2005 Award Winners
1st Place (Tie) Undergraduate
Karen Brown, West Texas A&M University
Title: A
Picture For a Thousand Words: How Medieval Scribes and Illuminators Interacted
Some of the most beautiful pieces of artwork from the Middle Ages may be found in the many illuminated manuscripts ranging from mulit-volume Bibles to the later and highly elaborate Books of Hours. Each of these manuscripts were painstakingly produced by hand with months and sometimes years being invested in their manufacture. However, as the Middle Ages progressed so to did the methods of production until a sort of Medieval assembly line for book production began to emerge which would later provide the framework and practices for the printing press. This presentation provides a look at how the interactions of scribes and illuminators or artists changed and transitioned from monasteries and monks to the inclusion and finally takeover by laymen and how this ultimately led up to the process of printing.
1st Place (Tie) Undergraduate
Priscilla Pepper, Texas A&M University
Title: Evidence
For Coordination Between Venomotion And Intrinsic Pumping Of Lymph
Investigators have traditionally divided the active pumping of lymph into two distinct mechanisms. First, filling stretch of the lymphatic wall triggers an intrinsic contraction of the lymphatic vessel. Second, compression by neighboring tissues can act as an extrinsic pump. Venomotion may both act as an extrinsic pump, propelling lymph by compression, and may also stretch the vessel, triggering intrinsic contraction. We thus hypothesize that venomotion and lymphatic pumping are coordinated. This hypothesis was tested with a Pallid batwing model, allowing in vivo, noninvasive, nondestructive measurements without the confounding effects of anesthesia. We measured the real-time diameters of a representative venule (radii ~85?m) and an adjacent lymphatic vessel (radii ~32?m) via intravital microscopy. Preliminary results suggest evidence for a direct link between venomotion and intrinsic pumping of lymph. Temporal analysis suggests that lymphatic contraction is triggered by venomotion and spatial analysis suggests that triggering of contraction is sensitive to mechanical stimuli.
2nd Place Undergraduate
Juan Jose Moreno, Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Title: Using
LEGO MINDSTORMS to Communicate Between Multiple RCX Units
3rd Place Undergraduate
Calvin Henard, Tarleton State University
Title: Hybridization
between two divergent lineages of cotton rats in Texas: a mitochondrial DNA
perspective
Sigmodon hispidus, the hispid cotton rat, has a wide geographic distribution in the USA ranging from Florida to Arizona and Texas to Nebraska. This species has been the focus of much ecological research for decades. However, recent genetic data have shown that this species actually consists of two genetically distinct lineages that are morphologically indistinguishable. These two lineages are represented by an eastern form and a western form whose geographic distribution are known to meet in eastern Texas. Recent data from our lab show that these lineages hybridize to some extent but the hybrid zone appears to be asymmetrical. We are obtaining DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to investigate the nature of gene flow across the hybrid zone in eastern Texas. Specimens have also been obtained from localities in Missouri and Oklahoma to identify the geographical extent of the contact zone between these two lineages. Preliminary results will be presented.
3rd Place Undergraduate
Meghan Thompson, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Title: Development
of an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Assay (AFLP) for the Study of
Genetic Diversity among Populations of Desmanthus virgatus
Habitat fragmentation has a significant threat to a number of plant species. Fragmentation can isolate populations, restricting gene flow and reducing genetic diversity. Over the past century, land cover and use in the Coastal Bend area has changed significantly. Desmanthus virgatus is a common ecologically significant plant species native to the Coastal Bend. We surveyed and took samples from three different types of land use/cover types from the Corpus Christi area, including: (1) urban; (2) agricultural; and (3) reference (native habitat) areas. We are developing an Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) DNA fingerprinting assay to examine population genetic values for the species. We have tested 32 primer combinations and 4 sources of Taq polymerase in an effort to optimize this assay. Thus far, we have identified one primer pair combination (EcoRI 39 and MseI 43) that produces 25-30 unique fragments. This assay will be optimized for the study of Desmanthus virgatus populations that differ in terms of land use and land cover.
3rd Place Undergraduate
Alejandra Ortega, Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Title: To
Keep Home And Be Silent: Correlates of Support for Women''s Equality
3rd Place Undergraduate
Reuben Barr, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Title: Probing
Arsenic Treated Sunflower cDNA with Arabidopsis Microarray
To investigate sunflowers potential to bioremediate soils containing arsenic, we need to understand the metals influence on sunflower metabolism. It would therefore be useful to determine the differential expression patterns of sunflowers exposed to arsenic. Microarrays that probe specifically for sunflower gene expression are however not commercially available. We are investigating the potential for using Arabidopsis microarrays in this capacity by assessing sequence similarity between sunflower cDNA and arrayed Arabidopsis oligonucleotides. FASTA was used to compare Operon Arabidopsis microarray oligomers against a sunflower EST database. Results indicate that 13% of the roughly 26,000 oligomers had hits in the cDNA database with E-values = 0.1. Hit number decreased continuously with decreasing E-value. E-values above 0.1 displayed a marked increase in hit frequency. The average %-identity for E-values =1 was 75.76%(±0.059%), but there was evidently no correlation between these data. Current efforts are focused on characterizing hybridization strengths to establish experimental conditions.
3rd Place Undergraduate
Fedora Galasso, Texas A&M University - Commerce
Title: The
Structure of Gender Type Perception in Relation to the Motives of the Perceiver:
Traditional vs. Progressive Views
The current study is designed to test the E3 Theory of Gender Type Perception (Green, Ashmore, and Manzi, 2005). This theory proposes that thinking about gender types is determined by three psychological mechanisms, elaboration, encapsulation, and evaluation, which derive from underlying social-cognitive motives. It is argued that since social cognition is pragmatic, the structure underlying gender type perception will differ due to the motives of perceivers. In this study participants will complete the Attitudes toward Women scale. Next, participants will sort 53 gender type labels into piles based upon similarity and rate the piles on varied psychological dimensions. Then, separate for traditional and progressive participants, the data will be analyzed using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical clustering analyses, creating two gender types “maps.” It is hypothesized that people with traditional views of gender will have a systematically different organization (e.g., map) of gender types than people with more progressive views.
3rd Place Undergraduate
Veronica Jimenez, Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Title: Analytical
Method Development for Pharmaceutical Intermediates
The synthesis of pharmaceutical drug products usually involves several chemical transformations to finally yield the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). To ensure that a desired product has been manufactured, it is necessary to apply appropriate analytical tests to confirm the product quality. It is also necessary to test the in-coming raw materials and to test samples after the equipment cleaning to avoid cross-contamination of the next product in manufacturing. Several techniques such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC) and among others are used in method development and testing of compounds. The research project will involve the development and qualification of several analytical methods for a new product to the plant. In addition, when process excursions occur, it is necessary to investigate the root cause of a deviation and confirm the identity of the product and contamination. Techniques of analytical trouble-shooting will be applied during the project term.
1st Place (Tie) Graduate
Mirian Olivares, Texas A&M University
Title: Risk
Management Strategies in Reducing Sex Crimes: A Case-Study of Brazos County,
TX
Crime management has been subjected to increased scrutiny with the recent events in the U.S. related to child abuse and rape. One way to reduce these occurrences would be to improve the management of potential risk of sex crimes. Using Geographical Information Systems, this study evaluates the potential risk to the community due to the presence of registered sex offenders. Each offender returning to the community brings inherent risk assessed by law enforcers. Hence, it is important to develop risk management strategies to prevent and monitor sex related crimes. Using existing State laws that dictate the mobility of sex offenders, a sophisticated classification of the risk was developed. This classification can provide law enforcers a tool which will offer visual support to identify actual distribution of sex offenders risk in the community and help in making informed decisions and efficiently prioritize steps for risk management.
1st Place (Tie) Graduate
Jeffrey Brister, Tarleton State University
Title: Soils,
Hydrology, Vegetative Ecology, and Floristics of Natural and Constructed
Wetlands Along the Leon River in the West Cross Timbers, Comanche County,
Texas
Two wetlands located along the Leon River in the West Cross Timbers, Comanche County, Texas were examined during this study. A wetland constructed during 1999 and a natural wetland, established by beavers, were compared based upon soils, hydrology, and vegetative ecology. Comparative data was collected from transects along a baseline in each wetland for one year. Relative coverage, density, frequency, importance values and diversity were determined. In addition, a floral survey was conducted for two years. This data was examined to determine native versus introduced species, endemic species, threatened and endangered species, as well as range extensions and county records. Management strategies and resources for wetland restoration are also discussed.
1st Place (Tie) Graduate
Jason Estrella, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Title: Energy
budgets of female northern pintails wintering along the Texas coast
The continental northern pintail population declined during the 1980’s and has remained well below management goals. Consequently, there has been elevated attention on the species, including research on breeding and wintering areas. Our objective was to estimate energy budgets of female northern pintails wintering along the Central Coast of Texas to elucidate potential factors in their decline. We conducted activity budgets using 5-minute focal samples on 698 flocks of northern pintails to estimate time spent in different behaviors in order to estimate energy expenditure. We also collected 27 female northern pintails throughout winter to assess diet composition and estimate energy intake. Body composition analysis on collected specimens was used to corroborate energy budget estimates. Our results will be used to test a previously posed hypothesis about strategies of energy storage and use by wintering northern pintails along the Texas Coast.
2nd Place Graduate
Jennifer Hoss, Texas A&M University
Title: Conflicts
in Colonia Research: The Problem of Mapping Colonias along the Texas- Mexico
Border
The initial purpose of this research was to understand the relationship between the lack of water resources in colonias along the US-Mexico border and social activism to bring water resources to these areas. “Colonias are unincorporated, quasi-rural settlements characterized by substandard housing and the absence of running water, wastewater facilities, garbage collection, and paved roads” (Davies 1992: 9). They are primarily located along the Texas-Mexico border, and are historical phenomenona that have been growing rapidly since the 1990’s. Migration and immigration to the U.S.-Mexico border have resulted in “increased urbanization and high population growth rates [creating] problematic housing conditions on both sides of the border” (Ward 1999: 19). We found that problems associated with data collection and mapping of colonias severely hindered our study. Therefore, our research changed to an explanation of the problems associated with simply mapping the location of colonias along the Texas-Mexico border. The study of colonias is relevant because they are the apparent manifestation of new waves of individuals who, as a result of globalization, are becoming embedded into the cultural landscape of the borderlands. Key words: colonias, globalization, Texas-Mexico border.
3rd Place Graduate
Patrick Webb, Prairie View A&M University
Title: Determinants
of Pre-Adjudicatory Detention: An examination of legal & extralegal factors
associated with pretrial detention of juveniles
Findings from studies examining the impact of legal and extra-legal characteristics in determining pre-adjudicatory detention within the juvenile justice system have been inconsistent. Logistic regression was used to examine the independent and interaction effects of certain legal and extra-legal factors in the decision to detain juveniles in 3 counties in a Northeastern state. The results suggest race continues to exert a significant effect on detention decisions when controlling for various legal and extra-legal factors
3rd Place Graduate
Janelle Case, Texas A&M University at Galveston
Title: Using
Morphology to Predict Feeding Behavior of Juvenile Red Snapper (Lutjanus
campechanus)
