You may want to browse the author or discipline list to find the abstract number.

1

Differences in Soccer-Specific Field Tests Between Under-18 Females and Elite College Players

Stephanie Wadsten, Tom Carroll, William R. Barfield, and Wes Dudgeon, Department of Health & Human Performance

Aerobic fitness, an important component of soccer fitness, has traditionally been assessed with the Cooper 12-Minute Run/Walk and/or with the Beep Test. The Modified Hoff Test (MHT), a 290 meter, 10 minute on-the-field obstacle course involving use of technique specific soccer foot skills has been shown to correlate well with VO2 max. The purpose of this study was to investigate MHT differences between Club-Level Under-18 and NCAA Division I female soccer players. Ten U-18 participants were compared with 18 participants in the College group. Data was normally distributed based on Shapiro-Wilk. Unpaired t-tests demonstrated statistically significant differences between the two samples (p<0.001). U-18 participants traversed a mean distance of 1237.9 meters and the College participants covered 1517.9 meters. Differences between the two groups is likely a function of greater physical maturity, stronger ball skills, higher level of expectation and elevated fitness levels among the College participants.

2

Plane Application of Orbifold Classification

William Thorn Baynard III, Department of Mathematics

The classification of objects and tilings of the plane through symmetry is an algebraic application used in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In 1990, Conway formulated a classification system based on Thurston's geometric notion of an "orbifold". The sophisticated orbifold approach to analyzing symmetry resulted in an elegant, more simplified classification scheme. The following is an exposition of Conway's orbifold system with application to the well known wallpaper groups.

3

Comparison of Age and Body Composition Among Female Athletes from Four NCAA Division I Teams

Megan E. Oliver, Tom L. Carroll, and William R. Barfield, Department of Health & Human Performance

Certain body composition characteristics may lead to greater success and/or an affinity for specific sports. This study examines differences in age and body composition (BC) among female soccer (SP), basketball (BP), softball (SoP) and volleyball (VP) athletes. Our study samples included 15 SP, 13 BP, 10 VP and 17 SoP at a mid-major college. Statistically significant differences existed for age (p=0.03). Post hoc analysis revealed age differences (p=0.012) between SP (19.9 1.9) and SoP (18.70.9) and between VP (20.00.8) and SoP (18.70.9). Statistical differences also existed for BC (p=0.05). Post hoc analysis revealed statistical differences (p=0.037) between SoP (20.16.9) and VP (13.75.6). BMI also revealed statistically significant differences (p=0.04). As with BC, differences were between SoP (24.23.9) and VP (22.8 1.9). These findings yielded significant differences for age and body composition. Follow-up studies will be used to determine if BC differences also exist among males who self-select into sport.

4

Spectral Evolution of Quiescent Gamma-Ray Bursts Observed by the Swift Burst Alert Telescope

Rebecca L. Bowers, Department of Physics and Astronomy, CofC and Timothy W. Giblin, Department of Physics, Univeristy of North Carolina-Asheville

Prompt gamma-ray burst emissions were examined to determine the presence (or absence) of "rebursting behavior"-- that is, to determine whether the burst exhibited a precursor or a successor in addition to the main event-- and to determine whether these emission episodes were different from traditional prompt emissions. Data obtained from the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) was examined, and from the data light curves were constructed in various energy ranges (15-150 keV). From the light curves, durations were measured and hardness ratios were calculated in order to characterize each emission episode. Hardness ratios provided a useful quantitative measure of the burst spectrum, allowing spectral changes to be tracked during the burst, from which certain physical differences between emission episodes could be distinguished.

5

Differences in Payment Method at Restaurants According to Gender and Restaurant Cost

Courtney Clark, Kate Defino, and Margaret Rainka, Department of Psychology

The relationships between gender, restaurant cost, and method of payment were examined at restaurants in downtown Charleston, SC. The researchers unobtrusively observed an ethnically diverse group of customers (N=244) at three restaurants of varying cost (Starbucks, La Hacienda, and Fish). Each researcher was placed at one of the three locations where they recorded the payment method (cash or credit) and gender of each paying customer during the evening. In restaurants of higher cost, males were more likely to pay and credit was used more across all genders. There was no significance between gender and method of payment.

6

The Effects of Dogs and Gender on Approachability

Jon Brewer, Mary Margaret Pearce, and Sarah Smith, Department of Psychology

This observational study examined the relationship between the gender of a dog handler, approach/avoidance behaviors of the participants, and whether the participant was solo or part of a group. There were a total of 108 participants observed at the back of a library over a series of trials. There was a statistical trend that a female dog handler is more approachable than a male dog handler. One significant finding was that individuals are more likely than people in groups to approach a female handler. A better understanding of the relationship between these variables may be achieved through a more comprehensive study.

7

Family Dynamics and College Student Drinking: The Role of Gender

Angela M. Shepherd, Lisa T. Ross, and Ashley F. Neihaus, Department of Psychology

This project investigated connections between parents gender, gender of the adult child, family unpredictably, parenting style, and alcohol misuse among college students. The sample included 276 college students ages 18-23. Results revealed that fathers drinking directly predicted sons drinking. Fathers drinking also influenced daughters drinking, both directly and indirectly via unpredictable meals. Problem-drinking mothers did not influence sons alcohol use but did influence daughters drinking indirectly through unpredictable discipline. Daughters reported that authoritative parents had lower problem drinking scores than authoritarian parents. It is imperative to understand the relationships among gender, drinking, and family dynamics to inform possible prevention and treatment efforts.

8

The Influence of Customer Attire and Store Type on Retail Customer Service

Kaylee Walters, Kate Hamilton, and Megan Burgess, Department of Psychology

The present study looked at type of dress as a perceived indication of socioeconomic status in the retail environment, as well as the role store type plays in customer service. Researchers observed 9 different retail stores separated into 3 predetermined tiers based on clothing price-range. The researchers acquired 2 sets of data for each store. The first set was obtained while the confederates were dressed in business attire, and the second set was obtained while the confederates were dressed in casual attire. For each store, 1 team member would act as the shopper while the other timed how long it took an employee to approach the shopper and offer help. Results indicate that the amount of time it takes for a customer to be offered assistance in a retail setting is at least partially determined by the customers style of dress; in addition, high end stores provided the quickest service, overall.

9

Campus Crime Scene: Creating a Web 2.0 Solution for Relevant Campus Crime Information

Hector R. Mojica and Christopher Starr, Department of Computer Science

The Public Safety website lists crimes that have occurred around the campus in text form that does little to communicate geographic information concerning crimes to the user. A modern mashup was created to convey the information of the crime occurrences in and around the College of Charleston campus. This application was created using Web 2.0 technologies, integrating Google Maps with the information extracted from the Public Safety's website. The results have shown that although creation of such a mashup can be relatively simple to deploy, the lack of a semantic web necessitate home-brewed specific solutions to various problems with data cleaning, reinforcing the need of a standardization of data format.

10

Absorption Spectroscopic Studies on the Photostability of a New Sunscreen

Emily Tavrides, Narayanan Kuthirummal, and Linda Jones, Deptartment of Physics & Astronomy

Exposure to solar ultraviolet light is extremely harmful to normal human skin. Most sunscreens that are on the market do not protect the skin from the longer UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm). In this work, we investigate the optical absorption characteristics of a not yet FDA approved sunscreen ingredient in the 200 nm-750 nm spectral region. The sample is diluted to a concentration of about two percent sunscreen and then exposed to a Xenon lamp for different time durations in an effort to simulate daylight conditions. The unexposed freshly prepared sample has strong absorption peak at around 298 nm. Approximately, 60% of light is absorbed at 298 nm, whereas the absorption is about 39% at 335 nm after 8 hrs of light exposure. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements show degradation of the main ingredient over this exposure time.

11

The Binding of Regulatory Proteins to bcl-2 mRNA

Garrick Klaybor and Stephanie Dellis, Biology Department

A high intracellular concentration of the B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein is associated with B cell lymphomas and certain leukemias. The Bcl-2 protein inhibits programmed cell death (apoptosis), and cells become resistant to chemotherapy. High concentrations of the Bcl-2 protein can occur when the bcl-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) is over-translated, and greater translation can result from stabilizing the bcl-2 message. Several cellular proteins are known to bind to the AU-rich element (ARE) of the message, and some stabilize the message while others make it more susceptible to degradation. We assessed proteins from the leukemia cell line MV 4-11 that bind to the ARE of the bcl-2 mRNA. Our research showed strong binding associations between the ARE and stabilizing proteins HuR and Nucleolin with suspected binding to the destabilizing protein TIAR. This information will help in finding a method to destabilize the bcl-2 message and fight the B cell cancers.

12

Myofibril assembly and elasticity in Drosophila flight muscles

Jeff Jankowski, Cynthia Oliva and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology

We are interested in understanding how the myofibrillar structure assembles during insect muscle development, and in particular the role of the projectin protein. This extremely large protein (~1 MgDa) has a modular repeated structure, and localizes over the I-Z-I region of the myofibril in insect flight muscles. Immunofluorescence data indicate that the early assembly of projectin is consistent with its proposed role as one protein component of the elastic C-filaments. In particular, projectin coassembles very early with other Z-band components such as alpha-actinin. We will present data from transgenic Drosophila studies that indicate how different regions of the projectin molecule interact with different parts of the myofibril apparatus.

13

How do insects fly: bioinformatics analysis of the muscle protein projectin

Drew Philipp, Richard Southgate and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology

Insect flight uses either asynchronous flight muscles that are characterized by multiple contractions per nerve impulse or synchronous muscles. Using data mining tools and molecular biology techniques we isolated and characterized the gene for projectin in several insects belonging to different orders. We will focus our discussion on the analysis of the Drosophila virilis and Acyrthosiphon pisum, which both use asynchronous muscles. More primitive insects (dragonfly, locust) use synchronous-type muscle. We want to investigate how the projectin protein structure relates to the anatomy and physiology of muscles. Data will be presented describing the gene annotation process, the analysis of the gene structure, and its evolution from basal to derived insects. The protein contains a special amino acid region called the PEVK domain thought to be responsible for elasticity and resting stiffness. A comparison of this domain across insect orders will be presented together with a phylogenetic analysis.

14

The importance of calcium and the mp20 protein in insect flight muscle using stretch activation

George Miller and Agnes Ayme-Southgate, Department of Biology

We investigated the importance of calcium in the control of flight physiology in insects, focusing on mp20, a calcium-binding protein present only in synchronous muscles. We propose that the mp20 protein is important for flight physiology in basal insects such as grasshoppers and dragonflies, but that during the course of evolution its function became dispensable, and that it is absent from more derived insects asynchronous flight muscles (beetles, wasps and flies). We propose that in asynchronous muscles, the presence of mp20 would negatively affect the flight performance. We are testing this hypothesis by evaluating the effect of artificially producing the mp20 protein in Drosophila flight muscles. The mp20 cDNA was cloned after a flight-muscle specific actin promoter. This actin-mp20 hybrid gene was then cloned with a P-element transformation vector and injected into Drosophila embryos. Transformants were selected and tested for mp20 expression. Expression results will be presented.

15

Plcβ4 Gene Expression Profile in Mouse Brain and Liver Tissue

Brittany Klein, Kristin Martin, and Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Department of Biology and Program in Neuroscience

Animals exhibit daily rhythms that are regulated by an internal timekeeper that maintains and synchronizes a number of body processes. Individual tissues show endogenous cycles of genes and proteins but these independent cycles are only synchronized if in communication with the central brain clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. We have recently shown that a protein which is linked to circadian behavior, phospholipase C β4 (PLCβ4), undergoes a circadian oscillation in SCN and liver tissue. To determine if this oscillatory profile is due to rhythmic transcriptional regulation, we are analyzing the temporal profile of plcβ4 gene expression in liver using semi-quantitative PCR. In the brain, we are employing in situ hybridization techniques to look at light regulation of gene expression. These data are designed to gain insight into the mechanism that regulates the transcription of the plcβ4 gene in the SCN and liver of the mouse.

16

Feeding controlled circadian rhythm of phospholipase Cβ4 and PER proteins in mouse hepatocytes

Andrea Chianella, David Williams, Brittany Klein and Elizabeth Meyer-Bernstein, Department of Biology and Program in Neuroscience

All bodily processes revolve around an internal timing system. In mammals, organs, such as the liver, exhibit circadian oscillations, which are synchronized by signals from the central brain clock. Food availability has been shown to reset the clock mechanism in the liver of mice. We have recently found that the enzyme phospholipase C β4 (PLCβ4) undergoes a nuclear transitory oscillation in the liver similar to known clock proteins. In the present study, we examined the influence of food restriction on the temporal expression of the clock protein Per1 and PLCβ4 in mouse hepatocytes. Preliminary results show that the timing of nuclear translocation of PLCβ4 is similar to that of Per1 in that it is reversed in mice under food restriction. These data suggest that the regulation of PLCβ4 enzyme levels and cellular distribution are directly responsive to a food stimulus or serve as an output of the circadian clock.

17

Effect of the Hyperimmune Egg Supplement on Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I

Leslie E. Rivera, Charles G. Boland, and Timothy P. Scheett, Department of Health and Human Performance

Hyperimmune egg (HIE) protein is a powdered, pure egg product derived from chicken hens immunized with more than 26 killed pathogens of human origin. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation with HIE altered circulating IGF-I levels and IGFBP-1 and -3 following exercise. Twenty-four males abstained from regular exercise and were randomly supplemented with either HIE or placebo. On days 1, 8 and 10, participants performed an exercise performance test battery. Blood samples were collected on Days 1, 8, 9, 10 and 11. IGFBP-3 significantly increased from Day 1 to Day 8 (HIE: 31.5%, PLA 0.66%; p<0.05) and significantly decreased (P<0.05) from Day 8 to Day 9 (-9.4%) and Day 10 (-13.7%). IGF-I decreased in HIE (P>0.05) from Day 8 to Day 9 (-3.3%) and Day 10 (-3.2%). These results indicate that HIE protein supplementation may provide the body a greater ability to recover from exhaustive exercise.

18

Mapping Slump Blocks in the Theban Necropolis, Luxor, Egypt

Sarah Doliber and A. K. Fronabarger, Dept. of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

We suspected the presence of slump blocks in the Theban Necropolis, Luxor, Egypt, but could not confirm them until we conducted detailed satellite mapping of the area. The three formations in the area are the Paleocene Tarawan Formation (micrite), the Paleocene/Eocene Esna Shale and the Eocene Thebes Group (cherty/shelly limestone). The west bank of the Paleo-Nile river formed a cut bank cliff with an elevation of several hundred meters over the paleo-floodplain. The Paleo-Nile river undercut the Esna Shale causing a loss of support for the overlying Thebes which cause localized slumping. Field mapping, satellite photos, oblique photos and topographic maps were used as sources of data to map the slumps. Three previously unmapped slump blocks were mapped, one in the Valley of the Queens and two imbricated slumps west of Deir el Medina. The outline of each slump was adequately mapped using these remote-sensing materials.

19

The Psychometric Properties of a Helmet Attitudes Scale

Lisa Thomson Ross, Thomas Ross, Shayla Cataldo, and Annalise Rahman, Department of Psychology

Bicycle helmets decrease the probability of serious injury in an accident, yet few cyclists wear them. In an attempt to understand why cyclists do or do not wear helmets, we created a psychometrically sound scale to measure helmet use motives, guided by Rosenstock's (1974) Health Belief Model. Students (N=302; 87% female) answered 127 relevant items that underwent a series of factor analyses and reliability analyses. The resulting Helmet Attitudes Scale contains 57 items; it represents 10 subscales that are reliable (alphas .70 to .90) and conceptually meaningful according to the Health Belief Model. Gender and ethnicity differences were detected for three subscales. The Helmet Attitudes Scale can be used to assess attitudes predicting helmet use and for designing more effective helmet promotion strategies for this population.

20

Studies of the Engineering Properties of Pillars in KV-5, Tomb of Ramses II, Valley of the Kings, Egypt

Kyla Erich, Briget Doyle, and A. K. Fronabarger, Dept. of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

This project sought to investigate the level of understanding of underground structural engineering that the Pharonic Egyptian tomb builders possessed. Pillars in the Tomb of Ramses II, KV-5, have experienced degradation and failure in a seemingly unpredictable pattern, making it an ideal test of their knowledge. A range of factors of safety were calculated with established methods for room-and-pillar style underground openings using existing geologic and engineering data for KV-5. Factors of safety range from 0.43 to 3.34. These results seem to indicate that other factors contribute to the reported damage in the pillars. Vertical tension fractures from valley erosion predate tomb construction and isolate the load on individual pillars. Due to the fractures, some pillars carry a smaller load than others. The pillars carrying a smaller load should have less reported damage. This conclusion appears to be true. This may help conservators improve tomb preservation within the Theban Necropolis.

21

Flooding in Charleston County

J. Clayton Wine, Environmental Studies

This project is an emergency management planning exercise where recently collected LIDAR will be used to evaluate critical facilities, mainly the Emergency Operations Center, that will be needed in pre and post-disaster staging. The LIDAR data is more accurate than the traditional paper Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that have been used in the past. The study area is in Charleston County, SC and the LIDAR data comprises of approximately 75% of the entire county.

The data was collected in February 2007 and was funded through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The data was given to Charleston County and the College of Charleston through the generosity of the NOAA Coastal Services Center. Mapping with increased accuracy allows us to better plan for natural hazards and all results from this project will be incorporated into the Charleston County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

22

New spiro-Heterocycles Containing Benzoisothiazole Dioxide with Pyrazoles or Isoxazoles. Multiple Anion Syntheses

Chandra Potter, Anna C. Dawsey, John D. Knight, Jordan B. Brown, Clyde R. Metz and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

A variety of dilithiated C(alpha), N-carboalkoxyhydrazones or dilithiated C(alpha),O-oximes were condensed with methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate to afford intermediates that were isolated and cyclized, or cyclized directly to either of the two types of new spiro-heterocycles.

Intermediate compounds from the hydrazine ester-sulfonamide condensation were isolated and not characterized but cyclized with acetic anhydride, which also included an N-acetylation. The structural elucidation of the new spiro(N-acetylbenzoisothiazole dioxide-N-carboalkoxyprazoles) products was based upon absorption spectra and confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Intermediate compounds from the oxime ester-sulfonamide condensation were not isolated but cyclized directly with dilute hydrochloric acid to give spiro(benzo-isothiazole-isoxazole)dioxides instead of isoxazole-ortho-benzenesulfonamides. X-ray crystallographic analysis was also necessary to confirm the structure of these compounds.

23

New N-Phenylyrazole-Benzoic Acids from Dilithiated Phenylhydrazones and Methyl Hydrogen Phthalate

Anna C. Dawsey, John D. Knight and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

N-Phenylpyrazolebenzoic acids were prepared by the condensation-cyclization of dilithiated C(alpha),N-phenylhydazones with lithiated methyl hydrogen phthalate (MHP). The C-acylated intermediates that resulted were not isolated but immediately cyclodehydrated with dilute hydrochloric acid to afford variously substituted N-phenylpyrazolebenzoic acids. The selection of MHP is compared to phthalic anhydride. While both electrophilic reagents condensed with the phenylhydrazone dianion to give the same C-acylated intermediate, MHP affords readily reproducible and consistent reactions and products. The success with MHP has resulted in a general synthesis for these materials with biological and other potential.

The condensation-cyclization of MHP with other 1,4-dianion systems, such as dilithiated oximes, is not as straightforward, and they are under study. The condensation-cyclization of dilithiated oximes with phthalic anhydride and related anhydrides gave the targeted isoxazole benzoic acids, but the percentage yields for a given system were not reproducible.

24

Preparation of NH-Pyrazoles from Polylithiated Hydrazones and Aromatic Esters

Gregory N. Goschy, Anna C Dawsey, John D. Knight, Jordan B.Brown and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

NH-Pyrazoles were prepared. by condensation-cyclization of dilithiated select C(alpha),N-carbo-tert-butoxyhydazones with aromatic esters including methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate to afford C-acylated intermediates, not isolated, but neutralized and treated with excess 6 M hydrochloric acid. After the anticipated cyclization, hydrolysis and decarboxylation, this resulted in the isolation and characterization of targeted NH-pyrazoles in modest yields. The products have biological potential in medicine and agriculture. While the preparation of NH-pyrazoles involving general condensation of dianion-type intermediates with most substituted benzoate esters was straightforward with regard to characterization of products, the characterization of NH-pyrazole-ortho-benzenesulfonamides resulting from the condensation-cyclization of dianion type intermediates with methyl 2-(aminosulfonyl)benzoate required special attention. Products from this second reaction sequence have the potential of being isomeric spiro(benzoisothiazole - pyrazole)dioxides.

25

Preparation of NH-Pyrazoles and other Heterocyclic Compounds from Dilithiated beta-Ketoesters and a Variety of Aromatic Esters

Stephen D. Hersey, Anna C. Dawsey, John D. Knight and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Select beta-ketoesters were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide, condensed with a variety of aromatic esters to afford new beta-diketocarboxylates, which were isolated and characterized. These compounds were condensed-cyclized with hydrazine to NH-pyrazoles.

26

Preparation and X-ray Crystallographic Analysis of 1-Tetralone Carbophenoxyhydrazone

Chandra Potter, Amy M. Rhoden, Clyde R. Metz and Charles F. Beam, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The two-step synthesis of 1-tetralone carbophenoxyhydrazone started by preparing phenyl carbazate from a 1:1 condensation of hydrazine and diphenyl carbonate. The first step procedure is considerably improved after a slight modification of a recently published procedure [50-55% to 98% yield].

Phenyl carbazate was then condensed with 1-tetralone to afford a new compound, 1-tetralone carbophenoxyhydrazone, whose structure was verified by absorption spectra and X-ray crystal analysis.

The X-ray analysis, ORTEP diagram, indicated two molecules present in the unit cell. One molecule is the (E)-isomer, and the second molecule is either the (Z)-isomer, or another conformation of the (E)-isomer. Computer graphic analysis recently completed has conclusively establish the structural identity of the second molecule. It is another conformation of the (E)-isomer.

27

Proteomics - Identification of Proteins by LC-MS

Jaime M. O'Connor and W. Frank Kinard, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

We have initiated a study of the mass spectrometric identification of some simple peptides and a common peptide, bovine albumin, by LC-MS ESI-ion trap and LC-MS ESI-linear ion trap mass spectrometry. In addition to the study of understanding fragmentation patterns of peptides, we have focused our efforts on peptide identification via sequencing grade modified trypsin digestion, mass spectrometry, fragment charge assignment, and protein database search techniques. Data will be presented correlating the masses of trypsin digested fragments of bovine albumin and their amino acid sequences. Protein digests were run at both the Proteomics Center at MUSC and the College of Charleston and database searches of the mass spectra of the protein fragments identified BSA.

28

Indium Resources at Mount Pleasant Caldera, New Brunswick, Canada

Amy Blackshear and Amer Smailbegovic, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Indium is a relatively rare metal with increasing economic importance in a variety of high-tech applications including semiconductors, solar cells, and display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Indium-bearing tin-based metal deposits are found in abundance in The Mount Pleasant Caldera of New Brunswick, Canada. These deposits are most often found associated with ore minerals such as sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Geophysical data, such as aeromagnetic and radiometric data, can be combined with mineral spectroscopy of Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre (SPOT) multispectral data and integrated to locate conditions permissive to potential Indium mineralization within tin-based metal deposits.

29

Short and Long Term Change in Beach Face Morphology on Dewees Island

David Strauss, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Dewees Island is a 3 mile long barrier island ~12 miles north of Charleston, SC. The small size of the island makes it perfect for a beach geomorphological study. A rotary laser device and laser detector mounted on top of a stadia rod were used to collect beach elevation data along 21 shore-normal profiles in the central portion of Dewees in July 2006, February 2007, February 2008, and March 2008. A general pattern of erosion occurred on the southern profiles while the northernmost profiles exhibited some accretion. Profile data are compared to air photos and beach-based photos taken during the study period. Erosion along the southern profiles can be attributed to direct wave action and long shore current. The accretion on the northernmost profiles can be attributed to a shoal offshore which has diminished the wave impact on the beach face.

30

Assessment of Sex Differences on Operant Tasks of Variability

Abby Meyer, Freddie Bellamy, Rosanna Doyle, and John J. Widholm, Department of Psychology

The current study was undertaken to determine if behavioral sex differences in rats exist on operant tasks of variability. Eighteen experimentally-naive Long Evans rats (9 male, 9 female) were trained to lever press using an autoshaping procedure and were then tested for 20 sessions on a 3-response sequence operant variability task that required the rats to vary their responses among two response levers for reinforcement. It was hypothesized that males, due to an increased tendency to perseverate, would perform more poorly on the variability task. However, no significant differences were observed between the male and female rats for either the autoshaping training procedure or the variability task. The data from the current study are consistent with the existing research which has also failed to find sex differences on operant tasks of variability.

31

Effect of Social Environment on Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Prairie Voles

Adrian Gomez, Katie Parker, and Michael Ruscio, Department of Psychology

Social environment, particularly isolation, has a significant impact on neuroendocrine responses and social behaviors. We quantified a neuroendocrine mechanism, estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) expression, known to be associated with social behaviors. Using a highly social (typically monogamous and biparental) rodent species, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), we housed juvenile animals with a sibling, stranger or in isolation for three weeks. Using immunofluorescence we counted the number of neurons containing ERa in limbic system nuclei (a series of interconnected nuclei that modulate social behaviors). Isolated females displayed significantly fewer ERa labeled cells in two nuclei (hypothalamus and amygdala) compared to the stranger housed females. ERa expression in males was not significantly different among housing conditions. These data suggest that females may be more reactive to the stress of isolation in this species.

32

Remotely Unearthing the River: Identification of Paleo-channels and Paleosols in Anatolia

Kelly Tomlinson, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The Avkat Survey project is an archaeological research project currently being conducted in north-central region of Anatolia. Through combining extensive and intensive survey techniques the project is bringing together experts from all areas. The survey project has acquired Quickbird, SPOT, and ASTER satellite imagery to aid in its research efforts. The imagery goals are to assist with identification of paleo-channels and exposed paleosols by means of satellite imagery which has been georectified via ENVI. These paleo-channels and paleosols are illuminated and identified through the use of various transformation processes on the data software ENVI and Global Mapper.

33

Mapping the Contact Between the Thebes Group and Esna Shale, Luxor, Egypt

Bob Hairston-Porter and A. Kem Fronabarger, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The contact between the Thebes Group and the Esna Shale was mapped in the vicinity of Deir el Bahari, adjacent to the temple of Hatshepsut in the Theban Necropolis. The Theban Necropolis is located on the west bank of the Nile, near Luxor, Egypt. The contact was mapped using direct field mapping, satellite photos, field photos and topographic maps of the region. During the course of mapping four possible slump blocks were found. One located directly behind the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the remaining three located behind XIth dynasty tombs of nobles. The three slumps along Deir el Bahari need to be verified in the field and are thus considered to be tentative.

34

Application of geochemical end-member mixing analysis to delineate water sources to a forested riparian wetland

J. Lieberman, V. Vulava, T. Callahan, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Water levels in coastal wetlands greatly influence carbon release into or capture from the environment and hence are critical to global climate change. These levels are influenced by streams, groundwater, soil type, topography, precipitation, evaporation, etc. We used an end-member mixing technique involving geochemical data to delineate the influence of various sources of water to a small forested riparian wetland in the Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, SC. We installed a series of wells to a depth of 10 ft below ground surface in the stream bed and at the margin areas adjacent to the riparian zone. Chemical analysis of water samples indicated that that some well water contained higher levels of sulfate and chloride compared with others possibly due to influence of a deeper groundwater system. Additional data are required to establish a more definitive model of surface and subsurface contributions to the groundwater in the region.

35

Mapping of Thermal Surface Anomalies from Underground Coal Seems

Michael Passarello, Norm Levine, and Amer Smailbegovic, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Thermal infrared (TIR) data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) was utilized to detect surface temperatures of a region in Bosnia in order to identify thermal surface anomalies. This study area has been identified as a location where underground coal seems have been and still are burning constantly. By subtracting ambient ground temperatures from ASTER temperature maps, temperature anomaly maps were generated. These maps indentify areas that are true hot or cold spots by means of sources outside of solar heating. Typically, these sources include but are not limited to geothermal energy, man made sources, shallow groundwater tables, and contacts between various types of rock units. Thermal surface anomalies for this study are assumed to be the direct result of the burning of underground coal seems.

36

Progress towards an intuitive real-time brain machine interface using EEG and a cortex-based machine learning model

Luca Pellicoro¹ and Mark W. Hurd^2
1Discovery Informatics Program and Department of Computer Science, CofC
²Department of Psychology, CofC, and Department of the Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina

Electroencephalographs (EEG) are used to measure brain electrical activity during specific activities (e.g. sleep, memory tasks, etc.). Recently, researchers have begun to use EEG activity in brain-machine interface (BMI) development. Changes in the EEG waveforms are reflected as an output for producing movement in both virtual (computer environments) as well as the physical environment. The BMIs that are currently available are cumbersome and complicated to use. We are developing custom designed software that works in concert with a commercially available EEG system (BioPac) to record biological signals and then use them to control a mouse cursor. We have used a cognitive task that allows the subject's keyboard responses to be recorded while tracking a target. EEG activity is simultaneously recorded while a machine learning model attempts to predict subjects key presses from their EEG signals. The experimental framework and preliminary results of an off-line analysis will be presented.

37

The Effects of Biofilms on Invertebrate Settlement

Katie Rowe and Loren Danese, Department of Biology

Marine organisms produce scat and other compounds which form a biofilm. Invertebrate larvae may use these biofilms as settlement cues, while others may be deterred by them. Data was collected to determine if invertebrate settlement is in fact affected by biofilm cues. One ceramic tile was placed in an oyster tank and another in a tank with mixed invertebrates. Tiles were left for a week to obtain biofilms from each tank. These two tiles, along with a tile without biofilm, were affixed to a cinder block and left in the Charleston Harbor behind Grice Marine Laboratory. The tiles were collected after a week and analyzed for settlement. This process was repeated for 4 weeks. There seems to be a single settlement event which occurred during week three. Tiles without biofilm had the most settlement, suggesting that biofilms decrease settlement. All the settled species were barnacles in various stages of metamorphosis.

38

Transgenic Lineage Marking in the Development of Congenital Heart Disease

Jessica Trombetta¹, Kris DiAsio², Laura Colombo², and Kyu-Ho Lee^2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
²Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy

Congenital heart disease affects 0.5% of newborns each year, and about 30% of these defects are outflow tract defects. There are currently several genetic models in mouse of congenital heart disease. However, these current genetic models provide an incomplete understanding of pathological events because few molecular markers sufficiently detail the related anatomy during development of the outflow tract. In our studies of nkx2.5 promoter regulation we have characterized a transgene that has asymmetric expression in the outflow tract during critical periods of outflow tract expansion and septation. We have used this molecular marker to study genetic or teratogenic models influencing cardiac neural crest cell contribution and retinoic acid signaling.

39

Computational Model of CA1 Hippocampal Neuron

Natasha New¹, Sorinel Oprisan¹, Antonietta Lavin², and Bailey Glen²
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Charleston
²Neuroscience Institue, Medical University of South Carolina

The hippocampus, located in the forebrain is responsible for encoding long-term memories and spatial navigation. N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptors are critical during the development of the hippocampus and in the initiation of synaptic plasticity required for storing memories and learning new tasks. NMDA receptors play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases (schizophrenia, sever depression, etc.) and pyramidal cells in particular showed pronounced voltage dependence in their response to NMDA. In order to investigate the effect of the mechanism underlying the electrophysiological behavior of CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus of wild-type mice, a conductance-based single-compartment computational model is utilized. Fundamental Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) based currents are incorporated into the model, as well as a glutamate ionotrophic receptor NMDA current. The model captures essential features of the hippocampal biological neuron and offers the basis for a large-scale study of networks involving CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells.

40

Validation of a New Upper Body Muscular Power Test

Kristi Brinkley, Sarah Gossett, Kelley Ingram, Griffen B. Greene and Timothy P. Scheett, Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance

Currently, tests for upper body power require expensive equipment and special training. The development of an appropriate field test requiring minimal equipment and experience would allow coaches/trainers at all levels the ability to easily assess upper body muscular power. The purpose of this study was to validate the clapping push-up power (CPUP) test. Sixty-six males volunteered to perform a 15 second upper body Wingate test and as many clapping push-ups as possible in 15 seconds, in random order. Pearson correlations and dependent t- tests were performed using STATISTICA. Calculated (r=0.499, p<0.05) and measured (r=0.282, p<0.05) power from the upper body power test were significantly correlated to absolute mean power from the Wingate test. The calculated and measured power outputs from the CPUP test were significantly correlated (r=0.774, p<0.05) but were not significantly different (p>0.05). Therefore, the data suggest that the CPUP test represents a practical, easy to perform field test to measure upper body muscular power.

41

Evaluating the Hoff Test as a Predictor of Aerobic Fitness in Female College Soccer Players

Amanda Russell, Addie Dooley, Rachelle McEwen, Josh Konoza, Tom Carroll, and Wesley D. Dudgeon, Department of Health and Human Performance

Aerobic fitness, quantified as VO_2max, is one of the important variables used to assess the overall athletic ability of position players in elite soccer programs. Laboratory testing is a definitive measure of aerobic capacity, however with the development of sport specific field tests, like the Hoff test, aerobic capacity may be measured in a more economical and sport specific manner. The purpose of this study was to determine how well performance on the Hoff test, a 10-minute test requiring completion a 290 meter soccer specific course as many times as possible, correlated with VO_2max. Four female collegiate soccer position players completed both the Hoff test and a treadmill VO_2max test. Analysis revealed a correlation of 0.8 between VO_2max and distance completed in the Hoff, with an R² of 0.65. This data suggests the Hoff test may be a good indicator of aerobic fitness in elite female soccer players.

42

Remote Sensing of Algal Blooms in the Sacramento River Delta Region, CA

Peter Muller, Department of Geology & Environmental Geosciences

Algal bloom populations can be linked to saltwater intrusion of typically fresh water bodies. This often has a negative impact on the people and industries that depend on a fresh water supply, particularly the agricultural sector. Imagery of the Sacramento River Delta region in California was acquired through the use of the Pro SpecTIR hyperspectral scanner and used to detect the presence of algal blooms in the predominantly agricultural area. In an effort to determine the effects on the local water supply, algal blooms were identified and mapped using a variety of classification techniques within the ENVI software package. The resulting data and analysis suggests that the Sacramento River Delta region should be monitored as an area of increasing concern.

43

Mapping Expansive Clays of the Pierre Shale Formation: A look at the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies

Chris Moore, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The Pierre Shale is a Cretaceous formation along the Colorado Rockies that contains shrink-swell clay minerals such as illite and montmorillonite. Over the past fifteen years the city of Denver has seen an increase in population pressure along the Front Range. Structural damage to buildings costs the city millions of dollars every year as well as posing a major landslide hazard. Using LANDSAT data allows the mapping of the presence of clay minerals. Using tools from ENVI software these minerals will be highlighted and, when combined with a digital elevation model, will provide imagery capable of helping solve urban planning issues such as were to build- or even better- where not to build.

44

Rotational Spectra of Cyclopropylmethyl German and Cyclopropylmethyl Silane: Dipole Moment and Barrier to Methyl Group Rotation

Gamil A. Guirgis and Richard Liberatore, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

The Fourier-transform microwave spectra corresponding to the gauche conformer of five isotopologues of cyclopropylmethyl germane and three isotopologues of cyclopropylmethyl silane have been assigned. a-, b- and c-type transitions are all split into doublets by internal rotation of the methyl group; a global fit of the A and E state spectra leads to barriers to rotation of 4.736(6) kJ mol^-1 the germane and ca. 6.7 kJ mol^-1 in the silane.

45

Mineral Mapping of Virginia City, Nevada Using High Spatial Resolution Hyperspectral Imagery

Michael Reed, Bob Nusbaum, and Amer Smailbegovic, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Virginia City was the site of one of the major gold and silver rushes in America during the middle 19th century. The Comstock Lode was created about 1.6 million years ago by low-sulfidation hydrothermal activity generated by underlying magma chambers. The economic value of such deposits like the Comstock Lode has lead to considerable investigation of this area, especially by means of remote sensing. Minerals like kaolinite, illite and serpentine are plentiful through out the area. By identifying the types of minerals found in areas of low-sulfidation hydrothermal alteration we could potentially find areas with similar mineral content and hopefully find more precious metal deposits.

46

Analysis and Comparison of Geologic Features at the Miami Terrace off the Southeast Coast of Florida

Andrew Kennedy, Josh Mode and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The Miami Terrace is a carbonate platform located off the Southeast coast of Florida. Throughout the Miami Terrace many geologic features exist that are conducive to marine benthic habitat. The NOAA ship Nancy Foster explored the features on a cruise from June 4-9, 2008. During the cruise two different Simrad multibeam mapping instruments were used to examine the ocean floor: a ship-mounted system and a system housed in an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), the Eagle Ray. After the data were collected, they were processed using CARIS HIPS 6.1 to analyze the features mapped by each system. A comparison of specific features shows that the AUV produces higher quality imagery, while the ships system is able to survey a larger area in an equal amount of time with lower quality.

47

Multi-beam sonar analysis of the South Carolina shelf edge

Stephanie James, Keith Meany, Gabby Munn, Katrina Wyllie, and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Multi-beam sonar data were collected on a cruise led by Dr. George Sedberry aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster from June 26-July 4 in 2007. Data were then processed using CARIS HIPS 6.1 bathymetry software. The area mapped sits on the rocky continental shelf edge off the coast of South Carolina with depths ranging from 30 to 80 m. Processed bathymetric images were compared to underwater video taken with a remotely operated vehicle and by the Johnson Sea Link submersible in the same general area, to characterize and compare the geological features of the shelf edge. The South Carolina shelf edge is being studied to characterize areas of unique biodiversity that would be most advantageous for the development of new conservatory management.

48

Mapping Pulley Ridge: One of America's Deepest Known Hermatypic Coral Habitats

Michael Reed and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Pulley Ridge, located fifty miles west of the Florida Keys extends over 200 km and parallels a series of N-S oriented drowned barrier islands. The depth of this ridge ranges from 60 to 80+ m in depth and was last exposed around 14,000 years ago when sea level was significantly lower. The purpose of the project was to map hermatypic coral sites in search of their deepest known habitat. This study will allow further planning of manned submersible dives in an attempt to retrieve coral samples so that we might better understand how these corals continue to survive at 100+m of water depth.

49

Pushing the sea states limits in the collection of multi-beam sonar data

Brian R.C. Kennedy and Leslie Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Multi-beam sonar has proved to be an invaluable tool for quickly mapping large areas of sea floor. A multi-beam system can map the bottom with sub-meter resolution in a favorable sea state. However this accuracy requires a sophisticated array of attitude instruments to correct for the ship's movement. These systems have their limitations, particularly in rough seas. For example, the angle of wave approach will change the errors in the data. Using a Simrad EM1002 system, bathymetric data were collected on the mid-continental shelf off the coast of Charleston, SC in January 2008 from the NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER. These data were then processed with Caris HIPS 6.1 software. The heavy sea state encountered produced significant roll of the ship, resulting in the appearance of a concave bottom, which can also result in an incorrect sound velocity profile. Therefore, by changing the profile, the software corrected for the ship's roll.

50

Multi-Beam Mapping of the Transect Meanders on the South Carolina Continental Shelf

Jimmy Skinner, Bob Hairston-Porter and Leslie R. Sautter, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

A Transect Program Seafloor Mapping training cruise was conducted aboard the NOAA ship Nancy Foster on January 30-31, 2008. Using a Simrad multibeam sonar system, a 5 km² area on the continental shelf was mapped north of the previously identified Transect Meanders. Data were collected by CofC undergraduate students, and processed using Caris HIPS 6.1 software. Water depths in the area range from 18-24 meters. The feature of greatest interest is the massive sand body which lies adjacent to the previously studied area. This newly mapped portion of the Transect Meanders will be used to build on earlier work that supports evidence for a possible ancient shore line, which is now below 20 meters of water. Also, because of hardground exposures found in the meander channels, these data aid in mapping and understanding fish habitats along the South Carolina coast.

51

Effects of Increased Lean Body Mass on Anaerobic Power and Performance in Division I College Softball Players

Caitlin Brown, Ethan Burger, Joshua Gray, Shannon Singleton, Wes Dudgeon, and Tom Carroll, Department of Health and Human Performance

In softball players there are unknown correlations between anaerobic power and body composition. Improvements in body composition profile are often associated with improvements in performance. The purpose of this study is to observe and describe body composition, specifically lean body mass, and anaerobic power in NCAA Division I softball players. Seventeen (17) female softball players performed a Wingate Test, Home-to-home field test and underwent hydrostatic weighing measurements. As a result of performance training, the test group on average gained 6.8 pounds of lean body mass. Increases in lean body mass and mean power along with decreases in peak power and home-to-home run times, correlate increases in lean body mass with an improvement in base running performance.

52

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Class Attendance

Marissa Roffler and Suzanne Woodward, Department of Psychology

There is growing evidence that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on life satisfaction, performance, weight gain and increased drug and alcohol use in college students. The present study was conducted to determine if lack of nighttime sleep also impacts college class attendance. A short survey was administered to 44 subjects measuring self-reported nighttime sleep, sleep latency, daytime napping, sleep quality, and the frequency of OTC and prescription sleep aid use. In addition, subjects were asked to record the number of missed classes due to morning oversleeping or napping per week, month, and semester. Results from this pilot work indicate that students who slept less on weeknights reported lower sleep quality and that those with higher sleep quality fell asleep quicker and slept longer. More than half of subjects reported missing at least one class due to oversleeping and number of naps was associated with missed classes, although not significantly.

53

Physical Activity Levels Among College Majors: Physical Education Majors vs Non-Physical Education Majors

Sarah Adams, Billy Berkes and Claudia Coker, Department of Health and Human Performance

Participation in regular physical activity can decrease the risk of many diseases, promote flexibility and strength, and improve overall health. It has been shown that the level of physical activity declines from high school to college, with only 38% of people ages 18 to 24 participating in regular physical activity. In recent years college students have become progressively inactive, with what may be argued as sub-par prevention on the part of the respective institutions. Participants consisted of college-aged students currently enrolled at the College of Charleston. Subjects were recruited with the aid of a project mentor. Researchers attended designated classes and administered the surveys to willing participants. To evaluate the physical activity indicators among college students, the instrument used was the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A cumulative objective score will based on the reported values will be calculated for each group and analyzed using a multiple-sample t-test.

54

Reliability and Validity of a Handheld Dynamometer in Assessing Ankle Joint Muscle Strength

Joshua Gray and Susan Rozzi, Department of Health and Human Performance

For many years, medical professionals have used handheld dynamometers to quantify muscle force. However, the validity and intra/intertester reliability of these devices is not well established. This study aimed to determine the validity and inter/intratester reliability of the Lafayette Handheld Dynamometer. Forty healthy volunteers participated in this study. Results yielded a significant relationship for validity in both EV and IN torque (EV, r = 0.55; IN, r = 0.59). Results revealed moderately strong intratester reliability correlations for both EV and IN torque (EV, r = 0.695; IN, r = 0.651) and mild and moderately strong intertester reliability correlations for EV torque (r = 0.414) and IN torque (r =0.602), respectively. The results of this investigation suggest that the Lafayette Handheld Dynamometer is a valid and moderately reliable ankle strength assessment tool.

55

Current effects on larval settlement and benthic organism colonization of different substrates in South Carolina

Brian R.C. Kennedy, Samantha N. Miller, and Gorka Sancho, Department of Biology

We examined the correlation between settling/colonization rates onto different substrates and current flow estimates at four different estuarine locations; off Patriots Point, James Island and Seabrook Island. We predicted that locations with faster flow rates would display higher settlement/colonization rates. At each site we deployed a settling structure that included settling surfaces made of PVC tiles, natural oyster shells and air filter material. The structures were deployed for three weeks, before organisms were collected, identified and counted. Flow rates were estimated though dissolution rates of pieces of chalk, with Seabrook being the fastest and Patriots Point being the slowest locations. The James Island Far site showed the greatest settlement of pelagic larvae of barnacles (Chthamalus sp.). The settlement of barnacle larvae at Seabrook could have been inhibited by the growth of hydroids that were not found at any other location. In conclusion, there may be a positive correlation between flow rate and settlement.

56

It's not Pandora: Experiments in Content-Based Similarity Retrieval Using Power-Law Melodic and Timbre Metrics

Thomas Zalonis, Patrick Roos, and Bill Manaris, Computer Science Department

We present a prototype for a music search engine that finds songs with similar aesthetic qualities. Unlike other systems such as Pandora and LastFm, our search engine analyzes the actual music, not what people do with or think about the music. To identify pieces that are similar to selected songs, we use more than 500 power-law metrics. The MIDI format is used to measure proportions of music-theoretic and other attributes, such as pitch, duration, melodic intervals, and chords. The MP3 format is used to measure proportions within FFT power spectra related to timbre. Several assessment experiments have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the similarity model. The results suggest that power-law metrics are very promising for content-based music querying and retrieval, as they seem to correlate with aspects of human aesthetics.

57

Drug seeking induced by inactivation of the infralimbic cortex requires activity in the basolateral amygdala and prelimbic cortex

Kerranna B. Williamson, Ryan T. LaLumiere, Jamie Peters, and Peter Kalivas, Neurobiology of Addiction Research Center, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina

Previous studies using the reinstatement model of relapse indicate that activity in the prelimbic cortex (PL) and basolateral amygdala (BLA), but not the infralimbic cortex (IL), is necessary for drug-seeking behavior in extinguished rats. In contrast, studies using fear conditioning suggest that activity in the IL is necessary for the expression of the extinction learning. It is unknown whether the IL plays a similar role for the extinction of drug self-administration. Moreover, it is not known whether inactivation of the BLA and PL prevents the increased lever pressing induced by inactivation of the IL. Our goal was to study the effect of the BLA and the PL on cocaine-seeking behavior and the relationship between the IL, BLA, and PL.

58

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

Megan McKinley and Susan J. Morrison, Department of Biology

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women under 45 years old, resulting in 200,000 deaths per year out of half a million cases reported annually worldwide. Almost all of these cases are linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Currently, the HPV vaccine is the only vaccine that exists specifically for cancer prevention. Three issues are examined: (a) at what age would vaccine administration be most beneficial; (b) whether boys should be included in the vaccination program; and (c) whether a mandate is necessary to achieve widespread coverage.

In order to reduce transmission, achieve a greater degree of protection sooner, and reduce the number of women with cervical cancer, the conclusion is that both men and women should receive the vaccination. A mandate requiring 11-12 year-old boys and girls would be the most effective way to significantly reduce the number of HPV-related cancers.

59

Diel Differences in Abundance and Composition of Ichthyoplankton Influx through Breach Inlet

Courtney Brooks, David Wilson, and Gorka Sancho, Department of Biology

Larval fishes were sampled at mid-flood tides during late winter to early spring at Breach Inlet, South Carolina. Day and night samples were taken suspending a 50-cm plankton net (500-μm mesh) before being preserved in 95% ethanol. Ninety-nine fish larvae from nine species were collected after ten tows. The four most abundant species collected were, in descending order, spot (Leiostomus xanthrus), Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), Bay whiff (Citharichthys spilopterus), and Green goby (Microgobius thalassinus). Ninety-two percent of individuals were captured during night sampling, though no clear lunar periodicity pattern of larval influx was detected. A postlarval gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) was collected on March 13, before the earliest published collection date of April 2 (1981).

60

Mt. Fuji, Japan: Remote Sensing Geological Hazards

Christopher E. Itteilag, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Japan's Mt. Fuji is one of the most famous volcanoes on Earth. Its fame is mainly due to enormous size, picturesque shape, and relative topography to the surrounding area. It is considered an active volcano having last erupted in 1707. The hazards involved from a composite volcanic eruption are very threatening to civilization. These hazards range from lava flows, pyroclastic flows, lahars, earthquakes and landslides. Using remote sensing techniques focusing on spectra and topography, an assessment of geologic hazards in the immediate area can be conducted. The city closest to Mt. Fuji is the city of Gotemba. A general geological hazard assessment has been conducted using Landsat7 and SRTM data. Using this spectral data in conjunction with topographic slope modeling yields a map of specific areas on Mt. Fuji that have potential for geologic hazards. These areas depending on location may be hazardous to Gotemba and other nearby urban areas in Japan.

61

Is Input From the Deep Mantle Needed to Feed the Global Mid-Ocean Ridge System?

Christopher E. Itteilag, Erin K. Beutel, Matt Tinley, and Wesley Schneider, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Over the past 20 million years the Pacific ocean has been shrinking due to plate tectonic processes. Since the Pacific is bound by subduction zones, the Ring of Fire, the volume of mantle must also be shrinking with it. The mantle is not only bound by subducting slabs, but also by the upper mantle 660 km discontinuity barrier. This change in volume must be accounted for. Where is the mantle going? Understanding how our deep earth operates is crucial to understanding what is actually driving plate tectonics. Therefore, global volumes of mid-ocean ridge vs. displaced mantle must be calculated to determine the extent of lower mantle input, if any. This would suggest that plate tectonic processes might be limited only to the upper mantle, implying that no input is needed from the lower mantle.

62

Development of Severe Weather in the Eastern U.S.

Thomas Rolfson and Laney Mills, Department of Physics and Astronomy

The NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Dataset is a large collection of atmospheric data spanning from the 1940s to present. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction is a NOAA project and the National Center for Atmospheric Research is run by the NSF funded University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The data, world-wide in scope, is in the form of maps which present a spectrum of atmospheric data. It includes daily values for surface parameters such as precipitable water and precipitation rates. It also includes pressures, humidities, air temperature, and winds throughout the atmosphere. This project focuses on three tropical Atlantic Hurricanes and three so-called Nor'easters. Although attention routinely is focused on effects of upper level jet streams, this project addresses local conditions more readily available in the dataset. The plan is to investigate daily values of sea surface temperature and precipitable water gathered at points roughly 100 miles ahead along the projected path of each storm. This poster will present some of the preliminary findings.

63

Groundwater Recharge in a Shallow Coastal Aquifer

Michael Passarello and Timothy Callahan, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Groundwater in rural areas of the Southeast U.S. Coastal Plain is the primary source of drinking water, yet is an under-assessed resource. Our research objectives are to determine the hydrologic budget for a watershed in the Francis Marion National Forest near Charleston, SC and calculate the groundwater recharge rate. The groundwater component is often overlooked as an important flux in Coastal Plain watersheds, and high-frequency (hourly-interval) water level data, with hydraulic conductivity measurements for soils and sediments from the site, will be used to calculate groundwater recharge variability; we hypothesize recharge is strongly controlled by storm events and antecedent soil moisture condition. The monitoring site of this study is a cleared meadow surrounded by mixed pine and hardwood forest and forested wetlands. This site is 200 meters from the riparian corridor of Turkey Creek, a third-order stream that is the headwater of Huger Creek, a main tributary of the East Branch of the Cooper River, which discharges to Charleston Harbor.

64

Hazards From Slope Stability Within Bullfrog Mine in Beatty, NV

Wesley Schneider, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The Bullfrog Mine located in Nye County, Nevada near the town of Beatty is an open pit mine from which precious metals were extracted. Minerals extracted from the mine include over 2.4 million ounces of gold along with silver and beryllium. The main environmental problems of open pit mining for these metals include acid rock drainage and slope stability associated with the terraces created during open pit mining. Acid rock drainage is not an issue in this region due to the arid climate therefore slope stability is the main hazard that will be focused on. Slope stability in this region is largely affected by the presence of clay minerals that have large shrink/swell capacity. To determine potential slope stability hazards clay minerals such as sericite and montmorillonite were mapped using hyperspectral SpecTIR data. The results were combined with slope data to target areas of concern.

65

Modeling the Effects of Pumping on a Shallow Groundwater Aquifer, Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina

Samantha M. Bruce, Environmental Studies, and Timothy Callahan, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Residents in rural communities throughout the Southeast U.S. rely on groundwater as their source of drinking water, usually through private wells. The goal of this study was to investigate dynamics of shallow groundwater resources in a representative area, with the objective to determine the cumulative effects of pumping. A water budget was calculated using weather data for the years 2005 and 2006 to estimate groundwater recharge. Groundwater flow software (MODFLOW, USGS) was used to simulate the effects of pumping within a 400 hectare tract of land during wet and dry periods under different water extraction scenarios. The results indicate that during a wet year (2005) the shallow groundwater system could support dense development (sixty residences), each drawing groundwater from individual wells in the area. However, during a dry period (2006), the shallow groundwater system could not support dense development. These results suggest that the lack of a sustainable water resource is a limitation to dense development in rural areas of the Southeast U.S.

66

Remote Sensing for the Avkat Survey Project

Amanda Davis and Kelly Tomlinson, Departments of Geology and Anthropology

The Avkat Survey Project is an archaeological research project being conducted in the summer of 2008 by a joint team from the College of Charleston, Princeton University, and the University of Birmingham. Satellite imagery of the site has been acquired from SPOT, Quickbird and ASTER and working with the imagery will help in understanding the history and significance of the site in its greater regional context. One of the goals of the project is to identify and classify the soil types and general lithology of the area. Another objective is to identify the modern vegetation and the vegetation cover of the survey area. Working with the satellite imagery will aid in the interpretation of the archaeological data collected in the field and a reconstruction of the history of the region.

67

Heart Contraction and Its Effect on Embryonic Development

Monica A. Davis, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and Edward L. Krug, Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, MUSC

The morphogenesis of the heart into a four-chambered organ requires that the myocardium secrete a sufficiently high concentration of protein to induce the transformation of endocardium, which lies more than 150 μm away. I hypothesize that the embryo has evolved a means of minimizing the energy required by aggregating proteins into matrix particulates that can be translocated more rapidly across the extracellular matrix than by a diffusion alone. This is based upon biophysical observations in cartilage matrix showing that a particulate structure will traverse a semi-porous matrix faster in a pulsatile system. To evaluate this hypothesis, embryonic chick heart contraction was selectively inhibited with 2,3 butanedione monoxime (BDM), an inhibitor of myosin molecular motors. The experimental design was to first evaluate the selectivity of BDM effects, comparing heart rate vs. the rate of somite addition, then examine the kinetics of matrix particulate translocation with and without BDM treatment.

68

Characterization of the Manganese-oxidizing protein from Leptothrix discophora

Onica Washington and Pamela Riggs-Gelasco, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

A diverse number of microorganisms have the capability to precipitate, adsorb, or accumulate metals from their environment. Such organisms could be used to recover trace precious metals, to absorb toxic metals from waste, or to catalyze surface reactions. One such wetlands organism, Leptothrix discophora, deposits manganese (Mn) oxides into an extracellular sheath. The gene sequence of its Mn-oxidizing protein indicates a similarity to multi-copper enzymes that mediate a variety of substrate oxidations. Very little is known about the chemical mechanism of manganese oxidation due to the inadequate amounts of protein available by isolation from the native organism. We are trapping active protein in a non-denaturing gel and staining for manganese oxidizing activity. Gel slices will then be electroeluted to isolate active protein or be used directly for spectroscopic measurements.

69

Analysis of MASTER and ASTER Multispectral Data Crater Lake, Oregon

Sarah Giles, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

MASTER and ASTER remote sensing data provide unique approaches to multispectral imaging techniques. An airborne sensor, MASTER provides reflected and emitted VNIR, SWIR, MIR, and TIR spectra in 50 bands. ASTER satellite-borne sensors provide spectral data in 14 bands over all but the MIR. Imagery form both types of data over Crater Lake, Oregon are evaluated to show strengths and weaknesses data from each sensor. Comparisons will be presented that include results from vegetation indexes, Principal Components Analysis, and decorrelation stretches.

70

Near Summit Hydrothermal Alteration on Mount Shasta: A Google Earth Perspective

Jennifer Dressel and Robert Nusbaum, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

The mineralogy along slopes of Mount Shasta (Cascades Mountain Range) in Northern California may provide important information for volcanologists studying slope stability. By emphasizing the visible near infrared and short wavelength infrared portions of the spectrum, we observed characteristic absorption features for hydrothermal minerals; these may weaken rocks on steep slopes at Shasta (e.g., Crowley et al., 2003). Through this spectral analysis, the minerals that could be identified were hematite, kaolinite, minor alunite, and possibly kaosmectite. Targeted areas with hydrothermal minerals were output to Google Earth which allowed 3-D viewing from a variety of perspectives to qualitatively assess slope stability.

71

Texture Analysis of Phase Separation Images Recorded in Microgravity

Greg Smith, Ana Oprisan and Sorinel Oprisan, College of Charleston, John Hegseth, University of New Orleans, Yves Garrabos, Daniel Beysens, University of Bordeaux, France.

A series of experiments were performed in microgravity using the Alice II apparatus to study phase separation near the liquid-gas critical point of the pure fluid sulfur hexafluoride. The compressibility of a fluid is very high near critical point so any measurements made on a cell in a gravitational field will measure a macroscopic average. Using images recorded from the Alice II experiments we were able to investigate the behavior of the phase separating domains by employing different image processing techniques in MATLAB. We investigated three denoising techniques including Gaussian, Weiner, and Moving average filters to correct the images for optical noise. We calculated the fractal dimension of the phase separating domains using a box counting method. We also investigated the morphology of the clusters sizes in time using texture analysis methods. We found a time dependence in the growth of the gas and liquid clusters.

72

Criterion Validity of Caloric Expenditure Calculated by a Treadmill During Sub-Maximal Exercise

Kim Bevillard, Grace Lewis, Macie Lewis, and Timothy P. Scheett. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of a treadmill calorie counter during sub-maximal exercise. Twenty-six subjects (n=20 females) walked and ran at 3.5 and 5.5 mph, respectively, for 20 minutes each on a motorized treadmill (TM) while expired gases were analyzed by a metabolic measurement system (MMS). Linear regression and paired t-tests were used to compare caloric expenditure from MMS and TM at both intensity levels. Caloric expenditure from the TM and MMS were significantly correlated for both walking (r = 0.976, p < 0.001) and running (r = 0.985, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the TM and MMS for both walking and running at each minute (excluding minutes 2 and 3 for walking). The results indicate that following 20 minutes, the treadmill calorie counter underestimated caloric expenditure (-11±2 kcal) during walking and overestimated caloric expenditure (15±3 kcal) during running.

73

Investigating the Relationship between Marine Mammal Distributions and Primary Productivity in the Charleston Bump

Valerie Soop and Phil Dustan, Department of Biology

Sea-surface chlorophyll distributions in the Charleston Bump were analyzed from remote sensing images spanning six years and displaying monthly, four km resolution data. The images were collected from the NASA MODIS-A satellite dataset, and then processed using ERDAS IMAGINE software. Marine mammal sighting data were collected from NOAA Marine Mammal Assessment surveys and the online database OBIS-SEAMAP 2.0. The marine mammal sightings were compared to the chlorophyll distributions. The results are expected to support the hypothesis that marine mammals are not randomly distributed, but rather they are located in areas of high primary productivity characterized by higher chlorophyll concentrations. The current project seeks to establish sea-surface chlorophyll concentrations, measured by remote sensing, as an indicator of marine mammal habitats.

74

Resurgence of Equivalence Relations

Bryan D. Bismark and Adam H. Doughty, Department of Psychology

Resurgence is the recovery of previously extinguished responding when a currently reinforced response also is extinguished. Stimulus equivalence is the emergence of untrained stimulus classes when some of the components of those classes are trained directly. This study sought to show resurgence of untrained but previously emergent stimulus classes. In three college students, four stimulus classes consisting of four stimuli each were trained with monetary reinforcement. Equivalence relations then were tested and new relations taught. After the demonstration of equivalence with these latter relations, their extinction resulted in resurgence of the earlier untrained relations for two of the three participants. These results systematically replicate earlier findings and provide a means of exploring the environmental conditions that support complex human problem solving.

75

Phase-Dependent Velocity Shift of the O VI Broad Wing Emission from AB Dor

Charles Taylor¹, J. E. Neff¹, F. M. Walter², S. Redfield<sup>3

1</sup>Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Charleston, ²Stony Brook University, ³University of Texas, Austin.

AB Dor is an extremely active, rapid rotating K0 dwarf star that has recently arrived on the main sequence. It was observed with the FUSE spacecraft in 1999 and twice in 2003. Preliminary analysis of the time-averaged O VI and C III line profiles showed a significant variation in the line profiles obtained 4 years apart. The profiles obtained 2 months apart are similar, but not identical. In order to search for the short-timescale variability to map the spatial structure of the outer atmosphere, we have reanalyzed all three archival FUSE data sets of AB Dor using the latest calibration software. We present results derived from multi-gaussian fits to the emission line profiles with a time resolution of about 1 hour, and from the total emission line flux light curve with a time resolution of a few minutes.

76

Assessment of the Impact of Teaching a Nutrition Class to Non-English-Speaking Hispanic Women in North Charleston

Maria A. Wersinger and Deborah A. Miller, Department of Health & Human Performance

As Hispanics acculturate to the United States, changes in diet and amount of physical activity increase their risk factors for obesity and diabetes. Improper food selections at American grocery stores contribute to this as well. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional knowledge of female Latina immigrants before and after a 10-week course on basic nutrition and healthy food choices. This study included eight adult, non-English-speaking Hispanics. A pre- and post-test was used to evaluate nutritional knowledge. Upon completion of the course, each participant received a gift card to buy groceries to determine if food choices supported nutritional information learned through the course. There was general improvement in knowledge, and a majority of the groceries purchased were classified as healthy.

77

Behavioral fluency: Understanding the role of reinforcement and practice

Ruth N. Nunn, Michelle B. Hudson, and Adam H. Doughty, Department of Psychology

Fluency building is an educational technique that requires that the learner reach a high and accurate response rate to achieve fluency. The literature on fluency building suggests that fluency building per se is responsible for fluency outcomes. Fluency outcomes are desirable educational goals including retention, endurance, stability, application, and adduction. It recently was noted, however, that it is unclear if fluency building per se is responsible for the generation of fluent performance beyond the effects exerted via practice and reinforcement. In the present experiments, we evaluated the effects of fluency building, while simultaneously controlling for the effects of increased practice and increased reinforcement. The results suggest that fluency building may enhance learning outcomes beyond the effects of increased practice and increased reinforcement. These findings are noteworthy because they speak to an understanding of the fundamental behavioral variables underlying the establishment of fluent behavior.

78

The 2007 Angora Lake Forest Fire: Predicting Future Risks in the Upper Truckee Watershed and Lake Tahoe Area

Jeffrey Joseph Wright Byers Medves, Environmental Studies

The purpose of this research is to ascertain the possible future risks to Lake Tahoe, and Upper Truckee Wastershed resultant from the 2007 Angora Lakes forest fires. This study is primarily focused on the hills and watershed southeast of Lake Tahoe in the Eldorado County area of Califonia.. Landsat ETM, ProSpectir and DEM/Bathometric data were used to determine possible results according to an analysis of the slope, soil and hydrologic aspects of the burned area, and how these factors will impact the Lake Tahoe Area.

79

A Report on Improvements in the Testing of Polymer Mirrors

Evgeni Gurovich and Terry R. Richardson, Department of Physics and Astronomy

We report on improvements in the method developed for testing polymer mirrors made by spin-casting. An optical testing apparatus was redesigned and upgraded to test larger mirrors. Upgrades and modifications to the apparatus are reported and discussed. After the upgrades, several polymer mirrors, previously too large for complete testing, were evaluated. A fast commercial spherical mirror was also tested as a means of appraising this testing method. Results of these tests are reported and discussed. The spherical mirror test indicates this ray path method is a powerful and inexpensive approach for testing fast concave mirrors.

80

Effect of Torque, Flexibility, Dominant vs. Nondominate Limb, and Leg Length on Ball-Kicking Velocity in Children Soccer Players

William R. Barfield, Piper McCord, Melissa Bunke, and Anna Gray, Department of Health and Human Performance

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and kicking is a fundamental skill in the game. However, very little research has been presented on soccer kicking in preadolescent children. The purpose of the present study is to determine if there are differences in isokinetic torque, flexibility, and limb length, with respect to ball kicking velocity in the dominant and nondominant limbs of children soccer players. Girl soccer players will be recruited from the Charleston United Soccer Club. The ball kicking velocity of each player will be tested along with Biodex torque measurements, Sit and Reach test, and anthropometric measurements of limb length. Testing will be done on April 5, 2008.

81

A Numerical Study of Jets from Tilted Black-Hole Accretion Disks

Christopher C. Lindner and P. C. Fragile, Department of Physics & Astronomy

In recent work we presented the first results of global general relativistic MHD simulations of tilted (or misaligned) accretion disks. The simulated tilted disks showed dramatic differences from comparable untilted disks, such as asymmetrical accretion onto the hole through opposing "plunging streams" and global precession of the disk powered by a torque provided by the black hole. However, those simulations used a grid that was purposefully underresolved along the pole, which prevented us from assessing the behavior of any jets that may have been associated with the tilted disks. Here we present new results using a "cubed-sphere" grid, which allows us to simultaneously resolve the disk and polar regions. These new simulations will allow us to answer the following critical questions: 1) Does a jet form in the tilted simulations as it does in the untilted? and 2) If a jet does form, what determines its orientation?

82

Plant Growth in Extreme Environment: Germination and Early Growth in Mimulus

Hannah Kim and Courtney Murren, Department of Biology

Mimulus guttatus, M. nudatus, and M. micranthus, which are known to be able to survive in extreme hot and cold environments, will be examined to further understand how extreme temperatures affect these plants during the early developmental stage. Eight populations of Mimulus will be planted and observed for 2 weeks under different manipulated temperatures in a growth chamber to determine the extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) in which germination is still able to take place. Each plant's biomass and rate of growth during the early developmental period will be calculated. The results of this experiment will indicate the phenotypic and genetic variation between different populations of Mimulus and display some unique characteristics of these plants that contribute to its growth and survival in extreme environments. Depending on the results observed from the pilot trials that are currently in process, this experiments biological questions and experimental goals may be subject to change.

83

Identification of areas of potential cliff failure using LANDSAT and LIDAR data, Encinitas, California

Michael Sutherland, Environmental Studies

Coastal cliff retreat is caused by a variety of factors including but not limited to over-steepening of cliff slope (wave-scour) and slope failure of upper bluffs due to water saturation and removal of natural vegetation. Using LANDSAT ETM+ and LIDAR data over an approximately 5.5 mile stretch of highly developed shoreline centered around the town of Encinitas, CA, the amount of vegetative coverage, cliff slope, and the amount of front beach will be quantified and compared with average wave heights and tidal ranges to characterize the potential for cliff failure along the coast. The identification of erosion prone areas allows coastal managers to develop proper mitigation strategies.

84

Assessing Sea Level Rise with Enhanced USGS Products

Julia Carter¹ , Dawn Glasgow¹ , Ludivine Renaud¹, Michael Sutherland¹, Jimmy Ardis², and Norman S. Levine^3
1Masters of Environmental Studies
²Public Policy
³Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Global Climate Change theory projects sea level will rise due to thermal expansion of water as the earth heats up over the next century. Understanding the impact of sea level rise along the Unites States Coastline is essential to planning and hazards mitigation. The IPCC report (2007) report estimates that thermal expansion can account for up .3 to .6 m of seal level rise. Standard USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are too coarse to resolve the effects sea level rise and although high resolution elevation data sets (LIDAR) are now becoming more available to assess the impact of seal level rise along the coast, they do not cover enough of the coast to allow for regional studies. This study looks at a methodology for improving the existing DEM data to allow researchers and policy advocates a better understanding of the effects of sea level rise along the southeastern Atlantic coastline.

85

Urbanization's Effects on Raptor Injuries

William Lemon, Department of Biology

Human-induced mortality and injury upon raptors is a cause for concern in the United States. In this study over 1000 raptors were affected in three counties in a fifteen year time span. Although, many deaths occur naturally every year, man causes indirectly and directly many casualties per year. Collisions with cars and other man-made objects in this study were the main cause of death or injury (54%) even though it is an indirect factor and shooting of raptors had the largest direct affect (5%) on these raptors. As urbanization of areas increase incidents increase. GIS shows that this is caused by more roads and buildings being built and the presence of humans in the raptors habitat increasing. GIS mapping has shown that human pressure increases the occurrence of raptor injuries.

86

Effects of Drinking on Health Factors in College Freshmen

Logan Clare, Shana Sigsbee and Suzanne Woodward, Department of Psychology

Behavioral and lifestyle modifications associated with the first year of college include alterations in drinking, sleeping, and eating habits. Recent studies show that sleep loss may increase appetite, especially for high calorie foods, by affecting circadian fluctuations of the hormones Leptin and Ghrelin. Little data exists on the role alcohol plays in this relationship between sleep loss and appetite. The purpose of the present study was to explore associations between drinking behavior, sleeping, and eating habits in college female freshman. Daily logs were used to assess nighttime sleep, daytime napping, snacking choices, and number of alcoholic drinks. Results demonstrated that drinkers had significantly more napping minutes and napping was significantly correlated with starch snacks. Nighttime sleeping minutes and daytime napping minutes were significantly inversely correlated. Considering the small sample size, these results still demonstrate that drinking behavior may indeed contribute to eating habits in college freshmen females.

87

Cardiac Muscle Potential of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Ted James¹ and Carol Eisenberg^2
1Department of Biology, College of Charleston
²Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, Medical University of South Carolina

Stem cells are cells defined by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into at least some of the tissue types. This self-renewal ability continually takes place in the skin and blood as a means to replace damaged or old tissue. As cells are provided to replace damaged tissue, they undergo a narrowing of ability by giving rise to progenitors, which then differentiate into specific cell types. It was long accepted that adult stem cells had a narrow potential for differentiation, being limited to the cell types of the tissue where they reside. This notion of adult stem cells limited differentiation potential is partially contradicted by recent data reporting on the alteration of stem cell fates, known as transdifferentiation In this study using chick and quail chimeric embryos we will provide an early investigation into this alteration of stem cell fate from hematopoietic (blood) stem cells to cardiac muscle cells.

88

Glucosinolate variation in the beach annual Cakile edentula

Andrea Petersen, Wendy Cory, and Allan Strand, Departments of Biology and Chemistry

Differentiation in glucosinolate profile across a transect spanning Cape Hatteras has been reported in the beach annual Cakile edentula. Glucosinolates may be under natural selection because they influence plant-herbivore interactions. We have performed an experiment to test whether glucosinolate patterns hold when plants are placed in a common environment. Seeds were collected from five sampling locations along a North-South transect on the Outer Banks. In addition seeds from Folly Beach, SC were included in the study for comparison. Variation in two glucosinolates, Gluconapin and Sinigrin, were observed among both field collected seeds and experimental seeds. The northern most and southern most sites were distinct for these compounds. The northern third of this transect exhibited a mixture of northern and southern patterns. The observation that field and common-garden seeds exhibited similar geographic patterns is consistent with genetic differentiation among sites for glucosinolate expression.

89

Ambient Light Exposure and Sleep Habits of College Students

Carolynn Guagenti and Suzanne Woodward, Department of Psychology

The fatigue college students experience may be associated with phase-shifted circadian rhythm patterns caused by light exposure. The purpose of this study was to assess sleeping habits and intensity of ambient light exposure of dorm-residing students with and without a roommate. Students assessed sleep habits using a Sleep Timing Questionnaire and average intensity of ambient light measured using a light meter. There was no significant difference between Good Night Times or light intensity in rooms with roommates and without roommates. However, there was a significant difference in the amount of sleep time lost from awakening. The results suggest that the average intensity of light in both groups was not enough to induce circadian rhythm phase-shifts. However, meter readings reached intensities as high as 893.40 lux and short exposure to light intensity that bright has been shown to lower sleep quality. Questionnaire data support these findings.

90

Heritability of call duration in male gray treefrogs: Do female mating preferences lead to sexy sons?

L. V. Watters, J. E. Lee, M. J. Smith, H. C. Gerhardt, and A. M. Welch, Department of Biology

Gray tree frog females (Hyla versicolor) have evolved strong preferences for long-call males who benefit them indirectly with good genes that can improve the ability of offspring to survive. Females may also gain indirect benefits by mating with males with genes for sexually attractive traits. Such females should produce sexy sons that inherit their fathers sexually attractive traits. We predicted that call length has a genetic basis and that fathers with long calls will have sons with long calls, and fathers with short calls will have sons with short calls. To test this prediction, laboratory raised males were recorded in an artificial pond and an acoustic testing chamber. Our results show significant variation in call length among sons from different fathers. This suggests that call length is heritable, and that our study supports the sexy son hypothesis as a mechanism for the evolution of female preference for attractive male traits.

91

Effect of the Hyperimmune Egg Supplement on Anabolic Mediators of Muscle Repair

Charles G. Boland, Leslie E. Rivera, and Timothy P. Scheett, Department of Health and Human Performance

Hyperimmune egg (HIE) protein is a powdered egg product derived from chickens immunized with over 26 inert human pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine HIE's affect on the GH-IGF-I axis and free androgen index (FAI) post-exercise. Twenty-four males were randomly assigned to a HIE or placebo group and supplemented with equal and identical products. On days 1, 8 and 10, participants performed an exercise battery. Blood samples were collected on Days 1, 8, 9, 10 and 11. hGH was 83.3% greater on d8 (P<0.05) and 90.1% greater on d10 (P<0.05) than d1. hGH significantly (P<0.05) decreased -56.7% from d8 to d9. IGF-I decreased in HIE (P>0.05) from d8 to d9 (-3.3 2.4%) and d10 (-3.2 3.2%). FAI significantly (P<0.05) decreased on V10 (21.9%) and V11 (19.4%) from V1. The results suggest supplementation of HIE resulted in significant changes in hGH and FAI and non-significant, yet promising IGF-1 alterations.

Supported by grants from the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Program at the College of Charleston and Legacy for Life, LLC.

92

Determining silica content using thermal infrared data: Mono and Inyo Craters, CA

Tim McClinton, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Recent studies using remotely sensed thermal infrared data have demonstrated that is it possible to differentiate rock types based on differences in silicate mineralogy. Variations in silicate mineralogy are particularly useful for geologic mapping because they are important criteria in classifying and interpreting igneous rocks (as well as sedimentary and metamorphic rocks derived from them). By examining a shift in the wavelength of the Si-O bond emissivity minimum (reststrahlen feature), the weight percent of SiO2 can be estimated. This approach was used to assess MODIS-ASTER (MASTER) multispectral thermal infrared imagery of the Mono and Inyo Craters region in California. The data was georectified and manipulated using ENVI software, and married to a NED 30m digital elevation model of the region. Results show hidden features that indicate the long volcanic history of the Mono and Inyo Craters region.

93

Spatial versus Spectral Resolution: Remote Sensing Techniques of 3-Band Aerial Photographs for Land Use Classification

Gabe Sataloff, Environmental Studies

Remote sensing techniques are widely used for large-scale land use classifications. The data generally used has relatively high spectral resolution (multi-hyper spectral), but low spectral resolution. It is very difficult, therefore, to create accurate land use classifications for small areas. Aerial photographs can have much higher spatial resolution, but only have three bands, making statistical classification difficult. This study focused on creating accurate land use classifications for Kiawah Island, SC by using ENVI software to create textural filters on 0.5 meter aerial photographs. The filters created fifteen additional bands, thus greatly increasing the accuracy and statistical power of supervised and unsupervised classifications. An unsupervised Isodata classification delineated anthropogenic features well, while a supervised Mahalanobis Classification accurately defined forests, golf courses, and marshes.

94

Growth of the Urban Footprint of Charlotte, North Carolina during the 1990's

Brett Little, Environmental Studies

The extent of developed land within the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area was determined for both 1988 and 2001 using Landsat5 thematic mapper and Landsat7 enhanced thematic mapper data respectively. Areas experiencing development during this time period were determined using a change detection tool with the remote sensing program ENVI. The area of newly developed land was then calculated to determine the growth of the cities footprint during the 13 year time period.

95

Using Principal Component Analysis to Determine Photofrin Content from Reflectance Spectra

Daryl Reynolds¹, Norris Preyer¹, Linda Jones¹, Jane Buchanan¹, Marquitta Scott¹, Herbert Wolfsen², Kanwar Gill², and Michael Wallace^2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Charleston
²Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

Photodynamic therapy is an FDA-approved method of treating Barrett's esophagus, a condition shown to be a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. PDT involves the administration of a photosensitizer (Photofrin) that interacts with red light and oxygen in a chemical reaction that leads to ablation of the esophageal mucosa. Currently a significant number of patients are either under treated, leading to residual disease, or over treated, leading to complications. We collected reflectance spectra for normal and diseased esophagus before after Photofrin infusion. Biopsies were taken to extract the Photofrin. Our goal is to develop a non-invasive method to estimate the Photofrin content prior to PDT. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method in Mathematica was used to break down the spectra into nine relevant components. The two major components correspond well with oxy- and deoxy- hemoglobin absorption spectra. Preliminary results suggest that some components may correlate to Photofrin content of esophageal tissues.

96

The Radius and Rate of Period Change of the S-Cepheid, EU Tauri

Christina Lewandowski, Kirk A. Boyer, and Robert J. Dukes Jr. Department of Physics and Astronomy

The short period Cepheid EU Tauri has been observed for several years by the Four College Consortium APT. We therefore returned EU Tauri to the APT observing program. We combined our data with published data extending over 35 years and determined an average period from the entire data set of 2.10248 days. We then used this period to determine the Fourier coefficients for each data subsets in order to find any phase shifts between sets which would be indicative of a changing period. These phase shifts were indicative of a period change of 0.0416 s/yr. This indicates that EU Tauri is on its third crossing of the Cepheid Instability Strip. We also used both our data and a contemporaneous radial velocity set to determine the radius of 25.1 solar radii. This work has been supported by NSF Grants to the College of Charleston.

97

Effects of Radiative Cooling in General Relativistic MHD Simulations of Black-Hole Accretion Disks

Joseph Niehaus¹, P. Chris Fragile¹, and David L. Meier^2
1Department of Physics & Astronomy
²NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The environment of black holes, which are gravitationally collapsed objects, is one of the best places to test the effects of strong field gravity, one of the four fundamental forces of Nature. To do this astronomers observe electromagnetic radiation (light) given off by gas swirling around the black hole in the form of an "accretion disk" - a flattened, centrifugally supported structure. In order to interpret what astronomers are seeing it is helpful to construct computational models of these disks. Unlike previous such models, ours explicitly include the major radiative processes involved - bremsstrahlung, synchrotron, and inverse-Compton. Thus our simulations should provide a more accurate physical picture of what is happening and give us a means to directly link our simulations to observations.

98

The Effects of Family History on the Physical Activity Levels of CofC Students

Brittany Greene and Kelly Moeller, Department of Health & Human Performance

The objective and significance of this research project is to determine whether there is a correlation between family medical/health history and physical activity levels of College of Charleston students. Through research it has been demonstrated that having a family medical/health history of certain diseases such as obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and heart disease places an individual at an elevated risk of future development of these diseases. Studies have also shown that physical activity can reduce ones risk of developing these same diseases. The investigators distributed 75 IRB approved family medical/health history questionnaires to College of Charleston students at different locations around campus. After data collection was completed, 71 questionnaires were included in the study. Through our research, we hope to find a relationship between family medical/health history and physical activity levels among College of Charleston students.

99

The Reliability of an Isokinetic Dynamometer in Assessing Muscle Stiffness

Jason Rodriguez, Nathan Fusco, Michael Harrington, and Noah Wasielewski, Department of Health and Human Performance

Much research has been done using an isokinetic dynamometer. There is no question that these machines can be very beneficial when it comes to rehabilitation and measuring a muscles torque. The purpose of our study was to determine how accurate our schools isokinetic dynamomter (Biodex) is in determining muscle stiffness of the calf muscles. We recruited 20 subjects to take part in the study. Each participant was tested, and retested the following day in order for us to assess the reliability of the Biodex. We anticipate that the Biodex will be deemed reliable.

100

Tectonic Applications of LIDAR Elevation Mapping in Dorchester County, South Carolina

James Jeffrey Miller II, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences

Widespread extensional rifting occurred across the eastern margin of North America during the breakup of Pangaea and the consequent inception of the Atlantic Ocean in the Early Mesozoic. The current tectonic stress field has reactivated many of these deeply buried faults, leading to localized seismicity and gentle uplift. These features have been observed in the vicinity of Summerville, Dorchester County, SC, the epicenter of the 1886 Charleston Earthquake. The objective of this study was to analyze topographic uplift associated with faulting in Dorchester County using recently available LIDAR elevation data. A prominent area of uplift revealed by this high-resolution elevation mapping was correlated with seismic data, resulting in the delineation of the inferred intersection of the South Woodstock and Ashley River faults.

101

Using the College of Charleston Campus GIS Technology to Create an Interactive Campus Map (including crime stats)

Jennifer Fox, Sarah Kulpa, Brett Little, Katie Luciano, Jessica Phillips, and Jen Self, Department of Geology and environmental Geosciences

The intended purpose of our mapping project is to provide a series of highly accurate, interactive online maps to be used by the College of Charleston community and visitors. The Colleges online website is in need of updated information pertaining to a variety of campus features including campus buildings, parking areas, and crime incidence. Using GIS and data collected from several different sources, our maps were created with the intention of updating the current online campus building, parking, and police safety maps. Data used to create these maps was taken from the pre-existing online campus map and imported from information provided by College of Charleston Campus Police. Additional layers imported into the GIS and added to the rectified original map include call box location data collected and integrated using GPS, as well as the corrected address data. Individual waypoints for each emergency callbox were collected using eTrex Vista GPS units.

Send comments, suggestions, corrections, or additions to: wraggj@cofc.edu

updated: 22 July 08 - jlw