Why do we Age?

Aging is a process almost all organisms on earth undergo. This is because as cells divide overtime they lose small portions of their DNA due the nature of DNA replication and eventually it reaches a point where the cell dies. In order to prolong this process, our DNA utilizes telomeres, long segments of DNA at the end of our chromosomes that’s main function is to protect important DNA from being lost. Telomeres can cause other issues though. Telomerase is an enzyme that repairs telomeres and while it can be beneficial, cancer cells are often the result of telomerase working too well causing rapid uninterrupted cell division

Distinguishing episodic ataxia from vestibular migraine in two patients with history of headache

College of Arts and Scienceses of episodic ataxia in patients with a history of migraine/headache are likely underrecognized, as the initial presentation may favor vestibular migraine. We present two College of Arts and Scienceses of patients who were seen for symptoms of cerebellar dysfunction with suspected vestibular migraine. Both patients experienced persistent nystagmus and symptomatic improvement with acetazolamide, which prompted further genetic testing for EA. Through these College of Arts and Scienceses, we highlight the clinical features of EA that ultimately allowed for differentiation from vestibular migraine. This ultimately reinforces the importance of considering the diagnosis of EA in all patients who present with cerebellar dysfunction

Investigation of Statistical Analysis of Mass Spectra as a Tool for Characterization of Secondary Organic Aerosols

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA), which are formed from the oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are hypothesized to have a significant role in climate processes and atmospheric phenomena due to their relative abundance in the atmosphere. VOCs are released into the atmosphere by natural and anthropogenic activities and can react with ozone (O3), the most abundant naturally occurring atmospheric oxidant, to yield hundreds of chemically distinct SOA products. It is of interest to improve the current understanding of the chemistry of SOA to better understand their impact on the atmosphere. Mass spectrometry has been an analytical method of focus for the study of SOA in the Petrucci Group. However, differentiating between the spectral peaks of SOA remains a significant challenge since their mass spectra are densely populated and contain many peaks in close proximity to each other. The ability to differentiate between SOA products is critical to the study of their chemistry. Statistical analysis of mass spectra data is proposed as a method to differentiate between SOA which originate from different chemical systems. The approach described herein utilizes the root mean square (RMS) error value as a measure of average difference between two spectra. A two-tailed student’s t-test is then used to determine whether a statistically significant difference exists between two chemical systems by comparing their average difference, as defined by the RMS value, to that of two chemical systems hypothesized to be the same. This approach was first applied to simulated mass spectra to optimize its parameters by investigating the effect of inherent variability and population density on the RMS value. The optimized approach was then applied to the spectra of SOA generated from α-pinene, a biogenic VOC of interest due to its high abundance in the atmosphere, by oxidation with atmospheric O3 and “dry” (in the absence of molecular oxygen) O3. A statistically significant difference between the spectra of SOA formed from atmospheric O3 and dry O3 was determined by this approach. While the results reported here show promise, continued optimization of the proposed approach is suggested to increase the chances of success of statistical analysis across a variety of chemical systems

The Synthesis of Biologically Active Small-Molecule Antagonists of PAC1R as Potential Therapeutics for Migraine, Chronic Pain, and Anxiety Disorders

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 1 receptor (PAC1R) is a a member of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/secretin/glucagon family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which has recently sparked interest within the scientific community for its extensive involvement in the central and peripheral nervous systems. PAC1R can activate a myriad of signaling transduction pathways, including adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, MEK/ERK, and Akt pathways which regulate several physiological systems to maintain functional homeostasis. Additionally, it has recently been determined that maladaptive signaling between the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and PAC1R can lead to a variety of physiological abnormalities such as chronic pain, migraine, anxiety, and PTSD. Given the crucial role of PACAP in maintaining homeostatic processes and its involvement with these disorders in the body, the peptide has emerged as a valuable pharmacological target. Recent research has suggested that PAC1R antagonism can correct maladaptive signaling between PACAP and PAC1R that contributes to pain and stress-related behaviors. Unfortunately, design of PAC1R-selective antagonists has been challenging due to a lack of information regarding the structure and mechanisms of the receptor. This work is a collaborative effort that involves the synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule antagonists of PAC1R in an attempt to develop a viable therapeutic for chronic pain, migraine, anxiety, and PTSD

Automatic identification of arm-manipulator mechanics

Accurate robotic arm operation typically relies on detailed models, often derived using the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) convention. However, DH requires precise physical descriptions. This study explores using machine learning to estimate a robot\u27s physical parameters solely from joint angle time-series data, eliminating the need for pre-defined models. This approach enables large-scale system identification and presents an avenue for advancing ML in robotics. The developed algorithm was successfully validated on both simulated and physical robotic arms, demonstrating its potential for practical application

Encoding and decoding gender: Investigating bias and language in artificial intelligence models

As artificial intelligence (AI) models become deeply embedded in social systems, discussions on their ethical creation and application have intensified, particularly in regards to the consequences of biased models. This study examines how large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT-4.o encode, and potentially reinforce harmful social biases. Through a paired-question experiment, this research assesses (1) how gender is encoded in AI models such as GPT4.o, (2) how language influences gendered outputs, and (3) the extent to which AI-generated gender bias aligns with or diverges from human understanding

Characterization of Beech Bark Disease on Camels Hump Mountain

Beech bark disease (BBD) has been present in Vermont for the past 60 years leading to significant changes in forest composition and a change in the appearance of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) in our forests. My project measured disease severity and other metrics of beech trees on the historic Siccama research plots along the Burrows trail. Comparing my data to survey data over the last 60 years provides insights into how this forest has changed over time. Additionally, I use spatial data analysis to investigate patterns of disease severity to learn more about how BBD remains in an aftermath forest

Backyard poultry and biosecurity communication through embryology lessons

Salmonella Entrica (Salmonella) is a dangerous bacteria that can be transmitted to humans through contact with live poultry. Children are more likely to contract Salmonella because of their weakened immune systems and limited understanding of biosecurity. Effective risk communication and targeted information could improve health outcomes related to Salmonella. Teachers using embryology programs in their courses are an important demographic concerning education on how biosecurity relates to these animals. Based on the needs of teachers, new resources could be created to supplement these programs. This research aims to increase biosecurity education, reduce the risk of Salmonella, and ensure a safer environment for children engaged in poultry-related activities

How does floodplain geomorphic heterogeneity influence flood routing and attenuation?

Floodplains can temporarily store floodwaters and attenuate floods, reducing downstream impacts. This study tests how topographic variability, or geomorphic heterogeneity (GH), of floodplains influences flood routing. For two sites that differed in floodplain characteristics and overall gradient, flood simulations were performed in a 2D hydrodynamic model. For each site, flood hydraulics were compared between the natural floodplain and for a scenario in which the floodplain was artificially flattened. Results showed that floodplain GH may not always attenuate downstream peak flood discharge but has a stronger potential to mitigate fluvial erosion hazards by reducing stream power

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated right aortic arch: A collaborative approach to management of postnatal aerodigestive symptoms

Although prenatal imaging advancements have increased isolated right aortic arch (iRAA) detection, optimal postnatal management remains uncertain. We evaluated aerodigestive symptoms and short-term outcomes for infants with prenatally diagnosed iRAA using a retrospective cohort study (2014-2024). Clinical data collected included aerodigestive symptom checklists and longitudinal growth over the first two years of life. 3,458 fetal echocardiograms yielded 25 College of Arts and Scienceses meeting inclusion criteria. Most patients (80%) were asymptomatic or experienced intermittent symptoms while 20% received surgical referral for progressive symptoms. Weight outcomes were similar (p=0.98) between groups. Standardized postnatal aerodigestive evaluation may assist clinicians with short-term iRAA risk stratification