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Measuring the Misplacement of Data from Multidimensional Scaling
No full textMultidimensional scaling (MDS), in which high-dimensional data is projected to a lower dimensional map, is often followed by clustering in the reduced plot. To examine the effect of MDS on clustering, we simulate several data structures and apply clustering methods, including topological data analysis. We first perform clustering using the data in the original, high-dimensional space, then perform MDS to scale the data down to a lower dimension, cluster on this scaled data, and compare differences in the results. We found that MDS can often decrease clustering performance, and is unable to correctly represent data structures with unique shapes or noise. The shape and noise of the data also greatly affect clustering performance. With different data shapes, some clustering methods had a noticeably different performance. Topological data analysis in particular had greater success in clustering data with clear structure
Characterization of Developmentally Downregulated Nfe2l3 in Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Axon Regeneration
No full textRetinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are central nervous system projection neurons essential for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to RGCs, caused by conditions such as glaucoma and traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), may lead to vision loss or blindness, as adult RGCs lack regenerative capacity. This study focuses on Nfe2l3 (Nrf3), a developmentally downregulated transcription factor known to mediate cellular responses to oxidative stress, a key pathological event following optic nerve injury. We hypothesized that overexpressing Nfe2l3 in RGCs would enhance their survival and promote axon regeneration after optic nerve crush (ONC) injury. To test this, we utilized an AAV2 vector to overexpress Nfe2l3 in RGCs and assessed its effects on RGC survival and axon regeneration in vivo. Results showed a significant increase in RGC survival (approximately 20% compared to controls) and robust axon regeneration, with fibers extending around 3 mm beyond the injury site. These findings indicate Nfe2l3’s potential as a therapeutic target for optic nerve repair and treatment of vision loss due to RGC damage
Understanding Human Statistical Learning in Language Acquisition: Insights from Neural Networks
No full textThis project explores how the cognitive mechanisms associated with human statistical learning in language acquisition align with computational processes in three kinds of neural networks: feedforward networks (FFN), simple recurrent networks (SRN), and long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent networks. Prior research in infants has provided evidence of statistical learning in discovering word boundaries within continuous spoken speech. Replicating statistical learning tasks using neural networks could allow for a better understanding of the fundamentals of these parallel processes in our brains and neural networks alike. This project tested the ability of FFNs, SRNs, and LSTMs to make syllable-by-syllable predictions from sequential data in order to determine if the network could accurately attune to word-like structures. Preference for words over part-words and non-words was measured to see if the network could understand transitional probabilities in the same way that human infants can. The results showed that all three networks could perform as well or better than infants on the same word segmentation tasks, where the LSTM was able to achieve the highest proportion better values for both non-word and part-word tasks, followed by the SRN, and finally the FFN. These results suggest that neural networks, specifically the LSTM, develop internal structures that could behave analogously to the cognitive mechanisms behind human statistical learning in human language acquisition. Additionally, they may provide a foundation for continuing work where I will investigate the limits of each network using more complex learning paradigms
A System to Investigate Combinatorial Dosage Sensitivity of X/Y Homologous Genes in Human iPSCs
No full textTurner Syndrome is the result of a mitotic or meiotic error in early embryonic development causing most cells in the individual’s body to contain only one sex chromosome. As a result, many genes on X or Y are present in one copy instead of two, which is problematic for haploinsufficient genes. We hypothesize that genes in the PAR region and X/Y ortholog genes are such haploinsufficient genes. To test this, we employ CRISPRi, a modality that can turn down expression of target genes. To this end, we created guide sequences for our genes of interest and cloned them into plasmids. Next, we combined three of those individual inserts into a single construct using a technique entitled Golden Gate Assembly. Finally, we transposed them into a piggyBac vector which will allow us to introduce our sequences to iPSCs carrying inducible CRISPRi in the future
Operations Research in Civil and Environmental Engineering
No full textThe purpose of this text is introduce fundamental operations research techniques to the civil and/or environmental engineering student, providing a broad background in linear programming, integer programming and network optimization. The material is presented in such a manner so that the student does not need an extensive background in operations research or or linear algebra. Applications include transportation engineering, project management and general civil and environmental engineering applications.https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/open_educational_resource/1000/thumbnail.jp
Reckoning with an Institution’s Past: Challenges and Opportunities in Archival Storytelling
No full textHow can we best tell the story of our institution’s racist past? Two uncoordinated exhibitions about the racist past at a public research university happened in the same month. The first exhibit commemorates the direct action taken by Black and Brown students to challenge structural racism in higher education by sitting in at the library on April 22, 1974. The second highlights a racist incident against Asian American students on December 3, 1987, and its repercussions. Shared from the perspective of someone unfamiliar with archival materials, this presentation will address the challenges of invisibility in the archives and exhibiting a document-based history record. We hope to examine similar incidents and lessons from our organization’s past and understand how it fits as a part of a larger narrative.
In the quest to confront and understand the complex history of racism within educational institutions, libraries play a pivotal role. Archival materials, often silent witnesses to the past, hold the power to tell stories that have long been overshadowed by dominant narratives. This presentation delves into the heart of archival storytelling, examining two uncoordinated exhibitions that brought to light the racist history of a public research university.
The first exhibition commemorates the courageous sit-in by Black and Brown students on April 22, 1974, a direct action that challenged the structural racism ingrained in higher education. The second exhibition casts a spotlight on a harrowing incident against Asian American students on December 3, 1987, exploring its enduring impact. These exhibitions, though separate, share a common thread: the struggle to make visible the invisible stories within the archives.
From the perspective of a novice in archival navigation (a business librarian!), this presentation will confront the challenges of working with archival materials. It will address the invisibility of marginalized communities in historical records and the difficulties in presenting a document-based history. The aim is to not only recount these specific events but to weave them into the larger tapestry of our organization’s history, drawing parallels and contrasts with similar incidents.
Through this examination, we hope to illuminate the broader narrative of racial struggles and triumphs. We will explore how libraries can serve as beacons of truth and reconciliation, using their collections to foster dialogue, understanding, and healing. By reckoning with our past, we pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive future, demonstrating the library’s commitment to catalyzing social change.
This presentation seeks to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the role of libraries in engaging communities of color, advocating for equity, and combating racism. It is a call to action for libraries to harness the power of their archives to tell the whole story of their institution’s past, warts and all, as a step towards a more just society
Development of Vasculature Patterns in a Mouse Model of Supratentorial Ependymoma
No full textSupratentorial Ependymoma (ST-EPN) is a subtype of ependymoma, a primary solid tumor found throughout the nervous system. ST-EPN are most commonly caused by an oncogenic fusion between the zinc finger gene ZFTA and the RELA, and this distinct ependymoma subtype is readily modeled in mice by conditional expression of ZFTA-RELA in radial glial cells. ST-EPN are known to have a distinctive arrangement of tumor cells and vasculature forming pseudo-rosettes in which polarized tumor cells surround blood vessels within the tumors. It is not known how these pseudo-rosettes or the tumor vasculature form and develop in ST-EPN, so in this study we used a mouse model of ST-EPN to track the development of blood vessel growth into ST-EPN like tumors induced in mice. ZFTA-RELA was conditionally expressed in radial glial cells in neonates by postnatal electroporation of Cre-mRNA, and brains were sectioned and analyzed at postnatal days 14(P14), P21, and P30 to assess the formation of ST-EPN tumors and associated vasculature patterns. Results indicate marked changes in tumor vasculature density and area compared to tumor free regions, as well as the formation of tumor rosettes. We conclude that tumor cell vascular patterns typical of human EPN also form in mice, and this should allow for future experiments to explore the mechanisms by which ST-EPN tumor cells increase and alter vasculature growth in the developing brain
Factors Predictive of Postgraduate Residency Placement: A Systematic Review
No full textThis systematic review aimed to identify pharmacy student and school characteristics that are associated with higher postgraduate residency placement. Studies had to be an observational or experimental investigation, analyze pharmacy students and/or pharmacy schools, and report the statistical association, correlation, MV regression, propensity score analysis or matched analysis between a student or school variable with match success. Only studies that utilized multivariate analyses were included. The NewsCastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Form for Cohort studies was used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. Student and school-level factors were then collected and synthesized via full text review. In total, there were 11 included studies. This review was limited by the observational design of the individual studies, the high likelihood of confounding factors, the types and frequency of characteristics explored, and the limited number of pharmacy students and schools analyzed by the included studies. In this study, it was found that the student characteristic of higher GPA, and the pharmacy school characteristics of higher NAPLEX pass rates, public funding, and a curricular program length over three years were associated with higher match rates
An Educational Resource for Particle Identification (PID) in Experimental Particle Physics Data
No full textAlthough particle physics research is typically reserved for advanced undergraduates, algebra-based physics students can readily develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct particle physics research. Despite this, there is a shortage of educational resources that introduce particle physics to algebra-based physics students. This project, Particle Identification Playground, is a collection of Python-based activities that teach students about several fundamental topics in experimental particle physics research. Through these activities, students will learn about the common detectors used in particle physics, how they work, and how we can use these detectors to identify particles. Students are able to interact with 3D models of real particle detectors, use applets to visualize and analyze particle physics data, and create and interpret plots commonly seen in published papers. These activities provide students with the rare opportunity to engage with particle physics research as early as high school
Analyzing the Impact of Implicit Bias in Pharmacy and Healthcare-Related Professions
No full textAmerican healthcare is a broad, complicated field of study and work. Those who work in healthcare may possess or be affected by implicit biases, which complicates matters more. Implicit bias is the unconscious mental tendency to create automatic associations with a particular group of people.1 As such, implicit biases have the potential to become explicit biases in the form of stereotyping, microaggressions, prejudice, and ultimately discrimination. Researchers believe implicit biases may have a biological basis in human brains, and several theories implicate bias in decision-making processes. The implications of bias have promoted researchers to perform many studies about effects on patient care in healthcare-related professions and how it factors into social determinants of health. Understanding the basics of implicit bias allows healthcare workers to fully examine their unconscious attitudes and how those attitudes affect their day-to-day responsibilities