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What To Do in a Polis of Falsities: An examination of ethical duties to governments supported by half-truths and lies
No full textWe do not usually think about a government’s role in our pursuit of truth until we have been lied to by a government. In such cases, there is usually much hostility towards the government that lies, which can inspire election shifts, constitutional changes, and even mass revolutions. My paper will address the role of a government in our pursuit of truth and ask what our ethical duties are to governments that willfully lie to its citizens. Aristotle’s analysis in his Politics provides a foundation for my research of this question. Aristotle presents a government as a facilitator of virtuous lives for its citizens. Relying on this groundwork, Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism and Soviet era literature show that a government cannot be the proprietor of truth, but that it must create an environment in which the citizens know that truth exists and can freely pursue it. When a government does lie, as historical examples in Czechoslovakia and Poland demonstrate, our duties to a lying government do not diminish nor do they increase. Instead, our duties take on greater gravity, for it must be the people’s responsibility to take up the role of creating an environment to pursue truth and practice virtue when the government has shirked this responsibility. These insights can help us in our current political environment to foster a society which protects the capacity to seek truth and builds the virtue to do so
Effects of Hawthorn and Epicatechin on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, and Metabolic Rate in Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni
Full text linkHawthorn extract is a homeopathic substance advertised to lower hypertension, heart rate, and metabolic rate in humans. The suspected active ingredient is an oligomeric procyanidin called epicatechin which is thought to stimulate the release of nitric oxide to increase vasodilation and oxygen diffusion to the muscles. In this study, nine Mississippi map turtles will be divided into three groups: a control group (physiological saline injection), a hawthorn experimental group (500 mg/kg hawthorn extract injection), and the epicatechin experimental group (32.58 mg/kg epicatechin powder in physiological saline injection). The turtles will receive injections every other day over the course of four weeks. Metabolic rate, heart rate, and blood pressure will be measured before starting the injections, at the end of week two, and at the end of week four. A FMS field metabolic system will be used to assess the turtles’ standard metabolic rate at 25oC and a BIOPAC unit with electrode leads and a pulse transducer will provide electrocardiograms (ECG) and photoplethysmography (PPG). F-tests and T-tests will be used to determine if there are differences between the control and experimental groups. We hypothesize that there will be a statistically significant lowering of the metabolic rate, blood pressure, and heart rate of the experimental groups compared to those of the control group, and that the epicatechin powder will have a similar effect on cardiac function and metabolic rate to that of the hawthorn extract
The Effects of Chronic Nicotine Exposure on Skeletal Muscle Function in Lithobates pipiens
Full text linkNicotine influences skeletal muscle by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the neuromuscular junction. At these receptors, nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, initiating depolarization of muscle fibers. This depolarization activates voltage-gated calcium channels, followed by the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Once released, calcium binds to regulatory proteins and initiates the actin-myosin interactions that cause muscle contractions. Relaxation occurs when calcium pumps begin to move the ions back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Chronic exposure to nicotine has been shown to desensitize muscles by disrupting their baseline membrane potential. In this study, groups of leopard frogs will be separated into control (no nicotine), medium, and high nicotine exposure groups for 3 weeks. Dosages will be determined by percentage change in metabolic rate, with a 3-6% change for medium dose and a 6-12% change for high dose. To administer the nicotine, the leopard frogs will have 1 mL of control or nicotine solution applied to their seat patch daily. The seat patch is an area of highly vascularized skin that is particularly absorptive. Following exposure, direct muscle stimulation using a force transducer and BIOPAC software will be used to assess both the change between electrical threshold and maximal muscle response as well as the time taken to reach complete muscle fatigue. It is expected that the chronic exposure to nicotine will negatively affect threshold and maximal response, as well as decrease the time taken to reach muscle fatigue
Locke and Lucretius on the Dangers of Dogmatism
No full textDogmatic beliefs are that which are taken to be true even in the presence of contrarian evidence or opinions. These forms of faith are particularly prevalent in religious institutions of all kinds. However, regardless of any good intentions, the successful spread of such beliefs frequently lead to the inhibition of human progress. John Locke and Lucretius represent two very different eras of Western Philosophy, yet both spend a great deal of effort discussing the institutions and use of dogmatic belief systems, particularly of religion. Lucretius’ On the Nature of the Universe discusses alternative explanations for all kinds of natural phenomena without the use of divine intervention. He does this while criticizing the effects of dogmatic faith stifling the power of reason and invention through the exploitation of fear. John Locke, in the time of Christianity, focuses on how convenience and passivity lead to the spread of dogmatism in his An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Going further, he shows how the forceful or political spread of divine truth inevitably leads to conflict. In his A Letter on Toleration, a society with free practice of religion is advocated for in order to circumvent the negative consequences of clashing between perfectly rigid positions. My presentation will explore how Lucretius and Locke demonstrate the pertinence and negative consequences of the propagation of dogmatic frameworks. Their critiques remain important for the navigation of our world philosophically and politically
The Effects of Rhodiola rosea on SerTand 5-HT2BGene Expression and Anxiety-Related Behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster
Full text linkRhodiola rosea is a homeopathic supplement that is proposed to enhance resilience to stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. While the use of homeopathic supplements like Rhodiola rosea has grown in popularity, their safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action remain poorly understood due to lack of oversight by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previous research has highlighted a correlation between R. rosea and serotonin pathways, providing a possible anxiety management option for the 19.1% of adults in the U.S. who suffer from anxiety disorders (NIH, 2017). This study aimed to explore the effects of R. rosea on expression of the SerT and 5-HT2B genes, which are involved in serotonin transport, along with anxiety-related behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. We hypothesized that D. melanogaster treated with R. rosea would have increased SerT and 5-HT2B expression and would exhibit reduced anxiety-like behaviors, including increased locomotion, wall climbing, and socialization. To test this hypothesis, flies were randomly assigned to either a control group under standard conditions or a treatment group cultured in the presence of R. rosea. Both groups were exposed to stressful conditions via exposure to a 20hr-4hr light-dark cycle. To determine the effects of R. rosea on D. melanogaster, gene expression was measured using RT-qPCR for SerT and 5-HT2B, and behavior was observed using RING, wall-following, and socialization assays. The results of this study showed that R. rosea treatment in D. melanogaster neither impacted expression of SerT and 5-HT2B, nor improved performance in the anxiety-related behavioral assays
Paleoclimate and Hydrology Reconstructed from Multiple Sediment Cores from Lake Helena
No full textSRF poster. Abstract only.Lake Helena was created when the Holter Dam was built across the Missouri River in 1911. Prior to that, the lowest part of the valley was likely a dynamic wetland environment responsive to climate change and precipitation in particular. Sediment cores containing the ~8000 yr-old Mazama Ash indicate that the lake sediments host a record of Holocene paleoecology and hydrology. While there are numerous paleoclimate records from around Montana, few are located near the mountain-prairie ecotone. We aim to discover if a series of lake sediment cores, obtained along a depth transect from the edge of Lake Helena can be correlated with each other and provide a record of climate and hydrological change through the Holocene.
From previous cores, we have completed a charcoal record of fluctuating fire regimes as well as preliminary assessments of macrofossil and diatoms stratigraphy. Using new cores obtained in 2025, we will perform similar analyses of charcoal, macrofossils, and diatoms. Radiocarbon dating will allow us to determine if records such as fire frequency and shifts in plant communities are correlative between multiple cores along the transect. Particular attention will be paid to the macrofossil record in the core. A reference library of present-day plants (seeds, flowers, stems), growing along topographic moisture gradients, was collected in fall of 2024. This collection will assist us with identification and interpretation of the plant macrofossils preserved in the cores. Ongoing analyses of diatoms, sediments, and mineralogy provide supplementary records to aid in our paleoclimate reconstruction of the Helena Valley
Photoinitiated Site-Specific Drug Release
No full textPhotoinitiated site-specific drug release is the process of encapsulating pharmaceutical compounds in a lipid-membrane vesicle and then exposing the vesicles to light. Upon exposure to 410 nm light, the vesicle ruptures and releases the drugs in a localized area. Chemotherapy is an effective yet toxic treatment for many cancers because of the treatment’s inability to target a select area. The purpose of this research is to use photoinitiated drug release as an alternative treatment solution that would prevent medication toxicity. The vesicle lipid membranes are composed of 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-PC (DMPC) and Spiropyran, a light-sensitive molecule. When excited, Spiropyran changes its chemical structure to a larger molecule, which disrupts the membrane structure, resulting in vesicle lysis. A chemiluminescent reaction was used to quantify the effectiveness of vesicle containment. Luminol and hydrogen peroxide react to produce a blue glow that is absorbed at approximately 540 nm; Tracker Analysis and Modeling Tool was used to quantify the chemiluminescent reaction. This research demonstrates that DMPC-Spiropyran membrane vesicles have the potential to be used in photoinitiated drug release
H.A.C.F. Endowment Process Improvement
Full text linkThe Helena Area Community Foundation (HACF) plays an important role in supporting local initiatives through its endowment funds. However, opportunities exist to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their endowment process. Our goal is to find those key aspects using the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) Methodology. The application of this methodology will allow us to identify and address these inefficiencies in HACF’s current system. By evaluating the endowment data, gathering stakeholder input, and utilizing the Six Sigma analysis, we will improve operational efficiency and ensure a better process for HACF
Synthesis of Spiropyran for Light-Induced Vesicle Lysing
Full text linkPhotoinitiated site-specific drug release is a new frontier of research with significant implications for therapeutic applications. An area of research that has become increasingly central is the development of vesicles that selectively release their contents upon light activation. The membranes of these vesicles are a key focus of this research. To enable site-specific release, the membranes can be designed to incorporate photoinitiated compounds that induce membrane lysis in response to specific light wavelengths. One such compound is spiropyran, which undergoes a ring-opening reaction upon exposure to intense 400 nm light, converting it into merocyanine and causing a transition from a non-polar to a polar state. This structural alteration disrupts the membrane integrity, resulting in vesicle lysis and facilitating site-specific drug release. This research focuses on the successful synthesis of spiropyran, which was confirmed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis and validated by demonstrating its ability to undergo a photo-initiated ring opening
Relations Between Screen Time and Cognitive Function and Well-Being
Full text linkSmartphone use has become increasingly prevalent and rapidly expanding (Elsheikh et al., 2024). The vast majority of Americans, about 98%, now own a cellphone of some kind (Sidoti, 2024). About 91% own a smartphone, up from just 35% in 2011 (Sidoti, 2024). Despite extensive research on the psychological impacts of technology, many nuanced dynamics of problematic smartphone use remain unexplored (Zhao et al., 2024). As smartphone use continues to increase, it becomes increasingly more important to understand the effects on personal productivity and well-being. This study will examine associations between social media screen time and inhibition, working memory, and anxiety and depression. Carroll College students will complete the Stroop task (Stroop, 1935), where participants are presented with various color words presented in different font colors and asked to name the color of the font while ignoring the word itself, to assess inhibition, and an operation span task (Humpstone, 1919), where participants are presented with a number of digits and asked to remember as many as they can in the correct order, to assess working memory via PsyToolKit (Stoet, 2010; 2017). Participants will also complete self-report measures of anxiety and depression. Participants will self-report general screen time use and provide objective data from their phone’s screen time measurements. It is anticipated that high levels of screen time negatively correlate with inhibition and working memory and positively correlate with anxiety and depression