NYCSEA

Abstract: The study of well-being has become increasingly important in society during the past few decades, especially after the COVID-19 Pandemic. While exploration of the different features of individual well-being has grown substantially, research has lagged in comprehending trends of global-scale well-being. This paper aims to delve deeper into the properties that make up global well-being and to track the indicators that yield the greatest influence on a nation’s quality of life. Such findings could help guide government policies for the improvement of public life and provide a more abstract understanding of measuring general well-being. To conduct this analysis of 183 countries, I compiled seven socioeconomic indicators from the United Nations Human Development Programme and The World Bank, and I chose the Human Development Index (HDI) to represent the well-being of each country. I utilized the Python language to deploy multivariate Linear Regression models to analyze the extent to which each indicator influences the HDI of a country, and I validated the observed relationships using regression slope t-tests, Mean Test Error, and R-squared. This study found that the College Enrollment and Control of Corruption indicators demonstrated a universal positive correlation to HDI, regardless of developmental or regional differences in countries, while the other chosen indicators varied in influence from region to region. Governments of developing countries could use the detailed impacts of each indicator to properly allocate funds to improve the necessary socioeconomic aspects of their societies.

References

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5. United Nations Development Programme, What is Human Development, Accessed 2024. Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org/about/human-development.

6. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, "Health at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators," OECD Publishing Paris 2021, 2021. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787 /ae3016b9-en.

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8. W. Chen, "How Education Enhances Happiness: Comparison of Mediating Factors in Four East Asian Countries," Social Indicators Research, vol. 106, no. 1, pp. 117-31, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41409378.

9. A. Ferrer-i-Carbonell, "Income and well-being: an Empirical Analysis of the Comparison Income Effect,” Journal of Public Economics, vol. 89, Issues 5-6, pp. 997-1019, 2005. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2004.06.003.

10. C. Woo, "Good Governance and Happiness: Does Technical Quality of Governance Lead to Happiness Universally in Both Rich and Poor Countries," Journal of International and Area Studies, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 37-56, 2018. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/26485929.

11. F. Ohtake, "Unemployment and Happiness," Japan Labor Review, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 59-74, 2012.

12. J. Ha, M. Ayhan Kose, and F. Ohnsorge. "Inflation in Emerging and Developing Economies; Evolution, Drivers and Policies," The World Bank Group, 2019.

13. J. F. Helliwell, R. Layard, J. Sachs, and J. De Neve. "World Happiness Report 2021," Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2021.

Abstract: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems have been proposed as a method to mitigate excessive pesticide misuse. While prior research has extensively confirmed the efficacy of individual IPM-related solutions, three major issues have prevented sustainable policies from being adopted: a lack of field studies, policy development, and agricultural communication with the public. This study investigates the latter issue, concerning Suffolk County, NY, which was chosen due to its agricultural economy. Data was collected using a survey-based needs assessment distributed across Suffolk County, asking participants about their current agricultural perceptions, stance on different news mediums, and awareness of IPMs. The results show that 35 of the 48 respondents reported no prior awareness of what IPM systems were, indicating ineffective communication on the topic. These findings indicate a need for improvements to the agricultural news efforts in Suffolk County, although similar research across other locations is insufficient for further generalization of this research.

References

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18. Zharkov, D., Nizamutdinov, T., Dubovikoff, D., & Abakumov, E. (2023). “Navigating Agricultural Expansion in Harsh Conditions in Russia: Balancing Development with Insect Protection in the Era of Pesticides.” MDPI: Insects. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060557

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23. Erbaugh, M., Kibwika, P., & Donnermeyer, J. (2007). “Assessing Extension Agent Knowledge and Training Needs to Improve IPM Dissemination in Uganda.” Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.5191/jiaee.2007.14105

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27. Ogutu, F., Muriithi, B. W., & Mshenga, P. M. (2022). “Agro-Dealers’ Knowledge, Perception, and Willingness to Stock a Fungal-Based Biopesticide (ICIPE 20) for Management of Tuta absoluta in Kenya.” ProQuest, 12(2), 180. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020180

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34. Strömbäck, J., Tsfati, Y., Boomgaarden, H., Damstra, A., Lindgren, E., Vliegenthart, R., & Lindholm, T. (2020). “News Media Trust and Its Impact on Media use: toward a Framework for Future Research.” Annals of the International Communication Association, 44(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2020.1755338

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Abstract: This research examines Taiwan's 2017 Indigenous Languages Development Act from two perspectives: as a decolonial intervention and as an ongoing negotiation between policy and practice. The study uses linguistic anthropology and decolonial theory to examine how the Act fights against indigenous language suppression, which occurred during two colonial periods under Japanese rule (1895–1945) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Mandarinization (1945–1987). The three main obstacles to language revitalization include unequal resource distribution and dialectical hierarchies, and intergenerational knowledge gaps. The research shows that the Act provides essential symbolic value and financial support yet its centralized approach maintains colonial power structures. The research supports that complete decolonization needs a complete change of authority which should transfer decision-making authority to Indigenous institutions. The implementation of this change would make Taiwan's language preservation initiatives match international standards for developing self-sustaining community-based language protection initiatives.

Studies show that laws face major obstacles in practice. The Act established Indigenous languages as national languages and increased funding for immersion schools and media programs. However, core barriers remain. Three structural problems block progress: the resource system favors urban areas over remote regions; standardized dialects are prioritized over local ones; and knowledge gaps separate fluent elders from certified teachers. The implementation of policies to fight linguistic colonialism ends up sustaining its core principles because they focus on administrative efficiency instead of respecting community knowledge systems.

The research further reveals that authentic revitalization needs three fundamental changes which include (1) redistributing linguistic authority and power and (2) adopting dialectal pluralism instead of standardization and (3) establishing relational sovereignty that enables Indigenous communities to direct state institutional priorities. The research delivers vital knowledge for worldwide decolonization efforts because it shows that successful language policies need continuous management of power dynamics to prevent the creation of new colonial systems.

References

1. Council of Indigenous Peoples. (2017). Indigenous Languages Development Act. Taipei: CIP.
2. Hinton, L., Huss, L., & Roche, G. (2018). The Routledge handbook of language revitalization. Routledge.
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11. Yeh, C. (2020). Dialectal variation and Indigenous language revitalization in Taiwan. Oceanic Linguistics, 59(1), 89–115.

Abstract: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are adaptive immune cells that play a significant role in engulfing mutated cells in the body's antitumor response. However, due to a lack of TIL analysis softwares, oncologists have not yet identified whether TILs are a viable prognostic biomarker for cancers. They instead have continued to create prognoses based on the obsolete method of measuring the depth of a patient’s cancer. Thus, this novel In Silico study analyzed the impact of varying TIL concentrations on the clinical outcomes of melanoma patients using open-source digital image analysis (DIA) software. I utilized the tumor images and clinical data of 48 melanoma patients, as melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, impacting 57,000 people annually, for data analyses. Using cell classification features with novel classification code and Qupath DIA software, I examined the concentrations of TILs, in the context of tumor cells and stroma, of each melanoma patient. I found that patients with high TIL concentrations had a significantly higher mean disease-free survival rate of 100% compared to the 50% mean disease-free survival rate of patients with low TIL concentrations (p<0.05). Additionally, patients who had one or more melanoma recurrence had significantly lower TIL concentrations than those who did not (p<0.005). These novel results suggest that TILs are highly prognostic of melanoma patients’ clinical outcomes and may be utilized in a melanoma treatment administration framework. Future research may expand on this study by exploring which specific TILs have the greatest prognostic significance.

References

1. Acs, B., Ahmed, F. S., Gupta, S., Wong, P. F., Gartrell, R. D., Sarin Pradhan, J., Rizk, E. M., Gould Rothberg, B., Saenger, Y. M., & Rimm, D. L. (2019). An open source automated tumor infiltrating lymphocyte algorithm for prognosis in melanoma. Nature communications, 10(1), 5440. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13043-2

2. Huang, H., Nie, C. P., Liu, X. F., Song, B., Yue, J. H., Xu, J. X., He, J., Li, K., Feng, Y. L., Wan, T., Zheng, M., Zhang, Y. N., Ye, W. J., Li, J. D., Li, Y. F., Li, J. Y., Cao, X. P., Liu, Z. M., Zhang, X. S., Liu, Q., Li, J. (2022). Phase I study of adjuvant immunotherapy with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in locally advanced cervical cancer. The Journal of clinical investigation, 132(15), e157726. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI157726\

3. Hu, B., Sun, M., Wang, Z., Zheng, Y., Cai, W., Shi, H. H., Zhuang, Y., & Lin, Q. (2020). Prognostic Value of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Expression in Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Viral Load in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Oxford Academic, 66(9), 1219–1227. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaa170Bonilla, F. A., & Oettgen, H. C. (2010). Adaptive immunity. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 125(2 Suppl 2), S33–S40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.017

4. Maibach, F., Sadozai, H., Seyed Jafari, S. M., Hunger, R. E., & Schenk, M. (2020). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and their prognostic value in cutaneous melanoma. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 2105. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.02105

5. Paijens, S. T., Vledder, A., de Bruyn, M., & Nijman, H. W. (2021). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the immunotherapy era. Pharmacol Ther., 221(4), 107753. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-020-00565-9

6. Engelhard, V., Conejo-Garcia, J. R., Ahmed, R., Nelson, B. H., Willard-Gallo, K., Bruno, T. C., & Fridman, W. H. (2021). B cells and cancer. Cancer Cell, 39(10), 1293–1296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2021.09.007

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8. Sheth, M., & Ko, J. (2021). Exploring the relationship between Overall Survival (OS), Progression free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in patients with advanced melanoma. Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, 26, 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctarc.2020.100272

9. Xiao, Y., & Yu, D. (2021). Tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic target in cancer.Nature communications, 13(4), 203-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107753

10. Suzuki, H., Kawasaki, Y., Miura, M., Hatakeyama, H., Shina, K., Suzuki, S., Yamada, T., Suzuki, M., Ito, A., & Omori, Y. (2022). Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes are prognostic factors and can be markers of sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP, 23(4), 1271–1278. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.4.1271\

11. Stevanović, S., Helman, S. R., Wunderlich, J. R., Langhan, M. M., Doran, S. L., Kwong, M. L. M., Somerville, R. P. T., Klebanoff, C. A., Kammula, U. S., Sherry, R. M., Yang, J. C., Rosenberg, S. A., & Hinrichs, C. S. (2019). A phase II study of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy for human papillomavirus-associated epithelial cancers. Clinical Cancer Research : An Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, 25(5), 1486–1493. https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-2722

12. Chesney, J., Lewis, K. D., Kluger, H., Hamid, O., Whitman, E., Thomas, S., Wermke, M., Cusnir, M., Domingo-Musibay, E., Phan, G. Q., Kirkwood, J. M., Hassel, J. C., Orloff, M., Larkin, J., Weber, J., Furness, A. J. S., Khushalani, N. I., Medina, T., Egger, M. E., Graf Finckenstein, F., Sarnaik, A. (2022). Efficacy and safety of lifileucel, a one-time autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy, in patients with advanced melanoma after progression on immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies: Pooled analysis of consecutive cohorts of the C-144-01 study. Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer, 10(12), e005755. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2022-005755

13. Abe, N., Matsumoto, H., Takamatsu, R., Tamaki, K., Takigami, N., Uehara, K., Kamada, Y., Tamaki, N., Motonari, T., Unesoko, M., Nakada, N., Zaha, H., & Yoshimi, N. (2020). Quantitative digital image analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in HER2-positive breast cancer. Virchows, 476(5), 701–709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-019-02730-6

14. Gao, F., Xie, K., Xiang, Q., Qin, Y., Chen, P., Wan, H., Deng, Y., Huang, J., & Wu, H. (2021). The density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and prognosis in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A two-phase study. Aging, 13(7), 9665–9678. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.202710

15. Koelzer, V. H., Gisler, A., Hanhart, J. C., Griss, J., Wagner, S. N., Willi, N., Cathomas, G., Sachs, M., Kempf, W., Thommen, D. S., & Mertz, K. D. (2018). Digital image analysis improves precision of PD-L1 scoring in cutaneous melanoma. Histopathology, 73(3), 397–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/his.13528

16. Grinberg-Bleyer, Y., Caron, R., Seeley, J. J., De Silva, N. S., Schindler, C. W., Hayden, M. S., Klein, U., & Ghosh, S. (2018). The Alternative NF-κB Pathway in Regulatory T Cell Homeostasis and Suppressive Function. The Journal of Immunology, 200(7), 2362–2371. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.1800042

17. Disis M. L. (2010). Immune regulation of cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 28(29), 4531–4538. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2009.27.2146

18. Creelan, B. C., Wang, C., Teer, J. K., Toloza, E. M., Yao, J., Kim, S., Landin, A. M., Mullinax, J. E., Saller, J. J., Saltos, A. N., Noyes, D. R., Montoya, L. B., Curry, W., Pilon-Thomas, S. A., Chiappori, A. A., Tanvetyanon, T., Kaye, F. J., Thompson, Z. J., Yoder, S. J., Fang, B., Antonia, S. J. (2021). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte treatment for anti-PD-1-resistant metastatic lung cancer: a phase 1 trial. Nature Medicine, 27(8), 1410–1418. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01462-y

19. Sambi, M., Bagheri, L., & Szewczuk, M. R. (2019). Current Challenges in Cancer Immunotherapy: Multimodal Approaches to Improve Efficacy and Patient Response Rates. Journal of oncology, 2019, 4508794. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4508794

20. Sun, L., Wang, X., Saredy, J., Yuan, Z., Yang, X., & Wang, H. (2020). Innate-adaptive immunity interplay and redox regulation in immune response. Redox Biology, 37, 101759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2020.101759

21. Vesely, M. D., Kershaw, M. H., Schreiber, R. D., & Smyth, M. J. (2011). Natural innate and adaptive immunity to cancer. Annual Review of Immunology, 29, 235–271. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-immunol-031210-101324

22. Wolchok, J. D., Chiarion-Sileni, V., Gonzalez, R., Grob, J. J., Rutkowski, P., Lao, C. D., Cowey, C. L., Schadendorf, D., Wagstaff, J., Dummer, R., Ferrucci, P. F., Smylie, M., Butler, M. O., Hill, A., Márquez-Rodas, I., Haanen, J. B. A. G., Guidoboni, M., Maio, M., Schöffski, P., Carlino, M. S.,  Hodi, F. S. (2022). Long-term outcomes with nivolumab plus ipilimumab or nivolumab alone versus ipilimumab in patients with ]advanced melanoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, 40(2), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.21.02229

23. Kristan, M. M., Toro-Tobon, D., Francis, N., Desale, S., Bikas, A., Jonklaas, J., & Goyal, R. M. (2022). Immunotherapy-associated hypothyroidism: comparison of the pre-existing with de-novo hypothyroidism. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 798253. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.798253

Abstract: Gel polymer electrolytes (GPE) have attracted the attention of researchers over the last decade. Combining the merits of solid- and liquid-state electrolytes, GPEs reduce the risk of leakage and flammability, while offering higher ion mobility and conductivity than solid electrolytes. In particular, organogels, while not as well-researched as hydrogels, have superior electrochemical stability, operating voltage windows, and versatility, though to the detriment of cost, electrical conductivity, and environmental impact. This paper proposes a novel non-aqueous gel polymer electrolyte made from PVP, glycols, and non-lithium chloride salts that hopes to resolve the drawbacks of organogels and lithium-ion electrolytes without compromising performance. PVP was added to salt-glycol solutions, mixed, left to form a gel, and tested with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to determine the conductivity, capacitance, and activation energy. A drip test was also used to qualitatively assess the viscosity of the gels. The GPEs demonstrated comparable conductive and capacitive features to hydrogels (up to 0.53 mS/cm and 2.9 nF at 25°C) and activation energies as low as 0.30 eV, while enjoying the benefits of having an organic solvent: being nontoxic, sustainable, relatively low-cost, and thermally and electrochemically stable. With these properties, the gels are open to a wide range of applications, most suitably in capacitors for high-density energy storage in flexible, wearable electronics and as safer alternatives to lithium-ion devices.

References

[1] M. Hahn, O. Barbieri, J. C. Sauter, and R. Koetz, “Measurement And Estimation Of Supercapacitor Life Time,” Paul Scherrer Institut Scientific Report 2004, vol. 5, p. 121, 2004.

[2] M. M. Amaral, R. Venâncio, A. C. Peterlevitz, and H. Zanin, “Recent advances on quasi-solid-state electrolytes for supercapacitors,” Journal of Energy Chemistry/Journal of Energy Chemistry, vol. 67, pp. 697–717, Apr. 2022. 

[3] W. Chae, B. Kim, W. S. Ryoo, and T. Earmme, “A brief review of gel polymer electrolytes using in situ polymerization for lithium-ion polymer batteries,” Polymers, vol. 15, no. 4, p. 803, Feb. 2023. 

[4] M. Wang, J. Hu, and M. D. Dickey, “Tough Ionogels: Synthesis, Toughening Mechanisms, and Mechanical Properties─A Perspective,” JACS Au, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. 2645–2657, Nov. 2022. 

[5] M. A. Kuzina, D. D. Kartsev, A. V. Stratonovich, and P. A. Levkin, “Organogels versus Hydrogels: Advantages, Challenges, and Applications,” Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 33, no. 27, Apr. 2023. 

[6] Y. Wang, R. Chen, T. Chen, H. Lv, G. Zhu, L. Ma, C. Wang, Z. Jin, and J. Liu, “Emerging non-lithium ion batteries,” Energy Storage Materials, vol. 4, pp. 103–129, Jul. 2016. 

[7] E. L. Smith, A. P. Abbott, and K. S. Ryder, “Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) and their applications,” Chemical Reviews, vol. 114, no. 21, pp. 11060–11082, Oct. 2014. 

[8] S. S. Sekhon, “Conductivity behaviour of polymer gel electrolytes: Role of polymer,” Bulletin of Materials Science/Bulletin of Materials Science, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 321–328, Apr. 2003. 

[9] F. Barzegar, J. K. Dangbegnon, A. Bello, D. Y. Momodu, A. T. C. Johnson, and N. Manyala, “Effect of conductive additives to gel electrolytes on activated carbon-based supercapacitors,” AIP Advances, vol. 5, no. 9, Sep. 2015. 

[10] D. a. C. Da Silva, M. J. P. C, A. Messias, E. E. Fileti, A. Pascon, D. V. Franco, L. M. Da Silva, and H. G. Zanin, “Effect of conductivity, viscosity, and density of water-in-salt electrolytes on the electrochemical behavior of supercapacitors: molecular dynamics simulations and in situ characterization studies,” Materials Advances, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 611–623, Jan. 2022. 

[11] C. Ramasamy, J. P. Del Val, and M. Anderson, “An electrochemical cell study on polyvinylpyrrolidine aqueous gel with glycol addition for capacitor applications,” Electrochimica Acta, vol. 135, pp. 181–186, Jul. 2014. 

[12] S. Alipoori, S. Mazinani, S. H. Aboutalebi, and F. Sharif, “Review of PVA-based gel polymer electrolytes in flexible solid-state supercapacitors: Opportunities and challenges,” Journal of Energy Storage, vol. 27, p. 101072, Feb. 2020. 

[13] Z. Osman, M. I. M. Ghazali, L. Othman, and K. B. M. Isa, “AC ionic conductivity and DC polarization method of lithium ion transport in PMMA–LiBF4 gel polymer electrolytes,” Results in Physics, vol. 2, pp. 1–4, Jan. 2012.

Abstract: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have made a significant impact on our lives today. Most food products we consume have been genetically modified to enhance certain characteristics. This may include genes inserted to produce proteins that repel insects or enhance nutrient production in the food. Recently, yeast has become the newest organism to be genetically modified. This genetically modified yeast produces thiols, compounds that replace oxygen with sulfur. Thiols are present in industrial brewing and are highly aroma active. They are highly reactive even in low concentrations, making them extremely difficult to analyze thoroughly. However, GMOs, a recently developed technique, lack sufficient long-term research on potential human impacts due to the extended human lifespan. The EU has stringent guidelines on GMOs due to insufficient knowledge about their impact on human health. It is imperative to investigate potential effects of GM foods over generations. The purpose of this research was to determine whether consuming GM yeast would have any effect on fruit flies over several generations. Fruit flies are a model organism, sharing over 60% genetic similarity to humans. They were fed different concentrations of genetically modified yeast, and their reproduction rate and longevity were observed over three generations and compared to control groups. Eggs were counted and survival rates were calculated. The Cosmic Punch yeast (100% GMO) had the highest fecundity rate overall while the British Ale Yeast (Positive Control) had a higher rate of longevity. It was concluded that while the Cosmic Punch yeast enhances reproductive rates, the British Ale Yeast promotes greater survival in fruit flies.

References

1. Silva, V., Mol, H. G. J., Zomer, P., Tienstra, M., Ritsema, C. J., & Geissen, V. (2019). “Pesticide residues in European agricultural soils – A hidden reality unfolded.” Science of the Total Environment, 653, 1532–1545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.441
2. Akram, M. Z., Yaman, S., Jalal, H., Doğan, S. C., Shahid, S., & Ali, B. (2019). Effects of feeding genetically modified crops to domestic animals: a review. Turkish Journal of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology, 7, 110–118. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v7isp1.110-118.2773
3. Blenkinsop, P. (2021, April 29). EU calls for rethink of GMO rules for gene-edited crops. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-calls-rethink-gmo-rules-gene-edited-crops-2021-04-29/
4. De Santis, B., Stockhofe, N., Wal, J., Weesendorp, E., Lallès, J. P., Van Dijk, J., Kok, E., De Giacomo, M., Einspanier, R., Onori, R., Brera, C., Bikker, P., Van Der Meulen, J., & Kleter, G. (2018). Case studies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Potential risk scenarios and associated health indicators. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 117, 36–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2017.08.033
5. Dumont, A. F., Paoletti, C., Favilla, S., Federici, S., Ardizzone, M., Gennaro, A., ... & Paraskevopoulos, K. (n.d.). Scientific requirements for GMO risk assessment and future perspectives. European Safety Authority, 1-28.
6. Elias, R., Talyn, B., & Melchiorre, E. (2021). Dietary Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster Fed with Genetically Modified Corn or Roundup®. Journal of Xenobiotics, 11(4), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox11040014
7. Flachowsky, G., Schafft, H., & Meyer, U. (2012). Animal feeding studies for nutritional and safety assessments of feeds from genetically modified plants: A Review. Journal Für Verbraucherschutz Und Lebensmittelsicherheit, 7(3), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-012-0777-9
8. Fruit flies. Entomology. (n.d.). Retrieved on September 23 from URL: https://entomology.ca.ukyedu/ef621
9. Georges F, Ray H (2017) Genome editing of crops: a renewed opportunity for food security. GM Crops Food, 8,1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2016.1270489
10.  J. Agric. Food Chem. 2020, 68, 50, 15036–15047 Publication Date: December 4, 2020 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06305
11. Jennings, B. H. (2011). Drosophila – a Versatile Model in Biology & Medicine. Materials Today, 14(5) 190–95. 
12. Kharate, S., & Zaware, N. R. (2023). The study of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and regulatory framework in India for GMO food products. Utkal Historical Research Journal, 36(2), 173-181.
13. Krogerus, K., Fletcher, E., Rettberg, N., Gibson, B., & Preiss, R. (2021). Efficient breeding of industrial brewing yeast strains using CRISPR/Cas9-aided mating-type switching. Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 105(21-22), 8359–8376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11626-y
14. Krzyzowska, M., Wincenciak, M., Winnicka, A., Baranowski, A., Jaszczak, K., Zimny, J., & Niemialtowski, M. (2010). The effect of multigenerational diet containing genetically modified triticale on immune system in mice. Pol J Vet Sci, 13(3), 423-430.
15. Mirzoyan, Z., Sollazzo, M., Allocca, M., Valenza, A. M., Grifoni, D., & Bellosta, P. (2019). Drosophila melanogaster: A Model Organism to Study Cancer. Frontiers in genetics, 10, 51. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2019.00051
16. Nutrition, C. F. F. S. a. A. (2023). How GMOs are regulated in the United States. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from URL: https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/how-gmos-are-regulated-united-states
17. Prachi Patel ACS Central Science 2022 8 (4), 403-404 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00366
18. “Sniffing out” fruity thiols in hoppy beers. (n.d.). American Chemical Society. Retrieved January 2, 2024, from https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2021/acs-presspac-january-6-2021/sniffing-out-fruity-thiols-in-hoppy-beers.html
19. The Complex Case of Thiols. (n.d.). Craft Beer & Brewing. Retrieved January 2, 2024, from https://beerandbrewing.com/the-complex-case-of-thiols/
20. Your Guide to Thiolized Yeast. (Sept 16, 2022). Craft Beer and Brewing. Retrieved from URL; https://beerandbrewing.com/your-guide-to-thiolized-yeast/

Abstract: Red 40 dye has been banned in European countries due to rising health concerns. There is evidence that Red 40, also called Allura red AC, can cause hyperactivity in humans along with negatively affecting the colon and causing Early Onset Colorectal cancer in mice. This study aimed to investigate if doses of 0, 15, 30, and 60 microliters of Allura red AC can contribute to negative effects on the phototaxis rate and the rate of regeneration of Dugesia tigrina. It is hypothesized that if Allura red AC is fed to Dugesia tigrina then, it will increase motility, and slow the rate of regeneration. This study was performed using four groups of Dugesia tigrina with 0 µM, 0.125µM, 0.25µM, and 0.5µM of red 40 and measuring the length of the planaria, and the rate of movement of planaria over the course of 31 days. The results of this study show that an increase in Allura red AC exposure causes a decrease in the regeneration rate, an increase in phototaxis, and an increase in mortality. Future research suggests a conversion in dosage and/or form of dye (powder version). Also, recommendations for future research include using a different type of organism such as Drosophila melanogaster. 

References

Byrne, Tom. “Effects of Ethanol on Negative Phototaxis and Motility in Brown Planarians (Dugesia Tigrina).” Neuroscience Letters, vol. 685, Oct. 2018, pp. 102–108, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2018.08.030. 

CDC. “What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019, www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/risk_factors.htm. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Color Additives History.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 3 Nov. 2017, www.fda.gov/industry/color-additives/color-additives-history. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “What Is ADHD?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Sept. 2023, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. Cleveland Clinic. “Is Red Dye 40 Safe?” Cleveland Clinic, 8 Mar. 2023, health.clevelandclinic.org/red-dye-40. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Issigonis, Melanie. “Could We Use Planarians to Help Us Understand Human Regeneration?” Morgridge Institute for Research, 24 Dec. 2017, morgridge.org/blue-sky/could-we-use-planarians-to-help-us-understand-human-regeneration/#:~:text=But%2C%20unlike%20planarians%2C%20humans. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024.

Kanarek, Robin B. “Artificial Food Dyes and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.” Nutrition Reviews, vol. 69, no. 7, 30 June 2011, pp. 385–391, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00385.x. 

Newmark, Phillip. “Flatworms at Forefront of Regeneration Research.” Www.nsf.gov, 7 July 2006, 

Paskin, Taylor R., et al. “Planarian Phototactic Assay Reveals Differential Behavioral Responses Based on Wavelength.” PLoS ONE, vol. 9, no. 12, 10 Dec. 2014, p. e114708, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114708. 

“Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children.” Ca.gov, 2021, oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/risk-assessment/report/healthefftsassess041621.p. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Sagon, Candy. “8 Foods We Eat That Other Countries Ban.” Blogs, 25 June 2013, blog.aarp.org/healthy-living/8-foods-we-eat-that-other-countries-ban. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024.

Sarnat, Harvey B., and Martin G. Netsky. “The Brain of the Planarian as the Ancestor of the Human Brain.” Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien Des Sciences Neurologiques, vol. 12, no. 4, Nov. 1985, pp. 296–302, https://doi.org/10.1017/s031716710003537x. 

Vorhees, C V, et al. “Developmental Toxicity and Psychotoxicity of FD and c Red Dye No. 40 (Allura Red AC) in Rats.” Toxicology, vol. 28, no. 3, 1983, pp. 207–17, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6636206/, 

Walsh, Caroline J., et al. “Obstetric Complications in Mothers with ADHD.” Frontiers in Reproductive Health, vol. 4, 7 Nov. 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2022.1040824. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

“What Is Red Dye 40? ADHD and Brain Health | Amen Clinics.” Brain Health Guide to Red Dye #40, 24 Aug. 2023, www.amenclinics.com/blog/brain-health-guide-red-dye-40/#:~:text=The%20use%20of% 20Red%20Dye. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Wirth, Jennifer. “ADHD Statistics.” Forbes Health, 6 June 2023, www.forbes.com/health/mind/adhd-statistics/#:~:text=An%20estimated%208.7%20milli on%20adults. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. 

Zhang, Qi, et al. “The Synthetic Food Dye, Red 40, Causes DNA Damage, Causes Colonic Inflammation, and Impacts the Microbiome in Mice.” Toxicology Reports, vol. 11, 1 Dec. 2023, pp. 221–232, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750023000926, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.08.006. Accessed 19 Sept. 2023.

Abstract: 

The rapid advancement of autonomous driving systems requires robust perception algorithms. Interpreting complex environments and simulation-based testing plays a vital role in validating these algorithms. This research explores the use of the Driving Scenario Designer app in MATLAB® workspace to perform high-fidelity sensor simulation, generate synthetic sensor data, and create dynamic virtual driving scenarios for testing perception systems. To emulate real-world driving conditions, the study focuses on designing scenarios involving multiple actors, including cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and barriers.

We construct and customize scenarios using the app with varying road layouts, traffic patterns, and environmental conditions. Sensor models such as radar, lidar, and cameras are simulated to produce synthetic data that mimics real sensor outputs. The scenarios are exported to the MATLAB® workspace for further analysis, enabling the evaluation of perception algorithms in detecting and tracking objects under different conditions.

Key contributions include a systematic methodology for scenario generation, sensor configuration, and data extraction, along with performance assessments of perception algorithms using synthetic datasets. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Driving Scenario Designer in accelerating algorithm development by providing a controlled yet flexible testing environment. This approach reduces reliance on costly physical prototypes while ensuring comprehensive validation across diverse driving conditions. The study highlights the app’s utility in autonomous vehicle research, offering a scalable solution for perception system verification.

References

1. MathWorks. (2023). Driving Scenario Designer User’s Guide. 

2. Ulbrich, S., Menzel, T., Reschka, A., Schuldt, F., & Maurer, M. (2015). Defining and Substantiating the Terms Scene, Situation, and Scenario for Automated Driving. IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV).

3. Dosovitskiy, A., Ros, G., Codevilla, F., López, A., & Koltun, V. (2017). CARLA: An Open Urban Driving Simulator. Proceedings of the 1st Annual Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL).

4. Grigorescu, S., Trasnea, B., Cocias, T., & Macesanu, G. (2020). A Survey of Deep Learning Techniques for Autonomous Driving. Journal of Field Robotics, 37(3), 362-386.

5. Bansal, M., Krizhevsky, A., & Ogale, A. (2018). Chauffeurnet: Learning to Drive by Imitating the Best and Synthesizing the Worst. Robotics: Science and Systems (RSS).

6. Geiger, A., Lenz, P., & Urtasun, R. (2012). Are We Ready for Autonomous Driving? The KITTI Vision Benchmark Suite. IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR).

7. Rong, G., Shin, B. H., Tabatabaee, H., et al. (2020). LGSVL Simulator: A High Fidelity Simulator for Autonomous Driving. IEEE 23rd International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSC).

8. Janai, J., Güney, F., Behl, A., & Geiger, A. (2020). Computer Vision for Autonomous Vehicles: Problems, Datasets, and State-of-the-Art. Foundations and Trends in Computer Graphics and Vision, 12(1-3), 1-308.

9. Kato, S., Tokunaga, S., Maruyama, Y., et al. (2018). Autoware on Board: Enabling Autonomous Vehicles with Embedded Systems. ACM/IEEE International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems (ICCPS).

10. Pendleton, S. D., Andersen, H., Du, X., et al. (2017). Perception, Planning, Control, and Coordination for Autonomous Vehicles. Machines, 5(1), 6.

11. Chen, C., Seff, A., Kornhauser, A., & Xiao, J. (2015). DeepDriving: Learning Affordance for Direct Perception in Autonomous Driving. IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV).

12. Li, Y., Ibanez-Guzman, J., & Ng, H. K. (2020). Lidar for Autonomous Driving: The Principles, Challenges, and Trends. IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, 37(4), 50-61.

13. Bojarski, M., Del Testa, D., Dworakowski, D., et al. (2016). End to End Learning for Self-Driving Cars. arXiv preprint arXiv:1604.07316.

14. Kong, J., Pfeiffer, M., Schildbach, G., & Borrelli, F. (2015). Kinematic and Dynamic Vehicle Models for Autonomous Driving Control Design. IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (IV).

15. NHTSA. (2021). Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

     

     

Abstract: 

Green roofs (GRs) are typically used to retain stormwater and are increasingly being used to produce food by growing edible vegetation, such as Mad Hatter Peppers (Capsicum baccatum). However, there have been conflicting studies on whether GRs can feasibly produce Capsicum baccatum in GRs compared to in-ground production. To test this, water retention was compared among small-scale models of three different vegetation types: two Sedum setups, two Capsicum baccatum setups, and one bare setup. The models used water storage compartments and moisture retention fabric to increase water retention and to reduce the need for irrigation. There was not a statistically significant difference in water retention between the different vegetation types, and the Capsicum baccatum wilted by the end of the study, so it did not produce food. These results indicate that Sedum should be used in future GRs because they can provide many benefits other than water retention, whereas Capsicum baccatum may not be healthy enough to provide other benefits.

References

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Aloisio, J. M., Tuininga, A. R., & Lewis, J. D. (2016). Crop species selection effects on stormwater runoff and edible biomass in an agricultural green roof microcosm. Ecological Engineering, 88, 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.12.022 

Bateman, J. (2022, September 14). Earth had its 6th-warmest August on record. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.https://www.noaa.gov/news/earth-had-its-6th-warmest-august-on-record#:~:text=Season%20(June%20through%20August)%20%7C%20Year%20to%20date%20(YTD)&text=June%E2%80%93August%202022%20was%20the,10th%2Dwarmest%20winter%20on%20record.  

Berardi, U., GhaffarianHoseini, A. H., & GhaffarianHoseini, A. (2014). State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs. Applied Energy, 115, 411–428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.10.047 

Cristiano, E., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2021). The role of green roofs in urban water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus: A Review. Science of The Total Environment, 756, 143876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143876 

Davitt, J. (2022, August 1). Looking back on a record hot July. Spectrum News NY1. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/weather/2022/07/30/looking-back-on-a-record-hot-july-for-nyc 

Eksi, M., Rowe, D. B., Fernández-Cañero, R., & Cregg, B. M. (2015). Effect of substrate compost percentage on green roof vegetable production. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 14(2), 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2015.03.006 

Eksi, M., Sevgi, O., Akburak, S., Yurtseven, H., & Esin, İ. (2020). Assessment of recycled or locally available materials as green roof substrates. Ecological Engineering, 156, 105966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.105966 

Fai, C. M., Bakar, M. F., Roslan, M. A., Fadzailah, F. A., Idrus, M. F., Ismail, N. F., ... & Basri, H. (2015). Hydrological performance of native plant species within extensive green roof system in Malaysia. ARPN J. Eng. Appl. Sci, 10(15), 6419-6423.

Fioretti, R., Palla, A., Lanza, L. G., & Principi, P. (2010). Green Roof Energy and water related performance in the Mediterranean climate. Building and Environment, 45(8), 1890–1904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2010.03.001 

Garofalo, G., Palermo, S., Principato, F., Theodosiou, T., & Piro, P. (2016). The influence of hydrologic parameters on the hydraulic efficiency of an extensive green roof in Mediterranean Area. Water, 8(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8020044 

Hellies, M., Deidda, R., & Viola, F. (2018). Retention performances of green roofs worldwide at different time scales. Land Degradation & Development, 29(6), 1940–1952. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2947 

Hlodversdottir, A. O., Bjornsson, B., Andradottir, H. O., Eliasson, J., & Crochet, P. (2015). Assessment of flood hazard in a combined sewer system in Reykjavik City Centre. Water Science and Technology, 71(10), 1471–1477. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2015.119 

Irmak, S. (2016). Impacts of extreme heat stress and increased soil temperature on plant growth and development. UNL Extension Water Resources.

Jamei, E., Chau, H. W., Seyedmahmoudian, M., & Stojcevski, A. (2021). Review on the cooling potential of green roofs in different climates. Science of The Total Environment, 791, 148407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148407 

Martin III, W. D., Kaye, N. B., & Mohammadi, S. (2020). A physics-based routing model for Modular Green Roof Systems. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Water Management, 173(3), 142–151. https://doi.org/10.1680/jwama.18.00094 

Nagase, A., & Dunnett, N. (2012). Amount of water runoff from different vegetation types on extensive green roofs: Effects of plant species, diversity and plant structure. Landscape and Urban Planning, 104(3-4), 356–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.11.001 

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Rowe, D.B., & Getter, K.L. (2022) Improving stormwater retention on green roofs. Journal of Living Architecture, 9(1), 20-36. https://doi.org/10.46534/jliv.2022.09.02.002

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Abstract: 

The CDC reports that over two million people in the United States alone become infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria. This paper studies one of the primary mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, efflux, in Escherichia coli. EmrA and EmrB proteins, belonging to the efflux pump EmrAB-TolC were purified in two types of competent cells to evaluate the methodology of the protein purification procedure. Analysis of each purified protein was completed using a variety of standard wet lab techniques. The structure of the complex was determined using artificial intelligence-based structure prediction software. This project presents effective methods for the purification of EmrAB and presents a model that reveals C9 homo-oligomeric arrangement of subunit EmrA in complex with a dimeric EmrB. Basic ligand binding assays were completed with known substrates in silico. Confirming protein purification methods allow future research to continue in vitro, with the eventual goal of experimentally determining the complex at a high resolution and aid in the future identification of drug targets and development of EmrAB-TolC protein inhibitors.

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