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STRESS RESPONSE IN RELATION TO GENDER, ADVERSE EXPERIENCES, AND PERSONALITY
No full textBehavioral responses to stress have typically been characterized as “fighting” or “fleeing.” However, humans may show a more complex set of behavioral strategies that are influenced by factors such as gender socialization, trauma, and personality. Fawning has recently been introduced as a response to stress that involves conflict avoidance. Although this term has been used colloquially, there is little empirical research that explores the fawn response and how factors such as gender, trauma, and personality may be involved in this stress response. The purpose of this study is to conduct an initial exploration on these factors. Sixty-nine undergraduate participants were given a survey that measured early life adversity, gender identity, personality, and stress response. The underrepresentation of men in the sample prevented us from being able to successfully analyze gender’s effect on stress response. Both of the early life adversity scales were significantly positively correlated with fawning, suggesting that trauma may increase conflict avoidance in response to stress. Further, measures of social avoidance and fear of negative evaluation were significantly positively correlated with each other, as well as trait neuroticism. While there were significant correlations between the variables of interest, the self-report method of data collection makes it difficult to assume generalizability outside this sample; however, the data suggest that there may be a more complex system of stress response beyond fight and flight that is influenced by trauma and personality
Flower Power: Maximizing Natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency
No full textIn recent years natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have garnered interest as an environmentally friendly and inexpensive source of energy, unfortunately these cells are often low efficiency- generally less than 1%. This study aimed to increase the efficiency of natural Dye Sensitized Solar Cells through manipulating variables like dye selection, pH, selective dye combination, and separation of the most efficient dye. The effectiveness of these cells are closely related to the dye sensitizers chosen, due to the central purpose of a sensitizer being to transform sunlight into electron excitation to provide electrical energy. In this research, dried and ground plant materials were submerged in methanol to produce a liquid dye, with solid particulate removed via filtration. An electrolyte solution and membrane were utilized to facilitate energy transfer between the anode and cathode of the cell, with solar simulator testing conducted to evaluate solar energy conversion performance of the cell. The results indicate that rose leaf dye exhibited the highest efficiency of the dyes tested under methanol solvent conditions. To isolate specific components aiding efficiency increases, the dye extracted from rose leaves was separated by preparative thin-layer chromatography. These findings provide insight into the factors that affect the efficiency of natural plant based Dye Sensitized Solar Cells and highlight the importance of optimizing dye selection in their design
CROCODILE TALK: STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN AND MORELET’S CROCODILE VOCALIZATIONS IN BELIZE
No full textOut of the extant reptilians, crocodilians are the most vocal (Vergne et al, 2009). Crocodiles use vocalizations for social interactions, such as courting and territorial defense (Vergne et al, 2012), as well as distress or threat calls (Boucher et al, 2020). There are two types of crocodiles living in Belize, the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and the Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), and they have been hypothesized to interbreed based on genetic evidence and morphological traits of both species being exhibited in individuals (Ray et al, 2004). The overall aim of this project was to analyze the structure of calls made by both American crocodiles and Morelet’s crocodiles and to analyze any differences between the calls made by both species. Crocodiles were temporarily captured and restrained during ongoing capture surveys, and any vocalizations made during capture were recorded. Morphometric data was also collected during this time. Afterward, each recording underwent acoustic analysis in RavenPro to determine the sound structure of each call
Vibrio Bacteria Surveillance Post-Hurricanes Ian and Nicole: How Climate Change Affects Pathogens
No full textVibrio is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria typically found in warm, brackish water. Some Vibrio species can infect humans, such as Vibrio vulnificus, also known as flesh-eating bacteria, which infects roughly 50 to 100 people and kills 16 of them annually in the United States, mostly in Gulf Coast states such as Florida[1], [2]. In fact, Florida alone had 74 cases and 17 deaths in 2022, an increase from 34 cases and 10 deaths in 2021[3]. This increase is thought to be correlated with the Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian that made landfall in Cayo Costa in late September of that year [3]. With large amounts of flood waters affecting people and homes across most of Lee County, they accounted for a whopping 28 cases and 8 deaths out of the state’s total[3]. This project aimed to further research the rates of Vibrio vulnificus within Lee County post-Hurricane Ian, using Sarasota County as a control, in order to further public health awareness and offer insight to pathogen response after major weather events. To do so, 4 sites were sampled, 3 in Lee County and 1 in Sarasota, where the effects of the hurricane were not as severe. DNA was extracted from each sample and analyzed using PCR, gel electrophoresis, and qPCR techniques to test for presence as well as to quantify total Vibrio bacteria and Vibrio vulnificus. The results showed that while there did seem to be Vibrio bacteria as well as Vibrio vulnificus present in each sample, there will need to be more research done to determine abundance
Modeling Carbon Sequestration Over Time As It Compares to Soil Bulk Density in A Microforest
No full textMicroforests are important afforestation projects to increase carbon mitigation efforts that can help combat climate change and sequester carbon into the biomass and soil of the project site. Soil health is important to ensure that plants are thriving and carbon is being sequestered. This study’s goal was to create a model that could predict the carbon sequestered into the soil over time at a microforest site. Over a combined six months of field work soil samples were collected from a newly afforested microforest site as well as two older microforest sites and one food forest and carbon farm, as well as the adjacent lawns. By comparing the averages in the soil bulk density this research concluded that the afforested sites did sequester carbon into the soil. The research also found that the rates of change between the soil bulk density at the comparative sites could not be used to create a predictive carbon model, as there were potentially important variables other than the soil samples that have to be taken into account when creating a model like this
AGAINST PROPERTY AND ITS WORLD: ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ANARCHIST–ANIMIST CONNECTIONS AND THE INTEGRATIVE ROLE OF A CRITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF RELATIONS
No full textThis thesis project examines the relationship between the social–material philosophy of anarchism and the spiritual–ecological philosophy of animism in terms of their commonalities and points of disagreement, the existing state of their connections, and the possibility of their further integration. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the general traditions and perspectives of anarchist and animist philosophy, and attends to the state of their connections. Chapter 2 examines the core texts of Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed and Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, whose conversation evokes certain concepts, most notably the idea of the “property-relation,” which provide a possible foundation for constructing a more explicit and substantial bridge between the fields. Chapter 3 involves the development of a working philosophical system that pulls from feminist, Indigenous, ecological, and phenomenological thought to critically assess the property-relation—fleshing out its meaning, scope, and integrative role between anarchist and animist philosophy and practice
INVESTIGATING ISHIKWAELLA SYMBIONT TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS CONCERNING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF KUDZU BUGS
No full textThis thesis investigated the roles of host-gut symbiotic interactions of Candidatus Ishikawella capsulate and Kudzu bugs in the Southeastern United States. Exploring the host-microbe interactions can provide insight into understanding the overall health of species. While the microbes get a habitat and nourishment from the host, these microbes, in turn, help the host by regulating various host physiological functions, including dietary digestion, and imparting protective immunity against pathogens (Khan et al.,2019). Megacopta cribraria or the Kudzu bug is an invasive species of stink bug from the Kyushu region of Japan that invaded the state of Georgia in 2009 (Eger et al., 2010). They are a formidable invasive species that has spread to more southeastern states (Gardner et al., 2013; Leslie et al., 2014; Ruberson et al., 2013 ). The Kudzu bug\u27s excessive feeding behavior on the sap of soybean plants negatively impacts soybean yield by reducing pods per plant, reducing beans per pod, and possibly reducing seed size (Seiter et al., 2013). The Kudzu bug has a unique method of transmitting their gut symbionts to the next generation. Adult female Kudzu bugs create protein capsules that contain gut bacteria such as Gamma-proteobacteria Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata and deposit them alongside each egg mass (Kikuchi et al., 2007 and Hosokawa et al., 2008). Aposymbiotic nymphs ingest the gut bacteria present in the capsule (Hosokawa et al., 2008). This nature of acquiring gut symbionts has provided researchers a method to further conduct experiments to examine the nature of symbiont-host interactions by sterilizing the capsule via heat treatment (Takema Fukatsu & Hosokawa, 2002). Previous studies such as Couret. Et.al. 2019 and Geraldo et.al 2020 have indicated that Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata plays a big role in the developmental stages and the survival to adulthood. This thesis investigation involved examining a raw data google excel sheet belonging to a previous study conducted by Geraldo et.al lab. The one of the main focus was on caterogizing the upregulation and downregulation of immune -related genes present in the kudzu bugs’ dissected crypts of kudzu bugs that fed on soybean plants with and without Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata present. I coded in R-studio to make a list of all of the last GO terms listed in the immune- related genes data sheet. I used the list to map out the main functions of the genes using the REVIGO database to summarize and organize the last GO terms into an interactive functions map. The results indicate that Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata plays an important role in the overall health of Kudzu bugs. When examining the transcriptome of kudzu bugs without symbionts, the gene expression of response to starvation was highly expressed. Candidatus Ishikawella capsulate compensates for the shortage of essential amino acids in the diet by providing branched-chain amino acids and aromatic amino acids in which compliments and completes the host’s whole diet (Moriyama & Takema Fukatsu, 2022). The results show that the symbiont plays a potentially significant role in the immune system. The Revigo chart shows that the symbiont has a role to play in the regulation of the innate immune system and carrying out innate immune responses to bacterium. Without the symbiont, the regulation of the immune system is affected which means one can expect a decline in responses needed to successfully fight off pathogens. The results of this investigation provide additional supporting evidence for Candidatus Ishikawella capsulata being an obligate symbiont for Megacopta cribraria
CLOSING THE LOOP: CIRCULAR ECONOMIES AND THE NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA CAMPUS BULK BAR
No full textSingle-use products are detrimental to the environment due to the consequences of plastic pollution and the linear path of goods. However, Zero-waste is leading the environmental movement to denaturalize waste. Refill shops cut plastic waste at the source through reuse projects. Therefore, this pilot project operated a bulk bar on the New College of Florida campus for one month. Forty-three students completed surveys designed to assess the awareness, performance, barriers, and improvements to their Bulk Bar experience a week after the pilot concluded. The responses indicated that this service succeeded in educating college students about alternative purchase options and waste reduction methods. The NCF Bulk Bar demonstrates that 1) it is not always more convenient to go to the grocery store and buy a brand new bottle of soap, and 2) refill stations are an advantageous and sustainable option for college campuses
PICO Y ESPUELAS: AN EXPLORATION OF THE CULTURAL PRACTICE OF COCKFIGHTING IN PUERTO RICO THROUGH A DECOLONIAL PERSPECTIVE
No full textThis ethnographic study explores the cultural significance of cockfighting in Puerto Rico. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal ban on the practice. Through a series of in-person interviews conducted in Aguada, Puerto Rico in October 2022, I documented the impact of the ban on this ritual practice among those whose families and livelihoods have been intertwined with the industry for generations, many of whom consider it a part of their personal heritage. Based on fieldwork that included visiting galleras, or cockfighting rinks, and the homes of galleros, those who raise roosters, this thesis analyzes kinship structures and social and gender relationships in relation to the ritual of fighting roosters, with an adjacent exploration of roosters themselves as a symbolic extension of masculinity and pride. Through additional research, I investigated the legal actions leading up to and following the implementation of the ban, as well as the economic ramifications that followed for those connected to the many intertwined industries and professions. This research is presented from a decolonial perspective, as it examines how Puerto Rico’s status and colonial relationship with the United States come into play in determining the legality of cultural practices on the island, focusing on historical context and a long history of exploitation, drawing connections to other instances of US mainland intervention in Puerto Rican agricultural industries and economic affairs
