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EVALUATION OF MYOGLOBIN LEVELS IN THE LOCOMOTER MUSCLES OF FLORIDA MANATEES
No full textDiving marine mammals typically have higher levels of myoglobin protein within their locomoter muscles to increase storage of oxygen during breathhold episodes. The oxygen that is stored is used for ATP production to power swimming activity. With limited information on the levels of myoglobin in the swim muscles of Florida manatees, this research focuses on determining the quantity of myoglobin in collected locomoter muscle from stranded manatees of different age groups. Collected results reveal that the Florida manatee have lower swim muscle myoglobin levels than the more robust swimming juvenile bottlenose dolphin (4.74 mg/g and 25.84 mg/g, respectively). Furthermore, the myoglobin levels of Florida manetee calves are significantly lower than adult animals (0.603 mg/g) suggesting these animals are immature at birth and the concentration increases during development. Given that manatees are more slow-moving herbivores and myoglobin plays a role in energy storage, lower muscle myoglobin levels in manatees compared to dolphins could be a reflection of their less active lifestyle. However, manatees could also rely on other ATP generating pathways within the skeletal muscle to additionally fuel diving episodes. Future research will focus on further characterization of the development of myoglobin levels in other age groups of the florida manatee and also evaluate the roles of additional energy producing pathways (e.g. anaerobic respiration) used by the locomoter muscles to power swim activity
PURIFICATION OF A RECOMBINANT GFP-PREPTIN FUSION PROTEIN**
No full textPreptin is a 34 residue peptide hormone, extracted from secretory granules of pancreatic β cells. It has demonstrated promise as a therapy for two common diseases: osteoporosis and diabetes. The study aims to delve deeper into the metabolic pathway of preptin. The secondary structure and metabolic mechanism of preptin remain unknown. To begin to understand the metabolic capaabilities of preptin, we are pursing a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the peptide via alanine scanning mutagenesis. The following preptin residues were all singly mutated to alanine and analogs were expressed as green fluorescent fusion proteins in E. coli: P17A, V18A, G19A, W27A, R28A, Q29A. Currently, we are optimizing purification of the fusion protein in preparation of site-specific cleavage and isolation of the mutated analogs. By studying the effects of these mutations, we aim to determine which amino acids in preptin\u27s primary structure are vital to its metabolic activity
INVESTIGATING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN REGULAR MODERATE-FLOW MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS BASED ON BRAND AND THE LEVELS OF ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCS)**
No full textEndocrine-distributing chemicals can disrupt the body\u27s average hormone balance, as they can have adverse reactions when interacting with the estrogen receptors in the brain. The presence of endocrine-distributing chemicals (EDCs) in menstrual products can cause a range of health concerns for women. Hormone imbalance, infertility, and gynecological conditions are the primary concerns of EDCs in feminine products. Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are a few examples of gynecological conditions that EDCs can cause. There is insufficient research on the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to EDCs in feminine care products. Different brands may contain higher levels of EDCs than others, and with this project, women can find which brands to avoid. Endocrine-distributing chemicals present in menstrual products cause a wide range of concerns since the urogenital region is a mucosa surface. Mucosal surfaces have permeable skin that is suspectable to absorption of harmful chemicals with limited filtration. EDCs mimic the natural hormones produced, causing various health problems. EDCs can disrupt the sex steroid hormones produced by the ovaries, estrogen, androgen, and progesterone. Alterations in the production of these hormones can affect puberty, the menstrual cycle, and reproduction. EDCs can also interfere with the body\u27s endocrine system by binding to different hormone receptors, which block the natural hormone process. The average female will have a menstrual period that lasts 3 to 7 days while changing menstrual products every 4 to 8 hours. Menstrual products are not the only items that contain EDCs; every individual is exposed to pesticides, pollutants, and certain plastics that also include them. Multiple exposure sources have become a global concern as each EDC has a different effect on the body. To identify the endocrine-distributing chemicals present in feminine care products, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used
ENHANCEMENT OF DIELECTRIC CONSTANT – PARAMETRIC STUDY
No full textThe dielectric constant of a material is evolved from the microscopic charge polarizations inside an atom when exposed to external electromagnetic field. Free electrons of a metallic object are also polarized when external electromagnetic field interacts with it. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that metallic inclusions in a dielectric material should enhance the overall dielectric constant. In this research, circular metal patches of fixed diameter were printed with various periodicity on a particular host dielectric substrate and extracted overall dielectric constant with free space material measurement technique. Experimental results showed that the denser the metal patches, the bigger the overall dielectric constant of that material
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PITCH CLOCK AND PITCHING VELOCITY IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PLAYERS
No full textIn baseball, velocity significantly impacts the arm, and many different mechanics affect the velocity, including implementing a pitch clock, resulting in more frequent pitches. A new pitch clock rule was added to baseball in 2023. This pitch clock rule states that the pitcher only has 20 seconds to get the ball back from the catcher and then start the motion to the plate. It is uncertain if the pitch clock affects the velocity of the baseball. This study sought to determine the impacts of the new pitch clock rule on velocity to better implement training and acclimatization protocols. In this study, four pitchers threw a 25-pitch bullpen without a pitch clock, and a week later threw another 25-pitch bullpen with the pitch clock. The velocities of each throw were measured via a radar gun and averaged. A paired t-test was conducted to determine if a statistically significant difference exists between the pitch clock and average pitching velocity. Results indicated that there was no relationship (p = .45) between the velocity and the new pitch clock rule. Therefore, no statistical difference between the unlimited-time pitching velocity and the pitch clock velocity was found, indicating that the pitch clock rule had no statistically significant effect on pitching velocity
Gravity Tunnel Dynamics at Non-zero Tunnel Diameters
Get PDFA standard exercise in undergraduate mechanics derives the trajectory of a particle that has been dropped through a gravity tunnel passing through the center of the Earth as simple harmonic oscillation, assuming uniform earth density and negligible tunnel radius. We show that when the more accurate Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM) density profile and non-negligible tunnel radii are taken into consideration, significant deviations from harmonic oscillation are observed along with increasing or decreasing average particle speeds. Furthermore, we report that a particle traveling along a diameter perpendicular to the axis of the gravity tunnel is unable to reach the center of the earth beyond a critical tunnel radius of 71.36% of the earth’s radius in the uniform density model, or 72.36% of the radius in the PREM density model. When the rotation of the earth is incorporated, the particle released from the surface is observed to form planar trajectories that occasionally extend beyond the surface of the earth at large tunnel radii, owing to tunnel-induced non-uniformity of the earth\u27s potential energy surface. At the same time, the traversal times from surface to center can be closely approximated by the assumption of constant gravity even at large tunnel radii. The results presented here demonstrate the effect on the overall potential energy surface and particle dynamics when the tunnel radius is not negligible
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND EFFICACY IN MENTAL HEALTH CLINICAL TRIALS
No full textTo develop and refine mental health interventions, it’s critical that we assess their significance in clinical trials and allow comparisons between various studies and methods. Consistency in reporting clinical significance and efficacy ensures that we can determine if the intervention makes a meaningful impact on participants’ lives and facilitates progress in the field. This study aimed to determine how many clinical trials for psychology evaluate and apply both of these in a quantifiable way, specifically focusing on standardized mean difference (SMD) for standardized units and reliable change index (RCI) for clinical significance. Our systematic review included 4 prominent journals that published clinical trials in 2020-2023 and recorded whether they reported these measures. We found that studies were inconsistent in reporting clinical significance and, when reported, methods varied greatly. Results from 225 published clinical trials in psychology revealed that 55.6% of the studies reported an SMD and just 22.5% included the RCI. There were 8 distinct methods used to compute the SMD and 7 distinct methods used for RCI. This study highlights the need for more consistency in clinical trials to measure and report standardized effect sizes and clinical significance. Standardizing these practices would provide a more accurate and detailed look at how well interventions work in studies and improve comparability between clinical trials
Current threat to the native endemic Muckalee Crayfish (Procambarus gibbus) from an invasive crayfish (Faxonius palmeri creolanus) and tests of cold tolerance as a limiting factor
No full textSurveys for native and invasive crayfish were conducted in Muckalee creek in 2015 and 2021. Both surveys used passive minnow traps and examined upstream and downstream sites, including at the mouth of the creek where it connects with the Flint River. The Flint River has been overrun with an invasive crayfish species, Faxonius palmeri creolanus (Creole Painted Crayfish) and its range has spread rapidly throughout southwest Georgia. In Muckalee Creek there were only a few F. p. creolanus found during each survey and both times they were only found at the mouth of the creek. One hypothesis on why they don’t invade these tributaries is the impact of lower temperatures in the tributaries compared to the Flint River itself. We tested survival aggressive behaviors of F. p. creolanus with the Muckalee endemic and state protected Procambarus gibbus (Muckalee crayfish) and found no negative effects of cold on F. p. creolanus. It is possible that there are some other habitat or water chemistry impacts on the invasive species, or that the species will still expand its range into these tributaries and potentially extirpate the native P. gibbus
Preliminary Survey of Subtidal Crustaceans on Southeast Sapelo Island, Georgia
No full textThe subtidal zone is the area below the low tide line that supports a wide variety of organisms, including subtidal crustaceans, which are understudied on Sapelo Island, GA. To investigate the impact of wave action on biodiversity and develop baseline data, the biodiversity of subtidal crustaceans from two beaches was compared. It was hypothesized that the beach protected from wave action would have higher biodiversity than the beach exposed to wave action. To collect the crustaceans, three different sampling methods were used on each beach: D-net, beam trawl, and Yabbi pump. The beach exposed to wave action yielded higher biodiversity than the protected beach, demonstrated by higher total abundance and total species richness. Despite these higher values, no significant differences were observed between sites other than when using the Yabbi pump collection method. These findings provide important baseline data that can aid in further ecological studies investigating crustacean diversity and distribution in subtidal zones of sandy beaches
A 25-Year Progress Report Of Jupiter\u27s Oval BA
No full textOval BA has now been present on Jupiter for 25 years. During this time, the east-west length of this feature, in visible wavelengths, has shown a gradual shrinkage at an average rate of 0.045 degrees/year. The average shrinkage rate of its east-west length in methane band images (wavelength of 890 nanometers) is 0.11 degrees/year. The north-south dimension of this oval has also shrunk. There is also a correlation between the latitude of Oval BA and its speed with respect to Jupiter\u27s interior