NJRSF Abstracts, 1997

BIOCHEMISTRY

BOTANY

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

CHEMISTRY

ENGINEERING

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

MICROBIOLOGY

MATHEMATICS and COMPUTER SCIENCE

MEDICINE and HEALTH

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE and PHYSICS

WATER POLLUTION

ZOOLOGY

BIOCHEMISTRY

Recovery of the Cytoskeleton Following Chemotherapy

Research was conducted to study the effect of four chemotherapy agents and two toxins on the cytoskeleton of noncancerous cells. Human Diploid Fibroblasts were treated with cis-platin, colcemid, vinblastine, and the toxins cytochalasin D and Cycloheximide, for 16 hours and allowed to recover for 24 and 48 hours. It was hypothesized that cells treated with a chemotherapy agent, toxin, or cycloheximide (which stops protein synthesis) will be affected and recover in a period of time. After the cells went through cell culture, toxicant exposure, and immunofluorescence, tubulin, actin, and vimentin were assayed. After actin and vimentin recovered in 24 h and tubulin in 48\ h, it was found that these drugs affect noncancerous cells and cells can recover when treatment has ended. Cycloheximide did not alter the recovery rate for microtubules in cells treated with cis-platin, colcemid, and cytochalasin D. Cycloheximide decreased recovery rate for cells treated with vinblastine.

Mapping Genes Involved in Utililization of Mannitol in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The recombinant plasmid pPZ142 is composed of the cloning vector of pPZ101 and an insert from \fIPseudomonas aeruginosa\fP which contains the genes for mannitol uptake and utilization. In this project, pPZ142 was digested with five different restriction enzymes: \fIEco\fPRI, \fIHind\fPIII, \fISal\fPI, \fISac\fPI, and \fIBam\fPHI. Several restriction fragments were ligated to the cloning vector pPZ375 (or self-ligated) and transformed into \fIE. coli\fP. Bacteria containing the recombinant plasmids were then selected via blue-white selection. Plasmid DNA was purified and transformed into three different strains of \fIP.aeruginosa\fP: mannitol dehydrogenase deficient \fIP.aeruginosa\fP (PAO2845-MDH$"" sup -$), mannitol dehydrogenase and fructokinase deficient \fIP.aeruginosa\fP (PAO2375-MDH$"" sup -$, FK$"" sup -$) and mannitol transport protein deficient \fIP.aeruginosa\fP (PFB108-MTP$"" sup -$). These strains were still unable to survive on mannitol after the transformation. Because no genes were found to complement the mutations in the strains of \fIP.aeruginosa\fP, the results suggest that the complete genes for MDH, FK, and MTP were not isolated on the fragments of DNA. The probable location of the MDH and FK genes were narrowed approximately 3KB on the chromosomal fragment.

The Effect of Blue Light on Folic Acid Breakdown in the Pea Plant, Pisum sativum: A Pilot Study

With the ozone layer thinning, it is imperative to study the ability of plants to adapt to a greater intensity of UV radiation. Folic acid is a chemical responsible for protecting plants from UV radiation. The products formed by these pathways have numerous beneficial effects, including DNA repair and DNA synthesis. Blue light, by accelerating the chloroplast electron transport chain (cETC), is a stimulant for NADPH$""sup +$ production. It facilitates all reduction processes, including folic acid reduction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to blue light affects folic acid breakdown. Aminopterin, an inhibitor o folic acid reduction, was used to help identify the effect of blue light on folic acid breakdown. Diuron, an inhibitor of the cETC, was used to isolate increased NADPH$"" sup +$ production as a factor in folic acid breakdown. \fIPisum\fP leaves were treated separately with either aminopterin or diuron and \fIPisum\fP flowers were treated with aminopterin. All samples were exposed to UV and blue light, and assayed with a fluorescence spectrophotometer for 6-carboxypterin concentration (a product of folic acid breakdown). Results indicated that blue light did not affect 6-carboxypterin concentration in the flowers treated with aminopterin and the leaves treated with diuron. It did, however, decrease 6-carboxypterin concentration in uninhibited leaves and flowers. This suggests that blue light does decrease folic acid breakdown, but that it is dependent on the cETC. The decrease in folic acid breakdown might be accompanied by an increase in folic acid reduction.

The Extraction of Non-Saponifiable Lipids From Mushrooms

The purpose of this experiment was to extract non-saponifiable lipids, steroids and terpenes, frombasidiomycetes which are commonly known as mushrooms. Before the extraction took place, a saponification, a reaction in which an ester functional group of a lipid reacts with hydroxide and produces a carboxylate salt and an alcohol.The remaining lipids were extracted using hexane, yielding identicalresults among the four species of mushrooms used. This study has shown that the steroid ergosterol is present in these mushrooms, as well as an unidentified compound.

Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Catylase

Five groups of samples using enzyme catylase were uv irradiated for 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes, with one additional group reserved as control. After irradiation, the groups with their respective catylase were subjected to $roman H sub 2 roman O sub 2$ to determine whether their ability to decompose the peroxide had been affected. The data were analyzed statistically.

The Allium Gang: DNA Relatedness of Onion Species

This experiment's first goal was to optimize the extraction of DNA from the Allium species. The detergent was the first variable to be tested. From testing Woolite and Era with identical procedures, it was concluded that Era yielded the most DNA. Next the best mechanism was tested. The blender and the grater were used to extract DNA from three species. The results from the grater were better because they yielded more DNA and less smearing of the bands than the blender caused by severing the DNA. Then the voltage at which to run the gels was tested. The gels had been run at about 70 volts and the power tested was approximately 120 volts. The higher voltage resulted in an uneven running of the samples and the samples spread out of the path. It was concluded that using Era in conjunction with the grater and a gel voltage of 70 volts is the most advantageous procedure.

RNP39 Protein in Chicken Embryos with Homology to the A1 Class of RNA Binding Proteins

The A1 class of RNA binding proteins, which are associated with RNA metabolism and maintenance of cell function in vertebrates, bind and transport mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where transcription is done. Then they repeat the process again. RNP39, a protein found in chicken embryos, was recently discovered to have an 85% homology with A1 RNA binding proteins. Results of Southern, Northern, and Western Blotting revealed that the RNP39 was the only A1 class RNA binding protein in chicken, and was present in nearly equal amounts in all organs of the developing chick, except in heart tissue, where it was almost completely absent from. Since all cells initially have genomic equivalence, the cells of an organism differ in structure and fuction because they express different portions of a common genome. Thus, these results suggest the possibility that the absence or lack of RNP39 protein and perhaps all A1 RNA binding proteins in tissue, cause differential development of cardiac versus other tissues in vertebrates. Furthermore, the inhibition of these proteins may be used in the future to correct or treat genetic defects of the heart. In addition to the study of heart development, the RNP39 protein may also be used as a chicken model of the human fetal brain protein (FBrnp) due to their extensive homolgies with one another. The FBrnp is an A1 class RNA binding protein found in the human brain that has been hypothesized as a canidate for the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) type 2 gene product; a genetic cancer who cause is so far unknown. The study of RNP39 may therefore be applied to a better understanding of the genetic causes and mechanisms underlying MEN Type 2.

BOTANY

Is there a pattern in the Size of the Leaflets of Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust)

\fIRobinia pseudoacacia\fP (black locust) leaves are compound pinnate leaves with each leaflet varying in size. The purpose of our project is to determine a mathematical formula or pattern for the distribution of the leaflet lengths from the apex, or tip, to the base of the leaf. Leaves from six trees on Mountain Avenue were collected, and leaflet lengths were measured. A consistent pattern in the lengths of the leaflets was discovered. The graphs reveal significant relationships in length differences between each side of the leaves. However, a pattern of these differences is yet to be found; therefore, a mathematical formula could not be developed.

The Effect of Electroosmosis on the Growth of Radish Plants

The purpose of this expeirment is to test the effects of electroosmosis, the application of electric current in the root zone of a plant to manipulate the dissolved nutrients so that they don't wash below the root zone before the plant can use them, on radish plants. Three groups of radish plants, 50 plants each, were employed. One received negative electric current in the root zone, another received positive electric current, and the third served as a control, receiving no current. The data suggest that negative current produced significantly greater growth when compared to the control, while positive current showed significantly less growth. The uses of this experiment are phenomenal. Electroosmosis could be used to increase the growth of plants in the agricultural industry, and therefore to promote the indudstry.

The Effects of Magnetism on Kidney Beans

Ferric sulfate is formed by reacting sulfuric acid with iron. It is made up of sulfur, oxygen, and iron, and is soluble in water. This is important to plants because they absorb nutrients through their roots. Does ferric sulfate aid in plant growth? Two sets of Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney beans) were grown in order to investigate this problem.

Effects of Rock Salt Concentrations on Hemerocallis fulva, the Common Daylily

The effects of rock salt concentrations were observed on the plant Hemerocallis fulva, or common daylily. Plants were taken from three roadside sites and exposed to four different concentrations of salt for six weeks. Results showed the plant shed some leaves and then halted leaf development. It was found that salt does negatively affect the plant but the plant can survive.

Acetylsalicylic Acid and Salicylic Acid and the Growth of Phaseous Limensis

The objective is to determine the difference in growth of phaseolus limensis (lima beans) treated with distilled water, acetylsalicylic acid, and salicylic acid. The acetylsalicylic (aspirin) and salicylic acid will be diluted in a solution of distilled water. The two variable dosages will be compared to the control, phaseolus limensis watered with distilled water. The two acids will be in dillusions of .33 moles. The hypothesis is that the salicylic and acetylsalicylic acid would increase the growth rate of the plants, compared to the plants watered with distilled water. Also the plants treated with salicylic will grow faster than the plants treated with acetylsalicylic acid.

The Effect of Environmental Stress on Pollen Tube Formation

Pollen was extracted from hybrid lilies onto glass slides and divided into nine groups (including one control) of 500 pollen grains. The experimental groups were subjected to acidic solutions with pH levels ranging from 2 to 5, while the remaining four were exposed to ultraviolet light for periods ranging from 5 to 20 minutes. The control received neither treatment. All nine groups were subjected to two drops of Murashige and Skoog salt base for one hour, including the exposure time variables, to allow pollen tubes to form. The pollen grains that formed tubes were counted and recorded. Statistical analysis suggests that the ability of the pollen grains that were exposed to environmental streses to form pollen tubes was affected compared to the control group.

The Effects of Low Frequency EMF Upon Germination of Plants

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are present wherever electricity flows. Therefore, living things encounter EMF everyday. Electric and magnetic fields are not visible, but they are present in our surroundings and can be measured in milligauss and gauss. The studies of EMF have been inconclusive and contradictive of each other. There has been little research performed on the effects of EMF upon plants, thus this needs to be investigated. In order to do this, electromagnetic fields could be produced by running current through a coil wires. Because EMF generates outward, perpendicular to the origin, a coil of wires could be placed on top of a container holding plant seed. This would then subject the seed to EMF. After the completion of these experiments, one can determine the effects of EMF upon the germination of several plants. The plants being used are beans, cabbages, peppers, grass, peas, and radishes. The germination and initial growth rates are compared with the strength of the EMF. The plants are grown in fields of approximately 135, 325, 552, and 986 milligauss. From this experiment, one can conclude that in higher fields excluding the 986 milligauss, plants initially grow quicker, and then maintain an "equilibrium" with each other. There is a point in which the EMF begins to decrease or lessen the growth of the plants though.

The Effects of Cotyledon Removal on Peanut Seedlings

This experiment examined the germination growth after incisions were made on a peanut's cotyledon. The cotyledon that isn't cut is the control, while incisions at 25%, 50%, and 75% have been made for the experiment. The growth factor depends on the amount of the embryo on the peanut. The cotyledons that obtained the most embryo had the best results, while there was a negative outcome for cotyledons that contained small amounts of the embryo.

Ascorbic Acid in Plants: An A-Pauling Outcome

An environmental oxidative stress was simulated using paraquat. Reactive oxygen species were artificially induced in alfalfa seedlings using sub-lethal concentrations of paraquat. The effects of salicylic acid (SA), a free radical scavenger, and ascorbate (AsA), an antioxidant, were measured. Paraquat was administered in 50 and 75 $mu$M concentrations. The control set of seedlings was untreated, whhile another set received paraquat alone. Other sets received SA or AsA alone at concentrations of 1, 5, and 10 mM. Remaining sets were administered both paraquat and the various levels of SA and AsA. The visible effects of paraquat can only be observed on green tissue and in light, so photosynthetically competent seedlings were infiltrated with paraquat overnight in the dark and when data was taken lighting was resumed. Damage was quantified by measuring plant health according to a previously determined plant health index. The index of damage was a proportion of the number of seedlings above and below a defined state of plant health. Both paraquat concentrations killed the seedlings. The oxidative stress, however, could not efficiently be counteracted with AsA and SA.

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE

Digital Noise Sharpens Vague Images

Stochastic Resonance is a phenomenon that exists in natural systems. It is the transfer of a random signal to a weak signal. My experiment manipulates this phenomenon by using digital noise to make perceptibility of vague images possible. Noise, (like the snow on TV) is added to an unrecognizable image. The image is then placed under a threshold so that it is strictly black and white. Images are animated in a series, and subjects are asked to identify what the image is. The results show that there is an optimal noise level for perceptibility, and on both sides of that value the recognizability degrades as the image is either not noisy enough, or is too noisy. The findings may help in visually challenging conditions, like snow, fog, night, and underwater.

Media and Teenage Smoking

I designed a survey to determine whether the media influence teenage smoking. I distributed the surveys to sophomores at a local high school and to parents of children at a local elementary school. Stress was the top reason teens gave for starting to smoke. For 53% of the teenagers, the chosen cigarette brand was based on the advertising they found attractive. This study indicates that the media are a strong influence for teens to begin smoking.

Effects of Symmetry on the Attraction of Humans to Animals

Research has shown that humans are more attracted to more symmetric humans. Also, the same has been shown for intra-species preference for other members of the animal kingdom. My experiment sought to answer the question of whether or not this preference holds across species. Twenty-four female and thirty-three male subjects were given a questionnaire containing 6 pairs of photographs of cats and dogs. One of each pair was normal, while the other was digitally modified to display bilateral symmetry. Although results indicated that 58% of the subjects preferred the nonsymmetric animal, $chi sup 2$ analysis failed to reveal if the preference was due to the sex of the subject. Also, there was no significant preference based on the type of animal. Further research may contain comparisons between different-aged subjects, as well as experimentation with animal types besides cats and dogs.

The Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Seat Belt Use

This study examined the effects of socioeconomic status on seat belt use. Surveys (n=75) were distributed to people in a deli in downtown New Brunswick, NJ. Surveys were sorted into socioeconomic class based on income level, education, and occupation. comparisons were made between people in each socioeconomic class and seat belt use. Constant use of a seat belt was more common in the highest socioeconomic class than in the lowest one. There was also a great disparity between people who never wear seat belts , from the lowest to highest class, with nonuse being more common in the lowest class. Therefore, socioeconomic status does appear to affect seat belt use.

Comparison of First Cousin Incest and Taboo in the United States and India

My project is going to explain the comparison of first cousin incest and taboo between the United States and India. I think that there are no comparisons of first cousin incest between India and the United States, but there are some comparisons of taboo between India and the United States. I have based this study on information on topics such as incest, taboo, sociology, social anthropology, India, the United States, and cousins. My conclusion is that there is no comparison of first cousin incest between the United States and India. India practices first cousin incest and in the United States the practice is tabooed.

Memory Indicators

I studied 99 participants to explore various theories about memory to determine the major factors affecting performance in timed memory tests. These theories include: women outperform men; people scored higher on afternoon tests versus morning tests, and stress impairs memory. Impact of test material type and its presentation was also evaluated. The results suggest that the females outperformed the males in all the tests except the Number Test, and the afternoon participants did better than the morning group, and stress improved performance. In regard to test materials, visual images and data in columns were recalled better than words and numbers.

Gender Bias Revealed Through Short Term Memory

Experimental subjects were asked to evaluate their gender's role in society by using a simple memory test to determined whether they could be influenced by gender-biased material. The control subjects followed the same procedure, except they were not exposed to any gender-biased material. Statistics were calculated using subject responses to compare the effect sof short term influences on the personal opinions of each subject of his/her gender.

A Comparison of the Visual Comprehension and Memorization at Different Exposure Times of Children and Adults

Visual comprehension and memorization were compared at different exposure times for adults and children. Forty adults and forty children viewed four number sequences with exposure times of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 s per number (spn). Participants then wrote the sequences from memory. Answers were evaluated for three levels of memorization. It was found that, overall, adults performed better than children at 1\ spn and 0.5 spn, while scoring almost identically with children at 2\ spn and 0.25\ spn. Continued analysis suggested that aging results in the formation of a bimodal distribution in the adult population, one adult group excelling over another. Further research is needed to substantiate these findings.

Effects of Food Deprivation on Hormonally-Mediated Characteristics of Guppies

This study used a repeated measures design to study the effects of food deprivation and pre/post deprivation feeding period on sexual and aggresive behaviors and coloration in \fIPoecilia reticulata\fP (guppy). All target males were food deprived for periods of 0, 24, 48, and 72\ h, in counter-balanced order. Behavioral and color data were collected before and after (pre/post) feeding, following each deprivation period. A significant interaction between deprivation period and pre/post feeding was obtained for sigmoid courtship displays, indicating that different deprivation periods had different effects on this behavior before and after feeding. A significant deprivation effect was found for posturing behavior, which decreased in frequency as the deprivation period increased. Neither deprivation nor feeding had any significant effects on aggressive behavior. coloration also changed, but only after feeding, regardless of deprivation time period. Overall, changes in courtship behavior were significantly related to changes in coloration. These findings suggest that coloration is a potentially confounding variable in studies of the influence of motivation variables on behavior in fish.

The Effects of Competitive Pressure on the Academic Performance of Adolescents

This study examined the effects of competitive pressure on the performance of adolescents completing a series of algebra problems. Comparisons of both accuracy and time for completion, as well as time per correct answer, were made to determine the results of applying pressure to a previously unpressured situation. Data illustrated the overall superiority of performance under competition compared to that of performance without competition. However, only one third of the participants performed better across all measured fronts under competition. So, competitive pressure increases overall average performance, but does not necessary improve performance in all individuals.

The Effect of Hunger on Remembering Food-Related Words

Abstract The purpose of my project was to investigate the role of hunger on the recall of words in a list, and in particular, the food-related words in the list. Research shows that emotions and moods have an effect on learning and remembering. Since hunger can affect emotions, causing one to be anxious or moody, my research sought to establish a relationship between hunger and memory. The von Restorff effect states that in a list, any object that is different from the rest of the list is more likely to be recalled. If a child is hungry, it would seem that a word representing a food would stand out from other unrelated words in a list. My first hypothesis was that the anxiety caused by hunger would cause the children to remember more words. My second hypothesis was that the von Restorff effect would hold for food-related words when the children were hungry. My experimental group consisted of forty-four children in the 4th and 5th grades. These children were read a list of twenty words, including four food-related words and one unusual word, before lunch. Then, a few days later, they were read a different list of the same type words after lunch. The results indicated that the von Restorff effect held for the unusual words, but there was no difference in the before and after lunch lists with regard to food-related words. A chi-square analysis showed no significant difference between total number of words and number of food-related words for the two groups. Therefore, I conclude that there is not enough evidence to support either hypothesis.

Does the Perception of What is Funny Change with Age?

This study examined the effects of age on what people of various ages considered funny in modern cartoons. Surveys composed of various cartoons were distributed to third graders, freshman and sophomores in high school, and to individuals over 21 years old. The results showed that adults and adolescents considered similar cartoons funny, but their responses differed somewhat from those of younger subjects. Adults and adolescents tended to choose sarcastic cartoons, while the third graders preferred slapstick humor. The study also showed that the sense of humor varied between the sexes within each age group. The third-grade females found more cartoons funny when compared to third grade males. High school males and females had similar responses, as did the adult males and females. Furthermore, the study also indicated that sarcasm appealed more to adult men than to women. It was concluded that age plays a substantial role in what individuals viewed as funny. Differences in cognitive abilities and/or life experience may be factors influencing these results.

Audible Sound: A Pied Piper for Crickets?

The hypothesis of my project is that crickets stimulated by sound will react in proportion to the frequency and intensity of the sound produced. It is already known that frequency below 16\ kHz attract crickets and those above 16\ kHz repel them. I measured the distance they are attracted or repelled relative to the sound source. As the second part of my project, I used sound to direct crickets through a maze. This is potentially useful for cockroach eradication, because cockroaches are related to crickets and could hypothetically be drawn out of walls by a sound.

Determining a Child's Perception of Gender and Gender Stereotypes

The specific ages at which children can identify their gender, understand gender constancy, and form gender-role stereotypes is undefined. Sixty children were read a gender-related story, reactions were recorded, and children were interviewed regarding gender and gender stereotypes. It was found that all children identified their own gender correctly. The number of children comprehending gender constancy increased steadily from ages 3 to 5. Children having gender stereotypes decreased steadily, with boys having more stereotypes than girls of each age. Gender stereotypes may be higher in males because men are not generally portrayed doing domestic or "feminine" jobs in popular media. Children's stereotypes decrease with age because they gain life experience and learn to process information and make their own decisions.

Time Flies or Does it: Time Perception

This study examined how human perception of time changes when subjects are engaged in different activities. The effects of gender on time perception were also examined. Activities included a repetitive task, problem solving, no activity, and reading. Results showed the majority of participants in the repetitive task made estimates that were undertime, while the majority of the participants in the other three tests were overtime. Gender may have influenced perception in all tests. Thus, participants involved in the repetitive task believed less time had passed, and participants in the other three tests believed more time had passed. In all tests, a greater percentage of males were undertime and a greater percentage of females were overtime.

Effects of Families on the Use of Corporal Punishment

Many traditional Asian families use corporal punishment to discipline their children. American families on the other hand do not use corporal punishment because many professionals believe that corporal punishment is counter-productive in shaping a child's behavior. The main objective of this project is to determine whether the use of corporal punishment runs in families or is more dependent on the generation of the parent in both Asian and American cultures. Three generations of Asian and American families (child, parent, and grandparent) were asked to complete a survey. The responses were analyzed to determine the effects of corporal punishment in a variety of situations. The results showed that youths (Asian and American) felt "spanking" or corporal punishment would cause psychiatric problems. According to the middle generation (parents) of both cultures, approximately half favored the use of corporal punishment. The oldest generation (grandparents) believed corporal punishment was the only effective means of discipline. In conclusion, with each successive generation, from grandparent to parent to child, corporal punishment's use diminished in both Asian and American families.

CHEMISTRY

Are you spending too much for your shampoo? Are the claims of your shampoo true?

The purpose of this experiment is to clear up some common questions the public might have about their favorite shampoo. Does your shampoo clean as well as it says it does? Is it pH balanced? Does it supply all the basic ingredients your hair needs to be healthy? and, finally, are you spending too much for your shampoo? Each of the 21 shampoos were tested for cleanliness with india ink, pH balance with a universal indicator, viscosity, foam retention, and the actual percent of ingredients in the shampoo. The results were examined and the final conclusions were drawn. Harmon's Vitamin Shampoo with conditioner (Generic Brand) ranked first place as the best buy for cleanliness and Botanicals ranked last place.

Rub-A-Dub-Dub: A Study on Laundry Detergents Part II

The directions on laundry detergent bottles state how much detergent to use per wash. However, they overlook the fact that an average wash cycle does not fully rinse away the recommended amount of detergent. This extra detergent leaves a residue on clothing which increases the rate at which the clothing discolors and deteriorates. In this work, I simulated wash cycles, and tested the pH of the solution, the water, and the rinse, to determine the concentration of detergent remaining. I also studied the effect on clothes by using pure detergent liquid to accelerate the effects. I was able to measure the remaining detergent in this manner, thus proving that detergent remains on clothing after the rinse cycle. It was also found that heat from an iron could accelerate the decomposition reaction.

Microwave Heating of Oxides

Previous work by Baghurst and Mingos has found that while most metal oxides are not appreciably heated when placed in a microwave oven, certain oxides are heated strongly -- in some cases up to 800 degrees Celsius. The reason why these certain oxides heat strongly is uncertain, but it has been suggested that this ability to absorb microwave energy is related to the defects in the oxide structure. I believe that there will be a measurable correlation between the heating rate and the concentration and type of defects. In particular, I believe it is the n-type defects which cause microwave heating. I have used a microwave oven to heat a number of oxides. It was observed that the samples which heated appreciably were all n-type semiconductors though some n-type semiconductors did not heat appreciably. The defect concentration should be proportional to the electrical conductivity of the powder, and therefore, a reproducible method of measuring oxide conductivity is being developed.

The Flame Retardant Additive in a Flame Retardant Paint

This project will test the flammability of different types of paints. Next, I will put ammonia phosphate (flame retardant additive) in an oil based and latex paint, in varying amounts. Experiments were performed to ascertain which paints were flame retardant, and the percentage of ammonia phosphate required to achieve the effect.

Are You Drinking the Right Orange Juice?

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in various brands of orange juice. In addition, the experiment tests the effect that time (relative to expiration date) and temperature have on the amounts of vitamin C. The experiment is performed by titrating orange juice samples with dichloroindophenol (DCP), an oxidizing agent. The results demonstrate that the well-known brands contain more vitamin C than the store brands. However, all nine samples decreased over the course of six to eight weeks. Heating the samples resulted in an insignificant change in vitamin C content.

The Car Polish Determinant Lab

The purpose of this experiment is to prove that a water repellent made from a polymer-based compound is stronger than one made from carnauba wax. This was studied by coating two different metals, copper and galvanized steel, with each product, and submerging the samples into a 0.1M aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. I have found that the wax is more effective than the polymer-based product when applied to the galvanized steel, but the polymer-based product is more effective than the wax when applied to copper.

Stain Removal: Brand vs. Generic

Detergents are an integral element of human hygiene. They allow for the removal of dirt, sweat, and various other particles present in fabric. This project evaluates the ability of various brand and generic detergents to remove a number of common stains. Citric acid, acetic acid, sodium thiosulfate, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide also demonstrated an ability to remove some of the stains. The results showed a significant difference between brand and generic. A few brands worked notably better than the other detergents.

Buckyballs From Graphite

Because of the recent discovery and research on buckminster fullerenes (buckyballs), I wanted to see if it was possible to synthesize buckyballs and the create the conditions necessary for a high yield in the high school atmosphere. First, I designed an apparatus that could contain a vacuum. A thick gauge steel pipe with end caps insulated from the pipe with rubber was constructed. Spring loaded graphite electrodes in the pipe were aligned. A vacuum was drawn in the inside of the pipe, purged with Helium, and then 200 amps of electricity, supplied by a welding apparatus, was passed through the end caps and the graphite electrodes. However, only partial success has been achieved and more experimentation is necessary. The buckyballs were extracted from the impure buckyballs/graphite mixture using benzene in a soxhlet extraction apparatus A UV spectrometer can be used to observe the characteristic absorption band for the buckyball compound.

Capillary Laser Polarimeter

The goal of this project is to develop a fully-functioning capillary laser polarimeter, to be known henceforth as the CLiP system. This device will be a new type of polarimeter, a device that measures the optical rotation of compounds dissolveed in solutions. If a compound is optically active, it will rotate polarized light when placed in solution. Polarized light oscillates in a specific plane, called the plane of polarization. The amount of rotation depends on the molarity of the solution, the path length of the light, and the identity of the compound. In the past, all polarimeters have required large amounts of solution, large path lengths, and used sodium light. The CLiP system will allow for quick measurement of a compound inside a Pasteur pipette, allowing for volumes as small as 1.0 mL. It will also use high-intensity polarized laser light, which will allow for greater beam coherence and more accurate readings. The CLiP has already generated results for the glucose molecule which have been supported by standard tests. Future applications will include adding a tunable laser to give an optical rotatory dispersion graph. The purpose of this experiment is to prove that a water repellent made from a polymer-based compound is stronger than one made from carnauba wax. This has been studied by coating two different metals (copper and galvanized steel) with each product, and then submerging the metals in a 0.1M sulfuric acid solution in water. I have found that the wax is more effective than the polymer-based product when applied to galvanized steel, but the polymer-based product is more effective than the wax when applied to copper.

Chemiluminescence: The Miracle of Cold Light

In this project I took the reaction of luminol and added different ions to see how the reaction would be affected. The ions had varying effects on the reaction: some shorted it, some lengthened it, some brightened it, some made it duller. Preliminary findings indicate that the most effective ions, the ones that made the reaction brighter and longer lasting, almost all were nitrates. Also, all of the reactions involving those effective ions, except one, had a charge of plus two.

ENGINEERING

AvisPro - A New Dimension in Aircraft Wing Design

Much can be learned from the way birds fly, and we can apply that knowledge in the design of next-generation civilian and military aircraft wings. After a thorough study of the changing wing shapes in the wing beat of a bird, I designed and built a model of an aircraft wing that embodies the six key positions of a real bird wing during the wing beat, and called this wing AvisPro. Using this model, I conducted experiments in a homemade wind tunnel to study the flight characteristics of each position of the AvisPro wing in terms of life and drag. I analyzed the data, and drew conclusions about desired AvisPro wing positions for each phase of a typical flight. Further testing and analysis with a more sophisticated model and better wind tunnel facilities could lead to more accurate information and data. This can be used to enhance wing designs to achieve optimum performance of tomorrow's military and civilian aircraft.

Voice Your Mind

Ordinary people take communication for granted. However, speech impaired persons lack this fundamental ability and therefore require a device to remain in contact with the outside world. We developed a device which improves upon existing methods for controlling a recorded voice. Current technology lacks many features which make it inefficient, including lack of user friendliness and on-site reprogramming. This device will continue where others have left off by adding features such as an accessible push button pad, an easy to alter messaging system, and more customization to the personal needs of the user.

Helioelectric and Thermoacoustic Generators: Novel Faraday Law Devices for Converting Sunlight into Electricity

The purpose of this project was to design, build, and test tow novel devices, a helioelectric generator and a thermoacoustic generator, to convert solar energy into electricity via Faraday's Law. For the helioelectric generator, a rotating device with paddles was built which, when subjected to sunlight, turns and spins a magnet within a coil of wire, thus inducing a voltage in it. Though a power of only a few mW was observed for the helioelectric generator, thousand-fold improvements are readily projected. The thermoacoustic generator first converts solar energy into acoustic energy and then the acoustic waves are converted into electric power. This solar-to-electric device, which is also based upon Faraday's Law, is best understood as a "prime mover," or a thermoacoustic refrigerator run in reverse. Using a modified Knipp tube as a prime mover, the temperature gradient provided by sunlight heating the end of the tube produces acoustic waves. When these acoustic waves impinge on the diaphragm of the nearby speaker, the sinusoidal motion of the speaker diaphragm moves the voice coil with respect to a permanent magnet, thus inducing an AC voltage in it. It is projected that with future increases in efficiency, these two solar-energy power generators could be used as power supplies of alternating current both in outer space and in arid regions, possibly competing successfully with solar cells.

Programmable Automated Transport

The Programmable Automated Transport (PAT) is a small robot designed to deliver items from one part of a building to another. PAT follows a black path from one point to another, guided by an optical sensor on the line and one on either side. The sensors work with an onboard microprocessor, current a Parallax BASIC Stamp II, in order to prevent PAT from straying from its path. In addition, a program capable of finding an efficient route from point to point anywhere along any track whose attributes have been entered into PAT has been developed and will be implemented on PAT in the future. A production model of PAT would also contain a locked, covered tray for carrying items, and a radio receiver, capable of detecting and distinguishing the call of radio pagers housed in each room requiring PAT's services.

An Alternative Plan to Traffic Routing at the Flemington Circle

This study provided a plan for the reconstruction of the Flemington Circle to ensure safety both in the circle and in its vicinity. By studying previous plans and data, a new plan was developed, including an overpass, a traffic light, and additional roadways. The plan for the reconstruction of the intersection would provide for safer and more efficient traffic flow.

Automatic Irrigation System

Conventional watering systems cannot properly water plants. Watering flora with a preset amount of water every preset number of hours is an effective watering method; precious water is wasted by watering plants during times of precipitation, which can deprive plants of the necessary water during times of drought. In addition, the convention watering systems have huge energy requirements that must be met through standard electrical energy sources. An automatic irrigation system is designed to solve these problems. This systems consists of a sensor, a circuit, a microcontroller, a pump, and a solar power source. The sensor, placed in the soil, monitors the moisture levels with analog measurements. The microcontroller periodically receives these readings, converting the analog signal into digital signals. Using a BASIC program, the microcontroller turns the water pump on and off, depending on the moisture levels in the environment. In order to make this device self-sustained and portable even in the most remote places, power is supplied from solar cells.

The Effect of Fluid Dynamics on Turbine Power

A simple model of a dam was built to study the flow of the water. By studying this model, I will be able to build a better one. The question is, "can a better dam, in general, be built?" and "how?" Dams change the natural flow of a river and affect the people and wildlife downstream. First, a simple dam was constructed and will be improved into a better one. The smaller model is a lower scaled version of how the better model will show the different flows and forces of the water. Both will be studied to show and demonstrate those procedures.

An Electronic Microbalance with Laser Null Point

I used a laser and the coil and needle assembly taken from a large voltmeter to construct an electronic microbalance. The needle becomes the balance arm, with a pan at the end of it. When voltage is applied to the coil, the needle and pan are lifted. The force is proportional to the voltage. The balance point is defined as the needle's angle as it just moves outof the laser beam path. Thus, the descending voltage is measured here and the point is translated into a weight in the microgram calibration.

Using a Hall-Effect Probe as a Photoacoustic Detector

The Hall effect is observed when a conductor carrying an electric current is placed in a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the current. My experiment involves using a Hall Effect Transducer, which is a device which senses micromotions of magnets, to measure the vapor pressure of a liquid. It is the pressure exerted by the gas when it is in equilibrium with the liquid state. The vapor pressure is obtained when a liquid is introduced into an evacuated vessel and evaporation occurs until the pressure of the vapor reaches a definite maximum value. When the pressure increases, it raises the air pressure in the closed system, which in turn moves the magnet closer to the HET and increases the voltage. The initial and final HET signals are then subtracted and the difference is compared to a calibration curve to get the vapor pressure of the substance.

A Thermostat Based upon a Liquid-Crystal Transition

I have studied the oscillations in the reflected intensity which occur when a laser illuminates a liquid crystal film in the temperature range where its color is temperature sensitive. I obtained a liquid crystal sandwich and pressed a piece of nichrome wire next to it in a mount so that I could heat it with a power supply. I reflected a laser off of it, and directed the reflection onto a solar cell through a red filter. Temporal traces of the solar cell output revealed an oscillation. I have studied this oscillation, and have considered what possible uses it could have.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Mangroves

My project is building an anaerobic marsh. A marsh is a wetland and it is very uncommon to find any trees or plants in one. The type of marsh I'm building contains a limited amount of oxygen. In building this marsh, I will see the bacteria that form and grow and somehow survive. In one of the cylinders used to grow the marsh, I put eggs, sand, and water, and in the other I put eggs, sand, and vegetable oil. This gave information on how the two types of liquid affect the marsh.

The Effect of Electromagnetic Fields on Algae

Ereomosphaera, a freshwater algae, was placed in test tubes surrounded by copper wire coils, with various currents through the coils. The control was a set of testtubes with no coil. Droplet specimens were taken daily for seven days and population estimates were recorded. Data suggests that increased electric current caused a decline in population growth as compared to the control.

An Evaluation Of The Denitrification Rate In Soil

The increased production and use of fertilizers over the years has caused the concentration of nitrous oxide to steadily increase at an alarming rate of approximately 0.3% each year, from the start of the Industrial Revolution to present day times. The goal of my project is to investigate, with use of a direct method, the amount of nitrous oxide and atmospheric nitrogen emitted during the denitrification of calcium nitrate labelled with the low natural-abundance stable isotope Nitrogen-15, in soil. The experiment was carried out on grey forest soil at both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, with use of artificial atmospheres. During the experiment, the gas composition (oxygen, carbon dioxide, atmospheric nitrogen, and nitrous oxide) of the head space of the flasks containing the artificial atmosphere and either the amended or unamended soil was analyzed with use of a gas chromatograph. The isotope ratio of N-14 to N-15 denitrogen gas was determined on an emission spectometer. Results show that denitrification occurred at both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, though it was much less pronounced in aerobic conditions. The major gas product of denitrification was found to be nitrous oxide at both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The estimated fertilizer-derived nitrogenous gases emissions over the entire period of incubation were 2.3% and 19.3% of labelled nitrate at aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively.

Oil Gellation By A Superabsorbent Polymer

The purpose of my research was to test the ability of a superabsorbent polymer to gel hydrocarbon. As a gel, the transportation of the hydrocarbon may be safer, and the cleanup of a spill may be easier. In this project, I tested partially neutralized, lightly crosslinked polyacrylic acid, from Hoechst Celanese, on gasoline because of the water absorbing properties of the polymer. By itself, the polymer does not gel the gasoline. However, as water is added, gels of different viscosity and absorption are formed. The data shows that the ability of the polymer to gel gasoline increases with the amount of water added.

Use of Microbial Mats in Removing Water Contaminants (two years)

Certain microorganisms, such as blue-green algae (\fIOscillatoria sp\fP), have the ability to bind harmful metals in water. Microbial mats can be constructed from algae and silage grass to be used as an efficient remediation technique, which can be applied to sequester lead contaminants in water. Two tanks were set up to simulate actual pond-like conditions. The microbial mats were added to the experimental tank along with a solution of lead nitrate at 100\ mg/l. Samples were collected daily for 14\ d. An atomic absorption spectrometer was used to analyze samples for the presence of lead. Data suggess that the microbial mats were efficient in removing water pollutants from the contaminated ecosystem. Tests of statistical analysis were performed to verify the significance of the data.

The Effects of Trichloroethylene on the Growth of Phaseolus Limensis and Poa Pratensis

The problem in this project is to determine whether trichloroethylene has an effect on the growth of phaseolus limensis and poa pratensis. The hypothesis is that the two control groups of 15 phaseolus limensis and poa pratensis would be healthier than the two experimental groups, of seventy plants each, exposed to trichloroethylene. The chemical chosen to carry out this experiment is a known toxin.

Live Sand Thickness in Relation to Nitrate Reduction

The proper maintenance of a marine aquarium involves the regulation of several parameters. These include ammonia (NH$"" sub 4$), nitrite (NO$"" sub 2$), pH, specific gravity, temperature, and nitrate (NO$"" sub 3$). It is the latter parameter which this experiment focuses on. Nitrate is the end product in the biological cycle which takes place in the tank. Ammonia is converted to nitrite, and then nitrite is finally converted to nitrate. In time, nitrate begins to build up in the marine aquarium and the aquarist is faced with the fask of bringing the nitrate down to manageable levels. In the past decade, a process called the Natural Nitrate Reduction system has been established. It involves the use of live sand which contains microbes that break down nitrate to serve as a method to keep it under control. Once fully established, this process is self-sufficient and requires no intervention from the aquarist. During recent times, the amount of live sand that should be used has been the topic of debate among aquarists. Some claim that only a one inch layer of sand is required, while others claim that layers should be as much as 7 inches thick. I have tested which substrate thickness is the most effective by establishing three tanks with one, three, and five inch live sand layers, respectively. Each tank has the same amount of nitrate to start off with. The result demonstrate conclusively (chi square confidence level of 99%) that a five inch live sand layer is most effective at reducing nitrates.

The Effect of Ultraviolet Radiation on Bush Beans

Eighty bean plants were divided into four equal groups. Three groups of twenty were subjected to five, ten, and fifteen minutes of ultraviolet radiation respectively, for two weeks. One group of twenty received no radiation and served as a control. Results show that the experimental plants were inferior in height as well as mass. The plants exposed to uv had dried and withered brown leaves compared to the green and healthy-looking leaves of the control. Data suggest that increased exposure time to uv radiation adversely affects bean growth.

MICROBIOLOGY

Disinfectant Induced Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Mutants: A 4 Year Study

This original research previously confirmed that disinfectants were "inducing" bacterial mutants that were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Most high level resistances involved gram negative bacteria, therefore extensive testing was conducted on Escherichia coli mutants and wild type bacteria. Since MAR (Multiple Antibiotic Resistants) mutants "induced" by low levels of chloramphenical and tetracycline shared similar resistances to some of the same antibiotics as disinfectnat "induced" multiple antibiotic resistant bacterial mutants (DIMARB Mutants), it was hypothesized that the MAR locus at 34' on the Escherichia coli chromosome map was involved in antibiotic resistance of disinfectant "induced" bacterial mutants. polyacrylimide electrophoresis gels showed similar protein profiles between the MAR and DIMARB mutants. A P1 bacteriophage carrying a Tn5 transposon conferring kanamycin resistance by way of transduction interrupted the linear nucleotide sequence of the MAR A gene and inactivated the gene. Mutants acquired susceptibility both to disinfectants and to antibiotics and expressed similar wild type bacteria zones of inhibition measured after 24 h. All kanamycin resistances in phage treated samples increased as expected. These results confirmed that the MAR locus was responsible for DIMARB mutants. Additional P1 transductions using a cloned kanamycin gene reconfirmed these findings. DNA gels using oligonucleotide primers were used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of MAR operon in both the wild type and the disinfectant "induced" mutants. These tests further confirmed that the MAR locus was directly responsible for DIMARB Mutants. The possibility of these organisms combining their DNA with other bacteria and forming even higher level resistances to unrelated compounds that no agent will be able to stop, pose a major global health risk.

The Greater the Fat Content the Greater the Spoilage Rate

The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether the amount of fat in milk affects its rate of spoilage. I hypothesize that a larger fat content will increase the spoilage rate. While sampling skim, whole, and 1% milk, I found that whole milk produced the largest amount of bacteria, while skim milk gave the smallest, allowing one to accurately state that fat in milk does indeed encourage bacteria growth and lead to a quicker spoilage rate.

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Penicillum's Ability to Inhibit Bacteria

Five groups of 24 petri dishes were innoculated with penicillium. Groups 1-4 were subjected to 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes of ultraviolet radiation. Group 5 received no ultraviolet radiation, and served as a control. Each group was then innoculated with \fIE. coli\fP. Petri dishes were checked to determine whether the uv radiation altered in any way the penicillium's ability to inhibit the growth of \fIE. coli\fP.

Increasing the Immunity of E. coli to the Antibiotic Ampicillin

The purpose of this experiment was to induce the immunity of the bacterium Escherichia coli through natural selection to an antibiotic, ampicillin, to which it is normally sensitive. We first showed that E. coli will die if cultured with a 10% solution of ampicillin. Then, beginning with a 1ml per 10l solution of ampicillin, we cultured the bacteria with progressively stronger solutions until the original 10% solution was reached. To prevent contamination, we used ethanol and a variety of powerful disinfectants with the glassware. A Gram stain and microscopic examination was conducted twice a week to ensure that the Petri dishes were not contaminated. Though many bacteria died initially, those that were always naturally immune to the antibiotic due to genetic mutations survived. These continued to live under the harsh environment and were ultimately immune to the 10% solution. The results of this experiment appeared to have affirmed the process of natural selection and the ability of bacteria to adapt quickly and effectively to a changing environment, stressing the necessity of finding more effective antibiotics and different methods to combat bacteria.

MATHEMATICS and COMPUTER SCIENCE

Patterns in Infinite Rectangular Arrays

In 1645, Blaise Pascal constructed his famous triangle array, having no idea that he was unlocking a treasure trove of mathematical possibilities. In 1997, this researcher utilized a rectangular array to display patterns in a manner similar to those used by mathematicians working with Pascal's triangular array. Using the transformation rules x mod y and (x mod y) mod 2, various slope patterns were discovered within the array. These patterns are related to the value of each location on the graph, the mod 2 value of the location, and the ordinal number sequencing of the graph. Through the use of graph and color theory, the findings have been plotted and analyzed for possible mathematic applications. This work holds promise for future research involving other modulo transformation rules.

Locating Extrema Without Differential Calculus

I have established a method for locating extrema of a certain set of mathematical functions which eliminates the need to differentiate the function itself. Maintaining a generalized form of the solutions to the condition $f prime (x) = 0$ allows one to create a generalized form for the coordinates at the extrema. For the set of functions studied, $f ( x ) = a n sup x + b x sup {n - 1} = c$, the generalized expression is $x sub extremum = - b ( n - 1 ) / a n$. Application of my simplifying method, then, involves application of this generalized expression, rather than solving the differential calculus extremum conditions for every instance.

Bracing Structures: Rigid Section Theory and Application in $R sup 2$

The bracing problem is the problem of hod to add edges, or "braces," to a graph made with edges of fixed length that can rotate about their vertices such that the entire graph is structurally rigid. This problem is important to architects who want to make their buildings, bridges, and other structures more stable in the event of joint failure; therefore, it is preferable to use fewer braces because it results in lower costs. Previously there were two schools of thought on the bracing problem. One was limited to simple structures and the other resulted in a combinatorial time algorithm. My algorithm, however, runs in linear time and is valid for any structure in R2. Using Laman's theory (1970) and my own Rigid Section Theory, my algorithm will brace any two dimensional structure by breaking it up into subsections based on the number of paths between the vertices in these sections, bracing those sections internally, and then bracing those structures to the others. This year, I have made a number of new discoveries in Rigid Section Theory, and have applied these ideas to a structure which I call the antipolygon, the focus of my new bracing algorithm. This has given me the opportunity to simplify my algorithm dramatically, as well as to expand it to include structures in R2 that contain unconnected points. I have also derived a proof of the algorithm's minimality by using Laman's theorem, Euler's formula, and Rigid Section Theory.

An Alternate Keyboard

Alternate keyboards are designed specially for people with physical challenges who are unable to use a standard keyboard for data entry and other computer functions. HandiKeys simplifies the data entry process by creating a virtual keypad on the computer screen for these users. The virtual keypad is controlled simply with a rotary dial and a push button, requiring minimal hand and finger movement to operate. HandiKeys is a significant improvement over the alternate keyboards currently in the marketplace, as it eliminates the need for the user to look from the keyboard to the monitor, and requires only finger movement to operate. The program also allows for multiple input methods that can be customized to individual needs.

3D Animation

My project is to make a computer animation. I have used the program \fIAnimation Master\fP. I also used the help of my big brother Nicholas. He showed me the basics of the program and how to use it. I made four animations. The animations I have done are called Mary1 and Mary2. I found it slightly difficult to write the choreography, but with the help of my brother I got them done.

MEDICINE and HEALTH

The Effects of Three Aspirin Preparations in the Gastrointestines

Regular aspirin, whether for therapeutic or occasional pain relief, can cause gastric mucosal damage. Aspirin induces bleeding and gastrointestinal discomfort with or without the presence or pre-existence of gastrointestinal disease. Through the analysis and evaluation of previous studies and laboratory endoscopy, the results shall present that enteric coated aspirin and placebo will cause significantly less destruction than plain or buffered aspirin.

The Effect of Garlic Juice on HL-60 Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cells

Garlic is known to have antibacterial and antitumor effects. To explore the mechanism behind this activity, juice was extracted from fresh garlic cloves and the effects of different concentrations of garlic juice were observed on HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Highly concentrated garlic juice lyses and inhibits the growth of the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells \fIin vitro\fP. Results obtained using cell culture and microscopic techniques and other biochemical approaches suggest that garlic alters the cellular membrane of the HL-60 cells, thereby decreasing the growth of the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Antibiotic Residue in Milk

The purpose of this experiment is to test milk for tetracycline residues. This antibiotic is an aid in the treatment of mastisis. The screening procedure that I used was the microbially-based inhibition assay. To determine the presence of tetracycline, I inspected gels for a clear zone of inhibition after incubation.

Environmental Conditions and their Effects on Allergic Reactions in Pediatric Patients

This study attempted to survey pediatric patients to determine whether exposure to allergens increases allergic symptoms in conjunction with weather conditions. Patients at the Somerset Pediatric Group, in Bridgewater, NJ, were surveyed from July to September, 1996. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, and pollen counts were recorded daily. Results showed that specific weather conditions did exist at times when pediatric patients complained of the highest number of symptoms. It was concluded that environmental conditions do increase severity of allergic reactions in pediatric patients.

Where does Melanoma Start? - Melanoma Development in Transgenic Mice

I made slides of tissue from transgenic mice that were injected with melanoma before they were born. After the slides were dried overnight, they were observed under a micrscope to check for signs of melanoma.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE and PHYSICS

The Box

My project is for the Hexagon Havoc competition. Hexagon Havoc is a contest where a group of students build a robot and put it in a hexagon shaped ring to put inner tubes on holders that are in the center of the ring. You compete with two other groups of students, and whoever scores the most points wins. Now my project is to build a box to store the robot in for the competition. This will require engineering planning. Engineering planning is what goes into building something from words on a piece of paper to a finished product. Brainstorming, sketching out ideas, building prototypes, and then the finished product is what goes into engineering planning.

The Implication of a Single-Mode Fiber in the Schlieren Setup

The Schlieren method is a powerful technique to view changes in air density caused by temperature, air flow, and sound. To enhance images produced by the Schlieren setup, Thomas Raia used a laser light dispersed by a multimode optical fiber as a light source. In recreating his setup, a speckle pattern is produced in the background which interferes and blurs the image. Modal dispersion of the multimode fiber causes the distortion of the image. In a multimode fiber, many modes travel through the fiber in different orientations. The final image produced is the blending of images created by all the modes. To eliminate the speckle pattern, a single-mode fiber could be used. One mode travels through this fiber; a true and pure irradiance pattern would be seen rather than a blend of numerous images. Using a laser light dispersed by a single-mode optical fiber in the Schlieren setup, sharper, clearer Schlieren images are in fact produced with no speckles in the background.

The Performance of Forward-Swept Yacht Keels

This project compares the efficiency of forward swept keels with the more conventional straight and aft swept configurations on a sailing hull model. Such a forward-swept configuration was inspired largely by the successful test flights of the X-29 experimental aircraft, which showed marked improvements in the life:drag ratio and handling capabilities. Thus, the purpose of this project is to see whether a forward swept fin keel would provide similar performance benefits on a sailing yacht. The project involved fitting a series of fin keels to the bottom of a scale model wooden hull, and putting the setup through a series of test runs down the length of the Davidson Laboratory towing tank, with varying heel and leeway angles. Using the standard Davidson yacht dynamometer, the different forces acting on the hull were measured, namely the drag, sideforce, and the yaw moment. Data analysis of the proportional relationship between the drag and the square of the sideforce provided a means of determining the efficiencies of each keel relative to the others. This data analysis showed that forward swept keels are actually not as efficient as their conventional counterparts. The drag vs. sideforce square ratio for the forward keel was markedly less favorable than the straight and aft-swept keels.

Distance a Ball Travels Related to Bat Design

Baseball bats, traditionally made of wood, are now made from a wide variety of materials, in various sizes and shapes. This investigation tested the variables of material, mass, and point of impact to determine what bat features have the greatest influence on hitting a baseball. Results showed that factors often thought to have a big influence on the quality of the hit are less significant than we thought.

The Effects of Pressure on Total Internal Reflection: A Two Year Study

Integrated optics replaces complicated discrete optical systems with a single chip that contains all the necessary optical devices for light generation, modulation, processing, and detection. This concept, along with attenuated total internal reflection can be used to create a self-contained pressure sensing device. Total internal reflection (TIR) is created when light is incident on a surface at an angle greater than the critical angle. The reflected light does not actually reflect off the surface at the interface, but penetrates into the second medium, above the surface, and returns back into the first medium. The reflection can therefore be attenuated by placing a light absorbent material on the area where the light penetrates. As the absorbent material comes closer to the surface, more light is absorbed. Applying force to the light absorbent materials brings the two media closer together. In order to create this device, a laser diode was embedded into an acrylic casting. The casting was created using a wax mold made on a milling machine. The shape of the mold was a hexagonal prism. Its design allowed for the light to reflect off a surface that was perpendicular to the direction of the applied force. The device was calibrated by applying force to a light absorbent material at the point of TIR, and measuring the applied force and the intensity of the reflected beam. It was found that the relationship between force and intensity is an exponential one. From this relation, and the known relation between intensity and distance between the light absorbent material and the reflecting surface, we determined the relation between force and distance. Because the laser failed while inside the casting, the device could not be completed and alternatives were found. These included a device that integrated an LED and an air lens that could be used to columnate the beam.

Pitches and Their Effectiveness in Major League Baseball

As major league baseball has progressed, so has the variety, speed, and style of pitching. This sutdy shows the efficiency and effectiveness of the variety of pitches in the major leagues. The data was collected from he 1996 World Series games between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees proved that their unusual pitches were most effective, while the Braves used what had worked in the past: their fastball. Overall, in both teams, the breaking ball showed the best results.

The Effects of Rotation, Velocity, and Air Currents on the Path of a Baseball

This study examined the effects of velocity, directionof and speed of rotation, and air current on the path of a baseball at a constant disdtance of 60 feet. Experiments were done both inside a warehouse and outside to see if the wind had an effect on the path of the ball at that disdtance. Also, each set of throws done had a different rotation than the one before it. The wind seemed to have no effect on the ball at that distance, and the ball seemed to move in the direction that it was spinning, increasing in break with the increase of velocity. Thus, the baseball will break in the direction in which it is spinning, and it will increase in break with increasing ball velocity.

Mechanical Models for Molecular Vibrations

Standing wave resonances in metal plates cut to geometric shapes are readily observed by sprinkling sand on the vibrating plates (Chladni, 1756-1827). I have cut such plates in the shapes of simple planar molecules and determined the standing wave resonances of the plates using Chladni's method. The vibrations are driven by a vibrator attached at the geometric center of the plate. When the drive frequency coincides with a pure vibrational mode of the plate, the sand sprinkled on it will collect in a stationary pattern at the nodes of the standing wave in the plate. Thus, by observing these patterns as the frequency is scanned it is possible not only to observe the vibrational modes directly, but also to determine the exact resonant frequency for each one. In this way, I have determined patterns of out-of-plane frequencies in methyl radical, ethylene, and all of their deuterated isotopomers, observing close correspondence with the frequency patterns reported in the molecular IR spectra. In a second method, the vibrating molecular plate has a small magnet at each of the nuclear centers. Mounted above these magnets are Hall Effect Transducers (HET's). Signals from the HET's reveal both the amplitudes of each atom's vibration in the overall molecular pattern and also the relative phases of those motions. Using this method, the out-of-plane vibrational frequencies of the allyl radical are predicted.

A Study of Comet Trails as Determined from Meteor Showers

This study examined the characterisdtics of meteor showers to determine the density and size of comet trails. Observatjions were made approximately three days before to three days after the peak of meteor showers to determine the activity. The number and general brightness or magnitude of the meteors were recorded. Major showers, the Leonids, the Orionids, and the Quadrantids were observed. The width of the meteor band was determined by multiplying the estimated length of the shower in hours by the rate at which the Earth moves. Peak density was determined by looking at the largest number of meteors observed in each shower. Results indicated that the width, density, and composition of comet trails are measurable based on meteor observations.

A Laser Study of the Vibrational Nodes of a Vibrating Plate

While investigating the various tones of music, Earnest Chladni (18th century) performed an experiment showing the effects of harmonic vibrations in a plate. Spreading fine sand on a metal plate and setting it into vibration with a violin bow he noticed that the reflected saves of the bow became superimposed on the new waves coming from the bow's edge. If the reflected and incoming waves interfere with each other constructively, then a standing wave is created. At the nodes of this standing wave, where the plate is not moving, the sand begins to collect, resulting in a symmetrical pattern. My project involves creating an apparatus which enables to detect and visualize vibrational patterns at any point on a Chladni plate which is being vibrated at its natural resonance. By using the results of my experiments, I also intend to explain the amplitude changes which occur while the plate is being vibrated.

Solar Telescope Implementing Planoconcave Lens as Objective Mirror

Schools cannot conduct astronomical research without some difficulty because classes are held during the daytime, when the night sky is invisible to them. On the other hand, the solar disk holds limitless fascinating phenomena. The purpose of this project is to mount a planoconcave lens as the objective mirror of a solar telescope. By using an unsilvered glass surface as a mirror, some light is attenuated. A reflection from the firs6t surface of a prism brings the intensity of the light to a safer level. This telescope provides an inexpensive telescope specially adapted to a school's needs.

A Visual Demonstration of Optical Rotatory Dispersion

As plane polarized white light passes through an optically active solution, the plane of polarization of the component frequencies will rotate at different rates, which are proportional to the wavelength of the light. If the optically active solution is also weakly scattering in the Rayleigh sense, then preferential scattering occurs in a direction perpendicular to both the E-vector of the light and the propagation direction. I intend to use these two phenomena simultaneously in order to make visible the spiral nature of the rotation of monochromatic laser light and the color separation of white light as it propagates down a tube filled with an optically active material (corn syrup, a solution of acetic acid and quinine hemisulfate, or sucrose) and a scattering material (milk or latex spheres). Various ratios of scattering material to optically active material must be tested in order to find the ratio that optimizes the visualization. In addition, a lock-in amplifier that recognizes signals from a chopped light source will be used to produce graphs of light intensity versus position for various frequencies of light in order to establish certain quantitative relationships.

WATER POLLUTION

Soil Content and Water Purity

Due to the fact that Canada is one of the largest suppliers of peat moss and bottled water, I wanted to do a study comparing water quality and organic content in soil. I have constructed nine water percolation filters, each containing a different concentration of sand and peat moss. Throw each filter I ran water samples containing a known concentration of algae. Then the algae concentration was measured after each run. I found that organic soil changed the filtering properties of sand filters. When added to a sand filter, organic soil increases the filtering properties of the sand. However, I also found that when the organic content became too high, the filtering efficiency decreased. My research leads me to believe that regions containing organic soil constituents will have purer water.

Water Quality Of The Passaic River

The prupose of my research is to determine the quality of the Passaic River as it flows through the Bernards Township area. Evaluating the levels of dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, nitrates, and phosphates, I concluded that the segment of the river that has the best quality water is the Hardscrabble site, where the river initially begins its course. With high dissolved oxygen levels (ranging from 10.8 to 13.4) this site provides an oxygenated environment that is conducive to organism productivity. Furthermore, testings at the Hardscrabble site indicated a fairly constant pH level, as well as moderate phosphate and nitrate levels. However, other sites further downstream, which suffer the effects of run-off from both lawns and roads, contained less dissolved oxygen (ranging from 8.6 to 11.8) and fluctuating pH and nitrate levels. Of these sites, the more stagnant segments of the river illustrated the least productive environment.

Lead Phytoextraction From Lead Contaminated Soils Using Mustard Plants

Nine mustard plants were planted in lead contaminated soils with a lead concentration of 35 mg Pb per kg of soil. Plant samples obtained were tested for lead content using mass spectrometry. Experimental data obtained were compared to the control of mustard plants in normal soil medium, and t-test analysis was used to test for significance of results.

Investigating the Causes of the Accelerated Eutrophication of Lake Parsippany

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous accelerate the eutrophication of lakes. In this project, these nutrient concentrations were quantified over a four month period from four Morris County lakes similar in physical characteristics. Overall, Lake Parsippany had the highest concentrations of nitrates and phosphates. This indicates that more pollutants enter this lake from its surrounding area. Therefore, Lake Parsippany will have the most algae growth when ideal conditions, such as sunlight and warmth, are present. Methods of reducing the amount of nutrients entering the lake as well as treatment concepts were investigated.

The Amelioration of Acid Mine Drainage By An Electrochemical Method

Acid mine drainage results from bacterially catalyzed oxidation of sulfide-rich mining wastes. The metal-rich acidic water poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems occurring near operating and abandoned mining operations. Acid mine drainage can be effectively ameliorated using an electrochemical method by increasing pH to an acceptable level for aquatic organisms and removing large amounts of metal contaminants. Two experimentals were created with the electrochemical cell setup. One electrochemical setup consisted of a block of sulfide-pyrite rock as the cathode, acidic leachate as the electrolyte, and scrap Fe as the sacrificial anode, while the other used Zn as the sacrificial anode. The electrochemical cell setup was submerged in 5 liters of acidic leachate solution with copper wiring connecting the anode to the cathode. The acidic leachate solution consisted of a low concentration of hydrochloric acid (used to achieve a pH of 3.0), 10 mg of Al, and 5 mg Mn per liter. The experimentals were purged with nitrogen gas to inhibit the formation of oxide coatings on the surface of the anodes. The sulfide-pyrite block submersed in the acidic leachate solution with no electrochemical setup acted as the control. Results indicate that the zinc anode electrochemical setup was effective in increasing pH from 3.0 to 5.2 over 14 days. The iron anode electrochemical setup was effective in increasing pH from 3.0 to 4.7 over 14 days. Water samples have not yet been analyzed.

Salt Fingers: The Ocean's Effective Vertical Mixing Mechanism

To create salt fingers in a controlled environment requires many careful procedures. Layers have to made so that the bottom water is lighter but still denser than the top water. After this is achieved, a days wait is all that separates one from layered water to double diffusion phenomena. A red indicator is placed after the fingers form to indicate the presence of the fingers, since they can be hard to see. If the densities are set up correctly, and the temperatures of the water are just right, the red indicator should rise and fall where the salt fingers are, and should not spread out through the entire tank at once. After experimenting, conclusive results were obtained. In a control tank, filled with just salt water of one density, the red indicator spread throughout the tank, and did not form any finger-like flow patterns. However, in the tank where the water was of different densities and temperatures, the fingers were formed, and the red indicator rose and fell with a distinct finger-like pattern.

The Effect of Acid Precipitation on the Photosynthetic Process of Brassia juncea

Spinach seeds were grown in two groups, each containing 50 plants. The leaves of each experimental group were sprayed with solutions with pH levels ranging from 3 to 6. The control was sprayed with a pH solution at 6.5. Photosynthetic ability of the chloroplast extract from each group was determined using a spectrophotometer. The treatment was observed to affect the photosynthetic ability of the plant.

The Reduction of Lead in Water by Unionidae musculus

The purpose of this experiment is to test the hypothesis that Unionidae musculus (freshwater mussels) are capable of reducing the amount of lead in water because of their filter feeding system. Six one gallon plastic bowls were needed to carry out the experiment. Lead nitrate was evenly distributed among the bowls, in the amount of 0.75\ g. Freshwater mussles were placed in the experimental tanks. A half dozen mussles were placed in two of the experimental tanks. The tanks were tested every two weeks, and the results were carefully recorded. If the mussels are found capable of reducing the amount of lead, then an effective and inexpensive solution might exist for removing other contaminants found in our water.

ZOOLOGY

The Territorial Range of Cambarus virilis, the Common Crayfish, in Peters Brook in Somerville, NJ

This study attempted to determine whether \fICambarus virilis\fP, the common crayfish, has a territorial range in Peter's Brook in Somerville, NJ. Five sites were marked off and crayfish were caught, marked, released, and recaught over a period of 4 weeks to determine whether they had moved upstream or down. It was found that crayfish continually moved into different sites. Crayfish feed on snails, small fish, tadpoles, and the young of insects, so remaining the the same location for long periods would not satisfy food requirements. Therefore, crayfish appear to establish a territorial range in which they can obtain food. However, this study was not able to establish the extent of those territories.

Ginseng: Annelid Stress Reliever

In the past decade, Ginseng has generated increased interest from the health-conscious, the media, and the merely curious. The general public often fails to recognize that there exist many varieties of this root with substantially varied claims. The purpose of this experiment was to measure the effects of \fIPanax quinquefolius\fP Ginseng on \fILumbriculus variegatus\fP, a transparent annelid. This type of Ginseng is the North American variety, which scientists of oriental medicine believe has "yin" or relaxing effects. \fILumbriculus variegatus\fP were submerged in the chambers of parafilm slides, and the pulse rate was counted using a 20x stereoscopic microscope. The effects of distilled water and two concentrations of Ginseng solution (100 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml) on the pulsation rate in many of these annelids were recorded and compared. Statistical analysis of this data, based on rejection of the null hypothesis with a signicance of 99% confidence, proved that the Ginseng did reduce the pulse rate of \fILumbriculus variegatus\fP.

The Changes in the Surface Population of Single-Celled Organisms Related to Temperature in the Fox Chase Pond, Belle Mead, NJ.

The ecosystem of a pond shows a distinct relationship between organisms and outside variables. The main biological variable that affects the populations of these organisms is temperature. This project examined the Fox Chase Pond in Central New Jersey. Three sites were examined weekly from the late summer through fall. The total numbers of unicellular organisms, algae, and bacteria were counted. The seasonal decrease in temperature preceded a decrease in the populations of the unicellular organisms. The results paralleled those of Legner and Bick (1973). it was concluded that in the Fox Chase Pond the larger organisms fed on the unicellular organisms and this occurred as the temperature decreased. However, further study is necessary to substantiate this conclusion.

Dietary Preference of New Jersey Songbirds

This study examined the dietary preference of the local song birds of Branchburg, New Jersey, with the influence of temperature and precipitation. The birds that ate at the five bird feeders with five different commercial birdseeds (cracked corn, millet, sunflower hearts, sunflower stripes, and thistle) were observed for one hour every Sunday in December and January around 2:00 p.m. The temperature and precipitation were also recorded to determine whether they influenced fluctuations in the numbers of birds observed eating different bird seeds. Most species of bird ate sunflower hearts and the fewest ate millet. Low temperatures and snow covered grounds caused birds to eat commercial bird seed because of lack of food elsewhere, while in warmer temperatures other food sources were available. The time of year and migration patterns affected the number of birds and their eating habits. This study has shown the types of birds that prefer certain types of bird seed but further studies are needed.

The Effect of Caffiene on the Development of Tenebrio moliter

Three groups of mealworms, each containing 15 worms, were used to study the effects of caffeine. Two groups wer eplaced in containers with different amounts of caffeine. One group received none. The purpose of this experiment was to observe and record the effects of caffeine on the development and survival of mealworms. My hypothesis was that the amount of food intake and the rate of reproduction would decrease, as they are under the influence of caffeine.

Effects of Steroid Hormones on EOD Waveforms of Malapterurus electricus

Weakly discharging electric fish are though to use their electric organ discharges (EOD) for communication of sexual identity, because steroid hormones affect the shape of the EOD (Landsman, 1995). In contrast, strongly discharging electric fish use their EOD for predation and defense (Bennett, 1970). Similarities in electric systems of strong and weakly discharging species suggest that a communication function may also exist for the EOD in adult strongly discharging electric fish. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether steroid hormones would lead to a change in the shape of the EOD in the adult strongly discharging catfish, \fIMalapterurus electricus\fR. If steroid hormones alter the EOD of this fish, it can be concluded that sexual identification can be communicated via the strong EOD.