Pub Date : 2021-05-01DOI: 10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.704
Molly Norah Lavery, C. Murphy, E. K. Bowman
Ophiocordyceps is a genus of pathogenic fungi, which predominantly parasitise insects. This study investigates the spatial dynamics of zombie ant graveyards, and explores the optimal height for Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spore dispersal in a Bornean rainforest. While there is considerable research derived from alternative tropical regions, there is limited documentation of Ophiocordyceps fungi in Borneo. This paper aims to build on the current body of knowledge, focusing on the spatial dynamics of zombie ant graveyards, and in particular the height at which infected ants are found. In the present study, an area of Gunung Mulu National Park was searched for O. unilateralis-infected ants. Once an infected ant was located, the surrounding area was methodically searched to allow for the height and location of all surrounding ants to be recorded. Infected ants were found at variable heights between the four sites (means of 28.9–57.6 cm) above the expected height laid out in similar studies (approximately 25 cm). It is suggested that these heights may correspond to locations at which temperature and humidity are optimal for spore dispersal and fungal growth and that these heights differ depending on unique features of the environment.
{"title":"Zombie ant graveyard dynamics in Gunung Mulu National Park","authors":"Molly Norah Lavery, C. Murphy, E. K. Bowman","doi":"10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.704","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.704","url":null,"abstract":"Ophiocordyceps is a genus of pathogenic fungi, which predominantly parasitise insects. This study investigates the spatial dynamics of zombie ant graveyards, and explores the optimal height for Ophiocordyceps unilateralis spore dispersal in a Bornean rainforest. While there is considerable research derived from alternative tropical regions, there is limited documentation of Ophiocordyceps fungi in Borneo. This paper aims to build on the current body of knowledge, focusing on the spatial dynamics of zombie ant graveyards, and in particular the height at which infected ants are found. In the present study, an area of Gunung Mulu National Park was searched for O. unilateralis-infected ants. Once an infected ant was located, the surrounding area was methodically searched to allow for the height and location of all surrounding ants to be recorded. Infected ants were found at variable heights between the four sites (means of 28.9–57.6 cm) above the expected height laid out in similar studies (approximately 25 cm). It is suggested that these heights may correspond to locations at which temperature and humidity are optimal for spore dispersal and fungal growth and that these heights differ depending on unique features of the environment.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84285518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-05-01DOI: 10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.722
Charlotte Kate Sinden
This research examines environmental sustainability in the UK university context. Universities are prioritising sustainability commitments with many declaring a Climate Emergency, as well as recognising the importance of educating students about climate change. This research used a case-study approach in which semi-structured interviews were coupled with secondary data analysis, and suggests universities are pivotal for greater environmental sustainability. The results reiterate the urgent need to significantly improve environmental performance and educate people in the field of sustainability, whilst presenting the challenges and realities faced in doing so. It is recommended that in order to achieve optimum sustainability solutions a cohesive approach is required to embed a common sustainability narrative for all.
{"title":"Incorporating Sustainability into the Academic Institution","authors":"Charlotte Kate Sinden","doi":"10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.722","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31273/REINVENTION.V14I1.722","url":null,"abstract":"This research examines environmental sustainability in the UK university context. Universities are prioritising sustainability commitments with many declaring a Climate Emergency, as well as recognising the importance of educating students about climate change. This research used a case-study approach in which semi-structured interviews were coupled with secondary data analysis, and suggests universities are pivotal for greater environmental sustainability. The results reiterate the urgent need to significantly improve environmental performance and educate people in the field of sustainability, whilst presenting the challenges and realities faced in doing so. It is recommended that in order to achieve optimum sustainability solutions a cohesive approach is required to embed a common sustainability narrative for all.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"89 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86809106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-31DOI: 10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.723
Peter Halat
None needed.
没有必要的。
{"title":"Reflections of Reinvention in Postgraduate Study","authors":"Peter Halat","doi":"10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.723","url":null,"abstract":"None needed.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85133977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-31DOI: 10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.625
R. Kirkham, C. Batten
New technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile apps are increasingly being developed and trialled therapeutically to help treat anxiety disorders. Despite this increasing market, there is little research on how the public perceive the incorporation of these innovative technologies in anxiety treatment. This study aimed to describe knowledge, awareness and perceptions of VR and mobile apps for the treatment of anxiety. To do this, a survey was disseminated to those aged 18 to 35 with no current or previous mental illness via social media and poster advertisements, and 57 individuals participated. Results demonstrated that most individuals had limited knowledge on the use of VR and mobile apps in mental health, but overall demonstrated positive perceptions and high optimism regarding its potential use. Neither treatment modality was perceived as being as effective as standard treatment; however, participants were willing to use either modality if recommended by a therapist and use both in conjunction with standard treatment. Participants demonstrated a willingness to use a mobile app as a first point of contact. These findings have implications for the way in which these technologies are rolled out to the public.
{"title":"Public perceptions on using Virtual Reality and Mobile Apps in Anxiety treatment","authors":"R. Kirkham, C. Batten","doi":"10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.625","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.625","url":null,"abstract":"New technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and mobile apps are increasingly being developed and trialled therapeutically to help treat anxiety disorders. Despite this increasing market, there is little research on how the public perceive the incorporation of these innovative technologies in anxiety treatment. This study aimed to describe knowledge, awareness and perceptions of VR and mobile apps for the treatment of anxiety. To do this, a survey was disseminated to those aged 18 to 35 with no current or previous mental illness via social media and poster advertisements, and 57 individuals participated. Results demonstrated that most individuals had limited knowledge on the use of VR and mobile apps in mental health, but overall demonstrated positive perceptions and high optimism regarding its potential use. Neither treatment modality was perceived as being as effective as standard treatment; however, participants were willing to use either modality if recommended by a therapist and use both in conjunction with standard treatment. Participants demonstrated a willingness to use a mobile app as a first point of contact. These findings have implications for the way in which these technologies are rolled out to the public.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84585793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2020-10-31DOI: 10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.640
Cody Ritz
The literal voice is a principal contributor to identity construction. Consequently, it is a common source of gender dysphoria for transgender females undergoing voice feminisation. Much of the research in this field has primarily viewed this phenomenon from a determinist perspective, equating physiology with vocal identity. Although many approaches to voice feminisation rely on this predominately physiological point of view, objective measures defining voice femininity are not always correlated with transgender client satisfaction (Dacakis et al., 2017: 835–37). This evidence demonstrates the need to look at the voice more constructively—or as a conglomeration of many social, physical and cultural factors—in therapeutic voice interventions. Previously reported clinical outcomes and empirical research concerning the links between the voice and gender identity give credence to this constructivist perspective, which must be more heavily emphasised in transgender voice feminisation approaches moving forward.
{"title":"Constructivism over Determinism","authors":"Cody Ritz","doi":"10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.640","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31273/reinvention.v13i2.640","url":null,"abstract":"The literal voice is a principal contributor to identity construction. Consequently, it is a common source of gender dysphoria for transgender females undergoing voice feminisation. Much of the research in this field has primarily viewed this phenomenon from a determinist perspective, equating physiology with vocal identity. Although many approaches to voice feminisation rely on this predominately physiological point of view, objective measures defining voice femininity are not always correlated with transgender client satisfaction (Dacakis et al., 2017: 835–37). This evidence demonstrates the need to look at the voice more constructively—or as a conglomeration of many social, physical and cultural factors—in therapeutic voice interventions. Previously reported clinical outcomes and empirical research concerning the links between the voice and gender identity give credence to this constructivist perspective, which must be more heavily emphasised in transgender voice feminisation approaches moving forward.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83352912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Due to the high cost of equipment and lack of trained personnel, manual palpation is a preferred alternative breast examination technique over mammography. The process involves a thorough search pattern using trained fingers and applying adequate pressure, with the objective of identifying solid masses from the surrounding breast tissue. However, palpation requires skills that must be obtained through adequate training in order to ensure proper diagnosis. Consequently, palpation performance and reporting techniques have been inconsistent. Automating the palpation technique would optimize the performance of self-breast examination, optimize clinical breast examinations (CBE), and enable the visualization of breast abnormalities as well as assessing their mechanical properties. Various methods of reconstructing the internal mechanical properties of breast tissue abnormalities have been explored. However, all systems that have been reported are bulky and rely on complex electronic systems. Hence, they are both expensive and require trained medical professionals. The methods also do not involve palpation, a key element in CBE. This research aims in developing a portable and inexpensive automated palpable system that mimics CBE to quantitatively image breast lumps. The method uses a piezoresistive sensor equipped probe consisting of an electronic circuit for collecting deformation-induced electrical signals. The piezoresistive sensor is made by spraying microwave exfoliated graphite/latex blend on a latex sheet. Lumps can be detected by monitoring a change in electrical resistance caused by the deformation of the sensor which is induced by abnormalities in the breast tissue. The electrical signals are collected using a microcontroller and a pixelated image of the breast can be reconstructed. The research is still in progress, and this report serves as proof of concept testing by pressing the probe with hand pressure and reconstructing the electrical signals using Microsoft Excel. Four maps were created for qualitatively analyzing the result. The pressure maps clearly display areas where pressure was applied, indicating the potential of the probe in detecting breast tissue abnormalities. The pressure maps show the feasibility for using such a sensor for the application in CBE. Furthermore, a sensor such as this is also possible of detecting the depth and size of masses within breast tissue, which, may lead to a more accurate diagnosis. Better manufacturing, accuracy, precision, and realtime data feeds are areas of future consideration for this project. This project involves knowledge and applications from mechanical, electrical, computational, and materials engineering.
{"title":"An Affordable and Portable Palpable System for Sensing Breast Tissue Abnormalities","authors":"C. Clarke, Simeon R. Eberz, E. Zegeye","doi":"10.1115/smasis2020-2273","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/smasis2020-2273","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the high cost of equipment and lack of trained personnel, manual palpation is a preferred alternative breast examination technique over mammography. The process involves a thorough search pattern using trained fingers and applying adequate pressure, with the objective of identifying solid masses from the surrounding breast tissue. However, palpation requires skills that must be obtained through adequate training in order to ensure proper diagnosis. Consequently, palpation performance and reporting techniques have been inconsistent. Automating the palpation technique would optimize the performance of self-breast examination, optimize clinical breast examinations (CBE), and enable the visualization of breast abnormalities as well as assessing their mechanical properties. Various methods of reconstructing the internal mechanical properties of breast tissue abnormalities have been explored. However, all systems that have been reported are bulky and rely on complex electronic systems. Hence, they are both expensive and require trained medical professionals. The methods also do not involve palpation, a key element in CBE. This research aims in developing a portable and inexpensive automated palpable system that mimics CBE to quantitatively image breast lumps. The method uses a piezoresistive sensor equipped probe consisting of an electronic circuit for collecting deformation-induced electrical signals. The piezoresistive sensor is made by spraying microwave exfoliated graphite/latex blend on a latex sheet. Lumps can be detected by monitoring a change in electrical resistance caused by the deformation of the sensor which is induced by abnormalities in the breast tissue. The electrical signals are collected using a microcontroller and a pixelated image of the breast can be reconstructed. The research is still in progress, and this report serves as proof of concept testing by pressing the probe with hand pressure and reconstructing the electrical signals using Microsoft Excel. Four maps were created for qualitatively analyzing the result. The pressure maps clearly display areas where pressure was applied, indicating the potential of the probe in detecting breast tissue abnormalities. The pressure maps show the feasibility for using such a sensor for the application in CBE. Furthermore, a sensor such as this is also possible of detecting the depth and size of masses within breast tissue, which, may lead to a more accurate diagnosis. Better manufacturing, accuracy, precision, and realtime data feeds are areas of future consideration for this project. This project involves knowledge and applications from mechanical, electrical, computational, and materials engineering.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"34 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90687226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Pugazenthi, P. White, Aakash Basu, Anoop S. Chandrashekar, Dylan Shropshire
Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) are maternally transmitted intracellular bacteria that infect approximately half of all insect species. These bacteria commonly act as reproductive parasites or mutualists to enhance their transmission from mother to offspring, resulting in high prevalence among some species. Despite decades of research on Wolbachia’s global frequency, there are many arthropod families and geographic regions that have not been tested for Wolbachia. Here, arthropods were collected on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, Tennessee, where Wolbachia frequency has not been previously studied. The dataset consists of 220 samples spanning 34 unique arthropod families collected on the Vanderbilt University campus. The majority of our samples were from the families Blattidae (Blattodea), Pulicidae (Siphonaptera), Dryinidae (Hymenoptera), Aphididae (Hemiptera), Paronellidae (Entomobryomorpha), Formicidae (Hymenoptera), Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera), Sphaeroceridae (Diptera), and Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). PCR-based techniques were used to assign infection states and, from these data, the first cases of Wolbachia in the Paronellidae springtails, Lithobiidae (Lithobiomorpha) centipedes, Lonchopteridae (Diptera) spear-winged flies, Sepsidae (Diptera) black scavenger flies, Cryptocercidae (Blattodea) wood roaches, and Lauxaniidae (Diptera) acalyptrate flies were identified. Within-family infection frequencies ranged from 17-100% when Wolbachia was observed; however, numerous families tested did not reveal evidence of infection. These results expand on the field's understanding of Wolbachia’s frequency in Nashville, Tennessee, and among arthropod families broadly, and is the first report of Wolbachia in centipedes.
{"title":"Survey of Wolbachia frequency in Nashville, Tennessee Reveals Novel Infections","authors":"S. Pugazenthi, P. White, Aakash Basu, Anoop S. Chandrashekar, Dylan Shropshire","doi":"10.33697/ajur.2020.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2020.013","url":null,"abstract":"Wolbachia (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) are maternally transmitted intracellular bacteria that infect approximately half of all insect species. These bacteria commonly act as reproductive parasites or mutualists to enhance their transmission from mother to offspring, resulting in high prevalence among some species. Despite decades of research on Wolbachia’s global frequency, there are many arthropod families and geographic regions that have not been tested for Wolbachia. Here, arthropods were collected on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, Tennessee, where Wolbachia frequency has not been previously studied. The dataset consists of 220 samples spanning 34 unique arthropod families collected on the Vanderbilt University campus. The majority of our samples were from the families Blattidae (Blattodea), Pulicidae (Siphonaptera), Dryinidae (Hymenoptera), Aphididae (Hemiptera), Paronellidae (Entomobryomorpha), Formicidae (Hymenoptera), Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera), Sphaeroceridae (Diptera), and Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). PCR-based techniques were used to assign infection states and, from these data, the first cases of Wolbachia in the Paronellidae springtails, Lithobiidae (Lithobiomorpha) centipedes, Lonchopteridae (Diptera) spear-winged flies, Sepsidae (Diptera) black scavenger flies, Cryptocercidae (Blattodea) wood roaches, and Lauxaniidae (Diptera) acalyptrate flies were identified. Within-family infection frequencies ranged from 17-100% when Wolbachia was observed; however, numerous families tested did not reveal evidence of infection. These results expand on the field's understanding of Wolbachia’s frequency in Nashville, Tennessee, and among arthropod families broadly, and is the first report of Wolbachia in centipedes.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"14 1","pages":"21-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85789459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Owen Koucky, Jacob Wagner, S. Aguilera, Benjamin Bashaw, Queena Y Chen, Anthony J. Eckdahl, Nicole L. Snyder, Laurie J. Heyer, J. Poet, T. Eckdahl, M. Campbell
Synthetic biology integrates molecular biology tools and an engineering mindset to address challenges in medicine, agriculture, bioremediation, and biomanufacturing. A persistent problem in synthetic biology has been designing genetic circuits that produce predictable levels of protein. In 2013, Mutalik and colleagues developed bicistronic designs (BCDs) that make protein production more predicable in bacterial cells (in vivo). With the growing interest in producing proteins outside of cells (in vitro), we wanted to know if BCDs would work as predictably in cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) as they do in E. coli cells. We tested 20 BCDs in CFPS and found they performed very similarly in vitro and in vivo. As a step toward developing methods for protein production in artificial cells, we also tested 3 BCDs inside nanoliter-scaled microfluidic droplets. The BCDs worked well in the microfluidic droplets, but their relative protein production levels were not as predictable as expected. These results suggest that the conditions under which gene expression happens in droplets result in a different relationship between genetic control elements such as BCDs and protein production than exists in batch CFPS or in cells.
{"title":"Synthetic Biology Bicistronic Designs Support Gene Expression Equally Well in vitro and in vivo","authors":"Owen Koucky, Jacob Wagner, S. Aguilera, Benjamin Bashaw, Queena Y Chen, Anthony J. Eckdahl, Nicole L. Snyder, Laurie J. Heyer, J. Poet, T. Eckdahl, M. Campbell","doi":"10.33697/ajur.2020.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33697/ajur.2020.012","url":null,"abstract":"Synthetic biology integrates molecular biology tools and an engineering mindset to address challenges in medicine, agriculture, bioremediation, and biomanufacturing. A persistent problem in synthetic biology has been designing genetic circuits that produce predictable levels of protein. In 2013, Mutalik and colleagues developed bicistronic designs (BCDs) that make protein production more predicable in bacterial cells (in vivo). With the growing interest in producing proteins outside of cells (in vitro), we wanted to know if BCDs would work as predictably in cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) as they do in E. coli cells. We tested 20 BCDs in CFPS and found they performed very similarly in vitro and in vivo. As a step toward developing methods for protein production in artificial cells, we also tested 3 BCDs inside nanoliter-scaled microfluidic droplets. The BCDs worked well in the microfluidic droplets, but their relative protein production levels were not as predictable as expected. These results suggest that the conditions under which gene expression happens in droplets result in a different relationship between genetic control elements such as BCDs and protein production than exists in batch CFPS or in cells.","PeriodicalId":22986,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Undergraduate Research","volume":"7 1","pages":"13-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80898451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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