bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Suturing And Stapling In Coronary Bypass Grafting Anastomosis
Authors: Levy Ethan Z , Levy Yair
Published: September 2023

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the number one killer worldwide and is responsible for 12.2% of all deaths. CHD is caused by a plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. If the plaque buildup level in the coronary arteries is high (i.e. ‘occlusion’), the most common treatment that involves surgery is the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), which essentially bypasses the blocked area with a grafted blood vessel to bring blood to the heart muscle. Connecting the grafted blood vessel with the coronary artery is called anastomosis. For years, graft anastomosis has been done using suturing by hand. In the past several years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved products that allow a surgeon to do stapling anastomosis. However, while limited research has been done, additional research is still needed to learn more about the differences between suturing and stapling of such grafting anastomosis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate which suturing type (suturing vs. stapling) of coronary bypass grafting anastomosis provides a higher blood flow rate. After designing, developing, and programming an artificial heart capable of operating at different heart rates using a Lego® NXT™ robotic arm, we recorded the pressure on two gauges in order to calculate blood flow rate using Poiseuille’s Law.
What’s in a Name? Do Labels Influence People’s Liking for Cookies?
Authors: Swinkels Casey G , Giuliano Traci A
Published: September 2023

Research shows that if a food product is labeled with a fancy name, people like it more than they would otherwise. Similarly, some people tend to think of healthy foods as less satisfying. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on the effects of labels on people’s preference for certain foods using a cookie taste test. It was predicted that cookies with a fancy label (“Grandma’s favorite recipe”) would be rated higher than cookies with a plain label (“Chocolate chip cookie”), and that cookies with a healthy label (“Low-fat, 80-calorie cookie”) would be rated the lowest. To test this prediction, 72 participants (57 women, 15 men) tasted and rated a cookie with one of the three different labels. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the rating for the cookies with the fancy label (M = 7.55), the plain label (M = 6.85), or the healthy label (M = 7.58). Although cookie ratings did not vary significantly as a function of label in the current study, previous research has shown that labels do influence how much people like certain foods.
Functional Network Connectivity: Possible Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Authors: Wang Frank , Zhu Jordan , Richard Annette , Lajiness-ONeill Renee , Bowyer Susan
Published: September 2023

Autism (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction and communication, often impairing individuals for a lifetime. In our study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive brain imaging technique, to identify possible biomarkers for ASD. We hypothesized that there would be significant differences in brain connectivity patterns between the ASD group and the controls. We recorded the brain activity of individuals looking at a stationary colorful image while in the resting state. The resting state refers to the brain activity of a subject when he or she is not engaged in any particular task. We found the ASD group had a high concentration of coherent brain activity in the frontal lobe, while the control group had a high level of coherence in the occipital lobe. Areas of high coherence indicate that the brain is well connected and communicating with many other areas of the brain. In controls, we expected high coherent activity in the occipital cortex, since they were looking at a colorful picture. In the ASD group, we found that the frontal lobe was unusually active. This area is typically used in higher-level cognition. These regions of abnormally high coherent brain activity indicate possible biomarkers for autism. Additionally, the ASD group had a significantly lower overall level of coherence than controls.
Durability of the Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) Patch Adhesive
Authors: Levy Maya M , Levy Yair
Published: September 2023

Diabetes, a serious global epidemic growing at a tremendous rate, affects about 26 million people in the United States. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin or use that insulin to regulate blood-sugar level. Thus, most diabetics need to inject insulin into their bodies. In recent years, many diabetics are using Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII), also know as the ‘insulin pump’, to minimize hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Patients have indicated that using the CSII is more comfortable than the traditional treatment, which requires multiple daily injections. However, one of the most significant challenges with the CSII is the low durability of the patch adhesive, which leads to dislodgement of the cannula (a small plastic insulin delivery tube) from the skin. The purpose of this study was to compare the durability of the current CSII adhesive to an octyl cyanoacrylate–based adhesive. Four experimental plates and a jig with a ratchet were constructed. Adhesive was placed on synthetic skin and gauze was placed over each adhesive. By operating the ratchet, the gauze was ripped off the synthetic skin, and a data-collection program attached to a computerized gauge recorded the force over time. For half of the experiment, artificial sweat was sprayed onto the gauze and adhesive before operating the ratchet. The steps were repeated for 80 experiments. Using an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical test, we showed that the octyl cyanoacrylate–based adhesive is significantly (F(3,79)=76.3, p<0.001) stronger than the current CSII adhesive, both with and without the presence of artificial sweat.
The Effect of Different Concentrations of Iron on the Growth of Egeria (Elodea) Densa
Authors: Hu Alexander , Holliday Stacey , Smith Steven
Published: September 2023

Iron-containing substances are known to affect the growth of many aquatic plants, such as Egeria densa. However, the concentration of these substances on the growth of E. densa was unknown to our best knowledge. We designed and performed an experiment to explore the effect of different iron concentration levels on E. densa. We observed that iron does play an important role in the overall growth of E. densa. We also found that there is a relationship between the amount of iron introduced and the growth achieved. The data indicates that (1) both plants in the iron solutions had more growth than the plant in the control tank (0.0% iron); (2) the plant submerged in the iron solution of 0.1% had a growth rate higher than the plant submersed in the 0.19% solution by a factor of two, approximately. We conclude that a ~0.1% iron solution is the optimal solution for the fast growth of E. densa.
Towards an Integrated Solution for Renewable Water and Energy
Authors: Chen Rex Hung-Gang , Chen Chi Ming
Published: September 2023

In order to provide an integrated solution for two sustainability issues, supplying clean water and using renewable energy sources, we propose a solar desalination plant that uses solar energy for seawater desalination and generating electricity. To test the efficiency of the hypothetical plant, we conducted two small-scale simulations. The first simulation tested our solar tracking robot and how it could maximize the amount of solar energy collected. When the sun’s position is near the zenith, our data on the solar azimuth and elevation angles were consistent with theoretical predictions, but the data deviate from theoretical values at other times due to atmospheric refraction, which was not considered in the theory. The second simulation investigated the desalination process by controlling the salinity and surface area, while keeping the water temperature below the boiling point. We found that the volume of water vapor exponentially decreased with salinity and linearly increased with the surface area of the saline water. From our experimental data, we estimated that, by collecting vapor from saline water at a temperature slightly less than the boiling point, the yield of desalinated water was 67% greater than that of the direct evaporation method. Locations where the system would be most efficient are coastal areas between 40 °N and 40 °S, where the ratio between solar radiation and ground water recharge rate is at a maximum.
The Analysis of the Effects of Smoke and Water Vapor on Insect Pheromone Communication and Physical Condition: An Investigation of the Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder
Authors: Delatorre Orvill , Lambert Ann
Published: September 2023

Since the outbreak of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) disappearance in the phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder (CCD) in 2006, investigations dedicated to finding the causes of CCD have suggested possible factors; however, a singular cause has not yet been identified. This project aims at identifying how external factors in the environment, such as water vapor and smoke, can affect the social behavior and physical condition of honey bees. It was hypothesized that water vapor could block insect pheromone communication and that smoke could accumulate on the antennae of insects, interrupting pheromone communication. House crickets (Acheta domesticus) were used to test water vapor’s effect on pheromone communication because they communicate with pheromones like honey bees. Crickets were exposed to vinegar, mimicking the alarm pheromone, to confirm a social response. Next, we tested water vapor’s ability to block pheromone communication. To test the effect of smoke’s presence in the environment, red harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) were used, due to their anatomical similarity to bees. The red harvester ant experiments measured the degree to which smoke particles accumulated on their body parts. The results showed that smoke particles did accumulate during exposure to smoke. This study provides evidence that external factors in the environment of insects may act as pheromone blocking agents and thus obstruct the insects’ ability to communicate through pheromone messages. This conclusion may provide an explanation for the observations in CCD such as the honey bee disappearance and diminishing health.
Does Music Directly Affect a Person’s Heart Rate?
Authors: Sills David , Todd Amber
Published: September 2023

Music can have a profound effect on a person’s body, in that it may cause people to dance and move around, but does it have a direct and significant effect on a person’s heart rate if they are still? In this study, 24 high school students’ heart rates were recorded while listening to 6 selections of 6 different genres of music. The effect of different types of music was tested using heart rate monitors, data collection software, and music from free music archives. We found that music has a significant impact on heart rate. Average heart rates were significantly higher after listening to rock music, despite that selection having the slowest tempo of the six genres tested. Heart rates also significantly decreased after listening to classical music and significantly increased after listening to the subjects’ favorite musical selections. This indicates that someone may be able to decrease or increase their heart rate by simply listening to music. While significant patterns emerged, the study was limited, in that the order of the music was the same for every individual, the sample size was relatively small (n = 24), and heart rates were highly variable between subjects.
Comparative Gamma Radiation Analysis by Geographic Region
Authors: Zadan Mason , Berkley Madelyn
Published: September 2023

Gamma radiation is a high-energy form of ionizing radiation. The recent Fukushima nuclear accident highlighted its significance. This study was conducted in two parts: Part A and Part B. Gamma radiation was measured using a Geiger counter. For Part A, the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area was studied to determine if a city center contains higher gamma radiation levels than city outskirts. The data were also analyzed to determine which of the sources tested- metal, concrete, or vegetation- showed higher gamma radiation readings. The City of Pittsburgh had gamma radiation levels approximately equal to its surrounding environs. None of the three sources of materials tested showed consistently higher levels of gamma radiation than the others. For Part B, gamma radiation levels were measured at sites in six states and five foreign countries. These levels were analyzed for a correlation between gamma radiation and the following factors: elevation, Earth’s crust thickness, county cancer rates, and, proximity to the nearest nuclear power plant. A statistical analysis was performed, including a linear correlation t-test. Elevation showed a very strong positive correlation to gamma radiation but when just elevation data from under 2500 m was analyzed, the evidence found was not as strong. The Earth’s crust thickness showed no correlation. The gamma radiation levels in comparison to cancer mortality rates by U.S. county per 100,000 people had no correlation. The data showed that measurements made closer to nuclear power plants equated to slightly reduced radiation levels. A significant radiation source at Soda Springs, California was also discovered.
Vitamin C in Fruits: Does Organic Make a Difference?
Authors: Mulukutla Saarang , Riddle Jonathan , Heberling Lisa
Published: September 2023

Vitamin C is an important compound that allows many organisms to function and live. However, there is controversy over whether organic fruits have more vitamin C than their non-organic counterparts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether organic fruits have more ascorbic acid than their non-organic counterparts. This analysis tested five fruits: oranges, lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, and kiwis. Using the oxidation-reduction reaction method, iodine titration was performed for each variety of organic and non- organic fruit, and the amount of ascorbic acid was calculated. The mean concentration of vitamin C in the organic variety was compared to the concentration in the non-organic variety for each fruit using a Student’s t-test. The data showed that ascorbic acid content varies widely among these five fruits. For oranges, organic varieties had more vitamin C than their conventional counterparts (p = 0.042). However, in the grapefruit, the organic and non-organic fruits had no significant difference in vitamin C levels (p = 0.63). For kiwis, lemons, and strawberries, the organic fruits had significantly less ascorbic acid than the non-organic ones (p = 0.021; p = 0.0034; p = 0.046, respectively). The results demonstrate that the organic status of a fruit does not guarantee that it has more vitamin C than its non-organic counterparts.
Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibits Flowering but Hastens New Leaf Growth in Bok Choy (Chinese Cabbage)
Authors: Yang Yafan , Li Shuangshuang
Published: September 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless, toxic, and flammable gas with the smell of rotten eggs. High concentrations of H2S are toxic, but a very small amount of H2S can help plants and our bodies in many ways. The unexpected flowering (bolting) of leafy greens inhibits leaf growth and reduces the leaf quality, and the effect of H2S on plant bolting is still unknown. Here we investigated the effects of H2S on flowering and leaf growth by using the hearts of bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis), a type of Chinese cabbage. Incubation of bok choy hearts for 16 days in a solution of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H2S donor, significantly repressed bok choy flowering and shortened flower stems. In contrast, the flowering of bok choy in the tap water and sodium chloride (NaCl) groups was normal, with longer flower stems and many flowers. NaHS had no effect on the growth of leaf stems or on leaf chlorophyll contents. In addition, NaHS significantly reduced pollen viability but induced the growth of new leaves from the bottom part of bok choy hearts, in comparison with the two control groups, tap water and NaCl. These observations indicate that H2S inhibits flowering but hastens new leaf growth in bok choy. Not only can this discovery help grow green vegetables, but it can also potentially help control weeds.
Biowaste to Biofuel: Using Methane-Producing Microorganisms Found in Soil Samples from Local Wetlands
Authors: Bodas Aarti , Bodas Jyoti , Dhaliwal Simreet , Ling Honson , Bodas Kanchan
Published: September 2023

In this study, we investigated whether methane- producing microorganisms are present in the soil samples obtained from local bogs and wetlands in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Furthermore, we determined the temperature at which these methane- producing microorganisms can be used to produce methane, a biofuel, from kitchen and yard waste. Producing methane for making biofuel as renewable energy is better than sending kitchen and yard waste to landfills, which do not utilize or collect these wastes for energy production. We show that methane-producing microorganisms are indeed present in the soil samples we collected and that they remain active at both indoor (68 °F) and outdoor (36 to 70 °F) temperatures. A significant amount of methane was detected after 45–75 days of soil incubation with fed biowaste. Importantly, our work establishes the potential of using these methane-producing microorganisms for the production of biogas in colder climates of the Pacific NW and paves the way for the future research and design of a kitchen- scale biodigester for use in colder climates.
The Effect of Cobalt Biomineralization on Power Density in a Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Ayan , Khalaf Ibtisam
Published: September 2023

Microbial fuel cells produce electricity while breaking down organic waste. However, they have low power output because of the poor kinetics of oxygen reduction at the cathode under neutral pH conditions. In this project, we developed a novel microbial fuel cell with a biocathode using cobalt oxidation and reduction, to determine whether a cobalt biocathode could increase power density more than the conventional manganese biocathode. We built three types of fuel cells; the control had only oxygen reduction in the cathode chamber. The second and third cells included manganese and cobalt, respectively, with oxygen reduction. Shewanella oneidensis was used to oxidize organic material at the anode chamber and Leptothrix cholodnii was used in the biocathode. We measured power output when the fuel cells had reached peak voltage under a limited glucose supply. We found that the cobalt biocathode resulted in a higher power density than the control group and the manganese biocathode, but took the longest to reach peak voltage, indicating that microbial biofilm formation takes longer when oxidizing cobalt than it does when oxidizing manganese.
The Effects of Ultraviolet Light on Escherichia coli
Authors: Kodoth Varna , Jones Meghan
Published: September 2023

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is known to inhibit cell growth and induce gene damage (1). For these reasons, UV radiation is used as a method to sterilize surgical instruments because it kills the bacteria present and disrupts bacterial reproduction (2). Infections acquired from hospitals, particularly post-surgical infections, have become increasingly common, and require the use of UV disinfection systems. In this study, we investigated the effect of UV light on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Specifically, this study explored the effects of the small UV lights currently used in school laboratories, in an attempt to extend UV radiation methods to common households. We used the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) to determine whether or not the UV light increases or decreases cell growth. E. coli were exposed to UV light with a wavelength of 254 nm. The number of CFUs under control and UV-exposed conditions were measured after 24 and 48 hours. We observed that UV light exposure at 254 nm from a small school laboratory light inhibits bacterial growth.
Activated NF-κB Pathway in an Irf6-Deficient Mouse Model for Van der Woude Syndrome
Authors: Kulkarni Sanika S , Chang Jungwoo , Lee Inhan
Published: September 2023

Van der Woude syndrome is the fourth most common birth defect in the United States and a major cause of morbidity in countries where corrective surgery is not readily available. This syndrome, generally expressed in the form of cleft lip and palate, is caused by mutations in the Irf6 gene. The goal of this research is to identify gene networks or pathways that are differentially regulated due to the Irf6 mutation. To achieve this goal, we analyzed microarray-based gene expression data from Irf6-deficient and wild-type mice from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to obtain a systems- level view of the genes involved in Van der Woude syndrome. Because the NF-κB pathway contains gene- gene interactions with multiple other genes from the Irf family, our results suggest that it has gene interactions with Irf6 as well. Since the up-regulated genes in Irf6- deficient mice were related to the NF-κB pathway, they may function as compensatory for Irf6.
A Retrospective Study of Research Data on End Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Ponnaluri Sadhana , King Mary J
Published: September 2023

The growing incidence of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States is a cause for concern. The main objectives of this research were to study the contribution of demographic factors and medical conditions to ESRD by developing statistical models of age, gender, race, and co-morbid factors. Data analysis of the United States Renal Data System indicated that from 1980–2011 the ESRD incidence increased at a high rate of 6.23% while the US population grew at 0.99%. Results showed that the older population carried an increased ESRD burden. Males and females did not have a significant difference in incidence. People with European ancestry had the highest incidence in absolute terms while African Americans had the highest per capita rate. While diabetes and hypertension were significant contributors, glomerulonephritis was highly prevalent among the young. In absolute terms, all top ten incidence groups consisted of 70+ year old white Americans, with either diabetes or hypertension. In per capita rates however, nine of the top ten incidence groups consisted of 70+ year-old African Americans with either diabetes or hypertension. In summary, this work provides a better understanding of ESRD trends and offers mathematical models to predict ESRD incidence over time.
Redesigning an Experiment to Determine the Coefficient of Friction
Authors: Hu Alexander , Peachey Bruce
Published: September 2023

Typical high school physics experiments that investigate friction coefficients usually use a weighted mass that is dragged across a surface and is attached to a spring scale; the spring scale measures the frictional force occurring in the system. In such an experiment, a constant velocity (zero net force) is necessary in order to ensure that the measured force is only the friction force. While this configuration is simple to conduct and construct, it can be rather difficult to maintain a constant velocity of the weighted mass and to read the moving spring scale at the same time, which may result in large errors. We attempted to solve these issues by designing a new friction-coefficient experiment involving only static measurements. To conduct our experiment, we slid a block down a sloped surface and observed where the block landed. By measuring the horizontal distance of the block’s landing location, we could definitively derive the kinetic friction coefficient between the wood block and the sloped board. The standard deviation from our newly designed experiment is ~3 times smaller than that of the traditional experiment, which demonstrates that our experiment may be a viable replacement for standard high school physics experiments on kinetic friction. This experiment can also enhance the learning of physics topics like Newton’s second law, motion in two dimensions, friction, and programming.
Molecular Alterations in a High-Fat Mouse Model Before the Onset of Diet–Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Lee Sangwon , Lee Sangmin , Sunwoo Won , Kim Taehoon , Lee Kyumin , Kim Ja Kyung
Published: September 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide. However, the precise mechanism of the disease and a definitive treatment has not yet been discovered. Studies on NAFLD frequently use an animal model fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 24 to 48 weeks. While full-blown liver inflammation and fibrosis occur after 24 weeks of HFD administration, changes in the liver at earlier time points have not been rigorously investigated. We hypothesized that there would be some molecular alterations at an earlier time point that would predict the later onset of pathologic symptoms. The aim of our study was to delineate the changes that take place before the pathologically detectable NAFLD appears in HFD mice, which would facilitate more effective study and treatment of NAFLD. We fed C57BL/6 mice a high-fat diet for 8 to 24 weeks and evaluated liver fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Significant pathologic fat content, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver could only be noticed after 24 weeks of HFD. However, we observed dysregulated immune function as early as 8 weeks after the start of the diet, and detected molecular changes associated with fat accumulation by week 12. Symptoms related to liver fibrosis were the most delayed changes. Our results suggest that alterations in inflammation and fat metabolism are early changes, followed by liver fibrosis in the HFD-induced NAFLD animal model. Therefore, future NAFLD experiments using this model can be designed to include earlier time points at which the desired HFD-induced alterations occur, and NAFLD experiments that aim to investigate immunologic alterations may be performed after a shorter duration of HFD feeding.
Evolution of Neuroplastin-65
Authors: Cremers Collin , Townley Ian K
Published: September 2023

Variation in the protein neuroplastin-65, encoded by the NPTN gene, correlates with intelligence in humans, but how did it evolve? This study investigated how this gene’s evolution differed between various organisms. This topic naturally lent itself to evolutionary phylogenetics; a phylogenetic tree of the gene was created to trace the evolution of the gene. We hypothesized that the pattern of mutations in the gene would mostly correlate to the accepted evolution of animals, especially among primates where intelligence is under significant selective pressure (1, 2). The data used published results from forty-eight different organisms’ gene sequences. The computer analysis produced a phylogenetic tree that reasonably matched the hypothesis. Neuroplastin mostly evolved along with the individual species, as is evidenced by significant correlations between the neuroplastin tree and other researchers’ phylogenetic species trees. Specifically among primates, the data suggest that the gene was under purifying pressure, as hypothesized. However, the impact of this conclusion is limited because the primate subtree branches are poorly supported. Interestingly, among bony fish, there appears to be either positive selection or no selective pressure on this gene. Furthermore, fish neuroplastin genes may be experiencing convergent evolution with mammal neuroplastin genes.
Investigating Teen Audism: The Development and Use of a Survey Scale to Measure Misconceptions of the Deaf Community in a Hearing High School
Authors: Francis Cheyne , Scott Jason
Published: September 2023

The intention of this study was to investigate the patterns and frequency of misconceptions that hearing high school students have towards the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) community. These misconceptions about the Deaf community commonly involve false beliefs about Deaf intelligence, social norms, and political practices. In this study, a new survey scale was created specifically asking younger students for their opinions on the Deaf and HoH community. The results from the students suggest that misconceptions surrounding American Sign Language (ASL) and cochlear implant surgery are the most frequently occurring, while misconceptions about home ownership and literacy were the least common. Also, the frequency of misconceptions was mediated by the amount of prior exposure the participant had with the Deaf and HoH community. Age did not appear to play a role in mediating the amount of misconceptions participants displayed.
Don’t Waste the Medical Waste: Reducing Improperly Classified Hazardous Waste in a Medical Facility
Authors: Hemani Danny , M Hostetter MA MT Christine , Bagley Michelle
Published: September 2023

Hospitals in the United States generate over one million tons of waste each year, approximately a quarter of which is classified as hazardous medical waste. There are environmental, infectious, and financial burdens associated with this waste, and those burdens increase significantly when the waste is hazardous. Managing waste can be difficult, but training is an effective approach to reducing waste. We conducted a quality improvement project at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Pathology Core Laboratory from 2015 through 2017. We hypothesized that improved staff training is an effective way to reduce the amount of general waste in a medical facility that is incorrectly classified as hazardous. Two interventions were identified and implemented, the first being a series of classroom-based training sessions and the second being a simple informational poster that was displayed over waste bins. The impact of the training and posters was measured by two surveys that were performed before and after the interventions. The first survey was a web-based instrument that was completed by laboratory staff, while the second survey was observational and measured how many bins contained improperly disposed waste. Some of the data from these interventions supports the hypothesis. The observational survey, in particular, recorded an increase in proper waste disposal from 7.5% to 71.9% following the classroom intervention. Future studies can help determine if these improvements can be increased and sustained over time by assessing the cost and benefit of different interventions and measuring how long the gains from each can be sustained.
Investigation of Bunsen-type Premixed Flame Response to Acoustic Excitation: Temperature and Flame Profile
Authors: Ying Lance , Ahmad Jawad
Published: September 2023

We aimed to characterize a Bunsen-type premixed flame subjected to various acoustic excitations with a range of frequencies and amplitudes. Various acoustic fields were imposed on a Bunsen-type flame. Two key properties of the flame, flame profile and temperature, were examined and analyzed in the experiment. We observed that flame tilt angle, flame height, and flame temperature were strongly influenced by excitation frequencies and amplitudes. The results provide possible interpretations of experimental observations. In agreement with most combustion theories, there was a correlation between these flame properties and excitation amplitude and frequency. It has been shown that higher frequencies and amplitudes cause greater tilt angles and shorter flame heights, while in terms of flame temperature, higher acoustic amplitudes lead to greater combustion instabilities, resulting in lower flame temperature. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, lead to higher flame temperatures.
Increasing Average Yearly Temperature in Two U.S. Cities Shows Evidence for Climate Change
Authors: Savage Ethan , Savage Laurie , Skinner Corey
Published: September 2023

The Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report published by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change identifies climate change as an artificial phenomenon that will affect people living all over the world. The research presented here analyzes the historical temperatures of two US cities in an effort to demonstrate that climate change is evident across the United States. We reviewed almost 90 years of monthly temperature data in Rochester, New York and over 60 years of monthly temperature data in Seattle, Washington. The results of this study clearly show a warming trend that impacts two very distant cities.
Starts and Stops of Rhythmic and Discrete Movements: Modulation in the Excitability of the Corticomotor Tract During Transition to a Different Type of Movement
Authors: Lim Jaehyuk , Korsantia Nick
Published: September 2023

Movement is arguably one of the most important functions that the human brain has control over. Externally, we can divide all movements into rhythmic, continuous movements or discrete, one-time movements. To ensure smooth and purposeful behavior, the motor areas of the brain must have some way of controlling these two types of movements. Recent MRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) studies show the preferential activation of contra-lateral M1 (primary motor cortex) in response to rhythmic wrist rotations in the opposite arm, whereas similar discrete wrist movements had much greater activation and in other areas of the brain. To understand the control of these two types of movements, we stimulated the M1 while having the subject perform either a rhythmic, discrete, or transition movement. We found that the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) amplitude increases in degree from regular discrete movement to discrete movement to transition movements (from rhythmic to discrete and vice versa). We anticipated that MEP amplitudes of regular discrete movements will be significantly greater those of regular rhythmic movements, which indicates that discrete movements involve more direct transmission of neurons from the cortical motor system than rhythmic movement due to their physiological nature. We confirmed that fact in our study. However, we were surprised to find out that the MEP amplitude after transition to discrete or rhythmic movements were almost identical, with an average difference of approximately 1%. This similarity between the transition movements suggested that the transition caused by voluntary inhibition operated by the frontal part of the brain, which corresponds to the characteristics of discrete movements. That might explain why the MEP amplitude of transition movements is greater than both rhythmic and discrete movements and why there is no stark distinction within the transition movements.
TGFβ1 Codon 10 Polymorphism and its Association with the Prevalence of Low Myopia
Authors: Sheikh Alizeh , Adams Emily , Hudson Martin
Published: September 2023

The goal of this project was to assess the relationships among low myopia, behavioral and demographic factors, and a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the TGFβ1 gene that codes for an extra-cellular matrix (ECM) protein previously linked to scleral growth. This research study adds a unique perspective as it provides clarity to the inconclusive relationship between low myopia and TGFβ1, and it is the first such association study to include a racial demographic outside of Asia. Genetic data was obtained using real-time PCR, and behavioral and demographic data were acquired through surveys. Genetic results indicated that the variant C allele, and in particular the TC genotype, is associated with the prevalence of low myopia. It was further concluded that the C allele is associated with a greater severity of low myopia and that Asian Indians and East Asians are more likely to have the variant C allele than those of European ancestry. The study also found that environmental factors such as increased reading time, decreased non- stationary exercise, overall reading distance, and other factors are associated with an increased prevalence of myopia. These findings could be helpful in behavioral modification in the prevention of myopia. Additionally, they confirm that both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of myopia. Knowing if a person has a genetic polymorphism that would predispose them to myopia could encourage more aggressive behavioral management to prevent its development.
Estimating Paleoenvironments Utilizing Foraminiferal Fossils from the Toyohama Formation, Aichi Prefecture, Central Japan
Authors: Kimitsuki Ryusuke , Walker Eric
Published: September 2023

The Miocene Morozaki Group spreads across the Chita Peninsula in Aichi prefecture, Central Honshu, Japan, and was deposited between 18 to 15 Ma. Using foraminiferal archives contained in samples from the Katana outcrop at the tip of the Chita Peninsula, we aimed to verify whether the Chita Peninsula used to be in the deep ocean. We used various techniques such as the planktonic / total ratio (P/T) method and faunal analysis. Faunal analysis on mollusks from the same outcrop was also undertaken in order to obtain better data. From these experiments, we estimate the paleodepth of the Morozaki Group to have been between 100 to 2000 meters below sea level, and that the Chita Peninsula sediments were deposited in the deep ocean.
A Novel Method for Auto-Suturing in Laparoscopic Robotic-Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Anastomosis
Authors: Levy Ethan Z , Levy Yair
Published: September 2023

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), which results from buildup of plaque in the heart’s coronary arteries, accounts for 12.2% of all deaths worldwide. There are two major ways to treat CHD: if the plaque level is high (above ~70% blockage), then open-heart surgery is usually performed. However, if the plaque level is moderate (~40% to 70%), then a drug-eluting stent can be placed in the artery to hold the plaque back from interfering with the blood flow and reduce restenosis. Laparoscopic heart surgery, or heart surgery conducted through small holes made between the ribs and on the sides of the chest, has increasingly been used over traditional coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, however, laparoscopic robotic-assisted CABG surgery has shown many advantages in research over both. Despite improvements, these traditional operations still take vast amounts of time and can result in infection or other complications. In this study, we developed auto-sutures that are automated through the use of a helical suture needle. Due to the significant decrease of time to suture, we increased the amount of sutures per segment of the auto-sutured CABG anastomosis. The quality of the auto-sutures was tested in a tensile test as well as a burst test apparatuses designed for this research. A burst test was simulated by pumping a blood-mimicking solution into silicon tubing. In all 80 experiments conducted (40 tensile test & 40 burst test), five sutures per segment was the optimal suturing method, as it had the highest maximum pressure as well as second-highest tensile strength.
FRUGGIE – A Board Game to Combat Obesity by Promoting Healthy Eating Habits in Young Children
Authors: Huprikar Annika , Luepke Judi , Jing Linyuan
Published: September 2023

Obesity is a significant health concern for children in the United States. One way to combat obesity is to start the education of eating healthy at a younger age. This study explored whether an interactive board game could provide that education to young children. Fruggie is a board game that is designed to test whether children learn and retain the importance of healthy eating habits. By integrating family time in playing a board game alongside answering health and nutrition related trivia questions while eating real food as part of the game, Fruggie is meant to promote awareness of healthy eating habits in children at an early age. Participant families played this game for six months with their young children between the ages of 3-7 years. The study tested whether children improve and retain their interest in eating fruits and vegetables because of the use of real fruit and vegetables in the game to more permanently change attitudes about healthy eating. Results showed that children developed a liking for fruits and vegetables, and none regressed. Half maintained their level of enjoyment for fruits and vegetables during the research period, while the other half had a positive increase. The game was able to increase the desire to eat fruits and vegetables and reduce aversions the children may have had to eating fruits and vegetables before being introduced to the game.
Differentiation of Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Fuels to Conventional Diesel Fuel
Authors: Jewison Zachary , Rokita Owen , Rasmus Joe
Published: September 2023

Plastic pollution and energy shortages are pressing issues in today’s world. Waste plastic pyrolysis attempts to solve these problems by eliminating waste from the environment while creating a viable alternative fuel to replace conventional fuels. This research examined whether waste plastic pyrolysis fuels are similar to conventional diesel and, thus, a plausible alternative fuel. We created three distinct waste plastic pyrolysis fuels: high-density polyethylene, polypropylene/low-density polyethylene, and a mixed fuel. Four tests isolated specific characteristics of each fuel: efficiency, calorific value, burn time, and relative density. Results showed that waste plastic pyrolysis fuels were not comparable in performance to conventional diesel: diesel had the longest burn time, the highest calorific value, and the highest efficiency of all fuels tested. These results suggest that conventional diesel is a superior fuel compared to waste plastic pyrolysis fuels.
Namaste to Wellbeing? The Effect of Yoga on the Health of African American High School Students
Authors: McClendon Briauna DN , Scott Jason
Published: September 2023

This study examined the potential psychological and physiological benefits of yoga for African American high school students who attended a rigorous college preparatory program. We hypothesized that yoga exercises would improve perceived stress levels, lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, and increase blood oxygen saturation. Our sample consisted of twenty-two students who participated in yoga or track (the control), with eleven in each group. The yoga group was a pre-existing afterschool program, while the track control group was matched as closely as possible to the yoga group by gender, age and blood pressure levels. We measured the perceived stress, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation levels prior to the first class and after the last class. We found that the perceived stress levels of yoga participants decreased 13% compared to the control group, which only decreased 1%; however, this was not a statistically significant difference. There were no significant differences between or within the groups’ resting heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Our results suggest that yoga does not have a significant effect on healthy high school students, possibly due to a lack of motivation among participants, although the generalizability of our findings are limited by the small sample size.
The Effect of Various Preparation Methods on the Spoilage Rate of Roma Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Cataltepe Arda , Sumathi Dhruv , Moffat Janet Kresl
Published: September 2023

As levels of food waste continue to rise, it is essential to find improved techniques of prolonging the shelf life of produce. This study aimed to find a simple, yet effective, method of slowing down spoilage in tomatoes. Roma tomatoes were soaked in water, salt water, bleach solution, vinegar solution, or vegetable oil. One half of the tomatoes washed in each solution were dried, while the rest were not. The tomatoes were then stored in individual plastic containers for 14 days and scored each day on a semi-quantitative scale that measured spoilage. While we originally hypothesized that the bleach treatment with drying would perform the best, soaking the tomatoes in salt water and leaving them undried resulted in the least spoilage over time. The salt water undried group had an average spoilage score of 7 out of 20 by the end of the first iteration and 4.3 out of 20 by the end of the second. These scores were both the lowest in their respective rounds of the experiment, demonstrating significantly reduced spoilage compared to the control. Linear regression analysis revealed that the salt water undried tomatoes displayed the lowest correlation between time and spoilage, confirming that this preparation was the most effective. Additionally, bacterial counts from the second iteration revealed that higher bacterial levels did not correlate to more visible spoilage. In conclusion, application of a simple 1% salt water solution to tomatoes could significantly extend their shelf life and thus reduce waste.
Reducing Crop Damage Caused by Folsomia candida by Providing an Alternate Food Source
Authors: Tamura Kelly , Moch Joseph
Published: September 2023

Collembola (Folsomia candida), hexapods found in nearly every land environment on earth, have been shown to be a crop pest. Researchers who culture Collembola in the laboratory often use yeast as a food source. A series of tests was conducted to 1) verify that Folsomia candida would feed on lettuce seedlings; and 2) determine if the availability of yeast as a food source would reduce damage to lettuce seedlings caused by feeding Collembola. The tests confirmed that F. candida will feed on lettuce seedlings. Results strongly suggest that the availability of yeast as a food source significantly reduces damage to lettuce seedlings caused by feeding activities. There is a strong suggestion that F. candida prefers yeast to lettuce seedlings
A Retrospective Study of the Relationship Between Hospital Regulatory Agency Variations and Opioid Mortality Rates, 1999-2014
Authors: Bernstein Ethan , Chisesi Cheri
Published: September 2023

Mortality from opioid abuse has risen dramatically in the United States over the last two decades and has become a national health crisis. The majority of hospitals in the United States receive accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCAHO). In July 2000, JCAHO released major revisions to its standards of care regarding pain evaluation and treatment. A common opinion is that JCAHO’s early 2000’s pain management standards are to blame for the opioid epidemic. The main objective of this research was to study opioid mortality over time in order to understand the contribution—or lack thereof—of hospital regulation regarding opioid usage. The following hypotheses were developed: (1) average death rates due to opioid overdose will be significantly different when comparing states grouped by hospital accreditation mix and (2) pre-post change in average death rates due to opioid overdose will be significantly different between states grouped by hospital accreditation mix.