Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

User Interface Design For Electronic Learning Software: Promoting Usability And Facilitating Learning For Children, Cesar G. Villa-Garcia

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

Computing devices have become ubiquitous in our technologically-advanced world, serving as vehicles for software applications that provide users with a wide array of functions. Among these applications are electronic learning software, which are increasingly being used to educate and evaluate individuals ranging from grade school students to career professionals. This study will evaluate the design and implementation of user interfaces in these pieces of software. Specifically, it will explore how these interfaces can be developed to facilitate the use of electronic learning software by children. In order to do this, research will be performed in the area of human-computer interaction, …

Validation Of An Analytical Method For The Identification Of Smartwater Csi Forensic Marking Technology, Demi Moreda, Claudia Martinez

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

SmartWater is a chemical taggant used as a crime deterrent. The chemical taggant is a colorless liquid that fluoresces yellow under ultra-violet (UV) light and contains distinctive, identifiable and traceable elemental composition. For instance, upon a break and entry scenario, the burglar is sprayed with a solution that has an elemental signature custom-made to a specific location. The residues of this taggant persist on skin and other objects and can be easily recovered for further analysis. The product has been effectively used in Europe as a crime deterrent and has been recently introduced in South Florida. In 2014, Fourt Lauderdale …

Tamed And Compatible Symplectic Forms On Four-Dimensional Almost Complex Lie Algebras, Andres Cubas

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

We are able to give a complete description of four-dimensional Lie algebras g which satisfy the tame-compatible question of Donaldson for all almost complex structures J on g are completely described. As a consequence, examples are given of (non-unimodular) four-dimensional Lie algebras with almost complex structures which are tamed but not compatible with symplectic forms.? Note that Donaldson asked his question for compact four-manifolds. In that context, the problem is still open, but it is believed that any tamed almost complex structure is in fact compatible with a symplectic form. In this presentation, I will define the basic objects involved …

Conformational Kinetics Study Of Mp-11 Using Tims-Ms And Molecular Dynamics, Christopher Harrilal, Jaroslava Miksovska, Emily R. Schenk

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

In the present work, we studied the conformational kinetics of microperoxidase 11 (MP-11), a digest fragment of cytochrome C that contains 11 amino acids with a covalently attached heme group. In particular, a novel technique recently developed at FIU in collaboration with Bruker Daltonics Inc. combined with theoretical calculation was used for the characterization of MP- 11 conformational space [1-3]. Accurate ion-neutral collision cross sections were measured for all MP-11 generated charge states. Since MP-11 (like cytochrome C) undergoes conformational changes as a function of the solvent state, MP-11 ions were produced by electrospray ionization (ESI) in order to preserve …

Insight Into The Calmodulin And Dream Protein Complex Interaction, Mechanism And Function, Walter Gonzalez

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

DREAM (Downstream regulatory element antagonistic modulator) is a neuronal calcium sensor which has been shown to modulate gene expression as well as being involved in numerous neuronal processes. In this report, we show that association of calcium bound calmodulin (CaM) with DREAM is mediated by a short amphipathic amino acid sequence located between residues 29 and 44 on DREAM N-termini The association of CaM with a peptide analogous to DREAM(29-44) or to full length DREAM protein is calcium dependent with the dissociation constant of 136 nM and 3.4 ?M, respectively. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies show that the observed decrease in …

Expression And Purification Of 15n, 13clabeled Hmga2 For Nmr Structural Studies, Ashley Tschiggfrie, Roboan Guillen

Undergraduate Research at FIU (URFIU) Conference

The mammalian high mobility group protein AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is a nuclear oncoprotein, and its abnormal expression is directly linked to tumorigenesis. The HMGA2 gene is located on the chromosomal bands 12q13-15. Rearrangement of these bands disrupts the normal functions of HMGA2 and causes the formation of benign tumors, such as lipomas, and malignant tumors, such as lung cancer. In this study, our objective was to make sufficient amounts of 15N-, 13C-labeled HMGA2 for NMR studies to obtain a high-resolution structure of HMGA2-DNA complexes. In order to label this protein, E. coli strain BLR(DE3), containing a plasmid expressing HMGA2, was …

Addressing The Achievement Gap: Engaging Students In The Chemistry Classroom, Haidy Kamel Dr.

Cleveland State University Regional Chemistry Teaching Symposium: March 12 & 13, 2015

No abstract provided.

Magical Science: Chemistry Magic Tricks Just For Fun! (Workshop), Regan L. Silvestri

Cleveland State University Regional Chemistry Teaching Symposium: March 12 & 13, 2015

Chemistry magic tricks are simply chemistry demonstrations cleverly performed, and are highly valuable for engaging and motivating students in the study of chemistry. Our agenda has been to adapt common chemistry demonstrations into presentations with clever twists, essentially turning them into magic tricks. This workshop will show how a science demonstration can be turned into a science magic trick simply by adapting the presentation. Science magic tricks provide a unique forum not only for expanding scientific knowledge, but moreover scientific interest. Our hope is that students will be engaged and motivated in the future study of chemistry.

Winter Weather Services And Forecasting Options For Local Agencies, Michael Baldwin

Purdue Road School

Students majoring in atmospheric science at Purdue's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences have organized a "forecasting club" to provide weather forecasting services to a wide range of customers. During the winter months, these students provide a detailed forecast of conditions across the state of Indiana that are expected to impact road maintenance operations. These forecasts are available via a web page as well as direct email. Other information regarding winter weather observations and predictions is rapidly increasing in availability. This presentation will discuss these freely available sources of winter weather information that can be used by local agencies …

Poster Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

1. Quantification of Common Agricultural Herbicide Dispersal and Land Use in Selected Areas of the Kentucky River Watershed, Andrew Nagel and others, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
2. Exploring the Effects of Herbicides on Willow Seedlings, Sarah Stryffeler and others, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
3. LiDAR Mapping Sinkholes in Cane Run Watershed, Fidele Tibouo and others, Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
4. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Study Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants, Frankie Wallace and Matthew Nee, Dept. of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
5. Test …

Session 2c, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Investigating the Recent Invasion of Silver Carp (Hypopthalmicthys molitrix) into Kentucky Lake, Utilizing Diet and Long Term Data Analysis, Ben Tumolo and Michael B. Flinn, Hancock Biological Station, Murray State University, Murray, KY
• Assessment of Chytrid Fungus (Bactrachochytrium dendrobatidis) Occurrence and Prevalence in Plethodontid Salamanders Across a Forest Disturbance Gradient in Southeastern Kentucky, Sarah M. Hamilton and others, Forestry Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Strain Diversity in the Fecal Indicator Escherichia coli: Implications for its Use as a Produce Pathogen Surrogate, Ethan Givan and others, USDA-ARS, Bowling Green, KY

Session 2b, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• The Kentucky Nutrient Watershed Model, Ben Albritton and others, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Model Parameter Uncertainty Analysis for an Annual Field-Scale P Loss Model, Carl Bolster, Food Animal Environmental Systems Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Bowling Green, KY
• Flood Modeling Using a Virtual 3D Environment to Help Student Learning, C. V. Chandramouli and others, Mechanical Engineering Department, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN
• Updating the Fresh-Saline Water Interface Map in Eastern Kentucky, Jerrad Grider and T. M. Parris, Kentucky Geological Survey, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Session 2a, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Space-Time Behavior of Soil Water Status Measured Across Two Land Use Systems, Yang Yang and Ole Wendroth, Dept. of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• "Wetness" in Landsat Scenes versus "Wetness" on the Ground: Uses of the Tasselled Cap Transformation on Archival Imagery, Demetrio Zourarakis, Kentucky Division of Geographic Information, Frankfort, KY
• Dynamics of Soil Quality Indicators in Western Kentucky, Hannah Robbins and Iin Handayani, Hutson School of Agriculture, Murray State University, Murray, KY
• Sediment Organic Carbon Fate and Transport Mechanisms in a Fluvial Karst System in the Bluegrass Region, Admin Husic and …

Session 1c, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Stakeholder Engagement as a Tool for Better Environmental Decisions, Anna Hoover and Lindell Ormsbee, College of Public Health and Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Diverse Participation in Watershed Planning and Governance: Building Social-Ecological Resilience in Kentucky Watersheds, Alexandra Chase and others, Center for Land Use and Environmental Responsibility, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY
• Lexington is Giving Back - Lexington's Stormwater Grant Program is Giving Money Back to Fee Payers for Stormwater Projects, Christopher Dent, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water, Lexington, KY

Session 1b, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Hatchery Creek Stream Restoration Project - A Unique Opportunity to Maximize Trout Habitat, Create Recreational Opportunities and Provide Mitigation Credits, Oakes Routt and others, Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Louisville, KY
• Hatchery Creek Stream Restoration Project - Construction of A Trout Stream in Kentucky, Eric Dawalt and others, Ridgewater, LLC, Lexington, KY
• Implementing Site-Specific Flow Competence Monitoring to Inform Stream Restoration Design, Kurt Cooper and Bob Hawley, Sustainable Streams, LLC, Louisville, KY
• Streambank Stability and Riparian Habitat Relationships and Mapping Tools in the Triplett Creek Watershed, Nicole Meade and Toney Phillips, Center for Environmental Education, Morehead State …

Session 1a, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Water Quality Monitoring of McConnell Springs' Surface Waters, 2011 through 2014, David J. Price, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water, Lexington, KY
• Initial Findings from the Karst Water Instrumentation System Station, Royal Spring Groundwater Basin, Kentucky Horse Park, James Currens and others, Kentucky Geological Survey, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Calibration Method to Estimate Suspended-Sediment Concentration from Acoustic Backscatter in a Cross Section, Justin Boldt, USGS Kentucky Water Science Center, Louisville, KY
• Vapor Flux Sampling Techniques for Characterizing Vapor Intrusion, Evan Willett and others, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Plenary Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Nanocomposite Membranes for Water Purification, Sebastián Hernández and others, Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Nanofiltration Membranes for Water Reuse and Toxic Inorganics Removal from Coal-Fired Power Plant Water, Andrew Colburn and others, Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
• Thermal Analysis and Raman Studies of the Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants, Matthew Nee and others, Dept. of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

Proceedings Of 2015 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

This symposium was planned and conducted as a part of the state water resources research institute annual program that is supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number G11AP20081 from the United States Geological Survey. The contents of this proceedings document and the views and conclusions presented at the symposium are solely the responsibility of the individual authors and presenters and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USGS or of the symposium organizers and sponsors. This publication is produced with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes.

P-24 Synthesis Of Arginine-Based Heterocyclic Amines, Andrew Stewart

Honors Scholars & Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium Programs

Heterocyclic Amines (HCAs) are a group of mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals found in muscle meat after grilling, frying, or broiling. Research studies show that very low amounts of HCAs are created from creatinine reacting with another amino acid at temperatures greater than 200 °C. Other studies show that plant-based arginine can substitute for creatine forming a new class of mutagenic HCAs, but also in low yields. We sought to develop a direct, higher yielding method of producing these arginine-HCAs based on a procedure previously used to synthesize creatine-HCAs. Greater amounts of arginine-HCA speeds analysis, chemical characterization, and toxicity assessment.

P-22 Hydroxyl Functional Group Number Determination Of Pamam Dendrimers With Nir-Spectroscopy, Seth Stacey

Honors Scholars & Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium Programs

The goal of this project is to investigate the use of NIR-spectroscopy to quantify the number of OH functional groups attached to poly (amido amine) or PAMAM dendrimers in a manner that is quick, cost effective and easily reproducible. Obtaining the approximate number of hydroxyl functional groups (OH#) in a dendrimer is crucial in determining what role it can play in bonding and reactivity to other molecules. NIR-spectroscopy has the potential to allow for the recovery of the sample or at least to minimize the amount needed for analysis while providing an accurate determination of the OH# of a dendrimer.

A Hybrid Approach To Indoor Sensor Area Localization And Coverage, Mengmeng Gai

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

This study presents a hybrid approach to indoor object detection and tracking. The test area is partitioned into regions that are covered by sensors placed on the ceilings. The approximate location of an object is determined by these sensors using RSSI. The region determination is then followed by localizing the exact location of the object using Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the 3D stereo image measurements. To determine the coverage ratio of a region for better placement of sensors, the 3D space is partitioned into 2D planes whose coverage points are determined by a newly developed software product called LOCOPac. …

Inspirational Space As A Mechanism To Transform Departmental Culture, John Paxton

Academic Chairpersons Conference Proceedings

Montana State University’s Computer Science Department created a collaborative, informal, Japanese-themed Student Success Center. The goal of the space was to broaden participation and induce cultural change in computer science. The design philosophy behind the room now serves as a model for collaborative space at MSU.

Session D-4: Particle Physics, Peter Dong

Professional Learning Day

Particle physics is generally seen as far too difficult, too abstract and mathematical, to teach at the high school level — which is a pity, since particle physics is most likely to get students interested in the subject (witness the response to the discovery of the Higgs boson). However, the day-to-day work of experimental particle physicists is remarkably understandable, even for high school students willing to do a little work. We will examine assignments given at IMSA in this vein, including a class-wide analysis that simulated the search for a super symmetric Higgs boson, and discuss how they worked. Attendees …

Session B-1: Pipelines And Oil Spills!, Patrick Young

Professional Learning Day

Don’t miss this hands-on approach to middle school math. Participants will construct an actual pipeline from inexpensive materials and record evidence of leakage. They will then conduct an experiment and create a model relating liquid volume and spill area. They will apply their model to determine how much liquid leaked from their pipeline.

Session B-3: Mathematical Games, Puzzles, And Diversions, Steven M. Condie

Professional Learning Day

Delve into the exciting world of math through games, puzzles and other sources! Participants shall try their luck and test their skill at these diversions. Participants will leave this session with a wealth of mathematical activities appropriate for students of all ages.

Session B-2: The “Roll” Of Statistics In Modeling - It All Adds Up, Richard Stalmack, Janice Krouse

Professional Learning Day

The common core practice standards ask us to teach students to propose mathematical models and test their viability. Participants will do an experiment, collect data and use technological tools to combine modeling, analysis and basic statistics. Participants should bring a laptop, if possible; otherwise, bring a graphing calculator.

Session A-3: Energy Conservation, Brooke Schmidt, Eric Hawker

Professional Learning Day

This session will focus on the content and different activities that you can do with your students to meet the Next Generation Physical Science Standard 3: Energy. The focus will be on definitions of energy, conservation of energy, and the relationship between energy and forces. The content is appropriate for both middle and high school science students.

Session A-2: From Polynomial To Rational Functions: Flip!, Ruth Dover

Professional Learning Day

Ah HA! Making the connection between polynomial functions, rational functions and using reciprocals! Join us to flip, not flop, with trig for your classroom.

Session A-1: Implementing Common Core In Middle School Math, Karen Togliatti

Professional Learning Day

This session will focus on implementing Common Core Middle-School Mathematics Standards using student-centered activities. Participants will receive three hands-on activities (one each at grades six, seven, and eight) to take back to their classrooms.

Session C-2: Problem-Based Mathematics: You Reap What You Sow, Nicole Ross, Lindsey Herlehy

Professional Learning Day

Approach problem-based mathematics through a historical perspective! Join us to learn a fun, hands-on approach to examining the science behind crop rotation systems originally implemented during the Medieval Period. This activity requires students to mathematically evaluate the efficiency of a crop rotation system, strategically complete an integers-based crop puzzle, and evaluate crop yield and profit through data analysis. This activity integrates a variety of middle school mathematics concepts.