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Assessment of the 3-30-300 Standard in New London, Connecticut: GIS Analysis and Systematic Literature Review on Urban Tree Cover
No full textCecil Konijnendijk’s 3-30-300 standard allows cities to monitor their current urban forestry conditions and progress toward improvement. The standard is met if individuals can see three trees from their home, have 30% canopy cover in their neighborhood, and are within 300 meters of a green space. I conducted a systematic review of relevant literature and an assessment of whether New London, Connecticut meets the standard. My goal was to evaluate the benefits of urban forestry standards, the feasibility of implementation, and whether cities tested adhered. The 30-component of the standard was the most difficult part to meet due to a lack of space in urban settings. Developing progress toward meeting this standard is more important than trying to achieve exact numbers. Urban forestry standards are necessary to allocate green space equally among residents. The high population densities in cities make a standard as high as 3-30-300 difficult to implement. Using an urban forestry standard like 3-30-300 in cities effectively identifies areas of high priority when planting trees and developing green space.
This research aims to assess the feasibility of the 3-30-300 standard in different urban settings. For this, I will i) conduct a systematic literature review to determine whether the standard has been found feasible and ii) evaluate existing conditions relative to the standard at a neighborhood scale in a mid-size city in Connecticut
Teaching Strategies for Twice-Exceptional Students
No full textThis research study investigates effective strategies for supporting twice-exceptional (2e) students, who possess both gifted abilities and a co-occurring disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, or a Specific Learning Disability. Despite a prevalence perhaps as high as 1 in every 50-500 students, many 2e students remain unidentified, and their unique educational needs are often unmet. This study addresses the challenges faced by 2e students, including difficulties in identification due to the masking of giftedness by disability and vice versa, as well as social and emotional issues. Drawing upon existing literature that highlights the necessity of integrated instruction combining gifted and special education services, this research explores practical classroom strategies for cultivating academic strengths, managing cognitive learning processes, and providing social and emotional support. Furthermore, the study examines the importance of collaboration among educators in creating a holistic and strengths-based support system for 2e learners. By focusing on experiential evidence and best practices in the field, this research aims to broaden the understanding of effective interventions and provide guidance for educators and future teacher preparation to serve the complex learning profiles of twice-exceptional students more effectively. Ultimately, this work seeks to bridge the gap between research and practice to ensure that the unique talents and skills of 2e students are recognized and nurtured
Low-Field Magnetoresistance in Nanocomposites of La₀.₇Sr₀.₃MnO₃ and Metal Oxides
No full textPure La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) exhibits colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) with large applied magnetic field over a narrow temperature range (intrinsic behavior), limiting its application to narrow temperature ranges. In contrast, the extrinsic CMR effect originates from inhomogeneities at larger length scales, such as grain boundaries and phase separation, where the structural features act as tunneling barriers, leading to a low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) response, thereby expanding the application of LSMO into the low-field regime over a broader temperature range. In this work, the magnetotransport behavior of pure LSMO thin film is compared to the composite layered heterostructures of LSMO and either TiO2 or MgO, as well as a homogenous composite of LSMO and TiO2 grown on (001)-oriented LaAlO3 substrates. Samples were synthesized via chemical solution deposition and characterized for their structural, microstructural, and magnetotransport properties. Pure LSMO exhibits a ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition at 366 K, which decreases in all TiO2-related nanocomposite films but remains similar for LSMO:MgO film. Magnetoresistance (MR) values were determined via temperature-dependent and field-dependent resistivity measurements. The maximum MR value for LSMO was –20.5% with applied field of 3 T, which shows a sharp peak at the metal-insulator transition (intrinsic behavior). For the LSMO:TiO2 (60:20), LSMO:TiO2 (50:20), LSMO:MgO (50:20), and homogenous LSMO:TiO2 (10:1) nanocomposite films, maximum MR values at 3 T were -9.4%, -21%, -17%, and -30.7%, respectively. Among these composite films, only LSMO:MgO film showed peak MR near the transition temperature (intrinsic), otherwise all TiO2-related nanocomposite films exhibited extrinsic behavior (broader MR peak and non-zero MR at low temperatures). Homogeneous LSMO:TiO2 film showed the largest magnetoresistance among the films studied in this work. These have potential to be used in magnetic sensors and spintronic devices
Fluorescent Labeling and Size-Dependent Uptake of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Ovarian Cancer Tumor Spheroids
No full textOvarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, with most patients presenting at an advanced stage. While surgical debulking improves survival, nonresectable tumors (\u3c1 cm) contribute significantly to morbidity and remain difficult to treat. Nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems offer an innovative approach to targeted therapy and palliation. In vivo models have demonstrated that intraperitoneally delivered mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) preferentially accumulate in tumors with low systemic exposure, enabling targeted chemo- and radiotherapy.
MSNs are particularly suited for radiotherapeutic delivery, as their strong interactions with tumor extracellular matrices drive selective uptake. Additionally, they exhibit excellent stability under neutron flux, allowing for loading with stable isotopes and irradiation immediately prior to administration. High radionuclide retention after dilution further minimizes systemic exposure and toxicity.
A key question remains regarding how MSN size influences tumor accumulation. This study investigates the size-dependent accumulation of MSNs on ovarian cancer tumor spheroids. Five MSN sizes were fluorescently labeled and incubated with cultured spheroids. Post-incubation fluorescence was used to quantify nanoparticle retention, and batch yield data were recorded. Findings provide insight into the impact of particle size on tumor targeting, with potential implications for MSN-based drug delivery in cancer treatment
Reinventing Mathematics Learning: An Exploration of Undergraduate Mathematics Learning Post-Pandemic
No full textIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020 nearly all secondary and undergraduate mathematics students were forced to adapt to new methods of learning and testing. As a result, the current experience for these mathematics students has changed vastly, as have the opinions and preferences of these students in terms of their learning. This study aims to identify instruction and testing resources and methods that students prefer and those that students find less beneficial in their current, post-pandemic educational experience. The past few years have seen a focus on the direct impacts of online learning during the pandemic, however it is now important to focus on the state of education and learning in a post-pandemic society. Because students were introduced to a plethora of new learning and testing resources, some of their learning perceptions and preferences have changed while others have been reinforced. This project aims to examine the positive and negative impacts of implementing these various resources, both in the classroom and for assessments, on student learning in mathematics courses. Findings from this study support the continued growth and adaptation of the educational landscape in undergraduate mathematics learning
Creation of Tandem Mass Spectrometry Library of Synthetic Porphyrins
No full textPorphyrins are essential in biological systems and beyond, with their functions ranging from photosynthesis to conducting electricity. Despite porphyrins\u27 importance, their complexity is difficult to understand and appreciate. Organic laboratories are accumulating vast numbers of porphyrin structures with different properties, yet the variety of porphyrin structures is not captured within reference data. Using mass spectrophotometry, the wealth of information from porphyrins can be harvested. Exploring their chemistry via liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS) allows for improved understanding of porphyrin\u27s overall structure and the differences between variants, ultimately, bridging the gap between porphyrin knowledge and published information. We used LC-MS to collect data on each porphyrin sample to produce a cohesive synthetic porphyrin library. Creating this library allows the public to have unlimited access to porphyrin data. The intent is to create a resource that can be coupled with other applications to help expand overall scientific knowledge. This, hopefully, will allow for each new porphyrin molecule to become detectable in LC-MS experiments and amenable to further exploration. With such information, determining the function of porphyrins within biological systems will be enhanced. In the future, we plan to use our library to determine whether the porphyrin data collected is present within biological systems. Overall, this library allows for advancements within biology by enabling broader discoveries of biological systems and beyond
The Interaction Between Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Body Composition
No full textObjective: Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake and Physical Activity (PA) are important lifestyle factors associated with body composition. This study assessed the combined impact of meeting FV intake and PA recommendations on body composition measures including body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), and waist circumference (WC) in adults aged 20–64 years from diverse backgrounds.
Design: A cross-sectional study conducted in Northeastern Connecticut.
Methods: A total of 124 participants completed a one-week dietary and PA record followed by anthropometric assessments. Participants were categorized into groups based on FV intake (≥400 g/day vs. \u3c 400 g/day) and PA levels (≥600 MET-minutes/week vs. \u3c 600 MET-minutes/week). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare dietary intake, PA levels, and body composition outcomes across groups.
Results: Participants meeting FV recommendations had significantly higher energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake (P\u3c 0.05) but no significant differences in fat intake compared to those not meeting FV guidelines. Trends also showed lower BMI and PBF among participants meeting both FV and PA guidelines although not all reached statistical significance. Meeting both FV and PA guidelines alone was associated with a significantly lower WC than those that just met FV intake (P=0.007).
Conclusions: The interaction between FV intake and PA recommendations was associated with more favorable trends in body composition compared to not meeting guidelines. These findings highlight the importance of combining healthy FV intake with adequate PA to support better body composition outcomes
Curriculum Internationalization: Aligned with Equity and Social Justice? Considerations and Perceptions from International Graduate Students in Canada
No full textEthical Investments: Correcting ERISA’s Misinterpretation
No full textThe market for socially responsible investing—commonly referred to as ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing—is experiencing rapid growth. Yet a crucial question, that could shape this market’s potential to better our world, remains unresolved: can institutional investors consider ESG factors when making investment decisions? These investors hold a significant portion of global corporate equity, currently valued in the trillions of dollars. Consequently, they stand in a unique position from which they can influence the actions of corporations. But institutional investors also manage other people’s money, which binds them to fiduciary duties that govern their investment decision-making. Do these duties prevent institutional investors from considering ESG factors? The Department of Labor attempted to resolve this controversy with a rule published in January of 2023, arguing that fiduciary law, as expressed in the ERISA regulation, does not necessarily exclude investments based on collateral benefits. However, this interpretation has sparked ongoing legal and academic debates. A recent and highly influential scholarly account claims that fiduciary law mandates institutional investors to act solely in the direct financial interest of their clients. As ESG considerations may extend well beyond that, this position significantly limits ESG’s scope. This Article contends that such a narrow interpretation of fiduciary law is fundamentally flawed. Through an analysis of numerous cases as well as private law theories, the Article demonstrates that this restrictive legal stance misreads U.S. Supreme Court decisions and lacks compelling justification. Properly interpreted, fiduciary law does not constrain ethical investments; rather, it can and should support the critical need of our time: funding corporations that contribute to social welfare