FJM - Collegiate Div Meeting

Middle Tennessee Division of the
Tennessee Academy of Science
- Collegiate Division -

2001 Meeting

Links

Call for Student Papers - 2001

Schedule of Talks - 2001

Student Presentations - 2001

Table of Colleges/Universities Presenting Papers - 2001

Abstracts of Papers - 2001

Best Paper Awards - 2001

Pictures - 2001

Call for Student Papers - 2001

Meeting
- Date - Saturday, April 21, 2001
- Place - Austin Peay State University (map site)
  McCord Building
- Time - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (approximate ending time)

Presentations
- Subjects - Undergraduate research in astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, history of science, mathematics, medical sciences, physics, science teaching (either presenter or research advisor must hold current TAS membership)
- Length - Individual talks are limited to 10 minutes

Titles
- Information Required - Title with authors, department, and university names required, indicate speaker(s) using asterisk (*)
- Submission Deadline - Friday, April 6, 2001
- Submission format - Preferably submit via internet using TAS Form provided
- Alternate submission formats
  - E-mail - matthewsf@apsu.edu
  - Mail - Dr. Fred J. Matthews, Dept of Chemistry, APSU, Clarksville TN 37044
  - FAX - (931)221-6261
  - Phone - (931)221-7622

Abstracts
- Deadline - Friday, April 20, 2001
- Format - See J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 1997, 72 (3-4), 73-84 or 2000 Abstracts (2000 Abstracts at www.apsu.edu/matthewsf/tas2000.htm#abstracts)
- Submission - Preferably submit via internet using TAS Form provided
- Alternate submission format - e-mail - matthewsf@apsu.edu (NO ATTACHMENTS!)

Schedule of Talks - 2001
- Website Posting - Monday, April 16, 2001
- Mail Date - Hard copies to be mailed Monday, April 16, 2001
- Mail Recipients - All presenters and research directors (others may request hard copies; request via email, phone, FAX, or mail)

Schedule of Talks - 2001

9:30-10:00 Registration - McCord Lobby

10:00-10:15 Opening Session - McCord 102

10:15-11:15 Student Presentations - 2001

11:15-11:30 Group Photo Break- McCord Lobby

11:30-12:45 Student Presentations - 2001 (con't)

12:45-1:15 Lunch - McCord Lobby

1:15-1:30 Closing Session - McCord 102

Student Presentations - 2001

SECTION I - 2001
SECTION II - 2001
High School Research Presentations - 2001
Table of Colleges/Universities Presenting Papers - 2001

SECTION I - 2001
Noojin Walker, Presiding
McCord Building, Room 101

10:15 - Investigations of Anti-Cancer Compounds From Extracts of Echinacea and St. Johns Worts. Clifton Randell*, Wendell Fortson, E. Lewis Myles, and Deborah Long, Cooperative Agriculture Research Program, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
10:30 - Determining the Anti-Microbial or Anti-Carcinogenic Properties of St. John's Wort and Echinacea Extracts. Shani Smith*, Anthony Ejiofor, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
10:45 - An Examination of the Metallic Residue Left by Dandruff Shampoos and City Water Sources on Hair through the use of AAS. Megan C. Kime* and John Shibata, Chemistry Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.
11:00 - Recently Discovered Ancient (Pennsylvanian) Arthropod Trackways, Northern Cumberland Plateau. Scott R. Schoefernacker* and Molly F. Miller, Geology Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
11:15 - Group Photo Break
11:30 - Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopentadiene and Methyl Vinyl Ketone in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Selectivity and Rate Enhancement. Christopher Wray*, Carlos Lee, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
11:45 - A Lake Study in General Chemistry Laboratory. Blake Anderton*, Jessica Bekar*, Megan Kiraly*, Brett Murdoch, Matt Nichols, Beki Nickens*, Elizabeth Setty, Jason Smith, Daniel Young*, and Kent Clinger, Chemistry Department, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN.
12:00 - A Kinetic Analysis of a Digestive Enzyme. Jason Cobb, Katie Hartigan, Mary Langham*, Sarah Lavender, Rob Nichols, David Peery, Justin Usery*, and Kent Clinger, Chemistry Department, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN.
12:15 - The Study of the Hydrolysis of Polyphosphates Using P31 NMR: Effects of Normalization of Data and Al⁺³. ShaRee McIntosh* and Ron Robertson, Chemistry Department, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN.
12:30 - Temperature and pH Effects on Lead Leaching from Crystal Mugs. Jennifer Pollock* and John P. DiVincenzo, Chemistry Department, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN.
12:45 - Lunch
1:15- Closing Session

Back to

Schedule of Talks - 2001

Student Presentations - 2001

SECTION II - 2001
Willodean D. S. Burton, Presiding
McCord Building, Room 102

10:15 - Analysis of C-Fos Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens of PD128907 and Methamphetamine Treated Mice. Mark Owusu*, M. Ann Blackshear, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
10:30 - Drug Discrimination: A Procedure for Assessing the Substitution and Blocking of Drug-Induced Stimulus Properties. Jewell Hartwell*, William Caul, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
10:45 - The Study of Human-Related RAD54 Mutations in Yeast. Candace Jones*, Terrance Johnson, and Prem S. Kahlon , Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
11:00 - The Survival of Salmonella Species in the Food Safety Danger Zone. Rosalind Johnson*, Carolyn A. Caudle, and Yvonne Myles, Cooperative Agricultural Research Program, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
11:15 - Group Photo Break
11:30 - The Dynamics of a White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Population in Southern Humphreys County, Tennessee. M. Crockett Bone* and Willodean D. S. Burton, Biology Department, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN.
11:45 - Self-Differentiation as a Predictor of Well-Being. Aisha Smith*, Peter Millet, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
12:00 - Localization of the Dopamine D3 Receptor Following Chronic Methamphetamine Administration Using Immunohistochemistry. Jacinta Tibbs*, M. Ann Blackshear, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
12:15 - Recovery of the Cytotoxic Function of Human Natural Killer Cells Following a Brief Exposure to Tributyltin. Tarrah Williams*, Margaret Whalen, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
12:30 - The Influence of Quercetin on Iron-Induced Lipid Peroxidation. Shareen Lacy*, William Y.l Boadi, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN.
12:45 - Lunch
1:15- Closing Session

Back to

Schedule of Talks - 2001

Student Presentations - 2001

Table of Universities Presenting Papers - 2001

Name Total Biology Chemistry Geology

APSU

2

1

1

-

Lipscomb

2

-

2

-

MTSU

1

-

1

-

Sewanee

1

-

1

-

TSU
11

10

1

-

Vanderbilt

1

-

-

1

Totals
18

11

6

1

Abstracts of Papers - 2001

Investigations of Anti-Cancer Compounds From Extracts of Echinacea and St. Johns Worts. Clifton Randell*, Wendell Fortson, E. Lewis Myles, and Deborah Long, Cooperative Agriculture Research Program, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Many compounds found in plants have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. The herb Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) produces natural compounds that may increase the efficiency of mammalian immune systems. This investigation used extracts from the dried roots of Echinacea. To test for anti-carcinogic activity, the breast cancer cells (BT549) were treated with the plant extract. These cells were grown at 37oC with 5% CO2 and exposed to either 100 micro-liters of physiological saline, 100 micro-liters of acetone, or acetone with extract. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to analyze gene expression in the control and experimental groups. The growth rates of cells in the control and acetone groups were significantly higher than cell exposed to the extract. The extract from the roots appears to inhibit growth of cancer cell line BT549. After 2 and 4 days of exposure, there was a 25% and 74% reduction in growth rates, respectively. Ideally, a different solvent that has no effect on the cell growth rate will better define the extract's effect. The mitotic index was not significantly different in the groups studied. Future experiments will focus on a different solvent and apoptosis. These results indicate that further studies are necessary to identify anti-carcinogenic compounds in Echinacea. (Supported by USDA/CSREES Evans-Allen Funds & MARC Grant # 5T34MO7663)
Determining the Anti-Microbial or Anti-Carcinogenic Properties of St. John's Wort and Echinacea Extracts. Shani Smith*, Anthony Ejiofor, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. The medicinal use of the plants Echinacea and St. John's Wort has increased in popularity over the past 10 years. Research has shown that St. John's Wort is an effective antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus as compared to the antibiotic sulfanilamide. Research has also shown that Echinacea stimulates the body to provide its own antibiotic defense against Staphylococcus aureus. However, research has not been performed to test Echinacea and St. John's Wort for any anti-microbial properties. During preliminary studies, we tested the anti-microbial properties of St. John's Wort and Echinacea extracts against strains of Psuedomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria sicca, and Escherichia coli using a streak plate method and well method. The crude extracts of St. John's Wort and Echinacea used in this study were obtained using 25 g of each material in 9.5mL acetone solution. Preliminary results indicated that the test agents were not effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Neisseria sicca, or, Escherichia coli. The bacteria were then tested against St John's Wort and Echinacea extracts of petroleum ether, ethyl ether, and benzene at a concentration of 5g of plant material per 25 mL of solvent. The streak plate and well methods were used along with two control tests to determine whether the extracts inhibited bacterial growth. St. John's Wort in Petroleum ether inhibited bacteria growth of Streptoccocus pyogens and Escherichia coli. In future studies, we will use solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, benzene, and toluene to extract Echinacea and St John's Wort. We will compare the results of the extracts used in the preliminary procedures to the results we will receive by extracting Echinacea and St. John's Wort with the solvents mentioned previously. If Echinacea and St. John's Wort prove to have significant anti-microbial propeties, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, and NMR will be used to identify the molecules that show anti-microbial activity. High Performance Liquid Chromatography will be used to purify and separate the molecules. It is our hope that we find the components of St. John's Wort and Echinacea useful in creating disinfectants or pharmaceutical drugs.
An Examination of the Metallic Residue Left by Dandruff Shampoos and City Water Sources on Hair through the use of AAS. Megan C. Kime* and John Shibata, Chemistry Department, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN. It has been hypothesized that certain types of chemicals are readily absorbed into human hair. Scientists have proven this hypothesis by looking at many different categories of chemicals such as hallucinogenic drugs and certain polymers from shampoos. One class of chemicals often ignored when looking at surface absorbed molecules is metals. This project deals with that problem by looking at the possible presence of lead, iron and zinc pyrithione in human hair. It is believed that iron and lead are deposited into the hair through the water source. Zinc pyrithione is the active ingredient in dandruff shampoos and may be deposited through a simple washing process. Detailed analyses of these three metals were done using human hair samples from 10 different subjects. These samples were treated with several different treatments including RO water, tap water from Sewanee, TN, 1% zinc pyrithione soltuion and Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo. A Varian Spectra AA-10 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer was used to examine the metals. The concentration ranges examined for iron were 1 ppm to 50 ppm, for lead were 1 ppm to 20 ppm and for zinc pyrithione were 0.4 ppm to 1.6 ppm. These results and their implications will be discussed further.
Recently Discovered Ancient (Pennsylvanian) Arthropod Trackways, Northern Cumberland Plateau. Scott R. Schoefernacker* and Molly F. Miller, Geology Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Trackways consisting of two rows of linear indentations have been found in the Fentress Formation northwest of Jamestown, Tennessee. The two parallel rows of "scratch marks" are separated by a structureless medial zone 3.8 cm wide. Scratch marks are 1.6 to 1.8 cm long and oriented obliquely to the medial zone. The uniformity in mark length and orientation is striking. The trackways occur in evenly bedded sandstone with clay drapes that was deposited in a marginal marine setting. Occurrence of a fossil starfish resting burrow indicates that salinity approached marine conditions, at least at times. However, the trackway was found just under (< 5 m below) braided stream deposits (freshwater) of the Rockcastle Conglomerate. The trackway probably was produced by a large arthropod, perhaps a horseshoe crab. Horseshoe crab resting traces have been found in the same rock unit nearby. The trackway closely resembles trackways interpreted as made by horseshoe crabs found in the eastern Kentucky coalfields. However, they differ significantly from other trackways interpreted as produced by horsehoe crabs. This raises the question of what other large arthropod might have been living in this marine margin environment ~320 million years ago.
Diels-Alder Reaction of Cyclopentadiene and Methyl Vinyl Ketone in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Selectivity and Rate Enhancement. Christopher Wray*, Carlos Lee, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. The utility of room-tempearture ionic liquids as solvents/catalysts for the cyclopentadiene/methyl vinyl ketone Diels-Alder reaction was studied. The aluminum chloride/1-ethyl-3methyl-1H-imidazolium chloride chloroaluminate ionic liquid and the EMI + BF4-ionic liquids proved to be ideal solvents/catalysts for the cyclopentadiene/methyl vinyl ketone Diels-Alder reaction. Product yields and endo/exo selectivity were better than that observed in other solvents/catalysts.
A Lake Study in General Chemistry Laboratory. Blake Anderton*, Jessica Bekar*, Megan Kiraly*, Brett Murdoch, Matt Nichols, Beki Nickens*, Elizabeth Setty, Jason Smith, Daniel Young*, and Kent Clinger, Chemistry Department, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN. Students in a General Chemistry lab conducted a study of lake water. Samples of water were taken from the J. Percy Priest Lake in Middle Tennessee, which happens to be the water supply for Metro Nashville. Over a course of ten weeks, samples were taken from four different sites located near the shore of the lake. Several different experiments were performed to determine the quality of our drinking water before the purification process. Another objective of the study was to learn standard methods and procedures for water testing. Procedures performed included testing the water for phosphates, total solids, and dissolved solids. The group also analyzed the water�s hardness, pH, and alkalinity. The metals calcium, copper, and magnesium were also tested for using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Results were calculated, and the results appeared to be within normal ranges. There were no outcomes that were thought to be out of the ordinary. Possible improvements include more collection sites, improved procedures, more time to study the lake, better sample preservation, and better equipment to perform the experiments.
A Kinetic Analysis of a Digestive Enzyme. Jason Cobb, Katie Hartigan, Mary Langham*, Sarah Lavender, Rob Nichols, David Peery, Justin Usery*, and Kent Clinger, Chemistry Department, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN. Lactose intolerant people lack the enzyme lactase or else have low concentrations of this enzyme, therefore lacking the ability to digest dairy products adequately. Lactase is an intestinal beta-galactosidase and is responsible for hydrolyzing the sugar lactose to galactose and glucose. Commercially produced lactase is available as a digestive aid to those who do not produce their own enzyme or the amount required for digestion of this sugar. Here, we studied the kinetics of this enzyme. Our first goal was to establish the pH optimum, so that we were able to optimize the rate of reaction and efficiency of this experiment. After establishing the pH optimum as 7.5, we then determined the KM of lactase as 1.74x10^-3 using o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactosidase (ONPG) as the substrate. Reported KM values are 2.7x10^-3 (Russo & Moothart, J. of Chemical Eduacation) 1.7x10^-3 (Mahoney & Whitaker, J. Food Biochem) and 1.6x10^-3 (Dickson, Dickson, and Markin, J. of Bacteriology). We then proceeded to evaluate the inhibition of three different putative inhibitors: lactose, galactose, and glucose.
The Study of the Hydrolysis of Polyphosphates Using P31 NMR: Effects of Normalization of Data and Al⁺³. ShaRee McIntosh* and Ron Robertson, Chemistry Department, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN. It is known that lowering the pH and the addition of metal ions catalyze the hydrolysis of various polyphosphates. P³¹ NMR can be used to follow the hydrolysis by using integrated peak areas that are proportional to the concentration. Problems arise from peak area variability in modeling the hydrolysis . This research addresses the problem by the use of an external orthophosphate reference standard and compares normalized to unnormalized data for pyro-, tripoly-, trimeta-, and hexametaphosphate at a pH of 3. Using the normalization technique, the effect of the addition of aluminum (III) ion on the hydrolysis rate at a pH of 1 was also studied.
Temperature and pH Effects on Lead Leaching from Crystal Mugs. Jennifer Pollock* and John P. DiVincenzo, Chemistry Department, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN. Lead is the most ubiquitous toxic metal and is detectable in practically all spheres of the environment. It is a cumulative poison and about 90% of the lead retained in the body enters the bones, from which it can be remobilized. This study was designed to look at the temperature and pH effects on lead leaching from crystal mugs. Identical lead crystal mugs were filled with 150 milliliters of analytical-grade deionized water. Each water sample was heated to 25^oC, 50^oC, or 95^oC. The pH of the samples was 2.0, 4.8, or 6.0. The samples were analyzed using a HACH Lead Fast Trak� kit and a HACH 2010� spectrophotometer. The mugs leached between 60-500 mg/L of lead, with the lowest pH and highest temperature releasing the most lead. A kinetic study was also carried out on one mug. The majority of the lead was found to leach out within the first 15 minutes (67%) with 85% leaching out within 30 minutes. In terms of its environmental concentration lead is much closer to the level at which overt signs of poisoning become manifest than is any other substance. Thus it is appropriate that society continues to take steps to further reduce human exposure to lead.
Analysis of C-Fos Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens of PD128907 and Methamphetamine Treated Mice. Mark Owusu*, M. Ann Blackshear, Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. PD128907, a putative, selective dopamine D3 agonist, has been used to study the function of dopamine D3 receptors. While there have been several reports that the dopamine D3 receptor in the nucleus accumbens has an inhibitory effect on locomotor activity, recent reports have shown that PD128907 causes both an increase and a decrease in locomotor activity, presumably mediated by dopamine D3 receptors in the nucleus accumbens. Given acutely, methamphetamine (MAP) causes primarily an increase in locomotor activity. However, when MAP is administered chronically, it causes an increase in behavioral response, referred to as behavioral sensitization. Swiss, male mice (26-30 g) were injected with 0.25, 0.5mg/kg of PD128907 ten minutes prior to an injection of 0.5mg/kg of MAP. Locomotor activity was measured immediately after MAP injection on day 1, 7 and 18. 0.5PD128907 caused a decrease while 0.25PD128907 caused an increase in locomotor activity. This shows that there 0.25mg/kg of PD128907 and 0.5mg/kg of PD128907 had a biphasic effect on locomotor activity of the methamphetamine-induced mice. Most importantly in this study, analysis of c-fos expression was further used to study any changes that occurred by the action of the D3 receptors in the nucleus accumbens of the mice brain after the treatment. The computer captured images taken from the nucleus accumbens after the immunohistochemistry shows each of the different treatments to have a different expression of c-fos pos-Li cells. This shows that D3 receptors caused changes in c-fos expression in the nucleus accumbens for the different treatment.
Drug Discrimination: A Procedure for Assessing the Substitution and Blocking of Drug-Induced Stimulus Properties. Jewell Hartwell*, William Caul, Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. According to Colpaert et al., drugs as discriminative stimuli are evidenced by "the drugs reliably serving a cue function in a learning process essentially defined by the differential reinforcement of two or more alternative and mutually exclusive responses. Drug discrimination is commonly used in the drug versus no drug, where and animal has learned to discriminate between a particular dose of a certain training drug and the placebo. The rats in this experiment were to discriminate between cocaine (10mg/kg) and distilled water. Once discrimination was established, they tested a potential COC-blocking agent, BBL-57 (30 mg/kg). After two retraining sessions, the rats substituted cocaine for amphetamines (1.0 mg/kg). The results were not as we expected because the rats never fully learned to discriminate cocaine from distilled water. The BBL-57 did not block the uptake of the cocaine. Ironically substitution was successful indicating that amphetamine and cocaine have similar properties. This drug discrimination model is useful for investigating substitution, blocking agents, withdrawal behavior and tolerance. Unfortunately it was not successful in this experiment but it is encouraged to use this model in the future.
The Study of Human-Related RAD54 Mutations in Yeast. Candace Jones*, Terrance Johnson, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Analysis of human breast cancer tumor cells has yielded a mutation in Rad54. The relationship between the Rad54 mutation and the growth of the tumor cells is unknown. The normal human gene can complement a yeast strain lacking Rad54 and the breast cancer mutation is in a conserved region. It is believed that if the function of Rad54 is altered, genetic instability might be induced and could consequently lead to tumor formation. In order to analyze the relationship of the Rad54 mutation and the growth of the tumor cell an identical mutation in the yeast Rad54 was made. The construct was put back into the yeast and assays were done to show the effects of the mutation. The mutation was made using Quik Change Site Directed Mutagenesis. Introduction of the mutation via the site directed mutagenesis introduced a XbaI restriction enzyme site. Gel electrophoresis analysis of the XbaI restriction digestion showed that the mutation was made. Further studies are being done to show the effects of the mutation through more assays.
The Survival of Salmonella Species in the Food Safety Danger Zone. Rosalind Johnson*, Carolyn A. Caudle, and Yvonne Myles, Cooperative Agricultural Research Program, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Salmonella is an invasive microorganism that causes food borne illness. Salmonellosis ranges clinically from the common salmonella gastroenterititis (diarrhea, abdominal, cramps, and fever) to enteric fevers (including typhoid fever), which are life threatening febrile systemic illnesses. Pathogenic salmonellae ingested in food can survive passage through the gastric barrier, invade the mucosa of the small and large intestine and produce toxins. Many different procedures are used to control the growth of Salmonella, but none have prevented the bacteria from being a severe problem to the food industry. Also the possibility exists that conditions to which the bacteria is exposed during either food processing or cooking will enhance their subsequent ability to cause infections. To insure a safer food supply, there are temperature guidelines for cooking, serving and storing foodstuffs. The temperature danger zone, which gives bacteria a chance to multiply and pose a hazard to the consumer, has been identified between 63o C and 8o C. This study examines the effects of temperature (63o C and 25o C) on the growth of Salmonella enteritidis, typhimurium and pullorum. Our observations showed that initial exposure to the temperature stressor (63o C) eradicated most of the bacteria after 10 minutes, but after exposure to 25o C for a period of four hours, the bacteria�s growth increased. Incubation of the stressed cultures overnight showed that they remained viable when placed in conditions that are ideal for its growth (37o C) and given proper time for recovery from the stressor (minimally 17 hrs).
The Dynamics of a White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Population in Southern Humphreys County, Tennessee. M. Crockett Bone* and Willodean D. S. Burton, Biology Department, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN. A population of white-tailed deer inhabiting 425 hectares (1050 ac.) in southern Humphreys County was assessed during August and September 2000 using infrared photography to determine the composition and dynamics of the population. The study site was divided into seven individual plots of 61 ha, baited and photographed for ten days. The sex and age classes of the deer were recorded. The results suggest an estimated population of 32.9 animals with a density of 7.74 deer/km-sq. The sex ratio of the population was determined to be 75 bucks/100 does. When compared to census data of 1999, the population increased 15% with fawn recruitment improving from a doe/fawn ratio of 6:1 (1999) to 3:1 (2000), indicating increased fitness among the reproductive segment of the population.
Self-Differentiation as a Predictor of Well-Being. Aisha Smith*, Peter Millet, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. The family systems model refers to the stage in the family life cycle in which adults are faced with the psychosocial task of terminating the intergenerational hierarchical power boundary between them and their parents. The purpose of this study was to empirically test this model by examining the relationship between psychological well-being and the quality of the parent/child relationship in later life. Few research studies to date have focused on the quality of the parent-child relationship as a determining factor of psychological adjustment. The primary dependent variable is that of self- differentiation. Self differentiation is defined as individuals ability to manage one�s emotions yet remain connected to others(Bowen, 1978; Kerr & Bowen, 1998). Within the parent/child relationship it refers to feeling like an adult with one�s parent. One hundred students (50 females and 50 males) from Tennessee State University were recruited to participate in the study. The students were tested on measures that rated their self-differentiation as well as their overall psychological well-being. To measure psychological well-being The Life Satisfaction Survey was utilized. To measure self-differentiation the Self Differentiation Reactivity Index was administered. The results showed a significant relationship between the parent/child relationship and well-being. This project also examined gender differences in the quality of the parent/child relationship.
Localization of the Dopamine D3 Receptor Following Chronic Methamphetamine Administration Using Immunohistochemistry. Jacinta Tibbs*, M. Ann Blackshear, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Methamphetamine (MAP) is a central nervous system stimulant that increases the release of dopamine and alters brain dopamine function. Chronic administration of methamphetamine leads to sensitization, which is an increased drug response that occurs upon withdrawal after chronic use of the drug. The dopamine D3 Receptor has been found to have an inhibitory effect on the locomotor activity mediated by D1 and D2 receptors. The purpose of this study was to identify MAP-induced changes in D3 receptors using immunohistochemistry. Swiss, ICR male mice (26-30g) received daily injections of 0.5 mg/kg of MAP for 7 days. Behavioral studies were conducted on day 1 and day 18. Following a 10-day withdrawal, the mice were sacrificed by cardiac perfusion and immunohistochemical studies were conducted. For immunohistochemical studies, frozen sections were cut and 10 um slices from the nucleus accumbens area were mounted on slides and processed. Brain slices were incubated in buffer with the antibody for the D3 receptor and then reacted with a secondary antibody. Changes in D3 receptors were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. The results from behavioral studies demonstrated the presence of sensitization on day 18. Based upon our hypothesis that down-regulation of D3 receptors is involved in MAP sensitization, immunohistochemical studies are expected to show a parallel decrease in D3 receptors after chronic MAP.
Recovery of the Cytotoxic Function of Human Natural Killer Cells Following a Brief Exposure to Tributyltin. Tarrah Williams*, Margaret Whalen, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Butyltins (BTs) are used in a variey of consumer products and industrial applications. Tributyltin (TBT)is found in dairy products, meat, and fish. BTs appear to increase the risk of cancer and viral infections in exposed individuals. Recently we have demonstrated that the ability of NK cells to kill tumor cells is greatly diminshed after a 1 hour exposure to tributyltin (TBT). This inhibition of tumor killing function continues even after removal of the compound. There is no significant recovery of NK cytotoxic function even when the cells are allowed to recover for 6 days. Cytotoxic function of human natural killer (NK) cells is modulated by a variety of cytokines. Interleukins (IL)2 and 12 are both potent stimulators of NK-cell cytotoxic function. In the current study we examine the effects of the NK-stimulatory interleukins, IL2 and IL12, on the ability of NK cells to recover from the inhibitory effects of a 1h TBT treatment. Highly purified NK cells (>95%CD16+) and a mix of T-cells and NK cells were treated with 300 nM of TBT and then allowed to recover for 24h, 48h, 4 days, and 6 days in TBT free media containing: no interleukin; 1000 U/mL IL2; 20 ng/mL IL 12; or a combination of IL2 plus IL12. Tumor killing function was tested using a radioactive chromium release assay. As seen in our previous studies there is no recovery of NK-cell cytotoxic function even after a 6 day recovery period when no interleukin is present in the media. However, there is significant recovery of NK cytotoxic function when IL2 or the combination of IL2 plus IL12 is present in the media during the recovery period.
The Influence of Quercetin on Iron-Induced Lipid Peroxidation. Shareen Lacy*, William Y.l Boadi, and Prem S. Kahlon, Biological Sciences Department, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN. Lipid peroxidation is prominent in many of mechanisms of disease. This process can be triggered by transition metals such as copper, nickel, or iron. In iron-induced lipid peroxidation, the body is exposed to iron from the environment or through diet, and when it reacts with hydrogen peroxide, highly reactive hydroxyl free radicals are formed. After these free radicals form, they proceed in the reaction with unsaturated fatty acids and form hydroperoxides, which can lead to cancer and other diseases. Flavonoids, powerful chemical substances that are widely distributed in plants, have been focused on in many disease preventive studies because of their antioxidative and free radical scavenging properties. In this study, the effects of iron-induced damage in methyl linolenate and the effects of quercetin in lipid peroxidation were determined using the thiobarbituric (TBA) assay. Dose dependent effects of iron were determined by suspending methyl linolenate in a buffer solution (0.2% SDS/0.05 M Tris-HCl) and oxidizing it with iron (II) chloride (10 mM) and hydrogen peroxide (0.1 mM). Antioxidative activity then was observed by oxidizing methyl linolenate with and without quercetin (0.2 mM and 0.4 mM ). The degree of oxidation was be measured by the TBA assay after the samples incubate at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Quercetin exhibited minor marked effect against lipid peroxidation, which would indicate these flavonoids have some antioxidative properties in blocking lipid peroxidation. Further studies will be carried out to study the dose dependent effect of quercetin using various concentrations of the metal to see if there is a correlation between lipid peroxidation and the antioxidative effect of this flavonoid.

Best Paper Awards - 2001

Section I
- Megan C. Kime
  The University of the South
- Jennifer Pollock
  Middle Tennessee State University
Section II
- Jewell Hartwell
  Tennessee State University
- M. Crockett Bone
  Austin Peay State University
- Tarrah Williams
  Tennessee State University