bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Albuterol extends lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Belkin Ryan , Joshi Pradeep , Rothman Joel
Published: September 2023

The objective of this experiment is to determine if the medication albuterol has a positive impact on the lifespan of C. elegans. We hypothesize that if albuterol is added to the diet of C. elegans, then the lifespan of C. elegans will increase. C. elegans were separately incubated in the medication albuterol at 20 µg/ml at the start of the L1 phase of their life cycle. Then they were closely monitored and counted daily throughout the duration of their lifespan. Albuterol increased the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 4.31 ± 0.13 days, compared to the control group and increased the outer range of the C. elegans lifespan. The medication albuterol increased the lifespan of C. elegans. The method of which this occurred is still unknown. Further testing is required to deduce whether mitochondrial biogenesis was the contributing factor or esophageal function.
The analysis of the antimicrobial benefits of Populus balsamifera
Authors: Breen Samantha , Onufrock Cody
Published: September 2023

This study was conducted to explore a new potential treatment for bacterial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the tree species, Populus balsamifera. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of extract from the buds of P. balsamifera in inhibiting bacterial growth. A Kirby-Bauer assay was used to assess the efficacy of P. balsamifera extract against gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial growth. It was observed that the extract of the buds of P. balsamifera was highly effective against gram-positive bacteria. This helps to indicate the potential use of P. balsamifera in the medical field to eliminate gram-positive bacteria.
Using data science along with machine learning to determine the ARIMA model’s ability to adjust to irregularities in the dataset
Authors: Choudhary Avi , Singh Pranav , Ganti Dhanvi , Subramaniam Suresh
Published: September 2023

Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models are known for their influence and application on time series data. This statistical analysis model uses time series data to depict future trends or values: a key contributor to crime mapping algorithms. With crime being a concerning topic in many urban areas like Chicago and Oakland, crime mapping algorithms have become a topic of discussion. However, the models may not function to their true potential when analyzing data with many different patterns. In order to determine the potential of ARIMA models, our research will test the model on irregularities in the data. Our team hypothesizes that the ARIMA model will be able to adapt to the different irregularities in the data that do not correspond to a certain trend or pattern. Using crime theft data and an ARIMA model, we determined the results of the ARIMA model’s forecast and how the accuracy differed on different days with irregularities in crime. For comparison purposes, we compared the model’s error when implemented on stationary data. Our results show that the model is accurate with a margin of error at least 25 cases per day when there were 250 cases per day on average. These findings will help law enforcement systems who are focused on crime suppression and help future researchers that are interested in utilizing ARIMA models to reach its true potential.
Eggshell consumption in different reproductive stages and broods of the Western Bluebird, Sialia mexicana
Authors: Tseng Lara , Dunn Jon L , Martin Gillian , Peterson Ashley N , Heppner Jennifer J
Published: September 2023

Calcium is an essential micronutrient to egg production and reproductive success in birds. Its availability at the start of the reproductive cycle is especially important to passerines (perching birds, namely songbirds) since they do not store calcium when not reproducing. To date, no data has been published to illustrate whether Western Bluebirds would consume provisioned eggshells, during which phases and to what degree in the reproductive cycle consumption might occur, and whether the amount consumed would vary between broods in a single season. We hypothesized that Western Bluebirds would consume the highest amount of eggshells during nest-building and egg-laying and that consumption would be greater during the first brood. Western Bluebirds breeding in nest boxes hanging in trees were provided eggshells in small containers attached to the roof of the box. Differences in average consumption between reproductive stages were significant. The greatest consumption was seen during the Pre-hatch phase (nest-building, egg-laying, and incubation), and less during the Post-hatch phase (nestling and fledgling). This was likely in preparation for and to replenish calcium needed during egg-laying in both broods. Average consumption between two broods produced by a single breeding pair was not significantly different. However, there was significant variation in the amount of consumption between breeding pairs. This high variation suggests that birds may have different strategies for obtaining and consuming calcium.
Characterizing the association between hippocampal reactive astrogliosis, anhedonia-like behaviors, and neurogenesis in a monkey model of stress and antidepressant treatment
Authors: Kim Doyeon , Fulton Sasha
Published: September 2023

With the intention to better understand the biological mechanism of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and antidepressants, we looked at the effects of stress and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on a measure of astrocyte reactivity in nonhuman primate (NHP) models of stress. We focused on hippocampal astrocytes because they regulate both neural activity and neurogenesis and have been characterized as a crucial cell type in regulating inflammation in response to stress. During stress, astrocytes become reactive and lose the ability to support neuronal function. In addition, reactive astrocytes can increase inflammatory signals and contribute to behavioral deficits associated with stress. For this project, we hypothesized that stress would lead to astrocyte reactivity in the NHP hippocampus, and that SSRI treatment would be associated with decreased astrocyte reactivity. We also hypothesized that astrocyte reactivity would be positively correlated with anhedonia-like behaviors and reduced neurogenesis in the hippocampus. In this study we show that chronic separation stress in NHPs leads to increased signs of astrogliosis in the NHP hippocampus. Furthermore, we show that measures of increased astrogliosis inversely correlate with adult hippocampal neurogenesis in NHPs, as well as with higher anhedonia scores. Overall, our findings were consistent with our initial hypotheses that hippocampal astrogliosis is an important mechanism in stress-induced cognitive and behavioral deficits. By observing the association between adult separation stress, SSRI treatments, and astrocyte reactivity in the NHP hippocampus, we aimed to provide insight into the non-neuronal cellular changes that occur in the NHP hippocampus during stress and antidepressant treatment.
How Ya Doin'? with COVID-19
Authors: Kung Tiffany L , Kung Simon , Kung James L , Michet Joanne , Lapid Maria I
Published: September 2023

COVID-19 has had a profound negative impact on individuals, communities, and society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on sleep patterns, eating, mood, physical activity, and screen time of students and adults. We hypothesized that participants experienced fewer sleeping hours, more unhealthy eating habits, a severe change in mood and physical activity, and increased screen time hours after COVID-19 restrictions were implemented compared to before COVID-19. Participants were given an online survey with 10 questions about sleep patterns, eating habits, mood, physical activity, and screen time and asked to rate each item based on their experience before and during COVID-19 restrictions. Results were summarized and compared between the timepoints of “before” and “during” COVID-19 restrictions. For the 227 participants, quality of sleep, eating habits, mood, and physical activity mostly decreased, whereas screen time increased. These changes were statistically significant in middle and high school students but not adults. Each area of question had slightly different results when looking at different ages and gender. For example, sleep was significantly worse in middle school students and significantly improved in high school students, but the worsening in adults was not statistically significant. Based on these results, we concluded that COVID-19 has overall negatively affected daily life with worse sleep, eating, mood, physical activity, and screen time.
Do trumpet players have a greater expiratory capacity than those who do not play a wind instrument?
Authors: Homsi Danna , Lawson Candice
Published: September 2023

The following experiment tested whether students who play the trumpet have a greater expiratory capacity than students who do not play a wind instrument. To do this, we tested the peak expiratory flow (PEF) of two groups — the experimental group (the trumpet players) and the control group (the students who do not play a wind instrument). We matched 12 trumpet players and 12 controls for similar age, height, sex, and race. After students performed three attempts to blow into the peak flow meter, we recorded the highest PEF for each student. In order to test whether the data was statistically significant, a t-test was performed. The mean PEF for the experimental group was 378 L/ min, and the mean PEF for the control group was 337 L/min. The p-value was 0.2433, indicating that there was no statistically significant difference in the peak expiratory flow between the experimental and the control group.
Heat conduction: Mathematical modeling and experimental data
Authors: Zhu Qingyu , Tran Hien , Yang Hong
Published: September 2023

Mathematical models have been used to study and understand many biological and physical systems. However, for mathematical models to be useful, one needs to carefully assess the assumptions that go into the derivation of the mathematical model. For example, the heat equation, which is fundamental to the study of heat transfer, was derived based on an empirical rate formulation known as Fourier’s law of conduction and perfect insulation. Since perfect insulation is very difficult to implement in laboratory conditions, we hypothesized that the heat equation would produce a time course temperature solution that overestimates real temperature data as a consequence of heat loss to the surrounding air, which is not accounted for in the heat equation. To test this hypothesis, we derived two mathematical models for the rate of change of heat under two laboratory conditions: one that considers heat loss and one that does not. The experiment consists of a squared metal bar that was heated at one end by a soldering iron and the temperatures along its length were measured by thermocouples. Our results, when compared to experimental data, clearly demonstrated that the mathematical model obtained by taking into consideration the heat loss yielded a better fit to the experimental data than the model without the heat loss assumption. Specifically, the mathematical model with the assumption of perfect insulation overestimated the temperature data. The research findings showed that when using a mathematical model, it is important to examine carefully the assumptions made in deriving the mathematical model.
Indoor near-field target detection characteristics under radio and radar joint operation at 2.4 GHz ISM band
Authors: Koh Dae Young , Han Timothy S , Zubah Joseph
Published: September 2023

This paper presents an experimental research work on detecting an indoor near-field target at 2.4-GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. The research is based on hypotheses that if the detection target is in proximity to antennae, then the dominant electromagnetic (EM) wave couplings would happen between the target and antennas. Any other EM wave interaction between the antennas and indoor background objects would be secondary to the target-to-antennas EM-wave interaction. This unique coupling may allow us to distinguish and measure the EM wave energy scattered by the target to the receive antenna in the form of signal power using a spectrum analyzer. The detection power is a strong function of the distance between the target and receiving antenna, which could be characterized by radar equations. In such scenario, the hardware module configured to test the hypotheses plays the role of a radar sensor that detects indoor targets at near-field region under the coexistence and cooperation of WiFi radio link at the ISM band. In the experiment, at the presence of a flat round metal target with radius 5 cm, the measured detection signal power ranged from 10 nW to 1 mW (-30 dBm) when the sensing distance (r) decreased from the edge of a radiative near-field (r = λ = 12.5 cm) to the reactive near-field region (r = λ/2π = 2 cm). These were well-agreeable with theoretical estimations by radar equations, validating the hypotheses.
Antibacterial effectiveness of turmeric against gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Cox Renae , Rasmus Joe
Published: September 2023

Infections caused by antibiotic resistance are a leading issue faced by the medical field. A potential solution to this involves using common household spices as natural antibacterial agents to reduce infections. One option may be turmeric, as it has high levels of polyphenols that have previously exhibited antibacterial properties. We studied the antibacterial effectiveness of turmeric against gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis using antibiotic sensitivity disks. The experiment had a negative control, positive control of Penicillin, and experimental group with turmeric. We infused blank antibiotic sensitivity disks with a 5% concentrated solution of turmeric and placed them on agar plates inoculated with bacteria. The zone of inhibition (ZOI) surrounding each disk was measured to determine antibacterial effectiveness. However, there was no measurable ZOI surrounding the turmeric disk so the measurements for all trials were 0 cm, suggesting that turmeric at a 5% concentration is not an effective antibacterial against S. epidermidis.
Lack of correlation between odor composition and neuron response in the olfactory cortex of mice
Authors: Shteyman Gary , Davis John Alan , Grimaud Julien
Published: September 2023

In the mammalian brain, sensory circuits are usually organized in a topographical way, meaning that, for a given brain region, neighboring neurons respond to stimuli close to each other in their sensory space. Olfaction is a notable exception to this rule; projections to the olfactory system are sparse and dispersed, leading to no apparent topography. Here, we assessed the presence of a topographical map in the mouse olfactory cortex, using a previously generated online dataset of neuronal recordings. The dataset consisted of about 1,800 olfactory cortical neurons collected from 10 mice, stimulated with a panel of 15 odorants. If there is no odor topography in the olfactory cortex, there should be no correlation between the chemical composition of odorants and their evoked neuronal response. To test this hypothesis, we first calculated odor similarity between each pair of odorants, using their chemical traits. Then, for each odor pair, we computed the similarity between their evoked neuronal responses. Finally, we assessed the relationship between odor similarity and neuronal response similarity. We found little to no correlation between the two variables (R2 averaged across all mice tested: 0.015), which suggests the lack of topography in the murine olfactory cortex and opens new questions into what other variables might play a role in odorant distinction.
Correlation of Prominent Intelligence Type & Coworker Relations
Authors: Rasmus Joseph , Moulton Ashley
Published: September 2023

When most individuals think of learning types, they think of three categories: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. However, in the mid-1980s, researchers expanded on the idea of how humans discover and process information with the Multiple Intelligence Theory. At first, the theory only contained six categories (Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Visual-Spatial, Body-Kinesthetic, Linguistic, and Logical) but has now grown to nine categories with the addition of Existential, Naturalistic, and Musical. In practice, the Multiple Intelligence Theory has proven to be controversial in its acceptance, with many scholars citing its lack of empirical support while others note its efficacy for modern educational settings and the workplace. In this study, we focused on further discovering whether there is a correlation between the intelligence types most prominent in an individual and the intelligence types most prominent in the coworker they find they work with most efficiently. To do so, data was collected from a variety of businesses (restaurants, bookstores, etc.) in the cities of Okemos and Williamston, Michigan in two steps. First, we performed an assessment that determines which intelligence type is most prominent in the participant, and second, we used an anonymous survey for the individual to express the three people they feel they work with best. With fifty-six total participants, and using the chi-square goodness of fit test, we found that there may not actually be a correlation between these categorical types when it comes to workplace atmosphere and project efficiency.
Environmentally-friendly graphene conductive ink using graphene powder, polystyrene, and waste oil
Authors: Low Zheng Xi , Low Zheng Wei , Chiu Ai-Chien , Chiu Wen-Yen , Ponnampalam Dino
Published: September 2023

Waste oil and polystyrene are main sources of pollution that endanger our health. This project proposes an effective, environmentally-friendly method of producing conductive ink using expired waste oil, polystyrene, and graphene. We compared three types of differently-sized graphene powder, two of which are ball-milled. We hypothesized that the ink made with the graphene with the longest milling time will have the best conductivity and the lowest viscosity, thus the easiest to spread. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the film-forming properties would increase with the addition of more polystyrene, regardless of the type of powder. We also determined the microscopic lamellar pattern of the graphene powder. Increased ball-milling time resulted in more polarized powder distribution; smaller pieces of graphene were stacked together as well as larger flakes. We assessed the correlation between the conductivity of graphene powder and its free volume, highlighting how the graphene and waste oil bounded together. We later explored a combination of waste oil with graphene and evaluated the oil absorption of graphene. An ink with a conductive coating film resistance below 100 Ohm was made by altering the proportions of the composition of graphene, polystyrene, and oil. We determined that the best ink recipe consists of mineral oil (baby oil), graphene milled for 2.5 hours, and a polystyrene-to-graphene ratio of 0.5 to 1 because it compromises between low resistance, moderate viscosity, good spreadability, and good film-forming properties. This work has important implications on developing a novel way to recycle waste into applicable conductive ink.
Gene expression profiling of MERS-CoV-London strain
Authors: Ulery Alexandra , Feng Eric , Chatterjee Ankita , Balachander Pranav
Published: September 2023

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a variety of coronavirus identified in 2012. The purpose of our research was to identify unique regulation of protein coding genes in cells infected by the MERS-CoV-London strain (LoCov). To address this, we utilized genetic data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), analyzed differential gene expression, and performed analysis with other tools. We used GEO2R to run a comparison between mock and infected groups, then input the statistically significant genes into String-db, which provides a database of protein-protein interactions and associations that we used to analyze the biological interactions of our protein-encoding genes. Analysis of String interactions and the Log fold change (LogFC) values highlighted cellular interactions. From our String analysis, we learned how genes may connect to biological processes related to symptoms, the lasting effects of MERS strains, and classification into biological and Krypto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. We identified several significant genes, including SSX2, which is expressed in cancer cells. The upregulation of SSX2 may be involved in the unregulated inflammatory responses seen in some MERS-CoV-2 patients. Contrastingly, the HLA genes, which are typically expressed in healthy cells, are downregulated in our infected group. A third group of upregulated genes included MAK16 and CDC25A and showed decreased nuclear DNA function and apoptosis, indicating viral control of the cell for use in RNA processing. All these genes may potentially act as markers for infection, and given its expression levels, SSX2 may also be a potential gene target.
Preliminary investigation of Allosauroidea facial integument and the evolution of theropod facial armor
Authors: Kearns Cirdan , Kearns Trevor
Published: September 2023

In amniotes, the growth of specialized facial integument, or external skin tissues, has a close relationship with the texture and morphology of underlying cranial bones. Osteological correlates of facial skin structures have been used before to reconstruct the integument of several extinct dinosaurian lineages but not for theropods from the clade Allosauroidea, whose members exhibit exceptionally rugose and heavily ornamented skulls. This study aims to investigate, in a preliminary sense, the facial integument of Allosauroidea by examining osteological correlates from high-resolution photographs of fossil material. We compared the inferred integument of allosauroids to analogous structures in modern animals in order to discuss potential biological and behavioral implications, with soft-tissue adaptations suggesting headbutting or sparring in some taxa. Allosauroids display an evolutionary trend for increasing cranial cornification throughout their history, and their most derived members exhibit greater development of facial armor than other tetanurans. We developed three hypotheses to explain the selective pressures that may have driven the independent evolution of this dermal armor in several unrelated theropod clades, namely abelisaurids, carcharodontosaurids, and tyrannosaurids. Empirical tests of paleoecological data did not support any of the three hypotheses of intraspecific conflict, competition from other carnivores, or dangerous prey items as the main pressure that drove the evolution of theropod facial armor. We suggest that more sampling of armor-faced theropods and their associated ecosystems, especially those from the Southern Hemisphere, is needed to reveal the reasons behind the convergent evolution of this integument.
Milkweed sustainability in the Sonoran Desert: A. erosa is more water-efficient compared to two other species
Authors: Shastri Norbu , Yueh Y Gloria
Published: September 2023

Monarch butterfly population counts have drastically decreased since the 1980s, and this decline is tied heavily to destruction of Monarch hostplants, milkweed. The Sonoran Desert supports over a dozen species of milkweed, all possible hosts for Monarch caterpillars. The purpose of this experiment was to identify the most water-efficient species of milkweed for propagation in the Sonoran Desert to support Monarch butterfly populations. This experiment tested likely candidates for propagation in the climate of Arizona and Northern Mexico. Three milkweed species (Arizona milkweed, Desert milkweed, and Tropical milkweed) grown in two different volumetric water concentrations were tested. Desert milkweed had the highest germination rate, survival rate, plant mass, and water retention capability. Thus, Desert milkweed was most effective at absorbing and utilizing water resources compared to the other species. Interestingly, Desert milkweed’s average height was taller in the lower volumetric water level, but for overall plant mass, the higher the water level, the larger the mass. Desert milkweed is the best candidate for widespread propagation in the Sonoran Desert. Given that this research identified a native species of milkweed that can grow with minimal resources, future conservation efforts could use Desert milkweed as a prime species for mass-propagation conservation projects with minimal strain on local resources. The conclusions we drew will aid Monarch conservationists in preserving Monarch habitats during drought conditions.
Role of bacterial flagella in bacterial adhesion of Escherichia coli to glass surface
Authors: Wang Felix , Li Defeng
Published: September 2023

Biofilms are communities of microbes dwelling on surfaces, which can pose potential hazards to human health and public hygiene due to their pathogenic properties. The development of biofilms is a dynamic process that begins with bacterial attachment to abiotic (non-living) surfaces. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of bacterial adhesion to abiotic surfaces in the healthcare setting. Understanding the adhesion process also helps develop new methods to hinder biofouling in specific industrial settings and inhibit the growth of biofilm on medical devices that may cause infection. This study focused on flagella’s involvement in adhesion, a key step in biofilm formation. We hypothesized that flagella, like pili, are involved in adhesion. In this study, we investigate the effects of flagella on bacterial adhesion to a glass surface by Escherichia coli (E. coli). In our assay, we reduced the number of flagella on E. coli cells through mechanical shearing and compared adhesion ability afterward. The evidence from our study suggests that the adhesion ability of E. coli cells increased with the shearing of flagella, indicating that bacterial flagella were disadvantageous for adhesion. We concluded that shearing caused increased attachment, as the decreased flagella may allow cells to attach more readily. The findings of the study contribute in several ways to our understanding of bacterial adherence to the glass surface and provide a basis for future researchers interested in developing novel agents that inhibit biofilm formation to different surfaces.
Tap water quality analysis in Ulaanbaatar City
Authors: Munkhbat Iveel , Badamdorj Binderya , Otgontogoo Enkhzaya , Munkhbat Tuvshinjargal
Published: September 2023

There have been several issues concerning the water quality in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in the past few years. In 2019, some apartment residents filed complaints regarding tap water quality, and others suffered from health issues. In this study, we collected 28 samples from 6 districts of Ulaanbaatar to check if the water supply quality met the standards of the World Health Organization, the Environmental Protection Agency, and a Mongolian National Standard, MNS 0900:2018. We hypothesized that the water in Zaisan, an area where the underground well is used as a water resource rather than the central water system, will have poorer quality, show higher hardness levels, and lower pH and total alkalinity than the other regions in Ulaanbaatar. We carried out a comprehensive analysis of metal concentrations (lead, iron, copper, mercury, aluminum, manganese, and zinc), mineral concentrations (nitrite, nitrate, sulfate, free chlorine, and total chlorine), pH, alkalinity, and hardness using a water test kit and pH meter. Only three of the samples fully met all the requirements of the global standards. However, 21 samples had a lower pH level than the recommended range of 6.5–8.5. Supporting our hypothesis, the samples in Zaisan showed higher hardness (>120 ppm) and alkalinity levels (20–200 ppm) over the other districts in the city. Overall, the results show that it is important to ensure a safe and accessible water supply in Ulaanbaatar to prevent future water quality issues.
A Crossover Study Comparing the Effect of a Processed vs. Unprocessed Diet on the Spatial Learning Ability of Zebrafish
Authors: Banga Natasha , Dubey Himanshu
Published: September 2023

The current study aimed to compare the short-term effects of processed versus unprocessed food on spatial learning and survival in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Given public concern regarding processed foods, the results of the current study can inform consumer decision-making. We hypothesized that an unprocessed diet would improve learning and survival. Zebrafish were randomly assigned to a diet of brine shrimp flakes (processed) or live brine shrimp (unprocessed). Spatial learning was evaluated throughout the study by recording fish decisions (correct vs. incorrect) and time taken for decision. Our results show no statistically significant difference in the proportion of correct decisions or in the time taken to make decisions when the groups are compared. Notably, fish receiving unprocessed food had significantly lower mortality than those receiving processed food (p = 0.027). We concluded that while the zebrafish make progressively better and faster decisions, diet type does not contribute to improved learning. However, consumption of unprocessed diet may have survival benefits in stressful environments. Future studies may further analyze this association, utilizing larger sample size and longer study duration to clearly assess the effects of long-term exposure to an unprocessed vs. raw unprocessed diet on learning. While it is an association that needs further evaluation, the current study indicates the potential benefits of an unprocessed diet in coping with stress. Considering that zebrafish are effective models of human cognition, this has implications for human consumption of processed vs. unprocessed foods as well.
Estimating the Young’s Modulus of spaghetti with a buckling experiment
Authors: Vemareddy Mehul , Bandhari Seerat , Gollamudi Pavithra
Published: September 2023

The Young’s Modulus of a structural material is a measure of its elasticity and is defined as the ratio

of the tensile stress to tensile strain. This study aims to investigate a specific property of the material

qualities of pasta through buckling – Young’s Modulus. Buckling across three pasta diameters and four different lengths is investigated. A force is applied from the top using a finger until buckling was observed and the weight was measured. The values recorded for applied force and other available values were used to determine the Young’s modulus of San Giorgio pasta. The Young’s modulus averaged over the different diameters s 5.07 ± 1.7 GPa. It is unknown how broadly these findings apply since other brands, which may use different recipes, may result in different Young’s Moduli. Ultimately, our results may assist in quality control during manufacture and serve as useful information for the secondary purpose of educational applications of pasta, where the material is used as structural members in bridges, towers, and other engineered objects.
Impact of study partner status and group membership on commitment device effectiveness among college students
Authors: Gupta Misha , Richards Keana
Published: September 2023

Procrastination is a major problem among college students and solutions are urgently needed. This experiment explores the effectiveness of a soft commitment device, a contract taken up voluntarily by a person in order to accomplish their goals, as one possible solution for procrastination. If the commitment is broken, there are psychological consequences (e.g., disapproval or disappointment). We hypothesized that status as defined by educational level and group membership based on music taste of a person’s study partner would affect how well they fulfilled their commitment. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an online experiment wherein 134 participants were randomly assigned study partners of different status (high-status or low-status) and group membership (in-group or out-group). To quantify the effectiveness of the commitment device, we asked them how much time they would commit to studying, had them share the goal with their study partner, and then measured whether they accomplished this goal. We found that status and group membership did not significantly affect the likelihood of college students achieving their committed goals, which may be attributed to how status and group membership were manipulated. We also found a trending but non-significant increase in a participant’s committed study time when their study partner was of low-status. Overall, this experiment shows the potential of soft commitment devices that take advantage of social relationships to reduce procrastination in college students.
Effects of cleaning agents on bacterial growth on refrigerator surfaces
Authors: Tekola Chrestiane , Kim Choah , Li Jeffrey J
Published: September 2023

Foodborne illness is a critical public health issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. To combat this, preventative measures at both the individual and industrial levels have been implemented successfully, such as refrigeration and the prevention of cross-contamination. To demonstrate the importance of individual preventative measures, we tested different cleaning methods and how they might reduce the bacterial population present on surfaces of a home refrigerator. By measuring bacterial growth on LB agar plated with samples from a household refrigerator shelf before and after cleaning, we observed that cleaning shelves with water proved ineffective when compared to other agents such as dish soap and Lysol, which successfully reduced the number of surface bacteria. This work demonstrated the importance of cleaning agents in proper food safety measures.
Computational development of aryl sulfone compounds as potential NNRTIs
Authors: Zhang Andy , Adwankar Rohan , Morgaonkar Aarya , Patel Dhyana , Sengupta Maanibha , Choi Justin
Published: September 2023

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the host’s immune system and affects millions of people globally. Due to the high mutation rate of HIV, it is of great importance that novel drugs are found to combat new strains. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are allosteric inhibitors that bind to the HIV reverse transcriptase and prevent replication. Indolyl aryl sulfones (IAS) and IAS derivatives have been found to be highly effective against mutant strains of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Here, we analyzed molecules designed using aryl sulfone scaffolds paired to cyclic compounds (that have previously been found to be beneficial groups for NNRTIs) as potential NNRTIs through the computational design and docking of 100 novel NNRTI candidates. Moreover, we explored the specific combinations of functional groups and aryl sulfones that resulted in the NNRTI candidates with the strongest binding affinity while testing all compounds for carcinogenicity. We hypothesized that the combination of an IAS scaffold and pyrimidine would produce the compounds with the best binding affinity. Our hypothesis was correct as the series of molecules with an IAS scaffold and pyrimidine exhibited the best average binding affinity. Additionally, this study found 32 molecules designed in this procedure with higher or equal binding affinities to the previously successful IAS derivative 5-bromo-3-[(3,5-dimethylphenyl)sulfonyl]indole-2-carboxyamide when docked to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. These findings contribute to the search for novel NNRTIs as well as expanding knowledge regarding the characteristics of the NNRTI pharmacophore.
The effect of joint angle differences on blade velocity in elite and novice saber fencers: A kinematic study
Authors: Greene Alexander , Barona Frank , Simon Xavier
Published: September 2023

After many years of training, elite saber fencers exhibit extremely rapid blade velocity. However, no prior kinematic research has explained how fencers achieve this. In this work, we measure the influence of arm kinematics on blade velocity in both elite and novice saber fencers. We hypothesized that elite fencers would exhibit smaller elbow joint angle and wrist angle changes, both indicative of blade thrust optimization. Furthermore, we predicted that these kinematic variables would correlate positively with peak blade tip velocity. Three novice and three elite saber fencers of two and six years of experience, respectively, performed a standard vertical saber cut, which we captured on high frame rate video. We discovered a significant difference between the novice and elite elbow joint angle at initiation, the angle at termination, and the angle change. The elbow joint angle change exhibited a strong negative correlation with the peak blade tip velocity (r = -0.83). We determined that angular differences in the wrist were non-significant. Our results suggest that coaches should place greater importance on optimizing elbow joint angles earlier in training. Based on the elite fencer performance, our evidence suggests that the optimal elbow joint angle at initiation for saber fencers may be 110°.
Analysis of complement system gene expression and outcome across the subtypes of glioma
Authors: Mudda Ojasvi , Wilson Elisabeth
Published: September 2023

Glioma is a malignant and poorly understood cancer that occurs in the glial cells of the brain. Gliomas consist of two clinical subcategories: low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma (GBM). Based on gene expression profile analysis, gliomas are also divided into four transcriptional subtypes and two mutational subclasses based on IDH expression. These subtypes are associated with differing prognoses, histology, and gene profiles. The complement system, a branch of the innate immune system traditionally associated with inflammation and opsonization, has various pro-tumor effects, including immunosuppression, maintenance of glial stem cells, and hypoxic signaling. We analyzed the expression of complement system genes across the transcriptional and IDH-mutational subtypes of LGG and GBM to determine whether these genes are differentially expressed concerning mutation status and transcriptional subclasses. We performed differential gene expression analysis and analyzed the results for gene set enrichments and correlations with outcome status. The results showed that complement system genes are differentially expressed with varying outcomes across different glioma subtypes. Within the transcriptional subtypes, the complement system genes tended to be overexpressed in subtypes with poor response to treatment or increased tumor malignancy. These results suggest that dysregulation of the complement system may significantly contribute to the categorization of transcriptional subtypes and further, may play a role in treatment response and/or overall patient outcome, although more research is needed to confirm this. These findings could help elucidate the interplay between the immune system, gene expression, and glioma pathogenesis.
Can the nucleotide content of a DNA sequence predict the sequence accessibility?
Authors: Balachandran Shreyes , Balachandran Diwakar
Published: September 2023

Sequence accessibility is an important factor affecting gene expression. Sequence accessibility or openness impacts the likelihood that a gene is transcribed and translated into a protein and performs functions and manifests traits. The DNA, which carries the genes, is packaged as chromatin. There are two types of chromatin, heterochromatin and euchromatin. Heterochromatin tends to be inaccessible and thus is often not expressed. In contrast, euchromatin is more accessible and is expressed. Accessibility of a gene depends on the type of chromatin it is in, and with increased accessibility, there is a greater likelihood of gene transcription and expression. There are many potential factors that affect the accessibility of a gene. In this study, our hypothesis was that the content of nucleotides in a genetic sequence predicts its accessibility. Using a machine learning linear regression model, we studied the relationship between nucleotide content and accessibility. DNA sequences are made up of four nucleotides. We compared the quantity of each of these four nucleotides, adenosine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine either as single nucleotide or in specific combinations of two nucleotides with sequence accessibility using the K562 cell line. Of all the combinations tried, we discovered that the cytosine-guanine combination content had the highest positive correlation with accessibility, and therefore with gene expression. This correlation allows us to better predict which genetic sequences will be more frequently expressed based solely on the nucleotide content and sequence. Predicting gene expression through machine learning algorithms promises to catalyze our ability to understand the structure and function of specific gene sequences.
Contrasting role of ASCC3 and ALKBH3 in determining genomic alterations in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Sriram Ananya , Manuel Jeru Manoj
Published: September 2023

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor with the highest fraction of genome alterations (FGA), manifesting poor disease-free status (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Methylation status of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is the most promising biomarker known to have better therapy prediction and prognosis. However, MGMT’s predictive abilities are effective in only 50-60% GBM patients, suggesting a need to identify new biomarkers. We explored The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and cBioportal public dataset- Firehose legacy GBM to study DNA repair genes Activating Signal Cointegrator 1 Complex Subunit 3 (ASCC3) and Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase AlkB Homolog 3 (ALKBH3). To test our hypothesis that these genes have correlations with FGA and can better determine prognosis and survival, we sorted the dataset to arrive at 254 patients. Analyzing using RStudio, both ASCC3 and ALKBH3 demonstrated hypomethylation in 82.3% and 61.8% of patients, respectively. Interestingly, low mRNA expression was observed in both these genes. We further conducted correlation tests between both methylation and mRNA expression of these genes with FGA. ASCC3 was found to be negatively correlated, while ALKBH3 was found to be positively correlated, potentially indicating contrasting dysregulation of these two genes. Prognostic analysis showed the following: ASCC3 hypomethylation is significant with DFS and high ASCC3 mRNA expression to be significant with OS, demonstrating ASCC3’s potential as disease prediction marker. Further research using in vitro studies and mechanistic analysis of ASCC3 and ALKBH3 is needed to better understand their roles in causing genetic alterations in GBM.
Association of depression and suicidal ideation among adults with the use of H2 antagonists
Authors: Fong Kayleigh , Lei Hui
Published: September 2023

H2 antagonists are a common class of medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. They can cross the blood-brain barrier and can affect the central nervous system. Studies have reported that the intake of H2 antagonists may lead to mental confusion, delirium, hallucinations, sleep disturbances, and depression. Using a national database, we examined the cross-sectional association between suicidal ideation and H2 antagonists. Data were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018, in which Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were used to classify participants who had depression and suicidal ideation. The study population consisted of 13,533 adult Americans with PHQ-9 information, H2 antagonist use, and all other covariates. The results showed significant associations between the use of H2 antagonists and depression (P < 0.001) or suicidal ideation (P < 0.001). The covariates of education, race, marital status, poverty income rate, smoking, and a number of comorbidities were also statically significant with both depression and suicidal ideation. A multiple logistic regression model adjusted for these covariates showed that H2 antagonist users had a 2.94 (95% CI: 2.01–4.32) higher risk of suicidal ideation than non-users. This association was strongest among participants aged 50–59 years. This study shows that suicidal ideation and depression may be caused by several factors, and H2 antagonist use may be one of them. Further studies should be conducted to increase knowledge about the psychiatric effects of taking H2 antagonists, especially in long-term treatment.
Environmental, social, and governance ratings and firm performance: Evidence from the Chinese stock market
Authors: Yang Junming , Shen Dehua
Published: September 2023

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) evaluation criteria, which measure a company’s comprehensive performance in three dimensions of environmental, social responsibility, and corporate governance based on the company’s operational stability and long-term economic value, have developed rapidly. We report a statistical study that investigated whether there were differences in ESG ratings of listed companies in different industries and whether there were differences in market value and financial performance of listed companies with different ESG ratings. We selected all listed companies that have ESG ratings in the Chinese A-share stock market on January 31, 2021 and used Huazheng ESG ratings to reflect their comprehensive performance and sustainable development ability of listed companies. We found significant differences in ESG ratings of listed companies in different industries and significant differences in valuation and financial indicators of listed companies with different ESG ratings. Overall, the ESG ratings of companies in the financial industry are higher and more balanced than in other industries. Except for the finance industry, all other industries had lower overall ESG ratings with E ratings ranking the lowest among the 3 scores. Moreover, we found that listed companies with higher ESG ratings are prone to perform better financially.
Impact of simple vs complex carbohydrates under time constraint before anaerobic and aerobic exercise
Authors: Cui Amber , Krayesky-Self Sherry
Published: September 2023

When a busy schedule only allows for a short window of time to eat before a workout or cardio session, it is crucial to eat proper, energizing foods that let one reap the most out of their exercise. To that end, we compared simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, and a control group of no pre-workout meal to determine their effects on an athlete’s overall performance when consumed 30 minutes before anaerobic and aerobic exercises. We measured several quantitative variables: heart rate, mile run time, and repetitions for the bench press, bicep curl, and abdominal crunch. Random assignment delegated one treatment to every other day during an 11-day data collection period. We hypothesized that there will be no difference in heart rates when simple carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, or no food is consumed 30 minutes before exercise. However, the time it takes to run a mile and the number of repetitions successfully performed will see better results if simple carbohydrates are consumed 30 minutes before exercise, as opposed to no food or if complex carbohydrates are consumed. Ultimately, we found that, when one’s schedule only allows for 30 minutes to eat before a workout, the best pre-workout meal for optimal glycogen levels to prompt muscle hypertrophy, strength increases, and better endurance is one that is simple carbohydrate-heavy. Thus, when the time between a meal and a workout falls under 30 minutes, this fast-digesting macromolecule will best fuel the workout and allow for prime performance.