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SUSCEPTIBILITY TO POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN GEORGIA
No full textPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects the function of the ovaries. PCOS causes an abnormal release of GnRH, and can lead to outcomes such as ovarian cancer, infertility and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this project was to systematically review the available literature on PCOS to answer the following questions: Are African Americans females more likely to be affected by PCOS than other groups of women? How do health factors like diabetes interact with PCOS? What prevention or treatment options are available to African American women with PCOS in Geogia? We used the GALILEO search engine through Piedmont University’s Library System to perform a systematic search of the available PCOS literature. We were specifically looking for evidence of a genetic basis to PCOS, which would indicate the potential for heightened vulnerability for different ethnic groups, such as African Americans. Interactions with type II diabetes and other disorders would be evidenced by studies showing statistical correlation or causal relationship between PCOS and those conditions. The published outcomes of studies which tested treatment options were reviewed with the tested options compared based on their outcomes and relative costs or benefits. A targeted search narrowed the number of relevant papers to just over 1,600, ordered by relevance. We drew 25 papers that related to PCOS from the 100 top listed items. From those papers we found evidence of a genetic basis to PCOS, but not one associated with a specific racial or ethnic group. We also found connections between PCOS and type II diabetes, and a variety of treatment options. A further search of non-academic media sources, such as google, provided a picture of available treatment services in Georgia
EVALUATION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL SHELF LIFE AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES AND FATE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 INOCULATED IN PASTEURIZED MILK**.
No full textAccording to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, achieving safer and healthier foods had been one of the top 10 achievements of 20th century. Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a well-known food-borne pathogen that can cause food borne diseases in humans. To control E. coli O157:H7 in foods, thermal process has been widely used, but there is a possibility to recover some sub – lethal microorganisms during storage period. Providing the additional assurance of thermal processing of food, some natural bioactive compounds can be the effective possible alternatives. There is not much information about the shelf life of food against E. coli O157:H7 at different temperatures has been reported. So, there is a need of some study to understand the fate and survival of E. coli O157:H7 during storage period. The current study investigated persistence of wild-type E. coli O157:H7 serovars in sterile milk stored aerobically for up to 28 days at 4°C and 37°C. Additionally, survival of E. coli O157:H7 against the synergistic effect of heat and caprylic acid in sterile milk were monitored after heat shock at 4°C and 37°C for 28 days. In this study 107 CFU/ml inoculum level and 0.5% caprylic acid were used. Inoculated samples were heat shocked with 63 ℃ for 30 minutes and 72 ℃ for 15 sec. Treatments at 63 ℃ for 30 minutes and the synergistic effect of caprylic acid with 63 ℃ for 30 minutes exhibited the similar trend for survival which were about 4.1 and 3.2 log CFU/ml reduction of E. coli O157:H7 respectively after 28 days at both 4°C and 37°C. Our study thus indicates the occurrence of contamination could lead to prolonged survival of these microorganisms in high and low-nutrient environments and highlights the need for preventive measures
THE EFFECTS OF COMPOSTABLE DISHWARE ON OVERALL COMPOST QUALITY
No full textGeorgia College & State University (GCSU) has an active industrial compost system, where pre- and post-consumer waste is diverted from the dining facility. Currently, single-use disposable plastic and polystyrene dishware is used for campus events and to-go food services. The option of compostable dishware such as a Polylactic acid (PLA) hot cups, PLA cold cups, sugarcane portion cups, cardboard trays, and wooden sporks were explored to provide cost-effective options for these needs. This research project focuses on the impacts of compostable dishware on our compost system through weekly measurements of nitrate, pH, carbon: nitrogen ratio, moisture, and qualitative observations during fall semester, 2022. Through this project, we also developed an approach to assessing the impacts of compostable materials. In the preliminary data, the average pH of the in-vessel and ground compost was 7.7, the average nitrate level in these sample sites 1.8 mg/kg. After the implementation of the compostable dishware the pH became more basic with an increase from 5.8 to 6.9. Variation in nitrate levels increased due to anaerobic conditions within the in-vessel. The temperature of the compost decreased after the implementation of the dishware. We estimate that over 85% of the compostable dishware decomposed over the course of 5 weeks. These preliminary results suggest safe and beneficial compost to use on campus and in the community. The benefits of implementing a compostable single-use dishware initiative include cutting costs on waste from dining facilities, decreasing GCSU’s water and carbon footprints, while increasing education and awareness of sustainable practices in the GCSU community
PHOTOMETRY OF TWO TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSES
No full textThis talk will cover brightness measurements of the Moon as it underwent two total eclipses, which happened on May 16, 2022 and November 8, 2022. The writer was able to measure the brightness of the Moon during totality on both dates. The standard B, V, J and H photometric filters were used. These have respective wavelength ranges of 390-490, 505-595, 1150-1350 and 1500-1800 nm. The respective J- and H-filter brightness values of the totally eclipsed Moon on May 16 (near 4:13 UT) were –1.83 and 0.29 magnitudes. The V-filter brightness dropped by around 11.2 magnitudes or a factor of 30,000. The respective J and H brightness values on November 8 near 10:40 UT were –7.36 and –8.30 magnitudes, respectively. These correspond to respective brightness drops of 7.31 and 7.13 magnitudes or factors of 840 and 710 compared to the full Moon phase. Therefore, the totally eclipsed Moon drops much more in visible light than in near-infrared light
IDENTIFYING UFOS IN THE COS FUV SPECTRA OF PDS 456
No full textWe conduct a study of quasar PDS 456 using COS FUV spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope ( where we identify the potential presence of a UV UFOs intrinsic to the quasar. We identify all possible absorption troughs in 7 spectra due to the host galaxy’s ISM and find 2 lines that are potentially high velocity troughs due to Ly α ( 0 09 c) Furthermore, these lines are clearly detected in the earliest spectrum but are not detectable in subsequent observations This suggests that the presence of these troughs are intrinsic UFOs to the host galaxy based on the variability
EFFECT OF THE NUMBER OF PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS ON DIVERGENT EVOLUTION BETWEEN INSULIN-SIGNALING PATHWAY GENES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER AND DROSOPHILA BIPECTINATA
No full textThis study aimed to understand the relationship between divergent evolution and the number of physical interactions of gene products in the insulin-signaling pathway (ISP). The ISP is initiated by the binding of insulin and insulin-like peptides to membrane receptors. Insulin is an anabolic peptide hormone secreted by β cells of the pancreas. Insulin binds to various cells, including those of the liver, skeletal muscle, fat, and brain, to promote glucose uptake, glucose storage into glycogen, and growth. Mutations in the ISP can lead to several health conditions, including: type II diabetes, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, cognitive disorders, and certain types of cancer. We examined the relationship between the number of physical interactions of ISP gene products and their evolutionary divergence between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila bipectinata. Specifically, we studied the divergence of Thor (84 interactions), Pi3K21B (97 interactions), and foxo (309 interactions). Previous studies have shown that a higher number of physical interactions constrain divergence, resulting in the genes evolving more slowly. Thus, this study hypothesized that foxo would evolve slowest and display the highest similarity between the two species, and Thor would have the lowest similarity. UCSC Genome Browser and BLAST were used to compare the genomic neighborhood and annotate the three genes in both species. Further, dots plots and protein alignments, obtained from the Genomics Education Partnership Gene Model Checker, were used to compare the protein sequences associated with the genes and examine their percent similarities and identities. The data did not support the initial hypothesis, as Thor had the highest percent identity (93.2%) for protein sequences between the two species, and Pi3K21B had the lowest (73.3%)
TRANSMITTING SCIENTIFIC AND SCHOLARLY KNOWLEDGE: BOOKS VS. ARTICLES
No full textMost social structures have an affinity to determine who is the best in particular activities such as sports, mental acumen, or political prowess. We call this the being number one (BNO) syndrome. Similarly, the same type of delight and interest exists for knowing the first to accomplish some task or hold a position. For example: becoming the first Black general in the U.S. Space Force. The goal of this presentation is to examine some of the important attributes that allow one to be classified as BNO or the first. Our work investigates two categories of individuals: (i) scientists who have made distinguished research contributions, and (ii) persons of color who received distinction because of their educational attainment. Our major conclusion is that the prior concepts of BNO / the first are ill-defined and related more to psychological needs than being measures of achievement and distinction. Further, since the requirements for selecting membership in BNO / the first are not precisely defined, these concepts have no utility for determining merit, distinction, and ranking of ability
EPISTEMOLOGY OF A MISCONCEPTION REGARDING THE FLOW OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE DURING PHOTOSYNTHESIS
No full textDetailed experimental research in the twentieth century could have ensured the full understanding of photosynthesis as a consequential source of life on Earth. Instead, epistemological misconceptions have hindered educators\u27 and, of course, students\u27 basic knowledge of this vital process. This paper appeals for an epistemological effort that would facilitate the refuting of a misconception regarding the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. It provides a simple review of flow of matter and energy during photosynthesis, and suggests simple K-12 lesson plans. Finally, the paper emphasizes that collaborative work is needed between K-12 teachers and academics; also, between biologists and epistemologists
COMPARISON OF THE EVOLUTIONARY CONSERVATION OF INSULIN-LIKE PEPTIDES BETWEEN D. MELANOGASTER AND D. VIRILIS
No full textConditions such as heart disease, both types of diabetes, and different forms of cancer, are all linked to errors in the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway. This pathway promotes cell proliferation and organ growth and is highly conserved across animals. This includes Drosophila melanogaster, a species of fruit fly with a genome that has shown to be remarkably homologous with that of humans. The Pathways project of the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP) is a multi-institution undertaking to annotate and assess the evolution of genes of the IIS pathway across 32 species of Drosophila. Insulin-like peptides stimulate the IIS pathway and are present as a gene family in Drosophila species. Ilp7 has greater gene sequence conservation across insect species compared to the genes encoding other insulin-like peptides (ILPs). This research compared the evolutionary divergence between D. melanogaster and D. virilis of Ilp7 to three other members of the gene family: Ilp5, Ilp6, and Ilp8. We used BLAST to identify a potential ortholog of each gene in D. virilis. Then we used the UCSC Genome Browser to examine the genomic neighborhood of each gene to confirm orthology and to annotate the start and stop codons and exon-intron borders. A model of each D. virilis gene was made and verified using the GEP Gene Model Checker. The predicted protein sequence of each gene was compared to that of the ortholog in D. melanogaster using the Gene Model Checker. As expected, the product of Ilp7 demonstrated the greatest degree of conservation of protein sequence. Ilp7 showed a percent identity of 74.4%, which was higher than the other percent identities of 36.4% (Ilp5), 33.9% (Ilp6), and 50.7% (Ilp8)
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF THE SECOND CERVICAL VERTEBRA IN HUMANS
No full textThere are multiple methods to estimate sex membership of unknown individuals. The pelvis and skull are frequently examined for the expression sex-linked traits as are the humeral and femoral head dimensions. In contrast to the sacrum, the true vertebrae of the vertebral column have been investigated only rarely for possible sex differences. The axis, or second cervical vertebra, allows for the rotation of the head, which is larger in males than in females. As the head rotates, along with the first cervical vertebra, it pivots against the ossified dens located on the superior surface of the axis. The dens marks the axis as morphologically unique among the vertebrae. The axis is positioned in the axial skeleton close to other traits that have been shown to exhibit dimorphism, such as the mastoid process, gonial region, nuchal area, and the occipital protuberance. Preliminary investigation has suggested that the axis is indeed dimorphic, but whether the difference is greater in younger adults, older adults or the elderly has not been addressed. To explore which linear dimensions of the axis differ the most between females and males, and to investigate its relationship to age, 149 individuals (78 males and 71 females) from the W.M. Bass Osteological Collection at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville were measured using 13 dimensions of the axis. The three age cohorts included 30-35 (8 males, 3 females), 50-55 (36 males, 28 females), and 70-75 (34 males, 40 females) years. The results indicate that all the traits show significant differences between the sexes. Using multiple linear regression to identify beta coefficients, a discriminant function for the axis was created to estimate the sex of unknown individuals using 6 traits. The age cohorts differed only slightly in their classification rates suggesting the axis is useful in sex estimation across the lifespan