Hemozoin is a crystalline structure released from the detoxification of hemoglobin in Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Several studies have shown its effects on inflammation related to inflammasome activation, however its role in autophagy is still unclear. Here, we report that in response to hemozoin macrophages accumulate p62, leading to dysregulation of autophagy and enhanced inflammation. This was further confirmed by the decrease in LC3 II, a protein involved in autophagosome formation. 

Elastocaloric devices have the potential to reduce carbon emissions from cooling systems. Using Simulink and MATLAB, a model of a shape memory alloy cooling device can be created and tuned with data from real thermal testing. This model can be used to guide decisions in the device design process.

Background: Psychological distress among emergency department (ED) providers is a pervasive concern within healthcare. However, the phenomenon of clinicians not seeking treatment is complex, encompassing factors such as providers' fear, limited time, insufficient resources, and stigma. Many of the cited barriers, including resource availability and stigma have improved with recent efforts, however this is still a need on going to address concerns. Therefore, this thesis sought to examine the generational differences in provider perceptions of resource availability throughout training, stigma, and the status of mental health in the ED in hopes of understanding how individual experiences shape perceptions, across three cohorts of ED providers at an academic medical center.Methods: A two-wave, sequential mixed-methods study was conducted to collect data from ED physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs; i.e., nurse practitioners and physician assistants), and resident physicians. The wave 1 survey assessed demographic information in addition to resource availability during training, institutional monitoring, and institutional regulations. Wave 2 qualitative interviews were subsequently conducted to further explore survey findings and themes. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.Results: The wave 1 respondent sample included 20 physicians, 10 APPs, and 13 residents (an overall survey response rate of 39% of all ED clinical staff).  There were 13 in-training providers, 21 early/mid-career providers, and 9 senior-career providers included in the quantitative sample. From the survey, more than two-thirds of in-training and early/mid-career providers perceived to have access to wellness programming, mental health counselors, crisis resources, and peer support throughout education and training, whereas less than 25% of senior-career providers reported having the same resources. The results from the survey helped in the development of the interview guide and shaped the qualitative assessment. The interview sample included 6 physicians, 8 APPs, and 2 residents (75% of whom had completed the initial survey). 4 participants were designated as in-training, 6 as early/mid-career, and 6 as senior-career. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: (1) perceptions of mental health care and resource accessibility across training, (2) perceived cultural and self-stigma, and (3) a negative ED culture.Conclusion: Findings highlight a significant disconnect in reported resource availability and stigma across generations. This disconnect may, in part, emphasize the significance of providers' perceptions and clarify how they impact provider mental health and well-being. Future research should examine the evolution of social, occupational, mental, and physiological influences and the impact on provider perceptions, to better understand the mental health crisis in medicine.

 Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element, functioning within a distinctive set of proteins in the form of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec). Se deficiency leads to decreased incorporation of Sec into selenoproteins, often culminating in pathological conditions. Se supplementation has demonstrated positive health outcomes, underscoring the health benefits of Se. There are twenty-four selenoproteins in mice (25 in human). Selenoprotein W (selenoW) is the smallest selenoprotein that is expressed in various tissues and is highly sensitive to dietary Se intake. SelenoW is reported to regulate cell cycle progression, cellular protection against redox stress, and regulation of immune cell functions although the mechanistic details are unknown. Previous research in our lab has shown whole body selenoW knock out (KO) mice have increased disease severeness upon 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, with increased inflammation and colonic tissue damage. SelenoW KO mice colon had reduced Yap1 and Egfr expression indicating impairment of epithelial cell regeneration. To study the specific role of selenoW in epithelial cells upon DSS administration, we generated epithelial-specific SelenoW KO mice (SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/-) that were subjected to 4% DSS water for 5 days followed by 4 days recovery phase with regular drinking water. SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/- mice showed increased colitis severity, with increased weight loss and reduced colon length. qPCR analysis with colon samples showed upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine Il1 and Tnf expression, while decreased anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving cytokine Il10 expression in the SelenoWfl/fl villin cre+/- mice, compared to WT. These results together with our previous finding suggest that the lack of selenoW expression in epithelial cells results in increased inflammation, impaired epithelial regeneration, delayed recovery, and increased disease severity. The protective role of SelenoW in colitis provides a new therapeutic target for treating inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis.

Zanthoxylum species are used worldwide for food and medicine, yet we know little about our native species. Largely regarded as a weedy tree, this is a potentially useful plant that often gets overlooked. I sought to discover and document at least ten populations in Pennsylvania using historical records. I found that the plant has often been displaced by invasives and is often not fruiting. There are many different avenues for further research into its uses.

Microstegium vimineum (microstegium), also known as Japanese Stiltgrass, is an invasive grass that plagues Pennsylvania forests. Microstegium outcompetes native speacies to decrease species biodiversity and available foodstocks for wildlife. Previous studies in Pennsylvania have examined prevention and other studies in different parts of the U.S. have described factors affecting that area. None have discussed the specific factors leading to the population densities found in Rothrock State Forest. Data was obtained in association with the Deer Forest Project. Field measured values as well as GIS calculations were used. Results will be discussed further.

The disfunction of microtubules has been linked to developmental and neurodegenerative pathologies. Microtubules are comprised of tubulin subunits and are a part of the cytoskeleton. In healthy neurons, they serve to maintain cellular shape and facilitate polarized transport for neurotransmitters, proteins, organelles, and nutrients for the cell. The molecular mechanisms behind the stability of microtubules in neurons are not well understood. We pose two methods of varying tubulin concentration to investigate its effects on microtubules. 

Neurons possess a unique arboreal shape due to the microtubule backbone. In dendrites, it has been found that gamma-tubulin, a microtubule nucleation factor, localizes to branch points along with endocytic proteins. This suggests that branch points are sites of both microtubule nucleation and endocytosis. The mechanisms for why this localization occurs specifically at branch points are unknown. Using genetic manipulation in Drosophila and confocal microscopy techniques, I demonstrate that endocytosis favors convex curvature.

In the Nacsa lab, we focus on an electrochemical design for a catalytic esterification reaction without using acid or base additives. In my research however, I have been testing if this reaction can be done without any catalyst at all using similar conditions. The acid and alcohol pair are reacted with a base and an electrolyte while manipulating the current, airflow, time, and amounts to determine if this reaction can not only be done, but be done in good yield.

In this poster, I will introduce three challenges to overcome and identify the most crucial elements of building a sustainable spaceship. I will also explain how to directly harvest this element—hydrogen—from space using my patent-pending system. Finally, I will provide an example demonstrating the potential hydrogen yield if my system is applied to the International Space Station (ISS). This system could pave the way for developing and maintaining self-sustaining spacecraft.

The dairy industry employs heat coagulation tests (HCT) to assess milk heat stability. The traditional HCT involves heating 1-2 mL of milk to 140°C in an oil bath, lasting 20-30 minutes. Automated alternatives are sought due to the test's time-consuming nature and operator bias. This study proposes using 10 MHz contact and immersion ultrasonic transducers alongside pH and rheological sensors to monitor coagulation in room-temperature skim milk. The ultrasonic wave speed measurements exhibits an inflection point correlating to rheological and pH parameters indicating coagulation during experiments, showcasing the potential of ultrasonics as coagulation sensors in the dairy industry.

The existence of heavy metals and salinity in drinking water presents a considerable hazard to human health, particularly concerning dermatological concerns. This research explores the impacts of these heavy metals, in conjunction with salinity, on skin health and diseases in humans. This exposure leads to a range of dermatological issues, including skin lesions, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer. Despite being awareof the associated risks, many residents are unable to access alternative watersources.

A small fraction of X-ray sources in the Chandra Deep Field have no multiwavelength counterparts. However, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) gives us a new opportunity to examine these sources. Images from its Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) show that some of these sources may have faint counterparts. The new JWST data can also help us study the physical nature of these courses.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), is an essential coenzyme to key metabolic pathway and declines with age. This phenomenon is associated with various hallmarks of aging and raises questions about supplementing declining NAD+ levels. Although NAD+ precursor supplementation has become popular in recent years, its impact remains poorly understood. Thus, this study investigates the impact of two NAD+ precursors that drive NAD+ synthesis in C. elegans: Nicotinic Acid (NA) and Nicotinamide (NAM). 

The overall goal of this project was to expand on pre-existing work published regarding the coupling of biaryl molecules. The main publication that was expanded on involved carbon-carbon coupling and cross-coupling reactions in order to synthesize symmetrical and non-symmetrical biaryl molecules, respectively. The desire to synthesize biaryl products stems from their applications in molecular catalysis, and materials science. These applications stem from the fact that these products can be chiral ligands. Chiral ligands are important in the synthesis of other molecules because in order to synthesize a chiral molecule, chirality in the starting material is required. In the context of BINOL, which is mainly considered in this work, the chirality that this compound possesses is called axial chirality.

Petunia inflata utilizes self-incompatibility (SI) to prevent self-fertilization and consequent inbreeding. S-Locus F-box (SLF) proteins control pollen function in SI. Each SLF is part of the SCFSLF complex that contains either PiCUL1-P, or PiCUL1-B, as the CUL subunit. I found that the level of a GFP-fused SLF protein in mutants with both CUL1 genes knocked out was extremely low, suggesting that the integrity of the SCFSLF complex is essential for the stability of SLF proteins.

The present study tested the effects of audio-visual stimuli on the memory of dementia patients further expanding on research conducted by Baird, et al. (2018). Overall, it consisted of two sessions where the participants were randomly divided into a control group (only pictures) and an experimental group (picture and song together). The first session stimuli was based on the reminiscence bump, with the second session stimuli using preferred music genre and a personal picture.

Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) have declined across their Pennsylvania range in recent years due to environmental disturbances and are a species of special concern. The objective of this study is to understand how forest temperatures influence behavior in these turtles through the analysis of thermal data gathered from weekly radio telemetry surveys. The results from this study will provide valuable information for land managers to help create suitable habitat for this species. 

The gut microbiome is known to harbor commensal bacteria crucial to maintaining host homeostasis, physiology, and health. With growing emphasis on birds as at-risk indicator species and sequencing technology advancements, research is necessary and possible for understanding how changes in the avian gut microbiota impact metabolic pathways. Here, we investigate the relationship between gut microbial diversity (16S fecal metabarcoding) and plasma blood glucose/hematocrit levels in Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows captured in central PA.

Genetic variation across species ranges and along climate gradients shows that forest tree populations can adapt to their home climate. Of interest in our study is modeling the interaction of genetics and competition in black walnut (Juglans nigra) populations growing in a provenance trial at Penn State. Understanding how genetics and competition interact is critical to improving seed transfer guidelines, seed orchard design, and how tree species respond to a changing climate.

From the expanse of the universe to the cell that brings all life to earth, oneness is what we come together for. We sow the seeds of solidarity for a world we imagine and propagate the change, within and beyond us. We stand tall as a kindled conscience that aches at the sound of violence and pushes us in being kindred spirits in practicing radical empathy. Here's celebrating our togetherness- One World.

The emergence “superbugsâ€

We do not currently understand if there is a correlation between noise pollution and cognition and how individual personality is involved. Eastern bluebirds were exposed to gas compressor noise while performing a cognitive task. Subsequent analysis of behavioral trials quantified personality traits, including neophobia, activity, persistence, and exploration. Anthropogenic noises are prevalent in the environment and may have a significant impact on the reproductive success of Eastern bluebirds.

A study was done to characterize both the phenotype and genotype of 36 Bacillus isolates. These isolates were obtained from mixed culture samples of clinical Bovine mastitis milk. Next-generation sequencing revealed that B.licheniformis encoded for the lipopeptide lichenysin A and the synthetase genes lchAA, lchAB, and lchAC for lichenysin. Preliminary observations suggest that B. licheniformis is an environmental mastitis pathogen, warranting further investigation into its potential to cause intramammary infections.