Hendrick Hudson High School

Science May 2016

Research

Sponsored by the Hendrick Hudson Community Educational Foundation (HHCEF)

“ You are limited only by your imagination”

1 2 Dr, Christine Rogers received a 2015 Hendrick Hudson INTEL STS Badge and a Teacher of Merit High School Award.

Jane Milcetic entered the INTEL STS compe- tition. Science May 2016 Jane Milcetic received the Research Report Research Badge for well-written, college-level, journal- style research report

This year we had great success with our students, who both competed at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF), the largest regional fair with over 500 projects from Westchester schools and at the Tri-County competition. Jane Milcetic, a senior, placed Third in the animal science category for her project. She also competed at the Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), where she placed 5th as a speaker in the Biology category. Her project, “The Preference of Female Zebra Finches for Zebra Finch Males Based on Song and Proximity”, was conducted un- der the mentorship of Erich Jarvis, at Duke University in his world-renowned laboratory studying bird song. In zebra finches, bird song is extensively studied as it reflects some very specific mechanisms of learning and can be associated with regions of the brain. Males are the only ones singing and their song is part of the mating behavior of the birds. Jane chose to study the behavior of the female, a significantly different approach, to see if only the song was critical to her response, or if the physical proximity was also an important factor. She found that females are very individualized in their choice of males based on various individual factors such as song and physical proximity. Her project opens the door to another aspect of the zebra finches mating preferences: the receptivity of the female. Jane entered the INTEL-Science Talent Search competition, where she received a Badge for a very well written college-level journal-style scientific paper.

Isabella Brizzi, a junior, won two awards at WESEF for her work on chemical dis- persants: the American Meteorological Society Award and the Stockholm Junior Wa- ter Prize Regional Award. The American Meteorological Society Awards recognizes projects, showing a “creative and scientific endeavor in atmospheric and related oce- anic and hydrologic sciences”. The Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award, recognizing top water projects, allows Isabella to proceed forward and enter the state competition with her research paper. Additionally Isabella placed Second at the Tri- County Science fair in the Environmental category. Isabella studied the best condi- tions to remove oil from oil spills in oceanic water, using a chemical dispersant. Her work is very important in optimizing the use of dispersants with minimal impact on the oceanic environment. She worked under the direction of Dr. Zhong Pan at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She will continue her research this summer, expand- ing it and testing more conditions leading to the best use of chemical dispersants. Her work is extremely important and practical for environmental clean-up of oil spills.

WESEF is sponsored by Regeneron and Acorda pharmaceuticals.

3 The Preference of Female Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia gut- tata) for Zebra Finch Males Based on Song and Proximity

Jane A. Milcetic (INTEL STS Paper -excerpt-)

tent strong to the sexual dimorphism m e n t s c h o i c e s within the species (Hara et have measured the attraction b e t w e e n al., 2009; Whitney et al., of the female through behav- males, and 2014; Simonyan et al., 2012; ioral and spatial responses, that physi- Tchernichovski & Marcus, but did so while preventing cal interac- 2014; Tchernichovski et physical contact between tion had a al., 2001). Yet, some stud- male and female zebra finch- variable ef- ies in the last twenty years es in setups similar to the fect. Song have begun to investigate two-way mate choice cham- a n a l y s i s how female zebra finches ber (Campbell et al., 2008; focuses on influence song by exhibit- Neubauer, 2000; Campbell & the appeal- ing receptive behavior and Hauber, 2009; Hauber et al., ing charac- thus reinforcing the male 2010; Rutstein et al., 2007; teristics be- behavior and song frequen- Forstmeier & Birkhead, hind certain cy (Tchernichovski et al., 2004). The two-way mate males, and 1998; Campbell et al., 2008; choice chamber prevents the the motiva- Campbell & Hauber, 2009; female from physically inter- tion behind Forstmeier, 2004; Forst- acting with the male, but still the females’ meier & Birkhead, 2004; allows her to hear and see preference. Neubauer, 2000; Woolley & him, and ultimately lets her Consistent Doupe, 2008; Lauay, 2003). make a choice by remain- with previ- These recent studies have ing on one side or the other. ous stud- found that, generally, zebra Rutstein, Brazill-Boast and ies, the data finch females share a set of Griffith (2007) perceive hints that fe- preferences across the spe- cages - such as the two-way male zebra cies (Campbell, 2008; Neu- mate choice chamber – un- finches pre- bauer, 2000; Lauay, 2003; natural, as mate choice be- fer familiar Hauber, 2010; Forstmeier haviors supposedly require Abstract males over novel males. This & Birkhead, 2004). They a physical connection before Male zebra finches have study aims to encourage the prefer songs of their own copulation (Rutstein et al., been the primary subject of exploration of the female ze- species (conspecific songs), 2007). Yet, Rutstein, Brazill- songbird study because of bra finch’s neurological pro- stereotyped songs with little Boast and Griffith (2007) their individually distinct cesses when confronted with variability and faster tempo, only compared the two-way songs, leaving the females various mating scenarios and songs they have heard mate choice chamber to dis- of the species largely disre- that deal with varying de- before (familiar) (Campbell similar structures. In one garded. This study focuses grees of male familiarity and et al., 2008; Neubauer, 2000; experiment (“no-choice tri- on the role of females in contact. Lauay et al., 2003; Hauber als”), they placed a male mate preference based on the et al., 2010; Forstmeier & and a female zebra finch in male’s song and familiarity. Birkhead, 2004; Kao & Brai- Introduction/Review of a cage for 5 minutes and The hypothesis predicts that nard, 2006; Sossinka & Boh- Literature measured the birds’ interac- females would consistently ner, 1980). Females must be tions; in another (“aviary pick one male due to his fa- Though love at first sight as raised around a male tutor mate choice trials”), a group miliarity and song frequen- yet to be proven, sound has until they are at least 35 days consisting of 4 females and 4 cy, no matter the amount of a heavy impact on mate se- old in order to solidify her males were placed inside an physical interaction. Females lection, as songbirds can at- recognition of her species’ aviary for approximately 24 were tested using the two- test to. The zebra finch (Tae- song (Hauber et al., 2010). hours, and observed for 140 niopygia guttata) has already way choice chamber and a Many studies have devel- minutes per group (Rutstein been studied extensively new experimental setup that oped different experimental et al., 2007). Though the no- for its song, which differs allows physical contact with designs in order to assess the choice trials are most similar in each male (Woolley & one male and prevents con- response of females to male to the two-way mate choice Doupe, 2008). The majority tact with the other. Results song (Rutstein et al., 2007; chamber out of all their ex- of songbird experimentation showed that the majority of Forstmeier & Birkhead, perimental setups, Rutstein, has focused on the males due females did not show consis- 2004). Some of these experi- Brazill-Boast and Griffith 4 (2007) measured the effect animals and that results ex- of physical contact with hibit natural inconsistencies three birds, while the two- that nevertheless provide an way mate choice chamber indication of preference. Figure 1: Experiment 1 utilizes only two birds. So, Considering that investi- in using an unequal num- gation of the female zebra will allow insight into which placed to gauge the female’s ber of subjects, their com- finch’s perspective has only factors influence a female’s position. A white curtain vi- parisons have more than become popular within the decision more. sually isolated all cages from one important variable that last twenty years, the results the surrounding environ- differs, and thus the vari- Since previous experiments of all these experiments pro- have shown that female ze- ment, but the test subjects ous aspects like dynamics vide great insight into the could still hear some calls between males (dominance bra finches can choose- be bird’s mind. Yet, the studies tween males based on their from other zebra finches. An and fighting) and female re- that seek to investigate re- Apple iPhone 6S on HDR ceptivity are lost within the songs, the following hypoth- action to song alone forget esis was formulated: females settings was used to record experimental design (Rut- about a vital part of mating: all trials. stein et al., 2007). will consistently choose physical contact (Campbell one male regardless of the Procedure Despite the number of stud- et al., 2008; Neubauer, 2000; amount of physical contact Starting around 11 AM, 2 ies that have tried to under- Campbell & Hauber, 2009; (Lauay et al., 2003; Camp- males were transported from stand the attractive qualities Lauay et al., 2003; Forst- bell & Hauber, 2009; Hauber their housing cage to the of zebra finch song, most of meier & Birkhead, 2004). et al., 2010). The predictions testing cages. One male was their results suffer from nat- Even though physical in- below aim to test the hypoth- placed in the leftmost cage, ural inconsistencies (Forst- teractions may enhance the esis. and the other in the right- meier & Birkhead, 2004; female’s receptiveness to a most cage. At the beginning Neubauer, 2000). Forst- male, no studies have mea- Predictions: of the day, males were given meier & Birkhead’s (2004) sured if physical contact can A. Individual females will around 5 minutes to accli- study tested for trends re- be powerful enough to dis- consistently choose one male mate while visually isolated lated to female zebra finch tract a female from a male based on his amount of sing- from one another by divid- preferences of beak color, she has already developed ing, and the familiarity of his ers. One female was then song rate, male aggressive- a preference for. Of course, song. transported into the middle ness, and found very little many of the aforementioned B. Females with the same fa- cage, and the trial began as agreement in the tested fe- experiments do possess a ther will consistently choose soon as the barriers between males, except for song rate. level where females may the same male based on the the birds were raised. Five There was an indication that touch the males, but none familiarity of his song. 15-minute trials were con- females prefer males who have investigated if the male C. Regardless of the amount ducted per day using 2-4 sing more frequently. More zebra finch’s song is power- of physical contact, females males, depending on which importantly, only 45 of the ful enough to hold a female’s will pay more attention to female was being tested. 96 females showed a pref- attention while she is dis- the familiar male over the Food and water were avail- erence for one male, and tracted by a physical interac- unfamiliar male. able at all times. only 22 of those 45 chose tion with another male (Rut- the same male in a second stein et al., 2007; Forstmeier, (...) Experiment 2: Familiarity trial. As trials continued, 2004). Our study seeks to Experiment 1: Choice Parameters less and less females con- understand if the male’s song Chamber All trials took place in tinued to choose the same alone, an important sexually Parameters metal cages approximately male, showing that very selected trait of the zebra All trials took place in 20x20x40 centimeters situ- few females consistently finch, can be more influential metal cages approximately ated with food and water pick the same male. Forst- than a tangible mate with a 20x20x40 centimeters situ- placed in the center of each meier & Birkhead (2004) physical interaction. ated with food and water cage. Two cages were placed attribute these results to the placed in the center of each so that each 20x40 side were invariability of male ap- Goals of the Study and Hy- cage (Figure 1). The cages approximately 1 cm from one pearance, the female’s ac- pothesis were situated so that each another. The cage containing ceptance of various males, two birds had two perches on This study uses the two-way 20x20 cm side was around and lack of sexual motiva- each 20x20 side, and the cage mate choice-chamber (Fig- 2 cm from one another. The tion. While Forstmeier & containing one bird had one ure 1) and a new arrangement leftmost and rightmost cages Birkhead (2004) utilize a contained one perch oriented four way choice-chamber (Figure 2) to understand how Figure 2: Experiment 2 song without physical con- towards the center cage. The similar to the one Rutstein, center cage had two perch- Brazill-Boast & Griffith tact and song with physical contact affects females’ pref- es to face the left and right (2007) criticized, their re- sides. In the center cage, two alistic data demonstrate the erence for a male. The com- parison of these two methods strips of orange tape, 10 cm nuances of working with from 20x20 cm side were 5 available at all times. choice. Even though males Results had highly variable song count per trial, all females Preliminary heard at least one song from Songs of each male were ex- every male, thus giving them tracted from the 30-minute a chance to express their recordings using RavenLite preferences (Figure 4). Some (Cornell Lab of Ornitholo- males naturally sang more gy). Songs were analyzed us- than others, but an encourag- ing Sound Analysis Pro 2011 ing female response (such as (Tchernichovski, 2012). By hopping along with his song comparing each male’s song or chirping for him to con- Figure 3. Color-mapped song of Black 441. Each to his own, it was found that tinue) will usually make the letter and color corresponds to the syllables of all males sang a very consis- male sing more. tent directed song with a syl- Black 441’s song, “I” meaning “introductory” Experiment 2 lable self-similarity percent- and “A-E” meaning the following syllables of the age of 98.93 (SEM=.2321). Most females spent more stereotyped song. All 5 males were compared time with the in cage male to one another, and had a (ICM) than the out cage male perch on the right 20x20 Females were separated into (OCM) (Figure 6). Unlike the side. A white curtain visu- wide range of 61% to 92% two groups: Delayed Con- similarity. Similarity scores birds from the delayed con- ally ! isolated all cages, but tact (DC) or Instant Contact tact (DC) group, some birds the test subjects could still were calculated by compar- (IC) (Table 2). Females in ing the global and local as- from the instant contact (IC) hear each other’s vocaliza- the IC group were placed in group like D-JL049 and S- tions. An Apple iPhone 6S pects of two songs. In com- the cage with one of the four paring two different birds, JL042 spent more time with on HDR settings was used to familiar males they had seen the OCM. Even so, these re- record all trials. the overall percentage is in Experiment 1, and the un- based on global character- sults must consider that the Procedure familiar male they had never istics like the length of the majority of birds from the Starting around 11 AM, seen before was placed in the song, the spacing between IC group hardly spent time 2 males were transported adjacent cage for the first tri- segments of the song. When with either male. Most mem- from their housing cage al. Females in the DC group comparing the same bird, the bers of the IC group also had to the testing cages. One were placed in the cage with finer percentage, focusing on much closer ratings based on male was placed in the “In the unfamiliar male, and a the accuracy and consistency the familiar and unfamiliar Cage,” deeming him the familiar male was placed in within smaller segments of male (Figure 7). In Cage Male (ICM) and the adjacent cage for the first the song, matters most. Discussion and Conclusion trial. One female was trans- the other male in the “Out Figure 3 shows a sonogram Overall, the results show lit- Cage,” deeming him the Out ported into the middle cage, and the trial began as soon of directed song of male tle evidence for the predicted of Cage Male (OCM) for Black 441, using RavenLite trends, but show unexpected that trial. At the beginning as the female entered the “In Cage.” Five 15 minute tri- (Cornell Lab of Ornithol- patterns within the ten tested of the day, males are given ogy). The highlighted por- females. Testing for a longer approximately 5 minutes to als were conducted per day using 2-3 males, depending tions represent the different period of time with a larger acclimate while in view of syllables that make up Black sample size of both males each other. on which female was being tested. Food and water were 441’s average song. and females would have Experiment 1 provided stronger data, but lack of an overarching trend Over the entire group of fe- through Experiments 1 or 2 males, results were highly does not render the results varied depending on each useless. Each experiment female’s motivation (Table leaves room for comprehen- 1). Half of the females tested sion of this sample’s view of positive for side bias, spend- males. The variance within ing around 60% or more of the total data shows that their time on one side (Fig- there are highly individual ure 5). Other females did behavioral elements in mate not show a significant pref- preference for zebra finches. erence. These females ei- ther remained in the neutral Experiment 1 demonstrated zone, or spent increments that the majority of females Figure 4. Average song count for each male of ≤ 5 seconds on either side, could not consistently choose a male. As shown in Table 1 ! Experiment 1 which was too little time to be considered a significant and Figure 5, the majority of 6 in Experiment 2 due to the slight difference in the time she spent with the two males in Experiment 1 (Table 2). Even if D-JL049 did not make a significant enough choice between Black 448 and Red 419, her inabil- ity to pick only one male shows that female zebra finches will choose a - vari ety of males, though some females are more accepting than others (Forstmeier & Figure 5. Side Bias in Experiment 1. Birds spending around 60% or more of their time Birkhead, 2004). Interest- on one side of the cage had a side bias. ingly enough, Black 448 and Red 419’s songs were only 77% (SE=.93) similar, while females did not show a sig- While the males sometimes and hatchling environment a few other sets of males had nificant choice due to side coerced females by perch- shapes the basis for which much more similar songs, bias or low amount of time ing next to them or invading song females prefer (Miller, 90% and up. Black 448 and with any male in Experiment their space, many females 1979). In particular, one fe- Red 419 also had very dif- 1. It appeared that only D- of the DC group did not at- male, D-JL049, did have the ferent average song counts JL049 could make a clear tempt to rebut them, essen- highest amount of consisten- for Experiment 1 (Figure 6). decision, exemplified by tially choosing that male. cy throughout Experiment Thus, Experiment 1 refutes her active signals (hopping With future research and 1. Yet, Prediction B cannot the song frequency com- and chirping) and time spent more time, I would control be applied to D-JL049, as ponent of Prediction A. D- by Red 419 and Black 448. their responses by habituat- her sisters, S-JL040 and S- JL049’s choice between un- Compared with the consis- ing the animals to the setup JL042, were irresponsive familiar and familiar males tency results from Forstmeier of Experiment 2 to diminish or had a side bias. Despite in Experiment 2 raises many and Birkhead’s study (2004), the effects of the novel envi- the overall lack of evidence questions concerning valid- a 10% consistency rate was ronment. for consistency from the fe- ity of data in respect to her lucky considering their much Due to the lack of consistency males, D-JL049’s results performance, the other fe- larger sample size produced and responsiveness through- provide an interesting source male’s performance, and the a 20% consistency rate. The out the majority of the birds of insight into the mind of a male’s performance. unresponsive females in this in Experiment 1, Prediction female zebra finch with high study probably felt sexually standards. D-JL049 seemed Experiment 2 in itself was B holds no ground in relation peculiar across the major- unmotivated, seeing as the to the data. Table 1 focuses to prefer both Red 419 and number of birds with side bi- Black 448 in Experiment 1, ity of trials, as males barely on the father of each female, sung in comparison to the ases outweighed those who as the genetic background and was tested with Red 419 simply could not make a sig- high song production rate in nificant choice. Somewhat in line with Pre- diction C, Experiment 2 shows that nearly all birds spent more time with the familiar male. Yet, most members of the IC group had rather close measure- ments when comparing the familiar and unfamiliar male (Figure 7). Though physical contact does seem to influ- ence the amount of time fe- males spend with each male, all females showed a higher preference for the familiar male. The data indicate that Figure 6. Female preference in Experiment 2. The orange includes the DC contact has a great effect group, and the green includes the IC group on female responsiveness.

7 adjacent paraphippocampal area activate greatly when a female zebra finch hears the conspecific song, and the caudomedial noestriatum, hippocampus, and adjacent parahippocampal area show a lesser degree of activation when she hears the hetero- specific song, one of another species’. They suggested that the all areas coordinate with one another to respond to a “biologically relevant audi- tory stimuli.” (Bailey et al., 2002) Interestingly enough, these same areas activated in the male zebra finch brain when the same conspecific Figure 7. The orange includes the DC group, and the green and nonresponsive females versus heterospecific test includes the IC group. would probably continue to was administered (Bailey et ignore the males – but these al., 2002). This experimental design has revealed which ar- Experiment 1. D-JL049 had songs, and our data, though changes would provide more eas of a female zebra finch’s only a somewhat significant inhibited by time constraints reliable data, and leave less brain process song input, and difference between her time can conclude that female to inference. could possibly be extended with the unfamiliar male, zebra finches prefer famil- Research on the female per- to measure their preferences. Black 437, and the familiar iar over unfamiliar songs spective in mating could also Bailey, Rosebush, and Wade male, Red 419, which seems (Campbell et al., 2008; Neu- lead to further investigation (2002) measured the amount odd when acknowledging bauer, 2000; Lauay et al., in the visual system’s role in of activation using immu- that Black 437 did not sing 2003; Hauber et al., 2010; mate receptivity. Hara et al. nohistochemistry to deter- in either of D-JL049’s trials. Forstmeier & Birkhead, (2008) found that seeing fe- mine the female’s degree of Despite D-JL049’s excep- 2004). males while singing can in- reactivity to conspecific and tional performance in Exper- fluence the singing regulated Future Research and Im- heterospecific songs. This iment 1, her less than excep- gene expression of song nu- plications method could be applied to tional results of Experiment clei in the male’s brain. This These results expand a still females who indicate a clear 2 indicate that context also study could be extended to relatively new body of lit- preference for one male, and could have an effect on the identify some of the specific erature investigating the dy- cues females give males to a clear dislike or ignorance namics of females in a sexu- indicate if they like or dis- of another male. Females ally dimorphic species and like his courtship display. In could be separated into how they interact as the re- refining our understanding of groups where they would be cipient of the male song. By such signals, quantification exposed to their preferred increasing the understanding of female preference could male or disliked male, and of the variance of individuals entice more researchers to then sacrificed to examine within a population, the finer pay attention to the impor- the degrees of activation in details of mate selection can tant role of females in song the areas of the brain that re- begin to be uncovered. Even production. act to song. Svec and Wade though this study provides a (2009) have already done a fresh perspective on the in- Several studies have already similar experiment in which teraction between males and identified which regions of they examined the induc- females, subject individu- the female songbird brain tion of the immediate early ality and limited number activate when hearing a gene, ZENK, of females Table 1. Family of trials and subjects cause male’s song (Bailey et al., exposed to untutored or tu- relationships of the female high variability of results. 2002; LeBlanc et al., 2007; tored males. They formed a ! zebra finches. Enlarging the sample size Svec & Wade, 2009). Bai- control group of hormonally and number of trials would ley, Rosebush, and Wade’s untreated birds, and another not necessarily increase the study (2002) identified that experimental group by giv- female’s behavior. individual consistency – fe- the caudomedial neostria- ing female zebra finches Past studies have made clear males with side biases will tum, caudal hyperstriatum doses of estradiol, a sexual that females prefer familiar probably maintain them, ventrale, hippocampus, and steroid that likely causes

8 still being uncov- Regan, E., & Devoogd, T. J. (2004). ered as the inves- Female zebra finches require early Mentor: song exposure to prefer high-quality tigation of female song as adults. Animal Behavior, Dr. Erich Jarvis, Ph.D. perspective con- 68(6), 1249-1255. doi: 10.1016/j. tinues. By com- anbehav.2003.12.025 paring unique and LeBlanc, M. M., Goode, C. T., Mac- dimorphic spe- Dougall-Shackleton, E. A., Maney, D. L. (2007). Estradiol modulates brain- cies like the zebra stem catecholaminergic cell groups and finch, the nature projections to the auditory forebrain of mate selection in a female songbird. Brain Research, will become more 1171, 93-103. doi: 1 0 . 1 0 1 6 / j . brainres.2007.06.086 apparent. Miller, D. B. (1979). Long-term recog- References nition of father’s song by female zebra Bailey, D. J., Rosebush, finches. Nature, 280(2), 389-391. J. C., & Wade, J. (2002). Neubauer, R. L. (2000). Super-normal The Hippocampus and length song preferences of female zebra Caudomedial N e o - finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and a the- striatum Show Selective ory of the evolution of bird song. Evo- Responsiveness to Con- lutionary Ecology, 13, 365-380. specific Song in the- Fe ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, male Zebra Finch. Jour- Rutstein, A. N., Brazill-Boast, J., & Howard Hughes Medical In- nal of Neurobiology, 52, Griffith, S. C. (2007). Evaluating 43-51. mate choice in the zebra finch. Ani- stitute, Dept. of Neurobiol- mal Behavior, 74(5), 1277-1284. doi: Campbell, D. L. M., & 10.1016/j.anbehav.2007.02.022 ogy, Hauber, M. E. (2009). Cross-fostering dimin- Simonyan, K., Horwitz, B., & Jarvis, E. ishes song discrimina- D. (2012). Dopamine regulation of hu- Duke University Medical Cen- tion in zebra Finches man speech and bird song: A critical re- (Taeniopygia guttata). view. Brain & Language, 122, 142-150. ter. Animal Cognition, 12, doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2011.12.009 481-490. Sossinka, R., & Bohner, J. (1980). Song We are very grateful to Dr. Campbell, D. L. M., types in the zebra finch, poephila gut- tata castanotis. Z. Tierpshycologie, Jarvis, Dr. M. Chakraborty and Shaw, R. C., & Hau- ber, M. E. (2008). The 53, 123-131. the Jarvis lab. for their dedica- Strength of Species Rec- Svec, L. A., & Wade, J. (2008). Estra- tion and help. ognition i n diol induces region-specific inhibition Captive Female Zebra of ZENK but does not affect the be- Finches (Taeniopygia havioral preference for tutored song in guttata): A Comparison adult female zebra finches. B e - the brain to generate a re- Across Estrildid Heterospecifics. havioral Brain Research, 199(2). doi: productive response (Svec Ethology, 115, 23-32. 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.12.006 & Wade, 2009). Svec and Forstmeier, W. (2004). Female resis- Tchernichovski, O. (2012). Sound Wade’s results showed that tance to male seduction in zebra finches. Analysis Pro 2011 User Manual. Animal Behavior, 68(5), 1005-1015. Tchernichovski, O., & Marcus, G. the density of ZENK expres- doi: 10.1016/ j.anbehav.2004.02.003 sion was much higher when (2014). Vocal learning beyond imita- Forstmeier W. & Birkhead T.R. (2004) tion: mechanisms of adaptive vocal de- listening to the tutored song. Repeatability of mate choice in the velopment in songbirds and human in- Gene expression studies can zebra finch: consistency within and fants. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, be further applied to female between females. Animal Behavior, 28, 42-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. zebra finch’s preferences by 68(5), 1017-1028. doi: 10.1016/j. conb.2014.06.002 anbehav.2004.02.007 gathering birds with more Tchernichovski, O., Mitra, P. P., Lints, Hara, E., Kubikova, L., Hessler, N. A., T., & Nottebohm, F. (2001). Dynamics scrupulous criteria, like D- & Jarvis, E. D. (2008). Assessing visual of the Vocal Imitation Process: How JL049, and exposing them requirements for social context-depen- a Zebra Finch Learns Its Song. Sci- to males that fit or do not dent activation of the songbird song ence, 0. doi: rich4/se-sci/se-sci/se-orig/ fit their preferences (Bailey system. The Royal Society, 276, se9293d00r 279-289. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2008.1138 et al., 2002; LeBlanc et al., Tchernichovski, O., Schwabl, H., & Hauber, M. E., Campbell, D. L., & Nottebohm, F. (1998). Context deter- 2007; Svec & Wade, 2009). Woolley, S. M. (2010). The functional mines the sex appeal of male zebra finch Much more can be done to role and female perception of male song. Animal Behavior, 55, 1003-1010. understand both the behav- song in Zebra Finches. Emu, 110, 209- Whitney, O., Pfenning, A. R., Howard, 218. doi:10.1071/MU100030158-4197 ioral and cognitive processes J. T., Blatti, C. A., Liu, F., Ward, J. M., /10/030209 Jarvis, E.D. (2014). Core and region- behind the complex activity Kao, M. H., Brainard, M. S. (2006). enriched networks of behaviorally reg- of songbird courtship. Even Lesions of an avian basal ganglia cir- ulated genes and the singing genome. though males have already cuit prevent context-dependent changes Science, 346(6215). been greatly studied across to song variability. J Neurophysiol multiple species, the nuanc- 96:1441–1455. es of mate preferences are Lauay, C., Gerlach, N. M., Adkins- 9 Testing for the Most Effective Condition to Remediate Oil spills Using a Baffled Flask Test, with the use of the Corexit 9500 Dispersant Isabella Brizzi, WESEF Paper Excerpt (Junior)

would be dis- Hurricane Sandy. Many of flask at various RPMs. At persed. The idea the dolphins who washed up RPM speeds with the use of that with the use on beaches after Hurricane a dispersant, more oil would of dispersant, Sandy were seen to have be dispersed, facilitating its more oil would died of the Dolphin Mor- removal. The different RPM be dispersed, billivirus, a virus belonging speed would be used to stim- proved to be to the measles family (Wat- ulate different wave patterns, true as seen in son, 2013). Recently in the creating an ocean like situa- both the 125 spring of 2015, another oil tion. It is expected to find a rpm sub-exper- spill occurred off the coast significantly higher percent- iments, as well of California releasing an age of the oil dispersed with as the 250 rpm approximate 105,000 gal- the use of this dispersant in experimental lons of oil released, due to a the best possible conditions. group. The data pipeline rupture (2). In order Without the use of a disper- showed that the to attempt to remediate the sant, there would not be a 125 rpm sample damage caused by these di- percentage of oil dispersed with dispersant sasters, the use of a disper- at the RPMs tested. (...) had 21.6% of sant is needed. A dispersant oil dispersed, is a liquid or gas that is com- Procedure: Abstract while the 250 monly used to help clean up All procedures were con- rpm sample with dispersant oil spills. Dispersants are Corexit 9500, a dispersant structed under the instruction only had 15.2% of the oil able to break down larger for accidental oceanic oil and teaching of Dr. Zhong dispersed. A higher efficien- particles of oil into smaller spills, was studied to deter- Pan, but were completed in- cy at 125 rpm is surprising, particles. This allows the mine the best and most effi- dependently. and goes against our expec- particles to be able to broken cient parameters for its use, tations. More studies have to down further and consumed 1. Finding the most effec- while reducing environmen- be conducted to confirm that by microorganisms (3).Ex- tive and ideal condition for tal impact. Four different this effect is consistent and posure to deadly toxins or the dispersant. series of sub-experiments, replicable, thus the need for chemicals can weaken an with and without the use of There were four series of more trials to be completed. organism’s immune system a dispersant, were conduct- experiments. These experi- and make that organism ed and data was obtained at Introduction ments consisted of, a solu- more susceptible to various different RPM speeds (125 Oils spills have been a prev- tion with a dispersant at an diseases (1). Although many rpm and 250 rpm, mimick- alent issue in society since RPM speed of 125, a solu- of the effects of dispersants ing wave energy). For each The Deepwater Oil Spill in tion without a dispersant at are still unknown, modern sub-experiment, different April of 2010. Oil spills like an RPM speed of 125, a so- day dispersants are less tox- time lengths were tested in the Deepwater Horizon Oil lution with a dispersant with ic than those previously used five different samples. Once spill, often are responsible an RPM speed of 250, and (6).If the correct dispersant the oil-water mixture was for causing a population of a solution without a disper- is used at the found optimal removed from the shaker in species to become drasti- sant at an RPM speed of 250. condition, it can be expected the controlled temperature cally affected, resulting in Each of these experiments that the effect on both the setting, liquid-liquid extrac- death within the population. would be made up of 5 tests, environment and the wildlife tions were performed. The In consequence, such disas- which would be testing the can be less severe. volume of the oil-water so- ters may cause a significant lution retrieved from the decrease in a species popu- Goals and Hypothesis liquid-liquid extractions was lation (7). The Deepwater adjusted and then tested in a Horizon Oil Spill caused The purpose of this would UV spectrophotometer. The thousands of gallons of oil be to find the most effective data obtained was compared to be leaked into the Gulf condition for a dispersant to to a 6-point calibration curve of Mexico, which affected work most efficiently with- that helped to determine the many aquatic species of out causing any unnecessary Total Oil Dispersed. It was wildlife (1). An example of harm to the environment. hypothesized that at higher a similar situation would be To do so, we would test for RPM speeds and in the pres- the increase of deaths in the the best possible conditions ence of a dispersant more oil Dolphin species following for the dispersant, Corexit 9500, working with a baffled 10 different wavelengths in a UV spectrophotometer (340, 370, and 400 nm). The cu- vettes would be first rinsed with Dichloromethane to rid of remaining oil left, which could result in incor- rect data. The cuvettes used would have to be made out of quartz. If any other mate- rial was to be used, there is a very high chance that the Di- Standard Curve with Dispersant Standard Curve without Dispersant chloromethane would state to dissolve the materials that effect of time on a sample. the standard stock solutions 4. Liquid - liquid extrac- the cuvette is composed of. The different samples have would be made without the tion The purpose of the UV spec- times of 5 minutes, 10 min- use of a dispersant. Then this After the samples would be trophotometer would be to utes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and data would be used to create taken out of the shaker, sam- find the quantity of oil that 2 hours. These experiments a 6 point calibration curve ples would be taken from has been absorbed and dis- would be conducted in a baf- which would become essen- them and liquid-liquid ex- persed into the water column fled flask, which would be tial to the project. tractions would be performed (4). specifically used for this ex- with 30 mL of the degraded periment. Before any sample 3. Experimental group us- and dispersed oil/ synthetic 6. LISSTX100 Test. is to be started, there would ing the baffled flask test: seawater mixture. The 30 need to be a standard stock Part of the sample from the Each individual sample so- mL would be placed into a shaker, would be removed solution created (control). 125 mL separatory funnel. This standard stock solution lution would be made up of and placed inside a LIS- the same components. Each 5 mL of Dichloromethane STX100 to test for a change would serve as a base line, would be added to the funnel and would be compared to all sample required a baffled in the oils particle size. (...) flask to be filled with 120 and then shaken. The extract of the samples obtained from from the liquid liquid extrac- Results the four sets of experiments. mL of synthetic seawater. To add the oil, it would have to tion would be collected in a This standard stock solution beaker. This process would Data Analysis would be created using 80μL extracted properly from its be repeated 3 times and then To analyze the data obtained of Corexit 9500, 1 or 2 ml of container with a syringe and the extract would be poured from this experiment, it the obtained California oil then weighed on a scale. It over a funnel filled with would be compared to the (depending on the thickness would then be added to the glass wool and Sodium Sul- 6 point calibration curve. of the oil), and 18 ml of di- center of the baffled flask, fate Anhydrous. The extract Also, some of the data would chloromethane. close to the solution but not touching it to ensure that it would then be adjusted to a be put into a Dispersant Ef- volume of 20 mL and would 2. Creating a calibration would not contaminate the fectiveness Equation which be stored in a 25 mL glass curve solution. The syringe would would determine the amount then be weighed to deter- test tube. of oil dispersed with the use From this solution, liquid- of Corexit 9500. (...) liquid extractions with spe- mine the mass of the oil, 5. UV Spectrophotometer which would later be used to cific volumes would then be Vials would then tested at Discussion of Results and conducted. To perform these calculate the concentration liquid-liquid extractions, of oil within the solution. If samples of 20, 50, 100, 150, dispersant was needed for 200 and 300μL would each a particular sample, using a be added to 30 mL of syn- 1-10 μl micropipette, 4μl of thetic seawater and be placed Corexit 9500 would be added into 125 mL separatory fun- to the center of the oil-water nels. The data obtained from mixture without touching these liquid liquid extrac- the surface of the mixture. tions would then be test in The samples would then be the UV spectrophotometer. placed into a flask shaker in- Two different calibration side a temperature regulated curves would be made to act area for their predetermined as the control. One of these amount of time (5 minutes, standard stock solutions 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 would be made with the use hour, 2 hours). of a dispersant, and one of 11 Conclusion: the total oil dispersed and the data obtained, there is a and George A Sorial. “The baffled flask higher dispersion percentage test for dispersant effectiveness: a round The results from this experi- percentage of oil dispersed robin evaluation of reproducibility and ment will be able to deter- equations. The data received at 125 rpm with dispersant. repeatability.” Spill Science & Technol- mine the best condition for from the LISST machine Although this data was un- ogy Bulletin 7.5 (2002): 299-308 the dispersant Corexit 9500 showed that in presence of expected, it shows that the (5) Venosa, Albert D, and Edith L Hold- to work. Based off of the a dispersant, the diameter structure of Corexit 9500 al- er. “Determining the dispersibility of of the oil droplets become lows for oil to be dispersed South Louisiana crude data obtained, from the four oil by eight oil dispersant products list- different sub-experiments smaller. These results are in many different conditions. ed on the NCP Product (150 rpm with and without compared to the diameter of For example, if placed in an Schedule.” Marine pollution bulletin dispersant, and 250 rpm with the oil droplets that are not ocean, Corexit 9500 would 66.1 (2013): 73-77. and without dispersant), it in contact with the disper- work with both low and high (6) Venosa, AD, and EL Holder. “Biode- sant have larger diameters. intensity wave patterns. The gradability of dispersed crude oil at two is evident that more oil is different temperatures.” Marine pollu- dispersed in the presence This shows that the disper- original variance can be due tion bulletin 54.5 (2007): 545-553. of a dispersant based off of sant, Corexit 9500, reduces to a variety of factors. One (7) Than .K (2013). Dolphin Illnesses the oil droplets size which such possibility can be hu- Linked to Gulf Oil Spill. National allowed them man error. Since this was a Geographic. Retrieved from http:// to be removed first run of this particular ex- news.nationalgeographic.com/news/ energy/2013/13/131220-bp-deepwater- more efficiently. periment, several more tri- horizon-oil-spill-sick-dolphins/ Mentor: The results ob- als will be repeated the next Dr. Zhong Pan, Ph.D. tained for the To- summer to receive more tal Oil Dispersed conclusive data. and Percentage References Post Doctoral Research As- of Oil dispersed (1) Barron, Mace G. “Ecological im- sociate. are seen to be pacts of the deepwater horizon oil spill: implications for immunotoxicity.” different than Toxicologic pathology 40.2 (2012): Center for Natural what was ex- 315-320. pected. It was (2) “California oil spill: Up to Resources Development h y p o t h e s i z e d 105,000 gallons lost - CNN.com.” and Protection, New Jersey that at higher 2015. 24 Nov. 2015 and with the use of a dispersant, (3) Venosa, A. D., & Zhu, X. (2003). We are very grateful to Dr. Biodegradation of crude oil contaminat- more oil would ing marine shorelines and freshwater Pan for his dedication and be dispersed. wetlands. Spill Science & Technology help. According to Bulletin, 8(2), 163-178. (4) Venosa, Albert D, Dennis W King, 12 Role of the Microbiota and Probiotics in Brain Function: Potential Anti- depressant Effects and Function, Jonathan Chung (Junior)

Many neurological diseases anxiety and despair-like be- gut-brain axis. But such as Autism, Rett syn- havior and reduced stress- more importantly, the drome, Cerebral Palsy, and induced increase of plasma efficacy of probiot- major depression report gas- corticosterone levels in mice ics in normalizing trointestinal issues as a prev- (Cryan and Dinan, 2012). In both the microbiota alent comorbidity (Hsiao et addition, the probiotic agent and behavior reveals al, 2013). These findings Lactobacillus farciminis, the potential role of support the concept of a gut- prevented intestinal bar- bacteria in regulating mirobiome-brain axis that rier leakiness and reversed gut-brain communi- influences neurological -dis psychological stress (Cryan cation. eases. In support of the gut- and Dinan, 2012). Aside A potential mecha- brain axis, it has been shown from anxiolytic properties, nism of action in that commensal bacteria af- probiotic treatment appears gut-brain communi- fect a variety of complex to possess antidepressant cation involves me- behaviors, including social, properties as well. These tabolites, which are emotional, and anxiety-like properties have been shown the intermediates and behaviors, and contribute to by Bifidobacteria treat- end points of biologi- brain development and func- ment reducing the level of cal processes (Hsiao tion in mice and humans 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid et al, 2013). In the (Cryan and Dinan, 2012). (5-HIAA) in the frontal cor- maternal immune activation ASD, 4-EPS was tested sep- Despite the substantial evi- tex and decreasing the level (MIA) model, a model that arately on naive mice. Mice dence for gut-brain com- of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyla- emulates autistic like be- treated with 4EPS potassium munication, a definitive -an cetic acid (DOPAC) in the havior in mice, mice exhibit salt from 3 weeks of age to swer as to how the gut and amygdaloid cortex (Desbon- increased gut permeability, 6 weeks of age displayed brain communicate, whether net et al, 2008). Similarly, a tight junction defects, and anxiety-like behavior simi- through neural, endocrine, study published results that dysbiosis. These conditions lar to that observed in MIA metabolic or immune path- demonstrated chronic L. were hypothesized to affect offspring. This outcome ways, does not exist. helveticus NS8 supplemen- the metabolome of mice and suggests that specific symp- The implications of the gut- tation, with the efficacy of significantly altered eight toms relevant to ASD and brain axis in Autism Spec- many antidepressants, such percent of all serum me- other neurodevelopmental trum Disorder (ASD) have as citalopram, can counter- tabolites. The metabolite disorders may be connected gained considerable atten- act chronic stress-induced 4-ethylphenylsulfate (4EPS) to molecular connections be- tion with promising reason. behavioral, cognitive, and was of particular interest tween the gut and the brain. With a startling incidence biochemical aberrations (Li- due to a staggering 46-fold Combinations of metabo- rate of 1 in 88 births in the ang et al, 2015). Live Lac- increase in serum levels lites, however, may control US as of 2008, ASD repre- tobacillus plantarum PS128 of MIA offspring that was more complex behaviors. sents a significant medical (PS128) treatment signifi- completely restored by B. Regardless, the effects that and social problem (Hsiao cantly increased the levels of fragilis treatment. However, these changes in metabolites et al, 2013). Further, among dopamine and serotonin in p-cresol (4-methylphenol), a have on ASD or GI dysfunc- ASD children, 7 out of 11, the brain (Liang et al, 2015). possible urinary biomarker tion are currently unknown a substantial portion, suf- This enhancement in striatal for autism that is structur- (Hsiao et al, 2013). fer from gastrointestinal dopamine neurotransmis- ally similar to 4EPS, was Metabolites, such as abnormalities (Hsiao et al, sion may cause the enhanced not elevated enough for sta- α-tocopherol, tyramine, 2013). These abnormali- locomotor activity observed. tistical significance. On the and 4-aminobenzoic acid ties, potentially caused by It has been hypothesized that other hand, indolepyruvate, (PABA), upregulated by an altered composition of the elevation in dopamine a key molecule of the tryp- spore forming bacteria have intestinal microbiota, corre- transmission is mediated by tophan metabolism pathway, been shown to promote 5-hy- late with symptom severity. vagus nerve activity rather had elevated levels in serum. droxytryptamine (5-HT), or Studies have demonstrated than increased dopamine Notably, the commensal serotonin, biosynthesis both the significance of micro- production in the gut be- bacteria such as B. fragilis in vivo and in vitro (Yano et biota composition through cause dopamine, like sero- directly produced or at least al; 2015). For in vivo, the presenting promising results tonin, cannot freely pass the modulated both indolepyru- elevated luminal concentra- with probiotics. For exam- blood brain barrier (Liang et vate and 4-ethylphenylsul- tions of particular microbial ple, the probiotic Lactoba- al, 2015). These successes fate. Given its potential metabolites in germ free mice cillus rhamnosus decreased with probiotics validate the role in behaviors relevant to increased colonic and blood 13 receive signals from directly contact and influ- Desbonnet L, Garrett L, Clarke G, Bienenstock J, Dinan TG. The probi- these particular me- ence brain function, the ef- otic Bifidobacteria infantis: An as- Mentor: tabolites to enhance fect of metabolites on trans- sessment of potential antidepressant 5-HT biosynthe- porters in the brain should properties in the rat. J Psychiatr Res. Dr. Matthias Quick, sis. The indigenous be explored to validate the 2008;43:164–174. doi: 10.1016/j. Ph.D. microbiota, which hypothesis that metabolites jpsychires.2008.03.009. produces many of signal to the brain at a mo- El-Ansary AK, Ben Bacha A, Kotb M: Etiology of autistic features: the persist- these metabolites, lecular level. Metabolites ing neurotoxic effects of propi- can even modulate such as 4-EPS, propionic onic acid. J Neuroinflammation 2012, hippocampal levels acid, and indolepyruvate, 9:74. 10.1186/1742-2094-9-74 of 5-HT, indicated which have already been Hsiao, E. Y., McBride, S. W., Hsien, by disruptions in the proven to be relevant to par- S., Sharon, G., Hyde, E. R., McCue, T., Codelli, J. A.,Chow, J., Reisman, serotonergic system ticular behaviors, may affect S. E., Petrosino, J. F., Patterson, P. H., in the absence of a neurotransmitter systems in Mazmanian, S.K. (2013).Microbiota normal gut micro- individuals with ASD. Pro- modulate behavioral and physiologi- biota (Yano et al; pionic acid, for instance, has cal abnormalities associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Cell, 2015). properties that affect neural 155 (7), 1451 – 1463. doi:10.1016/j. Aside from signal- function through inhibiting cell.2013.11.024 ASSISTANT PROFES- ing to cells in the Na+/K+ ATPase, increas- Liang S, Wang T, Hu X, Luo J, Li W, Wu gut, metabolites ing N-methyl-D-aspartate X, et al. Administration of Lactobacillus SOR of Clinical Neuro- (NMDA) receptor sensitiv- helveticus NS8 improves behavioral, biology, Department of also signal to the cognitive, and biochemical aberrations brain. Propionic ity, promoting intracellular caused by chronic restraint stress. Neu- Psychiatry and Center acid (PPA), an en- calcium release, and elevat- roscience. 2015. Epub 2015/09/27. doi: for Molecular Recogni- teric bacterial me- ing nitric oxide, all of which 10.101 6/j.neuroscience.2015.09.033. tion, tabolite, reaches the can affect synaptic trans- Thomas RH, Meeking MM, Mepham brain by crossing mission or neuronal activ- JR, Tichenoff L, Possmayer F, Liu S, the gut-blood and ity. Meanwhile, probiotics, MacFabe DF: The enteric bacterial Columbia University and metabolite propionic acid alters brain blood-brain barriers, such as L. helveticus NS8, and plasma phospholipid molecular College of Physicians gaining access to the incited the recovery of 5-HT species: further development of a ro- and Surgeons. brain (Thomas et al, content in the hippocampus dent model of autism spectrum disor- and produced results simi- ders. J Neuroinflammation. 2012, 9: 2012). Concentrat- 153-10.1186/1742-2094-9-153. ing intracellularly in lar to those of selective se- We are very grateful for rotonin reuptake inhibitor Yano, Jessica M. and Yu, Kristie and the dedication and help the brain, propionic Donaldson, Gregory P. and Shastri, acid deleteriously therapy, elucidating poten- Gauri G. and Ann, Phoebe and Ma, of Dr. Quick. affects various neu- tial antidepressant effects Liang and Nagler, Cathryn R. and Is- rophysiological pro- (Liang et al, 2015). Thus, magilov, Rustem F. and Mazmanian, while the effects on behav- Sarkis K. and Hsiao, Elaine Y. (2015) 5-HT levels. Accordingly, cesses, including Indigenous Bacteria from the Gut germ free mice injected with neurotransmitter release, ior modulation have been Microbiota Regulate Host Serotonin the metabolite deoxycholate gene expression, mitochon- well documented, the physi- Biosynthesis. Cell, 161 (2). pp. 264- had sufficiently increased drial function, immune ological and biochemical 276. ISSN 0092 8674. colon and serum 5-HT com- modulation, gap junction mechanisms remain unclear. pared to vehicle injected gating, and behavior. The Many studies mention al- controls. Corroborating the increased intracellular neu- terations in monoaminergic finding that spore forming ronal, glial acidification and signaling, production of microbes, primarily com- calcium proportions altered neurotransmitters, and lev- posed of Clostridia, increase neurotransmitter release, els of monoaminergic me- deoxycholate levels, partic- which included glutamate, tabolites and even note the ular Clostridium species are dopamine, norepinephrine, antidepressant properties known to possess the high and serotonin (El-Ensary et through recording the simi- 7a-dehydroxylation activity al, 2012). These observa- lar effects of probiotics and needed for the production of tions following PPA infu- antidepressants but have not deoxycholate from cholate. sions, such as increased glu- focused on the potential role For in vitro, the metabolites tamatergic transmissions, of monoamine transporters. such as tyramine and PABA align with the theory of ASD were tested on chromaffin as a disruption of excitatory References cell cultures. These metabo- and inhibitory neuronal ac- Cryan F. J., Dinan G. T. (2012). Mind- lites also increased trypto- tivity. altering microorganisms: the impact of phan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) Given the ability of vari- the gut microbiota on brain and be- expression, suggesting co- havior. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, ous metabolites to signal to 13, 701-712. doi:10.1038/nrn3346. lonic enterochromaffin cells enterochromaffin cells and 14 A New System for Capturing Solar Energy: Artificial Photosynthesis; and Investigating How the Structure of Porphyrins Affects Chlorophyll Absorption, Melanie Porras (Junior)

Whenever people think 2014). TLSCs, recently de- Sensitized Solar Cells about solar capturing sys- veloped at Michigan State are cost-effect, because tems, what typically comes University by graduate stu- of their feasibility to be to mind is the average solar dent Yimu Zhao, offer a new manufactured, efficien- panels. Solar panels take so- improvement in the field of cy receives a hit in the lar energy, which is simply solar energy. TLSCs, which process (Klinger, et al., energy that comes from the absorb near-infrared radia- 2012). DSSCs can be sun, and convert it to elec- tion, can decrease the pro- produced as such ease tricity with the help of pho- duction cost for solar mate- because they do not re- tovoltaic (PV) cells (“En- rials while also eliminating quire the expensive and ergy the Solar Prospect”, solar panel’s visual impact, rare materials that some 2014). For many years solar by harvesting NIR photons other solar cells require energy has been captured rather than visible light today (Klinger, et al., through these photovoltaic (Zhao, 2014). Specifically, 2012). Compared to cells. But recently there has TLSCs can one day offer us PV cells these carbon been results of some success the ability to power buildings nanotubes propose a with a system capturing so- through windows, power a cost-effective and eas- with the energy they need lar energy through artificial car through a windshield, or ier solution to the materi- while only absorbing about 3 photosynthesis. even help power a cell phone. als required to harvest solar percent, or less, of the sun’s Contrary to typical solar pan- power. However, overall the In the past, the focus has photons (Boyd, 2003). Thus, els, these TLSCs are highly lack of a high efficiency sets been on specifically on so- humans are trying to recreate transparent to the naked a drawback in the future of lar panels and photovoltaic the photosynthesis process, eye because TLSCS are not DSSCs. cells. These photovoltaic but with a different output. limited by the absorption or cells concentrate on the pro- Although a variety of solar Instead of plant’s food sci- emission of a chromophore, duction of electrical cur- energy systems have been entist are trying to create a an atom whose presence is rent at the junction of two created and adapted, efficien- system that produces liquid responsible for the tinting of substances exposed to light cy continues to be an issue. hydrogen, or methanol, for a compound (Zhao, 2014). (Marsden, 2001). To pro- The lack of a high efficient fuel to power cars and elec- In order to not be limited by duce electricity from solar system is something that tricity (Boyd, 2003). energy an electric field must chromophore absorption or needs to be solved quickly Artificial Photosynthesis be created, through the sepa- emission the TLSCs have as humans are turning away is the replication of natu- ration of opposite poles; and to absorb and emit near- from fossil fuels and turning ral photosynthesis used in metal conductive plates must infrared radiation (NIR), toward alternative energy plants. A plant’s structure is be placed on the sides of the which is done by waveguid- sources. Fossil fuels have what enables the organism to PV cell to collect electrons ing deeper-NIR luminophor. supplied humans for decades undergo photosynthesis. The and transfer them to wires Overall TLSCs display a and have powered their most crucial part for photo- (Marsden, A. T. 2001). The 87% non-tinted transparency homes, but the exploitation synthesis, in regards to the PV cells then take the sun’s while having an efficiency of source has led to the con- plant’s structure, is the chlo- photons, particles of light, of 0.4%, however it is said tinual deterioration of the en- roplasts (Campbell, 2005). to knock electrons free from that they have the potential vironment. Thus, the search The chloroplasts are located the atoms of the semicon- to reach a whopping 10% ef- for a more environmentally in mesophyll cells and are re- ducting material, thus gen- ficiency in the future (Zhao, friendly, and effective sys- sponsible for feeding plants. erating a flow of electricity. 2014). TLSCs provide an op- tem has quickened. portunity to harvest light in a Within chloroplasts exists a Several PV cells when put This is why many scientists different way by using new green pigment, a compound together are then able to cre- have considered a different technology of the future, but that absorbs a particular ate a solar panel or solar con- approach to capturing solar still fail to answer the ques- wavelength of visible light, centrator (“Energy the Solar energy, the approach of arti- tion of a system with a high called chlorophyll. Chloro- Prospect”, 2014). Other solar ficial photosynthesis. Plants energy systems have been efficiency. phyll is a big proponent in have created the most effi- photosynthesis because the recently created besides PV On the other hand there are cient power supply, with an synthesis of molecules oc- cells. Gratzel cells, Dye-Sensitized energy source that is abun- curring in this organic pro- Solar Cells (DSSCs), which An offspring of PV cells are dant, cheap, and clean. Pho- cess is powered by the light also present a path to solar transparent luminescent solar tosynthesis supplies plants energy that the chlorophyll concentrators, TLSCs (Zhao, power. Although the Dye- 15 absorbs. Thus, it is crucial process mentioned above, is rophyll d, has been found in ent types of spectrometry that the chlorophyll absorbs a chain reaction that leads to local ascidians, a spineless include Ultraviolet and Vis- the necessary light needed to the split of water into hydro- marine organism that serves ible (UV-Vis) Spectrometry, spark these reactions (Camp- gen and oxygen in photosys- as a bottom filter (Kobayashi, Infrared Spectrometry, and bell, 2005). tem II. During the process 2013). The variety of chlo- Nuclear Magnetic Spectrom- During photosynthesis of splitting water, hydrogen rophylls enables scientists to etry (Chang, 2003). In each plants take photons, carbon ions, as well as electrons, work with an abundance of case, the porphyrins would dioxide, oxygen, and water are moved from a water diverse chlorophylls in their be tested to react with differ- to create glucose (Campbell, molecule to carbon dioxide, search for an effective artifi- ent types of light. The results 2005). This process can be which is then turned into cial photosynthesis system. of each test would then be broken up into two differ- glucose (Campbell, 2005). In terms of Artificial Photo- compared to a control group ent phases: light harvesting What enables the chlorophyll synthesis, the same exploita- to see the major effects of the which is then followed by to absorb light energy is its tion of pigments to harvest different porphyrin. This can charge separation (McCon- structure. Part of the chloro- energy is needed (McCon- help recognize how at what nell, 2010). phyll has a hydrophobic tail nell, 2010). Thus it is typical- certain wavelengths photons are absorbed and emitted. To trigger light harvesting like structure that connects ly seen that scientists use the Also, helping characterize chlorophyll has to absorb a the chlorophyll molecule Magnesium (II) ion, which the porphyrin even further. photon. The absorption of to the thylakoid membrane. enables the light absorption Subsequently, if another sub- the photon leads to the ex- The unique part of the chlo- process, in their projects. stance was synthesized acci- citation of a chlorophyll’s rophyll is its head which is (Gust, 2009). As previously dently while metallizing the electron, when an electron composed of a porphyrin mentioned, porphyrin type porphyrin with magnesium, moves from its stable ground ring. At the center of the por- and structure is critical in the then it can be seen here. state to an excited state. phyrin ring is a Magnesium light harvesting stage. With- However, the electron can (II) atom; this particular out the proper arrangement, These metallated porphy- not stay in the excited state atom enables the absorption full absorption may not be rins, if success in the artifi- for too long, thus the elec- of light energy (Campbell, reached. cial photosynthesis process, tron must descend back to its 2005). Thus, it is the intent of my can lead to the production ground state. If a fitting elec- Since chlorophyll is a pig- project to test different types of artificial leaves (Nocera, tron acceptor is close by, the ment that absorbs certain of varying porphyrins to see 2012). Research at MIT, lead excited electron can leave wavelengths of light, there which would produce the by professor Daniel Nocera, its current molecule and go are different types of chloro- highest absorption rates dur- has produced an artificial leaf to the acceptor. The whole phyll. While chlorophyll a is ing the light harvesting pro- that can harvest sunlight, and the main chloro- cess. It would then be part of the energy it stores, and turn phyll in organisms my future studies to focus on it into a chemical fuel. The such as: algae, ter- the charge separation stage. end result of chemical energy Mentor: is beneficial because the fuel restrial plants, and To test the absorption of the can be stored for a later time Dr. K. V. Lakshmi, cyanobacteria; porphyrins many tests can and utilized as a source for chlorophyll b has be conducted. One way is energy. The artificial leaf’s Ph.D. also been record- to use a spectrophotometer two byproducts are oxygen ed in some plants to measure the amount of and hydrogen. These two ( K o b a y a s h i , light that is absorbed. Spec- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR byproducts could then be 2013). What dif- trophotometry refers to two Chemistry and Chemical used in a fuel cell, a system fers is that chlo- different types of spectrums, that combines hydrogen and Biology. rophyll a absorbs the absorption spectrum and oxygen into water while also photons from the emission spectrum (Chang, producing an electric current blue-violet and red 2003). When a substance ab- SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR of (Nocera, 2012). This is one section of visible sorbs photons the particles the Baruch ’60 Center for of the “different outputs” light, and chloro- become excited and move Biochemical Solar Energy that scientists are looking to phyll b absorbs from a lower energy state to a achieve with artificial photo- Research photons from the higher energy state. Through synthesis. With these outputs blue and orange the atom’s abortion spec- of artificial photosynthesis section. However, trum, one can see at which Rensselaer Polytechnic In- humans can obtain efficient in natural photo- wavelengths particles are stitute. renewable solar energy. synthesis, chlo- excited. One the other hand rophyll a plays a an atom’s emission spectrum The new advancements offer We are grateful to Dr. Lak- direct role during depicts at what wavelengths us a new and cleaner way to shmi and Dr. G. Theophall the light reactions excited photons are emitted use energy in an eco-friendly for their dedication and (Campbell, 2005). and fall back down to lower way. And since solar energy help. Another type of energy states. The differ- is renewable we will never chlorophyll, chlo- have to worry about there 16 not being enough or running go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE Photosynthesis — Succession of Co- 434-447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. out anytime soon. %7CCX3490201601&v=2.1&u=ny Factors from Anoxygenic to Oxygenic chembiol.2010.05.005 sl_me_hend&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w& Photosynthesis. Photosynthesis. http:// Nocera, D. G. (2012). The Artificial asid=374eb1617aaf7c1822e0154bc8f dx.doi.org/10.5772/55460 Leaf. Accounts of Chemical Research, References 14ddc Marsden, A. T. (2001). Harnessing So- pp. 767-776. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ Boyd, R. S. (2008, October 23). Scien- Gust, D., Moore, T. A., & Moore, A. lar Power and Earth’s Renewable En- ar2003013 tists seek to make energy as plants do. L. (2009). Solar Fuels via Artificial ergy Sources. In N. Schlager & J. Lauer Zhao, Y. (2014). Near-Infrared Har- Photosynthesis. Accounts of Chemical (Eds.), Science and Its Times (7th ed.), Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. vesting Transparent Luminescent Solar Research, pp. 1800-1808. http://dx.doi. pp. 487-489. Detroit: Gale. Retrieved Concentrators. Advanced Optical Mate- (2005). Biology (7th ed.). New York: org/10.1021/ar900209b from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? Pearson Education. rials, Vol. 2 (7th ed.), pp. 606-611. http:// Klinger C, Patel Y, Postma HWC id=GALE%7CCX3408504642&v=2.1 dx.doi.org/10.1002/adom.20140010 Chang. (2010). Chemistry (10th ed.). (2012) Carbon Nanotube Solar Cells. &u=nysl_me_hend&it=r&p=GVRL&s McGraw-Hill. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37806. doi:10.1371/ w=w&asid=94cd1927d989f35911d3fd Energy: The Solar Prospect. (2004). journal.pone.0037806 6b17137d4b In C. Rose (Ed.), American Decades Kobayashi, M., Akutsu, S., & Fuji- McConnell, I., Li, G., & Brudvig, Primary Sources Vol. 8, pp. 589-591. numa, D. (2013). Physicochemical G. W. (2010). Energy Conversion in Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from http:// Properties of Chlorophylls in Oxygenic Natural and Artificial Photosynthe- sis. Chemistry and Biology, 17(5),

Synergy of T Helper Cells TH22 and TH17 with TH2 as possible factors in the onset and development of Atopic Dermatitis, Deepa Mistry (Junior) Atopic Dermatitis is the with UVA1/NB-UVB photo- (Noda et al., 2014). most common inflammatory therapy treatment because The antibiotics are skin disease in which 10% of both act as immunosuppres- effective in cases children and 5% of adults are sants which would reduce where infections affected (Gittler et al., 2012). the autoimmune symptoms have developed on It is an autoimmune disorder associated with atopic der- the irritated lesions that is more colloquially matitis (Noda et al., 2014). (Noda et al., 2014). known as eczema (Gittler In addition, cyclosporine, a The root of the et al., 2012). There are two common immunosuppres- autoimmune path- important stages in atopic sant is also a popular treat- ways in atopic dermatitis that show the pro- ment for this disease (Noda dermatitis lies in gression of the disease. The et al., 2014). However, due the T Helper cells acute stage is the initial ir- to toxicity issues from the which are cells that ritation of the skin where it oral steroids and other im- help to activate cy- looks bright red, “wet”, and munosuppressants, there are totoxic T cells to flat (Gittler et al., 2012). The limitations for long term use terminate abnor- chronic stage is the dull, red, (Noda et al., 2014). UVA1/ mal cells or for- dry, and thick aftermath from NB-UVB phototherapy is eign bodies (Gittler the acute stage (Gittler et al., given with a 308 nm excimer et al., 2012). The 2012). This skin disorder is laser at a dermatologist’s of- current model for axis can help atopic dermati- known to be closely linked fice and is usually adminis- this pathway shows that the tis patients because it reduc- to both immune and barrier tered 2-3 times a week with hallmark of T helper cells in es the severity of the disease abnormalities (Gittler et al., a 48 hour break in between atopic dermatitis is the TH2 (Janeway et al., 2001). Since 2012). About 85% of cases treatments, making UVA1/ cell which produces specific it does not completely treat begin in childhood where NB-UVB phototherapy a keratinocytes responsible atopic dermatitis, it suggests early onset is common and highly inconvenient method for the onset and develop- however, there may be other there are more pediatric of treatment (Noda et al., ment of atopic dermatitis cytokines involved (Janeway cases of atopic dermatitis 2014). (Gittler et al., 2012). Kerati- et al., 2001). There has also that adult cases (Noda et al., While treatments may be in- nocytes work to form a bar- been research that shows 2014). In order to be diag- effective, there are ways to rier against foreign invaders TH22, TH1, and TH17 cy- nosed with atopic dermatitis, help manage atopic dermati- of the skin. In atopic der- tokines like ILl-22, ILl-17, a lesion must appear on the tis. Some symptom reducing matitis, these keratinocytes are also involved in immune skin for three days or longer treatments include antihista- overreact, cause the skin to activation in atopic dermati- (Hamilton et al., 2014). mines and antibiotics (Noda be highly inflamed, forming tis (Gittler et al., 2012). Current treatments of atopic et al., 2014). With the highly lesions of eczema (Werfel et In this project we will be test- dermatitis are highly inef- inflamed skin, antihista- al., 2009). ing the mRNA expression fective (Noda et al., 2014). mines work to reduce the ir- Research has shown that of inflammatory mediators Oral steroids are often paired ritation and reduce swelling treatments that block the TH2 of each immune pathway 17 produced by keratinocytes This notion will help further with stimulation of different understand the complex im- Mentor: combinations of cytokines. mune status of AD. Specifically we will be test- Dr. Emma Guttman , Ph.D. ing terminal differentiation References genes (LOR, FLG, INV), a Gittler, J. K., Shemer, A., Suarez-Fari- Th2 chemokine (CCL26), a nas, M., Fuentes-Duculan, J., Gule- wicz, K. J., Wang, C., Guttman-Yassky, Th1 chemokine (CXCL10), E. (2012). Progressive activation of and Th17 markers (IL-19, TH2/TH22 cytokines and selective epi- CXCL1, CAMP, S100A7, dermal proteins characterizes acute and LCN2, PI3, DEFB4B, and chronic atopic dermatitis. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Im- CXCL20). To dissect the munology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. complicated cytokine net- jaci.2012.07.012 work, we will perform an Hamilton, J., Suarez-Farinas, M., Dhin- in vitro study using cultured gra, N., Cardinale, I., Li, X., Kostic, A., keratinocytes. We will stim- Guttman-Yassky, E. (2014). Dupilumab improves the molecular signature in ulate the cells with recombi- skin of patients with moderate-to-severe nant cytokines representing atopic dermatitis. Elsevier Inc. http:// each immune pathway, such dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.10.013 as IL-4 and IL-13 (Th2), IL- Janeway, C., Jr., Travers, P., & Walport, 17 (Th17), IL-22 (Th22), M. (2001). Immunobiology: The Im- and IFN-gamma (Th1), and mune System in Health and Disease PROFESSOR Dermatology; ASSOCI- (5th ed.). Retrieved from http://www. assess the gene expression ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27101/ ATE PROFESSOR Medicine, Clinical of important inflammatory Noda, S., Krueger, J. G., & Guttman- Immunology. mediators in AD (CCL26, Yassky, E. (2014). The translational CXCL10, IL19, CXCL1, revolution and use of biologics in patients with inflammatory skin dis- Mount Sinai Medical School, ICahn CAMP, S100A7, LCN2, eases. American Academy of Allergy, PI3, DEFB4B, and CCL20) Medical Institute. Asthma & Immunology. http://dx.doi. and terminal differentiation org/10.1016/j.jaci.2014.11.015 molecules (filaggrin, loric- Werfel, T. (2009, April). The Role of We are grateful to Dr. Guttman for her rin, and involcrin). We hope Leukocytes, Keratinocytes, and Aller- to find that the cytokines of- gen-Specific IgE in the Development help. of Atopic Dermatitis.Journal of Inves- ten have a synergistic effect tigative Dermatology. http://dx.doi. on key regulators of AD. org/10.1038/jid.2009.71

An Epidemiological Study of Aphantasia, Research Proposal, Melody Munitz (Sophomore)

Introduction jects who claimed to have [patients] operationally de- of scientifically quantify- One great human ability is varying visual imagery ca- fined to be poor at visual- ing visualization skills. This that of visualisation, or be- pabilities were shown an im- izing”, proving that visual survey describes several ing able to conceive an im- age and then asked to recall imagery is more than sim- situations and then asks the age in one’s mind’s eye. it. The results showed that ply eye movements (Marks, participant to rate the vivid- Believed to be the product the subjects who claimed to 1973) ness of their mental imagery of fronto-parietal and poste- have higher visual imagery Some of the first documented on a scale of 1-5. Through rior brain processes (Barto- capabilities were more accu- research regarding visual im- the use of the VVIQ and lomeo, 2008), this skill has rate in their recall of the im- agery was conducted in Eng- other similar tools and ques- numerous practical implica- ages they had seen, allowing land in 1880 by Sir Francis tionnaires, Galton found that tions, such as its assistance for the conclusion that “im- Galton, and was geared to- not everyone is equipped in learning, the formation of ages have an important role wards determining how dif- with comparable visual im- relationships, and creativity, in memory” (Marks, 1973). ferent people’s visual imag- agery capabilities. While as well as mental state and In another experiment re- ery skills compare. In order most people fall somewhere other psychological process- lating to the correlation be- to assess where each patient on the high end of the spec- es. The formation of mental tween eye movements and lay on the scale of visualiza- trum, having good or even imagery is also linked to visualization, there was “no tion, Galton developed the superb visual imagery skills, memory, as supported by evidence that vivid visual- Vividness of Visual Imag- there is a small percentage Marks’ 1973 experiment in izers showed more scanning ery Questionnaire, which of people that possess very which male and female sub- activity than a group of Ss has since become a standard poor visualization abilities 18 (Galton, 1880). In similar re- tistics have helped to begin reference materi- search conducted by Faw in to quantify the condition of als. 2009, assessing such capa- aphantasia, and are a good b.) Message to be bilities of 2,500 participants, basis for further research, distributed on so- it was found that 2.1-2.7% of such as that I am planning to cial media in con- them fell in this small group, conduct (Zeman, 2015). junction with my claiming extremely poor or survey: absent visual imagination I will create a questionnaire (Faw, 2009) that will be distributed via the ‘Hello, my name internet to self-proclaimed is Melody Mu- Until recently, aside from aphantasia patients whose nitz and I am a Faw’s limited work, this phe- answers, upon undergoing highschool stu- nomenon has not received statistical analysis, will aid dent conducting much scientific exploita- in determining additional Aphantasia re- tion. Just recently, however, etiological statistics of the search in associa- Professor Adam Zeman at condition, including age of tion with the team the University of Exeter has onset, how it is presented in of Dr. Adam Ze- begun conducting research both genders, and progres- man at the Uni- on this topic. Since named sion, as well as demograph- versity of Exeter. ‘aphantasia’ (Zeman, 2015), ics of the condition such as I am conducting c.) Please see attached sur- this condition is believed to any potential environmental experiments in an effort to vey. be the result of two differ- risk factors, socioeconomic gather further statistics about d.) Distribution of survey: ent types of neurogenic vi- factors, or cultural correla- this recently surfacing condi- Facebook groups for Aphan- sual imagery impairments: tions. Additionally, I will be tion, and have created a sur- tasia patients i) visual memory disorders, considering the effects of vey with more in depth and “Aphantasia (Non-Imager / and ii) ‘imagery generation’ aphantasia on learning abil- wide-range questions to learn Mental Blindness) Aware- deprivation (Farah, 1984). ity/disability, personality, more about this condition. ness Group” To explore further features creativity, and chosen ca- My hope is that the results “Aphantasia - Non-Imager/ of Aphantasia, Zeman and reer path, as well as hypoth- from this survey will provide Mental Blindness Aware- his team distributed a short- esized comorbidity between information that will aid in ness” ened version of the afore- aphantasia and other con- further classification of this Aphantasia forum: http:// mentioned VVIQ as well ditions such as autism and condition that as a supplemental question- dyslexia, in order to estab- will facilitate naire addressing additional lish further understanding in scientific ad- personal information to 21 the scientific community of vances in the Dr. Adam Zeman, MD participants who suspected the condition of aphantasia field of Aphan- that they had the condition, and its factors. tasia. Anyone 19 of whom were male. This Goal Of Study: who claims to testing generated various Develop a survey to be have a severe- statistics; 5/21 reported hav- administered to self-pro- ly weakened ing relatives who experience claimed Aphantasia pa- or nonexistent similar symptoms, “10/21 tients in order to verify their mind’s eye claimed that all modalities condition, as well as gage who would of imagery [hearing, touch, additional statistics about be willing to smell, sight, taste] were af- Aphantasia that will facili- take part in fected”, and that most par- tate further scientific dis- this scientific ticipants claimed having coveries. study should realized their visualizing click on the Hypothesis: PROFESSOR of Cognitive deficit during their teens or link below to This will serve as the first early twenties through con- be directed to and Behavioral Neurology epidemiological study of versation with ‘normal’ visu- the question- this condition, providing alizers. Interestingly, despite naire. Please useful information regard- University of Exeter, the 21 participants’ VVIQ note: All sur- ing: Age; Gender; Educa- Medical School, Exeter, UK. scores being tremendously vey responses tion; Social and economic lower than those of the 121 are de-identi- correlations; Cultural corre- control patients, the majority fied. You must We are very grateful to Dr. Ze- lations; Comorbidity of subjects claimed invol- be 18 years or man for his dedication and untary imagery, 10/21 dur- Materials and Methods older to par- help ing wakefulness and 17/21 a.) Adam Zeman’s original ticipate in this while dreaming. These sta- survey and questionnaire as study.’

19 aphantasia/Twitter This data will facilitate an References: mental imagery. Mind, 5, 301-318. Bartolomeo, P. (2008). The neural cor- Marks, David F. (1973) “Visual imag- improved understanding of relates of visual mental imagery: an on- ery differences and eye movements in Additionally, I will be Aphantasia within the sci- going debate. Cortex, 44, 107-108. the recall of pictures.” Perception & considering the effects of entific community, and- de Farah, M.J. (1984). The neurological Psychophysics 14.3 aphantasia on learning abil- pending on the results of this basis of mental imagery: a componen- Marks, D.F. (1973). Visual imagery dif- tial analysis. Cognition, 18, 245-272. ferences in the recall of pictures. British ity/disability, personality, study, further studies can Faw, B. (2009). Conflicting intuitions Journal of Psychology, 64: 17–24. creativity, and chosen career be carried out in the hopes may be based on differing abilities - ev- Zeman, A., Dewar, M., & Della Sala, S. path, as well as hypothesized of understanding the cause idence from mental imaging research. (2015). Lives without imagery: Congen- comorbidity between aphan- of Aphantasia and possible Journal of Consciousness Studies, 16, ital aphantasia. Cortex, 73, 378-380. 45-68. tasia and other conditions preventative and therapeutic Galton, Francis (1880). Statistics of such as autism and dyslexia. measures. An Exploration of Autonomic Computing, Matthew Gofman (Junior)

2004). In order to meet the software. Self-protection high-level tasks. Likewise, these standards, an an- necessitates that the system in order for computing sys- ticipatory approach to is able to autonomously alter tems to be able to perform the computing system itself to attain data projection high-level tasks, there must is necessary. and security, in the case of be a framework in place The autonomic ner- cyber attacks, or just humans that enables them to uncon- vous system within the who incidentally change the sciously perform low-level human body oversees software (Huebscher & Mc- tasks (Sterritt et al., 2005). the heartbeat, upholds Cann, 2008). Along with The nature of the Autonomic standard body tem- the four universal properties, Environment necessitates perature, and moni- researchers have described that the autonomic manag- tors blood sugar levels several more nuanced attri- ers are able to communicate without any deliberate butes to the autonomic sys- amongst one another. The work from the human. tem (Sterritt et al., 2005). autonomic systems contain Autonomic computing An autonomic manager and pulse monitors that release systems are modeled on managed elements are nec- pulses that signify health or the this system. How- essary for any autonomic urgency signals. This pulse ever, while the nervous system. The self-monitor monitor protects the essen- Due to the progression in system makes decisions takes the forms of control tial processes of the system, computing and software, the unconscious to the human, loops with sensors, while by signaling to the other sys- intricacies of systems and autonomic computing sys- the self-adjuster takes the tems that they are healthy their functions have risen to tems will make decisions form of effectors. The con- (Sterritt et al., 2003). The the point they inundate the based upon provided tasks trol loops and the effectors, pulse monitors, in concur- abilities of current methods by the human (IBM White in conjunction with the in- rence with the autonomic and tools. The human ner- Paper, 2003). The four uni- formation the system has communications channel vous system within humans, versal properties provide and the adaptive procedures, and event messages, allow consistently deals with vari- the framework for the entire enables the system to self- autonomic systems to com- ous problems of different in- system. Self-configuration manage (Bustard & Sterritt, municate with one another tensities. Based on the human entails that an autonomic 2003). Each part of the sys- (Sterritt et al., 2004). nervous system, autonomic system autonomously con- tem is self-managing under Autonomic systems have computing intends to create figures itself based on the this arrangement, which goes many real world applica- systems that are autonomic, specific objectives provided beyond low-level tasks of tions that researches have or self-managing. With the by the human. For a system self-management. A human been developing. The IBM directions given by humans, to have self-optimization ca- will provide the system with Storage Tank is a system for such systems can resolve de- pabilities, it must be able to a success factor, and the sys- managing storage that utiliz- cisions autonomously. Au- independently optimize re- tem will understand the task, es self-healing, self-optimi- tonomic systems can adjust source use by preemptively self-configure, and self-op- zation, and a storage system to altering conditions, and changing the system. Self- timize. The system will also based on policy (Menon et consistently scan and en- healing systems are able to self-heal and self-protect to al., 2003). OceanStore is a hance their statuses (Sterritt identify and diagnose com- ensure that the policies are worldwide system for data et al., 2005). The functions plications, such as software preserved despite changing storage that utilizes self-con- within a self-managing sys- and hardware failure. When it conditions. In the human figuration, self-optimization, tem can be broken up into is achievable, the system at- nervous system, our bodies self-protection, and inces- self-configuration, self-heal- tempts to solve the dilemma unconsciously perform low- sant monitoring, analyzing, ing, self-optimization, and by autonomously perform- level tasks, allowing us to and healing (Hildrum, 2002). self-protection (Jacob et al., ing tasks such as updating exert our effort performing Sabio autonomously cat- 20 egorizes documents through earned an average surplus of (2008). A survey of au- tonomic computing—de- self-awareness and self- 20% higher than that of hu- grees, models, and appli- organization, by grouping mans. The study also found cations. ACM Computing Dr. Ryan Baker, Ph.D. documents based on the that 35-45% of all the trades Surveys, 40(3). word and usage of phrases occurred between humans IBM White Paper: An ar- chitectural blueprint for (Pool, 2002). Autonomic and agents. From this infor- autonomic computing. computing is applied in the mation is can be expected (2003). Hawthorne, NY: engineering fields, such as that agent performance will IBM. in autonomic building, traf- move even farther ahead of Jacob, B., Lanyon-Hogg, R., Nadgir, D. K., & Yas- fic, and manufacturing sys- human performance, and that sin, A. F. (2004). A practi- tems (Kaiser et al., 2003). agents and humans can work cal guide to the IBM auto- Researchers are even devel- together (Kephart, 2002). nomic computing toolkit. oping autonomous economi- Further investigation into Armonk, NY: IBM. Kaiser, G., Gross, P., cally motivated software how autonomic systems can Parekh, J., & Valetto, G. agents. These agents are giv- be applied to areas such as (2003). Kinesthetics ex- en an algorithm by a human the engineering or economic treme: An external infra- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of to maximize profit, and then fields, will provide me with structure for monitoring Cognitive Studies in Educa- will practically become their the ability to test how these distributed legacy systems. Autonomic Computing tion own business. Entirely au- systems can make an impact Workshop, pp. 22-30. tonomously, the agents will in the real world. ACW.2003.1210200. buy information from other Kephart, J. O. (2002). Soft- Teachers College, agents, refine the informa- References ware agents and the route Columbia University, NY Bustard DW, Sterritt R. (2003). Towards to the information econ- tion, and then sell it to other an autonomic computing environment. omy. Proceedings of the agents or humans. Thus, an Database and Expert Systems Applica- National Academy of Sci- economic web of informa- tions, pp. 699-703. ences of the United States of America, 99(Suppl 3), 7207–7213. gram classifies documents automati- tion and services is created Hildrum, K. (2002, July 8). The oce- cally. anstore project: Project overview. Re- Menon, J., Duyanovich, L., Rees, R., among the autonomic sys- Peace, D. A., & Hillsberg, B. (2003). Sterritt, R. (2003). Pulse monitoring: trieved January 20, 2016, from UC. extending the health-check for the auto- tems. A study comparing the Berkeley Computer science division IBM storage tank-A heterogeneous scalable SAN file system. IBM Systems nomic grid. Industrial Informatics, pp. economic gains of autonom- website: http://oceanstore.cs.berkeley. 433-440. edu/info/overview.html. Journal, 42(2), 250-267. ic software agents versus hu- Pool, R. (2002). A new computer pro- mans found that the agents Huebscher, M. C., & McCann, J. A.

Bioinformatics, Peter Manthey (Sophomore)

Bioinformatics is an emerg- Sequence Database Col- laborators receive sequences diseases. Collecting all of ing discipline that uses com- laboration. As of December produced in laboratories this data and using bioinfor- puter technology, statistics, 2015 this database contained throughout the world from matics will now allow doc- mathematics, and engineer- over 203 billion nucleotide more than 100,000 distinct tors to break down a person’s ing to analyze and translate bases in more than 189 mil- organisms.” (1) entire human genome in one biological and genetic data, lion sequences, collected As a result, there has been an day and provide personal- as well as healthcare infor- from daily exchanges of data increase in the applica- mation. Although bioin- with the DNA DataBank of tion of bioinformatics formatics has been around Japan (DDBJ), the European tools to help medical since the 1960, it is now be- Molecular Biology Labora- researchers not only ing widely used. In the sim- tory (EMBL), and GenBank analyze larger quanti- plest form, bioinformatics is at NCBI. ties of data in shorter data that is collected from “This database is produced period of time, but to specific sources, run through and maintained by the Na- also become more pre- unique code and organized tional Center for Biotechnol- cise in diagnosis and by the associated biological ogy Information (NCBI) as determining treatments. macromolecules. part of the International Nu- One breakthrough is us- The amount of data being cleotide Sequence Database ing DNA sequencing collected today throughout Collaboration (INSDC). The to break apart a DNA the world is enormous. One National Center for Bio- strand which is made of the largest databases being technology Information is up of four nucleotide used for bioinformatics is the a part of the National Insti- bases. By doing this GenBank, which is part of tutes of Health in the United scientists can determine the International Nucleotide States. GenBank and its col- variations for genetic

21 ized treatment and medica- model framework for the tabase will allow research- a reaction similar to an aller- tion. One bioinformatics simulation of morphogene- ers to examine phenotypes, gic reaction in humans. They software tool currently be- sis, to simulate the formation proteomics, metabolomics, were able to isolate in a par- ing tested, will automate the of limbs in multicellular or- genomics, brain activity asitic worm one of the most interpretation of the genome ganisms during their embry- data, information on the gut common proteins in pollen. data by accessing any medi- onic stages of development. microbiome, blood-based This protein was similar to cal journal, research and ar- The program was designed biomarkers, physician narra- a protein only known pre- ticles applicable to the data to help researchers better tives, diagnostic test results viously in the genomes of and allow the treating doctor understand the processes of and treatment protocols (6). plants. Pollen is one of the to reference those sources morphogenesis. The pro- iHART will be an open por- most prevalent allergens. for potential treatment. gram simulation models the tal so that the information is This bioinformatics tool will Many relevant research pa- interactions between the available worldwide. This allow scientists to predict pers have been written over gene regulatory network is just one example of how proteins that cause allergies, the last 12 years. It is evident and genetic cellular mecha- enormous amounts of data is and to design protein mol- that today bioinformatics is nisms. This new technology being used to help scientist ecules for treating them (9). being used for everything for modeling morphogenesis find biomarkers that may be Right now research is occur- from trying to determine a could help us to better under- future indicators of autism. ring to find a more accurate cure for the common cold, to stand defects that occur dur- In October of 2015, a group detection for ovarian cancer using biomarker data to bet- ing limb development (2). of scientists in Italy devel- in women. Currently fifty ter diagnose certain forms of In 2005 additional research oped a bioinformatics pro- percent of women who have cancer. A summary of some was performed presenting gram that is capable of iden- been diagnosed with ovarian of the more relevant research CompuCell3D, a three-di- tifying potential biomarkers cancer do not survive more is below. mensional , cell-centered, for diseases and disorders than 5 years. The reason this multiscale framework (3). In 2003, researchers from know was SANIST. In cancer is so deadly is because several esteemed universi- Today CompuCell3D is be- this study, researchers used ovarian cancer is very hard to ties in the United States lev- ing used to in an open source SANIST to identify a bio- detect, with signs only pre- eraged CompuCell, a multi- environment that allows for marker for prostate cancer senting themselves normally “virtual tissue simulations known as carnitine, an am- during later stages of devel- of development, monium compound involved opment. In 2012, there were h o m e o s t a s i s , in fatty acid metabolism. over 200,000 documented toxicity and dis- The research found that cases and 125,000 deaths Mentor: ease in tissues, carnitine was expressed at worldwide. Researchers have Dr. Stuart A. Newman, organs and or- lower levels in the plasma found that NSC 319726, a ganisms, cover- of prostate cancer patients small-molecule anticancer, Ph.D. ing subcellular, and concluded that SANIST could be used to effectively multi-cell and was able to accurately iden- treat ovarian cancer. This continuum tissue tify and separate individuals study used bioinformatics to scales.” (4) with prostate cancer from analyze and map the interac- As of 2014, ap- those with benign conditions tions between differentially proximately 1% at a rapid rate (7). expressed genes across a net- of the world’s In late October of 2015 sev- work. This allows research- population is eral databases have were ers to find potential targets considered to be created to provide doctors for NSC 319726. The result on the Autism with access to allergen lists, suggested that these genes Spectrum and protein classifications and and pathways may be candi- this is on the sequence information to be date agents for NSC 319726. rise. 5 Autisms used to determine potential This is because NSC 319726 is a disease with risk of allergenic cross-reac- has been found to reduce lev- PROFESSOR of Cell Biology no known cause tivity. Over 55% of the US els of RPS6KA6, a chemical and Anatomy or cure. In 2015, population has tested posi- that is found to be over ex- The Hartwell tive for some type of allergy pressed in patients with can- cer due to it influencing the New York Medical College, F o u n d a t i o n (8). Allergies are caused by formed a central a person’s immune system growth of cancer cells (10). Valhalla, NY. repository for which mistakes an allergen, It is evident that bioinfor- information re- a foreign body, as a threat matics is a powerful tool in We are grateful to Dr. New- garding children and launches and attacks to the evolution of predicting man for his help who have been neutralize it. The research- and treating diseases. In this diagnosed with ers used bioinformatics to research we will focus on us- autism named predict which proteins in ing bioinformatics and the iHART. The da- parasitic worms would cause CompuCell3D simulation to 22 more accurately model limb H. G. E., Alber, M. S., et al. (2005). A tablish-open-access-autism-database. parisons of Allergenic and Metazoan framework for three-dimensional simu- html. Parasite Proteins: Allergy the Price of development during early lation of morphogenesis. Computation- Immunity. PLoS Comput Biol, 11(10), stages of fetal development. 7. Albini, A., Briga, D., Conti, M., al Biology and Bioinformatics, IEEE/ Bruno, A., Farioli, D., Canali, S., et al. e1004546. ACM Transactions on, 2(4), 273-288. (2015). SANIST: a rapid mass spec- 10. Xue, J., Yang, G., Ding, H., References 4. (2015). Compucell3d.org - Userexp. trometric SACI/ESI data acquisition Wang, P., & Wang, C. (2015). Role of 1. GenBank Home. Retrieved January io. Retrieved January 24, 2016, from and elaboration platform for verifying NSC319726 in ovarian cancer based on 10, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm. http://userexp.io/compucell3d.org. potential candidate biomarkers. Rapid the bioinformatics analyses. OncoTar- nih.gov/genbank/. html. Communications in Mass Spectrom- gets and therapy, 8, 3757. etry, 29(19), 1703-1710. 2. Izaguirre, J. A., Chaturvedi, R., 5. Home - Autism Society. Retrieved Huang, C., Cickovski, T., Coffland, J., January 10, 2016, from http://www. 8. (2010). Allergy Statistics and Allergy Thomas, G., et al. (2004). CompuCell, autism-society.org/. Facts - WebMD. Retrieved January 10, a multi-model framework for simula- 6. (2015). $9 million grant to estab- 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/al- tion of morphogenesis. Bioinformatics, lish open-access autism database ... lergies/allergy-statistics. 20(7), 1129-1137. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from 9. Tyagi, N., Farnell, E. J., Fitzsim- 3. Cickovski, T. M., Huang, C., https://med.stanford.edu/news/all- mons, C. M., Ryan, S., Tukahebwa, Chaturvedi, R., Glimm, T., Hentschel, news/2015/06/9-million-grant-to-es- E., Maizels, R. M., et al. (2015). Com-

Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with Gamma-Secretase Targeting An- tibodies, Margaret Gruber (Sophomore)

Dementia is a common dis- tein (APP) by the gamma- related to levels of Aβ in the other neurological diseases ease elderly people face secretase protease. While brain. Blocking function of is the passing of the blood- in America, characterized Aβ’s normal function is GSAP resulted in less plaque brain barrier, (BBB). The by memory loss, decline thought to be linked to neu- buildup in the brain. (He, BBB is a diffusion barrier in cognitive function, and ral plasticity, cleavage re- 2010) Treatments utilizing made of brain capillary en- worsened motor function. sults in buildup of clumps of gamma-secretases’ function dothelial cells, linked by (Alzheimer’s Association, Aβ, blocking cell signaling. have been attempted before. tight junctions. Luminal, or 2015). The most prevalent (Genetics Home Reference, However, since gamma- blood-facing, and abluminal, type of dementia is Alzheim- 2014) (Alzheimer’s Asso- secretase has multiple func- brain-facing, poles separate er’s Disease (AD), primarily ciation, 2015). After Aβ ac- tions outside of working the blood and the brain and affecting those ages 65 and cumulation commences, the with Aβ, utilization of the carefully manage what pass- older in late-set (LS) AD, tau protein, which normally protease or blocking it with- es through. (Ballabh, 2006). while rarer cases of early- keeps transport systems par- out interfering with other Since the brain is such an onset (ES) AD occur in the allel in the brain, begins to functions is difficult. A can- important organ, the body middle-aged and younger. A tangle and the transports fall cer drug, imatinib, has been has developed an extremely slowly-progressing disease, apart, preventing deliver- found to block GSAP func- selective layer in order to AD prevents sufferers from ance of nutrients. However, tion in vitro without inter- ensure dangerous materials retaining information, causes because tau neurofibrillary fering with other functions stay out of the brain. How- disorientation and confusion, tangles are a result of Aβ of gamma-secretase, includ- ever, this also serves as an memory issues, loss of motor plaque formation, preventing ing the Notch substrate. The obstacle to modern medicine control, unfounded suspicion the creation of Aβ plaques Notch substrate is of others, and eventually re- would also eradicate tau tan- involved in diges- sults in death. On average, gles. (Alzheimer’s Associa- tion and other es- AD patients live for eight tion, 2015) sential bodily func- years after AD symptoms The gamma-secretase pro- tions, making any are identified. The overall tease which cleaves APP interference with Medicaid cost of AD treat- is activated by a gamma- it unstable for the ments each year $113 billion secretase activating protein body. However, dollars, a cost which would (GSAP). Reduction and Imatinib was not be greatly cut if an AD cure knockdown of GSAP levels found to interfere is found. (Alzheimer’s Asso- in the brain resulted in low- with Notch function, ciation, 2015). ered Aβ-levels, a promising a boon that supports AD is primarily caused by sign for an AD cure. In the use of GSAP inhibi- the formation of plaques of paper “Gamma-secretase tors for treatment of amyloid-beta protein in the activating protein, a thera- AD. (He, 2010). brain. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is peutic target for Alzheimer’s A giant challenge the result of the cleavage of disease,” by Dr. He, GSAP to discovery of an the amyloid precursor pro- was found to be directly cor- AD cure and many

23 because it is so difficult to was able to pass through the tion for crossing the BBB, nosis. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from http://www.alz.org/what- permeate. Through use of a BBB and enter the brain. A however. Utilization of ul- is-dementia.asp bispecific antibody, the BBB TfR receptor with a low af- trasound therapy has been AD 2015 Facts & Figures. (n.d.). Re- can be passed. finity, meaning that it held found to “open” the BBB for trieved May 07, 2015, from http:// The “Boosting Brain Uptake on loosely to the membrane a brief period, allowing for www.alz.org/facts/downloads/facts_ of a Therapeutic Target by when crossing the BBB, had treatment of various neuro- figures_2015.pdf Reducing Its Affinity for a the most uptake in the brain logical diseases. When used APP - amyloid beta (A4) precursor pro- Transcytosis Target,” pa- due to the ease of letting go on an AD mouse model, tein. (2014). Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm.nih.gov/gene/APP per by Ryan Watts utilized to transporters in the BBB. Aβ levels were reduced in Alzheimer’s Brain Plaques. (n.d.). Re- an antibody with a trans- Therefore, if a similar anti- their brains, and memory trieved December 15, 2014, from http:// ferrin (TfR) receptor and a body was created but with and cognition was restored. www.alz.org/braintour/plaques.asp BACE-1 inhibitor in order using a GSAP inhibitor and Utilizing low-power ultra- Alzheimer’s Brain Tangles. (n.d.). Re- to treat AD. The BACE-1 a transferrin receptor, the sounds would allow antibod- trieved January 14, 2016, from http:// inhibitor blocked the func- AD treatment could theoreti- ies to enter the brain without www.alz.org/braintour/tangles.asp tion of of the beta-secretase cally have a higher uptake in causing damage, stimulating Ballabh, P., Braun, A., & Nedergaard, enzyme in order to reduce the brain. microglia function, remov- M. (2004). The blood-brain barrier: an overview: structure, regulation, and appearance of Aβ plaques To get the benefits of both ing the Aβ plaques. (Bur- clinical implications. Neurobiology of in the brain. The TfR recep- the GSAP inhibitor and gess, 2014). The difficulty Disease, 16(1), 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j. tor was utilized by attaching the transferrin receptor, the of treating AD is not only nbd.2003.12.06. to the BBB and passing the bispecific antibody model due to the impassibility of Goodsell, D., (2002). Ferritin and BACE-1 inhibitor through could be modified to fit a the BBB, but the genetic dif- Transferrin. Protein Data Bank, Mol- ecule of the Month. doi: 10.2210/rscb_ the membrane under the GSAP inhibitor and a low- ferences between mice and pdb/mom_2002_11 guise of performing its nor- affinity transferrin receptor. humans may affect the ef- He, G., Luo, W., Li, P., Remmers, C., mal TfR function, which is While an GSAP-inhibiting fectiveness of a treatment. Netzer, W. J., Hendrick, J., Greengard, to transport iron nutrients. antibody would have a lower One antibody that prevents P. (2010). Gamma-secretase activating The bispecific antibody, with uptake in the brain due to the formation of Aβ plaques in protein is a therapeutic target for Al- zheimer’s disease. Nature, 467(7311), a TfR receptor on one end impassibility of the BBB, a mouse model could be less 95–8.http://doi.org/10.1038/na- and a BACE-1 inhibitor on utilization of the transfer- effective in humans. All of ture09325 the other to form a Y shape, rin receptor would make the these challenges, although Hawkins, R. A., O’Kane, R. L., Simp- treatment more daunting, can be surmounted son, I. A., & Vina, J. R. (2006). Struc- effective. Al- through innovation and con- ture of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Its Role in the Transport of Amino Acids. though the trans- tinued research. J. Nutr., 136(1), 218S–226. ferrin receptor AD is a disease difficult to Mentor: Watts, R. J., Dennis, M. S. (2011) showed success, surmount due to its com- Boosting Brain Uptake of a Therapeutic Dr. Patric K. Stanton, its role with iron plex nature as a disease, but Antibody by Reducing Its Affinity for a transport may a GSAP-inhibitor and TfR Transcytosis Target. (n.d.). Ph.D. pose an issue receptor antibody may serve Burgess, A., Dubey, S., Yeung, S., with the treat- as a possible treatment. In Hough, O., Eterman, N., Aubert, I., & Hynynen, K. (2014). Alzheimer disease ment, as intro- order to increase uptake, a in a mouse model: MR imaging–guided duction of new bispecific antibody with a focused ultrasound targeted to the hip- transferrin re- low-affinity transferrin - re pocampus opens the blood-brain barrier ceptors without ceptor and a GSAP inhibitor and improves pathologic abnormalities and behavior. Radiology,273(3), 736- iron to the brain would be created. In order to 745. may affect iron test the efficiency of the an- uptake. (Good- tibody, an AD mouse model sell, 2002). Fur- would have to receive thera- ther study of the peutic treatment. If the anti- effect of utiliz- body proves able to reduce ing this transfer- Aβ levels in the brain, clini- rin receptor is cal trials would be sought in required in or- order to see effectiveness of PROFESSOR of Cell Biology der to determine the antibody on human AD. and Anatomy whether another Thanks to the GSAP inhibi- method of cross- tor’s reduction of Aβ levels New York Medical College, Val- ing the BBB is in the brain and a lack of halla, NY needed to be interference with Notch, it found. (Watts, shows a promising treatment We are grateful to Dr. Stanton 2011 ). for AD. for his help. Transferrin is References not the only op- Dementia, Signs, Symptoms & Diag-

24 The Effect of Music on Emotions in the Human Body, Research Proposal, Kathryn Kenny (Junior) Have you ever listened to a dren in hospitals because it music interest. A study was in a comfortable chair with song and immediately felt a makes them happier and my done with fourteen unpleas- headphones and their choice certain way because of it? goal, with this project, is to ant, rebellious teenagers to of preferred genre of music. Maybe, you listened to a figure out why that is. see if listening to their pre- Although pop was the most slow song, in a minor key, It has been demonstrated ferred genre of music, which popular genre chosen, classi- and that caused a damper that both hemispheres of the was rap, would improve cal was also very prominent on your mood; possibly, you brain process music. Music their behavior in the foster as a chosen genre. The results could have listened to an up- has been shown to stimulate homes in which they were of the experiment showed beat song, in a major key, and cognitive function and build living. They listened to mu- that stress and anxiety levels immediately felt happy and other necessary operations. It sic of their preferred genre changed overtime. Cardiac excited. That is all due to the has also been known to trig- throughout the week and one measures also changed over correlation between human ger communication, mood, day each week there would the time of the experiment. emotion and music. Many, social skills, and behavioral be a meeting where the chil- Music has been shown to like myself, have theorized outcomes from patients (Wu dren would discuss the music affect cognitive, emotional, this concept of a connection D, 2009). While listening and how it made them feel. and physiological processes between music and emotion. to music, motor actions, Only rap music with positive for the better. Listening to The hypothesis of music and emotions, and creativity are lyrics was distributed among music does positive things, emotions being linked has stimulated. Listening to a the children. The conclusion like decrease sympathetic been exemplified in such ex- favorite song has the ability of the study showed that the activity and trigger positive periments having to do with to connect the auditory brain participants were interested emotion. Through this, it’s music therapy. According to areas and the hippocampus, in the music (Dolgui, 2013). clear that music can be ben- the American Music Thera- a region in the brain, which They each picked a certain eficial to stress and anxiety py Association, Inc., “music is accountable for memory line from a rap song that they (Thoma et al., 2013). therapy is the clinical and and social emotion consoli- liked best and their behav- People experience their evidence-based use of music dation (Wilkins, 2015). Mu- ior tended to become better emotions as a single affec- interventions to accomplish sic therapy can assist people over the time of the experi- tive state, rather than spe- individualized goals within who have physical, psycho- ment. This goes to show the cific, well-separated affec- a therapeutic relationship logical, emotional, social, effect of the genre of music tive states. In our minds, we by a credentialed profes- behavioral, cognitive, com- used in music therapy (Ty- as humans, can associate sional who has completed municative, and or spiritual son, 2002). A questionnaire people and events with dif- an approved music therapy requirements or challenges. would have been a good ad- ferent emotions. These feel- program” (American Music The parts of the brain that dition to this experiment’s ings can determine different Therapy Association, 2014). are associated with memo- results because it would have energy levels and dictate de- Music therapy was first used ry, attention, planning, and explained why the children cisions. They are felt directly during World War I in Veter- movement are shown to be appreciated the music more in different parts of the body ans hospitals to help soldiers stimulated while subjects are than other genres; it also and different ways-sadness, who were suffering from listening to music (Pereira, could have helped to explain happiness, anger, etc. A shell shock. Just like many 2011). their emotional state during the process. other therapies, music ther- In the long run, listening to apy has not been confirmed music greatly affects the su- Another study was to completely heal a patient perior temporal gyrus, which done with 60 healthy of any diseases. However, it is located on the lateral side females, where scien- is an efficient treatment - be of the brain. It contributes in tists were able to see cause it has the ability to en- predicting whether someone the relationship be- hance the quality of life for a likes a song or not. Through- tween music therapy, subject. This certain type of out your life, the different stress and anxiety. therapy has the capability to genres one listens to will af- These women, ages promote healing, encourage fect the way in which their averaging at 25, were emotional expression, re- superior temporal gyrus is given a standardized lieve symptoms, and provide formed. The more of a spe- psychosocial labora- an overall sense of well- cific genre one listens to, the tory procedure and being (“Music Therapy”, more they will cherish mu- questionnaires to de- 2015). That is due to the idea sic of that genre (Landau, termine their stress that music can add to your 2013). When dealing with and anxiety levels as emotional state. It has shown auditory music therapy, you well as their heart rate. to be beneficial for sick chil- have to consider patients’ The subjects were put 25 study in Finland was done other will be played at a slow to 100 and locate where they (Brinol & Petty, 2003). No in which participants were speed. The difference be- are feeling such emotion on matter which experiment shown different images and tween major and minor scale a body map. They will next they’re involved in, I expect were asked to record what is the difference of two notes listen to music of the OPPO- that the subjects emotions emotions they were feeling – the third and the sixth. SITE emotion (ex. happy). will change throughout the and where on their body they Each major scale has eight Following, participants will experiment. Participants ini- were feeling them, using a notes, Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti then record how they feel tial emotion will differ from blank body shape. After do- Do, while (harmonic) minor (on a scale from 0 to 100) their final recorded emotion. ing so, results showed that scales have a solfege of Do and on a body map. Discussion/Conclusion when pertaining to emotions, Re Me Fa Sol Le Ti Do. The Secondly, for the concurrent Music and Emotions both there were increases and de- different solfege syllables in action experiment, partici- interact with similar parts of creases in strength to those the minor scales represent a pants will record how they the brain. Because of these areas due to the emotions difference of one semitone, feel (ex. sad) on a scale from interactions, they are most that participants felt in those instead of- in a major scale- 0 to 100 and on a body map, likely have a strong correla- areas (Nummenmaa, 2013). a whole step between the listen to the music piece tion between each other. To I am proposing to do a very second and third, and fifth found to have the SAME take my study beyond this, I similar project, but instead and sixth notes. Out of the emotional connotation (ex. would eventually like to try of using pictures, I want to three different types of mi- sad), then record how they and test how different piec- see the effects of music. nor scales- natural, harmon- feel on a scale from 0 to 100 es of music affect kids with ic, and melodic- I have de- Hypothesis and on a body map. These emotional disorders or anxi- cided to use harmonic minor Music and Emotions are experiments will help us to ety problems. chords in the compositions connected, in that, when a understand which emotions References because of the fact that their patient is exposed to a cer- are felt due to which kinds American Cancer Society. (2015). sound differs the most from tain piece of music, for ex- of music and why. American Music Therapy Association, major chords. This helps to ample- a song in the key of Participants will be able to Inc. (2014). emphasize the difference of C major- it could possibly access the study, featuring Brinol, P., & Petty, R. E. (2003). Overt the third and sixth notes in head movements and persuasion: A increase the quality of their these compositions and sur- both major and minor scale. self-validation analysis. Journal of mood. However, if you were vey questions, by going on A major chord is a group of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, to show someone in a good the internet and find a web- 1123-1139. musical notes having inter- state of mind a song in the site that I will create. (...) Dolegui, A. S. (2013). “The Impact of vals of a a whole step, be- key of A minor, it could po- Listening to Music on Cognitive Per- tween the second and third Expected Results formance.” Student Pulse, 5(09). tentially generate a decrease degrees, and in most cases, For the neutral experiment, in the quality of their mood. L. Nummenmaa, E. Glerean, R. Hari, J. the fifth and sixth, and the I believe that subjects listen- K. Hietanen. Bodily maps of emotions. On the other hand, if you had seventh and eighth. A minor ing to the fast paced, major Proceedings of the National Academy a depressed patient experi- of Sciences, 2013; chord is a chord based on a scales will feel happier emo- encing negative emotions, Landau, E. (2013). This is your brain on minor scale, and is defined tions (ex. happiness, joy) exposing them to a song in music. Cable News Network. Retrieved by the root note, the note in and subjects listening to the a minor key may make them from http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/15/ which the chord is based, the slow, minor scales will feel health/brain-music-research/ feel better and the piece in a minor third, a note only three more depressing emotions Pereira CS, Teixeira J, Figueiredo P, major key could make them half steps above the root (ex. sadness, shame). For Xavier J, Castro SL, et al. (2011) Music feel even worse. This could note, and the perfect fifth, the concurrent experiment, and Emotions in the Brain: Familiarity be explained using the vali- Matters. PLoS ONE 6(11): e27241. the fifth note in a chord that depending on the patient’s dation theory of cognitive Rossato-Bennett, M. (Director). (2014). is seven half steps above the emotional state at the time, psychology, explaining that Alive Inside [Motion picture]. USA: root note and four half steps if we were to name major as Projector Media. if you are sad, and you lis- about the minor third. “happy” and minor as “sad”, ten to sad music, it validates Slater, J., Strait, D. L., Skoe, E., the opposite emotional music O’Connell, S., Thompson, E., & Kraus, your feelings, and thus mak- For the neutral experiment, would create a decrease in N. (2014) Longitudinal Effects of ing you feel better (Brinol & Participants will record how Group Music Instruction on Literacy the quality of the participants Petty, 2003). they feel that day by answer- Skills in Low-Income Children. PLoS ing a series of pretest ques- mood, while the same emo- ONE 9(11): e113383. doi:10.1371/jour- Methods/Materials tions. In a random order, tional music would improve nal.pone.0113383 I will attempt to illustrate the participant will listen to their mood. The validation Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönni- this hypothesis by compos- theory will show positive in mann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Na- one piece of music at a time. ter, U. M. (2013) The Effect of Music ing four songs in both major Lastly, they will record their explaining participants feel- on the Human Stress Response. PLoS and minor keys (at different emotional state after hearing ings, having a positive ef- ONE 8(8): e70156. doi:10.1371/jour- tempos) using Garageband each individual song. fect: “individuals are more nal.pone.0070156 on a mac computer. One of inclined to feel confident Tyson, E. H. (2002). Hip Hop Therapy: For the opposite action ex- each of the major and mi- in their thoughts-and hence An Exploratory Study of a Rap Music periment, participants will nor pieces will be upbeat/ these thoughts are more Intervention with At-Risk and Delin- record how they feel (ex. quent Youth. Journal of Poetry Therapy, at a faster tempo while the likely to affect attitudes” sad, upset) on a scale from 0 15(3). 26 Wilkins, Robin W., Ph.D., The Univer- Wu D, Li CY, Yao DZ (2009) Scale- sity of North Carolina at Greensboro, Free Music of the Brain. PLoS ONE 2015, 153; 3708255 4(6): e5915. doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0005915

Solving the Diagnosis Problem in Mitochondrial Diseases, Brian Gershgorn (Sophomore)

Mitochondrial diseases are such as MRI and MRS, mus- it still remains a a group of diseases caused cle biopsies, and genetic test- challenge. Ge- by genetic mutations in both ing (Chi, 2015). Possibly the netic testing will mtDNA, which is located most reliable diagnostic tool probably become in cytoplasm, and nDNA, that doctors have are muscle more relevant and which are certain genes in biopsies. While muscle biop- reliable as more the nucleus that can con- sies are the most definitive causative genes trol mitochondrial function form of diagnosis, they are are discovered (Chinnery, 2014). About also expensive and invasive (Chi, 2015). 1,500 nDNA genes play (ElBeheiry, Omar, Etaby Another major important roles in mito- & Abougabal, 2013). Also, reason why mi- chondrial function (Kohda, muscle biopsies have false tochondrial dis- 2016). In fact, only about positives and false negatives, eases are so hard 15-30% of reported cases on and while a positive result to diagnose is mitochondrial disorders are usually confirms a mito- because different credited to mtDNA, the rest chondrial disease, a negative diseases present being caused by mutations in result does not necessarily different symp- nuclear DNA (Kohda, 2016). exclude the possibility. This toms, possess dif- Mitochondrial diseases often occurs because the piece of ferent levels of cause the most damage to muscle being tested may severity, and af- the brain, heart, liver, mus- not be affected by the mito- fect different ar- Sayre syndrome - Genetics cle system, kidney, and en- chondrial disease (Balcells, eas of the body (Chi, 2015). Home Reference.”, 2011). docrine/respiratory systems 2010). Even though muscle Many mitochondrial diseas- While the two mitochondrial (“What is Mitochondrial biopsies are usually correct, es, such as MELAS, have a diseases have multiple simi- Disease - The United Mito- it is a flawed tool, and factor- very inconsistent prognosis. larities, they are also very chondrial ...”, 2012). Mito- ing in its price and invasive The prognosis for MELAS different, and very hard to chondrial disorders have an nature, it should not be re- is typically from ages 10 to diagnose. occurrence of approximately garded as a “gold standard” 35, a very wide window. For Lactate/pyruvate is usually 1 in every 5,000 births (Koh- for diagnosing mitochondri- example, MELAS is a pro- abnormally high in mito- da, 2016). al diseases (“Mitochondrial gressive neurodegenerative chondrial diseases. Thus, it The purpose for researching Disease - Cleveland Clinic”, disease. Symptoms typically provides a possible sign for mitochondrial diseases is to 2015). occur between the age of 2 the detection of mitochon- ultimately treat mitochondri- Blood tests are common, and and 15. MELAS can cause drial diseases. Lactate is al diseases more efficiently. a common marker used for muscle weakness, seizures, commonly high because an- This includes finding more possible diagnosis is blood migraines, vomiting, stroke- aerobic metabolism, which useful diagnostic tools or lactate levels. The problem like episodes, and neurode- is mitochondrial respiration treatments. Researchers have with this is that blood lac- generative abnormalities. without oxygen, occurs by already found chemicals that tate levels are inconsistent, It affects multiple organs fermentation. During lactate point to the possibility of mi- and not always high. Pyru- and muscles throughout the acid fermentation, pyruvate tochondrial diseases, such as vate, CSF lactate, and lactic body, including the kidneys is reduced by NADH, and lactate/pyruvate ratios. acidosis are also commonly and heart ( “MELAS - Ge- it forms into lactate. This The problem with the diag- looked at. Also, genetic tests netics Home Reference.”, causes an increase in lactate nosis of mitochondrial dis- are a common diagnostic 2010). Kearns-Sayre syn- in the body, while pyruvate eases is the lack of research. tool for mitochondrial disor- drome, on the other hand, is decreased (Campbell & Scientists still don’t know all ders. Genetic testing is dif- primarily affects the eyes Reece, 2005) of the genes that cause mito- ficult because there are so and muscular system. It also Magnetic Resonance Spec- chondrial disorders or are many genes that can cause a causes muscle weakness and troscopy is a noninvasive even linked to disease (Koh- defect in mitochondrion. Sci- heart problems, but the heart form of neuroimaging that da, 2016). Also, diagnostic entists often test for common symptoms present in a differ- looks at chemical infor- tools include simple blood genes that cause the specific ent way. Deafness and ataxia mation in the brain (Gu- lab tests, imaging studies symptoms of the patient, but are also common. (“Kearns- jar, 2005). It seems to be a

27 promising diagnostic tool Etaby & Abougabal, 2013). a useful sign. drial_Diseases. for mitochondrial diseases Another study, “Proton Through study of mitochon- (2012). Diagnosis - MitoAction. Re- in the future. MRS makes it trieved January 23, 2016, from http:// MR Spectroscopy in leu- drial diseases, methods will www.mitoaction.org/blog/categories/ possible to look at different kodystrophies”, aimed to be found that are reliable for diagnosis. chemical levels in the brain analyze MR spectroscopic treatment or diagnosis, and (2012). What is Mitochondrial Disease - during different stages of de- findings and ratios of chemi- prove to be more efficient The United Mitochondrial ... Retrieved velopment (Vagal, 2010). It cals in abnormal brain. Pa- (when costs and comfort of January 23, 2016, from http://www. looks at certain molecules in umdf.org/site/c.8qKOJ0MvF7LUG/ tients tested were those with patient are taken into ac- b.7934627/k.3711/What_is_Mitochon- the brain and, from the reso- leukodystrophies, including count) than current methods. drial_Disease.htm. nance vibrations, it is able mitochondrial diseases. Leu- There are already possible Campbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2005). to detect certain chemicals kodystrophies are a group of treatments and diagnostic Biology. San Francisco: Pearson, Ben- and their concentration (Gu- rare genetic disorders that tools being researched and jamin Cummings jar, 2005). These chemicals affect the central nervous developed. include amino acids, lipids, system. The nervous sys- References lactate, alanine, n-acetyl as- tem is disrupted by disrupt- Elbeheiry, A. A., Abougabal, A. M., partate, choline, creatine, and ing the myelin sheath that Omar, T. I., & Etaby, A. N. (2014). myoinositol (Vagal, 2010). insulate nerve cells. Of the Role of brain magnetic resonance spec- One study, “Role of brain 26 patients (17 males and troscopy in the evaluation of suspected mitochondrial diseases in children: magnetic resonance spec- 9 females), 7 patients had a Experience in 30 pediatric cases. The troscopy in the evaluation mitochondrial disease. Dur- Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nu- of suspected mitochondrial ing the study, conventional clear Medicine, 45(2), 523-533. diseases in children: Experi- MR and MRI imaging was Chi, C. (2015). Diagnostic Approach in ence in 30 pediatric cases”, used. MRI showed white Infants and Children with Mitochondri- al Diseases. Pediatrics & Neonatology, examines the efficiency of matter abnormalities in all 56(1), 7-18. MRS as a diagnostic tool. In 26 patients. MRS was able to Abdelsalam, E. M., Ashamallah, G. A., this study, 30 children with show abnormal ratios in the Lateef, M. A., & Fathy, K. (2015). Pro- suspected mitochondrial patients. 23 of the 26 sub- ton MR Spectroscopy in leukodystro- diseases were examined. jects presented with elevat- phies. The Egyptian Journal of Radi- ology and Nuclear Medicine, 46(4), After tests through MRS, ed Cho/Cr ratio, decreased 1091-1097. these kids were divided into NAA/Cr, and an elevated Kohda, M., Tokuzawa, Y., Kishita, Y., three groups. Group 1 (15 Cho/NAA. The study found Nyuzuki, H., Moriyama, Y., Mizuno, patients) had highly sugges- MRS to be a valuable tool Y., et al. (2016). A comprehensive tive features, Group 2 (11 to diagnose MDs. MRS also genomic analysis reveals the genetic patients) had non-specific proved to be able to diagnose landscape of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex deficiencies. PLoS - ge features, and Group 3 (4 other white matter diseases. netics, 12(1). patients) had a normal ap- (Abdelsalam, Lateef, Fathy (2011). Kearns-Sayre syndrome - Ge- pearing brain. In Group 1, & Ashamallah, 2015) netics Home Reference. Retrieved Jan- two patients were diagnosed The precise goal of my re- uary 23, 2016, from http://ghr.nlm.nih. gov/condition/kearns-sayre-syndrome. with “definite” mitochon- search is to discover pos- drial disease, eleven were Chinnery, P. (2014). Mitochondrial sible diagnostic tools for Disorders Overview - GeneReviews® diagnosed with “probable” mitochondrial diseases. - NCBI ... Retrieved from http://www. mitochondrial disease, and Ideally, these tests or items ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1224/. two patients were diagnosed would be cheap, reliable, (2010). MELAS - Genetics Home Ref- with “possible” mitochon- noninvasive, and available erence. Retrieved January 23, 2016, drial disease. In Group 2, all from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ to the population regardless mitochondrial-encephalomyopathy- eleven patients were diag- of their class or wealth. Also, lactic-acidosis-and-stroke-like-epi- nosed with “probable” mito- my research aims to confirm sodes. chondrial disease. Lastly, in the diagnostic efficiency of Gujar, S. (2005). Magnetic reso- Group 3, three patients were Magnetic Resonance Spec- nance spectroscopy. Retrieved diagnosed as “probable”, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ troscopy, which could prove pubmed/16148633. while one was diagnosed as to be a noninvasive and reli- “possible”. This study found (2010). MRS | Magnetic Resonance able diagnostic tool for mi- Spectroscopy - Mayfield Clinic. - Re that MRS is a reliable, non- tochondrial diseases. In ad- trieved January 23, 2016, from http:// invasive, and inexpensive dition, since MRS measures www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-MRspec- tool for pediatric diagnosis chemicals in the brain, and troscopy.htm. of mitochondrial diseases. a diagnosis is made from (2015). Mitochondrial Disease - Cleve- MRS testing would also help land Clinic. Retrieved January 23, the results of the test, there 2016, from https://my.clevelandclinic. to decide if more, definite are possibly other chemicals org/health/diseases_conditions/hic- and expensive tests are nec- that could be seen through what-are-mitochondrial-diseases/hic_ essary. (ElBeheiry, Omar, MRS and could prove to be Myths_and_Facts_About_Mitochon- 28 Analyzing the Properties of KIC8462852, Amelia Bisaccia (Sophomore)

In the field of astronomy, an known as the Planet Hunt- has a light curve important area of research ers work on discovering that has been involves the analyzing of these exoplanets and work noted to be the distant stars in the search for on viewing thirty day seg- result of average exoplanets. Several types of ments of light curves from transits, with pe- astronomical objects may stars that are then used to riodic flux drops surround a certain star be- identify transiting planets. (Wright, 2015). ing studied, so identifying Transits occur when an or- KIC11904151 has the different effects created biting object passes in front two exoplanets by orbiting objects is es- of its star, which changes the surrounding it, sential to characterize them. total brightness of the star. and has a stable The Kepler mission is dedi- Recently, the main topic of light curve as well cated to identifying possible discussion surrounds the (Wright 2015). exoplanets in outer space, mysterious objects that are KIC8462852 has and time is spent analyzing orbiting KIC846852, for the a light curve that the factors that determine star’s drastic drops in flux drops in short the transiting object. In or- suggest something differ- amounts of time, der to do this, light curves ent than exoplanets. Flux is an unusual char- from stars are measured and defined as the total amount acteristic of the studied in order to confirm of energy per unit area and flux of a distant the presence of an object depends on the luminosity star (King, 2015). around the star. A mysteri- and distance of the object, It was speculated ous case that has arisen from and the flux of KIC8462852 that KIC8462852 the Kepler mission is that of has been measured to drop had an artificially- ments orbiting the star. the star KIC8462852, since irregularly. The transits of made megastructure orbiting the star’s flux was measured the objects orbiting this star The Planet Hunters were able it, due to the unusual flux to characterize the properties to have dropped drastically were also aperiodic, differ- drops, but evidence suggests during the time of study, and ing greatly from the transits of KIC8462852 by using dif- that this is not the case (King, ferent methods, including these drops are highly un- of regular orbiting exoplan- 2015). It is true that transits of usual in light curves of dif- ets, which are usually re- Kepler photometry, spectro- megastructures would cause scopic analysis, and adap- ferent stars (Boyajian, 2015). peated and regular (Boya- the dramatic drop in flux, Scientists have attempted to jian, 2015). Planet Hunters tive optics (AO) imaging. not unlike the objects sur- Kepler Photometry involves characterize the object sur- attempted to find stars in the rounding KIC8462. Howev- rounding KIC8462852. If Kepler field that had -simi measuring light from an ob- er, a megastructure’s transit ject in terms of brightness to the large drops in flux that lar drops in flux to those of would be periodic, and cre- are seen from KIC8462852’s KIC8462, so the algorithm a human eye. KIC8462852 ate a light curve that reflects was observed yielding an light curve are unparalleled used to search the database this, and the transits of the by other light curves found was used, looking for stars ultra-precise light curve in objects orbiting KIC8462852 the thirty-day segments, and during the Kepler mission, that had drops that reached were aperiodic and irregular then KIC8462852 is not be- 10%, but when nothing was its drops in flux were -mea instead. Megastructures can sured to be very large and ir- ing orbited by exoplanets or found, this was lowered to also be detected by the mid- a megastructure, but rather 5%, and still no stars seemed regular. Spectroscopy is the infrared radiation that they analysis of the spectrum of a swarm of exocomet frag- to match the dramatic 20% emit after absorbing the light ments. drop in flux that KIC8462852 electromagnetic radiation, from the star they orbit and and while measuring this, The goal of the Kepler mis- had shown (Boyajian, 2015). then reprocessing it (Wright, A series of graphs from the the research team found sion is to identify any earth- 2015). This was not detected nothing out of the ordinary, like exoplanets in outer space Kepler database show the while the Planet Hunters light curves from the stars as KIC8462’s electromag- by measuring the brightness worked on characterizing netic radiation seems similar of distant stars, and the mis- being studied as part of the KIC8462852, so the charac- Kepler mission, includ- to that of other stars. Adap- sion has been going on for teristics of megastructures tive Optics (AO) Imaging over four years. Nearly one ing stars of study such as were not displayed during KIC8462852, KIC12557548, involves telescopes and laser hundred possible exoplanet the process. It was concluded communication systems that candidates have been dis- and KIC11904151 (Barbara, that the most likely explana- 2015). KIC1255, which had helps to remove distortion covered as part of the Kepler tion for the mysterious light of images. The images of mission (Rein 2014). A divi- been studied due to an evap- curve is simply that there is orating object orbiting it, KIC8462852 reveal a small sion of the Kepler mission a swarm of exocomet frag- companion star not far from 29 the original star, and this star on this topic may come with was thought to have been the improvement of instru- affecting the drops in flux ments and methods used to from KIC8462. It was con- characterize the properties cluded, however, that the of stars and the objects orbit- companion star is too faint ing them. The studies invov- and cannot be physically in- ing the analyzing of distant terfering with the behavior stars and exoplanets are an of KIC8462852. Another essential part of astronomy. source of error was thought to be attributed to the in- References struments used to character- King, Bob (2015). What’s Orbiting KIC ize KIC8462, but this was 8462852 – Shattered Comet or Alien quickly disproven since the Megastructure? Universe Today. same instruments had been Wright, J. T., Cartier, K. M., Zhao, M., used to view other stars, and Jontof-Hutter, D., & Ford, E. B. (2015). The Ĝ Searchfor Extraterrestrial Civili- yet no star showed any pe- zations with Large Energy Supplies. IV. culiar data that could have The Signatures andInformation Con- matched that of this star. The tent of Transiting Megastructures. The theory arose that the reason Astrophysical Journal, 816(1), for the mysterious drops in 17. flux were caused by comet Boyajian, T., LaCourse, D., Rappaport, fragments for a series of rea- S., Fabrycky, D., Fischer, D., Gandolfi, D., et al. (2015). sons. Unevenly distributed Planet Hunters X. KIC 8462852- dust around a star has been Where’s the Flux?. arXiv preprint an explanation for flux drops arXiv:1509.03622. \ in other observed young Arnold, L. F. (2005). Transit light-curve stars, and these possible signatures of artificial objects. The As- clumps of dust and comet trophysical Journal, 627(1), 534. fragments may be going un- Rein, H. (2014). Open Exoplanet Cata- detected as they may lie in a logue. Open Exoplanet Catalogue. very thin belt around the star. Barbara, A. (2015). KEPLER Preview for KPLR008462852-2009166043257. Fragments of comets are Mikulski Archive for Space Tele- also known to have highly scopes. eccentric orbits, which may explain some of the irregu- larity in transits (Boyajian, 2015). The idea that exocomets were surrounding became the most accepted theory, and while research is still being done, the evidence holds true. While it was con- cluded that there were some areas in which KIC8462852 is similar to other others, the strange drops in flux are what makes this star unparalleled by any other in the Kepler field. Discovering and - ana lyzing the causes of the flux drops in KIC8462852 may lead to new new discover- ies within the Kepler field, for analyzing anomalous situations may improve the way astronomers go about researching exoplanets and distant stars. Future studies 30 31 32 Acknowledgments Biology. Scientific Direc- CEF) for its on-going fund- Yorktown High School This program would not tor of the Baruch ’60 ing of the science research • Mr. Angelo Piccirillo, be possible without: Center for Biochemical program. Ossining High School Solar Energy Research . • Mrs.Valerie Holmes, Mentors and Scientists. Rensselaer Polytechnic Parents Ossining High School. Institute. Troy, NY. We This program would not be • Mrs. Donna Light Thank you to all of the sci- are grateful to Dr. Lak- successful without the sup- Donovan, Croton-on- entists who have taken our shmi for her dedication port of the students’ families, Hudson. high school students under and help. who sacrifice so much of • Mr. Leonard Behr their wings and given them • Dr. Emma Guttman, their time to ensure that the and Dr. Daniel Wulff, unprecedented possibilities Ph.D. Mount Sinai Medi- students get the best possible Science Research in the to access genuine scientific cal School, ICahn Medi- experience when they work High School Program, research, to act as profes- cal Institute. Professor on site, in labs and during the University at Albany. sionals and to express their Dermatology; Assoicate school year. talents and creativity in their Professor Medicine, projects. Clinical Immunology. Administrators, Teachers Members of the School In- Mount Sinai Medical and Staff. stitutional Review Board: • Dr. Matthias Quick, School, ICahn Medical Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Institute. We are grateful • Mr. Joseph Hochreiter, Thank you for taking the Department of Psychiatry to Dr. Guttman for her Superintendent time to review the work of and Center for Molecular • Dr. Adam Zeman, MD, • Dr. Margaret Ruller, students’ projects througout Recognition, Columbia Professor of Cognitive Executive Director of the year. University, College of andBehavioral Neurol- Curriculum and Instruc- Physicians and Surgeons. ogy. University of Exeter, tion. • Mr. James Mackin, Dr. Quick served on our Medical School, Exeter, • Mr. Enrique Catalan, Principal. Institutional Review UK.We are very grate- Assistant Superintendent • Mrs. Tina Wilson, As- Board and guided other ful to Dr. Zeman for his for Business. sistant Principal science research students dedication and help • Mr. James Mackin • Mrs. Ann-Marie Gal- through their projects • Dr. Stuart A. Newman, Principal. lagher, Science Teacher. throughout the years. Dr. Ph.D. Professor of Cell • Mrs. Tina Wilson, As- • Mrs. Eileen Cancro, Quick served a judge in Biology and Anatomy. sistant Principal. Science Teacher all the major competi- New York Medical Col- • Mrs. Laura Neier, As- • Mrs. Kathryn Frost, tions of the tri-county lege, Valhalla, NY. We sistant Principal. Nurse. area, hereby gaining are grateful to Dr. New- • Dr. Mathew Swerdloff, • Dr. Matthias Quick, important knowledge of man for his help Executive Director of Assistant Professor of the competition proces. • Dr. Patric K. Stanton, Educational Support Clinical Neurobiology • Dr. Erich Jarvis, Ph.D, Ph.D. Professor of Cell Services. Associate Professor, Biology and Anatomy, • Ms. Beth Gruber, HH- Duke University. We are New York Medical Col- CEF. so grateful to Dr. Jarvis, lege, Valhalla, NY. We • Mr. Barry Fuller for his Dr. M.Chakraborty and are grateful to Dr. Stanton help with poster printing. the Jarvis lab for wel- for his help. • Ms. Laurie Small and coming Jane Milcetic in • Dr. Ryan Baker, Ph.D., Ms. Jill Wheeler for his lab. Associate Professor of their sustaining support. • Dr. Zhong Pan, Ph.D. Cognitive Studies in Edu- • Ms. Clare Carey for Post Doctoral Associate, cation. Teachers College, catering services New Jersey Institute of Columbia University, NY • The custodial staff. Technology, for welcom-

ing Isabella Brizzi in his lab. Sponsors: Science Research Col- • Dr. K.V. Lakshmi, Ph.D. We want to thank the Hen- leagues: Associate Professor drick Hudson Community Chemistry and Chemical Educational Foundation (HH- • Mr. Michael Blueglass, 33 For more information on the Science Research Program, Contact Dr. Christine Rogers, Ph.D. [email protected]