Abstracts 2011 - Framingham State University

43 rd Annual Framingham State College
Biology Student Research Conference
Friday - December 9, 2011

The Thornton Award is given each year
in memory of Shaun Thornton, a biology
major who died in a motorcycle accident
in 1993, several days after receiving the
award for the best presentation at the
24 th Annual Framingham State College
Biology Student Research Conference.
The award is given to the presenter(s) of
the best oral and/or poster of their
research.
The Thornton Award Winners:
1993 Jason Fitzpatrick
1994 Diane Caunt
1995 Amy Donoghue
and Terry O’Connell
1996 Gianna Troiano
1997 Jim Uthoff (oral)
James Griffin (poster)
1998 Julie Ploof
1999 Scott Andrea
2000 Mark Cooperman (oral)
Deidre Osborne (poster)
2001 Virginia Rainville
2002 Azra Ahmed
2003 Scott Alconada
2004 Anita Lovely
2005 Heather Paquin
2006 Jeane Webster
2007 Jennifer Bertolasio
2008 Carol Furnari
2009 Andrew Grassetti
2010 Edwin Castillo

Framingham State University
43 rd Biology Student Research
Conference
Hemenway Hall - Room HH-G36
December 9, 2011
12:30 Welcome
12:45
Efficacy of a polysaccharide vaccine to protect against Staphylococcus
pseudintermedius in a mouse model of canine hotspots. Chris Walla
1:00
Biochemical effects of alternative preservation techniques on diced tomatoes.
Nicholas De Souza - Thornton Memorial Award, Honorable Mention
1:15
Nestmate recognition in the mating context for Polistes dominulus paper wasps.
Jessica Wells
1:30
Efficacy of Heat-Killed Bacterin Vaccine against Staphylococcus
pseudintermedius in a mouse model of Canine Pyoderma. Marice Tang
1:45
Parasitism of imported Green Tree Pythons (Morelia viridis) and Scrub Pythons
(Morelia amethistina). Krysten Dufort
2:00
Variation in Ossification Sequence of Cranial Bones in Hyla chrysoscelis.
Brian Dagley
2:15
The Effect of Stanozolol on Spatial Learning and Reproductive Structures in Male
Rats. Eli Wolff
2:30
The effects of salinity on the metamorphosis of Botrylloides violaceus larvae.
Joanne Connolly
Efficacy of a Heat-Killed Cell Vaccine to Provide Protection Against
2:45 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Pyoderma in a Mouse Model of Canine
Hotspots. Ashley Covel

3:00 Ethinylestradiol Effects on Xenopus laevis Metamorphosis. Kathleen Barry
3:15
Resveratrol’s influence on cell proliferation and apoptosis following DNA damage.
Samantha Goodwin
3:30 Break
3:45
Changes in Diel Patterns of Birdsong in Response to Increased Urban Noise.
Cayla Allar
4:00
Larval Substrate Preference by the Invasive Tunicate Botrylloides violaceus.
Jaqueline Taravella
4:15
Determination of Resveratrol’s Effects on Expression of Sirtuin Responsive
Genes. Katerina Tylicki - Thornton Memorial Award
4:30
Development and Malformations of the Vertebral Column of Hyla chrysoscelis.
Jennifer Melgar
Heating and Cooling Rates of the Red – Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta
4:45 elegans) in Response to Controlled Changes in Ambient Temperature.
Ryan Tibbert
5:00 Heating and cooling rate of Morelia amethistina. Billion Ao
5:15
Possible secondary functions of wing-spreading in Double-crested cormorants
(Phalacrocorax auritus). Kristen DeMoranville
5:30
Facial pattern as an indicator of body size and emergence date in Polistes
dominulus paper wasps. Meray Rasla
5:45
Biochemical Properties of Diced Tomatoes after Microwave Processing and
Storage. Paul Tieri
6:00
Effect of Resveratrol on Expression of Estrogen Responsive Proto-Oncogenes.
Sarah Ferguson
Temperature for Tun Formation in Hypsibius sp. Tardigrades.
6:15 Peter B. Tobin - Thornton Memorial Award, Honorable Mention
6:30 Photo Session … Meanwhile, Judges Convene
7:30 Biology Research Conference Banquet
La Cantina Restaurant - Framingham
Presentation of The Thornton Award

Welcome to the 43 rd Annual Framingham State College Biology Student Research
Conference. Each year our students present the results of their independent
research at this conference. These presentations represent the culmination of a year
of hard work. Through this first-hand research experience, our students come to
understand the scientific process and appreciate the complexity and diversity of
biological systems.

Chris Wallace
Efficacy of a polysaccharide
vaccine to protect against
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
in a mouse model of canine
hotspots.
Canine pyoderma, or “hot spots”, is a skin infection in dogs caused by the commensal
bacterium Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and is characterized by alopecia,
erythema, pustules and inflammation. Immunological tolerance is a state of
unresponsiveness of the immune system; tolerance is perhaps the mechanism that
allows a commensal to become a pathogen. This study used BALB/c mice as a model
for canine pyoderma; the mice were injected intraperitoneally with a purified
polysaccharide vaccine prepared from the bacterium. This study examined two
different protocols, with the hypothesis that Protocol A would provide protection while
Protocol B would induce immunological tolerance. In protocol A, mice were given 2
vaccinations, 3 weeks apart; in protocol B, mice were given 3 vaccinations, 6 weeks
apart. A control group was injected with phosphate buffered saline under the same
protocols to measure the effect of the innate immune system of the mouse. The mice
were then challenged with live S. pseudintermedius KL175; pyodermal lesions were
recovered 5 days later, serially diluted and plated to determine the number of viable
bacteria. Bacteria recovered for the vaccinated mice were compared against mice in a
control group that were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) following the
same protocol. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare efficacy of the
vaccine compared to the PBS control. Mice administered the polysaccharide vaccine
following Protocol A had a greater number of bacteria killed when compared to mice of
the PBS control. The results were not significant (2-Tailed, P=0.0522). Mice
administered the polysaccharide vaccine follow Protocol B showed equal number of
bacteria killed when compared to mice of the PBS control group (2-Tailed, P=0.7697).
Efficacy of polysaccharide vaccine using protocol A was not definitive, but does
warrant future research.
Methods
Vaccination
32.5 μg per dose (1.6 mg/kg)
2 Vaccinations with a 3 week interval
3 Vaccinations with a 6 week interval
Methods
Serial dilutioned
1:10
Colony Counts

Nicholas De Souza
Biochemical effects of alternative
preservation techniques on diced
tomatoes.
The current benchmark preservation technique, canning, can drastically alter
nutritional and sensory characteristics due to overprocessing. Thus, there is an
increased interest in alternative preservation techniques, two of which are highpressure
processing and ohmic heating. Both preservation techniques seek to
produce a product that is as safe as a thermally processed product by inactivating
enzymes and harmful microorganisms associated with food spoilage, while maintaining
superior sensory and nutritional value. High-pressure processing utilizes highpressure,
typically between 400 – 600 MPa, while ohmic heating utilizes electrical
currents to rapidly and uniformly heat food. To determine the biochemical effects of
these processing techniques, this study used peroxidase activity as a measure of
enzyme inactivation, and total phenolics as a measure of nutritional value. Peroxidase
was examined because it is one of the most thermally stable plant enzymes, and it
catalyzes many reactions associated with food spoilage. Phenolic compounds were
examined because they act as antioxidants and can help protect cells from damage
caused by free radicals. Diced tomato samples processed by Ohio State University
were examined to assess biochemical changes. Both high-pressure processing and
ohmic heating inactivated peroxidase as effectively as canned control groups,
immediately after processing. Both preservation techniques also preserved total
phenolics as effectively as canned control groups, throughout a storage period. These
results suggest that both alternative processing techniques perform as well as
conventional thermal processing on a biochemical level. Further research is required
to determine if either technique is superior. This research was part of an ongoing
multi-institutional USDA study aimed at evaluating several different processing
techniques.
Ohmic Heating
Utilizes electrical currents
Inactivates enzymes/microorganisms
Potentially superior food quality post-processing
http://ohioline.osu.edu/fse-fact/0004.html
Concentration of total phenolics
(mg/g tissue)
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
I & II
Total Phenolics Analysis
High-Pressure Processing
I
I/II
III
I
I
I/III
HPP CaCl2
HPP CaLaGlu
Contadina
Del Monte
Del Monte (no salt)
One-way ANOVA: p < 0.01

Jessica Wells
Nestmate recognition in the mating
context for Polistes dominulus
paper wasps.
Breeding with relatives tends to lower the fitness of offspring because there is a higher
chance of receiving two harmful alleles. In Hymenoptera (the ants, bees, and wasps)
females are diploid and males are usually haploid. If the sex-determining locus is
heterozygous a female is produced, and if it is homo- or hemizygous, a male is
produced. When inbreeding occurs, there is a 50% chance that the offspring receive
two of the same allele at their sex-determining locus, producing a diploid male. Diploid
males can be sterile, and lower the entire colony’s fitness, because the males do not
do any work. Polistes dominulus paper wasps are a successful invasive species in the
United States and diploid males have only been found in their introduced range. It is
well known that P. dominulus uses cuticular hydrocarbons for kin recognition, but it is
unknown whether they use this recognition to avoid mating with relatives. I observed
behavioral trials of a focal male, one female nestmate, and one female non-nestmate
to test whether he had mate preference. I also observed one focal female, one male
nestmate, and one male non-nestmate to test whether the female showed aggression
towards the male nestmate, if he tried to mate with her. The males did not choose the
non-nestmate significantly more than the nestmate and there was no mating related
aggression between males and females. Both the focal male and focal female did
however on average antennate more with non-nestmates. These results suggest that
P. dominulus does recognize the difference between a nestmate and a non-nestmate,
but does not discriminate when choosing a mate. If a female cannot find an optimal
mate and inbreeding does occur, on average she will produce 50% female workers,
and therefore have potential for a successful colonization despite the diploid male
production.
• Six nests
collected
• Attachment of
nest in insect
carrier
• Marking
Collection of Nests
Non-aggressive Interactions Higher
Towards Non-nestmates
Mean antennations
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test
P = 0.02
Nestmate Non-nestmate

Marice Tang
Efficacy of Heat-Killed Bacterin
Vaccine against Staphylococcus
pseudintermedius in a mouse
model of Canine Pyoderma.
Canine pyoderma is the skin disease in dogs caused by Staphylococcus
pseudintermedius. In most cases it is recurrent after treatment with antibiotics, causing
an economic burden to the dog owner and increasing the probability of antibiotic
resistance. Consequently, the development of a vaccine against S. pseudintermedius
is priority. A previous study (Curtis et al 2006) reported that an autogenous bacterin
vacccine in combination with antibiotics was successful, controlling the disease. In our
laboratory, in a mouse model, LaCroix in 2007(unpublished) demonstrated the efficacy
of a polysaccharide vaccine against canine pyoderma and Herrera in 2010
(unpublished) reported that tolerance appeared to be induced by extending LaCroix's
immunization schedule. This study used the mouse model to investigate the influence
of timing of vaccination in either immune protection or tolerance. It was predicted that
mice immunized twice with a three-weeks interval would develop protection and by
extending to three doses with a six-week interval mice would became immune tolerant
to S. pseuintermedius. The vaccine was prepared from heat-killed whole cells and
extracellular proteins of S. pseudintermedius, strain KL-175. Forty Balb/c mice were
immunized, Bacterin group (~ 2x10 6 bacteria/50μL) and Control group (50μL of sterile
saline), challenged with live KL-175 (~ 2x10 6 cfu/50μL) ten days after the last
immunization dose, then sacrificed five days after being challenged. Tissue from the
site of infection was collected, homogenized and serially diluted for bacterial analysis.
Colony forming units were counted and percent killing was calculated to determine
vaccine efficacy. Mice from the efficacy group did not develop protection (Bacterin =
17% kill and PBS = 60% kill, P= 0.207011, df=3) and mice from the tolerance group did
not develop immune tolerance (Bacterin = 33% kill and PBS = -106% kill, P=
0.871527,df=10). These results were contrary to the expected results and are not
significant according to t-test.
Protection Group
1 3 weeks 2
Tolerance Group
Overall Schedule Overview
10 days
Challenge
1 6 weeks 2 6 weeks 3
5 days
10 days
Sacrifice
Challenge
5 days
Questions ?
news.xinhuanet.com/english2007-11/11/content_7051229_2.htm

Krysten Dufort
Parasitism of imported Green Tree
Pythons (Morelia viridis) and Scrub
Pythons (Morelia amethistina).
Millions of wild-caught reptiles are traded in the exotic pet trade every year. The
majority of these reptiles come from Indonesia and Malaysia, and among these reptiles
the most commonly traded snake genera are Cobras (Naja) and Pythons (Python).
Many of these reptiles are parasitized, as they come from tropical areas with high
parasite abundance. In the wild, reptiles often demonstrate a balanced host-parasite
relationship, where the parasite thrives with little to no effects on the hosts’ fitness and
health. However, when reptiles are brought into captivity, the extra stress suppresses
the reptile’s immune system, making them more susceptible to the negative effects of
parasitism. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the parasites
found in wild-caught Green Tree Pythons (Morelia viridis) and Scrub Pythons (Morelia
amethistina) imported from Indonesia. Twenty snakes were dissected and their organs
were examined for parasites. Fifty percent of the snakes examined were parasitized
with a mean parasite load of 7.4 parasites per snake. A total of 74 parasites were
found, all of which were nematodes found in the digestive tract of the snakes. There
was no significant difference (p=0.09) in the mean number of parasites found in male
and female Green Tree Pythons, however the female parasite load was 7 times higher
than the males. Positive allometry was observed between snout-vent-length (SVL)
and number of parasites (mass exponent = 1.8). Females were significantly longer
than males (p=0.007), possibly explaining the higher parasite loads in female Green
Tree Pythons. The older the host, the greater the intensity of infection, and because
snakes exhibit indeterminate growth, larger snakes were expected to have higher
parasite loads. Overall, this study provided a better understanding of the types of
parasites found in Green Tree Pythons as well as the locations where they are
commonly found.
Green Tree Python Scrub Python
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Green_Tree_Python.jpg
# of parasites
100
10
# of parasites in Green Tree Pythons
increases with snout-vent-length
y = 0.0016x 1.7857
R² = 0.1881
Female
Male
Juvenile
1
10 100 1000
(Allometry: note log scale)
SVL (cm)

Brian Dagley
Variation in Ossification Sequence
of Cranial Bones in Hyla
chrysoscelis.
The osteology of Hyla chrysoscelis, a North American Hylidae tree frog, has never
been described. Intraspecific variation in ossification sequence and timing of cranial
bones was measured in a large sample of pre-metamorphic and metamorphosing
tadpoles of this species, and the pattern of cranial ossification was described.
Specimens were cleared, double-stained, and staged, and snout-vent length was used
to index body size. Number of cranial elements exhibiting ossification was recorded for
each individual. All specimens followed the same sequence of onset of ossification in
elements. Ossification initiated in general correspondence to the functional groups of
bones comprising (1) the braincase and otic capsules, (2) the upper and lower jaws,
and (3) the suspensorium. Snout-vent length did not correspond to number of
elements exhibiting ossification in individuals within Gosner stages, and was not a
good estimate of specimen age. Future studies could determine whether total percent
ossification in individuals within stages correlates with body size, and comparison in
ossification sequence and timing of Hyla chrysoscelis could be made with related hylid
species such as Acris blanchardi, Pseudacris crucifier, and Hypsiboas lanciformis.
These hylid species have diverse life histories, and an interspecific comparison could
determine if such differences in life histories are correlated with differences in
ossification sequence and timing.
Jaws - Premaxillae
500 μm 500 μm
Stage 42 Stage 44
Average Number of Bones Exhibiting Ossification
Avg number of bones exhibiting ossification
12
10
Avg. Number of Bones Exhibiting
Ossification vs. Stage
8
6
4
2
0
29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45
Gosner Stage

Eli Wolff
The Effect of Stanozolol on Spatial
Learning and Reproductive
Structures in Male Rats.
Stanozolol is an androgenic anabolic steroid (AAS) used sparingly in western medicine
to combat osteoporosis, anemia, and AIDS-related wasting. It is also used illegally in
athletics to improve performance. Anabolic steroids are known to have varied and
pronounced impact on the nervous system manifested by changes in behavior and
mental function. Androgenic compounds also have an important role in the function
and maintenance of reproductive tissue, such as the testes, prostate, and seminal
vesicles. While AAS drugs are typically used to harness their anabolic effects on
muscle, bone, and erythropoiesis, they can often cause side effects to the reproductive
and nervous systems. Twenty-eight adult male rats were treated with Stanozolol in
canola oil vehicle for 14 consecutive days. A Morris Water Maze was then utilized to
assess treatment effects on spatial learning. After the behavioral test, animals were
sacrificed and reproductive organs were removed and weighed. Stanozolol showed no
effect on learning. No significant changes were seen in the bodyweight of the animals
as a result of the treatments. Animals treated with stanozolol had significantly lower
testes weights but there was no effect on weight of either seminal vesicles or prostate.
These data show that stanozolol treatment can affect the reproductive tract, however,
further testing is required before a conclusion can be made regarding affects on the
nervous system.
Seminal
Vesicles
ORGANS
Prostate
(under
bladder)
Exposed
Testicle
Testes Weight (grams)
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
TESTES WEIGHT
A B
B
High Dose Low Dose Oil Stan/Flu
Treatment
A

Joanne Connolly
The effects of salinity on the
metamorphosis of Botrylloides
violaceus larvae.
Botrylloides violaceus is an invasive marine tunicate that can be found on natural and
artificial substrates. It can be harmful to the environment because it is known to
overgrow and smother mussels, which are important commodities for fishermen. I
surveyed the population of these tunicates in four areas in and around Gloucester, MA.
I then exposed the larvae to different salinities in order to find their optimal salinity and
minimum tolerated salinity to find out which environments they can inhabit, to see if
they would continue to spread to and invade other habitats. I found that B. violaceus
larvae have an optimal salinity between 20 and 30 ppt, and they die at salinities of 15
ppt and under. My research indicates that B. violceaus cannot live in the low salinities
of an estuary but may continue to reproduce in the higher salinities of the intertidal
zone. Suggested future research would be to assess the growth rate of the larvae in a
range of salinities to see if their optimal salinity for growth is also from 20 to 30 ppt, and
if they have a lower minimum tolerated salinity in the adult stage.
Larval release
Light shock (Bullard and Whitlatch 2004)
Results-Lab Experiment
Average Metamorphosed
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20
Average Amount of Larvae Metamorphosed
per Salinity
C
C
B
A, B
15 17 18 20 22 25 27 30
Salinity (ppt)
Tukey’s test: F 7, 15=36.157, P

Ashley Covel
Efficacy of a Heat-Killed Cell
Vaccine to Provide Protection
Against Staphylococcus
pseudintermedius Pyoderma in a
Mouse Model of Canine Hotspots.
Canine pyoderma, a superficial skin infection observed in dogs caused by the primary
pathogen Staphylococcus pseuduintermedius, is commonly characterized by pustules
that form on the skin. Current treatment for pyoderma consists of antibiotic regimens,
which are costly and not always effective. Frequent usage of antibiotics has selected
for resistant strains of bacteria. Recurrent infections can occur and are not prevented
by antibiotics alone; therefore a vaccine that can protect against the bacterium is
necessary. Vaccine treatments have been studied; however autogenous bacterins,
which are made from individual infections, have only been used. A potential vaccine is
a heat-killed whole cell injection made from S. pseudintermedius strain KL-175. The
goal was to determine the efficacy of the vaccine, and whether extending the
vaccination schedule would provide increased protection or induce tolerance in a
mouse model of canine pyoderma. Two vaccination schedules administering the same
vaccine were used. Two vaccine doses three weeks apart provided protection; three
vaccine doses six weeks apart induced tolerance. Twenty mice were used for each
vaccination schedule, ten were injected with 50µl of heat-killed KL-175 vaccine; ten
were injected with 50µl phosphate buffered saline control. Vaccine efficacy was
challenged by subcutaneously injecting 2.9x10 6 cfu/50µl of live S. pseudintermedius
strain KL-175 ten days after the vaccinations were completed. Vaccine efficacy was
measured as percent killing of bacteria from the challenge dose. Mice vaccinated
according to the three week schedule were less protected (17.28% killing) as
compared to the PBS control mice (41.25% killing). Mice vaccinated over the six week
schedule were protected, rather than tolerant (89.12% killing) as compared to the PBS
control mice (-6.42% killing). These results suggest that extending time between
vaccinations caused protection rather than tolerance.
Lesion Harvesting
• Euthanized mice
• Extracted lesions and underlying tissues
• Homogenized tissue samples
Lesion
Lymph node
% Killing of Bacteria
150
100
50
0
-50
-100
-150
6-Week Interval Vaccine Did Not
Induce Tolerance
PBS 6 week HK 6 week
Vaccination Groups
p=0.06

Kathleen Barry
Ethinylestradiol Effects on
Xenopus laevis Metamorphosis.
Ethinylestradiol, a synthetic hormone, is an estrogen derivative and the active
ingredient in oral birth controls. Ethinylestradiol is being introduced to ground water
since waste plants do not filter the chemical out of the water. Aquatic animals such as
frogs are being exposed to this chemical during development and are beginning to
show the effects of the exposure. Previous studies, on the terrestrial frog Rana pipiens,
demonstrated that both the timing and duration of Ethinylestradiol exposure interfered
with tadpole development. The tadpoles exposed for the entire duration of the
experiment (from hatching until the close of metamorphosis) had larger body sizes
relative to the control group. Tadpoles exposed during a critical developmental phase
(directly preceding metamorphosis) illustrated a delay in onset of metamorphosis. To
test if Ethinylestradiol induces similar ontogenetic differences on frogs that spend their
adult lives in the water, Xenopus laevis tadpoles were exposed to two different
concentrations of Ethinylestradiol (5nM and 2.5nM) during the same critical time
frames. After 15 weeks of exposure, Xenopus laevis tadpoles did not illustrate any of
the developmental differences observed with the Rana pipiens. This finding contrasts
that of previous studies and suggests that the chemical may not impact the body size
or rate of development of aquatic frogs.
Measurements
• Snout-vent length (SVL)
▫ Digital color camera
• Tail length
• Developmental staging
Nieuwkoop and Faber
Staging Table
Developmental Stages
EE2 Does Not Affect Development Rate
53.5
52.5
51.5
50.5
49.5
48.5
47.5
1 3 5 7 9
P-Value – 0.384
Weeks
Kruskal Wallis one-way analysis of variance
Control 5nM
Control 2.5nM
Continuous
5nM
Stage 30 5nM
Continuous
2.5nM
Stage 30
2.5nM

Samantha Goodwin
Resveratrol’s influence on cell
proliferation and apoptosis
following DNA damage.
Normally, when a cell contains damaged DNA it either pauses the cell cycle or is
signaled to undergo apoptosis – programmed cell death. If genes of cell cycle
regulatory proteins are damaged, cells become cancerous, losing sense of normal
boundaries and continue to grow and divide, when normally they would be signaled to
undergo apoptosis. The protein p53 is a tumor suppressor and transcription factor and
its gene is important in regulating a number of cellular processes including apoptosis.
Resveratrol is known to increase p53 expression and induce p53-dependent
apoptosis. With DNA damage being an initiating factor for cancer progression, it is
hoped that resveratrol can help to protect the cells by inhibiting cell proliferation and
promoting apoptosis. Most studies to date have focused on resveratrol’s effects in
cancerous cells. In this study, HeLa cells - cancerous human cervical cells, and MCF-
10A cells - non-cancerous human breast cells, were treated with resveratrol and, or,
the DNA damaging agent bleomycin. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was measured.
The results show that in HeLa cells, resveratrol increased cell number in damaged
cells, changes cell proliferation but it does not change apoptosis. In MCF-10A cells, we
saw that resveratrol increased cell number in damaged cells and decreased apoptosis.
This study shows that resveratrol is acting differently in the two cell lines that were
used but it is not clear what is causing these differences.
1/2
Experimental design
1/2
No Treatment
No Treatment
1/2
Bleomycin
MCF-10A
or HeLa
1/2
Resveratrol
Bleomycin
1/2
Resveratrol
1/2
Resveratrol
Resveratrol increases cell number following
DNA damage of HeLa cells
cell proliferation ratio
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0.45
0.81
bleo/negative bleo+rsvl/rsvl
treatments

Cayla Allard
Changes in Diel Patterns of
Birdsong in Response to Increased
Urban Noise.
The rapid growth of urbanization impairs organisms that use acoustic communication.
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a songbird that sings at low frequencies
(~1 kHz), the same low frequency that characterizes urban environments. The aim of
this study was to determine if house sparrows increased song frequencies depending
on the time of day that urban noise was greatest. The noisy and quiet hours were
determined for each site, and house sparrows were then recorded during both hours.
This study found that the maximum frequencies used in house sparrow songs were
significantly increased during the noisy hours (P = 0.0298). These phenotypic changes
can eventually lead to a divergence of urban and rural populations, therefore
dramatically impacting the evolution of a species.
Urban Noise Recordings
• Weekday mornings
2 days/site
Not during rain or strong wind
• Equipment:
Sennheiser directional
microphone
Marantz Professional recorder
Bird Song Analysis
2) Max. frequency 1) Bird note

Jaqueline Taravella
Larval Substrate Preference by the
Invasive Tunicate Botrylloides
violaceus.
Ascidians are a group of filter feeding marine invertebrates that are successful invasive
species. These invasive species have negative impacts on the fishing industry
because they out compete native shellfish, such as clams and mussels, for space. In
addition they increase maintenance cost for fishermen because they often grow on
nets and other equipment. Botrylloides violaceus is one species, introduced from
eastern Asia, which is considered invasive in the Gulf of Maine. B. violaceus
reproduces June to September by brooding their larvae; larvae are released from the
adult and then settle onto a substrate within a few hours. Two surveys were done
before and after reproductive season at three intertidal sites in the Gulf of Maine to
determine percent cover of potential substrates present and the number of B.
violaceus colonies present. Choice experiments were conducted with larvae from
colonies scraped off of docks. Larvae were placed in containers with choice of two
substrates. A previous study showed B. violaceus most commonly on Fucus
vesiculosus so larvae were given a choice of F. vesiculosus versus the other
substrates identified during the intertidal survey (Ascophyllum nodosum, Chondrus
crispus, and rock). The results of the substrate preference experiments showed that B.
violaceus preferred rock and A. nodosum over F. vesiculosus. These results are not
consistent with the previous study since B. violaceus was found more commonly on F.
vesiculosus than other substrates present.
Botrylloides violaceus
• Irregular flat sheet,
colonial tunicate
• Brood larvae
• Common exhalent
siphon
• Colors: orange to red to
purple
http://www.cabi.org/isc/?compid=5&dsid=107828&loadmodule=datasheet&page=481&site=144
Results: Substrate Preference
Substrate Pairing Chi-Squared Value
Fucus vesiculosus < Ascophyllum nodosum 6.65*
Fucus vesiculosus > Chondrus crispus 2.06
Fucus vesiculosus < Rock 12.35*
Fucus vesiculosus < Nothing 0.31
Nothing > Nothing 0.54
Glue > Nothing 3.59
(* Indicates p-value of less than 0.05)

Katerina Tylicki
Determination of Resveratrol’s
Effects on Expression of Sirtuin
Responsive Genes.
The phenomenon of calorie restriction has been shown to offer health benefits,
possibly through the activation of sirtuin genes. These same health benefits can be
obtained via administration of the polyphenol resveratrol, which induces physical
responses that correlate with those mediated by sirtuin enzymes. These sirtuin
enzymes act as transcriptional factors for many other genes, and alterations in sirtuin
expression leads to vast down-stream effects. Genome wide expression changes are
easily detected using a cDNA microarray. Here, mouse cDNA microarrays were used
to analyze the gene expression changes of 4T1 mouse mammary tumor cells in
response to resveratrol, a sirtuin inhibitor, a combination of the two, or a DMSO
control. Despite use of an appropriate quantity of acceptable RNA, microarray data
were inconclusive. This inconclusiveness can be exemplified by inconsistencies in
external and internal controls as well as the unorthodox regulation of common
housekeeping genes Actb and Gapdh. The effects of resveratrol on the sirtuin system
are still a question of high interest and warrants further investigation.
Resveratrol
• 3,4’,5-trihydroxystilbene
• Polyphenol common in grape skins and red wine
• Plant stress-response (antifungal)
• Mimics calorie restriction
• Increases life span
• Alters metabolic function
• Activates sirtuins
http://www.benbest.com/nutrceut/phytochemicals.html
Housekeeping Genes Inappropriately
Regulated by Resveratrol
Housekeeping Gene Log2 Fold-Changes for
Resveratrol/DMSO
Actb: 32 spots
Spot A 2.04
β-actin
Gapdh: 30
spots
Glyceraldehyde-3phosphate
dehydrogenase
Spot B 2.05
Spot C 2.24
Spot A -2.62
Spot B -2.24

Jennifer Melgar
Development and Malformations of
the Vertebral Column of Hyla
chrysoscelis.
Hyla chrysoscelis belongs to the family Hylidae, which is one of the most species-rich
families of amphibians. Although the life history and biogeography of H. chrysoscelis
has been documented, very little is known about its skeletal anatomy and
development. Typically, descriptions of the anuran skeletal system focus mainly on
adult anatomy, leaving out evident morphological and developmental specializations.
Furthermore, there is very little information on the variation of the ontogeny of
osteological features within a species. However, a recent study of Acris crepitans, a
derived hylid, described unique trends in skeletal ossification and previously
undocumented variations in vertebral skeletal anatomy. Interestingly, in Acris
crepitans, the centra have malformed articular surfaces. In addition, the vertebral
column of A. crepitans also has a developmental abnormality where the centrum and
the postzygapopphyses of Presacral VIII are fused to the centrum of the sacrum, and
the urostyle is fused to the sacral vertebrae. Hyla chrysoscelis is a poorly understood,
close relative of A. crepitans. Herein I describe the vertebral development of H.
chrysoscelis, and although no malformations were observed, 5% of the Hyla
chrysoscelis specimen showed left-right asymmetries in the ossification pattern of the
vertebrae. These results suggest that the axial variation present in A. crepitans is a
derived character for that species and it may not be common among other hylids.
100 Hyla chrysoscelis tadpoles
Fixed and stored in 10% buffered formalin
Each specimen staged according to Gosner
and snout-vent length
Specimen cleared and stained
◦ Dehydrated in ethanol, cleared
and stained with Alcian Blue
and Alizarin Red
Degree of Ossification
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5
-1
y = 0.1802x - 5.0386
R² = 0.8786
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
Gosner Stage Rs = 0.9374
P value =

Ryan Tibbert
Heating and Cooling Rates of the
Red – Eared Slider (Trachemys
scripta elegans) in Response to
Controlled Changes in Ambient
Temperature.
Thermoregulation is the ability of organisms to control body temperatures based on
current physiological needs. While endotherms rely heavily on metabolic heat
production in order to maintain a constant internal body temperature, body temperature
and metabolism in ectotherms fluctuate in response to external environmental
conditions. Many ectotherms rely on both behavioral and physiological mechanisms to
facilitate thermoregulation, maximizing time spent within a preferred range of body
temperatures. One prominent physiological mechanism employed by many reptiles is a
series of cardiovascular responses that enable the organism to heat quickly while
exposed to warm environmental conditions, and cool slowly as ambient temperatures
drop. Previous research suggests that the red – eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta
elegans) utilizes this cardiovascular response in conjunction with behavioral responses
to ambient temperature to thermoregulate. This study aims to observe heating and
cooling rates of the red – eared slider turtle and discern whether or not physiological
processes have a direct effect on the species’ thermoregulatory behavior. Twelve red –
eared slider turtles were subjected to warm (32.2 o C) and cool (22. 2 o C) thermally
controlled environments alongside plastic operative models. Cloacal body
temperatures were taken every hour until turtles reached equilibration to ambient
temperature. Thermal time constants were calculated for turtle and model data to
compare heating and cooling rates revealing that, contrary to previous research, the
red - eared slider turtles studied heated more slowly than they cooled. The red – eared
slider turtles heated and cooled more slowly than the operative models; larger turtles
and models exhibited expected allometry, cooling disproportionately slower and
heating disproportionately faster than smaller ones.
Tau (min)
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Mean Heating and Cooling Taus
Turtle Heating Turtle Cooling Model Heating Model Cooling
1000
Tau (min)
100
400
Log – Log Taus vs. Mass
Mass (g)
Turtle
Heating Tau
b = 0.1352
Turtle
Cooling Tau
b = 0.6023

Billion Ao
Heating and cooling rate of Morelia
amethistina.
Heating and cooling rates determine the time required to reach a preferred
temperature range and the amount of time an organism can stay in that range. For
majority of ectotherms, heating rate is higher than cooling rate to extend the amount of
time within a preferred temperature range. Factors such as body size (kg) can
influence these rates in predictable ways by manipulating surface area to volume
ratios. Scrub pythons (Morelia amethistina), which are large tropical pythons, exhibit
large body size variation from hatchling to adult. The goal of this experiment was to
test if scrub pythons heated faster than cooled, and if their large change in body size
affects these rates. The pythons (n=7) were heated and cooled in a hot (32.2 o C) and
cold chambers (22.2 o C). Heating rate and cooling time constants (τ) of snakes were
compared to operative models (n = 3), which were used to simulate the time constants
of an inanimate object (i.e., an object without behavioral or physiological mechanisms).
Heating rates of the scrub pythons (160 ± 76 min, mean ± SD) were significantly higher
(p = 0.005) than cooling rates (229 ± 61 min, mean ± SD). The scrub pythons heated
and cooled significantly slower (p = 0.03, p < 0.0001, respectively) than the operative
models. Scrub pythons showed positive allometry in their heating tau (0.51) and
negative allometry in their cooling tau (0.22) when compared to the predicted isometric
scaling constant (0.33). Scrub pythons either physiologically or behaviorally regulate
their heating and cooling rates. Morelia amethistina heated and cooled like many other
ectotherms and show that as size increases heating and cooling rates slowed.
Photographed by Dr. Dinkelacker
Tau (min)
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Mean tau of scrub pythons and models
*
*
Snake Heating Snake Cooling Model Heating Model Cooling
*P-value < 0.01

Kristen DeMoranville
Possible secondary functions of
wing-spreading in Double-crested
cormorants (Phalacrocorax
auritus).
The primary function of wing-spreading in Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax
auritus) is wing-drying, but since wing-spreading is occasionally observed in dry
cormorants, this study explored possible secondary functions: thermoregulation,
ectoparasite removal, and balancing. During 1 hour observations across 6 study sites I
recorded air temperature, wind speed, percent cloud cover, feather picking and
stroking frequency, and perch surface angle. A total of 57 cormorants were observed
and only 3 wing-spread when birds were presumed dry. With this small sample size it
was difficult to statistically analyze the three possible secondary functions. There is no
suggestion of any correlation among wing-spreading and ectoparasite removal
(P=0.99) or wing-spreading and balancing (χ²=0.74, 4, P>>0.05). The thermoregulation
data were inconclusive because days sampled were within cormorant preferred body
temperatures where it is not necessary for thermoregulation. Once determined dry the
3 cormorants wing-spread for one minute, which suggests that the behavior’s purpose
was to finish drying feathers. This study supports previous studies that attribute wingdrying
as the primary function of wing-spreading.
Primary function of wing-spreading in
cormorants is to dry
http://www.lakehiawatha.net/Lake%20pictures/double%20crusted%20cormorant.jpg
Perch angle had no influence on
number of birds W.S

Meray Rasla
Facial pattern as an indicator of
body size and emergence date in
Polistes dominulus paper wasps.
Social animals rely on signals to communicate. In many insect species, including paper
wasps the use of chemical signals has been demonstrated for recognition of
nestmates. However recently, European and North American studies conflicted on the
use of facial pigmentation patterns as visual signals by the most successful invasive
paper wasp Polistes dominulus. Previous studies of P. dominulus in introduced New
York populations found evidence that the wasps use these facial patterns as signals of
social dominance. One finding of these studies was a positive relationship between
wasps’ body size and the amount of separation of black pigment into distinct spots
(“brokenness index”). However, another research group studying this species in its
native range in Italy found no such relationship. We examined the relationship between
P. dominulus body size and black facial pattern in a different introduced population in
Massachusetts. We used the same methods and analysis as past studies. Our
analysis showed no relationship between body size and “brokenness index” or number
of black spots. However, we found that later emerged P. dominulus wasps had bigger
body size than earlier emerged wasps. A possible explanation for our results is
because of the genetic difference between the North American introduced populations.
Our results are a helpful step in understanding how different populations of P.
dominulus use their morphological differences as visual signals.
Methods
• Transplant 6 colonies to laboratory
• Mark thorax
• Photo clypeus
• Place each colony into separate container
13
Brokenness
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Head width vs. brokenness
P- value = 0.58
y = -0.5708x + 4.1293
R 2 = 0.0076
2.5 2.7 2.9 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.9
Head width (mm)
15

Paul Tieri
Biochemical Properties of Diced
Tomatoes after Microwave
Processing and Storage.
Microwave processing is a potential alternative method of food preservation. Thermal
canning is the current benchmark in food processing. This technique applies an
external heat source to food products in bulk which inactivates food spoilage enzymes
and harmful micro-organisms. Since the heat is being applied externally, over
processing of the outer edge occurs which damages the sensory attributes of the food.
Microwave processing is a potential alternative method because it generates heat
internally, therefore reducing the amount of processing time required for enzyme
inactivation. This is advantageous because reducing the length of time that food is
exposed to heat causes the food to retain its sensory qualities such as taste, color,
texture, and nutritional content. As part of a USDA study, diced Roma tomatoes were
processed via microwaves and hot water. Using a colorimetric assay, the tomato
samples were then examined for peroxidase activity and total phenolic content. Their
peroxidase activity and total phenolic content was then compared to that of
commercially available Del Monte and Contadina diced, canned tomatoes. Tomatoes
processed via microwaves and hot water exhibited significantly reduced peroxidase
activity, equivalent to that of commercially canned tomatoes. After 2 and 4 months of
heat stress and storage at 27 °C, their enzyme activity remained essentially zero. After
microwave processing and hot water processing, the tomato samples exhibited
phenolic content greater than that of canned tomatoes. However, after 2 and 4 months
of heat stress and storage, their phenolic content deteriorated to that of commercially
available canned tomatoes.
Biochemical Analysis
Peroxidase
• Colorimetric assay
• Darker color = higher
absorbance = more
peroxidase activity
Total Phenolics
• Colorimetric assay
• Darker color = higher
absorbance = more
phenolic content
420 nm 765 nm
Total Phenolics (GAE (mg/g tissue))
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Total Phenolic Content in Semi-Continuous MW and Hot
Water Processed Tomato Samples WSU - Semi-
Continuous MW
WSU -Hot Water
A A
Canned
Control
B B
Before
Processing
B B
After
Processing
Sample
A B
Contadina Canned
Delmonte Canned
Delmonte Canned
No Salts
A A
t=0 t=2 mos
1-way ANOVA p < .05

Sarah Ferguson
Effect of Resveratrol on Expression
of Estrogen Responsive Proto-
Oncogenes.
Resveratrol, a common phytochemical found in a variety of food sources, has been
correlated with improved heart health, longevity and anticancer properties. Resveratrol
can act as an agonist, antagonist, or a superagonist of estrogen receptors. Estrogen
receptors transcriptionally regulate a number of genes, including proto-oncogenes,
which are precursors to oncogenes that drive cancer progression. I hypothesized that
4T1 mouse cells treated with resveratrol should show a change in gene expression of
a small percentage of genes across the genome. Analysis of cDNA mouse
microarrays showed gene expression changes > 2x in approximately 7-74% of genes
following resveratrol exposure. Bcl2, Myc and Cyclin D1 are three well-known
estrogen regulated proto-oncogenes which are represented on multiple spots within
the microarray. Although these genes should have been up-regulated, changes in
gene expression in cells treated with estrogen were inconsistent, with internal replicate
of the same gene differing >2x from each other. The high percentage of genes
changed and inconsistencies among internal microarray replicates led to the
conclusion that the data were ultimately unreliable and inconclusive.
cDNA Mouse Microarray
Changes in gene
expression
◦ Red (down)
◦ Yellow (neutral)
◦ Green (up)
Multiple spots
MAGIC Analysis http://www.biosci.utexas.edu/graduate/plantbio/spot2.asp
Inconsistent Expression Ratios
Gene Spot Ratio of Expression
(E2/DMSO)
Bcl-2
(B-cell Lymphoma 2)
encodes for apoptosis regulator protein
Myc
codes for a transcription factor
Cyclin D1
protein present in cell cycle
A 0.63
B 7.90 (up)
C 0.81
D 1.08
E 0.54
F 1.10
G 0.98
H 0.53
A 0.55
B 2.27 (up)
A 0.54
B 1.00
C 0.64
D 0.60

Peter B. Tobin
Temperature for Tun Formation in
Hypsibius sp. Tardigrades.
Tardigrades are microscopic meiofaunal animals related to segmented worms and
arthropods that are capable of surviving many harsh environments. Tardigrades' high
tolerances (they are the only animals known to survive unprotected in outer space) are
due to their unique physiological change called tun. The tun state protects limnoterrestrial
tardigrades from the ephemeral water levels, temperature, and osmolarity of
their native lichen and moss habitats. Although the tolerances of the tun state have
been investigated, the role of temperature as a trigger has not been investigated in
detail. I studied the temperature trigger for the formation of tun. My hypothesis was
that tun formation would be observed near 0°C to prevent damage from ice nucleation
inside cells. Hypsibius sp. tardigrades were challenged with increasingly cold
temperatures. Temperature treatments of 20°C through -10°C at 5°C intervals were
used to test for percentage tun formation. The data were arc-sin transformed, and an
ANOVA with a Tukey's HSD test was used to determine which temperature treatments
were statistically different. For the Hypsibius sp. tardigrades tested the greatest
percentage of tuns observed was at -10°C with none observed at >15°C. The greatest
difference in percentage of tuns among treatments was between the 5°C and 10°C
treatments, which suggests that the tun temperature trigger is in the range of 0-10°C.
This novel research demonstrates that temperature is a trigger for tun.
Results
The Trouble with Tardigrades
• Novel research
• Connecticut Valley
and Wards
• Animal reuse