bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in confidence and memory
Authors: Primack Sadie J , Primack Brian A
Published: September 2023

Eyewitness testimony is important for solving crimes, but it is often subject to inaccuracy, leading to wrongful convictions and acquittal. A better understanding of the characteristics of reliable witnesses is needed, including whether a witness's confidence indicates accuracy. Prior studies have conflicted over whether males or females tend to exhibit greater accuracy or confidence in their memories. Therefore, we conducted an original experiment to study sex differences in confidence and memory. We recruited a convenience sample of 328 individuals and assessed them using an online portal. We showed participants objects and subsequently tested their memory of the color of each object. We also asked participants to rate their confidence. Results showed that males were more confident than females regarding their memories. However, females correctly recalled more objects than males. In a multivariable logistic regression model, being female was associated with 1.78 times the odds of correctly identifying two or more objects (95% confidence interval = 1.08, 2.92). However, age and confidence were not significantly associated with identifying more correct objects. Results were consistent in additional analyses. These results suggest that though males tend to be more confident regarding their memories, they may in fact remember fewer details. While this information may be useful to individuals who work in crime scene recall settings—such as police, lawyers, and judges—more research would be useful to confirm these findings before making systematic changes.
Awareness of plastic pollution and adoption of green consumer lifestyles among students from high school
Authors: Lochner Melissa , Hardisty David
Published: September 2023

Green consumerism is a powerful tool that has the ability to be implemented to reduce plastic pollution. With the ever-increasing issue of plastic pollution, an uptake in green consumer lifestyles is as important as ever. This problem led us to research the question, “how will an increased awareness of worldwide plastic pollution lead to green consumer lifestyles among students who attend High School X?”. With this question, we hypothesized that an increased awareness of plastic pollution will lead to an increased uptake of green consumer habits and lifestyles. We used an experimental method with a pre-test post-test design to test our overarching hypothesis. Participants had to complete two questionnaires a week apart from each other. In addition, participants in the experimental group read and watched material about plastic pollution every day throughout the course of the week. After collecting our data, we assessed whether knowledge about plastic pollution and pro-ecological worldviews were changed significantly according to the New Ecological Paradigm Scale. There was a statistically significant increase in awareness and pro-ecological world views in the experimental group supporting our hypothesis. From our results, we were able to conclude that the material given to the experimental group was successful in increasing individual knowledge regarding plastic pollution as well as increasing individual pro-ecological world views. This increase in knowledge is also expected to increase the uptake of green consumer habits among our participants, therefore accomplishing the goal of our study.
Grammatical Gender and Politics: A Comparison of French and English in Political Discourse
Authors: Zhang Ellina , Deng Julia
Published: September 2023

Grammatical gender systems are prevalent across many languages, and when comparing French and English the existence of this system becomes a strong distinction. There have been studies that attribute assigned grammatical gender with the ability to influence conceptualization (attributing gender attributes) of all nouns, thus affecting people's thoughts on a grand scale. We hypothesized that due to the influence of a grammatical gender system, French political discourse would have a large difference between the number of masculine and feminine nouns used. Specifically, we predicted there would be a larger ratio of feminine to masculine nouns in French political discourse than in non-political discourse when compared to English discourse. Through linguistic analysis of gendered nouns in French political writing, we found that there is a clear difference between the number of feminine versus masculine nouns, signaling a preference for a more “effeminate” language. This preference can be attributed towards the utilization of the conceptualization of nouns in swaying public opinion. We examined the ratio of complex words (two syllables or more) to the total number of words across both English and French political and non-political writing. When comparing these four categories, we found a significant increase in complexity from non-political to political writing in English, all of which were more complex than French writing. This suggests that, due to a lack of a grammatical gender system, English resorts to grand but vague language that hinders delivery and clarity in political discourse.
Are alkaline spices the future of antibiotics?
Authors: Jani Shaan A , Reid Steven , Jani Jay A , Jani Jigna C
Published: September 2023

Some developing countries do not have access to the same medicine and antibiotics that developed countries do. Thus, we chose to focus on compounds and spices that have antimicrobial properties with a history of being used in traditional medicine but are not commonly used in developed countries. We experimented with the most commonly available alkaline spices (turmeric, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon) to study their antimicrobial properties. Our hypothesis was that alkaline spices would have antimicrobial activity. We used oral swabs from three volunteer subjects to inoculated blood-agar plates. The result of our 24-hour (bacteriostatic) experiment showed a zone of inhibition of bacterial growth, with the largest zone of inhibition being around turmeric, followed by cayenne pepper, and the smallest around cinnamon. The 48-hour (bactericidal) results were similar, but with added complexity in turmeric and cayenne pepper showing a mold-like substance with a zone of bacterial inhibition not seen with cinnamon. These results are impactful and support our hypothesis, as alkaline spices generally do show antibacterial properties and both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects correlated with degree of alkalinity. Further studies with an increased number of spices and with a larger sample size are needed to validate our findings.
Differences in the effect of copper sulfate on the mortality rate of Ostracod and Daphnia
Authors: Levinson Evgeny , Chernova Marina , Dinsdale Amelia , Harin Sophia , Sitnikov Makar , Dyakonov Stepan , Polevaya Taya , Merzlikin Semion , Dubakova Polina , Goncharova Vitalina , Totsky Katherine , Soloviev Alexander
Published: September 2023

Freshwater plankton habitats and its ecosystems are widely used indicators of chemical pollution. Control and estimation of effects induced by substances used in agriculture on freshwater organisms appear to be an important field of science, providing feedback on use of these chemicals. Our preliminary experiments with growing two species from different groups of freshwater crustaceans, Daphnia pulex and Ostracoda, in culture indicated different survival ability related to water quality, overcrowding, and food supply. We hypothesized that copper sulfate (CuSO4), which is a long-established herbicide and pesticide used in pond cleaning, can also have a different mortality rate on these animals. To test this hypothesis, we established and utilized a simple reproducible method via treatment of controlled number of animals with different concentrations of CuSO4. We performed a series of experiments with this chemical and our results indicated that it has different magnitudes of toxicity on two groups of freshwater crustaceans (Daphnia and Ostracoda). We conclude that this method can be helpful in ecological toxicity analysis and may be utilized for wider and more precise studies of different pesticides side effects.
Can essential oils be allelopathic to Lolium multiforum without harming Solanum lycopersicum?
Authors: Madan Shreya , Sapra Mamta , Pannell Caitlin
Published: September 2023

As global demand of agricultural crops for food and fuel increases, the need for exploring eco-friendly biological methods to control weeds and enhance food crop yield is rising. Essential oils can be a safe bio-herbicide with positive effects on food crops. The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of three essential oils on seed germination and radicle length of both a weed, Lolium multiforum (ryegrass), and a common crop, Solanum lycopersicum (tomato). Both plants were exposed to turmeric, ginger, and eucalyptus oils at two different concentrations, and seed germination rate and radicle length were measured on the seventh and tenth days, respectively. We found that treatment with turmeric oil had phytotoxic potential, leading to a reduction in both seed germination and radicle length of ryegrass without a negative impact on the tomato seedlings. Ginger oil possessed allelopathic properties towards ryegrass and tomato, inhibiting seed germination in both. The study highlights that essential oils can be used as eco-friendly bio-herbicides to increase crop yields.
The effects of different modes of vocalization and food consumption on the level of droplet transmission of bacteria
Authors: Wong Audrey , Tran Michael
Published: September 2023

Expulsion of microbes through vocalization represents an important means by which pathogens are transmitted between individuals. Based on the current CDC guideline, a distance of three feet is considered to be sufficient to prevent transmission of microbes. In this study, we specifically focused on droplet transmission of bacteria expelled through the mouth, capturing microorganisms on Petri dishes set at different distances during various activities. Our goal was to assess how the mode of vocalization and the type of food consumed impact the level of bacterial transmission. By measuring the bacterial count in Petri dishes after each activity, we determined that, in fact, transmission of bacteria is significantly impacted by the type of vocal activities and the food consumed prior to vocalization. Additionally, our results are consistent with the CDC three-foot physical distancing guideline for droplet transmission of bacteria. Our study also informs on the types of activities that are associated with greater transmission of oral bacteria, such as speaking loudly and sneezing. Food types that increased bacterial transmission include raw kimchi and apples, whereas consuming raw garlic reduced transmission.
The influence of remote learning on sleep patterns of teenagers
Authors: Adam Ellie C , Sakash Replogle Jessica B
Published: September 2023

A healthy sleep pattern is crucial to the overall health and wellbeing of teenagers, and poor sleep patterns can harm school performance. Due to stay-at-home orders mandated by the governor of Ohio in March 2020, students were converted to remote learning. The purpose of this study was to compare the sleep patterns of teenagers before the stay-at-home orders and during remote learning. Individual chronotypes impact peak productivity, and remote learning imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique opportunity to study how teenagers may take advantage of their chronotype for optimal learning. Data was collected using an online survey distributed to teenagers in the Greater Cincinnati area. The survey completed by 141 participants compared teenagers' overall sleep habits and attitude towards school before and during the remote learning period. During the stay-at-home orders, teenagers participating in remote learning extended their sleep duration by 1-2 hours, resulting in 83% of surveyed teenagers receiving healthy sleep amounts and 55% reporting feeling more rested. Sleep patterns of teenagers were also altered by the stay-at-home orders, as seen by the significant shift to later bedtimes and wake times. Later wake times and bedtimes align with the self-reported night owl chronotype reported by a majority of respondents. These results can help create more effective learning periods for adolescents that optimize personal chronotype.
The knowledge and perception of opioid abuse and its long-term effects among high schoolers
Authors: Shroff Anya , Adams Emily
Published: September 2023

The opioid crisis is a major problem in the United States. After discussing with researchers who are on the front-line of this crisis, it was determined that information about the perception of adolescents on the opioid crisis was limited. Therefore, we assessed if there are differences in knowledge about opioids between 9th and 12th graders in a suburban, independent high school. Knowledge and perception of opioid abuse and its long-term effects was measured by a series of surveys. Hypothetically, 12th graders would have a greater knowledge of opioid abuse and its long-term effects as compared to the 9th graders because the 12th graders have spent more time in school. An educational intervention trial was done with the 9th grade students, and surveys were given to assess if the participants of the lecture gained any knowledge. The statistically significant results collected demonstrated that 12th graders had a greater knowledge of opioid abuse and its long-term effects than the 9th graders, confirming our hypothesis. Our sample size could have limited the statistical significance of some of the trials and confidence in our results can be strengthened by further replications of our experiment. The data collected in this study can be beneficial to fighting the opioid crisis present in the United States by targeting specific age groups with different educational strategies.
The Effect of Anubias barteri Plant Species on Limiting Freshwater Acidification
Authors: Ramanathan Serena , Eusden Spencer
Published: September 2023

As dependence on fossil fuel combustion solidifies, environmental impacts of carbon emissions are exasperated, including freshwater and saltwater acidification. These processes result in acidifying water ecosystems, negatively changing ecosystem conditions for organisms. Existing research identifies the potential of aquatic plants on limiting ocean acidification. However, research relating to freshwater acidification is minimal, so the impact of aquatic plants, Anubias barteri var. congensis and Anubias barteri var. nana, on minimizing changes in pH was explored in an ecosystem in Northern California. Creek water samples, with and without the aquatic plants, were exposed to dry ice to simulate carbon emissions and the pH was monitored over an eight-hour period. Water samples with aquatic plants were hypothesized to have a smaller change in pH than water samples without aquatic plants. The data was used to measure the ability of aquatic plants to serve as a buffer in limiting pH change. Statistically significant differences were identified between the water samples with and without plants using a t-test after 285 minutes of the experimental period. There was a 25% difference in the observed pH based on molar hydrogen ion concentration between the water samples with plants and those without plants, suggesting that aquatic plants have the potential to limit acidification to some extent. These findings can guide future research to explore the viable partial solution of aquatic plants in combating freshwater acidification.
Comparative singlet oxygen photosensitizer efficiency of berberine, rose bengal, and methylene blue by time course nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitoring of a photochemical 4+2 cycloaddition endoperoxide formation
Authors: Su Sarah , Indran Karthikha Sri , Pal Sohie , Le Emma , Regan Anika , Jain Meher , Shah Aashi , Iglesias David , Wang Andrew , Njoo Edward
Published: September 2023

Berberine, a natural product alkaloid, has been shown to exert biological activity via in situ production of singlet oxygen when photo irradiated. Berberine utilizes singlet oxygen in its putative mechanism of action, wherein it forms an activated complex with DNA and photosensitizes triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen to specifically oxidize guanine residues, thereby halting cell replication and leading to cell death. This has potential application in photodynamic therapy, alongside other such compounds which also act as photosensitizers and produce singlet oxygen in situ. The quantification of singlet oxygen in various photosensitizers, including berberine, is essential for determining their photosensitizer efficiencies. We postulated that the singlet oxygen produced by photoirradiation of berberine would be superior in terms of singlet oxygen production to the aforementioned photosensitizers when irradiated with UV light, but inferior under visible light conditions, due to its strong absorbance of UV wavelengths. Here, we report the usage of time course 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to trap singlet oxygen via a 4+2 cycloaddition with terpinene, as well as theoretical calculations by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) towards quantification of berberine's singlet oxygen production against two known photosensitizers, methylene blue and rose bengal, to determine berberine’s efficacy as a singlet oxygen photosensitizer. We envision that similar processes can be utilized for the evaluation of berberine analogs or other photosensitizing agents and the identification of other potential medicinally significant singlet oxygen photosensitizers.
Similarity Graph-Based Semi-supervised Methods for Multiclass Data Classification
Authors: Balaji Ashwin , Merkurjev Ekaterina
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the study was to determine whether graph-based machine learning techniques, which have increased prevalence in the last few years, can accurately classify data into one of many clusters, while requiring less labeled training data and parameter tuning as opposed to traditional machine learning algorithms. We hypothesized that traditional machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machines (SVM), neural networks, and random forests, would perform accurately with less labeled training data and parameter tuning compared to their graph-based counterparts. We tested three traditional algorithms, (SVM, neural networks, and random forests), and two graph-based algorithms, (K Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and a graph-based adaptation of the classical Merriman-Bence-Osher scheme for estimating mean curvature). We ran each algorithm across three datasets of varying dimensionality, or number of features – the data banknote dataset, letter recognition dataset, and breast cancer dataset contained 5, 26, and 30 features, respectively. Algorithms were analyzed using training data, taken as a subset of each overall dataset, and averaged across four iterations. Our results did not support the hypothesis as the traditional algorithms did not outperform the graph-based techniques on all datasets, regardless of dimensionality. We determined that the accuracy of graph-based and traditional classification algorithms depends directly upon the number of features of each dataset, the number of classes in each dataset, and the amount of labeled training data used.
From trash to treasure: A sustainable approach to oil spill clean-up
Authors: Kathir Kavin , Carroll Michelle
Published: September 2023

Oil spill clean-up is a colossal and pressing problem in our world today. About 1.5 million gallons of oil are spilled each year and millions of dollars are spent to clean-up the spilled oil. These spills also harm marine animals and pollute drinking water. Due to these detrimental environmental effects, cleaning up oil spill is imperative. Finding an effective method to combat these oil spills will greatly reduce the amount of damage and the cost of oil spill clean-up. We examined the ability of two plant-based biodegradable sorbents, water spangle leaves (Salvinia minima) and milkweed fibers (Asclepias syriaca) to retain oil in fresh and salt water conditions. We hypothesized that milkweed fibers would be more effective than water spangle leaves for oil spill clean-up due to its hydrophobic, oleophilic nature and its tubular structure. In addition, we assessed milkweed fibers for their recovery and reusability by recovering the absorbed oil using a vacuum filter unit. Our results indicate that milkweed fibers are a more effective sorbent than water spangle leaves and could be reused multiple times. Interestingly, we also found that milkweed fibers were able to absorb oil up to 40 times of its weight. The results from this study will help find an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for oil spill clean-up using natural, biodegradable sorbents.
The Potential of Fibroblast Growth Factors to Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro
Authors: Cheng George , Subramani Vibu , Lutz Halle
Published: September 2023

There is a great need for studying mechanisms of hair follicle cycles and designing small molecular drugs, biologics, formulation, and surgical treatment for androgenic alopecia (AGA, a common form of hair recession). While minoxidil has served as a solution in the past, it is a vasodilator and can react heavily with alcohol. Furthermore, minoxidil must be used at night, as it requires 6 hours for the product to settle and perform its function. Therefore, alternative approaches are needed to treat AGA. Numerous clinical trials are studying the use of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) for tissue regeneration applications. Additionally, FGFs have been proven to stimulate stem cell growth and tissue regeneration. In the present study, we tested the effects of four FGFs, namely FGF1 (aFGF), FGF2 (bFGF), FGF10 (KGF-2), and FGF21, as compared to the gold standard, minoxidil, on isolated primary mouse hair follicle dermal papilla (DP) cells. We also used plain cell culture media (without growth factors or serum) as a negative control. Cell proliferation and viability were measured using both a biochemical assay and fluorescent microscope examinations. Our results indicate that several FGFs can promote DP cell proliferation. Interestingly, our results show that minoxidil promotes DP cell proliferation in the absence of a vascular system. In addition, DP cells cultured in FGFs exhibited a more organized cytoskeleton as compared to the ones cultured with minoxidil, suggesting the potential advantages of FGFs in general cellular health. In that regard, we hypothesize that FGFs can stimulate hair growth and treat AGA.
EEG study of virtual learning demonstrates worsened learning outcomes and increased mirror neuron activation
Authors: Choi Clara , Rossitto Leigh-Ana
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated virtual forms of schooling and learning, which has been a challenging adjustment that may continue to be required with resurgences in infection or future disease outbreaks. In order to improve the effectiveness of virtual learning, we need a better understanding of any cognitive limitations associated with virtual learning formats and technologies. This study examined the differences between in-person dance learning and virtual dance learning, as measured by mirror neuron activation and learning outcomes. My hypothesis was that virtual learning induces a lower level of mirror neuron activation in the brain (as approximated by mu rhythm band power) than in-person learning, which I expected to coincide with worse learning outcomes. In this study, the electroencephalography (EEG) brain waves of eight participants were recorded while the participants watched and learned two dances: one over a computer screen and another via live, in-person demonstration. At the end of each demonstration, participants were asked to perform the routine from memory and were scored on a 5-point rubric. As hypothesized, participants scored lower on the performance rubric when learning virtually versus in-person. However, contrary to expectations, the EEG data showed that participants actually had higher mirror neuron activation when learning virtually versus in-person. This study demonstrated a statistically significant suppression of mu rhythm power, which is a proxy for heightened mirror neuron activity, for virtual learning compared to in-person learning. This illustrates that, while virtual dance learning is harder than in-person dance learning, when participants are asked to try to learn new movements over a screen, their mirror neurons are more highly engaged than when learning in-person. These findings have broader implications for both the effectiveness and mental exertion or cognitive load of virtual learning.
A bibliometric analysis of the use of biomimetic silk conduits for treating peripheral nerve injuries
Authors: Jain Stuti , Hesselberg Thomas
Published: September 2023

Peripheral nerves are critical because they function as a relay between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. However, because the peripheral nervous system is not protected by bones, it is vulnerable to injuries. Severe peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are categorized by the presence of nerve gaps – spaces between two ends of a transected nerve. Common treatments for such injuries are nerve grafts or synthetic conduits, but these treatments have various limitations which have led to research into the development of silk conduits for PNIs. In order to examine this novel research field, we employed a bibliometric analysis, a form of analysis where statistical methods are used to interpret previously collected data. We created and applied a 3-analysis method that provided both quantitative and qualitative information. The methodology was developed to answer our three research questions: 1) How has the field of peripheral nerve regeneration conduit research, and its subfields, grown in the past 20 years? 2) What are previous successful and unsuccessful approaches? 3) What are possible areas for future studies? The growth analysis we conducted showed a clear increase in total number of papers published about conduits per year, especially for silk conduits. Our analysis also revealed that silk conduits performed almost as well as nerve grafts and identified some promising properties for further in vivo testing, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and the ability to bridge any length of gap.
Deep residual neural networks for increasing the resolution of CCTV images
Authors: Bantval Pranav , Akbari Parsa
Published: September 2023

Images from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are often stored with poor resolution due to technical and data storage limitations, reducing the utility of these images. In this study, we propose that informed design and training of an enhanced deep residual network (EDSR) can increase the resolution of CCTV images. This work is the first published application of the EDSR methodology for increasing CCTV image resolution. We utilized a dataset of 986 CCTV images that trained and tested an EDSR for generating high-resolution images from a low-resolution dataset. Implementing an EDSR model, we demonstrate that with 60 layers, performing image super-resolution is extremely effective, producing a peak signal-to-noise ratio value of 76.83 decibels. Furthermore, this technique may be used more generally as a technique for file compression enabling the storage of images at smaller file sizes at low-resolution and the ability to reproduce the same images in high-resolution form.
TNF signaling pathway upregulation as a potential pharmaceutical target for cocaine-addicted individuals
Authors: Motorwala Sarah , Raman Akash , Sang Felicia , Liu Ranya , Lee Inhan
Published: September 2023

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant that induces the buildup of dopamine in the brain, which over-stimulates the body’s reward system. Overdose deaths related to cocaine have been steadily increasing since 2014, with existing addiction treatments having limited capabilities. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to analyze the differentially expressed genes related to cocaine addiction and the cellular pathways they are associated with to expand potential targets for pharmacological therapies.

We used the dataset GSE54839 from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database to investigate the RNA expression differences between groups of chronic cocaine abusers and drug-free subjects. In our analysis, we split 60 samples into 2 test groups of 30 from an originally triplicated dataset. We identified about 370 significantly expressed genes (p-value < 5 x 10-4). We categorized these genes as upregulated or downregulated genes using String-dB. We performed further enrichment testing using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses.

In this dataset, we identified the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) KEGG pathway as the most prominently upregulated pathway in cocaine-addicted individuals. Because of this, we believe that TNF pathway proteins have the potential to be pharmaceutical targets for treating cocaine addiction. However, the existing medications that mediate TNF activity mainly target autoimmune diseases, thus not guaranteeing that a protein could directly address cocaine addiction. Future research should further characterize the TNF pathway’s efficacy as a pharmaceutical target.
Constructing an equally weighted stock portfolio based on systematic risk (beta)
Authors: Gangavarapu Yashwanth , Palffy Christina , Gangavarapu Pavani
Published: September 2023

Many people worldwide make investments in different categories, especially stocks, to save and gain more money. The purpose of this study was to show the relationship between the beta (a measure of systematic risk) and returns on selected stocks from six different industries. Besides that, our goal was to determine if, while building a long-term portfolio, picking stocks from various sectors is efficient enough to outperform an overall market. We selected stocks from six industries - technology, pharmaceutical, energy, automobile, banking, and consumer staples sectors - from 2006 through 2020 for comparison. We calculated beta for each stock and sector using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). These results were consistent with the hypothesis and demonstrated that above-average beta stocks from most sectors showed higher returns than below-average beta stocks and the market. Sector-wise, compared to the market and low beta stocks, higher beta stocks in the technology, pharmaceuticals, and consumer staples sectors displayed higher returns. Whereas in the automobile and energy sector, above-average beta stocks did perform better than lower beta stocks; however, they underperformed compared to the market. In the banking sector, above-average beta stocks did not perform very well. Overall, these results suggest that using above-average beta stocks from different sectors could be a viable way to build a profitable stock portfolio. Our model’s uniqueness is to balance the total portfolio, reducing risk not to drop drastically even if few sectors fluctuate by calculating a systematic risk beta for each sector and each stock within the sectors.
The sweetened actualities of neural membrane proteins: A computational structural analysis
Authors: Chauhan Radha B , Almaraz Ruben T
Published: September 2023

In nature, every cell is coated by an array of complex molecules known as glycans, which are also known as sugars. Their intricacy makes them difficult to analyze and as a consequence little is known about their function. However, in the last decade, compounding evidence points to glycans participating in critical roles in every cell type, including neurons. In fact, altered glycosylation has been correlated to neural disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease. To learn more about these molecules, we investigated two neural membrane glycoproteins: the type-A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) and the human 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B (5-HT2B) receptors by computational methods. We examined if the glycan structures could physically interfere with the receptor active site. To answer this question, we modeled different glycans on each protein. The model shows that the active sites are heavily glycosylated and all or several glycans are either directly on or bracketing the active site. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated these molecules to be highly dynamic and in the case of 5-HT2B receptor, capable of covering the entire active site region. Therefore, validating our hypothesis that at least physically, glycans partakes with the active site functions. Future experimental work needs to be done to reveal how the absence or structure changes in these molecules relate to disease. This information can be used for future neurological disease treatments and possible cures.
COVID-19 pandemic impact on emotional aspects of high school students
Authors: Mahesh Shruti , Rajamani Subbha
Published: September 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic beginning in late 2019 resulted in several effects on people’s lifestyles. One of the key affected areas was the academic sector, especially since schools had to be closed to protect students from contracting the disease. The fundamental purpose of this study was to assess the impact of shutting down schools on the emotional aspects of high school students. To measure this impact, we conducted an online survey. We found that factors such as lack of face-to-face interaction due to remote learning, e-learning challenges including inconsistent network connectivity, and uncertainties experienced during the pandemic had adverse effects on high school students’ emotions. The emotions commonly identified in this group were fear and anxiety. Analyzing the patterns and problems that occurred during this unprecedented time, will allow for more focused improvements toward emotional health for teens in the future.
Fractals: Exploring Mandelbrot Coordinates and qualitative characteristics of the corresponding Julia Set
Authors: Thomas Edward , Williams Samuel
Published: September 2023

The Mandelbrot Set and Julia Sets are fractals that are generated employing the cyclic equation zn+1 = zn2 + C an infinite number of times, where zn and C are complex numbers. For the Mandelbrot set, the value of zn is static and the equation projects points that do not diverge to infinity for all possible values of C derived from coordinates on the complex plane. For Julia Sets, every value of C remains static while every value for zn that does not diverge to infinity is projected. Because the standard, 2D Mandelbrot set assumes the value of zn = 0, there is only one primary depiction of the Mandelbrot Set. For Julia Sets, the value of C is not assumed, and therefore, there are an infinite number of Julia Sets. In this study, the effect of changing the coordinate from which the value of C is derived in the complex plane for the equation zn+1 = zn2 + C on the qualitative characteristics of the coordinate’s corresponding, standard 2D Julia Set in relation to the standard, 2D Mandelbrot Set is observed —­ ­specifically, Julia Sets derived from points outside the Mandelbrot Set, in the main cardioid of the Mandelbrot Set, in the primary bulbs of the Mandelbrot Set, along the edges of the Mandelbrot set, along the real and imaginary axes.
Determining surface tension of various liquids and shear modulus of paper using crumpling effect
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Salam Md Laraib
Published: September 2023

When a wet piece of paper is dried, it becomes crumpled. We termed this phenomenon the ‘Crumpling Effect’. The crumpling effect is commonly referred to as buckling of paper by water-color artists and can be caused by water or various other liquids and solutions. We hypothesized that the surface tension of the liquid soaked in the paper acts parallelly to the plane of the sheet but perpendicularly on the paper fibers as shear stress. The shear stress of surface tension pulls the sheet inwards as an attempt by the liquid to reduce its surface energy and creates the crumpling in the sheet of paper. We experimented with different liquids and observed that the mean height of crumpling varied by liquid with an ink solution causing the greatest crumpling 0.0028 m and a soap solution causing the least crumpling of 0.0008 m. Crumpling Effect measurements can be used to determine the surface tension of any liquid absorbed by paper. However, the shear modulus of elasticity of paper is not standard and depends on the quality of materials and method of manufacture. By repeating the experiment with purified water and different paper qualities, we determined the shear modulus of the papers to be 0.043 N/m for copier paper and 0.015 N/m for bond paper.
Effects of Photoperiod Alterations on Stress Response in Daphnia magna
Authors: Kelly Johnny , Grateful Terese
Published: September 2023

In the modern world people are often impacted by factors that control when they can sleep and for how long, which results in an altered photoperiod. Alterations in photoperiod can occur from a variety of factors, ranging from working night shifts to travelling and changing time zones, and therefore influence the daily lives of many people. The purpose of these experiments was to determine if alterations in photoperiod affect the stress response in Daphnia magna. We hypothesized that if Daphnia magna are exposed to alterations in photoperiod, then there will be an increased stress response. We kept two distinct Daphnia populations and exposed the experimental group to a shorter photoperiod of 12 hours instead of the traditional 24-hour photoperiod. During the testing period, we tracked possible stress responses, including mean heart rate, brood size and male-to-female ratio. There were statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups for both heart rate and brood size. Specifically, the experimental group exhibited an increased heart rate and brood size relative to the control group. Within the experimental group, there was statistically significant variation in the brood size over time, with the peak brood size occurring on day three or four in the seven-day trial. Male-to-female ratio did not have a statistically significant response to the altered photoperiod. The results found support the hypothesis of increased stress when photoperiod is altered, which could also indicate that altered photoperiod may have an impact on people that constantly experience changes in their photoperiod.
Influence of socioeconomic status on academic performance in virtual classroom settings
Authors: Kim Su Ah , Nicholson Jason
Published: September 2023

As the children of immigrant parents, we understand the significant extent to which education is a tool for becoming contributing global citizens. During the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing first-hand how socioeconomic inequalities were affecting education, we were determined to make a difference. We conducted an online survey to evaluate the impact of household socioeconomic status (SES) on student participation and performance in distance learning at the height of the COVID-19 in communities along the Monterey Bay Peninsula. SES is defined as the combined measure of gross income, educational attainment, and occupation. We hypothesized that students from low-socioeconomic households lacking resources and safe and supportive learning atmospheres would seldom participate during distance learning; therefore, earn lower grade point averages (GPAs) than students from higher SES households. We surveyed students from neighboring high schools whose student bodies are separated by a vast wealth gap, and utilized a novel scoring system to quantify the responses specifically for SES and direct participation factors (e.g., unmuting to participate in a class discussion and typing answers into the chat). The results suggested that high SES for Carmel High School and low SES for Monterey High School had a substantial impact on student achievement during distance learning. The average participation score for Carmel students was statistically significantly greater than Monterey students. Furthermore, students from the upper SES range attained higher weighted GPAs. This work ultimately reveals the inequality present in our current education system and the negative implications for low SES students in the online learning environment.
Effects of Withania Somnifera on Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A in the model organism Eisenia Fetida
Authors: Srinivasan Mridula , Srinivasan Shridhula , Fallon Renee
Published: September 2023

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) affects 250,000 people in the United States alone. CMT1A causes abnormalities in the myelin sheath due to the duplication of PMP22 on chromosome 17. This duplication causes the breakdown of the myelin sheath that wraps the sensory and spinal cord motor neurons. CMT1A is commonly associated with symptoms that include bone deformities, pes cavus (a deformity in the plantar arch), and muscle weakness. This study focused on finding a correlation between Withania somnifera ingestion and the speed of the nerve signal. W. somnifera is a plant in the Solanaceae family, which grows in the Middle East, India, and parts of Africa, and it has been reported to be protective against demyelination. Our model organism, Eisenia Fetida, is a species of earthworm. Our hypothesis was that if W. somnifera is added to E. fetida’s diet, there would be a decrease in demyelination leading to a faster nerve conduction rate. From the experiment, we found that W. somnifera significantly increased the speed of the nerve conduction in E. fetida, making W. somnifera a potential option to investigate as a treatment for CMT1A.
Mask wearing and oxyhemoglobin saturation effects during exercise
Authors: Foss Parker , Nolan Charlie , Rasmus Joseph
Published: September 2023

Wearing face masks has become a common occurrence in everyday life and during athletics due to the spread of diseases. Hemoglobin transport is a key process that occurs when oxygen is carried to surrounding organs and tissues. During exercise, hemoglobin increases but the amount of oxygen may not increase which is why percent saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) drops. We had 30 subjects run on a treadmill at 6 miles per hour 3 separate times, with no mask, a cloth mask, and an elevation mask. They were separated into 3 groups based on fitness, and their SpO2 levels were measured 3 times throughout the run. We wanted to see if masks would affect blood percent saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2). To analyze our data, we used Statistical Analysis Software (SAS), and compared data with an F-test (specifically, General Linear Models). Our data analysis showed that mask type, time, and the interaction of mask type and time were significant. Although, the impacts of fitness group, and the interaction of fitness and mask type were not significant. Our results allow athletes to understand the differences between training and competing with and without a mask. In summary, our study found that masks heavily impede oxygen transport in the blood, regardless of physical ability.
Reimagize – a digital card-based roleplaying game to improve adolescent girls’ body image
Authors: Kumar Unnathi Utpal , Ranjan Adhrit , Sahu Shivam
Published: September 2023

The perceived importance of beauty and physical appearance in 21st-century society is immense. Research has previously been found that being thin and/or muscular has become associated with being “hard-working, successful, popular, beautiful, strong, and self-disciplined,” whereas being “fat” is associated with being “lazy, ignorant, hated, ugly, weak, and lacking in will-power.” These stereotypes can negatively affect one’s self-esteem and ultimately result in poor performance or eating disorders. With that in mind, Reimagize, a role-playing with decision-making, was conjured, implementing social psychological concepts like counter-stereotyping and perspective-taking. As the game works implicitly to influence body image, it even counters image issues beyond personal body dissatisfaction. This study explored whether a digital role-playing card game, incorporating some of the most common prejudices of body image (like size prejudice, prejudices from the media, etc.) as identified by a digital survey/questionnaire completed by Indian girls aged 11-21, could counter these issues and reduce personal body dissatisfaction. The real-world effectiveness of the game was tested among 44 high school-age Indian girls using the Body Esteem Scale. In the pre- and post-game phases, there was a significant increase in the scores of the girls in the experimental group, specifically in weight concern and physical condition. Subscores in sexual attractiveness remained stagnant. With this success, there is scope to expand to other genders to improve body image, creating a positive change.
Fire and dry grass: Effects of Pennisetum villosum on a California native, Nassella pulchra, in drought times
Authors: Chang Hana , Ruiz-Jones Lupita
Published: September 2023

Invasive species pose a significant threat to many ecosystems, whether by outcompeting native species and disturbing food webs, or through increasing risks of natural disasters like flooding and wildfires. The ornamental grass species Pennisetum villosum R. Br. (also called Cenchrus longisetus M.C. Johnst.) was previously identified by the California Invasive Plant Council as being potentially invasive; this experiment was conducted to determine if P. villosum displays characteristics of an invasive species when grown in a California chaparral environment. This was done by growing it near a California native grass, Nassella pulchra (Hitchc.) Barkworth (also called Stipa pulchra Hitchc.), under both drought and non-drought conditions, and measuring the longest grass blades of each plant once a week. We found that in both conditions, the two species had similar germination rates, and that P. villosum grew significantly larger than N. pulchra for around 95 days. In control conditions, P. villosum then became reduced in size until it was significantly shorter than N. pulchra, while in drought conditions, there was no significant difference between the species. In this study, P. villosum did not negatively affect Nassella pulchra’s growth but may cause a fire hazard.
A machine learning approach for abstraction and reasoning problems without large amounts of data
Authors: Isik Suleyman Emre , Aytekin Ali Eren , Vurus Halil
Published: September 2023

Data-hungry machine learning techniques can sometimes be more successful than human intelligence for the ability they have acquired for the specific task they were trained for. However, task-based machine learning techniques with very little data are rather inconsistent compared to human cognitive abilities due to the lack of generalization. This makes it difficult for algorithms to handle volatile and hard-to-predict real life problems. Alternative approaches that have the potential to offer human-like abstraction capability are needed. This research is aimed to create an algorithm that emulates the performance-like, reasoning tasks that people apply in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests without the need for large amounts of data. The created algorithm solves reasoning problems in the created data set. Generalization is expected to be able to solve arbitrary complex tasks rather than a skill acquisition for a task. We obtained an accuracy score of 0.834 for the solutions created by the developed algorithm. Significance tests on the variations of accuracy have shown that consistency is achieved through unknown tasks and over-fitting problems are avoided which was not the case for task-based developed Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) methods using Cellular Automaton (CA) during this research. The algorithm on abstraction-reasoning and testing provides a benchmark for measuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill acquisition in unknown tasks with very small amount of data to learn.