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Bridging (Setubandha Sarvangasana-ing) the gap between yoga and digestion
No full textExploration of the gut-brain-axis has been at the forefront of nutrition research, and the various connections between stress and digestion have been established through many studies. Yoga is a multifaceted form of holistic therapy known for its stretching techniques, breathing (pranayama) practices, and focus on the mind-body connection; it is a common practice amongst those looking to improve flexibility, build strength, and reduce stress. This research aims to explore the connection between yoga and digestion by surveying yogis in the tri-cities area of East Tennessee. The participants must be at least 18 years of age and have at least 2 months of previous experience in yoga. We will be surveying their perceived bowel movement quality, quantity, and frequency changes through the Qualtrics surveying platform, providing the Bristol Stool Chart to aid in participants’ ability to give adequate feedback. As a result of this research, we expect to see improvements in the frequency and quality of bowel movements associated with the implementation of yoga into a regular routine
Ella Wheeler Wilcox: Empathy and Commonplace Sensations
No full textThe poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox is under-researched proportional to the prevalence she held during her lifetime. This research project will aim to identify features that distinguished Wilcox from her contemporaries. It is my belief that much of her popularity is owed to her poetry’s structure and empathetic subject matter exhibited throughout her many works. To demonstrate Wilcox’s competency to catch the public eye I plan to examine her most popular poetic works: Poems of Passion and Drops of Water. Wilcox reveals a lot about herself in her two autobiographies: The Story of a Literary Career and The Worlds and I. Beginning her ardent literary career at fourteen allowed Ella to advance in style and technique rather quickly. After a failed historic piece, one editor commanded her to “send us heartache verses”. This order appears to have fueled much of Ella’s work, eventually publishing Poems of Passion as a result. In the careful reading of these and similar compositions, the heartache verses that were requested of Ella, one can understand these stanzas as the reputable works that they are. Works like Solitude and Bleak Weather point us to her cherished rhymes and opposing commonplace emotions that Wilcox was able to empathize with, regardless of her personal familiarity. The vast readership of Wilcox\u27s verse is testimony to her employment of evocative language and commonplace sensations. Ella Wheeler Wilcox\u27s literary career ought to be studied further and taught to a much wider audience than the one currently familiar with her work. Wilcox reveals a lot about herself in her two autobiographies: The Story of a Literary Career and The Worlds and I. These volumes disclose, in great detail, Wilcox\u27s journey to reach such a noble rank in the eyes of the common reader. Her many titles of poetry and magazine appearances comprise the bulk of her well-known pieces, though not all. In the careful reading of these shared compositions, the heartache verses that were requested of Ella, one can understand these stanzas as the prestigious works that they are. Works like Solitude and Bleak Weather point us to the opposing yet extreme emotions that Wilcox was able to empathize with, regardless of her personal familiarity. The vast readership of Wilcox\u27s verse is testimony to her employment of evocative linguistics and commonplace sensations. Ella Wheeler Wilcox\u27s literary career ought to be studied further and taught to a much wider audience than the one who is currently familiar with her work
Irish Immigrants in 1860 Savannah, Georgia.
No full textLooking through census records, it is noted that when an immigrant is recorded, it only makes mention of the country of birth. However, the census taker in 1860 recorded the county as well as the country of birth. This leads to an interesting development in regards as it now allows researchers to locate which specific areas of a country immigrants are coming from. Within this paper, the area of focus is the 1860 Census in Savannah, Georgia. Given the year, there is a clear indicator that immigrants would have left counties that were heavily affected by the Irish Potato Famine. What is to be explored is specific counties immigrants are coming from, the ability to read and write, and personal and real estate values, what is their occupation, ages, and furthermore what are the attitudes that the local population had to these immigrants. Irish immigrants in other areas of the United States faced discrimination based on that factor, but is that the same expectation in Savannah? What factors would have changed the experience of Irish immigrants and what was their treatment like compared to other regions of the United States? These are all questions to be explored with this paper as research through census records continues
Cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase STM3615 regulates Salmonella physiology
No full textFoodborne-related diseases pose a global health threat, with Salmonella being a leading cause worldwide. To develop better prevention strategies against Salmonella-related food poisoning, we need a deeper understanding of how Salmonella senses its environment to adjust its behavior and enhance its chances of survival. One way bacteria achieve this is through second messengers, molecular signals that help relay this type of information. A key second messenger of interest is cyclic-di-GMP that bacteria use to regulate genes that enhance survival and infectious potential by influencing processes such as biofilm formation, flagellar motility, and virulence. Previous studies identified the cyclic-di-GMP phosphodiesterase STM3615 as important for Salmonella survival inside macrophages and virulence in a mouse model. Here, we investigated STM3615’s role in Salmonella physiology. Using a dye-based agar assay, we found that deleting STM3615 reduced survival in the stationary phase. Microscopy revealed that the mutant also exhibited a shorter bacterial morphology. Given that both phenotypes relate to bacterial division, we tested its susceptibility to A22, an antimicrobial that disrupts bacterial replication machinery, and observed significantly reduced survival. STM3615 contains multiple domains, including transmembrane, periplasmic, HAMP, and phosphodiesterase (PDE) domains. Surprisingly, the periplasmic domain, rather than the PDE domain responsible for breaking down cyclic-di-GMP, emerged as the key regulator of bacterial morphology and division. A protein fold prediction algorithm suggested STM3615 interacts with a periplasmic protein partner to mediate this response. Using random transposon mutagenesis, we identified mutations in the Rcs pathway—linked to envelope stress and morphology regulation—that restored wild-type phenotypes. Future research will investigate STM3615’s interactions with a periplasmic binding partner to further define its role in cell division. Understanding this mechanism could provide new insights into bacterial growth regulation, with implications for therapeutic strategies and infection control
Cyclic-di-GMP-Regulated Motility in Acinetobacter baumannii
No full textHospital acquired infections from multi-drug resistant pathogens is an emerging and dangerous issue that threatens the current state of healthcare environments. Acinetobacter baumannii is known for causing opportunistic infections in susceptible patients partially because it is able to survive for extended periods of time on inanimate objects such as hospital medical equipment. Motility mechanisms in A. baumannii permit this colonization and involve a structure known as a type IV pilus. This structure comprises a complex of proteins that work together to produce bacterial attachment/movement. One regulatory factor is a bacterial secondary messenger known as cyclic-di-GMP, and previous research has identified a role in A. baumannii type IV pilus motility for enzymes that produce (diguanylate cyclases) and degrade (phosphodiesterases) cyclic-di-GMP. Using models from other organisms, our current research has focused on using a Bacterial Two-Hybrid system assay to identify cyclic-di-GMP-related proteins that interact with the pilus machinery. So far, we have discovered that protein 1138 encoded in A. baumannii dimerizes with itself, which supports its case for possibly having enzymatic activity since it contains a phosphodiesterase domain, though its ability to bind cyclic-di-GMP has yet to be proven. It also seems that protein 2255, which contains a PilZ superfamily domain, interacts to a degree with the ATPase PilB that is a part of the protein complex involved in the type IV pilus. This suggests the idea that 2255 could function as an adaptor protein that allows other proteins/molecules to regulate Type IV pilus function due to its biding with PilB. In conclusion, further investigation into this signaling mechanism and how it relates to type IV pilus regulation in A. baumannii could provide vital information which could lead to novel treatments towards this dangerous pathogen
Manipulation and Autonomy: A Defense of the Deliberative Model
No full textThe deliberative model is a physician-patient relationship within a medical environment. Philosophers Emanuel and Emanuel explain that the deliberative model is the most beneficial because it allows for many layers from both the patient and the physician. The patient obtains the relevant medical information and has the opportunity to discuss their own values with the physician. An additional and unique feature of this model is that it also allows the physician to discuss their own (medically relevant) values and deliberate with the patient which treatment option should be chosen. Over the past few decades, patient autonomy has been the main issue of discussion when addressing concerns about the physician-patient relationship. This conversation has led to potential objections to the deliberative model. My project first considers the two main objections: (a) The model allows for manipulation and manipulation is always wrong. Building from this objection comes the second which states (b) manipulation is wrong and it is because it violates patient autonomy. After outlining the two main objections, I first look at the terms “manipulation” and “autonomy” themselves, pointing out that the objections fail to recognize the complexity of these terms. I then address the first objection. I conclude that manipulation is not always wrong and it should be evaluated through a more pluralistic framework considering the conclusion of its morality is situational. Following the first objection, I address the second objection. I conclude that no matter what approach one has to autonomy, it is not clear that manipulation always violates autonomy. This stance shows that manipulation does not automatically entail the undermining of autonomy. Finally, I conclude with the initial thesis statement, that even when the main two objections mentioned are further explained, the deliberative model still provides the most benefits to patients, as outlined by Emanuel and Emanual
Solving Cold Cases: An Exploratory Look at the Role of the Police and Media
No full textThe project aims to answer the following questions: How do law enforcement officers perceive the current state of cold case review in their departments? Do law enforcement officers believe the media can be useful in improving the clearance rate of cold case investigations? What individual and organizational characteristics influence perceptions and actions of law enforcement as it relates to investigation cold cases and utilizing the media? The process to answer these questions consisted of a series of interviews with people who work in law enforcement departments. Individuals were interviewed using a semi-structured guide consisting of questions that allow for in depth responses. Responses to these questions were coded to explore for commonalities and differences in perceptions. In addition, scales were established to measure the effectiveness of cold case review, the media’s help in solving cold cases, and if different characteristics of an individual or organizational characteristics influence these decisions. As the project is not yet completed, these outcomes are the desired ones of the study. The results aim to bridge a gap in cold case review to improve communication among departments and establish a consensus that can lead to further research which establishes answers for the concerns presented
Strategic Enhancement of biofuels production using Bacillus subtilis as a model orgasm. Adual approach of gene essentiallity mapping and optimization.
No full textWith the increasing demand for renewable energy, optimizing biofuel production has become a critical research focus. This study investigates the genetic and metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis, a versatile microorganism known for its robust metabolic capabilities and amenability to genetic modification, with the aim of enhancing its biofuel production potential. Building upon prior work, this research focuses on two primary strategies: identifying essential lipid biosynthesis genes involved in solvent stress resistance and optimizing lipid biosynthesis pathways crucial for maintaining membrane stability during fermentation. Thus far, growth curve analysis (OD600) has been completed, revealing that strains with knockouts in the PS and PE genes exhibited significantly slower growth compared to the wild-type strain IA1 (168), underscoring the importance of these genes in maintaining cellular growth and stability. This finding highlights the potential challenges that come with engineering lipid biosynthesis pathways for solvent tolerance and biofuel production. Ongoing efforts will focus on membrane fluidity assessments using laurdan florescence spectroscopy and lipid extractions to evaluate how these modifications affect the overall robustness of the engineered strains under stress conditions
Stress Hormone Variability in Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) Throughout the Mating Season
No full textAmphibian populations are declining due to combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors throughout their annual active periods. Understanding how these stressors affect their physiology is vital to conservation efforts. The goal of this study was to quantify corticosterone in green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) at baseline levels and in response to an acute stressor throughout the mating season. The project was conducted from May to September of 2024 at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee. Corticosterone levels were determined over six consecutive days from May to September using a non-invasive dermal swab technique. Additionally, body metrics, water chemistry, weather conditions, and observational variables were also evaluated on each sampling trip. The acute stress response was assessed by capturing individual frogs and taking repeated swabs over the course of a one hour holding period. Green frogs had higher baseline corticosterone levels in August compared to June and July but no difference in the acute stress response across all months of the study. This project exposed the variations green frogs have in corticosterone throughout their mating season
Development of a Sustained-Release Weekly Amiloride Patch for the Management of Resistant Hypertension
No full textResistant hypertension is a condition in which, despite simultaneous use of three classes of antihypertensive agents at their maximum doses, the blood pressure remains above the normal or ideal value of 120/80 mmHg. Amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic agent, has been found to be an option for add-on therapy. It is especially useful for diabetic patients who may be resistant to spironolactone, a drug in the same class as amiloride. When taken orally, the bioavailability of amiloride is 30-50%. Because adherence is a common issue for patients being treated with multiple agents for treatment-resistant hypertension, oral administration of amiloride may provide little to no added benefit for this patient population. In addition, bothersome gastrointestinal side effects have been reported when administered orally. Considering these factors, our goal is to design a long-acting skin patch of amiloride. Preliminary studies showed oleyl alcohol and propylene glycol facilitated the skin permeation of amiloride (2% w/w) solution over 7 days. Therefore, suspension-type, acrylate (DURO-TAK 387-2516) and silicone (BIO-PSATM 7-4301)-based adhesive patches incorporating oleyl alcohol and propylene glycol were formulated with 2% amiloride. The formulation process involved optimization of the release liners and backing membranes. 3M™ Scotchpak™ 1022 and CoTran™ 9702 were determined to be the favorable ones, respectively. The patches were punched and coat weights were determined to be 31.60 ± 0.36 mg/cm2 (acrylate) and 51.83 ± 4.01 mg/cm2 (silicone). The skin patches were tested for drug permeation across dermatomed pig ear skin using Franz Diffusion Cells for 7 days. The drug permeation from the acrylate and silicone patches was found to be 5.48 ± 1.47 µg/cm2 and 9.77 ± 1.41 µg/cm2, respectively (p\u3e0.05) after 7 days. Future studies will focus on enhancing drug concentration in the patches to further optimize the drug permeation to attain therapeutically relevant systemic concentrations of the drug