Journals@UC (University of Cincinnati)
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A Literature Review: Alcohol and Its Impact on Creativity in Undergraduate Students
No full textRecord ID: 78
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
Program Affiliation: NA
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Alcohol seems to have been woven through our culture; in fact, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 49 percent of college students have consumed alcohol in the past month (NSDUH, 2022). Despite more recent interventions and research on the detrimental effects of drinking, alcohol-related consequences still persist in society. One important aspect to look at in relation to alcohol use is creativity, which is key for problem solving and brainstorming; it is so complex and multifaceted that it is hard to get a concrete measurement. This project presents a holistic review of the differing methods used to measure creativity, and how the usage of alcohol impacts creativity, including across different measurements of creativity. These methods range from looking at the concept of divergent thinking, to looking at the creative process (preparation,incubation,illumination, verification, restitution), and how alcohol inhibits and disinhibits varying parts of the creative process. Preliminary findings suggest that divergent thinking has shown to be minimally affected by alcohol; while the creative process was shown to be inhibited by alcohol at the illumination phase and facilitated at the verification phase. These inconsistent and complex findings from the literature review demonstrate the need for future studies to look at the drinking behavior of college students and how that has impacted their ability to creatively think.  
Microbiome Shifts Impact the Interactions between tRNA Modification and Mosquito Biology
No full textRecord ID: 183
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Mosquito-borne diseases pose significant global health risks, necessitating that understanding mosquito biology is critical to developing effective control strategies. Aedes aegypti is an important carrier of many arboviruses and requires its microbiome for development and fitness. Recent research has explored manipulating the microbiome to manage mosquito populations; however, the role of transfer RNA (tRNA) modifications in the context of mosquito-microbiome interactions remains unexplored. Changes in tRNA, which are essential for protein production, profoundly affect host health. Chemical modifications to tRNA are critical for their function, and specific modifications depend on micronutrients provided by the microbiome. This study examined the impact of limiting the mosquito microbiome to E. coli mutants (∆tgt and ∆queA) that lack the necessary genes to produce the tRNA modification queuosine (Q) on mosquito growth and development. We hypothesize that changes in the microbiome through the E. coli variants that cannot produce Q will yield noticeable differences in larval behavior and phenotype. Our observations indicate that lower levels of Q from the mosquito\u27s microbiome correlate with deficiencies in pigmentation during the larval stage, supported by transcriptional changes. Behavioral differences in relation to predator-pray interactions were noted in the mosquito larvae. This indicates a link between microbiome composition, tRNA modifications, and observable phenotypic traits in Aedes aegypti. Altogether, these studies highlight the significance of the microbiome on mosquito biology in relation to tRNA function and suggest a novel target for mosquito control mechanisms.  
Does Verbal Feedback Type Impact Maximum Vertical Jump Height?
No full textRecord ID: 240
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Verbal feedback has been found to increase performance of tasks such as swimming, running, and walking. Verbal feedback works by mediating the effects of fatigue to achieve more optimal levels of efficiency, speed, etc. There are two types of verbal feedback: positive and negative. While there are studies that show the effectiveness of positive feedback on performance, there is not consistent data comparing the effectiveness of either positive or negative feedback. Furthermore, little data exists showing how the gender of the proctor (encourager) can affect the performance of the athlete. The purpose of the study was to see how positive feedback versus negative feedback from either the same or opposite gender proctor/encourager affected the maximal vertical jump height during repeated jumps. Twenty subjects were recruited, screened for eligibility, and, after consenting to participate, completed a questionnaire with demographic and personality-based questions. Participants then were shown a video on how to perform a vertical jump, before performing 3 sets of 15 maximum vertical jumps set to a metronome with one minute of rest between sets with no verbal feedback (baseline). The height of the jumps were measured using a digital jump mat. Participants then completed 2 additional days of testing (with at least 2 days rest in-between) where additional sets of jumps were completed with the addition of either positive or negative feedback (randomized). For half the participants, the encourager was the same gender as the participant, and for the other half the encourager was the opposite gender
Improvement of Urban Farming and Gardening in Adaptation to Climate Trends
No full textRecord ID: 88
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Video
Abstract: The City of Cincinnati has developed the Green Cincinnati Plan to increase the city\u27s sustainability. Urban farming and gardening contribute to the sustainable food production of Cincinnati. One of the issues within the plan is that urban farmers and gardeners are experiencing changes in climate trends that can negatively affect crop production. If not anticipated or adapted then there will be a decrease in the sustainability within Cincinnati. The capstone project will research the techniques and systems urban farmers and gardeners could use to adapt to climate change to increase the success of crop production, as well as the pros and cons of each technique and system. I will research how exactly specific crops are being affected by the increasing temperatures and how to prevent or limit the effect it causes to preserve the health of crops. How can urban farmers and gardeners prepare for changing climate conditions, and are there programs that are already in place to help them? If farmers and gardeners become more experienced in crop production and maintenance in response to climate change, there will be higher food security and reduced impact on food production from climate trends
Application of some Plant Extracts as Biocolorants for Leather During Finishing Process
Get PDFIn this research, chrome-tanned bovine crust leathers were dyed during the finishing process using plant extracts: walnut shell (Juglans regia), oak bark (Quercus cortex), and onion peel (Allium cepa). In this study, the standard recipe applied by the factory was used in the leather finishing process. For this recipe, various plant extracts were used instead of pigments, and groups that did not contain pigment and any dyestuff were formed as the control groups.
After these processes, color measurement analyzes were performed on Konica Minolta CM 3600d spectrophotometer. In order to investigate the effects of walnut shell (Juglans regia), oak bark (Quercus cortex), and onion peel (Allium cepa) on the other performance properties of leather, dry and wet rub fastness test according to standard method TS EN ISO 11640 (2001) was performed. The results of the study were statistically evaluated using the NCSS method (Number Cruncher Statistical System). As a result of the study, it was noticed that, depending on the extract, different colors were obtained. It was found that the dry and wet fastness of leathers treated with plant extracts improved
Evaluation of the Physical Properties of Goatskins Tanned using Banana (Musa spp.) Leaf Midrib Tannins
Get PDFVegetable tannins have been studied over the years with an aim to reduce the pollution load caused by chrome tanning. Although mimosa tannins have been utilized commercially, they are expensive and not readily available. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical properties of leather tanned with banana leaf midribs tannins in order to determine their suitability as vegetable tannins. Selected banana leaf midrib samples were collected from Gikondi village in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya. They were shade-dried and ground into powder. The skins were processed conventionally using banana leaf midribs tannins of Musa sapientum Linn. and ‘Muraru’ (AA genome), with mimosa as a control. The physical properties of the resultant leathers were determined following the standard IUP methods. It was found that Musa sapenitum Linn, ‘Muraru’ (AA genome) and mimosa-tanned leathers had average shrinkage temperatures of 80.33 ± 0.74°C, 78.67 ± 0.47°C and 81.67 ± 0.94°C, respectively. The properties of the tanned leathers were compared with those of the control-tanned leather. Assessment of the physical properties indicated that the leathers met the minimum recommended values safe for Musa sapentium Linn-tanned leather, which failed at 30,000 flexes. These results indicate that banana leaf midribs can be used as an organic tanning agent source for production of leathers from goatskins
Super Robust, Anti-Bacterial Polyurethane Ionogel with High Sensitivity and Hydrophobicity
Get PDFIonogel based on ionic liquids plays a vital role in wearable electronic devices. In this study, a robust and anti-bacterial ionogel with high sensitivity and hydrophobicity is synthesized by adding 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide to thermoplastic polyurethanes at a ratio of 1:1. The ionogel not only demonstrates tensile strength of 23.1 MPa and elongation at break of 1008%, but also exhibits excellent fatigue resistance with low residual strain (8%) and small hysteresis loop. Ionic liquid makes the ionogel have high-temperature stability (T5% near 300°C) and low Tg (-63.3°C). Due to the anti-bacterial property of ionic liquid, the ionogel formed by ionic liquid has anti-bacterial property, with up to 99% inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus. The sensor prepared with the ionogel shows a Gauge Factor of 1.8, with a short response time (128 ms) and a stable induction signal under water and at low temperature. Due to those performance characteristics, we believe that the study could provide insights for subsequent research on ionogel-based wearable electronic devices, for instance, the development of electronic skin in the leather industr
Sustainable Finished Leather Preservation: Part I - Myrobalan Capped Copper Nanoparticles
No full textCopper nanoparticles were synthesized using myrobalan (tannin) extract as a reducing agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were used in the coating of leather after the finishing process of upper leather to enhance the antimicrobial properties of leather. Primarily, the synthesized myrobalan copper nanoparticles (M-CuNPs) were characterized using UV-Spectroscopy (UV), which resulted in an absorption peak at 412 nm, confirming the presence of CuNPs in the solution. The size distribution and zeta potential values of M-CuNPs were analyzed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) which resulted in an average particle size of 104 nm and zeta potential value of -28mv. These values affirm the stability of the M-CuNPs. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image showed that the particles are spherical in shape. The elemental composition of M-CuNPs was confirmed using Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) studies. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed peaks at 3173 cm-1, 1727 cm-1, 1147 cm-1, and 624 cm-1, which correspond to -OH, C=O, C-O, and C-H respectively confirming functional groups involved in the synthesis and capping process. The antibacterial activity of the M-CuNPs coated finished leather was evaluated against Grampositive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Serratia marcescens) bacteria, which are common pathogenic species that effect the preservation capabilities of the leather. The M-CuNPs coated finished leather exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Serratia marcescens) bacteria. Hence from the above study, M-CuNPs can be used as a sustainable antibacterial agent for preserving leather and its products
