16812 research outputs found
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BEAR Innovation Competition Pitch: Green Wheels
No full textThe goal of Green Wheels, presented by Caitlin Cunnane, is to aid the next generation in finding innovative ways to effectively use existing space to grow organic food. An electric-powered truck provides live demonstrations of hydroponics and vertical farming, educating the community and delivering fresh produce samples
Colorimetric Assessment of Phagocytes Post-Injury in the CNS of A. mexicanum
No full textIn mammalian species, prolonged neuroinflammation and the formation of scars have evolved as responses to central nervous system (CNS) injury. A primary driver of this inflammation and scarring is theorized to be the extended activation of various phagocytes. This experiment aims to track and stain phagocyte response, specifically microglia and macrophages, in Ambystoma mexicanum, an amphibian known for its remarkable CNS regeneration capabilities. Three staining methods were compared to determine the most suitable for this purpose: one fluorescent method (Alexa Fluor 488) and two colorimetric methods (Tomato Lectin and Tomato Lectin with a Nickel Complex). Phagocyte activity was monitored at five chronological periods post-injury to develop a timeline of phagocyte activity. The acute response was assessed at the first three time points (6 hours, 12 hours, and 1-day post-injury), while the later stages of phagocyte activity progression during the repair process were observed at 3-days and 6-days post-injury
What Does It Mean to Do the Most Good?: Cases in Population Axiology and Their Implications for Effective Altruism
No full textPopulation axiology explores questions like whether it\u27s better to have more people, each with a lower quality of life, or fewer people, each with a higher quality of life, and whether it’s just that some people enjoy lives of luxury, even if they could—at little personal cost—significantly improve the lives of those worse off. Effective altruism (EA) is a social movement that aims to use evidence and reason to figure out how to maximise the good with limited resources, where the good is understood in impartial, welfarist terms. Given that population axiology demonstrates there is no definitive way to maximize global wellbeing while also balancing concerns of equality, it is difficult for effective altruism to achieve its aims because “betterment” always involves tradeoffs. This paper explores emerging views, cases, and implications which have received unjustly little attention in the existing literature and argues for a suffering-based ethics in EA
Optimizing the Quantification of the Degradation of PET
No full textThe world is in crisis due to excess plastic waste. Each year, 400 tons are produced globally, and with no effective or safe way for their degradation, plastic waste is increasing uncontrollably. The increasing plastic waste is harming animals, ecosystems, and humanity. Previous research suggests that thermophiles, microbes that thrive between 50–140℃, can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic, due to their cutinase domains. Chromatographic techniques, techniques that separate mixtures using a mobile and stationary phase, can identify and quantify the rate of degradation of PET. For HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography), we optimized the flow rate and mobile-phase composition and in GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) the temperature programming. We successfully created methods for the separation, detection, and quantification of the enzymatic breakdown products of PET using GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and HPLC
Mutations of the DFsc Protein Active Site
No full textThe DFsc protein, also known as the de novo protein, is a computer designed protein used to mimic metalloproteins in nature. With a structure of four alpha helices, this protein can bind to a multitude of metals ranging from zinc to titanium while also having the ability to oxidize small substrates and cleave DNA. The goal of the project is to mutate the original active site of the DFsc protein, changing a nearby isoleucine to aspartic acid (I100D) or glutamic acid (I100E). The negative charge of the carboxylate group should interact with the positive charge of the metals. These proteins will be created, purified, and then tested to see if changing the structure of the protein will affect its function. These tests include metal binding assays (iron, cobalt) using instruments such as UV-Vis spectroscopy
The Effects of Acetyl CoA Carboxylase 2 (ACC2) Deletion on Chronic Lipid Overload
No full textAn imbalance of energy intake and output can lead to the development of obesity. When foods rich in fat are consumed, cells can store excessive amounts of fat in the form of triglycerides. This increased triglyceride storage may cause a detrimental impact on cells and lead to heart, muscle, and liver dysfunction. Acetyl CoA carboxylase 2 (Acc2) is an enzyme that produces malonyl CoA which inhibits the mitochondrial uptake of fatty acids. A deletion of Acc2 reduces malonyl CoA and decreases inhibition of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (Cpt1), and thus increases mitochondrial fatty acid transport. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine whether a systemic deletion of Acc2 (Acc2-TKO) will increase fatty acid oxidation and prevent lipid accumulation in mice fed a high-fat diet. Male control (n=13) and Acc2-TKO (n=10) mice were fed a high-fat diet (90% calories from fat) for 6 weeks. A group of control mice (n=7) were fed a standard chow diet for comparison. At the end of the dietary feeding period, hearts, livers, and quadriceps muscles were collected and weighed. Blood was also collected from all mice. Triglycerides were measured in the heart, liver, and quadriceps of all mice using colorimetric assays. Glucose, ketone bodies, cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in the serum harvested from the mice. The results of the study will determine whether promoting cellular fatty acid oxidation via deletion of Acc2 is a potential treatment to prevent lipid accumulation in chronic dietary lipid overload conditions
The Grizzly, September 19, 2024
Get PDFInto the Breeches! • New AAPI House • Editor List • Confidence: Ursinus Graduate Katie Cressman\u27s Journey and Advice • Opinions: Ritter Hall Needs Work • Ursinus Football Roars to a Strong Start! • Field Hockey Stuns #10 Rowan!https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2036/thumbnail.jp
Do You Remember Your Name?
No full textEyeless head crafted from cardboard, papier mâché, foam, fabric, popsicle sticks, plexiglass and cotton. Presented as part of the 2024 Annual Student Exhibit in the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/asae_2024_images/1007/thumbnail.jp
See No Evil, Speak No Evil
No full textEyeball and mouth crafted from plywood, cotton, fabric and plaster. Presented as part of the 2024 Annual Student Exhibit in the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/asae_2024_images/1006/thumbnail.jp
Jaida on a Swing at Craig Pavilion 2
No full textMonotype print on paper depicting a playground scene. Presented as part of the 2024 Annual Student Exhibit in the Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College.https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/asae_2024_images/1024/thumbnail.jp