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Use of natural history museum ungulate specimen hair as biomarkers for environmental trace element contamination
No full textThis study reports the first use of natural history museum ungulate specimens’ (common fallow deer, bontebok, Arabian oryx, impala, Dall’s sheep, water buffalo, and yak) hair as biomarkers for the determination of environmental trace element contamination and public exposure risk factor assessment. Morphological characteristics of the hair, like diameter and protein structure, were determined using optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, respectively. The levels of thirty-nine (39) elements, sixteen (16) rare earth elements (REEs), and selected isotope ratios (52Cr/53Cr, 144Nd/146Nd, 147Sm/149Sm, 173Yb/172Yb, 206Pb/207Pb, and 206Pb/208Pb) in the hair samples were determined by ICP-MS analysis. A NIST 1643e standard reference material was analyzed for method validation to determine the accuracy of the developed elemental analysis method. The average hair diameter found in samples obtained from common fallow deer (193 ± 72 µm), bontebok (148 ± 48 µm), Arabian oryx (194 ± 40 µm), impala (88 ± 20 µm), Dall’s sheep (240 ± 68 µm), water buffalo (139 ± 17 µm), and yak (139 ± 16 µm) were recorded. 27Al (1642 ± 1551 mg·kg−1), 44Ca (506 ± 272 mg·kg−1), 56Fe (730 ± 1391 mg·kg−1), 24 Mg (108 ± 57 mg·kg−1), 39 K (720 ± 1591 mg·kg−1), 28Si (1125 ± 1163 mg·kg−1), 23Na (10,223 ± 9824 mg·kg−1), and 66Zn (33 ± 25 mg·kg−1) have the highest concentrations detected in the hair samples. Potentially toxic elements and REEs have the lowest concentration in the hair samples. The detection of low concentrations of 75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 52Cr, 53Cr, 60Ni, Pb isotopes, and REEs in all hair samples suggests heavy metal contamination. The plausible sources of the detected elements in ungulate animal hair are likely due to dietary intake, anthropogenic activities, environmental contamination, specimens’ preservation practices, or a combination of those sources. The figures of merit highlighted by a high correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.9990), low limit of detection (as low as 1.00 × 10−7 mg·kg−1 for 140Ce), and high average percent recoveries (97.0 ± 11.5) of the NIST 1643e standard reference material analyses demonstrate the linearity, high sensitivity, and accuracy of the ICP-MS technique for elemental and isotopic analysis of hair samples
Do International Sanctions affect Bitcoin Returns?
No full textFollowing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions implemented by the West, major media sources across the world began reporting on the use of Bitcoin by Russian billionaires and oligarchs attempting to dodge sanctions. Using daily price data, sourced from the major crypto exchanges, I estimate the effect of sanctions on the short-term price returns. Previous papers have found no impact from sanctions, but measured against volume, a much less reliable metric. My preliminary results show there is no effect of sanctions on the price of Bitcoin, likely because the Bitcoin market is still too small and illiquid to facilitate trades of the necessary size
A common invasive species, Chinese privet, may be exacerbating global climate change
No full textChinese privet, a woody shrub native to southeast Asia, is an invasive species threatening ecosystems in the southeast United States. Studies show that its leaves decompose faster than native species’ leaves. This implies that Chinese privet potentially impacts the carbon cycle through the soil carbon pool. The goal of this study was to determine whether the amount of organic carbon (OC) in soil under heavy Chinese privet invasion differed from that of nearby uninvaded soil. It was hypothesized that invaded soil would have significantly less OC. Soil samples were collected in Milledgeville, GA from a forest site with heavy privet invasion and two nearby uninvaded sites (mixed forest stand and pine forest stand) between 2022 and 2023. Samples were separated into different depths (top 5 cm, middle 5 cm, and bottom 5 cm). Percent organic matter (OM) was analyzed using the loss-on-ignition method (samples ashed at 360oC) and OC calculated as 58% of OM. One-way ANOVA was used to assess whether mean %OC differed significantly between soil depth and between sites. Results showed that there was significantly higher %OC in the uninvaded mixed forest site than the pine and privet-invaded sites. Additionally, %OC decreased significantly with soil depth for all sites. These findings show that under heavy and perhaps prolonged Chinese privet invasion, less carbon is stored in the soil. The implication is that if more carbon ends up in the atmosphere rather than being stored in the soil, uncontrolled invasion could be contributing to the problem of global warming
The Queer Nightlife of Harlem
No full textThe Harlem Renaissance was a time for Black culture to shine. Additionally, it was the awakening of queer life. The nightlife of Harlem included drag shows, speakeasies, house parties, and most popularly, nightclubs. Harlem was described as a “queer paradise,” the speakeasies offering “another opportunity for queer communion” (Stokes 58). From club to bar and house to apartment, queer culture was unashamedly itself. Different queer writers at the time use night in their writings to freely express their queerness, some more subtly than the others. Langston Hughes was less direct with queer themes, while writer Richard Bruce Nugent was known for his explicitly queer works. Both of these writers are described by Mason Stokes as being on “a preliminary roll call of queer Harlem” (61). The nightlife of Harlem allowed queer writers a time of possibility to freely express themselves, in real life and in their writings. This presentation explores how Hughes and Nugent both use nightlife to break the societal limitations about sexuality at the time. In particular, I analyze Nugent’s short story, “Smoke, Lilies and Jade,” published in the Harlem Renaissance magazine, Fire!!, and Hughes’s poems “Cafe: 3AM” and “Cat and the Saxophone (2 AM).” For example, Hughes contrasts the culture of various times of day to subtly express that queerness is as normal as heterosexuality. Nugent, on the other hand, specifically used nighttime to highlight queer spaces and queer love. Ultimately, these writers provide examples of how Harlem created a space for celebrating queer self-expression. Harlem Renaissance, queer writers, Langston Hughes, Richard Bruce Nugen
Behind the Genes of Black Perfectionist Women
No full textThroughout my life, I\u27ve tirelessly strived for perfection, catering to the expectations of my mother, family, and teachers. This relentless pursuit of an ideal imposed by others left me chronically unhappy, as my heart yearned for fulfillment that contradicted external expectations. However, with self-discovery over the years, I\u27ve come to realize that prioritizing my own desires over societal expectations doesn\u27t make me selfish or senseless. Instead, I am living authentically according to my personal values, breaking free from the confines of a perfect image crafted for others. The pressure to be perfect has deep roots in the history of Black women, stemming from the perception of their strength during times of enslavement. While the intent was to foster resilience, it inadvertently instilled a belief that perfection was necessary for acceptance and love. As a young Black woman in 2023, I recognized the need to break this generational curse of perfectionism. The constant drive to be the best left me drained mentally, physically, and emotionally, a burden passed down through generations. Finally, I\u27ve reached a point where I understand that, regardless of the outcome, I am already an amazing, intelligent, strong, and powerful Black woman. I\u27ve liberated myself from the shackles of perfectionism, acknowledging that my worth is not contingent on success or failure. Each day, I gaze into the mirror, proud of the woman who persists in trying her best, embracing the journey, and acknowledging the resilience that brought her this far. In my own way, I am perfect, and that realization brings a profound sense of pride
Unspoken Brilliance: Unraveling Cultural Implications in Professional Settings
Get PDFUnspoken Brilliance: Unraveling Cultural Implications in Professional Settings The purpose of this presentation is to discuss why and how different cultures use their own non-verbal communication in professional settings. Communicating through actions rather than words is considered to be a completely different language all on its own. It is important to be aware of these differences in order to operate both in various lines of work and professional settings. Each culture possesses a unique way of communicating with one other through means of facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Societies are composed of a variety of what are called, ‘social norms.’ These are tendencies that have been passed down from generation to generation. Additionally, these cultural implications are not taught, but simply shown and learned through the eyes of their society\u27s youngest members. The gestures, body language, and facial expressions are known as second nature and therefore, consequently carried over into professional settings. Examples of these non-verbal communications can be found in Spanish-speaking countries, while comparing these ‘norms’ to those of English-speaking countries
Does Country of Origin Affect MLB Players’ Base Salaries?
No full textDoes Country of Origin Affect MLB Players’ Base Salaries? TJ Murphy ECON 4990, Senior Seminar MW 12:30 - 1:45 Professor Conaway January 10, 2024 Abstract: According to Major League Baseball sponsorship revenue from 2010 to 2023, the MLB generated roughly 1.5 billion dollars in revenue in 2023, which is a 23 percent increase from the previous year (Gough 2023). The share of MLB players recruited from outside of the US was over 28% at the beginning of the 2022 season (MLB 2022). Given the sometimes-vast differences in standards of living between the US and other countries, MLB teams may offer lower salaries to players from other countries. To test this theory, I utilize league-wide, cross-sectional data from Spotrac.com for every active offensive Major League Baseball player, including base salary data from the 2023 Major League Baseball season, each player’s birthplace, the team they played for at the end of the 2023 season, their Wins Above Replacement statistic for the 2023 season, and their years of experience at the Major League Level, I estimate the effect that players’ countries of origin have on their base salaries. I concluded that players’ countries of origin have no statistically significant effects on their 2023 base salaries at the 95% confidence level; however, the team they play for, their Wins Above Replacement statistics, and their experience at the Major League level do have statistically significant effects on their base salaries. Works Cited Gough, Christina. 2023. “MLB Sponsorship Revenue 2023.” Statista, MLB sponsorship revenue 2023 | Statista Randhawa, Manny. 2022. “Opening Day Rosters Feature 269 Players Born Internationally.” MLB.Com, MLB, www.mlb.com/news/international-players-on-2023- opening-day-rosters
Georgia O\u27Keeffe\u27s Impact on New Mexico Youth
No full textThe Georgia O\u27Keeffe Museum Art & Leadership Program was founded in 1988 to foster leadership, confidence, self-esteem, and self-expression in middle school girls. Today, the program welcomes all genders and focuses on the exploration of creativity through art making, music, creative writing, and self-expression. In the program, students experiment with a variety of mediums, learn about different artists, and visit historical landmarks within New Mexico. The program is free to all students and workshops are led by museum staff and assisted by interns. Interns are selected through an interview progress and funded by the Kappa Delta Foundation and the Georgia O’Keeffe foundation. Internships at the Georgia O\u27Keeffe Museum are given the opportunity to network with other New Mexico museum professionals and contribute by developing lesson plans. My research will expand upon the contributions and experiences of my role as an intern within the Georgia O\u27Keeffe Museum Art & Leadership Program. I will write about Georgia O’Keeffe, the Museum and programming, and my contributions to youth programs. My goal is to actively keep Georgia O\u27Keeffe\u27s legacy alive through cultivating talent, diligence, confidence, and leadership in New Mexico\u27s youth
Exploring Social-Emotional Learning Challenges and Solutions in Rural School Environments
No full textSocial-emotional learning is the development of interpersonal skills and emotional regulation (Whitmore et al., 2019). Teachers play significant roles in their students’ social-emotional development (Villaseñor et al., 2017). Meeting these social-emotional needs leads to positive outcomes regarding mental health, interpersonal relationships, and academic performance (Davies et al., 2021). Students whose needs are not met may experience negative outcomes in academic performance, peer relationships, and emotional development. In rural communities, there are unique obstacles that may obstruct meeting these social-emotional needs. Investigations from Nichols et al. (2017) suggest that the challenge of providing social-emotional support is accentuated in rural communities due to the lack of resources like counselors. Solutions have been recognized in the literature. For example, promoting the social-emotional development of teachers is an essential step for creating the environment children need for learning (Mitchell, 2020). CASEL, a leading organization in advocating for social-emotional programs, has identified programs that could be implemented. CASEL (2013) notes different classroom approaches to teaching social-emotional learning, ways to track implementation, and more features for programs. Many of the programs were practiced in samples in suburban or urban locations. Rural schools may face issues when it comes to social-emotional learning programs, as it is not as accessible as it may be in urban schools (Zolkoski et. al, 2021). Lack of personnel trained in teaching social-emotional learning could lead to execution issues (Zolkoski et. al, 2021). Although there is literature about the barriers for rural schools, there is still a dearth of literature exploring potential obstacles in rural communities such as negative perceptions of social development (Shahat et al., 2020). This literature review will explore the existing literature on this topic, identify potential barriers to socio-emotional development in rural schools, and provide insights into possible solutions
The Role of Adenovirus Protein E4 11k in P Body Protein Relocalization
No full textAdenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) is a double-stranded DNA virus that can cause upper respiratory infections and conjunctivitis. One of the viral proteins, E4 11k, supports early viral infection by promoting late gene expression. E4 11k has been shown to disrupt cellular function by relocalizing processing body (p body) proteins to cytoplasmic aggresomes. Aggresomes are perinuclear formations that are sites of misfolded protein storage and only arise when there is cellular stress. The scaffolding p body protein, Ddx6, has been shown to colocalize with E4 11k in aggresomes during a wild-type Ad5 infection. Ddx6, however, was not relocalized to chemically induced (cadmium chloride-treated) aggresomes. This suggests that E4 11k is necessary for the relocalization of Ddx6. We observed the localization of additional p body proteins, Lsm1, Edc3, and Pat1b, in human lung carcinoma cells following wild-type Ad5 infection and cadmium chloride (CdCl2 ) treatment. Lsm1 and Edc3 were relocalized to both infection and chemically induced aggresomes. Pat1b, however, was not relocalized to either infection or chemically induced aggresomes. To further characterize the role of E4 11k in p body localization, we will infect with E4 11k only, L103A mutant, and D105A L106A mutant viruses and observe the localization of several p body proteins. Currently, the ability of L103A and D105A L106A mutant viruses to induce aggresome formation has not been studied. The L103A mutant cannot oligomerize but has the ability to dimerize. Using this mutant virus, we hope to determine if the oligomerization from E4 11k is required for aggresome formation. In addition, we want to observe the different p body proteins to determine if their localization during mutant virus infection is altered. The study’s significance is to understand better the dynamics of p body and aggresome formation in human cells