ikatkov/journal-of-student-research-hs-articles huggingface dataset:
Determining the Efficacy of Polyphenols in Inhibiting the Aggregation of Amyloid Beta Proteins
Authors: Gayathri Renganathan; Bridget Liu, Bhoomi Jain, Sumayyah Ismail, Kavya Patel, Ayush Patel, Alyssa Halvorsen, Nandini Mannem
Date: 08-31-2023

Alzheimer's Disease is caused by an aggregation of amyloid beta and tau proteins in the brain. Polyphenols, a broad class of naturally-existing compounds, have been shown to inhibit the aggregation of those proteins. This project aims to focus on expressing different combinations of those proteins, as well as assaying those proteins for aggregation inhibition using polyphenols such as curcumin, caffeic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and more to determine which polyphenol is most effective in doing so. We chose to use these polyphenols because of their past precedence in other work, along with their widespread prevalence. However, this project focused more on the biological and in-vitro aspect of polyphenols inhibiting amyloid beta, such as conducting multiple assays including Congo Red, Avoidance, and Dynamic Light Scattering in order to receive tangible results. Through our studies, we found that polyphenols do produce an inhibitory effect on the aggregation of amyloid-beta.
Exploring the Role of Interaction in Engagement and Satisfaction Within Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Abe Shin
Date: 08-31-2023

Empirical studies have recognized the significant role of student engagement and interaction in determining satisfaction within high-quality, synchronous virtual learning environments. A prevailing concept in research surrounding synchronous virtual satisfaction suggests that interaction is a key driver of learner engagement. However, very few research has delved into the underpinnings of this relationship. This study, therefore, aims to examine the potential mechanisms that link student engagement and satisfaction through interactions within a synchronous virtual learning environment. A sample of 200 South Korean secondary school students, comprising a balanced gender ratio (51% male, 49% female), was included in this research. The findings demonstrate a series of positive correlations among student engagement, interaction, and satisfaction. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed a positive relationship between student engagement and satisfaction, with interaction serving as a mediating variable. The study's results suggest that high school students derive benefits when teachers take active steps to engage them. The findings of this study could guide future planners of synchronous virtual learning environments to prioritize student engagement as a strategic initiative for boosting satisfaction levels.
An Analysis of Interventional Clinical Trials and Trends in Potential Glioblastoma Therapeutics
Authors: Ananya Uddanti
Date: 08-31-2023

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), an aggressive malignant tumor of the central nervous system, carries a poor prognosis. This research aimed to analyze the current and future trends of interventional GBM clinical trials. Analyzed trials met the following eligibility criteria: registration between January 1st, 2012, and July 19, 2022, of interventional study type, in trial phases II-IV, and were either completed, recruiting, or active. Of 1,728 GBM-related trials, 336 were eligible. A majority of trials were of open-label masking (89.58%, n=301), academia-sponsored (44.94%, n=151), and systemic interventions (87.20%, n=293). Despite an increasing trend in the number of trials initiated, other findings provided a basis for concern: negligible focus on localized interventions, minimal funding by industry, and widespread use of open-label maskingof funding by industry and minimal trials examining localized therapies hinders the availability of interventions and the improvement of treatment techniques, respectively.&nbsp; Likewise, open-label masking is not the standard, nor is the use supported in clinical trial studies, as it does not eliminate placebo responses. These conclusions are the basis of concerns and areas of improvement in the GBM clinical trial landscape.
Factors Contributing to Heightened Anxiety in Airline Pilots During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Madeleine Hontz; Jennifer Osborne
Date: 08-31-2023

This study analyzed the specific effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the mental health of airline pilots. Using an exploratory research methodology, the researcher sent a self-designed questionnaire to seventeen (17) currently registered pilots that flew before, during, and after the pandemic. The intent of the survey was to measure anxiety levels and explore causes of anxiety. The results showed that there were three (3) common causes of post-pandemic anxiety: lack of job security, decreased social interactions, and lack of control. This study analyzed mental health, which is less commonly talked about within the aviation industry. Future research should continue to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on airline pilots, and how to manage a comparable situation again in the future.
Analyzing Twitter Data to Understand Stigmatization of Schizophrenia Before and After Elon Musk
Authors: Melinda Mo; Daniel Olivo
Date: 08-31-2023

Stigmatization of mental health has become an increasingly prevalent issue in recent years, particularly on social media. The perpetuation of online stigma has significant negative impact on those with schizophrenia, affecting their social lives, self-esteem, ability to succeed in treatment, and more. One major factor that may affect stigmatization on social media is how content moderation is perceived by the users of the platform, as well as the social norms surrounding acceptable discussions on said platform. This relationship has not yet been examined in the context of schizophrenia stigma on Twitter. Elon Musk’s recent acquisition of Twitter has provided an opportunity to do just this, as his public statements and goals for the platform have suggested increased “freedom of speech” and decreased restrictions on content posted, changing how Twitter users perceive allowed conversations. The current study analyzed discussions of schizophrenia on Twitter before and after Elon Musk’s acquisition, coding individual Tweets based on the extent to which they indicated a stigmatizing attitude towards schizophrenia. Main findings include a marginally significant positive association between schizophrenia stigmatization and Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, with an increase in stigmatizing attitudes. Further, in agreement with previous literature on this topic, this study reveals that the stigma of schizophrenia is widespread on Twitter both prior and following Musk’s acquisition. The results of the study may be useful in guiding social networking companies and advocacy efforts to create programs or restrictions that counters stigmatization and further protects those with schizophrenia.
An Innovative Alternative to Plastic Straws with Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Sean Lee, Kevin Lee; Joshua Whang
Date: 08-31-2023

This study aims to introduce the usage of biodegradable bacterial cellulose as an alternative material to straw production. Cellulose is a crystalline linear chain polysaccharide found in various organisms with cell walls. Known for its strength and durability, cellulose is also biodegradable due to its organic nature. Through a series of different experiments that include the production of cellulose from SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) and the subsequent creation of straws from the cellulose and food-safe glue, this study proposes a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic straws. Further experiments were done to compare the functionality of the cellulose straw to that of plastic straws and other alternatives currently in the market, including paper and metal straws. This was done using a strength test to see how much weight the straws could hold before breaking, a test to see how long the straws could maintain their integrity with water running through them, and an experiment where different drinking liquids were used. It was found that the cellulose straws displayed no loss in functionality when compared to the other straws and displayed similar levels of durability as the plastic straws.
Exploring the Influence of East Asian Culture Tendencies to Judge Others Based on Familial Factors
Authors: Hidan Kim; EunHye Song
Date: 08-31-2023

This study aimed to explore the influence of familial factors on prejudice among East Asians, considering the ambiguous impact of Confucian collectivism. To achieve this, a literature review was conducted to examine previous research on prejudice and its association with familial factors. The study employed the Implicit Bias Test and collected data from a voluntary sample of 33 East Asian individuals. The results of a logistical regression test (p=4.31 e -0.5) demonstrated that the participants placed considerable importance on familial factors: parental income, parental occupational prestige, and parental education.&nbsp; These findings indicate a significant influence of familial qualities in the judgments made by East Asians. However, further investigation is necessary to understand the specific role of Confucian culture in shaping these dynamics (Rsq =0.532). Overall, this study contributes to the existing literature and highlights the need for additional research to fully comprehend the complex interplay between familial factors, prejudice, and cultural influences among East Asians.
Student Perceptions of Involvement in Secondary-Level Competitive Forensics Organizations
Authors: Nikhil Pochana; Esohe Egiebor, Jeff Baker
Date: 08-31-2023

Previous literature in the field of education highlighted the impacts of student involvement in extracurricular activities on student academic and personal development; however, much of this research is oriented towards postsecondary students and not secondary-level students, and the research is broadly focused on extracurricular activities generally rather than focusing on specific categories of activities that require different levels of student involvement. This study explores specifically competitive forensics (speech and debate) and its impacts on student development at the secondary education level based on student perceptions of their own involvement. A mixed methods phenomenology was used for data collection and analysis where students responded to quantitative Likert items and qualitative short answer items through an online survey. These items collectively discussed the categories of academic development, professional and social communication skills, and mental health and personal wellbeing to explore general student development. Data analysis showed that sampled students perceived their involvement in forensics to have improved academic performance and development and generally improved social and professional communication abilities. However, the sample is in disagreement in regards to mental health and personal wellbeing; a small majority hold the perception that forensics has improved their mental health, while a significant amount hold the opposite perception. Ultimately, analysis of these student perceptions on forensics provides education professionals a greater understanding of the impacts of forensics and similar extracurriculars on secondary student development. This understanding could further opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom through extracurriculars such as forensics.
Effects of Work-Family Conflict on Working Women
Authors: Jean Kim
Date: 05-31-2023

This paper is mainly about the work-family conflict women face in this society. This paper shows the relationship between work-family conflict and various factors such as social support, turnover intention, and low job engagement. To find the effects of work-family conflict on working women, the survey was sent out to the people who currently have a workplace. The majority of the participants were women, as the research’s main focus was on working women. The results proved the positive correlation between work-family conflict and turnover intention. In addition, surprisingly, the survey showed that the control variables such as age, tenure, gender, and the number of children had insignificant impacts on the work-family conflict.  &nbsp;
The Behavioral and physiological impacts of the hormesis of chemical contaminants on embryonic zebrafish
Authors: Akshay Kumar; Leya Joykutty , Juliana Caulkins
Date: 05-31-2023

Pharmaceutical chemicals are being produced, consumed, and excreted in human civilization at an increasing rate. These chemicals have the capacity to accumulate, especially in environments such as freshwater systems, but there have not been any major responses to this threat yet as the present concentrations of the chemicals is not viewed as dangerous. Previous research has shown that the developing concentrations of chemicals is an issue, supporting that these chemicals, though not present in large doses, have impacts on exposed organisms. However, prior research has not been conducted to examine the specific effects of chemicals at hormetic concentrations on freshwater organisms. “Hormetic concentration” defines the concentrations of chemicals at specific levels where the response to a low dose of chemical differs from the response to the high dose, and these were the ranges of concentration that were tested in this experiment.&nbsp; Zebrafish were acquired at zero days post fertilization, transferred to the medium containing the appropriate concentration of chemicals for the group that they would be a part of, and used as a model for aquatic organisms to show the resulting chemical, neural, and physical response to the chemical concentrations. The zebrafish were euthanized via bleaching and freezing prior to seven days post fertilization. The results of this experiment show that there is an ecological risk associated with the environmental accumulation of pharmaceutical chemical contaminants that is inherent to their use in human civilization, a result which makes it clear that this issue needs to be addressed.
Solving Partial Differential Equations for Physical and Chemical Problems Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Xiaorui Yang; Haotian Chen
Date: 05-31-2023

Numerous physical and chemical problems at a high school level can be described by ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and partial differential equations (PDEs). However, the underlying equations troubled high school students because they often lack advanced mathematical skills, such as discrete calculus. Our goal is not to elaborate on those skills, but to offer a shortcut to the solution. In this paper, we demonstrated the use of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), a neural network which solves the PDEs by incorporating the PDEs into the loss functions. The heat transfer equation and second order chemical kinetics are the two chosen model problems for high school seniors. Using PINNs, we were able to solve these two problems without recurring to university math. Hence, we strongly recommend peers to employ this method for physical or chemical problems for high school students and beyond.
The Aerospace Industry’s Impact on 20th Century American Society
Authors: Aniket Martins
Date: 05-31-2023

Since the dawn of mankind, the stars have been an inspiration for humanity. From the studies of the Greeks and the observations of the Indians and Chinese to Da Vinci’s plans and the research of the Wright Brothers, exploring the sky, space and stars has always been at the forefront of human ingenuity. In the United States, the idea of flight exploration began in the early 1900s: a true embodiment of the American dream. This paper examines developments in politics, economics and social movements in 1900s America while contrasting claims with counter arguments and exposing continuities in U.S. history to discuss the impact of the aerospace and defense industry on U.S. society. From Women’s Rights and Civil Rights to military and economics, the growth of the aerospace and defense industry paralleled a period of radical growth for American society creating lasting changes in the process.
Mass-Market Augmented Reality: The Difficulty behind its Integration and the Path to Success
Authors: Roman Guthrie McNerney; Brandon Galang
Date: 05-31-2023

The failure of Google Glass changed the path of augmented reality (AR), delaying its integration into a mass market by years. Google Glass contained numerous technical limitations that companies are still facing today. The product also showcased the social issues that come with the technology. Shared privacy concerns among many cause consumer reluctance, with information tyrants such as Google leading and largely controlling AR development. In addition to privacy concerns, health concerns steer people away from the technology. Worse yet, the many negative connotations associated with AR give it a stigma that causes major social limitations. Without normalization of the technology, people will not be interested to invest large sums of money in a product centered on convenience rather than purpose. This lack of purpose and perceived unknowns, combined with the pragmatic elements of a low battery life and glitchy, bulky design, makes the technology unappealing. Companies today are attempting to circumnavigate these problems in multiple ways. Some are attempting to create a product with a centralized purpose that solves a problem. Others are using already established industries such as the smartphone or gaming market to sell a more manageable product. Some companies have abandoned the idea of selling AR products, and are instead using it as a service.&nbsp;  Augmented reality is a field that still must develop due to its initial setbacks, compelling companies to become creative with the technology’s usage. The consumer market is not adapted to wearable AR, making normalization necessary for further progression in the field.&nbsp;
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Pranay Mehta; Jothsna Kethar
Date: 05-31-2023

Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine focused on the repair or replacement of damaged or diseased cells, tissues, and organs through the use of various medical technologies. These technologies include stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and gene therapy, among others. Millions across the globe are plagued with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) with ranging debilitating effects that are detrimental to the functionality of one's life. The healing process of MSD can be arduous and sometimes worse than the injury itself. The various methods of treatment including stem-cell based therapy and the origin and composition of these stem cells has been reviewed in this paper, in order to present a way in which the natural healing process of MSD can be amplified and catalyzed.
A study on US Mass Shooting using data analysis and machine learning
Authors: Andrew Fang
Date: 05-31-2023

&nbsp;Many years ago, mass shootings have become one major problem in our country. In 2021, more than 45,000 people were murdered in mass shootings. And I started to wonder, why are people doing this? If we can get some clues with existing data, it might help prevent future tragedies from happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  In many shooting incidents, the shooters seem to massacre without any reason. Many people wonder if it’s related to the murderer’s mental health. I started to gather some data and found two datasets about mass shootings and mental health on Kaggle, a public data-sharing website. First, I performed data analysis and statistical testing with the two datasets To further investigate the relationship between mass shootings and mental health, I fitted a linear regression model with the merged datasets. I found out that there’s an obvious correlation between these two variables, which means mental illness was one of the direct reasons that caused mass shootings.&nbsp;  In addition, I want to help people avoid mass shootings. So I made a linear regression model, which helps to predict how many total victims there will be based on input factors, like location, race, age, etc. Using this model, people can put more security in dangerous locations to best avoid mass shootings.&nbsp;
The Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to Anesthesiology
Authors: Srinithya Kothapalli; Dr. Rajagopal Appavu PhD.
Date: 05-31-2023

This research paper explores the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in anesthesiology. AI and ML have the potential to improve patient outcomes and enhance clinical decision-making by enabling anesthesiologists to monitor patient vital signs in real-time, predict the likelihood of complications, and optimize drug dosages to minimize side effects and enhance efficacy. The Hypotension Prediction Index algorithm is a compelling example of how AI and ML can be utilized to improve intraoperative patient care. However, there is a need for further research and validation to ensure the safety and efficacy of these technologies in clinical practice. Future advancements in AI and ML techniques are likely to result in more sophisticated and accurate predictive models, decision support tools, and monitoring systems that will ultimately benefit patients undergoing anesthesia. Overall, the application of AI and ML in anesthesiology presents a promising avenue for improving patient care and outcomes.
The Effect of IMS on Cognitive and Behavioral Abilities of mutant Drosophila, causing Neuroplasticity  Finding a Preventative Mechanism for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Emma Colarte Delgado, Leya Joykutty, Juliana Caulkins Caulkins
Date: 05-31-2023

The goal of this experiment was to determine the effect of the Intermediate Metabolic Switching (IMS) diet on the short and long-term memory of mutant Drosophila due to neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity creates new neural networks and can be measured in ketone count. The IMS diet includes two components: fasting and a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet. The Phenol-Sulfuric Acid Test and the Hanus Iodine Solution Test were both used to quantify two ratios, a 2:2 ratio carbs to fats, and the 4:1 ratio fats to carbs. It was hypothesized that if fruit flies are fed the IMS diet, leading to plasticity, then their overall memory and behavioral health will increase because of the amount of ketones released, increasing memory formation. Mutant Drosophila tested, which lacked the Amyloid-Precursor Protein-like gene (APPL), exhibited similarities to early-stage Alzheimer's patients. Assays include the Aversive Phototaxic Suppression Assay to measure short term memory, the Aversive Pavlovian Olfactory Assay to measure long-term memory, the Drosophila Activity Monitor software to track movement of Drosophila, the Drosophila Stress Odorent (dSO) Assay to measure mood changes, and the ß-Hydroxybutyrate Ketone Quantification assay to measure ketone levels and ensure the IMS diet worked. Results were all conclusive, establishing that the flies in the 4:1 diet were more sensitive but retain short and long term memory, showing IMS could be used as a preventative mechanism for Alzheimer’s.&nbsp;