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Internet Jurisdiction and the 21st Century: Zippo, Calder, and the Metaverse
No full textInternet use in the United States continues to increase at a rate that outpaces the legal system. From reliance on outdated precedent, differing long-arm statutes, and emergent technologies, there are unanswered questions of whether existing precedent is sufficient to handle our increasingly borderless society.
Many courts still rely on the Zippo test despite the exponential advancements in how we use the internet in the twenty-five years since the Western District of Pennsylvania developed a framework for this issue. The Supreme Court has continued to avoid directly addressing the issue. In 2014, the Court left decisions on virtual presence to “another day,” and nearly a decade after that decision, there is no indication that this day is coming anytime soon.
The Court’s avoidance of this issue has led to varying interpretations of whether it is appropriate for courts to exercise specific personal jurisdiction over internet conduct. As a result, some circuits believe that the existing tests are sufficient to address internet-based conduct, while others adhere more rigidly to the Zippo framework. By analyzing defamation across different states and the potential impact of the metaverse, this Note articulates the impact that these differing approaches can have on individuals’ access to justice before proposing solutions to the problem
Contribution of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation to Nutrient Adequacy Status in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women
No full textAdequate calcium and vitamin D intake is necessary for proper bone health in peri- and postmenopausal women. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on calcium and vitamin D intakes and adequacy levels in peri- and postmenopausal women. To evaluate this, the current study utilized baseline food records and demographic data from forty-six peri- and early postmenopausal women collected from a 3-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial which aimed to evaluate the effects of blackcurrant supplementation on prevention of bone loss in peri- and postmenopausal women. Significant differences in the data were determined using t-tests, ANOVA, and the McNemar test with significance level P \u3c 0.05. Results showed that supplementation significantly increased calcium and vitamin D intakes and adequacy levels; however, most of the data did not show demographics or health characteristics to be associated with intake levels. Additionally, the greatest food sources of calcium and vitamin D were cheese and milk respectively. Ultimately, the current study found that supplementation greatly improved intake and adequacy status of calcium and vitamin D. Yet the implications of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on bone health are unclear due to inconsistent research findings thus, more research is required to clarify this correlation
Investigating Microbial Metabolism of Garcinia mangostana by the Human Gut Bacterium Clostridium sporogenes
No full textThe human gut microbiome is a burgeoning field of research due to recent recognition of its profound impact on the human hosts’ homeostasis, physiology and metabolism, and disease. Botanical natural products have been utilized for disease prevention and medical treatment since ancient times. Increased consumption of botanical natural products for their health benefits have led researchers to investigate interactions between the gut microbiome and botanical natural products. Garcinia mangostana, also known as mangosteen, is a fruit from Southeast Asia that is known for its health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, and anticancer properties. Its benefits have been linked to bioactive xanthones found in the pericarp of the fruit, with α-mangostin being one of the abundant xanthones. Despite health benefits from α-mangostin, low bioavailability has been reported, likely resulting from first pass metabolism. Due to the low bioavailability of α-mangostin, further research is needed to determine how α-mangostin exerts its effects. The human gut microbiota plays a significant role in the interaction with orally ingested compounds, including those from mangosteen. There is a lack of understanding regarding how mangosteen compounds are metabolized by the human gut microbiome. This project aims to investigate the metabolism and biotransformation of mangosteen metabolites by Clostridium sporogenes, a member of a prominent phyla of gut bacteria. Metabolism of α-mangostin, mangosteen extract, and risperidone by C. sporogenes were confirmed through incubation in an anerobic environment. Results from this experiment can be used to guide future exploration into specific mechanisms of metabolism of gut bacteria
From Hope to Hazard: the Millstone Plant and Nuclear Power in Connecticut
No full textThis thesis explores how the Millstone Nuclear power plant exemplifies the issues within the nuclear industry as a whole. First, the thesis looks into the history of the agencies that regulate and promote the nuclear industry and examines the creation of the current regulatory body, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The lack of oversight of nuclear power due to its technical nature, and the intentional undermining of the regulatory agencies led to the nuclear industry possessing major structural flaws that make regulation ineffective. Next, the thesis discusses why nuclear power came to New England and Connecticut, focusing on the cost benefits and energy structure of the Northeast. Then the thesis focuses specifically on the issues with safety, radiation, and costs within the Millstone power plant, and how those issues connect to broader problems with nuclear regulation. Many of the issues with Millstone are directly related to poor regulatory oversight by the NRC and how the nuclear industry operates. Finally, the thesis concludes that Millstone should be shut down due to its safety problems. Furthermore, it places the issue of shutting down Millstone within the framework of the larger industry, as Millstone’s issues mirror problems within the nuclear industry. It then explores the complex relationship between safety, progress, and decarbonization within the nuclear industry and the reason nuclear energy persists despite the major safety and cost concerns. Decarbonization efforts primarily allow for the continued use of nuclear power
Monitoring PM2.5 Pollution In The North End Of Hartford, CT
No full textParticulate matter (PM) or particle pollution is one of the six criteria air pollutants that can cause harm to human health and the environment; yet, there is a lack of data in many areas of the United States. Particulate matter is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air (EPA). Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular conditions. People who live in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to particulate matter as many urban areas are known to have poor air quality. Our goal is to determine how particulate matter levels in the North End of Hartford, CT impact residents’ pollution exposure using a network of low-cost sensors. First, the team developed programming in MATLAB to process data, which included outlier methodology, eliminating duplicate data and plotting hourly or daily averages. Next, we reached out to community centers and concerned citizens to discuss installing monitors on their property. We then accessed the site, deployed PurpleAir PA-II-SD monitors across North Hartford, CT and collected PM2.5 concentrations data over the course of several months. To communicate our findings to the community, we issue quarterly reports on their PM2.5 pollution exposure. Equipped with concrete data, residents of North Hartford can be informed about their air and be empowered to advocate for improvements in air quality in the area
Assessing Leadership in Business: A Critical Investigation of Steve Ballmer
No full textUnderstanding what makes a good leader is a topic of ongoing interest in the practice of business. Research to-date has distinguished between being a manager and being a leader and also has established a set of principles to consider in assessing leadership. In this thesis, I draw upon principles of leadership, including emotional intelligence; vision creation; inspiring others; leading in good and difficult times; fostering, developing, and recognizing others; and creating a winning culture to offer a critical assessment of Steve Ballmer as a leader within the business arena
A Structured Life Review Intervention to Improve Life Satisfaction in Home Health Service Patients: A Feasibility Study
No full textTwo million older adults in the U.S. suffer with depression. Adults who live with the difficulties of depression concurrently experience dissatisfaction with life. Life review is a systematic recollection of past events. Dr. Robert Butler postulated that, as the elderly and those with terminal illness approach the end of their lives, there is a resurgence of life experiences in the conscience (1963). A successful life review conducted by an active listener assists the individual to process unresolved conflicts and attain ego-integrity in the final stage of life. Home health services have become an increasingly accepted option for managing chronic illnesses in older adults because it allows care to be provided in the most comfortable environment for patients. In employing the use of a four-session Structured Life Review (SLR) intervention, the research team aimed to test the feasibility of this intervention on patients receiving at-home care. A one-group pre/post-test design was used to conduct this study. A convenience sample of fourteen adults were recruited from the Middlesex Health Care at Home program with four adults completing the intervention. The participants reported satisfaction with the intervention and learned about their resilience through this experience. Recruitment was difficult and strategies should be improved for future research studies. The findings of this study show that this structured life review intervention is feasible and enjoyable for the homecare population. Recruitment and retention strategies for future studies will be presented
Assessing the effects of Pergolide on the motivational aspects of depression in rats using operant conditioning
No full textPergolide is an ergot derivative dopamine agonist which acts on the dopamine D2 and D3, alpha2- and alpha1-adrenergic, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. It was previously used as a treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but was taken off of the market as a result of causing increased risk of heart disease. As a dopamine agonist, pergolide stimulates D2 receptors, which are associated with improvement of symptoms of movement disorders. This link exists because the highest concentration of D2 receptors in the brain is in the basal ganglia, which is involved in motor control. Given the connection between pergolide, dopamine, and motor function, this paper analyzes the effects of pergolide on motivation related to depression. Individuals who have been diagnosed with depression show decreased locomotion, which is correlated with the severity of the depression. The symptoms associated with depression of lethargy and low motivation can be modeled in rats using the vesicular monoamine transporter inhibitor tetrabenazine (TBZ), which depletes dopamine. It has been shown that dopamine transport blockers such as bupropion and GBR12909 can reverse the effects of TBZ in rats, but this study will investigate the effects of a dopamine receptor agonist on motivation. Using an FR-5 fixed- ratio/chow feeding choice task, laboratory rats are given the option of choosing to either press the lever and receive a preferred high carbohydrate pellet or approach and consume the less preferred lab chow provided concurrently in the operant conditioning box. TBZ reduces selection of lever pressing, and it was hypothesized that treatment with pergolide would reverse the effects of TBZ and increase lever pressing in the effort-related choice task
How Masculinity Beliefs Impact LGBTQIA+ Relationships
No full textThis research study looked at the masculinity beliefs of individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community and whether they were associated with participants’ relationship satisfaction. 85 participants completed questions from the Male Role Norms Inventory-Revised (MRNI-R) to determine their masculinity beliefs and the Couples Satisfaction Index (16-item version) to measure relationship satisfaction. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analysis. Our research hypotheses were that LGBTQIA+ individuals will have a low MRNI-R score (indicating less traditional masculinity beliefs) and that a lower score on the MRNI-R would correlate with higher relationship satisfaction. Our hypotheses were partially supported. Participants did score quite low on the MRNI-R. However, the correlation between masculinity beliefs and relationship satisfaction indicated that they were not correlated. We then divided up the participants into categories to look for differences in masculinity beliefs across genders and sexualities. Results indicated a difference in masculinity beliefs amongst different genders, but no significant difference in masculinity beliefs amongst different sexual orientations