The 16th Annual
NC State University
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Abstracts
Physical &
Mathematical Sciences
Abstracts
Abstracts are listed in alphabetical order by the
last name of the corresponding author.
- Biological Sciences abstracts
Applied Sciences
(Crop, Poultry, Animal, and Horticultural Sciences)
Ecology, Environmental,
Conservation, Botanical
Molecular,
Biochemical, Genetics, Cell Biology
Zoology,
Physiology, Behavior, Neurobiology
- Design abstracts
- Engineering
and Technology abstracts
- Humanities,
Social Sciences, Psychology abstracts
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Anderson, Trevor E. |
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Department(s): |
Physics |
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Research |
Keith Weninger/Physics |
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Title of Presentation: |
Pure SNARE Proteins for a Complex-Study |
A family of proteins known as SNARE’s
catalyzes many biological events that involve membrane fusion. Specific
interactions among SNARE proteins influence whether or not two membranes will
merge. A deeper understanding of many biological events will result from
greater knowledge of both how the proteins interact with each other, and also
how foreign molecules such as toxins can influence or prevent the whole
process. I have spent the last semester expressing and purifying SNARE proteins
to produce high-purity, concentrated samples for biochemical studies. I have
used these samples to determine the ability of unrelated families of SNARE’s to
assemble into stable complexes.
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Atakturk, Burcu A. |
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Department(s): |
Accounting |
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Research |
Al Chen/Accounting |
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Title of Presentation: |
Evaluating Alternative Strategic Cost Management
Approaches |
This research project analyzes different costing
systems in use and planned to be used in business settings and identify
strengths and weaknesses of each system analyzed. The costing systems
considered include activity-based costing (ABC), Theory of Constraints (TOC)
and Resource Consumption Accounting (RCA). A distinction is also drawn between
traditional cost analysis and strategic cost analysis. Questions addressed
include: What is strategic cost management? What different perspectives on cost
exist? And finally, what is the strategic cost management process? One of the
fundamental ventures of any business is to make a profit. Good cost management
within a business is vital to making profit. There are multiple costing systems
in use today and it is essential to know which is the best
for the current venture. ABC and TOC are two of the most popular costing
systems in use today. RCA, on the other hand, is a relatively new system about
which little is known. It is important to know the difference between these
three systems and how best to utilize each of them, both individually and in
combination with other methods.
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Attarian, Adam |
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Department(s): |
Mathematics |
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Research |
Hien T.
Tran/Mathematics |
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Title of Presentation: |
A Hybrid Optimization Approach for the Optimal
Design of Traveling Wave Tubes |
Traveling wave tubes are common devices with
widespread use in both satellite and terrestial comunications as well as areas such as electronic counter
measures. We present a hybrid optimization approach for the optimal design of
the electron based device based on two independent physics-based design and
simulation codes. In particular, we use the CHRISTINE suite of large signal
codes to model the slow wave circuit, in conjunction with Beam Optics Analysis
to model a multi-stage depressed collector. These two simulation codes will be
combined in a hybrid framework to automate the process of optimizing several physical
parameters while realizing several design constraints. The equations describing
the device properties as well as the objective functions will be discussed, and
examples of optimized TWTs will be presented.
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Blackmer, Amanda C. Kelley, Richard L. |
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Department(s): |
Chemistry |
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Research |
Stefan Franzen/Chemistry |
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Title of Presentation: |
In vitro Assembly of
Synthetically Produced Viral RNA Transcripts |
Red Clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) provides an
ideal platform to develop a multifunctional particle with specific application
to therapeutic and gene delivery in humans. In
vitro assembly is a controlled method to propagate engineered virus-like
particles in high yield with greater purity than those obtained by plant
propagation. The assembly of the RCNMV capsids is
dependent on the presence of viral RNA. To obtain the RNA for in vitro assembly, we performed
transcriptions of viral RNAs cloned into PUC
expression vectors. These transcript products were characterized using UV/VIS
and agarose gel electrophoresis. The purified capsid proteins were obtained from disassembled wild type
RCNMV. The purity of the protein was confirmed by UV/VIS and SDS/Page gel
electrophoresis. The in vitro
assembly was accomplished by mixing the protein and RNA in a dialysis cassette
at pH 10 and then reducing the pH to 5.5 overnight. Dynamic Light Scattering
(DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging (TEM) were done to confirm
the formation of particles. Further experiments will be conducted to access the
in vivo infectivity of the virus-like
particles.
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Brewer, Jason P. Johnson, Matthew S. Thelen, Michael Y. |
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Department(s): |
Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Statistics |
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Research |
William F. Hunt Jr./ Statistics |
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Title of Presentation: |
Protecting Human Health: Modeling the Prevalence of
Fine Particulate Matter in Air Quality Index Reporting |
Fine particulate matter is a significant pollutant
that endangers human health. Small particulates, 2.5 micrometers in diameter or
less, penetrate further into the lungs of humans than larger particulates
leading to increased cases of respiratory diseases and eventual death. Both
annual mean and 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been set
for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). PM2.5 is one of five pollutants reported
in the USEPA’s Air Quality Index. It is critically
important that today’s PM2.5 value can be accurately forecasted so it can be
reported to the public with an appropriate health advisory. Our objective is to
develop reliable forcasting regression models to
serve as tools for predicting PM2.5. The regression models will take into account
various meteorological parameters such as temperature, wind speed, wind
direction, and yesterday’s PM2.5 measurements. Our client, Maryland Department
of Environment, provided all meteorological and particulate matter data.
Analyses of selected particulate matter monitoring stations and meteorological
sites in the state of
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Burleyson, Casey D. Bryant, M. Tai |
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Department(s): |
Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences |
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Research |
Sandra Yuter/Marine,
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences |
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Title of Presentation: |
Observation and Analysis of 19 Winter Storm Events
In the |
The purpose of this research is to obtain and analyze
observations of the physical characteristics of precipitation during snow
events in the southern
|
Carroll, Turhan K. |
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Department(s): |
Applied Mathematics |
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Research |
Hien T.
Tran/Mathematics |
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Title of Presentation: |
Acoustic Pressure Waves in a Pipe |
Sound is a part of our everyday experience. As a
sound wave travels through a medium, it either reaches the end of the medium or
enters another medium through which it could travel. The interface of the two
media is referred to as the boundary. Understanding sound pressure waves and
corresponding boundary conditions is important for the proper operation of many
musical instruments and for the design of, for example, concert halls and
auditoriums. In this project, acoustic pressure waves in a PVC pipe were studied
using three types of physical boundary conditions: a hard plate, a soft foam
sponge, and no boundary. A different mathematical model was used to model each
of the boundary conditions. Acoustic data in a PVC pipe is being used to
validate the proposed mathematical models for the boundary conditions.
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Christoph, Elizabeth E. Hornsby, Fawn E. |
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Department(s): |
Statistics Statistics and Applied Math |
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Research |
William F. Hunt Jr./Statistics |
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Title of Presentation: |
Toxic Overload: Modeling Ambient Mercury Air
Pollution at a Trillionth of a Gram |
Mercury is a toxic pollutant that can cause adverse
health effects in humans through bioaccumulation in fish. It is released into
the atmosphere in several ways, most of which involve industrial processes. The
primary health effect of mercury is impaired neurological development. Impacts
on cognitive thinking, attention, memory, communication, and fine motor skills
have been seen in children exposed to mercury in the womb. Other effects of
elevated blood mercury levels include impaired vision, lack of coordination,
impaired speech, tremors, insomnia, muscle weakness, and even death. From the
atmosphere, mercury enters the water via wet and dry deposition where it
bio-accumulates in fish. Because of this concern, mercury air monitoring sites
were established in
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Diaz, Michael L. |
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Department(s): |
Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences |