26242 research outputs found
Sort by
Tri-Polar Neural Analysis: Comparative Evaluation of Political Bias in Fake News Detection Using Three Identically Structured Machine Learning Models
No full textThe rapid spread of fake news and overt political bias in the media has prompted a need for robust detection systems. This study explores the impact of political bias on fake news detection by developing three identical machine learning models. A control model was trained on 40,000 pieces of non-biased news data, while two additional models were trained on 40,000 heavily biased news articles each—one with a left-wing (Democratic) bias and the other with a right-wing (Republican) bias. To assess cross-political performance, 20% of the left-wing data was used to test the right-wing model and vice versa, with each biased model also evaluated on a separate 20% non-biased dataset. Results indicate that the left-wing biased model achieved an accuracy of 86.5% on its primary test set but dropped to 80.2% when evaluated on right-wing data. Conversely, the right-wing biased model recorded 78.3% accuracy on its primary test set and 74.7% on left-wing data. In contrast, the control model attained a consistently high accuracy of 89.0% across both politically opposed and non-biased test sets. Precision and recall metrics further support these findings: the control model achieved a precision of 90.1% and a recall of 88.5%, outperforming the left-wing model (precision 87.2%, recall 85.0%) and the right-wing model (precision 79.0%, recall 77.5%). These outcomes suggest that while politically biased models perform well on data aligned with their training bias, their effectiveness diminishes with opposing data, underscoring the importance of unbiased training data for accurate fake news detection. However, the study was limited by constraints in computing power and the challenges associated with cleaning and sourcing high-quality biased news data, which may impact the overall scalability and generalizability of the approach
Measuring Air Toxic Gases in Dairy Cows Exposed to Wildfire Smoke
No full textWildfire smoke can contain a complex mixture of compounds, including air toxics such as BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes). Methods were developed to extract BTEX in cows’ blood plasma using high capacity sorptive extraction probes (Hi-SORB), for use as potential biomarkers for smoke exposure. BTEX was previously measured during a wildfire smoke event on a dairy farm via Tenax sorbent tubes and dairy cow blood samples were collected and preserved. The Hi-SORB method followed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) analysis was used to determine if ambient air exposure increased levels in cows’ blood during the smoke event. Air and blood plasma samples showed elevated benzene during the smoke event, but did not remain high throughout the entire event. This applied methodology was successful in detecting VOCs in both air and blood plasma
Bilateral Asymmetry in Stability and Mobility Measures of Recreational Endurance Runners
No full textMobility and stability have been assessed through functional movement tests (LQ-YBT, FMS) to identify potential injury risk factors among athletic populations. However, the potential bilateral asymmetries in recreational runner\u27s mobility, stability, and run mechanics is unknown. Stiffness is a variable that can provide information regarding an individual’s ability to interact with the ground. The combined effects of stiffness (vertical and limb), mobility, and stability on run performance is unknown. The purpose is to investigate bilateral asymmetries of recreational endurance runners. Seventeen participants [34.8 (12) yrs,1.7 (0.1) m, 68.4 (8.5) kg, 30.6 (19.5) miles/week] participated in three sessions. In session one, each participant performed a lower quartile YBT test and FMS screen. The Graded exercise test was performed to identify the peak aerobic capacity and speed at Ventilatory Threshold (VT2). Participants performed a submaximal treadmill run until volitional exhaustion at 90% speed at VT2. Metabolic and motion capture data were collected throughout the run to assess changes in mechanics. Multiple paired t-tests were conducted to assess the differences between limbs for the LQ-YBT and FMS as well as stiffness (p\u3c0.05). The YBT posterior-lateral differences may indicate an imbalance of transverse and frontal plane loading of the hip during running
Mineralogical Analysis of a Mine\u27s Waste Rock: A Study of Acid-Generating and Acid-Neutralizing Minerals
No full textAcid rock drainage (ARD) is a highly acidic water effluent associated with iron sulfide weathering, which contains dissolved metals that negatively impact the environment and may contaminate drinking water. A mine’s pyrite [FeS2]-rich waste rock has produced ARD with pH as low as 1.2 and total dissolved solids up to 140,000 mg/L. A mineral evaluation of acid-generating and acid-neutralizing minerals, using optical and scanning electron microscopy, is being conducted to understand paste pH results that indicate a wide range of pH trends for 21 depth intervals spanning the full depth profile of the pile. Understanding the differences in the presence and state of acid-generating and acid-neutralizing minerals in each depth will allow for classification of zones of high and low potential for acid generation. This information will assist the mine operator in controlling the ARD and developing plans for closure of the waste rock pile
Verification of miRNA-155 Knockout in EAE Model of Multiple Sclerosis
No full textMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease induced by the host’s immune cells targeting the myelin sheath in the central nervous system (CNS) [1]. A factor in immune cell activity and differentiation are microRNAs (miRs), which are small, noncoding RNA sequences (~15 nucleotides). In the context of M.S., miR155 has been shown to induce CD4+ T cells into a pro-inflammatory phenotype [2]. Additionally, it has been shown that intestinal inflammation plays a key part in the pathology of MS, with factors such as the gut microbiome and intestinal epithelial integrity being altered in MS and animal models (EAE: experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis) [1]. Previous work in 2011 found that miR155 knockout reduced severity in vivo in female mice induced with a mouse model of MS [3]. In this project, we investigated how miR155 KO alters EAE severity in male and female mice, verifying miR155 KO in the (PCR tissues that work). Our findings (hopefully) elucidate that miR155 not only plays a key role in immunoregulation, but also in epithelial integrity in the context of autoimmunity
LIV and DNA Repair
No full textIn the United States, 18 million people struggle with long-term chemotherapy side effects. One cause of such side effects is cisplatin, known to cause the deterioration of bone tissue. Cells have been shown in prior studies to respond to physical movements and preliminary studies suggest the ability of low-intensity vibrations (LIV) to promote stem cells to grow into bone cells. Further testing has shown that these vibrations also enhance the cell’s ability to recognize DNA damage. In the future, researchers plan to tag the proteins inside cells that recognize this damage in order to analyze any changes
Analyzing Differences in Corrosion Between Heat Treatment Methods in Al6061
No full textAluminum 6061 is a metal commonly used in aerospace applications, favored for its lightweight properties. Additive manufacturing (AM) has recently been explored as a way to 3D print Al 6061 through laser powder bed fusion (LBPF). However, it is difficult to successfully print without the addition of ceramic particles (RAM2). To maintain the advantageous properties of Al6061 post LBPF, the alloy must also be heat treated. The purpose of this research is to determine whether there is a difference in corrosion resistance between heat treatment variations of the AM Al 6061 RAM2 alloy. Corrosion resistance was determined by running and comparing multiple cyclic potentiodynamic polarization scans, which induces localized corrosion on the surface. The influence of build direction on corrosion resistance was also tested by sectioning the sample in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Future work will focus on classifying the properties of the RAM2 particles within the aluminum matrix and how they may induce further corrosion near these particles. Testing the variations of this aluminum alloy for corrosion resistance is crucial so aerospace companies can cost-effectively manufacture parts with long-term reliability
Fin-tastic Regeneration, a Caudal Fin Recovery
No full textThere are many animals capable of regenerating lost tissue, even humans to some small extent. The bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli, is capable of such regenerative growth, especially in their fins. L. dalli are marine Teleost fish often using aggressive behaviors to achieve and maintain social status. These behaviors often lead to fin damage, notably in the caudal fin. The caudal fin is important for many behaviors from courtship and aggressive performances to parental care. We aim to explore the regenerative patterns of the caudal fin of L. dalli. Using ImageJ, we measured the area, width, and length of damaged caudal fins. Then we remeasured the same fins seven to ten days later. We hypothesized that the fins will significantly grow after being injured. We expected that caudal fins regenerated and increased in area, width, and length over time. This research will allow us to track growth in L. dalli and quantify fin regeneration patterns. Understanding this phenomenon in this species can help us understand similar adaptations in other fish and animals
\u3cem\u3eStaphylococcus aureus\u3c/em\u3e Antigens as a Potential Vaccine for Cows
No full textStaphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that causes different types of infections in humans such as those in the joint and wounds. It can spread through skin to skin contact contaminated surfaces, or respiratory droplets. S. aureus is known to be antibiotic resistant, making treatment difficult. S. aureus affects animals as well as humans. Bovine metastasis is a condition caused by the bacteria that causes swelling of the cow udders. This condition costs the dairy industry millions of dollars annually. Considering that Idaho is a large producer of dairy, it affects us significantly more. Our lab is working to develop a vaccine for S. aureus. Our lab is developing chimeric vaccines that fuse antigenic proteins from S. aureus to cholera toxin subunit to enhance immune responses. Another project known as the SpyCatcher project aims to simplify the process of making a chimera using a protein that binds strongly to another protein. We aim to clone the clfA, esaA, essA, and SpyCatcher genes into an expression vector for chimeric protein production. ClfA is a clumping factor associated with S. aureus in blood plasma and esaA is responsible for protein secretion. These genes are found within S. aureus, and can be purified and cloned to study immune reactivity, functionality, and structure. This allows us to better understand the pathology of S. aureus. Additionally, we are conducting bioinformatics analyses to gain further insight into these genes and their potential as vaccine targets. This research is important because it could serve as a foundation for developing a vaccine for both livestock and human applications
Enhancing Plasma Efficiency with Ozone Recirculation
No full textCold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) has demonstrated a significant quality that has the potential to supersede within the medical and agricultural fields, due to its ability to eradicate bacteria, and remove biofilms without the need for harsh chemical alternatives. It even has the capacity to even be utilized autonomously for widespread implementation. The design to generate CAP is based on employing low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) which are multilayer glass ceramics widely used in microelectronic devices. When applying a time varying voltage across electrodes, an atmospheric plasma can be generated. A requirement for the CAP to be utilized would be through efficient and sustainable air flow. Previously the main air flow source was based on a centrifugal fan to replace the traditional argon gas tanks, offering a simplistic and portable alternative choice. However with all the benefits that the fan gives us, there is a lingering concern, ozone. Generally when plasma is being produced there is an inherent production of ozone, which is a colorless and toxic gas that can pose health and environmental risks if not properly managed. So in order to combat ozone, the idea was to create a recirculation encapture system that both pushes air through the plasma device, as well as recirculates the ozone back through the plasma. This innovation benefits the users by protecting and safely dealing with ozone during plasma generation but more importantly it should improve the psalm efficacy for inactivating pathogens. Pushing the CAP technology a step further into the future