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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.

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  Huntington's Disease: A Timeline

  Brian Kerlin, Brandon Polimeni, and Michaelangelo Ortega

  The purpose of this investigation is to examine the discovery, treatment, social impact, and current research for Huntington’s disease (HD) to provide a foundation to analyze future research towards a cure. Huntington’s disease was first comprehensively described in 1872 by George Huntington. HD is an autosomal-dominant, neurodegenerative disorder that affects approximately 2.7 per 100,000. Individuals with HD present with involuntary muscle movement, cognitive decline, and personality alterations arising at a mean age of 35 years. Symptoms are subtle at first, but as the disease progresses over 15-20 years, the individual’s ability to talk diminishes and their mental abilities decline into dementia. The combination of these symptoms, typical mid-life onset, and dominant inheritance pattern has devastating social and personal impacts on the lives of patients and their families. The cause of the disorder is the inheritance of a mutation in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene. The mutation is a trinucleotide repeat expansion resulting in more than 36 CAG repeats, encoding a mutant polyglutamine domain that creates the mutant huntingtin (mHTT). The length of the polyglutamine mutation inversely correlates with the age of onset. Evidence suggests that pathogenesis at the cellular level is due to many toxic gain-of-function effects of mHTT, notably the disruption of the ubiquitin-proteasome system. There is no cure for HD currently, with treatment limited to the alleviation of chorea, palliative care, and counseling. Scientists are targeting many pathways in the development of a cure, including striatal cell replacement, prevention of mHTT aggregation, and reduction of mHTT production.

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  Synthesis of Novel Fluorescent Molecular Probes for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

  David King and Pradip Bhowmik Ph.D.

  Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a pervasive form of dementia that accounts for 60% to 70% of progressive cognitive impairment within the elderly population.1 This neurodegenerative disease manifests itself through a progressive decline in motor function, memory, and cognition.2 AD is closely associated with the accumulation of amyloid- β (Aβ) proteins that form insoluble plaques.2 The formation of Aβ is a hallmark of AD and can serve as a means for diagnosis. Our objective is to synthesize potential candidates for a practical and safe means to detecting AD in its early stages. We synthesized the target fluorescent probes by Knoevenagel condensation to yield p-styryl pyridinium salts of different carbon chain lengths by reacting terephthalaldehyde and γ-picolinium methyl salts. Additionally, counterion exchanges to tosylate and triflimide were subsequently carried out for each salt series. The products were characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The fluorescent properties found suggests that the synthesized probe are viable candidates to be tested in vivo for their binding to insoluble plaques. These findings will serve as a foundation for research into further carbon extensions, counter ion exchanges, and structural modifications of fluorescent probes.

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  Disability and Impairment of the Hand: Trauma Analysis of the Erie County Poorhouse Cemetery

  Sydney Layne, Katherine Gaddis, and Jennifer Byrnes Ph.D.

  Hands are one of the most frequently used parts of the body and, as such, are historically and intrinsically linked to daily functioning and the ability to work. Thus, the bioarchaeological analysis of hand bones can prove to be a useful resource in evaluating the lived experiences of past peoples. The current study analyzes antemortem hand trauma observed in individuals exhumed from the Erie County Poorhouse Cemetery (1851-1913), located in Buffalo, New York. In doing so we investigate patterns of trauma distribution and subsequent severity of impairment of the hand. These impairments are then used as a window into the occupational realities of the institutionalized poor in an Industrial Revolution era urban setting. Of the 271 individuals with observable hand bones, 42 (15.5%) displayed trauma in the form of a bone fracture, avulsion fracture, or joint dislocation. There were 55 females and 109 males, of which 5 (9%) and 24 (22%), respectively, displayed trauma. This was a statistically significant difference in trauma occurrences (X2 (1) = 4.197, p = .040). These findings likely reflect occupational differences between men and women. When comparing hand trauma by side (e.g., left and right hand), a significant difference was found with more trauma on the right (t = -1.972; p = 0.049). Impairment scoring of the injuries revealed that individuals suffered mild impairment and subsequent disability of their hand(s). These impairments may be indicative of the hazardous, often unregulated workplace conditions of the time as well as potential instances of interpersonal violence.

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  Synthesis of Novel Fluorescent Probes for the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

  Matthew Le and Haesook Han

  Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a detrimental, progressive neurodegenerative disease that is regarded as the most common and pervasive form of dementia, affecting an estimated 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people over the age of 80.1,2 Diagnosing AD at the proper time poses a great challenge in the current clinical setting. Traditional methods for the diagnosis of AD are expensive, provide poor resolution, and involve toxic radioactive materials. This study aims to synthesize a class of novel fluorescent molecular probes that can bind to the protein-plaques that are caused by the onset of AD to ultimately provide a safe and effective method to diagnose the early stages of AD through improved in vivo imaging, potentially becoming an indispensable tool for diagnosis. The final fluorescent molecular probe was synthesized from a simple Sn2 reaction involving a precursor and was characterized using 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and solubility properties. The resultant fluorescent molecular probe was successfully synthesized and emits white-light fluorescence in the solution-state when dissolved in water, making it suitable for aqueous systems. Further studies can be expanded upon for in vivo imaging studies, toxicity, and suitability for the clinical setting.

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  India: COVID-19

  Kelvin Leon, Tavis Perna, Neha Shah, Qianwen Zhou, and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.

  India is the second-most populated country in the world. Its imports and exports reach far across the globe and influence many countries. Last year, India was struck by COVID-19 and suffered greatly in several of the country's leading international aspects. We believe that in order to grasp the impact of COVID-19 on a large population, we need to take a deeper look into India as one of the most densely populated nations in the world. Specifically, we want to research India's population fluctuations, trade patterns, financial resources, and societal effects on the people. Our research came from peer-reviewed sources, credible media sources, and direct publications from the Indian government. With our research, we understood the impacts of COVID-19 on India and how the most heavily populated nation in the world changed after the global pandemic. This research significantly impacts recovering nations as we describe how a nation in the top 10% in the world suffered and how permanent changes can be drawn from this research to develop a strategy that minimizes further damages from COVID-19.

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  Evaluation of the Efficiency of Singapore's Waste Management Controls

  Jialu Li, Yitong Huang, and Kim Nehls

  With the constant population growth in such a limited land, Singapore is faced with multiple challenges in waste management. Over the last decades, Singapore aimed to strive for a zero-waste environment for its nation by reducing the significant amount of waste disposed of through recycling and maximizing landfills. The scope of this poster is to present whether Singapore has had an efficient control over its waste management in the last two decades. The poster took approaches to analyze statistics that concludes the recycle rates categorized into different classifications of waste disposals from 2003 to 2020 and average of total saved energy through the process of recycling. Overall, the findings suggest Singapore had an efficient waste management at the beginning with constant growth of recycle rate, but discrepancies are found starting from 2018 since the rate declined rapidly in three years. So coming to the conclusion that Singapore’s efficiency on waste management control still has the potential to develop sustainable improvement. Visualizing these data can help Singapore’s government to implement recycling policies that motivate people to improve their living environment.