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The Anchor: April 2024
Full text linkThe Anchor began in 1887 and was first issued weekly in 1914. Covering national and campus news alike, Hope College’s student-run newspaper has grown over the years to encompass over two-dozen editors, reporters, and staff. For much of The Anchor\u27s history, the latest issue was distributed across campus each Wednesday throughout the academic school year (with few exceptions). In recent years The Anchor moved to monthly print issues and a more frequently updated website. The Anchor is now published in print twice per academic semester. Occasionally, the volume and/or issue numbering is irregular
News from Hope College, Volume 56.1: Summer 2024
Full text linkhttps://digitalcommons.hope.edu/news_from_hope_college/1266/thumbnail.jp
The Local is Global: The Science of Coffee Roasting and Brewing
Full text linkOur interdisciplinary project on coffee and justice considered the impact of local choices on global coffee producers from both science and humanities perspectives. The science focused on further improving the quality of specialty coffee to create a higher demand for these upmarket beans, thereby allowing coffee producers to earn a more livable wage. Three experiments were conducted to test specialty coffee best practices. The first focused on the baked defect, which may occur when the rate of rise of bean temperature drops during the roasting process. The roasting process has three phases (drying, Maillard, and development); the second experiment tested how time spent in the Maillard phase affected coffee quality. The third experiment tested the perceived sweetness of fractions collected at different time intervals during the brewing process. Blind taste tests were conducted with local participants and professional Q-graders. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry is being used to determine if the roasting or brewing treatments affected the chemical composition of the brews and what correlation that may have with cup quality as determined by taste evaluation. Results from the taste tests indicated no significant differences between the control coffee and coffees from altered roasts (experiments one and two). However, we did find that perceived sweetness was higher for later brew fractions (experiment three)
Inertial Measurement Unit Based Haptic System
Full text linkThis study investigated the mitigation of lower back pain of nurses through the measurement of trunk flexion during patient handling tasks and the application of haptic feedback when a safe limit was exceeded. This was done using a system comprising: a microcontroller; a battery and cable to connect it thereto; buttons for trial control soldered thereto; an inertial measurement unit and cable to connect it thereto; a microSD card for in situ data collection inserted thereto; and a coin motor for haptic feedback soldered thereto. After informed consent was given, the system was attached to the lower back of a participant (88.2 kg, 1.86 m, 27 yr) using double sided tape. Using an adjustable table and a 30 kg manikin the participant was made to perform: Leg Raise ; Prep to Move ; Side Roll ; and Sit Up. There were three repetitions per trial, two trials per task, and three table heights – low (24.5 in), medium (28 in), and high (34.5 in) – per task. Additionally, the participant performed “Wheelchair Raise”, which involved a wheelchair rather than the table. During the experiment, the haptic system measured trunk flexion, recorded data, and applied haptic feedback when 42% of the max trunk flexion of the participant, measured prior to patient handling tasks, was reached. OpenCap was used to validate the data collected by the haptic system. The haptic system recorded data and, as expected, applied more haptic feedback during low table tasks then high table ones. However, OpenCap validation was inconsistent, with some comparisons of data collection between the two systems lining up well, and others not. In the future, more participants are expected, and the system, OpenCap validation, and data collection protocols will be refined to better measure trunk flexion and apply haptic feedback
The Effects of Vasopressin on Aquaporin-1 Expression and Localization in the Presence and Absence of VACM-1/Cul5
Full text linkThe vasopressin-activated calcium mobilizing (VACM-1/Cul-5) protein plays a role in the E3 ubiquitin ligase system which is involved in the destruction of specific proteins. Our focus is on the impact that the (VACM-1/Cul-5) protein has on other proteins\u27 expression and localization within human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). One of the proteins of interest to us is aquaporin-1 (AQP1). AQP1 is a water transporter that impacts cell growth and angiogenesis. To evaluate how the presence of VACM-1/Cul5 impacts AQP1, cells with and without the VACM-1/Cul5 gene are analyzed in the presence of increased vasopressin. VACM-1/Cul5 is knocked out of the genome using CRISPR. Results were analyzed using immunostaining to determine the concentration and localization of AQP1. The immunostaining process involves incubating treated cells with fluorescent antibodies that attach to AQP1. Preliminary results are inconclusive with respect to the impact of knocking out VACM-1 on AQP1 expression
Implications of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Exposure on the Auditory Physiology and Iron Bioaccumulation in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
Full text linkAir pollution (including particulate matter, PM) has increased as a result of a dramatic increase in urbanization. Nanoparticles within PM can be detrimental to health when inhaled., because they are small enough to bypass the blood-brain and blood-gas barriers, and can potentially accumulate in organs within the organism. For example, previous work has linked bioaccumulation of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPS) to cancer and organ poisoning. Interestingly, in model organisms, nanoparticle exposure has also been linked to hearing deficits, suggesting that decline in hearing may be an early bioindicator of future health consequences. While the specific mechanism for this hearing deficit is unknown, there could potentially be a link between IONP bioaccumulation and hearing sensitivity. This project aims to determine the effects of IONPs on the auditory physiology and the bioaccumulation of iron in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). House sparrows are an ideal model because of their prevalence around human development, complex social cues, and unique respiratory structures. To test the effect of IONPs on auditory physiology, an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test was conducted before and after exposure to either an IONP solution or Milli-Q water as the control variable. In order to determine iron content, organs were then collected and iron content was determined via inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. Preliminary data have been analyzed and the testing indicates that there is not a significant difference in the ABR testing or iron contents of the organs, but we are hopeful that with chronic exposure testing and more trials, those differences may become more apparent. These results will shed light on the role of air pollution on the physiological changes of avian species. Furthermore, by studying avian species, we can potentially understand the impact on the larger ecosystem
The Local is Global: Voices of Leaders in Coffee Justice
Full text linkThis interdisciplinary project on coffee and justice considered the impact of local choices in West Michigan on global producers of coffee from both a biology and humanities perspective. The humanities part of the project included a series of video interviews that captured the perspectives of local coffee leaders (roasters, coffee shop owners, and lead staff members) in West Michigan who have a passion for justice issues in the coffee industry. In these interviews conducted using oral history methodologies, leaders shared their understanding of justice as it relates to coffee production, processing, and consumption; methods of pursuing ethically-sourced coffee (including Fair trade and Organic certifications as well as direct trade partnerships); the centrality of community and hospitality in their businesses; and why coffee and justice matters to them. Videos were disseminated via JSTOR database for use by scholars, students, and the general public. This project also included the creation of learning materials on coffee and justice for classroom use. Along with the videos, the unit offers an overview of coffee and justice, a guided reading of A Cafecito Story / El cuento del cafecito by Julia Alvarez, and an activity with the documentary film After the Harvest: Fighting Hunger in the Coffeelands. In all, this project demonstrates the impacts of local coffee choices on global producers and the myriad connections that coffee can create
The Breaking of Carbon-Carbon Bonds in Alkyl Ketones
Full text linkThe breaking of carbon-carbon bonds holds great promise for organic chemistry synthesis. This project specifically looks at using a rhodium catalyst to perform a decarbonylation. The focus is to observe the outcome of a variety of different alkyl groups attached to ketones as they undergo decarbonylation reactions. Depending on the alkyl ketone, the reaction can proceed via direct decarbonylation and/or beta-hydride elimination. The goal of this project includes controlling the selectivity of these reactions for the desired product and expanding the library of successful ketones containing alkyl groups used for the reactions
The Relationship between an Individual\u27s Height and the Movement Strategies Implemented to Perform Manual Patient-Handling Tasks
Full text linkNurses are specifically at risk of low back pain and injury, which has been associated with the performance of daily tasks involving repositioning and handling patients in awkward postures. We recently conducted a proof of concept study to understand multi-joint coordination of the trunk, hips, and knees during the performance of several patient-handling tasks. While interpreting that data, we noted a difference in performance of shorter subjects versus taller subjects. In this study, we present a secondary analysis of that data that explores the relationship of the movement strategies selected during tasks (based on trunk, hip, and knee joint coordination) and subject height. We hypothesized that the movement strategy elicited by shorter subjects would entail more trunk engagement, while the strategy of taller subjects would entail more engagement of the lower limbs The long-term goal of our work is to develop effective training interventions for nursing students and personnel. The results were motivating as a correlation between a person\u27s height and posture was proven. Results suggest that movement strategies to perform patient-handling tasks may vary according to an individual\u27s height in order to prevent injuries. Future work will continue to explore these relationships as well as develop recommendations for training techniques that vary between heights, all to ensure nurses safety by preventing injuries
The Behavioral Impacts of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Exposure on the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Full text linkIn response to a rapidly growing world population, there has been a dramatic increase in global urbanization and industrialization. With these increases comes increased air pollution, which includes metallic nanoparticles that are small enough to pass through an animal’s blood-gas and blood-brain barriers and cause damage. Some animals show behavioral changes in response to metallic nanoparticle exposure; for example, zinc oxide nanoparticle-exposed chicks displayed less antipredator behavior compared to controls. Additionally, mice injected with silver traveled less and more slowly than controls. Observationally, urban birds, compared to their rural conspecifics, tend to take more risks and explore more, which are both facets of foraging behavior. Furthermore, it is unknown if these behavioral differences are caused by metallic nanoparticle exposure or environmental demand. Therefore, this project focuses on how exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles, the most abundant nanoparticulate in cities, impacts the foraging and antipredator behaviors of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). The house sparrow shows innovative foraging capability and occupies environments across the urbanization gradient, making it an ideal species for this project and a possible sentinel species as urbanization and air pollution increase. In IONP-exposed birds compared to control, we predict less antipredator behavior (e.g. scanning and fleeing), less exploration (i.e. movement), and less foraging efficiency (e.g. proportion of correct to incorrect foraging decisions). Preliminary results display an increased reaction time, measured by any action of antipredator behavior following a stimulus, of IONP-exposed birds when compared to control birds. Furthermore, the IONP-exposed birds spent less time foraging than the control birds. These preliminary results show the difference in avian personality between the IONP-exposed group and the control group, and could be a contributing factor in avian population decline