April 21, 2017

Krissy Apuzzo '17

This study compared four fingerprint development techniques, often used in forensic investigations, to see how each would affect the analysis of chemicals within the print using the MALDI/TOF MS analysis. Ten volunteers were used to deposit prints; four slides per person, two from the left hand and two from the right hand, with each slide containing a control and an analyte. The prints were then analyzed using four fingerprint development methods; Fingerprint powder, MALDI Matrix, Fingerprint powder and lifting, and cyanoacrylate fuming with fingerprint powder. The results showed that the average detection rates were 88%, 88%, 52%, and 18% respectively. The results show that using the right fingerprint development method is important to the analysis of chemicals within a print and that further development of methods is needed to facilitate the combination of fingerprint examination and touch chemistry within a criminal investigation.

Using Genetically Modified Crops to Reduce Agricultural Pollution

Ivannie Robertson '17

Agriculture is the leading non-point source of eutrophication and also has significant effect on a variety of other environmental consequences such as global warming, acidity and pollution of groundwater. A large reason for this is the nutrient runoff produced from the nitrogen fertilizer that is applied in surplus to crops. Nitrogen fertilizer is used in abundance due to the higher yield it usually promises as well as healthier crops. This experiment addressed the demands of higher yield while trying to minimize the amount of nitrogen produced and run-off. A genetically modified organism (GMO) was created to be more nitrogen efficient so that less fertilizer needed to be applied while still producing equal or greater yields as compared to conventional crops. A genetically modified nitrogen use efficient (GMNUE) strain of canola was created and planted in two different seasons in Minnesota and South Dakota and was carefully grown and monitored. A life cycle assessment was used to evaluate and calculate the environmental impacts from the products. This includes the process that it took to create the product. The amount of energy, the material, and the waste produced into the environment were all considered. The environmental impact was evaluated from the beginning, starting with the raw material and ending with the decomposition. The results showed that the GMNUE was more efficient in nitrogen use and produced equal or greater yields of crops than the conventional canola. GMNUE crops also produced less greenhouse gasses. In all, GMNUE crops showed promising environmental potential in climate change, acidification, eutrophication, and toxicity, thus opening a potential future for more environmentally friendly agriculture.

Behavioral Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Rachael Foster '17

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, killing more people than breast and prostate cancer combined (Alzheimer’s Association). One in 10 people age 65 and older has AD, and with the growing population of older Americans, the number of new cases of AD is projected to soar (Alzheimer’s Association). Currently, there is no cure for AD, only treatments to slow its progression or help manage its symptoms. This study investigated the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) at three separate targets, the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT), entorhinal cortex (EC), and fornix (FX), in treating symptoms of AD, including spatial learning and memory, recognition memory, and anxiety-related behaviors. Rats were induced with AD and testing of symptoms listed above was conducted using the Morris Water Maze (MWM), novel object recognition memory test (NORM), and the open field test (OF), respectively. The study found that DBS of the EC and FX resulted in more time spent near the platform in the MWM than ANT DBS, all of which were higher than the control. DBS of the EC and FX resulted in more time spent with the novel object than ANT DBS. Lastly, all groups moved a similar distance and spent similar time in the middle of the OF. DBS of the EC and FX enhanced spatial memory and recognition memory compared to ANT DBS. DBS treatment showed no significant side effects of anxiety.