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Endangered Plants and Our Role in Their Protection
Full text linkAs the number of endangered plant species increases, the study of these species is becoming more critical than ever to aid in developing conservation strategies. My research was an examination of three endangered plants in the genus Warea along with a look at the theology of creation from Scripture
Preparation and Analysis of Imine-Conjugate Amoxicillin-Chitosan Hydrogels for Wound Care Applications
Full text linkIn the past decade, research has shown the effectiveness of biopolymers for medical applications such as wound dressing, suturing, promoting cell proliferation, and controlled drug administration (Baranwal et al., 2022). Chitosan is a natural biopolymer of high functionality that is comprised of repeating β-(1,4)-2-amino-D-glucose and β-(1,4)-2-acetamido-D-glucose units that are linked by 1,4-β-glycosidic bonds. Chitosan is a highly biocompatible, cost effective, and versatile biopolymer that has merit in several medical applications, including drug delivery hydrogels (Nicolle et al., 2021). Due to chitosan’s large number of functional groups, it is possible to modify the polymer with antibiotic and therapeutic compounds through a reversible mechanism. This study explores the effectiveness of chitosan modification for drug delivery in wound care. Chitosan was modified at primary alcohol groups with primary-amine-containing drugs, which includes many antibiotics like amoxicillin. This allows drug release at the wound site for therapeutic effects. The functionalized chitosan was then used to produce innately antibacterial hydrogels, which were compared to traditional antibiotic-loaded, chitosan-based hydrogels. Drug release rates of the hydrogels were analyzed via UV-Vis spectroscopy and antimicrobial studies. It is anticipated that the resulting innately antibacterial hydrogels have the capacity to be used in several clinical applications
The Reading Brain: Brain Research behind the Science of Reading
No full textThis paper and the accompanying poster board/parent brochure are a condensed version of the brain research behind the Science of Reading. The reading brain is taught, not born. Students must develop the pathways in their brain that lead to skillful and proficient reading. The path through the brain is outlined in this paper, as well as the differences between neurotypical and dyslexic brains. Any educator, parent, or scholar wishing to learn more about the brain and how it learns to read is welcome to this paper. Enjoy learning about how the brain develops the ability to read
Analyzing a Degradable Natural Polymer-Based Novel Wound Dressing for Use in Biomedical Applications
No full textModern research towards wound dressings has shown that alternatives to standard bandages have proven more successful at healing injuries. One such method is the use of an electrospun fiber mat. Polymers can be spun into a construct that has a random configuration of fibers which closely resembles the architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM), an intricate network of macromolecules that stabilizes the structures of tissues. Furthermore, changing the polymer composition of the mat allows scientists to tailor the nanofibers to facilitate wound healing. Some of the polymers used also have a natural degradation rate that eradicates the need for dressing removal, a desirable property - particularly with respect to internal dressings. In this experiment, the natural polymer alginate was modified to create an ideal compound for wound dressings. Amines similar to amino acids in collagen, a protein found in the ECM, were attached to the alginate to make it biomimetic and to yield free amines which are known to have antibacterial properties. This modified alginate (bAlg) was then oxidized to increase its rate of degradation in physiological conditions. Modified alginate was analyzed via IR and NMR spectroscopy to verify the successful attachment of amines. Percent oxidation was determined through the use of an indicator. Post modification, the biomimetic, oxidized alginate (oxbAlg) was electrospun with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and the fiber mats were analyzed in vitro. Images of the fiber mats were taken via a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the average diameters of the fibers were calculated. In vitro cell studies were run over a period of weeks and the effect of the modified alginate on the cells was observed. In addition to the above experiments, fiber mats with varying compositions were analyzed for their antimicrobial properties. These materials are anticipated to be used in a variety of future biomedical research applications
Emigration to Immigration: How Muslim Immigration to Ireland Helps Signal Historical and Cultural Shifts
Full text linkIreland has long since been a nation characterized by their history of colonialism, emigration and political support of immigrants. Today, however, the tide seems to be shifting— and going unnoticed. In this paper, I hope to highlight the pitfalls of Irish exceptionalism and nationalism, how they contribute to and ignore the growth of far-right ideology within the Republic. Using the Muslim community in Ireland as a case study, I prove how the far-right movement is affecting Muslim in Ireland today
Bioethics and Abortion
Full text linkElective abortion is unethical because it violates the major principles of medical ethics and is incompatible with Christian values. Underpinning the study of bioethics are four primary, philosophical principles: justice, autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Further inserting a faith-based component into bioethics, namely the doctrine of The Sanctity of Life, provides a moral basis for the observance of the other four principles. This fifth principle, which is analogous to a moral compass, is often neglected in the discussion of abortion. From this doctrine, we derive our belief that human life is sacred, and therefore, should be protected. Included in human life are zygotes, embryos, and fetuses, and their lives depend on sound, logical reasoning. To protect them, this paper makes five claims about abortion, each based on a principle of bioethics:
Claim 1: Abortion violates the individual rights of the fetus. Hence, it is a moral injustice.
Claim 2: Autonomy is a duty that abortion neglects. Hence, it is immoral.
Claim 3: Elective abortion violates the principle of beneficence because it is intrinsically evil.
Claim 4: Physicians should avoid elective abortion because it harms the fetus.
Claim 5: Elective abortion is incompatible with The Sanctity of Life principle
