. Edwards,
Department of Biology, Niagara University
The hypolimnion of the Lake Erie central basin was seasonally anoxic until
phosphorus (P) loading controls were introduced by the Clean Water Act of 1975.
This 'Dead Zone' has re-emerged despite the continued effectiveness of the
P-loading controls. We hypothesize that there is no longer strong links
between anoxia in the hypolimnion and the external P-load. This hypothesis
is tested through a dissolved oxygen simulation, with current Lake Erie parameters,
including vertical mixing, exchange across the air-water interface, photosynthesis,
community respiration, benthic respiration and horizontal transport. Preliminary
data support the importance of benthic respiration and vertical turbulent mixing,
indicating that the P-linkage may be weakening.
G9
ISOLATION AND PURIFICATION OF TARGETTED ANTIBACTERIAL
COMPOUNDS FROM SOIL BACTERIA Swierczynski, Arlene, Jennifer Tassy,
Christine Bento, Karl Harris, Lisa Aschenbrenner, Matt Wietzman, Krista Perrella,
David
Bancroft, Jimmy DeBevoise, and Michael Davis. Department of Biological
Scineces, Central Connecticut State University.
Beginning with a large collection of soil bacterial isolates, we have focused
our attention on a limited number of candidates that (a) show a broad spectrum
of action against a variety of common human-associated bacteria, and (b) show
inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas spp. Antibacterial compounds in the
former class could be useful in bacterial disease chemotherapy for infections
of uncertain etiology. Those in the
latter class could be useful for treating those diseases caused by pseudomonads,
including wound infections and respiratory infections in CF patients. The isolation
of some of the active compounds is underway, and spectroscopic structural analysis
will ultimately reveal if any of these represent novel agents.
H1
DYNAMIC GESTURES IN INFANT WORD LEARNING Sahlstrom, Albert,
Erin Lindenbaum, Nancy Rader, and Research Team 04, Psychology Dept., Ithaca
College
To study how infants discover the relation between a segment of continuous
speech and an object, 14 infants between the ages of 9 and 15 months viewed
2 novel objects paired with non-words via videotaped scenarios. During the
presentation trials, the speaker either used a dynamic gesture, moving the
object synchronously with speech, or held the object stationary. To test
for word learning, the speaker asked the infant to look at one of the two objects.
It was hypothesized that embedding gesture and speech in the same synchronous,
dynamic message contributes to lexical development. Infants directed a greater
proportion of looks at the correct object if the word had been presented with
the dynamic gesture, providing support for the hypothesis.
H2
THE IMPLICATIONS OF PRIMING ON TH ATTITUDES OF COLLEGE
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING THEATRICAL AIDS EDUCATION by Tudisco, Carolyn
D, Psychology Department, Wagner College.
The present study tests the effectiveness of theatre in AIDS education. Further,
it proposes that a simple priming exercise reinforces education and increases
empathy towards characters with AIDS. Scenes from an AIDS-related play were
produced. Participants were randomly assigned to complete one of two priming
questionnaires (focusing on AIDS or a control). Following the performance,
all participants reported attitudes toward people with AIDS. The hypothesis
predicted that participants who received the AIDS-related prime would hold
more positive attitudes toward people with AIDS than would the group with the
control prime. A third group reported attitudes toward people with AIDS without
attending the theatrical performance. This group was predicted to express the
greatest amount of stigma against people with AIDS.
H3
APPRECIATION AND RECALL OF TENDENTIOUS HUMOR Sarah J. Fish,
Kevan L. Donaghy, Brooke A. Gardner, and Meghan O. Soule, Psychology Department,
Ithaca College
Pointed humor that has a clear victim can be funny, but can be less so when
we identify with the butt of the joke. In this study, participants read
and rated jokes with either a female or a male victim or that were more neutral,
then recalled as many of the jokes as they could. The participants showed
identification with the victim of the jokes, rating those stimuli with a victim
of their own sex as less funny than those with a victim of the other sex. In
addition, jokes with a male victim showed higher recall levels by all participants
than those with a female victim. The results differ in part from patterns
observed in previous generations.
H4
DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (fMRI) PARADIGM
FOR INVESTIGATION OF NEURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CORRELATES OF LANGUAGE PROCESSING-PILOT
STUDY Szulc, Kamila U 1,2, Neha Desai1, and Raj Sangoi1 Center for
Advanced Brain Imaging, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research,
Orangeburg, NY1, Psychology Dept, Marymount College of Fordham University2
The goal of the study is to develop functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)
paradigms for assessing neuronal and functional correlates of language processing
in patients with schizophrenia and people with high genetic risk. Patients
are presented with words and pseudowords in blocks for different durations
in one run. The subjects are instructed to signal if they think that they saw
a word. In addition, subjects are presented with strings of R's or strings
of L's. There are a total of 4 runs for each subject. Preliminary results indicate
that the experimental design evokes activity in brain regions
previously associated with language processing in all patients.
H5
"I WANNA LOOK LIKE BRITTANY": MEDIA USE AND BODY
SATISFACTION IN FEMALE AND MALE COLLEGE STUDENTS Anne Goldman, Will
Marusich, Jenna Englund, Erika King, and Research Team 7, Psychology Dept.,
Ithaca College
Despite popular beliefs that media affects body image, little research has
been done on this subject. In this study, 188 college students (51 males, 137
females) completed questionnaires about their media use and measures of body
image. TV shows, magazines, music videos, and movies were classified "high
risk" if they stressed appearance and unrealistic bodies (very thin or
voluptuous females, muscular or "chiseled" males). Females
reported significantly greater exposure to high risk media, and were more than
twice as likely as males to pick a TV or music celebrity with an unattainable
body type as someone they want to look like. Females also showed greater
body dissatisfaction than males; however this was not correlated with high
risk media use.
H6
STIGMA AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESS Edgren, Kara
and Amy Eshleman, Psychology Department, Wagner College
"The mentally ill are disliked to a surprising degree" (Farina, 1971).
Mental illness carries a deeply discrediting social stigma. The present study
explores acceptance of these stigmatizing beliefs among college students and
psychiatric patients. Participants completed the Mental Illness Stigma Scale
twice. College students completed the questionnaire from their own perspective,
then from the imagined perspective of someone with a mental illness. Psychiatric
patients completed the questionnaire from their own perspective, then from the
perspective of someone without mental illness. Results reveal the prevalence
of stigma expressed by each group and subtle prejudice expressed by college students.
We test the hypothesis that psychiatric patients assume those without mental
illness hold greater stigmatizing beliefs than is admitted by the college student
sample.
I1
REVERSING EMOTIONAL EATING BY USE OF A RELAXATION TECHNIQUE Lindsay
B. Halperin and Laurence J. Nolan, Department of Psychology, Wagner College.
Studies have demonstrated that inducing stress in an experimental setting
can cause emotional eaters to consume larger quantities of food. Studies
conducted on stress management have indicated that certain relaxation methods
including listening to music can lower stress. In this study, we attempted
to reduce stress-induced eating in emotional eaters in the laboratory by
playing a classical music selection after a stressful activity and before
food was presented. Meal
size in this group was compared to two no-relaxation control groups: one which
was provided with food immediately after the stressful activity and another
which was given food after a delay comparable to the time taken to play the
music.
I2
THE EFFECT OF ASTIGMATISM AND EYEGLASSES ON STEREOSCOPIC
VISION Tarah L. Sullivan, Psychology Dept., Lycoming College
Myopia and astigmatism are common refractive problems that affect acuity. Stereoscopic
vision requires fusing images from the two eyes. The present study attempted
to discover whether refractive problems such as myopia and astigmatism would
affect stereoscopic vision as well as acuity. In addition, comparisons were
made between participants who were wearing corrective lenses in order to determine
whether contact lenses or eyeglasses produced better stereoscopic vision.
I3
DOES "ELIMIDATE" MAKE YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR BODY? THE
EFFECTS OF SHORT TERM EXPOSURE TO HIGH RISK MEDIA ON BODY IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM,
AND RESILIENCE TO STRESS, Velas, C., Katharine D'Andrea, Emily Goldhammer,
and Nicholas Antczak, Psychology Dept., Ithaca College
This study used an experimental design to test the short-term effects of exposure
to high risk media on body image, stress and self-esteem. A sample of
188 undergraduate college students participated in the study. While waiting
to participate in another study, half of the subjects were exposed to magazines
(e.g., Glamour, GQ) and television ("Elimidate") that highly
stressed appearance and unattainable bodies; the other half were shown neutral
magazines and television ("Animal Planet"). Although the differences
were small, the trends showed greater body dissatisfaction among both males
and females in the high risk condition. Males in the high risk condition
also had significantly lower levels of self-esteem and resilience to stress
than males in the control group.
I4
EATING BEHAVIOR OF MEAL PLAN AND NON-MEAL PLAN STUDENTS IN SINGLE-
AND MULTIPLE-ITEM LABORATORY MEALS Kristen L. Fisher and Laurence
J. Nolan, Department of Psychology, Wagner College.
In the laboratory, participants eat more in a multiple-item meal than in a
single item meal. There is also evidence that first semester college
students gain weight on all-you-can-eat buffet meal plans. No long
term studies of the effect of dietary variety on meal size have been conducted. We
hypothesized that students exposed to high dietary variety may not respond
to multiple item meals in the laboratory in the same way as other students. Thus,
we compared the meal size of meal plan students regularly exposed to a high
variety cafeteria to that of non-meal plan students provided with both multiple-item
and single-item meals in the laboratory on nonconsecutive days.
I5
PARENTAL MODERNITY AND GENDER-TYPING IN SCHOOL-AGED
CHILDREN: A COMPARISON OF DATA FROM TWO GENERATIONS Nelson, Kari
and Fisher-Thompson, Donna, Psychology Department, Niagara University, NY
14109
The aim of this study is to address possible changes in traditional gender-related
stereotypes in children as a result of increasing parental modernity in recent
years. The present study hypothesized that parents are more modern today
than in past decades and as result children are less gender-typed. Seventy-nine
1st and 4th grade students from two local elementary schools completed measures
of gender knowledge and their holiday gift requests. Parents of participating
children were mailed home questionnaires testing parental modernity and gender-typing. Correlations
with the child measures and the parental measures will be discussed. Data
will also be compared with surveys collected in the early 1990's.
I6
SPEAKER STATUS EFFECT ON A COGNITIVE TASK Grabowski, Adam,
Erin Tooley, Nikolas Dickerson, and Nancy Rader, Psychology Dept., Ithaca
College
To study how speaker characteristics affect cognition, 238 undergraduates performed
a word task following an introduction by a purported male or female, peer or
professor (status) who did or did not offer praise for their participation. Assignment
to condition was randomly determined. The dependent measures were the number
of words
created and heart rate change during the introduction. The hypothesis
was that increased heart rate would relate to poorer word performance and that
speaker status would interact with praise and gender. The data analysis found
status to be a significant effect (p<.05). Regardless of gender and praise,
participants performed worse and had decreased heart
rates when the speaker's status was a professor rather than a peer.