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Freshwater pH Impact on Anabaena Exposed to Coated and Uncoated Nano-Zinc Oxide
No full textSunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma (skin cancer). However, environmental sunscreen pollution is increasing at a rate that could damage aquatic environments without environmental regulations. This study focuses on the impacts of sunscreen chemicals, silane-coated and uncoated nanoparticulate Zinc oxide (nano-ZnO), on the growth rate of Anabaena in four different pH levels using water collected from Lake Murray, South Carolina. Anabaena was used to indicate how larger organisms would respond to similar metallic contaminants. It was determined that pH and coating on nano-ZnO particles both have a statistically significant impact on algae growth. These results indicate nano-ZnO chemicals negatively affect algae growth at the concentration of 0.03g per 37 mL in environmentally realistic conditions. The study also indicated that pH negatively impacts the dissolution of nano-ZnO particles. These results may be useful to legislative bodies considering sunscreen environmental regulations. It is also recommended that additional research is performed at different particle concentrations to determine the range of conditions that are least harmful for aquatic organisms
The Synergistic Effects of Silibinin and Resveratrol on Pollen-Inflamed Mice Endothelial Cells
No full textPollen is a fine powdery substance that gets released in the spring season and can negatively impact people due to its small size. When inhaled, the pollen can cause inflammation in vital airways, causing asthma and constricting breath. However, this can be hindered using natural means through Silibinin and Resveratrol, both of which contain healing compounds that can mitigate inflammation. Synergistic effects of two elements could also be used to increase the effectiveness of healing. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the synergistic effects of Silibinin and Resveratrol on pollen-inflamed mice endothelial cells. This was done to aid in closing the gap regarding whether plant polyphenols can be used to treat severe allergies that persist. Combination and mono-therapies of the polyphenols were used on the inflammation rates of mouse endothelial cells caused by the pollen. The study used two MTT Assays: one to assess the dose of pollen that caused 50% of cells to perish, and another to assess the effectiveness of the plant polyphenols on the inflamed cells. Finally, a microscopic study was performed to determine the mode of inhibition of cell death following drug treatment in inflamed cells. The results show that 250 µg/mL pollen can induce 50% cell death (IC50), and the combination treatment of Silibinin and Resveratrol most effectively inhibits the pollen-induced inflammation synergistically by preventing necrosis in endothelial cells. Collectively, the study shows that combination therapy with Silibinin and Resveratrol can be a potential therapeutic strategy against pollen-induced inflammatory diseases
To what extent does the consumption of melatonin affect REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, in adolescents, using a Garmin vivosmart 5 Tracker?
No full textThis study investigates the cause-and-effect relationship between melatonin consumption and the amount of REM sleep obtained by an individual through a causal-comparative research design. The research aimed to determine whether melatonin significantly influences REM sleep duration. Three participants, aged 16-17, were selected for the study. Each participant was an athlete with similar extracurricular activities to minimize external variables affecting sleep patterns. To ensure accurate data collection, all participants wore sleep-tracking watches, which recorded their sleep stages, including REM sleep duration. The study followed a structured approach of a month supplemented (according to participants typical sleep regimen) and a week without nightly melatonin intake for other participants. This design allowed for direct comparison of REM sleep between conditions. Data collected over multiple nights were analyzed by a paired-Test to identify trends and potential differences in REM sleep duration between melatonin and non-melatonin nights. Factors such as individual differences in metabolism, natural sleep cycles, and external influences may have played a role in variations of the data. Although in despite of the small sample size, this study provides preliminary insights into the potential impact of melatonin on REM sleep
The Effect of Vitamin D2 on the Susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis to Amoxicillin
No full textBiofilm associated infections caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis present a major challenge in the field of medicine due to their resistance to antibiotic treatment. The biofilms caused by this Gram positive bacteria are found on implanted devices such as catheters, prosthetic joints, and heart valves and make it difficult to treat infections (Lee & Anjum, 2023). Antibiotic adjuvants have become a growing interest over the years to treat and eliminate these biofilms. Antibiotic adjuvants are compounds that have little to none antimicrobial activity but when combined with an actual antibiotic, increase its effectiveness. Many forms of vitamin D have been looked at as potential antibiotic adjuvants, but vitamin D2 has not been significantly studied regarding its impact on biofilm formation (Youssef et al., 2023). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D2 on the susceptibility of S. epidermidis to amoxicillin, an antibiotic. The disk diffusion method was utilized, in which increasing concentrations of vitamin D2 were combined with amoxicillin, and zones of inhibition were measured to assess antibiotic effectiveness. The results showed that increasing levels of vitamin D2 resulted in larger zones of inhibition, demonstrating a dosage-dependent relationship between amoxicillin activity and vitamin D2. The ANOVA analysis demonstrated that all the experimental groups were statistically significant with a p value \u3c 0.001
Victor II: Cebu
No full textThis documentary, by Cole Kennedy ’25 (History and Communication Studies), tells the story of the filmmaker’s great-grandfather, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Howard Arnold, during his time serving in the Pacific theater of World War II. It covers the liberation of the Philippine island of Cebu, and his great-grandfather’s acceptance of the first mass surrender of a Japanese garrison during the final days of World War II. Kennedy’s documentary film is based on his research on his great-grandfather’s experience.https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/vaf/1018/thumbnail.jp
The Combined Effects of Vitamin E Antioxidants and Krylon UV-Resistant Spray on the Photodegradation and the Self-Repair Processes of Cinnamate
No full textSelf-healing, photoreactive polymers such as methyl cinnamate have become increasingly relevant to emerging technologies, including biosensors, drug-delivery systems, and smart materials. However, their practical use is limited by rapid photodegradation, which reduces durability and diminishes their ability to undergo repeated isomerization-driven self-repair. This study investigates whether incorporating vitamin E antioxidants and a Krylon UV-resistant spray can reduce UV-induced photodegradation while preserving the autorepair functionality of methyl cinnamate. Four experimental groups, which are the control, vitamin E antioxidant-treated, UV-resistant spray-treated, and combined-treatment, were embedded in epoxy resin and subjected to 30 cycles of UV-induced isomerization followed by visible-light recovery. Colorimetric analysis using calibrated photographs measured percent color change as an indicator of photodegradation and self-repair performance. The experiment aimed to determine whether antioxidant and UV-filtering treatments extend the polymer’s effective lifespan without compromising its self-healing capability. By exploring a combined protection strategy not previously examined in the literature, this research addresses a gap regarding how external stabilizers influence both durability and functional repair in photoreactive polymers. Results from this study indicate that utilizing both UV-resistant spray combined with the antioxidants reduces the overall photodegradation of the methyl cinnamate
Examining the Effects of Soccer Participation on Cognitive Flexibility in High School Students Using Task-Switching Paradigms
No full textCognitive flexibility (CF), a core component of executive functioning, is essential for adaptive decision-making, attentional control, and problem solving in dynamic environments. Previous research suggests that participation in open-skill sports may enhance executive functions due to constant task switching and perceptual demands. The purpose of this study was to examine whether adolescent soccer players demonstrate higher cognitive flexibility than non-athletes. It was hypothesized that soccer players would exhibit higher levels of cognitive flexibility compared to non-soccer players due to the constant task switching involved in soccer. The present study examined differences in cognitive flexibility between adolescent soccer athletes and non-soccer players using three validated measures; the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), a cued task-switching paradigm, and uncued task-switching paradigm. Task scores were normalized and combined into a composite CF score for each participant. Data was collected from forty high school students divided into four groups: girls soccer (n = 10), boys soccer (n = 10), girls non-soccer (n = 10), and boys non-soccer (n = 10). Results indicated that soccer athletes demonstrated higher composite CF scores than non-soccer players. Boys soccer showed the highest mean CF score (M=0.57), followed by girls soccer (M=0.53), while girls non-soccer (M=0.17) and boys non-soccer (0.15) scored significantly lower. Soccer athletes exhibited fewer errors on the WCST and lower switch costs on both cued and uncued task-switching paradigms, indicating superior shifting and cognitive control. These findings support existing literature suggesting that participation in open-skill sports is associated with enhanced executive functioning
The Effectiveness of Sponsorship on Viewers of NCAA D1 College Football
No full textIn recent years, college football has garnered the attraction of a greater audience, and in turn, the value of sponsorship as a source of revenue has become more heavily reliable for programs in the league. The study aims to address the following question: to what extent does the perception of the effectiveness of sponsorship of NCAA Division I College Football programs by corporations impact viewer engagement? This paper primarily focuses on viewer response to the aspects of the marketing of sponsorship. The method utilized was a survey consisting of questions regarding demographics, viewer background, and perception of both the effectiveness of marketing and viewership in response. A linear regression was used to assess the relationship between the perception of effectiveness and corresponding viewership. The equation, ŷ = 10.19 + 0.22x, indicates that as the perceived effectiveness of sponsorship increases, there is slight, but minimal, change in response. The R-sq value was 5.89% and the p-value was 0.000, illustrating the presence of a relationship between perceived effectiveness and viewer response to that. The results align with previous studies illustrating not only the heightened attention brought to sponsorship in athletics, but also the reactions to that, supporting the importance of variables such as brand image and alignment in partnerships. In the future, the effect of sponsorship is important to consider on various scales, whether collegiate, national professional leagues, or international athletics to consider the vast capabilities provided in and out of the industry
Analyzing the Addition of Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) to the Opus Caementicium Recipe in Order to Improve Setting-Time, Self-Healing Properties, and Compressive Strength
No full textConcrete is one of the most used building materials on the planet due to its durability, versatility, price, and setting time, with the most common type being OPC. OPC has a lifespan of around 70-100 years in standard applications, however it is significantly lower in maritime environments, about 30-70 years. Harbours are crucial for trade and the economy, and breakwaters are required to protect the coastline from waves. Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) is a modern concrete accelerant which can decrease the setting time of concrete, as well as increase water absorption, creating a more porous concrete. Roman concrete is an ancient building material and has self-healing properties when in contact with seawater or rainwater, but it is slow to set. This works by incorporating lime clasts, causing an exothermic reaction when in contact with water, creating reaction-ready calcium for pore and crack filling. Quicklime or slaked lime was used in “hot mixing” to create an environment with intact high-surface area lime clasts. It was hypothesized that the addition of CaCl2 into the Roman concrete mixture would decrease the setting time, increase compressive strength, and improve the self-healing ability. Concrete samples were created by mixing pozzolanic ash, calcium oxide, aggregate, water, and CaCl2. Samples were tested for setting time using toothpick-depth analysis, compressive strength with a CTM, and self-healing ability with visual inspection. It was found that the addition of CaCl2 into Roman concrete decreased setting time by approximately 34.7%, reduced compressive strength by 31.69%, and nullified the self-healing properties
Modeling Oxidative-Stress-Driven Alterations in Microglial Polarization and Astroglial State Dynamics
No full textNeuroinflammation driven by microglia-astrocyte interactions is a central aspect in neurodegenerative diseases. Oxidative stress (OS) is known to intensify these inflammatory pathways; however, the specific ways in which increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) alter cytokine signaling and glial-state transitions remain only partially understood. The purpose of this study is to develop a deterministic computational model to examine how different levels of ROS influence microglial polarization, astrocyte activation, cytokine production, and downstream damage signaling. It was hypothesized that higher ROS concentrations would shift microglia toward a pro-inflammatory M1-like state, amplify inflammatory cytokines, reduce regulatory pathway activations, and produce greater astrocytic reactivity and damage signaling outputs. A system of coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is solved in python to represent microglial polarization transitions, astrocyte dynamics, cytokine interactions, and damage signal accumulation. The model was simulated under four fixed ROS conditions: control, minimal, mid-range, and extreme. The simulations showed that increasing ROS consistently elevated M1-like polarization, boosted pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling, suppressed anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, and increased early astrocytic activation followed by reduced proliferative stability. Extreme ROS concentration produced the fastest and most influential damage signaling across all conditions. These results supported the hypothesis and aligned with qualitative patterns described in microglial and astrocytic literature