One of the distinguishing features of COPLAC colleges is their focus on undergraduate research. Small class size, close faculty-student
interactions, and funded research opportunities allow top students to work alongside faculty mentors in significant research projects at
all 26 member institutions. COPLAC now hosts a series of regional UR conferences for students at member campuses, and many of these same
students go on to present their work at the annual meeting of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
Metamorphosis is part of COPLAC’s effort to highlight some of the best recent work in undergraduate research. Each semester, faculty
committees at member campuses select four outstanding projects for inclusion in Metamorphosis.
The first edition of Metamorphosis will feature papers of presenters at the Southeast Regional Undergraduate Research Conference
held November 2009.
Full papers available soon.
A Comprehensive Mutational Analysis of Gα12 to Identify Binding Sites for Protein Phosphatase 5
William Smolski
University of North Carolina Asheville
Mentor(s): Ted Meigs
Gα12 is the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein G12. This protein has been implicated in a number of cellular processes, most notably cytoskeletal rearrangements, cell migration, oncogenic transformation, and metastasis. The overall goal of my research is to identify specific regions within Gα12 necessary for binding its target proteins, and to examine these regions in a three-dimensional structural model of Gα12. My initial experiments have studied the Gα12 interactor protein phosphatase 5 (PP5), which regulates many cellular functions and has been linked to breast cancer progression. A fusion protein of PP5 and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was immobilized on a chemical matrix, then tested for binding against a comprehensive panel of Gα12 mutants, each mutant having a different small region replaced with an inert sequence of amino acids. Cellular proteins precipitated by PP5 were separated by gel electrophoresis, and these were probed with a Gα12-specific antibody. The amount of each Gα12 mutant that interacted with PP5 was quantified and compared to the non-mutant Gα12. These studies have identified several regions of Gα12 important in PP5 binding. Recently I extended these studies to another set of Gα12 mutants, designed by a collaborating research group at UNC-Chapel Hill, that consist of single amino acid substitutions.
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A Survey of Local Nematode Populations
Jessica Weaver
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Mentor(s): Robin Hill and Kevin Jones
Species of nematodes, such as Caenorhabditis elegans, have become model organisms for studying genetics, development, and evolution. However, the attitude regarding natural populations of Caenorhabditis has conventionally been ‘hakuna matata’ to use the Swahili phrase meaning ‘no worries’ (Dolgin et al 2008). Unfortunately, the focus on these organisms’ usefulness in the lab has left the natural populations relatively unexplored. This project seeks to examine the nematode population in this area.
A transect was established on the UVA Wise campus. Samples of soil were collected in 15 ml centrifuge tubes. Nematodes were isolated from the soil on agar culture plates. Approximately fifty nematodes were isolated. Initial identification, based on mouth morphology, reveals that most isolates are from the Rhabditidae family. Molecular characterization was utilized as well. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was utilized, and the 5' segment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU) gene was sequenced. Correlation with a database of sequences from known species offers a route to identification (Floyd et al 2002). The DNA is awaiting sequencing at this time. This project serves as an initial survey into the local nematode population. However, there is much left to be explored.
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An Analysis of Bacterial Cadonier Populations at Ebenezer Swamp, Alabama
Stephen Hyde
University of Montevallo
Mentor(s): Mark Hardig
The study of bacteria is very important for many reasons. The first is that they have an important pathological impact on other organisms including humans. Another equally important, but frequently overlooked, aspect of bacteria is the critical role they play in most ecosystems through decomposition of organic matter and in nutrient cycling. Bacteria are ubiquitous and can survive and thrive in almost any environment including those of hot springs and even the atmosphere.
The objective of this project was to describe a portion of the microbial diversity extant in Montevallo’s Ebenezer Swamp organic sediments. This was accomplished with the use of three Winogradsky columns that were allowed to incubate in sunlight at the swamp in a natural environment to develop into distinct levels in the column according to nutritional requirements. After sufficient time for distinct bacterial growth, the samples were drained and collected. Selected sites of interest were examined based on color and the specific levels in relation to the soil depth at which each bacteria sample was collected and were recorded. Bacterial analysis was performed and recorded. These analyses included a Gram staining to characterize the bacterial membrane and endospore staining to determine the presence of and morphology of endospores present in the bacterial colony. Inoculation of a peptone broth was performed to determine the presence of ammonia and inoculation of an iron-agar determined the presence of hydrogen sulfide.
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An Analysis of Gender Differences and Performance in the Elementary School Classroom
Will Davis III
University of Montevallo
Mentor(s): Jenifer L. Moore
The information provided in this research supports the idea that male and female students exhibit different learning behaviors. This literature review analyzes three commonly recognized learning styles and preferences of male and female elementary school students (visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic). Reported gender-specific behaviors of each sex are included in this study. Learning environments that cater to male and females are discussed as well. Male and female performances on standardized tests are also compared and contrasted. Specific information related to the learning preferences of male and female students and the impact on learning outcomes is also provided. Finally, a discussion related to the implications for classroom teachers is offered.
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Analysis of Hydrated Zinc and Calcium Phosphate Salts
Brandon Hale
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Mentor(s): Van Daniel III
General chemistry students at UVa Wise carry out an experiment in which a two salt mixture is reacted to form a solid product. The mass of the solid product obtained and identity of the limiting reactant are used to determine the composition of the original mixture. Calculations typically give answers with greater error than would be expected. One possible source of error is the formula of the hydrated product. This project was an attempt to find the correct value for the hydration of the products. Fifteen samples each of zinc and calcium phosphate were synthesized, dehydrated, and then analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The masses of product and dehydrated salt were used to calculate extent of hydration for each product. Based on the results, the zinc phosphate is a tri-hydrate (3.06 +/- 0.21) and the calcium phosphate is a di-hydrate (2.08 +/- 0.10). These results will be confirmed by atomic absorbance spectroscopy. Knowing the true extent of hydration of the salts should lead to a more accurate calculation of the mass percent of the original mixtures used in the general chemistry experiment.
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Analyzing power and yield measurements of the 13C(d,n0)14N Reaction between 280-460
Evan Sand
Georgia College & State University
Mentor(s): Stephen Auerbach and Elissa Auerbach
One of the poorly understood reactions that may contribute to heavy element inhomogeneous nucleosynthesis is the 13C(d,n0)14N reaction. To understand the dynamics of this reaction, we have measured the yield and vector analyzing power of the n0 group in the deuteron energy range from 280 keV to 460 keV. Neutrons were produced by a deuterium beam from the atomic beam polarized ion source, accelerated through the TUNL mini tandem onto a thick and enriched 13C target. Eight organic liquid scintillator neutron detectors were placed at angles from 0 degrees to 135 degrees. Results for the angular distributions of the yield were extracted and will be shown.
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Andean Earthkeepers: A Comparative Study of Environmental Values: Deep Ecology and Traditional Environmental Knowledge
Ulrey Alexandra
University of North Carolina Asheville
Mentor(s): Grace Campbell
The current state of environmental degradation worldwide encourages a variety of intellectual investigations into the history of human/nature relationships. In some cases, such investigations concern the examples found in traditional societies, while other scholarly endeavors seek to create new foundational theories in the hopes of informing future generations. This compares Andean traditional environmental practice, known as Earthkeeping, to a 20th century ethical system, Deep Ecology, constructed by Western and European environmental philosophers. The research in this paper uses the approach of scholars in the humanities, the close reading and interpretation of texts, and relies on interdisciplinary sources in anthropology, environmental ethics and philosophy. The paper concludes that the two belief systems have many interesting intersections and argues that understanding such intersections brings greater clarity to both as discreet systems of environmental thought and practice. This exploration of parallels and differences found in nature values adds to contemporary environmental ethical discourse and offers opportunities for cross-cultural understanding in support of sustainability.
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Bernini
Jessica Yount
Georgia College & State University
Mentor(s): Stephen Auerbach and Elissa Auerbach
Gianlorenzo Bernini was pivotal in shaping the face of Rome during the 17th century. Bernini’s work wholly embodies the drama of the Baroque period as influence by the Counter-Reformation. One of his earliest commissions, Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius (1618-19), not only demonstrates Bernini’s talent early in his career, but also reflects the significance of the Catholic Church on art of this time period. Aeneas, the protagonist of Virgil’s epic poem, The Aeneid, is the legendary founder of Rome, and by extension, the Catholic Church. The image of Aeneas was selected as the subject of additional works commissioned by the Catholic Church and the Clergy during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Also, during the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church stressed the importance of adhering to original texts when producing works of art. While this mainly addressed Biblical texts, this concept can also be applied to Bernini’s depiction of Aeneas. The church also found a way to adopt pagan symbols by transforming their meaning into Christian virtues. The depiction of Aeneas with his father, Anchises, and his son, Ascanius, symbolizes filial love. The penates, small statues of household gods, symbolize the groups devotion to the gods. Together, filial love and Godly devotion comprise Caritas, or charity. According to Paul, charity is the greatest Christian virtue.
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Case Study: Active Teaching Methods in Programming
Joanna Lewis
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Mentor(s): Daniel Ray
Learning a programming language is difficult; learning a programming language in three days is astounding. This is a case study of high school students learning C++ in three days. Active learning was the primary teaching method. The students were introduced to new concepts and immediately given programming assignments that exemplified and quickly illuminated new concepts. As the programming assignments grew more complex the students relied on each other for ideas, and learned application of concepts as a team. Traditionally, programming is taught with lecture and complex homework assignments. Often there are few in class, or team assignments, especially later in the course. We discovered that learners, even at the high school level succeed in grasping coding principles. Active learning deserves further inquiry because its success could bring in more interest in computer science from younger students. If students feel confident as programmers they will feel confident in continuing the study of computer science. Since young students with little expectation in success, thrived with active learning; applying active learning in an environment of older students learning would be beneficial.
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Demographics and Voting Patterns in Montevallo SGA Elections
Terry L. Hughston
University of Montevallo
Mentor(s): Carl Doerfler
Many different factors influence whether or not a particular student will vote in a student government association election. By analyzing several different demographic categories of the participating voters and how they relate to the same proportional demographics for the entire student community, some specific variables can be used as significant indicators for how likely a particular person would be to vote in a future student government election. Demographic variables that indicate a higher level of participation on campus are the best ways to gauge a person or groups’ potential participation rate or suggest a pattern of voting among a specific segment of the overall campus population. Given this information, various institutions of student government, student life and campus involvement can do some self-analysis of how effectively they are reaching the student body as a whole.
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