bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Road to Invasion: Analyzing the Forces Behind Iraq’s Invasion of Kuwait
Authors: Patil Surya
Published: February 2024

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait was largely prompted by Saddam Hussein and the Baathist party’s long-standing claim over Kuwait combined with Iraq’s desperate need for wealth to rectify the country's economic crisis after the Iran-Iraq war. Additionally, the invasion can be seen as Hussein’s hubristic, direct attempt to establish Iraq as the hegemon of the Arab world in a new post-Cold War era. The disputes leading up to the invasion highlight how Iraq’s deep-rooted territorial claims and the Kuwaiti government’s refusal to surrender control of disputed territories, led to increasing tensions and hostilities between the two countries. Kuwait’s refusal to surrender to Saddam Hussein’s economic demands surrounding Iraq’s debt to Kuwait and oil exports, angered Hussein leading him to take drastic measures to repair the Iraqi economy. Invading Kuwait offered a direct solution to Iraq's economic crisis and the brewing prominent, domestic resentment at the mismanagement of the distribution of Iraqi finances. Hussein’s overconfidence in Iraq’s military capabilities and naivete led him to develop a warped perception of the U.S. resolve to defend Kuwait. His past failures made him desperate, leading him to take the considerable risk of invading Kuwait. The decision to invade Kuwait was influenced by many factors. Saddam Hussein’s misjudgements led to a humiliating loss which worsened the economic climate in Iraq. International sanctions severely limited Iraq's trade, making it more difficult to rebuild the extensive infrastructure destroyed by the invasion. Ultimately, the invasion contributed to political instability in Iraq which lay the groundwork for the Iraq war.
How Environmental Toxicants Affect Cognitive Development of Children Aged 5-12 Years Old
Authors: Kim Leyun , Gattas Sylvia
Published: February 2024

Children’s cognitive development is increasingly put at risk due to ubiquitous environmental toxicants, threatening their physiological and cognitive health. Moreover, such environmental toxicants have further reached food and water resources, causing developmental delays which are profoundly unavoidable.

This literature review studies how environmental toxicants might negatively affect the cognitive development of children aged 5-12 years old. The purpose of this paper is to spread awareness of the dangers that children are facing due to the increasing level of environmental toxicants. Throughout the paper, negative associations were found between most of the environmental toxicants and developmental cognitive test scores. Furthermore, the paper highlights the environmental injustices that create disparities in children’s cognitive health. 

First, the main concepts and the methodology used in the paper is defined. Then the outcomes of environmental toxicants on children’s cognitive ability are described and the four main toxics examined are air pollutants, arsenic, fluoride, and lead. Of those four toxins, 3 were associated with lower cognitive scores in children. Moreover, errors and limitations of the paper are identified and recommendations for future studies are included.
An Exploration into the Relationship Between Income and Carbon Footprint
Authors: Ferber Aaron , York Howard
Published: February 2024

The problem of global climate change and carbon footprints has become increasingly important in recent years. A person’s carbon footprint is the measure of the amount of carbon compounds that an identified individual emits into the atmosphere. It is measured in metric tons of CO2 per year. Numerous factors are taken into account when calculating a person’s carbon footprint. Some of which include home size, size of family, travel, meat consumption, and spending [1]. I hypothesized that a person’s income will positively correlate with their carbon footprint. I came to this hypothesis because generally, when an individual has a higher income, they tend to spend more, have bigger homes, and they travel more. These are all leading benefactors to carbon footprints. To prove my hypothesis, I will be giving out a survey amongst adults in my community to get an understanding of their habits and their carbon footprints. Climate change is the leading environmental disaster that may lead to the destruction of our planet. Things such as rising sea levels, weather changes, and melting ice caps are already problems that we can see today as a result of climate change. This experiment can be very beneficial to the global issue of climate change as it helps us understand which areas contribute more to global climate change based on the general income of the area’s population. This can help scientists and governments get a better understanding of where to focus their efforts on climate relief.
Deconstructing Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Authors: Menon Diya , Appavu Rajagopal , Kethar Jothsna
Published: February 2024

In recent years, infertility rates have been on the rise, with 19% of women aged 15-49 having difficulties getting pregnant and 26% of women having difficulties carrying such fetuses to term (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). This statistic also comes in concert with recent research suggesting a rise in congenital defects and abnormalities in neonates (Silesh et al., 2021). In association with these troubling trends, however, are developments in reproductive technologies and assessments. One such of these technologies is preimplantation genetic testing, otherwise abbreviated PGD. This technique uniquely allows for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities and congenital defects and, used in conjunction with IVF treatments, has seen implementation in around 5 percent of all U.S. IVF cycles (“A Microdeletion, They Called It.,” 2015). Despite the hope that the testing method allows for families around the world, PGD is not without its limitations. This paper first explores PGD, determining the testing process and pinpointing its applications' current extent. It then transitions to analyzing the current methods of sampling and analysis housed in PGD, determining their benefits as well as their detriments. It finally contrasts present methods with the many proposed advances, analyzes the feasibility of such advances, and compares the benefits and limitations of these new treatment plans to conclude the best combination of developments is Blastocyst biopsy and Next Generation Sequencing for the advancement of PGD as a diagnostic procedure.
Improving Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis with Artificial Intelligence and Neuropsychological Tests
Authors: Raghuraman Akshita , Avery Emily
Published: February 2024

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a type of progressive dementia that causes loss of memory and function. It affects over 5.8 million people sixty years of age and older in the United States alone. When an individual has AD, neurodegeneration ultimately leads to severe impairment and eventually death. Throughout the stages of the disease, symptoms can range from mild forgetfulness to loss of motor control and bodily functions. Unfortunately, the disease may go unnoticed during initial stages if not tested for and detected early. Signs of Alzheimer's may accidentally be overlooked by physicians, especially if they are subtle. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models (ML) can be used to improve the identification process of early signs of AD. Some neuropsychological impairments AD patients suffer from include memory loss, difficulty recalling words or phrases, changes in personality and behavior, and decline in bodily functions that affect day to day life. AI may be able to pick up certain details and data that human perception cannot. If trained with a proper data set, ML models would be helpful to physicians in this area of healthcare. In this systematic review, the different neuropsychological impairments visible in the early stages of AD will be discussed as they relate to ML, deep learning, and AI applications intended to aid the diagnosis of AD.
The Effects of Conformity on Perceived Intensity of Stimuli
Authors: Chang Lia , Hao Trinity , Antoniades Tony , Cyrus Adisha
Published: February 2024

Conformity serves as the baseline for how one conducts themselves within a society. While a vital component to communal functioning, what transpires consequently is the question of how one’s own perceived cognition compares to that of the world around them, creating a conflict within experienced and expressed reaction. This study examines the ways in which group conformity may influence a person’s private perception of a reaction to a stimulus, aiming to determine the intrinsic effects of conformity through the examination of 122 participants and their rating of sourness when given a gumball. Throughout 41 trials, participants were placed in either the control or experimental group; those in the control group were isolated and given either a sweet or sour gumball, while those in the experimental group were placed into groups of three, wherein two participants were given sweet gumballs and the remaining participant was given a sour gumball. Participants in both groups were then asked to privately rate their perceived level of sourness on a scale of one to ten. In experimental trials, each group was given a brief period of time to discuss their experiences prior to the rating. A 22% increase in sourness rating between the control and experimental groups was found through this process, establishing that group conformity could not only influence how one outwardly expressed themselves in a given setting but could additionally alter how a person perceives their own physiological experience to given stimuli.
An Examination of Alcohol Use Disorder Among the Characters of Patricia Highsmith
Authors: Sitler Reilly , Watts Carmen , O'Neal Elizabeth
Published: February 2024

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease with specific traits that connect to behavior, psychology, and physiology. This disease is especially prevalent among those within creative professions, which prompted further study into the effects of AUD on an alcoholic’s creative work. An examination of the incorporation of AUD within a female alcoholic author's work, particularly through the lens of Patricia Highsmith’s fictional characters, to cope with behaviors associated with AUD has yet to be accomplished, leading to this study’s purpose. A content analysis was conducted utilizing four indicating behaviors of AUD–codependency, neuroticism, binge drinking, and alcoholic terminology usage–that served as coding categories for 30 short stories analyzed. Data analysis showed that AUD was noticeably projected onto the fictional characters of Patricia Highsmith, with a total of 270 indicators identified. Implicit indicators–codependency and neuroticism–were projected within general written situations, and explicit indicators–binge drinking and alcoholic terminology usage–were projected within written situations that naturally trigger alcoholic behavior. Thus, it was suggested that AUD was projected onto the fictional characters of Patricia Highsmith in varying ways so as to cope with her alcoholic tendencies.
Analyzing Leadership Messaging Styles and Team Performance in the NFL: Insights from Post-First Loss Press Conferences
Authors: Katkade Omkar , Gutter Aaron
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the impact of leadership messaging styles used by NFL head coaches on team performance, specifically focusing on messaging following a team's initial loss of the season. The research builds upon previous findings that indicate certain leadership styles, such as Deliberativeness messaging, influence performance throughout the season. However, this study examines the messaging patterns specifically after the first loss. Qualitative data, consisting of press conference transcripts from NFL head coaches after their teams' initial loss between 2020 and 2022, were collected and analyzed using DICTION, a computer-aided text analysis program. This software generated numerical scores indicating the prevalence of different messaging styles: Activity, Optimism, Certainty, Realism, and Commonality. These scores facilitated quantitative tests and correlation analyses. The results reveal that most messaging styles exhibit weak associations with team performance. Nonetheless, the analysis identifies distinct tendencies among coaches, with a propensity for high levels of Optimism, low levels of Certainty and Realism, and moderately high levels of Commonality. These findings suggest that coaches may adopt these messaging patterns due to their effectiveness. Understanding these tendencies can assist amateur coaches in enhancing team performance following the first loss of the season. By leveraging the messaging tendencies identified in this study, coaches can potentially improve team outcomes.
A Continuous Oral-fluid Monitoring of Glucose (O.M.G.) Device with Near-field & Bluetooth Communication Capability
Authors: Cheng George
Published: February 2024

Around 34 million Americans have Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), while 88 million adults have prediabetes. Unlike the traditional invasive needle method, our proposed salivary glucose-monitoring device, OMG, can facilitate self-monitoring through a noninvasive method via Bluetooth modulation using cost-effective material (Nafion, Polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS], Bluetooth chips). The electrodes designed were coated with Glucose Oxidase (GOx), where a biological redox reaction occurs after being in contact with salivary glucose. When the interdigitated electrode (IDE) connects to the Bluetooth circuit, the impedance changes and modulates the electromagnetic reflection from the course, reflecting it as the “change of resistance” (which is proportional to the glucose concentration). Afterward, commercial chemical methods, ex-vivo, and in-vivo styles were employed to assess viability and usability. Data were assessed by creating several different comparisons between OMG and existing alternatives. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images captured OMG GOx’s morphology, vector multimeters were used to collect data, and Glucose Assay Kits (Colorimetric) were used for OMG comparative analysis. NOREC (software) transfers measured fluctuations into graphical and numerical data. Testing results suggest that the trendline is reliable: R2 = 0.9292 for colorimetric and R2 = 0.9673 for our Performance Tests (ex-vivo and in-vivo), which was better than the gold standard: R2 = 0.8823. Further, we conducted multiple resistance tests, in which resistance and voltage significance was averaged to be p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively. The non-invasiveness and portability demonstrate the necessity of developing such applications and novel, cost-effective smartwatch-based alternatives.
Analyzing Music Performance Anxiety Within the Scope of Gender in Pianists
Authors: Ma Stephanie
Published: February 2024

Music performance anxiety, or MPA, is a condition experienced by many musicians in performance where performers are self-critical while performing music. Although previous research has established the need for a high level of specificity in researching this topic due to the wide range of factors that impact this condition, few studies have attempted this high level of specificity by combining the study of MPA with two factors: gender and instrument. Thus, this study sought to investigate how gender affected MPA in one instrumentalist group, pianists, paving the way for more effective solutions for MPA targeting the unique traits of the group investigated. A survey was conducted with a variety of participants across the United States in which varying number scales were utilized across four survey sections; these sections addressed a various number of common MPA symptoms, including both those concerning the physiological aspects of anxiety and the psychological. Findings revealed that the relationship between gender and MPA was significant in pianists across all aspects of anxiety, as females tended to have more anxiety symptoms overall. However, this relationship’s characteristics were only unique to pianists in the physiological aspect of MPA, as contrary to previous studies nonspecific to this instrumentalist group, female pianists were more likely to experience physiological symptoms of MPA. While results yielded about the psychological aspect of anxiety did show significance in the impact of gender, this relationship was similar to those found in other MPA studies nonspecific to pianists.
Political Bias on Instagram: Generation Z and the 2022 Midterm Elections
Authors: Neal Ashley , McGrath Sean
Published: February 2024

Generation Z, today's 10 to 25-year-olds, is emerging into the political sphere. In fact, the outcome of the 2022 United States Midterm Elections was heavily influenced by the power of progressive young voters. With the increased use of social media in recent years, many young activists have adopted online platforms as spaces for political conversation. This study investigates the influence social media activism, specifically from Generation Z creators, had on the outcome of the 2022 United States midterm elections. The study adopts a content analysis approach to analyze a selected amount of Generation Z Instagram posts from the midterms. The goal of the study is to determine the political bias Generation Z expressed online at this time and the effect social media activism had on the outcome of the election. The analysis includes 177 carefully selected posts, and each post was evaluated for its popularity, public response, and political bias. We found a slight progressive political bias within the post content and an unexpected amount of popularity and public response for conservative-leaning posts. The findings from this study suggest a developing progressive political bias among Generation Z. Further research on the connection between social media activism and election results is suggested.
Analyzing the Growth of Human Epidermis Equivalents in the Absence of Epidermal Growth Factors
Authors: Tiong Rachael , Lee Amy , Jia Yunlong
Published: February 2024

Bioengineering of human skin equivalent (HSE) organoids to closely replicate real human skin in vitro is being developed for multiple applications in the medical and scientific fields, such as skin grafting for burn patients or researching treatments for Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). This study analyzed the effects of growing human skin organoids in-vitro on a cadaver dermis, using a medium with no epithelial growth factor (EGF), over the course of 7 days. Few studies have been carried out to examine the effects of these parameters. Microscopic pictures comparing no EGF, control (with EGF), and human skin were taken, along with measurements of cell density and average thickness of the living epidermal layer. Our found average cornified thickness of the control organoids was 68.6 pixels (about 1.8 x 10^4 um) and 128.8 pixels (3.4 x 10^4 um) for the no EGF group. The human skin had an average cornified thickness of 47.4 pixels (1.2 x 10^4 um). No EGF resembled human skin better in this aspect. However, no EGF lacked a healthy formation of the top layer in the microscopic pictures and was farther in cell density than that of EGF. A significant value between no EGF and EGF for cell density was calculated (p<0.05). These results demonstrate that the absence of EGF is a limitation in mimicking human skin as close as possible. As a whole, this study confirms the necessity of EGF in order to create a more accurate HSE organoid.
American Elections, Political Representation, and the Will of the People
Authors: Lee Gyuhong , Naeher Bob
Published: February 2024

The idea that a government’s legitimacy depends upon the consent of those governed is a central feature of most democracies. In a representative democracy, the people exercise power indirectly, through voting in elections. Consequently, elections may be regarded as the central institution of a representative democracy. In theory, elections strive to capture the will of the people and translate it into proportional political representation. Yet in practice, they often fail to do so. This paper will examine the main flaws with elections in the United States. First it will discuss issues related to disenfranchisement, which result in large segments of the population being excluded from vote and, thereby, from the democratic process. Then it will examine issues related to electoral systems themselves, such as gerrymandering and design flaws in the electoral college and first-past-the-post elections, which prevent the votes that get made from being translated into proportional influence in the government. Throughout the discussion, this paper will also identify and evaluate potential paths for reform that could resolve or mitigate these problems, improving the health of American democracy.
The Aging of Cells: Cellular Senescence and Implications for Age-Related Diseases
Authors: Kim Andrew , Yoo Jounghyun
Published: February 2024

Cellular senescence, the aging of cells, is a multifaceted process characterized by the progressive accumulation of molecular and cellular changes. Senescent cells, marked by their proinflammatory secretome called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), contribute to tissue dysfunction and promote aging processes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of cellular senescence, with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms driving cell aging and the strategies of targeting senescent cells to extend healthspan and alleviate age-related diseases. We discuss how factors such as telomere shortening, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and oncogene activation contribute to cellular aging and the development of age-related diseases. Furthermore, we explore the potential senotherapeutic interventions, including senolytic and senomorphic therapies, that target senescent cells. Lastly, we highlight the opportunities and challenges of senotherapeutics in the context of aging and aging-associated diseases, underscoring their potential implications for human health and longevity.
Interventions of Bioelectronics and Biosensors on Oncology, Infectious and Neurological Diseases
Authors: Seo Jayhee
Published: February 2024

In the advancing world of health care, the integration and adaptation of biosensors and bioelectronics has made a profound impact. Various materials that make up functional biosensors and bioelectronics, such as 2D nanomaterials, Antibacterial Conductive Hydrogel (ACG) sensors, and man-made fibrous material will be discussed to evaluate and determine the effectiveness for applications. An additional factor that will be analyzed is the different methods that researchers have found in recent decades for innovative utilization of biosensors and bioelectronics. Some methods that will be discussed include the Layer By Layer (LBL) method, electrospinning, and microfluidic operations. The methods and materials will be analyzed in the context of various applications in the world of health care including cancer diagnostics, health monitoring, COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and tissue engineering. However, this publication will also investigate the ethical contradictions and issues that have surfaced as a result of testing their efficacy on certain experimental groups, including individuals diagnosed with cancer, infectious diseases, or neurological diseases.
Visual and Auditory Stimuli on Emotional Responses: The Relationship Between Art and Music on Human Emotion
Authors: Li Jada , Frishman Jonathan
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the relationship between music and art and their effect on human emotions, identifying what factors may influence the expression of different reactions to various visual and auditory stimuli. An experiment was conducted with a total of fifteen participants between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, with five in each of three groups: group A, group B, and the control group. Participants were tested for a period of one week, with an average of three to four students testing per day after school. Through a thematic analysis of participants’ responses to the different stimuli, the findings concluded that both music and art are capable of eliciting the exact same emotional responses in adolescent subjects.
Improving Immigrant Adolescent Mental Health: The Role of Cultural Identity
Authors: Davidov Rebecca , Yastremski David
Published: February 2024

As immigration to the United States continues to rise, so does the population of second-generation immigrant children. They often face acculturation stressors, the psychological response of distinct ethnic groups coming into contact with the mainstream culture and the conflicts that may arise, in the face of a new culture, along with culture gaps with their parents as they struggle to find their place in American society. As these stressors proliferate even into their teenage years, youth mental health is at risk. Thus, this review aims to synthesize the best available evidence surrounding immigrant acculturation gaps, parental and peer influence, and cultural identity, along with the impact on mental health. Specifically, this paper seeks to answer the question: to what extent does preserving cultural identity benefit the mental health of second-generation immigrant adolescents in the United States? Of the literature reviewed, I find strong evidence that a stronger cultural identity has positive effects on immigrant youth mental health and can help mitigate acculturative pressures as adolescents immigrate to the U.S. I also examine differing perspectives on the negative role cultural identity plays in navigating adolescence, but overall, the research suggests a benefit of cultural identity on mental health.
The Association Between Walkability, Zoning Codes, and Neighborhood Wealth in Bergen County, NJ
Authors: Song Matthew
Published: February 2024

Walkability is the measure of how friendly an area is to walking, and is important due to the multiple economic, social, environmental, and health-related benefits of walkable communities. A wealth of literature exists on its impacts, however a gap remains in its association with income levels and the zoning laws which affect it. A correlational analysis of multiple factors of towns in Bergen County, NJ, using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, found that towns of higher income tended to be less walkable, due to low land use diversity, suggesting that these towns could increase their walkability through the incorporation of different types of land use, most notably, commercial zones. The results of this study could be used to advise the government of Bergen County on future redevelopment and provide valuable information for the creation of zoning laws for new developments in the U.S.
Developing and Testing Deep Learning Models for Monkeypox and Herpes Zoster Rash Differentiation
Authors: Callaway Chloe
Published: February 2024

Monkeypox (mpox) is a viral infection known for its pimple-like skin rashes found across the body. Since the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox has been mistaken for similar conditions, such as herpes zoster (shingles). In the past, deep learning, a form of machine learning in which software models learn to form conclusions using artificial neural networks (ANNs) similar to that of the human brain, have been utilized to identify various dermatological conditions. Utilizing the engineering method, the following research question was inquired: How can deep learning be applied to a mobile application to distinguish monkeypox viral lesions from herpes zoster viral lesions? ResNet50 and MobileNetV3, two deep-learning models, were trained utilizing transfer learning for the task of differentiating between monkeypox and shingles. ResNet50 and MobileNetV3 were then tested utilizing a separate testing set of images. Both models achieved an accuracy of 93.10 percent, with ResNet50 achieving a loss of 17.03 percent and MobileNetV3 achieving a loss of 29.30 percent. It was concluded that ResNet50 may be more precise due to its lower loss percentage, indicating fewer instances of errors. An end-user prototype of a mobile application was created to simulate these deep-learning models. These findings suggest that deep learning is an efficient and precise solution to prevent the misdiagnosis of monkeypox, potentially hindering the rising cases of this virus while aiding in proactive measures to identify and treat monkeypox victims.
Exploring the Connection Between Sleep Duration and Life Satisfaction Domains in a Magnet High School
Authors: Zencirli Dila , Olivo Daniel
Published: February 2024

Life satisfaction (LS) domains and its relationship to average sleep duration was investigated in 51 students at Bergen Technical High School High School in Teterboro (BCTHS). This was assessed through an online survey that asked about their sleep duration within a 24 hour period, as well as their self-perceived life satisfaction that was divided into three domains: social, mental health, and school LS. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between sleep duration and LS and if so, which LS is most affected by sleep. The quantitative data collected through the survey were analyzed using a multiple linear regression analysis. The results were not consistent with previous research conducted on college students as the results indicated that the three domains have little to no correlation to BCTHS student’s sleep duration.
Gender Identity Within the Prisoner's Dilemma
Authors: Bennett Conrad
Published: February 2024

Understanding all sorts of factors that play into social and moral dilemmas such as the prisoner’s dilemma is necessary to understand decision making on all fronts. These dilemmas are manifestations of many decisions from every day (deciding what to eat for dinner) to life-changing (a nuclear war treaty). To identify if there is a link between gender identity and levels of cooperation and the expectations of a partner in the prisoner’s dilemma, this study uses quantitative data collected from high school students taking the AP English Language and Composition course at a small high school in the midwestern United States. Using a game-like replication of the prisoner’s dilemma using point values instead of jail time, this study examines the relationship between gender and the decision of an individual to either “share the points” (cooperate) or “steal the points” (defect) in two environments, one with face-to-face interaction with partners and another with total anonymity. This study also tests the relationship between the gender of the assigned partner and the decision of an individual to “share” or “steal” in the environment of face-to-face interaction. The study shows that females have significantly higher rates of cooperation in both environments (with interaction and without) and that players have a significantly higher rate of cooperation when partnered with a female player.
Effects of War on Medicine: Pushing the Frontier Forward
Authors: Lu Avery
Published: February 2024

Medicine is believed to revolutionize war. However, there is another layer to their relationship that is often overlooked. Contrary to popular belief, the evolution of war, too, propels medicine forward as combat advances and demands more effective treatment. This paper examines this unexplored angle in the context of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, in which the world faced physical and psychological battles that would leave a lasting impression on the battlefront and the home front. The paper first discusses anesthesia and antiseptic, focusing on their creators’ efforts and how World War I inspired them to develop into more effective versions of themselves. The paper then explores how World Wa r II and the coronavirus pandemic yielded improvement in both mental health and vaccination. The paper finally concludes that, considering the previous examples of medical development driven by conflict, war indeed pushes the medical frontier forward at a speed peacetime cannot achieve.
Reducing Carbon Emissions of EV Charging via User Behavior and Carbon Intensity Analysis
Authors: Shi Richard , Yang Victoria , Zong Ziliang
Published: February 2024

The increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. However, as more EVs populate our roads, there will be a heightened demand for electricity from the grid, leading to increased carbon emissions due to EV charging. Currently, most EV owners do not align their charging behavior with periods of low carbon intensity in the power grid. To reduce the carbon emissions resulting from EV charging, it is essential to alter the charging behavior of EV users. To tackle this problem, we propose a solution that leverages user charging behavior data with carbon intensity data to identify optimal charging times for EVs, resulting in reduced carbon emissions. Our simulation results using 10,000 EVs demonstrate that the proposed carbon-aware EV charging algorithm can reduce 9.3% of carbon emissions by optimizing EV charging times.
Using Machine Learning to Predict the Density of Solar Winds
Authors: Kane Nora , Lee Yin Kwong
Published: February 2024

Solar winds are a variable flow of ions originating from the Sun’s corona that have the ability to travel to Earth and disrupt its magnetic field, leading to unpredictable space weather storms which can disturb communication systems and power grids. Prediction and therefore preparation for these solar winds can ensure stability in everyday life; however, an accurate predictor for solar wind features has yet to be developed. Previous models for solar wind prediction have been inhibited by incomplete datasets, correlated features, and over-simplification of solar winds. In this study, a linear regression model was fit to predict the density of solar winds using machine learning. The greater the density of a certain solar wind event, the greater the chance of collision with Earth’s magnetosphere, and therefore ramifications on Earth, due to the presence of more charged particles per unit space within the solar wind. The dataset used in this study was taken from a public NASA/NOAA dataset which included 1,048,575 solar wind events. After data preprocessing was performed, the working dataset was composed of 792,587 solar winds events. The model was then trained using the Scikit-Learn Python library to determine a linear regression equation. Following three different training strategies, the model had a relatively low MAE and RMSE score, demonstrating low variance between the true and predicted values of solar wind density. In the future, this model could be applied to real-time input data to warn against concerningly high solar wind density which may negatively impact life on Earth.
The Role of Cultural Conformity in the Syrian Migrant Crisis
Authors: Liu Henry , Brown Kyle , Haisler Jim
Published: February 2024

The Syrian conflict, which began as a crackdown on peaceful protests but soon escalated to full-scale violence, led to roughly 6.3 million Syrians fleeing abroad in the immediate aftermath of the violence in 2011. This staggering influx of refugees towards nearby European nations soon became known as the Syrian Migrant Crisis, and it placed unique strains on the European Union, which had to grapple with the humanitarian and economic ramifications of those refugees. The Syrian Migrant Crisis, as well as the corresponding response from European nations, has been widely studied, with many scholars contending that concerns over economic stagnation and healthcare access led to the refusal of many European nations to accept high numbers of Syrian refugees. However, there has not been significant analysis of the response of European nations to Syrian Migrant Crisis through the lens of cultural conformity and the tightness-looseness theory, a theory proposed by Michele Gelfand, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, which states that culturally tighter groups are more ethnocentric and less tolerant of diverse groups. With the tightness-looseness theory in mind, this paper analyzes the significance of cultural conformity, and how that importance has impacted European policy making and translated into the reluctance of European nations to accept Syrian refugees. Political polarization and a rise in nationalistic political policies are identified as impacts of cultural conformity, and this paper proposes that additional government outreach, rather than strict guidelines or refugee quotas, be implemented to combat misinformation and polarization surrounding Syrian migrants.
The Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on Consumers
Authors: Gidseg Jack
Published: February 2024

New York currently has an inadequate supply of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for drivers, despite the considerable efforts made by the local and national government to encourage the environmental benefits of EV usage. This study investigates the extent to which the scarcity of charging stations is inhibiting the widespread adoption of EVs on Long Island. A survey was conducted with a representative sample of the Long Island population to analyze which individuals were impacted most significantly. The findings suggest that the charging process, including cost and time, was not the problem. Rather, those without access to home charging and individuals who travel long distances were impacted the most. To remedy the situation, New York policy makers need to allocate more resources towards the expansion of the charging network and enhance consumers’ knowledge about the environmental benefits of EVs.
CRISPR Based Gene Editing Technologies in Cancer Research and Detection via miRNA
Authors: Carod-Diaz Edier , Prince Laura
Published: February 2024

The CRISPR system of genetic editing has been a breakthrough in all fields of science and medicine, including that of cancer research, therapy, and diagnosis. In the last two years, research has narrowed down on CRISPRs ability to serve as a tool to detect oncogenes in patients to diagnose cancer in a quick and efficient manner. CRISPR and the three key enzymes (cas9, cas12, and cas13) are a revolutionary tool for medicine and cancer trials. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA which regulate gene expression and gene functions, both crucial to cell functions. However, aberrant miRNA is expressed in all tumor proliferation diseases, including cancer. Studies have shown CRISPRs ability to detect cancerous levels of oncogenic MicroRNAs in human samples through a variety of methods such as CRISPR-Cas9/RNAi, CRISPR/Cas12 and RCA coupling, CRISPR/Cas13 exosome coupling, and Cas13a-Cas12a amplification. All of these methods provide extremely quick high sensitivity and high specificity detection of oncogenic miRNA in samples with concentrations below 1 fM. This paper is a synthesis of the current research on the methods mentioned above to aid in the further research of CRISPR/Cas systems in cancer diagnosis and cancer therapeutics.
Computational Elucidation of Protein-Protein Interactions in the Minimal Proteome of JCVI-syn3A
Authors: Meduri Arnav , Meduri Abhinav , Robison Keith
Published: February 2024

Proteins play a vital role in the regulation of biological processes, facilitating the transfer of intermediates and coordinating the sequential steps of biochemical pathways. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are crucial molecular events in which two or more proteins bind together, enabling the formation of protein complexes that govern various cellular activities, including signal transduction, gene expression, and enzymatic reactions. Evolutionary correlations arise due to the close proximity of amino acid side chains within these interactions, where amino acids on one side of an interaction surface may restrict which amino acids fit on the other side or encourage mutations that modify the surface. In this study, our aim is to investigate the correlation between protein sequence and structure in mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn3A, a minimal cell consisting of 493 genes. We utilize the EVCouplings framework, a coevolution-based approach with probabilistic scores for residue interactions, to predict protein-protein interactions and the specific surfaces that govern them. Our study demonstrates that coevolution-based computational methods can predict protein-protein interactions and their interaction surfaces. After analyzing multiple sequence alignment (MSA) data across 110 protein families, we identify a total of 33 inter-protein interactions. Our analysis of the protein-protein interactions in JCVI-syn3A provides valuable insights into the genetic architecture of Mycoplasma, one of the simplest cellular life forms known, and enhances our understanding of how the earliest cellular life forms might have functioned.
Impact of Limited Menstruation Education
Authors: Yancey Elizabeth
Published: February 2024

The stigma surrounding menstruation is a prominent issue within the United States. This taboo subject has the potential to negatively impact the relationships formed between males and females from adolescence through adulthood. In order to remedy this problem, it is important to educate both genders equally on the topic of menstruation. Additionally, this paper discusses what is currently being done within the state of Georgia to solve issues such as period poverty and the tax placed on menstrual hygiene management products. The goal of this dissertation was to challenge the current health education standards within the state of Georgia and address the need for serious reform in the classroom regarding sexual and reproductive health. Moreover, data was collected in order to compare and contrast the responses collected from both participant groups. This paper uses a mixed method approach consisting of interviews and surveys collected from both adults and adolescents. A thematic analysis was used in order to identify patterns in interviews as well as an open response survey question. It was discovered that both age groups responded in similar ways throughout the study.
Novel T4 bacteriophage and royal jelly infused disinfectant versus E. coli compared to QACs
Authors: Chandler Jason , Olivo Daniel
Published: February 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasingly worsening phenomenon in the 21st century having resulted in thousands of deaths per year. Increases in the diffusion of antimicrobial resistance in gram-negative bacteria and prevalence of specific genes leading to resistance have been linked to an excessive usage of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. This experiment aims to develop a novel disinfectant solution (T4MRJP) that utilizes the entero-bacteriophage t4 and nine major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) to inhibit the growth of E. coli on a MHA (Mueller Hinton Agar) growth medium. In the experiment, the Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion Assay was first applied on six MHA plates inoculated with 36 evenly distributed susceptibility disks containing different concentrations of solution for three QAC groups, a positive t4 bacteriophage group, and two T4 groups at 90% and 98% dilution respectively. Results demonstrated a strong positive correlation between the increases of concentration to demonstrated inhibition but a lack of statistical significance between the T4 and QAC groups in regards to the proposed hypothesis. However, the diluted T4 group was just as effective as the QAC groups at inhibiting bacterial growth, especially at higher concentrations of the administered solution. In a second trial, however, the T4MRJP (Major royal jelly protein) cocktail was significantly less effective than the experimented QAC groups compared to the bacteriophage alone.
The American Freeway: Socio-Economic, Cultural, and Racial Impacts in the Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Khersonsky Jonah , Lubitz Jacqueline
Published: February 2024

Although a European invention, the United States has become the pinnacle of freeway construction. Freeways, limited access highways, or any synonym are roads that accommodate fast moving vehicles and nothing else, for the sake of efficient long-distance travel. A seemingly normal part of daily life to most, freeways have a very meaningful history. This paper examines the tremendous undertaking of the construction of the Interstate Highway System, and what followed in succession. From the creation of a car-dependent people to barriers against integration, freeways are extremely relevant in the United States’ modern history. Today, highways and freeways continue to perpetuate geographically based inequalities and disparities along racial lines. They also contribute to the burning of fossil fuels and destruction of natural habitats, two of the largest factors in the incredibly pressing issue of climate change. Their future remains uncertain, and this paper examines this using past instances of antifreeway movements. Solving the issue of freeways is vital to ensure equality and a high quality of life for all.
Using Twitter to Investigate the Change in Perceptions of California Senate Bill 328
Authors: Zhang Kevin , Olivo Daniel
Published: February 2024

Sleep deprivation among adolescents is a growing issue that threatens the health and academic success of students in the country. California Senate Bill 328 (SB328) is the first U.S. statewide legislation to delay school start times (SSTs), which can affect not only students but parents and teachers. Understanding how society perceives delayed SSTs is crucial for understanding how delayed SSTs impact the affected community and for ameliorating policies that delay SSTs. This study uses Twitter to investigate the perceptions of SB328 over time to see how the bill’s implication affected society’s views on SB328. This study finds that the perception of SB328 improved over time, but were overall negative.
Abnormalities In Autistic Brains and Behavioral Consequences
Authors: Afsahi Bahar
Published: February 2024

Autism is a neurological disorder known to manifest in certain classical behaviors. These behaviors include difficulty with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, communication difficulties, sensory issues and obsessive interests. Human behaviors are not only determined by the interactions within certain sections of the brain; rather, they are a result of complex interactions of neurons and chemical changes throughout the brain. This combinatory quality of the brain makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact areas that cause autistic behaviors. This paper reviews recently published studies on genetics, neuropsychology, brain imaging, and pathology of the autistic brain, in order to summarize the state of the literature on the specific differences in autistic brains. There is scientific consensus that the amygdala, frontal and temporal lobes, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, synaptic plasticity and cortical organization have significant abnormalities in the autistic brain. These differences contribute to the manifestation of the classical symptoms of autism. Further research should focus on treatment and provision of new therapies for autistic individuals.

Keywords: autism, neuroscience, cognition, cortical organization