Proceedings of the Queens College Undergraduate Science … docs... · Schedule Breakfast (for...

Proceedings of the

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Organized by the Division of Math & Natural Sciences

Website: http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Degrees/DMNS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/QueensCollegeDMNS YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/QueensCollegeDMNS

Queens College Undergraduate Science

Research Day

Schedule Breakfast (for presenting students, family, and faculty mentors) 9:30am-10:30am West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College

Poster Session 9:30am-1:30pm East and Central Sections of the 4th Floor Ballroom

Student Union Building, Queens College

Judging for the “Best Poster Design” and “Best Poster Presentation” awards will occur from 10:00am to 12:30pm. It is especially important for presenters to be standing near their posters during this time, or they may miss the judges.

See List of Abstracts for information about presenters.

Lunch (for presenting students, family, and faculty mentors) 12:30am-2pm West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College

Oral Presentations and Presentation of Awards 1:30pm-2:30pm West Section of the 4th Floor Ballroom Student Union Building, Queens College

Presentation of Awards: “Best Poster Design” and “Best Poster Presentation”

Oral Presentations:

Daniel Novoa “Targeting Prime-site Pockets for Cathepsin L” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sanjai Kumar, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Lauren Blachorsky “Inflammation within the Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to Mold” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte, Psychology

Eliyahu Perl “An Interesting Substituent Effect of the ICl-Induced Intramolecular Electrophilic Cyclization of 1-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-alkynones to 5H-dibenzo[a,c][7]annulen-5-ones” Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yu Chen, Chemistry and Biochemistry

List of Abstracts The page number corresponds to the number displayed above the poster during the event.

Biology Page Role of autophagy gene in C. elegans germline proliferation 1 Feng Lin, Kristina Ames, Alicia Melendez Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Meléndez The Role of Autophagy in Lipid Homeostasis in C. elegans 2 Melissa Silvestrini, Hannah Hong, Alicia Meléndez Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Meléndez The Role of Endocytic Genes in Autophagy 3 David Jimenez, Nicholas Palmisano, Alicia Meléndez Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Meléndez Regulation of Metabolism by TGF-β Signaling in C. elegans 4 Vanessa Almonte, James Clark, Cathy Savage-Dunn Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cathy Savage-Dunn Viral Emergence in Novel Host Populations 5 Qainat Shah, Gregroy Lallos, John Dennehy Faculty Mentor: Dr. John J. Dennehy Insight into the Host Range of Mycobacteriophages through Codon Usage Bias 6 Lauren A. Esposito, Swati Gupta, Ashley Prasad and John J. Dennehy Faculty Mentor: Dr. John J. Dennehy The Effects of Resveratrol Compounds on the Motility and Proliferation 7 of F10 Melanoma Cells Christian Rivoira, Valery Morris, Susan A. Rotenberg Faculty Mentors: Dr. Valery Morris, Dr. Susan A. Rotenberg All Dengue Strains Induce Autophagy by Using NS4A to Activate ATM 8 Kinase and Inhibit mTOR Sounak Ghosh Roy, Jeff McLean, Emmanuel Datan, Narges Zali, Lauren Alvarez, Ezekiel Tabet, Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zahra Zakeri Dengue-2 infection induces ER stress that leads to upregulation of autophagy 9 Sasha Harbajan, Golnoush Golshan, Emmanuel Datan, Jeffrey McLean, and Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zahra Zakeri Sex Dimorphic Effect of DNA Methylation on Gene Expression and 10 Cellular Response Mayra Cruz, Dinah Han, Carlos Penaloza, Richard Lockshin, and Zahra Zakeri Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zahra Zakeri

Antioxidants boost male fertility: The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in 53 modulating fertility and sperm viability in D. melanogaster Weily Lang, Preethi Radhakrishnan Faculty Mentor: Dr. Preethi Radhakrishnan

Chemistry and Biochemistry Characterization of the Fold and Conformation of Recombinant Globular 11 Proteins on the Surface of Spider-Silk Mimetic Glendon D. McLachlan, Christopher Graham Faculty Mentor Dr. Glendon D. McLachlan Towards the Synthesis of a Potent, Selective, and Covalent Inhibitor of Cysteine 12 Cathepsin L Viviana Torres, Sanjai Kumar Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sanjai Kumar Targeting Prime-site Pockets for Cathepsin L 13 Daniel Andre Novoa and Sanjai Kumar Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sanjai Kumar A Base-Controlled Regioselective Synthesis of Allyl and Vinyl Phenyl Sulfones 14 Anibal Davalos, Sanjai Kumar Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sanjai Kumar OM-120: Qualitative Titration Analysis of a transition metal complex from the 15 Ruthenium 4,4’- bipyridine series in Calf Thymus DNA Freida Zavurov Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Strekas Synergistic effect of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Peroxide on E. coli Cell Survival 16 Tonmoy Kabiraj, Reeta Yadav, Melinda Harbhajan, Solly Sebastian, Sadia Mohaimin, Wendy Lee, Lindawati Hermawan, Leah Punalall, Uri Samuni Faculty Mentor: Dr. Uri Samuni Determining the Sensitivity of Double Mutant rad4 rad5 Yeast Cells to Interstrand DNA 17 Crosslink Mengjia (Michelle) Lin, Wilma Saffran Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wilma Saffran Homologous Recombination in Crosslink-damaged ubc13 rad5 Yeast 18 Sara Wertenteil, Manuel A. Fajardo, Dr. Wilma Saffran Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wilma Saffran An Interesting Substituent Effect of the ICl-Induced Intramolecular Electrophilic 19 Cyclization of 1-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-alkynones to 5H-dibenzo[a,c][7]annulen-5-ones Eliyahu Perl Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yu Chen

DNA Binding of Ruthenium Complexes With a Positively Charged Ligand 20 Zachary M. Adler, Thomas C. Strekas, and Robert Engel Faculty Mentors: Dr. Thomas C. Strekas, Dr. Robert Engel Cationic Ligands for Ruthenium Complexes to Bind DNA and 50 Activate Potassium Ion Channels Clayton Hogan and Robert Engel Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Engel Earth and Environmental Science The Interaction of Struvite with Zinc and Copper through Dialysis Tubes 21 Jaiwantie Manni, Ashaki A. Rouff Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki A. Rouff Comparing UV-Vis and ICP-OES in the Detection of Phosphorus Concentrations 22 in Wastes Evelyn Michalos, Ashaki Rouff Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki A. Rouff Sorption of Zinc with Struvite 23 Karen Juarez, Ashaki Rouff Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki A. Rouff The Sedimentation Record of Earthquakes in the Tohoku-oki 2011 Epicentral 24 Region, Offshore Japan Elissa Julia Olivera, Cecilia M. McHugh, Pariskeh Hossaini, Toshiya Kanamatsu Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cecilia M. McHugh Family, Nutrition and Exercise Science Influence of Dual Task Constraints during Walking in Children with Unilateral 25 Cerebral Palsy Geneva S. Meredith, Ya-Ching Hung Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ya-Ching Hung Sensory Properties and Acceptability of Gingerbread Cakes using Applesauce 51 as a Fat Substitute Stephanie Coello, Maria Meskouris, and Rachel Coopersmith Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sung Eun Choi Mathematics Combinatorics of Flower Arrangements 26 Jung suk Do, Christopher Hanusa Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher Hanusa

Dynamical Systems 54 Konstantin Itskov Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Samuels

Physics Finding An Optimal Ag Nanowire Mesh for Solar Cells 27 Aislinn Deely, Luat Vuong Faculty Mentor: Dr. Luat Vuong Titanium Dioxide Based Aluminum Substrates for Organic Photovoltaic Cells 52 Hua Zheng and Luat Vuong Faculty Mentor: Dr. Luat Vuong

Psychology The Effect of Statins on Neuron Survival in Song Motor Nucleus HVC of the 28 Zebra Finch Alicia Barrientos, Shuk C Tsoi, Daniel Stalbow, Petros Pravasilis, Mimi Phan, Carolyn Pytte Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte Inflammation within the Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to Mold 29 Lauren Blachorsky, Edna Normand, Nafeesa Nasimi, Jenny Korman, Daniel Stalbow, Ariel Lopez, Sarah Leibowitz, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte, Kimberly Page Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte The Effect of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs on Adult Neurogenesis 30 Daniel Stalbow, Petros Pravasilis, Shuk C Tsoi, Carolyn Pytte, Mimi Phan Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte Inflammation within the Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to Mold 31 Corresponds to Altered Neurogenesis Ariel Lopez, Nafeesa Nasimi, Edna Normand, Jenny Korman, Daniel Stalbow, Sarah Leibowitz, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte, Kimberly Page Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte The Effect of Statin Drugs on Microglia Activation in the HVC Region of the 32 Juvenile Zebra Finch Susan Turner, Shuk C. Tsoi, Leen Feliciano, Aamir Qureshi, Carolyn Pytte Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte Quantitative Morphological Classification of Neurons in the Primary 33 Somatosensory Cortex Shayna Sosnowik, Chung Him Tse, Areti Tsimounis, Joshua C. Brumberg Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg

The Effect of Heroin self-administration on Perineuronal Nets using an Animal 34 Conflict Model of Abstinence and Relapse Kumarie Budhu, Joshua A. Peck, Philip Chu, Elina Kariyeva, Frank Rotella, Robert Ranaldi, Joshua C. Brumberg Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg Encoding of Stimulus Motion in Mouse Somatosensory Cortex 35 Vivian Liu, Adesh Bajnath, Joshua C. Brumberg Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg Effect of Mood Facilitation in Cognitive Tasks 36 Danna Galed, Danielle Cohen, Rosina Pzena and Justin Storbeck Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justin Storbeck Emotion and Working Memory Interactions 37 Raeya Maswood, Justin Storbeck Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justin Storbeck Assessment of Timing in Children with and without Autism: Does Autism 38 Modulate the Effects of Emotional Stimuli? Rosemarie G. Sapigao, Erich K. Grommet, Pierre S. Zelanti, Paulina Kaczmarczyk, Yuliya Ochakovskaya, Nancy S. Hemmes, Sandrine Gil, Sylvie Droit-Volet, Bruce L. Brown Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bruce L. Brown The Function of Associative Learning during Repeated Intermittent Heroin 39 Administration Jennifer Rojas, Rosemarie G. Sapigao, Jennifer Morrison, Nancy S. Hemmes, Robert Ranaldi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nancy S. Hemmes The Role Of Dopamine in the Acquisition and Maintenance of a Cocaine-Based 40 Conditioned Response Ewa Pawul, David Arastehmanesh, Monika Manuszak, Robert Ranaldi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Ranaldi Blockade of D1 dopamine receptors in the ventral tegmental area decreases 41 conditioned rewards Ewa Galaj, Monica Manuszak, David Arastehmanesh, Robert Ranaldi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Ranaldi Blockade of Glutamate Receptors in the VTA Reduces the Expression of 42 Conditioned Approach Priscila Hachimine, Neal Seepersad, Sandra Babic, Robert Ranaldi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Ranaldi Maternal Anxiety and Infant Neurobehaviorial Development: Assessing the 43 Impact of Phobias During Pregnancy Cindy Flores, Alysson Azra, Jackie Finik, Juliet Gerber, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura

The Comorbidity of PTSD and Drug Abuse Among Pregnant Women 44 Elizabeth Langer, Jackie Finik, Katarzyna Zajac, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura Investigating the impact of maternal obesity on birth outcomes 45 Ayelet Abelow, Jackie Finik, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura Impact of Parental Concordance for Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety 46 Disorder during Pregnancy on Infant Behavior Katarzyna Zajac, Aisha Ali, Nancy Huynh, Elizabeth Langer, Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura Maternal PTSD and its Effects on Infant Temperament 47 Rejina Daniel, Jackie Finik, Mariya Dineva, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura The Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Abstinence and Relapse using 48 an Animal Conflict Model Stephanie Eshak, Joshua Peck, and Robert Ranaldi Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Ranaldi Role of NMDA Receptor Antagonism in the Amygdala and Medial Prefrontal Cortex 49 in the Acquisition and Expression of Fructose-Conditioned Flavor Preferences in Rats Kerstin Olsson, Trisha Dindyal, Vishal Vig, Frank M. Rotella, Arzman Badalia, Sean M. Duenas, Maruf Hossain, Ira Yenko, Suzette Narinesingh, Nora Khalifa, Khalid Touzani, Anthony Scalfani and Richard Bodnar Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richard Bodnar

Role of autophagy gene in C. elegans germline proliferation

Feng Lin1, Kristina Ames1,2, Alicia Melendez1,2

Biology Department1 Queens College of the City University of New York

Biochemistry Department2 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Melendez

Abstract

Autophagy is a catabolic process of recycling cellular organelles and long-lived proteins important during maintenance of the cellular homeostasis and cell survival during stress conditions. Autophagy involves the formation of a double-membrane vesicle that engulfs part of cytoplasm of the cell, including dysfunctional organelles and/or accumulated protein aggregates, and fuses with the lysosome for the degradation and recycling of the targeted cellular material. Failure to clear up non-functional proteins and organelles has been implicated in various medical conditions such as liver disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. In our lab, we are using the nematode C. elegans as a model to study the role of autophagy genes in germline proliferation. The germ line is the only tissue that continues to proliferate during adulthood. Mitotic proliferation is regulated by the GLP-1/Notch signaling from the Distal Tip Cell and enhanced by DAF-2/Insulin receptor signaling. We hypothesize that autophagy genes affect proliferation of the germline cells through the insulin pathway. Our results show that atg-18 and atg-16.2 autophagy loss of function mutants display a decrease in mitotic cell proliferation in the distal gonad. Depletion of the daf-16/FOXO gene by RNAi, in animals that carry the autophagy gene mutation in atg-18 or atg-16.2, appears to restore the normal germ cell count in the distal gonad. The suppression of the atg-18 or atg-16.2 mutant phenotype by a loss of function mutation in daf-16/FOXO suggests that autophagy genes are required for the germline proliferation and possibly act via the insulin pathway. Further work will elucidate the cell specific requirements for the autophagy genes in the germline.

October 8, 2013 Queens College Undergraduate Science Research Day Page 1

The Role of Autophagy in Lipid Homeostasis in C. elegans

Melissa Silvestrini1,2, Hannah Hong2, Alicia Meléndez1,2 Biology Department1, Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Biology Department2 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Meléndez

Abstract

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process important for cellular homeostasis and survival. The process of autophagy is characterized by the formation of a double-membrane vesicle called the autophagosome, which engulfs cytoplasmic material and fuses with a lysosome, where its contents are degraded and recycled. Moreover, studies show that when nutrients are scarce, autophagy is induced and is responsible for the breakdown and recycling of stored lipids. This suggests similarities in the regulation as well as the functionality, between autophagy and lipid metabolism. Previously, our lab has shown that autophagy genes (bec-1, vps-34, unc-51 and lgg-1) are required to facilitate normal levels of neutral lipids in C. elegans during development. Loss of autophagy gene function results in the reduction of lipid content in ad libitum 1 day-old adult animals, albeit it is not clear if the reduction in fat is due to increased lipid breakdown or a lack of lipid biosynthesis. Thus, we will determine if there is a defect in synthesis and establish if autophagy mobilizes lipid stores when nutrients are scarce. These experiments may provide insight into the complex interplay between autophagy and lipid homeostasis in C. elegans.


The Role of Endocytic Genes in Autophagy

David Jimenez1, Nicholas Palmisano1,2, Alicia Meléndez1,2

Department of Biology1 Queens College of the City University of New York

Department of Biology2 The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alicia Meléndez

Abstract

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process by which cells degrade cytoplasmic constituents through the formation of a double-membrane vesicle termed the autophagosome. The autophagosome then fuses with the lysosome, resulting in the degradation of the cytoplasmic cargo. Autophagy can be stimulated by multiple forms of stress, as for example: nutrient deprivation, lack of growth factors, DNA damage, hypoxia, damaged organelles, the accumulation of protein aggregates, or the presence of intracellular pathogens. Endocytosis is the process by which cells take up molecules from their environment, leading to the proper sorting and trafficking of these molecules throughout the cell. Autophagy and endocytosis have been found to be highly intertwined, as several of the proteins involved in autophagy also affect endocytosis. In addition, physically, endocytosis and autophagy may also crosstalk, as prior to the fusion with a lysosome, an autophagosome may initially fuse with an endosome, forming an amphisome, which then fuses with a lysosome.To further understand the relationship between endocytosis and autophagy, we utilized the model organism C. elegans. In C. elegans, the stress response to, for example, starvation, high temperature, and overcrowding, triggers dauer formation. Dauer larva are an alternative developmental program design to survive stress, where animals are able to survive harsh environmental conditions.The daf-2 gene encodes the insulin-like receptor and daf-2(e1370) mutants have a constitutive dauer phenotype at 25°C, and are long lived at 15 or 20°C,. Previously, we found that daf-2 mutants have increased levels of autophagy at all temperatures. Importantly, autophagy was shown to be important for the morphological changes associated with dauer formation in daf-2(e1370) mutants. Very recently, we have performed an RNAi screen to identify endocytic genes required to induce autophagy in daf-2 mutants. We found that 24 out 85 genes increased the accumulation of two autophagy cargo reporters, GFP::LGG-1 and SQST-1::GFP. We will report on our analysis of these endocytic genes as candidates genes that affect the autophagy process.


Regulation of Metabolism by TGF-β Signaling in C. elegans

Vanessa Almonte, James Clark, Cathy Savage-Dunn Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cathy Savage-Dunn

Abstract Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) is a large family of peptide growth factors that control numerous cell functions such as differentiation, proliferation, and regulation of the immune system. Misregulation of TGF-β has been implicated in autoimmune disease, cancer and obesity. Understanding the pathways that lead to such disorders is imperative in finding potential targets for drug therapy. The nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, is used as a genetically tractable model organism with significant sequence and functional homology with humans. In C. elegans, DBL-1, a ligand belonging to the TGF-β superfamily, regulates growth. Interestingly, the target genes of the DBL-1 pathway include insulin growth factors and fat metabolism regulators, suggesting an interaction between DBL-1 and insulin in regulating growth. Microarray analysis of the dbl-1mutant shows an increase in insulin transcripts suggesting that DBL-1 down regulates the insulin pathway. Insulin involvement in fat metabolism is well documented. However, a function of insulin in growth regulation of C. elegans has not been elucidated. Here we ask whether body size is being altered through lipid stores, implicating the insulin pathway in growth regulation. To test this idea, we use the lipophilic dye, Oil Red-O, to determine if there is a difference in lipid storage using the wild type and dbl-1 (TGF-β), lon-2 (TGF-β inhibitor), and daf-2 (insulin receptor) mutants. We hypothesize dbl-1 to show a decrease in intestinal lipid storage and lon-2 to show an increase in intestinal lipid storage when compared to wild type. Second, from the identified target genes of the DBL-1 pathway, four genes were chosen for study: ins-4 and ins-7, insulin-like peptides, and fat-6 and fat-7, which encode Δ-9 fatty acid desaturases that are known transcriptional targets of the insulin pathway. A number of single and double mutant strains have been obtained to examine lipid storage by Oil Red-O analysis, and to assess growth by making body size measurements at different stages of development. We hypothesize that fat-6 and fat-7 to be smaller in length than wild type. Methods: Lipid storage analysis was performed by staining fixed young adult worms with the lipophilic dye Oil Red-O and imaged with DIC microscopy. Body size measurements were taken at specific stages of development. Results: Both dbl-1 and lon-2 mutants show decrease lipid storage; fat-6 and fat-7 show significant increase in body size when compared to wild type. Conclusion: Based on these results DBL-1 regulates cell size by inhibiting insulins leading to increased fats. fat-6 and fat-7 mutants show significant increase in body size when compared to wild type indicating that FAT-6 and FAT-7 are over compensating in the absence of the other. Evidence to support this hypothesis is based on the observation that fat-6; fat-7 double mutants are significantly smaller than wild type.


Viral Emergence in Novel Host Populations

Qainat Shah, Gregroy Lallos, John Dennehy Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John Dennehy

Abstract

Emerging pathogens such as HIV and Dengue virus have successfully invaded human populations whereas other pathogens like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus have failed to persist. For a pathogen to successfully emerge it has to be able to not only infect a novel host but also achieve a positive population growth on that host. It is hypothesized that there is a direct relationship between initial fitness of virus on a novel host and the probability by which it will successfully emerge on that host, but this has never been tested before. Three bacteriophage ϕ6 host range mutant strains differing in fitness were used to determine the relationship between fitness and emergence probability. Emergence conditions were mimicked by imposing a severe transmission bottlenecks during serial passaging on novel host, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes East River isolate A (ERA). For each of 10 replicates, passaging was continued until a lineage went extinct or achieved positive population growth rate. Results showed that there is a direct relationship between a viruses’ initial fitness on a novel host and its probability of emergence.


Insight into the Host Range of Mycobacteriophages through Codon Usage Bias

Lauren A. Esposito, Swati Gupta, Ashley Prasad and John J. Dennehy Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. John J. Dennehy

Abstract Mycobacteriophages are viruses that infect mycobacterial hosts such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae. Currently, the standard means of harvesting novel mycobacteriophages is through infection of the nonpathogenic M. smegmatis. However, the ability of these mycobacteriophages to infect M. smegmatis does not offer much insight into the broader host range of these phages. The vast population of mycobacteriophages is highly genetically diverse, with some phages sharing little to no sequence similarity. Codon usage bias refers to the differences in the frequency of use of synonymous codons during protein synthesis. Despite the fact that there are multiple synonymous codons for a given amino acid, organisms do not use them randomly or in equal frequencies. This suggests that codon usage bias may have an effect on cellular fitness and/or function. Since the principle means of bacteriophage propagation is through utilization of the host’s translational machinery, the phage’s adaptations for efficient translation within their host is optimized by the phages matching the codon usage patterns of their mycobacterial host(s).We examine correlations between the codon usage bias of 199 different mycobacteriophages and that of several fully sequenced mycobacterial species as means to understand the underlying genomic mechanisms responsible for the host range of mycobacteriophages.


The Effects of Resveratrol Compounds on the Motility and Proliferation of F10 Melanoma Cells

Christian Rivoira1, Dr. Valery Morris2, Dr. Susan A. Rotenberg2

Biology Department1

Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York Chemistry/Biochemistry Department2

Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Valery Morris, Dr. Susan A. Rotenberg

Abstract

Resveratrol is a phytochemical found in grapes and wine and has been reported to possess anti-carcinogenic effects. The effects of several cis and trans isomers of resveratrol were tested on highly metastatic mouse B16 F10 cells to see the effect on cell motility. Cells were seeded onto 96-well plates, treated with each compound and then run through a proliferation assay. F10 cells were also plated on 6-well plates and allowed to grow until 100% confluent for a wound healing assay. These samples were then scratched and treated with the compounds. Pictures of Time 0 and Time 5 were taken in order to quantify the closing of the wounds. Through western blots the effects of these compounds of β-tubulin were seen, as this has been reported to be the target of many of these compounds. It was found that compounds such as A2, CTM, and R52 were very effective in reducing the motility and proliferation of F10 melanoma cells. It was also found that A2 did not affect the β-tubulin of these cells, and that A2 seemed the least effective on Fibroblast cells, a good sign if this compound were ever to be used as a topical agent.


All Dengue Strains Induce Autophagy by Using NS4A to Activate ATM Kinase and Inhibit mTOR

Sounak Ghosh Roy1, Jeff McLean1, Emmanuel Datan2, Narges Zali2, Lauren Alvarez2, Ezekiel Tabet2, Zahra Zakeri2

Biology Department1

Graduate Center of the City University of New York Biology Department2 Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zahra Zakeri

Abstract Dengue virus (Flaviviridae) causes the often lethal DHF (Dengue hemorrhagic fever). This positive ssRNA type IV virus has four serotypes (DENV 1, 2, 3, 4), each of which is infectious; with worldwide infection rates as high as 100 million/year with 2.5 billion people at risk for infection. It has been declared endemic in more than 100 countries. A particular problem is that exposure to more than one serotype can trigger DHF. We have previously shown that DENV2 and Modoc (murine flavivirus) kill murine macrophages, but protect canine renal epithelial cells (MDCK) and murine fibroblasts exposed to lethal toxins and stressors (camptothecin, staurosporine, cycloheximide, influenza virus). Cell protection correlated with viral infectivity. We have documented that this protective effect derives from induction of autophagy by the viral gene NS4A (Mclean et al, 2011). Here we report that all four serotypes induce autophagy and that, although the NS4A sequences differ, all variants function similarly in that they induce autophagy and protect cells against stressors. Autophagy is induced via the ATM and mTOR pathway. The specific ATM inhibitor caffeine reveals that DENV2 infection enables ATM kinase to inhibit mTOR and trigger autophagy. We hypothesize that DENV2 induces ER-stress and one or more of the UPR pathways increase the ROS level which then triggers ATM to block mTOR and cause autophagy.


Dengue-2 infection induces ER stress that leads to upregulation of autophagy

Sasha Harbajan, Golnoush Golshan, Emmanuel Datan, Jeffrey McLean, and Zahra Zakeri Biology Department Queens College of the City University of New York Biology Department Graduate Center of the City University of New York


Abstract Dengue, a flavivirus commonly transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations in children in subtropical regions. This virus invades epithelial, endothelial and immune cells. We find that Dengue-2 or Modoc (a murine flavivirus) upregulates autophagy, and that autophagy is important to virus replication in epithelial cells and perhaps for the persistent infection. Autophagy is natural phenomenon that involves the degradation of a cell’s own components—such as old proteins and organelles to use for energy and maintain the cell’s functions under conditions of stress, such as starvation. Several studies have linked endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with autophagy. The single stranded viral genome loops itself into the lumen of the ER where it replicates. Taken together we have hypothesized that Dengue-2 induces autophagy through its induction of ER stress by insertion of the viral protein NS4A into ER. We further postulate that Dengue-2 induced ER stress leads to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of ATM pathways which downregulates mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)—an autophagy inhibitor, thus inducing autophagy. To this end, our aim was determine first if dengue infection leads to ER stress by examining the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) related genes EIF2K3, ERN1, ATF6, calreticulin, and XBP1 splicing at translational and transcriptional levels. We have found that cells infected with Dengue-2 induced ER stress due to the expression of calreticulin. As we continue with this study, we will determine if the viral NS4A protein causes ER by NS4A transfection. Our findings should lead to new insights into the means by which dengue virus activates and allow us if it proves beneficial to suppress that autophagy.


Sex Dimorphic Effect of DNA Methylation on Gene Expression and Cellular Response

Mayra Cruz1, Dinah Han1, Carlos Penaloza, Richard Lockshin, and Zahra Zakeri Department of Biology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Many diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus differ in frequency or severity between male and female. These differences in disease are generally attributed to hormonal differences between the sexes; however more innate sexual differences may play a major role. Our laboratory has previously shown that male and female cells from each organ respond in a sex dependent manner, as measured by cell viability and gene expression. We have also shown that differences in gene expression are linked to differences in the methylation of DNA. In this study we address whether sex differences in cellular response to stress, gene expression, and DNA methylation exist in different organs at different stages of development. To this end, we are deriving cell cultures from male and female lungs and kidneys at embryonic day 17.5 as well as postnatal days 4 and 17. These cells are assessed for viability and gene expression profiles after exposure to ethanol. The cells are then exposed to 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, over several population doublings, to globally inhibit de novo methylation. This will allow us to validate previous observations and determine the impact of the organ and developmental stages. So far, we find that male and female cells derived from lung and kidney, are differentially sensitive to ethanol and that blocking DNA methylation reduces these differences in cell viability. We are currently looking at the gene expression profile as well the importance of DNA methylation. If we understand better of how DNA methylation influences cell viability, we will better understand how diseases can be sexually dimorphic. This work was conducted in part with equipment in the Core Facility for Imaging, cellular and Molecular Biology at Queens College and has been supported by the MARC U-Star Program. This work has been supported by NIH grant. 1 Both authors contributed equally in this work.


Characterization of the Fold and Conformation of Recombinant Globular Proteins on the Surface of Spider-Silk Mimetic

Glendon D. McLachlan, Christopher Graham Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glendon D. McLachlan

Abstract Silk proteins from spiders and silk-worms are non-globular, fibrous assemblies that have been applied in tissue engineering, as molecular scaffolds for macromolecular complex formation in vivo. Silks are bio-compatible, bio-inert and robust. The material properties of this tough, flexible polymer have been suggested to make it ideal as a scaffold for bottom up molecular design. Spider-silk mimetics, designed with different numbers of the semi-crystalline repeat region (i.e. multiples of the 33-amino acid sequence) of spider dragline silk have been conjugated to a number of globular proteins, including cytochrome C, human profilin1, human β-defensin 2 and a small lytic peptide by chemical cross-linking. The objective is to determine the suitability of the recombinant silk mimetics for bottom-up molecular design, including the effect of the number of repeats encoded in the silk sequence on the conformation of the conjugated, globular protein/proteins. Specifically, the fold and conformational stability of the silk-conjugated proteins will be analyzed by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, differential light scattering, calorimetric (DSC) and solution/solid state NMR. It is important to determine the conformation of the globular proteins in the context of the silk-scaffold protein interface, since surface effects may perturb the low energy conformation to a less energetically favored conformer. Importantly, the stably folded species are important for function and array extension.


Towards the Synthesis of a Potent, Selective, and Covalent Inhibitor of Cysteine Cathepsin L

Viviana Torres1, Sanjai Kumar2 Biology Department1

Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry2


Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sanjai Kumar

Abstract Cysteine cathepsins are an important class of enzymes that participate in the degradation of proteins, both within the living cell and the extracellular matrix. The endopeptidase cathepsin L, a dominant member of the cysteine cathepsin family, plays an essential role in the processing of antigens, proper bone resorption, and turnover of intracellular and secreted proteins. However, aberrant expression of the enzyme cathepsin L has been proven to provoke tumor cell invasion, tumor cell apoptosis, and resistance to therapies due to the catalytic degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membranes. Therefore, the enzyme Cathepsin L has become an important therapeutic target for drug development. Unfortunately potent, selective, and cell permeable inhibitors of cathepsin L remain scarcely available to serve as lead compounds for therapeutic development. Herein, a library of aryl vinyl sulfonate compounds has been synthesized with a variety of substituted phenols, in the presence of 2-chloroethanesulfonyl chloride, anhydrous dichloromethane, and the base triethylamine. From the library of compounds, compound 8 has been identified as the lead covalent inhibitor of cathepsin L activity. Enzyme kinetics analysis demonstrates that the para-substituted bromine functional group in compound 8 plays a critical role in the binding affinity towards the putative S2’ pocket of cathepsin L. Finally, a potent, selective, and cell preamble inhibitor of cathepsin L enzyme, will be developed utilizing compound 8 as the lead scaffold.


Targeting Prime-site Pockets for Cathepsin L

Daniel Andre Novoa and Sanjai Kumar Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Cysteine cathepsins are a family of enzymes that are critically important in a variety of cellular processes, including protein and cellular turnover, bone formation, and immune response. These enzymes use a thiolate anion of a cysteine residue to promote the catalytic turnover of their protein substrates. Aberrant regulation of their activities is linked to a variety of human diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. This investigation focuses on developing novel cell-permeable, potent, and selective inhibitory agents of cathepsin L, an enzyme whose hyperactivity is known to be involved in metastatic cancer. A library of small inhibitory molecules is synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR. The library design includes a vinyl sulfonate moiety as a Michael acceptor in the context of a small non-peptidyl molecule and presumably targets the prime-binding sites. The efficacy of these compounds will be evaluated against cathepsin L, and other cysteine cathepsin enzymes. This endeavor is anticipated to optimize the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for enhanced selectivity and potency toward the cathepsin L enzyme. Finally, the lead inhibitory compounds will be assessed for anti-metastatic activity in human cell lines.


A Base-Controlled Regioselective Synthesis of Allyl and Vinyl Phenyl Sulfones

Anibal Davalos, Sanjai Kumar Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract When diethyl phenylsulfonylmethylphosphonate is reacted with 2-arylacetaldehydes using 1.1 equiv. of sodium hydride, allyl phenyl sulfones are obtained in excellent yield. On the other hand, using 0.9 equivalent of sodium hydride for the same reaction gave exclusively the vinyl phenyl sulfone isomer. The regioselective control observed in these reactions offers a general method for synthesizing novel vinyl and allyl phenyl sulfones in one step from the same starting materials. We also studied the general conditions for the scope of this reaction. Bases stronger and weaker than NaH do not work. An extended conjugation of the double bond in allylsulfones formed from the reaction of 2-arylacetaldehydes is required for the observed regio- and stereo-selectivity.


OM-120: Qualitative Titration Analysis of a transition metal complex from the Ruthenium 4,4’- bipyridine series in Calf Thymus DNA

Freida Zavurov Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Strekas

Abstract OM-120, a transition metal complex from the Ruthenium 4,4’-bipyridine series was titrated with Calf Thymus DNA. Initial UV-Vis spectra of the complex established stability over the course of an hour. A change in absorbance was observed with the addition of DNA, indicating some level of interaction. Fluorescence emission data gave insight as to the range of concentrations required to distinguish OM-120 and DNA from some level of interactions to actual binding. Calculations and plotting of the change in fluorescence intensities versus the change divided by DNA concentration for 7.65 x 10-5

to 1.19 x 10-4 M bp (76 to 119 µM) gave a binding constant K = 1.0 x 105.


Synergistic effect of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Peroxide on E. coli Cell Survival

Tonmoy Kabiraj, Reeta Yadav, Melinda Harbhajan, Solly Sebastian, Sadia Mohaimin, Wendy Lee, Lindawati Hermawan, Leah Punalall, Uri Samuni Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Uri Samuni

Abstract Nitric Oxide (NO) plays diverse roles in physiological and pathological processes. It has shown anti-cancerous activity and antibacterial properties. It was also found to protect eukaryotes against oxidative injury. We studied the effect of nitric oxide on the kinetics of prokaryote cell survival in the presence of oxidative stress. The results show a mild cytostatic effect of nitric oxide when added alone. However, when nitric oxide is added in the presence of H2O2, a strong synergistic killing of E. coli was observed, as compared to the effect of H2O2 alone. This may represent a new therapeutic avenue given the differing effects on prokaryote vs. eukaryote cells. The addition of the antioxidant TEMPOL has abrogated the pro-oxidative synergy of NO/H2O2. This cell permeable antioxidant, which hardly reacts with diamagnetic species, and neither react with NO, nor with H2O2, can detoxify redox-active transition metals. This suggests that the synergic killing may result from NO-induced release of traces of redox-active transition metal ions from cellular stores, which then catalyze the Haber-Weiss reaction of H2O2. We also demonstrate the fabrication, characterization and application of hybrid silica nanogels for a sustained delivery of NO and H2O2 resulting in synergic bacterial killing.


Determining the Sensitivity of Double Mutant rad4 rad5 Yeast Cells to Interstrand DNA Crosslink

Mengjia (Michelle) Lin

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wilma Saffran

Abstract Psoralen and ultraviolet light lead to inter-strand crosslinks (ICLs) that link two individual strands of DNA. ICLs, the most dangerous form of DNA damage, are responsible for preventing replication and transcription in cells. Several repair pathways act on ICLs in yeast. The nucleotide excision repair pathway repairs damaged DNA by removing the modified nucleotides and filling in the resulting gap. The post-replication repair pathway does not remove the damage, but allows the cell to tolerate the lesion and resume replication. RAD4 is a nucleotide excision repair gene, while RAD5 is a post-replication repair gene. When either of the two is missing, cellular sensitivity to ICLs increases. The focus of this study is to see if a double mutation of RAD4 and RAD5 will further impact cell sensitivity. The results of survival measurements show the double mutant rad4rad5 is more sensitive to psoralen-induced ICLs than RAD5. The double mutant rad4rad5 shows less recombination than the wild type.


Homologous Recombination in Crosslink-damaged ubc13 rad5 Yeast

Sara Wertenteil, Manuel A. Fajardo, Dr. Wilma Saffran Biochemistry Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Wilma Saffran

Abstract A crosslink is a covalent bond between DNA strands that obstructs DNA replication; it can be induced by psoralen + UV light. Crosslink repair is accomplished by genetic recombination by interaction with an undamaged homologue or post replication repair (PRR). By reestablishing function of the damaged chromosomes, recombination is an important repair pathway and critical to the study of cancer. We are studying this process in a ubc13 rad5 strain of yeast cells, which lacks the UBC13 and RAD5 genes that function in PRR. The cells carry two different mutant copies of the his3 gene arranged in a direct repeat; growth detected on a -his plate indicates a functional HIS3 gene that ensues from recombination. Three different types of recombination, deletion, gene conversion, and crossing over, can result in a functional HIS3 gene. Deletions will lead to the phenotype His+ Trp-, and both gene conversion and crossing over lead to the phenotype His+ Trp+. Through genetic analysis, we can measure the amount of deletions, but not distinguish between gene conversions and triplications; for those we use physical analysis. In colonies subjected to both UV and psoralen, recombinants were mostly deletions and conversions, with triplications to a lesser extent, while in colonies only exposed to UV light, deletion and triplication were the predominant recombination processes. Compared to the double mutant ubc13 rad5, the single mutants rad5 and ubc13 both produced more gene conversions, as did the repair proficient yeast.


An Interesting Substituent Effect of the ICl-Induced Intramolecular Electrophilic Cyclization of 1-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-alkynones to 5H-dibenzo[a,c][7]annulen-5-ones

Eliyahu Perl Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yu Chen

Abstract The iodine monochloride induced intramolecular cyclization of 1-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-alkynones to regioselective or regiosepecific product has recently been developed by the Chen Research Group.1 A new group of spiroconjugated compounds—4'H-spiro[cyclohexa[2,5]diene-1,1'-naphthalene]-4,4'-diones is produced by an electrophilic iodocyclization at the ipso position of the 1,1’-diphenyl bond.

Depending on the identity of the distal phenyl groups on the reacting alkynone, an ortho electrophilic aromatic substitution can compete with the ipso-cyclization, affording dibenzo[a,c][7]annulen-5-ones, a class of allocolchicine analogues. By modifying the reacting alkynone, both pathways can thus be regiospecifically “switched on” or “off”, leading to a single ipso- or ortho-cyclization product. This is especially useful due to the unique properties of both classes of compounds: spiroconjugated species due to their unique photochromatic properties and subsequent application for the material sciences, and allocolchicine analogues—in the fields of medicine and pharmacology—due to their potent anticancer activity as tubulin-polymerization inhibitors.

1Chen, Y.; Liu, X.; Lee, M.; Huang, C.; Inoyatov, I.; Chen, Z.; Perl, A. C.; Hersh, W. H. ICl-Induced Intramolecular Electrophilic Cyclization of 1-(4'-Methoxy-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-alkynones—A Facile Approach to Spiroconjugated Molecules. Chem. Eur. J. 2013, 19, 9795-9799.


DNA Binding of Ruthenium Complexes With a Positively Charged Ligand

Zachary M. Adler, Thomas C. Strekas, and Robert Engel Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Thomas C. Strekas and Dr. Robert Engel

Abstract In this study, we focused on the binding constants of (calf) DNA with ruthenium (II) tris-diimine complexes OM-31 and OM-34 at, both synthesized by the Engel research group. The studies were done via fluorescence titration with a Horiba Jobin-Yvon Fluoromax-P spectrometer at an excitation of 450 nm. We confirmed the previously found binding constant for OM-31 (K b=1.7 x 104). We obtained a binding constant for OM-34 of 3.46 x 103 only once beginning at a concentrated amount of 607 microM DNA.


The Interaction of Struvite with Zinc and Copper through Dialysis Tubes

Jaiwantie Manni, Ashaki A. Rouff School of Earth and Environmental Science Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki A. Rouff

Abstract Fertilizer is one the main necessities for generating crops today. However, we face a serious problem concerning where can we get these fertilizers, and at what risk to the environment. This project is focused on struvite, a mineral that can be recovered from wastewater and then recycled as a fertilizer. We concentrated on understanding the interaction of struvite with metals in wastewater by using dialysis tubes. The tubes allowed us to create a pathway between the struvite suspended in the dialysis tubes and the solution around it. We chose to study zinc and copper concentrations in our experiments because they were the most common trace elements found in waste material collected from nearby farms. The dialysis tubes, which came in various pore sizes, were placed in solutions of 0.1 M NaCl and 0.1M NaNO3, which also contained trace amounts of zinc and copper. For each solution, we measured the concentration of zinc and copper at 0 hours, 24 hours, and 1 week, using ICP-OES. We found that the most efficient dialysis tube was the 3500 um pore size. It allowed the metals in solution to interact with the struvite without any adsorption to the tubes themselves. The next step in this project is to replicate this process with the actual wastewater solutions.


Comparing UV-Vis and ICP-OES in the Detection of Phosphorus Concentrations in Wastes

Evelyn Michalos2, Dr. Ashaki Rouff1

Earth and Environmental Science Department1 Chemistry and Biochemistry Department2


Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki Rouff

Abstract

Using phosphorus in fertilizer, usually in the form of a phosphate mineral called struvite, promotes healthy growth of crops needed to feed rising populations. However, using phosphorus fertilizer in industrial farming has revealed two problematic effects: 1) run off into water advances eutrophication and 2) phosphorus is not replenished. The overall goal of this research is to recycle phosphorus by extracting it in the form of struvite from sewage and waste water to continue agricultural growth as well as to prevent excess eutrophication. In order to do so, one must examine the phosphorus concentration in waste samples.

The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether the UV-Vis or the ICP-OES is the preferred method for detecting phosphorus concentrations in wastes. Phosphorus concentrations in sodium nitrate, sodium chloride, greenhouse waste, and swine waste samples were measured with the UV-Vis and ICP-OES and compared. It was found that the preferred method for measuring phosphorus concentrations in wastes is the UV-Vis because measurements are not as affected by various backgrounds and electrolytes in solution as the ICP-OES measurement of phosphorus is. It was also found that diluting waste samples before measurement should minimize interference due to a matrix effect and that more phosphorus may be recovered from swine waste. The next step would be to see how much struvite can be recovered from swine waste.


Sorption of Zinc with Struvite

Karen Juarez, Ashaki Rouff School of Earth and Environmental Science Queens College, City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ashaki Rouff

Abstract

The use of phosphate rocks and their products as fertilizers has significantly increased due to global food production. Phosphorous is a limited natural resource and with a growing world population studies estimate that the phosphorous supply may be severely depleted over the next century. Recovering phosphorous from animal and human wastes by the precipitation of the mineral struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) provides an alternative source of phosphorous. Studies show that struvite yields high percentages of phosphorous and allows for a more controlled rate of phosphorous release. However contaminants in wastewater can interact with struvite and if associated with the mineral may be toxic and affect the recovery of phosphorous. This study focuses on the interaction of zinc with struvite. Zinc is a micronutrient metal that could become toxic when exceeding certain concentrations. Experiments using model solutions were used to determine the effect of initial metal concentration on zinc sorption with struvite. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) results showed an increase in zinc uptake by struvite with higher metal concentrations. X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy analysis reveal more about the type of interaction occurring. This study can help to control the metal content and the recycling of phosphorous bearing struvite, ultimately conserving the limited global phosphate reserves.


The Sedimentation Record of Earthquakes in the Tohoku-oki 2011 Epicentral Region, Offshore Japan

Elissa Julia Olivera1, Cecilia M. McHugh1, Pariskeh Hossaini1, Toshiya Kanamatsu2 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences1 Queens College of the City University of New York Japan Agency for Marine Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) 2 Yokosuka, Japan

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cecilia M. McHugh

Abstract The tsunami caused by the March 11, 2011 Mw 9 earthquake near Tohoku, Japan was devastating to the people of Japan and its economy. The purpose of this research is to find evidence from the marine sedimentary record near the Tohoku-oki 2011 epicentral region of the 2011 earthquake and prior events. The ultimate goal is to determine the recurrence interval of megaearthquakes for providing a better understanding of their frequency. This will allow prediction of future events through modeling and better seismic risk assessment for the safety of the population.

As part of a JAMSTEC sponsored program “The Survey and Observation for Earthquakes and Tsunamis off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku” 30 sediment piston cores were collected from the R/V Natsushima in 2013. A multiproxy approach using visual core descriptions and X-ray fluorescence elemental analysis calibrated to a chronology developed from short-lived radioisotopes was used to study the sediment cores. The visual core descriptions indicated evidence of mass wasting in the sediment recovered from an upper terrace in water depths of 1000 to 2000 m. The mass-wasting was related to the 2011 event through 134Cs, 137Cs, 234Th, and 210Pb short-lived radioisotope dating. 134Cs with a half life of two years was linked to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear reactor release. 210Pb indicates a sedimentation rate of 1 mm per year, which will help evaluate normal marine sedimentation rates at that location. X-ray fluorescence elemental analyses helped constrain the thickness of the deposit and its sedimentary source. Turbidite-homogenite units and sediments showing evidence of fluidization were identified in the upper meter of several sediment cores recovered from a terrace in 5000 to 6000 m of water depth. Future research goals involve obtaining a chronology from ash layers for identifying older earthquake events and recovering sediment cores at trench depths of 7500 m.


Influence of Dual Task Constraints during Walking in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Geneva S. Meredith, Ya-Ching Hung Department of Family, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences


Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ya-Ching Hung

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of dual task constraints on walking and bimanual coordination for children with and without unilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP). Ten children with unilateral CP (age 7-11 years; MACS levels I -II) and ten age-matched typically developed children were asked to first walk along a path (baseline condition) and then to walk again while carrying a box steady and level (dual task condition) at preferred speed. The results showed that children with unilateral CP decreased their walking velocity, stride length, step width, and toe clearance from the floor under dual task constraints when compared to baseline condition (all P’s <0.05), however, typically developing children did not change. Children with unilateral CP also had less leveled box carrying, larger vertical box movement, and larger elbow movement when compared to typically developing children (all P’s <0.05). Dual task constrains with a secondary motor task like the current walking with a box task seemed challenging for children with unilateral CP. Therefore, future treatments or assessments should consider using dual task constraints to manipulate the difficulty of the tasks.


Combinatorics of Flower Arrangements

Jung suk Do, Christopher Hanusa Department of Mathematics Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Christopher Hanusa

Abstract

I researched the number of ways to make a bouquet of flowers given a varying number of different types of flowers as the variables are getting fewer or more.

The question is that how many ways I can make a bouquet of N number of flowers if I have F number of T types of flowers? Each type of flower can be selected from 0 to F times and I have T number of types of them. The generating function is an inclusion-exclusion and mixed multiple choice case for this question. I analyzed the generating function into each variables, T, F and N using tables and graphs by MS Excel. From the results of my examination, the number of types of flower, T, is the most influential variable to the number of ways of flowers can be arranged, which increases rapidly as T gets larger and larger. The number of ways approaches up to ((T+ 11)^N)/N! where T is much larger than N by the Binomial Stirling formula. Meanwhile, the number of flowers for each type, F, increases up to a certain number of ways when F=N and stays steady after that. It means the number of ways for flower arrangements is not changed where F is greater or equal to the number of N. The number of flowers to choose for a bunch, N, gives its maximum point for the number of ways to arrange flowers at N=25 given that F=10 and T=5 having a bell shape.


Finding An Optimal Ag Nanowire Mesh for Solar Cells

Aislinn Deely, Luat Vuong Department of Physics Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Luat Vuong

Abstract

There are many benefits of using Ag nanowire meshes in organic photovoltaic cells (PVCs): Ag nanowires have low resistivity and high optical transmission (Lim et al., 2012). An Ag nanowire electrode is also more cost efficient compared to traditional indium tin oxide (ITO) PVCs. However, these Ag nanowire electrodes are only efficient when they are uniform and smooth, as compared to a rough active layer (Gaynor et al., 2011). Over wavelengths 350-800 nm, ITO cells have a 90% transmission, while PVCs using Ag nanowires have 86% transmission. Therefore, PVCs using Ag nanowire meshes are a decent alternative to expensive ITO cells. This research encompasses finding an effective combination of high transmission and low resistivity for an optimal Ag NW electrode.


The Effect of Statins on Neuron Survival in Song Motor Nucleus HVC of the Zebra Finch

Alicia Barrientos1, Shuk C Tsoi2, Daniel Stalbow1, Petros Pravasilis1, Mimi Phan3, Carolyn Pytte1,2

Psychology Department1 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuroscience Doctoral Program2 Graduate Center of the City University of New York Psychology Department3 Rutgers University

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carolyn Pytte

Abstract Obesity and high blood cholesterol are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease which remains the leading cause of death in the United States. This underscores the widespread prescription of statins (e.g., Lipitor®), a class of drugs that inhibit cholesterol synthesis. In response to this concern, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of four statins to children as young as 8 who have a genetic predisposition to develop these metabolic disorders. While differences in pharmacokinetics have been evaluated in populations of children with a genetic risk for these disorders, the potential effects of long-term use of statins on cognition have not been evaluated. In vitro studies testing the effects of statins on brain tissue have provided conflicting results, including both interfering with the generation of new neurons as well as protecting new neurons against death. Here we are studying the effects long-term statin use on learning and neurogenesis in vivo using a songbird model system. Songbirds undergo a critical period for learning their vocalizations from a tutor. The acoustic structure of songs were analyzed and the vocalizations were assigned a “similarity score” using the software Sound Analysis Pro. We found that statin-treated juveniles demonstrated poorer imitations of their tutor’s song relative to controls. We then evaluated the effects of statins on neurogenesis by labeling mitotically active cells with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and using immunocytochemistry to label BrdU and Hu, a protein expressed by neurons. New neurons were quantified in song motor nucleus HVC, a region involved in song learning and production. Preliminary results show a trend toward higher numbers of new neurons in HVC of statin-treated birds relative to controls. To explain the increase in new neurons corresponding to impaired learning, we suggest that the neuroprotective properties of statins may be interfering with the brain’s natural pruning mechanisms which eliminate neurons that do not contribute to normal function. If so, perhaps neurogenesis is naturally tuned to an optimal range and either diminishing, or pharmacologically enhancing new neuron survival is detrimental to normal brain function.


Inflammation within the Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to Mold

Lauren Blachorsky, Edna Normand, Nafeesa Nasimi, Jenny Korman, Daniel Stalbow, Ariel Lopez, Sarah Leibowitz, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte, Kimberly Page Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Prolonged exposure to indoor mold can cause severe cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. The goal of our research is to establish a mouse model for studying cognitive and neural effects of mold exposure using the black mold Stachybotrys. Our research focuses on the hippocampus, which subserves particular types of learning and memory. In earlier work we found impaired hippocampal-dependent memory and increased anxiety in mold-treated mice. We predict that these impairments are mediated by neural inflammation in the hippocampus, which can be assessed by quantifying the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin1-Beta (IL-1β). We selected IL-1β because it has been associated with a wide range of cognitive deficits, such as decreased hippocampal memory. Mice were given intranasal treatments of low doses of either intact (IN) spores, extracted (EX) spores (with toxins removed), or saline vehicle (VEH) 3 times per week for 6 weeks. During weeks 4-6, the mice were tested on hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Brains were processed for immunohistochemistry to label the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which is expressed primarily by microglia. Numbers of cells expressing IL-1β, and numbers of IL-1β –positive cellular processes, per area sampled were quantified throughout the CA1 and the whole hippocampus. We found significant differences in numbers of IL-1β-expressing cells and processes between IN, EX, and VEH groups in both the CA1 and throughout the entire hippocampus (ANOVA, p<0.05). On all measures, IN mice showed significantly more IL-1β expression than VEH mice (Tukey’s posthoc test) while EX groups had intermediate values. These findings support our model that cognitive and affective impairment following repeated exposure to mold triggers an innate immune response leading to central inflammation.


The Effect of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs on Adult Neurogenesis

Daniel Stalbow1, Petros Pravasilis1, Shuk C Tsoi2, Carolyn Pytte1,2 , Mimi Phan3 Psychology Department1 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuroscience Doctoral Program2 Graduate Center of the City University of New York Psychology Department3 Rutgers University


Abstract In an age when high cholesterol is on the rise, statins are becoming an increasingly more important drug in today’s society. Statin drugs are widely prescribed to lower blood cholesterol by reducing the rate of cholesterol production in the liver. However, statins also cross the blood brain barrier. The brain manufactures cholesterol, which is necessary for adult neurogenesis, along with the production of other neural components (e.g. myelination). A common complaint of adults who take statins is “brain fog” or impaired learning and memory. One mechanism that may explain this side effect is altered neurogenesis. To test this idea, we quantified the proliferation of new neurons, and new cells, in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles using the songbird model system. Zebra finches were given oral pharmacological doses of the statin Lipitor®, daily for 65 days as juveniles, between the ages of 30 and 95 days. To label newly generated cells, birds were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in saline, which becomes incorporated into the DNA during mitosis. 2-3 hours after the last injection, birds were perfused and brains processed with immunocytochemistry to visualize BrdU and the neuronal protein Hu. This allowed quantification of newly divided neurons, as well as new non-neuronal cells. We found a trend toward increased cell proliferation in the subventricular zone of statin-treated birds. We also found an inverse correlation between proliferating cell number and new neurons that survive to age 40 days old. However, the slopes of these correlation between proliferating and surviving cells differed between the statin-treated and control birds. This suggests that statins may have differential effects on cell generation and cell survival.


Inflammation within the Mouse Hippocampus Following Exposure to Mold Corresponds to Altered Neurogenesis

Ariel Lopez, Nafeesa Nasimi, Edna Normand, Jenny Korman, Daniel Stalbow, Sarah Leibowitz, Cheryl Harding, Carolyn Pytte, Kimberly Page Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Exposure to environmental mold has been a growing concern for populations living or working in water-damaged buildings. Exposure to some forms of mold has been linked to depression, fatigue, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Specifically, people who have been exposed to mold show deficits in learning and memory tasks that are dependent on the hippocampus. However, despite the urgency for understanding the effects of mold exposure, the neural mechanisms underlying mold-induced cognitive deficits are not known. The goal of our work is to understand how mold exposure leads to cognitive damage One mechanism predicted to impair hippocampal learning and memory is decreased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. In this work, we are testing the hypothesis that exposure to Stachybotrus leads to inflammation and subsequent decreased neurogenesis in the hippocampus. To do this we exposed mice to either intact Stachybotrus spores, extracted spore casings with the toxins removed, or a saline vehicle, intranasally 3 x a week for 6 weeks. Mice were injected with the cell birthdate marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) 40 days before perfusing. We quantified the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) as a marker of central inflammation. We then used immunohistochemistry to visualize cells expressing Il-1 β, BrdU and the neuronal protein Hu, as well as double-cortin, a marker of young migratory neurons. Interestingly, we found a significant positive correlation between IL-1beta expression (a marker of inflammation) and numbers of young neurons in the hippocampus. We also found a negative correlation between IL-1beta expression and numbers of neurons surviving to be 40 days old. These findings suggest that inflammation may up regulate young neurons, perhaps as a compensatory mechanism, but eventually new neuron survival is decreased. These findings support the hypothesis that exposure to mold spores impact cognition by triggering neural inflammation and altering neurogenesis.


The Effect of Statin Drugs on Microglia Activation in the HVC Region of the Juvenile Zebra Finch

Susan Turner1, Shuk C. Tsoi2, Leen Feliciano1, Aamir Qureshi1, Carolyn Pytte1,2 Psychology Department1 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuroscience Program2 The Graduate Center, City University of New York


Abstract Statins are a class of drugs used to lower high cholesterol in adults. Cholesterol is essential for cell and neuronal functioning. As a result of reducing cholesterol, statins may cause a decrease in neuronal survival and neurogenesis by destroying the neurons’ lipid components. Dying neurons may in turn activate microglia cells, which are the immune cells of the central nervous system. The effects of statins have not been widely studied in healthy juvenile brains, but behavioral tests showed that statin drugs may disrupt song learning in juvenile zebra finches. Therefore, we used zebra finches to study whether statin drugs activate microglia in the HVC, a nucleus in the sensory-motor pathway that is responsible for song learning. Male birds were given either 1 mg/kg atorvistatin (Lipitor) or water vehicle from post-hatch day 38 until one day before perfusion at adulthood (approximately day 110). Brains were embedded in polyethylene glycol, sectioned into 6 micron sagittal sections, mounted onto slides, and processed using immunohistochemistry. Ramified (non-activated) microglia and amoeboid (activated) microglia were distinguished by their physical appearances and quantified using the software Neurolucida. Preliminary results show that statin treated birds have significantly more amoeboid microglia than control birds (2-tailed t-test, p<0.05). An increase in amoeboid microglia suggests that prolonged statin treatment in juveniles may have increased cell death thereby activating microglia. Ongoing work is assessing neuron survival in these same individuals.


Quantitative Morphological Classification of Neurons in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Shayna Sosnowik1, Chung Him Tse2, Areti Tsimounis2, Joshua C. Brumberg1 Department of Psychology1 Queens College of the City University of New York Department of Biological Sciences and Geology2 Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg

Abstract The cerebral cortex is essential for cognitive computations, such as the movement of a limb or the detection of sound. The processors of the cortex are individual neurons and the circuits in which they are embedded. It has been shown that specific morphologies are correlated with specific circuit functions. Our lab focuses on the barrel cortex of the mouse, which is the region of the somatosensory cortex that primarily processes sensory (touch) input from the whiskers. We are performing a morphological analysis of layer 2/3 neurons in the barrel cortex as an approach to decipher the neuronal circuit(s) in this brain region. Layer 2/3 has been chosen because it is important in integrating information from different cortical areas. Our aim is to determine if there are morphological characteristics that can distinguish one group of neurons from another. Coronal sections of the mouse barrel cortex are prepared with a vibratome. These sections are exposed to a lipophilic, fluorescent dye using a biolistics device in order to label neurons in each slice. Labeled cells within layer 2/3 of the barrel cortex of each slice are imaged using a confocal microscope. The images collected are digitally reconstructed using the Neurolucida software system in order to produce a three dimensional reconstruction of each neuron, which is further used to quantify a series of morphological parameters. Cluster analysis is applied to place neurons into different groups based on morphological similarities. In the near future, we will combine retrograde tracing along with biolistics to determine if certain anatomical classes of neurons are correlated with specific roles within the cortical circuit.


The Effect of Heroin self-administration on Perineuronal Nets using an Animal Conflict Model of Abstinence and Relapse

Kumarie Budhu1, Joshua A. Peck2, Philip Chu2, Elina Kariyeva1, Frank Rotella2, Robert Ranaldi1,2, Joshua C. Brumberg1,2

Department of Psychology1 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuropsychology Doctoral Subprogram2 The Graduate Center, CUNY

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua Brumberg

Abstract Perineuronal Nets (PNNs) are specialized extracellular matrix structures of the central nervous system that are found around certain neuronal cell bodies. Previous studies have found that the development of PNNs are activity dependent and rely on sensory input to mature to normal levels. While it is known that these nets play a role in structural and developmental cortical plasticity, it remains unknown how they are affected by complex environmental stimuli in cases involving drug use, addiction and relapse. In the United States, drug use and addiction have very profound impact medically, economically, and socially. Heavy and prolonged drug use has been shown to negatively affect some of the major organs in the body and the brain. One way that drug abuse can be studied is by using a conflict model, which studies the cycle of binding, abstinence and relapse while providing a consequence for drug seeking by placing an electric barrier between the animal and a drug access lever. Abstinence of heroin seeking rats was achieved by progressively increasing the shock intensities. Relapse was induced by non-contingent presentations of a drug cue in the presence of the electric barrier. We conducted an analysis of this conflict model on PNN density in multiple anatomical regions using Wisteria Floribunda Agglutinin. Our preliminary results showed that drug abuse, abstinence, and relapse leads to significant reductions in PNNs for the animal that had the highest heroin intake or the conflict model paradigm. As a whole, we also found that there was a significant and strong negative correlation between PNN density and heroin infusion volumes during the drug acquisition phase in multiple anatomical regions including the primary motor cortex, and the rat analogue of the prefrontal cortex (inferolimbic and prelimbic regions). These findings suggest that PNNs are affected by heroin self-administration and may play a role in regulating plasticity within the brains of drug abusers.


Encoding of Stimulus Motion in Mouse Somatosensory Cortex

Vivian Liu1, Adesh Bajnath2, Joshua C. Brumberg1,2 Department of Psychology1 Queens College of the City University of New York Neuroscience Subprogram-Biology PhD Program2 The Graduate Center, CUNY

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joshua C. Brumberg

Abstract The ability for detection, processing and integration of sensory stimuli is crucial for any organism’s survival. This capacity is instrumental in successful navigation through an environment, and as such, plays a particularly pivotal role in the survivability of nocturnal rodents. Features of the environment critical to efficient travel, such as texture, speed and direction of movement, are detected by the facial whiskers of these animals and processed within the whisker-representation portion of the somatosensory cortex. Mice were anesthetized and head fixed within a stereotaxic instrument in order to physiologically confirm the location of the somatosensory cortex which processes inputs from the contralateral whiskers. The mouse was then transferred to the recording setup. Then the animal’s whiskers were stimulated by “The Whiskerlator,” a novel whisker stimulator, which engages the entire whisker pad simulating moving stimuli across the pad that would occur in nature. A recording electrode was inserted into the somatosensory cortex and neural activity was recorded in response to Whiskerlator stimulation. Our preliminary recordings show a dependency of neuronal responses to stimulator speed and direction. Our results suggest that neurons within the mouse somatosensory cortex encode information regarding the velocity and direction of stimuli applied to the mystacial whiskers.


Effect of Mood Facilitation in Cognitive Tasks

Danna Galed, Danielle Cohen, Rosina Pzena and Justin Storbeck Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justin Storbeck

Abstract

Research has produced two theories regarding mood facilitation in cognitive tasks. The mood-as-information theory suggests that a negative mood assists performance on executive tasks such as, planning, decision making, and behavioral control because negative affect promotes an analytical processing style (Clore & Huntsinger, 2007). Conversely, the mood-as-facilitator theory suggests that positive mood promotes flexibility and creativity which assists in problem solving and other executive functions (Ashby et al., 1999; Mitchell & Phillips, 2007). The present study investigated the effect of mood state on task switching performance, a type of executive function. Task switching is a cognitively demanding task and requires self-control resources (Muraven & Baumeister, 2000). We hypothesized that the results would support the mood-as-facilitator theory and that the alignment of positive mood and task switching would minimize the depletion of self-control resources. As a result, more self-control resources would be available to complete the Stroop task, which requires self-control resources. In the present study, participants were induced into a mood state with emotional pictures and then were asked to identify either the color or shape of a stimulus. They then completed the Stroop task to assess the depletion of self-control resources caused by the switching task. Results showed that positive affect improved the performance on the switch task by revealing a lower switch cost. The positive condition also showed a smaller Stroop effect, which indicated that fewer self-control resources were required to complete the switching task.


Emotion and Working Memory Interactions

Raeya Maswood, Justin Storbeck Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Justin Storbeck

Abstract

Prior research observed that positive affect enhanced verbal working memory, whereas negative affect enhanced spatial working memory (Gray, 2001). However, what remains unclear is the mechanism for how emotion enhanced working memory performance. Two theories could account for the findings: 1) emotion reduced the cognitive effort or 2) emotion increased the capacity of working memory. Initial research by Storbeck and Dahl recently found that people in positive moods performed more efficiently within a spatial operation span task. The span task asks participants to remember sets of 3, 5, or 7 spatial locations. If capacity is increased we would then find better performance across all sets. However, if efficiency is increased we would find better performance on the smaller sets, but not for larger sets. Positive affect had better performance on sets 3 and 5, however not for set 7. Therefore, this suggests that positive affect increased the efficiency, rather than the capacity of working memory. This finding, however, contradicts previous research that suggests that negative affect enhances spatial working memory. To further examine these findings, our current study will investigate how positive and negative emotion influence performance on a verbal span task (Turner & Engle, 1989). Participants will be induced into either a positive, negative, or neutral mood state. They will then be instructed to determine the accuracy of the solutions of math problems presented while simultaneously remembering sets of 3, 5, or 7 letters, and subsequently recall the letters shown in the order of presentation. We predict that participants in a positive mood state will perform significantly better than those in a negative mood state across all letter sets. Furthermore, we expect significantly better performance in the hardest set (7) because of the selective effects of positive affect on verbal working memory. If these effects are observed, it would suggest that positive affect could increase the capacity of working memory and the efficiency to coordinate remembering verbal information.


Assessment of Timing in Children with and without Autism: Does Autism Modulate the Effects of Emotional Stimuli?

Rosemarie G. Sapigao1, Erich K. Grommet1, 2, Pierre S. Zelanti3, Paulina Kaczmarczyk1, Yuliya Ochakovskaya4, Nancy S. Hemmes1, 2, Sandrine Gil5, Sylvie Droit-Volet3, Bruce L. Brown1, 2

Department of Psychology1



The Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Laboratory of Social and Cognitive Psychology3

Blaise Pascal University and the French National Center for Scientific Research


Baruch College of the City University of New York

Research Center on Cognition and Training5

University of Poitiers and the French National Center for Scientific Research

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Bruce L. Brown

Abstract The role of emotion-inducing cues in temporal perception among children with autism was examined using a version of the temporal bisection task (Gil et al., 2013) across two duration ranges. In this task, children with and without autism gave judgments of the durations of pictures showing angry and neutral facial expressions. Participants were also evaluated on IQ, recognition of emotional facial expressions, and emotion indices of facial expressions in order to draw inferences regarding the role of these factors in temporal perception. All comparison children demonstrated temporal discrimination on all duration range and emotion combinations, whereas only 11 of 27 children with autism exhibited this same level of proficiency. Children with autism who exhibited temporal discrimination had higher verbal comprehension IQ scores than children with autism who never exhibited temporal discrimination. They also correctly recognized more emotional facial expressions than children with autism who never exhibited temporal discrimination and children with autism who exhibited temporal discrimination in only some emotion/duration range conditions. No differences were observed between children with autism who exhibited temporal discrimination and the comparison children on any of the measures of temporal perception. All participants who exhibited temporal discrimination (regardless of diagnosis group: autism vs. comparison) overestimated the duration of neutral faces relative to angry faces at the short duration range (200-800 ms).


The Function of Associative Learning during Repeated Intermittent Heroin Administration Jennifer Rojas1, Rosemarie G. Sapigao1, Jennifer Morrison1, 2, Nancy S. Hemmes1, 2, Robert Ranaldi1, 2

Psychology Department1

Queens College of the City University of New York Psychology Department2

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nancy S. Hemmes

Abstract This study targeted one of the psychological processes believed to be affected by repeated intermittent heroin use—associative learning. The aim was to examine the effects of repeated intermittent heroin on the acquisition and maintenance of associative learning via learned Pavlovian and operant contingencies. There are 4 experimental hypotheses: 1) Heroin will enhance the behavioral effects of a Pavlovian conditioned stimulus (CS) in heroin-treated rats compared to comparably treated saline-exposed rats 2) Heroin-treated animals that received paired light and food presentations followed by contingent light presentations will show higher levels of lever pressing in comparison to control groups of rats exposed to degraded operant or Pavlovian contingencies. Furthermore, saline treated rats will show similar differences between experimental and control conditions 3) Magnitude of the difference between heroin-treated groups will be greater than that between the corresponding saline groups 4) Heroin-treated rats in the experimental group will demonstrate greater resistance to extinction in comparison to their saline-treated counterparts. There were 3 experimental phases: 1) Pavlovian conditioning in which a light (CS) and food presentation (US) were paired, or both stimuli were presented explicitly unpaired; 2) Treatment phase in which rats received either daily non-contingent heroin or saline administration 3) Associative Learning Test Phase in which lever pressing was measured over 7 test phases. In the first 3 phases, the CS was presented contingent upon lever pressing or response-independently, followed by tests in with no CS presentations and another test in which the CS was once again presented either response-contingently or non-contingently. Treatment with heroin for all rats preceded the final test in which the CS was presented. Results thus far have illustrated a greater level of responding in heroin rats as opposed to saline rats, with heroin rats in the paired contingent light group showing higher levels of lever pressing than saline rats in the paired contingent light group.


The Role Of Dopamine in the Acquisition and Maintenance of a Cocaine-Based Conditioned Response

Ewa Pawul1, David Arastehmanesh2, Monika Manuszak2, Robert Ranaldi2

Neuropsychology Department1 Graduate Center of the City University of New York

Psychology Department2


Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Ranaldi

Abstract Compulsive drug taking and seeking can be viewed as a pathologically strong conditioned (or learned) behavior. This maladaptive behavior is often maintained or triggered by reward-related cues that acquire incentive motivational properties through the activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Dopamine, specifically acting on the D1 receptor in the brain, is involved in learning.

The goal of our research is to develop a paradigm that will allow us to study a role of D1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens in the acquisition of and maintenance of drug-related conditioned responding. Thus, rats will be trained to self-administer cocaine by making nose-pokes in the presence of a discriminative stimulus and tested with the D1 antagonist, SCH 23390, (systemically or intracranially) during different phases of conditioning.

Our preliminary data show that rats treated with the D1 antagonist have increased latencies of responding and collect fewer rewards. This suggests that overall D1 receptors are involved in the maintenance of conditioned response. Further testing is required to determine whether D1 receptors, particularly in the nucleus accumbens, are necessary for the acquisition and maintenance of drug-related behavior. We hope this study will provide some insight into the neural mechanisms underlying the acquisition and maintenance of addictive behavior.


Blockade of D1 dopamine receptors in the ventral tegmental area decreases conditioned rewards

Ewa Galaj1, Monica Manuszak2, David Arastehmanesh2, Robert Ranaldi2

Neuropsychology Department1

Graduate Center of the City University of New York Psychology Department2



Abstract Dendritic release of dopamine in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been implicated in the experience of primary rewards. Intracranial injections of the D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, in the VTA significantly increase self-administration of cocaine under a fixed ratio schedule or reinforcement and decrease it under a progressive ratio in rats, suggesting a reduction in cocaine reward (Ranaldi and Wise, 2001). In the current study we investigated whether VTA dendritic release of dopamine likewise plays a role in conditioned reward, measured as preference for the conditioned cues associated with cocaine. Rats were surgically prepared with cannulas so as to allow injections in the VTA and later conditioned to cocaine-related environment using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Prior to each session rats were injected with either saline or cocaine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and then placed in one of the two sides of the CPP apparatus. Sessions lasted thirty minutes a day over a period of eight days, such that rats alternated daily between consistently experiencing cocaine in one side and saline in the other. On the test day rats were injected with one of four doses of the D1 antagonist (0, 2, 4, or 8 µg/0.5 µl) and given free access to both sides of the apparatus. Preference for either side was measured as time spent in each side and compared to the same measures taken before. Vehicle-treated groups (control groups) displayed a significantly stronger preference for the cocaine-paired side (i.e., side with cocaine conditioned cues) than the groups treated with the dopamine antagonist; the reduction in preference for the cocaine side in the dopamine antagonist groups decreased relative to the dose of antagonist. Thus, this suggests that dendritic release of dopamine in the VTA is necessary for conditioned rewards.


Blockade of Glutamate Receptors in the VTA Reduces the Expression of Conditioned Approach

Priscila Hachimine, Neal Seepersad, Sandra Babic and Robert Ranaldi Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Reward-related learning is a crucial adaptive function for survival in which organisms acquire behaviors that place them in contact with stimuli that function as primary rewards. Neutral stimuli associated with primary rewards acquire the capacity to act as conditioned stimuli (CS), which can elicit conditioned approach responses (CAR) similar to the primary rewards with which they are associated. We hypothesized that glutamate (Glu) receptor stimulation in the VTA is crucial for the expression of CAR. All animals were surgically prepared with indwelling bilateral cannulae positioned directly into the VTA. Rats were tested in a conditioned approach protocol that consisted of 7 light-stimulus-food conditioning sessions, 1 session with no stimuli or food, and 1 session with light (CS) presentations only. Food trough head entries during the CS and just prior to CS were recorded and a difference score between CS and pre-CS was calculated indicating the magnitude of CAR.

Rats that received bilateral intra-VTA microinjections of kynurenic acid (4.5 and 1.125µg/0.5 µl) prior to the CS-only session showed less expression of CAR than vehicle treated rats; and rats on the 0.28125µg/0.5 µl dose group also showed significantly less expression of CAR than rats on the 4.5 µg/0.5 µl dose group. These results suggest that Glu receptor stimulation in the VTA is necessary for the expression of CAR involved in reward-related learning.


Maternal Anxiety and Infant Neurobehaviorial Development: Assessing the Impact of Phobias During Pregnancy

Cindy Flores, Alysson Azra, Jackie Finik, Juliet Gerber, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Ph.D., Yoko Nomura Ph.D. Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yoko Nomura

Abstract Previous studies have shown that maternal anxiety during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight in offspring, and fear and distress at three months of age (Baibazarova et al). However, few studies have focused specifically on maternal specific phobias, despite that it is one of the most pervasive disorders during pregnancy. The present study consisted of a sample of 100 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Mount Sinai Hospital’s OB/GYN Clinic. Participants completed a Semi-structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) with a trained member of staff that determined the presence or absence of current specific phobia in participants. Following delivery, participants were also asked to fill out the Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ-R, (Garthstein & Rothbart), which prompted mothers to report how their babies behaved in specific situations. We hypothesized that there would be a significant difference between the temperament scores of babies born to women with specific phobias as compared to those without. The relationship between presence of maternal specific phobia and infant temperament was analyzed using a one-way ANOVA. We found a significant difference in duration (p=0.011), approach (p=0.03), and smiling/laughter (p=0.03) subscales of the IBQ-R. These findings suggest that additional research is needed to evaluate the underlying mechanism of maternal phobias influencing neurobehavioral development of offspring, in order to provide greater information for healthcare professions in multiple disciplines (OB/GYN, pediatrics, and psychiatry), which together can improve care and support for new mothers and their families’.


The Comorbidity of PTSD and Drug Abuse Among Pregnant Women

Elizabeth Langer, Jackie Finik, Katarzyna Zajac, Nancy Hyunh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Yoko Nomura, Ph.D.

Abstract Recent research has indicated that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder caused by one or more traumatic events, has shown high rates of comorbidity with substance abuse disorders (Najavits et al., 2010). The present study compares the rates of substance use in a cohort of 100 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Mount Sinai Hospital with and without PTSD. The presence or absence of PTSD (current and/or lifetime) and substance use disorders were determined with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses (SCID-I), ascertained by trained clinical interviewers. It was hypothesized that PTSD would be significantly associated with drug abuse, drug dependence, and substance use disorders. Results of chi square tests indicate that PTSD is significantly associated with substance use, specifically current cannabis abuse (p=.01),current and lifetime substance use (p=.007), (p=.02) respectively, and current and lifetime substance use (p=.007), (p=.02) respectively. Investigating the connection between PTSD and substance use is particularly urgent in the pregnant population, as substance use during pregnancy poses various risks for both mother and baby, including preterm birth and low birth weight (Kelly et al., 2002). With recent traumatic events such as Superstorm Sandy, the prevalence of PTSD is likely on the rise in the New York City community. More information of the risks associated with PTSD may assist in implementing preventative strategies, and intervention programs to reduce the prevalence of substance use, especially in populations at risk of developing PTSD. Greater research in this field can improve the well being of expecting mothers, particularly those who experience traumatic events, such as natural disasters, which are more likely to occur in the near future.


Investigating the impact of maternal obesity on birth outcomes

Ayelet Abelow, Jackie Finik, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Obesity during pregnancy is an increasingly urgent field of study, as 23% of women (22-40 years of age) are obese, and female minority populations of low socio-economic status are especially vulnerable (Vahratian, 2009). The current study aims to examine the effect of maternal obesity, as determined by pregravida BMI, on birth outcomes. 100 women receiving prenatal care at the Mount Sinai Hospital OB/GYN clinic, which serves the underrepresented communities of Harlem and the South Bronx, were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study of pregnancy (SIP Study, PI: Yoko Nomura). Pregravida BMI and prior history of miscarriage were ascertained via participant electronic medical charts. and routine measures of growth indices of infant heath at birth, including low birth weight, Apgar scores were recorded by a labor nurse at the time of birth We hypothesize that obesity would be significantly associated with the incidence of miscarriage, low birth weight offspring, and Apgar scores. A one-way spell out first ANOVA was used to analyze the connection between maternal obesity and birth outcomes. Obesity (BMI > 30.0 kg/m2) was shown to have an impact in all of these aspects, infants born to obese mothers had significantly lower 5 minute Apgar scores (p = .04), lower birth weights (p = .05), and increased number of miscarriages (p = .01). These results show that high pregravida BMI is directly related to negative birth outcomes. It is notable that women’s obesity is associated with lower birth weight. While it is beyond the scope of the current study, greater information of the risks associated with obesity may aid in implementing intervention strategies that can decrease negative birth outcomes in offspring of obese mothers, (low birth weight and perinatal mortality, inhibited growth), and long-term negative risks of increased chronic disease (metabolic syndromes, heart disease, learning disabilities (Stevens, 1993).


Impact of Parental Concordance for Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder during Pregnancy on Infant Behavior

Katarzyna Zajac, Aisha Ali, Nancy Huynh, Elizabeth Langer, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Previous research has shown a strong concordance between spouses for major depression (MDD) and several other affective disorders, as well as the existence of negative outcomes in offspring because of this nonrandom mating (Merikangas, Prusoff, & Weissman, 1988). This study measured the risk of female probands with MDD forming relationships with male individuals who have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and the effects of such relationships on 6-month-old infants’ behavior and functioning. Pregnant women (n = 102) were recruited at Mount Sinai Medical Hospital. During their third trimester, the Family History Screen (FHS) was administered to ascertain a history of psychiatric diagnoses in them and their partners. Based on the information obtained, an odds ratio of 7.593 (p = 0.007) was found between mothers with MDD and fathers with GAD, indicating an over seven-fold increased risk of depressed women mating with anxious men. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then used to compare the scaled scores of infants on the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) according to the following categories: mothers without MDD and fathers without GAD; mothers with MDD and fathers without GAD; mothers without MDD and fathers with GAD; and mothers with MDD and fathers with GAD. Results show that infants of mothers with MDD and fathers without GAD received significantly lower scores on Approach (p = 0.042), Falling Reactivity (p = 0.027), and Smiling and Laughter (p = 0.041) than infants of parents who were both normal. Contrary to our hypothesis and findings from prior research, however, there was no notable difference between infants of mothers and fathers with the respective disorders and infants in any of the other three groups. Further research is necessary to evaluate whether mothers’ reports of their spouses’ psychiatric history may have been biased by their own psychopathology, i.e., MDD, or if the specific combination of mothers with MDD and fathers without GAD actually creates a suboptimal rearing environment for young children.


Maternal PTSD and its Effects on Infant Temperament

Rejina Daniel, Jackie Finik, Mariya Dineva, Nancy Huynh, Jenny Ly, Yoko Nomura Department of Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract

Women are at 2-fold increased risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) than men (Rauch et.al 2013). Prior studies demonstrate that mothers afflicted with PTSD suffer from preterm labor and impaired postpartum mental health and post-partum bonding (Seng et.al 2013). Infants born to those mothers suffer from low birth weight and neurological deficiencies, namely flat affects (Seng et.al 2013). This study focuses on the effects of PTSD on infant behavior at 6 months of age. We hypothesize that PTSD would have a significant impact on sadness and vocal reactivity in infants. The study included 100 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the OB/GYN Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital, who were recruited to participate in a longitudinal study of pregnancy (SIP Study, P.I. Yoko Nomura). Presence or absence of PTSD (current and/or lifetime) was assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV for axis I disorders (SCID-I), conducted by a trained clinical interviewer. Participating mothers were also given the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (IBQ-R) to rate their infant’s temperament and behavior at six months postpartum. Using a one-way ANOVA, we found that PTSD had a significant impact on infant sadness (p=.03) and vocal reactivity (p=.03) scores. The results of this study can provide insight and awareness as to the impact of PTSD during pregnancy on infant temperament, and may prompt public health officials to improve psychological screenings during prenatal care, and offer women of reproductive age greater treatment options to cope with PTSD.


The Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Abstinence and Relapse using an Animal Conflict Model

Joshua Peck, Stephanie Eshak, and Robert Ranaldi Psychology Department Queens College of the City University of New York


Abstract Heroin addiction is a significant health and societal problem for which there is no effective and well-accepted behavioral or pharmacological treatment. Therefore, strategies that prolong heroin abstinence should be the primary focus of heroin treatment research. There is promising evidence that environmental enrichment may indeed support drug abstinence in animals using the reinstatement model of abstinence and relapse. The proposed studies used an animal conflict model that captures the aversive consequences of drug seeking to test the effects of environmental enrichment on heroin abstinence, prolonged abstinence and relapse. In Experiment 1, male rats were be trained to self-administer intravenous heroin under a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement. After self-administration was acquired, enriched animals (EE) were housed in environmental enrichment boxes, while control rats (NEE) were transferred to identical standard cages. Each rat continued to reside in their respective EE or NEE housing conditions until the end of abstinence and prolonged abstinence. During the abstinence phase, all rats were introduced to an electric barrier in order to model the negative consequences of continued drug seeking. Shock intensities were increased over sessions until no active lever responses occurred for three consecutive sessions (abstinence achieved). After the abstinence criterion was met, all rats continued daily abstinence sessions until they pressed the active lever. It was proposed that EE rats would achieve abstinence in fewer sessions and remain abstinent for more sessions than NEE rats. In Experiment 2, the same abstinence procedure as in Experiment 1 was employed except that EE and NEE rats were housed in their respective enrichment boxes and standard cages after abstinence was achieved for three days. Then EE and NEE rats were returned to the operant chambers for the relapse test, with the same shock intensity that led to 3 consecutive sessions with no active lever presses for that rat. The drug-paired cue was presented for 20 s every 5 min during the entire 30-min relapse test session. It was proposed that EE rats would display significantly less individual relapse than NEE rats. The proposed studies use of the conflict model to investigate environmental enrichment as a behavioral strategy for drug abstinence will help in the development of effective treatment outcomes for human addicts by bringing together both the positive consequences of abstinent behavior in an enriched environment with the negative consequences of drug seeking (e.g., electric barrier).


Role of NMDA Receptor Antagonism in the Amygdala and Medial Prefrontal Cortex in the Acquisition and Expression of Fructose-Conditioned Flavor Preferences in Rats

Kerstin Olsson, Trisha Dindyal, Vishal Vig, Frank M. Rotella, Arzman Badalia, Sean M. Duenas, Maruf Hossain, Ira Yenko, Suzette Narinesingh, Nora Khalifa, Khalid Touzani, Anthony Scalfani and Richard Bodnar Psychology Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Richard Bodnar

Abstract Conditioned flavor preference (CFP) is a form of learning in which an animal pairs a neutral flavor (ie grape or cherry Kool Aid) with a preferred stimulus (ie sweet taste of fructose or glucose). This behavior regulates appetite through orosensory (flavor-flavor) and postingestive (flavor-nutrient) processes. Dopamine (DA) D1 and/or D2receptor antagonism was found to have an effect on the acquisition of CFP either delivered systemically, or directly into the amygdala (AMY) or the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Systemic antagonism of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (AP5, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist) also blocked the acquisition of CFP in rats. The present study examined the role of MK-801 (a non-competitive antagonist) or AP5 injected into the AMY or mPFC would alter the acquisition or expression of fructose CFP. In the acquisition experiment, food restricted rats (85% body wt.) were trained in 8 one bottle sessions (1hr) to drink a preferred solution of fructose (8%) and saccharin (0.2%) paired with one flavor (ie 0.05% cherry CS+) on odd numbered days and a less preferred solution of saccharin (0.2%) paired with another flavor (ie 0.05% grape CS-) on even numbered days. Injections of vehicle (VEH), AP5 (10-20nmol) or MK-801 (10-20nmol) into the AMY or mPFC were given 10 minutes prior to bottle exposure. After training, rats were given two bottle preference tests (1hr) without injections with CS flavors mixed in 0.2% saccharin. Fructose CFP was noted in rats receiving VEH (81%), AP5 at 10nmol (84%) and 20nmol (85%) in the AMY. MK-801 in the AMY at 10nmol (74%) and 20nmol (72%) yielded a reduced CFP. In the expression experiment, rats were trained without antagonists to prefer the CS+ solution, and then given two bottle preference tests (1hr) with CS flavors mixed with 0.2% saccharin 10 minutes post injections of VEH, AP5 (10-20nmol) or MK-801 (10-20nmol) into AMY or mPFC. Consistent with systemic NMDA receptor antagonism, neither AP5 nor MK-801 affected the expression of the trained fructose CFP. Unlike the significant effects of DA receptor antagonism in the AMY or mPFC, minute effects of AP5 and MK-801 NMDA receptor antagonists were noted in the acquisition of fructose CFP, suggesting that other brain regions may regulate systemic NMDA antagonistic effects.


Cationic Ligands for Ruthenium Complexes

Clayton Hogan, Robert Engel Chemistry Department Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Engel

Abstract

The research performed involves the binding of Ruthenium Complexes, Cationic Ligands and conjoined Ruthenium Complexes with Synthesized Ligands to DNA Helixes. These synthetic constructs will be used to facilitate breakdown of DNA which can possibly be applied as a method to slow or prevent tumorous growths. Synthesis of various Ruthenium Complexes and Cationic Ligands has been accomplished and an ongoing library of these molecules is being collected. DNA binding using UV Vis will be performed and analyzed by Dr. Strekas' group. Various ligands on their own without attachment to complexes will also be used to test as potential ion channel activators in combatting muscular dystrophy by activating Potassium Ion Channels that in some individuals remain dormant due to inadequate electrochemical stimulation.


Sensory Properties and Acceptability of Gingerbread Cakes using Applesauce as a Fat Substitute

Stephanie Coello, Maria Meskouris, and Rachel Coopersmith Department of Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Sung Eun Choi

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to develop a low fat, low calorie and overall acceptable gingerbread cake using unsweetened applesauce as a fat substitute. The control recipe called for 100% butter. The next gingerbread formulation , 50% butter/ 50% applesauce was made by only using half the amount of butter that the control contained then the other half was replaced with applesauce. The 100% applesauce sample had all apple sauce and no butter. A sensory test was performed to determine the effect of apple sauce on the appearance (brownness), flavor (fat flavor), texture (chewiness), and overall acceptability for the gingerbread cake samples using a 9-category scale by untrained 27 adult panelists aged 18-65 years (40% male and 60% female). The height of all three treatments was measured in centimeters in three different locations of each cake loaf (both ends and the middle). Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test. The amounts of macronutrients amongst the three samples were also calculated. No significant differences were established for any sensory characteristics and height except for brownness. The brownness of 100% butter sample was (Mean±SD, 6.7±1.4, p < .05) significantly higher than 50% butter/50% applesauce (5.6±1.6), and 100% applesauce (5.5±1.8) due to the higher content of fat in butter that contributes the browner color. Since there was no significant difference in the overall acceptability between 100% butter and 100% apple sauce samples, this study demonstrated that using applesauce instead of butter could produce a successful gingerbread formulation, which is a popular dessert during holidays. Nutrition analysis showed the calorie of 100% applesauce sample was 30 kcal/serving lower than that of 100% butter sample.


Titanium Dioxide Based Aluminum Substrates for Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Hua Zheng, Luat T. Vuong Department of Physics Queens College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Luat T. Vuong

Abstract The materials and techniques for assembling organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) are cheaper than for inorganic photovoltaic cells, (i.e., silicon) but challenges remain for economically manufacturing the technology. Currently gold and silver are the primary candidates for OPV electrodes. Aluminum, while abundant and cheap, is considered unusable because of the oxide layer that forms within nanoseconds. Here, we investigate the possibility of using aluminum as an electrode for OPVs by embedding titania nanoparticles into the surface. Due to its high conductivity and work function, titania is an ideal electron transporting layer for OPVs. By polishing the aluminum substrate, dissolving the aluminum oxide, depositing a thin layer of titania, and applying with different pressures, the resistivity of the substrate is significantly reduced to a stable and low level.

This method of treating aluminum electrode surfaces may contribute toward the cheap manufacturing of OPVs.


Antioxidants boost male fertility: The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in modulating fertility and sperm viability in D. melanogaster Weily Lang, Preethi Radhakrishnan Department of Natural Sciences LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Preethi Radhakrishnan

Abstract Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of REDOX reactions which are produced during times of cellular stress and immune insult. In large amounts ROS causes lipid peroxidation of sperm. Our research is the first of its kind to show the effects of ROS on reproductive effort pre- and post-copulation in D.melanogaster. Our findings indicate that dietary antioxidant supplementation can protect gametes from ROS attack thereby resulting in more viable healthy offspring.


Dynamical Systems Konstantin Itskov Department of Mathematics Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jason Samuels

Abstract

Research on discrete and continuous dynamical systems, which are problem-solving processes found in many modern disciplines. To illustrate this field, I have used the interest rate problem to show the evolution from a discrete process to the modern continuous process used today. Further, I have proposed a theoretical application of a dynamical system in the field of computer science, focused specifically on game development.

Result: Through processes of dynamical systems it is possible to introduce a controlled environment to a seemingly random gameplay experience, and by doing so develop much more entertaining product.


Proceedings of the Queens College Undergraduate Science … docs... · Schedule Breakfast (for...

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Transcript of Proceedings of the Queens College Undergraduate Science … docs... · Schedule Breakfast (for...