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In response to recent media attention, several experiments were performed to explore claims made about bacteria in brewed tea. The leaves from tea bags were tested for the presence of microorganisms, including spore-forming bacteria. Additionally, five organisms were introduced into both sweet and unsweetened tea to determine which, if any, of the organisms could remain viable or grow, and to compare the data obtained from the sweet tea with that of the unsweetened tea. The bacteria used were _Escherichia coli_, _Bacillus subtilis_, _Enterobacter aerogenes_, _Pseudomonas aeruginosa_, and _Staphylococcus aureus_. The growth of the organisms was determined based upon the optical density of the tea into which each organism was inoculated. Only one brand of tea, American Classic Tea, was used in the experiments. The results of the experiment demonstrated that the tea bags did contain microorganisms, though no evidence of spore- formers was found, and that _E. aerogenes_ and _E. coli_ can grow quite easily in a medium of tea, with or without sugar.
Solvent and substituent effects on excited-state proton/charge transfer for derivatives of 2-(2'-Hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole with electron donating groups (OH, OCH3 and N(C2H5)2) in a resonance position were studied. In aprotic solvents, proton transfer is the dominant process; whereas, in protic solvents, charge transfer is the principal phenomenon observed. Introduction of an electron rich source decreases the acidity of the phenolic hydrogen permitting interaction of the proton with protic solvents. These results show that it is possible to fine tune the fluorescence maximum of a compound through the use of solvent and substituent effects.
(RKJ, RCL) Department of Biology, GMBL, University of Charleston, SC,
Charleston, SC 29412 USA
(RJS) Department of Biology, University of
Wisconsin, Stevens Point, WI 54481
The Indo-Pacific fish genus Harpadon is comprised of six species. Three of these occur inshore, principally in turbid coastal and estuarine waters. Three species occur offshore in clearer waters associated with deep-shelf, shelf-break, and over bathyl depths. The species differ in meristic (eg vertebral counts), morphometric (eg body depth, pectoral-fin length), and in semiquantitative features (eg extent of complete squamation on epaxial and hypaxial flanks). Although phenetic similarity is greatest within the two habitat groups, a well-corroborated hypothesis of interrelationships awaits completion of osteological studies. The three inshore species and their distribution are as follows: H.nehereus (Hamilton 1822), Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and inshore waters of western Indonesia and southern Malaysia; H. new species (to be described in this paper), South China Sea and East China Sea; H. translucens Saville-Kent 1889, Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland) and Papua New Guinea. The three offshore species: H. erythraeus Klausewitz 1983, Red Sea; H. Squamosus Alcock 1891, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal;H. microchir Gunther 1878, offshore island arcs of western Pacific including Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines.
An IPTG drug inducible system was utilized to determine DRA's role as a growth suppressor gene in colon cancer by characterizing the mRNA and protein produced by sixty-four cultured and induced colon cancer cell lines.
Clinical and experimental research has shown that prior exposure to ethanol (EtOH) withdrawal increases the severity of future withdrawal seizures. This phenomenon by which previous experience with EtOH withdrawal affects neurochemical systems in such a way as to make future withdrawals more severe has been termed the "kindling effect". Past research has been performed using an animal model to examine the role GABA receptors may play in the potentiation of EtOH withdrawal seizures following repeated episodes of withdrawal. The purpose of this study was to examine specific alterations in GABA receptor function following repeated EtOH withdrawals by measuring seizure threshold doses to the competitive GABAa antagonist bicuculline. Adult male C3H mice were used to generate 3 groups: multiple withdrawal (MW), single withdrawal (SW), and control (C). MW animals received 4 cycles of 16 hr exposure to EtOH in an inhalation chamber with four 8 hr withdrawals between cycles. SW animals experienced only a single bout of 16 hr EtOH exposure with 1 subsequent withdrawal. C animals did not experience EtOH vapor and remained in a control chamber. Half of the animals from each of the three groups (MW, SW, and C) were tested 8 hr post-withdrawal for threshold doses for three stages of seizure activity induced by lateral tail vein infusion of bicuculline. The remaining animals were tested 24 hr post-withdrawal. Results from 8 hr post-withdrawal testing showed that, in most instances, SW and C animals required significantly higher doses of bicuculline than MW animals to induce the three seizure measures. Results from 24 hr post-withdrawal testing showed no significant differences in threshold doses between the three groups. This data, when compared with previous work examining Pentylenetetrazol (chloride channel blocker) seizure threshold, indicates that animals which have experienced multiple EtOH withdrawals exhibit greater sensitivity to the GABA chloride channel blocking activity of PTZ as compared to the competitive antagonistic action of bicuculline. Thus, it seems that neuroadaptive changes in response to repeated episodes of EtOH withdrawal may result in greater sensitivity at the intrachannel binding site of the receptor as compared to the GABA receptor binding site.
Fluid dynamics under simulated physiological conditions are examined both by visual inspection and continuous waveform analysis of the flow oscillation frequency. A preparation of non-Newtonian fluid which approximates the properties of whole blood is pumped through a circuit of distensible tubing. Flow profiles are measured near modelled saccular aneurysms and compared with observed streamline patterns. Boundary region effects and intra-aneurysmal stagnation of flow are investigated. Various methods of risk assessment for aneursym rupture have been considered through this.
1,3-Diketones, such as benzoylacetone, or 1,3-ketoesters, such as methyl acetoacetate, were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide, and the resulting dianion-type intermediates were condensed with either lithiated methyl salicylates, or lithiated methyl thiosalicylate. The condensations involved the reaction of one anion-type of intermediate with another anion-type of intermediate. In each case, this step was followed by cyclization with aqueous acid to afford either the 2-substituted, 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (chromone), or 4H-1-benzothiopyran-4-one (thiochromone).
Chromones/thiochromones and other flavanoid derivatives are well documented for their broad spectrum biological activity. The traditional or strong-base preparation reports of chromones and thiochromones with a phenacyl group or acetic acid ester group in the 2-position have been somewhat limited.
Methyl phenylacetate was monolithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide followed by condensation with salicylaldehydes to give appropriately substituted benzenepropanoic acid esters that have the potential for cyclization to 3-phenylcoumarins. Also, phenylacetic acid or 4-chlorophenylacetic acid were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide followed by condensation with salicylaldehyde to give the appropriately substituted benzenepropanoic acid. The resulting acids have the potential to undergo acid catalyzed linear dehydration and then cyclodehydration to substituted 3-phenylcoumarins.
The second reaction sequence involves the condensation of a dianion intermediate of a phenylacetic acid with a monoanion of salicylaldehyde. While this at first may seem impractical, long time condensation appears to be the necessary parameter for a successful reaction. The successful condensation is novel. Also, coumarins are well documented for their broad spectrum biological activity, and they have been used in photographic research.
This initial study has focused on the preparation of 4-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarins and 3-alkyl- 4-hydroxythiocoumarins. Many coumarins of biological interest are those which have an alkyl or aryl substituent in the 3-position pattern and an OH or ether linkage in the 4- position. Compounds with this substitution pattern are the central point of this preliminary study. In each instance the key reaction has been an enolate/carbanion type intermediate of a carboxylic acid ester undergoing a Claisen-type condensation with another anion-type substrate of either a salicylate or thiosalicylate ester. Specifically, ethyl propionate was monolithiated with excess lithium diisoproplylamide and condensed with either lithiated methyl salicylate, lithiated methyl 5-bromosalicylate, or lithiated methyl 5-chlorosalicylate to give new lithiated intermediates that were cyclized with acid to the desired 4-hydroxy-3-methylcoumarins in 40 - 94 % yield. Also, carboxylic acid esters, propionate, butyrate, valerate, or hydrocinnamate were monolithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide, condensed with lithiated methyl thiosalicylate to new lithiated intermediates that were acid cyclized to 3-alkyl-4- hydroxythiocoumarins in 27 - 68 % yield.
Reovirus 1/L infection of mouse lungs causes an acute inflammation. However, Reovirus 3/D infection does not cause inflammation in mouse lungs. An in vitro tissue culture model system was developed to mimic the in vivo mouse model. We have used 34LU cells, which are human lung fibroblast cells as target for reovirus infection. In preliminary, experiments with 34LU cells, Reovirus 1/L did not appear to productively infect these cells in vitro. However, Reovirus 1/L infected 34LU cells were positively stained with an antiserum against reovirus suggesting that cells were persistently infected. We hypothesize that since Reovirus 3/D does not cause an inflammatory response in vivo, Reovirus 3/D will not productively infect 34LU lung fibroblasts. To test this hypothesize, we will evaluate both infected and uninfected 34LU cells for (1) cell growth and viability; (2) the production of infectious virions; and (3) the expression of viral specifci RNA. A time course analysis after Reovirus 3/D infection will be performed. Cell growth and viability should determine whether or not a lytic infection with reovirus has occurred. By titering the samples, we will determine whether or not production of infectious viral particles has also occurred in the cells. Finally, we will anzlyze for the expression of Reovirus 3/D RNA over time after infection. After testing the hypothesis, we found that (1) Reovirus 3/D does not effect cell growth; (2) Reovirus 3/D replication occurs; and (3) infectious virions are being produced in 34LU lung fibroblasts. We can finally conclude that Reovirus 3/D persistently infects 34LU lung fibroblasts.
Dennis M. Sullivan II , James W. Smiley and Marion T. Doig
Department of Biology, College of Charleston
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-like activity (ACELA) was determined in crude tissue homogenates of the marine polychaete, Nereis virens, using an HPLC assay and the synthetic substrate N-(3-[2-furyl]acryloyl)-phenylalanylglycylglycine (FAPGG). The enzyme had a Km of 2.8 x 10-3M and a Vmax of 527 nmol/min/mg protein. The enzyme preparation from whole worm homogenates had enhanced activity in the presence of added chloride with maximum activity at a chloride concentration of 300 mM. IC50 values for the specific inhibitors lisinopril and captopril were 1.3 x 10-7 M and 5.3 x 10-8 M respectively. Phosphoramidon did not inhibit at 1 x 10-4 M. The enzyme appeared not to be membrane-bound with 79% of the total activity appearing in the supernatant produced by centrifugation of the crude extract at 50,000 x g for 60 min.
Defects in Zebrafish, Danio R., occurring as a result of retinoic acid (RA) and Li exposure are well characterized, noted are deletions of the midbrain-hindbrain, deletions of the forebrain and deleted or reduced heart formation. Programmed cell death is a normal process used to shape these structures during development. Using the vital dye Acridine Orange (AO) and the TUNEL assay to detect apoptotic cells the effects of (RA) and lithium chloride (Li) on programmed cell death were examined. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to RA concentrations of 10-6 M to 10-8 M at 50% epiboly for one hour or Li at 10-3 M for 5, 10 or 15 min at 50% epiboly. Embryos were then collected and assayed at various stages during development. Results: RA and Li both dramatically increase the number of apoptotic cells found.
A platform independent research tool was developed for the automated training and testing of independent neural network algorithms by computer. Intended for use by the research community, AXONN generates two-dimensional random (multivariate Gaussian) data sets for training, testing and evaluating, multiple layer feed forward networks and probabilistic type neural networks. Quantitative statistical summaries of network classifications are provided as are tools for qualitative data visualization. Neural network parameters are controlled by the researcher. The client-server architecture is implemented as an integrated collection of Java applets accessible through the Internet at a specified URL.
General Relativity shows the necessity of using a non-Euclidean description of space-time in the presence of a strong gravitational field. Mathematical models of a specialized three-body problem in both Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries were developed in MathematicaÆ. Two-dimensional particle trajectories illustrate the motion of a small test particle in the presence of two large fixed masses.
South Carolina's wetlands are increasingly impacted by commercial and residential development. This NASA EPSCoR project monitors estuary systems for land cover change and overall trends revealing ecosytem health. A change detection analysis will be performed using SPOT, Landsat TM, RADARSAT and AVIRIS images from 1984 through 1997 to determine areas of wetland loss or ecosystem stress related to anthropogenic activities. Field sampling will determine environmental parameters of stress to which these ecosystems are exposed. Evidence of loss within these coastal systems will be categorized and inventoried using remotely sensed data.
The bright star Spica is one of the more interesting of the first magnitude stars. First it is a spectroscopic binary consisting of two B stars revolving about a common center of mass with a period of approximately 4.01 days. The two components are deformed by their mutual gravitational interaction into oblate spheroids which are tidally locked to each other. The fact that in part of the orbit we observe the two stars edge on and in another part we observe then pole on leads to a variation in the brightness making Spica an ellipsoidal variable. In the late 1960 s it was discovered that Spica was also a pulsating variable of the Beta Cephei type with a period of 0.174 days. Even stranger in the early 1970 s the pulsation apparently ceased. Since then Spica has been monitored sporadically both photometrically and spectroscopically in attempt to observe a resumption of the pulsation. To date this has been unsuccessful. This paper reports on the most recent of these attempts carried on during the 1995-96 observing season and continued until the present. Spica has been observed with the Four College Consortium APT located on Mt. Hopkins during the 1995-96 season and at the Fairborn Observatory Station at Washington Camp, AZ during the 1996-97 season. Spica was observed differentially in the stromgren 4-color system. The comparison star was 79 Virginis while the check star was q Virginis. Eac
Horry-Georgetown counties South Carolina wetland impoundments were initially created by the historical rice agriculture industry. The alteration of estuarine innundation trends result in successional differences within plant community composition. Change detection will be performed using SPOT, Landsat TM, RADARSAT, and AVIRIS images from 1984 through 1997 to determine wetland losses and overall ecosystem health. Field sampling will yield the environmental parameters changed due to impoundment. The comparison between naturally occuring estuaries will be compared to those that are partially and fully diked. The data yielded will be classified and inventoried to determine plant community differences.
The goal of the Coral Reef Monitoring Project is to monitor the status and trends of coral reef and hardbottom communities in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary using repetitive underwater observations and video transects to provide estimates of biodiversity, distribution and coverage of reef corals, soft corals, sponges, algae, substrate and the incidence of selected coral diseases.
The primary objective of the project is to annually sample permanently marked sites ranging from the northern Florida Keys to Key West, including outer reefs, patch reefs, and hardbottom communities. Site locations were chosen using a random stratified technique based on EPA EMAP survey procedures. Underwater station species inventories census coral biodiversity while image analysis of video transects provides estimates of planar coverage.
The sampling design and broad spatial coverage will provide statistically sound estimates of the temporal stability of coverage and coral species richness. These observations can be used to generate hypotheses to distinguish between local, regional, and larger-scale factors that may influence the health of the coral reef ecosystem (e.g., sewage, land use, visitation, Florida Bay water, global climate change). The Coral Reef Monitoring Project will provide the scientific information needed to achieve the best management practices possible. It is the most statistically rigorous and precise large-scale coral monitoring project in the world.
The CRMP is a cooperative undertaking between three agencies: University of Charleston, SC, Florida Marine Research Institute, and the University of Georgia. FMRI has principal responsibility for field logistics, UCSC for video frame grabbing and image analysis software development, and UGA for underwater video camera systems. All laboratories participate in field and laboratory data collection and image analysis. Funding source is USEPA and is coordinated by Fred McManus.
From January 1996 through March 1997 I studied the acoustic behavior of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins _(Tursiops truncatus)_ in the Stono River Estuary, SC. Behaviors of focal animals were observed and recorded by using a video camera aboard a boat, along with a towable hydrophone for underwater sound recording. The preliminary data analysis based on 86 surveys from June 1996 - January 1997 showed strong monthly variation in behavioral activities. Social activities were most frequently sighted in August (25.0% of all behavior counts) and least sighted in January (no sightings). Feeding activities peaked in December (37.7%) but were relatively low in other months. Dolphin behavior also varied with habitats, with most social activities observed in relatively open water (35.3%) and feeding and traveling activities in creeks (feeding: 28.7%; traveling: 43. 5%) and creek entrances (feeding: 36.5%). Whistle production rate (WPR = number of whistles / dolphin / hour) was the highest during social (47.9 wdh) and social-feeding (44.4 wdh) activities but the lowest during traveling (2.5 wdh).
The goal of this project is to synthesize and use alpha, beta-unsaturated hydrazides as substrates for the 1,4-addition of alpha-aminocarbanions. This methodology can lead to the preparation of complex amines which are precursors to biologically active natural products, i.e., alkaloids. The initial studies in the preparation and reaction of the alpha, beta-unsaturated hydrazides with alpha-aminocarbanions will be presented.
I. An extensive review of the literature concerning the synthesis of 1-aminophosphonic acids and their precursors revealed the potent biologically inhibitory effect fo these compounds and their wide spread applications to agriculture and pharmacology. This class of compounds includes such products as the antibacterial agent Alafosfolin and herbicide Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup¨). Recent methods for the synthesis of 1-aminophosphonic acids involved modification of previous techniques, i.e., either the addition of phosphite to an imine or alkylation of a Schiff base, which allow synthesis of more complex or asymmetric 1-aminophosphonic acids. Other methods using cationic intermediates and transformations of phosphoranes and carboxylic acids have also been developed. II. Preparation of 1-azophosphonic acid diethyl esters, precursors to 1-aminophosphonic acids, by means of an 1-azo carbanion intermediate formed by the reaction of a tert-butyl hydrazone with n-butyl lithium followed phosphorylation using chloro diethylphosphate. Hydrogenolysis of the 1-azophosphonate should afford the desired 1-aminophosphonate ester. Initial results of this study will be presented.
A new class of reagents, chiral beta-amino-alpha-alkoxycarbanions, are currently be developed via organostannane intermediates. The starting material, inexpensive commercially available amino acids, are converted to the N,N-dibenzyl protected esters. The ester is reduced to the corresponding alcohol with lithium aluminum hydride. The resulting alcohol is converted to an aldehyde using the mild Swern oxidation. Efforts to add metallated organotin nucleophiles (Bu3SnM) are being examined to form organostannane precursors to the beta-amino-alpha-alkoxy carbanions. A series of biologically active compounds (e.g. renin inhibitors) are targeted as an application of this methodology.
The goal of this project is to explore the scope and limitations of chiral beta-amnio-alpha alkoxyalkyl carbanions. The application of this research is to prepare biologically active targets (e.g. peptidomimetic hydroxyethylene isosteres which are potential HIV protease inhibitor.) Efforts to synthesize precursors (e.g. beta-amino-alpha-alkoxylstannanes) from chiral amino acids will be presented.
The Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) provides 224 bands of hyperspectral remote sensing data in the 0.4-2.5 micron range. Areas which have abundant surface clay minerals are ideal sites for geologic remote sensing using AVIRIS data because the minerals have characteristic absorption features within the AVIRIS spectral range. The Goldfield mining district of Nevada is such a site, because hydrothermal alteration accompanied epithermal mineralization along the faulted margin of a caldera and hydrothermal minerals are visible on the surface. The fine-grained nature of the hydrothermal minerals and complexity of structures makes surface mapping by conventional techniques extremely challenging.
We mapped hydrothermal mineral distributions within the Goldfield area using AVIRIS data. In order to map mineral distributions, the hyperspectral data were reduced from spectral radiance to apparent surface reflectance, and the data were calibrated for atmospheric absorption effects. We applied several methods to compare the distributions of hydrothermal alteration minerals and mineral assemblages: spectral feature fitting, both traditional and continuum removal methods; n-dimensional visualization; and spectral unmixing. Results were compared to limited ground-truth data obtained by two of the authors, and compared with two published geologic maps. Preliminary results indicate that alteration maps from hyperspectral data correspond well with published alteration and geologic maps, and the ground-truth observations.
The intent of this project was to determine whether inshore Atlantic bottlenose dolphins _(Tursiops truncatus)_ exhibited seasonal preference in habitats. Four habitats were recognized in the study area based on their environmental characteristics: (1) rivers, (2) creeks, (3) a channel, and (4) an inlet. Boat surveys were conducted from February 1996 - January 1997 with a total of 131 field trips. During the spring, the highest dolphin sighting rate was shown in the creeks (2.7 d/s = dolphins/survey) and lowest in the inlet (2.0 d/s). In the summer, the highest rate was observed in the inlet (5.7 d/s) and lowest in the creeks (1.5 d/s). During the fall, the highest sighting rate was found in the channel (5.0 d/s) and the lowest in the creeks (2.4 d/s). During the winter months, the highest rate was recorded in the inlet (3.7 d/s) and the lowest rate in the channel (1.9 d/s). The seasonal preference of habitats in the inshore bottlenose dolphins may suggest the seasonal distribution of prey. Overall, there appeared to be a greater abundance of dolphins during the summer months and fewer dolphins during the winter months.
There are several existing procedures for the reduction of cyclic anhydrides to lactones. However, most employ expensive and dangerous reagents and are often inefficient and time consuming when working on a large scale. Our goal was to find a synthetic method of preparing industrially useful lactones, specifically 1,8-naphthalide. The method we selected involved a NaBH4 reduction of 1,8-naphthalic anhydride in ethanol, with a base quench. To optimize the reaction conditions, we varied the time, temperature, stoichiometry, and workup. The crude yield ranged from 75-85%, while the overall yield was generally 47-55%. The base quench was unexpectedly essential for the success of the reaction.
Sports radar guns have been used for years to provide quick and reasonably accurate speed information in a variety of sport settings. The standard has been the JUGS Gun, a rugged albeit expensive instrument. Recently, Sports Radar, LTD has produced a series of inexpensive and versatile radar guns with an accuracy of ±1.0 miles/hour (their claim). It was the purpose of this study to evaluate one of them, the SR3200. One-hundred-twenty-two observations were made under conditions varying from careful laboratory analysis to basic field research. SR3200 speed values were compared to speed values obtained by standard measurement procedures (motion analysis, gravity drops, timing gates, validation standard). The SR3200 performed reasonably well in some areas, but it fell well short of the 1.0 miles/hour (MPH) accuracy claim. The SR3200 performed best when estimating the speed of light vehicles (88% within ± 1.0 MPH), and it performed poorly when estimating the speed of runners (22% within ± 1.0 MPH) and cyclists (14% within ± 1.0 MPH). In general, SR3200 error increased when projectile speed was below 25 MPH. Further, the use of reflective tape enhanced performance considerably vis-a-vis the JUGS Gun, although the use of reflective tape did not enhance estimation of running or cycling speed.
In many labs, pulmonary spirometry is a regular part of exercise and physical evaluations. Most spirometry equipment is cumbersome to use, especially if one needs to move a spirometer to a subject. In recent years, hand-held spirometers have been developed which add convenience to spirometric measures. Our investigation was conducted to evaluate one of these devices, the Microspirometer (Micro Medical, Ltd.). The evaluation proceeded along two lines. First, a calibrated syringe (Quinton, Inc) was used to assess simple volumetric accuracy (VOL) over a range of one to six liters. Second, the Microspirometer was validated against a standard spirometer (Vitalograph, Inc) via simultaneous measurement of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume/one second (FEV1) in a group of human subjects. The correlation between the Microspirometer values and syringe values was very high (R=0.99) for VOL; however, the slope was less than 1.0 (0.94). This resulted in a small but significant underestimation of VOL in the physiological range. The tendency toward small but significant underestimations was confirmed for FVC in a group of human subjects as well. The FEV1 validation showed just the opposite tendency, however. The Microspirometer significantly overestimated FEV1 in human subjects, again by a small margin. Although the data analysis revealed significant differences between the Microspirometer and accepted standards, the actual amount of error was small. If the user can tolerate FVC errors of about 3% and FEV1 errors of about 4%, then the Microspirometer is an acceptable and convenient substitute for a standard spirometer.
Coccolithophores are spherical unicellular phytoplankton, found worldwide in the euphotic zone. The majority of species have cells which are less than 10 micrometers in diameter. Their most distinctive feature is the outer covering of small regular calcareous plates or coccoliths. When a coccolithophore cell dies, its coccoliths sink through the water column to the bottom. In areas below the carbonate compensation depth coccoliths are often dissolved instead of being preserved. The object of this study is to determine coccolith flux in two tropical Atlantic sites.
Our samples were collected by automated sediment traps which gathered the sediment as it sank, thus preserving the coccoliths before dissolution occurred. The automated trap collected 21 samples at each site. Each cup represents 17 days of coccolith sedimentation.
The two study sites have very different seasonal hydrographic conditions, specifically sea surface temperature and thermocline structure variability. These physical parameters, as well as total carbonate and organic carbon flux data, are analyzed in order to determine relationships with the coccolithophore flux.
The samples were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Coccolith plates were counted and calculated as number of coccoliths/ m2/ day. These data will be statistically analyzed and correlated with physical parameter data and other particulate flux data in order to discover potential relationships.
Foraminifera flux is compared to hydrographic conditions to determine which parameters control the change in species assemblages. The study site HTV (4¡.28Õ N, 22¡.28Õ W) located in the eastern tropical Atlantic, in a region characterized by high thermocline variability with nearly stable sea surface temperatures throughout the year. Twenty-one consecutive time-series samples of particulate material (each sample represents 17.35 days) were collected over a one year period using an automated 21-cup PARFLUX Mark VII sediment trap located at a depth of approxiamately 3500 meters. Five species comprise more than ninety percent of the shell flux: G. ruber (pink and white varieties), G. sacculifer, N. dutertrei, O. universa, and G. menardii. Three of these five have bimodal peaks, and all of the species peak in the spring and early summer seasons when the thermocline is depressed. Peak flux is not a function of sea surface temperature and may be correlated to changes in the thermocline and subsequent water stratification, and increases in food supply such as phytoplankton. Determining the seasonal shell flux and how it relates to the hydrography is necessary for the identification of indicator species for specific hydrographies. The reconstruction of paleoceanographic conditions may be done by utilizing these key species as recording tools of current hydrographic conditions. If it is determined that certain foraminiferal assemblages are indicative of specific hydrographic environments, then they may be used as down core indicators are of past conditions.
Building dust was collected in a filter using a shop vacuum. The activity of the sample was recorded over time using a Geiger-Muller tube. The data was analyzed for multiple decays of different half-life by linear regression analysis of the graph of natural log of the activity versus time. Multiple half-lives were found and an attempt was made to identify the isotopes present.
Scientific research has told us that the higher the MET level we can exercise at, the more benefit we can get out of our exercise program. It is common, therefore, for laboratories to conduct experiments to measure maximal aerobic capacity. The problem is, however, that a maximal test can be both dangerous and taxing. This study was conducted to see if we could accurately predict a person's maximum MET level from previous submaximal work. For the submaximal data, the subjects exercised on the treadmill at 4 and 8 METS while being monitored by a Polar Heartrate Monitor. A regression analysis enabled us to establish a relationship between heartrate and MET load. Once we made the maximum MET predictions, we tested their validity by putting the same subjects back on the treadmill to get actual maximum MET values. Fifteen subjects participated, exercising at 4, 8, and 12 METS for three minutes at each level. The subjects continued to exercise beyond the 12 MET load to the point of exhaustion and the final MET level was recorded. Next, we compared our actual maximum MET values to the predicted maximum MET values. We constructed a line graph to show the relationship. The results indicated we did not have a very good predictor of maximum MET load from submaximal treadmill data. The R value was only 0.59; worse was the fact that the model overestimated true maximum values for subjects with lower maximum MET value, but underestimated the true maximum values for those subjects with higher maximum MET values.
As an added bonus, we were curious as to whether there was a significant difference between males and females in actual maximal MET values. Using a Statworks program, we conducted an unpaired t-test and found no significance (T=0.43) between males and females.
In sum, it appears from our study that submaximal treadmill data does not produce a good predictor of maximal MET load. In addition, there seems to be very little difference in maximum MET load between males and females. It stands to reason, then, the only good measurement of maximum MET load comes from a maximal test, despite the testÕs difficulties.
Acetylferrocene oxime, which was prepared by the condensation of acetylferrocene and hydroxylamine, was dilithiated with n-butyllithium in hexanes using tetrahydrofuran solvent, a dry nitrogen atmosphere, and 0 C. The dilithiated oxime underwent an aldol-type condensation by reaction with benzophenone, 4-chlorobenzophenone, or 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde. The procedures involving the ketones involved quenching the condensation mixture into inverse neutralization, which is pouring the polyanion-type mixture into aqueous hydrochloric acid, followed by standard work-up procedure. The expected ferrocenyl hydroxy-oxime resulted. In the case of the condensation of the dilithiated oxime with the aldehyde, addition of aqueous acid was followed by heating and stirring the resulting mixture until the system was at reflux, which was then followed by work-up. The last reaction has the potential for cyclization of lithiated intermediates to ferrocenyl isoxazolines.
All of the products prepared during this preliminary study are new, and their characterization will follow by absorption spectra, with support from combustion analysis. Recently three reports have appeared in the literature (in the 1990s), concerning the traditional and strong-base preparations of related ferrocenyl-isoxazoles.
Exposure to excessive, hazardous levels of noise is a common cause of hearing loss. Recent research indicates that individuals can be protected form noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) by exposure to a nonhazardous intermittent (toughening) or continuous (conditioning) sound before entering a noisy environment. The prior exposure can decrease the amount of outer hair cell (OHC) loss during a later exposure to an intense noise. One goal of this project was to evaluate the protection the ear receives from NIHL by exposure to a prior toughening noise or a conditioning noise of similar energy.
Upon acoustic stimulation, calcium (Ca2+) enters the cochlear hair cells. In other tissues, excess entry of Ca2+ into cells has been shown to cause cellular damage. Ca2+-induced injuries can be reduced or prevented in some instances by administering Ca2+ channel blockers (CCB) to block voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Another goal of this project was to determine the effectiveness of nimodipine, a potent CCB, in protecting the ear from different intensity noises.
This project was an extension of a larger study in which protection from NIHL generated by a prior noise exposure or the nimodipine was assesed by the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOEs). In this project, the cochleae were analyzed for hair cell damage after the collection of the physiological measures. Counts of missing cells by type were entered into a computer, normalized and plotted as a function of percent distance from the apex of the cochlea in order to obtain a cochleogram. The group mean cochleograms were compared to determine which treatment resulted in less OHC loss.
The results imply that OHC loss can be prevented more by the conditioning than by the toughening paradigm. They also imply that nimodipine does not prevent OHC loss at a high noise intensity (107 dB), but may provide minimal protection at a lower noise level(102 dB). Further research designed to evaluate the parameters in which conditioning can prevent hearing loss from an intense noise and to identfy the mechanism of such protection is being planned.
A classical Monte Carlo model of interstitial impurities within a crystal lattice was produced using Mathematica. This program examines the diffusion of interstitial impurities within a simple cubic crystal lattice in thermodynamic equilibrium through the use of a computer generated random walk. As the name suggests, a random walk is the path followed by a series of discrete random steps in space. It is often useful and more indicative of the diffusion that occurs within a crystal to consider it in the more explicit terms of a random walk, rather than continuum diffusion equations. The walk is produced through the iteration of computer generated random energy values over a specified range, which are manipulated based upon the chemical potentials within the crystal lattice. Interactions by the interstitial with the surface and with lattice vacancies are also taken into account within the model.
The Black-capped Chickadee (Parus atricapillus) and its relatives in subgenus Poecille cache and recover seeds, defend territories in winter, and utter complex "chick-a-dee" calls that are assembled from four note types (A, B, C, D) according to strict combinatorial rules. Their distant relative the Great Tit (P. major) does not cache, and does not defend group territories in winter, but does use vocalizations which superficially resemble "chick-a-dee" calls. We scored over 600 spectrograms from Chinese Great Tit for note-types, and calculated transition frequencies. We found possible homologues for all four Poecile note types, as well as four others. Transitions between note-types were nonrandom (e.g., D always terminal, C only preceded by A), but less constrained than in the Black-capped Chickadee, with return transitions (A<->E, G<->M) possible. Subsytem BAECD strongly resembles the ABCD of Poecile, but subsystem FGM may be inserted, always after B or C, sometimes before D. Information capacity appears high.
A collection of drinking water samples were taken from fountains at the College of Charleston to measure trace metal concentrations. Samples were collected in early morning and measured for specific conductance, alkalinity, and pH before preservarion with HNO3 for analysis of metals by ICP(Inductively Coupled Plasma) spectrometry. The detection level for all metals was determined at approximately 10ppb. These data were compared with EPA Safe Drinking Wather Act standards. Comparison of drinking water quality data with CCPW (Charleston Commissioners of Public Works) analytical data of untreated Edisto River water and Hanahan plant treated drinking water enabled a determination of possible sources of trace metal contamination.
The United States Department of Agriculture maintains the Santee Experimental Watershed in Francis Marion National Forest for the study of forested watershed behavior. In these headwater basins stream discharge and shallow groundwater flow are intimately related but the behavior of the surficial aquifer is poorly understood. The United States Geologic Surveyâs Finite Difference groundwater model (MODFLOW) was used to simulate steady state flow in the surficial aquifer drained by a stream network. The geometry and boundary conditions driving flow in the shallow silts and sands were determined from geologic maps and lithologic core data. Our conceptual model consisted of ten to forty feet of these shallow deposits sitting atop the poorly permeable Cooper Marl drained by incised stream channels. These data were transferred to a 300 meter grid in MODFLOW format using word processors, spreadsheet programs, drafting programs, and a preprocessor specifically designed for MODFLOW. Model output consisted of steady state watertable maps. These maps were plotted for separate model runs reflecting the estimated range of recharge rate in this basin between 60 and 12 cm/yr. The model was calibrated to observed watertable elevations measured at shallow wells by adjusting the hydraulic conductivity of the sediments in a range of 300 to 50 ft/day. The watertable maps for these runs are similar but reveal subtle differences in the position of groundwater divides which determine the recharge areas for draining streams. In general these areas differ from the watershed areas determined from topographic divides which have been previously used to quantify recharge from measured streamflow.
Benthic invertebrates dominate coral reef ecosystems and are often spatially limited. Physical and biological factors which control coral community maintenance and long term reef development operate along a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. To better understand the processes and patterns within and among coral reefs, each of these controlling factors must be assessed on the appropriate temporal and spatial scale.
Aerial photography, detailed submarine in situ survey results, and historical information were used to build the spatial database. The GIS, Arc/Info, is used to analyze the many layers involved in the complex landscape ecology of this ecosystem. Querying the database reveals spatial correlation which may provide new insight to reef development processes. Coverages will include:
This project began in 1996 with Dennis Maxwell. His goal was to use the 16 DFM computer controlled telescope to search the sky for asteroids and comets. Of particular interest in the world today are objects called Near Earth Objects. Using the telescope as a research tool will enable the College to interact with the scientific community in the long term.
Near Earth Objects are asteroids which are between the orbits of the main asteroid belt and Earth. Some of these objects orbits cross the path of Earth s. The ones we are concerned with are those 1 km or larger. One crashed into the Earth and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. If the human race can catalogue these objects, we may prevent our own demise.
Using the telescope and a CCD camera to capture the images for later analysis we scan the ecliptic in areas where objects have not been discovered and find an object that is not a star. We must then take pictures with the CCD at regular intervals over the course of several nights at which time we can compare images to see if anything has moved. The process requires careful telescope calibration and measurements. The CCD camera is a useful tool for this analysis as it can see up to about 15th magnitude, even with the light pollution of downtown Charleston. Using a special software program we can flash the images quickly one after another enabling us to see an object jump in position. If an object appears to be an asteroid the data must be submitted to the Minor Planet Center for verification and ultimately naming.
Each year, approximately 15,000 people are killed or maimed by the landmines throughout the world. Their small size and plastic casing make them virtually undetectable by conventional methods of detection. A new approach in landmine detection focuses not on looking for the mine itself, but on the material that surrounds the emplaced mine. Landmine emplacement causes several distinct alterations to the surroundings: change of soil mineralogy and grain size, moisture content of the soil, and vegetation stress.
Alterations to the surroundings are detected using hyperspectral remote sensing data. Changes in the soil mineralogy can be detected in the 0.4-2.5 mm spectral range. Clay minerals, usually present deeper in the soil, are brought to the surface by mine emplacement and their characteristic spectral signature can indicate presence of a mine. Anomalies in the water content of the soil, or vegetation stress can be detected by spectral analysis of water and chlorophyll absorption regions in the reflected spectra.
Current research suggests that these secondary changes are indeed detectable and can be reliably used in the detection of these dangerous weapons.
Current efforts to target and educate middle school students about planetary science disciplines have been limited. Many students in South Carolina, and throughout a major part of the United States know very little about current planetary exploration and space science program.
We have written and produced an educational CD-ROM named "Contact Light" that can bring a whole new dimension to planetary science education at the middle school level. Written in the universal HTML/JAVA format, the CD is applicable and easy to use on any type of computer platform: PC, Macintosh and/or UNIX. It is offered free of charge to educational institutions and programs.
The "Contact Light" CD-ROM has been designed as an interactive, near-futuristic voyage to the moon, using engineering platforms and science procedures implemented by NASA. This type of hands-on, interactive educational tool will offer a new perspective to the methods in which planetary science is traditionally presented. The students will be able to see the moon as it is, in three dimensions, and through hands-on experience.
Globigernoides ruber is the most often studied foraminifera species in reconstructing past regional hydrographic conditions through carbon and oxygen isotopic analysis. There are two morphological varieties of G. ruber, white and pink. While differences in flux between these varieties have been previously studied, the possible relationship of morphological variances (i.e height, width, and color) to seasonalitly has yet to be studied in the pink variety. If morphological change is directly related to seasonality, then this morphological data can be used to reconstruct previous hydrographic conditions through down core specimens. The study site HSS (14 18'N, 18 48'W), located off the coast of northwest Africa, is a region characterized by high sea surface temperature (SST) seasonality. Samples were collected with an automated twenty-one cup PARFLUX Mark VII sediment trap placed at approximately 3300 meters. The sediment trap collected foraminifera species including G. ruber over twelve consecutive months (each sample represents 17.35 days). Each sample of G. ruber was sorted into five distinctive shades of pink based on a color template and then measured for height and width. Statistical analysis showed a direct relationship between height and width, however there was no relationship found between SST and height, width, or shade of pink. It remains to be determined whether isotope concentrations effect morphological change.
This poster presents a fresh look at a child's "Slinky" spring with a view to answering questions such as these: For a Slinky hanging vertically without bouncing, is the loop-to-loop stretching more at the bottom, more at the top, or the same everywhere? Is the spring constant of a Slinky really constant (independent of stretch)? Suppose one views a Slinky as a collection of point masses connected by massless springs. Looking at just two such masses, does the collection even have a common bouncing motion in which both masses are always moving in the same direction as each other. If so, what is that frequency and what are the motion amplitudes of the two masses? What about three, or four, or N such mass-spring systems? What about the "actual" theoretical spring with an infinity of such systems? Of course, we will have an actual live performing Slinky.
A chaotic pendulum is simply a damped, driven pendulum for which the damping, the driving amplitude, and the driving frequency can be adjusted over a wide range of values. The simplest prototype for all simple harmonic systems, including a the simple pendulum, is a mass on a spring. However, even a theoretical pendulum differs from a mass on a spring in that the descriptive equation for a pendulum is only approximately the same as that for a spring-mass system. The approximation is that, for small angles, the sine of the displacement angle (measured in radians) is approximately equal to the displacement angle itself. Without that approximation, the equation keeps the sine term, which is not a linear function of that angle. Since a pendulum contains a non-linearity in its descriptive equation, it is possible that chaotic motion (very complex non-periodic motion for even a simple system) can occur. Indeed it is known that a damped, driven, pendulum will exhibit chaotic motion for a proper choice of the driving frequency, driving amplitude, and damping. This poster describes the construction of such a pendulum built from a child's toy Erector Set. The working chaotic pendulum itself will be demonstrated.
Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) is an experimental method to analyze nonvolatile, high molecular weight organic compounds. Experiments show that the secondary ion emission yield depends nonlinearly on the number of constituent atoms in the primary ion cluster. In this paper, we describe molecular dynamics simulations to study the effect of cluster size on yield. Our model system, a biphenyl adsorbate on a Cu(001) surface, is chosen as a prototype of the experimental systems of interest. Cu atoms and Cun clusters with n = 2 to 4 and kinetic energies from 0.050 to 0.100 keV per atom are brought in at 45 degrees incidence. Our simulations show that the yield depends nonlinearly on cluster size, with the largest jump between atomic and diatomic primary clusters. We have developed an algorithm to analyze the collision cascade leading to ejection of the intact molecule. In order for the biphenyl molecule to be ejected intact, carbons atoms in each ring must be hit so that they move in a concerted fashion to lift the molecule off of the surface. With a dimer projectile, each of the two atoms initiates a collision cascade and the two cascades work cooperatively to lift the molecule off of the surface. This concerted mechanism is responsible for the observed enhancement in emission yield.
Photodynamic therapy is a cancer treatment that utilizes the combined effect of a dye that localizes in tumor tissue and visible light. The optically excited dye transfers energy to molecular oxygen, generating highly reactive singlet oxygen which oxidizes tumor components. Due to the short lifetime of singlet oxygen, the efficiency of a photosensitizer depends in part on its cellular and subcellular localization. The purpose of this project is to investigate the subcellular localization of selected photosensitizeng dyes in cancer cells using fluorescence imaging techniques. Subcellular fluorscence of photosensitizers will be compared to various standard fluorescent organelle probes. Using the confocal laser as a lght source, we will also examine subcellular oxidative damage.
Only a few people in the world can execute the "barrel roll" on a jet ski. The maneuver consists of causing the jet ski to leap into the air and make a complete 360 degree rotation about its front-to-back axis before splashing down. This poster describes analysis of videos (Joe Mills) of the maneuver (William Ansel) and subsequent investigation of the physics with a view to (Bill's) actually performing the maneuver. It appears that both the attitude of the jet ski during the launching and the effect of the jet play key roles. The poster describes the calculations and shows live videos of the maneuver (both attempted and performed).
The Saline Valley study area is located approximately 25 miles west of Death Valley, California in the Basin and Range of southern California. Geologic maps of Saline Valley, California were created by integrating Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) hyperspectral data and the U.S. Geologic Survey digital elevation model (DEM) data to produce a three dimensional digital geologic map. This area is well suited to a geologic remote sensing study of this type because it is geologically variable, mountainous, and almost devoid of vegetation. The geology of the study area includes a region of complexly folded and faulted bedrock to the west consisting of metamorphosed Devonian age carbonates, Missippiain age shale, and Tertiary basaltic volcanics. To the east the relatively flat topography of the valley floor consists mainly of quaternary alluvium. The AVIRIS scene was first georeferenced by comparison of the image with existing topographic maps and the DEM. The exact latitude and longitude was specified at precise points within the AVIRIS scene, taking into account the difference in resolution between the AVIRIS scene and the DEM. The image was then warped and cropped to match the DEM, thus merging the two datasets. Digital three dimensional geologic maps provide a better way to visually understand the geology of the surface and the spectral features representing minerals, vegetation, and water present in a hyperspectral image. This is the first step towards producing a virtual reality geologic map.
The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the subsurface stratigraphy of Kiawah Island and the development of the modern day coastline. Learning more about the regional stratigraphy of the Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina is also a basis for this study. Well cuttings from two different deep water wells located on Kiawah Island were analyzed. The well cuttings have been analyzed to determine the subsurface Tertiary stratigraphic units. Separation and analysis of the sand fraction was used to determine the lithostratigraphic units. In addition, biostratigraphic analysis of selected samples and interpretation of geophysical well logs were also used to define stratigraphic boundaries.
Despite active marine research programs along its coast, South Carolina does not own a submersible research vehicle. To address this gap in state resources, the South Carolina Space Grant Consortium devised a student project whose goal is to design, build, and test an underwater vehicle that would suit the needs of South Carolina researchers.
The South Carolina Underwater Remote Vehicle (SCURV) is the result of a collaborative effort between teams from Clemson University, the College of Charleston, and the University of South Carolina. Phase I of the project, the initial design, is presented in the poster.
The purpose of the research was to determine a link between the position and strength of the polar and tropical jet streams and the velocity of hurricanes. Hurricane position data was obtained for the years 1985-1996, and velocity information was calculated for the data sets of these storms. Average velocity was determined for each storm per five degree segment of latitude. Then final velocity averages were calculated for the 119 storms as a whole to obtain a mean velocity for north Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes per five degree section of latitude. Final data was compared to existing zonal atmospheric circulation averages for the northern hemisphere during September through November. A direct link between hurricane velocity and the core of the polar and tropical jet streams was noted. Final data coincided with known seasonal Hadley Cell boundaries and 2km altitude horizontal air flow.
Technological advancements in software and hardware now allow many innovative strategies in data collection and display that were not available to government, academic institutions, corporations, or private citizens just a short time ago. Remote Sensing GIS techniques can be used to create powerful land management and decision making tools. Data collection allows multiple layer overlay and archiving of tabular data for change detection in ways that are far superior to past output methods. Effective long term habitat analysis combined with a more accurate environmental systems analysis and inventory are possible in field-capable devices which are becoming affordable for all. Managers and researchers will have ready access to data that in the past required large databases. In applying these methods of collection and assimilation students will plan and implement historical searches and logistical planning of several habitat basemap projects for future addition of remotely sensed data from varying disciplines.
Functional assessment is an approach that is used to determine possible causes for and provide treatment of problem behaviors. Functional assessment has been shown to be an effective tool in determining viable causes for problem behaviors with individuals with emotional disorders and mental retardation. The purpose of this study was to use a functional assessment with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to identify environmental factors that might have an impact on the subjects' problem behaviors, and allow an effective intervention to be devised. In this study, a functional assessment was administered to three elementary school age males with a prior diagnosis of ADHD. A treatment plan was devised based on the environmental factors that seemed to play a role in the problem behavior and a multiple baseline across subjects research design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. All three subjects demonstrated improvement during intervention compared to baseline phase. The difficulties involved with introducing treatment by the teacher in the classroom will be discussed.
Siren intermedia (lesser siren), is a large, permanently aquatic salamander that inhabits temporary ponds, streams, ditches, and swamps throughout the coastal plain of the southeastern United States and northeastern Mexico. S. intermedia is characterized by an elongate body form, bushy external gills and the absence of a pelvic girdle and hindlimbs. Due to its secretive nature, little is known about this species, especially with regard to mating behavior.
S. intermedia exhibits little visible sexual dimorphism. We undertook a detailed examination of possible sexual dimorphism using a multivariate method, discriminant function analysis. Based on measurement of external somatic features and subsequent examination of internal gonad morphology, we determined a set of 17 external somatic measurements which can be used to accurately sex S. intermedia. The discriminant functions identified by this research allow accurate sexing of S. intermedia without dissection. An accurate method for sexing is important for captive breeding attempts, as well as for determining gender ratios in natural populations. The sexually dimorphic features identified also provide a clue in unravelling the reproductive biology of this enigmatic salamander species.
In Greek mythology, creatures named sirens were known for their beautiful songs. In the southeastern United States there is a family of salamanders which contains extant sirens. In addition to having a morphology similar to that of the mythical creatures, these sirens also produce vocalizations underwater. Although the production of sound by other amphibians (anurans: frogs and toads) is common, among salamanders it is unique.
I studied Siren intermedia to determine if vocal communication took place between individuals. I also wanted to explore the possibility that perhaps the animals were employing echolocation techniques. I identified five distinct vocalizations (bark, chirp, click, gulp, and yelp) which were associated with three distinct behaviors (biting, breaching, and swimming). My results suggest that there is a strong connection between certain vocalizations and behavior. It also appears that some vocalizations are not due to mechanical actions such as respiration, which means they may function in communication. Evidence for echolocation was absent in my findings.
The current study is a continuation of a previous study which involved the identification of novel markers of early avian vascular development. Initially, six to eight week old Balb-c mice were immunized subcutaneously with a homogenate of day 10 embryonic quail descending aorta (Hungerford, J. E., 1995). Subsequent to standard boost injections, tail bleeds were performed and the serum assessed via epifluorescence microscopy of day 5 quail embryonic tissue sections. Mice producing antibodies to quail vascular structures were chosen as spleen donors for hybridoma production. After visual screening of several thousand clones, the 9D6 clone was one of four hybridomas chosen for propagation.
Early immunolabeling experiments reveal that the 9D6 antibody labels an antigen which is expressed in the extracellular matrix surrounding embryonic structures such as dorsal aorta, notochord, heart, and other embryonic vasculature. Preliminary observations show that the 9D6 antigen has a similar, yet narrower distribution pattern to the ubiquitous extracellular matrix glycoprotein, fibronectin (Hungerford, J.E., 1995). Fibronectin is a large extracellular matrix glycoprotein with molecular weight of 500kd and is active in modulation of cell adhesion and migration (Yurchenco et al., 1994). Subsequent Western analysis of embryonic quail protein extracts separated via reducing SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis reveal that the 9D6 antigen has a similar apparent molecular weight to fibronectin (Hungerford, J. E., 1995).
Based on these obervations we will partially identify the 9D6 antigen via epifluorescence microscopy, SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, Western Botting, and Ion Exchange Chromatograpghy. These techniques have been chosen to locate sources of the 9D6 antigen, isolate the 9D6 antigen for further charactrization, and determine both the spatial and temporal distribution of the 9D6 antigen during embryogenesis. We will also examine whether other extracellular matrix proteins such as fibulin-1, vitronectin, and fibrillin-2 are co-distributed with the 9D6 antigen at the light microscope level of resolution.
Arsenic and Selenium are both potentially harmful to humans. The EPA's maximum contamination levels for drinking water are .05 mg/L for both elements. Many cases of higher than normal As and Se concentrations in groundwater have been identified with Gold mines.
A sample of leachate was taken from one of SC's gold mines. When diluted with deionized water, a yellowish-brown precipitate formed. A serial dilution experiment was set up to determine relative amounts of precipitate that form with varying amounts of deionized water. The precipitate was filtered from each sample using acid-washed 0.2 micron polycarbonate filters. The solid phase was analyzed uzing x-ray diffraction techniques. The liquid phase was analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emmision spectrometer for As and Se concentrations.
In the 1:100 and 1:50 dilution ratios, approximately 50% of the total amount of Se was removed from solution. Based on the combined data, we believe this could possibly be a function of sorption of Se onto a hydrated iron-oxide.
This removal of Se could prove to be a useful tool in reclaiming gold mines with Se contamination.
The morphogenesis of zebrafish (Danio rerio), offers numerous advantages for studying the development of vertebrates. Because D. rerio embryos are transparent and develop rapidly, it is possible to characterize regionally localized proteins that play an important role in development. Our project examined the developmental expression of antigens recognized by several monoclonal antibodies, generated against zebrafish heparin binding proteins. Immunolocalization experiments were carried out on several developmental stages of zebrafish embryos, including 90% epiboly, 1-3 somites, 5 somites, 10 somites, 19 somites, and 24 hr. Antibodies examined included IIIC9, 5H6, and IC9. Fifteen antibodies recognize nuclear antigens that are present in all cells of embryos at all stages examined; one antibody recognizes a nucleolar antigen; two antibodies bind to extracellular or membrane antigens; and three antibodies bind to antigens that are regionally localized and temporally regulated.
The USDA and the Francis Marion National Forest Service collected breeding bird data using point-count and census techniques from 1966 to 1996 in the Francis Marion National Forest. We analyzed these data to examine local trends in migratory bird populations during three periods: an early period (1967-1979), a pre-Hugo period (1986-1989), and a post-Hugo period (1990-1996). The largest decline in relative abundance occurred during the early period, accounting for approximately 30% of the observed species. The pre-Hugo period suggests that migratory bird populations were approaching climax. During this period, no significant declines occurred and there was a 5% increase in relative abundance. Some species of migratory birds saw opportunity in the wake of Hurricane Hugo, showing the largest increase in relative abundance (9%), but 16% found the conditions unfavorable. A comparison between the early period during the 60's-70's and the post-Hugo period may reveal clues regarding anthropogenically created environmental stressors versus those that are naturally occurring. We suggest that local increases following the early period may have resulted from improved environmental quality (e.g. reduced pesticide use). The continuing global trend of decline may therefore become more a question of habitat loss than of environmental toxicity. Some specialist species may respond positively to natural disturbances, as do those generalist species who can take advantage of changes in trophic structure. Examining the trends of individual bird species can provide us with a better understanding of habitat requirements - most obvious after a natural disturbance. By monitoring populations before and after natural disturbances, we can form a template for management techniques.
Extensive information on water wells is collected by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and logged into a tabular database. This database consists of over 1400 well records, each with up to 41 attributes, for water wells in the tricounty area near Charleston. To facilitate interpretation and analysis of this database, a Geographic Information System interface was developed, allowing rapid sorting, analysis, and map generation. Color maps generated with this analysis tool reveal trends in the spatial and temporal distributions related to the nature of exploitation of groundwater resources in the region. Map images of wells sorted by date drilled, drilled depth and water use reveal patterns of groundwater use that correspond to both regional patterns of development and the availability of groundwater in the geologic materials underlying the region. These images allow the reader to rapidly view general trends in the population and detailed information such as well depth and ID number for a specific site of interest. It is intended that these full color maps will make spatial analysis much easier and help regional planners in cautious and responsible future exploitation of groundwater resources.
An automated sediment trap study was conducted in a region seasonally influenced by the Gulf Stream, 160 miles east of Charleston, SC (32¡39N, 76¡39W). The PARFLUX Mark VII time series sediment trap was moored on two occasions during a one year period (August 1995-August 1996). A total of 42 samples were collected from a depth of 550 meters (sea floor depth: 900 meters). Planktonic foraminifera shell flux (#shells/m2/day) was calculated for each sample. No data were collected for four weeks in late Fall due to clogging in the trap. Also, the return trip to the site for retrieval/re-deployment was postponed, thus preventing sediment collection for nine weeks in early winter. 15 planktonic foraminifera species made up > 90% of the shell flux. Several species show a distinct peak flux while some species show bimodal peaks during the year.
During the summer, surface temperatures are the warmest and decrease with depth. The fall shows cooling at the surface, and Gulf Stream effects are still seen. Sea surface temperatures are the coolest during the winter and waters are nearly isothermal. In the spring, warming of the sea surface is due to increased solar radiation and Gulf Stream migration towards the site. Nine of the 15 species showed a peak flux during the spring. Sea surface temperature and hydrography data from the trap site were used to correlate seasonality to planktonic foraminiferal flux. Different species seemed to prefer different seasons, thus providing seasonal "markers." Seasonality of the Gulf Stream and shell flux patterns could be used to interpret Gulf Stream paleoceanography.
Photodynamic therapy has recently been approved in the US for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Pre-clinical studies have shown that photodynamic therapy is also effective for extracorporeal bone marrow purging in the treatment of leukemia and some solid tumors. In order to spare normal cells in extracorporeal applications, the photosensitizer must bind selectively to the leukemic or malignant cells. Photodynamic efficiency for a particular dye depends in part on the mechanism of uptake and subcellular localization. We will study the effect of various dye carriers on the photodynamic efficiency. Carriers will include liposomes and plasma proteins. Cell viabililty will be determined with tryphan blue exclusion. Cellular dye concentration will be measured with a spectrophotometer.
The focus of this study was to investigate the possible role of the protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction pathway in the regulation of clam heart physiology. As previously observed by others, the PKC activator PMA increased heart rates both in vivo and in perfused heart preparations. Consistent with this being a PKC-mediated effect, the treatment of perfused hearts with the PKC-specific inhibitor chelerythrine was shown to block the PMA induced chronotropic effect. More direct evidence for the presence of PKC in heart tissue was provided by immunoblotting using a PKC-specific antibody.
Zooplankton fecal pellet flux is used to compare two hydrographic regions in the Eastern Tropical Atlantic. The HSS site is a region of upwelling located off the coast of West Africa and is characterized by high sea surface temperature seasonality. The HTV study site is located near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is an area that experiences strong variability in the depth of the thermocline with relatively stable sea surface temperatures. The fecal pellet material was collected with an automated 21-cup PARFLUX Mark VII sediment trap moored at each site for 12 months. Five samples from each site were chosen to represent different seasons and variability in fecal pellet flux. Peak fecal pellet flux for the HSS site occurs in the fall. Conversely, peak fecal pellet flux at site HTV occurs in the winter. Upwelling in the fall at site HSS may bring nutrients to the surface that triggers phytoplankton productivity. Increases in phytoplankton abundance may provide zooplankton with a larger food supply resulting in an increase in production and corresponding fecal pellet flux. Wind mixing in the winter at site HTV raises the thermocline, which brings cold nutrient rich water to the surface, also increasing productivity. The HSS site samples show high variability in size, color, and shape of fecal pellets, possibly due to changing seasonal populations of zooplankton. Fecal pellets collected from the HTV site are relatively uniform in shape, size, and color throughout the year, which may indicate that the zooplankton populations are less variable than at site HSS. Fecal pellet flux will be compared to organic carbon flux for both HSS and HTV sites to determine if fecal pellet material collected contributes significantly as a source of organic carbon.
The sodium borohydride reduction of acenaphthenequinone was studied in this experiment. The isolated product was then characterized by Melting Point, Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, H-NMR, and analytical HPLC. The results indicated the reduction product is a diol and that the diol exists as cis and trans isomers. Further use of the HPLC was successful in separating the cis and trans isomers. Currently the structures of the cis and trans diols are being confirmed.
Specifically designed oligonucleotides have the ability to bind DNA and form triple helix structures. Triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs)inhibits transcription, and therefore have the potential to repress the expression of selected genes in cells. However, physiological intracellular concentrations of KCl (140 mM) interfere with the binding of oligonucleotides to DNA. Differences in the biochemical composition of the oligonucleotides may affect the binding and extent of interference by KCl. This study compares the binding of phosphodiester (PO) and phosphothioate (PS) oligonucleotides to a target sequence in the c-myc gene in presence or absence of 140mM KCl. The results show that PO-TFOs bind with a greater affinity to DNA than PS-TFOs both in presence and absence of KCl.
The gulf stream, a warm water Atlantic Ocean current, oscillates between two basic meander modes, characterized as large and small by the size of the frontal eddies and the amplitude of the meanders. The rate at which the modes change was examined and compared to results from a smaller scale experiment which was based on one year of data. This project involves a detailed analysis of three years of satellite imagery.
Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in surficial sediment samples from Shipyard Creek marsh as part of a group project by the graduate Enviromental Geochemistry class. Shipyard Creek marsh is located adjacent to Shipyard Creek, metal processing and oil refining industries, and the former Charleston Navy Base. Previous studies have shown that elevated concentrations of Cr and Pb were measured in creek sediments. The focus of this investigation is to estimate whether metals in creek sediments are likely to contaminate marsh environments. Nine cores were collected along 3 marsh-perpendicular transects. Each core was sampled at 5 depths from the surface to a depth of approximately 60 cm. Metals were extracted using HCl/HNO3 following EPA method 200.2. Metal extracts were diluted and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometery (ICP-AES) following EPA method 200.7. Highest concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cu, V, and Zn were observed in creek-side surface samples from transects 1 and 2. Sediment-bound iron concentrations were elevated in all samples (g/kg level) likely reflecting ferrous iron speciation in sediments and sediment pore waters. Cr and V concentrations likely originate from the chromium metal alloy facility on the south shore of Shipyard Creek. Pb and other transition metals in sediments likely represent non-point source deposition from the metal-rich soils in the region.
Moving water has long been a source of power, originally for mills, and eventually for electric companies. The Charleston area has a sufficient supply of moving water due to a large tidal flux. This moving water could be a clean, natural source of electric power. Many methods of converting the tidal flow into electricity were considered with special consideration given to those that displayed efficiency and a minimal influence on the environment.
Several aspects of generating electricity using the natural diurnal tidal surges of the Charleston area were investigated. A theoretical calculation was made to determine the amount of potential energy available and the possible power output of a tidal generator. A constant voltage was obtained using multiple basins with a delayed timing mechanism. A model of this multiple basin system was made. A turbine was chosen to drive the generator during both periods of the tidal cycle. Careful attention was given to optimizing the fluid dynamic efficiency of the turbine generator. As assessment of the efficiency of the system was made by comparing the potential energy available to the actual results obtained.
In living organisms, filtration across tissues and membranes is necessary for survival. Cells absorb nutrients, expel waste, and transfer other materials to be used. In high pressure situations, one method observed is ultrafiltration of solutions across tissues. For example, in the glomerulus of the human kidney or the heart of the clam, blood moving with high pressure levels is filtered by the vessels it moves through. Knowledge of this ultrafiltration at the molecular level is of some importance to better understand the filtration mechanism and predict the filtration of other situations. Given a sample of tissue, solutions can be presented in the laboratory at a specified pressure to induce controlled ultrafiltration. Spectrographic analysis of the solution before filtration can be compared to an analysis of the filtered substances, thus showing which molecules crossed the tissue. A index of molecules would describe the filtering characteristics of the tissue investigated. This data, along with electron microscopy of artificial membranes, is part of a greater study to form a model of membrane filtration behavior.
Dolphins of many species produce narrow-band frequency-modulated sounds called "whistles." McCowan and Reiss (1995) questioned the widely accepted "signature whistle" hypothesis that each individual dolphin has a spectrally distinct whistle, showing that up to 70% of the whistles emitted by three captive social groups have the same simple rising frequency contour. This result was based on McCowan's (1995) method of taking a large sample of whistle contours of varying lengths, extracting 20 equally spaced (on the time axis) frequency measurements, and estimating their similarity with product-moment correlation. Cluster analysis identified a simple rising contour of varying duration to be the most common sound in each group. We replicated that study with 320 recordings of seven dolphins from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Cluster analysis identified 6-10 distinct whistle types, but the most common (about 50%) was shaped differently from the type A of McCowan. Thus McCowan and Reiss's results were confirmed in general but not in detail. We also question the practice of ignoring the duration of whistles in defining whistle types.
Most dolphin species produce narrow-band frequency-modulated sounds called whistles. Dustan recorded 461 whistles from the two Amazonian species during an expedition in 1982-83. With data from four tributaries, we asked two main questions: (1) Does whistle variation exist between rivers? (2) Is there within-river variation in whistles? We used digital spectrography to obtain four frequency and four time measurements for 439 whistles. We also produced other variables (e.g., duration, time to frequency peak, etc.) from these data. Mulitivariate analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among rivers, and orthogonal contrasts revealed that differences were related to distances among rivers. We used cluster analysis to discern different whistle types. Three distinct clusters were found in Lake Tefe, where only Sotalia was observed, and in all rivers combined. Rivers differed significantly in the proportions of whistle types in their samples, but we were not able to discern a cluster unique to the rivers containing Inia.
This design project is divided into three phases:
A goniometer was constructed to measure the reflected and transmitted light. The instrument was then computer interfaced in order to obtain an empirical measurement of the distribution of scattered light intensity verse angle at a predetermined wavelength. The goniometer was calibrated using polystyrene sphere of differing sizes. The samples are held stationary and irradiated with a stationary laser source, while a fiber optic detector mounted on a rotary platform rotates 180 degrees around the sample. The object is to obtain the average cosine of the scattering angle and match it against materials with predetermined numerical values for calibration. Once calibrated the goniometer will be ready for more sensitive calibrations that will ultimately enable it to correctly evaluate post surgical and biopsy samples of malignant tissue.
The College Mathematics Journal gave the problem to determine all pairs of integers (x,y) such that 19/ax+by, where (a,b) is any pair of integers such that 19/11a+2b. This yeilds the solution 4x+y is congruent to modulo 19. This can be taken one step further to show that 19 is not a special case but that any prime(p) can yeild a unique solution for the linear congruence.
The purpose of this project was to improve upon a lightning rod, which has remained virtually unchanged for over 100 years. The apparatus used to simulate lightning was a Van de Graff generator. The proposed rods were designed in such a way to have rods dissipating in all directions above a horizontal. This was accomplished by staggering the rods directions and angles from vertical. They were then set up at various horizontal angles in respect to the Van de Graff generator. This was necessary to record the amount of dissipation as the storm approached and retreated since the angle of the potential difference changed as the storm moved. The proposed rod was found to be more efficient in preventing strikes from occurring; and also more efficient in collecting an imminent strike.
Research conducted at NASA Stennis Space Center has shown that pre-visual signs of plant stress can be detected in a narrow segment of the near infrared portion of the spectrum (695-700 nm), up to 16 days prior to visual signs. This initiative will focus on applying such narrow-band stress detection to limited resource farming operations (<100 acres) on Johns Island, SC. Images acquired using a blimp-mounted CCD digital video sensor will be processed for stress detection and the results will be made available to the farmer. These images will also be incorporated into a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS). This GIS will also incorporate global positioning system (GPS) data points, as well as other physical data on each field, including soil types, crop types, moisture levels, slope, chemical use history, and other similar biogeochemical data. Potential benefits from this initiative include cost savings for the farmer through reduced application of products, such as fertilizers and pesticides, as well as reduced environmental impacts from these reduced applications.
Adult male New Zealand White rabbits were sacrificed and the distal portion of each scapular bone was removed. Soft tissue and bone were eliminated, and the cartilage was prepared for cell culture. Autogenic cartilage fragments were seeded onto a 25cm2 flask. The cells were fed 10% RPMI the following day and every third day until confluent. After reaching confluency, cells were fed daily. Phase contrast or light microscopy was used daily to determine cell health and phenotype. Agarose cell culture techniques were used to re-express chondrocyte phenotype. Observations of the agarose cell culture were made on day twelve and approximately every 4th day after the initial study. Histological sections were performed by making sections using paraffin and Spurr's. Alcian Blue stained sections defined cell structure and detected proteoglycan. Agarose discs were also stained. Disks stained with Safranin O revealed the presence of glycosaminoglycan. An alkaline phosphatase stain detected any alkaline phosphatase activity. According to the results of this study, by providing sterile conditions and a nutrient rich environment, a chondrocyte culture in agarose will maintain its phenotype.
Rancho La Brea ( RLB ), a cluster of asphalt ( tar ) pits located within the borders of Handcock Park in Los Angeles, California, trapped and entombed several thousand saber - toothed cats ( Smilodon fatalis ) over a 40,000 year period. Considerable variation was detected in these skeletal elements and efforts were made to determine the cause. This study found statistically significant differences in the size of cranial and post - cranial elements obtained from two pits. The most recent, pit 3 ( 12,650 - 21,400 BP ), contained larger elements than pit 77, among the oldest at RLB ( 28,200 - 33,100 BP ). Results suggest that Smilodon increased in size during the Late Wisconsin ( Late Pleistocene ). During the course of this study, it was also determined that an accessory cuspule was not characteristic of the lower first molar in this species as was stated by Merriam and Stock ( 1932 )
