Schedule of Events
Science Showcase: Poster Session
Soiland Recreation Center
Students from disciplines in the Natural Science Division will present their results in an interactive poster format. The featured research comes from honors and Capstone projects, class assignments, and faculty-directed collaborative efforts.
Student Abstracts
Antibiotic Resistance in Fecal Microbiota of Rehabilitated California Sea Lions, Zalophus californianus
California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, have established a large breeding ground on the Channel Islands, located off of the central coast of California. As ocean temperatures have increased, natural fish populations at the Channel Islands have moved north, which has caused adult sea lions to travel farther north in order to feed. This leads to a longer time period between when mothers can nurse their pups, which remain on the Channel Islands and often become malnourished. Many emaciated sea lion pups are rescued and rehabilitated at the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI). Rehabilitation includes administration of antibiotics, probiotics, and a controlled diet. Once pups return to a healthy weight, they are released at the Channel Islands. Antibiotic overuse and misuse is a worldwide health concern as it leads to the increase in antibiotic resistance. We are comparing antibiotic resistance profiles of the fecal microbial community from California sea lion pups before, during, and after antibiotic treatment. We extracted DNA from fecal samples and used PCR to detect presence of genes that confer resistance to penicillin, tetracycline, and cephalosporin antibiotics. Cephalosporins are common in waste runoff into the ocean; therefore, we expect the presence of cephalosporin resistance genes to be similar before and after rehabilitation. During rehabilitation at CIMWI, all sea lion pups were administered amoxicillin (a penicillin), and pups with certain infections were administered doxycycline (a tetracycline). Therefore, we expect presence of genes conferring resistance to these antibiotics to increase in sea lion fecal samples following antibiotic treatment.
Student(s):
Courteney Alexander
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Theresa Rogers
From Square One: Making Your Own Game with Unity Game Engine
In this project I am creating a video game using Unity Game Engine. My goal is create a unique video-gaming experience, which combines aspects of some of my favorite games with my own ideas. With Unity Game Engine and Visual Studio, I am designing and programming every aspect of the game from the ground up. In the end I want to at least have a version of the game that implements most, if not all, of the features I want to incorporate. I am not expecting to make it a “complete” game in terms of length or art assets, but instead to create a complete framework in which I can build off of after I graduate to make a full game. My methodology for making this game is to look at how others have done different individual aspects that I want to incorporate into my own project, and then building off of them or using them as a basis for a custom feature.
Student(s):
Andrew Alwin
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Modeling of Superconductivity of Li0.9Mo6O17
Superconductors are materials that have one-hundred percent electrical efficiency at very low temperatures. Superconductors have different properties based on how the electrons are paired in the material. We can use computer modeling to find the type of electron pairing in these superconductors. The purpose of this research was to determine if purple bronze, Li0.9Mo6O17, is a spin triplet superconductor. In spin triplet pairs, the magnetic north poles of the paired electrons are aligned in the same direction. We used numerical models to determine this. In order to make these numerical models, we used the C++ programming language, the GNU Scientific Library, and the emacs text editor. First, we constructed basic tight binding models for electrons in metals. These models describe the movement of electrons between atoms in the material. We found that our results show that purple bronze is a good candidate to be a spin triplet superconductor. We showed that the critical temperature at which the material becomes magnetic increases as the interaction strength increases. This research could show us why purple bronze is a superconductor and why it has certain properties. Once we can find what makes a material act like a superconductor, we can increase these factors in materials. This would allow us to form superconductors that could work at higher temperatures. This could make superconductors more accessible which could make the use of electrical energy more efficient.
Student(s):
Jennifer Anderson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. John Deisz
Crystallization of FslA: a NIS Siderophore Synthetase
Iron is essential to the survival of bacteria. Bacteria inside a human host are in an iron limited environment and are competing for resources. By using siderophores bacteria are able to gather iron from their environment. Siderophores are iron chelators that are secreted out by bacteria and have a strong affinity for iron. Bacteria reabsorb iron bound siderophores and are able to survive with the iron they’ve collected. There are two synthesis pathways for siderophores, NRPS synthesis and NIS synthesis. The NIS pathway is currently under-studied and has the potential to be new anti-biotic drug development targets. The importance of NIS synthesis is that it produces siderophores that go undetected by the immune system and are associated with increased virulence in pathogenic bacteria. This project focuses on Francisella talurensis NIS synthetase FslA and the rhizoferrin-like siderophore it produces. A structural model of FslA combined with a basic biochemical characterization could provide enough insight to develop an inhibitor for the synthetase and other similar siderophores. Currently we have optimized the over expression and purification of FslA which required the systematic optimization of a buffer solution to maximize solubility. Using the new buffer during crystal set ups we had a hit in ammonium sulfate and a Tris buffer along with glycerol. Optimization of this hit has continued to focus on maximizing solubility, with higher glycerol concentrations and an ammonium sulfate grid find screen.The new-found stability for FslA in our optimized buffer has also allowed for a kinetics on an ITC.
Student(s):
Daniel Bartolo
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Katherine Hoffmann
RNA Sequencing and Gene Expression Profiling of HCV Infected Monocytes to Test Putative Receptors for Viral Entry
Receptors known to be used for viral entry of HCV are: CD81, SRB1, CLDN1, OCLN, and NPC1L1. Expression of LDLR, ANKRD1, CD5, TFRC and PIM1 have also been shown to be involved in HCV entry. To determine if the known genes responsible for viral entry were differentially expressed in monocytes before and after infection with HCV, RNA from U937 cells was sequenced. To prepare samples for sequencing on the Illumina Miseq, the Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA Library Prep Kit was used. BaseSpace Sequence Hub was used to analyze the data generated by the MiSeq system. First, RNA-Seq Alignment was performed using the STAR Aligner to map the reads, estimate FPKM of reference genes, and assemble novel transcripts. Second, Cufflinks Assembly and DE was used to perform differential expression of novel and reference transcripts using the reference Homo sapiens genome. After sequencing, 7.9 million high quality reads for the sample from uninfected cells were obtained. 11.6 million reads were obtained from infected cells. Two genes that code for proteins involved in cell entry were upregulated in infected cells: SCARB1 (2.07-fold), and LDLR (1.90-fold). Two genes for proteins involved in cell entry were downregulated: PIM1 (2.19-fold) and TFRC (3.2-fold). Genes that had the largest fold-changes were also determined. Of these, 13 of 21 are involved in preventing viral entry. These results suggest that SRB1, LDLR, PM1 and TFRC may be involved in HCV entry in these cells. CD5, ANKRD1, CLDN1, NPC1L1, and CD81 were not significantly expressed according to these results.
Student(s):
Nicholas Bui
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Dennis Revie
Communication Over Non-Verbal Channels
How can you communicate complex ideas over non-verbal channels? Our team of interdisciplinary scholars hopes to explore this question using cutting edge virtual reality technology. Via the Oculus Rift we will immerse the user in an environment where they are surrounded by an artificial language. Users will be forced to interact with the environment nonverbally and attempt to communicate through a language barrier. Using virtual reality we will place the user in an environment where they are surrounded by English words but scrambled in such a way that they are nonsensical. Essentially, we are hoping to build a virtual world simulating the experience of not understanding the English language. The goal of the user will be to complete a simple task such as ordering food through basic gestures. The brunt of the coding for this project will be written in the Unity Game Engine where the game as well as most of its components will be created and scripted. The faux-English language will be written in java so that it still makes sense grammatically despite being a pseudo-random assortment of words. Lastly, assets will be designed in Maya and sound mixed in Logic Pro.
Student(s):
Henry Bulmer, Allyssa Moscotte, Reed Hallums
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Automated Drone Usage in Crime Scene Investigations
Countless man-hours are spent by forensic photographers taking pictures of the ground and creating establishing shots of a crime scene. This work could be done more quickly and reliably by an autonomous drone. The use of an autonomous drone provides many advantages, it ensures that all ground in a specified area is recorded and avoids any disruption to the crime scene. An android application was written for the DJI Phantom 3 Standard with Android Studio incorporating DJI’s software developers kit (SDK) and Google Map’s application programming interface (API). Two SDK tutorials put out by DJI, “GSDemo” and “FPVDemo”, were instrumental in understanding their SDK as well as Google’s API. Furthermore a desktop application was written using Eclipse and Java Swing. Lastly, DJI’s drone flight simulator was helpful in testing flight commands. An android app was written to issue commands to the drone to systematically take photos of a crime scene. Once complete the user takes the drone’s SD card and uses the desktop application to stitch the photos together into one large aerial view.
Student(s):
Henry Bulmer
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Chang-Shyh Peng
Succession of Marine Fouling Communities in Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, California
Fouling communities are groups of marine organisms that are found on artificial surfaces such as docks and boats in harbors and bays. This study investigates succession of fouling communities in 2 locations in Channel Islands Harbor, California and the relationship between salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and biological succession. This study was conducted over a 9 month period at two research sites 2 miles apart; the first location is closest to the mouth of the harbor (0.4 miles) and the second site is 0.67 miles away. For this study, we placed 2 different substrates; PVC plates and ceramic pots at each location and measured salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentrations. Each month, we recorded succession, completed species lists, and analysis of abiotic factors. Images and percent coverage of sessile invertebrates was done by Image J. we found that both solitary tunicates (Ciona and Stylea) and colonial tunicates (Botrylloides) settled first, followed by, and simultaneously with bryozoans including the invasive species Bugula neritina. The dominant invertebrate in mature communities is Mytilus. Our data show that 2 months after the plates are deployed regardless of the season, Mytilus settle rapidly, and outcompete solitary tunicates. The results also show that there is a greater species richness of fouling species at the location furthest away from the mouth of the harbor (open ocean); this site has a larger presence of Mytilus on the ceramic pots and a higher percent species coverage. Future studies will focus on nutrient and plankton analysis.
Student(s):
Nathaniel Burola
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Huvard
Sea Lion Fecal Bacterial Community Alteration Following Antibiotic Treatment
As ocean temperatures rise, fish populations migrate north in search of colder waters. In effect, California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, inhabiting the Channel Islands must travel farther north, leaving their pups for longer periods. This extended separation results in malnourishment. These pups are often found stranded on the shores of the California coast. The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) is a local rescue organization committed to rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals. Once healthy these animals are released back into the wild. We are studying the gut microbial population of pups in hopes of finding new ways to improve treatment during rehabilitation. The purpose of this research is to compare the gut microbial population of pups before, during, and after CIMWI care, which includes the administration of antibiotics, probiotics, and a controlled diet. CIMWI staff collected fecal samples from pups entering rehabilitation, twenty days after antibiotic administration, and before release. We extracted metagenomic DNA from 55 samples and performed PCR to amplify Bacterial and Archaeal DNA sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA. Samples were tagged with a barcode, pooled, diluted, and sequenced using the IlluminaⓇ MiSeq Next-Generation Sequencer. To analyze the sequence data, we are using QIIME software to determine phylogenetic identity. Using the HHMI Cluster, we are comparing microbial communities between sea lions and along the time course of their rehabilitation. We expect that the gut microbial populations will differ between sea lions upon admission to CIMWI, become similar during treatment, and healthy prior to release.
Student(s):
Anacecilia Ceja
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Theresa Rogers
Strain-Driven Rearrangement to Benzo-fused Azacycles Using Easily Isolable Precursors
Previous research has shown the value of aziridines for use as building blocks in molecules with possible applications as pharmaceuticals due to their characteristic ring-opening properties. This study aimed to better understand the reactions in the proposed path of synthesis for these molecules using an enantiomerically pure and commercially available starting material called Phenylglycinol. The first reaction attempted was the Mitsunobu reaction, which aimed to convert our free amine into an aziridine. This reaction was first attempted in THF using DEAD and Ph3P. These conditions resulted in a number of different products that were not the desired aziridine. In response to this, the Mitsunobu reaction was attempted again in Toluene using ADDP and Bu3P, which are commonly accepted as more powerful reagents. Although the product of this reaction was isolated in reasonably pure form, it did not match the data for our aziridine that had been reported in scientific literature. We later found that this product was an ethyl carbamate, which amino alcohols have a tendency to form with Mitsunobu conditions. We worked around this by developing a formylation procedure for Phenylglycinol which utilizes ammonium formate in acetonitrile. This formylation protocol will prove useful as a way to install vinyl groups to a range of different substrates once aziridination is achieved. Current research is focusing on using a trityl protecting group to achieve aziridination. This entry into the Takai reaction will provide invaluable information in developing a synthetic method for the medium-ring cyclization of vinylaziridines for use as pharmaceutical building blocks.
Student(s):
Joseph Cronin
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jason Kingsbury
Numerical Analysis of impure, non-isothermal fluid dynamics
A computational model of a non-isothermal, inhomogeneous fluid was created using a combination of C++, python, and MATLAB. Utilizing existing texts and models, solute was added to an otherwise pure liquid which locally affects its viscosity and density. THe solute then diffused through the solution both passively and as a result of the macroscopic fluid motion, changing the dynamics of the modeled pure fluid. The combination of density and viscosity effects resulted in a greater localization of heat and more dramatic velocity changes. These density and viscosity effects can be utilized in industries such as battery design and plasma reactors where fluids cannot be approximated as pure or perfectly mixed.
Student(s):
Michael Da Silva
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. John Deisz
Stair Descent Mechanics Differences between Elderly Females and Males
Previous research found kinetic and kinematic gender differences in a younger population during stair-to-ground descent transition in the sagittal plane (Hong and Shin, 2015). The purpose of this study was to determine gender differences in stair-to-ground descent kinematics and kinetics in an elderly population in both the sagittal and frontal plane. Fifteen males and seventeen females, aged 65-91 years, participated with six Vicon Vantage V5 cameras (120Hz) capturing the movement of 18 reflective markers affixed on anatomical landmarks along with two Kistler force plates (1200Hz). Data was analyzed for both the continuous phase (stair to stair) and the transition phase (stair to floor) of stair descent. Independent t-tests were used to compare joint angles, joint powers and GRF values between Females and Males. When leading with their preferred foot, Females had significantly less hip abduction than Males (6.2±4.0˚ vs. 10.4±3.3˚; p=0.019) and more plantarflexion (29.0±5.7˚ vs. 21.0±5.9˚; p=0.008) at TD during the continuous phase. At TD in the transition phase, Females trended towards having less hip abduction than males. When leading with their non-preferred foot, Females had less knee flexion at TD in the continuous phase (4.4±3.4˚ vs. 10.7±5.5˚; p=0.004). Joint power differences only existed at the hip during the transition phase with Females having larger values with preferred lead foot. Overall, Females and Males exhibited similar kinematic and kinetic characteristics when descending stairs. However, the differences that do exist may be functionally important.
Student(s):
Brittany Davis
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
The Effect of Container Size on Temperature Stability When Vermicomposting Using Eisenia Fetida
Management of organic solid waste is a rising problem as the human population exponentially increases (Payal, et al., 2005). Vermicomposting can be used as an effective way of converting harmful organic wastes into a useful product: vermicasts (Prabha, et. al, 2006). During a preliminary study I attempted to use Eisenia fetida, the most commonly used composting worm, to compost food scraps in a 2 liter water bottle. In 3 trials each with 12 replicates, all worms perished within the first two weeks. In a similar preliminary study, the only difference being the use of a larger container, the worms seemed to be thriving. Eisenia fetida generally functions at an optimal temperature of 25°C however can tolerate temperatures between 0°C and 35°C (Pennington, 1990). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the size of the composting system had a significant effect on its ability to maintain a favorable, stable temperature. Two otherwise, equivalent systems were set up, one being 152cm by 243.2cm, and the other 32cm by 50cm. The temperature of each was taken daily at two locations, exterior and interior. The Large system had a consistently higher temperature at both exterior and interior locations than the small one and that there was not a significant difference in temperature between exterior and interior locations in either system. The larger system was able to maintain a higher temperature; however, the small system’s temperature fluctuated less and was on average very similar to the environmental temperature.
Student(s):
Jacob Derksen
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Andrea Huvard
Microbes Identified from Keratoconjunctivitis and Asymptomatic Bos Taurus Using Metagenomic Sequencing
Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly referred to as “pinkeye” in cattle, is an ocular disease that is endemic in cattle herds worldwide. Moraxella bovis is a gram-negative, rod shaped bacteria that has been identified as the main organism responsible for this disease, although other contributing pathogenic organisms have also been identified. In this study, Illumina’s New Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology was utilized to launch a shotgun metagenomic analysis of the microbial community in the eyes of both healthy cattle and cattle displaying objective symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis. A total of 15,762,090 sequences were identified and were analyzed by using two different software algorithms, Genius Metagenomics: Know Now, and Kraken Metagenomics. In order to strengthen the efficacy of bacteria identification, these two software programs were used in tandem. Each program identified the same bacteria in the samples approximately 67% of the time. M. bovis was not found in significant quantities in any of the infected samples. However, six of the seven infected samples contained bacteria known to cause conjunctival infection in mammals. Software analysis also revealed a large number of bacteria known to inhabit biofilms in both healthy and infected subjects. These results suggest that the presence of biofilms could give the pathogenic bacteria protection from the immune system and as well as protection from being washed away by lacrimal secretions. The existence of a biofilm and the diversity of pathogenic bacteria other than M. bovis could help explain the failure of vaccines against M. bovis observed in larger studies.
Student(s):
Kacey Egusa
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Robert Richards
The Effect of Lower Extremity Fatigue on Punching Mechanics
Combat sports, including boxing, are a viable form of self-defense, as well as a way to improve health and fitness. Body mechanics are crucial for developing power and the effects of punching mechanics are inextricably linked to the punch itself (Whiting et al., 1988). Another study suggested that upper body and lower body muscle power might influence the kinematic and kinetic characteristics of jabs and crosses, the most common techniques applied in combat sports (Nakamura et al., 2015). While punching is often associated with upper body mechanics, the lower body plays an important role in power generation. This study analyzed upper and lower extremity kinematics using four punch types (straight jab, cross jab, hook, uppercut) prior to and after a lower body fatigue protocol. Twelve amateur martial artists were recorded while punching at maximum strength against a padded surface during the pre-fatigue stage. Post-fatigue protocol consisted of various bodyweight exercises (wall squats, lunges, plyometric jumping, treadmill running) completed 48 hours after the initial day of data collection. Subjects stood and then stepped onto a Kistler 9281CA force plate to record force production (1200 Hz). Six synchronized Vantage 5 motion capture cameras (120 Hz) were utilized to collect three-dimensional coordinates to calculate linear and angular kinematics and kinetsics of the upper and lower extremities. Statistical significance was determined using dependent t-tests with SPSS version 24 (p < 0.05).
Student(s):
Ushali Ellison, Mitchell Meyer, Casey Cole, Zane Jarrett
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
The Effect of Amino Acids on the Feeding Response of the Freshwater Snail Helisoma trivolvis
Freshwater snails have been used to study neural processes responsible for feeding behavior and memory. Snail feeding behavior is stimulated by carbohydrates, including sucrose and maltose, but less is known about responses to amino acids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of amino acids on the feeding behavior of the freshwater snail, Helisoma trivolvis. Based on research in another freshwater snail species, I hypothesized that amino acids with uncharged polar R-groups stimulate feeding behavior. To characterize feeding behavior, snails were placed in aquariums with four food pellet types: control (agar), 20 mM maltose, 100 mM amino acid, and pellets with maltose/amino acid combinations. All 20 proteinogenic L-amino acids, 7 D-amino acids, and a variety of organic molecules similar to amino acids were tested. H. trivolvis showed the strongest response to D-threonine for both amino acid and maltose/amino acid pellets. L-glutamic acid inhibited feeding on all food pellets, while D-glutamic acid induced similar diminished feeding responses to pellets with the amino acid, but resulted in elevated feeding on control and maltose pellets. Additionally, L-tryptophan pellets produced no feeding responses, while D-tryptophan did not diminish feeding responses. Feeding responses were uncorrelated with whether the amino acid was essential or non-essential, or if the R-group was nonpolar, uncharged polar, or contained an aromatic R group. Currently, electrophysiology is being utilized to determine the role of selected amino acids in influencing neural activity in the snails.
Student(s):
Joseph Enders, Christina Sharkey
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Kenneth Long
Novel Approach to 2-Vinylaziridine Using the Chiral Pool
Previous research has shown homochiral aziridines can be successfully prepared by various methods. Unfortunately, these protocols are only able to produce a small subset of aziridines, all with specific and restricive R groups that are not always conducive to further transformations. The objective of my research is to cost-effectively and efficiently synthesize a diverse set of stereochemically-defined aziridines, specifically those containing a vinyl or alkenyl substituent. The initial synthesis pathway called for a doubly-protected, serine-derived amino alcohol that would undergo oxidation, olefination and Mitsunobu cyclization to yield a vinylaziridine. The results from each experiment were checked by proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS). The initial oxidation step proved to be unsuccessful by 1 H NMR and was replaced with a lithium aluminum hydride reduction followed by a Swern Oxidation to yield the L-serine aldehyde. Portions of the L-serine aldehyde were able to undergo olefination, however, the unstable nature of the L-serine aldehyde was leading to a loss of a significant amount of product. Subsequent Mitsunobu reaction was attempted on the olefinated product as well as a deprotected variant of the serine-derived amino alcohol. Further research and experimentation is needed to prove and validate this synthesis pathway. Although scientific road blocks have presented themselves, there are several modifications that can be made in an attempt to get to the vinylaziridine in future experiments.
Student(s):
George French
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Jason Kingsbury
Insulin Resistance in Diabetic Human Kidney Cells
The current capstone project is based on a Nurses’ health study (1976-2008) on a total of 118,177 women between the ages 30 and 55, which showed that type II diabetes was highly associated with an increased risk of renal cancer. Hyperinsulinemia was one major underlying mechanism that was discussed to explain the results. Since insulin acts as a growth factor for tumor cell proliferation and stimulates IGF-1 secretion, it plays a great role in carcinogenesis. Thus, growth factors might be important contributors for renal cell cancer development as type II diabetes develops after long-term insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia over many years. In this study, insulin resistance is being investigated by comparing glucose uptake by diabetic vs. non diabetic Renal Epithelial Cells in cell culture. Flow cytometeric data was collected by measuring the uptake of 2-NPDG, a glucose analogue, by the diabetic and non-diabetic cells in the presence and absence of Insulin. It is hypothesized that diabetic cells will result in lower glucose uptake as a result of their resistivity against the hormone insulin.
Student(s):
Edom Gelaw
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman
Investigating Possible Transmission Routes of the Pathogen Moraxella bovis in Cattle
Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), also known as pinkeye, is a disease commonly endemic in cattle herds found in the United States. The manifestations are mild conjunctivitis, ulceration, and blindness which can result in significant financial loss to the rancher. The most common pathogen that is associated with IBK is Moraxella bovis, a gram negative non-motile coccobacillus bacterium that exists in both a hemolytic and non-hemolytic growth. The hemolytic type has been shown to be virulent whereas the non-hemolytic version does not cause the disease. Current dogma suggests that the pathogen is transmitted by animal handlers, head flies and animal-to-animal contact. It has been shown that outbreaks of IBK usually occur in warmer months and it has been suggested that M. bovis might reside in the nasal passages of the cattle during winter time lying dormant until the warmer months of the year. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that M. bovis could be isolated from a typical water trough located in a cattle pasture and moreover, function as another method of transmitting the disease.
Student(s):
Melissa Gonzalez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Robert Richards
The Effect of Field Direction on Lower Body Mechanics in Baseball Batting
Baseball batting is considered one of the most difficult tasks to master in sport. A batting average over 30 percent (0.300) is considered successful. A previous case study, which focused primarily on upper body mechanics, found that opposite field hits had significantly smaller bat angular displacements at ball contact (Gelinas et al., 1988). There has been little research on lower body kinematics for directionally-dependent hitting, specifically in regards to hip torques and lower body angular kinematics. The purpose of this study was to determine how field directional hitting influenced lower body mechanics in baseball batting. In particular, we investigated the athletes’ lower body movements and the forces made on the floor when desired hitting direction was altered. Twelve collegiate male Division III baseball players performed two different directionally-dependent swings. The swings were analyzed in 3-dimensions by six Vantage 5 Cameras (200Hz) and their ground reaction forces were analyzed by two Kistler 9281CA force plates (1000Hz). Joint torques, angles, and angular velocities of the lower body were derived using the Nexus 2.5 software. Ground reaction forces (vertical, anteroposterior, mediolateral), trunk rotation, hip joint torques and angular kinematics were compared between the two target hit directions. Statistical significance was determined using dependent t-tests with SPSS version 24 (p < 0.05).
Student(s):
Spencer Gottmer, Alyssa Anderson, Nate Wehner
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
Cell-Scaffold Interaction, Proliferation and Implications on Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is a broad discipline that involves translational research in tissue engineering and molecular biology. The purpose of this study is to investigate Cell-Scaffold interactions in collagen and chitosan utilizing separate cell types. Collagen was used as a scaffold to investigate the growth and survival of D17 canine osteosarcoma. A clonogenic assay performed resulted in a higher yield of D17 colonies in collagen compared to plastic (Avg. # of colonies per 10^4 cells; 17 in plastic, 79 in collagen). Samples tested with a 7AAD stain revealed no difference in cell death, indicating rate of proliferation as a possible explanation for the discrepancy. The use of collagen and D17 cells served as a pilot study for how proliferation is affected by other scaffold materials. Chitosan, a linear polysaccharide derived from the chitinous shells of crustaceans, was selected as a tissue scaffold because of its potential for biocompatibility and its novel use as a biomedical material. We selected Human Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AdMSCs) for use in this experiment due to their multipotent characteristics and well documented use in other studies. A chitosan-acetate sheet was formed to support the growth of AdMSCs. We used a chondrogenesis differentiation supplement to stimulate the differentiation of AdMSCs into cartilage-producing chondrocytes. The hope is that the chondrocytes will adhere to the chitosan-acetate sheet and begin producing their own collagen matrix and cartilage tissue. The resulting cartilage structure would be a promising representation of a meniscus that could eventually be used as a transplant.
Student(s):
Matthew Guerrero
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman
The Effect of a Kalman Filter on a Digital Signal
A digital signal consists of two parts: 1) the signal (the wanted part); and 2) the noise (the unwanted part.) The effect of the noise is skewed data, which can lead to inaccurate readings and interpretations. Filters are used as a tool to remove the noise from a digital signal without altering the signal. The Kalman Filter, introduced in 1960 by Rudolf E. Kalman, works by estimating the state of a system (predicts the signal), which contains the variables that describe the system. It can be broken down into two sections: the time update equations and measurement update equations. The time update equations or predictor equations use previous signals to predict the state of the system at the next time interval and provide an error covariance estimate. The measurement update equations or corrector equations act as a feedback to utilize the new projected measurement and error covariance output, from the time update equations, and incorporate a new measurement to improve the estimated current state. This repeated cycle results in reduced noise. This study aims to find how accurate the Kalman Filter is at producing a signal closer to the “true” reading than the original signal with its noise. An Arduino microprocessor, MatLab, Excel and the C programming language will be utilized to sense an object, produce a signal, run the signal through the Kalman Filter, and analyze the effect.
Student(s):
Madisun Hembree
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Binding Studies of FslA: A Target for Antibiotic Drug Design
Siderophores are small molecules that are secreted from bacteria to retrieve iron to help the bacteria thrive. The siderophore product of the protein Francisella tularensis (FslA) is a virulence factor in the veterinary infection tularensemia, one of the most pathogenic bacterial infections. It is one carboxylate group away from the multidrug-resistant MRSA siderophore, a virulence factor that helps MRSA infect up to 75,000 people per year in the US. With increasing drug resistance in bacteria, new antibiotic drug classes are required, and the synthesis pathways of siderophores are a possible drug target. The Hoffmann lab is studying the family of siderophore synthetases to characterize their structure and binding behavior in advance of designing new inhibitors for them. This project is to pilot a technique to study how different natural chemicals bind in the protein pocket of FslA. Comparitive binding will allow us to analyze which functional groups are most preferred to allow tightest binding. We will utilize the MicroCal PEAQ Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) to extrapolate the binding constant for each chemical variant. Our plan is to design a new chemical structure to take advantage of the features for binding, that will out-compete natural chemicals for space. The competitive chemical will also inhibit catalysis, and such an inhibitor could lead to a new class of drugs when tested in higher order cells and organisms. In order to judge whether the chemicals compete, we must have a baseline of the natural chemical association constants, which is the point of this research project.
Student(s):
Miranda Hutt
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Katherine Hoffmann
The Difference in Ankle Strength and Balance between Hikers and Flat Ground Walkers
Walking is the most common mode of activity and is performed throughout most of our lives. Walking has been shown to have many positive effects on health, including improvements in aerobic fitness and maintenance of weight (Fattorini, et al. 2012). In order for individuals to walk safely, the environment and terrain must be taken into consideration (Fattorini et al. 2012). Walking on different surfaces can affect how our body adapts and performs movements. The purpose of this study is to determine if hikers have greater ankle strength and balance than flat ground walkers. Healthy adults were grouped into two categories, flat ground walkers or hikers, and were tested for ankle plantar flexion strength, ankle dorsiflexion strength and balance. A warm up was completed prior to each test. A balance test developed by Curtze and other investigators, was used to test balance on varying widths of wood. Participants balanced on different sized blocks for twenty seconds and were compared to the other participants in the study. The Biodex was used to test ankle strength and the torque produced was compared to the other participants. For both the ankle strength test and the balance test, ANOVA with repeated measures was run using SPSS Version 24.
Student(s):
Daniella Izaguirre
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Steven Hawkins
Role of Integrins in Canine Cancer
Integrins are transmembrane proteins present of the surface of cells. Integrins aid the cell in many tasks, such as adhesion, proliferation, migration, growth, cell-to-cell contact, and connecting the cell to the extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study is to determine which integrins are present on the surface of a canine osteosarcoma cell line (D17) and the roles they might play in cancer progression. We used an integrin inhibition assay to test the roles in adhesion and attachment of the cells via integrins. Additionally, we used a scratch wound assay to test participation of integrins in migration potential. From flow cytometry data we know that the a6 integrin is present on the surface of D17 cells. For the scratch wound assay, we found that the D17 cells took 3 days to close a scratch wound in vitro. In the presence of a peptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD), an adhesion inhibitor, the cells were not able to close the gap and detached from the growth surface. We are beginning to understand the relationship between integrins and adhesion, migration or attachment of the cells. By learning more about D17 cells, they can be used as a model to better understand other cancer cell lines.
Student(s):
Mary Jarjour
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Chad Barber
Biomechanical Comparison of Back Handsprings Performed with and without a Round Off
The back handspring is a flipping movement that can be performed from a standing position or after a round off. Several studies have analyzed the kinetics and kinematics of the back handspring and the round off back handspring. One study found producing a greater horizontal velocity at take-off led to a better performed back handspring (Penitente and Merni, 2009). Another study found a significant correlation between both the elbow angle at touchdown and the change in elbow angle with the magnitude of the peak resultant ground reaction force (Koh et. al., 2009). The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in mechanics between a round off back handspring and a standing back handspring. Ten college age subjects with experience in gymnastics and/or cheerleading were recruited to participate in the study. Each subject performed three standing back handsprings and three round off back handsprings. Eighteen reflective markers were placed on the lower extremities to allow their body movements to be measured with six Vantages 5 cameras (120 Hz) while two Kistler 9281CA force plates collected ground reaction forces (1200 Hz). The subjects were asked to place their hands on the force plates during the support phase of the back handspring. Nexus 2.5 software calculated values for their hip joint angle, hand ground reaction forces, flight time, horizontal and vertical velocities of the lower extremities during both types of back handsprings. Dependent t-tests were used to find the differences between the two back handsprings (SPSS version 23) with significance determined with p < 0.05.
Student(s):
Caylie Jennings, Daniella Izaguirre, Chloe Edmunds, Cesar Vasconcelos
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
Determining the Structure of Synthetase DesD Using X-ray Crystallography
A lack of critical iron in bacteria leads to the secretion of siderophores (small molecule metal chelators) to acquire iron from the external environment. Siderophores have high affinity for ferric iron (Fe3+) outcompeting host chelators, and making them virulence factors in infection. Some siderophores are assembled via a NRPS-independent siderophore (NIS) pathway. In this pathway, enzymes are small and independent, and create siderophores with hydroxamate and carboxylate functional groups. Understanding the structure of NIS synthetases may lead to the design of specific inhibitors (antibiotics) to fight pathogenic bacteria.
The Hoffmann lab has used x-ray crystallography to determine the protein structure of NIS synthetase DesD from Streptomyces coelicolor bound to several substrates, as well as apo (empty of substrates), for comparison. DesD makes the siderophore desferrioxamine, requiring three iterative bonds and a macrocyclization event. DesD is one of the best biochemically characterized NIS synthetases so far, and this structure is solved as a model for the rest. We have mutated the binding site of DesD (Arg306Gln) to inactivate the enzyme while retaining the overall binding and fold. We collected data and solved the structures of apo Arg306Gln DesD, as well as bound to ATP and substrates. We observed several small positional changes in the active site residues. A C-terminal helix-to-coil transition, however, is a larger conformational change that may communicate structurally with the allosteric dimer. This structural information may allow for the design of an inhibitor that will prevent the binding of substrate in future work.
The Hoffmann lab has used x-ray crystallography to determine the protein structure of NIS synthetase DesD from Streptomyces coelicolor bound to several substrates, as well as apo (empty of substrates), for comparison. DesD makes the siderophore desferrioxamine, requiring three iterative bonds and a macrocyclization event. DesD is one of the best biochemically characterized NIS synthetases so far, and this structure is solved as a model for the rest. We have mutated the binding site of DesD (Arg306Gln) to inactivate the enzyme while retaining the overall binding and fold. We collected data and solved the structures of apo Arg306Gln DesD, as well as bound to ATP and substrates. We observed several small positional changes in the active site residues. A C-terminal helix-to-coil transition, however, is a larger conformational change that may communicate structurally with the allosteric dimer. This structural information may allow for the design of an inhibitor that will prevent the binding of substrate in future work.
Student(s):
Kimya Karimi
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Katherine Hoffmann
Extracting Anti-Cancer Antibiotics from the Soil
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, killing over 8 million people a year. Many successful anticancer compounds are produced by microorganisms isolated from soils. Soil is abundant with microorganisms that produce chemical weapons, such as antibiotics, in order to compete for resources by killing or inhibiting the growth of other microorganisms. In search for novel anticancer compounds, I isolated microorganisms from the soil among the roots of a pomegranate tree in California Lutheran University’s SEEd Garden and then screened for the inhibition of cancer cell growth and induced cancer cell death. The soil sample was serially diluted, plated on glycerol yeast extract media, and incubated at 25°C for 3-5 days. Two hundred isolates were organized and grown on master plates. To extract potential antibiotics, each colony and the immediate surrounding media was removed from the plate, incubated in cell culture media, and filtered twice to remove microorganisms. To screen for anticancer effects, extracts were added to male histiocytic lymphoma, U937, cells. Most colony extracts had no noticeable effect on U937 cell growth or death, determined by hemocytometry. One of the extracts, #62, reduced U937 cell concentration relative to negative controls. In future work, extract toxicity will be tested against non-cancer cells, 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. If non-toxic to non-cancer cells, the anticancer compound will be further isolated from cell extracts and identified.
Student(s):
Kaelen Kay
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Theresa Rogers
Investigation of the Role of SRB1 and CD81 in the Entry of HCV in U937 Monocytes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCV has infected more than 170 million people worldwide; 4.1 million individuals out of that population are Americans and 3.2 million are chronically infected. HCV is shown to cause diseases such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is an enveloped RNA virus that mainly targets liver cells and initiates infection through a complex multistep process that involves entry molecules such as the tetraspanin CD81 and SR-BI. With the use of flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy, these proteins that aid in the internalization of HCV can be analyzed in the human model cell line, U937. A comparison between samples with and without antibodies will show the expression of CD81 and SRB1 within the U937 monocytes, providing evidence if these proteins can be used for cell entry. Understanding the role of CD81 and SR-B1 in HCV entry will allow for the targeting of these proteins in antiviral therapy.
Student(s):
Amy Lai
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Dennis Revie
Kinetics and Binding Studies of the (NRPS)-Independent Siderophore (NIS) Synthetase DesD
Pathogenic bacteria have always been a problem in human health. They do not discriminate when it comes to finding a human host for them to survive in, so it effects all people regardless of ethnicity and socioeconomic background. Pathogenic bacteria use their host to supply them with something that they lack. In the case of iron, bacteria synthesize, secrete, and reacquire small molecule chelators called siderophores. Our lab is particularly interested in siderophores made with the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase independent siderophore (NIS) pathways, which always contain at least one NIS synthetase family protein. These proteins are excellent drug targets because of their association with virulence, their unique chemistry, and their unique fold. A drug that successfully targeted and inhibited this family of proteins might represent a new class of antibiotics. The best studied NIS synthetase is Desferrioxamine synthetase D (DesD) from Streptomyces coelicolor, which makes the group of siderophores called desferrioxamines. Desferrioxamine E is the biggest siderophore made of 3 N-hydoxysuccinylcadaverine units iteratively added by DesD and then cyclized as well. Because of this broad substrate specificity (the variation in size recognized by the same protein), we are interested in mapping the thermodynamics of binding to different substrates to see if there is a variation in association constants. We are using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) because it is label-free and have successfully piloted the conditions for the assay. If we are able to delineate the priority requirements for binding, we will progress to designing an inhibitor to maximize the binding affinity.
Student(s):
Kiera Lathan
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Katherine Hoffmann
Osteoarthritis: The Shoulder’s Major Problem
Osteoarthritis, also known as the “wear-and-tear” arthritis, is a condition in which the overuse of the shoulder causes damage to the tissue between the glenohumeral joint and the humerus. Over time the cartilage becomes frayed and tough rendering the shoulder movement limited or immobile altogether. Most of those who suffer from this condition are older but this condition can be accelerated in certain athletes due to the perpetual use of the shoulder along with improper treatment of injuries. The biomaterials known as hydrogels have biomimetic properties that would allow the material to form a scaffold between the joints slowing the degradation of the shoulder. This study shows the testing of different hydrogels on a ball and socket joint, much like the shoulder, to observe if the self-healing properties of the hydrogels, along with the more malleable material, that will help slow the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints and hopefully eliminate arthroplasty altogether. By replacing the cartilage with the hydrogel, it will allow for the repetitive use of the shoulder without seeing the consequences such as limited range of motion and eventual replacement.
Student(s):
Erricka Laws
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman
Sims 3 Custom Content Website
I am making a website to host custom content I make for the videogame The Sims 3. So far, I have hosted my custom content on other peoples websites, such as ModtheSims. This works well enough, but the site administrators dictate how I present my content. The goal of this project is to build a website from scratch so that I can have control over the presentation of my content. I started with Software Engineering techniques, such as use cases and scenarios. This allowed me to visualize how my website was going to be used and design it accordingly. I then used Microsoft Publisher to design the basic layout, before moving to Adobe Dreamweaver to build it.
Student(s):
Griffin Link
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Physical Simulations and Visualization of Frisbee Flights
More Frisbees are sold than baseballs each year as Ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee Golf, and casual catch continually grow in popularity. However, compared to other ball sports like baseball and soccer, Frisbees are not as well studied. There are very few models for Frisbee flight and many of them vary greatly. There also does not exist an easy to use and clear visualization for Frisbees’ trajectories. To address this issue I created a ground up computer simulation implementing research from Hummel and Potts that included a three-dimensional visualization of the flight of the Frisbee that incorporates its changing orientation, forces, rotations, and velocity. This research can be helpful for professional ultimate and disc golf players as they can evaluate how throwing with a different initial velocity direction or initial angle of attack will change the disk’s trajectories. This can help research involving other disc type objects to do things like distribute flares or be used for naval communications. Possible additions to this project are implementing this simulation in a 3D robotic arm or in a virtual reality application.
Student(s):
Dominic Lunde
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. John Deisz
Drop Landing Mechanics with the Presence and Absence of View of Landing Surface
Drop landings consist of standing on a box, then stepping off to then land on the floor. It is used in many studies to determine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk. Greater risk of ACL injury during landings has been linked to higher degree of valgus movement and moment at the knee joint (Hewett et al. 2005), less knee flexion at touchdown (Decker et al. 2003; Vibert et al. 2001), weak hip abductors (Jacobs et al. 2007), and time of absorption (Laughlin et al. 2011). All of these studies have included full vision of the landing surface. It is of interest to investigate the effect of view of the landing surface since this view is often absent in frequent jumping sports that are known to have a great rate of non-contact ACL injuries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the drop landing mechanics with the presence and absence of view of landing surface and its effects on ACL injury risk. Ten male collegiate volleyball athletes performed three-drop landings from a height of 0.6 meters with the presence and absence of the view of the floor. Both landings were measured using two Kistler force plates that collected ground reaction forces (1200 Hz), while six Vantage 5 cameras (120 Hz) captured the 3-dimensional anatomical landmark coordinates. Joint angles, torques, and relative positions of the knee, hip, and ankle were computed using Nexus 2.5. Analysis was completed using dependent t-tests with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 with SPSS v.24.
Student(s):
Ivan Malinarich Campos, Lucas Rascon
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
Synthesizing Algal Biofuel: The Path to a Greener Future
Algae is a clean power source that consumes carbon emissions while also using sunlight to create usable material. The strain of algae known nannochloropsis oculata is fast-growing and has a high lipid content, which makes it a convenient renewable energy source. The lipids can be harnessed into oil and then refined into a biofuel. A leading variable responsible for lipid production in algae is the amount of sodium nitrate present during the growing process. This experiment will explore the relationship between algal lipid reproduction and the presence of sodium nitrates in order to discover a more efficient method to maximize the lipid yield from the algae to produce the most biofuel. Literature states that when algae are deprived of nitrogen or nitrates through either the process of nitrogen starvation or the process of sequential nitrogen limitation, they will produce the most lipids. The results of lipid production will be compared for the two types of nitrogen manipulation to see which one was more efficient.
Student(s):
Tiffanie Manopichetwatana, Mary Wilder
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman
Wireless Nerf Sentry System
The Wireless Nerf Sentry System utilizes wireless technology and graphics processing to create an automatic and mobile nerf gun. The system can be used to dissuade entrance to pre-determined areas by the user. The purpose of this study was to create an easily relocatable sentry system that can automatically track and fire nerf darts at selected targets. The sentry system can be moved within wireless communication range of a nearby laptop and operate semi-independently with a self-contained microcontroller, servos, power supply and projectile system. To create the final system I started with a stationary version, one where the only requirement was functionality. I designed 3D parts in AutoDesk Inventor and repeatedly modified them to meet the needs of the project. I then assembled, tested, and troubleshooted the stationary system to ensure it met functional requirements. Next I began making the system wireless by allowing to wirelessly communicate with my computer and gave it its own camera. This also required an independent power supply since it was no longer tethered to my PC.
Student(s):
Christopher Mathewson
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Magic the Gathering Draft and Player Simulation
What started as an interest based on entertainment introduced a bigger picture: can algorithms determine complex human “shopping” behavior? A large portion of this project was the creation and implementation of an accessible interface for player participants to “draft” a deck of Magic the Gathering cards — that is, pick cards that they want to play with. Picking cards isn’t just a matter of picking the overall best or most desirable but rather picking the one that fits best based upon one’s previous picks. By monitoring player choices, an algorithm was used to mirror the choices a player would make based upon their previous picks. Also taken into account was the correlation of player demographic (based on playing style) to deck picking archetype. During iterations of trial gameplay, the user interface was updated. Some of the challenges included getting multiple clients to work with one database / server. In the end, a smart artificial intelligence player can be used to replace a human player at the draft table, lowering the barrier to entry for playing the game.
Student(s):
Kyle Mueting
Faculty Mentor:
Dr Craig Reinhart
Pivoting Seat Post: A Novel Approach to Bicycle Geometry
Mountain biking is a popular outdoor sport that is undergoing a rapid engineering and technological boom, such as the introduction of new materials and radical bike geometries. As the technology of mountain bikes progresses, bikes are becoming more and more specialized. Thus, the need for a universal, “do-it-all” bike persists. The purpose of this study was to develop a new seat post device that maximizes leg power at three different bike orientations (flat land, climbing, and descending), therefore lending any bike towards a universal purpose. A custom bicycle seat post was fabricated in which the seat post stem is on a pivot. The pivoting seat post is controlled via an actuator with the use of an Arduino. On flat land, the seat post is at a neutral position, no different than a normal bike. However, upon descent, the rider can pivot the seat post back, lowering the center of gravity; upon ascending, pivot the seat post closer to the bottom bracket-- a climbing position. The study focuses on comparing the power created in these positions using this device versus the standard fixed position. This detailed look into mountain bike geometries facilitated the marriage of biomechanics, mechanical engineering, fabrication, and bioengineering into a unique approach to an optimal biking experience.
Student(s):
Curtis Opsahl
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Strain Effects on Superconducting Transition in Sr2RuO4 (Strontium Ruthenate)
The purpose of this study was to determine how the electronic and superconducting properties of Strontium Ruthenate were affected by applying different levels of strain. First, using a computer program, I wrote total of around 600 lines of the computer code. This task was performed to be able to model this material’s composition, and consequently be able to model different strain levels to it. As we applied different levels of strain we obtained contradictory results with respect to the electronic properties of the material. First, when we looked at how the energy of one single electron was affected by strain, the results showed a significant change to the material’s electronic properties. Second, we looked at how the energy of all electrons changed with strain, yet this time the results showed no significant change. Next, looked at how superconductivity/magnetism was impacted by strain. Our expectations were that as we increased the strain, the temperature at which the material became magnetic would also increase. However, our results showed that this temperature decreased as we increased strain. In order to successfully analyse this material we must implement a 3D model. My code only accounts for the movement of electrons between the atoms that are within the same plane. The 3D model would not only account for the horizontal movement between planes, but also analyse the vertical movement of electrons from plane to plane. We believe that this might resolve the discrepancies that we have observed thus far.
Student(s):
Christopher Ortiz
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. John Deisz
Cryptography Collection Application
This project is designed to develop an application that allows a user to pick from a range of encryptions that best suits his/her needs. There are multiple ways to secure data, each suited to various applications, thus the need to allow the user to select the most appropriate method. By providing the user with multiple techniques in a centralized location, they can then read the importance of each encryption, come to a much more insightful conclusion based on their needs, and lastly select the file they need encrypted and get it encrypted. As well, they can then reopen the application at another site or at a later time in order to decrypt the file. In regards to the work behind the project, the entire application will be written in Java. The front end (graphical user interface) will incorporate the knowledge from computer graphics, while the back end (encryptions) will feature skills from advanced programming and computer security.
Student(s):
Ryan Pelaez
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Construct a Bioprinter from Recycled Materials and Print Viable Components
Medical and healthcare applications for 3-Dimensional printing have been exponentially increasing, especially during the past decade. From prosthetic limbs to scaffolds to surgical instruments, the experiments using 3D-printing are growing quickly as the healthcare industry is capitalizing on these devices. A 3D-printer in the medical field, dubbed “bioprinter”, is a device that has the ability to three-dimensionally print out cells, tissues, organs, and other biological media through layering. The benefits of bioprinters include customization, personalization, increased cost efficiency, and enhanced productivity. Bioprinting will allow the patient’s own cells to be used, therefore decreasing the rejection rate and decreasing ethical concerns tremendously. In this research project, the concept of building an affordable bioprinter from both new and recycled materials will be investigated. Three types of printers will be compared, as well as the use of new cartridges versus recycled cartridges. Various media will be filled into the cartridges to print viable projects. Different cells will be utilized and compared. Of the three printers proposed, it's hypothesized that the 3D-printer will be most effective in printing viable projects, followed by the inkjet printer, and laser printer. It is also hypothesized that new cartridges will yield better results than recycled cartridges, as there is concern that old cartridges may contain residual ink clogged in crevices and the nozzle. The uses and benefits of this printer in an undergraduate setting will be evaluated. Not only are these medical innovations revolutionizing healthcare, but they are also paving the way for improving the quality of life.
Student(s):
Mehak Sachdev
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman
Differences Between Restricted Sleep and Restricted Sleep with Caffeine Supplementation on Tennis Serve Accuracy
Among college students, it is inevitable that decrements in attention, coordination, and performance levels may be evident due to inadequate sleep; however, there is considerable research which proposes that caffeine has the ability to enhance human performance. By contrast, it is still debated whether caffeine can both enhance sporting performance and offset sleep loss. Ten male participants from the California Lutheran University’s varsity tennis team were recruited to test performance in tennis serve accuracy. Participant completed the Stanford Sleepiness Scale and a sleep journal prior to each serving session to assess overall alertness in the study. After completing these tasks on the first week, participants served 50 times into a taped target in the opposing service box, and the amount of serves hit into the target were recorded. On the second week, participants repeated the same procedures for the sleep journal and the Stanford Sleepiness scale, but participants consumed 3 mg per kg of body mass of caffeine 60 minutes prior to the serving session. After waiting the allotted amount of time, participants repeated the exact serving procedure as before and their hits were recorded for accuracy. Using the paired t-test from the SPSS statistical package, the results are expected to show improvements in serving accuracy and in the Stanford Sleepiness scale following the caffeine supplementation. Conclusions based on this data will suggest that moderate caffeine consumption may compensate for insufficient sleep in college varsity players.
Student(s):
Alexa Schad
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Steven Hawkins
The Acute Effect of Warm Up on Kinetics and Kinematics of Countermovement Vertical Jumps
Countermovement vertical jumps are an important factor in a variety of sports. Most studies have shown that static stretching as a warmup before performing a countermovement vertical jump had no significant effects when compared to dynamic stretches as a warm up (Pagaduan, et al., 2011; Chaouachi, et al., 2011; Redding, et al., 2013). Dynamic warm ups were predicted to produce the highest vertical jumps (Pagaduan et al., 2011; Young et al., 2003). The purpose of this study was to investigate how different types of warm ups can affect a maximal effort vertical jump. In particular, it aimed to determine how jumps after warm ups with higher intensities in short bursts compared to jumps after warm-ups with lower intensities over a more drawn out period of time. Twelve collegiate NCAA Division III athletes from California Lutheran University performed five countermovement vertical jumps with two different dynamic warm ups on different days. The jumps were performed with the participants’ dominant foot on a Kistler 9281CA force plate (1200 Hz) while three dimensional kinematic data was collected through six Vantage 5 Cameras (120 Hz) collecting 18 reflective marker locations on lower extremity anatomical landmarks. Vertical ground reaction forces, jump height, and angular kinematics were analyzed between the two sessions for this study. Statistical significance was determined using dependent t-tests with SPSS version 24 (p < 0.05).
Student(s):
Anna Schlosser, Josiah Ledoux-Hayes and Brandon Kearney
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Michele LeBlanc
Behavioral and Electrophysiological Studies on the Aquatic Snail, Lymnaea stagnalis
The freshwater snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, has been used in neurophysiological studies to study the neural processes that govern behavior. Lymnaea stagnalis is known to respond to carbohydrates (sucrose and maltose), but little is known of their response to amino acids. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of amino acids on their feeding response. Snails were tested using shallow glass aquariums containing four sets of four agar pellets. Each set consisted of one control pellet, one 20 mM maltose pellet, one pellet with 100 mM of an amino acid, and one combination pellet with an amino acid and maltose. Snails were placed in a holding tank without food for at least 18hrs prior to testing. Duplicate groups of 8 snails were placed in aquariums with the pellets and the number of snails feeding on a pellet was recorded every 15 minutes for one hour. All twenty proteinogenic L-amino acids were tested in addition to some D-amino acids. I also tested organic compounds that are similar to amino acids, e.g., taurine and sarcosine. Snails were attracted to the combination pellets of L-threonine + maltose, L-isoleucine + maltose, and D-proline + maltose, suggesting synergistic effects between molecules. L-threonine without maltose, but not D-threonine, was also strongly attractive. L- and D-glutamic acid inhibited feeding, an effect that may reflect its role as a neurotransmitter. I plan to extend this research by testing responses to selected amino acids using intracellular and extracellular preparations, and testing whether electrophysiological responses correlate with feeding behavior.
Student(s):
Christina Sharkey
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Kenneth Long
Factorial Design Modeling of Heterogeneous Photocatalysis in Aqueous Semiconductor Systems
This study looked at modeling semiconductor photocatalysis towards the reduction and environmental remediation of contaminants in wastewater. Semiconductor photocatalysis is a chemical process that utilizes electron transfer to chemically reduce harmful ions. UV radiation, at a wavelength of 365nm, was used to excite electrons in the semiconductor (ZnO) which could then be picked up by the reagent, CrO3. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to photocatalytically reduce Cr(VI) to the less harmful Cr(III). Multi-wavelength spectrophotometry and single-wavelength spectrophotometry (colorimetric) were used to examine the reaction. In addition to performing the chemical reactions, we also measured reaction kinetics and utilized factorial design modeling to uncover a more efficient photocatalytic process. A full factorial design (2k), where the base 2 stands for the number of factor levels and the k stands for the number of factors (low/high values), was used to identify the key input parameters that affect the output performance (response). This study not only provides insight into the catalytic reduction of toxic environmental species, it also allows us to determine reaction kinetics under optimal experimental conditions examined by dedicated mathematical modeling techniques.
Student(s):
Savannah Sipes
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Grady Hanrahan
Mobile Robot Networking
Over the years, many well-known companies have invested time and money into the idea of creating a self-driving car. One example of this is Google and their autonomous car project. An autonomous vehicle is one that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without human input. The benefits of an autonomous car will include decreased accidents as well as increases in fuel economy. Autonomous cars use sensors and software to sense objects like pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, and are designed to safely drive around them. In this project, I designed, built, and programmed a robot. I used Autodesk Inventor, a design application used to create 3D digital prototypes, to design and 3D print robot parts. The robot was built from vex and arduino parts along with sensors, circuits, and 3D printed objects. Each sensor was studied and tested multiple times on two different devices to ensure the best results possible.To achieve mobile vehicle autonomy, I researched and modified different algorithms from previous autonomous projects and implemented them on my program.
Student(s):
Stefanie Sixtos
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Emulator for a Basic Digital Computer
Computers today are capable of just about anything. Without these extremely complicated machines, life would be much different. While computers today are extremely intricate and complex, many remember what it was like to have basic simple computers. In order to understand what computers actually do in today’s world, it is necessary to travel back and understand the steps that built up to it. Replicating a beginning architecture is very useful as to help fully comprehend the huge difference of what the very first computers and today’s computers are capable of accomplishing. Digital computers have changed so drastically that unless followed carefully, intricate details and changes can be overlooked. When writing this simple digital computer, it is allowing someone to understand the inner workings of today’s digital computers on a much smaller scale. It starts with Boolean algebra, individual logic-gates, flip-flops, and different circuits. When all of these are assembled in a certain way, you are seeing the inner workings of beginning digital computers. When designing the Emulator, it was obvious that it was going to be comprised of many different pieces. Upon recognizing this, it was best shown that Object-Oriented Programming was the way to complete the task. It started with the task of completing the interpreter, from there the assembler was completed, then finally the graphical user interface was constructed. The use of Object-Oriented programming allowed simple connection of the two portions and made bringing the emulator together for a final project simple and effective.
Student(s):
Christopher Taylor
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Microbial Community Diversity in the Gut of Honeybees (Apis mellifera) Exposed to Different Diets
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are one of the most important pollinators on earth, pollinating many crops and wild plants. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), in which the queen and immature bees are left alone in the hive to perish, has decreased honey bee populations worldwide. Many factors contribute to CCD including exposure to pesticides, pathogens, and nutritional stress, all of which increase in commercial pollination. Honey bees have one third as many genes associated with innate immunity as other insects and rely on their gut microbial community (microbiota) to aid in bee health. In many animals, gut microbiota composition is greatly altered by diet. Commercial pollination practices often restrict the honey bee diet to one crop type (monoculture diet). We aimed to compare the gut microbiota from honey bees exposed to a diverse or monoculture diet. We collected worker bees from hives at the California Lutheran University SEEd garden (diverse diet) and from a commercial avocado orchard (monoculture diet). Bees were anesthetized and dissected to extract mid-and hind-guts, from which we extracted microbial community DNA. We performed PCR to tag individual samples and amplify small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences of Bacteria and Archaea. Samples were sequenced using the IlluminaⓇ MiSeq Next-Generation Sequencer. We are using DNASTAR software to characterize and compare gut microbiota from honey bees exposed to a diverse or monoculture diet. We expect gut microbiota diversity to be lower in honey bees feeding on a monoculture diet relative to honey bees feeding on a diverse diet.
Student(s):
Ariel Towery
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Theresa Rogers
Chess Artificial Intelligence Algorithm
Classic board games such as chess have historically been used as a metric to test different aspects of artificial intelligence development. These tests were made to push the limits of algorithmic designs and modern computer hardware. For example, Google’s AlphaGo program from last year was the first computer program to beat a reigning Grandmaster at Go. A chess-playing computer program, while much simpler, still displays the core principles of both object-oriented programming and algorithmic design. I chose to use the java programming language to write the code for this chess program, along with an open-source graphical chess game interface.
Student(s):
George Velasco
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
Finding Malignant tissues in the Liver Using Feature Space Detectors
Programming software to be used by medical professionals to ascertain the identity of cryptic anomalies in medical imaging is important for finding cancerous tumors in tissues of the human body. This project studies a program that will compare two images of a liver: one is healthy, one diseased. The program returns a value that signifies the differences in the two images based on the detection of undesirable features (in the diseased image) that may indicate cancerous growth. To accomplish this task code has been written utilizing the C++ programming language and the OpenCV (Open Computer Vision) library. Specifically, use of the Harris feature detection algorithm to identify corner features that may be present in the image. The images are processed to detect the features then the features are matched to each other. Features that do not match between the two images are brought to the attention of the user as areas of possible cancerous growth.
Student(s):
Daniel Windle
Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Craig Reinhart
T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia Present in Eye
The area of the study will provide a focus on the infiltration of the eye by T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL). T-PLL is a very drastic and mature form of leukemia, and is not seen in very many patients with cancer. Due to the rarity of this case, especially when there is an infiltration in the eye, there is not as much information about T-PLL than there should be. There are many cases where the doctor can misdiagnose the patient when looking at the conjunctiva because this type of infiltration does not commonly occur. The study will provide a focus on conjunctival infiltration by T-PLL. A case study has been done on a patient with bilateral red eyes who presents with T-PLL infiltration in the conjunctiva and was first diagnosed with conjunctivitis. After difficulty of removing the redness from the conjunctiva, a biopsy was performed resulting with infiltration of T-PLL. We hope by presenting this case to others, that the occurrence of misdiagnoses on this rare type of disease decreases.
Student(s):
Craig Yamaguchi
Faculty Mentor:
Prof. Candace Kelman