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Detection of Viral Particles in Contaminated Wastewater Using CRISPR-Cas13a-SHERLOCK
No full textPathogen contamination of irrigation systems and water sources threaten public health and agricultural infrastructure. Although PCR and other conventional nucleic acid detection methods are effective detection methods, their use of complex instrumentation and extensive sample processing limits field deployment in under-resourced and natural settings. This thesis evaluates Specific High-Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter UnLOCKing (SHERLOCK), a CRISPR-Cas13a diagnostic tool, for ultrasensitive detection of viral genetic material in wastewater. SHERLOCK is able to maintain specificity via a custom CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and tolerance to common inhibitors. Plant and human viruses were simulated using a model system developed using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene target present in various forms. These targets were spiked into wastewater samples and then tested using SHERLOCK, which generates fluorescent signals by combining Cas13a collateral cleavage with isothermal pre-amplification. Viral nucleic acids were found even in complex wastewater matrices at low concentrations. Results showed clear fluorescent readout when comparing spiked lentiviral samples in wastewater to controls, consequently indicating SHERLOCK\u27s potential use as a tool for wastewater pathogen detection. Next steps are modifying the system for bacterial and fungal pathogens and aggregating the assay into a field-deployable format
Modeling Cell Buildup and Release in an Ultrafiltration Cartridge
Get PDFWhile membrane filtration has improved greatly and has been incorporated into many modern practices, there isn’t much data on material exchange in and out of the lumen and how that effects the overall efficiency of the process. This data may help to accurately measure the reliability and efficiency of a filtration membrane system, which can lead to improvements in filtration sustainability, process lifespan, and product quality.
This project aims to model the material balance within a perfusion bioreactor ultrafiltration system in MATLAB, with a focus on bioreactors and cell buildup and release from the lumen. The results of this study will be used as a comparison for real-world trials using freshlight filtration cartridges. In its current state, the MATLAB model finds values for cell concentration throughout the system and overall material buildup within the filtration cartridge given a permeate and tank draw from the system. Starting values for volume, volumetric draw, concentration, and exchange rates were found with preliminary data and can be adjusted based off the compared real-world system. Some different values for each were tested to see how this variance affects how the system reacts.
Based off the results of similar research, the concentration distribution in the system is expected to be roughly a 50:50 split of cells in the reactor and filter once reaching steady state. Since the volume changes with the flow rate out of the system, this volume change should be linearly decreasing
Protein Intake and the Wellbeing of Postmenopausal Women: Investigating Sleep, Mood, and Quality of Life
Get PDFPostmenopausal women commonly experience declines in sleep quality, mood, and overall wellbeing, with limited non-pharmacological options available to address these concerns. This randomized controlled trial investigated whether daily beef consumption as part of a higher-protein diet could improve sleep, mood, and quality of life over four weeks. Participants were randomized to either a standard protein intake control group or a treatment group consuming a high-protein diet with daily lean beef.
The treatment group showed modest improvements in subjective sleep quality and perceived health compared to controls, although these changes were not statistically significant. Fatigue, however, significantly decreased in the treatment group, suggesting a meaningful boost in daily energy levels. Objective sleep measurements via wrist actigraphy did not reveal significant changes, reflecting a known discrepancy between subjective perceptions and physiological data in postmenopausal women.
These early findings suggest that increasing high-quality dietary protein may have beneficial effects on fatigue and self-perceived wellbeing, even over a short timeframe. While larger, longer-term studies are needed, the results support the potential role of targeted nutrition strategies to improve quality of life in postmenopausal women
The Effect of Antemortem Tooth Loss on Craniofacial Shape in Apes and Humans
Get PDFAntemortem tooth loss (AMTL) (i.e., defined as tooth loss occurring before death) is common among humans and many primates, and several studies have examined AMTL across various primate groups. Some research indicates that AMTL can influence masticatory function and diet; however, the effects of AMTL on craniofacial shape and biomechanics have not been extensively analyzed. We assessed craniofacial and mandibular shape in relation to AMTL, anticipating that individuals with at least one tooth lost antemortem would display significant differences in cranial and/or mandibular shape compared to those without AMTL. AMTL rates were evaluated in three primate species: wild-caught samples of Pan troglodytes (n=68) and Gorilla gorilla (n=85), as well as an archaeological sample of Homo sapiens (n=88) from Ancient Nubia. The prevalences of AMTL were initially compared among species and sexes using Fisher’s exact tests, followed by geometric morphometric techniques to measure craniofacial and mandibular shapes and compare individuals with and without AMTL within each species. Results reveal that humans exhibit the highest prevalence of AMTL, followed by chimpanzees and then gorillas. No sex differences were observed in AMTL prevalence for any species. The shape analyses further indicate that gorillas and humans (but not chimpanzees) with AMTL had significantly different mandible shapes; there was no effect of AMTL on cranial shape. This research has implications for comprehending the effects of AMTL on the skulls of both wild primates and modern humans, as well as how AMTL influences craniofacial shape and masticatory function
At The Table Together: Exploring Child Perception of Lunch Buddy Mentoring
Get PDFResearch suggests school-based mentoring is a promising strategy for helping children who experience school bullying and peer victimization. Lunch Buddy Mentoring (LBM) is a school-based mentoring program that places mentors in the lunchroom and has them sit with the mentee and peers at the lunch table. Research shows that LBM is positively perceived by both parents and teachers, but there is little research on the perceptions of LBM held by children at the lunch table. Negative perceptions of LBM by children who sit with the mentor could reduce its success by further isolating or victimizing children it aims to support and by raising concerns about LBM in the eyes of teachers and parents. This study assessed children’s perceptions of LBM via individual interviews conducted with 16 elementary-aged students, four who were mentees and twelve who were nearby lunch mates. Children were interviewed in the fall semester and again in the spring semester, and a total of 26 interviews were conducted. All interviews were transcribed and coded, and thematic analysis of these qualitative data interviews revealed four key themes: a) Positive Social Dynamic, including enjoyment and an improved lunchtime atmosphere, b) Communication and Interactions, with a focus on the integration of playful activities, c) Social Connection and Relationships, focusing on feelings of relatability and support, and d) Mentor Viewed Positively. These themes indicate a positive perception of LBM from the perspective of children seated at the lunch table
Over-Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Compared to Typically Developing Peers: An Expanded Literature Review
Get PDFAbstract
Background:
Imitation, a foundational social and cognitive development mechanism, enables individuals to acquire cultural norms, communication skills, and problem-solving strategies. Over-imitation— the replication of both relevant and irrelevant actions demonstrated by others—plays a critical role in social learning. While typically developing children often engage in over-imitation to promote social bonding and affiliation, the role and underlying motivations for over-imitation in children with ASD remain less clearly understood.
Purpose:
Through a critical synthesis of professional and scholarly literature, this review aims to evaluate the history and development of research on imitation and over-imitation, assess empirical findings regarding typically developing children and children with ASD, identify methodological and conceptual limitations in the existing literature, and propose directions for future research. This analysis seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the role of imitation in social communication development and its clinical relevance for interventions and learning strategies for children with ASD.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted using University of Arkansas Libraries OneSearch UARK, which included databases such as Taylor & Francis, EBSCO, MDPI, Elsevier, and ScienceDirect. Keywords such as “over-imitation in children with autism,” “over-imitation in children with autism and typically developing,” and “autism spectrum disorder” were used to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies published between 2009 and 2024. Articles were included if they focused on imitation behaviors in children with ASD and/or typically developing. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized for this review.
Results:
Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Data was taken from these articles and then reviewed and synthesized into a table format. The findings suggest that children with ASD engage in over-imitation less frequently and demonstrate different patterns of selective imitation, favoring goal-directed over stylistic imitation. Additionally, the findings indicate that imitation is foundational for the acquisition of pragmatic communication skills. Deficits in imitation among children with ASD are linked to broader challenges in language development, joint attention, and social reciprocity.
Conclusions:
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate distinct patterns of imitation that reflect broader challenges in social motivation, pragmatic communication, and cognitive processing. These findings emphasize that imitation differences in ASD are not simply deficits but complex variations that warrant careful clinical attention. A deeper understanding of these differences has significant implications for speech-language pathology, informing the development of targeted interventions that support social learning and communication growth in this population
Insert Creation to Mimic Blood Vessels in Gel Phantoms
No full textGel phantoms are commonly used in research settings due to their ability to mimic soft tissue. Creating these phantoms usually involves 3D printing an insert, embedding it in gel, and then washing the insert out. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is typically used as the insert material, but it often swells and deforms the gel during the washout process. Aquapour, a water-soluble material, was investigated as a potential replacement for PVA. Unlike PVA, Aquapour comes in a powdered form that can be mixed with water to create a castable slurry. To create molds to cast Aquapour, SolidWorks was used to design two models. The insert geometry that was desired was transected into two different models and 3D printed using PLA. Two different types of silicone molds were created, one with 10A shore hardness and another with 30A shore hardness. The softer silicone mold ended up not working as expected, so the harder silicone mold was used primarily. Trials were set up with low and high water factors, as well as low and high drying temperatures. From these trials, it was concluded that using a lower water factor and drying it at a lower heat worked the best for the Aquapour inserts. The main problem that had to be addressed was cracking during the drying process. To minimize the risk of cracking, air drying before oven drying was proven to be helpful. Allowing the insert to cool in the oven also prevented the risk of thermal shock. Overall, Aquapour has the potential to be a suitable replacement for PVA, but it may be suited to less complex geometries that have a lower risk of cracking
Looking Back while Moving Forward: Four Musical Works that Signify Complex Emotions regarding the Passage of Time through Ambiguous Endings
Get PDFDefying expectations is a useful and overlooked tool in music composition. Despite all their differences, the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony, Joe Hisaishi’s score to the 2001 film Spirited Away, Joni Mitchell’s popular song “Both Sides Now,” and electronic artist The Caretaker’s album set Everywhere at the End of Time all share similar programmatic content. Each presents a protagonist who is coming to terms with the passage of time and is conflicted about how they should cope with change. Upon examination of these four works, they all use unexpected and ambiguous endings to signify complex ideas about time through music. Using such techniques allows listeners to grasp each work’s message on a deeper level
Developing 3D-Printed Packaging to Protect Biodegradable Sensors used for Large-scale, Efficient Water Quality Monitoring
Get PDFFreshwater degradation due to human activities costs the United States over $2.2 billion annually, highlighting the urgent need for improved water quality monitoring methods. Traditional water sampling techniques are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and reliant on single-use plastics that contribute to environmental pollution. This research aims to address these issues by developing 3D-printed biodegradable sensor packaging for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted water sampling. By utilizing biodegradable materials, the research seeks to create an eco-friendly solution that ensures sensor durability while reducing negative environmental impact. The study will involve adjusting the packaging design to withstand UAV deployment by testing and improving the resistance of sensor packaging to water and other environmental factors and ensuring quick and safe degradation after use. 3D modeling using Shapr3D, 3D modeling software and the Prusa Slicer 2.9.0 app will guide the iterative design process. Rapid prototyping with Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) filament and will allow for iterative testing and refinement. The packaging prototypes will undergo rigorous testing, including drop tests and stability evaluations under various water conditions, to ensure their functionality and reliability. The final packaging design, fabricated with Butenediol Vinyl Alcohol Co-polymer (BVOH), is further evaluated for material solubility and environmental compatibility. This project aims to provide a cost-effective, sustainable approach to water quality monitoring by beginning the development of biodegradable sensor packaging to advance environmental protection efforts