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LATE PLEISTOCENE ECOSYSTEM EVOLUTION IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA: A TRANSDISCIPLINARY APPROACH USING FOSSIL AMERICAN ALLIGATOR ENAMEL ISOTOPES**
No full textExisting research points to utilizing ancient ecosystem functionality as a means of understanding contemporary biological responses to climate change and human population expansion. In this study, we use enamel isotope values (δ13C, δ18O) from modern and fossil American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) from the Clark Quarry Site Complex (CQSC; Brunswick, GA) dating to ~60,000 years ago to better understand the aquatic ecosystems and climatic conditions of coastal landscapes in southeastern North America during the late Pleistocene. In particular, we use these data as a proxy for the position of the CQSC relative to the paleoshoreline during this period, which has been variably hypothesized in the existing literature. Serially sampled δ13C values from modern alligator enamel (N=13; Jekyll Island, GA and Aiken, SC), after correcting for contemporary atmospheric CO2 levels, averaged -10.8‰ (±6.2), while δ18O values averaged 1.0‰ (±1.7). δ13C values from serially sampled fossil alligator enamel (N=14; CQSC) averaged 8.3‰ (±1.4), while δ18O values averaged -2.9‰ (±2.2). These data indicate that CQSC alligator δ13C values are intermediate between modern alligator samples characteristic of strictly marine (Jekyll Island, GA) or strictly freshwater (Aiken, SC) environments, and CQSC alligator δ18O values are depleted relative to those from all modern aquatic systems sampled here (freshwater, brackish and marine). These data suggest that 1) the CQSC was part of a brackish system during the late Pleistocene, and 2) southeastern North America was dominated by cooler ambient temperatures during this period. This pattern in temperature is also supported by δ18O values from CQSC megaherbivores (Mammuthus columbi, Bison latifrons). These enamel data indicate that the CQSC ecosystem was markedly different from those characteristic of the region today. Our findings can be used as an ecological framework for testing hypotheses related to the extinction of species due to climatic changes and the expansion of human populations during the late Pleistocene
A MODIFIED L-SHAPED BANDSTOP FILTER FOR INDUSTRIAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND MEDICAL (ISM) APPLICATIONS
No full textRapid rise in wireless communication through WiFi and Bluetooth technology have heavily burdened the frequency channels near 2.45 GHz. We have developed an effective and simple bandstop filter to avoid the interference of 2.45 GHz channel with its neighboring frequency bands used for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications. Propsed design involves a modified L- shaped resonators based on microstrip structure with a very narrow bandwidth. We have explored the effects of resonator width variation and cascading of filters on the performance of the bandstop filter
EFFECTS OF CANNABIDIOL AND OMEPRAZOLE ON CELL GROWTH AND INTRACELLULAR LACTATE LEVELS IN MOUSE LIVER CELLS**
No full textCannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis oil that is approved for certain medical uses. Numerous clinical trials are currently exploring its effectiveness in managing symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus. CBD is a ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which has been shown to regulate intracellular lactate levels. Diabetics, especially when in ketoacidosis, are known to have increased lactate levels. Omeprazole, a common treatment for acid reflux available in both prescription and over-the-counter formulations, is also an AhR ligand. In these studies, we explore the effects of CBD (0.03-20 μM) and omeprazole (25-100 μM) on levels of lactate in the mouse hepatocyte cell line, Hepa 1.1, using a colorimetric L-lactate assay. We also examine morphological changes to the cells and overall protein content in the samples following treatment to detect changes in cell growth. Initial observations indicate that higher concentrations of either CBD or omeprazole decrease cell growth, resulting in lower lactate levels in those samples, as compared to the negative control samples treated with only ethanol and DMSO. A Bradford Assay will be used to normalize lactate levels to total protein in the samples
INDIVIDUAL AND PRISON FACTORS INFLUENCING INCARCERATED ADULTS’ LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS IN THE UNITED STATES**
No full textAccording to the survey of the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), incarcerated adults in the United States are a vulnerable population exhibiting substantially lower literacy and numeracy skills and reporting lower levels of education than the general population. Although studies have examined predictors of numeracy and literacy in incarcerated adults, there is a paucity of studies examining the extent to which various individual and prison factors influence performance and how participation in prison programs differ among incarcerated adults from various backgrounds. Thus, this study aims to examine such factors contributing to inmates\u27 literacy and numeracy skills and how these factors differ based on gender, age, and race. The extant PIAAC data will be used for this study. The sample includes 1,319 incarcerated adults ranging in age from 16–74. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study will investigate how incarcerated adults’ background characteristics and activities before their incarceration influence their literacy and numeracy performance during incarceration. Additionally, this study will also examine the influence on literacy and numeracy of participation in various correctional programs, engagement in literacy and numeracy activities in prison, time remaining in prison, and utilizing prison services. Finally, examining factors influencing the literacy and numeracy skills of incarcerated adults could provide more evidence on the skills of this underrepresented population. In turn, this would be informative to policy makers and stakeholders so that better prison programs and activities targeting improvement of literacy and numeracy skills can be developed to help incarcerated adults successfully reintegrate into society
A PILOT STUDY EXPLORING VETERAN IDENTITY USING LYRIC ANALYSIS IN A QUALITATIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH FRAMEWORK**
No full textResearchers attempt to define what it means to be a veteran, but it is rare for that question to be directly asked of veterans. Traditionally, experimenters define variables and ask the community of interest (CoI) to provide responses without the CoI being included in the research process or reaping any direct benefit from participation. There is a high degree of distrust and disenfranchisement reflected in veterans towards the mental health care system and the scientific community. We aim to use the CbPAR model to amplify their voices and focus on what is important to them. We are seeking to allow veterans to define their identity in their own words. Researchers serve as messengers to help amplify veteran voices and disseminate their stories to the larger community. In the current study, we asked veterans to identify songs that answered the question, “What does being a veteran mean to you?” This study is part of a larger research project using both photovoice and lyric analysis to help define the “sights and sounds” of veteran identity. Veterans worked individually with researchers through the process of lyric analysis, which is a music therapy intervention in which the client and therapist listen to a song together and discuss the connection the lyrics have to the client’s life experiences. Transcripts of interviews will be analyzed to uncover common themes and elements that help researchers understand how they conceptualize their community identity as veterans. External validity is addressed through member checking, in which participants will review transcripts, discuss identified themes, and choose representative songs to present as a part of an immersive, interactive gallery experience for the community to allow for their stories to be told. We assert that more research should be done with the veteran community, not to them
Georgia Academy of Science 2023 Annual Meeting Program
Get PDFThis is the program of the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science
A Mathematical Model for Mosquito Population Dynamics
Get PDFIn this study, a deterministic mathematical model for mosquito population dynamics is presented. The use of chemical insecticide to control population is incorporated into the model. It is assumed that there is insecticide sensitive (sensitive-type) and insecticide resistant (resistant-type) mosquitoes in the environment. Conditions for the existence and stability of four equilibria of the model have been established. Numerical simulations are carried out to confirm the analytical results and the implications, in terms of mosquito control in the environment, are discussed
THE EFFECTS OF SLEEP DURATION ON COGNITION AND MOTOR FUNCTION
No full textSleep is essential for physical and mental health because during a sleep cycle the body recovers and recharges. Sleep has been shown to improve motor performance and cognitive functions such as reaction time, short-term memory and concentration, in addition to aiding in metabolism regulation, weight loss, and emotional wellbeing. Recent literature reported that increased sleep duration improves mental health, cognition and physical performance. In contrast, sleep loss can be extremely harmful to overall health. Sleep deprivation has been associated with impaired cognitive abilities, physical dysfunction, and poorer quality of life. The number of people suffering from sleep disorders has increased tremendously in the 21st century and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared sleep deprivation a public health epidemic. The purpose of this study was to assess how sleep length affects cognition and motor function among college-aged students. The participants in this study recorded their sleep duration for four weeks and completed tests that evaluated their cognitive function (short-term memory, reaction time) and motor performance (a timed tandem gait test). At the end of the study a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire evaluated their sleep quality, and blood hemoglobin levels were measured using the Tallquist method, to test for anemia. The results indicated that all participants had poor quality of sleep during the month of testing. On testing day, all participants had normal hemoglobin blood levels, which ruled out anemia as a variable. No significant differences were found between sleep duration and reaction time (t=0.376) or timed tandem gait (t=0.587), p=0.05. On the contrary, sleeping more than seven hours the night before testing significantly improved short-term memory scores (t=0.023), while sleeping less than seven hours significantly decreased scores. These findings suggest that sleep reduction significantly affect short-term memory but does not significantly affect reaction time or timed tandem gait
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE OCCURRENCE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (ROSENBACH, 1884) AND SCREENING FOR ALCOHOL PRESENCE IN MECHANICALLY EXPRESSED BREASTMILK SAMPLES
No full textThe purpose of this study was to test and isolate colonies of Staphylococcus aureus (Rossenbach, 1884) from breastmilk to investigate whether colonies were resistant against oxacillin and to screen samples for alcohol. The presence of S. aureus provides evidence whether the breastmilk is microbe-free or not. The importance of sterilizing breast pump accessories when nursing is paramount to the health of infants. Without sterilizing, dangerous microbes may be introduced, possibly harming the infant. Ten breastmilk samples were collected from different lactating mothers and kept frozen until experimentation. To begin with, the breastmilk was brought to room temperature for testing. Then, 0.5 mL of each breastmilk sample was inoculated using sterile pipettes onto plates of Baird-Parker agar and incubated at 35-37 °C for 24-48 hours. This was followed by the isolation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Samples with growth were inoculated into trypticase soy broth (TSB) with 6.5% NaCl and incubated at 34-36 °C for 18 hours. Subsequently, TSB cultures with turbid growth were inoculated onto Mueller-Hinton agar plates to test for methicillin resistance using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test with oxacillin. The plates were incubated at 35°C for 16-18 hours. After incubation, four plates (1, 2, 3, and 10) showed no zone of inhibition; however, five plates (4, 5, 6, 8, and 9) had visible zones of inhibition. The second portion of this study focused on screening for alcohol in breastmilk samples by using “Milkscreen” alcohol test strips. The test strips can detect alcohol levels of 13.1 mg/dL and higher. All breastmilk samples were negative for the alcohol screen. The first hypothesis is that there will be a small number (1-10) of Staphylococcus aureus growth on each of the breastmilk samples, on the Baird-Parker plates. The second hypothesis is that at least half of the samples will be resistant to oxacillin. The third hypothesis is that there will be no alcohol present in the breastmilk. All three hypotheses were accepted
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL TRENDS IN CONDITION INDEX OF SAPELO ISLAND, GEORGIA OYSTERS (CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA)
No full textOysters (Crassostrea virginica) are an important part of coastal ecosystems, providing a habitat for other organisms, filtering the water of harmful microorganisms and excessive nutrients, and stabilizing tidal creek banks. Oyster populations have declined due to stressors resulting from human influences such as overharvesting, coastal development, and climate change. To examine oyster population health on coastal Georgia, we used a condition index (CI), which is widely used to assess environmental effects on bivalve meat quality. Oysters were collected from three sites with different temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll regimes on Sapelo Island, GA. Oysters were collected during fall 2021, and winter, spring, and summer of 2022. We predicted oysters from the sites with stable conditions and abundant food would have the highest CI. After collection, oysters were cleaned, separated, and measured. The oysters were then weighed both with their wet and dry shell and tissue weight; a condition index was calculated to compare the health of oysters at our three sites. We found that the site with the highest condition index varied throughout the year and that there was no significant difference among sites over the course of the year. There was a significant difference (p \u3c 0.001) among the months; oysters were healthiest in the warmer months versus the cooler months. In the warmer months food is greater in abundance and the water temperature and salinity may be more optimal for oyster growth, leading to the differences observed