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Synthesis of Zinc Hydroxide/Biotin/Gelatin Composite Particles and Their Biological Function
No full textComposite particles have emerged as a promising multifunctional platform for cancer therapy due to their biocompatibility and targeted drug delivery. This study focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of zinc hydroxide/biotin/gelatin composite particles for the potential antimicrobial and targeted cancer treatment. Zinc hydroxide serves as an antimicrobial agent with cytotoxic properties, while biotin, also known as vitamin B7, helps with the metabolic processes of cells. On the other hand, gelatin was used as a stabilizing matrix. In this study, synthesis process involved co-precipitation of zinc hydroxide within a biotin-functionalized gelatin matrix, forming microparticles. Characterization technique included Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the chemical structure of the composite particles. In vitro cytotoxicity assays using MCF-7 (breast cancer cell lines), demonstrated the enhanced efficacy of the composite particles in the following order: zinc hydroxide/biotin \u3c zinc hydroxide \u3c zinc hydroxide/gelatin \u3c Zinc Hydroxide/Biotin/Gelatin, attributed to the synergistic effects of biotin targeting and gelatin-mediated controlled release.
Our composite particles were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus and revealed an excellent antibacterial property. These findings underscore the potential of zinc hydroxide/biotin/gelatin composite particles as an innovative therapeutic platform for targeted and efficient cancer treatment, paving the way for further preclinical and clinical investigations
Improving Polyurethane Adhesives through Schiff Base Crosslinkers: A Sustainable Approach Using Soybean Oil
No full textHistorically, polyurethanes (PUs) have typically been made using petroleum-based polyols such as urea or phenol formaldehyde, both of which pose risks to human health and harm the environment. As a result, sectors have recently expressed interest in developing bio-based PUs made from polyol sourced from vegetable oil and diisocyanate. In this study, PU-based adhesives are developed using soybean oil polyol (SOP) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. To improve the performance of the synthesized PU adhesive, Schiff-based diols designated as VB and VH have been added to the system as crosslinkers, derived from butane diamine, hexane diamine, and vanillin. The successful creation of PU has been confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra. The tensile strength of adhesive samples was tested on oak wood specimens. Among adhesive samples using VB, VB-10wt.% demonstrated the highest tensile strength at 4400 KPa when compared to all other weight percentages (wt.%). In contrast, VH-based adhesive samples recorded their maximum tensile strength for VH-10wt.% at 5000 KPa. In both cases, as the wt.% of Schiff base diol increases, the tensile strength decreases to 3800 KPa for VB-15wt.% and 2900 KPa for VH-15wt.%. Furthermore, the produced PU adhesive samples demonstrate thermal stability, as confirmed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) evaluations. Moreover, the tests for gel content and degree of swelling further illustrate the efficiency of crosslinking in the PU adhesive materials
Cochineal Insects Contribute to Monitoring the Freshness of Cheese
No full textThe application of natural dyes in food safety has gained significant attention due to their biocompatibility and eco-friendliness. This study focuses on the application of carminic acid from cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) as a color sensor for monitoring the freshness of cheese. Carminic acid is sensitive to pH changes, making it an ideal indicator for detecting spoilage in cheese storage caused by microbial activity and acidity fluctuations. The corn starch, chosen as a carrier for carminic acid due to its biodegradability and non-toxicity, was utilized as a robust biomaterial. For this purpose, carminic acid was dissolved in aqueous solution followed by the addition of starch. Lithium chloride was added into the final dispersion, to study the color sensing properties. The synthesized particles were centrifuged, dried in an oven and pressed in tablet forms for the cheese monitoring. FTIR analytical characterization confirmed the stability of carminic acid and various salts within the starch matrix and their responsiveness to pH variations in the range typically observed during cheese spoilage. Spectrocolorimeter tests demonstrated that the tablets successfully detected early spoilage in various cheese samples, with visible color changes correlating to pH thresholds indicative of spoilage onset. The results suggest that carminic acid-loaded starch tablets are a reliable, cost-effective, and consumer-friendly solution for monitoring cheese freshness. This approach highlights the potential of natural dye-based sensors in advancing food safety, providing a practical solution for producers and consumers to ensure high-quality standards in dairy products
Transcriptomic Analysis of EGFR and Downstream Pathway Expression in MCF7 and Healthy Breast Epithelium
No full textIntroduction: Clinical tests utilizing EGFR isoforms as a method of cancer screening have had an unreliable history to date. Our lab is interested in this gene\u27s isoforms and downstream activation. We used an In-silco characterization and assessment of an Invasive Breast Ductal Carcinoma cell line (MCF7) in association with expression patterns of EGFR and associated pathways relative expression.
Purpose: Identify what proteins associated with downstream pathways are up or downregulated in MCF7 compared to the normal breast epithelium.
Methods: RNA-Seq data from publicly available breast adenocarcinoma and normal breast epithelium samples were analyzed using an isoform-level expression pipeline. Reads were aligned with a splice-aware aligner (STAR), followed by transcript assembly and quantification with featurecounts. Differential expression analysis and visualization were performed using Ballgown, allowing transcript-level resolution of EGFR isoforms and pathway-associated genes.
Results: Transcriptomic expressions trended in favor of under-expression, with the log fold change in gene expression of EGFR being nuanced among multiple samples.
Discussion: The breast ductal carcinoma cells show a general trend towards under-expression in the EGFR pathways. However, the expression of EGFR, being comparable to healthy breast epithelium, remains nuanced with increases in CDH2 expression suggesting increased N-Cadherin activity. This suggests that this pathway is not a primary driver in ER+, PR+, HER2- breast cancer. This does not rule out the possibility that isoforms may be elicited in downregulating this response
Effect of Diamine Cross-linker on the Curing Behavior of Eugenol-Based Epoxy Thermoset
No full textWith the increasing need for sustainable and high-performance materials, this research focuses on the development of eugenol-based epoxy thermosets as a renewable alternative to fossil-based polymers. Eugenol, a naturally derived phenolic compound, undergoes a multi-step synthesis process, including functionalization with allyl bromide, thiol-ene reaction, and epoxidation to produce an epoxy resin. This study investigate the effect of diamine cross-linkers on the curing behavior and mechanical properties of the thermoset. The study analyzes different diamines, including EDA (ethylenediamine), BDA (butanediamine) and HDA (hexamethylenediamine) assessing their impact on cross-link density, flexibility, and thermal stability. Thermal curing is applied to achieve a stable polymer network, and various characterization techniques are employed, including FT-IR, 1H NMR, DSC, TGA/DTGA, DMA, tensile testing, and gel fraction measurements. The results indicate that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the cured thermoset ranges from 100 to 110 oC, depending on the diamine used. The thermal degradation temperature (T5%, initial weight loss) is observed to be between 320 oC and 350 oC, demonstrating thermal stability. The tensile strength of the optimized thermoset reaches approximately 7.0 MPa, highlighting its mechanical performance. Additionally, the material exhibits flexibility, enhanced thermomechanical properties, and a well-defined cross-linked structure, making it a candidate for industrial applications in coatings, adhesives, and advanced composites
Kansas Populism: Laying the Groundwork for Progressive Reform
No full textBy the late 1880s, the agricultural boom in Kansas ended, and growing economic insecurity among farmers caused atemporary shakeup in Kansas politics. Aided by fusion with the Democrats, the People\u27s Party emerged as the main opposition to the Republican Party during the 1890s. Kansas Populists were not an ideologically coherent group. Some Populists despised fusion with the Democrats and conceding any ground on policy. Some historians have labeled Kansas Populists as reactionary, citing nativist and antisemitic rhetoric by some in the movement. Despite these ideological differences and conspiratorial rhetoric, the People\u27s Party was largely a progressive movement. Kansas Populists advocated for many of the reforms implemented during the Progressive Era such as the direct election of senators, women\u27s suffrage, and the income tax. Examining Populist policy and rhetoric shows that Kansas populism was not a regressive movement. Instead, Kansas Populism was an inherently progressive movement that sought to curb the excesses of Gilded Age industrialism. Some Populists believed that the best way to do so was through the nationalization of important utilities like water, electricity, and the railroads. The People\u27s Party largely fell apart by 1900. However, many of the causes for which Populists advocated were taken up by progressives in the Democratic and Republican parties in the early twentieth century
Advancing Al-Generated Inoculation Messaging: A Comparative Study of ChatGPT-40, Microsoft Co-Pilot, and Gemini
No full textA 2023 exploratory study examined ChatGPT-4\u27s ability to analyze, adapt, and independently generate inoculation messages through a 10-week training initiative. This initiative assessed whether ChatGPT-4 could identify key structural elements (e.g., forewarnings, preemptive refutations), enhance message features (e.g., linguistic style, length), customize messages for specific audiences, and replicate the inoculation message design process on novel issues. Twenty-four previously published inoculation messages were used to train ChatGPT-4 through various prompting techniques, including sequential, active, iterative, and chain-of-thought prompts. While the Al demonstrated originality in its responses, structural weaknesses were evident, such as difficulty producing clear, accessible language and advanced education-level comprehension requirements. Additionally, ChatGPT-4 struggled to develop explicit forewarnings and limited its messages to two refutations. Open Al was unable to craft threat components with consistency leading Mason and colleagues (2024) to observe that inoculation strategies are more than merely information and transmission, but rather tools for carefully crafted appeals which are psychological arousing in order to generate threat and threat awareness in message recipients, (p. 7). The current investigation attempts to replicate the 2023 study using ChatGPT-4o and expands the focus of inquiry to two additional generative Al platforms -- Microsoft Co-Pilot and Gemini, Findings, discussion, practical significance, and limitations are offered
Enhancing User Experience and Engagement at Pittsburg State
No full textIn this study, we aimed to improve the user experience of the Pittsburg State University (PSU) website by analyzing problem areas that deter prospective and current students. We specifically investigated scholarship application processes, the usability of existing GUS and Classic portals, and the steps needed to access transcripts. Through moderated usability sessions and affinity diagrams, we identified recurring pain points and thematic user frustrations, such as outdated pages in the redesign and insufficient site navigation. We found that while the redesign resolved some issues, it introduced new navigational concerns and did not fully address critical functionality. Using Figma, we developed user flows and redesigned targeted portions of the site, focusing on clearer labeling, streamlined navigation. Our proposals aim to reduce frustration, increase user engagement, and streamline tasks for both new and current PSU community members. We seek to spark discussions on collaborative efforts to continually enhance the website\u27s performance and user satisfaction
Redefining Convenience: A User-Centered Journey for Pizza PittStop
No full textThis research study examines the design process behind a conceptual user-centered food delivery application called Pizza PittStop. This research focuses on efficiency, convenience, and user satisfaction within online food ordering and delivery services. The investigation uses a multi-phase method that consists of user interviews, building an empathy map, and creating a user persona to represent core motivations and pain points. Building on these phases, a user story and journey maps were created to show potential problems, solutions, and opportunities of improvement. This investigation was led with a problem statement to build a hypothesis statement, a clear value proposition, and a goal statement for the Pizza PittStop app. With careful research and consideration, the app\u27s proposed features and offers were established and compared to similar companies and applications. Lastly, the Pizza PittStop designs are ideated through sketches, user flows, and a wireframe prototype created in Figma. This project aims to demonstrate user-based research to make the app more convenient, reliable, and clear during meal ordering experiences. This research experiment presents the importance of evidence-based decision-making and empathetic engagement when creating an application that will provide users\u27 functional and emotional needs in the context of online food ordering habits and delivery methods
User-Centered Design: The Journey for Pizza Pittstop
No full textThe study examines the user-friendly design process behind the proposal for a concept of a pizza restaurant application. By employing a multi-step process, interviews with classmates were arranged to understand the wants and needs of individuals who use a food ordering app. By compiling the information brought together by the interviews, an empathy map was created to identify the most important information. By virtue of the empathy map, a user persona was created to outline the problems and positives individuals experience during the use of a food ordering application. Applying the created persona, a user story was made to bring some personality and backstory to the persona. Journey maps were then created to focus on the processes of the application while associating emotions and creating improvements to those processes. In order to determine a specific overarching goal, the most important problems were identified within the user story and journey map so that a solution could be crafted specifically to solve them. These issues allowed for the crafting of a hypothesis statement to determine the final most important goal. Design solutions were formulated through sketches, user flows, and a wireframe prototype created in Figma. The finished research project was designed to understand the importance of empathy and understanding of individual and group needs to create a cohesive design. This study highlights the need for both empathy and data in designing a platform that meets the practical and emotional needs of the individuals using it