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Effects of roadways on seasonal movement strategies and mate location success in an imperiled pit viper (Crotalus horridus)
Get PDFA detailed understanding of animal movement behavior is fundamental to effective conservation and management. Within populations, a diversity of movement strategies can be displayed in search of critical resources, and these strategies are influenced by multiple interacting factors related to individuals and the environment. Mating partners are one critical resource that often serves as a prominent selective force shaping movement during mating seasons. For many large-bodied snakes, such as pit vipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae), male mate- searching movements are the primary determinant of mate location success. During this time, males incur significant risks associated with elevated movement. In an increasingly human- modified world, this often includes more frequent interactions with anthropogenic landscape features, such as roadways. A recent range-wide status assessment for Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) identified roadways among the leading threats to population persistence. More narrowly, roads are implicated in recent declines for C. horridus populations in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia, USA. Before effective mitigation strategies can be developed, it is critical to identify behavioral mechanisms that mediate the relative risk that roads pose to populations and individuals. Even in the absence of significant road mortality, sub-lethal effects of roads have been well documented for other wildlife but remain largely untested in snakes. In order to fill these gaps and better inform conservation, I propose an integration of radio telemetry and accelerometry to quantify the effects of proximity to roads and road interaction frequency on mate searching movements and mate location success in C. horridus from the Georgia Piedmont
A Seasonal Comparison of Sampling Methods of Intertidal Crustacean on Sapelo Island, GA
No full textIntertidal crustaceans inhabit the area between the average high and low tides on marine coastlines; however, the diversity of these crustaceans is understudied. This diversity of crustaceans varies based on abiotic conditions associated with each ecosystem, including characteristics such as sediment grain size, wave action, and season. Differences in sediment size will allow for different types of organisms to burrow, and increased wave action causes more difficult sampling. With varying sampling techniques, these abiotic factors can be explored. Three different sampling methods were compared in fall and winter based on the diversity and abundance of intertidal crustaceans collected at an exposed and protected beach on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The sampling methods included a yabbi-pump, D-net, and modified beam trawl during low tide. It was hypothesized that the beam trawl would be more efficient in collecting a diverse array of organisms, while the yabbi-pump and D-net would focus more on infaunal organisms. After sampling, the organisms collected were sorted, identified, and quantified to analyze the sampling methods and determine which is most efficient in the collection of intertidal crustaceans. The data suggest that the yabbi-pump yielded the highest numbers of smaller crustaceans including copepods and amphipods, while the D-net yielded the highest numbers of hermit crabs and other large intertidal crustaceans. These results varied between seasons. These findings will allow future studies to more easily target species of interest when documenting species diversity
Layers of Influence: Examining Teacher Experiences in the Design and Implementation of Multicultural Curricula in Secondary English
No full textWhile there is abundant research from experts in the field indicating both the benefits of multicultural education and culturally centered models of teaching as well as their need in public education, research is lacking narratives from teachers sharing their experiences in multicultural education. This presentation shares the outlined plans for a dissertation case study that will answer the following research questions: What do teachers experience in designing a multicultural English curriculum? What do teachers experience in implementing a multicultural English curriculum? The purpose of the study will be to report and examine the perspectives of secondary English teachers to further understand their experiences in multicultural curriculum design and implementation. Ideally, the study will identify specific phenomena experienced by high school English teachers as they design and implement multicultural curricula. This presentation will cover the following elements of the planned case study: purpose and significance to the field, review of the literature, theoretical framework, procedures, and case study methods
The Presence of Pathogenic Leptospira in San Juan Bay Estuaries and its Relationship to Fecal Pollution Sources
Get PDFThe northern coastal zones of Puerto Rico, including the San Juan Bay and Rio Grande de Loiza watersheds, are increasingly becoming focal points of environmental concern due to wastewater originating from human activity. This runoff, which consists of effluents from sewage treatment, septic tanks, and animal husbandry, enters coastal lagoons and estuaries, posing critical threats to these vital ecosystems. This study aims to determine the presence of Leptospira in over 100 samples from 16 sub-basins over 2 years as well as identify the major sources of fecal pollution using molecular source tracking techniques. End point PCR assays for Leptospira (LipL32), Human(HF183), Canine(BacCan), Horse(HoF), and a novel rat marker were used to analyze the samples. in 2022, pathogenic Leptospira were detected in ten samples, it appeared that rainfall events increased the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in the estuaries. In 2023, the level of pathogenic Leptospira decreased and it was found in 7 sites. In summary, the presence of pathogenic leptospira was influenced by rat fecal pollution and rainfall events. These pathogens represent a growing threat to public health in the San Juan Bay estuaries
Do ESG Scores Affect Stock Returns?
No full textAccording to Deloitte, “ESG-mandated assets could make up half of all professionally managed investments by 2025, totaling $35 trillion”. Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) investing has grown dramatically in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. Using Bloomberg ESG Disclosure scores for companies in the S&P 100 index, I estimate the effect that ESG disclosure scores have on stock returns. Previous studies focused on China and the United Kingdom have found mixed evidence of a positive effect. I have found no statistical significance of ESG scores on stock returns
Genetic Screening to identify putative interactors of Sec6 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textVesicle delivery within eukaryotic cells is a complex process involving initiation of vesicle budding, physical transport, tethering, and fusion of vesicles, all orchestrated by the recruitment and interaction of distinct proteins. Our research focuses on the Sec6 protein, a component of the octameric exocyst complex. Originally discovered in budding yeast, the exocyst is responsible for tethering post-Golgi vesicles to the plasma membrane. Songer and Munson (2008) generated two new mutant alleles of SEC6 by mutating specific amino acids that forms small patches on the Sec6 protein surface; both mutants are temperature-sensitive and inviable when grown at 37°C. Our investigation centers on one mutant allele, sec6-49. Further examination revealed misplacement of the exocyst complex, while the complex\u27s overall assembly remained unaffected. We hypothesized that the Sec6 protein acts as an anchor through uncharacterized interactions with unknown proteins on the plasma membrane via these mutated amino acid patches, ensuring stable complex positioning at the plasma membrane. To identify these unknown protein interactors, we conducted a genetic screen using sec6-49 mutant cells. Following transformation with genomic library plasmids, individual mutant cells were screened at 37°C for survival, with surviving cells subjected to plasmid extraction for analysis. As yeast colonies may harbor multiple plasmids, we employed several steps to isolate individual plasmids and identify those conferring survival. Currently, we focus on one such transformant M8 that harbor four plasmids, aiming to test each on cell survival and sequence the genomic segment. Testing of transformant S2 progressed to isolation of plasmid S2-2, which was retested for growth and sequenced to reveal potential genes: LSB5, SRO9, FUS1, BIK1, and STE50. Highlighting individual gene testing in growth assays may lead to identification of putative interactors. Our study underscores the intricate mechanisms underlying vesicle delivery and the importance of Sec6 in cellular processes
Outlook on Influencers Receiving PR Packages
No full textThis is an early stage research. Companies are now sending extensive PR packages to influencers. Even micro influencers, the ones just starting out, have companies sending them products to hopefully promote on their platforms. It has been said over 80% of consumers trust the opinions of their favorite influencers. Influencers such as Alix Earle have the ability to sell an entire company out of a product for months at a time; solely by the act of showing the audience once in a TikTok video. Therefore, even if the influencer is just showing the product without having used or tried it to give an educated opinion, some consumers have already hit purchase. Some influencers get so many packages that they will give some away to their followers. These products can accumulate and cause a massive amount of waste and plastic wrapping. In this research, we will determine how the general public views this phenomenon. The research aims to address what the effect of PR packages on consumers is. How do followers view influencers who receive these packages in relation to authenticity and credibility? We will be using a mixed method to conduct this research. We will start with exploratory, qualitative and move to quantitative
Shades of Beauty: A Comprehensive Analysis of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in the Beauty Industry
No full textIn response to constant shifts in consumer attitudes and pressures to continuously deliver and satisfy the market, the makeup industry has wrestled with the critical issue concerning diversity and inclusion. Despite the industry\u27s vast reach and influence, there exists noticeable gaps in the representation of diverse skin tones and ethnicities in things like company product offerings or marketing campaigns. 64% of women of all ages and ethnicities in the U.S. expect beauty brands to be more diverse in their marketing.¹ Statistics like these are powerful reminders of the underrepresentation and the failures in reflecting diversity of the population. Additionally, there are findings of change as progressive steps have been and are being taken to address and accommodate ongoing inclusion issues. For instance, as of 2021, 40% of the top 25 mainstream beauty brands offer 40 or more shades of foundation.² To answer inquiries related to this specific issue, I propose a marketing research study aimed at exploring the extent of these gaps seen within makeup industries and felt by, specifically, online beauty communities. This will be conducted through a combination of exploratory research and qualitative observations to better identify barriers/opportunities for improvement. The study’s population of interest focuses makeup consumers across various demographics, including individuals of different skin tones, varying ages, regional influences, etc. Overall, the goal is to shed light towards a more inclusive and representative future and to foster positive change in product development, beauty marketing, and brand positioning. The outcomes of this study will not only equip cosmetic-based organizations valuable insights, but more importantly contribute to broader understanding and awareness of diversity and inclusion efforts to be considered in the world of beauty
Captains for clean water
Get PDFI am doing a research project on the water drainage issue on Florida\u27s coast and what captains for clean water is doing to help. I am talking to people who live in Florida to better understand how this issue is effecting every day life. I am also going to get in touch with some fishing guides in Florida to learn what they are seeing in the water and how the fish are reacting
Designing An Undergraduate Forensic Chemistry Experiment on the Levels of Amphetamine in Urine Using Two Different Methods
No full textAmphetamine is used to stimulate the central nervous system in patients with ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This drug is widely abused, including 11.1% of all college students according to recent data¹. The aim of this experiment was to design a forensic lab on the identification and the determination of amphetamine levels in urine samples. In forensic labs, preliminary and confirmatory tests are used to identify unknown substances. For the preliminary test, amphetamine was analyzed in synthetic urine samples through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA kit) that is commercially available and is widely used to qualitatively analyze amphetamine in biological samples. The absorbance values were obtained with a microplate spectrophotometer. The ELISA kit results were mainly qualitative, and unreliable at lower concentrations. The confirmatory aspect of the experiment involved the use of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for better quantification. Amphetamine was extracted from urine using solid-phase extraction and then evaluated using the GC-MS. The quantitative results were analyzed for both the preliminary test and the confirmatory test. The preliminary and confirmatory tests can be used in a forensic science teaching lab. The experimental procedures and results obtained using the two methods will be discussed in the following presentation