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The PETM: A window into Earth\u27s future climate
Get PDFThe Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is not just an event that occurred in Earth’s distant past (~55 million years ago) but is a crucial lesson for today’s meteoric climate change. The PETM offers a historical parallel of rapid flux of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that caused global warming, ocean acidification, dramatic changes in weather, and extinctions. This global warming event was the result of 20,000 years of “rapid” warming (in geological terms) however, we are experiencing rates of warming that are 5-10x higher than PETM levels. We are not experiencing rapid warming today, in comparison to the past, we are experiencing unmatched supersonic rates of warming
237 - Investigation of Cytoskeletal Protein Reconstruction of Vulvar Cancer with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Get PDFThe A431 vulvar cancer cell line undergoes a defined cellular transformation when treated with the corticosteroid clobetasol, marked by changes in cytoskeletal protein biomarkers indicative of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Replicated experiments demonstrate that this transformation provides a valuable model for studying protein interactions from a chemical perspective. To quantify these interactions, we employed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with gold nanoparticles, enhancing the detection sensitivity of cytoskeletal protein changes. By tracking protein dynamics and surface composition throughout the cellular transformation, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms underlying EMT. We have completed the data collection of A431 and A431D cells. Spectral analysis provided insights into the sequence of protein gains and losses, and comparison with established data revealed structural information related to protein folding, binding, and interactions. In addition, a three-dimensional SERS imaging technique was used to characterize alterations in the cytoskeletal proteins of individual cells. We conclude that a subtle differences were found in spectral features in the region between 250 cm – 1 and 1250 cm – 1 , reflecting the presence or absence of vimentin or cytokeratins
052 - The Benefits of High Quality and Diverse Media in the Classroom
Get PDFOver the past few years, especially thanks to the covid-19 pandemic and distance learning, many people are starting to question the media that their children should be allowed to consume as they now had a better sense of what was going on in their child’s classrooms. Many parents have made statements about how they are against various forms of media being used in classes, including some that focus on diversity. As parents push for this type of media to be pulled, it is important to take a look at the benefits of not just high quality media, but also diverse media in early childhood education. This presentation will focus on the value and importance of high quality media for young children, including the results of a media based preschool program in the Middle East, some examples of the potential benefits, and ways for teachers to properly implement this kind of media in the classroom. There will also be a focus on the importance of diverse media for young children, with special attention regarding racial, disability, and LGBTQIA+ representation in children’s programming and books, and how this representation can greatly impact young children
022 - The Effect of Diet on the Microbial Composition of the Mouse Gut
Get PDFAn organism\u27s gut microbiome has been shown previously to be influenced by outside factors including diet. The effects of a ketogenic diet (KD), which is a low carbohydrate, high-fat diet, and a standard diet (SD) the gut microbial composition of mice was analyzed over a 44 day time course, in both wild type and mutant mice which displayed repetitive motor behaviors (RMB). The stool of the mouse was collected at various time points and microbial DNA was extracted via a Qiagen FecalPro Kit. The 16S DNA of the samples were then sequenced using Illumina technology. Taxonomic analysis was completed to determine any changes in the gut microbiome. Changes of the microbial composition were seen between the keto diet and the standard diet fed mice. No conclusion could be made in regard to differences of genotypes fed the keto diet. These results indicate diet does alter the microbial composition however further research is needed to elucidate any other potential mechanism influencing the gut microbiome
231 - Investigation of ACE 2 on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein coated gold colloids
Get PDFThe RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) of spike protein (s-protein) in SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly associated with priming the viral infection, where N-terminal helices and its adjacent loop of ACE2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2) is bound to s-protein. We investigated a protein corona formation of s-protein over gold nano-colloids and reversible aggregation process as a function of pH change between acidic condition (i.e., pH ~3) and basic condition (i.e., pH ~11). The s-protein exhibited signs of aggregation through the unfolded conformation of RBD segments at the acidic condition. As the pH was repeatedly cycled between acidic and basic conditions, the aggregation was found to be quasi-reversible. The addition of ACE2 to the s-protein coated gold colloids showed two time-dependent reversible aggregation phenomena. The SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) imaging was attempted to study s-protein adsorbed over nano-gold colloids under the presence of ACE2, and clear gold aggregates formations were observed. A significant number of those aggregates exhibited the sections which possessed repetitive localized motion at pH ~3. A preliminary study indicated there are three major Raman shifts: (1) ~1531 cm –1 : CH 2 deformation and COO – stretching of Tryptophan,(2) ~1585 cm –1 : C=C bending of phenylalanine , aromatic ring vibration, NH deformation, and (3) 2130 cm –1 : -C≡C-stretching of alkyne. The more detailed investigation of and aggregation process of s-protein coated gold and the role of ACE2 is in progress
166 - Building a Youth Fellows Research Program for the Good Food Buffalo Coalition
Get PDFWhat might the Good Food Buffalo Coalition’s (GFCB) key components of a youth fellows program look like? The GFCB has firmly grounded their work in their principles of prioritizing people\u27s access to “healthy food and food that values workers, animals, and the environment, while lifting local communities out of poverty”. GFCB is currently working to build out a youth research fellows\u27 program to secure the inclusion of the most impacted communities in the research processes so that there isn’t a need for outside folk to come and do it. Youth fellows\u27 programs have several benefits to the community, those involved, and the quality of research conducted. I have conducted a cross examination and analysis of existing programs and their processes in order to better understand the inner workings of such programs, as well as, starting to establish a foundation for the GFCB youth fellows. Several organizations were found throughout my research with successful youth fellows\u27 programs. The Massachusetts Project (MAP) and Hope for Youth (HYPE) are both great examples of organizations that have successfully run school-based programs for over a decade now. These programs have provided necessary insight on structure and key components of a youth fellows program. A program like this would benefit the GFCB greatly, by not only providing a chance to engage with students and create opportunities for development but by further grounding their foundation and research on the insight, analysis, and leadership of those most impacted
254 - “Ship Fever”: Contextualizing Epidemic Typhus in Mid-19th Century New York
Get PDFEpidemic typhus is a disease caused by the bacteria R. prowazekii, and spread through the vector of human body lice. Historically, typhus outbreaks have been associated with “social maladies”: poverty, war, natural disasters, and other factors that bring about the overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions where typhus spreads most easily. In a study I conducted last year, I learned that between 1847 and 1850, 17.5% of the 169 adult deaths in the Monroe County Poorhouse were attributed to typhus (also called “ship fever”). In a sample of 205 people buried in Mount Hope Cemetery (Rochester\u27s general population) during the same time frame, typhus only accounted for 1.5% of deaths, less than a tenth of the proportion in the poorhouse. For this project, I examine the social factors and historical context, especially structural violence and stigma, that contributed to this huge discrepancy. This research should highlight how infectious disease is entwined with social structures
099 - Towards Extreme Mass-Ratio Inspiral Calculations in the Time Domain Using Hyperboloidal Slicing and Compactification
Get PDFOur future goal is to accurately predict gravitational wave signals by solving the Regge-Wheeler equation in the time domain. We first built foundational understanding by solving a simpler case with a simpler method: an oscillating point source on an infinite string, solved by implementing a second-order finite difference approximation to solve the 1D wave equation. We simulated waves propagating to infinity by imposing an internal boundary condition consistent with a Dirac delta source. This was solved and simulated in Mathematica. One important feature of our technique is the use of hyperboloidal slicing and compactification because it enhances accuracy for astrophysical applications. We used hyperboloidal slicing to transform the time coordinate so there are only a finite number of wavelengths within the infinite domain; this enables compactification while avoiding the infinite blue shift problem. We compared our numerical results to the exact solution, which agreed up to the numerical discretization error
196 - Perfectionist Self-Presentation and Social Media Motives as Mediators of Narcissism and Problematic Social Media Use
Get PDFAccording to the Compensatory Internet Use Theory (Kardefelt-Winther, 2014), individuals may use social media to compensate for challenges they may experience socially and/or to meet certain psychological or emotional needs. This compensation may increase the risk of problematic social media use, including addiction and stalking behavior. Researchers have linked both grandiose narcissism (exhibitionism, self-importance, and reflecting self-perceptions of grandiosity and dominance) and vulnerable narcissism (hypersensitivity to the opinions of others, defensiveness, and insecurity) to problematic social media behaviors. We examined both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism as predictors of social media stalking and addiction, with perfectionistic self-presentation and social media motives as mediators. Results indicated that perfectionistic self-presentation and fear of missing out fully mediated the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and addiction and stalking. In contrast, perfectionistic self-presentation and praise/popularity motives when using social media fully mediated the relationship between grandiose narcissism and addiction and stalking. In addition, using social media to hurt/punish others fully mediated the relationship between grandiose narcissism and stalking. Implications for interventions to reduce social media addiction and stalking are discussed
051 - Good Food Buffalo Coalition: Key findings within Community Action Planning
Get PDFThe Good Food Buffalo Coalition is dedicated to bringing the Good Food Purchasing Program to Western New York. The coalition aims to shift food procurement practices in Buffalo Public Schools by focusing on sustainability, community values, and nutritional equity. By moving away from the lowest bidder system, the coalition seeks to prioritize nutrition, workers\u27 rights, sustainability, animal welfare, and local economies. We want Buffalo Public Schools to provide food in a way that supports these values and goals. The coalition hosts listening sessions to gather opinions and ideas to develop an action plan guiding the coalition’s work moving forward. To synthesize key components brought forth by participants, we analyze and transcribe the audio recordings, pictures, and the physical data gathered from the sessions. Community members can directly support the implementation of their own key concerns, ideas, and potential solutions into the school food system through this process. Key findings from this research show community members\u27 emphasis on the nutritional quality of school food and knowing what is being fed to their children. Community members also support the implementation of kitchens in schools, greater staff training, and the involvement of parents, teachers, and nutritionists in food-related decisions. All of these findings help to show us where to direct our work and support. Through these initiatives, the coalition aims to create lasting, community-driven change in how food is provided, ensuring that it supports the broader goals of health, sustainability, and community well-being