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The comparison of a Decision Tree Model and a K-Nearest Neighbors model on the determination of Diabetic Retinopathy
No full textDiabetic retinopathy is recognized as a leading cause of vision impairment, attributed to the distortion and scarring of retinal blood vessels (Bilal et al., 2021). The worldwide impact of diabetic retinopathy is on the rise, contributing to its status as a prominent cause of vision impairment globally (Arcadu et al., 2019). This research explores the comparative analysis of two machine learning models, the Decision Tree and K-Nearest Neighbors, to discover which model has a more accurate performance in classifying diabetic retinopathy severity levels. It was hypothesized that if the Decision Tree and K-Nearest Neighbors models were used to classify images of Diabetic Retinopathy, then Decision Tree would have a more accurate classification. Using a Kaggle dataset of retinal pathology images, the InceptionV3 convolutional neural network was employed for feature extraction. NumPy and pandas handle dataset manipulation, and the InceptionV3 model, excluding top layers, extracted features for hybrid integration with the Decision Tree and K-Nearest Neighbors models. The exclusion of top layers focuses on feature extraction rather than image classification, enhancing accuracy. The Decision Tree, a model renowned for its interpretability and simplicity, is pitted against the KNN model, known for its reliance on proximity-based classification. The results of this experiment indicated that there was a significant difference in the accuracy between the Decision Tree classifier and the K-Nearest Neighbors classifier. This was due to the unpaired t-test which obtained a two-tailed P value measuring less than 0.0001 signifying an extremely statistically significant difference
Comparing the Effect of Varying Concentrations of Polytetrafluoroethylene on the Length and Fresh Weight of Salvinia minima
No full textIn the past decade, the usage of teflon in kitchens across the United States has risen by 37.7%, resulting in large amounts of aquatic pollution due to improper disposal of these harmful substances (Török et al., 2020). The purpose of this project was to test different concentrations of teflon, also known as PTFE, on the length and fresh weight of Salvinia minima with the goal of determining the differing effects it has on plant health through variables such as fresh weight and plant length. There were three experimental groups: the control group, a group exposed to 75 µg/L of teflon solution, and a group which was exposed to 100 µg/L of teflon solution. It was hypothesized that the experimental group of Salvinia minima that was exposed to 100 µg/L of PTFE solution would measure lowest in plant length and fresh weight after the experimentation period; this hypothesis was rooted in the research that illustrates PTFE causes multiple issues in aquatic environments, and a higher concentration would lead to a decrease in plant health. Following experimentation, a one-way MANOVA test was conducted to analyze statistical significance of the data. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in Salvinia minima plant length and fresh weight based on different concentrations of teflon (F(4, 712) = 21.056, p \u3c .05; Wilk\u27s Λ = 0.800, partial η2 = .106). A Tukey\u27s HSD post-hoc t-test was then conducted which indicated that teflon had a significant effect on plant length (F(2,357)=42.789; p\u3c0.05; partial η2=0.193) but did not have a significant effect on plant weight (F(2,357)=2.061;p\u3e0.05; partial η2=0.011) because the p-value \u3e 0.05 for the weight. The results of this experiment suggest that teflon negatively impacts the length of Salvinia minima plants, resulting in a decrease in quality of health
The Measure of Potential Profitability in Intraday Trading Utilizing the Relative Strength Index (RSI) with Various Simple Moving Averages (SMA) on the S&P 500.
No full textA popular belief among traders is that of the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH), which states that a stock price will fully reflect all available information instantaneously (Metghalchi, 2016). This study investigates this theory and the potential profitability regarding an intraday technical analysis strategy utilizing the relative strength index (RSI) and various simple moving averages (SMA). This strategy was used on the S&P 500, and various SMA lengths were utilized to determine which SMA length provided the most profitable strategy. All trades from the various four strategies started on August 22nd, 2023, and continued until 30 trades were completed for each strategy. These trades were conducted using buy and sell signals, exemplified in Figure 1. After all 30 trades had been completed, the SMA 20 group was found to be the least profitable, with a total profit of -24.13. The SMA 60 group profited 22.04. A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was conducted on the various groups. It was found that the difference between the four group\u27s trades was not statistically significant. The p-value was less than the alpha value of 0.05, failing to reject the null hypothesis of there being no significant difference between the various strategies\u27 profitability. The four groups were compared to control buy-and-hold strategies and it was concluded that the shorter-length SMA strategies (20 and 60) were effective in downward trending conditions on the S&P 500. The profitability of the longer-length SMA strategies (100 and 140) was found to be equal to or worse than the buy-and-hold strategies in upward trending conditions on the S&P 500. There are many specific ways of modifying the strategy that could be taken and experimented with, such as the period length of the price chart, the type of market, the type of SMA, and the specific settings regarding the RSI and SMA
Analyzing the Post Correspondence Problem: Insights into Undecidability and its Connection to Turing Machines
No full textUndecidability has captivated mathematicians, driving them on a hunt to understand the underlying causes behind problems that are forever beyond explanation. This research delves into undecidability, focusing on the Post correspondence problem as a foundation for exploring the complexities of unsolvability. This research sheds light on the nature of such issues through systematic inquiry and analysis. We started by unraveling the Post correspondence problem, one of the most notable examples of undecidability. As the study progresses, a creative approach is adopted to devise a program capable of solving specific samples of the post-correspondence problem. This strategy involves working backward from the problem\u27s undecidable nature, leading to the emergence of a program capable of addressing select post-correspondence problems. The program\u27s development presents helpful understandings of the underlying structure of these issues, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the broader domain of mathematical undecidability. Various mathematical processes and methods are employed to explore and clarify the boundaries of solvability in the context of undecidability. By uncovering the inner workings of the developed program, this study aims to enlighten why some mathematical issues are inherently unsolvable despite extensive efforts to find solutions, providing an exploration of the profound complexities surrounding undecidability in mathematics. The program, offering solutions to specific instances of the Post correspondence problem, serves as a beacon of insight into the intricacies of unsolvability. This represents a significant stride towards comprehending the challenges within mathematics, ultimately enhancing our grasp of the limits and possibilities inherent in mathematical problem-solving
Hydrocarbon Pollution Around Lake Murray
No full textAccording to SC DNR (Department of Natural Resources) director Robert Boyles, “South Carolina now has more than 361 thousand registered boats. This represents a nearly 21 thousand vessel increase in the past year.” One question that could be asked because of this is “To What Extent Is the Water Surrounding Marinas and Boat Ramps Polluted by Hydrocarbons Compared to Other Areas Around Lake Murray?” To test how this increase affected the levels of hydrocarbon pollution, several areas around Lake Murray, a local lake, had samples taken of them under different labels: open water, undeveloped coves, marinas, and boat ramps. BCI (Basic Concepts Incorporated) Hydrocarbon Test strips were then submerged in the samples to test for hydrocarbons. Next, photos of the strips were uploaded to a color processing website and analyzed for the RGB values of their darkest spots. Each value, R, G, & B, was then analyzed using an ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) test. No significance was found between the levels of hydrocarbon pollution and location. In order to validate the results, several other tests were conducted to ensure the strips were effective and this was confirmed, as one drop of gasoline was enough to activate the strips in 10mL of water. This could be because there were very few boats on the lake, as the samples were collected on a winter day (although still on the hottest day available). An alternate conclusion is simply that hydrocarbon pollution, in the wintertime, is not a very big issue
Comparing Vitamin C and Vitamin E in Improving the Photostability of a Retinol Serum Exposed to Heat Degradation
No full textRetinol, a fat-soluble form of Vitamin A, is a popular ingredient in commercial skincare products for its anti-aging effects. However, in most cosmetic formulations, retinol becomes unstable quickly, due to exposure to heat, light, oxygen and even pH. To combat the degradation of retinol, many preservatives have been experimented with, including antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. Still, studies investigating the supplementation of Vitamin C and E in retinol formulations have mostly focused on stabilizing retinol against UV light alone, and have yet to explore the effects of adding these vitamins on other common stressors, such as high heat. The purpose of this study was to compare the abilities of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and a combination of both on improving a retinol serum’s photostability when exposed to heat. It was hypothesized that adding both Vitamin C and E to the retinol serum before heat degradation would most effectively improve the retinol’s photostability, due to the fact that both vitamins are lipid-soluble, exhibit antioxidative properties, and work synergistically to improve chemical stability. Two control groups were made: retinol with no heat or vitamins, and retinol with heat and no vitamins. Three experimental groups were made, all of which were heat degraded: retinol and Vitamin C, retinol and Vitamin E, and retinol with both vitamins. Four of the groups were placed in a drying oven for 20 days at ~65 ℃. Using a UVA lamp and UVA sensor, the UVA intensity (mW/m2) of the UVA light as it passed through each mixture was measured. The results of a one-way ANOVA test (�� = 0.05) suggest there were significant differences between the control groups and each of the experimental groups, (ANOVA[F(4,295) = 30.709, p \u3c 0.001]). A post-hoc Tukey test found significant differences between the two control groups, the first control and all experimental groups, the second control and all experimental, and between each experimental group except for Vitamin E vs. Vitamin C and E
Expression of GLYATL1 Plasmid in Transfected MCF7 and HEK293FT Cell Lines
No full textLuminal A breast cancers, characterized by high estrogen-receptor expression, can be treated with endocrine therapies that inhibit estrogen binding to receptors. However, up to 40% of patients are resistant or develop resistance to these therapies. In the lab, luminal A breast cancer cell lines are studied to characterize molecular changes upon resistance. Sequencing revealed overexpression of GLYATL1 gene in resistant cells. There is no available antibody that targets the GLYATL1 proteins, so an antibody must be developed to better test the function of GLYATL1 in resistant cells. To test the specificity of the developed antibody, plasmid containing a sequence of GLYATL1 and a flag tag was transfected into the MCF7 and HEK293FT cells. The protein expression was tested on a Western Blot. Since the flag tag is small (1 kDa), a band is expected at 35 kDa. However, this transfection was found to be unsuccessful. In a second run, plasmids containing GLYATL1-GFP and GLYATL1-flag were transfected in HEK293FT cells. A band was detected at 70 kDa, which was the expected height given the GFP tag’s size of 27 kDa. Additionally, a band was detected at 35 kDA indicating the flag tagged proteins. The knowledge of the GLYATL1 characteristic protein bands on Western Blot will be used to test the specificity of the developed antibody. This antibody allows for specific assays to be performed to better understand the function of GLYATL1 in therapy resistant luminal A breast cancer cells
A Comparison of the Effects of Benzalkonium Chloride and Cetrimonium Bromide on Daphnia magna
No full textAs a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the usage of disinfectants, namely, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds. QACs are often diffused into the environment through wastewater and other residual waters, and have a high risk of toxicity towards the aquatic organisms in the environments they are present in.The purpose of this experiment was to test the toxicity of two of these QACs which have not previously been analyzed for their toxicity by using Daphnia magna as a model organism. It was hypothesized that if Daphnia magna is placed in a solution of benzalkonium chloride, and in a solution containing cetrimonium bromide, then the solution containing benzalkonium chloride would have a more detrimental effect on both reproduction and mortality of Daphnia magna. Individual Daphnia magna were separated into 30 different containers of each solution. Both cetrimonium bromide and benzalkonium chloride were tested at a concentration of 38 µg/L, and tests were done over a 48 hour testing period, with both immobilization and reproduction of Daphnia magna being measured. The hypothesis was supported for both solutions with the immobilization trials, however, it was not supported for the reproduction trials, due to the cetrimonium bromide solutions having less reproduction than those of the benzalkonium chloride. A Chi-square test of independence was run, and found that in both the immobilization and reproduction trials, the type of solution had a significant effect
Correlation Between Kudzu and Soil Salinity
No full textToday, kudzu is estimated to span over three million hectares, or 30 billion square meters. Kudzu continues to spread at a rate of 50 thousand hectares, or 500 million square meters per year. Kudzu has been shown to increase nitric oxide and ozone pollution in the atmosphere, so this research looks into how kudzu affects the soil below. Soil salinity is the amount of dissolved salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride) in a particular sample of soil. Having plants at an unnatural soil salinity to them can lead to limited plant growth, or possibly its death, although plants can temporarily adapt to soil salinity by shrinking their root cells. This leads to the research question: To what extent is the correlation between a kudzu infestation and the salinity of soil within 3 feet of a kudzu infestation in South Carolina prevalent? It is hypothesized that if kudzu is present within three feet of sampled soil, then the soil will have a higher salinity than soil farther than three feet away from kudzu. After analyzing using a Two-Sample T-Test, it was found that there was a strong correlation, with the hypothesis being proven correct. There is a definite correlation between a kudzu infestation and the soil salinity within 3 feet of the kudzu infestation
The Use of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to Treat Fruit Juices Contaminated with Escherichia coli
No full textThis study investigated the potential of the microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa to remove Escherichia coli (E. coli) from fruit juices, aiming to identify the more susceptible fruit between apple and orange juice. It was hypothesized that if apple juice and orange juice are contaminated with E. coli and treated with Chlorella pyrenoidosa, then orange juice will show more susceptibility to E. coli removal. Despite the expectation that orange juice would be more vulnerable because of its lower pH, there was no discernible difference in the elimination of E. coli between the two juices. A total of 96 samples, 32 apple juice, orange juice, and nutrient broth control treatment samples were examined using the zone of inhibition approach. Although there was a little decrease in E. coli in both juices when compared to the control, statistical analysis did not show a meaningful difference between them. A one-way ANOVA statistical analysis test revealed that the observed variance in juice composition and initial bacterial load were likely not the only factors contributing to the juice type. The study discovered two possible sources of error that could be investigated in further studies: (1) standardizing baseline variations in E. coli inoculum levels and (2) investigating the complex relationship between Chlorella pyrenoidosa and particular juice components to maximize antibacterial efficacy. Overall, this study shows that Chlorella pyrenoidosa has the potential to be an antibacterial agent against E. coli in fruit juices; nevertheless, more investigation is required to improve the treatment method and determine optimizing techniques unique to different types of juice