Arts - Buffalo State College

Physical Geography, Sciences,
and Mathematics
Acid-Base Indicators and the Spring
Production: Chemistry-Theater
Collaboration
Joshua Churik, Biology
Faculty Mentors: Professor Maria Pacheco, Chemistry, Professor
Ann Emo, Theater, and Professor Joy Guarino, Theater
As part of a collaborative study with members of the Theater
Department, the interaction between commercial (phenolphthalein,
bromophenol blue, methyl red) and natural (red cabbage extract)
acid-base indicators with various fabric samples (muslin, spandex,
nylon and others) will be explored. Fabrics will be tested for ease of
absorption of the indicator as well as changes in physical properties
upon absorption. The corresponding color changes when the
indicator-coated fabric is exposed to either a mild acid or a mild
base will be characterized by the type and brightness of the color
produced, the rate of appearance of the color and the post exposure
color retention on the fabric. The results will be incorporated in
the design and construction of costumes to be used in the Theater
Department’s Spring Production. The audience will have the
opportunity to interact with the performers through the production
and will induce color changes in the costumes by exposing the
fabrics to mild acids and bases.
Presentation Type and Session: Poster VIII
Analysis of a Point Mutation (G5W) In the
Amino Terminus of Connexin32
Nicholas Vaughn, Biology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Martha Skerrett, Biology
The gap junction protein connexin 32 (Cx32) was studied
using site-directed mutagenesis. Cx32 is expressed in the liver,
skin, and brain of mammals where it forms gap junction channels
between adjacent cells. As part of a larger class project that involved
tryptophan scanning of the Cx32 N-terminus, tryptophan was
substituted for glycine at position five of its protein sequence (Cx32
G5W). The function of Cx32 G5W was assessed using the Xenopus
oocyte expression system and the two-electrode voltage clamp
method. The mutant formed gap junction channels between paired
oocytes but the voltage-dependence of the channels was altered and
conductance was significantly reduced. In order to better understand
the consequences of the G5W substitution, a similar mutation was
created in the high-resolution crystal structure of connexin 26 using
the “mutagenesis” function in PyMol. In Cx26-based channels the
amino terminus folds into the pore and substitution of tryptophan
creates an obvious reduction in pore diameter.
Presentation Type and Session: Oral – Science, Mathematics,
and Technology
Analysis of Street Traffic Density Impact
On CO 2 and Air Particle Distribution In
Beijing, China
Robin Tedlock, Geography
Faculty Mentor: Professor Tao Tang, Geography and Planning
The growing economy in China has drawn many people to the
cities. As people have more money, they would like to drive cars. It
is estimated that over 1000 cars per day are added to the roads in
Beijing, China. This contributed a great impact on air pollution in
the city. The current research examines the distribution of gasses
and particles across Beijing. Field sampling and measurements were
taken at 86 locations across the city over a period of 2 weeks from
June 3rd to June 18th 2011. The survey data was then interpolated
into map layers using the universal kriging function in ArcGIS. The
density of traffic lanes was interpreted from high spatial resolution
satellite images. The number of lanes was assigned to the attribute
database for each of the street segments. Kernel density of the traffic
lanes was analyzed in ArcGIS. The kriging surfaces were then
overlayed against a surface representing the density of traffic lanes.
The results of this analysis show that areas with higher lane density
either having more roads, more lanes, or both, generally coincide
with areas that have lower concentrations of CO 2. The only exception
is the CBD area, where the high density is coincident with high
concentration. This suggests that traffic capacity and the number of
cars on the road at a given time may have less of an effect on local
air quality than other pollution sources. In the meantime, weather
condition of the time may impact the distribution of the pollutants.
Presentation Type and Session: Oral – Science, Mathematics,
and Technology
Beach Sand As a Reservoir For E. coli:
Implications of Water Quality Testing
Nicole Bennett, Geology
Faculty Mentor: Professor Gary Pettibone, Biology
Bacterial contamination at freshwater beaches has been an
ongoing concern among beach goers and researchers worldwide.
Extensive water quality monitoring has been done on public beach
waters but few evaluations of the water quality of interstitial water
from beach sand have been carried out. A modified AMS gas vapor
probe was used to extract water from beach sand and an AMS
sand core was used to collect sand samples weekly between June
and August, 2011 at two depths along a transect at Bennett Beach.
Samples were collected along transects at the water/beach interface
and at 6 meters up beach from the shoreline. Escherichia coli
were enumerated from water and sand core samples according
to EPA Method 1603 (2009). 79% of the interstitial water samples
were found to have E. coli densities higher than the EPA standard
of 235 CFU per 100mL of water while E. coli levels in beach sand
cores exceeded EPA standards in 94% of the samples. Moreover, E.
coli levels were 1-3 logs higher in the interstitial water and beach
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