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Inhibition of HDACs via Treatment with Sodium Butyrate to Mitigate the Development of Huntington's Disease in C. elegans
No full textHuntington’s Disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative condition caused by an expanded polyglutamine tract in the huntingtin protein, leading to transcriptional dysregulation and motor impairment. Emerging research has connected the gut microbiota to brain health through several mechanisms, including the activity of bacterial metabolite short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, a known histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. This study tested whether dietary supplementation with sodium butyrate, the salt form of butyrate, could mitigate HD symptoms in Caenorhabditis elegans models of the disease. Body bend assays revealed that treated HD animals showed a significant improvement in motor response, with performance comparable to wild type (p < 0.0001). However, crawling speed remained significantly impaired in HD models, with no rescue observed post-treatment. These results suggest that sodium butyrate can partially restore sensorimotor function but does not fully reverse HD-related locomotor deficits, highlighting the potential therapeutic avenue for gut-derived epigenetic therapies in neurodegenerative disease
Rest Periods as a Buffer for Cortisol Reactivity to Unexpected Stress: An Experimental Study
No full textThe present study experimentally examined whether engaging in a restful activity prior to being exposed to a stressor would lower cortisol reactivity and self-reported feelings of stress, as well as identify common barriers to rest among college students. Undergraduate participants (n = 45) were randomly assigned to either a 15-minute restful activity or a control condition, where students were free to spend their time as they normally would in their everyday lives. All participants were then told that they would be taking a surprise exam in order to induce feelings of stress. Salivary cortisol samples and self-report measures (PSS, PANAS, State Relaxation Questionnaire) were collected. We found that participants in the control condition reported feeling more rested than the rest condition after the 15-minute experimental period. However, control participants also had higher cortisol levels, indicating that they were experiencing a more robust physiological stress response. Furthermore, every participant indicated that “feelings of unfinished work pressuring me” was a barrier to rest in their life. These counterintuitive findings may be explained by students in the control condition who used their time to complete work that was a source of stress for them, resulting in them reporting feeling more at ease, despite their physiological state not reflecting this feeling. Furthermore, individuals in the rest condition may view the rest period as an unproductive use of time, resulting in them reporting lowered feelings of restedness, despite exhibiting lower cortisol levels. Additional studies would be needed to explore these explanations and further the support for deliberate periods of rest in college students
Addressing Mental Well-Being to Improve Upon the Existing stART Program
No full textThe Strength Through Art (stART) program is a mental health prevention program offered at the National Gallery Singapore with the goal of educating youth ages 13-35 on emotional literacy through art. Our sponsor, Director Mian Tze from the stART team, tasked us in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to enhance the existing program by addressing program reach and content retention. By gathering and analyzing both survey and interview data, we discovered findings that outlined positive and negative views regarding the topic of mental health. To address these issues, we developed and proposed modifications to the program format to tackle reach and retention. Our recommendations include different technology-based ideas from a mental wellness tracking app and gamified stART program, story books and creative care packages, and even a stART pop-up event. These recommendations were put into a design matrix leaving the stART pop-up events as the final recommendation. We hope that our final recommendation will serve the stART team and assist our partners at NUS in implementing a method that leads to a self-sustaining cycle of program reach and content retention, leading to a more accessible and impactful program
Snowboot for Users with AFOs
No full textThis Major Qualifying Project investigates the design and testing of a snow boot with a reengineered last for the improved accommodation of ankle and foot orthosis (AFOs) users. AFOs prevent people from performing normal plantar flexion and add bulk to the leg, making snow boots unusable. The design aimed to ensure that users could don and doff with one hand and minimal dexterity or strength, and that the boots could accommodate AFOs of various bulks for users with the same size feet. Through creation of a customized last based on a men’s size 10 orthosis, a pullover model was built to assess ease of use, fit, comfort, stability, and adjustability. Additionally, a heel counter height was selected that maintains stability of the boot while allowing access. Ultimately, this project aims to enhance the functionality and adaptability of snow boots currently on the market for individuals with AFOs
Antibiotic and Phage discovery Project: Extending Solutions in Soil (BB 2915) or Phage Hunters (BB 2917)
No full textBacteriophage, viruses that target specific bacteria, are known as the most abundant biological agent on Earth. Despite their increasing potential as a medicinal agent, the genetic qualities of phage are understudied. As such, our project examined the ability to expand the host-range of Microbacterium foliorum-targeting phage using random mutagenesis with Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). Our genetic analysis focused on the phage’s Major Tail Protein (MTP); a gene crucial for phage infectivity. After comparing the MTP sequences before and after three rounds of exposure to EMS, it was found that there were minimal mutations in the MTP sequence, correlating to no change in infectivity of the phage against the M. foliorum relative, Microbacterium paraoxydans
The Roman Dodecahedron: A Surveying Tool?
No full textThis project aimed to test the hypothesis that the Roman Dodecahedron was primarily used for land surveying through modern recreations and contemporary surveying techniques. CAD and SolidWorks Models were created and 3D printed. Using these models, tests were conducted to gather data supporting or refuting the theory that the Roman Dodecahedra were surveying tools. Based on the collected data, the team evaluated the validity of the hypothesis and formed a conclusion about the Roman Dodecahedron's potential role in land surveying
Designing a Novel Variable Axis Wind Turbine to Increase Energy Efficiency
No full textThe increasing global demand for distributed renewable energy generation necessitates novel wind turbine designs that optimize power capture in diverse environments. This project involves designing a Variable Tilt-Axis Wind Turbine (VTAWT) able to capture wind energy from thermal updrafts in both simulated and real environments. Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) can only operate efficiently within a limited range of operating conditions due to the absence of active control systems (e.g., blade pitch control) commonly found in large utility-scale turbines. The VTAWT aims to address this limitation by incorporating a tilt-axis mechanism for the nacelle and blade assembly, allowing real-time adjustments to optimize wind energy capture. A core aspect of this research is the use of rapid prototyping and iterative design, with a focus on the scalability and manufacturability of the VTAWT model. Turbine parts were fabricated using 3D printing whenever possible, which significantly reduced development costs and enabled a modular approach for testing and optimization. Our experience highlights how 3D printing can make small wind turbines more adaptable by leveraging custom blades optimized for specific site conditions. After designing, building, and assembling our prototype, we tested the turbine in a wind tunnel with and without simulated thermals. Wind tunnel testing of the VTAWT prototype demonstrated a 25.9% increase in power output compared to an equally sized HAWT. This validates our VTWAT energy production modelling, which showed an efficiency gain of up to 33.65% compared to conventional HAWTs at times of peak thermals. This project lays the groundwork for further scaling and piloting of VTAWT technology. Future work will focus on optimizing control mechanisms, structural stability, and real-world deployment, reinforcing VTAWT’s viability as a cost-effective, scalable alternative for distributed wind power generation
Fabrication of Asymmetric Phosphatidylinositol/Phosphatidylcholine Mixed Vesicles
No full textPhosphatidylinositol (PI) is a phospholipid in the membrane with many important roles, the most significant being its part in signal transduction pathways that release second messengers. These regulate vital cell functions that, when gone awry, can cause cancer. It’s challenging to study PI in model membranes due to its asymmetric distribution in biological membranes. The goal of this study is to create asymmetric giant unilamellar vesicles (aGUVs) containing PI in their outer leaflet. This was achieved by using 1mM Mg2+ to induce hemifusion between a solid-supported lipid bilayer (SLB) and a symmetric giant unilamellar vesicle (sGUV). The lipids in the outer leaflet of the vesicle exchanged with the lipids in the SLB to create an aGUV. Results were analyzed by comparing fluorophore intensity in the sGUV controls and seeing if this average intensity was halved in the aGUVs, indicating 100% membrane exchange. Although the intensities varied greatly, several aGUVs were created, showing this method can be used to create PI containing aGUVs for future studies
Multi-material Design and Manufacturing of a Parametric Continuum Actuator MQP
No full textThis research aims to develop a cost-effective and accurate method for real-time shape sensing of continuum robotic arms through embedded strain sensors. Continuum robots are a class of flexible manipulators that, unlike traditional rigid-link robots, deform continuously along their length to achieve complex shapes and navigate confined spaces. These robots are particularly valuable in medical surgery, manufacturing, search and rescue operations, and geological research applications. However, tracking the precise shape of continuum arms presents significant challenges, as conventional sensing techniques such as vision-based systems require line-of-sight, and fiber optic solutions like Fiber Bragg Grating sensors are expensive and difficult to integrate. To address these limitations, we utilize multi-material 3D printing to fabricate a Yoshimura-style continuum arm with stretchable strain sensors embedded directly within its structure during manufacturing. This approach eliminates the need for post-production sensor installation and provides distributed sensing capabilities throughout the arm's body. Our method enables real-time pose tracking and visualization from the base to the end effector, offering a practical solution for applications requiring precise control in complex environments
Book Page Turner
No full textThis MQP designed a solution to enable people with limited motor control to turn the pages of a textbook. We focused on partial quadriplegia and analyzed acceptable inputs. A combination of research and analysis enabled our design process to reflect the most efficient solution. We then created a device that uses a motor-powered four bar linkage in combination with a motor-powered lever to turn a page at the touch of a button. A plastic enclosure ensures a safe, comfortable user experience. It is designed to be adjustable, fit a wide variety of textbooks, and require limited external assistance