1854 research outputs found
Sort by
The effect of Cisplatin on Human Diploid Fibroblast Cells expressing SV40 T-Antigen
Get PDFCancer is most commonly thought of as the result of accumulation of cellular DNA mutations that inhibit tumor suppressor proteins or activate oncogenes. However a large body of evidence also shows that the wild type gene transcripts are alternatively spliced to create oncogenic protein isoforms or induce nonsense mediated decay of the RNA. To combat the cancerous cell growth, chemotherapy targets cellular activities such as DNA replication, spindle formation, receptor signalling, and metabolism. Knowing the protein profile of the tumor is relevant to finding an effective chemotherapeutic. For instance, cisplatin is used to treat a variety of cancers but has been shown to have reduced efficacy if the cell lacks the protein BIN1 or if it is alternatively spliced to the BIN1+12A isoform. Cisplatin forms platinum-DNA adducts that create single stranded breaks, and if not repaired can later become double stranded breaks following DNA replication. Unlike other tumor suppressors, BIN1 appears to induce cell death by increasing genomic instability. BIN1 is proposed to function by binding to the transcription factor E2F1, and preventing the activation of the DNA repair mechanism by ATM. This allows the breaks produced by cisplatin to disrupt cellular processes, such as DNA replication and transcription, and ultimately results in cell death (Folk 2019). While studying the mechanism of cellular transformation by the simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen oncoprotein, our lab has discovered a novel RNA isoform of BIN1. This transcript retains exon 11 yet deletes exons 12-18. Concomitant with characterizing the protein structure, this study is investigating the functional characteristic of this BIN1 isoform as it relates to cisplatin resistance. Human diploid fibroblasts immortalized with telomerase HDF (HDF(tert)) and HDF(tert) cells expressing the viral oncoprotein SV40 T antigen (HDF(tert)+T) will be used as the experimental model. A dose curve of cisplatin from 0-2ug/ml will be used to assess cellular sensitivity. Determining the function of this novel BIN1 isoform is essential to the chemotherapeutic success in cancer treatment
The Need for a Culture of Sustainable Agricultural Ethics as a Response to Biocultural Homogenization, Food Shortages, and Environmental Degradation
Get PDFThis project explores the ways that permaculture, agroforestry, silvopasture, and other sustainable agricultural practices and approaches can positively contribute to solving issues related to global climate change and the environment. It specifically focuses on the benefits produced in regard to resolving environmental degradation, mitigating food shortage issues, and decreasing the loss of biocultural, linguistic, and cultural diversity (biocultural homogenization). Environmental health has the potential to be drastically improved with the use of these methods, exemplified by increased carbon sequestering capabilities, higher soil water retention rates, greater biodiversity and support for wildlife, and many other factors relating to ecological well-being. Food availability could be expanded through access to local foods and a greater knowledge base of edible native species. The deep connection to one’s local environment as well as the environmentally-conscious values and lifestyle habits embedded within permaculture and the like provide crucial tools that encourage a transition to a more sustainable society. Exploration of how tending the land holistically in ways more aligned with Earth’s natural systems can shift the human-nature relationship into one built out of care and reciprocity could offer the paradigm shift necessary to combat anthropogenic effects on climate change
The Buddhist Artifacts in the Puffenberger Collection
Get PDFIn 2012, Dr. William Puffenberger, a retired Professor of Religious Studies at Elizabethtown College, donated his collection of artifacts, gathered over the course of his teaching career, to the school for professors to use in teaching as he had previously. These artifacts have since been on display in Nicarry 228 where they are being utilized by professors teaching in that classroom. In 2018, Dr. Richard Newton and Carol Costa Ouimet, along with students Amal Ismail and Hannah Ciocco, began the process of creating a digital archive of the Puffenberger collection. In 2019, students Mahmood Mohammad and Tyler Gamble, under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffery Long and Carol Costa Ouimet, have continued this project of photographing, researching, creating a website, and uploading these religious artifacts for the use of the larger student population, and all who would like to use or view the collection
The Buddhist Artifacts in the Puffenberger Collection
Get PDFIn 2012, Dr. William Puffenberger, a retired Professor of Religious Studies at Elizabethtown College, donated his collection of artifacts, gathered over the course of his teaching career, to the school for professors to use in teaching as he had previously. These artifacts have since been on display in Nicarry 228 where they are being utilized by professors teaching in that classroom. In 2018, Dr. Richard Newton and Carol Costa Ouimet, along with students Amal Ismail and Hannah Ciocco, began the process of creating a digital archive of the Puffenberger collection. In 2019, students Mahmood Mohammad and Tyler Gamble, under the mentorship of Dr. Jeffery Long and Carol Costa Ouimet, have continued this project of photographing, researching, creating a website, and uploading these religious artifacts for the use of the larger student population, and all who would like to use or view the collection
E-Town Close-Up
No full textStudent exhibitionhttps://jayscholar.etown.edu/etowncloseupsp2019/1015/thumbnail.jp
Innovation of Crutches
Get PDFThe following project focuses on the redesign of crutches, and more specifically, a redesign of the most common type of crutch, the axillary crutch. Every year, there are approximately 21 million Emergency Room visits for lower leg injuries, many of which would lead to short term crutch use [1]. In this project, we attempted to correct common issues associated with the use of the axillary (underarm) crutch such as pinched nerves, poor posture, and exhaustion with use. We also identified the problem of common crutches not being suited for certain body types such as the difference in body shape between men and women, therefore trying to change the overall shape of the crutch to be suitable for those of all size and shapes. Over the course of three semesters, we have successfully created three sets of prototype crutches. In these prototypes, we successfully implemented our research on structures, materials, and energy return to create a more ergonomic, safe, and user-friendly assistive device. As a culmination of the junior and senior engineering projects, this project shows how research and redesign processes can be implemented effectively
Applying Machine Learning to Encrypted Network Traffic for Malware Detection
Get PDFThe landscape of network analysis is ever-evolving as the fields of technology and business progress. While the landscape of the analysis may change, at the core of network analysis is the detection of malicious activity. In real-time traffic flow, it is non-trivial to determine whether a particular flow is malicious in nature. Most malicious software (malware) analysis is done after the flow has already reached its end target, and is analyzed in the form of network traffic captures. For any network analysis system, it is important that the privacy of the data being transmitted it not compromised in the process. Using network contextual flow data, it is possible to analyze and classify network traffic without compromising the encrypted data being transported.
In this project, we analyzed the impact of using the Intel Data Analytics Acceleration Library (DAAL) to expedite the analysis and inference of encrypted network traffic for the presence of malware. The DAAL package enables the acceleration of analytics through its design to target Intel hardware, being developed in a combination of C and assembly language for their architecture. With its streamlined design, using the library allows for analysis to take place many times faster than using the typical python framework and data analysis libraries, such as scikit-learn. Using these tools developed by Intel, our team designed an inference system that is capable of performing real-time analysis of network flows to detect malicious activity
An Alternative Way to Price Exotic Options
Get PDFOne of the most important aspects of financial options is how they are priced. Although there are a variety of methods for pricing basic financial options, two of the most utilized are the Binomial Option Pricing method and the Black-Scholes Formula. The Binomial Option Pricing method requires the assumption that asset prices only increase or decrease by a certain amount in a time-period. This method also requires the creation of binomial trees to track the asset and option prices. In contrast, the Black-Scholes Formula is a general formula and does not hold the assumption that stocks only go up or down by a certain amount. When looking at more complex exotic options, they are almost always priced via the Black-Scholes Formula. This is partly because the Binomial Option Pricing method is too calculation-heavy; however, through programming languages, such as R, some computations of the Binomial Option Pricing method become more feasible. Due to this, comparisons between these two pricing methods can be made for exotic options
The Impact of Fall Prevention Education for Individuals with Parkinson\u27s Disease
Get PDFAbstract Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between an individual with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) perceptions of why falls happen and if receiving fall prevention education is beneficial to reducing falls. Methods: An anonymous survey was developed by the researcher in order to learn more about individuals’ personal experiences relating to falls, fear of falling, and fall prevention education. Surveys were used to identify if participants have ever experienced a fall and subsequently examine the relationships between falls and fall education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to supplement survey results and gain greater insight into the experiences of an individual with PD. Survey and interview responses were both analyzed for common trends. Results: Participants reported receiving fall prevention education after experiencing a fall and not when first diagnosed with PD. All participants who received education about falls perceived the information to be beneficial. In addition, participants reported a fear of falling, but it did not prevent individuals from leaving their home to attend their exercise group, suggesting that this group provides individuals with PD motivation, peer support, and the opportunity to improve their PD symptoms. Conclusion: Fall prevention education should be provided earlier to individuals with PD and this education should be ongoing throughout their disease progression. Occupational therapists are well suited to run a fall prevention education class, which could potentially prevent future hospitalizations due to falls by educating clients on how to manage their PD in their everyday routines