Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Thoughtweaver: Intelligent Agents Boosting Thought And Memory, Michael P. Holmes, Dr. Bryan Morse

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Imagine going through your late father’s belongings and finding that he had recorded many of his thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a special computer program. As you begin to use the program, recording the thoughts of your mind, the program brings to your attention various insights of your father’s that relate to what you are thinking. Thus a priceless part of his mind is retained and explored, even after he is gone. Suppose you are a lawyer at trial, and the opposing side brings up some evidence or arguments to which you had previously designed thorough refutations, but now you …

Using A Reinforcement Learning Controller To Overcome Simulator/Environment Discrepancies, Nancy Owens, Todd Peterson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Robotic controllers often fail to perform well when transferred from a simulated environment to a real-world situation. Such failures are caused by discrepancies between a simulator and the real-world system which it is intended to model. Traditional approaches to this problem attempt to reduce the number and severity of simulator/environment discrepancies by using calibration, by designing more accurate simulations, or by controlling the specifications of the real-world environment. These approaches, although often effective, are limited in that they require the designer to successfully anticipate the types of discrepancies the controller is likely to encounter.

Mica-Morph Interpolated Character Animation, Mike D. Smith, Dr. Thomas W. Sederberg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In conventional two-dimensional or flat animation, an artist called a character animator will draw key poses for a cartoon that specify movement and expression. Generally, one or more additional artists will take these key frames of animation and draw more images to insert between them. This creates the illusion of the cartoon moving from one key pose to the next. What the additional artists do is called inbetweening. Inbetweening is not only labor intensive and very costly, but because of production budgets and time constraints, the level of detail in the animated characters must be kept very low.

Study Of The Eclipsing Binary Ah Cancri, Delora Chere' Tanner, Dr. Benjamin Taylor

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Unlike research in many other disciplines, astronomical research is highly dependent upon the weather. My original proposed research was to further the task of calibrating standard stars in the M67 open cluster. Unfortunately the weather was unfavorable during the window of time that this cluster was available for viewing, therefore, I could not secure the amount of data needed to conduct my proposed research. I decided to change the focus of my research to an individual star located in M67, AH Cancri. I was able to use raw archive data of the M67 star field to study this star.

Scalar Waves Scattering Off A Cylinder, David Oliphant, Dr. R. Steven Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Scattering problems are common in physics. A scattered (reflected) wave or particle from an object can give us hints to the nature of the object’s shape, size, color, or composition. This is the basic principle behind sonar, radar, ultrasound, NMR, and even vision. One technique in determining the nature of a scattered wave is called the Method of Moments. It involves solving the Helmholtz equation by representing the object’s response or current as a sum of basis functions and weights. The number of basis functions used is important. If there are too many the computational time becomes inordinate. However, there …

Extreme Ultraviolet Ellipsometry, Spencer E. Olson, Dr. R. Steven Turley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ellipsometry, a common technique used with visible light, measures the change of the state of polarization as it reflect off a material. By so doing, the way that light interacts with materials can be understood more clearly. Also, optical properties, known as the index of refraction and absorption coefficient, can be found from this technique. With these known optical properties of various materials, elements, such as mirrors and polarizers, can be optimized for optical instruments. The name ellipsometry comes from the fact that the technique is based on the analysis of what is called ellipsometrically polarized light. For the simple …

Semiclassical Quantization: Corrections And Causes, Teresa Griffin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My research over the past six months has produced a method of understanding the differences between semiclassical approximation methods and the exact quantum results.

Finding Neutron Detector Efficiency Using Monte Carlo Neutron Particle (Mcnp) Calculations, Eva Wilcox, Dr. Lawrence Rees

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A neutron detector, made by Bart Czirr, has components of plastic and a new compound called lithium gadolinium borate, with a chemical formula of LiGd(BO3)3:Ce3+.

Construction Of A Precision X-Ray Mirror, Mitchell W. Larsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With the expansion of x-ray technology and recent development of laser x-rays, development of a practical, high precision x-ray mirror has become more urgent. One example of a practical and current need for such a mirror is the x-ray microscope at Duke University. The above planned microscope would function by focusing x-rays on a tiny section of a cell frozen during a specific metabolic stage. The molecules in the cell would absorb these x-rays, and then radiate x-rays off. Every element would radiate a unique wavelength of x-rays, and we would thus be able to determine which elements are present …

Summary Of Dye Laser Project, Dallin S. Durfee

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to get a dye to lase, you have to pump it with energy. You need to get more of the lasing molecules into the higher energy excited state than the lower energy ground state. The way that I pump the dye is with a flash tube.

A Presentation Of The Mapping Of Lbn434 And Its Ramifications On The Assumption Of Clear Seeing At High Galactic Latitudes, Kristen Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

We recorded three to four images of each section of the nebula. Each group of images was identical in the data recorded; thus, after reduction, the individual images of each group could be combined directly to yield a higher intensity signal output. To reduce the data, I performed the following ~tandard CCD procedures: 1. Bad Pixel Corrections

2. Overscan Corrections

3. Zeroing and Trimming

4. Flat Fielding Corrections

Modeling Trapped Non-Neutral Plasmas With A Piecewise Parabolic Method, Rachel K. Berg

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of my undergraduate research at Brigham young University was to adapt a numerical algorithm known as the piecewise parabolic method to solve problems of interest in the study of trapped non-neutral plasmas. The project took the better part of a year, but ultimately I was successful.

Charge Injection In Semiconductor Nanocrystals And Its Effect On Luminescence And Spin Resonance, James Owen Ostler, Dr. Bret C. Hess

Journal of Undergraduate Research

With diameters of only about 4-5 nanometers, semiconductor nanocrystals exhibit different properties than bulk semiconductors. Because of this there has been a focus in research to discover and exploit these new properties. The CdSe nanocrystal is smaller than the normal wave function of an electron in bulk semiconductors and this produces different properties in the nanocrystals than what current knowledge about semiconductors would dictate. Our experience with the different physical properties of these quantum-confined semiconductors is limited, however the possible uses for these nanocrystals are numerous. This necessitates that we research and familiarize ourselves with the properties of these nanocrystals …

A Proposed Thin Film Process For Shortening Carbon Nanotube Afm Probes, Dale S. Kitchen, Dr. Robert C. Davis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This report describes the growth of carbon nanotubes on sharp silicon cantilevers through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and the implementation of thin film and acid etch techniques to shorten the grown nanotubes. Silicon and silicon-nitride probes serve as the principle imaging tools for Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Carbon nanotubes may serve to enhance the imaging stability and resolution of AFM through their unique properties. Herein, I describe procedures, explain the presented results, and outline future work on this project.

Direct Cvd Growth Of Carbon Nanotubes On Silicon Nitride Atomic Force Microscope Probes, Matthew Housley, Dr. Robert Davis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is currently one of the most important analytical techniques in nanoscale science and technology. Because it can image surface topography with a resolution better than 10 nm, AFM has allowed the visualization of many nanoscale structures which other microscopic techniques cannot see. Examples include individual DNA strands, extended polymer chains, monolayer steps in crystal surfaces, and carbon nanotube transistors.

Work Towards Building An Extreme Ultraviolet Ellipsometer, Cort N. Johnson, Dr. David D. Allred

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) optics group at Brigham Young University uses thin film technology to develop multiplayer mirrors and designed to reflect well at certain EUV wavelengths. We need methods of measuring layer thickness on the order of a few angstroms. One method often used in thin film sample analysis is ellipsometry.

On Chip Preconcentration And Labeling Of Protein Biomarkers Using Monolithic Columns, Device Fabrication, Optimization, And Automation, Rui Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Detection of disease specific biomarkers is of great importance in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Modern bioanalytical techniques, such as liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), have the ability to identify biomarkers, but their cost and scalability are two main drawbacks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is another potential tool, but it works best for proteins, rather than peptide biomarkers. Recently, microfluidics has emerged as a promising technique due to its small fluid volume consumption, rapidness, low fabrication cost, portability and versatility. Therefore, it shows prominent potential in the analysis of disease specific biomarkers. In this thesis, microfluidic systems that integrate …

Using Online Data Sources To Make Recommendations On Reading Material For K-12 And Advanced Readers, Maria Soledad Pera

Theses and Dissertations

Reading is a fundamental skill that each person needs to develop during early childhood and continue to enhance into adulthood. While children/teenagers depend on this skill to advance academically and become educated individuals, adults are expected to acquire a certain level of proficiency in reading so that they can engage in social/civic activities and successfully participate in the workforce. A step towards assisting individuals to become lifelong readers is to provide them adequate reading selections which can cultivate their intellectual and emotional growth. Turning to (web) search engines for such reading choices can be overwhelming, given the huge volume of …

Effects Of Sirna-Mediated Silencing Of Phosducin-Like Protein Expression On Protein Folding By The Cytoplasmic Chaperonin Complex, Sarah Warburton, Dr. Barry Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our lab has recently described an interaction of Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) with the cytoplasmic chaperonin complex (CCT), a sixteen polypeptide complex required for the native folding of actin and tubulin and many other cellular proteins. We found that the binding of PhLP blocked CCT-dependent folding of firefly luciferase in vitro and that over expression of PhLP in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells inhibited actin folding by 80%. Thus, it appears that PhLP is the first known regulator of CCT-dependent protein folding.

Molecular Machine Components Observed In The Gas Phase: Self- Assembling Pseudorotaxanes Of Cucurbit[N]Urils (N=6, 7, And 8) And Doubly-Protonated 1,4-Diaminobutane, Kevin Alan Walker, Dr. David Dearden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nanotechnology offers the potential of creating machines the size of molecules. Such machines have limitless possibilities in numerous fields: chemistry, computer science, technology, and medicine, to name a few. Molecular machines could be instrumental in creating computers millions of times faster than our present computers. These machines could catalyze or inhibit a variety of chemical reactions. Such machines could be instrumental in altering and fixing an individual’s genetic makeup to successfully combat disease and illness. However, because nanotechnology is a relatively new field of study, science has yet to scratch the surface of the implications molecular machines may have in …

Evaluation Of The Abilities Of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics To Inhibit Microbial Growth In Food, Timothy W. Winter, Dr. Paul B. Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Food-borne illnesses are a continuing problem in the US. According to figures from the Center for Disease Control, an estimated one million food-borne infections and 500 deaths occur each year associated with Salmonella. Also reported are the cases involving Escherichia coli O157:H7; the death toll is between 50 and 100 people every year. Currently, the only antibiotic approved for use in food in the US is nisin, a cationic peptide antibiotic (CPA) that is active against Gram-positive bacteria but not Gram-negative (including E. Coli and Salmonella).

Thermodynamics Of L-Valine And L-2-Aminobutyric Acid, Joshua L. Price, Dr. Earl M. Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Understanding the thermodynamics of protein hydration is critical to elucidating protein structure and function in aqueous solution. Because they are derivative properties, apparent molar volume Vφ and apparent molar heat capacity Cp,φ are particularly useful in describing solution thermodynamics. It is difficult, however, to resolve the apparent molar volume or apparent molar heat capacity of a large protein into individual contributions from specific amino acid residues and functional groups. Small model compounds like the amino acids can provide useful estimates of these individual contributions. While the apparent molar properties of many amino acids have been studied recently, there is a …

Buruli Ulcer In The Ga District Of Ghana, Jonathan Osorio, Dr. Steven W. Graves

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During this past summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to southern Ghana with the Humanitarian Aid Relief Team to study the effects of Buruli ulcer in rural endemic villages. From May 12 to June 21, I was part of a small research group studying the effects of Buruli ulcer on villagers in the Ga District. Part of my research included investigating their cultural beliefs that related in any way to possible contraction of the disease.

Thermodynamics Of Aqueous Nucleic Acid Bases And Nucleosides, Bryan R. Mcrae, Dr. Earl M. Woolley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Despite the astounding advances in modern genetics research, surprisingly little is known about the thermodynamic behavior and physical properties of DNA’s molecular subunits. Our study investigated several thermodynamic properties of common nucleic acid constituents. Specifically, we calculated the apparent molar volumes (Vφ) and apparent molar heat capacities (Cp,φ) of the nucleosides adenosine, guanosine, cytidine, thymidine, and uridine, and of their corresponding bases adenine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil, in dilute aqueous solutions.

Macrocycle-Substituted Resorcinarenes As Primary Functional Groups In Ion Chromatography, Arlo Mcginn, John D. Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ion chromatography is an instrumental technique known for its ability to determine and quantify mixtures of ions in solution. In ion chromatography, a solution containing different ions is passed through a column packed with a stationary phase containing active groups (chemical compounds that exhibit binding properties). These active groups show affinity for the various ions in solution. Chemical separations are achieved in ion chromatography by means of electrostatic interactions and coordinate covalent bond formation between the active groups in the stationary phase of the chromatography column and the ions present in the mobile phase or eluent. Strong interactions effectively slow …

Effects Of Ammine And Hydroxyl Groups On The Fluorescence Of Chemosensors, Scott H. Fredrickson, Dr. Paul Savage

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Diaza-crown ethers have the ability to bind many metal cations. When certain side arms are attached, a fluorescence increase can be observed when the metal binds to the crown.^1,2,3,4 Via this increase in fluorescence, presence of metal cations can be detected. For industrial purposes, these molecules may be important in the determination of toxic metal levels in waste streams. The use of different side arms effects the initial fluorescence observed. A side arm similar to 1 is not fluorescent. It is believed that transfer of the hydrogen atom on the hydroxyl group to the pyridine nitrogen quenches fluorescence. When …

Identification Of The Regulatory Elements Responsible For The Control Of Premrna Splicing Of Intron-1 In Chicken Cox-2, Daniel L. Simmons, Dr. Orlan Kenneth Macdonald

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In order to create a unique clone of chicken COX-2 it was necessary to insert a synthetic DNA tag into the full-length version of the COX-2 cDNA. First, a 21-nucleotide oligo and its complement were produced using a DNA synthesizer. The oligos were purified, phosphorylated and then annealed.

Interaction Of Phosducin-Like Protein With Eukaryotic Cytosolic Chaperonin, Sarah Hart, Dr. Barry Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Eukaryotic cells employ G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) to detect various extracellular signaling molecules, including many that control cell proliferation. As a result, a knowledge of G protein pathway components and their mechanisms of interaction and regulation is essential in understanding cell transformation. Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) is a broadly expressed regulator of G protein signaling that exerts its effect by binding to G protein âã subunits [1-3]. When a signaling molecule binds to the extracellular surface of the receptor, it results in a conformational change in the receptor. This causes an interaction between the receptor and a heterotrimeric G protein …

Calorimetric Investigation Of The Complexation Of Didodecylcalix[4]Arene-Crown-6 With Alkali Metal Cations In Acetonitrile, Dusten M. Macdonald, Dr. John D. Lamb

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Processing and storage of medium and high level activity liquid nuclear wastes (MLW/HLW) present a major challenge for governments around the world. Gamma radiation from 137Cs, as well as radiation from 90Sr and other radionuclides present in the waste, complicates the already troublesome disposal process (1, 2). Removal of such long-life radionuclides from MLW and HLW mixtures would allow for more affordable disposal of the partially decontaminated solutions, would lower the volume of high activity waste to be stored in geological formations, and/or possibly allow for transmutation of these radionuclides into non-radioactive elements (2). Much effort has been expended in …

A Search For An Internal Ribosomal Entry Site In The Human Angiotensin 2, Type 1 Receptor, Joseph A. Garcia, Dr. Terry S. Elton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The study of human genetics has recently exploded into numerous fields and, as a result, our knowledge of genetics and gene related illnesses is growing exponentially. Human DNA undergoes three main levels of control. The first is replication where the genome is reproduced in an exact copy. The second level is transcription, where an RNA polymerase transcribes DNA into mRNA. Finally translation where mRNA, the code for making a protein is recognized by ribosomes. Ribosomes recognize the 5′ region of the mRNA and scan along until they find the start codon to initiate the translation of the mRNA into a …