RSS 1.0Scientia Discipulorum: Journal of Undergraduate Research
The Scientia Discipulorum provides a journal for the peer-reviewed publication of research articles written by undergraduate students who have completed independent study or a research project at SUNY Plattsburgh. The the journal includes articles the biological sciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, political science and psychology. It offers student assistant editors the opportunity to work with all aspects of the journal including layout and production, manuscript review, and editorial decisions.
The SUNY Plattsburgh e-journal of undergraduate research is published electronically on the web. First authorship of articles is restricted to student researchers, and those within a year of graduating. Faculty, students, and other contributors can be listed as secondary authors. Submitted manuscripts for the science section will be considered from disciplines other than those represented above at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. All articles are peer-reviewed and will be handled by a associate editors and student assistant editors during the review process.
To learn more about the Scientia Discipulorum e-journal at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Dr. T. B. Mihuc, Editor
Office: Beaumont Hall 442
Phone: (518) 564-3039
Email: timothy.mihuc@plattsburgh.edu
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The Genetic Analysis of High Risk Athletes for the Presence of the DRD4 7 Variable Tandem RepeatThis study examined the DRD4 tandem repeats within three self-described risk-taking groups ranging in expertise from students in the Expeditionary Studies program to internationally ranked Olympic Bobsledders. Prior studies done on novelty seeking have had conflicting results on the 7 variable tandem repeat of the Dopamine Receptor D4. The goal of this study was to find a statistically significant relationship between the 7+ repeat and its possible genetic influence on risk taking behavior. Results indicated that when the experimental group was compared to the control, the 7+ repeat did influence an individual's willingness to take risk. When compared separately, both the Olympic Bobsledders and Free Soloing Rock Climber groups had statistically significant results. The Expeditionary Studies group by itself was not statistically significant in the amount of 7+ repeats present. Professional certifications in the experimental groups were not taken into account for this study.
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Presence, Habitat Use, and Prey Selection of Champlain ValleyOwls, New YorkIn this study we examined species-specific owl occupancy and detection, habitat usage and distance to landscape features, as well as food availability of owl species encountered in Clinton County, New York. Through broadcasting owl vocalizations, we were able to identify and determine owl habitat usage using an inexpensive, non-invasive technique. Lunar cycles were also assessed to determine when the owls were most active. Lastly, we hand collected owl pellets to determine what the owls may be eating in Northern New York. Program PRESCENCE was used to assess presence and occupancy across sites. We encountered barred owls (Strix varia) and great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) occurring and co-occurring at 100% of our sites. Detection probabilities for barred owls were 29% and only 4% for great horned owls. Through the use of ArcGIS is was determined that agricultural land-use and forests were the dominate habitat types surrounding the broadcasting sites. Roads and wetlands were reoccurring habitat across sites. We observed that owls were more vocal on nights of high lunar illumination. Through the dissection of owl pellets we concluded that small mammals such as grey squirrels and mice (Peromyscus spp.) were selected prey of a great horned owl. Understanding owl habitat-use patterns is important for habitat conservation purposes in the future as habitat fragmentation and habitat destruction become more persistent across the landscape. We hope to expand our research to other location including residential areas and urban parks to create a better understanding of owl habitat usage in Clinton County.
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Fifteen-year Forest Structure Changes in a Sandstone Pavement BarrenThe Altona Flatrock sandstone pavement barren is a rare fire-dependent ecological community geographically located at the narrow overlap of jack pine and pitch pine species ranges. We studied fifteen year post-ice storm plant community change at the Altona Flatrock pine barren in Clinton County, New York. Prior research predicted plant community changes in the barren due to fire exclusion. Our study is the first to examine long-term changes in plant species composition of this pine barren community. In the overstory, pitch pine basal area and density remained similar (i.e., < 20% ) between 1999 and 2014, while density and basal area of red maple increased 67% and 109%, respectively. Jack pine overstory mortality was 100% between 1999 and 2014 in our plots. Few jack pine saplings (12.5 stems/ha) and no pitch pine saplings were present in our plots. However, a great density of red maple saplings (1,950 stems/ha) existed. Ground cover was dominated by huckleberry, Sphagnum spp., and Schreber's big red stem moss. With an absence of fire and the subsequent decreases in jack and pitch pine, this post-ice storm pine barren is developing into a boreal heath barren dominated by huckleberry in the understory with an overstory comprised mostly of red maple. In the absence of fire, or a suitable management alternative, this rare ecological community type may become extirpated from this Region. Further research could focus on successfully regenerating fire dependent pines to provide a more complete understanding of the ecological requirements and traits in this sandstone pavement barrens ecosystem in Clinton County.
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The polymorphic ACE gene and resulting genotypes and allele frequencies within specific groupsThe polymorphic angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene was one of the first genetic elements to demonstrate a significant impact on human performance. Since then, it has been shown to play a role in coronary artery disease. The functional genetic alleles have been determined. The ACE phenotypes have been associated with improvements in athletic performance, endurance, as well as association with blood pressure variations. The I allele has been connected with endurance events, while the D allele is associated with strength and power athletic events, as well as coronary disease. The objectives for this study were twofold, first to provide a guided inquiry research experience for undergraduate students based on a topic in class, and second, to examine the ACE gene alleles present in five distinct populations: Men's and Women's hockey teams, elite (Olympic level) bobsledders, Ironman Triathletes, members of the college's track team, and African American college students. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) observed in the distribution of ACE genotype polymorphisms between the control group and both the men's and women's hockey teams, but not in the African American population and international bobsledders or track team members.
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Timing of Peak Acorn Yield in Northern Red Oaks at Flat Rock Forest in Relation to Small MammalsOak trees can produce pulsed, synchronous and large seed yields; a phenomena coined "masting" . Among the diversity of trees in northeastern forests, mast events from northern red oak (Quercus rubra) have been linked to wildlife demographics. In years of surplus seeds, oak species may satiate granivores and thus enhanced germination rates occur in those years. Variation in annual seed yield, within populations of northern red oaks has been well studied. However, we sought to better understand the within-year timing of peak sound acorn maturation from a population of northern red oaks near their northern range limit in upstate New York. Further, we compared the timing of sound acorn maturation with small mammal trapping data. We installed then monitored ten seed traps weekly from September 10th to October 30th 2013. We collected acorns via seed traps and counted on-the-ground acorn abundance, and compared these data with small mammal presence. Peak seed rain of sound acorns and maximum small mammal captures, occurred around October 9th, 2013. Deer and white-footed mice (Peromyscus spp.) were the most captured granivore species (n =15 captures). When compared to density of acorns collected in seed traps, those on the ground were clearly depredated most likely attributed to small mammals or other acorn predators. The number of sound acorns recorded on the ground during the final week of this study was 75% less than the cumulative number of acorns found in the seed traps during the sampling season. There was no significant relationship between tree size (DBH) and acorn yield. We did however find a significant inverse relationship between crown area and acorn yield. Our baseline data will eventually be used to help understand the mechanics of masting and result in optimization of management practices of valued northern red oak in addition to growing a better understanding of the complex community dynamics of this foundational species.
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Nearshore Fish Community Analysis On Northwestern Lake ChamplainCommunity surveys are necessary sources of information needed to properly manage fisheries. These surveys detail important historical data concerning past fish assemblages and the previous status of recreational game fish. Historically, Lake Champlain has received little attention with regard to fish community assemblage research. We undertook a beach, seine net survey at four locations along the northwestern shores of Lake Champlain. We surveyed several unique nearshore habitat types and recorded abiotic factors, fishes, and plant communities. Our results revealed 17 different taxa with four being non-native to the basin. Lakeview Park had the highest species richness and abundance, which we believe results from the presence of vegetation at the sampling site. The scope of our survey was limited (i.e., small species or young of the year game fish), thus we recommend future comprehensive surveys that include a variety of fish sampling methods.
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Frequency of missing legs in the cave cricket, Hadenoecus subterraneusThe cave cricket (Hadenoecus subterraneus) is a keystone species in maintaining biological diversity in cave communities in Mammoth Cave National Park. Crickets must leave the cave to forage on nights when conditions are favorable, which puts them at considerable risk of predation. Invertebrates have developed defenses for predation, including autotomy (voluntary loss of a limb). We hypothesize that missing legs are a sign of predation pressure on the crickets, and may be vary in different environments. We used a visual census to record the sex-specific frequency of missing legs among adult cave crickets at eight different cave entrances. We expected males to be missing legs more than females because they must leave the cave refuge to forage more frequently than females; however, we found that males and females were missing legs in equal numbers. The hind leg was missing with greater frequency than other limbs, likely the result of cricket predator avoidance behavior (jumping), which puts the larger hind limb closest to the predator. The frequency of crickets with missing limbs varied among cave entrances from a low of 6.6% to a high of nearly 40%, with abundance varying yearly. In Frozen Niagara, which consistently had a high proportion of crickets missing legs, the percentage missing legs was highest in crickets roosting closer to the entrance (30.8%) than deeper (18.7%) into the cave. The goal of this survey was to study the pattern and implications of limb loss on foraging and predator avoidance.
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An examination of sensory input in anti-predator behavior of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)Sensing, processing, and responding to environmental cues is a fundamental process, particularly for avifauna. The degree to which signals are effectively responded to, determines an individual's and a species' ability to function and flourish in its habitat. The sensing of sight and sound are highly evolved environmental analysis tools of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). This study examined how crows respond to visual and auditory cues in urban and rural environments. Taxidermic models of a great-horned owl (Bubo virginianus) and a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), a recorded call of the great-horned owl, and a recorded crow mobbing call were used to test the mobbing response of local crows in several different locations. No significant difference was found in mobbing response between urban and rural environments. There was a significant difference in number of crows mobbing the two predator species. Results suggest that crows use sensory information differently; visual cues for predation avoidance and auditory cues for intraspecific communication. The results also suggest crows exhibit discretionary sensory processing and responses. This study provides insight to how a highly successful synanthropic species utilizes sensory information to thrive in natural and anthropogenic habitats.
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A Revised Key to the Zooplankton of Lake ChamplainThis key was developed by undergraduate research students working on a project with NYDEC and the Lake Champlain Monitoring program to develop long-term data sets for Lake Champlain plankton. Funding for development of this key was provided by, the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC). The key contains couplet keys for the major taxa in Cladocera and Copepoda and Rotifer plankton in Lake Champlain. Illustrations are by Erin Hayes-Pontius and Ian Ater. Many thanks to the employees of the Lake Champlain Research Institute for hours of excellent work in the field and in the lab: especially Casey Bingelli, Heather Bradley, Amanda Groves and Carrianne Pershyn.
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An ecological and cultural review of the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae): Dreamtime - presentSince the first humans arrived on the continent of Australia, they have been in a symbiotic dance with the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae). This member of the flightless ratite family is a testament to evolutionary adaptation and survival in harsh habitats. It has also played a key role in Aboriginal survival, as it is deeply rooted in Aboriginal mythology, culture, and medicine. The use of emu oil began with the Aborigines and its use is widespread today. The influence of the emu now reaches around the world. By virtue of its unique characteristics, the emu has been the subject of studies in contemporary evolutionary theory, phylogenetics, agriculture, and medicine.
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Establishing records for Drosera (sundews) in Clinton County, NYThe focus of this study was to establish locality records and collect a herbarium specimen for the genus Drosera (sundew) in Clinton County, NY. Although there are suitable sites for Drosera in Clinton County there were no known herbarium records for the presence of the genus, according to the New York Flora Atlas. Two species, Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera intermedia, were hypothesized to be found in bog sites in Clinton County based on their range in the Northeast. Localities surveyed for Drosera presence included sites specified by the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) as previously having Drosera and sites of bog designation. Sites that have been recorded by the NYNHP as having Sarracenia purpurea presence were also searched, as this species is usually found growing alongside Drosera. Of the locations visited in this study, Drosera presence was only observed in two of the sites. Both locations were previously identified by the NYNHP as sites where Drosera was present. The first site, Stafford Rock, is a black spruce/ tamarack bog located on a sandstone pavement barren. This site was last visited by the NYNHP in 1991 and was classified as a healthy bog site in excellent condition. After observing this site, it seems the health of the bog is in question and will be compromised by overcrowding by woody vegetation. The second Drosera site, Mud Pond, is a tamarack/ dwarf shrub bog declared in 2005 by the NYNHP to be in excellent condition. Drosera individuals at this site are growing in a creeping sphagnum bed across the pond; which may prevent other species from moving into the Drosera habitat. Drosera rotundifolia was the only sundew species recorded.
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Perspectives of Psychosomatic Medicine: An Integration of Psychoneuroimmunology and EpigeneticsAfter being subject to Descartes' fallacy for the past few centuries, it has now again been recognized that the mental state has an impact on health and disease, and it is becoming increasingly more evident that DNA alone does not predict health trajectories. Psychoneuroimmunology and epigenetics are two fields of science whose research supports those ideas. Psychoneuroimmunology aims to discover the mechanisms that connect our mind to the rest of our nervous, endocrine, and immune systems while epigenetics demonstrates that different environmental circumstances can produce different phenotypic outcomes that are unrelated to the actual DNA blueprint. An integration of the findings of those two fields may allow for a more accurate and complete understanding of individual health trajectories and may generate pathways to a more individualized treatment approach.
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A New Parameterization for Ford CirclesLester Ford introduced Ford circles in 1938 in order to geometrically understand the approximation of an irrational number by rational numbers. We shall construct Ford circles by a recursive geometric procedure. The Ford circles also turn out to be parameterized by the rational numbers. We introduce a new parameterization of the set of Ford circles in terms of triples of relatively prime integers that satisfy a certain equation. This is interesting because we have developed a better approximation for irrational numbers between 0 and 1 and because our new parameterization generalizes to a higher dimension.
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Methods for Determining New Biovolumes for Copepods and CladoceransZooplankton are an important component of the food web in freshwater lake ecosystems. Despite there being an abundance of density data for zooplankton taxa in these lakes, there is very little information that exists about pelagic zooplankton biovolume or biomass in temperate lakes. Biovolume is a useful estimate of biomass energy because it determines how much space a species occupies. For this research, we developed new biovolume techniques for freshwater zooplankton based on body size and geometric shape. These techniques were applied to two groups of crustacean zooplankton, the copepods and the cladocerans. Copepod biovolume is broken into two formulas: the ellipsoid formula and the cone formula. For the cladocerans, two formulas were used: one for the Bosminidae family and one for Daphnidae family. Daphnia biovolume is composed of two formulas: the ellipsoid formula and the cylinder formula. The Bosminid family biovolume formula is the same as the ellipsoid formula. These new biovolume fomulas proved to be a useful measurement of zooplankton community structure when compared with density data.
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Group Environments and Visuospatial Attention in Patients with TBIMaintaining the attention and focus of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a concern of many rehabilitation clinics that work with this population. The novel use of interactive video games to combat the problem of requiring attention to improve attention was utilized in the present study. It has been noted in several studies that video games can have a positive effect on one's focus and attention. The use of games such as Rockband and Guitar Hero have been observed to maintain the focus and attention of patients with TBI for prolonged periods of time. Additionally group environments have been observed to enhance the performance and focus of patients with TBI. Positive group environments are used often in clinics as a means of improving cognitive functioning. Patients with TBI and a control group (undergraduates of SUNY Plattsburgh) engaged in two one-hour sessions one month apart. During these sessions participants performed the task of playing Guitar Hero and completing the Trail Making Test (TMT), Symbols Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and Paced Auditory Serial Assessment Test (PASAT). Each participant completed one session in the presence of a positive social environment and one control session (only an experimenter was present). A positive social environment was induced by utilizing positive feedback from trained confederates. Results provide evidence disfavoring the use of interactive video as a means of attention therapy. In contrast there is evidence to suggest that a positive social environment is a significant form of attention therapy.
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A survey of northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) limestone woodlands at Point au Roche State Park, New YorkLimestone woodlands are an ecological community type identified by the New York Natural Heritage Program. These communities are characterized by shallow soil over limestone bedrock. Two northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) limestone woodland stands were surveyed in Point au Roche State Park (Clinton County), one at Middle Point and the other at Ram's Head. Both stands were dominated by white-cedar and both stands were essentially even-aged. The Ram's Head stand was determined to be the older of the two stands. The structure of these stands indicates that they were probably regenerated by a clearcut. Northern white-cedar survivorship was determined for the Middle Point stand based on snag density per diameter at base height (dbh) class. The northern white-cedars showed a "type II" survivorship curve, with relatively constant mortality rates between 26 and 79 years of age. Although northern white-cedar is a commercially valuable species, the white-cedar limestone woodlands at Point au Roche State Park should be protected for their ecological value.
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Assessment of a Forest Stand for Old-Growth Status at Point au Roche State Park, Clinton County, New YorkPotential old-growth stands continue to be located and quantified. Although there is no generally-accepted definition of oldgrowth, there is a set of attributes that describe old-growth forests. The Hemlock-northern hardwood stand at Point au Roche State Park in Clinton County, New York has been proposed for old-growth classification. The composition and structure of this stand were sampled between September and November, 2008. Attributes of this stand were compared with old-growth conifernorthern hardwoods. The list of attributes included species composition of overstory and understory, maximum tree ages, stand structure, standing dead trees (snags) and fallen trees (logs). The Hemlock-northern hardwood stand in this study compared favorably with old-growth conifer-northern hardwood stands for all measured attributes except the number and size of logs on the forest floor. Although abundance of large logs is an important component of old-growth stands, the Hemlock-northern hardwood stand at Point au Roche State Park could be described as old-growth.
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The Impact of Meditative Practices on Physiology and Neurology: A Review of the LiteratureA general awareness of meditation has grown significantly in the western world within the last fifty years yet with little accurate understanding of the nature of the practice. In addition, the broad diversity of meditative practices and their variations of physiological results make a standardized study of effects difficult. Recent advances in technology have provided an opportunity for investigators to systematize their efforts so that the body of research may be more coherent. A more accurate understanding of the physiological and neurological effects of meditation will likely reveal means of therapeutic application for both individual and social benefit as well as further insight into attentional states. The preponderance of literature points to meditation as a practice facilitating a general return to neurological and physiological homeostasis.
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Iraq, Times Two: A Comprehensive Counterinsurgency Strategy for AfghanistanWhile the United States continues to make military and diplomatic progress in Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has gotten unquestionably worse over the last three years. Although the diversion of resources from the conflict in Afghanistan to the front lines in Iraq have undoubtedly contributed to America's current quagmire, it is now time to formulate an improved strategy to turn Afghanistan around from the abyss. Fortunately for the United States military and members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, such a counterinsurgency plan need not require generals to limit the manpower, and equipment from an Iraq operation that is continuing to strengthen the country's democratic hopes. Recent calls for a large troop deployment to Afghanistan in the hopes of diminishing the violent Taliban insurgency may be appropriate for a short-term American success story, but such a move would be drastically counterproductive to the immense progress already accomplished with respect to Iraqi sovereignty: progress that, to this date, has helped stem the violence associated with Islamic extremism and promoted accountability of Iraq's national parliament. What the United States should focus on in Afghanistan is building trust among the Afghan citizenry, raising the levels of economic opportunity, by establishing third-party structures to make a true democratic system work. Doing so would result in the Taliban-led insurgency falling short of its ambitions. Through a re-prioritization of objectives, the U.S.- Afghanistan mission will be restored, America's overall image will benefit, and its successful developmental and reconstruction effort will put a major blow in the sides of terrorist networks throughout the Middle Eastern region.
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Long-term Impact of an Ice Storm and Restoration Cutting in a Rare Pine BarrenOne of the more significant natural disturbances in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada in recent memory was the ice storm of January, 1998. In northern New York, thick accumulations of ice on tree branches caused severe crown damage across 280,000 ha of forest, including a rare pine barren in Clinton County. More than half of the trees in the pine barren were severely damaged by the ice storm, especially small-sized jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and mid-sized pitch pine (P. rigida) and red pine (P. resinosa). Over 60 percent of the sampled trees were dead after 10 growing seasons. Survival of damaged pitch pine trees was enhanced by growth of new branches from epicormic buds on the main stem. Experimental restoration cuttings were used in portions of the ice-damaged barren to decrease hazardous fuel loadings, reduce the density of ericaceous shrubs, scarify the soil surface and stimulate the release of jack pine seeds from the serotinous cones attached to broken branches. After 10 growing seasons, jack pine seedling density in the restoration cuttings averaged 9,500 stems per ha. The experimental cuttings successfully regenerated new jack pine stands without fire. Meanwhile, tree regeneration in the ice-damaged, unmanaged stands was sparse and most of these seedlings were generally red maple (Acer rubrum) or red oak (Quercus rubra). This study demonstrated that ice-damaged, fire-structured pine stands can be successfully regenerated using mechanical site treatments in northern New York.
