1025 research outputs found
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Analysis of Metal Accumulation in Wolf Spiders with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
No full textHigh concentrations of metal contaminants can have detrimental effects on biological systems. Detection of these contaminants within species can provide information about the pattern, source, and pathways of metals as they move through and between food chains. Wolf spiders represent a model indicator for metals since they intersect multiple food chains. They also frequently cannibalize and engage in intraguild predation. These feeding behaviors and the trophic position of spiders as apex arthropod predators, make them more likely to concentrate metals. Spider and soil samples were collected from several coal-impacted sites and a residential area to serve as a non-contaminated reference location all within Pennsylvania. The spiders and soil samples are dried, digested in acid, and then are analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy for a variety of metals. With these results, there will be better insight with heavy metal accumulation in the environments
Lethal and sublethal effects of chronic exposure to insecticide on the wolf spider Tigrosa helluo and Pardosa milvina
No full textImidacloprid and pyrethroid-based insecticides are among the most widely used in the world. The lethal and sublethal effects of chronic exposure to these compounds in spiders are unknown despite their economic and ecological importance in crop systems. We tested imidacloprid and pyrethroid-based exposure over a 31-day period for the wolf spider Tigrosa helluo and a 15-day period for the wolf spider Pardosa milvina. Dosages varied between 0.5-20x. We found significant sex-based differences in behavior and mortality among Tigrosa. Males showed more paralysis and died earlier than females. Both males and females showed impaired prey capture efficiency. Females lost weight then recovered over time. We also found sex-based differences in avoidance of insecticide-treated substrates. Pardosa showed high mortality but no sex-based differences. Given the widespread application of these insecticides within agricultural systems, our results suggest significant negative effects on ground spider populations showing large sex and species differences in sensitivity
Personal Relationships with Lower Level Students
No full textMy study focuses on how my one-on-one relationships with my lower level students in my classroom are going to affect my teaching practice. The students I focus on are those with lower level behaviors and those who struggle academically. Some of the main focuses are letting them know their importance by getting to know their interests- building student relationships, reward systems- the effect it has cues/praise-an an overall outlook on how to best accommodate my teaching their individual needs. These focuses are going to show me how students react differently to different approaches. Some students may love to be praised, while others may not want to be bothered. It is all about trial and error and seeing what is going to work best for their specific needs
Effects of 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) on 3T3-L1 Cell Adipocytes
No full textObesity rates have tripled in the United States since the 1970’s and currently, about 40% of adults living in the U.S are obese. Current methods to combat obesity include dieting and exercise. A stimulant, 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA), was previously used as a dietary supplement to increase weight loss and athletic performance. This experiment was performed to explore the effects of 1,3-dimethylamylamine on lipid metabolism in mature adipocytes developed from 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 cells are mouse preadipocytes that can be converted to mature adipocytes by treatment with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), dexamethasone, and insulin. Mature adipocytes were treated with 0.01 mM and 0.10 mM DMAA for 6 days, and lipid levels were quantified using Oil Red O staining. Preliminary findings suggest that 0.01 mM and 0.10 mM DMAA have little effect on lipolysis of lipids in the mature adipocytes compared to controls. We plan to test higher concentrations of DMAA (0.05 and 0.2 mM) and observe the effects on lipolysis. Learning more about the effects of DMAA on lipolysis at the cellular level may lead to a better understanding of fat tissue development and obesity
An Evaluation of a Low-Cost Sensor to Detect Atmospheric Particle Concentrations
No full textThe field of “citizen science” is a growing movement that gives private non-scientists the ability to collect data on environmental parameters and share that data over a networked system. However, it is impractical to use research-grade equipment for citizen science because of the exceptionally high costs; a common solution is to build low-cost sensors from components ordered online for collecting environmental data, such as atmospheric particulate matter concentrations. This study compares the performance of a low-cost particulate matter sensor to a research-grade sensor. Effectiveness of the low-cost sensor will be determined by analyzing the sensor’s ability to match readings in numbers and trends of particle concentrations versus the research grade equipment; it will also be determined by comparing the readings of three exact copies of the low-cost sensor to check if they produce accurate and precise results over several field tests
Making a Mini-Series
No full textA look into the creative process behind writing and producing a mini-series. This presentation will break down the steps taken to put together a small production and conclude with a sneak peek of the student produced episodes
Singlet oxygen generation by gold nanoparticles: Detection and applications
No full textSinglet oxygen can be generated by photoilluminenscence of Au nanoparticles. The singlet oxygen generated can be monitored indirectly by the absorbance of 9,10-anthracenediyl-bis(methylene) dimalonic acid (ABDA) in water. ABDA reacts irreversibly with singlet oxygen causing a decrease in absorbance at 380nm. Another chemical that can be used to detect singlet oxygen is 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF). DPBF will photobleach at 412nm without nanoparticles in solution, however in the presence of nanoparticles, the photobleaching is more prominent. Ascorbic acid can be used to reverse this reaction by preventing the reaction between singlet oxygen and either ABDA or DPBF. Aggregated nanoparticles have been shown to enhance singlet oxygen generation using KBr or cysteine. Nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes may increase the generation of singlet oxygen, which can be monitored using indirect methods. Singlet oxygen, generated by the excitation of Au nanoparticles, can be used for a variety of medical applications
Quorum Sensing in Centralia, PA
No full textBegun in 1962, the mine fire in Centralia, PA has been producing many noxious gases such a Carbon monoxide and methane along with temperature reaching up to 53.4C. By using the setting of Centralia, PA, through this study I hope to find whether bacteria in extreme environments show differentiation through “communication” based on temperature. The type of communication that will be studied specifically is quorum sensing which uses auto inducers to send messages for biofilm formation, virulence and even antibiotic production within a dense population of bacteria. Through the use of DNA analysis from the samples sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute in 2014, possible genes correlated with quorum sensing were found that can be tested for the sample of 2017. The presence of quorum sensing within the 2017 sample has not be studied to show expression as of yet but the work done so far shows promising correlation for further study
Graffiti Yarn: Politics, Art, and Contemporary Culture
No full textAs demonstrated by scholars like Linda Nochlin and Griselda Pollock, women have typically been excluded from the art history canon. Although female artists have been able to gain more recognition in recent years, many women are exploring alternate paths into the art world. Specifically, yarn bombing serves as a community-driven art form that is easily accessible to women, circumventing the still male-dominated arena of museum art. Finalized products usually speak to political or gender issues because the platform gives women the ability to manipulate public space to generate social change. Knitting and crocheting are typically considered to be feminine and a form of “low” art. Seemingly embracing the stereotype, women working as yarn bombers are reclaiming the notion that knitting is inherently feminine and unlike the art shown in museums. “Graffiti Yarn: Politics, Art, and Contemporary Culture” not only explores the contributions female yarn artists have made to the relatively new movement of “craftivism,” but touches on the work of male knitters, such as Mike Kelley, whose knit blankets and dolls have garnered mainstream success, finding exhibition space in major art museums, unlike his female counterparts. There is still a disparity between male and female artists, even when it comes to traditionally feminine mediums, such as knitting and crocheting. Overall, “Graffiti Yarn” examines how yarn and politics intersect in the story of feminist art
Impact of rhizobia inoculation timing on the expression of plant defense in lima beans.
No full textRhizobia are nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form mutualistic relationships with legumes such as lima beans. This relationship can alter the plant’s intake of resources which may affect the overall growth or possibly the defenses of the plant. One such defense mechanism would be extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). These EFNs produce nectar, which can attract beneficial organisms that prey on herbivores. We were interested in how the timing of rhizobia inoculation would affect the expression of plant defense and hypothesized that there would be a greater impact on plant defense when lima beans were inoculated at earlier stages of the plant’s life. In order to measure plant defenses, the number of EFNs present were used to assess investment in defense. 3 weeks after these inoculations, EFN numbers will be counted. In better understanding the relationships of these three variables, we may be able to find other green ways to protect crops from herbivory