G 2005

VOL. 56, No. 1

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

1

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

THE VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

EDITOR
Werner Wieland

Biological Sciences Department

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE VIRGINIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Vol. 56 No. 1 SPRING, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS, 83rd Annual Meeting of the
Virginia Academy of Science, May 17-20, 2003,

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

SECTION ABSTRACTS

Aeronautical and Aerospace Sciences 3

Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Science 4

Archaeology (no meeting)

Astronomy, Mathematics and Physics 7

Biology 9

Biomedical and General Engineering 15

Botany 17

Chemistry 20

Computer Science 24

Education (no abstracts)

Environmental Science 25

Geography 30

Geology 30

Materials Science 7

Medical Science 31

Natural History & Biodiversity 35

Psychology 40

Statistics 42

JUNIOR ACADEMY AWARDS 44

AUTHOR INDEX 58

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PROCEEDINGS

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS, 83rd Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of
Science, May 17-20, 2005, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Aeronautical and Aerospace Sciences

SOME EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF AVIATION - FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF MANNED,
POWERED FLIGHT TO SPACE ACCESS. M. Leroy Spearman. NASA-Langley Research Center,
Hampton, VA 23681 & Jill Harper, GWU, King George, VA 22485. Since the advent of manned,
powered flight in 1903, there has been remarkable growth in the field of aviation. Initially, the
United States was slow to adopt to the use of aircraft whereas significant progress was being made
in European countries. With Europe on the brink of World War I, the use of aircraft was seen as a
vital part of warfare. In an effort to advance the knowledge of aeronautics, the United States Senate
passed legislation that created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). With
wind tunnels constructed at Langley Field, VA, aeronautical research was underway in the early
1920’s. In addition to the potential value in warfare, aircraft were seen as a valuable asset for civil
purposes as well. Through the application of advanced research, aircraft design and the capability
of aircraft has improved. A significant improvement in capability was realized with the development
of the jet engine as a power source other than the traditional propeller propulsion system. The
increase in speed and efficiency were to enhance the utility of aircraft for both military and civilian
use. The increase in speed capability has made it possible to access space and research continues in
the development of vehicles to be used in space exploration.

CONCEPTS FOR TRANSATMOSPHERIC VEHICLES. M. Leroy Spearman. NASA-Langley
Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 & Jill Harper, GWU, King George, VA 22485. The thrust
required to propel a vehicle out of the atmosphere is available with rocket propulsion. The North
American X-15 research airplane demonstrated early examples of this capability. The X-15 was
designed to demonstrate hypersonic speed capability and was not intended for space flight. While
the X- 1 5 did achieve hypersonic speed, the range for the aircraft was quite limited and not sufficient
for any meaningful hypersonic cruise mission. Possible missions to exploit hypersonic capability
could be for what is referred to as a transatmospheric vehicle (TAV). Such a vehicle would be able
to exit the atmosphere, maintain orbital flight, reenter the atmosphere to perform special missions,
be able to return to orbital flight, or to return for an earth landing. Extensive research has been
conducted on a variety of such vehicles. These have included what is known as lifting-body designs
in which large bodies having the required volume are shaped so as to provide lift. In other cases,
bodies have been equipped with various forms of shape changing such as retractable wings or
morphing components. While no TAV has yet been produced, the aerodynamic research for such a
concept is in hand. In addition, recent advances in propulsion such as the scramjet engine would
enhance the development of a TAV.

SOME CONCEPTS FOR LARGE LOGISTIC AIRLIFT VEHICLES. M. Leroy Spearman. NASA-
Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 & Jill Harper, GWU, King George, VA 22485.
Aircraft are vital in the logistic support of manpower, supplies and equipment in the event of
warfare. Such support may be required rapidly and to locations at great distances from the homeland.
Conventional aircraft can provide the need for speed but the load capacity is limited. Ocean-going
vessels can provide large load-carrying capability but the speed is limited. In an effort to combine
the need for capacity and speed, some research with an unconventional design has been done. The
design has a large rectangular wing surface mounted inboard of large bodies attached to each wing
tip. The use of two bodies of a conventional aircraft design results in doubling the capacity of the
conventional aircraft. The large area for the rectangular wing provides adequate lift to sustain flight.
In addition, it was found that the wing, when positioned near the surface, could provide a cushion
of air that would permit operation as a wing-in-ground (WIG) effect vehicle. Another possibility

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

considered was the use of a portion of the bodies as containers for helium gas that would permit
operation as a hybrid airship with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. Thus, the inboard
wing arrangement potentially provides for large load carrying capability with a vehicle that could
operate in free-air as an airplane, or in a WIG mode, or with a VTOL capability.

Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture Science

DETERMINING THE INFLUENCE OF RIPARIAN BUFFER WIDTH ON THE BENTHIC
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF HEADWATER STREAMS IN THE SOUTHERN
APPALACHIANS. Eric R. Sokol & E. F. Benfield. Department of Biological Sciences, Va.
Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA, 24061. Strong relationships have been
demonstrated between catchment-wide logging practices and the benthic community structure in
headwater streams. We hypothesize a hierarchical model will apply where catchment scale terrestrial
disturbance modifies a suite of in-stream factors (endogenous variables) that influence benthic
macroinvertebrate community structure (response variable) in patterns that may be observable at
smaller scales (e.g., reach, bedform, or substrate). Multivariate techniques, such as Structural
Equation Modelilng (SEM), provide methods to explore the relationships among endogenous
variables responsible for linking catchment scale disturbances to smaller scale in-stream responses
that may be influenced by riparian buffer width. SEM analysis of data pooled from previous studies
suggests there are significant hierarchical interactions among environmental variables (e.g.,
watershed area, temperature regime, and flood regime) used to predict benthic macroinvertebrate
community structure.

SAMPLE SIZE REQUIREMENT FOR WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS IN HYBRID STRIPED
BASS PONDS. Brian L. Nerrie. Cooperative Extension. Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
23806. Hybrid striped bass {Morom chrysops x M saxatilis) demonstration ponds have been
established at several locations in Virginia to promote the expansion of hybrid bass aquaculture.
These ponds vary in surface area and average depth. Demonstration ponds at Virginia State
University have an area of 0.05 hectare and average depth of 1 00 cm. Cooperating farmers’ larger
ponds range from 4-10 hectare and average depth of 200 cm. Sampling stations were established
to collect pond water quality data Parameters important for hybrid culture include dissolved oxygen
concentration, water temperature, secchi disk visibility, and total hardness. Single sampling stations
were used for smaller pond due to uniform water mixing by aerators. Multiple stations (5) were
established in April, 2005 at larger ponds to evaluate the influence of phytoplankton density, wind
currents, and water exchange. Means and variances were determined for sampled measurements and
the required sample size calculated to ensure 95% certainty that errors will not exceeding expected
level. Lack of variances suggests only one sample required for large ponds. Supported by: USDA
Sunshine Bass Project. Lead Institution: Kentucky State University, Sub-contract - Virginia State
University

PESTICIDE DISCOVERY: SCREENING EUOVTMUS'HMER/CTVH L. SEED COATEXTRACTS
AND FRACTIONS TO CONTROL WHITEFLY. F. Favi and M. Kraemer, Agricultural Research
Station, Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia. Lethality of crude methylene chloride and
ethyl alcohol extracts and their fractions (1-11) were tested on adult whiteflies. Methylene chloride
extract fraction number three is significantly (F = infinity, DF = 9 and p< 0.0001) the best of all five
(numbered 1-5) fractions to kill adult whiteflies in 45 min. Crude ethyl alcohol extract is
significantly more potent than any of its six fractions (numbered 6-1 1) (F = infinity, DF = 9 and p<
0.0001) to kill them in 30 min. Mixture of fractions 1 1 & 9 kill 79.7% and is more potent than
individual fraction (# 9, 55.7%; #11, 75%) to control whitefly population. Synergic effect was
observed when mixture of fractions 9 & 1 1 was applied. Fraction number nine prevents adult
whiteflies from settling down and feeding whereas fraction number eleven made them defecate
profusely. Such effects were also observed in human during clinical trial conducted early this
century.

PROCEEDINGS

5

EFFECTIVE USE OF NATURAL ENEMIES FOR PEST CONTROL IN VIRGINIA TOMATO
GREENHOUSES. M. Kraemer and F. Favi, Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State
University, Petersburg, Virginia. Pesticide-free production of greenhouse tomatoes requires the use
of natural enemies to control pest populations. Regular introductions of natural enemies can be
expensive. We evaluated the effect of several natural enemies on pest populations of fungus gnats
and thrips over a 4-year period in one greenhouse in southern Virginia. Beneficial nematodes were
often effective in control of fungus gnats but had to be introduced in larger numbers than
recommended by suppliers. Nematodes did not reproduce and needed to be re-introduced regularly.
However, the initial introduction at transplanting is not needed because suitable hose stages are not
available. Predatory spider mites in sachet bags were effective but required several weeks head start
before the spring invasions of thrips from outside. Rove beetles appear to be an excellent predator
for both thrips pupae and fungus gnat larvae, and will reproduce in the greenhouse environment.

WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS FROM AN EXPERIENTAL GRAVEL BED AQUAPONIC
SYSTEM. David Crosby, Brian R. Roosa and Chris Mullins, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 908 1 ,
VSU, Petersburg, VA 23806. An experimental aquaponic system was setup in greenhouse fortesting
its potential production capabilities for the fish and plants. The system used a 4 ft x 8 ft gravel bed
as the biofilter for a 1 50 gallon fish tank and as the plant media. The system was flooded for a three-
minute duration every fifteen minutes. Basil was grown in the gravel beds as the hydroponic part of
the study. Water quality parameters: TAN, pH, nitrite, alkalinity, and hardness were monitored daily.
Thirty tilapia were stocked at 90 grams each. Fish gained an average of 25 grams each in 55 days and
resulted in a 2.1 FC. Nitrite levels peaked first at 1 1 .9 ppm within six days of the study and TAN
peaked at 14 ppm within 12 days. TAN dropped to acceptable levels within eight day after peaking
to 1 .5-1.9 ppm for the remaining duration of study. Hardness showed a steady increase and peaked
in 14 days into study at 1 55 pm of hardness and dropped to 34.2 ppm for the rest of the study. Plant
analyses were done twice during the study for the Basil. All test parameters for Basil felled within
normal ranges. This experimental gravel bed aquaponic system would be useful to small family
farms seeking alternate production methods for crop diversification.

CATFISH FINGERLING PRODUCTION USING TWO STOCKING DENSITIES. David Crosby.
Brian R. Roosa and Scott H. Newton, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 9081, VSU, Petersburg, VA
23806. Producing catfish to complete with the southern catfish industry is a challenge for Virginia's
aquaculture. Virginia's aquaculture industry needs a 6-inch fish in one growing season. Since
spawning catfish in Virginia is l-Y months behind the southern catfish, producing a 6-inch catfish
in one growing season is a challenging task. Four ponds were stocked with catfish fry at 20,000 fish
per acre and 40,000 fish per acre on June 23 and July 1, 2004. All fish were fed daily. The ponds
with 40,000 fry were sampled in September 2004 with an average mean ranging from 12.1 cm to
12.5 cm while ponds with the 20,000 fry ranged from 12.3 cm to 12.8 cm. When fry ponds were
harvested in March 2005, unexpected mortalities were found. Nearly all fry ponds had no fish. The
surviving fish were heavily parasitized with of Ich and Trichodina. This may have caused slow and
chronic mortalities during the winter. With a large resident winter gull population at the ponds, all
mortalities would have been consumed leaving no indication that a wintertime epizootic had
occurred. Out of the eight ponds used in the study, only about 1 600 fish survived. The data on the
survivals indicated the 6 to 7 inch fmgerlings are possible during one growing season.

EFFECTS OF INTRACEREBROVENTRICULAR ADMISNISTRATION OF ENTEROSTATIN
ON FEED AND WATER INTAKE IN CHICKS {Gallus CALLUS). Catherine A. Twimasi & Mark
A. Cline, Neurophysiology and Behavior Lab, Dept, of Biol., Radford Univ., Radford, VA 24142.
Enterostatin, a protein chiefly expressed by the pancreas in response to duodenal filling, is a satiety
signal. The effects of centrally administered enterostatin in mammals are documented; however no
information is available for avian species. Thus, we conducted an experiment to determine the effect
on appetite after central administration of enterostatin in chicks (Gallus gallus). Chicks were

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

assigned to randomly receive 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 micrograms of human enterostatin dissolved in
artificial cerebrospinal fluid and injected intracerebroventricularly. Feed and water intake were
monitored post treatment. Enterostatin had no effect on feed or water intake. Our results did not
correspond to previous studies conducted in sheep and rats. We conclude that central administration
of human enterostatin at the doses tested here has no effect on ingestive behavior in chicks. We plan
to repeat this experiment using different doses of enterostatin.

EFFECT OF INTRACEREBROVENTRICULAR ADMINISTRATION OF AMYLIN ON FEED
AND WATER INTAKE IN 4-DAY POST HATCH CHICKS. Wint Nandar & Mark Cline,
Neurophysiology & Behavior Lab, Dept, of Biol., Radford Univ., Radford, VA 24142. Amylin, a
37-amino acid peptide, is produced in gastrointestinal mucosa, and in the central nervous system.
Studies in rats demonstrated that amylin participates in regulation of glucose homeostasis and
decreasing insulin secretion. Amylin also inhibits feed intake, decreases body weight by reducing
meal size, increases post meal interval of satiety, decreases gastric emptying and increases thirst in
rodents. The biological role of amylin in avian is unclear. Thus, we conducted an experiment to
determine the effects of amylin on feed and water intake in chickens. Four-day old Gallus gallus
chicks randomly received intracereberal injection of either 0.0, 0.5, 1 .0 or 2.0 p,g rat amylin, and feed
and water intake were monitored for 90 minutes post injection. Chicks that received 0.5 |ig of rat
amylin had an increase, while chicks that received 1 .0 or 2.0 pg amylin had a decrease in feed intake.
Thirst was not affected by treatment. This is the first report that demonstrates a feed inducing role
for amylin in any species. Apparently, amylin modulation of appetite differs between rats and avian.

EFFECT OF INTRACEREBROVENTRICULARLY DELIVERED ENTEROSTATIN ON FEED
INTAKE IN GOLDFISH. Marissa L. Smith & Mark A. Cline, Neurophysiology and Behavior
Laboratory, Radford University, Radford, V A 24142. Enterostatin, also known as colipase activation
peptide, is a 5 residue peptide formed during tryptic activation of pancreatic procolipase. It has been
demonstrated to reduce feed intake in mammals, however effects in fish are unknown. Thus,
goldfish were intracerebroventricularly administered wither 0, 1, 10, or 100 pg human Enterostatin
dissolved in teleost saline using a freehand method. Fish were then returned to their individual tanks
and given 1 5 min to recover from the injection procedure prior to being fed a predetermined quantity
of sinking feed pellets. The bottom of the tanks were photographed every 15 min post feeding for
a total of 120 min. The number of feed pellets was quantified at each time interval. Enterostatin
caused a dose-dependant linear decrease in cumulative feed intake at all observation times. These
results are similar to those found in mammalian species. Based on these results, Enterostatin
antagonists are a logical target to increase body weight in fish.

DISTRIBUTION AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF NUTRIENT TRANSPORTERS IN THE
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF BLACK BEARS. E. Gilbert'. E. Wong', M. Vaughan^ & K.
E. Webb, Jr.‘. ‘Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, VT, Blacksburg VA 24061 and
^Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, VT, Blacksburg VA 24061 . Distribution and abundance of
inRNA of a peptide transporter (PepTl ), a glucose transporter (SGLTl), two amino acid transporters
(NBAT, b^'^AT), and a digestive enzyme, aminopeptidase N (APN) was investigated in the
gastrointestinal tract of black bears. Intestine was removed from 10 bears and divided into five
sections, and each section was opened longitudinally and the mucosal scrapings were stored at -
80°C. Total RNA was extracted and quantified by spectrophotometry. Abundance of PepTl , SGLTl ,
NBAT, b^'^AT , and APN mRNA was determined by performing northern blots, using bear cDNA
probes. Abundance of PepTl (P < 0.05), APN (P < 0.05), and SGLTl (P < 0.0001) changed
quadratically from the proximal to distal intestine. Abundance of b°’^AT mRNA increased linearly
(P < 0.05) from intestinal segment 1 to intestinal segment 5. Abundance of NBAT mRNA did not

PROCEEDINGS

7

change between intestinal segments. Our results indicate that the nutrient transporters examined and

APN are differentially distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract of black bears, indicating their
involvement in nutrient assimilation.

IMPROVING CHANNEL CATFISH PROCESSING AND YIELD CAPACITY BY
MANIPULATING HARVESTING AND GRADING TECHNIQUES. Albert O. Reid. Virginia State
University. Small scale producers are reluctant to invest enormous amounts of capital on seasonal
and infrequently used fish processing equipment. These producers usually process fish by hand
using various parochial techniques resulting in irregularly shaped and wasteful fillets (less than
27%). Four state of the art fish processing machines located at VSU’s Randolph Farm have
empowered small producers with a means by which to process their fish. Greater fish fillet yields
(greater than 27%) and uniformity of products correlate to maximum profits. The key to increased
fillet yield is directly related to harvesting the appropriate size fish. It was found that by selecting
fish within 2.5 and .75 pounds significantly improved fillet yield at this processing facility. Grading
fish in the pond was found to be the most appropriate method. This can be achieved by using
grading bars or fish measuring boards at the pond site. Properly graded fish has the potential to
double the output at this facility.

NUTRIGENOMICS: A PREVIEW OF FUTURE NUTRITION. Ali Mohamed. Dept of Biology,
Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806. Discoveries associated with sequencing the human
genome and the development of related technologies have paved the way for an unparalleled
understanding of the molecular functioning of organisms that ultimately will transform nutritional
practice. The interface between the nutritional environment and cellular/genetic processes is being
referred to as “nutrigenomics.” Nutrigenomics seeks to provide a molecular genetic understanding
for how common dietary chemicals (i.e., nutrition) affect health by altering the expression and/or
structure of an individual’s genetic makeup. This new era of molecular nutrition can unfold in
dichotomous directions. The first direction focuses on the effects of nutrients or food bioactives on
the regulation of gene expression (ie, nutrigenomics). The second is determing the impact of
variations in gene structure on one’s response to nutrients or food bioactives (ie, nutrigenelics). The
challenge of nutritionist will be to balance the needs of the community with those of the individual.
In this regard, the excitement and promise of molecular nutrition should be tempered by the need to
validate the scientific data emerging from the disciplines of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics and the
need to educate practitioners and communicate the value to consumers — and to do it all within a
socially responsible bioethical framework.

Astronomy, Mathematics and Physics
(with Materials Science)

LASER-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE FOR CANCER DIAGNOSIS. Matthew Musgrave, Dept,
of Physics, James Madison Univ., Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Esophageal cancer is one of the most
deadly forms of cancer, and currently the most reliable way to diagnose esophageal cancer is by
biopsy. A biopsy involves sending an endoscope down the patient's throat and cutting a piece of
tissue out; then the sample must be analyzed, which could take several days. A new procedure is
being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories to detect esophageal cancer that utilizes laser-
induced fluorescence for in vivo cancer diagnosis. During the procedure a laser is sent down the
biopsy channel of an endoscope and excites the tissue at five different wavelengths (400 nm, 420 nm,
440 nm, 460 nm, 480 nm). The intensity of the fluorescence is measured over a broad range of
wavelengths, normalized with respect to the total intensity measured, and graphed. The fluorescence
signal for normal tissue is different than the signal for cancerous tissue. So by measuring how much
the normalized data collected from a region of esophageal tissue differs from the spectrum of a
standard normal graph, it can be determined whether or not the tissue is cancerous. The results

8

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

collected so far using this technique are in agreement with the classifications made by a biopsy
procedure. This technique has the potential to be a quick, cost-effective method to diagnose cancer.
CIRCUITS FOR DTECH LABS. Joel C Bodine. Dept, of Physics, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg Virginia, 22801 . Technology is always advancing. People today use these magical
objects without even a thought about how they were made or how the came about. DTech Labs is
one of those companies that design and build these types of products. DTech Labs is a private
contractor for the DOD, NS A, military and other companies. They provide products and services
that will make the customers jobs easier and more secure (mostly electrical engineering). Many of
DTech Labs products deal with homeland security and secure wireless communication. My Talk
today will be about one of the projects that I was fortunate enough to participate with. In particular,
a circuit board that can be used as an alarm that sends a message to a receiver within a short range.
The circuit board that we have built can have many uses with simple modification, which, will be
described in the talk.

THE EFFECT OF BACKGROUNDS ON THE MEASUREMENT OF THE LIFETIME OF THE
MUON. Rebekah Esmaili, Physics Dept., James Madison Univ. The Fermi coupling constant is
determined using the lifetime of the positive muon. The MULAN collaboration is currently
measuring the positive muon lifetime to 1 ppm. To achieve a Ippm lifetime measurement at least
lei 2 muon decays need to be recorded. Also a highly systematic free experiment has to be
performed. The final system will use state of the art digitization techniques to provide time and
energy information for each decay. This paper will focus on the relationship between the various
types of events detected and their influence on the lifetime. For example, cosmic rays are detected
and accumulated along with muon decays. These events are completely uncorrelated and therefore
contribute to the flat background, which doesn’t strongly influence the measurement. Dead time in
any detector, on the other hand, can create a time dependent efficiency that can strongly bias the
measurement and will require modularity and careful monitoring. These and other backgrounds will
be described.

EXTRACTION OF DOCUMENTS FROM PLASTIC LAMINATES. James H. Martin. School of
Mathematics and Science, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA. Prior to the
1 980's, plastic lamination was the suggested method for preservation of many documents. It has been
found that the plastic lamination deteriorates and often damages the document, so it has become
necessary to remove the laminates without damaging the encapsulated document. . Cellulose acetate
laminated (Barrow method) documents can be extracted by an acetone bath which dissolves the
cellulose acetate. Documents sealed between two self-adhesive plastic sheets often become
transparent and although the plastic laminate comes in many types, chloroform will generally
dissolve the adhesive, freeing the document which can then be washed with appropriate solvents
such as acetone or petroleum ether. Modern heat sealed laminates are currently being studied, but,
no method has yet been found which does not cause some detectable damage the document.

NEAR INFRARED EMISSION FROM Dy^" AND Nd'" DOPED POTASSIUM LEAD HALIDES.
J. A. Freeman'. U. Hommerich', E. Nyein' & S. B. Trivedi^, 'Hampton Univ,, Hampton, VA and
^Brimrose Corp. of America, Baltimore, MD. The purpose of this research is to find new infrared
(IR) emitting materials that show promising characteristics for operating within the optical
communication windows. Dysprosium and Neodymium doped Potassium Lead Halides are
considered to be promising candidates for optical amplification of 1300 nm and 1500 nm signals
used by telecommunication networks. Chlorides and Bromides are being considered as new host
materials for rare earth (RE) ions because they can produce efficient IR emission. Based on the
energy gap law, the probability for multiphonon non-radiative decay is reduced in host materials with
small phonon energies. Halide crystals with phonon energies between 200-300 cm"' are ideal
candidates for efficient emission from RE ions. We are currently evaluating and Nd^"" doped
Potassium Lead Bromide (KPb2Br5, KPB) for application as an efficient infrared emitter. The Dy and

PROCEEDINGS

9

Nd doped KPB crystals were synthesized at Hampton Univ. For comparison, Dy doped KPb2Cl5
(KPC) was also prepared. Dy:KPB, Dy:KPC, and Nd:KPB showed emission bands in the windows
of 1300 nni and 1540 nm under 808 laser pumping. Compared to Dy: KPC, Dy: KPB exhibited a
significantly stronger 1540 nm emission.

MULTIJUNCTION THERMOELECTRIC HEAT SENSORS. David J. Eawrence*. John A.
Gotwald' & Gerald R. Taylor, Jr. % 'iSATDepartment, "Physics Department & ‘•"Center for Materials
Science, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Thermocouples are widely used for
temperature measurement and other thermal sensing tasks. A thermopile, consisting of series-
connected thermocouples, provides a greater output voltage than a single thermocouple Junction.
This enhanced sensitivity makes thermopiles particularly useful when small temperature changes
must be measured. Microfabricated thermopiles have the additional advantages of ruggedness and
compact size, and they may serve as the basis of chemical sensors and biosensors capable of
detecting selected antigens. We describe the microfabrication and characterization of thermopiles
having up to 36 antimony-bismuth sensing junctions. The antimony and bismuth thin films are
deposited by thermal evaporation and they are patterned using photolithographic techniques. The
thermopiles are fabricated on polyimide membranes supported by silicon wafers or thin aluminum
plates. The sensing regions of these devices have a low thermal mass because the sensing junctions
are fabricated on a polyimide “drumhead”. The best devices have a sensitivity of approximately 4
mV/°C and heating and cooling time constants of approximately Lis.

ANALYSIS OF ELECTRO-OSMOTIC MOBILITY IN MICROFLUIDIC CHANNELS
MEASURED BY THE CURRENT MONITORE4G METHOD. W. Christopher Himhes'. Brian H.
Augustine", & Antoinette C. Bonhivert", 'Department of Physics, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg, VA 22807 & ^Department ofChemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg V A
22807. Microfluidic structures are being exploited in many new novel devices because of the ability
to move solutions through them using electro-osmotic flow (EOF). Any proposal to use materials
other than glass for these devices will depend on a thorough understanding of the EOF arising from
the charged surfaces of these materials. The existing standard method for measuring the EOF
mobility, the proportionality between an applied electric field and the velocity of the flowing
solution, is the so-called current monitoring technique. This technique involves measuring the time
that it takes for the resistance of a micro-channel to completely change as a solution of one
concentration replaces another. A flaw in this method is the imprecision in determining the start and
end times of the current change. We propose a new method in which the time rate of change of the
reciprocal of the current is proportional to the EOF mobility. Since this technique involves the
determination of a linear slope, it is inherently more precise. We have demonstrated this derivative
technique with both glass and acrylic chips.

INEXPENSIVE USB LABORATORY INTERFACES. Joseph W. Rudmin, Dept, of Physics, James
Madison Univ., Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Problems of interfacing laboratory experiments to
Windows-based personal computers will be discussed. A recent development is the marketing of
modular interfaces which connect to the computer via the Universal Serial Bus or USB port.
Capabilities, limitations, supporting software, and possible applications will be presented. A typical
interface, the Minilab 1008, produced by Measurement Computing Company, which includes a
counter, 1 8 digital programmable I/O lines, 8 channels of 12-bit analog input, and 2 channels of 12-
bit analog output, will be demonstrated.

Biology

A GENETIC STUDY OF ANTI-OXIDANT FACTORS IN YEAST. Kimberly Slekar. Amy Turner
& Kristin Ditzler, Department of Biology, James Madison University. Harrisonburg VA 22807.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Oxygen presents a paradox to aerobic organisms because it is essential for life, while toxic at the
same time. Reactive molecules of oxygen are constantly formed in cells of aerobic organisms, from
bacteria to humans. These reactive oxygen molecules damage critical cell components if left
unchecked, a phenomenon called "oxidative stress”. Aerobic organisms have evolved with enzymes
to combat oxidative stress, including glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), which generates
NADPH via the pentose phosphate pathway. We used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system
to investigate genes that are functionally related to the gene that encodes G6PD in yeast, ZWFl. We
took a genetic approach by studying both mutational (jyhoSS) and multi-copy (ZMSJ, ZMS2)
suppressors of a yeast zwfl mutation, and investigated whether the suppressors act through the same
or separate pathways to suppress zm/7. This work enables a better understanding of the functional
interaction between different anti-oxidant factors, using the simple eukaryotic model system
provided by baker’s yeast.

THE JACALIN-RELATED EECTIN (JRE) DOMAIN OF MAIZE B-GEUCOSIDASE
AGGREGATING FACTOR (BGAF) IS INVOEVED IN B-GEUCOSIDASE BINDING.
Mallikariun D. Lalgondar'. Farooqahmed S. Kittur', David J. Blanchard^ David R. Bevan^ & Asim
Esen', 'Dept, of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, ‘U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria,
VA and ^Dept. of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. p~Glucosidases (P-D-
glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3 .2. 1 .2 1 ) catalyze the hydrolysis of aryl and alkyl P-glucosides as well
as P-linked oligosaccharides. Certain maize lines were reported to lack P-glucosidase (Glu) activity
based on zymogram data. It has been shown that these lines have enzyme activity, but the enzyme
is not extractable because a 32 kD protein (referred to as BGAF or P-glucosidase aggregating factor)
specifically interacts with Glu during extraction, rendering the enzyme insoluble or poorly soluble.
BGAF is a ehimerie protein consisting of two distinct domains: the disease response (also known
as “dirigenf’) domain and the jacalin-related lectin (JRE) domain. To understand which domain
interacts with Glu, we cloned the Dirigent and JRE domain eneoding regions of the bgaf cDNA
separately and expressed them in E. coli. P-Glucosidase aggregation assay showed that the JRE
domain interacts with Glu. (Supported by The Virginia Academy of Science and NSF).

PREEIMINARY STUDY ON GENE TRANSFER IN FUNGI (REISHI, SHITAKE, C-OYSTER)
BY EEECTROPORATION. Witemba Kabange & Fang Sheng Wu, Dept, of Biol., Va.
Commonwealth Univ., Richmond, VA 23284. Genetic transformation involves transferring genes
both within species and between species to obtain a desired trait; this differs from the mixing of
genes through sexual reproduction. In contrast to prokaryotic organisms, eukaryotic organisms
cannot easily pick up a gene, ineorporate it in their genome and replicate it. Therefore, new
techniques are needed to improve the insertion of genes into eukaryotic organisms. This experiment
was performed to test the efficiency of transforming mushroom by electroporation. Approximately
2-8 mm of gill tissue with intact veil were taken from Reishi, Shitake and C-oyster mushrooms and
grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) supplemented .medium. After approximately 2 weeks in
culture, mycelia growing on PDA medium were transferred into 24 well plates, rinsed twice with
dH20, shocked for 10 minutes between the rinses, vacuum infiltrated for 5 minutes and
electroporated with plasmids containing one of three hygromycin resistance genes (PD4, PEG or
P49) at 25 pF and between 1.2- 1.7 kv. Mycelia were then grown on a hygromycin-enriched malt
extract medium. Mycelia containing the plasmid grew profusely while mycelia without hygromycin-
resistance genes showed very little to no growth.

EFFECTS OF THE LOCATION OF SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTIONS OF
LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE ON THE FREQUENCY OF PREGNANCY LOSS IN CD-I MICE.
Sushma Shrestha', Carolyn M. Conway^ & Arthur F. Conway'. 'Dept, of Biology, Randolph-Macon
Coll., Ashland, VA 23005 and ^Dept. of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond, VA
23284. Lipopolysaccharides (EPS) cause strong inflammatory responses and can cause pregnancy
loss at low doses in mice. Previous studies indicated that frequency of pregnancy loss in response

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11

to subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) varied in response to the location of the
injection. We subcutaneously injected pregnant female CD-I mice in the tail base, flank, or neck
region with 0, 2, or 5 pg of LPS on day nine of pregnancy and evaluated pregnancy loss on day
twelve. Frequency of pregnancy loss, maternal body weight loss, and maternal spleen weight gain
were all significantly altered in a dose sensitive fashion by LPS injection. The location of the
injection had no significant effect on any of the parameters measured. The lack of a clear
relationship between frequency of pregnancy loss and the distance of the LPS injection from the
reproductive tract argued strongly against pregnancy loss depending upon mechanisms such as
inflammatory cytokines acting locally through tissue fluid or lymphatic drainages.

EFFECTS OF POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS ON THYROID FUNCTION OF JAPANESE
QUAIL. Catherine M. Webb & F. M. Anne McNabb, Dept, of Biol. Sci., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
VA 24061. Chemical contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), have been
associated with detrimental effects on wildlife in several regions of the Great Lakes. These effects
include altered thyroid gland function, which may result in hypothyroidism. PCBs cause
hypothyroidism in mammals by two mechanisms which facilitate T^ excretion: (1) induction of
uridine diphosphate-gluciironosyltransferase (UDP-GT), a liver enzyme that glucuronidates
thyroxine (T4); and (2) displacement of T4 from transthyretin, a thyroid hormone-binding plasma
protein. Induction of mammalian UDP-GT by PCBs has been studied extensively in mammals, but
there is little research in this area on birds. We developed and validated an assay using labeled T4
as substrate for measuring avian UDP-GT activity and determined the effects of Aroclor 1254. a
mixture of PCB congeners, on UDP-GT activity and thyroid function in weanling mice and Japanese
quail chicks. We found that PCBs linearly and significantly induced UDP-GT activity and decreased
plasma T4 in both quail and mice. Quail had lower enzyme activity, less enzyme induction, and a
smaller decrease in plasma T4 than mice. Supported by a Virginia Tech Graduate Research
Development Project grant.

EFFECTS OF THYROID DISRUPTION ON GENE EXPRESSION IN DEVELOPING AVIAN
BRAIN. Yu Chen. Dept, of Biological Sciences. Virginia Tech.. Blacksburg VA 24061 . Thyroid
hormones (THs) are essential for normal brain development and regulate the expression of TH-
responsive genes in the brain at specific developmental periods. Exposure to environmental
contaminant forms of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) leads to hypothyroidism in laboratory rats.
Some evidence indicates that PCB exposure may alter thyroid function in birds. I hypothesize that
PCB-induced hypothyroidism will be associated with altered expression of thyroid-regulated genes
in developing avian brains. The hypothesis is being tested by studying the expression of the thyroid
regulated RC3 gene in the brain of developing Japanese quail exposed to PCBs. RC3 codes for a
neuron-specific calmodulin-binding protein involved in regulating neuronal Ca2-i- dynamics. An
increase in RC3 mRNA and protein level coincides with the onset of synaptogenesis in the
developing brain. Hypothyroidism lowers the RC3 mRNA level in both developing and adult
mammals and has an adverse effect on the central nervous system. Japanese quail RC3 mRNA has
been separated and sequenced from embryonic brain total RNA. RC3 mRNA level in both normal
and PCB exposed embryonic brains will be analyzed by Northern blot.

TEMPERATE-ZONE SMALL MAMMALS; AN EXAMINATION OF THE HISPID COTTON
RAT IN SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA. Heather A. Green & Robert K. Rose, Dept, of Biol., Old
Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA. 23529-0047. Seasonal variation observed in temperate-zone climates
demonstrates unique challenges to the animal species that inhabit them. Winter is by far the most
difficult season for most animals. Small mammals, due to their relative size, are subject to additional
environmental pressures and are limited in their ability to cope during the winter months. An
examination of the hispid cotton rat in southeastern Virginia, which is a typical temperate-zone small
mammal, will serve to demonstrate how this species has adapted to survive at its most northerly

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

location on the east coast, especially during the winter months. Previous studies have provided
evidence of negative growth of males and females over the winter months. A determination of the
rates of growth in males and females throughout the seasons in Virginia will serve to confirm these
findings, as well as provide a basis for comparison with those of other geographic populations. By
comparing growth rates within each season in Virginian populations, patterns should emerge
demonstrating higher and lower rates of survival during different times of the year. Newly collected
data associated with winter growth rates may also reveal new insight concerning winter survivorship
of cotton rats.

STOMACH WORM INFESTATIONS IN METAPOPULATIONS OF COTTON RATS. Kelly
Proctor & Robert K. Rose, Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk,
Virginia 23529-0266. Virginia is the northernmost limits of cotton rat {Sigmodon hispidus)
distribution on the east coast. Thus, these animals have potential difficulties, especially during
winter. Cotton rats are host to numerous parasites, including large round worms of two genera that
reside in the stomach. These stomach worms have indirect life cycles for which arthropods are the
intermediate hosts. Consumption of the arthropods enables the stomach worms to complete their
life cycle, and eggs are discharged in the feces of cotton rats. Previous studies of necropsied cotton
rats in eastern Virginia have revealed that unmowed oldfields supported cotton rat populations with
high infestation rates (70-80%) of stomach worms and no seasonal variation in infestation rates,
whereas frequently mowed sites had lower levels of parasitism (20-30%) but showed seasonal
variation. One goal of our study is to learn whether rates of parasitism can be learned by examining
eggs of stomach worms in cotton rat feces rather than relying solely on necropsy methods. Another
goal is to examine metapopulations within a region, and to test the hypothesis that rates of infestation
are related to the age of oldfield habitats and season.

A DIETARY STUDY OF SIGMODON HISPIDUS, THE HISPID COTTON RAT, IN
SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA. S. Matthew Wicks & Robert K. Rose, Biol. Department, Old
Dominion Univ. Norfolk, Va. 23508. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diet of the
cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus, in Chesapeake, Virginia. This analysis will be accomplished by
collecting fecal samples from animals that are live trapped from a field site owned by the Nature
Conservancy. Fecal analysis will be completed with a method devised by Stewart, which involves
clearing 1 g samples and then examining them with the use of a light microscope at 400x
magnification. Reference slides will be created using samples of epidermis of plants collected from
the study site, and will be used to identify the species of plants and their frequency found in the fecal
samples. Insects will also be collected to enable their identification to order and family in fecal
samples as well. This study will complement similar studies conducted in other parts of the country,
with the aim of adding to the general knowledge of the role of herbivores and omnivores in the small
mammal community.

MORTALITY OF LOBLOLLY PINES CAUSED BY COTTON RATS. Robert K. Rose & A. Scott
Bellows, Dept, of Biol. Sci., Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA 23529-0266. Since December 2002,
we have studied small mammals in an oldfield habitat in southern Chesapeake, Virginia. In summer
2004, we observed many dead loblolly pine trees whose bark had been gnawed by rodents from
ground level to 15-18 cm. The cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus, is the only species large enough to
reach to 1 8 cm, and they comprised >80 percent of captures on the site. We tested the hypothesis
that distributions of dead pine trees and captures of rodents on the trapping grid were related. In late
winter 2005, after enlarging the study area by a margin of the trap interval (12.5 m), we examined
pine trees in the “cells” bounded by four grid coordinates. We measured tree diameter at 30 cm from
ground level, estimated tree height for all pines > 0.9 m tall, and tallied smaller seedlings. We
categorized trees as unmarked, partial girdled, dead and girdled, recent partial girdled, and recent
complete girdled. We determined the level of tree mortality for 2004 and observed substantial
damage and some mortality as early as February. In some ceils, tree mortality in 2004 was as high

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13

as 30 percent and few trees escaped being damaged by gnawing. Although vegetative cover was not
quantitated, late winter gnawing of pine bark by rodents was more extensive in cells with fewer trees
and more ground cover.

EVIDENCE OF FACULTATIVE REST-PHASE HYPOTHERMIA IN FREE-RANGING
NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS DURING WINTER. Andrew S. Dolby. John G. Temple, Emily
A. Kimmitt, & Kelly C. Minton, Dept. Biological Sci., Univ. of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg,
VA 22401 . Shallow facultative rest-phase hypothermia has been reported in a number of passerine
families, but few published data exist on its use by free-ranging members of this taxon. We used
temperature-sensitive radio-transmitters to determine whether Northern Mockingbirds (Mimits
polyglottos) employ rest-phase hypothermia during winter. We measured skin temperatures of seven
free-ranging mockingbirds every three hours for three to seven 24-hr cycles per subject. Nighttime
ambient temperatures averaged -0.5 ± 7.6°C (SD) and ranged from -9°C to 19°C during the study
period. For all pooled observations (n = 36), skin temperature reductions ranged from 2.7°C to
9.5°C, while the average nightly skin temperature reduction per individual was 5.5 ± 0.9°C (SD).
The average magnitude of skin temperature decline (n == 7) was negatively correlated with nighttime
ambient temperature, and this correlation was marginally significant (P = 0.057). However, average
depth of hypothermia was not significantly correlated with physical condition. To our knowledge,
these data represent the first evidence of facultative rest-phase hypothermia in a free-ranging mimid.

CLONING AND EXPRESSION OF AMBIDOPSIS THALIANA P-GALACTOSIDASE-5
(ATlg45130). Dashzeveu Gantulga', Yusuf Turair. & Asim Esen', Dept, of Biol. Sci., 'Va.
Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061 and "Dept, of Biol.. Balikesir Univ.
Arahidopsis ihalicma P-galactosidase-5 (Atlg45130, Gal-5) cDNA was cloned and expressed in
Pichia pasforis yielding a secreted recombinant protein. The mature protein coding region was
cloned into pPICZaA expression vector. Linearized pPICZa-Gal-5 construct was transformed into
Pichia pastoris X-33 competent cells. Transformants able to grow on Zeocin-YPDS plates were
transferred to MM X-Gal plates and screened for P-galactosidase activity. Several blue colonies
were selected for small-scale induction in liquid culture. A colony showing highest P-galactosidase
activity was chosen for large-scale induction in liquid culture. More than 90% of P-galactosidase
activity was found in culture medium. For this colony, optimum induction medium and time course
was investigated. T/c/?/7/-expressed recombinant P-Gal-5 was partially purified by hydrophobic
interaction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography and hydrolyzed pNPGal, oNPGal,
4-MUGal, X-Gal and 6-BNGal with optimal activity at pH 4.0 and 40"C. P-galactosidase activity
was inhibited by D-galactose but not by lactose. SDS inhibits the enzyme activity of Gal-5. The
enzyme was stable at 4"C for a month.

THE EFFECTS OF MEPROBAMATE ON THE LARVAL STAGE OF THE BLACK BLOW FLY.
PHORMIA REGINA. Rebecca G. Doane & Michelle R. Peace, Forensics Science Program, Virginia
Commonwealth Univ., Richmond, VA 23284. The life cycle of Phormia regina and other insects
can be used to estimate post-mortem interval (PMI) by estimating age of insects. Drugs ingested
anie mortem by the deceased can affect the larval stage life cycle and size of larvae feeding on the
deceased. We determined the effect of meprobamate on the larval stage duration and length and
weight of P. regina maggots. Flies were wild trapped and maintained in a laboratory colony on a
diet of sugar water and pork loin. After oviposition, approximately 1 00 eggs were placed on about
60 grams of homogenized pork (drug free control or drug laden samples containing 260, 520, or
1040 mg/kg meprobamate). The maggots were reared at 20°C and under 24 hour light. When the
maggots migrated they were harvested, washed, and frozen. Meprobamate did not significantly
affect the duration of the larval stage, but significantly increased length of larvae (lowest and highest
doses, p< 0.0001) and the mass of larvae (highest dose, p< 0.0001). Since larval age is estimated
by larval length, our results indicated that the PMI estimation may be affected by an ingestion of
meprobamate prior to death.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

BACTERIAL DIVERSITY IN A COMMERCIAL AND A NON-COMMERCIAL CAVE. Samuel
I. Ralls. Kristy N. Haskins. Nina T. Parker & Luis Espinasa, Shenandoah University, Winchester,
VA. 22601. Researchers suspected that cave environments are susceptible to human disturbance.
A pilot study was initiated to determine if human interaction changed bacterial diversity within
commercial, non-commercial, and wild cave areas in the Hupp’s Hill region of Northern Shenandoah
Valley, Virginia. Enumeration of each unique morphospecies (colony morphology) was determined
and representatives were isolated for further testing. Results based on the Shannon Diversity Index
suggested that human interaction did have an impact on bacterial biodiversity.

VENTILATORY PUMP EFFECT ON THE GILL CIRCULATION IN THE BLUE CRAB,
CALLINECTES SAPIDUS. E. K. Brady, T. Wilkes & D. Jorgensen, Biol. Dept., Roanoke Coll.,
Salem, VA 241 53. Blue crabs use two sets of gills for gas exchange. Each set is enclosed in a lateral
space, the branchial chamber (BC). Each BC is ventilated by a muscle-driven pump, the
scaphognathite (scaph), which generates negative hydrostatic pressure that pulls seawater through
the BC unidirectionally past the gills. Hemolymph pools in the infrabranchial sinus (IB) located just
upstream from the gill circulation and collects, after passing through the gill circulation, in the
pericardial space (PS) before being pumped by the heart into the systemic circulation. We measured
hydrostatic pressure in the BC concurrently with hemolymph pressure in the PS and IB (allowing
for calculation of pressure drop [Pjrop] across the gill circulation) in crabs walking on an underwater
treadmill. Ventilation rate increased several-fold during exercise, driven by increased scaph activity
causing a decrease in BC pressure. We hypothesized that reduced BC pressure would result in
passive dilation of the hemolymph channels in the gill lamellae, resulting in decreased P^^op. During
periods of increased ventilatory pump activity we observed a decrease in P^^^p across the gill
circulation, supporting our hypothesis, and suggesting passive augmentation of hemolymph flow
during periods of increased metabolic demand.

INFLUENCE OF RETINOIC ACID ON DIFFERENTIATION OF CULTURED EMBRYONIC
CHICK DUODENA. .1. Orion Rogers, Dept, of Biol., Radford Univ., Radford VA 24142. A survey
of the literature reveals that retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A, affects vertebrate
developmental processes. The objective of this project was to determine the effects of 10 pM RA
on the differentiation of intestinal epithelium from 14-day-old chicken embryos incubated for 48
hours at 38 "C in culture medium 199 containing either 0.7, 1 .3 or 2.8 mM extracellular Ca"^. The
hypothesis tested was that RA treatment will result in increased numbers and equal distribution of
goblet cells along previllous ridges compared to controls. Tissue was fixed in Carnoy’s fixative,
dehydrated, cleared with HemoDe, and embedded in paraffin. Ribbons of 5gm thick sections were
cut, and goblet cells were stained by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) procedure with fast green as a
counterstain. Glycogen was removed by a 30 minute pretreatment with 0.5% amylase. Both goblet
cell number and previllous ridge height increased significantly from 14 to 16 days in uncultured
tissue. RA had a dramatic and unexpected effect of inhibiting previllous ridge growth and goblet
cell development, but RA had no deleterious effect on tissue morphology. Increasing extracellular
Ca^^ resulted in an increase in goblet cell number, but it had no consistent effect on previllous ridge
height or goblet cell distribution.

EFFECTS OF LEAD CHLORIDE ON ENDOTHELIAL CELLS. Erik Thorell & Rosemary Barra,
Department of Biology, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA. 22401 . Endothelial
cells are constantly exposed to foreign substances via blood and lymph, and as such are at risk of
cellular insult. This study investigated the effect of PbCl2, as a cellular stress factor, on HSP 70
expression in CRL-2163 cells. The data indicated that treated and control cells produced similar
levels of HSP 70, rendering the study inconclusive. After observing changes in cell morphology
between the treated cells and control cells the study was altered to investigate the rate of apoptosis.
Apoptosis was determined using fluorescence staining (AnnCy3 and 6-CF) and showed a definite
difference between control and treated cells as well as between different concentrations of PbClj

PROCEEDINGS

15

(2.5niM and 7.5mM). Following a 6 hour incubation period, the treated cells exhibited beginning
stages of apoptosis, whereas at 12 hours apoptosis was more widespread in the cultures treated with
either 2.5mM or 7.5mM PbCF. The results indicated that although no difference was discerned in
HSP 70 levels, changes are occurring in the cells due to PbCT treatment which may be triggering
apoptosis.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF ISOLATED COTTON STAINER POPULATIONS: PRELIMINARY
RESULTS. Chevon N. Dunnings, Linnea Harper, Alicia G. Middleton, Amber L. Richards, Tiffany
J. Schuldt, Kara G. Segna, Fallon A. Shippen. Lisa S. Webb, & Harold J. Grau, Department of
Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science. Christopher Newport University, Newport News,
VA 23606. We investigated possible genetic polymorphisms among several geographically isolated
populations of St Andrew cotton stainer {Dysdercus cmdreae) on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Geographic isolation of these populations could lead to some degree of genetic distinction, and an
earlier morphological analysis has shown that phenotypical differences exist between these
populations. We have successfully extracted DNA from dried specimens of D. cmdreae and used
polymerase chain reaction procedures to amplify segments of genes from both the mitochondrial and
nuclear genomes. We utilized restriction endonuclease digestion to confirm the identity of the
amplified sequences. We will use these procedures, along with DNA sequencing of the amplified
segments, to analyze the remainder of the isolated populations for genetic polymorphisms.

REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN A MODEL OF NEURODEGENERATION. Jennifer A.
Hurd', Nena Fox", Doug Oliver' & David A. DeWitt' f 'Dept, of Biol., Liberty Univ., Lynchburg,
VA 24502, “Dept, of Microbiology. Univ. of Virginia and ■'Dept, of Pathology, Univ. of Virginia.
Charlottesville, VA 22908. Increasing evidence points to a role for apoptosis and oxidative stress
in Alzheimer's disease. We previously developed an in vitro model of neurodegeneration by
triggering apoptosis using human NT2 cells treated with 500 pM aluminum maltolate (Al) or 500
nM staurosporine. Both of these agents induced peri-nuclear clustering of mitochondria.
RedoxSensor red and MitoTracker green were used to determine whether these agents induced the
production of reactive oxygen species (ROS ) in conjunction with organelle clustering and apoptosis.
Staurosporine treated cells showed evidence of increased ROS production while Al treated cells did
not. In both cases, mitochondria were clustered near the nucleus. These results show that Al
induced apoptosis occurs without ROS production. They further suggest that that P.OS production
and organelle clustering are independent events. Supported by National Institutes of Health AG-
020996 and an Undergraduate Research Award from the Virginia Academy of Sciences.

Biomedical and General Engineering

PRE-CLINTCAL INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF THE NOVEL
PLATINUM COMPOUND hhr3464, Louise Limzerfelt ', Derk Bemeleit p Christine Billecke-^,
Oliver Bogler\ Nicholas Farrelf and Anthony Guiseppi-Elie' ^ 'Center for Bioelectronics,
Biosensors and Biochips (CB3), “University of Bremen, Bermany, 'University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center, ‘’Dept, of Chemistry, VCU, ^Dept. of Chemical and Life Science
Engineering, VCU. This study examined the response of glioma cell lines derived from astrocytoma
to platinum-based drugs, BBR3464 and cisplatin, based on gene expression. BBR3464 is a new
platinum-based chemotherapeutic that has demonstrated greater cytotoxicity at a lower concentration
compared to the more widely used platinum-based chemotherapeutic cisplatin. A comparative study
using custom spotted 1 OK DNA microarrays was performed. The cell lines LNZ443 and LNZ-308
were chosen as a model system representing p53 wild-type and p53 null status, respectively. The
results of the lOK C3B oligonucleotide array were compared to identical samples run on an
Affymetrix oligonucleotide array. The cross-platform comparison was used or identifying the
most robust filtration and normalization method as well as removing false positive results from the
sample. Additionally the influence of the p53 null mutation compared to the p53 wild-type status
was shown.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE LACTATE AND GLUCOSE SENSOR,
Gopakiimar Sethuraman', Sean Brahim' and Anthony Guiseppi-Elie’’", ’Center for Bioelectronics,
Biosensors and Biocliips (C3B) and ^Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, VCU.
Biosensors are analytical devices incorporating a biological material or a biomimic (e.g. Tissue,
microorganisms, organelles, cell receptors, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids etc.), intimately
associated with or integrated within a physiochemical transducer or transducing microsystem, which
may be optical, electrochemical, thermometric, piezoelectric or magnetic. To address the engineering
challenges of designing and packaging of the lactate biosensor a set of solutions is proposed. The
aim is to produce a working biosensor for animal implantation studies. The bioelectrode will be of
microdisc design. It will be packaged into suitable chip carriers and have the bonding pads of the
bioelectrode wirebonded to the pads of the package. Suitable biomedical grade silicone sheathed
wires will be soldered to the chip package. A silver reference electrode will be electroplated onto
the bioelectrode. Final steps in packaging include passivating the connections and coating the
bioelectrode in a protective layer, possibly with the negative tone photoresist SU-8 . After packaging,
the biorecognition layer will be applied to the working area of the bioelectrode. The biosensor then
will undergo in vitro testing, before being placed into the animal for in vivo testing.

VISUALIZATION AND FLOW MEASUREMENTS IN MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS. R
Bayraktar, Department of Chemical Engineering, Hampton LJniversity, Hampton, VA 23668 and S.
B. Pidiigii, Department of Engineering Technology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801
South University, ETAS 227D, AR 72204-1099. The micro fluidic devices have recently attracted
tremendous interest due to their potential of bringing novel applications into reality in many areas
including biomedical industry. The microfluidic systems refer to the fluid transport systems having
the characteristic length in the range of 1 to 1000 pp. These systems utilize two modes of fluid
pumping: pressure-driven or elektrokinetic. One of the motivations of employing miniaturized fluid
transport systems is to produce highly integrated and parallel processing devices for the analysis of
clinical samples. However, the challenges in the design of microfluidic devices still remains since
all aspects of fluid flow in microchannels have not been fully understood yet. The miniaturization
of the flow system leads to the significant increase in the surface forces. Thus, micro scale flows
deviate considerably from macro scale flow models. Non-intrusive diagnostic techniques are
important tools to understand underlying principles of microflow physics. The primary goal of this
paper is to present an extensive overview of flow diagnostic techniques suitable for microfluidic
systems.

MOLECULARLY ENGINEERED P(HEMA) BASED HYDROGELS FOR IMPLANT
BIOCOMPATIBILITY, Sheena Abraham'. Anthony Guiseppi-Elie’’ ^ 'Center for Bioelectronics,
Biosensors and Biocliips (C3B), 'Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, VCU.
Hydrogels based on a 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) backbone crosslinked with tetraethylene
glycol (TEGDA) and molecularly engineered using two methacrylate-based monomers, poly
(ethylene glycol) (200) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) (0.0 - 0.5 mol %)and 2-metliacryloyloxyethyl
phosphorylchoiiiie (MPC) (0-10 mol %) were investigated. Characterization studies involving
determination of the degree of hydration and dynamic contact angle studies showed that the
hydrogels exhibited increased hydrophilicity with increased MPC content and increased hydration
equilibration periods. Cell viability and proliferation studies using human muscle fibroblasts and cell
viability studies using human aortic muscle endothelial ceils proved that the hydrogels are non-
cytotoxic (viability > 80%), and controlled proliferation (< 50%). Prominent reduction in protein
adsorption (up to 90%) was seen in hydrogels hydrated for 5 days as compared to hydrogels hydrated
for 2 hours.

Poster Presentations

CHARACTERISTICS OF CARBON REINFORCED PIEZOELECTRIC COMPOSITE, Karla
Mossi'’f Byron Smith',Makram Mouhli', and Robert G. Bryanft, 'Virginia Commonwealth

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17

University, Richmond VA, USA, “NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton VA, USA. Pre¬
stressed piezoelectric Unimorphs have added durability, strength and enhanced out of plane
displacement, when compared to piezoelectric materials alone. Hence a variety of composite
piezoelectric actuators are available such as Cymbals, Thunders, Rainbows, and Lipcas among
others.' This study concentrates on the characterization of Lipca devices through surface mapping,
and out-of plane displacement in tension and compression. Results are compared to projected
numerical approximations using beam theory. The resulting three-dimensional shape of the device
is predicted by using a 23-term Rayleigh-Ritz model.

MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED BRAKING SYSTEM, Jonathan Moon, Jeffrey King, Chris
Call, Peggy Collier, Eric Haskell, Karla Mossi and Zoubedia Ounaies, Dept, of Mechanical
Engineering, VCU. The scope of the project is to design and construct a compact magneto-
rheological brake using Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid. The MR fluid mechanism is such that, in
the absence of a magnetic field, the fluid can act as a lubricant. Upon introduction of a magnetic
field, the MR fluid becomes viscoplastic and develops a yield strength. This yield strength will be
utilized to make a semi-rigid connection between an input and output. Depending on the intensity
of the applied magnetic field, the viscosity of the fluid is controlled or tailored to create the desired
braking force between contact points in the brake housing. The magnetic field will be supplied by
an electromagnet. The device as envisioned has numerous applications such as automobile braking
systems, braking systems for space rovers, and possible vehicle transmissions, however the focus
in this project will be on a braking. This device can be used as a brake by applying the field at a
separate point in the brake causing a semi-rigid connection between the wheel and the transmission
housing, thus causing a stopping effect at that wheel. The result will be a modular part that is easily
manufactured, efficient, and cost effective.

Botany

SECRETED a-AMYLASE FROM ARABIDOPSIS: CELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND
INFLUENCE ON STARCH METABOLISM. E.A. Doyle. A.M. Lane, J.M. Sides, B. Edwards, J.D.
Monroe, Department of Biology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, 22807. The
Arabidopsis gene AMY] encodes an -amylase that is expressed in leaves and contains a typical
signal sequence suggesting that it is secreted. Because leaf starch is normally confined to
chloroplasts, the function of a secreted leaf amylase is enigmatic. We hypothesize that the AMYl
-amylase acts on starch in dead cells after membrane deterioration. We obtained two T-DNA mutants
in the amylase gene, amyl-1 and amyl -2, neither of which contains a prominent amylase activity
band (Al) on native, starch-containing PAGE. Transitory starch metabolism in mutant leaves is
normal. To address the cellular localization of Al we constructed plants containing either
AMYLGFP or GFP alone under the control of the 35S promoter. Transgenic plants over-express
the Al protein as observed on native PAGE, and GFP was observed using protein gel blots probed
with anti-GFP antibodies. Infiltrating leaves with Proteinase K resulted in complete degradation of
the AMYLGFP fusion protein while the cytosolic GFP was unaffected in the absence of cell lysis.
Consistent with its hypothesized role in degrading starch after stress-induced cell death, the AMYl
gene is induced during senescence and by abscisic acid.

THE FLORA OF VIRGINIA PROJECT: A 2004-2005 UPDATE. Marion B. Lobstein, Department
of Biology, Northern Virginia Community College, Manassas, V A 22205 . Virginia, for its landmass,
has the most diversity of vascular plant species of any state in the United States. It had the first flora,
the Flora Virginica in 1 739, yet it does not have a modern flora. The Virginia Academy of Science
for over fifty years has supported efforts to produce a modern flora of Virginia. The Foundation of
the Flora of Virginia, Inc, was formed in 2001 and in May 2002 received 501 (c)3 status. Progress
continues to be made on the efforts to develop a flora of Virginia including fund-raising and public

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

outreach efforts. Work on the content of the Flora of Virginia, including nearly 600 illustrations,
has been commissioned, completed and supported by VAS funds. Funds awarded from the
Gwalthmey Memorial Trust for 2005 will be used to support continuing work on illustrations. The
Academy and its Fellows continue to provide essential support, including financial support, for this
project. Other progress includes completion of treatments of the dichotomous keys of 90 of the 205-
210 vascular plant families in Virginia and the first step in developing species descriptions for
approximately 10% of Virginia’s 3800 vascular plant species. These efforts to develop a modern
flora of Virginia by 2010 have taken root and continue to make substantial progress.

PRELIMINARY PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF MORTONIA (CELASTRACEAE) USING ITS
SEQUENCE DATA. Jennifer A. Clevinger'. Curtis C. Clevinger% Brent A. Huskey', Matthew M.
Beegle', Zubin J. Joseph' & James Henricksoif , 'Department of Biology, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801, ^Fishburne Military School, Waynesboro, VA and ^University of Texas
at Austin. Mortonia A. Gray is a member of the family Celastraceae, which is comprised of about
fifty genera of trees and shrubs. Mortonia is found in California, the southwestern US, Texas and
Mexico. Phylogenetic relationships were examined using DNA sequence data from the internal
transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Sequencing of PCR products revealed that Mortonia individuals
have ITS regions containing polymorphic sites and therefore had to be cloned. Preliminary
phylogenetic analysis suggests that a morphological variant of Mortonia palmeri collected by
Henrickson in Nuevo Leon, Mexico should be recognized as a new species because it does not fall
in the same clade as the typical M. palmeri. Analysis also suggests that subgenus Mortonia is
monophyletic but subgenus Greggii is not. Furthermore, the two collections of Mortonia latisepala
are not sister, so more collections will be sequenced to determine the monophyly of this species.

VASCULAR PLANT INVENTORY OF POWHATAN COUNTY, VIRGINIA. Michael A. Terry
& W. John Hayden, Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173.
Between August 2003 and May 2005, a Uoristic inventory of Powhatan County, located in the
piedmont province of Virginia, was conducted. Bedrock is dominated by metamorphic and igneous
rocks of Proterozoic to Paleozoic age dissected by the James and Appomattox Rivers and their
tributaries. Commercial forest (mostly pine) occupies 75% of the land area and natural vegetation
in the county includes various hardwood communities. The goal was to produce a thorough vascular
plant inventory for this largely rural county currently experiencing exurban development pressure.
The annotated checklist is based on new field collections supplemented with records from regional
herbarium collections and the Atlas of the Virginia Flora. Field work sampled habitats consistent
with at least 1 2 distinct community groups recognized in Virginia. The checklist contains 1017 taxa,
representing 514 genera and 150 families. Eighteen percent of the species are naturalized
introductions. Sixteen newly collected specimens (1.5% of the total) represent rare plants on
Virginia’s watch lists, and 1 14 collections (11% of the total) represent new records for Powhatan
County, including two potential state records.

COMPARISON OF HYDROPHILIC ANTIOXIDANT CONCENTRATION AMONG FREEZE-
DRIED AND FRESH FRUITS. Michael H. Renfroe & Guillermo S. Calica, Department of Biology,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Dietary antioxidants help prevent diseases
such as cancer by counteracting the damaging effects of free radicals. Different fruits are likely to
contain different total concentrations of antioxidants. Also, food processing such as freeze-drying
may affect antioxidant content. Hydrophilic antioxidant concentrations from fresh and freeze-dried
fruit tissue were quantified using spectrophotometric measurement of ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-
ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical decoloration. Measurements were converted by a
standard curve to Trolox equivalents. Antioxidant contents of five freeze-dried fruits were compared
to their fresh counterparts to determine if freeze-drying has an effect. Hydrophilic antioxidant
concentration was greatest in strawberries with significantly (p=0.05) lesser concentrations found
in raspberries, blueberries, bananas and peaches (listed in descending order). Freeze-drying

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19

decreased hydrophilic antioxidant content in strawberries but increased hydrophilic antioxidant
content in the other four fruits. This suggests that freeze-drying is not detrimental to the release of
hydrophilic antioxidant molecules in all fruits, but its effects may vary with fruit type.

THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE: RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY IN A NARROW
ANCIENT CORRIDOR OF MIGRATION AND ECOSYSTEMS. Douglas A. Coleman, The
Wintergreen Nature Foundation, Nellysford, VA 22958. From Humpback Mountain north past
Rockfish Gap into Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge contracts to a single mountain spine.
On its east and west flanks are lands disturbed by urban development and agriculture. This range— an
ancient corridor of migration and population continuity— remains important, but it is threatened.
Concentrated raptor and neotropical bird migrations are well documented at Rockfish Gap. Black
bears {Ursus americanus) are often thwarted or killed here as they attempt to cross two major
highways. Preliminary research also shows narrow nesting habitat preferences for wood warblers
{Dendroica). Less is known about macroinvertebrates, but threats to migration and gene pool
continuity can be inferred. Elements of late Pleistocene flora appear in both disjunct and relict
communities. Recent research funded by The Wintergreen Nature Foundation also indicates
continuous Native American occupation for the last 9,000 years and significant trade associated with
east-west passage through mountain gaps in the central Blue Ridge. The Foundation invites and
offers assistance for visiting students and scientists whose research supports conservation efforts in
this region.

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE GENUS CORDIA (BORAGINACEAE) IN THE
GALAPAGOS islands. Conley K. McMullen, Department of Biology, James Madison
University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. The genus Cordia L. (Boraginaceae) is well represented in
the Galapagos Islands and may comprise up to seven species. As currently understood, four of these
species are endemic, two are probably native and one is introduced. However, three of the four
endemics are not readily distinguishable based on available descriptions. The endemics and natives
are thought to have originated in the western (Andean) region of South America, and they are
believed to have arrived in the archipelago via long-distance dispersal by birds. In habit, Galapagos
members of the genus Cordia range from low-growing shrubs to small trees, and they occupy both
arid lowlands and moist uplands. The proposed study will use a variety of characters
(morphological, palynological, reproductive, molecular) to determine relationships between these
species, focusing on the endemic members. Results will be used to prepare a much-needed
taxonomic revision of these endemics. An added benefit of this study is that it will provide
Galapagos conservation officials with updated nomenclature for the genus, a clear understanding of
species limits and relationships, and reliable records of species distributions.

PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF matK PSEUDOGENE FORMATION IN THE SUBTRIBE
AERIDINAE (ORCHIDACEAE): TAXONOMIC DISTRIBUTION AND ORIGIN TESTING. K,
B. Pittman & D. C. Jarrell, Dept, of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg,
V A 2240 1 . The chloroplast locus encoding the putative RNA maturase, matK, is arguably the fastest
evolving protein coding sequence of the chloroplast genome. The high rate of nucleotide
substitution and variation in the position of start codons has caused some to suggest that most, if not
all, plants carry matK as a pseudogene. This disregards research that demonstrates the presence of
both transcripts and proteins from this locus. The matK sequences from several sister taxa in the
orchid subtribe Aeridinae have frameshift deletions of 7, 8 or lObp mostly in the 5’ end of the gene.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these taxa appear to form a monophyletic group. However,
recent preliminary experiments to resolve the origin of inconsistent sequence data from certain taxa
suggest the presence of two or more genes, one functional and one pseudogene. Further analysis of

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

this region will be necessary to determine the status of matK pseudogenes. To determine the status
of wa/A^-dependent introns, primers were designed to intron flanking regions such that in cases of
loss a shorter length product would be amplified. To date, all screened introns appear to be present
in our sample taxa.

PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF PHALAENOPSIS (ORCHIDACEAE) USING MULTIPLE
CHLOROPLAST SEQUENCES. M. Laygo. B. Janelsins, H. Hamed and D.C. Jarrell, Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Phalaenopsis
(tribe Vandeae, subtribe Aeridinae) is divided into five subgenera based on floral morphology.
Convergent or divergent evolution of floral forms via plant-pollinator interactions raises concerns
over the relationship between a morphology-based classification scheme and evolutionary history.
Molecular systematic investigations may help resolve these inconsistencies. Sequences were
generated for the accD-psal spacer, the rpll6 intron, the matK gene and the rpsl6 intron. Due to
alignment difficulties and sequence failure, respectively, analysis of the accD-psal and rpll 6 regions
will not be discussed. A combined analysis of the matK gene and the ipsld intron supports the
monophyly of Polychilos, a sister relationship of Proboscidioides and Aphyllae and monophyly of
some sections within a paraphyletic subgenus Phalaenopsis. Moreover, these results suggest a need
for reevaluation and potential modification of the current classification scheme.

Chemistry

A STUDY OF THE DECOMPOSITION OF THE PRODUCTS FROM THE REACTIONS of
MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM ISOPROPOXIDE WITH 3,4 -DIHYDROXYBENZALDE- HYDE
and CATECHOL. Amanda L. Anderson, Brycelyn M. Boardman, Donna S. Amenta, John W. Gilje
Dept of Chemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg VA 22807. The reactions of
magnesium aluminum isopropoxide, Mg[Al(OPr/)4]2, with 3,4- dihydroxybenzaldehyde and
catechol have been studied. According to the chelate affect, the replacement of the isopropoxide
groups on Mg[Al(OPr/)4]2with these aromatic moieties should stabilize this normally air-sensitive
compound. The resulting functional heterometallic alkoxides might be used in both chemical vapor
deposition and hydrothermal materials syntheses of mixed metal oxides. The product resulting from
the reaction of Mg[Al(OPr/)4]2 with 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde appears to be
MgA12(OPr/)6(benz)(solvent)2, where benz represents the (3,4-02C6H3CH0)2- ion and the solvent
is N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The product resulting from the
reaction of Mg[Al(OPr/)4]2 with catechol, in a 1:2 ratio, appears to be
MgA12(OPr/)4(cat)2(solvent)2, where cat represents the (1,2-02C6H3)2- ion and the solvent is
tetrahydrofuran (THF). The thermal decomposition of the products has been studied using thermal
gravimetric analysis-mass spectroscopy (TGA-MS), evolved gas analysis-infrared spectroscopy
(EGA-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC). The results of these reactions will be discussed.

A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MICROWAVE SPECTROMETER: REDUCING DATA
COLLECTION TIME FROM 1 5 HOURS to 1 5 MICROSECONDS, Gordon G. Brown. Kevin O.
Douglass, Brian C. Dian, Scott M. Geyer, and Brooks H. Pate Department of Chemistry, University
of Virginia, McCormick Rd., P.O. Box 400319, Charlottesville, VA 22904 Our laboratory has
developed a new broadband (1 1 GHz) chirped-pulse[l] Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW)
spectrometer. The CP-FTMW spectrometer is capable of measuring a high resolution (50 kHz
linewidth), 1 1 GHz (7-18 GHz range) rotational spectrum in 25 microseconds, a measurement that
takes approximately 1 8 hours with the previous state of the art microwave spectrometer. [2] The key
difference in our spectrometer is that while the traditional FTMW spectrometer scans through
microwave frequencies in small (-500 kHz) steps, the CP-FTMW measures the entire 1 1 GHz
spectrum with every microwave pulse. Signal-to-noise ratios of 100: 1 can be achieved in about 10
seconds of signal averaging. Due to the decreased data acquisition time, the CP-FTMW

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21

spectrometer is ideally suited for implementation as an analytical technique with species
identification at the parts-per-billion (ppb) level. [3] Microwave spectroscopy is a potentially
powerful analytical tool, due to its ability to unambiguously identify volatile species from their
molecular rotational spectra “fingerprints”.

SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL ORGANIC PLATFORMS INCLUDING RIGID SCAFFOLDS AND
AMPHIPHILIC CATENANES. Kevin L. Caran. Christian D. Ziegler, David M. Crizer and D. Kyle
Fitzgerald, Dept of Chemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg VA 22807. Research in
our lab on the synthesis of rigid molecular scaffolds and amphiphilic catenanes will be introduced.
Molecular scaffolds are molecules that provide multiple functional groups that act as points of
attachment to a variety of groups or biologically significant moieties. We have designed two
isomeric scaffolds, each bearing a rigid perhydrophenalene core, which will be studied as template-
assisted synthetic proteins (TASPs) and Gemini surfactant cores. Progress on our initial route and
two modified routes will be presented. Synthesis and studies on a number of amphiphilic catenanes
will also be discussed. Our catenanes are rendered amphiphilic by the attachment of one or more
hydrophobic units to a polar [2]catenane head-group.

VIBRATIONAL DYNAMICS OF TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID AND FORMIC ACID IN GAS
AND DILUTE SOLUTION: CRACKING OPEN GAS PHASE ACID DIMERS. Pam F. Crum.
Brian C. Dian. Hyun S. Yoo. Charlotte E. Hinkle, and Brooks H. Pate. Department of Chemistry.
University of Virginia. McCormick Rd.. P.O. Box 4003 1 9. Charlottesville. VA 22904 Ultratralast
time-domain transient absorption spectroscopy is used to study the vibrational d}namics of the cyclic
hydrogen bonded dimers of trifluoroacetic acid and formic acid in both the gas- and solution-phase.
Deposition of energy into the broad dimer bands of these acid dimers in the gas-phase prox idcs the
means to break open the dimer, as evidenced by the growth of a "free O-1 1" absorbance -358()cnv'
on the time scales of energy flow out of the initially excited dimer region. In trilluoroacctic acid
there is no change in the rate of "free O-1 1" growth with vaiying pump frequencyv between 2596cnr'
and 313 Icm''. Spectrally resolved pump-probe experiments are performed to reveal the cwolulion
of a broad range of the spectra in time, which facilitates interpretation of the dynamics behind the
time scales provided by single frequency measurements. When the acid dimers are solvated (0.()5M
CCI4 solution), energy pumped into the broad dimer band can be cooled out by the solvent, making
it unavailable to the process of dimer opening.

THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF CaCu( 0,113004 6 ILO. Pam Dopart and T.C. DeVore. Dept
of Chemistry, James Madison University, Harrisonburg VA 22807. 'fhe thermal decomposition of
calcium copper acetate was studied using thermal gravimetric analysis - mass spectroscopy and
differential scanning calorimetry. Powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR were used to identify the
solid residues. Calcium copper acetate decomposed through three main steps. The first was the loss
of waters to from a less hydrated complex. The second wus complex decomposition to produce
copper (I) oxide and calcium acetate. The final step w'as the loss of acetone to produce calcium
carbonate. The activation energies for each step were established using the OZAWA method and the
enthalpy of reaction for each step was estimated from the DSC data.

AN ICP-MS TRACE ANALYSIS PROBLEM IN INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS. D. M. Edwards.
A. M. Lakner, D. M. Downey, and J.J. Leary, Dept of Chemistry, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg VA 22807. In recent years students in Instrumental Analysis at JMU have performed
an experiment designed to determine the amounts of the trace nutrients chromium, molybdenum and
selenium in over-the-counter vitamin/mineral supplements using an ICP-MS. Questions about the
precision of the results have persisted. In this paper results of a preliminary experiment will be
presented that document the completeness of the dissolution part of the experiment. 4'he
completeness of the dissolution was verified by determining the iron content in four different

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

vitamin/mineral supplements. Quadruplicate determinations gave results that were less than 2 mg
above the specified values of 18 mg and that exhibited coefficients of variation of less than 3%. In
addition, a procedure will be described that has provided results for Cr, Mo and Se in the 20 to 240
pg range with coefficients of variation smaller than 5%. Communications with vitamin
manufacturers will be shared, and insights about FDA regulations will be presented.

ACTIVE SITE LABETING OF THE CLONED HUMAN CAP METHYL-TRANSFERASE AND
A DELETION MUTATION. Nicholas N. Hoke and T. O. Sitz, Dept, of Biochemistry, Virginia
Tech, Blacksburg, VA 2406 1 . The 5 ’-cap structures of eukaryotic mRNAs are methylated in the N-7-
position of the guanine base by guanine-7-methyltransferase. This modification is very important
for gene expression. If the methylation does not occur the inRN A is not translated into protein. Two
different forms of this human enzyme were expressed in E. coli. a full length enzyme (476 amino
acids) and a deletion mutation ( 1 20 amino acids removed from the N-terminus). These proteins were
expressed as His-Tag proteins, they had 1 0 histidine residues at their N-terminal ends. The His-Tag
allowed the enzymes to be purified on a Ni’"-column. When the deletion enzyme was purified from
the Ni "-column and allowed to sit at 4" for a couple of hours a large precipitate formed and almost
no enzyme activity remained. However, in another preparation, if EDTA was added to the sample
alter elution from the column, little denatured protein formed and the activity was good. These two
methyltransferases were then used to study the effect of Mg' ' on active site labeling with ’"P-labeled
RNA. Mg" inhibited the binding to the full length methyltransferease of non-methylated capped
RN.Y at concentrations as low as 10 inM. The divalent metal did not inhibit the binding of non-
meth>iated capped RNA to the enzyme with 120 amino acids deleted from the N-terminal end.

MICROWAVE ATTFiNUA flON OF LIQUID MIXTURES. Christopher T. Lloyd. D. Jason Sames
and Robert F. C’ozzens, Chemistry Division. US Naval Research Laboratory. 4555 Overlook Av'enue,
SW. Washington. DC 20375. I'here is need for a technique that can be used for the experimental
simulation of varying microwave transmission through a charred material. Radio and microwave
transmission are only two such frequencies that are attenuated by charred surfaces or materials. In
attempts to study this characteristic, other methods were sought for producing similar attenuation
responses using absorbing liquids. Because water molecules are dipoles that freely rotate and are
very strongly hydrogen bonded, this polar liquid is a very efficient microwave absorber. While much
of the previous literature has focused mostly on higher frequency ranges, it was noted that
attenuation (by water) and frequency is an exponential relationship and could be very helpful in
understanding attenuation of radio communication signals or radar transmission at lower frequencies.
Water is known to be the strongest liquid absorber, yet mixtures of water and alcohols/glycols can
afford some control over attenuation by decreasing it. In addition, the thickness of the liquid can also
be used to manipulate attenuation.

SYN'FHESIS OF ANTIFUNGAL VINIFERINS; THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO YOUNG VINE
DECLINE. David M. McGinnis and Roy L. Williams, Old Dominion University Enological
Research Facility, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Old Dominion University, Norfolk
VA 23529-0126. Young vine decline has become an international problem for vineyards. I'his
disease is induced once a grapevine is infected with the Phcicocicrcnioniiini chlaniydosponiin fungal
pathogen. The crude fungal product has been isolated and analyzed in our laboratory with the use
of 1 IPLC and LC/MS instrumentation. We have detected three major phytoalexins( trans-resveratrol.
e-viniferin, 8-viniferin) within this crude fungal product. Oxidative dimerization of trans-resveratrol.
when in the presence of laccases. will lead to the natural formation of viniferin compounds. We
have recently been able to synthesize authentic standards of each of the mentioned viniferins to help
confirm the identity to the fractions we have isolated and such data will help explain the relationship
between viniferins and young vine decline.

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23

THE CHEMISTRY OF Ph2P(CH2)nP(0)Ph2 WITH HARD AND SOFT LEWIS ACIDS. Ashley
Rose, Donna Amenta and John Gilje, Department of Chemistry, James Madison University,
Harrisonburg VA 22807. We are interested in synthesizing heterobimetallic complexes containing
a transition metal and a lanthanide metal. These complexes have possible applications as sensors and
catalysts. Thus, we are studying the coordination chemistry of Ph2P(CH2)nP(0)Ph2 with n = 1, 2,
which should complex mid to late transition metals through the phosphine phosphorous and
electropositive metals through the oxygen of the phosphine oxide moiety. The reaction of these
ligands (L) with NaXC12, where X = Pt, Pd, is known to produce /ra/7.v-X(L)2C12. These complexes
were allowed to react with several types of lanthanide salts with hopes of forming heterobimetallic
complexes with the formula Ln(Y)3(L)2XC12 (Ln(Y)3 = Nd(OTf)3, Ce(OTI')3, Tb(N03)3,
Ce(N03)3, Tb(ac-ac)3). While x-ray quality single crystals have not yet been obtained, we have
NMR evidence that indicates the existence of P-O-Ln units and the preservation of the ligand
coordination to the transition metal.

PURIFICATION OF THE CLONED HUMAN mRNA CAP METHYL-TRANSFERASE. M.J.
Rothenberg & T.O. Sitz, Dept, of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Uic
methylation of the 5 ’-cap structure in eukaryotic mRNA is essential for gene expression. Previous
research has shown that this enzyme isolated from various tissues exists as a homodimer. In order
to study the subunit interactions of the cloned human methyltransferase high purity of the enzyme
is required. The cDNA for the methyltransferase was cloned in a pETl 6B plasmid and the enz\'me
was expressed in E. coh as a His-Tag protein (10 histidine residues at the N-terminal end). This
allowed the enzyme to be purified on aNi''--column. The methyltransferase binds to the column and
is eluted with imidazole buffer. While this is a good purification step, the enzyme is only about 80" o
pure as observed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Further attempts to purify the enzyme on two
different types of Mono-Q columns (anion exchange chromatography) resulted in dramatic loss of
activity. When enzyme is diluted activity is lost but can be reactivated in the presence of substrates.
We propose a model of the inactivation of the enzyme. The homodimer may dissociate upon
dilution and lead to loss of activity. When the enzyme is assayed a large increase in activit}' is
observed after about 90 minutes. We believe the binding of substrates to the enz\me allows the
enzyme to reform the active homodimer resulting in the resurrection of the methyltransferase
activity.

ANALYSIS OF MONOTERPENES REMAINING IN WOOD FROM OLD SOUTHERN
YELLOW PINE STUMPS. Thomas L. Eberhardt Philip Sheridan and Jolie Mahfouz'.
'Southern Research Station USDA Forest ServiceMeadowview Biological Research Station’Dept.
of Biology, Old Dominion University. Old, resinous pine stumps with axe-cut turpentine boxes can
be found in the forests of southeastern Virginia. These stumps were presumably once longleaf pine
trees since this species was almost exclusively used for the extraction of turpentine by the colonists.
We used GC/MS and specific gravity measurements to determine whether we could identify the
stump samples to specific pine taxa. Since limonene is found in high concentration in pond pine,
and all our samples had low level of this compound, we were able to eliminate pond pine as a
candidate species. Monoterpene composition of the stump samples did not allow us to determine
whether they were longleaf or loblolly pine. Specific gravity measurements disclosed a high level
of non-volatile extractives in turpentine stump samples. Part of the identification problem is that
there are no standards for comparing old pine samples of unknown origin to. The identification of
these stump samples is important in assisting conservation biologists in properly restoring degraded
ecosystems and phytogeographers in mapping the historical distribution of indigenous taxa.

ANALYSIS OF NON-METH YLATED CAP STRUCTURE MRNA ISOLATED FROM VARIOUS
TISSUES. Nicole M. Tellmann. Ayanna L. Walker & T. O. Sitz, Dept, of Biochemistry, Virginia
Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 . The 5’-ends of eukaryotic mRNAs are highly modified forming what

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

is called a '‘cap” structure. The most important of these modifications is the methylation of the N-7-
position in the guanine base. Without this modification the mRNA is not functional. Messenger
RNA is undermethylated at this site in tumor cells. We have developed a rapid assay for the
hypomethylationof the cap structure using cloned human guanine-7-methyltransferase and a DEAE-
filter method that allows us to analyze many samples quickly. Our laboratory has previously shown
that Lin-methylated cap structure is found in the post-polysomal cell fraction isolated from various
tissues. We isolated post-polysomal RNA from two different human cancer cell lines, mouse liver,
and mouse liver from mice treated with the amino acid analog ethionine. The RNA from normal
tissue (mouse liver) had the lowest level of hypomethylation . Ethionine, the ethyl amino acid
analog of methionine, is metabolized in liver to form S-adenosylethionine which is a substrate
inhibitor of many methyltransferases. Post-polysomal RNA isolated from ethionine treated mice had
the highest level of hypomethylated cap structures. Both cancer tissue culture cell lines (HOS &
HeLa) had slightly elevated levels of non-methylated cap structure.

NATURAL ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS (EDCs) IN LOCAL WATERS. R.L. Williams.
Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, 23529-0126. This
laboratory has continued to investigate the possible impact of natural endocrine disruptor compounds
(EDCs) in local waters. We are especially interested in the presence of these natural EDCs in
drinking water sources and the effects, if any, of the distribution process on the integrity and
composition of these compounds. Sample of raw Lake Drummond water from Suffolk, VA have
been shown to contain detectable levels of three important isotlavonoid phytoestrogens that are
considered to be natural EDCs. Using a new approach described as " slurry chromatography", w'e
ha\'e been able to separate and identify two important natural EDCs in raw water samples from the
Norfolk and Newport News waterworks. The two isotlavonoid EDCs found in the Lake Drummond,
Norfolk and Newport News raw waters were identified as daidzein and genistein. An analysis of
finished water samples using the " slurry chromatography" method has shown that daidzein is
relatively inert to the disinfection process, but that genistein is apparently degraded to several
disinfection by-products (DBFs). The nature and potential EDC capacity of these new DBFs is under
iiwestigation. Other local water samples are currently under investigation for the presence of the
same EDCs.

Computer Science

A FllF-MYSQL-BASED IMFLEMENTQTION FOR AN ONLINE BANKING SYSTEM. Kelli
J. Outlaw & Iluiqing H. Yang, Dept, of Mathematics and Computer Science, Virginia State
University. Fetersburg, VA 23806. Internet banking is a fast and convenient way to manage
customer's finances. With the increasing population of Internet customers and demand for
payments via the Internet, it is necessary and significant for banks to e.xtend their services to
customers on the Internet. Recently, as a powerful database server. MySQL has evolved into an
RDBMS with the rich feature set to meet online application requirements. It performs well on the
majority of queries, and especially it support FHF server-side script language. In this paper, an
online banking system is developed by utilizing FHF technology with MySQL server running on
Linux. The system mainly consists of HTML pages, FLIF files and relational tables resided in
MySQL database. The system provides individual customer with online services such as access
their account, view current balances and transactions, transfer money between different accounts,
update personal information, and so on. Regarding to security issue in an online banking, secure
features in the server side have been concerned in the paper. Online simulation shows that the
system can meet the requirements of individual customers.

THE MULTIDISCIFLINARY DEGREE IN BIOINFORMATICS. Jeff Zadeh, Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806. This
paper investigates the role of the multidisciplinary in bioinformatics and its importance which

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supports the lack of the graduate and post-graduate degree in bioinformatics. Although many
universities and colleges have or are creating a new graduate program in bioinformatics, few are
creating undergraduate programs to support the graduate programs. Bioinformatics is a new and
rapidly evolving discipline that has emerged from the biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer
sciencd, and engineering. Largely because of the inherently interdisciplinary nature of
bioinformatics research, academia has been slow to respond to the industry and government
demands for trained scientists to develop and apply novel bioinformatics techniques. Most of the
researches in bioinformatics relates to the discovery of the functional relationships between the
composition of the genes within the context of the genome and the structure. Recent advances in
genomics and structural biology have resulted in an unprecedented increase in biological data
available from the various accessible databases.

A LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP INFORMATION SYSTEM. Preston L. Gray & Huiqing H.
Yang, Dept, of Mathematics and Computer Science, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
23806. An online information System can provides consumers with a fast and better way to get
related information. In this paper, a local car dealer information system is designed. The purpose
is to help people locate the closest car dealerships in their area. The system mainly contains
vehicle data such as model, year, color, price, mileage and so on. The customers can view lists
of used and new vehicles for sale in their area and choose a dealer. Since a good design is the
foundation for good applications, constructing a semantic data model is one of the major
considerations in the paper. Firstly, the data environment of a local car dealership has been
examined. The main objects include vehicles, dealers and manufactures. Secondly, all relation
tables are in 3rd Normal Form in order to reduce data redundancies and eliminate the data
anomalies. Finally, the system is implemented by using MySQL, HTML and PHP script
language. The demonstration of online querying shows the retrieval power of the car dealership
information system.

Environmental Science

THE EFFECT OF SITE REMEDIATION ON THE ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAE OF A
MODERATELY SALINE SITE. B. B. Kreutzer, C. R. Cohill, J. M. Krouse and A. Owens.
Dept, of Integrated Science and Technology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Several mycorrhizal parameters were assessed at a southeastern Ohio moderately saline site
before and after soil remediation. Mycorrhizal colonization and inoculum potential values
decreased and host species richness increased.

AUTOMATED RIBOSOMAL INTERGENIC SPACER ANALYSIS (ARISA) OF FUNGAL
COMMUNITIES FROM FOUR SALT-MARSH PLANTS. Albert P. Torzilli*. Masoumeh
Sikaroodi', David Chalkley“, and Patrick M. Gillevet', ‘Department of Environmental Science
and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 and ^American Type Culture
Collection, 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Virginia, 20110-2209. ARISA was used to
examine the composition of fungal communities associated with four temperate salt-marsh
plants, Spartina alterniflora (short and tall forms), Juncus roemerianus, Distichlis spicata, and
Sarcocornia perennis. Analysis of ARISA data by principal component analysis (PCA),
principal coordinate analysis (PCO), and species diversity comparisons indicated that the fungal
communities from the two grasses, S. alterniflora and D. spicata were more similar to each other
than they were to the distinct communities associated with J. roemerianus and S. perennis.
Principal component analysis also showed no consistent, seasonal pattern in the composition of
these fungal communities. Comparisons of ARISA fingerprints from the different fungal
communities and those from pure cultures of selected Spartina ascomycetes supported the
host/substrate specificity observed for the fungal communities.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

IMPACT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS ON COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Richard S. Groover, Department of Biology, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Richmond, VA 23285. Impact on students enrolled in an environmental science course was
studied. Using two questionnaires to collect the data from the sampled population: a “PRE test”
questionnaire was completed by the students (146) on the first day and a “POST tesf’
questionnaire was completed (131 students) on the last day of the course. The proportion of
students who considered themselves environmentalists increased 52 % by the end of the course.
Asked how much time they would spend studying political candidates’ (ie. running for governor)
voting record on environmental issues, a mean value of 12.2 minutes occurred in the PRE test
and a mean value of 16.2 minutes in the POST test, but a statistically significant change did not
occur. Asked if they would be willing to pay higher taxes to improve the environment the POST
test indicated a 32 % increase in the “Yes” response, which was significant. Eighty-three
percent of the students reported a change in their opinion on environmental issues, and all of
these became more “pro-environmentalist.”

DEGRADATION OF PYRENE AND CREOSOTE BY PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS
STRAIN 29L. Saleha Husain and Carol D. Litchfield, Dept, of Environmental Science and
Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030. The objectives of this research was to
study biodegradation of an isolated microorganism. Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain 29L on
pyrene and creosote. Eventually, biodegradation by-products were detected and identified.
Pyrene, a by-product of manufactured gas processes, is a persistent PAH (polyaromatic
hydrocarbon) in the environment due to its low aqueous solubility. It is a component of creosote.
Results for the pyrene study indicated that more growth occurred with 24 ppm than with 300 ppm
pyrene. Unknown spots as well as spots matching standards were detected on TEC (thin layer
chromatography). GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) results indicate a number of
benzene-related compounds and short chain acids. Results for creosote study indicated faster
growth than in pyrene as well as decrease in creosote components in the presence of 29L. The
techniques used in this study can be applied to determine synergistically toxic effects of by¬
products from biodegradation of PAHs.

INVESTIGATION OF THE HALOPHAGE FROM THE GREAT SALT LAKE. Sarah Strom &
Carol Litchfield, Dept, of Biol., George Mason Univ., Fairfax VA. 22030-4444. Halophage are
viruses that attack halophiles, which are salt-loving bacteria. Depending on which halophile the
halophage is specific to it can destroy a whole laboratory stock. So far scientists have only been
able to isolate and study fifteen halophages. One of the topics that scientists have been trying to
prove is that halophages are important in controlling the amount of halophiles that can occur in a
natural environment. Another issue is the specificity of halophages in controlling the number of
species that can inliabit a hypersaline environment. The Great Sait Lake is the largest terminal
hypersaline lake in Northern America. This is where the halophages that will be studied will
come from. The goal of this research is to isolate halophages and determine their specificity and
their burst size. If possible, their DNA will be extracted, studied, and then compared with other
known halophages as well. Given this information, science will be that much closer to
understanding how halophiles and halophages bring a balance in nature.

MICROBIAL COMMUNITY DYNAMICS IN GREAT SALT LAKE. S.S.Dalmet,M.Sikaroodi,
P.M.Gillevet, C. Litchfield, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason
University.The Great Salt Lake is the largest hypersaline lake in the United States. It is divided
into two parts by a railroad causeway. The North Arm is saltier than the South Arm. The salinity
of the lake ranges from 12%- 30%. To date, the microbial community of the Great Salt Lake has
not been very well studied. The aim of this paper is to study the microbial community present in
the Great Salt Lake over time by using DNA fingerprinting, 16S rRNA gene cloning, and
sequencing. Aseptically collected samples from North Arm were plated on different media

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containing 25% salt. Total Colony Forming Units per mL were found to be from 2-3x10^ to 10^.
Two to three liters of surface water was aseptically collected and centrifuged and the total
community DNA was extracted from the pellet. The DNA was subjected to Length Heterogeneity
Polymerase Chain Reaction using fluorescent primers specific for Bacteria or Archaea. The
rRNA gene was cloned using TOPO-TA kit following the manufacturer’s instructions. The
sequenced clones were analyzed with the Ribosomal Data Base (RDP). Data obtained show that
the microbial community in the Great Salt Lake is dynamic and needs further investigation to
study factors affecting this community.

A MOLECULAR COMPARISON OF HALOPHILIC ARCHAEA FOUND IN THE SOLAR
SALTERN OF EILAT, ISRAEL. M. A. Craft , Department of Biology, and C.D. Litchfield , M.
Sikaroodi , and P. Gillevet Department of Environmental Science & Policy, George Mason
University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA' Two samples, E2 and E3, from the saltern crystallizer
ponds of the Israel Salt Company, Eilat were amplified using PCR, ligated, transformed, and
their 16S rRNA amplified. The RNA that was amplified had been inoculated in 1 of 2 ways.
One set of each sample was inoculated into TSB, left to incubate over-night, and then 75 ul of
this was lysed before PCR. The colonies of the other set were placed directly into 75 ul of TE
buffer and lysed before PCR. The purified products were sequenced using a SpectruMedix SCE
9610 automated glass capillary sequencer. Only the clones from sample E2 were sequenced,
with 50 out of 96 identified. Most were halophilic Archaea. Amplicon lengths ranged from 442
- 794 bp, and had an average percent identity of 96.9%. Over 10 different genera were identified
thus indicating a very diverse community existed in this saltern pond.

INVESTIGATION OF THE HALOPHAGE FROM THE GREAT SALT LAKE. Sarah Strom &
Carol Litchfield, Dept, of Biol., George Mason Univ., Fairfax VA. 22030-4444. Halophage are
viruses that attack halophiles, which are salt-loving bacteria. Depending on which halophile the
halophage is specific to it can destroy a whole laboratory stock. So far scientists have only been
able to isolate and study fifteen halophages. One of the topics that scientists have been trying to
prove is that halophages are important in controlling the amount of halophiles that can occur in a
natural environment. Another issue is the specificity of halophages in controlling the number of
species that can inhabit a hypersaline environment. The Great Salt Lake is the largest terminal
hypersaline lake in Northern America. This is where the halophages that will be studied will
come from. The goal of this research is to isolate halophages and determine their specificity and
their burst size. If possible, their DNA will be extracted, studied, and then compared with other
known halophages as well. Given this information, science will be that much closer to
understanding how halophiles and halophages bring a balance in nature.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AMONG SUMMERS 2001, 2003 AND 2004 FOR TWO
STREAMS IMPACTED BY COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ROAD
CONSTRUCTION. Michelle L. Arthur. Michael L. Bass, Timothy A. Jordan, E.B. Law, & R.H.
Strickler, Dept, of Environ. Sci. & Geology, UMW, Fredericksburg VA 22401. Research
assessed ecological damage on England Run and the Unnamed Tributary due to construction of
the Celebrate Virginia North project of Stafford County. Summer data was gathered in 2001 prior
to construction, and during construction in the 2003 and 2004. Benthic macroinvertebrate
communities and water chemistry were sampled at seven sites on the streams. A modified EPA
approved Rapid Bioassessment Protocol was used, focusing on species diversity and population
count per species to estimate health of insect communities. In 2004, the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index
improved at four of the stations but increased at the remaining three. Percent EPT improved at all
stations. Trophic level distribution became increasingly unequal since 2001. Total insect and
total organism populations decreased from 2001 but increased from 2003. Water chemistry
analyzed D.O., temperature, pH, conductivity, fecal coliform, TSS, TDS, TOC, zinc, manganese,

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

copper, alkalinity, total hardness, nitrates and phosphates. All indicators were within a normal
range except for dramatically higher sediment levels than in 2001 and 2003.

EFFECTS OF MICROTOPOGRAPHY ON VEGETATION AND SOIL NUTRIENTS IN A
MITIGATION WETLAND IN VIRGINIA. Kurt Moser & Changwoo Ahn, Dept, of Env. Sci. &
Policy, George Mason Univ., Fairfax VA 22030. In a created wetland in northern Virginia,
microtopographic relief resulting from initial soil preparation by disking was examined in
relation to macrophyte species richness and soil nutrient content. Microtopography was
characterized for 8 sites using a microrelief index based on tortuosity, using data from 8m-
diameter circular elevation transects. End-of-growing-season vegetation surveys for four of the
first five post-construction years were used to assess species richness for each site, as well as
relative abundance of naturally-induced versus seeded species. Plant species richness increased
with microrelief index value, particularly with respect to naturally-induced species. Soil samples
from microhigh positions were consistently higher in nutrients than were those from microlow
(1.5% C and 0.085% N by weight on average versus 1.2% C and 0.057% N, respectively), even
though the elevation differences were no more than roughly 20cm. Results suggest that enhanced
soil disking after grading might reduce the necessity for seeding during wetland creation and that
artificially-created microrelief affects soil nutrient distribution.

IMPROVING UNIVERSITY WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. Christopher A.
Couture, Geography Department, Radford University, Radford, VA 24I4I. Following the
campus sustainability audit, 1 began an in-depth review of the University’s recycling efforts. For
a number of reasons, on-campus recycling has become less and less attractive to the faculty,
students, and staff of Radford University. With only slight fluctuations, the campus recycling
rate has been steadily declining since a high mark of 29 percent in 1994. By 2003, RU was
recycling only 6.4 percent of its solid waste stream. The purpose of this report is to determine
the reasons for the steady decline in the campus recycling rate, through learning the history of the
program, and analyzing the available recycling data. After describing some of the reasons for the
declining rate, I outline some of the strategies that may be used in the near future to increase the
overall campus recycling rate. The campus community should be leading the way when it comes
to environmentally friendly activities, but we fall well below the 25 percent state mandate for
recycling. Improving the campus recycling rate is an important step on the path towards
sustainability, and creates a “waste wise” campus community, which should be a must in the 2U‘
century.

SO YOU WANT TO DO A CAMPUS ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT? Judy Guinan,
Environmental Center and Richard Roth, Department of Geography, Radford University,
Radford, V A 24142. A campus environmental audit performed at Radford University in Summer
2004 provided lessons about the audit process and strategies that can enhance its efficiency and
likelihood of success. Our audit used student interns to collect data on energy use, water use,
waste management, transportation, business ties, and environmental literacy of students. We
focus here on the processes of defining the scope of the audit, planning the project, improving
participation and “buy-in” by stakeholders, determining appropriate benchmarks for evaluation of
the University’s environmental performance, and developing recommendations to improve it.

AN ANALYSIS OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AT RADFORD UNIVERSITY. Kevin T.
Lillard & Judith A. Guinan, Radford University, Radford VA 24142. Universities are among the
largest consumers of energy in the nation, and at the same time leading educators about
environmental conservation. In this study, we analyzed Radford University’s energy
consumption and compared it with that of a university of comparable size with a noteworthy
conservation record. Results show that RU’s consumption of energy is higher than the energy

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use of that institution. However, because RU uses environmentally-friendly natural gas as its
primary source of fuel, our carbon dioxide production levels compare favorably with the energy
efficient university.

A PRELIMINARY COMPARISON OF ECOTOXICOLOGICAL RATINGS FROM
TRIBUTARIES IN THE NORTH FORK OF THE POWELL RIVER WATERSHED. Brandi S.
Echols', Rebecca J. Currie^ & Donald S. Cherry'. 'Department of Biology, Virginia Tech and
^Department of Biology, Roanoke College. A feasibility study was conducted in the Powell
River watershed from 1995-2004. Ecological impairment was evaluated utilizing an
Ecotoxicological Rating (ETR) system to assess the potential ecological impairment from Acid
Mine Drainage (AMD). ETRs generated in these studies determined Ely Creek and Well’s
Branch sub-basins to be the most degredated due to AMD influences. Twenty sites were
evaluated in the Ely Creek and 15 were given either a D (moderately stressed) or F (stressed)
rating. Although fewer sites were studied in the Well’s Branch sub-basin (four), 75% of sites
were determined to be impaired. Based upon these ETR scores, the US Army Corps of
Engineers began remediation efforts in the Ely Creek sub-basin. Construction of two passive
wetland remediation systems was completed in October 2003. Current research has shown that
remediation efforts have been successful with improved ETRs at sites below the wetland
systems.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE ASIATIC CLAM (CoRBicuLA fluminea) AS A
STANDARD TOXICITY TEST ORGANISM. Ryan D. Baxter. Rebecca J. Currie & Amy E.
Alexander, Roanoke College Biology Dept, Salem VA. The use of invertebrate organisms to
evaluate water quality is widespread. Benthic macroinvertebrate survey and acute and chronic
toxicity testing rely upon commonly accepted species to indicate various levels of pollution.
These species are easily cultured and widely researched with regards to chemical toxicity. The
database that results from the continued evaluation of known toxicant stress is later applied to
evaluate water quality in collected samples (as with discharge permits). The goal of this research
is to provide an additional species {Corbiciila fluminea) with which to consider water quality.
The initial focus regards the laboratory culture of recently released pediveligers in an effort to
effectively maintain pediveliger populations through maturity into umbonal juveniles. A
secondary goal of this research is to use the developing juveniles to establish LC50 values for
comparison to currently used organisms.

WETLAND MITIGATION PROGRESS IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PONDS OF
CENTRAL PARK, FREDERICKSBURG, VA AND AN OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTED
WETLAND. Timothy A. Jordan. Michael L. Bass, Michelle L. Arthur & Catherine R. Otey,
UMW Dept, of Environ. Sci. & Geology, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. As part of a wetland
mitigation performance review required in permits issued by VDEQ and USAGE for site work
disturbance of wetland areas associated with the construction of a large business and commercial
park, a woody stem count was completed in the summers of 2002, 2003 and 2004. Performed
water tests focused primarily on D.O., conductivity, pH, temperature, nitrates, phosphates, total
alkalinity, total hardness, copper, manganese and zinc. No spikes in water quality parameters
were found in the stormwater management ponds. Within the off-site wetland, the area was
gridded off to determine an estimated woody stem count. Within the gridded areas all woody
stems were counted and compiled to establish the density per acre of the 2.07 acres of wetland. In
2003 the stem count yielded 557 trees per acre whereas in 2004 the count yielded 1096 trees per
acre. The herbaceous identification yielded 17 more species than in the previous year. This
increase in density signifies success according to VDEQ requirements.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Geography and Geology

CONFOUNDING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COVER DATA (NLCD:
USGS) CLASSIFICATION SCHEME. A. Scott Bellows’ -I & Thomas R. Allen 2, Jr., 'Dept, of
Biological Sciences & ^Dept. of Political Science and Geography, Old Dominion University,
Norfolk, Virginia 23529. We intended to use the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS)
National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) as an independent variable to model mosquito habitat in
the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. Before doing so, we ran an accuracy assessment of the NLCD
(Level II [e.g., deciduous forest]: 12 classes) using 1,016 citywide points selected by a stratified-
random design and verified using digital orthophotos (USGS). Overall accuracy (OA) of the
NLCD data for Chesapeake was 29% = 0.28) — accepted >0.8. We ascribe these poor

results to confounding attributes of the NLCD classification scheme; primarily to the lack of
mutual exclusion between land cover and land use classes ( e.g., various forest types and light

residential or natural and recreational grasses). We reclassified the data using a level I scheme
and reran the accuracy assessment and achieved improved results (OA ~ 76% ( = 0.66). In
addition, the USGS classification and accuracy assessment of these data was conducted on a 5-
state mid- Atlantic region with far more spatial variation than the City of Chesapeake. We suggest
that a portion of the remaining error can be attributed to this added variation.

GAP ANALYSIS OF FRESHWATER FAUNAS AND PROTECTED AREAS IN GREECE.
Eugene G. Maurakisf^>3 & David V. Grimes', 'Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St.,
Richmond, VA 24542, ^School of Continuing Studies, University of Richmond, VA 23173, and
^Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
22030. Objectives of this study are to compare the number and type of protected areas in Greece
to the distributions of freshwater fishes listed as extinct (2 species), critically endangered (5),
endangered (7), and vulnerable (13); and to evaluate if the current protected areas afford
meaningful and long-term protection for the species and habitats. A total of 2,359 GIS
distributional records of species in 32 drainages of Greece were compared to the 113 protected
areas in Greece. Current aquatic areas are inadequate to protect threatened species as the percent
of additional aquatic protected areas needed to protect species are 48% for vulnerable;
endangered (65%); critically endangered (93%); and extinct (80%). We discuss the number,
type, and location of protected aquatic areas needed to protect freshwater fish species and
habitats, the need to map assemblages of aquatic species, and management of biotic entities for
long-term conservation. Funded by the Thomas F. Jeffress and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial
Trust, Science Museum of Virginia, and University of Richmond.

THE L81 CORRIDOR GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROJECT: AN OVERVIEW. Matthew J.
Heller. Elizabeth V. Campbell, Scott T. Williams, Gerald P. Wilkes, Harry A. Hibbitts & Julia S.
Reis, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Charlottesville, VA. In 2004, the
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Division of Mineral Resources (VDMR)
combined several existing geologic mapping projects in western Virginia into a single long-term
mapping project along Interstate Highway 81. The goal of this project is to provide a detailed
geologic map in a digital format for a ten-mile-wide corridor along the length of the entire
interstate in Virginia. This mapping will be used to locate mineral and water resources, constract
roads and other infrastructure, plan land use, and complete environmental assessments in this
developing and ecologically important part of Virginia. Components of the project include
digitizing and field checking existing paper maps, completing new mapping, and compiling
individual digital maps into a Geographic Information System. Initial work has revealed that
resolving “quadrangle boundary faults” and inconsistent mapping of large structures and
stratigraphy requires significant fieldwork to resolve. The targeted completion date for this
project is 2020. The project is cooperatively fiinded by the STATEMAP component of the
USGS National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program.

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31

MAKING “LT.” (INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY) WORK: DEBUNKING COMMON
MYTHS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE GEOSCIENCES. P. S. Sethi, Department
of Geology, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142-6939. This paper addresses some of the
common misconceptions concerning faculty and LT.. The most important myth involves a
faculty 'member ignoring educational psychology and models of learning for creating effective
teaching modules involving LT. Other myths include - thinking that 1) use of IT modules for
teaching will result in a significant time-savings, 2) because most faculty have terminal degrees
in their disciplines, they do not need the IT help that is readily available through IT support
professionals on campus, 3) a teacher has to know all about everything within the sizeable realm
of IT to create effective IT applications, 4) just because students are being taught via integration
of IT outlets (such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Flash animation, streaming video, Java applets on
the internet) means that they are learning better, 5) my students are learning better because they
say so; with anecdotal, qualitative data, 6) multiple backups and computer access strategies have
finally allowed a teacher to not need the 'older’ IT such as chalk, transparencies, slides, and 7)
that a teacher does not need to ‘storyboard’ prior to composing IT modules. Solutions are
provided to counter each of the aforementioned myths from the experiences of the author.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DEGREE OF PYRITIZATION AND MACRO- AND MICRO¬
SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES IN ORGANIC-RICH, BLACK SHALES: A CASE STUDY
OF THE DEVONIAN MILLBORO SHALE IN SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA. P. S. Sethi.
Department of Geology, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142-6939. Black shales that
accumulated in anoxic benthic conditions are typically enriched in organic carbon and
polymetallic sulfide complexes (PMSCs) such as pyrite. Such pyrite is a contributor to Acidic
Mine Drainage (AMD). A recent study by Combs & Sethi (2001) of the black Millboro Shale
and the gray Needmore Shale in Highland County have revealed differences in the occurrence of
pyrite on a macro scale. This study expands on the morphological differences of PMSCs in these
two shales. The more anoxic Millboro Shale layers tend to contain larger (4-6 cm long) pods and
blebs of PMSCs, likely representing accumulation and pyritization of localized, large-sized
clumps of organic matter. Petrologic, SEM and EDAX microprobe analyses of the more oxic
Needmore Shale, however, reveals much smaller framboids of PMSCs but which are much more
widely distributed within the shale. Oxidation of such gray shales can still pose a AMD threat
because of the larger surface area associated with the smaller PMSC morphologies and post-
formational fracturing associated with orogenic events as observed in this location.

Medical Science

STATUS EPILEPTICUS INDUCED INHIBITION OF NEURONAL ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM CALCIUM SEQUESTRATION. L. S. Deslipande'. N. S. Haidery R.J.
DeLorenzo'’ ^ & J.T. Parsons^, Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology', Neurology^,
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Status epilepticus (SE) is a serious
neurological disorder characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Loss of calcium
(Ca^'") homeostasis is thought to be responsible for the selective vulnerability of hippocampus
upon SE. Here we investigated the functionality of Ca“"‘ homeostatic enzyme endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) Mg^VCa^"" ATPase in sequestrating Ca^"" upon SE. Whole cell patch clamp
recordings of neurons exposed to low Mg^^ for 3 hours demonstrated seizure like activity.
Calcium uptake was significantly inhibited in these cultures. This inhibition was not due to
increased neuronal death due to low Mg“"^. Further, neuronal cultures didn’t demonstrate
significant inhibition of Ca^^ uptake until 3 hours of exposure, the duration required for
epileptogenesis in this model. Finally, Ca^^ microfluorimetry demonstrated that intracellular free
Ca^"’ was significantly elevated in neurons exposed to low Mg^"" for 1 and 3 hours. This study
suggests that inhibition of ER Mg^VCa^"" ATPase contributes to the loss of neuronal Ca^""
homeostasis and increased vulnerability to hippocampal cell death.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

HSP65 ANTIBODIES: RISK FACTOR FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS DEVELOPMENT?. Elena
Gianulis & Kathryn Loesser-Casey, Dept, of Biol., Univ. of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg
VA 22407. Various pathogenic processes may be important in the development of atheroscler¬
otic plaques. Plaques become a serious problem when they rupture leading to myocardial infarct-
tion or stroke. There are several known risk factors for disease development; emerging evidence
suggests that high levels of heat shock proteins, in particular HSP65. may be a risk factor as well.
Bacteria produce HSPs similar to human HSPs, leading to molecular mimicry in which autoim¬
mune antibodies cross-react and bind to the human HSPs. In this research, the relationship
between HSP65 antibody levels and known risk factors was studied. Health and lifestyle infor¬
mation, a family medical history, and blood samples were collected from 1 14 individuals. Total
cholesterol, HDL, triglyceride, LDL and the HSP65 antibody levels were measured in the blood
and statistical tests were run using SPSS to determine relationships. A significant relationship
was found between HSP65 antibody levels and a family history of stroke and between HSP65
antibody levels and LDL if the individuals also had a family history of stroke. No relationship
was found between HSP65 levels and LDL in individuals with no family history. This may be
explained by differences in LDL particle size, as smaller, LDL particles are proatherogenic.

EFFECT OF CALCIUM SENSING RECEPTOR AND ERK ACTIVATION ON VITAMIN D
RECEPTOR IN PROXIMAL KIDNEY CELLS (HK-2). Apama Maiti & M. J. Beckman.
Departments of Biochemistry and Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23298. Extracellular calcium (Ca^^) is thought important for l,25(OH)2D3-
receptor (VDR) expression in renal proximal tubules. Culture medium containing 3.2 mM of
Ca“^ induced VDR protein with maximum induction at 6 h. Also, 3.2 mM of Ca^^ activated
pERK within 5 min and remained elevated out to 30 min. EGF induced VDR content in HK-2
cells. These data indicate a link between CaSR and EGFR activation on renal proximal VDR
regulation. (Supported by: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jeffress Foundation, USDA-
ARS, CRA and A.D. Williams Foundation.).

EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE USING
MICROARRAY ANALYSIS. Consuelo J. Alvarez & David E. Walker. Dept. Of Nat. Sci.,
Longwood Univ., Farmville VA, 23909. The increasing number of skin cancer cases and the
advent of microarray technology lead our interests to use a model genetic system to analyze the
changes in gene expression when cells are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Yeast cells,
Saccharamyces cerevisiae, were exposed to UV radiation for ten seconds with the light source
being held three inches away from the cell colony plate. After irradiation, cells were harvested at
the log phase, and mRNA was extracted. A non-denaturing agarose gel confirmed the integrity
of mRNA from both the control and the irradiated sample. The mRNA was converted to cDNA
and labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 dyes. Labeled cDNA was then hybridized onto yeast microarray
chips. The chips were scanned and results were analyzed by the computer program known as
Magic Tool. Preliminary visual analysis indicates repression of and induction of certain genes.
Strong induction was observed for GIC2 gene, which codes for a GTPase interacting component.
Strong repression was observed for CBF5 gene which codes for a centromere / microtubule
binding protein. A complete statistical analysis using the Significance Analysis of Microarray
program (SAM) is currently being performed.

FUNCTIONAL REDISTRIBUTION OF CANNABINOID RECEPTORS (CB,-R) IN THE RAT
PILOCARPINE MODEL OF ACQUIRED EPILEPSY. Katherine W. Falenskih Robert E.
Blair^ Laura J. Sim-Selley', Billy R. Martin', & Robert J. DeLorenzo'’^, Depts, Of
Pharmacology/Toxicology' & Neurology^, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Recent studies have shown that the CB,-R is plastic in a rat epilepsy model as measured by
significant long-term increases in region-specific hippocampal CBj-R protein expression. The

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33

purpose of this study was to use agonist=stimulated [^^S]GTPyS autoradiography to assess CB,-R-
mediated G-protein activation. WIN55,212-stimulated [^^SJGTPyS binding was redistributed in
epileptic rats, with increases in whole hippocampus and the stratum radiatum of CAS, and
decreases in the dentate gyrus inner molecular layer. [^^S]GTPyS binding changes were due to an
increased were CB,-R specific as demonstrated by CB,-R antagonist reversal and similar

changes produced with several CB|-R agonists. This redistribution was unaffected by
anticonvulsant administration. These results indicate that epilepsy causes long-term plasticity
changes in functional CB,-R G-protein activation. This CB,-R plasticity during epilepsy may
play a crucial role in cannabinoids’ anticonvulsant nature and the role of the endocannabinoid
system in epilepsy. Support: RO1-NS23350, P50-NS25630, DA07027, and DA14277

RENAL PROXIMAL VITAMIN D METABOLISM AND CELLULAR SIGNALING IN
RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D STATUS. Vallalan Natesan.
Amandeep Bajwa, Joerg Schilcher and Matthew J. Beckman, Departments of Biochemistry and
Orthopaedic Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298. This study
examined for in vivo renal proximal cell signaling pathways involved in hypercalcemic (HC) and
hypocalcemic (LC) conditions of renal cortex vitamin D metabolism. Using Affymetrix
GeneChip® Microarray analysis, significant elevated gene expression patterns in the HC
condition were noted for numerous receptor tyrosine kinase genes. In Contrast, significant
differential changes in the CREB, GATA-1, CBP interacting protein, C/EBP revealed evidence
of PKA dominated pathway in the LC condition. (Supported by: Department of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Jeffress Foundation, USDA-ARS, CRA and A.D. Williams Foundation.).

THE EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE AND PPAR LIGAND, ROSIGLITAZONE, ON
ADIPONECTIN, TNF- a, AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN DIABETIC MICE. Renee L.
Eldridge & Kathryn Loesser-Casey, Dept, of Biol., Univ. of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg
VA 22407. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance. Two adipose-derived
hormones, adiponectin and TNF- a, along with testosterone and Peroxisome Proliferator
Activated Receptors (PPAR’s) have been linked to insulin resistance. The goals for this research
were to study the effect of rosiglitazone (a synthetic PPAR ligand) on insulin resistance,
adiponectin and TNF-a levels in type 2 diabetic mice and to determine whether the presence of
testosterone affected the activity of rosiglitazone. Type 2 diabetic, 9-week-old male mice were
either castrated or sham-operated and fed chow with or without rosiglitazone (3 mg/ kg body
weight) for 2 weeks. The mice were sacrificed and glucose, adiponectin and TNF-a levels were
measured in their blood. Those mice fed rosiglitazone treated food had low levels of TNF-a (less
than 0.03 ng/ml) and adiponectin was measurable only in the non-diabetic animals. The
rosiglitazone-treated diabetic mice had relatively low non-fasting glucose levels indicating that
glucose tolerance appeared improved by the treatments. Finally, castration did not seem to affect
any of the levels.

Q/W, AN ANALOG OF 1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D3: EFFECTS ON MESSENGER RNA
STABILITY AND GENE EXPRESSION OF 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D3-24-HYDR-
OXYLASE IN MKL-4 HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELLS. R. Ovesanvak A. Bajwa', E.
Kim’, C. Wong', C. Chakarun’, S. Sundaram^, and M.J. Beckman’, 'Dept, of Orthopaedic
Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 and ^Dept. Surgery,
Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH. 1,25-dihydroxvitamin D has potent anti-proliferative,
anti-invasive and apoptotic properties in many cancer cells. Its non-calcemic analog 1-
hydroxymethyl-24-difluorovitamin D (Q/W) also demonstrates specific suppression of 24-
hydroxylase (CYP24) transcript in MKL-4 breast cancer cells, by both GeneChip ® Microarray

34

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

and RT-PCR analyses. Reduction of CYP24 could be beneficial to cancer prevention. However,
in the present study, Q/W induced CYP24 promoter activation. This suggests the mechanism of
CYP24 transcript decrease is by mRNA destabilization. (Supported by: Department of
Orthopaedic Surgery).

IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF cKEFI, A NOVEL CHICKEN
ERYTHROID SPECIFIC TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR. Andrew P. Chervenak'. Priyadarshi
Basil", Latasha C. Redmond" & Joyce A. Lloyd Depts. of ’Biology and ^Human Genetics,
Virginia Commonwealth University. The Kriippel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of DNA
binding proteins with a conserved C2/H2 zinc finger domain that are related to the Drosophila
Kriippel gene. Currently, 16 KLFs have been identified in mammals and shown to regulate
proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation during development. KLFl/EKLF was the first of the
KLFs to be identified in vertebrates and it binds to the CACCC box in the P-globin promoter,
positively regulating p-globin expression during definitive erythropoiesis. In mice, KEF I
embryos are anemic and die by El 6. We have identified cKLFl, a homologue of EKLF/KLFl in
the chicken (Galliis gallus). The putative amino acid sequence of the zinc finger region of
cKLFl is 90.1% and 91.4% similar to murine and human KLFl, respectively. Using RT-PCR
analyses, we determined that cKLFl iiiRNA is highly enriched in blood cells compared to brain
in chick embryos. cKLFl expression increases 8- to 10-fold in definitive compared to primitive
erythropoiesis during chicken development. This is significantly greater than the 2- to 3-fold
increase seen during mouse erythroid development.

AN ANALYSIS OF MEDICAL CARE IN FOUR COUNTRIES. Donika Patel and J. Orion
Rogers, Dept, of Biology, Radford University, Radford VA 24142. The objectives of this study
were to examine the healthcare systems of the United States (US), Canada, Australia and the
United Kingdom (UK) in terms of healthcare expenditure, financial structure, method of delivery
and health achievement. Total healthcare expenditure as a proportion of gross domestic product
in 2001 varied from 7.6% in the UK to 13.9% in the US. Canada, Australia and the UK provide
universal healthcare, but only 86% of the US population is covered by insurance. Specialists are
70% of US physicians compared to 49% in Canada and 30% in Australia. Australia had the
highest life expectancy in 2002, 82.6 years for females and 77.4 years for males compared to 79.9
for females and 74.5 years for males in the US. Average length of stay for acute care ranges from
7.1 days in Canada to 5.9 days in the US, while the percentage of patients waiting more than four
months for elective surgery in 2001 averaged 5% in the US and 38% in the UK. A reformed
healthcare structure for the US is proposed. The US should provide universal healthcare similar
to the current system in Canada. Medicare and Medicaid should be dissolved, and their funds
should be combined with taxes to create federal and state health department budgets to support
public hospitals, physicians, dentists, optometrists and pharmaceuticals.

a, ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR MEDIATED AORTIC CONTRACTILITY DIFFERS IN
FEMALE AND MALE RATS BUT IS MASKED BY VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM. Richard
P. Wyeth' & Richard H. Kennedy", ’Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Blacksburg, VA & ^Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL.
Previously published results show a adrenergic contractility in rat thoracic aorta demonstrates
gender related differences. Our studies further investigate endothelium’s role in male and female
Sprague-Dawley rats. Thoracic aortas were placed in oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer.
Endothelium was removed from one of each paired preparation.. Aortas were constricted with
serial increases of phenylephrine (Phe). Acetylcholine (Ach) dose response curves followed. A
depression of a, AR response associated with intact aorta is seen in female preparations, but not
in males. Potency shows no difference for any group. Maximum developed tension is greater in
denuded female samples versus (vs) male. All denuded preparations lack Ach mediated
vasorelaxation. Ach induced relaxation is not different in the male and female intact aortas. Our

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35

results indicate that male aortic ajAR sensitivity is unaffected by endothelium while female
aortas are endothelium sensitive. That is, in female Sprague-Dawley rats, a|AR mediated aortic
contraction is greater than males but, in the presence of her endothelium, it is masked.

THE EFFECTS OF TLR4 STIMULATION ON CYTOKINE PRODUCTION AND
ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN MICE. Elizabeth Williams, L.C. Beck & K.E. Loesser. Biology
Dept, Univ. of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401. Research has shown that
atherosclerosis is related to the inflammatory response of the immune system. Individuals with
mutations to the innate immune receptor, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) have much lower rates of
atherosclerotic plaque development. This research project seeks to understand the relation
between TLR4 stimulation and atherosclerosis. Two TLR4 ligands, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and
lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were selected to be injected into TLR4 deficient and TLR4 normal mice.
One ml of lOOpg/jil LPS and LTA were injected three times a week to experimental groups of
five mice apiece for 15 weeks. After 15 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and their hearts were
removed. The heart tissue was used to make paraffin-embedded microscope slides and to isolate
RNA for RT-PCR. The RT-PCR was not successful. The microscope slides indicated increased
atherosclerotic development in response to LPS and LTA injections. A statistically significant
difference between the controls and the LPS and the controls and the LTA in TLR4 -normal
mice was observed. With further evidence, this data could support the position of Toll-like
receptor 4 as a major player in atherosclerotic progression.

EVALUATION OF THE IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF
DIBENZ(A,H)ANTHRACENE IN ADULT FEMALE B6C3F 1 MICE. Denise M. Hernandez.
Wimolnut Auttachoat, Tai L. Guo & Kimber L. White Jr., Department of Pharmacology &
Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0568.
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene (DBA) is an environmental contaminant classified on EPA’s priority
pollutant list. It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed by the incomplete combustion of
carbon-containing compounds. The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the
immunomodulatory effects of DBA in adult female B6C3F1 mice. Mice were exposed
subcutaneously to DBA in corn oil (158, 500, 1580, and 5000 pg/kg) daily for 28 days. Several
quantitative measures and functional assays, e.g. the IgM antibody forming cell (AFC) response
to the T-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells, natural killer cell (NK) activity, anti-CD3
antibody-mediated proliferation, mixed leukocyte response (MLR), delayed type hypersensitivity
(DTH) response and phenotypic analysis, were employed to evaluate humoral, innate and cell-
mediated immunity. The results of these studies indicate that DBA is a potent suppressor of a
variety of immune functions at low exposure levels with the humoral immunity as the most
sensitive. (Supported in part by the NIEHS Contract ES 05454).

Natural History and Biodiversity

LIFE-HISTORY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ATLANTIC PIGTOE, FUSCONAIA MASONl.
Jacob M. Rash, Dept, of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, Va. Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ.,
Blacksburg, VA 24061 & Dr. Richard J. Neves, U. S. Geological Survey and Dept, of Fisheries
& Wildlife Sciences, Va. Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061. In 2002, a
tanker truck released approximately 21,198 L of emulsified asphalt into the Nottoway River,
Virginia, which contains one of the best remaining populations of the Atlantic pigtoe, Fusconaia
masoni. Thus, efforts were initiated to reduce potential impacts associated with the released
asphalt. We sought to provide needed information on fecundity, host fish identification, and age
and growth of the Atlantic pigtoe. Estimated number of mature glochidia per mussel ranged
from 1,188 to 11,033. Ages of relic shells ranged from 7 to 34 yr, with a mean age of 13 yr.
White shiner, Luxilus albeolus, and satinfm shiner, Cyprinella analostana, hosts produced 20

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

and 9 metamorphosed juveniles, respectively, with excystment occurring between 19 and 24 d
following infestation. Juvenile survival to 3 wk was 9.4%, with individuals having an average
length and width of 241.6 pm, and no juveniles survived to 6 wk. This study resulted in
information that is paramount to the future recovery efforts of the Atlantic pigtoe.

A NEW SPECIES OF SILVERFISH {INSECTA: NlCOLETllDAE) FROM A MEXICAN
CAVE. Adriana F. Fisher, Issa J. Rishmawi & Luis Espinasa, Arts and Sciences Dept.,
Shenandoah University, Winchester VA 22601. A new troglobitic Nicoletiid species was
described in this presentation. In 1979 cave explorers C. Soileau and P. Strickland found cave-
adapted silverfish in “El Soatano Hondo del Pinalito” cave in Mexico. The specimens were
deposited in the American Museum of Natural History, NY. Samples used by authors were found
in a vial of ethanol alcohol at this location. After study of the material, it was determined that the
samples belonged to an undescribed species. The following characteristics distinguish this
species from others: Pedicellus of the male in this species are enlarged on the posterior side
almost creating a lobe, four macrochaetae on the mandibles, and microscopic spines at the base
of the male genitals. The parameres of the males and in the ovipositor of the females were also
different from other described species. Research results have been submitted for publishing to the
Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington.

ASSESSMENT OF SOME BIOLOGICAL AND CONSERVATION PARAMETERS IN A
SMALL POPULATION OF SAGUAROS, CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST, AZ. Lvla H.
Gray, Jayson J. Przybyla & Luis Espinasa, Department of Natural Sciences, Shenandoah
University, Winchester, VA 22601. Landowners and neighbors are concerned about the
preservation of a small population of the endangered Saguaro cactus, Carnegia gigantecm in the
northern portion of the Coronado National Forest (CNF). The northern portion of the CFN has
very few Saguaros, except for the ones found in this small population. A pilot study was
developed to compare biological parameters between a healthy population in the Saguaro
National Park West (SNPW) and the small northern population in CNF to determine if any
differences existed that may indicate that the population is at risk. The northern CNF has a
significant lower population density with the average distance between two cacti being 38.6 feet;
while in SNPW is 17.5 feet. The northern CNF population also has a decreased number of young
Saguaros when compared to SNPW. This reduction in new recruitment may modify future
densities of the Saguaro population and may threaten its maintenance. Further studies need to be
conducted to determine the cause of the declining population.

LONG-DISTANCE DISPERSAL MOVEMENTS OF BOG TURTLES. K.K. Fleming'. C.A.
Haas', S.L. Cartery & M. J. Pinderf 'Department of Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences, Virginia
Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, inventory & Monitoring, National Park Service, 4598 MacArthur
Blvd., NW Washington, DC 20007, Wirginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2206 S.
Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Bog turtles {Glyptemys muhlenbergii) are rare and
declining, and little is known about movements. We investigated dispersal of bog turtles in 6
wetlands in southwest Virginia to determine the frequency of movements among sites both
connected by stream corridors and unconnected. Marked populations of bog turtles exist at these
sites due to past capture and marking efforts from 1988 to the present. Out of 244 marked turtles,
1 1 had moved among sites; 4 to unconnected sites and 7 to connected sites. Of the turtles that
moved between sites, 64% moved to connected sites although only 33% of the sites were
connected by a stream corridor; however, this comparison is confounded by distance between
sites because connected sites were closer together than unconnected sites. Our results suggest
that bog turtles do make infrequent, long-distance movements between wetlands, and are able to
disperse across upland habitats (i.e., do not always follow stream corridors). Partial funding or
in-kind support was received from the Virginia Academy of Science, NPS, VDGIF, and VT.

PROCEEDINGS

37

A GRAPH THEORETIC ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GLOBAL
LINGUAL STRUCTURES AND HUMAN GENETIC STRUCTURES. Timothy Yu, Dept, of
Bio., Virginia Commonwealth Univ., Richmond VA 23284. Languages and genetics have had a
hand to hand relationship throughout history. Many recorded instances throughout history
explain of the variations we see today in both language and genetics; ranging from human
migration to the major empires that have been in power. In this study, 52 populations of
indigenous people were investigated for their genetic and lingual makeup. A genetic theoretic
graph was constructed using 378 microsatellites and the populations were analyzed based on
their covariation to one other. A lingual theoretic graph conservatively traced each population to
their root family giving them a qualitative value and these populations were analyzed on their
covariation to one another. Then a congruency theoretic graph was compiled to visualize the
topological overlapping of genetics and languages. Our database also incorporated a scatter-plot
of the distal differences between the populations . The matrix correlations were compiled using
the Mantel statistic. The findings indicated that there is structural congruency between language
and genetics topologies yet no relationship with distance, a finding resulting from our
misunderstanding of early language lineages.

STATUS OF INTRODUCED SARRACENIA PURPUREA L. SITES IN MARYLAND AND
VIRGINIA WITH COMMENTS ON PITCHER PLANT CONSERVATION. Philip Sheridan'*^-
& Richard Duffield ^ 'Meadowview Bio. Research Station, "Dept, of Biology, Old Dominion
Univ., ^Dept. of Biology, Howard Univ. Inquiline communities (midge Metriocnemus knabi,
mosquito Wyeomyia smithii, rotifer Hybrotrocha ros, mite Sarraceniopus sp.) were characterized
for 21 natural and introduced populations of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, in
Maryland and Virginia. Nine of the sites were natural populations; five were initiated with
transplanted plants and seven initiated with seed. The species-specific midge was absent from 6
of the introduced sites. The mosquito was absent from 6 introduced sites. These data indicate that
H. rosa can colonize introduced populations in the absence of both the midge and mosquito.
These data also suggest that the species-specific mite can invade introduced populations in the
absence of the fly species. Several S. purpurea populations initiated with seed did not contain
midges and did not show any evidence of the presence of other species of mosquitoes. The lack
of midges and/or mosquitoes in several of the introduced sites indicates that the midge and
probably the mosquito are not efficient at locating new pitcher plant populations to colonize. The
authors support initiating Sarracenia purpurea populations with seed under regimented
procedures in regions where pitcher plants are threatened due to site elimination.

THE EFFICACY OF VISUAL ENCOUNTER SURVEYS FOR POPULATION MONITORRIG
OF PLETHODON PUNCTATUS (CAUDATA:PLETHODONTIDAE). William D. Flint & Reid
N. Harris, Dept, of Biol., James Madison Univ., Harrisonburg VA 22807. We initiated a
monitoring study of the endemic plethodontid salamander, Plethodon pimctatus, which is
generally found in talus habitats over 1000 m in elevation in a narrow range on Shenandoah
Mountain on the border of Virginia and West Virginia. We tested the congruence of nighttime
visual encounter surveys (VES) and mark-recapture estimates of population size. VES was a
valid index of the abundances of P. pimctatus in the two habitats we surveyed. Sites on the
eastern and western sides of Shenandoah Mountain were surveyed, and both methods estimated
that population size on the west was approximately twice as high as that on the east. Individuals
of this species exhibited a high degree of site fidelity. Cover object searches for species in talus
habitats are expected to be of limited value, and we conclude that nighttime visual encounter
surveys are most effective for population size monitoring of P. punctatus and other species that
live in talus. (Supported by: USDA Forest Service, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources,
and the United States Geological Survey).

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

A NEW BIOPRESERVE IN VIRGINIA, THE JOSEPH PINES PRESERVE. Philip
Sheridan''^^. 'Meadowview Biological Research Station, ^Dept. of Biology, Old Dominion
University. Meadowview Biological Research Station is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
dedicated to preserving and restoring Virginia’s imperiled longleaf pine/pitcher plant ecosystem.
Part of the organization’s 10 year goal was to establish a preserve in southern Virginia to
maintain the biodiversity of that ecosystem. That goal was realized with the purchase in 2004 of
a 1 00 acre tract of land in Sussex County known as the Joseph Pines Preserve. The preserve
currently maintains all known yellow pitcher plant populations as well as several that have been
extirpated. An effort is also being made to capture the entire germplasm of Virginia longleaf pine
as well as numerous other rare associate species which are being extirpated on private land.
Several acres have already been restored to native longleaf pine. Restoration efforts are ongoing
and include prescribed burns and chemical control of woody competitors. Educational outreach
is also an important component of the preserve in order to educate citizens of the commonwealth
about Virginia’s natural heritage.

IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE HOST FISHES FOR THE ENDANGERED
CUMBERLAND ELKTOE FRESHWATER MUSSEL {Alasmidonta atropurpurea) (Unionidae:
Bivalvia). Jennifer A. Guvot & Richard J. Neves, U. S. Geological Survey, Dept, of Fisheries &
Wildlife Sciences, Va Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24060. Freshwater
mussels have a complex life cycle in which transformation from larval to juvenile stages requires
parasitism on specific host fish. Anthropogenic changes in mussel habitat, including dam
construction and water pollution, have caused a drastic decline in mussel abundance and
diversity, resulting in 70 species listed as federally endangered or threatened in the U.S. The
Cumberland elktoe (A. atropurpurea) was listed as endangered in 1997. It is endemic to the
upper Cumberland River, and its range is limited to 12 known sites. Host fish identification trials
were performed, using seven fish species representing 4 families. Active, pedal-feeding juveniles
excysted on four species, the banded sculpin (Cottiis carolinae), northern hogsucker
{Hypentelium nigricans), redline darter {Etheostoma rufilineatum), and fantail darter {E.
fJahellare). Banded sculpins produced the most juveniles per fish and are considered to be the
most suitable host fish for propagation of this species to achieve recovery.

STUMPED, THE CHALLENGE OF IDENTIFYING DENDROLITHS. Philip Sheridan'^l
Thomas L. Eberhardf, Jolie Mahfouz^, & Chi-Leung So\ 'Meadowview Biological Research
Station, ■^Dept. of Biology, Old Dominion University, ^Southern Research Station USDA Forest
Service. Old, resinous pine stumps with axe-cut turpentine boxes can be found in the forests of
coastal Virginia. These stumps were presumably once longleaf pine trees since this species was
almost exclusively used for the extraction of turpentine by the colonists. The discovery of
turpentine stumps in central Virginia, outside the known range of longleaf pine, questioned the
presumption that all turpentine stumps in Virginia were once longleaf pine trees. We used NIR
spectra, PCA, GC/MS, and specific gravity to determine the taxa of the unknown stump samples.
Wood anatomy was not used in the analysis since most southern pine taxa cannot be
differentiated by wood morphology. While we were able to eliminate pond pine as a candidate
species we could not determine the identity of the stump samples conclusively. Part of the
identification problem is that there are no standards for comparing old pine samples of unknown
origin to. The identification of these stump samples is important in assisting conservation
biologists in properly restoring degraded ecosystems and phytogeographers in mapping the
historical distribution of indigenous taxa. We coin the word “dendrolith” to describe old pine
stumps which have been embalmed through the excessive production of turpentine for naval
stores.

PROCEEDINGS

39

THE 2004 VIRGINIA SOCIETY OF ORNITHOLOGY BREEDING BIRD FORAY ON THE
NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA. Andrew S. Dolby' & Sandy Spencer", 'Dept, of Biological
Sciences, Univ. of Mary Washington, and ^Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife
Refuge., The 2004 Virginia Society of Ornithology Breeding Bird Foray was conducted June 5-
13, on the Northern Neck of Virginia, a peninsula bounded by the Potomac and Rappahannock
Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Twenty-two participants recorded bird species richness and
abundance on 29 tracts averaging 300 ha in size and comprising both public and private land.
Survey tracts ranged in location from northwestern King George Co. to far southeastern
Lancaster Co. A total of 131 species were reported during the survey period, representing 15
orders and 43 families. Red-winged Blackbirds were most abundant, followed by Common
Grackles and Red-eyed Vireos. For 13 species, only one individual each was reported. Indigo
Buntings were found on the greatest number of survey sites, whereas approximately half of all
species were detected in 10 or fewer locations. The Wilna tract of the Rappahannock River
Valley National Wildlife Refuge, with 81 species, was the most species rich survey site. Previous
breeding records in the Northern Neck region exist for all but nine of the total species reported.
However, direct signs of breeding activity were observed for only 52 species, from sightings of
male-female pairs to active nests containing viable nestlings. While active nests were seen for
eighteen species, the greatest number of such reports was for Osprey. Similar species totals were
reported during previous Northern Neck forays conducted in 1968 and 1993. However, some
species turnover has occurred since then, and several species have declined in abundance. The
Northern Neck’s avian diversity ranks highly among other regions in the state and contains at
least 37 species that appear on one or more conservation watch lists.

Poster Presentations

DETERMINING A SUITABLE SUBSTRATE SIZE AND SAMPLING FREQUENCY FOR
REARING JUVENILE FRESHWATER MUSSELS (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Aaron J. Liberty &
Richard J. Neves, Dept, of Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061. The effects of sampling frequency and substrate size
on the growth and survival of juvenile rainbow mussels {Villosa iris) were investigated in 4 L
round flow-through tanks. All tanks contained either fine sediment (<50 pm), fine limestone
sand (500-850 pm), or coarse limestone sand (1000-2500 pm), and were sampled every 2 wk or
once at the end of the 10 wk experiment. At 10 wk, tanks left unsampled had significantly higher
overall survival (P<0.05) at 40.2%; 12.8 % better survival than tanks sampled every 2 wk. No
significant differences in growth were present between sampled (825 pm) and unsampled tanks
(855 pm). Coarse sand resulted in the best survival of juveniles at 36.6 % in sampled tanks, and
fine sand had the best survival in unsampled tanks at 51.9 % at 10 wk. Results show that
frequent sampling of juvenile V. iris may increase stress, and decrease overall survival and
growth. It also appears that fine limestone sand, 500-800 pm in size, is the best substrate for
juvenile culture purposes.

GROWTH OF CAPTIVE-BRED TARANTULAS, PTERINOCHILUS MURINUS, ON THREE
DIFFERENT DIETS. Ryan S. Mays, Daniel P. Miller, & Charles M. Neal. Biology Department,
RU. With growing interest in maintaining tarantulas in captivity, it is becoming increasingly
important that the nutritional needs of tarantulas be investigated. The intent of this research was
to investigate the effects of different protein diets on spider growth. Two groups of 17 juvenile
captive-bred tarantulas, Pterirtochilus murimis, were fed crickets maintained on commereially
prepared cricket diets containing 12 % or 22% protein. Lettuce was also supplied as a souree of
moisture. A third group of 17 tarantulas was fed crickets maintained entirely on lettuce that
contained less than 1% protein. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan’s Multiple Range
Test After 4 and 7 months, the mean weights of tarantulas fed crickets maintained on either a
12% or 22% protein diet were significantly higher than the mean weight of tarantulas fed
crickets maintained on a low protein diet. After 1 1 months on these diets, there was no

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

significant difference in body weights between the three groups. This research was supported by
Radford University and Nutrition Support Services, Inc., Pembroke, Virginia.

Psychology

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AS RELATED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG SINGLE
MILITARY MOTHERS ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY. Michelle M. Tucker
& Michelle Kelley, Dept, of Psyc., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. The purpose
of this study was to examine how psychological distress relates to social support in single
military mothers enlisted in the United States Navy. Participants included single active duty
enlisted Navy mothers. They completed an online questionnaire that assessed their psychological
distress as it relates to six constructs: stress, anxiety, depression, maternal guilt, separation
anxiety and social support. Correlational analyses were conducted to assess the relationship
between psychological distress and the hypothesized correlates. As hypothesized, individuals
who reported greater levels of social support, less stress, and less maternal separation anxiety
exhibited lower levels of psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, maternal guilt).
Deployment status could not be assessed in the current study.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SCORES OF EMOTIONAL WTELLIGENCE AND
RECOGNIZING EMOTIONS FROM FACIAL EXPRESSIONS. Gozde Sahin & Elaine M.
Justice, Dept, of Psyc., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. The interest of this study
is to investigate the relationship between accurately recognizing emotions that people feel in
certain situations and emotional intelligence scores in order to understand the importance of
recognizing emotions for EL The study will also investigate gender differences in emotional
intelligence in two ways. Participants will be college students. First, the Schutte Self-Report
Inventory of Emotional Intelligence will be given to participants. Second, the participants will be
tested on a measure that uses story situations that reflect certain emotions. The first hypothesis
will be that there will be a significant positive correlation between the Schutte Inventory and the
Story Situations Measurement. Pearson R Correlation will be used to analyze this relationship.
The second hypothesis will be that there will be differences in emotional intelligence between the
two genders with females scoring higher overall on the Schutte Inventory. Results will be
analyzed by performing an independent t-test.

AGE DIFFERENCES IN FUNCIONAL HEARING ABILITY DURING COMPLEX VISUAL-
MOTOR TASKS. Katrina R. Lewis & Carry! L. Baldwin, Dept, of Psyc., Old Dominion
University, Norfolk, VA 23529. A dual task paradigm involving different types of working
memory tasks (a visual-spatial tracking task and a centra! executive decision making and
planning task) were combined with a speech processing task presented at different presentation
levels. Twenty-five young adults (18 and 35 years of age) voluntarily participated. As would be
expected, dual task conditions involving the pairing of the central executive task and the speech
processing task resulted in less time-sharing efficiency (decreased performance) than the
combination of the visual spatial tracking task and the speech processing task. These
results support the position that central executive resources are relatively independent of visual
spatial resources. Future research will include a sample of older participants (60-85 year olds) to
examine age differences using the dual task paradigm mentioned above.

HEMISPHERIC ASYMMETRY IN A FLIGHT SIMULATION TASK: VALIDATION OF
SECONDARY TASKS. April R, Panganiban & Carryl Baldwin, Dept, of Psyc., Old Dominion
University, Norfolk, VA 23529. The ability of two secondary tasks to draw upon separate
processing resources by way of asymmetric activation of the hemispheres was investigated. The

PROCEEDINGS

41

two tasks differed only by inkructions to either perform simple addition of serially presented
numbers in the verbal task or to compare spatial locations of serially presented numbers in the
spatial task. A dual-task paradigm with a primary flight simulation task was utilized.
Performance data and recordings from scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) were collected from
sixteen undergraduate participants (8 males and 8 female). Findings indicated differences in
overall alpha power as primary task difficulty increased indicating increased task engagement
and arousal. Results do not support significant differences between the two designed secondary
tasks in resource processing.

THE EFFECT OF PFIESTERIA TOXIN ON RAT ACTIVITY IN THE ELEVATED-PLUS
MAZE AND RESPONSE TO ETHANOL. Juan Constantine & Perry M. Duncan, Dept, of
Psychology., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. Rats were injected with filtered
water taken from aquaria tanks containing active cultures of Pfiesteria Shumwayae, a
dinoflagellate which kills fish and causes cognitive dysfunction in rodents and humans. The
anxiety level of these rats, and of controls not injected with toxic filtrate, was determined by their
behavior in an elevated-plus maze test device. All rats were also injected with 600 mg/kg ethanol
on some test days. Toxin-exposed rats exhibited greater anxiety as indicated by less time spent in
open arms of the maze and fewer total arm entries under both ethanol and non-ethanol
conditions. Ethanol treatment decreased anxiety in control animals, but not in toxin-exposed rats.
These results demonstrate that exposure to Pfiesteria toxin causes anxiety in rats which is not
relieved by ethanol.

AN INVESTIGATION OF CONTROL CONDITIONS IN ASCH-TYPE EXPERIMENTS: VI.
Elisa M. Ramirez-Feliciano. Ahmad J. Bah. Tiffany Blake, Danial J. Kim. Sakeenah T.
Abdullah, Rodolfo E. McIntyre, Adam J. Stinson, Shabiri Bhattacharyya & James P. O'Brien,
Tidewater Cmnty. Coll., Virginia Beach VA, 23453. Reports additions to data from replications
of Asch (1956) control conditions in a 2x2x2x2 protocol: 4-yr. vs. 2-yr. and male vs. female
students with authoritative vs. peer and male vs. female Experimenters. Asch demonstrated
stimulus clarity, a requisite feature of the “Asch dilemma,” among his 4-yr. male undergraduate
control participants; 94.6% of Ss were error-free, mean error = .08, and % error trials = .7%.
With 15 of 16 cells completed, the respective measures for 305 men are 80.7%, .34, and 2.81%.
The respective measures for 368 women are 73.1%, .52, and 4.33%. We conclude that Asch’s
stimuli do not constitute “an utterly clear perceptual fact” for most male conditions and for all
female conditions, as most subsequent investigators have assumed. In fact, the only cell (n = 37)
that approximates Asch’s standards for stimulus clarity is the direct replication of Asch.
Therefore, scores of replications of Asch’s experimental conditions over the past half century;
and, in fact, those data in Asch’s (1956) Experiment 1 which were acquired by authoritative
female Experimenters, must be reevaluated.

TEACHING KIDS TO CARE ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION. Nancy A. Margand &
Priscilla W. Powell Dept, of Psychology, Washington & Lee University, Lexington VA 24450.
The role of participant interaction on the effects of environmental education programs was
investigated in this study. An adaptation of the CATES-PV assessment was used to measure
water conservation behaviors of 28 preschool-aged children. Over the course of 1 month, the
children participated in 1 of 2 environmental interventions: either a series of 3 interactive
activities or 3 short stories covering the same information. Finally, the CATES-PV adaptation
was used to determine any changes in the children’s water use behavior. Contrary to our
expectation, children showed significant improvement in both the book and activity conditions,
although older children showed a greater behavioral effect in the book condition. Therefore, the
success of an environmental intervention is not contingent upon the level of participant
interaction. However, a significant difference between the post-test scores of 4- and 5 -year olds
indicates that the effectiveness of certain techniques may vary between preschool-aged children.

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VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Additional research on the relationship of behaviors and attitude is needed to clarify the value of
these programs.

Statistics

NONPARAMETRIC APPROACHES TO RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY.
Stephanie M. Pickle', Jeffrey B. Birch' & Timothy J. Robinson^, 'Department of Statistics,
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg VA 24061-0439 and ^Department
of Statistics, University of Wyoming, Laramie WY 82071. Industrial statisticians, engineers and
other researchers often employ the techniques of response surface methodology (RSM), a
sequential experimental strategy originally proposed by Box and Wilson (1951). Historically,
RSM involves running a series of small experiments and modeling the data parametrically to find
the operating conditions for the design variables that will optimize the response(s). In many
industrial settings, however, parametric models may not adequately represent the true
relationships between the variables. For this reason, Vining and Bohn (1998) first propose the
use of nonparametric smoothing in a RSM setting. While their work is innovative, several
improvements and extensions can be made to it. We propose the use of methods that extend the
ideas of classic RSM to include new advances in regression and optimization, such as local
polynomial regression, model robust regression and genetic algorithms. These proposed methods
will offer greater flexibility, robustness and efficiency. Furthermore, they may provide a better
understanding of the process being studied as well as superior optimization solutions.

TESTE4G EQUALITY OF INTRACLASS CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS. Amal Helu &
Dayanand N. Naik, Dept, of Math. & Stat., Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk VA 23529. Sib-sib or
intraclass correlation coefficient is an important measure in the study of familial eorrelations.
We consider the problem of testing equality of two sib-sib correlation coefficients when the
family sizes are unequal. Using simulated data from multivariate normal distribution we
evaluate the performance of three likelihood based tests, namely, the likelihood ratio test, Wald’s
test, and Rao’s score test and two other asymptotic tests based on Srivastava’s combined
estimator of intraclass correlation. Performances of the score test and one of the asymptotic tests
are found to be superior in most situations. However, none of these tests perform well when the
data are from other multivariate distributions, for example, from multivariate t or a Kotz type
distribution. We suggest using score test based on Kotz type distribution whose performance is
robust under normal and non-normal distributions.

ON TESTING INDEPENDENCE BETWEEN CATEGORICAL VARIABLES WITH
MULTIPLE RESPONSE. Yueqin Zhao & Dayanand N. Naik, Dept, of Math. & Stat., Old
Dominion Univ., Norfolk VA 23529. Multiple response categorieal variables, whieh summarize
“choose all that apply” type of responses, are eommon in survey data. We eonsider the problem
of testing independence between two such categorical variables based on analysis of diversity
using Rao’s quadratic entropy. In this talk, a brief review of analysis of diversity will be
provided first. Then we provide various distances for computing Rao’s quadratic entropy. We
propose several alternative methods based on bootstrap for testing the independence of the two
multiple response variables. Using bootstrap simulation we show that one of the proposed
methods does well in terms of significance level and the power of the test.

YOUNG ENOUGH/TOO OLD GEST’L AGES, SAFE HAVENS, AND THE REINVENTION
OF NATION'S THORNIEST DEBATE. Kevin Moran, M.S.P.H., Vertical Studies Group,
Sterling VA 20164. Both health care and the law are sympathetic to the resolve of women, on
the one hand, to ensure a "safe harbor" for themselves that relies on abortion to curtail harsh
pregnancies, and, on the other hand, to ensure a "safe harbor" among pregnancies that precludes

PROCEEDINGS

43

abortion from specific cases. As if the horns of dilemma A were not enough, the abortion debate
offers B: On the one hand, no single profile of abortion decision-makers exists; they span wide
latitudes of demographics, lifestyles, economics, and political engagements. Some are open to
abortion across diverse conditions, while others proscribe it (even opposite the camp expected!).
On the other hand, the public sphere voices its conventional wisdom that the debate’s whole
complexion hinges on "young enough" gestational ages vs “too old,” as Platt's research shows.
Even authorities attuned to gestational age data will infer a pro-choice rule of law from the
"youngest" pregnancies and a pro-life rule of law from the "oldest," arguing that one must cross
camps at some intermediate gestational age. The two dilemmas suggest the intractability of any
conceptual framework that could make sense of and to all camps. Au contraire, I introduce a
novel conceptual framework, an instrument that follows, and appropriate statistical measures.

44

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

VIRGINIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 2005 AWARDS

Honorable Mention:

AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCE

ZHUOYI FAN

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

LAUREN E. TIGNOR

Third Place:

Henrico High School

CORTNEY Y. NEWELL

Second Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

MOLLY M. BINION

First Place:

Deep Run High School

LOREN K. LIEBRECHT

Southwest Virginia Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (ETHOLOGY)

PHILIP W. GIANFORTONI AND ROBERT G. NORTHCUTT

Honorable Mention;

Mills E. Godwin High School

MATTHEW R. KOSCHAK

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

SAVANNAH M. REEVES

Third Place:

Deep Run High School

ASHLEY A. FORTIER

Second Place:

Deep Run High School

NATE D. CODDINGTON

First Place:

Williamsburg Middle School

GRACE Z. WANG

Mills E. Godwin High School

Honorable Mention:

BOTANY A

ALLISON E. BARTLETT

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

RACHEL M. BROOKE

Honorable Mention:

Washington-Lee High School

CHRISTOPHER M. CIRILLO

Homer L. Hines Middle School

Third Place:

MAXWELL W. DUNCAN

Second Place:

Yorktown High School

MEGAN K. DALTON

First Place:

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

SYLVIA R. CHEN AND KIRSTEN L. SIEBACH

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Honorable Mention:

BOTANY B

JOHN L. EWERS

Honorable Mention:

Central Virginia Governor's School

CHRISTINE A. MCLEAN

Honorable Mention:

Washington-Lee High School

CARA M. NORTON

Third Place:

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

MICHAEL R. PUSH

Deep Run High School

PROCEEDINGS

45

Second Place:

STEPHANIE V. GORDON

First Place:

Yorktown High School

THOMAS J. KOZIKOWSKI

Southwest Virginia Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

BOTANY C

HOBART C. REYNOLDS

Honorable Mention:

Washington-Lee High School

LAUREL B. SLOUGH

Honorable Mention:

Mills E. Godwin High School

JACK E. VIHSTADT

Third Place:

Yorktown High School

EVAN E. SCHNEIDER

Second Place:

Central Virginia Governor's School

JACQUELINE M. ZILLIOUX

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

First Place:

THAIS L. TEOTONIO

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

CHEMISTRY A

LAUREN E. FASZEWSKI

Third Place:

Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill
ALEXANDRA C. CHIOU

Second Place:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

JULIA E. CAVALIERI

First Place:

Deep Run High School

BRENDAN C. DOYLE

Yorktown High School

Honorable Mention:

CHEMISTRY B

ANDREW G.O. MALONE

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

AMANDA R. MILLER

Honorable Mention:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

AMELIA CJ. MUTTER

Third Place:

Yorktown High School

ALEX B. JONES AND MADISON E. LANE
Swanson Middle School

Second Place:

ANNA M. HAMMOCK

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

MICHELLE S. HOUR

Central Virginia Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

CHEMISTRY C

SAMANTHA A. MUTTER

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

MEHDI M.A. RAZVI

Honorable Mention:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

KIRSTEN F. RUMSEY

Menchville High School

46

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Third Place:

ZACHARY J. RICE

Second Place:

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

CHARLOTTE J. REEVES

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

PAIGE L. ROSEMAN

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

COMPUTER SCIENCE

DAVID A. SAWCHAK

Honorable Mention:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

ANNE M. WATSON

Third Place:

Menchville High School

WILLIAM T. ROBSON, III

Second Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

ERfC J. WELANDER

First Place:

Deep Run High School

ANNA CHAN, DANIEL CAUGHRAN AND CHRISTOPHER
APPLEGATE

Yorktown High School

Honorable Mention:

CONSUMER SCIENCE A

JUSTIN S. ETKIN

Swanson Middle School

Honorable Mention:

DAVID J. HANNA AND JOSEPH P. SOJKA

Honorable Mention:

Mills E. Godwin High School

TIMOTHY M. MEIGHAN

Third Place:

Deep Run High School

WHITNEY N. HAWKINS

Second Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

BENJAMIN C. ARANCIBIA

First Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

MEREDITH L. MALLORY

Central Virginia Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

CONSUMER SCIENCE B

ASHLEY M. SIMMONS

Honorable Mention:

Appomattox Governor's School

MORGAN M. STIEBEL

George H. Moody Middle School

Honorable Mention:

LANE E. VAN ARSDALE

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

BRYAN G. WHARTON AND ROBERT F. WILLOUGHBY

Second Place:

Deep Run High School

PHILIP G. OBENSCHAIN

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

ERIKA E. POWELL

George H. Moody Middle School

PROCEEDINGS

47

Honorable Mention;

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

SUZANNAH B. MONTGOMERY

Honorable Mention:

Douglas Freeman High School

ANDREW D. SYLVESTER

Honorable Mention:

George H. Moody Middle School

M. KAITLYN WINSTON

Third Place:

Harry F. Byrd Middle School

JENNIFER T. GIUFFRIDA

Second Place;

George H. Moody Middle School

ALEXANDRA M. FITZGERALD

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

MARY KATHRYNE DICKINSON

J.R. Tucker High School

Honorable Mention:

ENGINEERING A

DEVIN A. JEFFERSON

Honorable Mention;

George H. Moody Middle School

IMRAN A. KHATRI

Third Place:

George H. Moody Middle School

DANIELLE M. CASSELTON AND BRITTANY A. DECAPRI

Second Place;

Mills E. Godwin High School

SHANE M. HODSON

First Place:

Warwick High School

ROBERT BRIK

Mills E. Godwin High School

Honorable Mention

ENGINEERING B

KELLY M. O'BRIANT

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

RYAN T. OLSON

Third Place:

Southwest Virginia Governor's School

MATTHEW S. PELTZ

Second Place:

Menchville High School

VIRGINIA L. TAYLOR

First Place:

Washington-Lee High School

ANNE D. TALLEY AND JENNIFER L. DOWNS

Mills E. Godwin High School

Honorable Mention:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE A

T. KAITIE CASTAGNA

Gildersleeve Middle School

Honorable Mention:

MELISSA A. DISKING

Warwick High School

Honorable Mention:

LINDSAY T. FORD

Third Place;

J.R. Tucker High School

ROHIT BANERGEE

Second Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

RYAN P. BUGAS

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

KATHLEEN E. FLEMING

Yorktown High School

48

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Third Place:

Second Place:

First Place:

Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Third Place:

Second Place:

First Place:

Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Third Place:

Second Place:

First Place:

Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Third Place:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE B

TRISTAN A. HAYES
l.C. Norcom High School

BRIAN T. JEFFRIES AND DAVID A. MARBLES

Mills E. Godwin High School

OMKAR G. KHARKAR

Deep Run High School

MEGAN N. IVES

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

RYAN C. KELLEY

Mills E. Godwin High School

MICHELLE R. HITE AND LAUREN R. DEPOMPEO

Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE C

ERICA R. PORTER

Central Virginia Governor's School

ADARSH R. RAMAKRISHNAN

Mills E. Godwin High School

KELLY J. LUGBILL

George H. Moody Middle School

KATIE A. PUCKETT

Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill
JENNIFER A. SCOTT
Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE D

ETHAN J. THEUERKAUF
Chesapeake Bay Governor's School
MARY WADE

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

CANDACE F. WHITE

King and Queen Elemenatry School

SARAH B. ZUCKOFF AND RACHEL S. SMITHH

Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill

ANTHONY M. VITALI AND JARED P. SULLIVAN

Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

CHRISTIAN H. STRAUBE

Menchville High School

GENETICS AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY

RAHUL R. MENON
Mills E. Godwin High School

SOHINI SIRCAR

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
NATALIE Y. ZHAO
George H. Moody Middle School
DANIEL B. FISHER
Lee-Davis High School

PROCEEDINGS

49

Second Place:

JAKE M. SATIN

First Place:

Douglas Freeman High School

YUAN J. RAO

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

MATHEMATICS

CHRISTOPHER J. KANNEY

Honorable Mention:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

NIKET R. PANDEY

New Horizons Governor's School

Third Place:

E. KAITLYN TULEY

Second Place:

Mathematics and Science High School at Clover Hill
JIYATI VERMA

First Place:

York High School

STEVEN S. LI

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

MEDICINE AND HEALTH A

NICOLAS A. DORESTE

Gildersleeve Middle School

Honorable Mention:

MATTHEW F. DOYLE

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

EMELIE M. DUKE

Third Place:

James River High School

EVAN R. CANTOR AND JOHN C. GAGLIARDI

Second Place:

Deep Run High School

PAUL M. DIORIO

New Horizons Governor's School

First Place:

HANNAH J. BARNA

Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School

Honorable Mention:

MEDICINE AND HEALTH B

CAITLIN C. GRAHAM

Honorable Mention:

Mills E. Godwin High School

SKYLERN. HALBRITTER

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

ALLSION M. LEACH

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

RUTH K. MANN

Second Place:

Central Virginia Governor's School

HELEN HAN

First Place:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

CASIDHE H. HORAN

Mills E. Godwin High School

Honorable Mention:

MEDICINE AND HEALTH C

DYLAN M. NORVELL

Honorable Mention:

George H. Moody Middle School

MEREDITH A. ROYAL

Deep Run High School

50

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Honorable Mention:

DANIEL M. ZINK

Third Place:

Woodside High School

JOANNA N. WU

Second Place:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

RACHEL E. WHEELER

First Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

SARA M. SMALL

Douglas Freeman High School

Honorable Mention:

MICROBIOLOGY A

SARA P. COHEN

Honorable Mention:

Roanoke Valley Governor’s School

LEAF A. ELHAI

Honorable Mention:

George H. Moody Middle School

RISHI K. GANERIWALA

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

RYAN D. CHAFE

Second Place:

Deep Run High School

ENA DEKANIC

First Place:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

BERKLEY T. CARDWELL

Central Virginia Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

MICROBIOLOGY B

ERICA M. RUTHERFORD

Honorable Mention:

Central Virginia Governor's School

ALEXANDRA M. SPROLES

Gildersleeve Middle School

Honorable Mention:

TANYA YAJNIK

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

CHRISTINE J. SCIARRINO

Second Place:

Central Virginia Governor's School

THMOAS J.C. MORIE

First Place:

Yorktown High School

SAMUEL M. STRONGIN

Yorktown High School

Honorable Mention:

PHYSICAL SCIENCE A

MEREDITH F. BEARDEN

Honorable Mention:

George H. Moody Middle School

THOMAS J. GOWER

Swanson Middle School

Honorable Mention:

WRITESH MAULIK

Swanson Middle School

Third Place:

HANNAH S. BAUMAN AND ELIZABETH A. FARIS
Swanson Middle School

Second Place:

STEVEN M. HRIKES

First Place:

Deep Run High School

ADAM J. GINSBERG

Swanson Middle School

PROCEEDINGS

51

Honorable Mention:

PHYSICAL SCIENCE B

MATTHEW H. NGUYEN

Third Place:

George H. Moody Middle School

MARK J. MERLING

Second Place:

George H. Moody Middle School

JESSICA S. WANG

First Place:

Harry F. Byrd Middle School

CAROLINE E. PELNIK

George H. Moody Middle School

Honorable Mention:

PHYSICS A

JAMES E. ATCHISON

Honorable Mention:

Hermitage High School

BENJAMIN A. BOONE

Honorable Mention:

Atlee High School

PETER D. ELBAOR

Third Place:

Yorktown High School

JOSHUA C. FRANKLIN AND CHARLES W. DAVIS

Second Place:

Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

WREN M. BLACKWELL

First Place:

Hanover High School

MICHAEL J. JOHNSON AND RICH L. LANE
Woodberry Forest School

Honorable Mention:

PHYSICS B

ANDREW C. LUXHOJ AND MICHAEL J. KACZKA

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

NICHOLAS D. THOMPSON

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

JENNIFER L. WIEBOLDT

Third Place:

Yorktown High School

APURVA PANDE

Second Place:

George H. Moody Middle School

DAVID M. KAMENSKY

First Place:

Washington-Lee High School

HELEN L. VASALY

Yorktown High School

Honorable Mention:

PSYCHOLOGY - GENERAL

ANDREW P. BROWN

Honorable Mention:

Yorktown High School

MARA S. ROSENKRANTZ

Honorable Mention:

Mills E. Godwin High School

BENJAMIN L. SIMONSEN

Third Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

LAURA D. ALEXANDER

Second Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

THOMAS N. MOSHER

Swanson Middle School

First Place:

SABRINA A. LANE

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

52

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

PSYCHOLOGY - LEARNING & PERCEPTION A

Honorable Mention:

KATHRYN M. HICKSON

Honorable Mention:

Menchville High School

DREW J. JACOBSEN

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

RICHA KHANNA

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

KELSEY E. BIBEE

Second Place:

Central Virginia Governor's School

ALEXANDER C. KOZERA

First Place:

Central Virginia Governor's School

ERIN M. FOX

Menchville High School

PSYCHOLOGY ^ LEARNING & PERCEPTION B

Honorable Mention:

ELENA V. MARTINEZ DE ANDINO

Honorable Mention:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

HANNAH E. RUMSEY

Gildersleeve Middle School

Honorable Mention:

DAVID G. WISE

Third Place:

Mills E. Godwin High School

PUR VI S. PATEL

Second Place:

J.R. Tucker High School

DAVID R. LYNCH

First Place:

Deep Run High School

MICHELLE M. WALKER AND LAUREN E. KOWAL

Deep Run High School

Honorable Mention:

PSYCHOLOGY - SOCIAL

JENNIFER A. FERGUSON

Honorable Mention:

Central Virginia Governor's School

BRAD T. RICHARDS

Honorable Mention:

Deep Run High School

ALEXANDRA C. ROY

Third Place:

Washington-Lee High School

CLAIRE C. SHOTWELL

Second Place:

J.R. Tucker High School

MARGARET E. CALOS

First Place:

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

BRIAN T. FITHIAN

New Horizons Governor's School

Honorable Mention:

STATISTICS

MEGAN A. RIDGWAY

Third Place:

Hermitage High School

MATTHEW S. BAILEY

Second Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

ASHLEY N. SUTHERLAND AND SHANNON W. SKEENS

First Place:

Shenandoah Valley Governor's School

JENNIE N. XUE

Mills E. Godwin High School

PROCEEDINGS

53

Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Honorable Mention:
Third Place:

Second Place:

First Place:

ZOOLOGY
MATTHEW E. CAPLAN
Gildersleeve Middle School
CARSON C. CROWDER
Central Virginia Governor's School
SAMANTHA L. ZITO
Yorktown High School
MEGAN L. KROUT
Yorktown High School
SHANNON T. GUNNING
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
KYLE A. LAMSON AND TY OTTO
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

VJAS Special Awards

Botany Section Award, given by the Botany Section of the VAS, to the best paper on a botanical
subject.

THAIS TEOTONIO

Roanoke Valley Governor's School

VJAS Neuroscience Awards supported by the Virginia Neurological Society is given to an out¬
standing paper in the field of neuroscience.

SOHEsII SIRCAR

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

Speleological Society Award given to the best paper addressing karst or topics related to speleology
given by the Richmond Area Speleological Society.

REBECCA BARLAS
Yorktown High School

Mathematics Award for the paper that evidences the most significant contribution in the field of
Mathematics.

STEVEN S. LI

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

Statistics Award for the paper that evidences the most significant contribution in the field of
Statistics.

JENNY N. XUE

Mills E. Godwin High School

Smith Shadomy Infectious Disease Award in honor and memory of Dr. Smith Shadomy given by the
Virginia Chapter of the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases.

JESSICA YUH
Yorktown High School

Roscoe Hughes Award for the best paper in the field of Cellular Biology.
YUAN RAO

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

54

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

Rodney C. Berry Chemistry Award for the paper that evidences the most significant contribution in
the field of chemistry.

MICHELLE HOUR

Central Virginia Governor's School

The Dr. and Mrs. Preston H. Leake Award in Applied Chemistry will be given to the author of a
research paper which best exemplifies how chemicals, chemical principles, or chemistry have been
used, are used, or might be used to enhance or even to save life.

Second Place

JUSTIN SAUNDERS

Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School

First Place
Sohini Sircar

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

Russell J. Rowlett Award for the Best Research Paper of the Year.

CASIDHE H. HORAN
Mills E. Godwin High School

The Virginia Psychological Foundation Meritorious Research Awards recognize outstanding
presentations of research in the various fields of psychology. Presented by James P. O'Brien.
SABRINA A. LANE
Southwest Virginia Governor's School

ERIN M. FOX
Menchville High School

MICHELLE WALKER AND LAUREL KOWAL
Deep Run High School

BRIAN T. FITHIAN

New Horizons Governor's School

Virginia Sea Grant College Program Award is given by the Virginia Sea Grant College Program for
outstanding marine or coastal research.

ETHAN J. THEUERKAUF
Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

American Cancer Society Award - This award is to recognize outstanding science papers related to
cancer research. These awards are provided by the American Cancer Society (Virginia Council).
These awards presented by Tammy Steele, American Cancer Society.

Honorable Mention

PAUL M. DIORIO

New Horizons Governor's School

First Place

JIE NI XUE

Mills E. Godwin High School

PROCEEDINGS

55

The Gamma Sigma Delta Award (Agriculture). Presented by the VPI & SU Chapter of the Honor
Society of Agriculture. This award is presented in recognition of excellence in research dealing with
application of new technologies and/or concepts in agriculture forestry, or veterinary medicine.
LOREN K. LIEBRECHT
Southwest Virginia Governor's School

Dominion - W.W. Berry Award. This award is given by Dominion Virginia Power in honor of Mr.
W. W. Berry who was a past Chairman of the Board of VA Power.

ANNE TALLEY AND JENNIFER DOWNS
Mills E. Godwin High School

The Joyce K. Peterson Award is presented for the outstanding paper by a middle school student. It
is presented in honor of Mrs. Joyce K. Peterson who has been an outstanding teacher in the Arlington
County Schools.

M. KAITLYN WINSTON
Harry F. Byrd Middle School

The Ann M. Hancock Award - This award is given to the best paper in genetics and is given in
memory of Anne Hancock who retired from Patrick Henry High School in Hanover County and who
gave many years of service to the Jr. Academy not only by teaching but also serving on the Jr.
Academy Committee.

JAKE SATDJ

Douglas Freeman High School

Dorothy Knowlton Award - This award is given to the best paper in the Consumer Science section(s)
and is given in honor of Dorothy Knowlton, former Science Coordinator of Arlington County
Schools.

CARMEN R. MILLER
J.R. Tucker High School

VABE Award - This award is presented by the Virginia Association of Biology Educators and is
given for outstanding research in the Zoology section.

KYLE LAMSON AND TY OTTO

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Virginia Museum of Natural History Award - Presented by the Friends of the Virginia Museum of
Natural History in recognition of significant contribution in the study and interpretation of Virginia's
Natural Heritage.

M. KAITLYN WINSTON
Harry F. Byrd Middle School

Trip to AJAS - AAAS Meeting for two students and two alternates for presenting outstanding
papers. The 2006 meeting will be held in February in St. Louis,
winner MICHELLE HOUR

Central Virginia Governor's School

winner

CAROLINE E. PELNIK
George H. Moody Middle School

56

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

alternate: THAIS TEOTONIO

Roanoke- Valley Governor's School

alternate: KATHLEEN E. FLEMING

Yorktown High School

Honorary Membership - AAAS given to two students.

HELEN HAN

Maggie L. Walker Governor's School

JERREL COLEMAN
Huguenot High School

Honorary Membership - VAS given to a student.

JIYATI VERMA
York High School

Bethel High School Scholarship - This $1,000 Scholarship Award comes from the interest earned
from a $10,000 endowment contributed by the students of Bethel High School, Hampton, Va., over
a two year period. This award is based on both the students presentation and paper.

MARY KATHRYNE DICKINSON
J.R. Tucker High School

Henry MacKenzie Environmental Scholarship - This $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to the
student whose paper evidences the most significant contribution in the field of Environmental
Science dealing with the James River Basin and Chesapeake Bay. The Virginia Endowment and
VJAS offer this scholarship in tribute to the outstanding and generous services of Judge Henry W.
MacKenzie, Jr., one of the founding directors who has a great interest in the James River and the
Chesapeake Bay.

JENNIFER A. SCOTT
Chesapeake Bay Governor's School

Frances and Sydney Lewis Environmental Scholarship: A $14,000 scholarship ($3,500 per year for
four years) for the best effort by a student in grades 9 to 12 in the field of environmental science.
This scholarship is in the name of Frances and Sydney Lewis and is given by the Virginia
Environmental Endowment.

LOREN K. LIEBRECHT
Southwest Virginia Governor's School

E.C.L. Miller Science Teacher of the Year Award is given to an outstanding science teacher. An all-
expense-paid trip to next year's AAAS which will be in St. Louis.

CHARLES LAROCCA
James River High School

ALLYSON MCKOWEN
Yorktown High School

PROCEEDINGS

57

VJAS Distinguished Service Award, most prestigious award given by the VJAS, is presented to a
person for exceptionally outstanding service to the VJAS. This award presented by Susan Booth.

JOAN H. JONES AND RICHARD JONES

ELECTION RESULTS

Historian - TRISTAN HAYES
Secretary - PAULA HILL
Vice President ~ RAHUL MENON
President - KELLY O’BRIANT

58

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

AUTHOR INDEX

Abdullah, Sakeena T . 41

Abraham, Sheena . 16

Ahn, Changwoo . 28

Alexander, Amy E. . . . 29

Allen, Thomas R. Jr . 30

Alvarez, Consuela J . 32

Amenta, Donna . 23

Amenta, Donna S . 20

Anderson, Amanda L . 20

Arthur, Michelle L . 29

Arthur, Michelle L . 27

Augustine, Brian H. . . 9

Auttachoat, Wimolnut . 35

Bah, Ahmad J . 41

Bajwa, A . 33

Bajwa, Amandeep . 33

Baldwin, Carryl L . 40

Baldwin, Carryl . 40

Barra, Rosemary . . 14

Bass, Michael L . 29

Bass, Michael L . 27

Basil, Priyadarshi . 34

Baxter, Ryan D. . . 29

Bayraktar, T . 16

Beck, L.C . 35

Beckman, M.J . 32

Beckman, M.J . 33

Beckman, Matthew J . 33

Beegle, Matthew M . 18

Bellows, A. Scott . . . 12

Bellows, A. Scott . 30

Bemeleit, Derk . 15

Benfield, E.F . 4

Bevan, David R. ........ . . 10

Bhattacharyya, Shabiri . 41

Billecke, Christine . . 15

Birch, Jeffrey B . 42

Blair, Robert E . 32

Blake, Tiffany . . . . . 41

Blanchard, David J . 10

Boardman, Brycelyn M. . . 20

Bogler, Oliver . 15

Bonhivert, Antoinette C . 9

Brady, E.K. . 14

Brahim, Sean . 16

Brown, Gordon G . . . 20

Bryant, Robert G . 16

Calica, Guillermo S . . . 18

Call, Chris . 17

Campbell, Elizabeth V. ............ 30

Caran, Kevin L . . . 21

Carter, S.L . 36

Chakarun, C . . . 33

Chalkley, David . 25

Chen, Yu . . 11

Cherry, Donald S . 29

Chervenak, Andrew P. . . . 34

Clevinger, Curtis C. . . 18

Clevinger, Jennifer A . . . 18

Cline, Mark A . . . 6

Cline, Mark A. . . . 5

Cline, Mark . 6

Cohill, C.R . 25

Coleman, Douglas A . . . 19

Collier, Peggy . 17

Constantine, Juan . . 41

Conway, Carolyn M . 10

Conway, Arthur F . 10

Couture, Christopher A . 28

Cozzens, Robert F . . . 22

Craft, M.A. . . . 27

Crizer, David M . 21

Crosby, David . . 5

Crosby, David . 5

Crum, Pam L . 21

Currie, Rebecca J. . . 29

Currie, Rebecca J . 29

Dalmet, S.S . 26

DeEorenzo, R.J . 31

DeLorenzo, Robert J . 32

Deshpande, L.S. .................. 31

DeVore, T.C. . . . 21

DeWitt, David A . 15

Dian, Brian C . 21

Dian, Brian C . 20

Ditzler, Kristin . . . 9

Doane, Rebecca G . 13

Dolby, Andrew S . 39

Dolby, Andrew S . 13

Dopart, Pam . 21

Douglass, Kevin 0 . 20

Downey, D.M . . . 21

Doyle, E.A. . . 17

Duffield, Richard . 37

Duncan, Perry M . 41

Dunnings, Chevon N . 15

Eberhardt, Thomas L. ...... . . 23

Eberhardt, Thomas L . 38

Echols, Brandi S . . . 29

Edwards, B . 17

Edwards, D.M . 21

Eldridge, Renee L . . . 33

Esen, Asim . . 10

Esen, Asim . . 13

PROCEEDINGS

59

Esmaili, Rebekah . . 8

Espinasa, Luis . 14

Espinasa, Luis . . 36

Espinasa, Luis ................... 36

Falenski, Katherine W. . . 32

Farrell, Nicholas . . . 15

Favi, F. . 5

Favi, F. .......................... 4

Fisher, Adriana F. . . . . 36

Fitzgerald, D. Kyle . . 21

Fleming, K.K. . . 36

Flint, William D. . . 37

Fox, Nena . . . 15

Freeman, J.A . 8

Gantulga, Dashzeveg . 13

Geyer, Scott M. . . . . 20

Gianulis, Elena . 32

Gilbert, E. . . 6

Gilje, John W . 20

Gillevet, P . . . 27

Gillevet, Patrick M . 25

Gillevet, P.M . 26

Gotwald, Jolin A. . . . 9

Grau, Harold J . 15

Gray, LylaH . 36

Gray, Preston L . 25

Green, Heather A. . . 11

Grimes, David V . 30

Groover, Richard S . 26

Guinan, Judith A. . 28

Guinan, Judy . 28

Guiseppi-Elie, Anthony . . . 16

Guiseppi-Elie, Anthony . . 15

Guiseppi-Elie, Anthony . 16

Guo, Tai L. . 35

Guyot, Jennifer A . 38

Haas, C.A . 36

Haider, N.S. . . 31

Hamed, H. . . 20

Harper, Linnea . 15

Harper, Jill . 3

Harper, Jill . 3

Harper, Jill . . 3

Harris, Reid N . . . 37

Haskell, Eric . . 17

Haskins, Kristy N . 14

Hayden, W. John . . 18

Heller, Matthew J . 30

Helu, Amal . 42

Henrickson, James . . 18

Hernandez, Denise M . 35

Hibbitts, Harry A . . . 30

Hinkle, Charlotte E. . . 21

Hoke, Nicholas N . 22

Hommerich, U. . 8

Hughes, W. Christopher ............. 9

Hurd, Jennifer A . . . 15

Husain, Saleha . . . 26

Huskey, Brent A . 18

Janelsins, B . . . 20

Jarrell, D.C . 20

Jarrell, D.C . 19

Jilje, John . . 23

Jordan, Timothy A. . 29

Jordan, Timothy A. . . .27

Jorgensen, D. . . . 14

Joseph, Zubin J. . . 18

Justice, Elaine M . 40

Kabange, Witemba . 10

Kelley, Michelle . 40

Kennedy, Richard H. . . 34

Kim, E . 33

Kim, Danial J. . . . 41

Kimmitt, Emily A . 13

King, Jeffrey . 17

Kittur, Farooqahmed S . 10

Kraemer, M . 5

Kraemer, M . 4

Kreutzer, B.B . 25

Krouse, J.M . 25

Lakner, A.M. . . 21

Lalgondar, Mallikarjun D . 10

Lane, A.M. . . 17

Law, E.B . . . 27

Lawrence, David J . 9

Laygo, M . 20

Leary, J.J . 21

Lewis, Katrina R . 40

Liberty, Aaron J . 39

Lillard, Kevin T . 28

Lingerfelt, Louise . 15

Litchfield, Carol . 26

Litchfield, C.D . 27

Litchfield, Carol D . 26

Litchfield, C . .26

Litchfield, Carol . 27

Lloyd, Joyce A . 34

Lloyd, Christopher T. ........ . . 22

Lobstein, Marion B . 17

Loesser, K.E . 35

Loesser-Casey, Kathryn . 32

Loesser-Casey, Kathryn . 33

Mahfouz, Jolie . . 38

Mahfouz, Jolie . . . 23

Maiti, Aparna . . 32

Margand, Nancy A . 41

Martin, Billy R . 32

Martin, James H. . . 8

Maurakis, Eugene G. . . . 30

Mays, Ryan S. . . 39

60

VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

McGinnis, David M . 22

McIntyre, Rodolfo E . 41

McMullen, Conley K . 19

McNabb, F.M. Anne . 11

Middleton, Alicia G. . . 15

Miller, Daniel P . 39

Minton, Kelly C . 13

Mohamed, Ali . 7

Monroe, J.D . 17

Moon, Jonathan . 17

Moran, Kevin . 42

Moser, Kurt . 28

Mossi, Karla . . 17

Mossi, Karla . . 16

Mouhli, Makram . 16

Mullins, Chris . 5

Musgrave, Matthew . 7

Naik, Dayanand N . 42

Naik, Dayanand N. . . 42

Nandar, Wint . . 6

Natesan, Vallalan . 33

Neal, Charles M . 39

Nerrie, Brian L . 4

Neves, Richard J . 35

Neves, Richard J. . . 38

Neves, Richard J . 39

Newton, Scott H . 5

Nyein, E . 8

O’Brien, James P . 41

Oliver, Doug . . . 15

Otey, Catherine R . 29

Ounaies, Zoubedia . 17

Outlaw, Kelli J . 24

Ovesanya, R. . . 33

Owens, A. . . . . 25

Panganiban, April R . . . 40

Parker, Nina T . 14

Parsons, J.T . 31

Pate, Brooks H. . . 20

Pate, Brooks H . 21

Patel, Donika . . . 34

Peace, Michelle R . 13

Pickle, Stephanie M . 42

Pidugu, S.B . . . 16

Pinder, M.J . 36

Pittman, K.B. . . 19

Powell, Priscilla W . 41

Proctor, Kelly . . . . . 12

Przybyla, Jayson J . 36

Ralls, Samuel I. . 14

Ramirez-Feliciano, Elisa M. . . 41

Rash, Jacob M. . . 35

Redmond, Latasha C. . 34

Reid, Albert O . 7

Reis, Julia S . 30

Renfroe, Michael H . 18

Richards, Amber L . . . 15

Rishmawi, Issa J . 36

Robinson, Timothy J. . . . . . 42

Rogers, J. Orion . . 14

Rogers, J. Orion . . . 34

Roosa, Brian R . 5

Roosa, Brian R . 5

Rose, Ashley . 23

Rose, Robert K . 12

Rose, Robert K. . . . 12

Rose, Robert K. . . 11

Rose, Robert K . 12

Roth, Richard . . . 28

Rothenberg, M.J . 23

Rudmin, Joseph W . 9

Sahin, Gozde . 40

Sames, D. Jason . 22

Schilcher, Joerg . 33

Schuldt, Tiffany J. . . 15

Segna, Kara G. ........ . . 15

Sethi, P.S . 31

Sethi, P.S . 31

Sethuraman, Gopakumar . 16

Sheridan, Philip . 23

Sheridan, Philip . . . . . 38

Sheridan, Philip . . . 38

Sheridan, Philip . 37

Shippen, Fallon A . 15

Shrestha, Sushma . 10

Sides, J.M . 17

Sikaroodi, M . 27

Sikaroodi, Masoumeh . 25

Sikaroodi, M . 26

Sim-Selley, Laura J . 32

Sitz, T.O . 23

Sitz, T.0 . 22

Sitz, T.O . 23

Slekar, Kimberly . 9

Smith, Marissa L . 6

Smith, Byron . 16

So, Chi"Leung . . . 38

Sokol, Eric R. . . . 4

Spearman, M. Leroy . 3

Spearman, M. Leroy . . 3

Spearman, M. Leroy . 3

Spencer, Sandy . . . 39

Stinson, Adam J . 41

Strickler, R.H . 27

Strom, Sarah . . 26

Strom, Sarah . . . 27

Sundaram, S . 33

Taylor, Gerald R. Jr . 9

Tellmann, Nicole M . 23

Temple, John G . 13

PROCEEDINGS

61

Terry, Michael A. ................ . 18

Thorell, Erik ..................... 14

Torzilli, Albert P. ................ . 25

Trivedi, S.B. ...................... 8

Tucker, Michelle M. .............. 40

TuraE, Yusuf .................... 13

Turner, Amy ...................... 9

Twimasi, Catherine A. ............. . 5

Vaughan, M. ..................... . 6

Walker, Ayanna L. ................ 23

Walker, David E. ................. 32

Webb, K.E. Jr. .................... 6

Webb, Lisa S. .................... 15

Webb, Catherine M. .............. . 11

White, Kimber L. Jr. .............. 35

Wicks, S. Matthew ................ 12

Wilkes, T. ...................... . 14

Wilkes, Gerald P. ................ . 30

Williams, Elizabeth ............... 35

Williams, Roy L. ................. 22

Williams, R.L. ................... 24

Williams, Scott T. ................ 30

Wong, C. ....................... 33

Wong, E. ........................ 6

Wu, Fang Sheng .................. 10

Wyeth, Richard P. ................ 34

Yang, Huiqing H. ................ . 24

Yang, Hiuqing H. ................ . 25

Yoo, Hyun S. .................... 21

Yu, Timothy ..................... 37

Zadey, Jeff ...................... 24

Zhao, Yueqin .................... 42

Ziegler, Christian D. .............. . 21

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Instructions to Authors

All manuscripts and correspondence should be addressed to the Editor. The
Virginia Journal of Science welcomes for consideration original articles and short
notes in the various disciplines of engineering and science. Cross-disciplinary
papers dealing with advancements in science and technology and the impact of
these on man and society are particularly welcome. Submission of an article implies
that the article has not been published elsewhere while under consideration by the
Journal.

Three complete copies of each manuscript an figures are required. It is also
required that authors include a diskette in IBM compatible format containing a text
file (ASCII or acceptable word processing file) of the manuscript. Original figures
need not be sent at this time. Authors should submit names of three potential
reviewers. All manuscripts must be double-spaced. Do not use special effects such
as bold or large print.

The title, author's name, affiliation, and address should be placed on a cover
page. An abstract (not to exceed 200 words) summarizing the text, particularly the
results and conclusions, is required. The text should follow the general format used
byprofessionaljournals in the author’s discipline. Literature cited in the text should
follow the name-year format: (McCaffrey and Dueser, 1990) or (Williams et al.,
1990). In the Literature Cited section at the end ofthe article, each reference should
include the frill name of the author(s), year, title of article, title of journal (using
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a book, include author(s), year, title, pages or number of pages, publisher and city
of publication. Examples:

McCaffrey, Cheryl A. and Raymond D. Dueser. 1990. Plant associations ofthe
Virginia barrier islands. Va. J. Sci. 41:282-299.

Spry, A. 1969. Metamorphic Textures. Pergamon Press, New York. 350 pp.

Each figure and table should be mentioned specifically in the text. All tables,
figures and figure legends should be on a separate pages at the end ofthe text.

Multiple author papers are required to have a statement in the acknowledg¬
ments indicating the participation and contribution of each author.

After revision and final acceptance of an article, the author will be required to
furnish two error-free copies ofthe manuscript: 1) typed copy, single spaced, with
tables and figure captions at the end of the document, and one set of original figures,
each identified on the back by figure number and author’s name; 2) a diskette in an
IBM compatible format containing the text file, tables and figure legends.

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