INVESTIGATING SAPROPHYTIC DIVERSITY IN WEST GEORGIA UTILIZING DNA BARCODING

Gaining insight into the biodiversity of saprophytic fungi within a specific region is vital for various ecological, environmental, and conservation purposes. These fungi are integral to nutrient cycling, as they decompose organic materials, including decaying plants and animals, into simpler substances that enhance soil quality. This decomposition process is essential for maintaining soil health, promoting plant growth, and ensuring the overall functionality of ecosystems. Furthermore, saprophytic fungi shape the composition of microbial communities and engage with other organisms, such as plants and insects, thereby forming intricate ecological networks. The documentation of fungal diversity in west Georgia is particularly significant due to the area\u27s distinctive climate and habitat variety, which may harbor numerous fungal species, some of which may be unknown or insufficiently studied. Traditional methods of morphological identification often face limitations due to the seasonal nature of fruiting bodies and the requirement for specialized knowledge. DNA barcoding offers a solution to these challenges by providing a reliable and consistent approach to species identification. The main objective of this research is to create a foundational understanding of fungal diversity in West Georgia, serving as a reference for future studies that can identify shifts in species composition resulting from natural or human-induced changes. Such foundational data are crucial for comparative studies, yielding insights into fungal biogeography and ecology across various regions and timeframes. By focusing on a 700 bp segment of the ITS gene region, recognized for its precision in species identification, this study not only deepens our comprehension of fungal biodiversity and its ecological significance but also supplies essential information to guide conservation efforts and biodiversity monitoring in the area. Establishing this baseline will aid in long-term ecological assessments and effective land management strategies

MICROSTRIP BASED MICROWAVE BIOSENSORS WITH POLYMER RESIN STRUCTURE

Highly sensitivity and noninvasive biosensors has gained a lot of interest in industrial and medical technology. These noninvasive sensors operate based on the material\u27s response to the applied electromagnetic field. Microstrip line-based transmission lines can generate significantly strong electromagnetic field within a limited range. The proposed microstrip-based biosensors are capable of sensing concentration of glucose in fluid inside a polymer resin structure for a range of microwave frequencies

Breaking Barriers: Investigating Gender Dynamics in Introductory Physics Lab Classes

The persistent underrepresentation of women and other gender minorities in physical science fields has been an ongoing concern. This study investigates gender dynamics in introductory physics laboratory courses, focusing on whether students of different gender identities exhibit equal inclination and confidence in conducting lab experiments, and whether they face barriers that impact their participation. Conducted across three institutions and involving non-physics STEM students enrolled in algebra-based and calculus-based physics courses, the study found mixed results, with two institutions showing no significant gender-based differences in participation levels during lab activities, while one institution demonstrated significant differences. Chi-square tests revealed no significant association between gender and task preference or comfortability, though the small dataset suggests the need for further investigation. While quantitative analysis provided limited evidence of systematic barriers, qualitative feedback revealed that some female students experienced challenges related to gender dynamics, such as perceived assumptions about competence, being overlooked during discussions, and hesitation to voice opinions in male-dominated groups. These findings highlight the complex influence of gender and institutional factors on laboratory experiences and underscore the need for creating inclusive environments that promote equitable engagement and participation for all gender identities in STEM education

THE EFFICACY OF 3D MODELS OF HUMAN BONE IN UNDERGRADUATE ANTHROPOLOGY CLASSES

High-quality casts and human bone specimens have been staples in biological anthropology education for decades. However, casts are expensive and fragile, and human bones come with ethical concerns regarding their acquisition and use in classrooms. The affordability of 3D models presents a potential solution for teaching undergraduate courses focused on human skeletal anatomy. This study explores whether 3D printed models have the necessary detail to identify key anatomical features. We sourced free or inexpensive files online and printed 20 skulls using various printers and filaments. These models were shared with faculty teaching sections of introductory courses in four-field anthropology and biological anthropology, a lower division course in human osteology, and an upper division course in paleoanthropology to gather qualitative feedback on their features and classroom utility. Additionally, 40 students in upper and lower division biological anthropology courses were asked to identify anatomical landmarks on the 3D printed models compared to purchased casts and human bone specimens. Preliminary results indicate that while the 3D models are sufficiently detailed for introductory courses, they may lack clarity for advanced osteology classes, potentially introducing ambiguity. Given the ethical issues associated with procuring real human skulls and the costs of high-quality casts, we recommend that departments consider creating their own 3D models, particularly for introductory level classes, to build their teaching collections cost-effectively and ethically

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION REDUCES ESSENTIALIST BELIEFS ABOUT RACE AND GENDER

People intuitively adopt social essentialist beliefs and assume that social category membership are biologically determined and indicative of uniform individual features. Social essentialism often leads to negative social consequences, such as stereotypes and enhanced social boundaries. However, little research has explored possible intervention to reduce social essentialist bias. The current research aims to use mindfulness meditation, a commonly practiced strategy to enhance monitoring activities of the mind, as a potential intervention to reduce social essentialist thinking. Originated from Eastern Buddhism, mindfulness meditation encourages a neutral, non-judgmental perspective to observe and accept current cognitive and emotional states. Seventy-seven undergraduate students attending a large public university in Southeast USA completed a two-session lab experiment. In each session, they either listened to a nine-minute guided mindfulness meditation (mindfulness condition), or a nine-minute BBC podcast on neutral content (control condition), before completing two previously validated measures of social essentialism (a 9-point, 6-item Social Essentialism Scale; and a vignette-based Switched-at-Birth task). Preliminary findings showed that, as compared to those in the control condition, those who listened to mindfulness meditation were less likely to assume racial identities as biologically determined and fixed in both sessions; and less likely to assume gender identities as biologically determined and fixed in the post session. However, this effect was not observed when reasoning about political affiliation and social class. The current results suggest that mindfulness meditation can be used as an intervention tool to reduce social essentialist beliefs in some domains. Future research should continue to explore the contextual factors enhancing or limiting this effect, as well as its applications in non-laboratory settings

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANKLE, KNEE, AND HIP MOBILITY AND LOWER LIMB FORCE PRODUCTION IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PLAYERS

The mobility and stability of the ankle, knee, and hip are significant to achieving higher levels of athletic performance. Inadequate mobility or stability limits the amount of force produced is limited. As force production directly correlates with athletic performance, this study aims to investigate if higher force production results from better stability and greater ranges of motion (ROM) in the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Ankle, knee, and hip ROM were measured in 17 uninjured collegiate baseball athletes using a manual goniometer. The ROM involved in a counter movement jump (CMJ) was measured, including ankle dorsi/plantarflexion, hip flexion/extension, and knee flexion/extension. The Y Balance Test was used to determine the overall lower-limb stability of each participant. Force production was measured by performing a CMJ on a force plate with the participant\u27s hands placed to the sides to ensure that the upper body could not aid in the jump and perform three CMJs. The Pearson Correlation Test (r) was used to determine the statistical significance and correlation of force production. Results indicated there was no significant positive relationship between force production and ankle dorsiflexion (p = .13, r = .38), ankle plantarflexion (p =.77, r = .07), hip flexion (p = .08, r =.43), hip extension (p = .91, r = .03) nor Y-Balance stability scores (p = .11, r = .39). However, results indicated a significant positive relationship (p = .01, r=.58) between knee flexion and jump force production. The results concluded that the hypothesis was partially accepted due to a positive correlation and statistical significance between knee flexion and force production. As knee flexion increases, the jump force produced increases. The results are valuable to athletic populations, justifying that improved knee flexion may improve athletic performance

MICROBIAL GROWTH ON POLYETHYLENE PLASTIC FROM 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN A WETLAND ENVIRONMENT

Plastic pollution is a growing concern worldwide because of its persistence in the environment. Plastics in the environment can become colonized by various microorganisms which could aid in their natural degradation. Few microorganisms have been identified that can break down certain types of plastics, however the extent of microbes growing on plastic waste is vastly unknown, which highlights a need for further research in this area. This research aimed to determine whether plastics deposited in stream or soil environments exhibited significantly different types and amounts of microbial growth. Two environments, soil and stream, were chosen to deposit low-density polyethylene plastic (LDPE) films. Five similar sized films were placed inside 6 mesh bags and secured with rope and stakes to prevent loss. Three replicate bags contianing 5 films each, were placed in each environment for approximately two months to allow microbial colonization on the LDPE plastic films. After collection of the samples, the films were sterilely swabbed, and microorganisms were plated on Tryptic-soy agar plates that were incubated for 24 hours. After incubation, microorganisms and their morphological differences were observed on each plate using a bifocal microscope. Additionally, a count of open space was performed for each plate. There were similar and recognizable morphological characteristics of microorganisms observed on both the soil and stream plates. Although the stream plates had a greater variety of morphological traits, containing several highly distinct microorganisms. From the counts of open space, an independent samples T-test was used to compare the relative amount of growth on each plate. It was concluded that there is a significant difference in the amount of microbial growth on plastics deposited in soil and stream environments, with the stream environment containing more growth. Streams provide continuous sources of nutrients, carrying rich organic matter downstream providing a stable environment for microbial growth. Nutrient acquisition in the soil environment is slower than in streams due to less nutrient mobility and a slower decomposition. The factors of nutrient availability, temperature, and moisture content in a stream help provide a more favorable environment for microbial growth and potentially more microbial degradation of plastics in that environment

BRIGHTNESS CHANGES IN THE SEMI-REGULAR VARIABLE STAR RZ-ARIETIS

We have measured the V-filter brightness of the semi-regular variable star RZ-Arietis 69 times since November 8, 2023. Our measurements were made with a filter closely matching the Johnson V-band. We measured four periods rainging from 38 to 60 days. (The period is the length of of time for the star to go from brightness maxima to the next brightness maxima.) Our results are consistent with two different primary periods for this star (~38 and ~58 days). This is consistent with previous studies. Our results were compared to previously reported brightness measurements in the American Association of Variabile Star Observers (AAVSO) database. As of early 2024, the AAVSO database had 909 V-filter brightness values. Schmude measured 19 periods from this database. Therefore, we have 23 total periods. The mean period length is 51 days with a standard deviation of 12 days. We also conclude that the primary period can change by over 35 % in two months. The mean brightness, covering all stages in the bightness cycle for different apparitions was also measured. We conclude that the mean brightness remained near magnitude 5.75 for most of the time between 1983 and early 2021, but dropped suddenly to 5.95 in late 2021. An apparition is the period between July and the following March when RZ-Aries is far enough from the Sun to be studied

DOES VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION IMPROVE PHYSICAL COMPONENTS IN COLLEGIATE ATHLETES REGARDING STRENGTH, ENDURANCE, AND POWER?

At Brewton-Parker College, most students are collegiate National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics athletes. The high level of competition creates a desire for improvement that can result in athletes exercising more or engaging in dangerous supplement practices. Low vitamin D levels are associated with low muscle mass and loss of muscle strength. The goal of this study was to discover if a significant relationship exists between vitamin D supplementation and muscle strength, power, and endurance. The 6-week study included 15 participants (14 male and 1 female). All participants performed a pre-test of a one-repetition maximum on the bench press to determine muscular strength, a broad jump to measure muscular power, and a push-up to failure muscular endurance test. The participants were then randomly separated into experimental and control groups, with the experimental group checking in once a week for six weeks to receive Vitamin D (10,000 IU) supplementation. After six weeks, post-tests were performed. Independent t-tests indicated there is no statistically significant difference in the means of muscle power (p = .13), muscle strength (p = .69), or muscle endurance (p = .33) between supplemented and non-supplemented groups. Paired t-tests indicated there is no statistically significant association between muscle power (p = .13), muscle strength (p = .71), muscle endurance (p = .94), and vitamin D supplementation. The hypothesis that Vitamin D supplementation will exhibit a positive correlation with muscular strength, power, and endurance in collegiate athletes is rejected, suggesting that Vitamin D supplementation does not enhance muscular strength, power, or endurance in collegiate athletes

OBSERVING THE ANTI-BACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF OREGANO AND THYME ON ORAL BACTERIA

Essential oils have been researched medically as a holistic alternative to allopathic treatments over the last century. Oils like oregano and thyme have been shown to possess anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic, and many other properties. This research aimed to understand the effectiveness of oregano and thyme on S. mutans and S. salivarius, two prominent dental bacteria. Dental caries affects 2.4 billion people annually and are one of the most common chronic diseases. A disk diffusion assay on Brain Heart Infusion agar and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MHC) test with BHI broth were performed on S. mutans and S. salivarius to determine the effectiveness of the oregano and thyme essential oils. Oregano, thyme, and DMSO were undiluted when tested on S. salivarius, and oregano was diluted to a 50/50 concentration, while thyme and DMSO remained undiluted when tested on S. mutans. Oregano had a 15.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans. Thyme had a 13.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans, while DMSO had a 5.33 mm average zone of inhibition against S. mutans. Oregano had a 41.66 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius. Thyme had a 28 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius, while DMSO had a 9 mm average zone of inhibition against S. salivarius. The diluted oregano had a MIC of 0.3125% against S. mutans. The undiluted oregano had a MIC of 0.391% against S. salivarius. Thyme had a MIC of 3.125% against S. mutans and a MIC of 6.25% against S. salivarius. DMSO had a MIC of 12.5% against S. mutans and a MIC of 1.56% against S. salivarius, despite the DMSO serving as a control for both the S. salivarius and the S. mutans. This study suggests that oregano and thyme essential oils can be used as an alternative to allopathic treatments