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Retinoblastoma: Past, Present, and Future
Izabela Daneva, Crysty-Ann Olaco, and Albert Tran
The purpose of this research timeline is to synthesize the natural history of retinoblastoma to understand its societal effects and develop a public health message to raise awareness of the disease. We used literature-based research in order to gain an understanding about the discovery of this disease and investigate its most current state of knowledge. Retinoblastoma is an intraocular cancer that manifests early in childhood. It is typically linked to a somatic or germline insertion, deletion, or single-base substitution mutation on both alleles of RB1, a tumor-suppressor gene. Retinoblastoma was first identified in 1809 by James Wardrop, and since then, research has been focused on improved treatment methods to prevent enucleation and has been steady with focus on the RB1 allele. Retinoblastoma is characterized by many assorted phenotypes that vary in severity based on the size of the chromosomal deletion. The most common symptoms include leukocoria, poor vision tracking, swelling and inflammation, all of which can be treated upon early detection. Methods of treatment include enucleation that completely removes the eye with the tumor, leaving the muscles and orbital contents intact, and it is 95% effective. Chemotherapy is also used in severe cases. The discovery of the Rb1 gene has had significant impacts with the advancement of cancer research. Because of this, mutations in the Rb gene are vastly studied due to the association of Rb in other cancers and its molecular action in the cell cycle. It is often taught in foundational biology courses, as a result.
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Visual Attention During Observational Learning of Motor Skills: Implications in Rehabilitation After Amputation
Briauna Davis and Szu-Ping Lee Ph.D.
It is difficult to stop accidental falls and maintain balance after leg amputation. The goal of post-amputation rehabilitation is to improve mobility function, reduce fall risks, and improve safety. Although there have been advancements in prosthetic technology, individuals with leg amputation are still experiencing frequent falls. We believe this is partially due to the lack of scientific knowledge on prosthetic skill learning after amputation. Post-amputation rehabilitation involves learning and relearning complex motor skills, such as walking and quick stepping to stop falls. This process becomes intense as Individuals perform these tasks with a prosthesis. Our goal was to find a way to make rehabilitation training after amputation more effective. This study examines the effectiveness of incorporating peer-based training during post-amputation rehabilitation. Participants with lower limb amputation will be instructed to watch video demonstrations of balance and recovery tasks performed by an amputee peer or non-amputee. The performance of participants will be tracked before, throughout, and after training. Knowledge from this study will benefit individuals with lower limb amputation by speeding up the learning of prosthetic skills lower limb amputation.
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Damaging Tobacco Mosaic Virus Using Electrochemistry: A Novel Method to Synthesize High-Quality Vaccines
Angelica Diaz Tremillo, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Nicholas Pudar, Drake Joseph, and Michael Pravica
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative to develop novel and rapid ways to synthesize highly targeted and effective vaccines. We report a study that tested the effectiveness of using electrochemistry to damage the Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). We hypothesized that by utilizing the acidic properties of DNA and RNA contained by viruses, viral genetic material can be selectively denatured using electrochemistry. We also hypothesized that the viral capsid would be less damaged due to its non-acidic properties and thus the intact capsid could be used as a vaccine vector to promote immune system response. We tested TMV potency by infecting pinto bean seedlings with electrochemically treated and untreated TMV and observed their growth for four weeks. Various spectroscopic techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy were implemented to assess changes in the electrochemically-treated viruses. Finally, Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was used to examine oxidative damage in the samples. It was observed that plants infected with electrochemically-treated TMV developed significantly fewer necrotic lesions compared to plants infected with untreated TMV. We also found significant changes in the UV-Vis spectral peaks, NMR spectral peaks, and cyclic voltammograms before and after electrochemical damage. Preliminary results were obtained which suggest that the electrochemical techniques used in this study effectively damaged the TMV virions. Through further testing and improvements, this innovative technique could be used to develop highly targeted and effective vaccines.
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Modeling COVID-19 Infection Rates using SIR and ARIMA Models
Janelle Domantay, Ilya Pivavaruk, and Victor Taksheyev
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become of increasing interest to both monitor and predict the growth of its infection rates. In order to analyze the accuracy of epidemiological prediction, we consider two different models for prediction, the Susceptible Infected and Removed (SIR), and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. Using a dataset of Clark County COVID-19 infections, we create various ARIMA and SIR models that attempt to predict the progression of COVID-19 infections whilst comparing these predictions to the dataset. We observed that the ARIMA model performed more accurately overall, having a much lower Root Mean Squared Error than its counterpart.
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Cultural Identity Predicts Resilience in Maltreated Youth
Jordan Donohue, Janelle Salcedo, James Webster, and Kinsey Ellis
Literature suggests that a stronger sense of cultural identity predicts higher levels of resilience following a traumatic event. However, there are limited studies that examine this relationship in children. The present research analyzes the relationship between cultural identity and resilience in a sample of maltreated youth. Participants included youth (n=65) aged 11-17 years in Department of Family Services (DFS) custody following removal from their home after substantiated child maltreatment. Cultural identity and resilience were both assessed by the Nevada Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (NV- CANS). A linear regression indicated a significant predictive relationship between cultural identity and resilience, F (1, 63) = 16.073, p=.001. Results suggest that 20.3% (Adjusted R² = 19.1%) of the variance in resilience could be explained by the variance in cultural identity. Specifically, according to the unstandardized regression coefficients, an increase in cultural identity predicted an increase in resilience (B =.322, SEculturalidentity = 0.08, t = 4.009, p=.001, 95% CI [.161, .482]). Overall, these findings suggest that cultural identity predicts levels of resilience in maltreated youth. This is a critical finding in expanding the literature and improving clinical outcomes, suggesting clinicians should take cultural factors into consideration and work with youth to build cultural support networks and a sense of belonging.
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A Mediation Analysis of Racial Microaggressions, Poor Coping Mechanisms and Mental Health
Janelle Ferraris, Andrea Galdamez, Aldo Barrita, and Kristin Vierra
Microaggressions are daily slights and denigrations perpetrated towards marginalized individuals. These invalidations are perceived as significant stressors for marginalized people. The bulk of research on microaggressions indicates that these everyday slights can have a negative impact on mental health. The current study examines the relationship between microaggressions, detachment internalized racism, and negative mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety and depression. Specifically, regression analysis was used to investigate the hypothesis that both internalization and detachment mediate the effect of microaggressions on poor mental health symptoms for PoC. Results indicated that for PoC, microaggressions was a significant predictor of symptoms of both internalization, B = .071, SE = .021, p = .000, and detachment B = .276, SE = .029, p = .000. Additionally both internalization B = .389, SE = .070, p = .000 and detachment B = .869, SE = .082, p = .000 were a significant predictor for poor mental health symptoms. Results support a partial mediational hypothesis. Microaggression was a significant predictor of poor mental health even when controlling for both mediators, B = .285, SE = .042, p = .000. Approximately 26% of the variance in satisfaction was accounted for by the predictors (R2 = .261). The procedure yielded a significant coefficient, B = .182, SE = .038, p = .000 with 95% bias corrected confidence intervals that did not include zero [.108, .256]. These results suggest that racial discrimination experienced by PoC exposes them to higher risks of both poorer mental health and negative coping mechanisms.
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Predicting Variant Pathogenicity with Machine Learning
Zachary Fitzhugh, Martin R. Schiller Ph.D., and Fatma Nasoz
There are roughly 22,000 protein-coding genes in the human body, many of which play important roles in biological functions. The proteins fold in 3D space, and this is most often necessary for function. A genetic variant can disrupt the secondary structure of a protein (one aspect of structure) or eliminate a site important in protein-protein interaction or post-translational modification. The loss of function or deregulation can result in disease. Thus, there is great biomedical interest in identifying disease-causing single-nucleotide variants.
We hypothesize that we can accurately predict variant pathogenicity. We used machine learning to predict the pathogenicity of a set of 28,369 single-nucleotide variants across 10 genes. The data are acquired from publicly available saturation mutagenesis data sets, which generate every possible amino acid substitution at every position in a protein. Our approach employs a support vector machine using linear, polynomial, and RBF kernel functions. The problem is implemented as a binary classification problem, where a label of 1 indicates a disease-causing variant and a label of 0 indicates a benign variant. The model predicts pathogenicity based on amino acid, post-translational modification, and secondary structure information. We cleaned and analyzed the data with custom Python scripts. Our results show average balanced accuracy scores for classifying pathogenicity of approximately 57.9%, 60.3%, and 60.3% for the linear, polynomial, and RBF kernels, respectively. Therefore, the model is an improvement over random guessing but has room for improvement.
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Teachers' Experience with Lack of Resources in Classrooms
Susan Florian and Magdalena Martinez Ph.D.
Teachers that are working in Nevada are experiencing problems with insufficient materials. The overall purpose of this study is to provide information about their struggles with materials in the Clark County School District. What are teachers' experiences with shortages of resources, and how does it impact their teaching strategies? Teachers' experiences are important to note. Their experiences matter in finding the problems they face is essential to aid them with suitable materials. Finding solutions to their needs will improve their teaching strategies and personal spending, but children will also get the proper materials they deserve. The selection was composed of three different teachers from three different schools within the Clark County School District. This study generates a qualitative understanding of teachers' experiences. Most teachers explained the different levels of frustration with the administration and the lack of resources they experienced. Analysis shows that this increases stress levels, personal spending, and teacher attrition. These methods and responses should help the administration improve the school system and express their employee's concerns to decision-makers to receive the proper and necessary resources. Certain limitations to this study are important to note, but the overall evidence proves that these problems negatively impact teachers' experiences.
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Neurofibromatosis 1: Discovery, Treatment and Social Impact
Betsua Garcia and Arsen Khachatryan
The purpose of this timeline research project is to provide an outline of the discovery of Neurofibromatosis 1 to identify gaps in knowledge. Frederick von Recklinghausen is credited with the disease’s classification in 1882 when he observed two different cases of patients with neurofibromas. Current research of the disease involves its characterization at a molecular and genetic level. The symptoms of the disease include non-cancerous tumors in the nervous system (neurofibromas) and optic nerves (optic nerve gliomas), as well as cafe-au-lait spots around the axillary and groin areas. It tends to occur in 1 out of 3,000 births globally without distinction between sexes and racial groups, but the frequency and severity of certain symptoms vary across different races. In the past, curative treatments for neurofibromatosis 1 were unavailable, but palliative care has been provided through chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and surgical procedures to remove tumors. However, in April 2020, a new treatment called Koseulgo (selumetinib) that stops the growth of tumors by blocking key enzymes was approved by the FDA and is one of the first curative treatments developed. The disease also seems to have other impacts on social and emotional wellbeing on patients and their families. Therefore, support services that can help patients and their families develop appropriate coping skills, and the further development of palliative care to ease the severity of symptoms, may prove to be beneficial. In conclusion, this timeline of Neurofibromatosis 1’s discovery helps provide context for its characterization and contributes to the ongoing research.
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Frequency of Each Sex Affected by Sudden Unexplained Deaths due to Developmental Epilepsy
Betsua Garcia-Trujillo, Dustin Hines Ph.D., Jeffrey Barker, and Rochelle Hines Ph.D.
Developmental epilepsy is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that is mainly characterized by the onset of different types of seizures, developmental delays, and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes at a young age. Because it can describe a variety of syndromes, symptoms and specific causes may vary between affected individuals. Previous research has examined sex differences within affected adult populations but research examining sex differences for developmental epilepsy is lacking.
The objective of this research is to determine the frequency of each sex within a population of mice that died prematurely from developmental epilepsy due to mutations of the GABAA receptor α2 subunit.
To determine the frequency of each sex, we extracted DNA from the tails of pups that died prematurely. We determined their sex by running PCR to amplify the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY). PCR products were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Males are identified by the presence of two bands of 300 and 350 base pairs (bp) while females are identified by one single band of 350 bp.
Current research provides evidence that males are at higher risk for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The current study aims to examine whether males are at higher risk in our model of developmental epilepsy. Future research can provide additional insight into the mechanisms that lead to differences in SUDEP risk.
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Morphology of Axon Initial Segments under Normal and Pathological Conditions
Betsua Garcia-Trujillo and Rochelle Hines Ph.D.
The Axon Initial Segment (AIS) is a compartment within the neuron that plays a major role in the initiation of action potentials. Changes to AIS length and position can alter the probability of action potential firing. A majority of modeling studies consider the AIS to have linear morphology; however, we have observed different AIS shapes in different pathological conditions.
The objective of this research is to classify AISs by shape (straight, curved, or kinked) and to determine the frequency of each shape across normal and pathological conditions.
We stained AISs in cortical tissue using immunohistochemistry and imaged them with a confocal microscope. After imaging, we qualitatively categorized AISs in normal and pathological samples based on their shape and plotted them in ImageJ to obtain numerical data (Cartesian coordinates).
We have compared AISs in cortical tissue from wild type mice to those from the Mecp2+/- model of Rett syndrome. We plan to use the Cartesian data to develop a model that describes the linear and non-linear morphologies of the AIS.
Although previous research has demonstrated that position, composition, and length of AISs helps determine neuronal excitability, the relationship between AIS shape and pathology has not been examined. The current study helps establish AIS morphology as a possible pathological feature that may have functional consequences, and future experiments will investigate a relationship between AIS shape and neuronal excitability. Additional research may help to gain a deeper understanding of normal and pathological development and may lead to the development of new treatments.
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A Timeline of Down Syndrome
Christian Guese, Kristina McInnes, and Kimberly Miranda
The purpose of this research timeline is to synthesize the natural history of Down Syndrome (DS) to discover absence of knowledge, discuss the bioethics in prenatal screening and develop a public health message. Our method of research was literature-based. DS is one of the most common aneuploidy disorders in the United States. There are three genetic variations of DS, Trisomy 21, a third copy of chromosome 21, accounts for 95% of cases. DS causes intellectual disability, developmental delays, facial dysmorphia, and low muscle tone. DS also leads to an increased risk for congenital heart defects and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. In 1866, John Langdon Down was the first to link the physical characteristics of individuals with DS. Although sentiment towards DS was not positive initially, we now have a greater understanding of the disorder and have more humane treatments. In earlier years, doctors were advocating to parents to cease caring for their child with DS, including institutionalizing them. Throughout the years, leaders began advocating for DS, such as John F. Kennedy; in 1962 he established the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to support and research mental disabilities. The improved medical care and social inclusion is making positive impacts on the physical and intellectual development of individuals with DS. The life expectancy for a person with DS increased after eradicating inhumane practices, which is why it’s important to develop a public health message promoting social advocacy and public health awareness.
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Study of Sickle Cell Disease
Aaron Guevarra, Carlos Herrera, and Faysal Ali
The purpose of this research timeline is to explore the history, prevalence, and effects of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) so that treatments and possible future experiments or cures may be discussed. In SCD, abnormal red blood cells appear as sickle shaped as opposed to the round shape of normal red blood cells. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so an individual must inherit two copies of the allele. The gene mutation is a single nucleotide mutation in the gene which codes for β-globin. In 1910, James B. Herrick first described the disease, and in 1949, its inheritance pattern was determined. It can cause an array of complications due to the loss of blood cells and restricted blood flow. Carriers with only one copy of the disease-causing allele exhibit sickle cell trait, which does not result in the same severe symptoms that sickle cell disease does. SCD is prevalent in areas stricken by malaria, as sickle cell trait confers some resistance to the pathogen. The social impacts of SCD are majorly based on financial costs and quality of life. Patients also suffer from physiological and psychological impacts. Treatments are divided into three parts: supportive care therapies such as fever management, disease-modifying therapies such as the medicine Hydroxyurea, and blood transfusion. Future research on SCD is based on improving and finding new curative therapies to completely cure SCD such as Hematopoietic stem cell transplant and gene therapy.
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Unsustainable Fast Fashion in the United States
Itzel Gutierrez and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
My research will be focused on how unsustainable fast fashion is killing the ecosystem, whether or not it is bad for the environment and what percentage of it ends up in landfills? Boohoo, Shein and PrettyLittleThing are popular fast fashion retail apps among U.S consumers, cheap fast fashion tends to encourage consumers to over buy. My research will start with where does fast fashion come from and where does it end up? Fast fashion is based on trends going on in the red carpet, fashion shows or influenced by social media. Throwing away clothes because it is out of style should never be an option. Once people are done with a piece of clothing, they can give away their items, donate to thrift stores, or even resell their items. My research will explore ways on what consumers can do to decrease the percentage of fast fashion that ends up in landfills. The top 10 worst fabrics for the environment include cotton, polyester, nylon, acrylic, viscose, bamboo, acetate, and wool. These fabrics are considered bad for the environment because they do not completely break down and some micro plastics can make their way into the ocean and soil. One way to stop putting the blame on consumers is for brands to become more aware about how what they are doing and making is affecting the environment.
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Introduction to Quantum Computing and Information
Rashad C. Hall and Bernard Zygelman Ph.D.
The world is constantly challenged by complex scientific, economic, and medical problems, etc. In many cases, progress in finding solutions requires the application of modern computing machines. At the same time, the classical paradigm based on the Turing machine model has well-known limits. Some problems require computing resources that grow exponentially with the size of data, thus making solutions intractable for such applications. In the past 25 years, researchers have realized that computing machines based on the principles of quantum mechanics might offer a novel strategy for attacking these problems. In this report, we investigate how quantum and classical computers differ. To highlight these differences, we performed several experiments designed and implemented on an IBM quantum computer. In one circuit design, we investigated the measurement outcomes when a quantum system in each state, represented by the symbol |0>, is processed by a Hadamard gate. We noticed specific patterns in measurement outcomes when employing an odd and even number of Hadamard gates. For every odd number of H-gates used, we observed two distinct measurement outcomes 0,1 that were distributed with a 50% chance for each. Results suggests that a Hadamard gate is a so-called noisy gate; in the same way, flipping a coin result in two evenly distributed outcomes. If that interpretation is correct, one expects the same outcomes for an even number of gates. We resolve this paradox by positing that a quantum state can exist in a so-called superposition state, allowing for the interference of probability amplitudes.
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The Analysis of VR/AR Cost and Immersion
Yessenia Henriquez and Si Jung Kim Ph.D.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) habitually seek to construct new environments to produce virtual experiences. Virtual experiences are unimaginable to establish in real life, but not in a digital context. These virtual experiences could range from medical procedures in a virtual hospital setting to bizarre worlds in entertainment environments. Nonetheless, the rudimentary necessity to fabricate genuine virtual experiences is immersion. This literature review centers around discovering various aspects that formulate both augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This study attempts to comprehend the possibilities and objectives that AR and VR are most compatible with. The upcoming results heavily touch upon immersion (genuine virtual experiences) and cost (physical or software cost) in VR/AR. Overall, VR structures are more immersive to the user in integrating an “out of body” experience but are often more costly due to the equipment needed to perform these computations. AR structures are more available to cheaper alternatives but do not create a serious virtual experience (VE) as VR structures. Both VR and AR environments and objectives, however, combine interdisciplinary areas for a dynamic VE for users.
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A Study on Modified Biochars for the Removal of Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Ashtin Hofert, Christina Obra, Suraj Venkat, Padmanabhan Krishnaswamy, and Erica Marti Ph.D.
Biochar (BC), a biomass-derived black carbon with interconnected networks of micropores, is an economical substitute for conventional adsorbents, such as activated carbon. In this study, we investigated the effect of acid modification on the functional groups and adsorptive capacity of the biochar. The BC used here is prepared through pyrolysis at temperatures in the range between 700 °C and 900 °C in an argon gas inert environment from three different biomasses: walnut shells, pecan shells, and loblolly pine. Then, the BCs are modified using hydrochloric acid (HCl) and used for the remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene (TCE). The results can advance the understanding of different modification effects on BCs’ properties, aiming at the wide adoption of cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbents.
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Sustained Beat Perception Develops through Adolescence, and is Predictive of Phonology
Christian Hunter, Karli Nave, and Joel Snyder
Rhythm and beat perception are critical for synchronized musical movement and may also influence some aspects of speech perception. Previous studies show that adults and children can entrain their movements to a musical beat. However, few studies have disentangled surface information from the internal beat percept, and no studies have done so with young listeners. In this experiment, we presented listeners aged 4-23 years with a musical excerpt that induced one of two beat patterns, followed by an ambiguous phase during which they heard a rhythm that could match either beat pattern. In a final probe phase, listeners indicated whether a drummer did or did not match the beat of the music. Younger children (age 4-7 years) were not able to distinguish matching and mismatching drum patterns above chance. Older children (age 8-17 years) and adults accurately identified matching and mismatching drum patterns. Crucially, performance did not reach adult-like levels until about 13 years, suggesting that the ability to sustain a beat continues to develop through early adolescence. Since previous studies have suggested that rhythmic abilities are related to phonological awareness, we administered the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP) to participants. A hierarchical regression indicated that performance on the beat perception task was a significant predictor of phonology. Overall, results suggest older children are capable of self-sustained and long-lasting beat perception, which is related to phonological language ability. However, self-sustained beat skills do not become adult-like until adolescence, suggesting that beat perception may have a more gradual developmental trajectory.
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Literature Review: Review of Recent Developments of Bioremediation Applications to Ocean Oil Spills
Raquel Jackson and Moses Karakouzian Ph.D.
This paper explores recent developments in microbial remediation, specifically oil-degrading bacteria, and its potential use in ocean oil spills. Marine oil spills are a growing issue worldwide, due to its hazardous impact on both public and environmental welfare. Conventional oil spill management practices are inefficient, since significant amounts of oil remain in the water post-treatment. A possibly efficient and environmentally friendly solution is bioremediation, also known as microbial remediation. Bioremediation is a form of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), which is a biotechnological process that utilizes microorganisms to break down organic compounds, such as oil. By use of oil degrading bacteria, bioremediation applications may prove to be a feasible method in oil spill management. In this review, a systematic approach was used to find literature that could be analyzed to find which bacterial strains and supplementations would improve bioremediation as a method for mitigating ocean oil spills. It was concluded that certain bacterial strains are effective at degrading oil, given that certain metabolic and nutrient conditions are provided. Bacterial strains capable of decontaminating marine oil spills include Mycobacterium vanbaalenii, and Alcanivorax borkumensis, and Cycloclasticus, along with several others. Algae and dispersants used in conjunction with marine bacteria enhanced oil-degradation rates. However, more studies are needed to further investigate more potential bacterial strains capable of oil-degradation, and if other supplementations oil spill recovery in oil spills.
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China's Important 2060 Carbon Neutrality Goal
Jason Jasper and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
Climate Change is a serious threat to global security and well-being. Many developed nations and some developing nations have made promises to become carbon-neutral (net zero emissions), or carbon-free by a specified time frame. China is a developing nation with high growth and has set a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2060. This study aims to determine how much China would need to reduce CO2 emissions to achieve this goal, and how it compares to other nations, using the most current data, and mathematical analysis. China produces the most CO2 in the world, almost twice as much as the United States, and accounts for 28 percent of world CO2 emissions. China would have to eliminate over 425 million tons of CO2 emissions year over year starting in 2030 to meet the 2060 goal. This represents an enormous challenge, especially considering China’s CO2 emissions are still growing, but will be crucial to ensuring keeping total global temperature rise to 1.5-2 Celsius.
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Italian Mafia and the Impacts it has on Society Today
Joshua Jordan and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
Cosa Nostra, or the Italian Mafia, the roots of the American mob and that way of life lead to the inspiration to the Godfather and so many movies. This Digital research poster dives into the state of affairs of the Cosa Nostra in Italy. How many organizations there are, were, and will be. It also studies the immense effect the mafia has on crime in Italy from homicides to corruption. This poster looks into five different data sets over the years focusing on the relationship between what type of crime is being committed to the potency of the mob at that time. Although the amount of crime and the number of families have gone down significantly since the ’80s. The mafia in Italy is still alive and well compared to its counterpart in the states, with, crimes such as homicides, murder, extortion, gambling, and so on.
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Gender Wage Gap within Identical Twins
Kazim Julian
The gender wage gap is defined as the average difference in pay between men and women who are in the workforce. Congress passed the Equal Pay Act of 1963 which aimed to abolish wage disparity based on sex, yet the differences in wages are still felt today. Using the Oaxaca decomposition, we can illustrate a portion of the gender wage gap can be due to differences in skills, however the remaining unexplained portion can be interpreted as discrimination. It is generally known that union contracted jobs have higher wages and better benefits than non-union jobs, which in contrast should lead to less discrimination with regards of wages to different genders. This paper will use old data from a survey of identical twins to study the economic effect of gender. A famous paper was written on this data by Orley Ashenfelter and Alan Krueger which captured differences in economic returns on schooling when controlling for the same genetic makeup. The first focus of the paper is to see if the differences in wages between male and females are due to discrimination with regards of identical twins, while the second focus is to see if union jobs have different wage gap than non-union jobs. Using identical twins as our sample data will eliminate outside factors that are difficult to control for, which will give us a better understanding of the gender wage gap.
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The Determinants of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Asian Americans
Raisa Kabir, Sayeda Tazim Zaidi, and Chia-Liang Dai
Physical activity (PA) is crucial to a positive healthy lifestyle which helps prevent and minimize various chronic diseases and mental health illnesses. Although the Asian American (AA) community is one of the fastest-growing marginalized minority groups in the United States, there is little research on PA behavior within the community. This study aimed to investigate correlates and determinants of PA behavior among the Asian American population to bring about policy changes, design educational programs, and promote research on PA promotion among the AA community. Studies were identified from searches located in databases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed Central, and EBSCO which included all peer-reviewed studies published within the last five years (2016 to 2021) about the possible determinants impacting PA behavior. The authors of these studies investigated the association between determinants of overall physical (in)activity and/or sedentary behavior in healthy AA. Data were abstracted for study designs, sample sizes, theoretical frameworks, associated conditions, subgroups focused, and physical activity outcomes. A total of ten intervention studies met the inclusion criteria based on age, ethnicity, year of publication, United States-based, and English-only publications. Among the identified determinants of AAs’ physical activity were self-motivation, social support, nativity, health literacy, gender, age, neighborhood incivilities, and immigration status. There is a growing need to address disparities facing AA regarding PA behavior through education, policies, and research. The results of this study could be utilized in the future to design interventions and create new policies to promote physical activity among AA populations.
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Carnivore Use of Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Willaine Mae Kahano and Sean A. Neiswenter Ph.D.
Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are one of the most well-known carnivorous species on the planet. Despite our familiarity with them, their effects on native fauna in protected areas is still unclear; however, many studies warn that dogs are a potential threat to wildlife. To understand the relationships between domestic dogs and native species, we conducted a preliminary carnivore survey at the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument (TUSK) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Camera traps were placed in 14 different locations for an average of 28 trap nights. They were affixed to approximately 50 cm above the ground and were adjusted parallel to the ground. The cameras were programmed to run continuously for 24 hours/day and captured three photos every minute when triggered. 44,294 images were recorded across the cameras. The most dominant species recorded were humans (155 sightings), followed by domestic dogs (61 sightings), black-tailed jackrabbits (58 sightings), coyotes (46 sightings), and a few other desert species. Results reveal coyotes and jackrabbits were largely present in areas where both domestic dogs and/or humans were seen, and domestic dogs and coyotes were located at sites near residential areas. Our study indicates that coyotes do not respond negatively to the presence of domestic dogs. This is a preliminary survey, so more deployments are needed to form more definitive conclusions regarding the relationships between domestic dogs and native fauna.
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Overcoming the Overgeneration of Renewables
Joshua Kaze and Ryan Barnard
Many states are addressing the issues of climate change, by changing how they produce their energy. The effects of these policies are causing many renewable sources to be underutilized. This paper analyzes how the diversification of energy generation is leading to inefficiencies in the California energy market and the western US market as a whole. The change in curtailment of non-dispatchable renewables is positively correlated with the growth of renewables. Summary statistics and regression analysis show that an increasing portion of renewables is being wasted as the quantity of renewables is increasing. The Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) that California introduced is bringing about these problems. The paper considers some of the solutions the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) is utilizing, while applying these challenges to Nevada’s similar RPS.
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) provides students with the opportunity to present their research at three annual undergraduate research symposia. This collection contains student posters.
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