2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session B Paper Presentation Competition I South Voyageurs
Predator Avoidance Performance of Larval Fathead Minnows (Pimephales Promelas) Exposed to Estrogen Mixtures
The effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on adult fathead minnows are well established, however, survival to adulthood also
requires adequate predator avoidance responses which are mediated by neurological structures and physiological factors and may be
delayed by exposure to the same compounds. Assessing non-reproductive, behavioral and physiological endpoints provides a further
understanding of the effects of EDCs across ontogeny. Larval fishes use an innate "C"-start behavior to rapidly move away from any threat
stimulus. The C-start response is initiated by central nervous system Mauthner cells. In aquatic toxicology, compounds have been shown
to inhibit AChE activity in the brains of exposed fish while adversely affecting swimming performance and predator detection and
avoidance. The aim of this research was to test the hypotheses that (1) larval fathead minnows exposed to estrogens singularly or in
mixture suffer reduced ability to perform an innate C-start behavior when faced with a threat stimulus; (2) synergistic interactions increase
the potency of estrogens in mixture; (3) reduced C-start performance can be predicted by the morphometric character of Mauthner cells in
the central nervous system; (4) reduced C-start performance can be predicted by inhibition of AChE activity. In this study, larval fathead
minnows were exposed to 17ƒÒ-estradiol, estrone, and ethynylestradiol singularly and in mixture. High-speed (1,000 frames/second) video
recordings, transferred to NIH Image for frame-by-frame analysis, measured latency period and escape velocities of exposed larvae. In all
experiments, exposed larvae suffered delayed C-start responses. Detailed results of immunohistochemistry staining and AChE assay will
be presented at the conference.
Presentation Index: B3
Time: 10:10 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): McGee, Meghan
Schoenfuss, Heiko
Effects of Gender on the Career Aspirations of Administrators in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System
A recent national survey found women hold only 23 percent of higher education institution presidencies (American Council on Education,
2007). However, women now earn 58 percent of all bachelor‘s degrees and 45 percent of all doctorates (U.S. Department of Education,
2005). These findings suggest something may be interfering with the pool of capable women moving through the pipeline to attain higher
education administrative positions. Gender differences in the career aspirations has been suggested as one potential reason for this
disparity. This study examined the career aspirations of women and men holding administrative positions of dean or higher within the
institutions in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. An online questionnaire was sent to 389 administrators,
and 139 participated. Preliminary analysis of the data found that these female and male administrators did not differ in their desire to
advance to a higher administrative position, level of career planning, number of current mentors, or perceptions of how much they would
need to change leadership style in order to advance. Women were found to participate more in leadership development programs than
men. Additional analysis is currently being conducted. These initial results suggest the gender disparity in higher education administrative
positions might not be due to a lack of women aspiring to such positions.
Presentation Index: B4
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Department: Higher Education Administration
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Lepkowski, Christine
Imbra, Christine
Session C Biochemistry North Glacier
Quenching of the Triplet State for Sulfur Atoms
Phenylisothiocyanates undergo desulfurization upon photolyzation with 254 nm light. This process results in a triplet sulfur atom being
ejected from the phenylisothiocyanate to form an isocyanide ion. However, an undesirable reverse reaction can occur in which the
phenylisothiocyanate is reformed. This research is aimed at finding a method to prevent this reverse reaction, namely keeping the product
in the cyanide ion form that is desirable. To accomplish this, a sulfur quencher will be introduced into the system. A Rayonet, an instrument
that emits highly ultraviolet light, will be used to photochemically achieve the state of the reaction described above. Specifically, the
Rayonet causes the sulfur atom in the phenylisothiocyanate to become energetically excited and jump into a triplet state, forming the
cyanide ion and yielding positively charged nitrogen triple bonded to a negatively charged carbon. Measurements will be taken through
quantum yields and calibration curves obtained using the Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer. Research to date has shown that the
quantum yield of this reaction is approximately 7.3. Further research is being conducted to accumulate with these results. Upon completion
of this research it is hoped that an understanding of the reactivity of phenylisothiocyanates will lead to a solid knowledge of how these
molecules will act in industrial and synthetic applications.
Presentation Index: C1
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Department: Chemistry
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Ohman, Chris
Gregory, Daniel
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 36
April 22, 2008