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From Empire to Isolation : The Legacy of Imperial Japan and how it’s Post War Efforts Transformed The
No full text28 p.This research project examines the dual narrative of Japan’s postwar transformation: its pragmatic efforts to rebuild its image as a cooperative member of the global community and the persistent influence of imperial-era ideologies on its modern policies. By analyzing Japan’s political reforms, economic resurgence, and diplomatic strategies, alongside the lingering scars of its imperial past, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how Japan has navigated its complex history to reconcile with its neighbors and redefine its place in the world. While the empire dissolved following Japan's defeat in World War II, its legacy remains deeply embedded in Japan's modern identity. Much like the various foreign pressures that have shaped East Asian history—whether it was China’s control over Korea during the Joseon Dynasty or the forced opening of Japan’s ports by the United States—Japan’s approach to immigration is tied to its imperial past, where racial hierarchy and national unity underpinned state policy. Japan’s imperial identity, shaped by the notion of the Emperor as the center of a homogeneous ethnic nation, echoes through time in modern immigration frameworks. Japan’s imperial past, specifically its policies in Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria, has directly influenced its contemporary immigration practices. These practices, much like during the empire, are characterized by tight control over migration, labor exploitation, and a strong emphasis on maintaining ethnic homogeneity. By exploring the historical context, including the Meiji Constitution and colonial labor management, this paper shows that Japan’s reluctance to fully embrace large-scale immigration is not just a reaction to present conditions, but the result of long-standing political and social beliefs, deeply ingrained during its imperial past
Evaluating Michigan’s Silviculture Practices and Their Implications for Future Northern Hardwood Logging
No full textiii, 16 p.This review explores the current state of Michigan’s silviculture practice, particularly focusing on sustainable forest management and the challenges that arise after harvesting. The synthesis of empirical studies, regarding Northern Hardwood Forest harvesting, provides context for the current condition of logging practices. Currently, practices can range from the selection of single trees or groups of trees to clearcutting forest land. Key methods can be further assessed and analyzed for their impacts on the species composition, soil health, and wild animal population. Challenges related to competition, soil nutrients, and sunlight, provide restraints on the regeneration of harvest stands. Future studies and surveys should be maintained over a long period – encapsulating stand status before, during, and after harvesting has occurred – allows for logging issues to be acknowledged and addressed. Utilization of advanced technology, such as GIS, can aid foresters and loggers in minimizing ecological disturbance and damage. Overall, a greater understanding of the implications of each silviculture method allows for foresters, family-forest owners, and loggers to work alongside each other in developing a management plan that enhances lumbering yield while maintaining forest health and sustainability
In Honor of the Dead
No full textx, 28 p.The specific words I use to describe my SIP don’t matter. What matters is what it is, and what it is, is the single most ambitious creative project I’ve ever taken on. I hope the words can speak for themselves, but I also hope this essay can help you understand them more deeply. My SIP is a collection of short writings, but beyond that the pieces don’t have much in common formally with each other. Some are poems, some are flash nonfiction, some read more like journal entries than anything else. Personally, I’m not interested in declaring exactly what genre any given piece is because I believe that to be beside the point. Here is what I know: everything in this SIP is bite-sized, and should this project be a success, every one of those bites has enough intensity and richness to expand beyond the diminutive space it occupies
Use of Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism for Neurodegenerative Diseases
No full text15 p.Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia are characterized by neuronal degeneration and loss, which leads to significant cognitive and motor impairments. Despite considerable research having been done investigating these diseases, with some relevant disease genes having been uncovered, cures have not yet been discovered and current treatments are quite limited. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a useful organism for modeling these diseases in order to study their cellular and molecular mechanisms. Their nervous system is fully mapped and well understood, with enough simplicity to make studying neurodegeneration less complex than in vertebrates. In addition to the fact that C. elegans has genetic similarities to humans, transgenic nematodes are used to model pathologies that do not naturally occur in nematodes. Genome editing technology has become more attainable and inexpensive for researchers. Due to their size, cost, and availability, C. elegans are an accessible model for laboratory research. This review investigates how nematodes can be used as a model organism to further research on the pathology and mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Although this model has its limitations, the information gained from the studies done on C. elegans continues to advance our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases in order to develop new approaches for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
The Utilization of Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Odontogenic Regeneration : A Promising New Procedure
No full textiv, 14 p.Daily maintenance of oral health is paramount for general health, as poor oral hygiene potentially leads to a variety of health tissues. Compromise of dental pulp tissue is a major cause of tooth loss and therefore a primary oral health concern. The research field of regenerative endodontics aims to produce dental pulp tissue utilizing dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in an effort to improve upon well-established endodontic practices. Dental pulp is the highly vascularized and nerve-dense tissue interior of a tooth, which is susceptible to necrosis and damage from trauma and/or infection. In response to pulp necrosis, widespread endodontic practices such as root canals and pulp capping procedures aim to either preserve as much pulp as possible or remove necrotic tissue. Dental stem cells (DSCs) have been isolated from various dental tissues, with DPSCs and human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) being the most proliferative and are easily accessible from extracted teeth. DPSCs and SHEDs have pioneered regenerative endodontics, with in vitro human cell cultures regenerating pulp tissue when transplanted in immunosuppressed mammalian model systems. The success of these procedures in pulp tissue regeneration has recently prompted clinical trials of autologous SHED implantation in patients with pulp necrosis. SHED implantation resulted in full pulp regeneration stated without adverse effects 24 months post-procedure. Despite this promise, longer evaluation of these patients is warranted before these trials are expanded. Furthermore, greater elucidation of DSCs signaling pathways and mechanisms of DSC differentiation will help us understand the biology of oral health better and lead to improved regimens for dental pulp regeneration
The Effects of Three Tryptophan Metabolites in the Kynurenine Pathway on Health and Disease
No full textiii, 10 p.The kynurenine pathway is an essential degradation pathway for the amino acid tryptophan, which leads to the production of NADH in humans. Kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) are key metabolites of this pathway, each with unique roles in the body. This pathway helps with the prevention of disease, such as sepsis and heart disease, as well as the onset of other diseases such as Huntington’s disease and different heart diseases. There are two major hypotheses about this pathway, which are the inflammation hypothesis which continues to hold up today, and the serotonin hypothesis which has been disproven over recent years. Although many conclusions and implications about this pathway have been made in recent years, there are still areas that require further research. For example, the intergenerational effects of this pathway continue to be a topic worthy of investigation, as well as the crossing of certain metabolites in the pathway through the blood-brain barrier
A Jurisprudential Analysis of the 8th Amendment
No full text71 p.Throughout this paper, I will provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of the extensive history behind the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. This exploration will begin with its English origins, examining how early legal traditions, including the English Bill of Rights of 1689, laid the groundwork for this constitutional provision. I will then analyze the colonial influences that shaped its development, tracing how American experiences, revolutionary ideals, and Enlightenment thought contributed to its inclusion in the Bill of Rights. The discussion will proceed to explore the ratification process and early interpretations of the Eighth Amendment, considering the philosophical and legal principles that informed its adoption. Following this historical foundation, I will present a thorough argument for a Living Constitutionalist approach to interpreting the Eighth Amendment. This section will feature an indepth analysis of relevant Supreme Court cases to demonstrate how this perspective has been applied and its evolving impact on American jurisprudence. I will then contrast this with an argument for Originalism, analyzing its emphasis on the Framers’ intent and historical context. This section will include evidence from early legal traditions and landmark decisions that showcase the Originalist approach to the Eighth Amendment. These sections will both address common criticisms for each perspective. Building on these interpretive frameworks, I will include a focused discussion on the death penalty, using it as a case study to examine the implications of both jurisprudential approaches within the context of the Eighth Amendment. This section will highlight key Supreme Court cases and debates surrounding capital punishment, analyzing its alignment with the Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and addressing evolving standards of decency. Finally, I will conclude by presenting my opinion on the most compelling interpretive approach to the Eighth Amendment. I will summarize the key findings from my research, integrating the historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of the Eighth Amendment to provide a nuanced understanding of its role and significance in American constitutional law
Analysis of Fas Apoptotic Inhibitory Molecule (FAIM) on Aβ42 Aggregation Inhibition
No full textv, 23 p.Proteostasis, the maintenance of protein integrity, is crucial for normal cellular function. Deviations can result in the accumulation of misfolded proteins, which can form amyloid, seen in many neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Fas Apoptotic Inhibitory Molecule (FAIM) has been shown to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation, a component of amyloid in Alzheimer's disease. Previous research identified S155N as a loss-of-function mutation, and we sought to investigate how other mutations at S155 of FAIM affect the inhibition of Aβ42 aggregation. The inhibitory activity of S155X FAIM mutants on Aβ42 aggregation was measured by ThT binding assays. We found that all mutants had inhibitory activity against Aβ42 aggregation at 2 hours, contrary to previous findings. However, after 4 hours, mutants were found to have a wide range of inhibition, being worse, equal, or better than wildtype FAIM. Our findings indicate that S155 is important, but not crucial, for aggregation inhibition and mutation at this site alters its capacity to inhibit Aβ42 aggregation
Role of Patient Attendants in a Comprehensive Medical Treatment Team
No full textiii, 9 p.This literature review explores the role of a Patient Attendant within a comprehensive medical treatment team, based on personal experience at Michigan Medicine. Patient attendants provide essential support for high-need patients, such as those at risk of falls, memory care patients, and individuals facing mental health challenges. The review highlights how attendants ensure patient safety, promote mobility, and offer emotional support through 1:1 care. It examines the collaborative efforts of a treatment team, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, who contribute to patient care, as well as the importance of hospital support teams, such as security, lift teams, and rapid response teams, to maintain a safe healing environment. Continuous, around the clock care is crucial, as patient attendants can provide companionship and early detection of emergencies, improving patient prognoses. Insights from working in this role reveal the significance of an attentive, engaged, and well-rounded treatment team
Using the Five Domains Model to Assess Saddle Horse Welfare on Mackinac Island
No full textiv, 11 p.Saddle horses and carriage horses are two of the main ways of transportation on Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island, located in the straights of Mackinac, is a small island that banned the use of automobiles in 1901. Situated between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsula, the island was a popular trading destination in the 17th century and is now a popular tourist hub. This review will use the McGreevy et al. article titled “Using the Five Domains Model to Assess the Adverse Impacts of Husbandry, Veterinary, and Equitation Interventions on Horse Welfare” (2018) to assess saddle horse welfare on Mackinac Island. This article explains the five domains which are used to assess horse welfare using the impacts of husbandry, veterinary, and equitation interventions. The five domains include nutrition, environment, health, and behavior, all leading to a horse’s mental state. This review highlights those five components while comparing them to the saddle horses on Mackinac Island. In the end, saddle horse welfare is above par but future steps to maintain and improve animal welfare on the island can only ensure that the animals are getting everything they need to thrive