XX Undergraduate Reserarch

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THE

ANA G. MÉNDEZ UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (AGMUS) AND THE

STUDENT RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CENTER

ARE PROUD TO HOST THE

XX UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

SHOWCASING MINORITY STUDENTS’ MENTORED RESEARCH

Leadership at AGMUS/Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs

Mr. Jorge L. Crespo Armáiz Vice President for Planning and Academic Affairs

Juan F. Arratia, Ph. D.

Executive Director Student Research Development Center

SEPTEMBER 11-12, 2009

UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA CAMPUS

and the CARIBE HILTON HOTEL SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….. 2 AGMUS/SRDC Mission, Executive Summary and Goals………………………… 4 Conference at a Glance……………………………………………………………. 5 GRE Workshop Schedule…………………………………………………………. 6 Message from the Chancellor: Dr. Federico Matheu……………………………… 7 Message from the Chancellor: Dr. Dennis Alicea…………………………………. 8 Message from the Chancellor: Lic. Alberto Maldonado…………………………… 9 Message from the Vice President for Planning and Academic Affairs……………. 10 Message from the Director and Principal Investigator: Dr. Juan F. Arratia……….. 11 AGMUS Profile and Prologue……………………………………………………… 12 Keynote Speakers’ Biographical Sketches…………………………………………. 13 Exhibitors’ List……………………………………………………………………… 15 Advertisements……………………………………………………………………… 16 Schedule of Events………………………………………………………………….. 23 Abstracts Undergraduate Students: Biological Sciences…………………………………………………………. 41 Chemistry…………………………………………………………………… 62 Computer Sciences………………………………………………………….. 69 Environmental Sciences…………………………………………………….. 73 Applied Mathematics……………………………………………………….. 80 Psychology…………………………………………………………………… 86 Engineering………………………………………………………………….. 88

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Abstracts Graduate Students: Computer Sciences………………………………………………………….. 106 Environmental Sciences…………………………………………………….. 107 Engineering…………………………………………………………………. 109

Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………... 114 Index of Presenters………………………………………………………………….. 116

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National Science Foundation AGMUS Institute of Mathematics

Student Research Development Center Ana G. Méndez University System

MISSION

The Model Institutions for Excellence (MIE) award granted by the National Science Foundation helped transform Universidad Metropolitana into a nationally recognized undergraduate research institution, and a model in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Mentoring of undergraduates by research mentors was the cornerstone of the MIE Project. The primary goal of the cooperative agreement was to increase the number of BS degrees granted to underrepresented students in STEM fields at Universidad Metropolitana. The MIE completed its cooperative agreement between the National Science Foundation and UMET in 2008. We believe that creative research is one of the best ways to prepare students to become persistent and successful in graduate school and professional careers.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Today, the Student Research Development Center (SRDC) is the entity that continues the MIE strategy by impacting students from the AGMUS System and universities across the nation. In order to increase the number of BS degrees transferred to graduate school, the SRDC will continue with the strategy of an early undergraduate research program and partnership with key research institutions in the US mainland, Puerto Rico and abroad. Research mentoring will be the central component of the knowledge transfer and creative thinking activities at AGMUS. Cooperative and collaborative learning strategies, presentations at scientific conferences, scientific writing and co-authorship, technology literacy, and preparation for graduate school are activities that are transforming the philosophy of the institution.

GOALS The main goal of the AGMUS Undergraduate Research Symposium is to: encourage undergraduate research with research mentors; develop students’ written and oral communication skills; provide a forum in Puerto Rico for students to foster interest in graduate education, particularly at the Ph. D. level; and set national research standards for undergraduate research presentations.

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Ana G. Mendez University System Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs

Student Research Development Center

XX Undergraduate Research Symposium

CONFERENCE AT A GLANCE

FRIDAY, September 11, 2009

Universidad Metropolitana 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Registration

� Symposium and Workshop Registration Amphitheater 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ▪ GRE Overview – Dr. Gayle Slaughter, Baylor College of Medicine 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. ▪ Fellowship and Scholarship – Ms. Christine M. Obrien Ford Foundation Fellowships Program 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ▪ Graduate School Opportunities – Dr. Sheldon Schuster Keck Graduate Institute MS- 119 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. ▪ Ethics in Research – Mr. Alejandro Vega, Ana G. Méndez University System 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ▪ Advances in Biotechnology – Dr. Sarwan Dhir, Fort Valley State University Free Admission to Friday Activities at UMET

SATURDAY, September 12, 2009

Caribe Hilton Hotel 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast / Registration / Poster Session Set Up (San Cristobal Foyer) 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Orientation for Judges (Conf. 3-5) 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Open Ceremony (San Cristobal Ballroom) 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. Exhibitors (San Cristobal Foyer) 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Poster Session (San Cristobal B-C-D) 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Coffee Break (San Cristobal Foyer) 11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Graduate School Orientation (San Cristobal Ballroom) 12:15 – 1.15 p.m. Undergraduate Research Internships (San Cristobal Ballroom) 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Lunch (San Cristobal Ballroom) 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Success and Survival in Academia (San Cristobal Ballroom) 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Coffee Break (San Cristobal Foyer) 3:15 – 6:30 p.m. Oral Undergraduate Research Presentations (San Cristobal Ballroom) Sessions I, II, III (Conf. 3-5, Conf. 6-7)

(Flamingo AB, Flamingo CD) 7:15 – 8:45 p.m. Awards, Closing Ceremony and Dinner (San Cristobal Ballroom) Attendance Costs: Presenters – Free Early Registration: Students Attendees - $80.00, Faculty and Visitors - $100.00 After August 22, 2009: Students Attendees - $90.00, Faculty and Visitors - $130.00

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Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Friday, September 11, 2009 at UMET Amphitheater

1:00 pm. – 3:00 pm

To register please visit : http://srdc.suagm.edu Space limited to the first 100 registrations.

Free Workshop sponsored by AGMUS-SRDC / BCM and the National Science Foundation

For more information contact us at (787) 766-1717 x- 6000, 6005,6002

Ana G. Méndez University System Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs


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September 11, 2009 Colleagues and Students: We are very proud to host the XX Undergraduate Research Symposium in which student researchers from the Ana G. Méndez University System (AGMUS), as well as students from other colleges and universities in Puerto Rico and at US mainland institutions, share their research work with their peers, other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, and the scientific community. This year we have the participation of more than twenty institutions such as Baylor College of Medicine, Fort Valley State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Iowa State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, Tuskegee University, University of Central Florida, University of California in its Berkeley and Irvine campuses, University of Maryland in its Baltimore County and College Park campuses, University of the Virgin Islands-St. Croix-St. Thomas, Vanderbilt University, and several universities from Puerto Rico including the University of Puerto Rico in its Aguadilla, Bayamón, Cayey, Mayagüez and Río Piedras campuses, Inter-American University-Bayamón, Pontificial Catholic University, Universidad Central del Caribe, as well as our sister institutions Universidad del Turabo and Universidad del Este. Finally, we have the STEM students from AGMUS who are the essence of this meeting and to whom we dedicate Symposium 2009. I congratulate all of the students who worked endless hours to complete their research projects, especially those who traveled many miles from the US mainland to be in Puerto Rico and share with all of us their research experiences. This will prove to be one of our largest symposia. Seventy-one (71) posters and sixty-two (62) oral presentations are a very impressive number! I hope that the poster and oral presentations made motivate all of you to continue in the pathway you have chosen. My sincere appreciation goes to personnel from the Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs, the Student Research Development Center staff, and the AGMUS faculty members and administrators for their extraordinary effort and commitment coordinating the XX Symposium. The implementation of this event would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the National Science Foundation and the sponsorship of the industrial sector who have cooperated to reward and motivate students to continue their path in science. Our appreciation goes to all the companies that made possible the award component of Symposium 2009. This Symposium, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be a memorable experience for all of you students from Puerto Rico as well as from across the nation. Sincerely yours,

Juan F. Arratia, Ph. D. Director and Principal Investigator Executive Director Student Development Center Ana G. Méndez University System

Student Research Development Center PO Box 21150 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00928-1150

Tel: 787.766.1717 x.6000 Fax: 787.751.5386 Web: http://srdc.suagm.edu

Developing Minds Through Research Experiences

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ANA G. MÉNDEZ UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (AGMUS)

As an Educational Institution

The Ana G. Méndez University System is home to approximately 39,000 undergraduate and graduate students who are mainly underrepresented low-income minority students from the Metropolitan San Juan area in Puerto Rico. Three institutions form the AGMUS University System: Universidad Metropolitana (UMET), Universidad del Este (UNE), and Universidad del Turabo (UT). UMET has been a teaching institution since its foundation in 1948. Today, however, its philosophy has been changing to address the students’ study needs and the requirements of society. Our President, Mr. José F. Méndez, has set the agenda to have it become the best undergraduate research institution in Puerto Rico. Additionally, the President has set the goal to implement the MIE best practices at UNE and UT and transform AGMUS into a leading undergraduate research institution through the creation of the Student Development Center at the Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs. The Executive Director of the Student Research Development Center is Dr. Juan F. Arratia, who has set to accomplish this goal by 2010.

As an Undergraduate Research Institution In 1995, UMET was selected by the National Science Foundation as a Model Institution for Excellence (MIE) school. At that time, a five-year Cooperative Agreement for more than $11 million was signed between UMET and the NSF. A second Cooperative Agreement was signed on October 1, 2000 for an additional three years and for $7.5 million. The third phase of the MIE grant for $2.5 million for three additional years was awarded on October 1, 2003. The main objective of the relationship with NSF has been to transform UMET into a model for Hispanic Serving Institutions in the nation. Our major goal has been to increase the number of BS degrees granted by UMET, to transfer a significant number of science students to graduate school, and to enroll them in Ph. D. programs to fulfill the goals and aspirations of a greater participation of minorities in the science, mathematics, and engineering fields. After 13 years of funding, UMET has been transformed through the MIE activities by producing an effective pipeline from pre-college to undergraduate, and from undergraduate to graduate school for hundreds of underrepresented minorities from Puerto Rico. UMET has been transformed by the MIE Project into a national undergraduate research institution where faculty research mentors are helping science students create knowledge and disseminate creative thinking among the members of the university community. Our undergraduate research program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is paving the way for research-oriented activities for the benefit of our students and the nation as a whole.

PROLOGUE

The multiple goals of the XX Undergraduate Research Symposium are widespread. When this meeting was opened to the undergraduate research community of Puerto Rico and that of US mainland institutions in the Fall of 2000, it followed our initial vision of a training ground for young scientists and a melting pot for minorities. We consider that this Symposium will consolidate these objectives and will be a vehicle to advance the overall AGMUS goals. Students who participate in the AGMUS XX Undergraduate Research Symposium, sponsored and organized by the Student Research Development Center, demonstrate their capacity of becoming professionals who will pave the roads to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in this century. They are guided by their desire to integrate themselves into the scientific and technological world of the future, and they are inspired by a desire to make a contribution to the well being of humanity. We are proud to present the research work of students from institutions in Puerto Rico and the US mainland in the areas of Biological Science, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology. The research presentations of the AGMUS students give us much satisfaction because they are the result of a scientific tradition started more than ten years ago, and which is part of the institutional history and its consolidation for the benefit of the Puerto Rican society. All students presenting in this symposium deserve the honors and the prizes that they will be awarded for participating and sharing the product of their effort and dedication with the academic research community. Our institution recognizes the seriousness and the responsibility involved in participating in an event of this magnitude, and is aware that these merits will motivate students to continue working to make their dreams of a better world come true. The Student Research Development Center is proud to document the research abstracts and the activities for graduate school and undergraduate research orientation and workshops for the new generation of scientists who are participating in our XX Undergraduate Research Symposium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Sarwan Dhir, Ph. D. Dr. Sarwan Dhir is an Associate Professor and Director of Center for Biotechnology at Fort Valley State University. He received post-doctoral training at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Monsanto Agricultural Company in St. Louis in the area of genetic engineering and biotechnology. Since 2000, as a faculty member at Fort Valley, he played a leadership role in the establishment of the Center for Biotechnology, and Plant Science-Biotechnology major program. His research and teaching interests are in Plant Biotechnology, focusing on developing genetic engineering technology for crops of pharmaceutical value. He has received more than 8.5 million dollars from various funding agencies and has been successfully directing NSF funded programs such as REU-Site in Biotechnology, HBCU-UP and S-STEM. Every year, he provides financial support to more than 80 students as scholarships in amount of $3,500 for academic year for 4-years. He has encouraged more than 350 students to participate and present their research at national scientific meetings, winning more than 70 awards. He is a winner of: 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring (PAESMEM) from President of the United States, Outstanding Mentoring Excellence Award (twice) from National Science Foundation HBCU-UP program and the John W. Davidson Award for Outstanding Teaching and Outstanding Million Dollar Grantsmanship Award given by the FVSU Foundation. Dr. Dhir has published more than 35 peer reviewed articles and 45 popular articles in newspapers, magazines etc. He has delivered numerous lectures and training programs as an invited speaker at NSF, USDA, and several scientific societies. In his career he has carried out significant teaching and research in biotechnology as well as had major involvement in minority student programs. Regarding the latter, his commitment to this area has resulted in a significant number of minority students entering graduate/professional schools as well as influencing these students in their decision for post baccalaureate education and their career choices.

Renetta Tull, Ph. D. Rennetta Tull works in the Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), a program of the National Science Foundation. She works with the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), and the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) to create and manage centralized academic and professional development for graduate students. She also serves on the adjunct faculty of the Hearing and Speech Sciences Department at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Tull grew up with her three brothers in Plainfield, NJ, earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Speech Science from Northwestern. At Northwestern she was a TA Fellow of the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence, taught in the National High School Institute, and interned at the Rutgers University Center for Computer Aids for Industrial Productivity (CAIP). Following her tenure at Northwestern, Dr. Tull was an Anna Julia Cooper Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and later served as an Assistant Professor of Communicative Disorders. Dr. Tull has been an Honorary Fellow and Research Associate of the Waisman Center, Director of UW-Madison’s Speech Technology Laboratory, and a Research Affiliate of the Department of Industrial Engineering’s Trace Research and Development Center. Dr. Tull’s general research analyzes speech patterns of pathological voice and identifies phonetic characteristics of pathological speech that are altered by automatic speech recognition systems. Dr. Renetta Tull has also had corporate and entrepreneurship experience in addition to her background in academia. She interned at the Multimedia Division of Kodak Research Labs and the Military and was a Certified Systems Analyst for the Data Systems Operations of General Electric Aerospace. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Operations for DVIP Multimedia Incorporated, an emerging technology company where she assisted in securing early stage seed and angel funds. Dr. Tull spends most of her time as an advocate, coach, and mentor for current and prospective graduate students. She is an Educational Testing Service certified Campus Educator for the GRE, and is regularly invited to conferences across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to discuss the graduate school application process, GRE test-taking strategies, mentoring, and motivation for success. Some of her articles, presentations, and speeches include “The PROMISE of a Better Graduate School Community,” “An Inclusive Approach to Stimulating Underrepresented Ph.D. STEM Student Retention and Progression,” “Graduate School 101: An Introduction to Preparing COMPETITIVE Applications,” “In Pursuit of the Professoriate,” and “Visualize Your Future with a Ph.D.” Her most fulfilling moments occur when the students at UMBC, UMB, and UMCP (all three PROMISE campuses) set goals and reach them by overcoming difficulties and moments of doubt, and subsequently gain confidence, affirm their worth, and step into their potential to succeed and excel. She is committed to helping students complete their doctorates and move into their desired careers.

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Vernon Morris, Ph. D. Dr. Morris is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Chemistry and a founding faculty member of the Howard University Graduate Program in Atmospheric Sciences (HUPAS). Dr. Morris has served as the Deputy Director of the Center for the Study of Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Atmospheres (CSTEA) since 1996. This NASA-funded university research center has been in existence since 1992 and has produced critical collaborative research between the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Howard University faculty. Dr. Morris served as an adjunct scientist in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Branch (formerly code 916) of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GFSC). During the past two years, Dr. Morris has spearheaded a major initiative to bring Howard University to the forefront of atmospheric sciences research. He is the Principal Investigator of the Howard University component of the NASA Goddard Earth Science and Technology (GEST) Center. This is a cooperative agreement between NASA GSFC, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Howard University, Hampton University, Caelum Research Corporation, and Northrup Grumman Corporation. The Howard University GEST Center component focuses primarily on atmospheric chemistry, aerosols processes, and radiation modeling. In 2001, Dr. Morris was awarded a 5-year $12M grant from the Department of Commerce through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the establishment of an Atmospheric Sciences Center. This research and training facility is designed to advance the NOAA National Weather Service’s research capabilities in the atmospheric sciences, provide a cadre of highly-trained professionals to the global workforce, and implement a unique alliance and talent pipeline between several HBCU, MSI, and majority-serving Universities. The research efforts focus on climate, precipitation, air quality, and human impact. Since coming to Howard University, Dr. Morris has raised over $25M in research funding, founded the graduate program in Atmospheric Sciences (the first of its kind at an HBCU), and guided research of over 80 graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. Dr. Morris earned his B.S. degrees in chemistry and mathematics in 1985 from Morehouse College. He earned his Ph.D. in geophysical sciences specializing in atmospheric chemistry, with a minor in physical chemistry, from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1990. Dr. Morris has earned recognition as a NASA Graduate Student Research Program Fellow, a Regents Scholar, a NATO Advanced Study Scholar, a University of California Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow, several University Merit Awards, and was nominated to the Class of 1997 Project Kaleidoscope Faculty for the 21st Century. Dr. Morris has further distinguished himself through his research by being awarded the NSF CAREER award from 1997-2001 and the NASA Administrator’s Fellowship for 1999-2000. He currently serves on two distinguished boards: the National Academies of Sciences Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, and the NASA Earth System Sciences Applications Advisory Committee. Dr. Morris’ broad research interests include atmospheric and interstellar chemistry, photochemistry and chemical dynamics, matrix-isolation, time-resolved laser spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and field measurements of aerosols and trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. In March 2004 Dr. Morris led a thirty-day integrated atmospheric and oceanographic international scientific mission aboard NOAA’s flagship research vessel, the Ronald H. Brown. This mission was the first of its kind dedicated to explore the impact of Saharan dust storms on the regional environment during cross-Atlantic transport. Dr. Morris has published over 60 refereed papers and conference proceedings, ranging from quantum chemistry to the impacts of lightning in tropical Africa, and has made over 100 invited talks and national conference presentations. The research themes that guide the current projects are (i) the impacts of aerosols on global atmospheric chemistry, (ii) the impacts of tropospheric aerosols on urban environmental health, (iii) the fundamental roles of particulates in extraterrestrial atmospheres, and (iv) the interplay between weather phenomena (lightning, hurricanes, etc.) and atmospheric chemistry, i.e. “chemical meteorology.”

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XIX UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM EXHIBITORS’ LIST

Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Keck Graduate Institute Claremont, California Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts Montana State University Bozeman, Montana National Cancer Institute (NCI) Bethesda, Maryland National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Gaithersburg, Maryland Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio SMART Scholarship Program Washington, D. C. Universidad Central del Caribe Bayamón, Puerto Rico University of Alabama Brimingham, Alabama University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland Waters Corporation Caguas, Puerto Rico

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XXI Undergraduate Research Symposium 2010 Ana G. Méndez University System


September 10-11, 2010, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Call for Abstracts

A Word from the Organizers Dear students and research fellows: We invite you to participate in the XXI Undergraduate Research Symposium 2010. This symposium was initiated by UMET’s Science Honor Program to give our students the opportunity to present their scientific research experiences. Since 2000, we have expanded the reach of our meeting to other institutions in the nation with minority participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas. Now, in 2010, the symposium is implemented under the Student Research Development Center (SRDC), which is part of the Vice Presidency for Planning and Academic Affairs of the Ana G. Méndez University System (AGMUS). This opportunity will not only serve as a forum to learn about research experiences, but will also allow you to enjoy the wonders of our beautiful Borinquen scenery. For two days you will be able to learn about science and at the same time enjoy the beauty of our tropical Puerto Rico. We have prepared an informative and comprehensive program for the Symposium. Abstracts in all STEM areas, as well as in Computer Science, are welcome. We look forward to seeing you in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Meeting Information

• Deadline for submission of abstracts: August 23, 2010. • Notification of acceptance: September 1, 2010. Symposium date: September 10-11, 2010. The symposium will take

place at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico. • Scientific Program: The symposium will include oral presentations and poster sessions divided by areas. Symposium Registration Fees: Early

Registration After August 23, 2010

and On site Registration

Faculty and Visitors Student Presenters Student Attendees Academic Exhibitors Table 6’X3’ (Fee includes one person) Ad in Proceedings (Please contact Ms Thelma Graniela at [email protected] )

$100 Free $ 80 $ 360

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$130 Free $90 $405

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• Workshop Registration Fees: TBA.

General Information • Travel: All major airlines have flights to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Please

make your own reservations.

General Chair Dr. Juan F. Arratia Program Committee

Dr. Gladys Bonilla Dr. Osvaldo Cox

Ms. Thelma Graniela Ms. Zulma Irizarry Ms. Ivette Miranda

Ms. Wanda Rodríguez Mr. Tomas Yan Melo Mr. Oscar González

Ms. Serenella Linares Ms. María Terrón

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• Hotel: The Caribe Hilton Hotel (787) 721 0303 (http://www.hilton.com, and the Normandie Hotel (787) 729-2929 (http://www.normandiepr.com). Please make your own reservations.

• Local Attractions: Old San Juan and its historical sites, El Yunque Rain Forest, the Arecibo Radio Telescope, the Camuy Cave System and many beautiful beaches around the island.

• Weather: During the month of September, Puerto Rico’s weather is mild; it’s the perfect weather to enjoy our beautiful Island.

• Dress Code: Semiformal, business attire.

Registration

You have to register and submit your abstract by e-mail with: Ms. Ivette Miranda at: http://srdc.suagm.edu. You should include the following information: Last Name (Apellido), First Name (Nombre), Mailing Address: Street and Number, City, State, Zip Code, Fax, Phone, E-mail, and type of presentation (poster, oral). Submission of Abstracts Please attach your abstract in Microsoft Word format. Abstracts must be submitted in English and should be no more than 300 words long. They must include the title, authors and their affiliation and mentor(s). Only one presenter per abstract will be accepted. Please underline the main author or presenter and specify your preference for an oral or poster presentation. The deadline for Undergraduate and Graduate Abstracts to be considered for Symposium Awards is August 23, 2010. Abstracts received after August 23, 2010 will NOT be considered for any cash prizes presented by the XXI URS, but will be tagged as Late Submission Abstract in the Symposium Proceedings. The abstract submission site will be closed at midnight, August 23, 2010 and will NOT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL ABSTRACTS. **IMPORTANT FOR POSTER PRESENTERS:

• Boards will be available for posters not larger than 4x6 feet in portrait format. • No audiovisual equipment, laptops or tables will be allowed with no EXCEPTIONS

Registration for Exhibitors You have to register with Ms. Ivette Miranda at: http://srdc.suagm.edu Symposium Advertising Please send all ad material in JPEG format to: [email protected], no later than August 23, 2010. Each ad must have the desired ad dimensions. For more information about Symposium Advertising, visit our web page. Cancellation Policy: cancellation of Symposium registration can be made. All cancellations must be submitted through e-mail to [email protected] or by fax to: (787) 751-5386 by the following registration deadline dates:

• On or before August 23, 2010- no cancellation fee • After August 23, 2010 – any Student Registration cancellation received after this date will be assessed with a $25.00

cancellation processing fee. • Pre-Paid Exhibitor Registrations – no refund will be issued on any exhibitor registration

Please address all correspondence to:

Dr. Juan F. Arratia Executive Director Student Research Development Center Ana G. Méndez University System P.O. Box 21150 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00928-1150 Phone: (787) 766-1717 Ext. 6000 Fax: (787) 751-5386 For more information: http://srdc.suagm.edu

This conference features:

• Pre-Conference professional workshops • Graduate School Orientation • Undergraduate Research Internship Opportunities • Exhibitors

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Universidad MetropolitanaApartado 21150

San Juan, P.R. 00928-1150(787) 766-1717

Universidad del TuraboP.O. Box 3030

Estación UniversidadGurabo, P.R. 00778

(787) 743-7979

Universidad del EsteP.O. Box 2010

Carolina, P.R. 00984-2010(787) 257-7373

Ana G. Méndez University SystemAve. Ana G. Méndez, Carr. 176, KM 0.3, Cupey, Puerto Rico 00928

http://www.suagm.edu/

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ANA G. MENDEZ UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA

AGMUS INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS

Benefits:

• National Science Foundation Scholarship for up to $4,000/year

• Tutoring, mentoring and academic advising through AGMUS Institute of Mathematics

• Summer Research Internship opportunity to major US universities: Arizona State University, Rice University, University of California at Berkeley, Howard University, Cornell University, among others

• Transfer to Master and Ph.D Program in Biomathematics to US research institutions after graduation

• Pre-College Program starts in September 2008

For more information, please contact Dr. Juan F. Arratia, Executive Director, Institute of Mathematics, Tel. (787) 766-1717 Ext. 6000, email: [email protected], PO BOX 21150, San Juan, PR 00928-1150

*

* Sometido al Consejo se Educación Superior (CES)

Bio-Mathematics

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Do you have a passion for research? We are looking for graduate students

◆ Who are dedicated to scientific investigation ◆ Who will actively participate in the classroom ◆ Who will present at local and national conferences ◆ Who will publish, sharing good science

Our graduate programs ◆ Offer relevant cutting-edge research that makes a difference in human lives ◆ Offer opportunities to work in several labs prior to deciding on a major professor and project ◆ Offer community, confidence and focus ◆ Offer professional development in teaching ◆ Provide fellowships, assistantships, tuition Genetics: http://www.genetics.iastate.edu Genomics, animal, plant, microbial, evolutionary, bacterial, and statistical genetics.

Toxicology: http://www.toxicology.iastate.edu Neurotoxicology, food security, insect, analytical, nutritional, and veterinary toxicology Iowa State University has over 120 graduate programs. Contact Linda Wild ([email protected]) for additional information. Iowa State University is in Ames, Iowa, a community recognized nationally for its quality of life. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 UNIVERSIDAD METROPOLITANA 12:30 – 1:00 Registration UMET Campus 1.00 – 3:00 p.m. GRE Overview

Dr. Gayle R. Slaugher, Baylor College of Medicine Amphitheater

3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Coffee Break 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Fellowship and Scholarship Amphitheater Ethics in Research MS-119 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Graduate School Opportunities Amphitheater Advances in Biotechnolgy MS-119

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2009 CARIBE HILTON HOTEL 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration (San Cristóbal Foyer) 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (San Cristóbal Foyer) 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Poster Session Set-Up (San Cristóbal B-C-D) 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Orientation for Judges (Conf. 3-5) 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony

Welcome: Dr. Juan F. Arratia, Executive Director Student Research Development Center Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sarwan Dhir Fort Valley State University

(San Cristóbal Ballroom)

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibitors (San Cristóbal Foyer) 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. POSTER SESSION

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, CHEMISTRY, COMPUTER SCIENCES, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, APPLIED MATHEMATICS, APPLIED PHYSICS, PSYCHOLOGY AND ENGINEERING

(San Cristóbal B-C-D)

Chairman: Oscar González, Ph. D. Candidate

University of California-Irvine BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Phylicia BrooksLS, Jessica White, Barisere Bodo, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Comparison of Growth and Viability of Retinal Müller Cells Cultured Under Euglycemic, Hyperglycemic, and Hyperosmolar Conditions

(1)

Porscha Bumpus, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia.

Analysis of Switchgrass Ubiquiting Promoter for Use in Genetic Transformation

(2)

Raquel C. Castañeda, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Characterization of Directed Evolution Clones of the Fluorogen Activating Protein J6 and the Fluoreogen Dimethylindole Red (DIR)

(3)

Angélica F. Claxton, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Were Tubastraea coccinea Introduced to the Caribbean?

(4)

Jessica DíazLS, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Knockout of LPG1 Gen in Leishmania mexicana

(5)

Juliana Falero, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

NMDA Receptor in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases

(6)

Leidy FélizLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Role of WAC in Colorectal Cancer

(7)

25

Stephanie Flansburg, University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Detection and Characterization of Papillomaviruses in Cutaneous and Oral Cell Carcinomas of Cats

(8)

Ramón Gómez, University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

A Study of Phase Variation of Phosphorylcholine Genes in Haemophilus influenzae 2019 STRR

(9)

Ashley González, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Cell Therapy with Macrophages Genetically Modified Modulates the Renal Ephitelial Regeneration After Ischemia/Reperfusion

(10)

Maritza González, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Expansion and Differentiation of T Cells in OP9-DL1 Culture Under Different Culture Media Conditions

(11)

Jewelle C. Ible, University of the Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands.

ISSR Amplification of Laguncularia racemosa Unsuccessful

(12)

Jonathan A. López, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Potential Effects of the Commercial Cultivation of Bt Maize on Non Target Insects Associated to Maize Crops in Central Spain

(13)

André Medina, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Genetic Instability in HTZ1 and SWR1 Mutants

(14)

Leslie Montañez, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico.

CD38 Expression in Asthmatic HASM Cells: Role of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/AKT (P13K/AKT)

(15)

Camille MontesLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico.

Potential Crosstalk Between Autophagy and Apoptosis in Parotid Epithelial Cells

(16)

Giulianna Murati, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Association Between Ancestry Informative Markers and Insulin Sensitivity

(17)

Raúl M. Navedo, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Evolutionary Analysis of Disease Associated Mutations in the Gene Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C1 (NPC1), NM_00271

(18)

Rosán NievesLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico.

Targeting FASN Using Micrornas MIR-193B and MIR-15B: A Potential Novel Therapeutic for the Treatment of Aggressive Breast Cancer

(19)

26

Luis M. Ortiz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Diurnal Effect on E. coli Concentrations at Potash Brook, South Burlington, Vermont

(20)

Karoline Ríos, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Estimating E. coli Concentrations in an Agricultural Area at Potash Brooke in Burlington, Vermont

(21)

Jeaneishka M. RiveraLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico.

Understanding T Cell Recognition of Beryllium-Antigen

(22)

Lorangelly Rivera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytokine Levels in Acute Lung Rejection

(23)

Johanna M. RodríguezLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Effect of Angiotensin II Inhibition During the Organogenesis of the Rat’s Heart

(24)

Laura Salazar, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Estimating the Escherichia coli Levels in an Urban Area in Burlington, Vermont

(25)

Katy Sanon, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

ISSR-Protocol Established for Local Plant Killer

(26)

Manuel A. Soler, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Are Fungi Able to Degrade Complex Carbohydrates in Hypersaline Microbial Mats?

(27)

Dorielys M. Valentín, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Effect of Alcohol on Protein Profile of Monocyte Derived-Dendritic Cells

(28)

Jesús I. VilarchaoLS, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Estrogen Effects on Circadian Rhythm Gene Expression on Mice Hearts

(29)

Emmanuel Villanueva, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Amyloid B Controls Dendrite Morphology and Apoptosis in Hippocampal Neurons Through P75NTR

(30)

Jessica WhiteLS, Barisere Bodo, Phylicia Brooks, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Hyperglycemia does not Acutely and Directly Cause Apoptosis of Retinal Müller Cells

(31)

CHEMISTRY Karen L. Burgos, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Spinach Components as an Alternative in the Control of Breast Tumor Cells

(32)

Norcaris Carrasquillo, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Binding Mapping of the Interaction Between Anti-HIV-1 2G12 Antibody and Oligomannosides Using Theoretical Calculations

(33)

27

Nilmarie Colón, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Local Variation in Total Phosphorus at Potash Brook, Vermont

(34)

Cindy A. Espada, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Effect of Spinach Extract with Water as Solvent on the Proliferation of Human Tumor Cell Line MDA-MB231

(35)

April Gillens, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Environmental Impacts on Nuclear Reprocessing Solvents

(36)

Emanuel HernándezLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

System Identification of Conducting Polymer compliance

(37)

Dalia Huguet, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Enantiopure Sulforaphane Analogues: Enanthioselective Synthesis and Biological Activities

(38)

Carlos I. Ortiz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Exploring Conditions for the Synthesis of Nucleosides Under Prebiotic Reaction Conditions

(39)

Natalia SánchezLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Aromatic Systems Interacting with TNT Considered for Molecular Imprinting

(40)

Tiffany Strickland, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Determining the DNA Binding Activity of Neural Zinc Finger Factor 1E by Fluorescence Anisotropy

(41)

COMPUTER SCIENCES Jorge R. Castro, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Implication of Mobile Sosftware Application Architecture Design on Cell Phone Battery Life

(42)

Joksan X. FloresLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Advanced Real-Time Path Prediction Using GPS Enabled Mobile Phones

(43)

Jesse R. Jiménez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Attempt to Develop a New Program for Data Processing in Qsar Analysis Using Java Platform

(44)

Héctor Machín, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

High Performance Computing Resilience Testbed

(45)

Amarilys Méndez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Query Processing in Molecular Simulation Database

(46)

Emanuel J. Méndez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Modeling the Interaction Between Sudden Oak Death and Forest Fires

(47)

28

Mary Mootoo, University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

Bayesian Networks for Mining Census Data in Order to Develop Effective Marketing Strategies

(48)

Eduardo Villalba, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Using the Youtube Api’s and Tools to Develop an Application

(49)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Anna CornierLS, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Activity of Cytochrome P450 in Bacteria from the San José Lagoon

(50)

Edward GarcíaLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Relationship Between Soil Texture and Channel Migration Rates in Allen Brook, Chittenden County, Vermont

(51)

Ivonne Gómez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Prevalence of Dissimilatory Arsenate-Reducing Prokaryotes in Nature

(52)

Diana K. Guzmán, University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

The Roles of Floral Resource Proximity to Nesting Substrate in Wild Bee Nest-Site Selection

(53)

Luis Latorre LS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Richness and Endemicity of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria Across Neotropical Terrestrial Environments

(54)

Diana L. LaureanoLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Neotropical Island Biogeography for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

(55)

Mia L. Nash, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia.

Progeny Analysis of Transgenic Tobacco Using Glufosinate Ammonium as a Selection Agent

(56)

Brenda RodríguezLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Diversity and Abundance of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Hypersaline Microbial Mats in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

(57)

APPLIED MATHEMATICS Kelvon J. Barkley, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Sea Surface Temperature and Effects on North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones

(58)

Cassandra Benjamin, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Logarithmic Series Accelerators

(59)

Cherelle N. Jackson, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Mesoscale Analysis and Modeling of Two Winter Storms Affecting the New York Area

(60)

29

Xavier Martínez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Two Strain Competition: Trypanosoma Cruzi

(61)

Odari C. Thomas, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Mathematical Models of Digital Sounds to Reproduce Human Voices?

(62)

PSYCHOLOGY Michelle Ayorinde, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Early Social Behavioral Assessents in a Mouse Model for Autism

(63)

Jamilet Figueroa, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Appropriate Language Use in Children With Autism

(64)

Christina Restrepo, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Assessing Constructivist Teaching and Learning in the Ohio Mathematics Coaching Program

(65)

ENGINEERING Emmanuel Carpena, Univesidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Effect of Thermal Processes on Electrical Properties of Silicon Thin Films and Microwires

(66)

Pablo Díaz, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Pressure Drop in Porous Media Simulation Using a Wind Tunnel

(67)

Toni-Ann FalconerLS, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Implementation of a Closed-Loop System to Improve Surface Flatness of Thin Glass Sheets and Silicon Wafers

(68)

Lamontie A. James, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.

Towards Experimental Verification of Digital Carbon Foam Models

(69)

Antonio J. Rodríguez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

KA-Band Atmospheric Calibration Analysis

(70)

Daniel E. Soltero, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Building a Distributed Robot Garden: Image Processing and Visual Servoing

(71)

30

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Coffee Break (San Cristóbal Foyer) 11:15 – 1:00 p.m. Graduate School Orientation/ Undergraduate Research

Internships Chairman: Dr. Renetta Tull, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Dr. Howard Adams, FASEB Dr. Mario Díaz, University of Texas, Brownsville Mr. León Espinosa, National Cancer Institute Mr. Christopher Jones, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dr. Gayle Slaughter, Baylor College of Medicine


1:00 – 2:30 p.m. LUNCH

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vernon Morris Howard University


2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Success and Survival in Academia (San Cristóbal Ballroom) Chairman: Dr. Karen Ríos Soto, University of Puerto Rico-

Mayagüez Campus

Mr. Oscar González, Ph. D. Candidate, University of California-Irvine Ms. Serenella Linares, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Maryland,

College Park

Ms. Gloricelly Rivera, Ph.D. Candidate, University of New Mexico, Las Cruces

Mr. Tomás Yan Mello, Ph.D. Program, Vanderbilt University 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. Coffee Break (San Cristóbal Foyer) 3:15 – 6:00 p.m. Oral Undergraduate Research Presentations

Sessions I, II, III, IV and V (San Cristóbal Ballroom,

Conf. 3-5, Conf. 6-7, Flamingo AB, Flamingo CD)

31

3:15 – 6:15 p.m. ORAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS SESSION I

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND CHEMISTRY

(SAN CRISTÓBAL BALLROOM)

Chairman: Ms. Serenella Linares, Ph.D. Candidate

University of Maryland, College Park

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Wanda M. Báez, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Functional Characterization of Mo CRZ-1 Regulated Genes in the Rice Blast Pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Krizia Cabrera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Covalent Cross-Linking of Recombinant 8-Oxoguanine Glycosylase to a Synthetic Oligodeoxynucleotide DNA Substrate

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Carlos Coriano, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Genomic Imprinting Analysis of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 in Prostate Cancer

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Luz M. Cumba, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Oxidative Enzyme Activity in the Root System of Sunflowers (Helianthus anuus L.)

4:15 – 4:30 p.m. Aziza Glass, Prairie View A&M University, Houston, Texas.

Female Mate Choice for Condition-Dependence and Genetic Compatibility

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Hazel Ozuna, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Validation of a Fluorescent Probe for Detection of an Oral Bacterium in Environmental Sites

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Argenys Robles, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Determining the Functional Importance of Sialic Acid in Sperm-Binding to the Oviduct

5:00 – 5:15 p.m. Arturo White, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia.

Martian Life Detection with Xylose Enantiomers

5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Derek Wilson, Jr., Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia.

Linkage Mapping of Mandibular Length in Recombinant Congenic Mice

32

CHEMISTRY 5:30 – 5:45 p.m. Rubén Díaz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Determination of Dye Concentration on Nanoporous Films Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Brandon K. Mills, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North

Carolina. The Synthesis of Coumarins and Boronic Acid Derivatives of Coumarins to be Used as Chemopreventives

6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Carlos C. Rivera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Study of the Properties of Functionalized Water-Soluble Conjugated Structures: Hyperbranched PPES and Distyrylnbenzenes

33

3:15 – 6:30 p.m. ORAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS SESSION II

APPLIED MATHEMATICS, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, AND ENGINEERING

(CONF. 3-5)

Chairman: Dr. Osvaldo Cox

School of Environmental Sciences, Universidad Metropolitana APPLIED MATHEMATICS 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Alexander Díaz, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. The Isoperimetric Problem in Sectors with Disk Density

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Kevin Harris, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North

Carolina. Method to our Madness

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Stefan Jenkins, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.

Spherical Projection in Porous Substances

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Jidraph Njuguna, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.

Random Modeling of Carbon Foam Using the Monte Carlo Method

4:15 – 4:30 p.m. Shari Briggs, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.

Heat Transfer in a Spherical Solid

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Dwight A. Williams II, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida.

A Quasi-Geometric Build-up Algorithm to Model Carbon Foam with Spherical Bubbles

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Ángel A. García, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Undestanding the Relationship Between Beaver Dams and the Movement of Phosphorus Through Allen Brook, Chittenden County, Vermont

5:00 – 5:15 p.m. Giomara La Quay, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Role of Soil Nitrogen and Physical Properties on the Distribution of Pinyion Pine, Juniper Trees and Grass Along the Los Pinos Mountains, New Mexico

5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Marian A. Pérez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Prioritization of the Attention of Ecological Species at Risk by the US Army

34

ENGINEERING 5:30 – 5:45 p.m. Josué Acevedo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Improving the Realism of Synthetic Training for the S.A.V.E. Program

5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Manuel E. Candelario, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez,

Puerto Rico. Experimental Validation of a Numerical Model for Ultra High Performance Concrete

6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Aleris M. Castañer, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. 747-8 Airplane Thrust Reverser Certification Testing

6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Gerardo Cerra, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Coastal Erosion Control by Means of Armor Stones

35

3:15 – 6:30 p.m. ORAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS SESSION III

ENGINEERING

(CONF. 6-7)

Chairman: Dr. Alvaro Lecompte

Universidad Interamericana, San Germán, Puerto Rico ENGINEERING 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Jerfiz Constanzo, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Improved Methodologies to Perform DT Imaging of Perfusion Fixed Large Mammalian Hearts Within a 3 Tesla MRI Unit: Minimization of Motion Artifacts

3:30 – 3: 45 p.m. Francisco Del Valle, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Asphalt Repair Material Certification Program

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Lyan García, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Development of an Innovative Design Methodology for Structural Airfield Mats

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. César S. González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. An Optical Pulse Generator for the CZMIL Project

4:15 – 4:30 p.m. Richard González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Thermoplastic Composite Material as Substitute for Timber Bridge Design to Mitigate Greenshouse Gas Emissions

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Pedro Lorenzo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Mississippi River Sediment Availability Study (MRSAS)

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Miguel Lugo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Selection of Modeling Methodologies for Navigational Projects

5:00 – 5:15 p.m. Jonathan J. Luna, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. A Simulation-Based Application for Battlespace Terrain Reasoning and Awareness (BTRA) in the Development of an Ambulance Exchange Point (AXP)

5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Marietta Marcano, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Characterization of Selected Nonmaterials for Safe Environmental Applications

5:30 – 5:45 p.m. Vonmarie Martínez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Modeling Dynamic Response of Fixed Offshore Wind Turbines

36

5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Anna Matías, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

The USDA Forest Service Program for Protecting and Rehabilitating Forest Highways

6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Emmanuelle J. Merced, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez,

Puerto Rico. An Innovative Liquid Cooling Design for the CZMIL System

6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Javier Miranda, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Material Testing Analysis for the Self-Centering Concentrically Braced Frame

37

3:15 – 6:15 p.m. ORAL RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS SESSION IV

ENGINEERING

(FLAMINGO AB)

Chairman: Dr. Brett Isham

Universidad Interamericana, Bayamón, Puerto Rico ENGINEERING 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Axel Montalvo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Metrics Methodologies for Weapon Effects on Structures

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. María E. Nieves, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Innovative Design of the New Generation of the 747 Passenger Airplane (747-8 International Model)

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Wilson Ortiz, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

A Student Career Experience Program (SCEPO) at the NRCS Agency

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Axy Pagán, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Perforation Limit Curves of SAP Projectile on Concrete

4:15 – 4:30 p.m. Sandybell Ramos, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Coastal Wave Diffraction Duet to Breakwater Structures

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Samuel Rivera, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Validation and Control Quality Verification of the Vessel Detection Data of the HF Radar, Seasonde (CDDO) System in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. José C. Sánchez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Response of Indiana Bat to Environmental Disturbances

5:00 – 5:15 p.m. Edgardo Santana, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Characterizing the Transient Water Pressure in a Concrete Tie Rail Seat

5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Reinaldo Silvestry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Parametric Studies on Conventional and High Strength Reinforced Concrete Panels

5:30 – 5:45 p.m. Olgamarie Toledo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Inspection Methods & Techniques to Determine non Visible Corrosion of Prestressing Strands in Concrete Bridge Component

38

5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Emlyn Vélez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Degradation of Insensitive Munitions on Nanomaterials

6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Francisco J. Vélez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Effects of Proposed Hurricane Protection Structures on Fish Larvae Recruitment into Lake Pontchartrain

39

3:15 – 6:15 p.m. ORAL GRADUATE RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

SESSION V COMPUTER SCIENCES, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING

(FLAMINGO CD)

Chairman: Dr. Renetta Tull

University of Maryland, Baltimore County COMPUTER SCIENCES 3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Luis Gabriel Jaimes, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Intensive Computational Methodology for Finding M-parameter of Fuzzy c-Means Algorithm

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. Gaddiel Ayala, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Oceanographic and Meteorological Forcing During the Summer Months on the Pelagic Ecosystem of the Gulf of Cadiz Shelf

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Lisette M. Gaona, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

A Statistical Tool to Derive Edaphic Properties from Spanish Soils

4:00 – 4:15 p.m. Ivelisse Irizarry, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

Bacterial Endophytes of Coccoloba uvifera (Sea Grape) at a Solar Saltern and a Beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

ENGINEERING 4:15 – 4:30 p.m. Merci Liz Berríos, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. As Built Drawings for the US Army Facility Management Program

4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Orlando Carrasquillo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez,

Puerto Rico. Load Rating of Lahontan Dam Spillway Bridges

4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Julieta Gómez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Embankment Breach DAM Prediction

5:00 – 5:15 p.m. Luis D. González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Incorporating Visualization and Filtering Tools for Drawbar Pull Analysis Program

5:15 – 5:30 p.m. Ariel Irizarry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

Ballistic Resistance of UHPC Thin Panels

5:30 – 5:45 p.m. Mónica M. Medina, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. TNT Partitioning to Soil: Estimating the Detection Potential of Aerosolized Particles

40

5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Adilson Pérez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Flexural Properties of Reinforced and Unreinforced Ultra High-Strength Concrete

6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Luis A. Serrano, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto

Rico. Development and Demonstration of Rapid Repair of Levee Breaching Technology

7:15 – 8:45p.m. AWARD, CLOSING CEREMONY AND DINNER (SAN CRISTÓBAL

BALLROOM) Keynote Speaker: Dr. Renetta Tull

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Closing Remarks: Dr. Juan F. Arratia, Executive Director


8:45 p.m. SYMPOSIUM ADJOURNS

41

ABSTRACTS

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MO CRZ-1 REGULATED G ENES IN THE RICE BLAST PATHOGEN MAGNAPORTHE ORYZAE Wanda M. Báez, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Thomas Mitchell, The Ohio State University, Ohio. Magnaporthe oryzae is a fungus that causes rice blast, a serious disease that affects 10-30% of the rice harvest. This infection starts by developing a specialized cell called an appressoria in a mechanism involving Ca++ and the protein calcineurin, which builds up enough pressure to make a rupture on the leaf cuticle, allowing for the invasion of the inner tissue. Six genes were selected that normally turn on in a Ca++- Calcineuria dependent manner by the transcription factor CRZ-1, which is involved in M. oryzae virulence. One of the main goals of this research was to elucidate the role of these genes and how they are associated with virulence. This was done by using gene mutation techniques, isolating the above mentioned genes from E. coli, putting them into protoplasts and selecting for Hyg resistance as a mutant characteristic. Phenotype tests were conducted and compared to the wild type growth, to observe spore production, appressoria production, and the mutant’s ability to infect the rice plant. COMPARISON OF GROWTH AND VIABILITY OF RETINAL MÜLLE R CELLS CULTURED UNDER EUGLYCEMIC, HYPERGLYCEMIC, AND HYPEROSMOLAR C ONDITIONS Phylicia BrooksLS, Jessica White, Barisere Bodo, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Research Mentor: Dr. Ernest C. Steele Jr., Department of Biology, Morgan State University Baltimore, Maryland. Diabetes results in many systemic complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), a progressive loss of vision resulting from damage of neurons and blood vessels in the retina. DR is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the US. The cellular and molecular events leading to the development and progression of DR are still poorly understood. It is therefore imperative to study the early cellular events leading to this devastating disorder. Retinal Müller glial cells provide many critical support functions for both neuronal and vascular cells in the retina, and it has been proposed that loss of these support functions might precede and contribute to the later damage to and loss of neurons and vascular cells observed in DR. A highly contested report by another laboratory presented data suggesting that hyperglycemia causes direct and acute apoptosis in retinal Müller glial cells. In this study, this hypothesis was re-tested directly using an immortalized rat Müller cell (rMC-1) line. The cell growth rate of these cells was compared quantitatively over 72 hours in three different media: euglycemic (5mM glucose), hyperglycemic (25mM glucose), and euglycemic/hyperosmolar control (5mM glucose + 20mM mannose). Future studies will determine whether or not hyperglycemia or hyperosmolarity alters the expression of mRNA and protein levels of molecules known to be important for normal retinal Müller cell functions.

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ANALYSIS OF SWITCHGRASS UBIQUITIN PROMOTER FOR USE IN GENETIC TRANSFORMATION Porscha Bumpus, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Soil Sciences, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. Research Mentor: Jason N. Burris, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Transient gene expression assays are often used to screen promoters before stable transformation. A novel switchgrass ubiquitin promoter, Pvub1, was analyzed for the use in transformation and to compare its effectiveness to the maize promoter, ZmUbi-1. A functionality analysis was performed to determine the capability of PvUb1 as a promoter for use in transient gene expression. A visual assay was performed on the bombarded two-month old callus produced from inflorescences of Alamo 2 switchgrass using B-glucuronidase, (GUS), as an enzyme from the bacterium E. Coli that produces a blue color in the presence of X-Gluc solution (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl glucuronide), allowing for the determination of whether the promoter is functional. Gus expression was observed in callus bombarded with both Pvub1 and ZmUbi-1. The analysis was unable to determine if Pvub1 performed better than ZmUbi-1. However, results demonstrated that the novel promoter, PvUbi1, isolated from switchgrass, can be used to drive the expression of Gus and is functional for use in transient gene expression assays. COVALENT CROSS-LINKING OF RECOMBINANT 8-OXOGUANINE GLYCOSYLASE TO A SYNTHETIC OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDE DNA SUBSTRATE Krizia Cabrera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Colin Campbell, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as nitrogen mustards are bifunctional alkylating agents that induce a variety of lesions into DNA including intra-strand and inter-strand cross-links and mono-adducts. It has recently been shown that these agents are capable of cross-linking proteins to DNA, creating DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs). DPCs are bulky adducts which are likely to interrupt cellular processes due to steric hindrance. The purpose of this research was to synthesize a DPC substrate that can be used to study the biological significance of drug-induced DPCs. The first step in the creation of DPCs involved synthesis and purification of the two fundamental components: the protein and the DNA. Expression of recombinant 8-Oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) protein was induced in Escherichia coli and purified via affinity chromatography. A double stranded oligonucleotide, 158 base pairs in length, was created by phosphorylating, annealing and ligating 6 complementary oligonucleotides, one of which contained an 8-oxoguanine residue. OGG1, which removes damaged bases, including 8-oxoguanine, during base excision repair pathway, was covalently ‘trapped’ onto the 8-oxo-guanine-containing DNA duplex substrate by co-incubating these components in the presence of sodium borohydride. Creation of this OGG-DNA crosslink substrate will be used in future studies to gain insight into the cellular response to drug-induced DPCs.

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CHARACTERIZATION OF DIRECTED EVOLUTION CLONES OF TH E FLUOROGEN ACTIVATING PROTEIN J6 AND THE FLUOROGEN DIMETHYLIND OLE RED (DIR) Raquel C. Castañeda, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Peter Berget, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fluorogen activating proteins (FAPs) are currently used in research to study cellular events in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface. These proteins are derived from single chain variable fragments, which consist of a variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) domains connected by a flexible linker. Different dyes interact with different FAPs to emit florescence. This florescence emitted from the particular fluorophore allows for the finding of the FAP. The fluorophore used in this specific research project was the fluorophore dimethylindole red (DIR). Previously, the J6-DIR FAP was mutated by error-prone PCR method. Clones were selected with increased binding affinity or fluorescence. This experiment produced different clones of the J6 FAP. The objective of this research was to determine which amino acid changes in the mutant clones of the J6 FAP were responsible for the increase in fluorescence. This information will allow to determine which of these FAP clones is the most efficient to obtain a greater amount of fluorescence at different concentrations of DIR. In these experiments, restriction enzymes and molecular biology techniques on the mutant J6 plasmids were used to separate the changed amino acids into individual plasmids. These plasmids were cultured in S. cerevisiae and grown to express the protein on the cell surface. DIR was added to these cultures at different concentrations (5 nM and 100 nM). This allowed the researcher to observe by flow cytometry which clones carried changes that improved DIR binding or fluorescence. Of the sixteen single amino acid changes that were derived from the mutant clones of J6 FAP, two produced the most significant improvements in the binding or fluorescence activation of DIR. They were the VH mutation I58T, in clones E12, C8, B11, K10 and F8 and the VL mutation V212I, found in clones B15 and L5. WERE TUBASTRAEA COCCINEA INTRODUCED TO THE CARIBBEAN? Angélica F. Claxton, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Dr. Sandra Romano, Sophomore Summer Research Institute, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Tubastraea coccinea is an azooxanthellate stony coral which is indigenous to the Pacific. Besides T. coccinea, there are no other known coral species that are found in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Its first documented reports were in 1943 in the Caribbean. T. coccinea is a bright orange coral with yellow translucent tentacles that extend at night, making it impossible for divers to miss. This research investigated whether there is genetic variation between the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific T. coccinea species. To see whether T. coccinea from the Caribbean and the Pacific had genetic variation, samples from both the Caribbean and Pacific (previously extracted by our mentor in the early nineties) were used in this study. The DNA extractions for Caribbean samples were extracted using the DNeasy protocol. Both sample sets were then used in PCR reactions with mitochondrial and nuclear primers. Primers and markers were used from reference papers, which were known to have success with amplification. The data will be analyzed by sequencing the DNA. By using other sequences found on Genbank, the sequences will be compared and contrasted to determine their genetic variation. Though thisDNA has not been sequenced as yet, in previous studies it has been shown that the Pacific and Caribbean species have identical synonymous nucleotide sequences. If the sequences are the same, this would support that the species was introduced and there would be a fail in rejecting the null hypothesis. This research can be furthered by investigating the dispersal methods and survival mechanisms of the T. coccinea species in the Western Atlantic. T. coccinea is not reef building, but will grow on coral reefs, which may pose a threat to native coral species that do in fact build reefs and are important in the protection of the coastlines and an asset to the economy.

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GENOMIC IMPRINTING ANALYSIS OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-2 IN PROSTATE CANCER Carlos Coriano, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: David Jarrad, Md, Department of Urology, Molecular & Environmental Toxicology; and Sachin Bhusari, Ph.D., Department of Molecular & Environmental Toxicology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Epigenetics has been closley linked to a variety of illnesses including cancers of all types. Loss of imprinting (LOI) of the Insulin Like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) gene has been found in prostates where it may contribute to the pathogenesis of tumors. Preliminary data demonstrate that a loss of imprinting is not only found in the tumor region but also in normal associated tissue around it. Tumor, near tumor and far tumor tissues were examined from surgically removed human prostates utilizing Fluroscent Primer Extension Assay (FluPE). The FluPE assay measures the relative levels of mRNA originating from each parental allele by primer extension across a polymorphic site. The primer extension products are detected using a fluorescently labeled primer on an automated DNA sequencer. LOI of IGF2 was demonstrated in all three regions, LOI percentages were 18% tumor, 9% near tumor and 8% in far tumor regions from two samples. The LOI in tumor and tumor-associated tissues suggest that a field effect may occur in prostate cancer as does in breast and colon cancer. It was hypothesized that an IGF2 LOI field effect plays an important role in the progression of prostate cancer. OXIDATIVE ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE ROOT SYSTEM OF SUN FLOWERS (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) Luz M. Cumba, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Lawrence Davis, Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. Laccase and peroxidase are enzymes needed for the uptake or degradation of common textile dyes because the dyes have stable chemical structures that do not allow them to be susceptible to bacterial degradation in conventional aerobic treatment. These enzymes can degrade other contaminants present in the effluent as well. Two azo dyes, Evans Blue and Methyl Red, were exposed to the root system of sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus L.) to measure the amount of dye removed or degraded by the plant in the presence or absence of light. Plants in the light have increased capacity of incorporating the dye. To observe and compare the enzyme activity, different weight plants were tested to see if the activity is related to weight. It was found that there was no simple relationship between plant weight and the activity. 2, 2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and Hydrogen Peroxide ( H2O2) were used as substrates. The enzyme reaction was examined in pH 5 and pH 6 to see where activity is greater. The activity rate per hour indicates that there is no preference of pH by these enzymes. The possibilities of incorporating plants in cleaning of environmental pollutants generated by the industrial processes will help to minimize their costs of treating effluents with toxic chemicals. Additionally, another resource of laccase is generated, which can be utilized instead of using fungal laccase or other chemical processes that are not immobilized, which could cause problems to the environment.

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KNOCKOUT OF LPG1 GEN IN LEISHMANIA MEXICANA Jessica DíazLS, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Mario Delgado, Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra, (CSIC), Spain. Leishmania mexicana is a protozoan that lives as a parasite in humans. It causes leishmaniasis, a disease that affects the skin and is transmitted by the bite of an infected sand fly. The aim of this study was to perform a knockout of the gene lpg1 in L. mexicana. This gene codifies for a cell surface protein important for the infection of macrophages by the parasite. The lpg1 gene was obtained by PCR and divided by half in the process using specific oligonucleotides. Each fragment of the gen was inserted into a pGemT plasmid individually resulting in pGemTlpg5’ and pGemTlpg3’. Both pGemT were digested with ClaI and NdeI enzymes. The pGemTlpg5’ was used as a vector and pGemTlpg3’ was used as the insert in a ligation resulting in pGemTlpg5’3’. Other PGemT plasmids were created to clone the gene of resistance to neomycin and hygromycin. The resulting plasmids pGemTlpgneo and pGemTlpghyg were digested with KpnI and XbaI enzymes to obtain the cassettes of neomycin and hygromycin. These cassettes were inserted in the pGemTlpg5’3’. This final plasmid will be used to transfect L. mexicana to knockout the lpg1 gene. NMDA RECEPTOR IN AGING AND NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEAS ES Juliana Falero, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Coral Sanfeliu, Dept. Brain Ischemia and Neurodegeneration. IIBB, CSIC-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and is estimated to afflict about 4 million people in the United States. There is considerable evidence to support the role of dysregulated glutamate in the pathophysiology of this neurodegenerative disorder. Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory amino acid and it is believed to be involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory in the brain. Alterations of glutamate receptors such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in the aged brain might play an important role in the development of AD. NMDA receptor is a ligand-gated and voltage-dependent calcium channel consisting of four to five subunits, which combine to form heterometric complexes. Functional NMDA receptors are composed of two NR1 subunits and at least of two NR2 subunits assembled in the endoplasmatic reticulum. The objective of this study was the identification of the NMDA receptors in SK-N-MC and MC65 human neuroblastoma cell lines and in primary cultures that control human fetal neurons and Down’s syndrome neurons. The expression of NMDA receptors in the neuroblastoma cells will allow the use of the SK-N-MC-derived MC65 cell line as an interesting AD in vitro model. MC65 cells are engineered to conditionally express the carboxyl terminal fragment of the amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) that contains the amyloid beta peptide. Preliminary data showed that neither NMDA-R1 nor NMDA-R2B are expressed in the parental neuroblastoma SK-N-MC. Currently, differentiation of this neuroblastoma is being done using retinoic acid and N6,2´-O-dibutyryladenosine 3´,5´-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) to check if NMDA receptors are expressed in a differentiated phenotype. The expression of NMDA-R1 and NMDA-R2B receptors in primary cultures from fetal brain tissue could be confirmed. Preliminary data suggests a decrease of the NMDA receptors in Down’s Syndrome fetal brain neurons.

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THE ROLE OF WAC IN COLORECTAL CANCER Leidy FélizLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. David Largaespada, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Human Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US, despite extensive research on this condition. Mutations in the genome that lead to activation of oncogenes or loss of functionality of tumor suppressor genes are the major culprits of cancer development. Transposable elements, such as the Sleeping Beauty, have been used to study genetic mutations in order to better understand gene mutations that can drive CRC. Recent studies identified the Wac gene as a cancer associated gene for human CRC. Recurrent mutations of Wac by insertion in mouse model of sleeping beauty transposon induce CRC development (Starr et al. 2009). The protein product of Wac is a WW domain-containing adapter with a coiled-coil region functioning as a bridge by bringing together different proteins in complex formation. Its architectural structure, the WW domain and coiled-coil region, and its subcellular localization in the nucleus suggest that Wac may be involved in RNA translation which indicates this gene may play a role in tumorigenesis. The goal of this study was to understand the role of Wac in cell proliferation and apoptosis. To test the function of Wac in human and mouse colorectal cancer cells, HCT 116 and CT26 respectively, the levels of Wac mRNA were “knocked down” using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) technology. After knocking down the Wac mRNA, cell proliferation was measured using a methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay in knock-down and control cells. The cells' ability to resist apoptosis using a flow cytometry assay was also measured. DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PAPILLOMAVIRUSES IN CUTANEOUS AND ORAL CELL CARCINOMAS OF CATS Stephanie Flansburg, University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Thomas Rosol, Ohio State University, Ohio. Papillomaviruses (PV) usually induce benign skin tumors in several animal species, but they are also known to cause epithelial malignancies such as cervical carcinoma in humans. Cats develop cutaneous epithelial tumors referred to as Bowenoid in situ carcinomas (BISC), which have been associated with papillomavirus infection based on histological features (presence of koilocytes), immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To date, only two papillomaviruses of domestic cats have been fully sequenced (FDPV-1 and FDPV-2), both of which were isolated from feline BISC lesions. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in cats is a devastating disease for which the cause is unknown. These neoplasms are similar to human squamous cell carcinoma. Interestingly, a subset of human oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cases is associated with PV infection. Therefore, it was hypothesized that FOSCC may be the result of PV infection. Partial genomic sequence, corresponding to the viral genes E6 and E7 of a novel feline papilloma virus (FdPV) has been isolated from a feline BISC specimen. The E6 and E7 PV genes are associated with malignant transformation of epithelial cells during the development of squamous cell carcinoma. The sequence of this novel FPV is 79% and 55% identical to FDPV-1 and FDPV-2, respectively, in the region cloned. In addition, new PCR primer pairs were created to amplify NFPV, FdPV-1 and FdPV-2 sequences. A number of FOSCC samples were evaluated using PCR to determine the incidence of PV infection. There is preliminary evidence suggesting that these FOSCC lines may contain FdPV-1-like sequences.

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FEMALE MATE CHOICE FOR CONDITION-DEPENDENCE AND GEN ETIC COMPATIBILITY Aziza Glass, Deanna Soper, Prairie View A&M University, Houston, Texas. Research Mentor: Dr. Curt Lively, Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Although natural selection is one mechanism that can lead to evolution of a species, sexual selection in the form of mate choice can be a strong selective force affecting polymorphism of a population. Female mate choice is accomplished through condition-dependent mating when females look for indicator traits, assortative mating targets males who are genetically similar, or disassortative mating that selects males who are genetically dissimilar from the females. Using a prosobranch snail species, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, females were tested for condition-dependent and disassortative mating. Snails were grown from juvenile to maturity in designated environments for appropriate trials. After snails were identified and isolated, reciprocal mating pairs were created and then videotaped at identical times. Data were collected from the number of contacts, rejections, and matings and later used in a McNemar’s test for data analysis. Condition-dependent assortative mating was not shown among females since there was no preference for males of better health by choosing males based on state of health. Disassortative mating was not shown among females since there was no preference for males of greater genetic dissimilarity. A STUDY OF PHASE VARIATION OF PHOSPHORYLCHOLINE GEN ES IN HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE 2019 STRR Ramón Gómez, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Michael A. Apicella, Carver College of Medicine, Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is an opportunistic, non-motile, gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the upper respiratory tract of over half of the human population. NTHi colonizes epithelial nasopharyngeal cells through an lipooligosaccharide containing (LOS)-containing phosphorylcholine protein (ChoP) that binds to the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAF-R) of host cells. LOS expression is controlled by deletion or insertion of the tandem repeats, 5'-(CAAT)-3', in lic-1 of the four gene operon lic. This process is known as phase variation. The objective of this research was to compare ChoP expression and phase variation in NTHi strain 2019 strR to three NTHi strains isolated from the nasopharynx of patients that were colonized with the NTHi strain 2019 strR. The data suggest that ChoP is more highly expressed in NTHi strains isolated from the nasopharyngeal epithelium. ChoP expression appears to be accompanied by an increased frequency of antigenic variation. Partial sequencing of lic-1, demonstrated that four of five NTHi strR strains isolated from patient 018 express ChoP, which is the same for five out of five NTHi strR strains isolated from patient 019. However, it was found that NTHi strains used to initially infect patients did not express ChoP due to a premature stop codon. These findings also indicate that phase variation of ChoP occurs within six days of nasopharyngeal colonization by NTHi.

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CELL THERAPY WITH MACROPHAGES GENETICALLY MODIFIED MODULATES THE RENAL EPHITELIAL REGENERATION AFTER ISCHEMIA/REPERF USION Ashley González, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Georgina Hotter, Eugenia Vinuesa, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona (CSIC), Spain. Macrophage infiltration is a common feature of renal disease and has been generally viewed as causative of tissue injury. Although the harmful consequences of macrophage infiltration are assumed, it is also clear that they lead to tissue repair as well. During an ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury macrophages play a key role by increasing their number in the tissue and producing cytokines and growth factors. If specific regenerative macrophages genes are determined, a treatment for renal failure could be developed in the future. Until now 13 macrophage genes have been identified with potential regenerative function as a result of a European Project (PROLIGEN) where experimental models of I/R with macrophage depletion or administration were developed. To validate this data, macrophages were infected with adenovirus encoding shRNA to silence the 13 different murine macrophage-dependent regeneration genes. They were administrated in order to evaluate the ability to suppress the enhanced regeneration obtained with the macrophage treatment. Tubular cell proliferation evaluated by Stathmin, PCNA and Ki-67 was enhanced with administration of control macrophages in I/R mice. Results show that these effects were reversed with macrophage genetic modification by adenovirus infection to silence macrophage-dependent regenerative genes. In conclusion, macrophages genetically altered have the capacity to revert the regeneration that was previously induced by macrophages in the renal (I/R) model. As a consequence, the over expression of these macrophage genes could be used as a therapy for induction of renal regeneration. EXPANSION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF T CELLS IN OP9-DL1 CULTURE UNDER DIFFERENT CULTURE MEDIA CONDITIONS Maritza González, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Birgitta Johnson, M.D, Gerald Spangrude, Ph.D., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Pluripotent stem cells develop into lymphoid progenitor cells that can become T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells. Their differentiation relies on interactions with other cells in their environment, and can be evaluated based on the expression of surface molecules. A culture system using murine stromal cells OP9 expressing Delta-like 1 (OP9-DL1) is being used as an in vitro model for T-cell development. Notch ligand Delta-like 1 promotes T-cell differentiation and inhibits B-cell differentiation. Cytokines also regulate lymphoid development. Two cytokines that play an important role in T-cell development, FLT3 ligand (FLT3L) and IL-7, promote the growth and differentiation of lymphoid progenitor cells. In this study, Hematopoietic progenitor cells were isolated from mouse bone marrow and cultured in OP9-DL1 stromal cells using alpha-modified minimal essential medium (α-MEM). In order to determine whether nutrients included in the culture media will influence lymphoid growth and differentiation, α-MEM was modified by including and excluding two of the seven original modifications, ascorbic acid and nucleosides. It was hypothesized that ascorbic acid will inhibit stem cell expansion and promote T-cell differentiation, while nucleosides will inhibit growth and differentiation. Expansion was evaluated measuring the cell population, and flow cytometry was performed on the cells after 16 days of co-culture under the different culture media. The results demonstrated ascorbic acid is an important factor for T-cell differentiation and inhibited the expansion of the stem cells.

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ISSR AMPLIFICATION OF LAGUNCULARIA RACEMOSA UNSUCCESSFUL Jewelle C. Ible, University of the Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Dr. Alice Stanford, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The molecular diversity of many common, albeit understudied, plants in the Virgin Islands is unknown. Knowledge of molecular diversity may help protect many recognized products and services used by Virgin Islanders via the upkeep of their respective genetic diversities. One such plant, the white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, whose particular services include conservation of the shoreline and a nursery for juvenile fish, algae, and other aquatic organisms, was studied. It was the effort of the lab to determine a sound protocol, involving ISSRs (a molecular marker system that requires little information on the desired DNA fragment, but rather the short tandem repeats that encase them) as primers that would prove efficient and have visibly distinct and reproducible bands. Various published techniques were applied to finding a suitable protocol for L. racemosa. Thus, it was hypothesized that a procedure very similar to the ones read about in four published papers would prove effective with L. racemosa, because of the similarity between the procedures and the wide range of plants that were studied. It was also hypothesized that anchored primers (primers with an arbitrary nucleotide attached to the tandem repeat) would have greater reproducibility of bands. A total of ten randomly picked ISSR primers were used. None of the primers produced bands even when the quantity of taq DNA polymerase and DNA were altered positively and the annealing temperature was set to 50oC versus the initial 52oC. Thus, there was no difference between anchored and non anchored primers, as neither of them has produced bands thus far. This may mean that the ten ISSR primers are non complementary to any given loci on the genome of L. racemosa or that further alterations to the protocol must be made. It may also mean that the DNA was either not quantified correctly or that it was contaminated. The case may also be that ingredients used in the protocol, such as taq DNA polymerase, are not fully functioning, as deviations from their ideal holding temperatures may cause them to degrade and hinder the reproducibility of bands. POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE COMMERCIAL CULTIVATION OF Bt MAIZE ON NON TARGET INSECTS ASSOCIATED TO MAIZE CROPS IN CENTRAL SPAIN Jonathan A. López, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Gema Pérez-Farinós, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, España. The cultivation of transgenic maize expressing Cry1Ab toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was approved in Spain in 1998, and since 2003 the only Bt corn varieties cultivated derive from the event MON810. The use of Bt maize is considered environmentally friendly due to the specificity of the Cry1Ab toxin towards lepidopteran pests and the reduction of insecticide applications to control the corn borers. However, results obtained in some field and laboratory studies warned about potential adverse direct and indirect effects on non-target organisms due to exposure to the insecticidal toxin. Non-target lepidopteran species could be affected when feeding on Bt pollen deposited on the surface of their host plant. This is especially important if weeds inside or around the crop are used as a resource by larvae. Hymenopteran parasitoids are another group of insects that could be affected by the presence of Bt plants, due to the direct effect of toxin or to the decrease of their hosts. The objectives of this study were: 1) to identify the main weeds in a corn crop in Central Spain and their abundance, in order to determine which of them could be a potential food resource for lepidopteran larvae; 2) to establish the seasonal abundance of Pieridae in corn fields of Central Spain, laying emphasis on pollen shed stage; and 3) to measure the abundance of the parasitoids of the family Mymaridae and their main hosts, leafhoppers, through all the crop stages. The results shown here are preliminary and they were part of a larger study to determine the potential impact of the commercial cultivation of transgenic Bt maize in Spain.

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GENETIC INSTABILITY IN HTZ1∆ AND SWR1∆ MUTANTS André Medina, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Félix Prado, Andalusian Center Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seville, Spain. The chromatin fiber is formed by the repetition of an octamer of histones wrapped twice by the DNA. This primary repeating unit, the nucleosome, is a dynamic structure that controls DNA accessibility. Replacement by the SWR1 complex of the canonical histone H2A by the variant H2A.Z (Htz1 in yeast) alters the structure of nucleosomes at specific chromosome regions thus providing a molecular mechanism to regulate DNA metabolic processes from transcription and replication to DNA repair and chromosome segregation. Notably, the absence of both Htz1 (htz1∆) and Swr1 (swr1∆) causes genetic instability by independent mechanisms. In htz1∆, the SWR1 complex generates a pathological chromatin structure in a failed attempt to replace H2A, while in swr1∆, Htz1 leads to genetic instability by an unknown mechanism. To get deeper insight into these mechanisms, the role of DNA replication was analyzed. The preliminary results show a genetic interaction between swr1∆ and cdc7-4 that suggests a role for SWR1/Htz1 in replication initiation. In addition, it shows that the pathological activity of SWR1 in the absence of Htz1 causes sensitivity to DNA double-strand breaks. CD38 EXPRESSION IN ASTHMATIC HASM CELLS: ROLE OF PH OSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE/AKT (PI3K/AKT) Leslie Montañez, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Mathur Kannan, University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota. CD38 is a trans-membrane protein expressed in various mammalian cells including human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. The ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity of CD38 generates cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a Ca2+ mobilizing agent. CD38/cADPR signaling pathway plays an important role in airway hyperresponsiveness in mouse models of asthma. The Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) pathway is known to play a role in the pathophysiology of asthmatic HASM. The role of PI3K/Akt pathway in CD38 expression in asthmatic HASM cells is not known. It was hypothesized that the PI3K/Akt pathway mediates TNF-a-induced CD38 expression in asthmatic HASM cells. Asthmatic and non-asthmatic HASM cells were exposed to TNF-α (10-40ng/ml, 24 hrs) in the presence or absence of PI3K inhibitors (3 μM LY294002 or 100 nM wortmannin). Cell lysates were collected to determine the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity. To determine Akt activation, the cells were exposed to TNF-a for 2 hrs and the cell lysates were immunoblotted for phosphorylated and total Akt. TNF-a induces a time-dependent increase in Akt activation in HASM cells. Asthmatic HASM cells show differentially elevated TNF-α-induced CD38 expression compared to non-asthmatic cells. LY294002 inhibits TNF-a-induced CD38 expression in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic HASM cells, whereas wortmannin does not inhibit CD38 expression in either group. There were no differences in the basal or TNF-α-induced Akt activation between non-asthmatic and asthmatic HASM cells. Conclusion: PI3K/Akt pathway mediates TNF-a-induced CD38 expression in both non-asthmatic and asthmatic HASM cells. However, the PI3K/Akt pathway does not seem to mediate the differential elevation of CD38 expression in asthmatic cells.

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POTENTIAL CROSSTALK BETWEEN AUTOPHAGY AND APOPTOSIS IN PAROTID EPITHELIAL CELLS Camille MontesLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Mary E. Reyland, Department of Craniofacial Biology, School of Dentistry, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado. DNA damage can lead the ParC5 cells to apoptosis or autophagy pathways. The process of autophagy is a cellular mechanism that is activated with cellular stress like starvation. Its role is to degrade long-live proteins and organelles. Evidence suggests that apoptosis and autophagy are two processes that correlate each other. Autophagy helps cells to survive, but it can also lead to programmed cell death known as apoptosis. The importance of autophagy in regulating apoptosis was examined as well as the contribution of the protein kinase ERK 1/ 2 to this pathway. ERK 1/ 2 is involved in cell proliferation and in pro-apoptotic signals. It was hypothesized that autophagy needs to occur prior to the activation of apoptosis and it was predicted that the protein kinase ERK 1/ 2 is activated during execution of the autophagy pathway. To assay apoptosis of the autophagy protein LC3, cleavage was examined. The observation that LC3II is cleaved on the membrane of autophagosome is indicative that autophagy is happening. LC3I is converted into LC3II when it is attached to the autophagosome membrane. To approach this, an apoptotic stimulus was used such as Etoposide, Tolaharase and EBSS in different time periods on par C 5 cells. The results suggest that there is a possible crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis and that autophagy is happening prior to the activation of apoptosis. It was first observed that etoposide induces autophagy as shown by the accumulation of GFP- LC3 in intracellular vesicles. Secondly, observations indicated that baseline cleavage of LC3 in high in par C 5 cells make it difficult to assay apoptosis by western blotting. And, thirdly, phospho (activated) ERK increases in response to etoposide, but not EBSS, an inducent of autophagy. This suggests that ERK activation is not required for autophagy. Understanding this pathway indicates how apoptosis is regulated and how the cells can survive in a stress response. ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANCESTRY INFORMATIVE MARKERS AN D INSULIN SENSITIVITY Giulianna Murati, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. David Allison, Dr. José Fernández, and Dr. Yann Klimentidis, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama. Diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome, and obesity have been exponentially growing in the United States. Previous studies have found that insulin sensitivity (Si) is associated to these diseases and a different rate of incidence according to ethnicity/race. The objective of this research was to further learn about possible genetic factors that might influence this response. To do this, a sample size of 253 children from multi-ethnical backgrounds, with ages ranging from 7-12, were sampled for genetic admixture and insulin sensitivity. After running multiple linear regression analyses, it was concluded that individuals with higher proportion of African ancestry had less sensitivity to insulin while those with a European ancestry had higher insulin sensitivity.

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EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS OF DISEASE ASSOCIATED MUTATIO NS IN THE GENE NIEMANN-PICK DISEASE, TYPE C1 (NPC1), NM_00271 Raúl M. Navedo, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Alan J. Filipski, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. The genome sequencing projects led to a special opportunity to conduct a research plan based on important factors in the development of genetic-based disease by an analysis of molecular evolutionary patterns. Evolutionary rates of amino acid positions between clinical and population genetic analysis are considered to determine consistency and predictability of genome wide patterns and to understand the relationship between mutations and the development of disease phenotypes using computational tools. This study is focused on determining if the evolutionary rates of disease associated sites (DAMs) and non-disease associated sites (nSNPs) are significantly different in the NPC1 gene. The DAMs are expected to be present at positions that have been retained in multiple vertebrate species, while nSNPs are expected to be over-abundant at positions that have been lost in the non-human vertebrates. In order to compare these observations with the DAMs and nSNPs in the NPC1 gene, the evolutionary rates and the observation rates are necessary. The Ultimate Data Sheet, a database created by partners at the computer laboratory from genome sequencing projects data available on web, contains the 44 species alignments of this gene necessary to calculate the evolutionary rates as well the 108 DAMs and 6 nSNPs present in the gene. The p_value from the Chi-square test was used to compare observed and expected data to analyze the null hypothesis. The p-value result for DAMs was 0.999 and for nSNPs was 0.3652. DAMs show similar rates in both categories while nSNPs are too few for a statistical significance. The Polyphen diagnosis method is used to estimate potential deleterious effects of mutations classifying into three categories; benign, possibly damaging and probably damaging. The predictions for the DAMs in the NPC1 gene have 19.6% of error while nSNPs do not have a significant quantity of this gene for statistical significance. These observations are important to improve the accuracy of functional prediction tools.(312)

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TARGETING FASN USING MICRORNAS MIR-193B AND MIR-15B : A POTENTIAL NOVEL THERAPEUTIC FOR THE TREATMENT OF AGGRESSIVE BREAST CANCER Rosán NievesLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico. Dawn Cochrane, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado. Research Mentor: Dr. Jeniffer Richer, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Colorado. Background: Tumor cells portray alterations in lipid metabolism characterized by high rates of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. Unlike normal cells, tumor cells rely on de novo synthesis of fatty acids, even when there is an excess of dietary lipids available. Furthermore, tumors with high levels of fatty acid synthase (FASN) have a poor clinical prognosis, suggesting that FASN provides a survival advantage to tumor cells. Since tumor cells rely on FASN to survive, they become apoptotic when FASN is repressed. Previously, triple negative and luminal breast cancer cells were screened to identify microRNas (miRNAs) involved in tumor aggressiveness. Many of those miRNAs are predicted to target genes encoding key metabolic regulators like FASN. Two miRNAs (miR-15b, miR-193b) that are predicted to target FASN were studied. Materials and Methods: Pre-193b (a miR-193b mimic) was added into triple negative breast cancer cells, BT549, which normally lack it and repression FASN was demonstrated by western blotting. The relative levels of miR-193b comparing mock, scramble negative control and pre-193b (50nM) were demonstrated by Real Time PCR (RT PCR). Several miRNAs (miR-15b, miR-34a, miR-148a and miR-301a) were predicted to target FASN and were tested by western blotting. Different concentrations of pre-15b (25nM, 50nM, 75nM and 100nM) were then studied using western blotting. Conclusions: MiR-193b represses the expression of FASN in BT549 cells and induces apoptosis as indicated by cleaved PARP. RT PCR demonstrated that 50nM is 7 fold higher than MCF7 normal values of miR-193b. The optimal concentration for pre-193b is around 30nM but further experimentations need to be assed to determine this. Pre-15b was also shown to repress FASN expression. 100nM of Pre-15b seemed to be the optimal concentration to use for pre-15b restoration in BT549 cells. RT PCR levels for the different concentrations of pre-15b need further experimentations. The use of these miRNA’s as anticancer therapeutic agents could become a novel mechanism to treat breast cancer patients. DIURNAL EFFECT ON E. COLI CONCENTRATIONS AT POTASH BROOK, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT Luis M. Ortiz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Maeve McBride, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. Escherichia Coli is a gram negative bacterium that is commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded organisms. Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some, such as serotype 0157:H7 can cause serious food poisoning. E. coli is commonly used as an indicator of contamination with animal waste and human sewage. There have been various investigations made regarding E. coli, but not many of them have been conducted on searching for a diurnal effect on E. coli concentrations in streams. Lab based investigations were conducted on water samples from Potash Brook, South Burlington, Vermont, to examine if there was any diurnal effect on E. coli concentrations. Water samples for E. coli analysis were collected twice daily in the stream, three 100m L in the morning and three 100mL in the afternoon from July 5 to July 30, 2009. To evaluate the diurnal effect on E. coli concentrations, the samples were analyzed using the Colilert procedure. The total number of samples collected for the procedure was 53 samples. Results showed that there was not a diurnal effect on E. coli concentrations in Potash Brook, but it was observed that E. coli concentrations can change dramatically with different weather conditions. It is important to see how E. coli behaves when conducting an analysis, because if small quantities of samples are taken, only very limited data is obtained and it is not completely accurate as to the E. coli concentrations in a stream.

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VALIDATION OF A FLUORESCENT PROBE FOR DETECTION OF AN ORAL BACTERIUM IN ENVIRONMENTAL SITES Hazel Ozuna, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Cleber C. Ouverney, San José State University, California. Half of the Bacteria Domain is comprised of groups made entirely of “species” that cannot be cultivated, such as the TM7 division. TM7 is a diverse group, found from peat bogs to the human oral cavity, and it has been associated with periodontal diseases in humans. SBG3 is a subgroup of the TM7 division, initially found in the bacterial flora of the human mouth. Recently, a SBG3–like strain was discovered in an environmental sample. This environmental SBG3 strain is 99% similar to the SBG3 found in the human mouth based on the 16S rDNA gene sequence. The long-term goal of this project is to establish an environmental TM7 model to better understand the role the SBG3 group plays in mixed natural communities. Since TM7s are yet uncultivable, the project relied on the molecular technique Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) to characterize single cells of the environmental SBG3 bacteria without the need of cultivation. FISH uses a fluorescent DNA probe designed for this purpose to specifically detect only the environmental and oral SBG3. The objective of this research was to validate this FISH probe and apply it in environmental samples to quantify SBG3 and determine cell morphology of this new group. ESTIMATING E. COLI CONCENTRATIONS IN AN AGRICULTURAL AREA AT POTASH BROOKE IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT Karoline Ríos, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Edmund (Ted) Hart, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. E. coli is a fecal bacteria that has its origins in humans and other warm blooded animals. During the last decades, the bacteria has affected directly the water quality in the streams, especially in agricultural areas. Coliform is an indicator of fecal pollution and this demonstrates the potential presence of disease-causing bacteria in water. The purpose of this research was to estimate the E. coli levels in the streams near an agricultural area working with Standards Methods for comparing the levels of these fecal bacteria, 3 samples were taken per day and analyzed in the laboratory following a protocol called: Stream Project Total Coliform/ E. coli Bacteria Protocol Colilert Method. The results were compared with the results of the data collected.

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UNDERSTANDING T CELL RECOGNITION OF BERYLLIUM-ANTIG EN Jeaneishka M. RiveraLS, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Andrew P. Fontenot, M.D, and Dr. Michael Falta, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado. Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is characterized by the accumulation of beryllium-specific CD4+ T cells in the lung. Although there have been major advances in the understanding of CBD immunopathogenesis, questions still remain about beryllium-antigen recognition. This study focused on the understanding of T cell recognition of the beryllium antigen and the role of peptides in this process. It was hypothesized that beryllium does not need to be processed inside the cell in order to be presented to hybridomas expressing beryllium-specific T cell receptors (TCR). It was shown that peptides play a key role in antigen presentation and T cell activation, helping the metal to be recognized. The data shows that beryllium is attached directly to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) without having to go inside the antigen presenting cells (APCs). Although the pool of peptides expressed on mouse fibroblast cells used as APCs is restricted, they show response to beryllium suggesting that limited peptides are capable of being recognized in the presence of beryllium salts by beryllium-responsive TCRs. BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID CYTOKINE LEVELS IN ACU TE LUNG REJECTION Lorangelly Rivera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Marshall Hertz, University of Minnesota, Minnesota. The goal of this research was to identify molecular biomarkers of lung transplant rejection. Past work has revealed changes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell gene expression, including several cytokine genes, during acute rejection (AR). Therefore, it was hypothesized that an increase in cytokine levels in BAL fluid will correlate with both AR and BAL cell gene expression. To evaluate this hypothesis, BAL fluid from 36 recipients was tested using cytokine immunoassays for 10 analytes (G-CSF, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, MIP-1&945; MIP-1β sCD40L and TNF-&#945). Immunoassay results (corrected for total BAL protein concentration) were compared between control transplant recipients without AR (NR) and those with AR, defined either according to biopsy results (n=12) or to gene expression results (n=12). IL-15 was found to be significantly different between AR and NR groups when using gene expression results (p=0.01), but not when using biopsy results (p=0.35). No cytokine was significantly elevated in AR regardless of the diagnostic method. Conclusions: 1) apparent difference of IL-15 needs to be further explored for possible effects from infections; 2) several other cytokine levels did not differentiate between AR and NR.

Best Poster

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DETERMINING THE FUNCTIONAL IMPORTANCE OF SIALIC ACI D IN SPERM-BINDING TO THE OVIDUCT Argenys Robles, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. David Miller, University of Illinois Urban-Champaign, Illinois. After insemination in mammals, sperm moves to a storage reservoir in the oviduct and binds to the epithelial cells. This appears to be critical for sperm maturation to achieve fertilization. The adhesion of sperm to these cells may be mediated by sialic acid-containing sugars on proteins (glycoproteins). These experiments determine whether or not the sialic acid that binds sperm, found in the lower oviduct, has functional importance in sperm adhesion and in forming the reservoir. To accomplish this aim, oviducts from slaughtered female pigs were extracted. In these experiments, neuraminidase was used to remove the sialic acid residues from the oviductal epithelial cells to see if sperm still bind to the oviduct. The results have shown lower sperm-binding, after removal of sialic acid. Cells incubated with neuraminidase reduced sperm binding by 52% of sperm bound compared to the control without neuraminidase. After studying this component of sperm storage, it was found that sialic acid has a role in the sperm binding to the oviduct. These findings will contribute to increased knowledge about how this sugar can bind cells and will help to explain how the oviduct can store sperm to promote fertilization. EFFECT OF ANGIOTENSIN II INHIBITION DURING THE ORGA NOGENESIS OF THE RAT'S HEART Johanna M. RodríguezLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. José L. Torres, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role in regulating blood volume and systemic vascular resistance, and together influence cardiac output and arterial pressure. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors have been proven to be useful pharmacological probes for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases. They are highly selective drugs that act as potent competitive inhibitors of ACE, decreasing or preventing the formation of angiotensin II. It is well known that hyperthrophy and fibrosis are the most important pathophysiological effects induced by ANGII in the heart. However, its role during the normal organogenesis of the mammalian heart is currently unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that ANGII plays a role during the normal organogenesis of the mammalian heart. For this detection of serum and tissue, ACE activity was performed after 25 mg/kg of Enalapril(ACE inhibitor) were given to pregnant dams during the 2nd and 3rd gestational period of pregnancy: days 8-21. Serum and cardiac tissue ACE activity was measured in neonate and adult rats. The morphological/pathological changes of neonatal and adult rat hearts were studied using morphometric evaluation and light microscopy. No difference was observed between the treated and nontreated neonate groups in regards to body mass and cardiac mass. A tendency to increase heart wall thickness, a significant reduction in cellular matrix and a concomitant appearance of vacuoles and nuclei were observed in the treated group as compared with those in the non-treated group. Increased mitogenic activity, vacuolization of the myocardium after neonatal ACE inhibition and significant decrease in ACE activity was also observed.

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ESTIMATING THE ESCHERICHIA COLI LEVELS IN AN URBAN AREA IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT Laura SalazarLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Ted Hart, the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. The following experiment consisted of the measurement of Escherichia coli levels in a 5 – 6 meters reach of a stream located in an urban area in Burlington, Vermont. An urban area is an area containing housing for 2,500 or more persons. Water samples were obtained daily and E. coli was measured on the same day (1:100 dilutions put in Quanti – tray of 97 wells and then were incubated for 24 hours). Precipitation data was used from the national weather service station in Burlington, Vermont. This data was used to compare the levels of E. coli in rainfall and the data was analyzed. The experiment demonstrated that E. coli levels in urban area do not raise the standards of E. coli. This may be because in commercial areas there are always septic systems and the data also show that E. coli has a strong relationship with precipitation. When the levels of precipitation were high, the E. coli levels rose, but coliform bacteria did not show any kind of relationship. This experiment demonstrated how E. coli levels vary per day in the same stream, and one factor that plays a major role in the variation of the E. coli level is precipitation. ISSR-PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED FOR LOCAL PLANT KILLER Katy SanonLS, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Dr. Alice Stanford, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. A well known plant introduced to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is killing local plants. In the USVI, Melicoccus bijugatus better known as “Genip,” a naturalized plant that is very invasive. As a result, M. bijugatus is presently changing the structure of the USVI’s forests and is endangering local plants. To gain more understanding and knowledge of M. bijugatus, the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technique will eventually be used to study the population genetics of the plant species. This research asks, what is the most effective ISSR-protocol specific to M. bijugatus? Based on similar research, it is predicted that anchored primers (primers with a base pair not part of the repeat sequence that forces the primer to anneal/stick at the end of the DNA repeat) will work best in procuring an effective protocol. In order to develop a protocol, the DNA was extracted from the M. bijugatus leaves. That was followed by creating a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) master mix and thermo cycling the mix with DNA and primer to amplify the DNA. Lastly, an electrophoresis gel containing the mix was run and the results were recorded. Out of the ten primers used, two anchored primers as well as two non-anchored primers showed positive results for creating an ISSR-protocol for M. bijugatus As a result, it can be concluded that both anchored and non-anchored primers work for M. bijugatus. Future studies can focus on which M. bijugatus population has the highest genetic diversity and requires more studies as well as how to eradicate those populations to preserve local plants.

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ARE FUNGI ABLE TO DEGRADE COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES IN HYPERSALINE MICROBIAL MATS? Manuel A. SolerLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: S. A. Cantrell, School of Science and Technology, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Fungi are organisms with a great diversity, of adaptative capabilities. They can be found in every ecosystem, including extreme environments like the microbial mats from hypersaline lagoons studied in this project. In general, fungi can decompose complex carbohydrates into smaller subunits in nature. The major goal of this research was to reveal the metabolic capabilities of fungi found inhabiting microbial mats. The objective of this proposal was to determine the fungal capability to degrade exopolymeric substances (EPS) produced within hypersaline microbial mats and identify and study the lignocellulolitic activities using different assays. Xanthan gum is a natural EPS produced by Xanthomonas campestris that was used as an EPS model in this study. Isolates were cultivated in media containing xanthan gum as the sole carbon source. Fungal isolates were previously identified using microscopic examination and molecular techniques. Xanthan gum degradation was monitored using the phenol-sulphuric acid assay. In general, fungi can grow in xanthan gum. After ten weeks, two fungi were capable of degrading xanthan gum: Penicillum sp. (degraded 58%) and Aspergillus terreus (degraded 55%). Results showed that fungi can grow in the presence of xanthan gum as the sole carbon source but the degradation rate varies among isolates. The degradation of the EPS by fungi in hypersaline microbial mats can contribute to the carbon cycling within those ecosystems by providing simpler carbon sources to neighbour bacterial communities. EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON PROTEIN PROFILE OF MONOCYTE DE RIVED-DENDRITIC CELLS Dorielys M. Valentín, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Nawal Boukli, Ph.D., Universidad Central del Caribe, Biomedical Proteomic Facility, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a critical mediator of various immune responses and are the first line of defense against any infection including HIV-1. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that recreational drugs such as alcohol can significantly affect various immune responses probably by modulating various glycoltic enzymes and cytoskeletal structures. In the current study, the proteomic profile of monocyte derived-dentritic cells treated with o.1% of alcohol by two dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and protein identification were investigated. Results of proteomic analyses indicate that of the 421 protein spots detected by image analysis, a total of 217 proteins were modulated with alcohol treatment. Of these, 57 proteins were upregulated whereas 160 proteins were downregulated compared to the control cultures (untreated cells). Alcohol significantly regulated the expression of key cytoskeletal proteins including Vimetin, Cofilin as well as glycolytic enzymes such as Pyruvate Kinase and a lysosomal protease Cathepsin D. Furthermore, alterations in proteins as assessed by proteomic analysis were confirmed at RNA levels by qRT-PCR. These results suggest that alcohol induced immune responses may be mediated through modulation of cytoskeletal proteins and glycotic enzymes and play a significant role in susceptibility to various diseases including HIV.

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ESTROGEN EFFECTS ON CIRCADIAN RHYTHM GENE EXPRESSIO N ON MICE HEARTS Jesús I. VilarchaoLS, Univesidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. David Bunick, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, Illinois. Hormones play an important role in the human body, and are also involved in almost all biochemical processes. Estrogen in particular is vital for the development of secondary sexual traits as well as for cell division. Like any hormone, estrogen has an optimum level depending on its location. The circadian rhythm lasts approximately 24 hours and is of utmost importance for living organisms, regulating the production of hormones, cell division, brain function and others. Previous investigations suggest that estrogen plays an important role in protecting the heart, a subject which is still under debate. Nonetheless, a higher percentage of cardiovascular disease is expressed by men and post-menopausal women who have lower levels of estrogen. Previous investigations using micro ARRAYS have shown that the presence or absence of estrogen affects thousands of different genes in the heart. At the same time, studies show that the majority of cardiac arrhythmias occur in the early hours of the morning. Dismayed by this reason and the high incidence of various cases of cardiac arrest, the focus of this research was on the relationship between circadian rhythm genes in the absence or presence of estrogen. It studied whether estrogen affects the circadian rhythm gene expression on the heart. This research involved the utilization of the model animal (ARKO) and the RT-PCR technique to verify genetic expression. This research was directed towards the B-Mal, Per2 and clock genes. AMYLOID B CONTROLS DENDRITE MORPHOLOGY AND APOPTOSI S IN HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS THROUGH P75 NTR

Emmanuel Villanueva, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Alfredo Rodriguez Tebar, Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Seville, Spain. Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. It is clinically characterized by progressive dementia and neuropathologically by deposits of insoluble plaques of beta amyloid protein. Amyloid beta (Aβ) is a product of normal cell metabolism, derived from the amyloid precursor protein by b and g-secretases cleavage. It is found in monomeric or water-soluble oligomeric forms in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and serum of healthy individuals. However, when its production increases, or its clearance decreases, Aβ contributes to AD development and progression, inducing cellular damage on neurons. Although the mechanism of Aβ action remains unknown, it has been described that its effects can be mediated through the common neurotrophin receptor p75NTR. This receptor, depending of ligand binding, nerve growth factor (NGF) or myelin-associated protein, can transmit opposite intracellular responses. Recently, the RODRÍGUEZ TÉBAR group reported that NGF, by binding to p75NTR, controls dendrite morphology (i.e, decreasing the number of dendrites and promoting their elongation, through the upregulation of Enhancer-of-split 1 (Hes-1) gene expression. In addition, Aβ produced effects opposite to those of NGF, with respect to the expression pattern of Hes- 1 and dendrite morphology (i.e, increase of number of dendrites and decrease their lenght). It has also been shown that NGF may prevent the tethal effect of Aβ on neuronal survival. Since both NGF and Aβ use the p75NTR receptor, the effects of Aβ were studied with respect to cell morphology and survival in hippocampal neurons culture. Results here show that p75NTR mediates the Aβ-induced signalling that controls Hes-1 expression, dendrite morphology and apoptosis.

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MARTIAN LIFE DETECTION WITH XYLOSE ENANTIOMERS Arturo White , Center for Biotechnology, Department of Plant and Environmental Soil Sciences, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, U.S.A. Research Mentors: Gaosen Zhang and Henry Sun, Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A. Ability of Martian soil to degrade carbohydrates, shown by the Viking mission, has two interpretations. One possibility is that the soil harbors living microorganisms. Alternatively, the soil is sterile but chemically oxidizing, i.e. it is laden with photochemical oxidants. It was shown by REU research last summer that these two possibilities can be distinguished by the use of glucose enantiomers. Life is selective: Earth organisms use D-glucose, but ignore L-glucose. This stereo selectivity is absent in chemical reactions. The goal of this project was to test if xylose, a five carbon sugar, is also suitable for chiral life detection. Mixed microbial cultures were raised from various soils (Jordan, the Mojave Desert, and the Atacama Desert). Added D- and L-xylose were monitored over time. Results show that terrestrial microorganisms utilize only D-xylose, not L-xylose, confirming that like glucose, xylose is a suitable substrate for Martian life detection. HYPERGLYCEMIA DOES NOT ACUTELY AND DIRECTLY CAUSE A POPTOSIS OF RETINAL MÜLLER CELLS Jessica WhiteLS, Barisere Bodo, Phylicia Brooks, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Research Mentor: Dr. Ernest C. Steele Jr., Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Previous studies have suggested that hyperglycemia associated with diabetes induces apoptosis in retinal Müller glial cells, thus contributing to the development of diabetic retinopathy. The current project tested this hypothesis by comparing cell growth and viability of immortalized rat Müller cells (rMC-1) cultured under three conditions: euglycemic/normosmolar, hyperglycemic/hyperosmolar, and euglycemic/hyperosmolar. Daily growth of the rMC-1 cells was monitored by counting cells with a stage hemocytometer over a 72-hour period. Viability was assessed using trypan blue dye exclusion assay. No statistical differences were observed between cell counts of rMC-1 cells grown in the three media at any of the time points. No trypan blue positive cells were observed for rMC-1 cells at any of the time points. Contrary to previous studies, these data suggest that hyperglycemia associated with diabetes does not cause acute and direct apoptosis of retinal Müller cells. Future studies will investigate whether hyperglycemia associated with diabetes will acutely and directly result in specific changes in expression or function of retinal Müller cells, thereby contributing to the development of diabetic retinopathy.

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LINKAGE MAPPING OF MANDIBULAR LENGTH IN RECOMBINANT CONGENIC MICE Derek Wilson Jr., Department of Biology, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. Research Mentors: In Kyu Han and Seung Pyo Han, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Researchers have exploited the genetic structure of recombinant congenic mouse strains by performing a reciprocal intercross of the strains HcB-8 and HcB-23. It was found that on a short region of chromosome 4 there lies a quantitative trait locus (QTL) affecting femoral size, ellipticity, and strength. Ece1, encoding endothelin converting enzyme 1, is within this QTL and is a strong candidate gene. Previous work by others has also shown that endothelin signaling is necessary for normal growth of the mandible during embryonic development. In this experiment, the F2 generation was used to explore the correlation between the Ece1 gene and the mandibular size of the mice. It was hypothesized that Ece1 is the gene responsible for the femoral traits, therefore significant linkage of mandibular length to the same chromosome 4 region will be found, and that other QTLs affecting femoral size and strength will also affect mandibular length. Using QTL Cartographer, 93 of the 603 mice in the F2 generation were analyzed and QTLs were found on chromosome 1, 3, and 6. These coincide with QTLs affecting the femur, but a QTL was not found on chromosome 4, rejecting one of the hypotheses’. One great limitation due to time constraints is that only about 15% of the entire cross was analyzed so the final data may differ from what is reported here. Work to complete analysis of mandibular length of the cross is in progress.

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CHEMISTRY

SPINACH COMPONENTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE IN THE CONTROL OF BREAST TUMOR CELLS Karen L. Burgos, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Lymari Fuentes-Claudio, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. This project is focused on determining the ability of spinach extract to control the proliferation of human cancer cells. The effect of the extracts on cell growth was proven on the human breast tumor cell line MDA-MB231. Extracts were prepared using fresh spinach leaves. A stock solution of the extract was obtained using acetone as the solvent. Cells were grown in culture media supplemented with spinach extracts in concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 2% to obtain information on the cytotoxicity of the extracts on the cells. Cell growth was monitored using several approaches and evaluated considering cell density. The greatest effect on the cell growth was observed for the 2% concentration extracts while 0.5% extracts did not show a significant difference in the results from those obtained from the control experiments. BINDING MAPPING OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN ANTI-HIV -1 2G12 ANTIBODY AND OLIGOMANNOSIDES USING THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS Norcaris Carrasquillo, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Pedro Nieto, Centro de Investigaciones Químicas de la Isla de Cartuja (CSIC), Spain. AIDS’ (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) main consequence is the total or partial immune system degeneration caused by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. However, there are humans who develop antibodies that neutralize the HIV, preventing the disease. One of these antibodies is 2G12, which interacts with the surface oligomannoses of the virus impeding it to enter into the cells and, consequently, the virus is not spread in the organism. Calarese et al., using X-ray techiniques, have successfully explained this interaction showing that the disaccharide Manα1,2Man is the fundamental moiety of the natural oligomannose that the antibody recognizes. Besides, in the laboratories where this work was conducted, structural studies in dissolution using high-resolution NMR techniques have been made, that confirm what was mentioned before and add some new binding modes (manuscript in preparation). With all these facts, a decision was made to study other moieties of the oligomannoside to see if they interact with the binding site of the antibody. Then, some substructures from the natural oligomannose were created to observe how they interact individually with the binding sites of the antibody. Autodock calculates and predicts the energies of interaction between these new ligands and the antibody.

Best Poster

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LOCAL VARIATION IN TOTAL PHOSPHORUS AT POTASH BROOK , VERMONT Nilmarie Colón, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Maeve McBride, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. Phosphorus is an element that carries out a fundamental role for life, introducing itself in various chemical compounds. Unlike carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water, phosphorus has a local cycle which does not interact with the atmosphere. Therefore, it can be found in water and soil. In water, phosphorus can be found in different manners. The excess of phosphorus in water causes eutrophication, bringing as a consequence deterioration in the aquatic ecosystems. The following experiment consisted in the study of variations in Total Phosphorus (TP) concentrations at the Potash Brook stream in VT. This was done with the purpose of obtaining better general knowledge of how phosphorus varies in the streams, taking into account variables of discharge and Total Suspended Solid (TSS). An area in Lower Potash Brook was selected because it possessed diverse parts of a stream (pool, riffle and pond), two different land areas (forest and non-forest), natural flow and a variety of macroinvertebrates. Samples were taken at strategic points in the non-forest and in the forest area; samples were taken in triplicate based on distance, with 50 meters of difference between each point with a total of 33 samples of TP. For the TSS, 5 samples were taken in specific points, without replicates. To determine TP, the different phosphorus compounds are turned into orthophosphates whose concentration can be determined by UV-Spectroscopy. The results obtained show that in a High flow discharge of water, the TP is proportional to the TSS, while on Low flow the TP is not proportional with the TSS. And in a non-forest area at the end Riffle, the concentration of the TP is bigger than at the start of the Riffle. At the forest area along the trend, the TP does not decline. DETERMINATION OF DYE CONCENTRATION ON NANOPOROUS FI LMS USING FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY Rubén Díaz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Takashi Ito, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas. The following experiment consisted in the determination of dye concentration on nanoporous films using fluorescence spectroscopy. By preparing a PS-b-PMMA solution and placing it on a gold substrate and annealed for 60 hours, a nanoporous film over the substrate was obtained. To confirm the nanoporous layer, an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used to measure the surface roughness of each substrate. Afterwards, the gold substrates were etched with acetic acid to remove the PMMA domains. In order to use the fluorescence spectroscopy, a dye solution that was sensitive enough to make the experiment work had to be found. First, Ethidium Bromide was tried. To determine if the dye was sensitive, the stock dye solution had to be diluted to six standard solutions and then a calibration curve was prepared. If the calibration curve was linear, the dye worked. Ethidium Bromide did not work so the same procedure was done with Rhodamine 6G and it worked. With a dye solution to work with the experiment, the substrates were immersed in the dye for 24 hours, they were cleaned and immersed in clorhidric acid solution for 1 to 2 hours. Then, the fluorescence spectroscopy was run to measure the intensity of the dye in each substrate. With this data collected and with a calibration curve for the experiment, the unknown concentration of the dye in each substrate was calculated. As a result, by using AFM, it could be detected that PS–b–PMMA will have different pore diameters according to its molecular weight. Using fluorescence spectroscopy, it was detected that the absorption of the nanoporous film has to attract positive charged molecules. According to the data recollected, 57K PS – b – PMMA is the best nanoporous film to attract the dye molecules.

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THE EFFECT OF SPINACH EXTRACT W ITH WATER AS SOLVENT ON THE PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN TUMOR CELL LINE MDA-MB231 Cindy A. Espada, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Lymari Fuentes-Claudio, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is known to have qualities to prevent and treat some human illnesses. In this research project, spinach extracts were used to determine if the leaf components showed an effect on the proliferation of the human tumor cell line MDA-MB231. The extracts were prepared using water as the solvent and concentrations of 0.5% (EWC1), 1% (EWC2) and 2% (EWC3) were used to supplement the cells. Acute and chronic cytotoxicity assays were performed, monitoring the cell density as function of time for each extract concentration. Other two cytotoxicity assays were performed using the 2% extract to determine the effect of the extract on the cell growing pattern when the treatments started at different periods of time. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON NUCLEAR REPROCESSING SOLVE NTS April Gillens, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Research Mentor: Dr. Julianna Fessenden, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. Nuclear tests have been employed ever since the first nuclear explosion in Alamogordo, NM during the mid-1940s. Nuclear weapons pose a threat to civil society and result in extensive biological (medical) damages. For this reason, treaties banning nuclear tests and weapons have been employed since the 1960s to cease proliferation of weapons. However, as nuclear tests continue in secrecy and actinides, such as plutonium and uranium, are eligible for theft. Nuclear forensics is needed to prevent weapons proliferation. In this study, solvents [tributyl phosphate (TBP), dodecane, decanol] used in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel were analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer which provides indisputable evidence in defining the operation in which solvents were used. Solvent samples were observed under viable conditions in the laboratory for different time periods. It is assumed that their carbon isotope values (δ13C) will become more positive (shift heavy) with time. It was found that the solvents were hygroscopic. TBP leaves the most robust signature compared to the other solvents studied and the isotope values for all solvents under all conditions become more positive with time. This study serves as primary research in understanding how solvents behave under variable conditions in the laboratory. The substrate materials used to contain the samples were small tin cups. A great enhancement to this study is to coat solvents onto laboratory objects (i.e. bench top, glass vials, kimwipes, etc.) to define solvent signatures in a real-life scenario. However, methods must be derived so that solvents may be extracted from substrate material without disturbing its evidence.

Best Poster

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SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF CONDUCTING POLYMER COMPLIA NCE Emanuel HernándezLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Priam Pillai and Dr. Ian Hunter, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the near future, robots, artificial organs and prostheses would greatly benefit from large displacement and low cost muscle-like linear actuator. Conducting polymer actuators have shown promising applications such as biologically inspired actuators, sensors, pumps, etc. These polymers have been developed to simulate the action of the natural human muscle. The actuation mechanisms in these materials are based on the diffusion of ions in and out of the polymer film. In addition, conducting polymers have the capacity to generate loads of up to 5 MPa, strains of up to 10% at low voltages (~2V). In order to improve their active properties such as active stress, strain and dynamic stiffness rates, it is necessary to characterize this material. Polypyrrole is one such conducting polymer that has been widely shown to have the best actuation for these types of materials. In this system, the compliance or stiffness of the material changes as it is oxidized or reduced. To characterize this changing compliance, an innovative technique that uses a stochastic stress input that can be used to measure its compliance frequency response was developed for this study. This technique is promising since it can be used in-situ during the actuation cycle to calculate compliance. This technique was applied to study the effect of multiple solvents and ionic environments on the compliance of conducting polymers. This can be applied as a general polymer characterization tool to characterize the frequency dependence of the compliance. ENANTIOPURE SULFORAPHANE ANALOGUES: ENANTHIOSELECTI VE SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES Dalia Huguet, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Noureddine Khiar, Centro de Investigaciones Químicas and Biological Activities (CSIC), Spain. During the last decades, the number of patients developing cancers has been steadily increasing. Fortunately, compelling evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies has established that people with a rich diet of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are less prone to develop certain types of cancers such as cancers of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The chemical carcinogenesis prevention and chemotherapeutic benefit effects have been attributed to the high contents of phytochemicals containing an isothiocyanate functional group. These organic isothiocyanates (ITCs) are naturally occurring compounds that are stored as thioglucoside conjugates, termed glucosinolates, in plants and cruciferous vegetables such as watercress, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, turnip, etc. (Rs)-1-isocyanato-4-(methylsulfininyl)-butane (sulforaphane), first isolated in 1992 from broccoli extracts, is the main inducer of phase II detoxifying enzymes and is well documented as a powerful chemopreventive agent. ITCs are also known to block cell-cycle progression and induce apoptosis in human cancer cells, suggesting that these agents act also at the postinitiation and progression stages. In this study, a convergent and high yielding approach for the enanthioselective synthesis of enantiopure sulforaphane and some analogues differently substituted at the sulfinyl sulfur using the DAG (diacetone-D-glucofuranose)-methodology were provided. The biological activity of these compounds as inductors of the phase II detoxifying enzyme has been studied by determining their ability to activate the cytoprotective transcription factor Nrf2.

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THE SYNTHESIS OF COUMARINS AND BORONIC ACID DERIVAT IVES OF COUMARINS TO BE USED AS CHEMOPREVENTIVES Brandon K. Mills, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Research Mentor: Dr. Marion A. Franks, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the growth of uncontrolled abnormal cells leading to the impairment of normal bodily functions. A total of 1,437,180 new cancer cases and 565,650 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the United States in 2008. One of the most promising avenues for controlling cancer is through “chemoprevention.” Chemoprevention is the use of natural, synthetic, or biological chemical agents to reverse, suppress, or prevent carcinogenesis. It has been shown that coumarins and boronic acids are effective chemopreventive treatments when used to treat carcinogenic prostate cancer cells. Coumarin derivatives for chemopreventive testing using an indium chloride catalyst were synthesized and characterized. Thus far, several coumarins and derivatives using IR, GC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy have been characterized and purified. The compounds that are synthesized and purified will be assayed for chemopreventive activity against prostate cancer cell lines. EXPLORING CONDITIONS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF NUCLEOSID ES UNDER PREBIOTIC REACTION CONDITIONS Carlos I. Ortiz, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Nicholas V. Hud, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia. Chemical evolution, the study of how life on Earth could have arisen from inanimate matter, is a topic of much scientific debate and speculation. Of a particular interest is a problem of formation of the first polymer that is able to catalyze and carry genetic information. Since the discovery of ribosyme catalysis, the theory of the RNA world has gained much support. This study concentrated on the prebiotically plausible synthesis of nucleosides, specifically adenosine, inosine and zebularine. Previously reported synthesis conditions were optimized by means of the home built machine that simulates a day and night cycle of drying and rehydration. Variation of the temperature and duration of drying and heat exposure has showed a remarkable improvement of nucleoside formation yields, achieving a yield for adenosine of 9.1%, inosine of 13.2% and zebularine of 20.1% compared to the maximum yields achieved by Bean, et al. of less than 1% for adenosine, 3% for inosine and 12% for zebularine.

Best Poster

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STUDY OF THE PROPERTIES OF FUNCTIONALIZED WATER-SOL UBLE CONJUGATED STRUCTURES: HYPERBRANCHED PPES AND DISTYRYLBENZENES Carlos C. Rivera, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Juan Tolosa, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. Conjugated structures present different and interesting characteristics that can be used for many applications. The two types of conjugated structures that were the targets for this research were the Hyperbranched PPEs and the Distyrylbenzenes. The hyperbranched PPEs molecule in this case was a hyperbranched polymer that contains iodine ending groups that could be substituted with alkyne groups, changing the properties of the staring polymer. The distyrylbenzenes are molecules that have electrons moving along their structures. Some of these applications for these molecules can be in metal sensing devices, organic electronics and once water solubility is obtained, biological applications. For the hyperbranched PPEs, three alkynes molecules that contain different numbers of ester groups were synthesized to then be used to functionalizes the hyperbranched polymer developed by the Bunz groups. The reactions used were substitution, alkylation reactions, Sonogashira coupling and deprotection. Then once the alkyne molecules were synthesized, they were coupled with the hyperbranched polymer using Sonogashira coupling. For the distyrylbenzenes, first the aldehyde had to be synthesized through an alkylation reaction followed by a Vilsmeier Formylation then these aldehydes were coupled via Horner reaction to a phosphonate to obtain the desired conjugated structure. One of the molecules from the distyrylbenzenes experiment showed a blued shift when in the presence of some metal ions after being dissolved in DCM. When dissolved in water, this response was not present with any of the different metal ions. The properties studied for the hyperbranched PPEs are going to be carried out by the Bunz group. AROMATIC SYSTEMS INTERACTING WITH TNT CONSIDERED FO R MOLECULAR IMPRINTING Natalia SánchezLS, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Julia Saloni, David H. Magers and Glake A. Hill, Interdiscisciplinary Center for Nanotoxicity, Department of Chemistry, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi. Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a yellow odorless solid that is produced by the nitration of toluene by HNO3. It is insoluble in water and dissolves in benzene and acetone. TNT tends to react with nucleophiles that attack the nitrogen atoms rapidly. Some studies confirm that TNT is toxic and mutagenic for many living organisms. It can get into the food chain by various ways, including bad disposal of waste water and solids by TNT manufactures. TNT is relatively stable when compared to other high explosives. It is toxic because it is used as an explosive. In humans it can have harmful effects on the immune system, cause skin irritation after prolonged skin contact, and catalyze cataract development after long-term exposure. The primary goal of this research was to investigate two types of interactions between TNT and numerous aromatic systems. The purpose was to determine which interaction is more effective: the π–π interactions or hydrogen bonding. To perform calculations, the Gaussian 03 program was used. The B3LYP and MP2 methods and 6-31G (d,p) basis set were used. The data were run by supercomputers from the Mississippi Center of Supercomputing Research (MCSR).

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DETERMINING THE DNA BINDING ACTIVITY OF NEURAL ZINC FINGER FACTOR 1E BY FLUORESCENCE ANISOTROPY Tiffany Strickland, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Research Mentor: Dr. Holly Cymet, Department of Chemistry, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. The zinc finger family is a family of protein motifs that bind to zinc in order to stabilize their structure. Neural zinc finger factor 1 (NZF-1) has six zinc binding domains and binds specifically to the β-retinoic acid response element (β-RARE) DNA sequence. NZF-1e is a single domain fragment that is a part of NZF-1. The purpose of this research was to determine the DNA binding activity of the protein fragment NZF-1e using the fluorescence anisotropy technique. Plasmid containing the NZF-1e gene was transformed onto BL21 (DE3) and BL21 (DE3) plysS competent bacteria and grown overnight. A bacterial colony was then transferred onto LB-Ampicillin media and grown until the OD600 was about 0.8. Protein synthesis was then induced with 1 mM IPTG. The NZF-1e peptide was purified by SP Sepharose column chromatography, reduced using dithiothreitol (DTT), further purified using reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), dried down and stored in an anaerobic chamber. The purified NZF-1e peptide was tested using a UV/Vis Spectrometer to determine the concentration of protein and quantify the amount of functional protein present. A 16 base pair oligonucleotide containing the β-RARE sequence was added to a fluorescence anisotropy cuvette and the initial anisotropy was measured. The NZF-1e peptide was added in increments to the DNA and the anisotropy was measured after each addition. A dissociation constant in the low micromolar range was determined demonstrating that there was weak binding of NZF-1e to β-RARE DNA. Fluorescence anisotropy studies were performed using a non-specific random DNA sequence that did not contain the β-RARE binding site and no binding was observed. The NZF-1e peptide has weak specific binding to β-RARE DNA.

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COMPUTER SCIENCES

IMPLICATION OF MOBILE SOFTWARE APPLICATION ARCHITEC TURE DESIGN ON CELL PHONE BATTERY LIFE Jorge R. Castro, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Miguel A. Labrador, University of South Florida, Florida. New mobile phones support IP-based networking protocols such as User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the continuous use of wireless communication and positioning systems such as Global Position System (GPS) all of which can have a significant effect on mobile phone battery life. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of mobile phone battery life. The methodology used was to separate three groups of basic cell phone behavior like phone calls, light and simple programs like a Hello World on cell phone display, and communication protocols such as HTTP, TCP and UDP in different intervals of communication. The test of these three groups was made by taking current measurement connecting an HP E3631A power supply to two Sprint Sanyo 7050 and the Motorola i877 cell phones. With Peukert’s Law, it was possible to calculate the behavior of the two phone battery lives in terms of hours. Comparing this result for conserving power, it is best to reduce the number of GPS fixes to as few as possible. Use of UDP as a communication protocol is a good choice instead of TCP or HTTP to avoid additional data transmissions when timeliness is more important than reliability. ADVANCED REAL-TIME PATH PREDICTION USING GPS ENABLE D MOBILE PHONES Joksan X. FloresLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Sean Barbeau and Dr. Miguel Labrador, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. This study presents an algorithm implemented in Java programming language that predicts user’s real-time destination and user’s hour of departure from a specific location. This algorithm uses past travel behavior recorded using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The algorithm calculates the probability of which path the users can choose taking in consideration different characteristics such as the day of the week and the hour of the day. As a result, TRAC-IT software for mobile phones can report traffic incidents and location-based advertising to users.

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ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP A NEW PROGRAM FOR DATA PROCESSIN G IN QSAR ANALYSIS USING JAVA PLATFORM Jesse R. Jiménez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Bakhtivor Rasulev, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi. A Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship methodology is designed to find relationships between structure of investigated compounds and any interesting activity/property. QSAR is still developing approaches and methods of data analysis in this approach always under improvement, including descriptors’ calculation as well as data processing. Since requirements for dataset processing are always changing to improve validity of resulted model, a decision was made to create a new program that will meet all necessary requirements. A new computer program is intended to help the QSAR practitioner on the task of building and analyzing QSAR models through regression analysis (at the beginning). As usual, the main part of the program is a spreadsheet, in which the user can enter the data set composed by the structure definition of the compounds, one or more types of biological activity or physical property values. The common tasks that can be performed by the program are: (a) dividing the dataset to training and test sets; (b) linear models; (c) graphics analysis; (d) variable selection using genetic algorithm; (e) correlation analysis and; (f) hypothetic model testing. In the near future, other elements to be incorporated: (h) quadratic, bilinear and PLS models; (i) cross-validation of specific models; (j) elimination of outliers and analysis of the resulting model; (g) applicability domain analysis and others. The program was coded in JAVA which is a programming language that is very portable since it runs in any environment that supports java. HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING RESILIENCE TESTBED Héctor Machín, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Stephen L. Scott, Thomas Naughton, Geoffroy Vallée, and Anand Tikotekar, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Scientific computing applications are becoming increasingly complex. Clusters and parallel systems then become an important factor for the execution of these applications. The probability of facing failures increases as the complexity and scale of these systems keep growing. In this research, the effects of generating representative faults (resilience testbed), which can be useful when developing methods for fault correction and failure prevention, were explored. Fault injection techniques were used while executing application benchmarks to provide a controlled environment to study simulated failures on an actual running application. Through the development of a resilience testbed for high performance computing, fault injection mechanisms, streamlining of data gathering/monitoring, data analyzers for failure evaluation, and the validation of failure detection techniques were investigated.

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QUERY PROCESSING IN MOLECULAR SIMULATION DATABASE Amarilys Méndez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Yicheng Tu, University of South Florida, Florida. The advantage of technology is the most important step for those involved in current scientific works. Those works include the simulation of particles and N-body simulation. In the project, “Computing Distances Histogram Efficiently in Scientific Databases," the transition is done from simulations using the manual labor to an automated labor with a computer, and this was a very difficult process. But the process was automated in an innovative and more efficient way with an implemented algorithm. The algorithm's work was to calculate the distance between the particles and trace this distance in a histogram. The only one detail missing was quadratic time. Before this algorithm the code was too slow. To enhance the performance of the system, a new algorithm was developed which shortens the time in which it makes the simulation. Time is very valuable because the datasets of these simulations are very large and take too much time to process. This new algorithm enhanced process time which decreased with it. MODELING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SUDDEN OAK DEATH A ND FOREST FIRES Emanuel J. Méndez, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Christopher Dugaw, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. In North America, the water-mold Phytophthora ramorum has been infecting California forests since the mid-1990s. P. ramorun is known as the Sudden Oak Death (SOD) due to a sudden-like death it can cause in infected trees. It affects a variety of plant species, oak trees, and tanoaks (which suffer most from the disease). Since the population of oaks has been affected, its contribution to the economic system has been affected. Trees killed by SOD were recognized as a potential fuel type that affects the intensity of forest fires. This potential interaction led to a research enhancing fire model to determine the risk and intensity of fire-spread considering effects of SOD. Prior to enhancing a fire model, a Sudden Oak Death model, which is subdivided into a landscape sub-model and local sub-model, were implemented to predict the spread of P. ramorum across a region. To accomplish the stated implementation, the grid-based model approach was followed in order to implement the landscape sub-model, and the Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model was modified into the Susceptible-Infected-Dead-Collapsed (SIDC) model in order to implement the local sub-model. Furthermore, the result of this model will be input as another fuel type to the fire models.

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BAYESIAN NETWORKS FOR MINING CENSUS DATA IN ORDER T O DEVELOP EFFECTIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES Mary Mootoo, University of the Virgin Islands, Kingshill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Marc Boumedine, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus, Virgin Islands. Millions of dollars are spent each year in order to develop cost-effective marketing strategies based on one or few key segments such as income, geographic or demographic segmentation. This research proposes Bayesian networks techniques in order to automatically determine the population income based on census data. Census data provide valuable information such as hours-per-week, race, age and can be exploited effectively through machine learning algorithms and decision support systems. Bayesian Networks can be viewed as graphical models that code probabilistic relationships among variables of interest. They can be used to learn causal relationships and also gain understanding about a problem domain and predict consequences of intervention. These research experiments with Bayesian algorithms were implemented in the Weka 3.7.0 data mining software package. The model is trained with 32,561 training data sets obtained from census data sets (Ronny Kohavi and Barry Becker). The current results thus far show that 83.8% of the census training data have been correctly classified into two segments: greater than 50K and less than 50K. In the future, this percentage could be improved by looking at different algorithms and comparing them to see which algorithm is more efficient. USING THE YOUTUBE API’S AND TOOLS TO DEVELOP AN APP LICATION FOR VEHICLES Eduardo E. Villalba, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dr. Nabil J. Sarhan, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Multimedia is very important in our daily life. It is everywhere in computers, televisions and even on the fridge and the oven. But since a couple of years ago, multimedia has been used in contrast to media which only uses traditional forms of printed or hand-produced materials. Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, and interactivity content forms that have been implemented on cars for several different reasons. These reasons mainly include safety, entertainment, communication and the all popular Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The main focus of this project is to create a user-friendly interface to let the user, in this case, the driver or the passengers of the car connect to an online video service which is YouTube using the YouTube API’S and Tools. This application may lead to other applications such as medical, safety and communication applications, among many others.

73

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

ACTIVITY OF CYTOCHROME P450 IN BACTERIA FROM SAN JO SÉ LAGOON Anna CornierLS, Mariluz Banchs, Naisha Ortiz and Jamie Hernández, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Ángel Arcelay, Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Purified samples from San José Lagoon were collected from the bottom at two different depths to obtain bacteria that survive in highly contaminated environments. Bacteria were isolated in TSB in lagoon water. Purified bacteria were acclimated with toluene and naphthalene in three different generations to observe the metabolism by isolated microorganisms from the Lagoon. Toluene and naphthalene were used for their abundance and persistency. Five different strains identified by biochemical reactions were preliminarily reported. Experiments performed with these strains demonstrated that bacteria isolated from the San José Lagoon can metabolize organic compounds. Bacteria were acclimated to average levels (1 µg/mL) of these aromatic compounds. The formazan test was utilized to measure metabolism activity of the bacteria adapted to toluene and naphthalene forming a red precipitate. Data from the formazan test were analyzed by statistical formulas. Each species had a different rate of formazan reduction that demonstrated a different metabolic use of the organic compounds by the microorganisms. The fluorescence test was used to measure cytochrome P450 activity. The preliminary results showed little fluorescence; therefore, new tests will be conducted to ensure appropriate fluorescence. Future experiments will determine if a plasmid or a gene is involved in xenobiotics metabolism, which can be utilized for bioremediation in the San José Lagoon for organic pollutants.

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UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEAVER DAMS AND THE MOVEMENT OF PHOSPHORUS THROUGH ALLEN BROOK, CHITTEN DEN COUNTY, VERMONT Ángel A. García, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Rebecca Bourgault and Dr. Don Ross, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. How streams respond to changes in land cover depends on various factors, including the discharge of the streams, contributing drainage area, percentage of impervious surface, percentage of natural forest, and presence or absence of a storm water drainage system. The Allen Brook stream is situated in an urbanized area, surrounded by residential, commercial and industrial zones. In this stream, there are beaver dams currently altering the geomorphology and also affecting private lands near the stream. The buildup of a beaver dam has an impact on the morphology of the streams, and also has a direct influence on the stream ecology (Wilde, S. A. et al, 1950). Beavers also alter the dynamics of the ecosystem, and the transfer of nutrients downstream (Melillo, J & Hobbie, J., 1986). According to Naiman et al. (1988), the activity of the beavers retains organic matter and sediment in the channel, creating and expanding floodplains or wetlands, depending on the topography of the site. The beaver dams change the annual stream discharge regime, decrease the current flow velocity, and give the channel a stair-step gradient profile (Naiman, R., 1988). As a consequence, modifications to the stream channel happen in the form of channel widening and/or deepening. This results in undercutting and bank collapse, and trees falling into the stream, which affects aquatic habitat. These changes eventually lead to poor water quality, and degradation and eventual loss of habitat and riparian vegetation. The study objective was to understand the relationships between P dynamics, stream-reach characteristics, and water quality at different locations along beaver dams in Allen Brook. Sediment and water samples were collected from a fixed distance in either direction of the dam in order to measure possible correlations with distance to the dam. For the sediment samples, chemical extractions and particle size analyses were performed in order to determine the concentration of phosphorus retained in the beaver dam basin. The size of the beaver dam was measured in order to estimate the volume of sediment and quantity of phosphorus retained by the beaver dam. For water quality, dissolved oxygen and P were measured to determine how much P is available on each side of the dam, to support other research that has shown how beaver dams affect movement of P through streams.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL TEXTURE AND CHANNEL MIGRA TION RATES IN ALLEN BROOK, CHITTENDEN COUNTY, VERMONT Edward García, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Rebecca Bourgault, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. Stream bank erosion is the process by which soil particles are washed or blown from eroding areas and deposited in the stream. Stream bank erosion along a river channel determines the pattern of channel migration. The flow is the dominant influence in controlling bank erosion rates. Many current mechanistic models of channel migrations depend primarily on the stream velocity patterns to predict the distance and direction of channel migration. The objective of this research was to identify a correlation between particle size and channel migration rates in Allen Brook using remotely sensed data (in ArcGIS) from 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2009 of the streamlines generated from satellite imagery. Using the imagery, locations were identified that appeared to have had significant channel migration. Erosion rates per area were calculated based on the area of the eroded segment. In addition, LiDAR data were used to estimate the height of the stream bank at these locations, and total sediment volumes and volume-based rates were calculated. From the locations identified using ArcGIS, soil samples were collected for particle size analyses. Then, the relationships between particle size and erosion rates were calculated for each location. It is expected that there will be a positive correlation between sand and erosion rates, and a negative correlation between clay and erosion rates. However, it is anticipated that a possible correlation between particle size and erosion rates may be confounded by other factors involved in stream bank erosion. PREVALENCE OF DISSIMILATORY ARSENATE-REDUCING PROKA RYOTES IN NATURE Ivonne Gómez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. José Pérez-Jiménez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. The dissimilatory arsenate-reducing prokaryotes (DARP) constitute a taxonomically diverse group that derives energy from arsenate respiration. Despite the limited biochemical understanding, arsenate respiration is ultimately catalyzed by the arsenate respiratory reductase, encoded by the arrA gene. The congruency between nearly complete arrA and 16S rDNA phylogenies suggests ancient origin for arsenate respiration. It was hypothesized that the arrA gene should be common in nature, especially among taxonomical groups comprising the most of DARP. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and diversity of DARP in nature employing bioinformatics and metagenomics approaches. Genetic homologs for arrA from Desulfosporosinus sp. Y5, Bacillus macyae, Shewanella sp. ANA-3, and Sulfurospirilum carboxyolevorans were searched in the GenBank. A database of twenty-four nearly complete arrA sequences (10 for Firmicutes and 6 for Epsilonproteobacteria was established. No additional homolog was detected among genome sequencing projects for Firmicutes (674) or Epsilonproteobacteria (77). The metagenomic approach targeted the development of an arrA-based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (arr-TRFLP) for a rapid and sensitive disclosure of genetic pool and community analysis. An artificial community of DARP was assembled by combining the nearly complete arrA genes from Desulfosporosinus sp. Y5, Bacillus macyae, B. selenitireducens, Sulfurospirillum arsenophilum, S. carboxyolevorans, and S. multivorans. Amplicon of ~2.1 kb was obtained for the mix and few estuarine sediments. Sediment is being subjected to clonal sequencing. In silico analysis of restriction sites is in progress to select the enzyme better resolving the known diversity of DARP due to limitations in the few initially examined. The absence of the arrA gene from most prokaryotic genomes known so far suggests prevalence limited to uncommon taxons. However, the nearly complete arrA represents a useful biomarker to ascertain prokaryotes capable of arsenate respiration and monitor the risk of microbial mobilization of arsenate in nature.

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THE ROLES OF FLORAL RESOURCE PROXIMITY TO NESTING S UBSTRATE IN WILD BEE NEST-SITE SELECTION Diana K. Guzmán, University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. María Van Dyke, University of Virginia, Virginia. Native bees are seen as an efficient alternative for pollination services in crop agriculture. Farmers currently rely on Apis mellifera for pollination, but colonies of this species are in a decline due to disease and pests. There is a need to understand the habitat dynamics of native bees and proper management practices that will ensure their survival. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how ground bee nest site selection is influenced by floral availability. The key question in this study is: Does host plant diversity and abundance in three abandoned field localities (Grassland, Bull Pasture, Shrubland) influence the decision of ground bees to nest on those sites? The study was conducted at Blandy Experimental Farm in Northern Virginia, in the Summer of 2008. Twenty plots were established across three different localities to measure bee nesting preference for their flower species composition and abundance. Localities differed slightly in species composition and vegetation structure. All flowers within a 50m radius from the plot were counted the same day that each plot was surveyed for bee nest abundance to correlate flower availability with nesting. Bee species were collected with a bug net at various locations away from plots to decipher plant species use by specific bee species on the same plant species that were found in the vicinity of the plots. Bees were collected away from the plots to not affect the results, since there would be intervention with the species that could potentially be nesting in the plots. Despite different species compositions between localities, localities were found to have similar levels of species diversity (p=.2924). Overall, floral species diversity was not correlated with the abundance of nesting bees per plot (Spearman; p=0.1995). Nevertheless, when broken down by field type, it was found that the shrubland locality was positively correlated with abundance of nesting bees (p= .017) and could possibly reflect the characteristic vegetation structure of a shrub habitat. Although the idea that floral diversity was an important factor for nesting, site selection per plot could not be sustained, the numbers of nesting bees per plot were positively correlated with the floral abundance of attractive flower species. These results support the theory that the proximity of nesting resources to abundant floral resources is important for ground-nesting bees even at small scales (plot) while the importance of floral diversity can only be seen at larger scales (locality).

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THE ROLE OF SOIL NITROGEN AND PHYSYCAL PROPERTIES O N THE DISTRIBUTION OF PINYION PINE, JUNIPER TREES AND GRASS ALONG THE LOS PINOS MOUNTAINS, NEW MEXICO Giomara La Quay, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Juliana Medeiros, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Soil and plants have a complex relationship, because they strongly influence each other. Little is known about these soil dynamics and what role they play in the Los Pinos Mountains, located on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Data was collected during June-July 2009, answering the question: how do concentrations of total soil nitrogen (inorganic), along with soil characteristics, relate to the distribution of plants. Nitrogen availability, soil moisture, temperature, and texture were analyzed with regards to aspect and elevation in two sites with similar topography and elevation. Each site had 32 transects arranged by elevation and aspect. Vegetation surveys, soil samples and nitrogen availability were carried out, looking at Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma and grass. The north faces showed greater moisture and tree individuals than the south faces. There was more moisture under canopy than bare space. The sites showed the most variation in soil texture. Nitrogen was not determined by species, although pinyion tended to have a higher amount of nitrogen on the north site. The results of the vegetation surveys showed that there were more individuals on the north versus the south face and their average size was not determined by face or elevation. There were significant differences in the dominant species of each site with juniper dominating the south site. Grass density was not determined by aspect or elevation and whether or not an individual was flowering depended on the species. Statistical analyses were carried out using two way ANOVA tests and a logistic model. RICHNESS AND ENDEMICITY OF SULFATE REDUCING BACTERI A ACROSS NEOTROPICAL TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS Luis Latorre LS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Prof. José Pérez, Jiménez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are important decomposers of organic matter and mobilizers of minerals, including pollutants, while respiring sulfate in anoxic environments. Sulfate respiration uses the dissimilatory sulfite reductase, encoded by dsrAB genes, as ultimate catalyst. The SRB prevalence remains unclear for terrestrial microniches in the Neotropics. It was hypothesized that terrestrial ecosystems harbor sulfidogenic communitites scarce in their prevalence. diversity, and distribution. The purpose of this project was to characterize sulfidogenic communities across terrestrial environments in the island of Puerto Rico. Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (TRFLP) and clonal sequencing for the dsrAB gene have been conducted for soil samples collected from agricultural fields, mountains, caves, gardens, inland lagoons, and forests. A total of 343 phulotypes (richness) were detected across sites. Richness increased gradually from inland lagoon, cave, palma de sierra forest, elfin forest, botanical garden and agricultural site. Most of the phylotypes were found once per environment suggesting a highly endemic sulfidogenic community. Sequences retrieved from the few sites were diverse and related to various sulfidogenic genera (i.e., Desulfotomaculum, Desulfovibrio, and Desulfococcus) and environmental phylotypes. Interestingly, minimal relatedness was observed in dsrAB genes retrieved from other environments in Puerto Rico (i.e., mangroves, and elfin forest). Additional analysis will describe distribution pattern according to sites previously studied in Puerto Rico. The rich sulfidogenic communities in the Neotropics examined seem to develop from physical barriers across sites and adaptation to local conditions. This in-depth description of sulfidogenic communities will provide insights into the natural history, roles, and prevalence of sulfidogens within the Neotropics.

78

NEOTROPICAL ISLAND BIOGEOGRAPHY FOR SULFATE-REDUCIN G BACTERIA Diana L. LaureanoLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. José R. Pérez-Jiménez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Global phylogeography across disturbed sediments has revealed a patchy distribution for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). However, a distinctive cluster was formed by several Neotropical mangrove samples. Mangrove swamps represent a major habitat for SRB while prevailing in the tropical and subtropical shorelines. The objective of this study was to examine the horizontal heterogeneity of SRB in mangroves along the coast of Puerto Rico to assess their island biogeography. Sulfidogenic community composition was characterized with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene (dsr-TRFLP) amplified from soil/sediment samples. A total of 798 phylotypes (TRF) were detected (representing 278 different TRF). The sulfidogenic community ranged from 14 (Ceiba) to 82 (Arecibo). No TRF was common to all samples analyzed so far. In contrast, 37% were detected only in one sample (potential endemic taxa). Few major peaks and many minor peaks dominated the overall communities. Relative abundance varied among sites. Similarity analysis, based on Sørensen’s index, illustrated clustering together with minimal geographical proximity. Additional samples to process an application of multivariate analyses will provide a more complete description of the island biogeography for SRB in Neotropical mangroves. Sulfidogenic communities sustain a patchy distribution within the continued contour of the island likely due to biogeochemical conditions, geomorphological characteristics, and hydrological regimes of each site. The application of dsr-TRFLP has provided a description of the functional diversity for SRB in one of the most relevant habitats on Earth. The genetic pool being disclosed will assist in understanding the prevailing taxa and resilience of the sites to environmental disturbances and changes. PROGENY ANALYSIS OF TRANSGENIC TOBACCO USING GLUFOS INATE AMMONIUM AS A SELECTION AGENT Mia L. Nash, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia, U.S.A. Research Mentors: H.S. Moon and C. N. Stewart, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. The purpose of this research study was to analyze progeny of transgenic tobacco plants with glufosinate ammonium as the selection agent. Glufosinate ammonium is an herbicide commonly used in plant biotechnology. It is a broad-spectrum contact herbicide and is often used to select transgenic events containing bar gene during tissue culture process in plant biotechnology. T2 seeds from transgenic tobacco plants that were generated via Agrobacterium-mediated method were plated and selected on MS media containing glufosinate ammonium. Germination frequency of transgenic tobacco event seeds was lower than non-transgenic tobacco seeds. Only seeds expressing the selectable marker bar gene survived and grew into seedlings. The expected transgenic ratio for T2 seeds were 83.3 %. Transgenic frequency of transgenic tobacco events varied among transgenic tobacco plants and ranged from 33% to 100%. T2 generation seeds from transgenic tobacco events 5481-1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 5492-4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 5512-1, 3,4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 21 were used for progeny analysis. Non-transgenic tobacco was used as a control. 5512 events were transformed tobacco with the pCinHo vector containing a site-specific recombinase and glufosinate ammonium resistant bar gene, while 5481 and 5492 events contained the bar gene in the absence of the site-specific recombinase. PCR analysis confirmed tobacco plants were transgenic.

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PRIORITIZATION OF THE ATTENTION OF ECOLOGICAL SPECI ES AT RISK BY THE US ARMY Marian A. Pérez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Campus, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Harold Balbach, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Engineering Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The U.S. Army is interested in studying Species at Risk (SAR) to develop the necessary program to avoid their listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for the consequence of land use restraint and management expenses. The Army’s prioritization of high (1), medium (2) and low (3) is based on the possible mission impacts and conflicts that these species could cause in the installations, such as eminent land use conflicts. This effort is being made to prevent the listing of SAR, conserving species prior to Federal listing under ESA, and to identify which species needs to be studied further. This investigation focuses on obtaining the scientific material that contains any of the five listing factors identified in ESA Section 4(a)(1) for the species available on the Army’s List of Priorities Species at Risk (LPSAR), that also includes the species in greatest need of updated studies. Of the 65 SAR priorities, evidence for 30 species has been collected of the five listing factors of Section 4 (a)(1) of the ESA. Results will be useful for proper assessment of the strategies as well as an initiative to fulfill proactive regulations to prevent the listing of an SAR and to create partnerships with non-federal agencies through SAR management to take action on the matter. DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERI A IN HYPERSALINE MICROBIAL MATS IN CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO Brenda RodríguezLS, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. José R. Pérez-Jiménez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Most microbial mats consist of a phototrophic layer, followed by an anoxygenic phototrophic mid layer and an anoxic layer. The purpose of this project was to understand the distribution, richness and endemicity of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) across layers of mats during rainy and dry seasons from two hypersaline lagoons in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, at Candelaria and Fraternidad, in a neotropical environment. Samples from developing (Fraternidad) and more mature (Candelaria) mats were collected on both seasons from November 2007 through April 2009. DNA was extracted from each layer, amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase gene (dsrAB), and a terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (TRFLP) analysis of their NdeII digests was made. A diverse sulfidogenic community resulted on all analyzed layers through the different seasons. The Fraternidad mat showed a proportional sulfidogenic community through all the layers. The Candelaria mat showed a mark abundance of sulfidogenic community in the bottom layer of the mat during the rainy season and in the upper layer during the dry season. On June 2009, during the dry season, two samples from each layer of the mature mat were analyzed, showing 40 and 34 TRFs in the top layer, 31 and 19 TRFs in the mid layer and 29 and 34 TRFs in the bottom layer. A Sorensen’s analysis reflected a great diversity between samples of the same layers; this may indicate that the communities organize differently on a horizontal range. Further investigations are being carried out through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to identify SRB richness and possible endemicity.

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APPLIED MATHEMATICS

SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE AND EFFECTS ON NORTH ATLANT IC TROPICAL CYCLONES Kelvon J. Barkley, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Research Mentor: Dr. John Paul Roop, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. This study focuses on the effects of the sea surface temperature (SST) on North Atlantic tropical cyclone genesis, track and intensity. Two main experiments were implemented. The first experiment focused on the correlation of SST and tropical storms from years 1982 to 2008. Using SST data, a statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation of the number of North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The next experiment focused on Ophelia from 06-17 September 2005 for two reasons. Ophelia occurred during the year with the most recorded storms and she had an unusual track. Using North American Regional Reanalysis meteorological data, the investigation concentrated on which qualities influenced Ophelia's track and intensity.

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LOGARITHMIC SERIES ACCELERATORS Cassandra Benjamin, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Dr. Joseph Gaskin, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. This summer research topic dealt with finding series accelerators so that a series could be caused to converge faster. The focus of this study was specifically on logarithmic series because of their convergence complexity. The first thing to be done was to define what series and sequences were.

Logarithmic series are infinite series, 1n

n

a∞

=∑

, in which

1lim 1.n

nn

a

a+

→ ∞=

If lim 0,n

nn

a A

b B→∞

− =− and { }

1n na

∞

=

and { }1n n

b∞

= are sequences, then they converge to A and B, respectively. ϕ(x) was introduced as positive-valued differentiable function on [1,∞) and ρ as an element between (0,1) and from there defined the transformation T = S(n) -(1/ρ)S(ϕ)(n)) . 1- (1/ρ)

The next step was proving that if S is a logarithmic series of positive terms (S= 1n

n

a∞

=∑

) and that if ϕ(x) is logarithmic on [1,∞), then the transformation of the series T = S(n) - (1/ρ)S(ϕ)(n)) converges more rapidly than the series S itself. 1- (1/ρ) This was proved by finding the limit superior and limit inferior as n → ∞ lim(sup) S(ϕ(n)) - S(ϕ(n-1)) ≤ ρ and lim(inf) S(ϕ(n)) - S(ϕ(n-1)) ≥ ρ f(n) f(n) then concluded that lim S(ϕ(n))- S(ϕ(n-1)) = ρ n→∞ f(n) Finally, it was proven that since (S(ϕ(n)) - S(n)) → 0 and (S(ϕ(n)) - S)→ 0 monotonically, then lim S(ϕ(n))- S(ϕ(n-1)) = 0 . n→∞ f(n) This proof consequently showed that the transformation of the series will give us a perfect estimation of the error of S itself. This theorem was proven using various mathematical theorems, one being the Mean Value Theorem, and by expanding basic math principals.

Best Poster

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THE ISOPERIMETRIC PROBLEM IN SECTORS WITH DISK DENS ITY Alexander Díaz, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Frank Morgan, Williams College, Spain. A manifold with density is a manifold with a positive function weighting both perimeter and area. They have received increasing attention in recent years, most notably appearing in Perelman's proof of the Poincare conjecture. The isoperimetric problem in planar sectors may be considered with density a inside the unit disk and density 1 outside. There are ten types of solutions, depending on a, the sector angle, and the prescribed area. Another interesting feature of this problem is that it deals with a noncontinuous density. METHOD TO OUR MADNESS Kevin Harris, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Research Mentor: Dr. Joseph Verducci, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. The NCAA uses the knockout tournament for determining the best Division 1 college basketball team. Teams are paired according to seeding decided by committee based on win/loss record and strength of schedule. In each round of a knockout tournament, the loser of each match is immediately eliminated from the tournament, and the winners advance to the next round. The goal of such a design is to identify the overall best team, but imperfect seeding and chance events sometimes cause weaker teams to advance, while stronger teams get eliminated. To minimize such occurrences, an alternative format was considered for the tournament consisting of the same number of rounds. However instead of a team being “knocked out” of the tournament after a loss, that team simply becomes re-seeded to lower ranking among the teams in the tournament. The problem of pairing teams can be formalized using Bayesian methods for creating new designs. Starting with the Bradley-Terry model for paired comparisons, a method for pairing teams in each round that does not depend as much on initial seeding was developed. The performance of this method on simulated data against random pairings was compared to the standard knockout format. MESOSCALE ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF TWO W INTER STORMS AFFECTING THE NEW YORK AREA Cherelle N. Jackson, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Research Mentor: Dr. John Paul Roop, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. From 12-14 March 1993, the east coast of the United States experienced an unprecedented snowstorm. A combination of record low temperatures, coastal flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and heavy snow resulted in the storm often referred to as “The Storm of the Century.” This research focuses on the climate changes of New York State during the storm, along with its effects. Another storm to be analyzed is a winter storm that passed through New York State on 6-8 February 2008. This storm will be used as a case study to determine the efficiency of Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) runs with grid resolutions of 12km and 6km as compared to the North Atlantic Regional Reanalysis (NARR) and radar data.

Best Oral

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SPHERICAL PROJECTION IN POROUS SUBSTANCES Stefan Jenkins, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Research Mentor: Dr. Desmond Stephens, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. An image of a sufficiently porous material will show the intersection of two spheres. The intersection of two spheres forms a circle, and the visible image is the result of that circle being projected onto the plane of projection. This research uses concepts from trigonometry, algebra and vector calculus to determine the relationships between the measurements of the projection and the original image, with the end goal of finding the radius of the visible sphere. The formula developed provides a method for calculating the radius of the sphere in question.

TWO STRAIN COMPETITION: TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI Xavier Martínez, University of Puerto Rico a Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Christopher Kribs-Zaleta, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas. Chagas disease is a tropical parasitic disease that affects Latin America. The parasite causing Chagas, Trypanosoma cruzi, is transmitted by an insect vector of the subfamily Triatominae. Chagas is uncommon in the United States, but is becoming more common in the southern part of the country. This may be due to a more virulent strain (strain I) type of the parasite moving northward from Mexico and invading the less virulent, native strain (strain II) type. A region in southern Texas where there is a mixing of two Triatoma species is modeled with two different modeling frameworks. A mathematical deterministic model is created to describe the interactions between one host and one vector and determine the outcome of an invasion of a non-native strain (strain I) type into the region of Texas under consideration. A stochastic, agent based model is created to determine the effect space and randomness may have on the interactions. Within the models, three modes of parasite transmission are considered to account for the different characteristics of each strain type. These are horizontal transmission, vertical transmission and oral transmission. The horizontal transmission ability of the invasive strain was varied and simulations were run in the agent based model for an equivalent time period of 30000 days (82 years). It was found that the horizontal transmission potential of the invasive strain (strain 1) must be about 1.5 times as great as the other in order for over 50% of the runs to end with the invasive strain dominating. However, in the Ordinary Differential Equation model, the horizontal transmission of the invasive need was only 1.056 times that of the other strain. It was also determined from the model that considering three modes of transmission and no migration of vectors into the region being modeled, it is impossible for the two strains to coexist.

84

RANDOM MODELING OF CARBON FOAM USING THE MONTE CARL O METHOD Jidraph Njuguna, G. Dale Wesson, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Research Mentor: Dr. Desmond Stephens, Department of Mathematics, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Carbon foam has become increasingly important due to its low density, high porosity or void fraction (75 – 90%) and high specific thermal conductivity. For this reason, substantial investments and research have been put into the modeling of carbon foam. This research was motivated by the Army’s need to provide soldiers with uniforms that can dissipate heat in harsh environments. In this work, a random mathematical model that replicates the placement of spherical bubbles that form during the manufacturing of carbon foam was developed. An algorithm that enables to obtain specified void fractions with great accuracy was constructed. Many Computer Aided Design (CAD) software packages, such as SolidWorks© are limited by the number of spheres that can be modeled. This limitation often makes computing the void fraction difficult, resulting from pores formed by intersecting bubbles. It was assumed that a cube represents the structure of the carbon foam. N bubble centers were then placed randomly inside the cube maintaining a prescribed range of distances between adjacent bubbles. Given the resulting pore diameters, the void fraction was calculated using the Monte Carlo method. Results were then compared to simulations done using SolidWorks©. Results from this work will now be used for actual fluid flow and thermodynamic simulations. HEAT TRANSFER IN A SPHERICAL SOLID Rika Paul, Shari Briggs, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Research Mentors: Dr. G. Dale Wesson, Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture; Dr. Desmond Stephens, Department of Mathematics; Dr. Carl Moore, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida; and Dr. Monica Y. Stephens, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia. Heat transfer is the transference of thermal energy from more energetic particles to less energetic ones. This study investigated heat transfer, using conduction as the mechanism, through a spherical solid which was comprised of a homogeneous, isotropic substance. The spherical solid, at initial temperature T1, had no source of internal heat generation and was placed in a hot fluid bath having temperature T∞. As the heat conducted from the hot fluid bath to the inner core of the sphere, a one-dimensional temperature profile was obtained, giving insight into how the temperature changes radially within specific time steps. Using this information, it is expected that this problem will be expanded to include melting of a spherical phase-changing material.

Best Oral

85

MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF DIGITAL SOUNDS TO REPRODUCE HUMAN VOICES? Odari C. Thomas, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Research Mentor: Dr. Dirk Schlingmann, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky. Suppose that someone that you cared for deeply lost his or her voice to a severe bout of laryngitis. Suffering from this debilitating complication of the disease can cause severe emotional and psychological problems and can even lead to a chronic case of depression. Fortunately, mathematical modeling shows the capacity to be able to recreate and mimic various natural and unnatural sounds. In this fieldwork, various raw sound data were recorded from different people using sound processing software. Once stored on the computer, it was placed into “fully integrated technical computing software”(Wolfram Research) where samples were fragmented in order to seek out specific cycles in the characteristics of the waves. Once broken down, the software applied a Fourier analysis in order to determine an accurate mathematical model for the raw sound data. A Fourier series is an expansion of any periodic function f(x) in terms of an infinite sum of sines and cosines. Since vibrations that create waves in air molecules produce sound and since waves are cyclical, Fourier analysis is ideal for examining their respective characteristics. After the models were generated, numerical patterns in the coefficients of the sines and cosines were searched for and compared with the coefficients generated by male and female voices to one another. Further research should be conducted on the application of Fourier analysis to sound data to lead to improvements in sound processing and the synthesis of musical instruments. A QUASI-GEOMETRIC BUILD-UP ALGORITHM TO MODEL CARBO N FOAM WITH SPHERICAL BUBBLES Dwight A. Williams II, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Research Mentor: Dr. Desmond Stephens, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Open-celled carbon foam is of specific interest to the United States Army due to its porous nature. These foams have favorable thermo- and fluid dynamic properties for battlefield applications. These properties are most often exploited in carbon foams having void fractions in the range of 75% - 95%. Void fraction is a measure of void spaces created in the foam during the manufacturing process due to bubble intersects. In this work, this bubble formation was modeled using a systematic algorithm for placing bubbles in a cubic piece of foam randomly. The Quasi-Geometric Build-Up Algorithm (QGB) assumed all bubbles to be spherical and determined their locations based on the distance between their centers and a random distribution of bubble radii. The QGB algorithm was implemented in MATLAB.

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PSYCHOLOGY EARLY SOCIAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSENTS IN A MOUSE MODEL FOR AUTISM Michelle Ayorinde, Charlene Monuazinge, Marcina Anderson, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Research Mentor: Dr. Christine F. Hohmann, Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental brain disorder associated with deficits in social and cognitive behavior, affecting many individuals. Diagnosis is still on the rise [Di-Cicco-Bloom 2007]. The causes of ASD and associated brain changes are unknown. A mouse model of selective serotonin-depletion using 5,7-Dihydroxytriptamine (5,7-DHT), which inhibits the production of serotonin in the cortex and hippocampus was developed; this induces, in maturing mice, brain and behavioral changes similar to ASD [Hohmann,2007]. Since ASD is a developmental brain disorder, this study investigated if mice at one week of age, showed deficits in social cognition. Male and female Balb/CByJ mice received injections of 5,7-DHT (lesioned, n=9 ) or saline (vehicle controls, n=9 ) into the medial forebrain bundle at birth and were returned to the dam. Age matched controls (AMC, n= 14) stayed with their mothers until behavioral testing. At postnatal day (PND) 7 all mice were tested on the “Homing Task”. This task assessed whether the pups showed preference for the home bedding versus clean bedding as an indicator of normal social behavior. A preference for the home bedding, which carries the scent of the dam, is an important survival skill needed to avoid starvation and predation. These studies showed that AMCs preferred home bedding to clean bedding. In contrast to earlier data, lesioned mice did not show significant preference for home bedding. Pups will be retested as adults using the Crawley social preference task to assess if social behavior is impaired in adulthood.

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APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE USE IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM Jamilet Figueroa, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Laura Wagner, The Ohio State University, Ohio. Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction, communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior. Children with autism have a deficit in pragmatic skills. Pragmatics is a part of language that connects linguistics and social knowledge. Within the pragmatics area, the focus will be on two tasks: Register and Conversational Cooperation. Register is the use of different language styles to speak in different social situations. For example, one talks to babies differently than one talks to doctors. This study tried to find out whether ASD children can identify which person someone is talking to by the register that is used. Conversational Cooperation is when people cooperate to create a successful interaction in terms of quality and relevance of information. For example, if someone asks “where do you live?,” it is not cooperative to say “on the moon” (violation of quality) or to say “I like cheese” (violation of relevance). This study tried to research if ASD children can notice if statements that obey the Conversational Cooperation rules are better than those that do not. The sample for this research was composed of eight children with autism and eight neurotypical children. Each of them was evaluated individually with a test for Register and a test for Conversational Cooperation. Looking at which pragmatic skills children with autism are good or bad at will provide a better idea of how the children integrate linguistic and social knowledge. Ultimately, this information will help in the design of better treatments and more specific programs for children with ASD. ASSESSING CONSTRUCTIVIST TEACHING AND LEARNING IN T HE OHIO MATHEMATICS COACHING PROGRAM Christina Restrepo, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. Research Mentor: Dr. Patricia Brosnan, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Research suggests that mathematics literacy has had no significant improvement before the revision of student centered learning formulated by the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics (NCTM). The new NCTM standards suggest the implementation of constructivist and cognitively guided instruction in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between exposure to the Ohio Mathematics Coaching Program (MCP) and student achievement. Using one-on-one professional development models, coaches and teachers worked on instructing, reflecting, revising and learning how to teach and assess students in the classroom. The Ohio Department of Education identified a set of lowest performing schools and these schools had a choice of whether to have a mathematics coach or no coach. The focus of this research was to look for evidence of student learning by examining public record data of coached and non coached schools. Public record data includes building-wide proficiency levels on the Ohio Achievement Test, as well as proficiency levels based on ethnic background, economic status, and disability status. Coaches and teachers are also evaluated in content knowledge and learning about mathematics pedagogy. The program’s objective is to improve teacher content knowledge and assessment of student learning as well as the improvement of individualized cognitive based instruction that may lead to student achievement.

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IMPROVING THE REALISM OF SYNTHETIC TRAINING FOR THE S.A.V.E. PROGRAM Josué Acevedo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Peter Seman, Colds Regions Research Lab,Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The S.A.V.E. program is a research initiative with the objective to develop useful descriptions of high-speed, loose-surface ground vehicle interface dynamics and to apply those findings to virtual training environments, autonomous vehicle development, active safety systems development, and construction of safer roads. Virtual training environments are complex. To accomplish the main project objective it is necessary to replicate real operational scenarios. The goal was to improve the realism of virtual training, generating and modifying software to build a complete set of training scenarios for the Vehicle Control Trainer with Motion Platform. It also aims to improve the quality of the reality of the virtual training setting for Army personnel. The project required upgrading the programming codes of the algorithms to modify existing vehicle dynamics to account for new variables. The calibration and verifications of recommended codes were accomplished by testing a motion simulator. Building the most effective virtual driver skills trainer on the planet will help save many lives and will influence the way America (and the world) perceive driving. EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF A NUMERICAL MODEL FOR UL TRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE Manuel E. Candelario, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Bradley Foust, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Current research at the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has revealed that an understanding of strain rate effects on high-performance concrete is a priority because they enhance its material properties. This phenomenon is seen when a structure is subjected to extreme dynamic loads, which result from events such as blasts, earthquakes, and impact from missiles or projectiles. A numerical model is needed to generate strain rate effects at a meso-scale level and to assist in the prediction of the response of concrete under these circumstances. The purpose of this research work was to fulfill experimental procedures that will provide data that can be used to calibrate a numerical model called Lattice Discrete Particle Model (LDPM). By keeping a constant strain rate a load-displacement relationship experimental data will be developed from third-point bending tests. A total of 48 beams were tested half of which were reinforced with steel fibers. The concrete beams were notched so that the experiments yielded more precise results. Optimum dimensions for the concrete beams were determined.

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EFFECT OF THERMAL PROCESSES ON ELECTRICAL PROPERTIE S OF SILICON THIN FILMS AND MICROWIRES Emmanuel Carpena, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Ali Gokirmak, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. Two point resistance measurements on nano-crystalline (nc) and amorphous (a) silicon thin films and microwires were performed at various temperatures. Temperatures higher than 500ºC were reached using an inductive heater and a ferromagnetic chuck. Temperature was monitored with a k-type thermocouple inserted into the chuck and electrical measurements were performed using a multi-meter or an LCR meter, all controlled through a computer interface. The results showed that resistivity of highly doped a-Si reduced by 30 times if the temperature was increased from 30ºC to 500ºC. The resistance of as-fabricated nc-Si structures linearly decreased by 10% and resistance of the annealed structures increased 5% as temperature was increased from 30ºC to 350ºC. This suggests that temperature coefficient of resistance of nc-Si is dominated by the a-Si matrix and the material is crystallized upon annealing. 747-8 AIRPLANE THRUST REVERSER CERTIFICATION TESTIN G Aleris M. Castañer, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Charles D. Marano and Vincent Ryan, The Boeing Company, Chicago, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This project focused on the design and stress analysis of the new 747-8 Nacelle. The Nacelle is the under-wing structure that covers the engine of airplanes and consists of various main parts such as the Inlet, Fan Cowl, Thrust Reverser and Primary Exhaust Nozzle. The Microsoft Excel program was used to view, organize and analyze data received from tests done with different configurations of the TR and compare them to previous data obtained from finite element model predictions. The different configurations were the TR Open, Closed with load share and Closed without load share. ‘Load share’ is the name for added plates at the back where the TR closes. The purpose of the load share was to see how effective they were in minimizing engine deflections when the TR is closed and thus, during flights. With the different configurations and hinges located in specific parts of the TR and similar loads applied, deflections, strains and moments data were obtained from reactions in different parts of the TR. Charts were created with the instrumentation data received from testing. The charts were graphed as Loads vs. Deflections, vs. Strains, and vs. Engine Torque.

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COASTAL EROSION CONTROL BY MEANS OF ARMOR STONES Gerardo Cerra, University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Danny W. Harrelson, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Armor Stones are artificial structures built with the objective to control and reduce erosion in coasts. The US Army Corps of Engineers has been developing a research effort during the past three years in which artificial erosion control blocks made of various types of stones and concrete are placed and monitored in coastal sites to evaluate the optimum type of rock that better suits to resist weathering in the Keweenaw Waterway in Michigan. These rocks are expected to have more than 50% of their mass in order to be useful. Images from 2006 through the present are used to study and evaluate differentiation of the states of the blocks with time. Granite and the quartzite resulted more resistant than concrete and limestone. IMPROVED METHODOLOGIES TO PERFORM DT IMAGING OF PER FUSION FIXED LARGE MAMMALIAN HEARTS WITHIN A 3 TESLA MRI UNIT: M INIMIZATION OF MOTION ARTIFACTS Jerfiz Constanzo, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Paul A. Laizzo, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minnesota. Background: To date, no standard method has been reported for the correction of vibration artifacts that may be associated with MR imaging of postmortem mammalian hearts during diffusion tensor imaging protocols. The purpose of this study was to develop novel methodologies to eliminate vibration artifacts, which occur during diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of isolated tissues. The methods used included different gels and sound proofing material used to embed perfusion fixed swine hearts while in the 3.0 Tesla magnet unit. Diffusion weighted Images were analyzed to verify artifact correction using this approach. The results were that it was found that embedding the heart in 0.75% agar and soundproofing material removed vibrational artifacts, thus dramatically improving image quality during DTI protocols. In conclusion, these developed methodologies will be very useful for conducting research on human heart fiber structure in relation with cardiac pathologies. This approach will not alter the tissue composition or fiber orientations in human hearts; therefore, they can be recycle for conducting other experiments.

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ASPHALT REPAIR MATERIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM Francisco Del Valle, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Kent Newman and Mariely Mejias, (Research Engineer), Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Rapid pavement repair technologies for airfield pavements, highway pavements, high volume municipal roads, and urban freeways have become critical to pavement repair efforts due to decreasing construction windows for pavement rehabilitation. Common rehabilitation efforts for pavements include full- and partial-depth repairs. Interruptions to service may lead to increased traffic flow problems, airport delays, safety hazards, and operational tempo reductions for military operations. Because of these short repair windows, the proper selection of materials for repairing these pavements reduces the likelihood of accidents, delays, traffic problems, and future maintenance efforts relative to the delays resulting from the selection of a poor-quality product. Numerous commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products have become available for small surface repairs that provide shorter repair windows. The use of these materials is not new. Much research was focused on the development of methods of evaluation for the wide-spectrum of materials marketed to state departments of transportation (DOTs) and military pavement engineers over that last twenty years. Concerns of using COTS products stemmed from poor repair preparation and habitual repackaging and reformulation by the manufacturer. This resulted in poor field performance of materials despite previous good results. This investigation identified and evaluated COTS cold patch asphalt repair materials. This was accomplished through laboratory and field testing. Properties such as flow time, flow number, material strength, workability, and durability were evaluated in the lab. A minimum of four (4) products were selected for the field test based on performance in the lab tests. 3 ft. x 5 ft. repair areas were filled with each product. Placement and handling characteristics of the cold patch materials were evaluated. After compaction, the repairs were trafficked to meet the failure criteria of 1-in. of rod depth or a maximum of 100 passes. PRESSURE DROP IN POROUS MEDIA SIMULATION USING A WI ND TUNNEL Pablo Díaz, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Prof. Geraldo Carvajal, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Accurate measurements of pressure drop are critical for fluid flow model in porous media. Various experimental setups have been devised to measure pressure drop through a porous media. Using 10mm diameter spheres, closer values were shown in porosity before and after the samples. Using 30.5mm diameter spheres and mixed spheres; due to the close values of porosities (0.4538, 0.4692 respectively), a change was not observed in pressure drop against velocity. In the present study different porosity values were studied and it was found that pressure drops decreased directly with respect to the radius of spheres. This experiment was based on the change of parameters such as free space in the sample. Using data recorded from the pressure drop, the different characteristics that porosity produce in a fluid flow could be analyzed. Closely analyzing the behavior of the fluid flow before and after it passes through the box, it was noticed that the fluid is not fully developed when it passes through the box. The velocity decreases and the fluidity of air seems turbulent. The experimental results had shown a particular characteristic as creating a low pressure zone at some places on the back of the sample.

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IMPLEMENTATION OF A CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEM TO IMPROVE S URFACE FLATNESS OF THIN GLASS SHEETS AND SILICON WAFERS Toni-Ann FalconerLS, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. Research Mentor: Dr. Mark Schattenburg, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachussetts. Glass plays an integral role in science and technology -from liquid crystal displays (LCDs) to high precision optics. Though technological advances have made glass with thickness in the micron range, makers of thin glass still face a ubiquitous challenge of surface waviness. Surface waviness (or warp) presents a major challenge in all the industries that utilize thin sheet glass. The problem is compounded even further by the fact that the thinner the sheets, the larger their waviness. The proposed approach attempts to solve the problem of surface waviness by modifying an existing open-loop experimental setup to a closed-loop system by introducing a mass flow controller (MFC) and utilizing MATLAB control software. The MFC, in conjunction with the MATLAB software, will work to keep the pressure gradient of the system constant during slumping. DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR STRUCTURAL AIRFIELD MATS Lyan García, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Timothy W. Rushing, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. On June 2009, researchers of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) evaluated two different airfield mats to determine their structural properties. The tests were conducted at Hangar 4 pavement test facility at ERDC, Vicksburg, MS, where a mat panel of each mat system was placed across two supporting beams and loaded with blocks of known weights. Deflection gauges were placed underneath the mat panels to measure the deflection of the mat surface. The results of these tests were used to determine the flexural rigidity and modulus of elasticity using a finite element implementation of a 2D linear elastic plate model. In addition, the stress distribution in the subgrade underneath the mats due to the bending action of the mats during trafficking was determined using layered elastic analysis. An airfield mat performance model was then created based on the performance of the mat systems during full-scale aircraft traffic testing. Results of these tests and analyses will be used to replace the existing empirical design procedures with the implementation of a mechanistic stress-based procedure used for airfield mats.

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AN OPTICAL PULSE GENERATOR FOR THE CZMIL PROJECT César S. González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Jennifer M. Wozencraft, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL) program is a sensor development effort designed to produce next-generation software and hardware for highly-automated collection and processing of coastal mapping and charting products. The proposed design for CZMIL is a revolutionary airborne survey system that will rapidly map environmental information about the shallow-water seafloor, water column, and coastal area. The main objective of this research work was to design optical pulse generators for the CZMIL project. The main problem of the optical pulse generator design was to generate electrical nanosecond pulses, and have a fast response and high optical pulse power from LEDs. An approach using avalanche transistors was implemented to generate nanoseconds pulses. Some circuit simulations were done and the nanosecond pulses were obtained. Finally, results of the optical voltages using different LEDs were plotted. The pulse width range of the optical voltages was between 15 and 40 nanoseconds. In general, the design of the optical pulse generator was accomplished, but better results could be achieved using LEDs with faster responses times than the ones used in this circuit design. THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL AS SUBSTITUTE FOR TIMBER BRIDGE DESIGN TO MITIGATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS Richard González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Richard G. Lampo, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Engineering Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Plastic lumber is an attractive substitute for natural wood because it diverts waste plastic from landfills and is inherently resistant to moisture, rot, and insects without the need for chemical treatments. Since 1998, researchers and engineers have looked at arch and I-beam designs as a means to reduce the material and installation costs for a given load capacity in order to come up with a design that is cost competitive to traditional wood designs on a first cost basis. The latest demonstration of this sort is a thermoplastic composite I-beam bridge being constructed at an east coast Army Installation designed to cross an M-1 battle tank. The Fort Bragg, NC, plastic vehicular bridge using reinforced thermoplastic composite lumber (in typical rectangular shapes) was built in May 2009 and is used to illustrate the GHG benefits of plastic lumber structures. This innovative design is cost competitive to a wood timber bridge to carry the same load and virtually maintenance-free from the degradation effects. This study will describe the GHG benefits that make these materials attractive sustainable alternatives to chemically treated-wood for timber bridges and many other outdoor structural applications where treated wood is traditionally used. The calculations developed in this study showed that the substitution of recycled-plastic lumber for chemical-treated wood can have a very significant positive effect on reducing greenhouse gases. The benefit for replacing plastic structures for wood structures would be significant at any reasonable level of market share. Interestingly in this case, the greatest greenhouse gas benefit occurred where the financial benefit of using a long-life material is also greatest. This finding is an encouraging departure from the many cases in which the most environmentally friendly option ends up being the most costly.

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TOWARDS EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF DIGITAL CARBON FOAM MODELS Lamontie A. James, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. Research Mentor: Dr. Carl A. Moore, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. BACKGROUND: Mesophase, pitch-based materials, like graphite carbon foam, portray highly ordered topology structures which exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties. Typical carbon foam with dimensions 5cm3 can have a surface area greater than 11x104cm2, making it an excellent candidate for heat transfer applications. The US Army is interested in using carbon foams to produce uniforms that can better dissipate heat in harsh environments. PURPOSE: This research describes a computer algorithm for modeling carbon foams and the experiment developed to compare the simulated foam to actual carbon foam. METHODS: A MATLAB computer algorithm was developed to create a digital representation of carbon foam. The algorithm is based on a mathematical representation of carbon foam’s principal physical parameters. These parameters include (1) bubble diameter (spherical holes dispersed throughout the foam), (2) pore size (volume represented by the intersection of two or more bubbles), and (3) void fraction (ratio of total bubble volume to foam volume). If digital foams are to accurately represent carbon foam in thermal fluids simulations the pressure drop through the digital foam must be similar to that of actual foam with similar physical parameters. The pressure drop is calculated using a described flow chamber for the actual carbon foam and using Fluent for the digital foam. RESULTS: Pressure drop experiments on the actual carbon foams have produced pressure drops consistent with that of several other colleagues in the scientific community. Transforming the digital foam models into a form suitable for testing in Fluent is current work. CONCLUSION: A computer algorithm was developed that generated a digital model of carbon foam. The algorithm was able to closely match the principal physical parameters of carbon foam and was able to produce a unique digital model for each run. Experimental trials have been conducted to validate the pressure drop of actual foams such that results may be compared to that of the digital foams. MISSISSIPPI RIVER SEDIMENT AVAILABILITY STUDY (MRSA S) Pedro Lorenzo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Jeffrey Melby, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This research work had the objective of determining the impact of climate seasonal changes on the sediment loads in the Lower Mississippi River. An electronic database was developed and data quality control was applied for data completeness. Special attention was focused on filling data gaps where the ANN computer model needed it. Statistical computing techniques were used for suspended sediment data analyses. Sediment rating curve, linear interpolation using load and concentration, and fuzzy logic were among the engineering techniques used.

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SELECTION OF MODELING METHODOLOGIES FOR NAVIGATIONA L PROJECTS Miguel Lugo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Gary Lynch, Dr. Howard Park , and Dr. Jennifer N. Tate, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Engineers responsible for design often require confirmation of hydrodynamic, safety and environmental characteristics of a waterways project. This research describes the mathematical, physical and ship/tow simulation models employed by the Engineer and Research Development Center of the US Army Corps of Engineers to address common navigation projects and classifies them by model feasibility using criteria developed. A SIMULATION-BASED APPLICATION FOR BATTLESPACE TERR AIN REASONING AND AWARENESS (BTRA) IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMBULANCE EXCHANGE POINT (AXP) Jonathan J. Luna, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Doris Turnage, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Ambulance Exchange Point (AXP) locations are very important to effective tactical and logistical combat health support. The choice of the most effective Ambulance Exchange Point (AXP) improves the performance of medical treatment and at the same time makes transportation of the medical transport units and their occupants more secure. The Battlespace Terrain Reasoning and Awareness (BTRA) has goal to provide analysis for finding effective AXP locations. To add capability to the BTRA to find suitable Ambulance Exchange Point (AXP) locations, a software application development cycle using Eclipse Java Software Development Environment and ArcGIS software was done. This software development cycle consisted of designing, analyzing, coding and testing software that makes use of Geographic Information Systems. The COGAXP software application was developed in order to provide assistance to the BTRA in the development of AXP to make use of the Center of Gravity decision making tools within location analysis and provide a tool to make a buffer around the resulting Center of Gravity Point. COGAXP also offers the user a way to save all the data created by it and provides a tool to make a clip to the resulting buffer area.

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CHARACTERIZATION OF SELECTED NONMATERIALS FOR SAFE ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS Marietta Marcano, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Todd Rushing and Dr. Bryan Green, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. In the past few years there has been a huge advancement in the design and applications of nanomaterials. Therefore, it became important to investigate the implications of these materials on the environment. Through this project several environmentally relevant nanometal compounds were characterized by means of defining certain characteristics such as mineralogy, shape, texture, chemical composition, particle size and stability. The materials selected were: TiO2 (Anatase and Rutile), ZnO, CuO, Cr2O3, Fe3O4 and Al2O3. The results obtained from the characterization showed that despite the data provided from the manufacturer, some nanoparticles, such as ZnO nano-particles, do not fulfill the given specifications of purity. The determination of particle size showed that most of the nanometaly compounds analyzed do not fulfill the particle size specified by the manufacturer. This, together with the Zeta Potential results revealing that these particles are unstable, verified that agglomeration of particles is inherent at the nanoscale. If this tendency repeats on a natural scenario, it can be expected that these materials will have less reactivity in the environment. MODELING DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF FIXED OFFSHORE WIND TU RBINES Vonmarie Martínez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. James A. Schneider and Dante Fratta, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This research had the objective of evaluating the dynamic response of offshore wind turbines with monopile foundations by comparing results obtained from physical and analytical models. Different tower, foundation material, water level, and load conditions were simulated in the physical models. The response to free vibration decay was monitored using a vertical array of MEMS accelerometers, and the collected data was processed using the Fourier transform to assess the natural frequency of the structure. Results from the physical model studies were compared to calculations using the Rayleigh method. Good prediction of natural frequency was achieved for turbines founded in concrete and stiff sandy soil conditions, although the natural frequency of turbines founded in soft clays was over predicted by up to 40%.

Best Oral

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THE USDA FOREST SERVICE PROGRAM FOR PROTECTING AND REHABILITATING FOREST HIGHWAYS Anna Matías, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Luis Santoyo, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The USDA Forest Service has the priority to safeguard the nation’s forests promoting rural development in a friendly environmental perspective. This project focused on learning the process of road maintenance and repair in the nation’s forests while protecting and caring for the lands. A schedule for several weeks of field visits to survey nine sites that were in need of emergency and permanent repairs in the Olympic region due to washouts, avalanches or landslides in the roads was made. The Federal Highway Administration required the Forest Service to make Damage Survey Reports for the roads including detailed information for each site. Each report required to include a description of the cause of damage, a description of the necessary repair work, a detailed cost estimate for emergency and permanent repairs, and a final estimated cost for the projects. After the field data were collected, earth movement estimations were made. Federal Highway standards were consulted to estimate unit price materials. The damage reports were filed with the corresponding designs and cost estimates for each damaged road for the Federal Highway Administration to evaluate and approve. Most of the affected roads needed replacing of fills and culverts. Others needed new bridges and retaining walls, among other things. AN INNOVATIVE LIQUID COOLING DESIGN FOR THE CZMIL S YSTEM Emmanuelle J. Merced, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Wozencraft, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA; and Eng. Eran Fuchs, Optech International, Kiln, MS, US. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar (CZMIL) program is a sensor development attempt designed to produce next-generation software and hardware for highly-automated collection and processing of coastal mapping and charting products. CZMIL will replace the current generation SHOALS system, which is considered a technology that needs to be updated. This new system will be faster, more reliable, more efficient, and better automated than the SHOALS system. In order for CZMIL to work at full capacity and to maintain a continuous operation, the design of an efficient cooling system is needed. Since the use of new technologies and new ways of data aquisition is going to be implemented into the design, a whole new infrastructure of the cooling system will be needed. The best option for cooling is a liquid controlled cooling system in which a hybrid method of air and liquid will be used. This contains the design of an innovative liquid cooling system. In conclusion, the recommended system satisfies the owners’ needs and specifications while it provides an innovative, efficient, and effective alternative for the viability of the new generation LIDAR technology.

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MATERIAL TESTING ANALYSIS FOR THE SELF-CENTERING CO NCENTRICALLY BRACED FRAME Javier Miranda, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Brent Chancellor, David Roke, James M. Ricles, and Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems Research Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Current code provisions require that structures be designed for life safety under a design basis earthquake (DBE). This means that after strong ground motion the structure will still be standing and will allow the tenants to exit the building safely, but it is no longer good for normal business. In many cases, it may be desirable for the structure to be reusable immediately after a DBE. Thus, Lehigh University is conducting extensive research on seismic bracing systems to increase building performance during earthquakes. The Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Research (NEESR) program at Lehigh University is currently investigating one type of braced frame: a steel concentrically braced frame (CBF). However, many CBF’s often suffer damage during earthquakes due to their low lateral drift capacity after yielding. Thus, Lehigh is investigating a seismic building system that takes advantage of the economy and stiffness of a CBF while increasing the lateral drift capacity. The new system has been called the self centering concentrically braced frame (SC-CBF). The self centering system is a concept that permits a rocking motion at its base and limited yielding in post-tensioning bars to increase the drift capacity. SC-CBF systems should provide stiffness, economy, and sustain little to no damage under seismic loads. Material testing was conducted to determine the mechanical properties of the post tensioning bars and the steel coupon sections taken from the frame. Such mechanical properties were compared to the structural model done in the SAP 2000 software. METRICS METHODOLOGIES FOR WEAPON EFFECTS ON STRUCTU RES Axel Montalvo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Henry S. McDevitt, Geotechnical and Structures Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The objective of this research work was to develop and model metrics for evaluating weapons effect on structures. This metric will be used to rank worldwide urban structure resistance to indirect and direct fire. At the present time, the US Department of Defense does not have a standard methodology for analyzing, testing, or evaluating the targets and the weapon effects on its structures. Data were collected using PENCURV+ software, a computer code used for predicting and simulating weapon effects in conjunction with the Urban Terrain Building Types (UTBT) manual by Richard Ellefsen and David Fordyce. This manual is a publication of over 40 typical structure types from all around the world with their respective materials, dimensions, and descriptions. For this research work, six (6) different targets (such as concrete and adobe walls) were created and tested with two projectile types in PENCURV+. Impact angle, striking velocity, projectile position, and material properties were some of the variables considered in the analyses. Results found in this project were correlated to the maximum angle and minimum velocity for the projectiles to effectively perforate the targets.

99

INNOVATIVE DESIGN OF THE NEW GENERATION OF THE 747 PASSENGER AIRPLANE (747-8 INTERNATIONAL MODEL) María Elena Nieves, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Doug Muneta, The Boeing Company, Chicago, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Boeing is the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircrafts combined. Boeing is working with a new derivative of their passenger airplane model 747, now better known as the 747-8 Intercontinental. Boeing’s objective is to create an innovative product with effective structure and cost, and above all, high safety. The main objective of this research work was to design an innovative and safe airframe, with long-term reliable usage and minimum weight, cost, and maintenance requirements. The intention with this new 747 was to upgrade the existing 747 model with more advance technologies and advantages that make a better product. Dealing with such a huge and complex structure, the program divided the airplane into various sections. The focus of this research work was the airframe fuselage in the section that surrounds the back door of the plane and expects the design of the side skins and stringers of this section. This becomes a challenge since the door forces for more complex structures. The required parts were designed to reinforce the side panels in order to help them endure the existing stresses. The result was a new, high quality structure, which is forming part of the new 747-8 Intercontinental. A STUDENT CAREER EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (SCEP) AT THE N RCS AGENCY Wilson Ortiz, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Mary Burgess, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) is the primary source for external recruitment for entry-level hires in the Forest Service. This program provides work experience that is directly related to the student's academic program. The students may be non-competitively motivated to careers and it gives students exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals. This study describes the experience of a student in this program in the summer of 2009 working for the USDA Forest Service. It is a paid internship that has many benefits for the students such as federal health benefits, retirement and salary. All of these starting from the hiring date until the retirement from the Forest Service. The student works in a very dynamic workplace where every day he works on different assignments. They could be surveying, designing, road decommissioning, inspecting and other engineering-related jobs. The student works for 10 weeks and is due to return next summer until the competition of the assigned hours for the job conversion. This study takes a look at the experience of a student in the program and could help other students decide if they would like to join this program. Since the job requires some hard work inside the woods and being willing to work in difficult terrain, it could be challenging in some way to the aspirants.

Best Oral

100

PERFORATION LIMIT CURVES OF SAP PROJECTILE ON CONCR ETE Axy Pagán, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Henry S. McDevitt, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This work presents the evaluation by means of mathematical simulation of several impact scenarios for a semi-armor piercing (SAP) projectile on a concrete wall of a range of strengths using PENCURV3D software. The objective of this research was to find perforation limits of the projectiles on the concrete walls and plot perforation limit curves for graphical interpretation. The curves will be used by structural engineers to predict the impact behavior between the projectile and expected concrete targets. From these impact simulations, kinematic data were obtained, which were used to compare various impact scenarios. The simulations showed that the impact at walls of low thickness behaved similarly for all concrete strengths and impact conditions while the influence of the wall thickness became significant as the concrete strength decreased. Also, the target limit thickness (thickness required to stop the projectile) was more affected by the concrete strength than the projectile impact velocity. COASTAL WAVE DIFFRACTION DUE TO BREAKWATER STRUCTUR ES Sandybell Ramos, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Norberto Nadal, Dr. Donald Stauble, and Ray Ratcliff, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Coastal structures frequently face the risk of being affected by the large waves associated with severe storm events. For the design of breakwaters, one of the most important challenges is the estimation of wave diffraction. The main objective of this study was to determine wave diffraction coefficients resulting from the propagation of waves through a breakwater gap and semi-infinite breakwater to make diagrams for the different combinations of parameters. A spectrum of wave diffraction angles and frequency were obtained by means of SMS software with CMS-Wave module and then diffraction diagrams were created with Matlab® software package.

101

VALIDATION AND CONTROL QUALITY VERIFICATION OF THE VESSEL DETECTION DATA OF THE HF RADAR, SEASONDE (CDDO) SYSTEM IN CAB O ROJO, PUERTO RICO Samuel Rivera, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Hugh Roarty, CODAR Director in the Institute of Marine and Costal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Jersey. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. High Frequency (HF) Radars have increased their importance in oceanographic studies during the last decade. A system known as SeaSonde has had the most success. The system is usually used as a reliable surface current measurement tool, but this system can be used too for the reliable detection of vessels reading the second-order Bragg scatter. By using this data, information such as the direction, velocity and distance of the vessel can be obtained. This information is useful to organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Cost Guard since it enhances national security, maritime security, emergency response and environmental management. Validation and quality control analysis must be done in order to verify that the new system is working properly and that the data obtained are reliable. This project intended to validate the existing data and perform a quality control check on the system and the incoming vessel detection data obtained from the SeaSonde (CDDO-Club Deportivo Del Oeste) HF radar in Puerto Rico installed in February 2009. The operational behavior of the radar was analyzed by looking at the radial and hardware diagnostic data since the installation of the system. The vessel detection data obtained from the SeaSonde System CDDO was validated by comparing the data to the Automatic Identification System files (AIS) obtained from a station owned by CarICOOS. The 13 MHz Codar System CDDO presented a normal operational behavior with expected values for all diagnostic parameters, detecting the vessels passing along the west coast of Puerto Rico. However, because of the quantity of inland data being gathered and the output received from the Ship Detect software, the data cannot be used as a reliable source of information. Future work will be done to correct these problems enabling the trusted usage of the system. KA-BAND ATMOSPHERIC CALIBRATION ANALYSIS Antonio J. Rodríguez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Roberto Acosta, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Gleen Research Center, Ohio. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is studying new designs for the next generation of the Deep Space Network (DSN). The proposed design is to replace the current monolithic 70 meter antennas located in California, Madrid and Australia with arrays of smaller antennas. In order to implement the design, signal phase studies are being conducted to determine the extent to which a particular site is capable of supporting widely distributed ground-based arrays. This project is intended to develop software, written in MATLAB, and to contribute to the statistical analysis and verification of recorded phase data. These data are analyzed statistically because atmospheric-induced phase fluctuations behave as random processes, making deterministic analyses impossible. Statistical tools such as Probability Density Functions (PDF), Cumulative Distribution Functions and numerical tools such as Interpolations where used to analyze these data.

Best Oral

102

RESPONSE OF INDIANA BAT TO ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANC ES José Carlos Sánchez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Drs. C. White, A. Smith, M. Hohmann, and R. Busby, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Engineering Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. A research project by the US Army Corp of Engineers, called “The Indiana Bat Response Project,” was designed to investigate the behavioral, physiological, and immunological responses of tree-roosting bats (with emphasis on the Indiana bat) to selected disturbance stimuli, e.g., military-generated and human presence noise, near day roosts in experimental (e.g., Fort Knox, KY) and control (e.g., Spencer County, KY) study areas. The data gleaned from the ICI Bat Survey and the Fort Know component of the Indiana Bat Response Project data were analyzed as one pool. The Brashears Creek data were analyzed and presented independently. The ICI Bat Survey was divided into several components that included a mist net survey, and a radiotelemetry study of captured Indiana bats. In general, the netting effort followed protocols established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Net sites were located in areas most likely to result in Indiana bat captures, based upon the presence of suitable roosting habitat, travel corridors, and foraging areas. Project methodology for the Indiana Bat Response Project involved the capture of bats in mist nets and the fitting of selected bats with temperature sensitive radiotransmitters. Bats were then tracked to roosts and the relative ambient noise around roosts was measured with analog and digital sound equipment. Overall, radio telemetry efforts conducted at both Fort Knox and Brashears Creek study sites resulted in the location of 47 day roosts. Of these, thirty-seven (78.7%) were roosts used by Indiana bats, six roosts (12.7%) were used by little brown bats, and four (8.5%) were used by northern bats. Forty-one roosts were located in trees of 13 species. Five roosts were located in human-built structures, i.e., barn, house, or utility pole, and one bat was found roosting in a cave.

103

CHARACTERIZING THE TRANSIENT WATER PRESSURE IN A CO NCRETE TIE RAIL SEAT Edgardo Santana, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Research Mentor: Dr. David A. Lange, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Concrete railroad ties withstand higher loads and traffic volumes than railroad ties produced from other materials. The service life of a concrete tie can be shorter than expected due to durability problems. Rail seat deterioration (RSD) is the main cause of durability problems in concrete ties. The objective of this project was to provide an idea of what behaviors to expect from water pressures in the interface of a concrete rail seat and a tie pad. This was done by simulating the mechanisms present in the interface between the rail seat and a tie pad. The experiment featured cyclic loading acting on top of a steel plate. The cyclic loading simulated the frequent loadings of the axles on a rail seat. The steel plate features an orifice which holds a pressure transducer that provided us with pressure readings for the different settings recreated in the experiment. Results demonstrated a difference in pressure readings when changing tie pads. Therefore, results indicated that changing tie pad geometries affected the pressure readings. When there was no lifting of the tie pad relative to the steel plate, negative pressure readings observed in previous tests were no longer present. Therefore, lifting the tie pad relative to the steel plate generated suction pressures in the rail seat-tie pad interface. Changing the position where the load actuator impacts the steel plate promoted changes in the pressure magnitudes. Variations in the tests pressures showed that the water pressures are directly proportional to the acting forces. PARAMETRIC STUDIES ON CONVENTIONAL AND HIGH STRENGT H REINFORCED CONCRETE PANELS Reinaldo Silvestry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Stephen D. Robert, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Due to recent terrorist activities, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is working to develop improved design criteria and structural performance of buildings subjected to blast effects. ERDC is considering the use of high strength materials such as high strength concrete and high strength steel. The objective of this research work was to enhance the strength and ductility of current blast design. A parametric study had been performed with the aid of computer software, namely Wall Analysis Code (WAC), to evaluate high strength concrete and high strength steel in order to optimize the blast design criteria on buildings. Six 1/3 scale models of reinforced concrete panels were used in the parametric study. The models had the same overall dimensions, consisted of double mat conventional Grade 60 rebar or HSLA-V rebar in combination with either 4 ksi or 15 ksi concrete, had simple support end constraints in the longitudinal direction, and were unsupported in the lateral direction. Variables utilized in the parametric study consisted of reinforcement spacing (9 in, 12 in and 18 in), reinforcement size (# 6 and # 8 rebar) and wall thickness (10 and 12 inches). Pressure loads and resulting impulses applied during the parametric study were obtained from dynamic Blast Load Simulator (BLS) experiments previously conducted at ERDC-Vicksburg, MS.

104

BUILDING A DISTRIBUTED ROBOT GARDEN: IMAGE PROCESSI NG AND VISUAL SERVOING Daniel E. Soltero, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Nikolaus Correll and Prof. Daniela Rus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Distributed Robotics Group in CSAIL at MIT is working on a project called the Distributed Robotic Garden, where multiple autonomous robots interact and make decisions to take care of a cherry-tomato garden, doing tasks like watering and harvesting. This work focused on the image processing and visual servoing modules of this project. The open source software SwisTrack was used to develop a tomato-detection module, capable of detecting red and green tomatoes with a relatively high success rate and speed. The open source software ROS was used for communication within the system. The robotic arm uses SwisTrack’s data to make an inventory of the plant’s fruit, and for harvesting. The process of developing the different modules and how they work is described, and two developed methods for tomato detection are compared. The results show that detection based on smoothness and color generates the highest success rate, both for inventory and harvesting. INSPECTION METHODS & TECHNIQUES TO DETERMINE NON VI SIBLE CORROSION OF PRESTRESSING STRANDS IN CONCRETE BRIDGE COMPONENTS Olgamarie Toledo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Stephen Pessiki, Ph. D., Ian Hodgson, P.E., S.E., Richard Sause, Ph.D., Lawrence Jones, Ph.D, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Due to several recent catastrophic failures of prestressed precast box beam bridges due to corrosion in the prestressing steel, PennDOT gave the ATLSS Research Center the responsibility of finding the most efficient NDE method to detect significant corrosion damage that could lead bridges in service to failure. Seven beams from three different bridges were studied. Apparently, traditional visual inspection methods are not giving accurate information about bridge conditions. An easy, accurate, fast, and cheap method is envisioned. Experts came to ATLSS and evaluated the beams, each one with their own respective NDE equipment. The data they compiled was reported for comparison and analysis. While waiting for their response, core samples were extracted, beams were skinned down to their bottommost layer of steel strand, and evidence was gathered for every significant case of corrosion on each strand for every beam. The DE results were compared with the Half-Cell Potential Reading Map (one of the NDE tests) results. This method has been found somewhat accurate, but not exact. The available documentation for the different corrosion cases of the beams matches their corresponding “map” in about 85%. The method is pretty good detecting 10% (low reading) and 90% (high reading) probability of corrosion. In between these two, the method gives “uncertain” readings. In other words, the rest of the readings, which are the ones between 10% and 90%, are not detected accurately. This method could be considered, but other methods’ results are still waiting to be studied and compared with one another. Hopefully, this will lead to the decision of which, if any, is the best NDE method that PennDOT can use for the inspection of prestressed precast box beam bridges.

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DEGRADATION OF INSENSITIVE MUNITIONS ON NANOMATERIA LS Emlyn Vélez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Veera M. Boddu and Carmen R. Costales, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, Engineering Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Preliminary studies on surface chemical reactions of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) on mixtures of magnesium oxide and zinc oxide nanomaterials were investigated. The objective was to study degradation mechanisms of this insensitive munition (IM) compound to facilitate the development of treatment technologies for environmental quality. The surface of magnesium and zinc oxide nanomaterials were selected based on their large and easily adjustable bandgap energies. Modification of the bandgap energy should facilitate reduction-oxidation reactions. Adsorption of explosive compounds on nanomaterials surface was also considered to account for adsorption effects during the analysis. Nanomaterials were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Reaction and adsorption samples were analyzed with FTIR and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC and FTIR analyses of the reaction mixtures are currently in progress, and thus conclusions are rather preliminary. To this point, results confirm a slight adsorption varying on compositions of magnesium oxide with maximum value at 60%-40% MgO-ZnO. Degradation of TATB compound at the nanomaterials surface is still undetermined; however FTIR results suggest some chemical transformation, significantly at reduction conditions. EFFECTS OF PROPOSED HURRICANE PROTECTION STRUCTURES ON FISH LARVAE RECRUITMENT INTO LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN Francisco J. Vélez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Tahirih C. Lackey, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Katrina the effects in New Orleans were shattering and long-lasting. As the center of Katrina passed East of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, winds downtown were in the Category 3 hurricane range with frequent intense gusts and tidal surge. The storm surge caused more than 50 breaches in drainage canal levees and also in navigational canal levees and precipitated the worst engineering disaster in the history of the United States. By August 31, 2005, eighty percent of New Orleans was flooded, with some parts under 15 feet (4.5 m) of water. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Hurricane Protection Office (HPO) was authorized to provide New Orleans with a 100 year hurricane and storm damage risk reduction system (HSDRRS). The purpose and need for the proposed action was to provide, in a timely manner, the 100-year level of risk reduction from flood damage to the areas surrounding the IHNC due to flooding from hurricanes and other severe storm events. This was accomplished through the construction of a comprehensive system of levees, gates, and drainage structures. The HPO requested that the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) investigate the effects of proposed hurricane protection structures on the transport of larval fish recruitment into Lake Pontchartrain. This research work presents the results of the evaluation of various hydraulics scenarios on the larva fish recruitment.

106

ABSTRACTS GRADUATE STUDENTS

COMPUTER SCIENCES

INTENSIVE COMPUTATIONAL METHODOLOGY FOR FINDING M-P ARAMETER OF FUZZY C-MEANS ALGORITHM Luis Gabriel Jaimes, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Vicenç Torra, Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, CSIC, Spain. Parameter selections are a classical and open problem. In this work an intensive computational approach was proposed to find the m parameter of the Fuzzy c means algorithm (FCM). Fuzzy c means is a classical fuzzy clustering algorithm, with a large range of applications in fields like data mining, data exploration and lately in new areas like privacy preserving data. This approach is based on the analysis of sets of data with both increasing noise, and perturbed by methods of privacy preserving data like micro-aggregation. The main idea is that clustering results on original (not modified data) and data which have been modified by introducing increasing amounts of noise would diverge proportional to this noise. The analysis is based on the fact that such divergence can be observed (or it is better observed) when the clustering methods are properly parameterized. In this work the focus was on finding the values of m-parameter which allow seeing better these divergences. Three sets of experiments were carried out on

two three datasets call:X ,{ }´i iX , and { }´́

i iX which correspond to original data (data extracted from the

U.S. Census Bureau), data with increasing amount of Gaussian noise, and finally data after the micro-aggregation process. The first experiment consisted in the application of FCM 60 times with 250 interactions looking for global minimum and convergence. After this process, m-values which better allow seeing that divergences were studied. For the second and third experiments, the started centers in the clustering process were fixed. For example, in the second experiment, FCM was used 60 times with 250 interactions on the X set and then the resultant centroids were used as initial centers in the clustering

process of { }´i iX and { }´́

i iX . For the third experiment, instead of FCM, the PAM (Partition Around

Medoids) process was done in the same way as experiment two. The large number of times that algorithm was computed are related with the well known problem for FCM to find a global minimum as well as a convergence problem. The results of the three experiments show that the m-value that better allows to see the divergences can be observed in the interval [1.5, 1.6].

107


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

OCEANOGRAPHIC AND METEOROLOGICAL FORCING DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS ON THE PELAGIC ECOSYSTEM OF THE GULF OF CADI Z SHELF Gaddiel Ayala, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Dr. Laura Prieto and Dr. Javier Ruíz, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (CSIC), Andalucía, Spain. Oceanographic information on the Gulf of Cadiz is not as abundant as in other basins. As part of an ongoing larger project, this work analyzes the spatial distribution of the physical, chemical and biological variables for the month of August 2007 in the NE of the continental shelf of the Gulf of Cadiz. Results show that the overall basin has surface waters under olygotrophic conditions in that month due to the thermally-driven stability of the water column. This low biological production has exceptions in the inner shelf, where stratification breaks, and in the river mouths where nutrient discharge increases chlorophyll values. A STATISTICAL TOOL TO DERIVE EDAPHIC PROPERTIES FRO M SPANISH SOILS Lisette Milena Gaona, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Juan Antonio Pascual, and José Luis Rubio, Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertificación-CIDE (CSIC, UV, GV), Degradación y Conservación de Suelos, Valencia, Spain. The constant demand from different disciplines (e.g. hydrology, agriculture, forestry) of edaphic data is reflected in the increase of laboratory analytical soil properties required. To minimize costs, quantitative approaches have been developed to estimate the lad determined properties. A specific body of statistical analysis has been developed known as Pedotransfer Functions, much of it based on the application of regression analysis, using a limiting number of independent variables. The objective of this work was to evaluate the existing worldwide published Pedotransfer Functions, using Bulk Density as soil property reference, to be applied to Mediterranean (Spain) soils. The methodology followed 4 major steps: (1) Selection of 5 geographical representative areas of the Spanish domain with sufficient information to apply Bulk Density Pedotransfer Functions, (2) Selection of existing functions according to a minimum common set of soil properties for the 5 study areas, based on textural properties, Organic Carbon and pH, (3) Development of a common environment to apply the selected Pedotransfer Functions, and (4) Analysis of the goodness of fit to estimate Bulk Density of the existing functions. Results showed that most existing functions to estimate Bulk Density are not appropriate for the Spanish areas selected as a whole, although some perform well in specific areas. Further work should be done to (1) assess the quality of the existing data, (2) explore a different set of independent variables based on water content, and (3) determine a minimum acceptable set of variables to improve function performance.

108

BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES OF COCCOLOBA UVIFERA (SEA GRAP E) AT A SOLAR SALTERN AND A BEACH IN CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO. Ivelisse Irizarry, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Prof. José Pérez-Jiménez, Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico. All plants contain microorganisms that live within their tissues without causing apparent signs of disease. Most endophytes that have been studied are fungi living in grasses and crops of agricultural importance in temperate regions. A significant less amount of information is available on bacterial endophytes of the neotropics. In the present study, bacterial endophytes of the coastal tree Coccoloba uvifera (sea grape) were characterized at a solar saltern and a beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico in September, 2008 and March, 2009. It was hypothesized that the frequency of colonization and bacterial diversity differed in both ecosystems sampled and between the wet and dry seasons. Two trees were selected at a site nearest the solar saltern fed by the Fraternidad Lagoon and two trees in Playa Sucia. On each sampling, four healthy leaves were obtained from each tree. Leaves were surface sterilized and ten fragments measuring 2mm x 2mm were chosen randomly from each leaf. The fragments were inoculated on 50% tryptic soy agar until colonial growth was observed. DNA was extracted from isolates of different morphotypes and characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing. So far, 14 different species of bacterial endophytes were successfully characterized. Endophytes belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria were encountered with most frequency, but members of Betaproteobacteria and Firmicutes were also found in this study. Chi-square tests demonstrated that the frequency of colonization differed significantly between the trees studied in the salterns and Playa Sucia on both seasons.

Best Oral Graduate

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ENGINEERING

AS BUILT DRAWINGS FOR THE US ARMY FACILITIY MANAGEM ENT PROGRAM Merci Liz Berríos, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Larry Danyluk, Cold Regions Research Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This research project is driven by the Department of Public Works (DPW) at the Cold Regions Research Lab (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire. The main objective of the research project was to develop electronic “as built” drawings of the existing facilities at CRREL to enhance its facility management program. It aimed to increase the availability and reliability of the facilities information. Accurate drawings will enable senior management to optimize facility use and to effectively plan for future expansion or modifications needed to comply with the expectation of new research programs. Unverified historical design drawings were converted into accurate electronic as-built drawings using AutoCAD LT 2005. Site surveys were necessary to all building not only to corroborate as built dimensions of every building, but also to compile new amendments to the building (i.e., building expansions and remodeling as new offices, rooms, and other facilities). Plans were developed for three buildings, namely, the Logistics Management Offices (LMO), the Technical Information Analysis Center (TIAC), and the Remote Sensing Building (RS). This electronic data base will serve for the appropriate management and assessment of the facilities, the property inventory, and the maintenance program.

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LOAD RATING OF LAHONTAN DAM SPILLWAY BRIDGES Orlando Carrasquillo, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Henry Diaz and Edgardo Ruiz, Research Engineer, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The purpose of this study was to determine the safe load carrying capacity and the load rating of two reinforced concrete bridges located on a military base at Fallon, Nevada constructed in 1915. The US Army Inventory consists of 2,000 bridges; of them 1,489 are vehicular including 703 reportable to the Federal Highway Administration and 315 located at overseas installations. Approximately, twenty-five percent of these bridges have not been rated. Bridge load rating calculations provide a basis for determining the safe load capacity of a bridge. The load capacity is required for the load rating of a bridge. The design or the as-built drawings of a bridge that is going to be rated is needed to determine the load capacity. Most US Army installations do not keep copies of these drawings; this is the main reason for conducting non-destructive load testing or destructive load testing to determine the bridge load capacity. The concrete compressive strength and the steel yielding stress of this bridge were unknown. Based on the construction year of the bridges, the concrete compressive strength and the steel yielding stress were obtained from the Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges. Using these values, the capacity of each bridge was estimated. Also, an analytical model was developed using SAP 2000 version 12 to obtain the dead and live loads and the moments generated by them. The rating factors were evaluated for the inventory and operating level using the mentioned capacities and loads. Based on the lowest rating factor for each bridge, it was determined that the Lahontan Dam Spillway Bridges do not satisfy the design codes. Therefore, legal load signs are required at these bridges to indicate maximum allowable load. Destructive and non-destructive tests must be conducted to validate the results obtained from the study. EMBANKMENT BREACH DAM PREDICTION Julieta Gómez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Mrs. Evelyn Villanueva, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The aging of many dams in the United States and other countries has resulted in the need of understanding the dam breaching process for mitigating the risk and damages of unexpected dam failures due to overtopping or dam failure. A computational model was used to simulate erosion mechanisms occurring in an earth embankment dam due to flood overtopping. A parametric analysis considering variables such as: geometry of the dam, hydrology of the watershed, and the material properties of the earth embankment are presented. The results showed that those materials with less strength were subjected to the complete breach process and those materials which were more resistant to traction forces did not experience breaching. In addition, a database of dams located on military installations was created in order to provide a summary of the dam performance evaluation. The database consisted of photos obtained from dam inspection reports and information such as: region, dam name, year inspected, parts of dam (crest, spillway, outlet works and more). The results of this research work serve to assess the vulnerability of earth dam embankments subjected to breaching actions.

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INCORPORATING VISUALIZATION AND FILTERING TOOLS FOR DRAWBAR PULL ANALYSIS PROGRAM Luis D. González, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Jody D. Priddy, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The Drawbar Pull Analysis Program (DBP) is a tool used to measure vehicle behavior on different soil conditions. It consists typically of two vehicles in which the first is a testing vehicle and the second is the load vehicle. This research work developed experimental data of the DBP to generate DBC vs. slip performance for wheeled or tracked vehicles. The DBC program was improved with the integration and combination of functions and tools used in previous analysis programs with the objective to reduce the analysis response time. The experiment measured three main parameters; the first was the load cell, which provided the pulling force applied to the testing vehicle, the string payout to measure the true distance traveled by the vehicle, and the wheel pipers which provided the apparent distance were the vehicle. The true distance and the apparent distance are used to calculate the slip percentage of the vehicle. 100% of slip was because it was stocked. The time of analysis was reduced to 50%. This was accomplished by integrating various programs in only one single tool. The recommended new tool is superior because the selection of the vehicle traction will be faster, safer, and easier to apply reducing cost, damages and delays. BALLISTIC RESISTANCE OF UHPC THIN PANELS Ariel Irizarry, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Charles Wiess, Geotechnical and Structural Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. In order to improve soldier protection in the battlefield, the US Army Corps of Engineers (CoE) has tested the ballistic resistance of numerous materials which can be utilized to fabricate protective barriers. A new material that has given good results is the “Ultra High Performance Concrete” (UHPC), which has compressive strengths of about ten times that of normal concrete. The present study attempted to design and create the necessary specimens to perform a ballistic resistance analysis of the CoE UHPC. The specimens created were thin panels with three different variables: fiber reinforcement, compressive strength and panel depth; each variable having three levels. The selection of the panels was made by making numerous sets of UHPC mixes varying the water to cement ratio and testing their compressive strength in order to select the desired strengths. The highest level for the compressive strength variable was the 0.22 w/c ratio mix, which the CoE UHPC is named Cor-Tuf, with a compressive strength of 30,000psi.

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TNT PARTITIONING TO SOIL: ESTIMATING THE DETECTION POTENTIAL OF AEROSOLIZED PARTICLES Mónica M. Medina, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. David B. Ringelberg, Cold Regions Research Lab, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. TNT is the most commonly worldwide used explosive. As the primary component of landmines and incendiary explosive devices, it is well known that TNT can be released to soil as vapor, liquid or solid. How does TNT interact with soil and how do some factors, i.e. soil type and soil moisture, affect that interaction was the main objective of this research work. A series of experiments were performed to study the vapor and aqueous phase transitions of TNT to soils. With these experiments, the quantification of the TNT mass transferred to each soil type under different moisture conditions was achieved. The fluorescence quenching was also tested as a detection technique and a preliminary identification of false positives was performed. Initial results showed that quenching occurred, in other words, the fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing concentration of TNT. But, it was also found that the soil type and the particle size affected the fluorescence intensity, resulting in a challenge for the test and implementation of this technique.

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FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF REINFORCED AND UNREINFORCED ULTRA HIGH-STRENGTH CONCRETE Adilson Pérez, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentor: Dr. Nicholas Boone, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS, USA. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The objective of this research work was to determine flexural properties of Cor-Tuf material (with and without fiber reinforcing) and the modeling of the experimental setup using the finite element software called ABAQUS. Beams were cast following the weight proportions designed by ERDC’s personnel. The components of this mixture included class H cement, US silica F55 sand, Sil-co-Sil 75 silica flour, Elkem ES900W silica fume, ADVA 190 super plasticizer, tap water and in the case which required it, Bekaert ZP305 steel fibers. Tests followed the ASTM C1609 protocol which is the standard test method for flexural performance of fiber-reinforced concrete, using beam with third-point loading. The beams were cured in a 13 day process which is a sequence of 7 days in a 100% humidity room and 6 days in a heat room at 180°F. The following beams configurations were cast: 1) 6 beams -14” x 4” x 1” without fibers; 2) 6 beams -14” x 4” x 4” without fibers; 3) 6 beams -14” x 4” x 4” with fibers; and 4) 4- 6 beams -40” x 4” x 4” with fibers. Once testing was complete, results from testing of the 14”x4”x4” beams with and without fibers were compared to determine the influence of the steel fibers on flexural strength of the material. Also, data from the 14”x4”x4” beams with fibers was compared to previous test results on the same size specimens to validate the experimental results. Lastly, results from the 14”x4”x4” beams with fibers (aspect ratio of approximately 3) were compared to results from the 40”x4”x4” beams (aspect ratio of approximately 9) to gain insight on the influence of aspect ratio on the experimentally determined flexural strength. Using finite element software ABAQUS, a mathematical model of the first two beam configurations was performed to determine the stress distribution within the beam in order to better understand the influence of test specimen configuration on experiment results. DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION OF RAPID REPAIR OF LE VEE BREACHING TECHNOLOGY Luis Armando Serrano, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Research Mentors: Stanley Boc, MS; and Donald Ward, PhD, Coastal and Hydraulics Lab., Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corp of Engineers, Vicksburg, MS. Academic Supervision: Prof. Ismael Pagán, Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Hurricane Katrina showed that many coastal and inland areas may be vulnerable to disasters, and created a need for a rapid levee repair capability. The overall solution concept was to use water filled tubes to stop the leakage through the levee breach. A model levee was constructed at 1:16 scale (model: prototype). A 195 ft long and 30 ft diameter tube was selected for the deep breach (model dimension). A 250 ft long and 15.6 ft diameter tube was selected for the shallow breach (model dimension). The material was polyvinyl chloride-coated fabric. The tubes were tested with water contents between 50% and 70% of total tube volume. Layers of closed-cell foam were added to the external part of the tube to simulate a series of internal flotation chambers. The test tube in the deep breach made the best seal with a floatation material around and 58% of water. Deployment methods will have to be evaluated better at 1/4 scale testing. Also at 1/16 and 1/4 scale, deformation and stresses in the tube should be measured to ensure the integrity of the tube and the viability of the deployment methods. The performance in the shallow breach is inefficient because it permits flow around the ends of the tube.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Faculty research mentoring is the main driving force behind the scientific products (posters and oral presentations) presented in this meeting. Our greatest appreciation and gratitude to all the mentors from colleges and universities from Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the US mainland who took part in Symposium 2009 by working and training the next generation of scientists whose efforts are presented in this program, as well as to the many other faculty members from around the country who support the Student Research Development Center and its goals and objectives. Our most sincere thanks are also extended to the following individuals who helped to make this Symposium 2009 a reality. Keynote Speakers: Dr. Sarwan Dhir-Fort Valley State University Dr. Vernon Morris, Howard University Dr. Renetta Tull, University of Maryland-Baltimore County Workshop Presenters: Dr. Sarwan Dhir, Fort Valley State University Ms. Cristine M. Obrien, The National Academies, Ford Foundation Fellowships Program Dr. Sheldon Schuster, Keck Graduate Institute Dr. Gayle Slaughter, Baylor College of Medicine Mr. Alejandro Vega, Ana G. Méndez University System Exhibitors: Iowa State University Keck Graduate Institute Massachusetts Institute of Technology Montana State University National Cancer Institute National Institute of Standards and Technology Ohio State University SMART Scholarship Program University of Alabama University of Maryland-Baltimore County Waters Corporation Judges and Chairpersons: Arcelay, Ángel, Ph.D, Universidad del Este Bacelo, Daniel, Ph. D, Universidad Metropolitana Baccin, Antonio H, Ph. D, Universidad Central del Caribe Baksi, Krishna, Ph.D, Universidad Central del Caribe Casillas, Craig A, Universidad Metropolitana Cox, Osvaldo, Ph.D, Universidad Metropolitana Cruz, Nildris,Ph. D Program, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Dhir, Sarwan, Ph. D, Fort Valley State University Engman, Martin, Ph. D, Universidad Metropolitana Fonseca, Sharon, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences González, Ángel, Ph. D, Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico González, Oscar, Ph.D. Candidate, University of California, Irvine Isham, Brett, Ph. D, Universidad Interamericana-Bayamón Campus Linares, Serenella, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Maryland, College Park Martínez, Michelle, Ph.D, Universidad Central del Caribe Meléndez, Judith A, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras Méndez, Ana T, Ph. D, Universidad del Este Montoya, Ruby A, Ph. D, Universidad Metropolitana Morris, Vernon, Ph. D, Howard State University Padín, Carlos, Ph. D, Universidad Metropolitana Paredes, Marlio, Ph. D, Universidad del Turabo Rivera, Gloricelly, Ph.D. Candidate, University of New Mexico, Las Cruces Rodríguez, Amir, Interamerican University

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Rodríguez, José W, Ph. D, Universidad Central del Caribe Rojas, Yazmin, Universidad del Este Slaughter, Gayle, Ph. D, Baylor College Terrón, María, Ph. D. Program, Baylor College of Medicine Torres, Ceidy, Ph. D Program, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Campus Tull, Renetta, Ph. D, University of Maryland-Baltimore County Vázquez, Madelyn, Universidad Metropolitana Yan Melo, Tomas, Vanderbilt University Zayas, Beatriz, Ph. D, Universidad Metropolitana Symposium Student Research Development Center Project Staff: Dr. Gladys Bonilla Ms. Thelma Graniela Ms. Zulma Irizarry Ms. Ivette Miranda Ms. Wanda I. Rodríguez SUAGM Printing Office Personnel Symposium Chairman: Dr. Juan F. Arratia, Executive Director, Student Research Development Center, Ana G. Méndez University System, San Juan, Puerto Rico

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INDEX OF PRESENTERS

NAME UNIVERSITY PAGE Josué Acevedo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 34, 88 Gaddiel Ayala Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 39, 107 Michelle Ayorinde Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland 29, 86 Wanda M. Báez Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 31, 41 Kelvon J. Barkley North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 28, 80 Cassandra Benjamin University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 28, 81 Merci Liz Berríos University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 109 Phylicia Brooks Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland 24, 41 Porscha Bumpus Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia 24, 42 Karen L. Burgos Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 26, 62 Krizia Cabrera Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 31, 42 Manuel E. Candelario University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 34, 88 Emmanuel Carpena Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 29, 89 Norcaris Carrasquillo Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 62 Orlando Carrasquillo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 110 Raquel C. Castañeda Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 24, 43 Aleris M. Castañer University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 34, 89 Jorge R. Castro Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 27, 69 Gerardo Cerra University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 34, 90 Angélica F. Claxton University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 24, 43 Nilmarie Colón Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 63 Jerfiz Constanzo Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 35, 90 Carlos Coriano Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 31, 44 Anna Cornier Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 28, 73 Luz M. Cumba Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 31, 44 Francisco del Valle University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 91 Alexander Díaz University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 33, 82 Jessica Díaz Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 24, 45 Pablo Díaz Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 29, 91 Rubén Díaz Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 32, 63 Cindy A. Espada Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 64 Toni-Ann Falconer Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama 29, 92 Juliana Falero Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 24, 45 Leidy Féliz Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 24, 46 Jamilet Figueroa Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico 29, 87 Stephanie Flansburg University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico 25, 46 Joksan X. Flores Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 27, 69 Lisette M. Gaona Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 39, 107 Ángel A. García Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 33, 74 Edward García Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 28, 75 Lyan García University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 92 April Gillens North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 27, 64 Aziza Glass Prairie View A&M University, Houston, Texas 31, 47 Ivonne Gómez Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 28, 75 Julieta Gómez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 110 Ramón Gómez University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón, Puerto Rico 25, 47 Ashley González Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 25, 48 César S. González University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 93 Luis D. González University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 111 Maritza González Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 25, 48 Richard González University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 93 Diana K. Guzmán University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón, Puerto Rico 28, 76 Kevin Harris North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 33, 82 Emanuel Hernández Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 27, 65 Dalia Huguet Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 65 Jewelle C. Ible University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 25, 49 Ariel Irizarry University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 111 Ivelisse Irizarry Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 39, 108

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NAME UNIVERSITY PAGE Cherelle N. Jackson North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 28, 82 Luis G. Jaimes Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 39, 106 Lamontie A. James Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 29, 94 Stefan Jenkins Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 33, 83 Jesse R. Jiménez Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 70 Giomara La Quay Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 33, 77 Luis Latorre Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 28, 77 Diana L. Laureano Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 28, 78 Jonathan A. López Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 25, 49 Pedro Lorenzo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 94 Miguel Lugo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 95 Jonathan J. Luna University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 95 Héctor Machín Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 27, 70 Marietta Marcano University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 96 Vonmarie Martínez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 35, 96 Xavier Martínez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 29, 83 Anna Matías University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 36, 97 André Medina Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 25, 50 Mónica M. Medina University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 39, 112 Amarilys Méndez Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 71 Emanuel J. Méndez Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 71 Emmanuelle J. Merced University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 36, 97 Brandon K. Mills North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina 32, 66 Javier Miranda University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 36, 98 Axel Montalvo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 98 Leslie Montañez University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, Puerto Rico 25, 50 Camille Montes University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, Puerto Rico 25, 51 Mary Mootoo University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, Virgin Islands 28, 72 Giulianna Murati Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 25, 51 Mia L. Nash Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia 28, 78 Raúl M. Navedo Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 25, 52 María E. Nieves University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 99 Rosán Nieves University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, Puerto Rico 25, 53 Jidraph Njuguna Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 33, 84 Carlos I. Ortiz Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 66 Luis M. Ortiz Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 53 Wilson Ortiz University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 99 Hazel Ozuna Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 31, 54 Axy Pagán University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 100 Rika Paul, Shari Briggs Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 33, 84 Adilson Pérez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 40, 113 Marian A. Pérez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 33, 79 Sandybell Ramos University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 100 Christina Restrepo University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 29, 87 Karoline Ríos Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 54 Carlos C. Rivera Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 32, 67 Jeaneishka M. Rivera University of Puerto Rico, Cayey, Puerto Rico 26, 55 Lorangelly Rivera Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 55 Samuel Rivera University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 101 Argenys Robles Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 31, 56 Antonio J. Rodríguez Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 29, 101 Brenda Rodríguez Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 28, 79 Johanna M. Rodríguez Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 56 Laura Salazar Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 57 José C. Sánchez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 102 Natalia Sánchez Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 27, 67 Katy Sanon University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 26, 57 Edgardo Santana University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 103 Luis A. Serrano University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 40, 113 Reinaldo Silvestry University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 103

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NAME UNIVERSITY PAGE Manuel A. Soler Universidad del Turabo, Gurabo, Puerto Rico 26, 58 Daniel E. Soltero University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 29, 104 Tiffany Strickland Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland 27, 68 Odari C. Thomas University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 29, 85 Olgamarie Toledo University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 37, 104 Dorielys M. Valentín Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 58 Emlyn Vélez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 38, 105 Francisco J. Vélez University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 38, 105 Jesús L. Vilarchao Universidad del Este, Carolina, Puerto Rico 26, 59 Eduardo E. Villalba Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 28, 72 Emmanuel Villanueva Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan, Puerto Rico 26, 59 Arturo White Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia 31, 60 Jessica White Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland 26, 60 Dwight A. Williams II Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida 33, 85 Derek Wilson, Jr. Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia 31, 61

XX Undergraduate Reserarch

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