Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting
Nebraska Wesleyan Campus, Lincoln
2008 Abstracts

PROCEEDINGS

AERONAUTICS AND SPACE SCIENCE

IN-SITU ELLIPSOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE PHOTOFIXING OF RTV EFFLUENT ON MgF 2 COATED GLASS SUBSTRATES N.J.Ianno and D.W. Thompson, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, NE 68588

Room Temperature Vulcanized (RTV) materials are commonly used to bond components of communication satellites and other types of spacecraft. The elevated satellite operating temperature causes the unused catalyst material in the RTV to volatize, which can then re-deposit or condense onto other spacecraft surfaces. In the presence of sunlight, this Volatile Condensable Material (VCM) can photo-chemically deposit onto optically-sensitive spacecraft surfaces and significantly alter their original, beginning-of-life (BOL) optical properties causing unintended performance loss of the spacecraft. Knowledge of the optical impact of photo-chemically-deposited VCM’s is therefore a major concern of spacecraft designers and spacecraft-contamination engineers. In view of this we have employed in-situ spectroscopic transmission ellipsometry to monitor in real time the photofixing of RTV CV-2568 effluent onto a commonly used solar cell cover glass consisting of a 150 micron CMG substrate with a 90 nm MgF 2 anti reflection layer deposited on the surface.

AN ANALYSIS OF ORION SPACECRAFT LEAK DETECTION AND VEHICLE-LEVEL LEAK IDENTIFICATION
Andrew Kelley, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588

There are many systems in a spacecraft that must work together perfectly in order to have a successful mission. This project involves analyzing a particular scenario regarding the Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery system and recommending a solution. Suppose the Guidance, Navigation, and Control system discovers an unexpected acceleration and knows that no thruster commands were issued. Several of the spacecraft’s systems will be researched and modeled to predict their response to this unexpected event, and an appropriate solution will be proposed. This project will involve some detailed scenario development, Matlab and Simulink programming, other research, and an understanding of instrumentation, sensors, and control systems. When designing a new spacecraft, it is necessary to anticipate every imaginable event that could occur during the mission. This project will benefit NASA by considering one such occurrence, and determining a solution that will help maintain the safety of the crew and the vehicle.

MINIATURE IN VIVO ROBOTS FOR NATURAL ORIFICE TRANSLUMENAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY
Amy C. Lehman, Nathan A. Wood, and Shane M. Farritor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68588

Performing surgical procedures through small incisions in the abdominal wall marked the first significant step towards reducing the invasiveness of surgical procedures. Many believe that the elimination of external incisions by accessing the abdominal cavity through a natural orifice, as in Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), is the next step in reducing trauma in minimally invasive surgery. The use of flexible endoscopy tools for NOTES limit the surgeon’s ability to visualize and manipulate a surgical target. An alternative approach is to use miniature in vivo robots that are completely inserted into the abdominal cavity. These robots are not constrained by the entrance incision, and can be positioned throughout a procedure to provide the surgeon a stable platform for visualization and tissue manipulation. Preliminary prototypes have demonstrated great potential in animal model procedures, and the anticipated outcomes promise to further advance the application of NOTES to minimally invasive surgical procedures.

EFFECTS OF CLASS I HISTONE DEACETYLASE INHIBITION UPON ONCOGENE AND TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENE REGULATION
Holly Sukup, Linda Buckles, Sanjib Chowdhury, Gillian Howell, Lisa Humphrey, and Michael Brattain, Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198

The loss of the tumor suppressor gene (TSG) transforming growth factor beta receptor II (TGFßRII) is a common event associated with cancer progression. While mutational loss is prevalent in cancers with a positive microsatellite instability phenotype, the loss of TGFßRII is commonly associated with epigenetic silencing in breast cancer. Unlike gene mutations, epigenetic silencing events can be reversed. One class of epigenetic drug is the histone deacetylase inhibitors which inhibit removal of acetyl groups from DNA binding proteins. We have studied the effect of the inhibitor Belinostat (PXD101) on TGFßRII expression in the MCF-7L breast cancer cell line which has lost responsiveness to the growth inhibitory effects of TGFß. Belinostat dose-dependency increases TGFßRII mRNA expression. This increased expression is maximal at 24-48 hours. This HDACi also activates TGFßRII protein expression. Belinostat is a hydroxamic acid-based HDACi which inhibits both Class I and Class II HDACs. The Class I HDACs 1-3 tend to be overexpressed in tumor cells compared to their normal counterparts. In order to determine the specific HDACs involved in epigenetic silencing of the TGFßRII gene in breast cancer, the specific aims of my thesis project are: Specific Aim 1. Knockdown of HDAC 1, 2, and 3 by stable expression of shRNAs and determination of the effect on TGFßRII mRNA and protein expression. Specific Aim 2. To determine whether deacetylase activity is necessary for the effect of HDACs found to be involved in epigenetic silencing of TGFßRII by use of dominant negative HDAC constructs. Specific Aim 3. Determine the modifications of histones 3 and 4 and transcription factors that occur upon TGFßRII re-expression by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.

COMPARING DIFFERENT METHODS OF FACIAL RECONSTRUCTION
Juana Acosta and Nicole Wall, Department of Biology, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 68106

Forensic facial reconstruction plays an important role in the identification of unknown victims. There are two prominent methods used in Forensic facial reconstruction which include: three-dimensional facial clay reconstructions and three-dimensional computer reconstructions. Each method has a different level of accuracy and reliability. Past studies indicate that a three-dimensional computer generated image is the most accurate method. In the current study I am examining the two facial reconstruction methods and assessing their accuracy. From the assessments and research I have conducted I hypothesize that the most accurate method will be the three-dimensional computer generated image because of the variations that I can adjust and manipulate due to past data gathered from deceased individual contained within the computer software. The next step will be to generate a larger amount of facial reconstructed images in order to compare the different facial reconstruction methods.

CHANGES IN POSTURAL CONTROL DUE TO INTERVENTION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS CAN BE DETECTED: A MODEL FOR FUNCTIONALLY IMPAIRED ASTRONAUTS
Jessie Huisinga, HPER Biomechanics Lab, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182; Mary Filipi, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198

Measurement of postural sway during quiet standing in neurologically impaired Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients could serve as a model of functionally altered astronauts. Preliminary evaluation of MS patient’s balance is necessary to determine center of pressure (COP) measures that are sensitive enough to detect changes. Balance of six MS patients was assessed with eyes open and closed (condition) on a force platform before and after 3 months of resistance training (intervention). COP was used to calculate Root Mean Squared which showed no differences and Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) (nonlinear measure) which showed a significant effect of intervention and no effect of condition. The decrease in LyE values following intervention indicates a decrease in divergence of the sway path and possibly less random movements. Consideration of analysis methods could affect the ability to sufficiently measure postural control changes in MS patients due to treatment and in astronauts due to space flight.

GAIT CHANGES FOLLOWING AN ACUTE PERIOD OF ISCHEMIA IN HEALTHY YOUNG INDIVIDUALS
Sara A. Myers and Nick Stergiou, HPER Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182

Astronauts during space missions are mostly stationary. Literature has shown that this increases their risk to develop vein thrombosis, manifested by insufficient blood flow to the lower extremities and ischemic pain. For astronauts to be able to walk after prolonged space missions, it is important to understand possible functional changes caused by acute periods of ischemia. One of the ways to understand the effects of ischemic pain on ambulation ability is to induce lower extremity vascular occlusion. We investigated gait adaptations of healthy young individuals while walking following induced lower extremity vascular occlusion. Our results indicated that an acute period of ischemia resulted in more variable gait patterns compared to the natural (pre-ischemia) walking condition. These findings suggested that decreasing blood flow, even in healthy individuals could increase the risk for gait related injuries. Development of in-flight interventions should be considered to preserve physical function of astronauts during space flights.

STUDIES ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PARMOTREMA PERFORATUM GROUP IN SE OKLAHOMA, EASTERN AND CENTRAL TEXAS, WESTERN LOUISIANA, AND WESTERN ARKANSAS
Rebecca Moshman and Robert Egan, Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182

Mass collections were made of the Parmotrema perforatum group at numerous localities in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and western Arkansas. When TLC analyses revealed up to 6 species present at a single locality, we decided to quantify the joint occurrence of these taxa. We cleaned each thallus of substrate and calculated for biomass of each species at each locality, and the data were analyzed for each site by taxon, reproductive mode, chemical profile, and local vegetation type. Individual species showed some geographical pattern trends. Parmotrema subrigidum occurs most densely in the pinelands area of eastern Texas. In southern Texas, only P. subrigidum is present, while P. preperforatum is most abundant in the post oak savanna in central Texas and does not occur in the hill country or north into Oklahoma and Arkansas. Parmotrema perforatum is most abundant in the northern areas. In the hill country, post oak savanna, and pinelands, P. perforatum occurs in percentages from 15%- 27%. Parmotrema hypotropum is widespread: most abundant in the hill country (66-100%) and also accounts for a substantial portion of biomnass in the post oak savanna. Parmotrema louisianae was found only at three localities in the pinelands, most abundantly in western Louisiana. Parmotrema hypoleucinum occurs in small percentages in the hill country and post oak savanna. Its highest abundance was in the pinelands of Caddo Parish, Louisiana(25%). Unexpectedly, Parmotrema hypoleucinum was not found in the Texas coastal counties but increaseed in abundance to the north. In the analyses by vegetation types, the Texas hill country is dominated by P. hypotropum while the post oak savanna of east central Texas is dominated by P. subrigidum and P. preperforatum. The east Texas-western Louisiana pinelands are again dominated by P. subrigidum with P. louisianae more common in Louisiana. In the “Ozark” type forests to the north, P. perforatum dominates. Chemically, only the alectoronic acid-containing species demonstrated a geographical preference, becoming 100% dominant (as P. subrigidum) in coastal areas. We could find no distinct pattern to the distribution of primary (apotheciate) or secondary (sorediate) taxa. East Texas and western Louisiana are biodiversity “hot spots” for the Parmotrema perforatum group. All six taxa occur together at one locality in western Louisiana. It is vital that individual thalli in collections from this region be carefully tested to ensure accurate identification.

IDENTIFICATION OF GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES FROM LINEAMENTS ON REMOTELY-SENSED IMAGES OF THE BLACK HILLS-PINE RIDGE REGION
Jennifer L. Balmat and Michael B. Leite, Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE 69337

This study was undertaken with the goals of (1) identifying lineaments and trends in the region between the Black Hills and the Pine Ridge using data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and Landsat TM and (2) ground truth these findings to determine if remotely-sensed lineaments represent geological structures. The study area is bounded by latitude 41.5N to 44.5N and longitude 100.0W to 105.0W with Chadron, Nebraska, near the center at 42.8N 103W. Aspect analysis revealed three predominant trends: north, northwest-to-southeast, and northeast-to-southwest. The source of the strong northerly trend was identified as the dominant north-facing escarpment of the Pine Ridge. Major rivers in the study area flow in a southwest to northeast direction with tributaries joining the river at sixty to ninety degree angles, which represent the majority of northwest-to-southeast and northeast-to-southwest aspect trends. Lineaments were identified east and north of Chadron, as well as north of Harrison, Nebraska. One lineament has been positively identified as a normal fault located east of Chadron. Identification of trends and lineaments continues. Additional field work will be required to ground truth large numbers of suspect geological features derived from remotely sensed data.

ASSESSING WATER CLARITY OF NEBRASKA RESERVOIRS USING SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING
Jack Dohrman, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68583

Field techniques for measuring water clarity can be time consuming and costly over a large geographic region. Satellite remote sensing has the potential to offer a more cost-effective means of assessing lake water clarity over a large geographic region. The goal of this project is to determine how effectively satellite remote sensing can assess lake water clarity in Nebraska. NASA Landsat-7 ETM+ satellite images will be digitally processed to extract lake water clarity information and those results will be compared to field samples collected independently from this study. Landsat images will be acquired within 7-10 days of field sampling to maintain a strong relationship between the two.

USING REMOTE SENSING TO QUANTIFY EROSION RATES OF FOSSIL TRACKWAYS AT TOADSTOOL GEOLOGICAL PARK
J. Zwiebel, M.B. Leite, H.E. LaGarry, B.H. Breithaupt, and N.A. Matthews, Department of Physical and Life Sciences, Chadron State College, Chadron, NE 69337

Fossil trackways at Toadstool Geological Park of northwestern Nebraska are eroding faster than they can be studied. While new trackways are appearing through erosion of overlying rock, this occurs at a much slower rate than the loss of exposed trackways. Latex peels made of some of the trackways in 1995 offer a means of observing changes through time. We made a photogrammetric study of some of the trackways in 2007 in order to quantitatively show the erosion occurring over the 12 year span. Applying remote sensing GIS analysis at the outcrop scale—at millimeter resolution—has produced preliminary results that can quantitatively show erosion rates. Comparing trackways using hillshade, contours, and cross sections is a very effective method of examining this data. This method is also able to quantify rates of vandalism and latex shrinkage. In combination these analyses provide not only invaluable information for future studies at Toadstool Geological Park, but also quantitative measurements that can be applied at other trackway sites.

DEVELOPING A HIGH-PRECISION, LOW-COST FIELD INSTRUMENT FOR MONITORING THE PIGMENT CONTENT AND COMPOSITION IN GRAIN AND FRUIT CROPS
Arthur Zygielbaum, Donald Rundquist, and Anatoly Gitelson, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68178

Significant research has gone into the development of a multispectral index which can be used to accurately retrieve the concentration of pigments in the leaves of plants. In the past, measurements have been made using expensive hyperspectral radiometers and then extracting only the wavelengths of interest. Progress has been made in the development of an inexpensive handheld multispectral device which can accomplish the same function. In addition, experiments were conducted with a simple light-sealed container to be used to measure pigment concentrations in grapes. Although development of the handheld device is not complete, appropriate near infrared LED emitters have been identified following unsuccessful testing with more commonly available LEDs. Despite the early stage of development, strong commercial interest has been expressed in the device by a major producer of vegetation sensing instruments.

INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM MATERIALS ON LIGHT
Christopher M. Siedell, Kevin M. Lee, and Andrew Frederick, Center for Science, Mathematics, & Computer Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, NE 68588

Change is taking place in science classrooms across the country as instructors and administrators discover that interactive and peer oriented instruction can enhance and outperform the traditional lecture approach. At UNL, many large lecture halls have been equipped for voting clickers and their use is becoming increasingly common. Having students vote on a multiple choice question gives the instructor an immediate sense of students’ understanding, and allows attention to be focused where most needed. The ClassAction project is a digital collection of conceptual questions tailored for this purpose. ClassAction takes advantage of the flexibility that a computer based project allows: most questions have multiple variations, and many feature animations and dynamic illustrations. Each module is accompanied by relevant simulations, graphics, outlines and tables for providing feedback. This presentation will focus on the newly developed Light module of the ClassAction project.

STIMULATING STUDENT INTEREST IN AEROSPACE THROUGH THE CONVERSION OF A T-29 BACK INTO “FLYING” CLASSROOM
Evan Killeen and John McLean, Education Department, Strategic Air & Space Museum, Ashland, NE 68003

The Strategic Air & Space Museum, the NASA Nebraska Space Grant, and other donors partnered to complete the "T-29 Flying Classroom" project. Once used as a classroom to train U.S. Air Force navigators, the T-29 aircraft is a classroom once again. The Museum was able to outfit computers at each learning station. The stations consist of a computer featuring two flat screen monitors and the latest flight simulator software. The Museum's Education Department will utilize the "Flying Classroom" during its Flight Camps, Top Gun Weekends, and Summer Camp programs to stimulate student interest in aerospace curriculum and careers. Students will learn the principles of flight and the basics of maneuvering, landing, and take-off. An estimated 480 students, ranging in age from 8 to 17, will be served through this program in 2008. Each student will receive an average of 4 hours of programming in the "Flying Classroom."

POSTER SESSION

CONSTRUCTION AND UTILIZATION OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD MILL TO MEASURE THE ELECTRIC FIELD OF THE EARTH Heather Finney, Physics Department, Hastings College, Hastings, NE 68901

Earth has an electric field which is produced and influenced by complex processes that occur within the distinct layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. To measure the electric field, an electric field mill was constructed. In addition to measuring the field during fine weather conditions at varying times throughout the day, the electric field was measured during different weather patterns. This provided for the analysis of the role atmospheric conditions have in influencing Earth’s electric field.

Macroscopic Scattering: Rigid Body Impact of a Baseball by a Bat
Josh Tomayer, Physics Department, Hastings College, Hastings, NE 68901

In recent years, many physicists have been conducting experiments on particle scattering trying to find the structure of the atom, but very few experiments deal with macroscopic objects. We will describe and plan an experiment on the scattering of a baseball by a baseball bat to determine how the speed and spin of the outgoing ball depends on the scattering angle. Measurements of the tradeoff between the speed and spin for a baseball impacting a baseball bat will be presented. In the experiment, we will place our attention on the direct observable parameters. Also, we would like to determine the amount of backspin that can be administered to a baseball by striking it at different points. The results we hope to obtain will be preliminary in which the experiment will use minimal ball speeds than those of the actual game.

THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND ANALYSIS OF AN ACOUSTIC LEVITATION APPARATUS
Chris Kube, Physics Department, Hastings College, Hastings, NE 68901

Sound is all around us, but what is sound? People most often experience and attribute sound to its source by means of simply hearing it. Thus, sound is often not thought of as having a physical presence. An acoustic levitation device can give us an insight into what sound really is. The device which was constructed was designed in such a way to easily explore the physics of sound and levitation of small masses using a piezoelectric sound source.

INVESTIGATION OF MAGNETIC DAMPENING ON A NON FERROMAGNETIC AIR TRACK
Geoffrey Bergman, Physics Department, Hastings College, Hastings, NE 68901

Eddy currents as an electrical phenomenon are found in a wide variety of magnetic applications ranging from the separation of aluminum cans from other recyclables, to magnetic levitation. Specifically, these currents can be used for the braking of roller coasters and trains with no mechanical wear. An apparatus was constructed using a Pasco air track and tested by placing strong Neodymium Iron boron magnets (NdFeB) on the air cart in order to observe the effect of magnetic braking at varying initial velocities. Experimental data including velocity, induced current, displacement, time, and mass were all determined. Using the above variables, the dampening value was calculated and thus, the magnetic dampening force was determined.

EXAMINATION OF SPECIES DIVERSITY WITHIN TRYPANOSOMA OF AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER TURTLES
Ashley Freyre and Scott Snyder, Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182

Members of the genus Trypanosoma are obligate haemoflagellate parasites found worldwide in all classes of vertebrates. The majority of the nearly 500 described species infect the blood and tissue fluids of their hosts. Although globally distributed, most research has focused on the few medically important trypanosomes, and relatively little is known about the remainder of genus, including Australian turtle trypanosomes. To address this limited understanding, we seek to elucidate trypanosome species diversity and prevalence in three genera of freshwater turtles collected at six sites in Australia. Conventional light microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) will be employed to determine trypanosome prevalence in the turtles. Trypanosome species diversity will be addressed using DNA sequencing, which will provide data to reconstruct evolutionary relationships and quantify genetic variability.

POPULATION GENETICS OF SPIRORCHIS SCRIPTA (DIGENEA: SPIRORCHIIDAE) IN FRESHWATER TURTLES
Dominique Freyre and Scott Snyder, Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182  

Turtle blood flukes infect the circulatory systems of turtles worldwide and are known to cause disease. Spirorchis scripta is the most common turtle blood fluke in North America, with populations found in numerous localities east of the Rocky Mountains.However, very little is known about the genetic structure of most parasite populations, including that of S. scripta. The population genetics of S. scripta will be investigated through DNA sequencing, using both mitochondrial DNA and ITS ribosomal DNA, to generate comparative sequence data. These data will allow for the depiction of relative relationships among parasite populations, as well as the assessment of genetic variability among parasite populations. Such investigations will be used for identification of phylogeographic patterns and novel evolutionary insights.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A NASA/NSF SPONSORED ONLINE EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE COURSE FOR TEACHERS
Neal Grandgenett, Bill Schnase, and Steve Hamersky, Department of Teacher Education, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182; Robert Shuster, Department of Geology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182

This presentation describes the evolution of an online, NASA/NSF funded Earth System Science Course for Teachers. It is being facilitated in a partnership between the UNO Departments of Teacher Education and Geography/Geology. UNO is also participating with 40 other universities across the country to develop new online course instructional modules. This national coalition of 40 institutions is called the Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) and UNO's efforts have included conducting a new online middle school course, as well as previously offering ESSEA independent study courses. Educational impact is being monitored in several ways, including teacher perceptions, teacher projects and dialogue, and teacher pretest and posttest scores on selected content-related tests. This presentation will also describe the evolving plans for the expansion of these online learning environments as well as several new instructional modules. UNO also recently hosted the national ESSEA conference and this presentation will briefly describe that event.