bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowhead whale feeding in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, based on stomach contents analyses
Authors: Lowry Lloyd F. , Sheffield Gay , George John Craighead
Published: March 2023

This study examined feeding of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) taken by Alaska Natives at Barrow (western Beaufort Sea), Nuiqsut (central Alaskan Beaufort Sea) and Kaktovik (eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea) during 1969-2000. The objectives were to: (1) identify the proportion of harvested whales that had been feeding; and (2) describe the diet based on stomach contents. Data used were field records for 242 whales whose stomachs were examined and laboratory analysis of samples from 123 animals. There were no significant differences in the proportions of animals that had been feeding during the autumn at Kaktovik (83%) and Barrow (75%), or in sub-adults (78%) versus adults (73%). Copepods occurred significantly more frequently in animals from Kaktovik, while euphausiids and hyperiid amphipods occurred more frequently at Barrow. During the autumn, the percent copepods by volume was greater in animals taken at Kaktovik than at Barrow, while the percent euphausiids by volume was greater in whales taken at Barrow. At Barrow, a larger proportion of animals was feeding in the autumn (76%) than the spring (34%), and copepods occurred more often in the spring. Examination of five whales taken at Nuiqsut in the autumn suggests a feeding pattern similar to that seen at Kaktovik. There were no significant differences in diets of males versus females or of sub-adults versus adults. It is concluded that in the autumn, bowheads feed regularly in the eastern, central and western Alaskan Beaufort Sea, and that feeding during the spring migration is more common than previously thought.
Effects of observed covariates (school size, sighting cue, latitude and sea state) on the Antarctic minke whale abundance estimation parameters in the IWC/IDCR-SOWER surveys
Authors: Murase Hiroto , Matsuoka Koji , Nishiwaki Shigetoshi , Hakamada Takashi , Mori Mitsuyo
Published: March 2023

The effects of observed covariates (school size, sighting cue, latitude and sea state) on Antarctic minke whale abundance estimation parameters (effective search half-width, sighting forward distance and mean school size) were examined qualitatively. As the school size decreased, the effective search half-width and the sighting forward distance decreased. Most single and two animal schools were sighted by body, which was difficult in high sea states in comparison with those sighted by blow. Proportions of single and two animal schools increased as sighting latitude moved north. Small school sizes and bad weather conditions prevailed in the northern part of the survey area. As the survey area was extended to the north, the effects of small school size and bad weather conditions could be substantial in the third circumpolar survey. Observed covariates analysed in this paper should be incorporated into the estimation of effective search half-width and mean school size as covariates.
Estimates of abundance of the eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) 1997-2002
Authors: Rugh David J. , Hobbs Roderick C. , Lerczak James A. , Breiwick Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2023

The southbound migration of the eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) was documented by the National Marine Fisheries Service from 13 December 1997 to 24 February 1998, 13 December 2000 to 5 March 2001 and from 12 December 2001 to 5 March 2002. Research protocol was essentially identical to that used in previous surveys. This involved single observers independently searching for whales and recording data on effort and sighting time, location, count and direction-headed. In 1997/98, there were 2,346 pods (3,643 whales) counted during 435.0h of standard observational effort when visibility was recorded as fair to excellent. In 2000/01, a total of 1,694 pods (2,754 whales) were counted during 592.4h, and in 2001/02, there were 1,712 pods (2,800 whales) during 531.5h. The southbound migrations in 1997/98 and 2001/02 were normal, beginning in mid-December, centred on mid-January (mean dates=18 January 1998 and 15 January 2002 respectively) and ending by mid-February. However, in 2000/01 (mean date=25 January 2001) the migration was more protracted than any other migration observed in the past 25 years, with many whales still travelling south three weeks after the typical end date. Data analysis procedures were comparable to those used in previous years, with the exception of a new correction factor for nighttime travel rates. Abundance estimates were 29,758 whales in 1997/98 (CV=10.49%; 95% log-normal confidence interval=24,241 to 36,531), 19,448 in 2000/01 (CV=9.67%; 95% log-normal confidence interval=16,096 to 23,498) and 18,178 in 2001/02 (CV=9.79%; 95% log-normal confidence interval=15,010 to 22,015). The abundance in 1997/98 was the highest estimate made since this project began in 1967/68. It was followed by two much lower estimates – probably related to the high mortality rates observed in 1999 and 2000. This whale population appears to be approaching the carrying-capacity of its environment.
Distribution of humpback whales along the coast of Ecuador and management implications
Authors: Felix Fernando , Haase Ben
Published: March 2023

As part of a long-term population study of humpback whales breeding on the coast of Ecuador (2°S, 81°W), four sites on the central coast were surveyed: Puerto Cayo, Puerto López, La Plata Island and Salinas. The spatial, temporal and age class distributions of 322 groups positioned during the period of 1996-2003 were analysed regarding their distance from the shore and water depth with two statistical methods: one-way ANOVA and linear modelling. The average sighting distance from shore varied between 5.31km in Salinas and 10.16km in Puerto Cayo with mid values in Puerto López and La Plata Island. Average water depth was similar in Puerto López, La Plata Island and Salinas (36-39m) but lower in Puerto Cayo (19.43m). Differences were highly significant in both cases (p<0.01). A progressive but not significant increase in the average distance from shore was found (6.2km in June to 7.17km in September). Sighting depth was constant between June and August (average 35-36m) but decreased significantly in September to 27m (p<0.01). This difference was attributed to the presence of mother-calf pairs in shallower water by the end of the season. Age class analyses using ANOVA showed highly significant differences between groups of adults, and adults with subadults with respect to singleton subadults, and groups containing a mother-calf pair for both distance from shore and depth (p<0.01); however, linear modelling analyses showed only depth was significant (p=0.026). This suggests that depth is a more important determinant of differences in distribution between these age classes than proximity to shore. The sightings distribution showed segregation of both mother-calf pairs (towards shallow waters) and of singleton subadults (towards the boundaries of the surveyed area). Since only eight sightings (2.5%) were in waters deeper than 60m, we propose that depth is a major feature determining humpback whale distribution in these waters. Implications of this coastal distribution are discussed, particularly with respect to bycatch in fishing gear and whalewatching. A review of recent southeast Pacific sightings showed that humpback whales are also abundant in coastal waters to the southwest of Ecuador (3°S) and confirmed that they are scarce offshore. However, whales are more widely distributed in the north of Peru (4°-6°S) where they make the transition between deeper oceanic and shallower coastal waters when arriving at and leaving the breeding area.
Subsistence harvests of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) at Kaktovik, Alaska (1973-2000)
Authors: Koski William R. , George John C. , Sheffield Gay , Galginaitis Michael S.
Published: March 2023

Kaktovik is a small community located on Barter Island in the extreme northeast of Alaska. The bowhead whale hunt is important to the community from both an economic and cultural perspective. Harvests were generally 1-2 bowheads per year in 1973-1988 and 2-4 bowheads per year in 1989-2000. The hunt normally begins on the first Monday in September and historically 83% of harvested whales have been taken in September. In recent years, typical harvest dates have been significantly earlier even though the quota and number of whales taken have increased. The core whaling area extends from 15km west to 25km east of Kaktovik, and offshore as far as 32km. Most whales have been taken within 30km of the village and the mean distance of harvest locations from Kaktovik has not changed from the 1970s to present. Whaling captains select small whales over large whales and there has been a marginally significant decrease in the average size of whales harvested from the 1970s to the present. The size of whales harvested does not increase with date, although other data show that smaller whales become less common in the area as the season progresses. Male and female bowhead whales are harvested in very similar numbers, but females make up 67% of whales harvested early in the season and 32% late in the season.
Management of gillnet bycatch of cetaceans in New Zealand
Authors: Dawson Stephen M. , Slooten Elisabeth
Published: March 2023

Bycatch of dolphins in inshore gillnets first attracted scientific and management attention in New Zealand in the 1980s. During 1984-88, 50-150 dusky dolphins were killed each year at Kaikoura in gillnets set at the surface to catch bait for rock lobster. At the same time, annual catches of 20-100 Hector’s dolphins occurred in Canterbury waters in bottom-set commercial and recreational gillnets. These catches resulted in the banning of surface-set gillnetting at Kaikoura in 1989 and in the creation of the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary in 1988 to protect Hector’s dolphin. An additional gillnet closure was established to protect North Island Hector’s dolphin in 2003. A key problem is that current information on catches in these and other areas is scant. One observer programme has been successfully implemented in a commercial gillnet fishery (Canterbury area, 1997/98 fishing season). Its estimate of Hector’s dolphin bycatch (17) is clearly unsustainable by the local population. Pingers have been voluntarily used in these fisheries, but there are no data establishing their effectiveness, and it has not been possible to ensure consistency of pinger use. There are no reliable estimates of numbers taken in recreational fisheries. Area closures are used to mitigate gillnet bycatch of Hector’s dolphin, however it appears that the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary is not large enough to ensure the persistence of the Canterbury population. There is a bycatch limit in place for this population, although it is unenforced. We argue that management of this species via bycatch limits is not practical, however. Hector’s dolphin’s low abundance and separation into several distinct populations means that appropriate bycatch limits would be very small, and this necessitates very comprehensive observer coverage to be confident they are not exceeded. We propose that increasing the size of protected areas is the most reliable option for conservation.
Aspects of the ecology and behaviour of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Santa Monica Bay, California
Authors: Bearzi Maddalena
Published: March 2023

The occurrence, distribution, site fidelity, group size and behaviour of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were assessed during a photo-identification study conducted between 1997-2001 in Santa Monica Bay, California. Bottlenose dolphins occurred yearround in the bay and were encountered on 56.8% of all surveys (n, total surveys=211). This species was found in waters within 0.5km of shore in 80.0% of the sightings (n=157), but sometimes found in deeper waters further offshore (>0.5km). No correlations between anomalies in sea surface temperatures during the 1997-98 El Niño event and sighting frequencies were observed. Group sizes varied significantly between schools observed inshore and offshore in the bay, with the largest groups sighted offshore. A total of 290 dolphins were individually photo-identified based on long-term natural marks on their dorsal fins. Forty-four individuals (15.2%) were encountered in both inshore and offshore waters, showing no exclusive fidelity to inshore waters. The low resighting rates of known individuals provided little evidence of long-term year-round site fidelity for Santa Monica Bay, revealing a range greater than the chosen study area. Several individuals, however, were resighted over one or two year periods, generally during more than one season. This suggested that these dolphins were highly mobile within the inshore waters of the Southern California Bight but they also spent time foraging and feeding in Santa Monica Bay, probably due to the presence of submarine canyons within this area. The behavioural budget for this species showed a predominance of activities characterised by travel and dive-travel (69.0%) and feeding (5.0%), indicating a fairly high proportion of time devoted to searching for prey and feeding in the study area.
Application of a Strike Limit Algorithm based on adaptive Kalman filtering to the eastern North Pacific stock of gray whales
Authors: Dereksdottir Eva Hlin , Magnusson Kjartan G.
Published: March 2023

The application of a Strike Limit Algorithm (SLA) based on Adaptive Kalman Filtering techniques to the eastern North Pacific (ENP) stock of gray whales is described. This SLA is a modification of an earlier one which was designed for the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales. Extended Kalman filters are used to estimate the present stock size and posterior probability distributions for Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) and MSY-rate (MSYR). A catch control law selected from a one-parameter family of such rules is then used on the conditional estimates of stock size. These conditional strike limits together with the posterior distributions of the various combinations of MSYR and MSY, give a cumulative distribution function for the strike limit. The eventual strike limit is then determined as a pre-specified percentile of this distribution. The SLA can be tuned to varying degrees of risk by the choice of internal model parameters – so-called tuning parameters. The procedure is tested based on a set of trials specified by the IWC Scientific Committee Standing Working Group on Aboriginal Whaling Management Procedures, designed to test the performance of potential SLAs for the ENP gray whale stock.
Post-mortem stability of blubber retinoids in by-caught harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena): implications for the design of biomarker studies
Authors: Tornero V. , Borrell A. , Pubill E. , Koopman H. , Read A. , Reijnders P. J. H. , Aguilar A.
Published: March 2023

The effect of post-mortem time (0-48 hours) on retinoid concentrations in the blubber and liver of harbour porpoises under natural conditions is investigated to assess the stability of samples collected from animals after death. Organochlorine compounds and lipid content were also determined to assess their potential effects on retinoid status. Organochlorine concentrations remained low throughout the postmortem period and were considered unlikely to influence retinoid body dynamics. Retinoid concentrations in liver were 5-6 times higher than those in blubber and both were highly correlated. In contrast with liver, blubber can be easily sampled from live individuals using nondestructive biopsy techniques and is therefore considered an alternative tissue to assess retinoid status in marine mammals. Neither significant differences nor trends were detected in the concentration of retinoids over the studied period, indicating that degradation agents (ultraviolet rays, oxygen exposure and heat) did not affect them. Blubber can thus be regarded as a reliable tissue for the assessment of the retinoid status of unpreserved specimens kept up to 48 hours in conditions similar to those of this study.
A note on strandings and entanglements of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Ecuador
Authors: Alava Juan Jose , Barragan Maria Jose , Castro Cristina , Carvajal Raul
Published: March 2023

Between June and September of each year, southeastern Pacific humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, arrive on the Ecuadorian coast to reproduce. Between July 2001 and September 2002, seven new strandings of humpback whales were found at different places along the Ecuadorian coast. Three of them were related to incidental catches caused by fishing nets (gillnets) and one of them occurred outside of the humpback whales’ reproductive season. Using non-proportional and proportional 95% confidence interval calculations, it is estimated that the average frequency of strandings of humpback whales is 1.55 individuals per year (95% CI: 0.27,2.83; range: 1-4) since 1994, principally in the central and southern parts of the Ecuadorian coast, and the proportion of strandings due to bycatch is estimated at 0.286 (95% CI: 0.105,0.533). A preliminary mortality rate of 0.035(95% CI: 0.019,0.055), including both unknown and anthropogenic causes is estimated for this stock. 50% of the strandings took place in August and most were registered in 2001 (n=4). Six humpback whales with fishing nets embedded in their pectoral fins and tails were also observed in the marine area of the Machalilla National Park and the island of La Plata July-September. 67% of these entanglements occurred in July, and in one case a mother, accompanied by her calf, was observed with cables and a net on her head. These incidental catches are possibly related to the strandings occurring at the same time along the Ecuadorian shoreline. The fishery device most frequently linked to bycatch is the surface gillnet. Technological changes in fishing gear are vital for the conservation of marine mammals. It is imperative that the Ecuadorian coast be divided into zones and certain areas be delimited for the conservation of humpback whales through agreements with local users of the marine areas.
Updated 1978-2001 abundance estimates and their correlations for the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort Seas stock of bowhead whales
Authors: Zeh Judith E. , Punt Andre E.
Published: March 2023

The method of Cooke (1996) and Punt and Butterworth (1999) for computing abundance estimates for bowhead whales of the BeringChukchi-Beaufort Seas stock is reviewed. These abundance estimates are computed from estimates N4 of the number of whales that passed within the 4km visual range of the observation ‘perch’ from which the whales are counted, the estimated proportions P4 of the whales that passed within this range and the estimated standard errors (SE) of N4 and P4. Errors discovered while assembling the data used in developing previous estimates were corrected, and new estimated detection probabilities, N4 and P4 values and SEs were computed using the corrected data. The method of Cooke (1996) and Punt and Butterworth (1999) was then applied. The resulting 2001 abundance estimate was 10,545 (95% confidence interval 8,200 to 13,500), extremely close to the 2001 N4/P4 abundance estimate of 10,470 (95% confidence interval 8,100 to 13,500) (George et al., 2004). The estimated rate of increase of this population from 1978 to 2001 was 3.4% per year (95% confidence interval 1.7% to 5%).
Impact of Environmental Factors on the Algae Overgrowth in Pond Water
Authors: Huang Mingzhu Victoria
Published: March 2023

Algae overgrowth and ecosystem deterioration at the pond located at the Estate of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania was noticed and potential factors were studied to understand the cause. The environmental factors such as air temperature, sunlight, bacteria, and human activities were considered to be associated with the algae growth. Algae density was monitored through visual observations and water samples were collected and tested for the analysis of bacteria counts and pH of the water according to EPA methods. At the time of each water sample collection, the weather temperature and condition were recorded. The water samples were also observed under a microscope to study the types of algae present. The major species of algae found included Cyanobateria and Chromerida. Algae presence was seasonal and related to temperature and bacteria counts. Bacteria counts drastically increased with the increase of temperature which can be explained because algae and bacteria formed a complex ecosystem. The pH of the water was greater than the EPA water limit of 8.5 when Algae abundance is high during summer. Commonly used nutrients containing T-phosphates and/or O-phosphorous in fertilizers were detected in the water samples which also affected the water pH. In this study, important factors associated with algae overgrowth were identified. Global warming would exacerbate to the pond water and ecosystem deterioration. Human activities such as the long-term application of lawn fertilizers and pesticides that were washed into the pond by rainfall promoted the growth of microorganisms which resulted in the pond water and ecosystem deterioration.
Partial Solution-preserving Integrable generalization Method for Autonomous ODE Systems
Authors: Babaskin Oleksii , Babaskin Oleksandr
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we propose a method for the generalization of some generic fundamental, abstract differential equations into generalized systems. We hypothesize that these generalized systems are fit to model some real-life phenomena, which can be of practical interest. We confirm our hypothesis by considering examples that are known to be confirmed with the experiment as well as examples that are still to be discovered.
Predicting the intensity of blocking events using machine and deep learning
Authors: Sahin Emir , Caulkins Juliana , Joykutty Leya
Published: March 2023

Blocking events are high pressure systems that occur in the middle to upper latitudes, diverting the flow of the jet stream and preventing the regular progression of the weather.  Blocking events can persist for days to weeks, potentially causing extreme weather events such as droughts or heatwaves. Due to the harmful effects associated with the weather conditions that blocking events can cause, there have been ongoing efforts to forecast them. One such effort includes the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS), which has been reported to underestimate the intensity of stronger blocking events by approximately ten percent. In the current study, one deep learning and three machine learning models were developed to predict the intensity of newly formed blocking events at onset. It was hypothesized that the models would have comparable percent error to the GEFS while using less time and computational resources, that there would be a strong correlation between predicted and actual blocking intensity, and that the deep learning model would have lower error than the machine learning models. The results showed that the models did indeed have comparable error to the GEFS and that there was a statistically significant correlation between predicted and actual blocking intensity for all four models, thus supporting the first two parts of the hypothesis. The third part was not supported since there was no statistically significant difference in error between any of the models, however the deep learning model was noted for not overfitting unlike the machine learning models.
Characterizing Mesoporous Carbon-Based Dopamine as an Efficient Carrier for Treatment in HeLa Cells
Authors: Abramson Alejandra , Joykutty Leya
Published: March 2023

Cancer is at the forefront of one of the most deadly diseases to plague our nation. In attempts to find definite cures, nothing has been completely successful in lowering the mortality rate of this disease. Materials research, however, has been presented to be a viable alternative by targeting nanoparticles; these molecules can be customized to hold chemicals within their hollow structure that only affect mutated cells. This experiment utilizes mesoporous carbon-based dopamine nanoparticles to treat HeLa cells, which are baseline to most strains of cervical cancer. The hypothesis stated that if mesoporous carbon-based dopamine is introduced to cancer cells in increasing concentrations, the higher end of the variable spectrum will have a high mortality rate and lesser targeted effect. After being transferred to a 96-well plate, the cells were introduced to the nanoparticles and incubated for 7 days until the testing. The stability and retinance capabilities of the MCBD were trialed using assays such as an IC-50 for viability, photothermal for heat capacity, and photostability for cell divisibility upon exposure to nanoparticles. After analysis, the data presented that the 100 ug/mL was the most efficient concentration to infiltrate the cell and not be deteriorated by the activation heat exposure; all three curves created from the assay data determined that too high of a concentration tended to kill the cell and higher heat levels on the other concentrations destroyed both. Hence, these results can be further applied to alternative cancer treatment research fields and the further investigation of nanoparticles.
The Unsustainability of Street Vending Business——Taking Yiwu Santing Road Night Market as an example
Authors: Liu Yu
Published: March 2023

Starting in 2019, the epidemic swept across the globe and has not ceased. The Covid-19 virus can be spread easily through people by contacting each other. As a result, most factories and businesses are forced to be shut down, which negatively affects the economic and gross domestic product. To resolve this situation, the Chinese government declares a policy of promoting vending economy to bring up the unemployment rate and promote the economy. While looking at the long-run sustainability, this paper would use game theory to provide theoretical evidence. There would also be interviews and case studies to show the long-run unsustainability of the vending economy.
Gender Roles and Careers: Perceptions of Youth
Authors: Lalchandani Naina , Pardasani Manoj
Published: March 2023

The world is rapidly changing with respect to role expectations and gender norms.  More women, than ever before, are seeking higher education and careers in fields traditionally dominated by men.  Among 25- to 34-year-olds, women are more likely to have a tertiary degree than men in all 38 countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (Wolfers, 2021).  This study explored the perceptions of youth (ages 14-19) with respect to gendered roles and career aspirations.  Approximately 100 students from an international high school, reached through social media and snowball sampling, responded to an online survey.  Responses demonstrated a move on egalitarian approach to expectations of men and women regarding family and work responsibilities.
Ursula Le Guin’s Refutation of Gendered Traits in ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’
Authors: Bansal Avni
Published: March 2023

In her novel ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’, Ursula Le Guin challenges the idea that certain human behaviors are fundamentally feminine or masculine, or that gendered traits exist. Firstly, she cleaves gender and personality apart by setting the novel on a planet of androgynes. Secondly, she creates complex characters that exhibit both stereotypically masculine and feminine behaviors. Thirdly, she presents an allegory that criticizes the idea of gendered traits as irrational and unnecessary. Finally, the novel is peppered with subversive images like that of a pregnant king, which are designed to challenge gender roles.
The Censorship Continues to Sail: The Relationship Between Political Ideology and Book Challenging
Authors: Nwokoji Ure , Sullivan Melissa
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which political ideology affects the quality of the book challenge process, with a special focus on the motivations for a challenge and push in political agenda. The approach will be a qualitative one, involving the use of open-ended questions and interviews to extract subjective responses. This approach was taken to encourage authentic answers and data. It concludes with an analysis of the data that reveals that there is a conservative attitude in recent initiation of book challenges.
Road Safety Issues in India
Authors: Deka Gaurang , Ranganathan Suja
Published: March 2023

Road safety mishaps are now considered a public health issue considering the economic and societal costs of road accidents. The victims are the face of the incidents; however, the costs are borne by their families, society, and countries. In this paper, we look at the need to bifurcate individual and authoritative responsibilities such that our roads become a safer place for all. We focus on India as the case study region and study the various government initiatives taken to improve the country's road safety. This research highlights the gaps and recommends necessary solutions to decrease road traffic deaths and injuries. Further, we investigate how the responsibilities must be shared amongst the various stakeholders, including the drivers and the leadership, placed at two opposite ends to balance the changing aspects of road safety.
This paper aims to give recommendations for improving the road safety conditions in India per the local context by analysing the three key questions:

What are the societal impacts of road traffic accidents?
To what extent does individual responsibility matter, and why can road safety not rely exclusively on the drivers’ behaviour?
How and where do the authorities’ responsibilities change the road safety dynamics?
Telomeres and Telomerase in Cancer: Overview and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Kim Taei , Tarangelo Amy
Published: March 2023

Telomeres are specialized structures of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect the tips of the chromosomes. Telomeres prevent chromosomes from losing base pair sequences at their ends, and also stop chromosomes from fusing together. Telomerase is an  enzyme that rebuilds telomeres and  maintains  genomic stability by extending telomeres after each cell division.  Telomerase activity prevents cellular aging, also known as senescence. Immortal cell lines can be created by inducing expression of telomerase in cells that normally lack telomerase. Cells need to maintain genomic integrity to prevent mutations that can lead to cancer. Such activation of telomerase mentioned above can often lead to cancer development by preserving genomic stability in rapidly dividing cells. If a cell keeps dividing and overcomes the limitations of telomeres, a cancerous tumor can form. In healthy cells, telomeres achieve the healthy balance between limiting cellular lifespan and keeping cancer growth at bay.

It has been established that telomerase activity is a biomarker of cancer and tumorigenesis. This makes telomerase an attractive target for cancer therapy, and studies indicate that methods of treatment such as oligonucleotides, immunotherapies, and stabilization of G-quadruplexes all hold immense possibilities in the field of oncology. Such discoveries provide insight on the potential of telomeres to play a significant role in the prevention of cancer before tumorigenesis, or the treatment of cancer after diagnosis. Therefore, telomerase is a viable cancer biomarker and a therapeutic target, and an area of interest in the field of cancer study.
Foreign Direct Investment in the Los Angeles Real Estate Market
Authors: Bjerre Robert
Published: March 2023

The growing globalization of domestic housing markets has led to the rise of foreign investment in real estate; however, foreign investment in real estate has strong potential to impact domestic citizens. Past research alludes to foreign investment impacting housing prices, employment rates, and homelessness in varying ways depending on the affected demographic. This study utilizes data from the 2010 and 2020 U.S. Census’ to analyze how foreign investment impacts housing prices, employment rates, and homelessness rates in zip codes of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Furthermore, a comparison is drawn between how these elements have changed in the past decade as a result of the extent of foreign presence in the area. Ultimately, this paper deduces that housing prices rise, employment and homelessness rates fall, and homelessness rates change negligibly as a result of foreign investment in the Los Angeles area.
Solar Bicycle Project
Authors: Kumar Rishi
Published: March 2023

This study sought to investigate the making of a sustainable solar-powered electric bicycle. The idea of sustainable development has gained significant traction over the last few decades. As reserves of coal, natural gas, and petroleum deplete, it is becoming ever more imminent to switch to renewable sources of energy. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability and cost efficiency of a solar-powered electric bicycle in daily life. This descriptive study involves a design making phase, a phase where spare parts are procured, a product development phase, and a testing phase.

The prototype bicycle now has a top speed of 35-40 km/h and can travel up to 40 kilometres in a single charge. The bicycle can be fully charged in 3 hours with the standard lithium ion battery and in about 5.5 hours via the attached solar panel.

This bicycle can be built at an approximate cost of USD 467 and is quite apt for warm environments such as the Middle East and Mid-Asia, where sunlight is abundantly available; in the United Arab Emirates, considering current electricity tariffs, the driving cost of the bicycle will be around USD 0.035 per every 40 kilometres.
Dancers and their Perception on Medical Treatment for Dance-Related Injuries
Authors: DePani Kaitlyn
Published: March 2023

This academic paper studies Dancers perceptions on medical treatment for dance-related injuries. During the research process, trained dancers ages 14-18 in Broward County were surveyed, and data was collected about their age, years of dance experience, and  opinion on medical treatment, physical therapy, or home remedies as a form of treatment for dance related injuries. Furthermore, dancers were asked if they felt doctors without a dance medicine certification had a misunderstanding of dancers injuries. Once the data was collected, the perceptions of dancers' age and years of dance experience were correlated to evaluate a pattern. The gap presented in this research was the actual perception dancers had on medical treatment compared to other methods, and their opinion on doctors without a dance medicine certification. In addition, trained dancers ages 14-18 in Broward County have yet to be surveyed which was another gap filled in my research.
The Manifestation of Stress and Its Implications on Adolescents
Authors: Ashtekar Kliya , Gresham John
Published: March 2023

Research since the 1940s has focused on the impact of stress, fear, and anxiety on the rationality of the decisions made. Various sources have determined that aspects such as a lack of comprehension of statistics, and the inability to predict future outcomes clearly have been heightened due to fear and uncertainty. However, researchers have also identified the necessity for an optimal stress level to ensure the rationality of decisions. To explore what differentiates motivational and inhibitory stress, this study identifies the elements that manifest positive and negative stress to identify the optimal conditions in which students make the most rational decisions. With a focus on academic performances, I analyze participant responses from students at Obra D. Tompkins High School. Through this analysis, some stressors resulted in the overestimation of fear. Furthermore, it became apparent that individuals were often influenced by past affirmations and comfort which either elevated or lowered the quality of their performance.
Unequal Engagement_The United States and Decolonisation in Indonesia and Malaya, 1945-1957
Authors: Koh Corey , Lau Albert
Published: March 2023

This essay examines how Communism and Cold War considerations affected the US response to Decolonisation in Indonesia and Malaya shortly after WW2. Amidst the zeitgeist of the Cold War and the spate of decolonisation movements at the time, the US took steps to safeguard its interests against the spread of Communism in these newly independent countries. Although Indonesia and Malaya share many cultural and historical similarities, their decolonisation processes were very different. Indonesia received independence eight years before Malaya did, and the extent of US intervention differed as well, despite both countries experiencing strong communist movements. This essay examines the reasons for this disparity, namely the economic and strategic significance of each country, the character of each country's communist movements, the wider geopolitical context, as well as the US relationship with the British and Dutch colonists respectively.
How How to Use Graph Theory Benefiting the Neighborhoods Environment
Authors: Wan Meichen , Deren Matthew
Published: March 2023

Graph Theory is a popular field with wide applications. It also has the reputation of being the type of math that is more up-to-date with modern times. However, a quick search of the math curriculum at the secondary level will show a striking absence. This paper hopes to reverse the trend and bring to light both a way to introduce graph theory and also to show the application to the real world all in one unified story. Within this article, the reader will move from little to no knowledge toward a fundamental understanding of one component of graph theory. The reader will also be able to walk away with the ability to analyze efficient routes in real-world networks. This work is a crafted message, a student-to-student message, on building intuition for theories and then using them directly. This article is primarily an argument for the importance of engaging with graph theory early in mathematics study. It argues that graph theory is more than a fashionable buzzword. It is the methodical study of interconnection, and it applies to most of the biggest critical global problems we face today: Environmental Protection, Nuclear Safety, Global Food Supply, and Artificial Intelligence Control. In the end, this article may focus on building one application, resource conservation, and logistic optimization, though the reach will be much further. The tools of graph theory are easily adapted to any problem involving systems and their related parts.
CRISPR in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Pradeep Shivani , Kethar Jotsna
Published: March 2023

Cancer, a disease which is often lethal, has had a drastic impact on society. Despite the tireless work being done towards producing a cure for cancer, the main methods being used to treat cancer remain the same. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgical resection, and immunotherapy can be a great help to cancer patients; however, they also come with their own side effects which can make the fight against cancer even more difficult. In order to avoid these side effects, scientists have developed a tool which allows them to efficiently target cancer cells themselves in order to stop them before the cancer progresses to a level in which medical professionals are no longer able to help. This tool is called CRISPR, and it holds the key to the future of cancer treatment due to the efficiency and convenience which it offers.
Exploring the Emotional Perception of High School Students When Utilizing Music as a Coping Mechanism during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lee Kebin , Nam Rosemari , Olivo Daniel
Published: March 2023

Since December 2019, the SARS-CoV2 pandemic has caused intense stress for all citizens across the globe. Specifically, students have been experiencing high-stress levels due to social isolation and virtual learning environments that have caused significant changes to their daily lives. This study explores the emotional perception of music listening to analyze whether listening to self-selected music is an effective coping mechanism.  An online questionnaire consisting of two closed-ended and six open-ended questions was created on Google Forms and sent out to high school students through email and social media platforms to understand the students’ perceptions better. 16 participant responses were thoroughly analyzed and manually coded to create different themes and average values. Findings from the survey revealed that the majority of the students experienced some level of stress due to the pandemic, and the frequency of listening to music increased since social distancing regulations were implemented. Analysis of student responses revealed that their emotions when listening to music were happiness, sadness, motivation, relaxation, and stimulation. Additionally, pop and hip-hop were the most preferred genres of music by students, and listening to music was generally viewed as a positive form of coping. This study explores whether listening to music can be used as a stress therapy in young adults. However, future research needs to be conducted to make broader implications and investigate the reasoning behind the emotional impact of music.
Building Better High School Clubs with Blockchains
Authors: Thomas Nevin , Sam
Published: March 2023

School clubs continue to be a popular extracurricular activity, especially in high schools. The number of new clubs and their membership has exploded in recent years. Many students participate in clubs over their four years of high school to explore interests, develop skills, engage with peers, and serve their community. The wide spectrum of member talent in a club, however, presents a challenge for the club leadership. In keeping with their mission statement, club leadership must continually train their teams to drive progress season after season. Leadership must collect, analyze and share vast amounts of member data. In this paper, we will examine a new data-sharing model a school club can use to manage its most important asset, its members. Our inspiration comes from commercial enterprises that deploy blockchain networks to manage assets through their supply chains. We will first explore the importance of member management for a club’s success, before delving into the structure of a blockchain network and how its properties are well-suited for a club’s data management. We will then create our own blockchain network, using open-source software from the Linux Foundation, before finally creating a prototype model that can be used by a school club.
Deriving equations of motion using Euler-Lagrange equation and determining efficiency factors of a trebuchet
Authors: Urs Ayush
Published: March 2023

A Trebuchet is a non-holonomic system which is modelled after a catapult. Lagrangian mechanics was a formulation introduced by Professor Joseph Louis Lagranage which predicts the minimum path a body follows during its motion of travel. In this paper, I built a wooden trebuchet to experiment with its shooting range under different counterweight loads. The trebuchet model was customized by adding a sling to its swing arm which changes the dynamics of the setup as the sling essentially adds scope to the trebuchet’s arm increasing its rotational energy. The paper compares readings based on several counterweight settings and uses and uses the Euler-Lagrange equation to analyze the shooting ranges of the trebuchet. By considering the several frictional forces, we will derive the three equations of motion which will solely depend on the degrees of freedom of the system and will determine how efficient the Trebuchet is for a particular counterweight.
A Deep Learning-Based Approach for Adaptive Virtual Learning with Human Facial Emotion Detection
Authors: Das Ishani , Paris Kent
Published: March 2023

Classroom learning has become difficult since COVID-19 began. Students and educators have had to adapt to virtual learning by using the available tools and technologies. However, a virtual classroom does not simulate the same experience as a real, in-person classroom.

In this setting, teachers can immediately receive feedback on the students’ understanding of content by analyzing their facial expressions. By doing so, they can take immediate action to create a more effective learning experience. For example, teachers can individually help students that express an emotion of confusion by reiterating the concept privately and in greater detail. This style of teaching allows educators to ensure every student is receiving the appropriate amount of support and guidance. With online learning, this method of adaptive teaching is compromised. In a virtual class with video conferencing software such as Zoom, it is not practical for a teacher to be able to constantly check each students’ webcam while also teaching and managing technical difficulties. 

Utilizing classification models in deep learning, an advanced subfield of machine learning based on neural networks, offers  a novel approach to potentially working towards solving this issue. These models are trained with large datasets to mimic human behavior and achieve Artificial Intelligence (AI). The software simulates an effective virtual learning environment by using these methods to detect students’ emotions from facial expressions and providing educators this real time feedback. In this study, it was discovered that a convolutional neural network classification model produced results with the highest accuracy of 55.0%.
Structural Mechanisms and Therapeutic Solutions of the SARS-CoV2 Frameshifting Element
Authors: Ajith Varun , Pham Vincent
Published: March 2023

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2) has caused the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic. Despite the relative success of the various vaccines developed, emerging variants such as the delta and omicron strains present the need to find a more effective therapeutic solution. One such target is the frameshifting element, which is responsible for controlling the balance between proteins necessary both for defending against the host’s immune responses and for reproduction of the retrovirus. As it is one of the most highly conserved sequences in all strains of SARS-CoV2, the purpose of this review article is to summarize what is known about the structural and functional mechanisms of the frameshifting element, and the current advancements towards developing therapeutic solutions to this attractive target.
Prohibition and Suffrage During World War I: The War’s Dual Impact
Authors: Fu Haoyang , Argon Charles
Published: March 2023

This study analyzes how World War I impacts two Progressive Era reforms—Prohibition and women suffrage—both positively and negatively. While the war promoted the passage of two constitutional amendments, it reduced the two movement’s commitment to reform that would benefit the society. Prohibition became quasi-authoritarian, intruding individual rights; suffrage turned conservative by adopting racist justifications in order to win support. This paper proposes a hypothesis that could explain this turn from progressivism to authoritarianism and conservatism, and discuss the two movements in detail to support the hypothesis.