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Exploring the effects of road salt on earthworm species
No full textThis study examines the effects of two road salts, sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), on the health of two earthworm species: Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. Over a 4-week period, approximately 168 earthworms were exposed to varying concentrations of either NaCl, CMA, or mixed ratios of both, with a control group included for comparison. The experiment involved monitoring the changes in earthworm weight and measuring their contraction rates to determine physiological responses. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in weight or activity between NaCl and CMA treatments for either species. However, higher concentrations of NaCl resulted in significant weight loss for Eisenia fetida. No notable impacts were observed among different NaCl/CMA mix ratios. These findings suggest that CMA does not confer a distinct biological advantage over NaCl for earthworm health, though its higher cost may be offset by reduced environmental and infrastructure damage. The results highlight the need for further research into alternative road salts and their ecological impacts
Racial Differences In Resilience: U.S. College Student’S Mental Health And The Covid-19 Pandemic
No full textConcerns about the mental health of college students have been increasing over the last several decades. The COVID-19 pandemic only served to put more attention on this problem. Prior to the pandemic, minority students bore a heavier burden of mental disorder symptoms, but it is unclear if this racial difference persisted during the COVID-19 pandemic and if the resilience of students to this crisis varies by race. This study investigates race-specific trends in college students’ mental health, using four repeated cross-sectional surveys collected yearly between November 2019 and November 2022 from students in a Midwestern state university in the United States. We found that racial minority students had a higher level of symptoms before the pandemic. However, they did not experience a significant elevation during the pandemic. On the other hand, White students reacted more dramatically to the initial shock of the pandemic in 2020. They recovered in 2021 but experienced another elevation in mental health symptoms in 2022. Our study added to the minority mental health paradox literature that racial minority students were more resilient to the impact of the pandemic than White students. Programs to enhance resilience for all students are recommended
Fluoromicrometry reveals minimal influence of tendon elasticity during snake locomotion
No full textMultiarticular muscle systems are widespread across vertebrates, including in their necks, digits, tails and trunks. In secondarily limbless tetrapods, the multiarticular trunk muscles power nearly all behaviors. Using snakes as a study system, we previously used anatomical measurements and mathematical modeling to derive an equation relating multiarticular trunk muscle shortening to postural change. However, some snake trunk muscles have long, thin tendinous connections, raising the possibility of elastic energy storage, which could lead to a decoupling of muscle length change from joint angle change. The next step, therefore, is to determine whether in vivo muscle shortening produces the postural changes predicted by mathematical modeling. A departure from predictions would implicate elastic energy storage. To test the relationship between muscle strain and posture in vivo, we implanted radio-opaque metal beads in three muscles of interest in four corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), then recorded X-ray videos to directly measure muscle shortening and vertebral column curvature during locomotion. Our in vivo results produced evidence that elastic energy storage does not play a substantial role in corn snake lateral undulation or tunnel concertina locomotion. The ability to predict muscle shortening directly from observed posture will facilitate future work. Moreover, the generality of our equation, which uses anatomical values that can be measured in many types of animals, means that our framework for understanding multiarticular muscle function can be applied in numerous study systems to provide a stronger mechanistic understanding of organismal function
Explorations of Social-Emotional Learning in the Arts
Get PDFThe purpose of this Honors Research Project was to explore social-emotional learning as a practice, to find effective applications for schools, to highlight the connections between the arts and social-emotional learning, and to provide useful methods for the actual implementation. There is a focus on the five main competencies of social-emotional learning which are self- awareness, social-awareness, self-management, relationship-building, and responsible decision- making skills which are translated into various class practices and art projects. Social-emotional learning is a mindset rather than merely a practice and has been practiced latently in education. Art education and social-emotional learning share congruencies in standards, active practices, development of social skills, and the holistic approach to education. This paper contains an appendix with an annotated resource guide for teachers and pre-service teachers to use and gain additional information and confidence in the subject. Research was gathered from various national organizations, state reports, academic journals, blogs, personal knowledge of art education pedagogy and developmental psychology, and other knowledge gained from college
Why Did the Lawyer Cross the Road? The ABA\u27s Proposal to Overhaul Model Rule 5.5 and Permit Cross-Border Practice
Get PDFThe American Bar Association (ABA) is considering a proposal to amend Model Rule 5.5, which would allow lawyers licensed in any U.S. jurisdiction to practice law across state lines under specific conditions. This driver\u27s license model aims to address current regulatory barriers by permitting lawyers to provide legal services nationwide, provided they disclose their home jurisdiction, comply with local rules, and meet certain ethical standards. Motivated by the pandemic, technological changes, and the uniform bar exam, the proposal seeks to improve access to legal services, reduce regulatory burdens, and offer clients greater choice of counsel, though it faces potential challenges in implementation and state-level approval
A Form-Fitting Model for the Simulation of Traumatic Brain Injury in Zebrafish
Get PDFDeveloping a model to study traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important as it allows for the better understanding of mechanisms underlying the disease to develop effective treatments and other strategies. Creating a realistic simulation of TBI, permits the research of different types of impacts and severities that can be seen in brain function and structure. The simulation is also valuable for monitoring progression of injuries over time and developing personalized treatment plans. Zebrafish, in particular, are prime candidates given their status as model organisms, affordability, and ease of direct observation in the research setting. Overall, efficient and accurate TBI models are crucial for understanding the complexity of TBI for better diagnostic and treatment protocols to improve the lives of individuals
Do Androids Dream of Economic Incentives?
Get PDFCurrent discussions on artificial intelligence inventorship or authorship are focused in the patent and copyright spaces. These discussions largely ignore the trade secrets space outside the context of other’s ownership of AI-related technology. This is likely due to the disconnect between creatorship and ownership that exists in trade secrets law, but that is not present in patent and copyright law. In particular, there is no requirement of human creatorship in trade secrets law, but patents and copyrights might require a human creator. This article explores the possibility of AI ownership of AI-generated information under current trade secrets law for modern AI systems. The article concludes that modern AI systems could possibly meet the statutory requirements for trade secrets ownership because the limiting factors are technological, not legal. Accordingly, theoretical justifications for providing trade secrets rights to AI systems are also explored. The traditional justification for IP rights does not provide sufficient justification for trade secrets rights in modern AI systems but could provide justifications for later advanced systems commensurate with other IP regimes
WIPO Negotiations on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
Get PDFThis article examines the ongoing negotiations at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regarding the protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge (TK), and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). It provides a comprehensive overview of the historical background, key provisions, challenges, and reflections on the diplomatic efforts leading to the establishment of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK Treaty). It explores issues surrounding disclosure obligations, including the lack of a clear definition for confidential information and the debate over sanctions and remedies. The article examines the challenges and implications of key provisions in the Basic Proposal, including disclosure requirements, exceptions and limitations, and information systems, revealing longstanding disagreements among stakeholders. It also reflects on the emerging international norms and their impact on the global intellectual property regime, emphasizing the complexities of protecting genetic resources, TK, and TCEs
Black Women are Supreme: An Empirical Examination of Black Women\u27s Evaluations of Ketanji Brown Jackson
Get PDFThis article discusses research on the nomination of the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. The study examines how emotions and feelings of connectedness to racial and gender groups shaped evaluations of the historic nomination. The research finds that Black women were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about Jackson’s nomination, but that enthusiasm was attenuated by a wide range of variables like interest in politics and the interplay between racial and gender identity. It analyzes how linked fate, a sense of connection to one’s racial group, is associated with the evaluations of the Jackson nomination. The study finds that Black women with increased linked fate to other Black women, and to a lesser extent Black people, are associated with increased pride and hope towards Justice Jackson’s nomination. These findings from this paper have broad implications for both representation and political behavior. It draws on theories of substantive and descriptive representation as well as linked fate to add to scholarly conversations about how emotions influence the political behavior of American citizens. Over the last two decades, Black women have been the most politically active racial and gender subgroup in American politics and thus this study offers significant insights for democracy
The Intersectionality of Dance and Poetry
Get PDFOften times, a creative work utilizes multiple creative mediums. For example, many poetry books feature visual art to enhance the original work. Dance performance is, arguably, always multidisciplinary This leaves room for many questions regarding unique ways that creative work can be developed and what sources of inspiration can be used as contributors. The final project comprises a collection of five choreographic works and five poems that correlate with each other in various ways. These five creative works were created using multiple prompts that dictated the correlation level between the two mediums. These works were then filmed to transform the creations into a visual portfolio. The most conclusive takeaway of this research project is clear: art supports and depends on other art