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Teaching Similar Triangles Using Real World Examples
Get PDFAs education is constantly evolving, mathematics instruction faces the challenge of engaging students who often view the subject as disconnected from their daily experiences. This curriculum project investigates the tension between practical applications of mathematics and its inherent significance by presenting four non-sequential geometry lessons with student activities. The topics cover similar triangles, centroid of triangles, triangle sum theorem, and volume of composite figures. These exemplar lessons demonstrate how to bridge the gap between content focus and real-world applications. The keys for all student materials are included in the appendix. Teachers can integrate these lessons into their classrooms using student modifications as required for their classroom to foster a more profound appreciation for geometry and enhance student learning experiences.SUNY BrockportDepartment of Education and Human Developmen
Endosome Traffic, Metabolism, and Proinflammatory Signaling in Lupus T Cells
Get PDFSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation and metabolic disturbance, where T cells play a critical role in disease pathogenesis. This dissertation investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying T cell dysfunction in SLE, focusing on the interplay between endosomal trafficking, NAD+ metabolism, and pro-inflammatory signaling.
A central focus of this work is the role of the small GTPase Rab4A, which is overexpressed in SLE T cells and drives the endosomal recycling and surface expression of key immune receptors, like CD38, an NAD+-hydrolyzing ectoenzyme. CD38 activity depletes intracellular NAD+, reducing Sirtuin-1 function, and increases acetylation and activation of STAT3. In turn, STAT3 promotes expression of the transcription factor FOXO1, which represses IL-2, a cytokine essential for regulatory T cell function and immune tolerance. Concurrently, Rab4A-CD38 signaling amplifies mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex (mTORC)1 and mTORC2 activation, further promoting differentiation of pro-inflammatory T cell subsets.
Furthermore, we show preliminary results from the open-label phase of an ongoing clinical trial assessing the impact of antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment in SLE patients. NAC treatment has previously been shown to restore redox balance and improve disease severity. NAC treatment normalized mTOR activation in CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells, reversed the expansion of TH1 and TFH subsets, and was associated with reduced disease activity and improved patient-reported outcomes.
Together, these studies identify Rab4A as a key upstream driver of T cell dysregulation in SLE and reveal a novel signaling axis linking receptor trafficking, NAD+ metabolism, and mTOR activation. The results highlight therapeutic opportunities for targeting redox-sensitive pathways to restore immune balance and suppress autoimmunity in lupus. Future research and directions are proposed to expand upon these discoveries and further refine targeting of these interconnected pathways for improved disease management and clinical outcomes in SLE.NAUpstate Medical UniversityBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyPhDPerl, Andra
Association between traumatic brain injury and depression stratified by veteran status: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey
Get PDFGlobally, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, with increased incidence reported among veterans. In this study, we explored the relationship between TBI and subsequent screening of depressive symptoms, with further analysis stratified by veteran status. For this study, the National Health Interview Survey data for 2023 was used, which was conducted among 29,522 non-institutionalized U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The patient health questionnaire-2 was used to screen for depression. Self-reported incidence of lifetime TBI was documented. From a Chi-square test, a significant association was observed between TBI and depression (p<0.05), with TBI more commonly being reported among veterans compared to non-veterans. Our regression model indicated that, when adjusted for sociodemographic and health variables, TBI was associated with 1.80 times higher odds of depression among the whole sample population (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61 - 2.02, p<0.05). When stratified by veteran status, veterans with TBI had 2.92 times higher odds of depression (aOR = 2.92; 95% CI 2.05 - 4.14, p<0.05). Compared to the whole general population, veterans with a brain injury history have higher odds of depression, identifying them as a key group in prioritizing depression management in the United States population.VoRUpstate Medical UniversityBiochemistry & Molecular BiologyGeriatricsN/
Beyond the skin: investigating psoriasis, its systemic associations, and the future of therapeutics
Get PDFThis paper will highlight critical genetic factors that contribute to the phenotypes associated with psoriasis, examine potential causes, comorbidities, and currently available treatment options, and discuss future treatments in development. First, as psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, an examination of the immune system will be presented, along with a discussion of common causes and concerns, associated treatments, and future outcomes. The skin is the largest organ of the body. While many perceive skin disorders as cosmetic issues, this thesis aims to provide information that helps readers regard these conditions as serious problems affecting overall well-being rather than superficial concerns.
Key words: Psychobiology, Psoriasis, Immune System, Cytokines, Interleukins, JAK/STAT pathway, Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Biologics, Monoclonal Antibodies, Artificial IntelligenceNASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/
ArtSci kits for curious minds
Get PDFHave you ever thought about how an art studio is like a science lab? Are artists secretly mad scientists? The intersection of the two subjects gives us a deeper understanding of the techniques artists used in the past and how to preserve artwork for the future. ArtSci’s art and science kits blend the two subjects together in an engaging and playful way for young audiences. The projects and lessons are made for young children and families, with playful colors and imagery found throughout each kit. The simple nature of the projects creates an accessible lesson that can be adapted to a wide range of age groups. With projects that range from making ancient fres¬cos to contemporary art each kit will have something for all learn¬ers to enjoy. ArtSci encourages kids to ask “how”, “what”, and “why” as they create and explore the world around them.
Key Words:
Graphic Design
Art History
Chemistry
Science
Learning
Musuems
Art ConservationNASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/
Gluten-free casein-free diet for children with autism: communication impact and parent beliefs
Get PDFRecently dietary interventions have gained more attention in the popular press as
treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) around the world. Currently in the literature,
there have been mixed results on the outcomes of dietary interventions. This study investigates
the impacts that the gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet has on verbal communication in children
with ASD. In addition, it explores the impact caregiver/parent opinions have about the diet. A
systematic review yielded ten peer reviewed research articles that met inclusion criteria.
Controls, results, and parent opinion were compared across articles. It was found that while the
GFCF diet has positive impacts on communication it is not any more effective than control
conditions. Parents of children with ASD were found to give more positive observations of their
child's communication when they knew the diet was being used, possibly showing the impact of
the placebo effect. These results have potential impacts on clinical practice in the area of ASD.
Key Words: communication disorders, autism spectrum disorders, verbal communication,
gluten free casein free diet, parents, placebo, beliefsNASUNY College at New PaltzHonorsN/
Diverging cognitive benefits from education between rural and urban middle-aged and older adults in the USA.
Get PDFSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) is defined as self-reported increase in confusion or memory loss. There is limited research on the interplay between rural-urban residence and education on SCD.Examine rural-urban differences in SCD, and whether education moderates this relationship.Respondents aged ≥45 years were queried about SCD in the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, creating a sample size of 63 890. A logistic regression analysed the association between rural-urban residence and SCD, and moderation was tested by an interaction with education.SCD was more common among rural (12.0%) compared with urban (10.7%) residents. Rural residence was associated with 9% significantly higher odds of SCD compared with urban residence after adjusting for sociodemographic and health covariates (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.09, = 0.01). There was a negative relationship between education level and SCD, including the association of college degree with 15% lower odds of SCD compared with less than high school degree (aOR = 0.85, < 0.01). Education was a significant moderator, with higher education associated with lower odds of SCD for urban, but not rural, residents.Rural setting and lower education were associated with higher odds of SCD, but higher education was protective for only urban residents. These results indicate that higher education may be a gateway for more opportunities and resources in urban settings, with cascading impacts on cognition. Future research should examine reasons for the diverging cognitive benefits from education depending on rural-urban residence.VoRUpstate Medical UniversityPublic Health and Preventive MedicineN/
Letter from the Editor
Get PDFThe interconnectedness of history and social science disciplines has always allowed for the collision of personal and political issues, particularly for those fighting for justice. Volume 8 of the SOAR Journal will dive into the intersections of identity, injustice, and resilience. This journal volume will take you through a rollercoaster, from the realities of racialized policing to the psychological tolls overwork has. In the article by Boyd, “Evolution of Women’s Issues,” we dive into historical texts written by women, highlighting issues they have dealt with over periods of time. In the article written by O’Connor and Plaisted “Implementing International Labor Standards (ILO) - The Impact of Supply Chain: Management and Economics,” we learn about the findings on supply chain management and their impact on economics. As for the article by Lettich, “Hours Spent Decreasing Mental Health,” we learn about the effects social media has on mental health.VoRSUNY OneontaSociology, Human Services, and Crime StudiesN/AFulkerson, Gregor
Dependency dispersion and patterns in social media use
Get PDFSocial media has become ubiquitous in modern society and has fostered constant accessibility to social interaction and connectedness, especially among children and young adults. This may be beneficial by providing more opportunity to fulfill social needs, although repercussions of this change have also been examined over the past decade. Previous research assessing social media addiction consistently includes measures of physical and psychological dependency to classify when social media use crosses into addiction. This study examines whether personal construct psychology’s dispersion of dependency grid is valid and reliable in predicting social media addiction. The dispersion of dependency grid measures how many people an individual relies on for support across various problematic situations. It was predicted that individuals who score low on dispersion of dependency measures will most likely score high on social media addiction scales. The combination of undispersed dependency and frequent social media use may influence individuals to place more dependence on social media interactions for the fulfillment of social needs, scoring higher on social media addiction scales. If dependencies are high in dispersion, the individual has less dependency available to place on social media, therefore will be less likely to score higher on social media addiction scales. No significant relationships were found in this study, potentially due to the approach used for measuring dispersion of dependency. Future research further examining social media addiction and dispersion of dependency is needed to identify the relationship between these two variables.NASUNY College at New PaltzPsychologyMSHirshorn, ElizabethRaskin, JonathanMaynard, Dou