Arts - Buffalo State College

100
Physical Geography, Sciences, and Mathematics
food. The majority of these people do not have fishing licenses and
they come from other countries. This makes it difficult for them to
understand the toxicity of the fish in areas such as Niagara River,
The Buffalo River, and Cayuga Creek. Cultural barriers and language
make it even harder for these people to understand that what they
are putting in their body will seriously damage them and their
children later in life. This paper will discuss the regulations that the
FDA and EPA have chosen for acceptable mercury levels from fish
that are acceptable for consumption. The formulas they use to decide
what is “acceptable” come from using default values and outdated
information. The information that will be used to make better
regulations for fish consumption comes from a study done by Buffalo
Niagara Riverkeeper. Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is an organization
dedicated to protecting and restoring the quality of the bodies of
water in the Buffalo area. The goal of this paper is to inform the
reader about the lifetime effects of consuming fish at higher levels
from the bodies of water around Buffalo.
Presentation Type and Session: Oral – Science, Mathematics
and Technology
Limitations In Forensic Science: PCR
Inhibitors
Miranda DeGroot, Masters Forensic Science
Faculty Mentor: Professor M. Scott Goodman, Chemistry
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a useful tool in forensic
science, where it is used to amplify small quantities of DNA for
analysis. DNA samples collected by forensic labs are often in trace
amounts and successful amplification is necessary to ensure proper
analysis. Many common substances have been found to inhibit
PCR, which can lead to poor and inaccurate analysis results. This
can be detrimental when analyzing forensic evidence available in
only very limited quantity. The focus of the research presented is the
study of coffee as a PCR inhibitor. The bulk of the findings support
the idea that coffee prevents efficient PCR amplification of DNA,
which negatively affects the results of subsequent analyses. Although
most mechanisms of PCR inhibition are unknown, our research
has eliminated the most common causes of inhibition, and we are
working towards the development of a standard method to overcome
the inhibition.
Presentation Type and Session: Oral – Science, Mathematics
and Technology
Modeling of Multi-Phase Flow In Volcanic
Conduits
Alyssa Cederman, Physics Secondary Education
Faculty Mentors: Professor Jude Sabato, Earth Sciences and
Science Education and Professor Bruce Pitman (SUNY-Buffalo)
Time variability at the surface of an erupting volcano is often
observed, yet there is little geological evidence of time variability
within the magma chamber itself. In order to understand the nature
of volcanic eruptions we develop fully time dynamic models of the
multi-phase flow in the volcanic conduit. We consider the vertical
flux of the magmatic-gas mixture in the conduit over time, with
constant pressure within the magma chamber and at the peak of
the lava dome. We approach the problem through a combination of
linearized stability analysis and numerical computation. We will also
discuss changes of the stability properties as a function of changes to
physical parameters. We aim to model the principle contributions to
phase dynamics and stability.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VIII
Nature Play On the East Side
Carole Anne Andrzejewski, Individualized Studies
Faculty Mentor: Professor Cynthia Conides, History and Museum
Studies
This project focuses on living collections within a museum
setting. This is an innovative form of nature interaction described in
museum literature as “Nature Play.” It provides museum visitors an
opportunity to experience and learn about living collections outside
of zoos and aquaria within a controlled but intimate educational
environment within a traditional museum. Nature Play on the
East Side was implemented in 2012 at the Buffalo Museum of
Science. A twenty-gallon saltwater touch tank stocked with various
invertebrates has given museum visitors – adults, children, and
multigenerational groups-the opportunity to experience and connect
with marine creatures that have previously been completely outside
of their experience. The success of this project has led the museum
to implement a larger, fifty-gallon touch tank that will contain a
greater variety of invertebrates. This project adds to the growing
body of literature in the field of museum studies that examines
animal-specific programming in museums, and museums as sites
of informal science learning. It is also a direct demonstration of
the Interactive Experience Model described by Lynne Dierking that
involves personal, social and physical contexts that influence how
museum-goers behave, observe, and remember their museum
experiences.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster I
Nutrition For Less: A Linear Programming
Problem For School Lunch
Janet Albi, AMT 495: Special Project for Applied Mathematics
Faculty Mentors: Professor Hongliang Xu, Mathematics and
Professor Joaquin Carbonara, Mathematics
For decades, school lunch has been the leading source of
nutrition for many students. While children may be receiving the
correct nutrition at home, they are also getting the majority of their
daily nutrition during the week while in school. Since most schools
today offer both breakfast and lunch to students daily, they have
made it their responsibility to make sure children are receiving
the correct nutrition to keep them healthy while maintaining their