Susurros de Borinken

Title translated to, Whispers of Puerto Rico. Created 2025. This work of art is acrylic on canvas, 36” by 24”.https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/digital-exhibits/1059/thumbnail.jp

Effect of Antibiotics in Preventing Borrelia burgdorferi Biofilm Formation

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the United States, with approximately 500,000 annual diagnoses. Despite antibiotic treatment, B. burgdorferi can persist in the host, often leading to relapses. Its treatment is further complicated by this pathogen’s ability to form biofilms, a morphological form that enhances antibiotic resistance and serves as a defense mechanism. Previous studies have shown that established biofilms are highly resistant to eradication, even at high antibiotic concentrations. While recent therapeutic strategies advocate administering antibiotics after a tick bite to prevent B. burgdorferi biofilm formation, supporting research data remain lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various antibiotics (doxycycline, dapsone, azithromycin, and hygromycin A) in inhibiting biofilm formation in vitro using crystal violet biofilm assays, LIVE/DEAD staining, and subculture assays. The results showed that doxycycline, the most commonly prescribed antibiotic for Lyme disease, and azithromycin, widely used in Europe, demonstrated limited efficacy both against established biofilms and in preventing biofilm formation. Hygromycin A, a B. burgdorferi-specific antibiotic, showed moderate efficacy as a monotherapy but achieved significant results in dual therapy, particularly when combined with dapsone. The combination of hygromycin A and dapsone reduced biofilm mass by nearly 50% and prevented biofilm recovery in subculture assays. These findings suggest that antibiotics used for Lyme disease treatment may be inadequate for addressing B. burgdorferi biofilm formation. This research underscores the importance of early, targeted interventions and highlights the potential of non-standard antibiotics and combination therapies as innovative strategies to combat B. burgdorferi biofilm formation. This study adds to the expanding body of research on Lyme disease treatment, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies to address the challenges presented by the bacteria’s adaptive defense mechanisms

Religiosity and the Use of Performance-Based Compensation

This study examines how a firm’s religious culture affects the structure of CEO compensation. I consider two characteristics of religious cultures that are likely to have implications on executive compensation structure – the sensitivity of economic agents to financial rewards (extrinsic motivation) and the extent to which agents’ actions can affect future outcomes (locus of control). I hypothesize that religious cultures’ attitudes toward both characteristics will lead to less use of performance-based compensation in religious cultures and show evidence consistent with the hypothesis. Further tests show that the relationship is primarily driven by religious cultures’ perception of extrinsic motivation. Using corporate headquarters relocations as a shock to a firm’s culture, I show that the relationship is causal

Efficacy of Zero-Acquaintance Assessments of Dark Triad Personality Features

This thesis addresses the efficacy of Zero-acquaintance assessments of Dark Triad personality features (i.e., Machiavellianism, Narcissism, and Psychopathy as measured by the SD3 instrument). The methodology involved two phases. In Phase One, 1,345 participants completed online personality assessments, including measures of the SD3. In Phase Two, 386 participants engaged in three videotaped laboratory tasks: a rapport-building interview, a mapping task, and a decision-making role-playing scenario. 60 of these videos were randomly selected for analysis. Each was rated by four operational psychologists and four undergraduate students who were not studying psychology. The accuracy of their ratings was determined by comparing their assessments to the ground truth scores derived from the participants’ SD3 selfreport questionnaires. Both groups of raters performed slightly better than chance at assessing Machiavellianism and Psychopathy, but not Narcissism. Non-professional raters were slightly more accurate than professional raters in assessing Psychopathy and Machiavellianism, with nearly identical accuracy for Narcissism. Across all traits, the most common error was that of undercorrection (rating a trait as low when the ground truth for a trait was high). The thesis concludes that human raters with limited specific training can achieve some level of accuracy in identifying Dark Triad traits under Zero-acquaintance conditions. Nonprofessional raters may outperform trained professionals in certain areas. This thesis suggests that assessments of SD3 traits may be successfully performed by analysts who are not psychologists. Future research is recommended to further explore these findings with more targeted tasks, diverse samples, and comparisons with artificial intelligence models

Detection of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals at the North Haven Water Pollution Control Facility on the Quinnipiac River

The presence of estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was detected using vacuum filtration and solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by methods measured through chemical analysis. This research aims to quantify the presence of estrogenic EDCs in the Quinnipiac River located in Connecticut. Samples from influent, effluent, and downstream river locations from a Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) in North Haven, Connecticut are tested for the presence of estrone and 17α-ethinylestradiol. Findings from the study will provide insight to improve treatment efficiency of EDCs in WPCFs

Investigating Odor Signatures of Electronic Storage Devices

Dogs have a long history of being used as scent trackers. They\u27ve tracked game for hunters, sniffed out hidden drugs, and even found hidden criminals and missing victims. More recently, police K-9 dogs have demonstrated the ability to locate individual electronic storage devices (ESDs) - such as laptops, cell phones, and USB drives - by scent. This ability, which gained mass media attention when a dog found a hidden USB drive during the raid on Jared Fogle\u27s residence, is possible due to a dog\u27s significantly heightened sense of smell when compared to that of a human. Knowledge regarding the detection of ESDs is still rudimentary and being researched. Current K-9 training programs train the dogs on either the target material, or, if the target material is unavailable, chemical surrogates that mimic the scent profile of their targets. The former approach is used for K-9 training programs that include detection of ESDs. If surrogate chemicals can be used to produce odor profiles consistent with the ESD odor profiles, these manufactured odor profiles can then be incorporated into future K-9 training programs, avoiding the need to purchase expensive ESDs solely for scent training. In order to develop the optimal method for ESD odor profile analysis, a method must first be developed to identify the odor profile ofESDs. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC­ MS) is a valuable method for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) anticipated to be present in the odor profiles of ESDs. However, determination of an optimal sampling method to perform this type of analysis is needed. In cooperation with the Connecticut State Police and NOBLE, two different sampling methods were evaluated for identifying a specific target odor using GC-MS: Direct headspace and solid phase microextraction (SPME). After determining the best sample method, this optimized method was then used to evaluate the odor profile of an ESD sample using GC-MS, to determine whether the target odor in question was present in the odor profile

Fruto de Borínken (Vase Close-Up)

This piece is a heartfelt homage to the incredible women in my family and the rich culture of Puerto Rico. It captures my deep love for the natural beauty, vibrant music, and passionate spirit that flows through their veins—expressed in our delicious food, lively attitudes, and the immense love they have shared with me. It also evokes the powerful warmth of the midday sun in Puerto Rico, reflecting the essence of our cherished heritage. This work of art is acrylic on canvas.https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/digital-exhibits/1014/thumbnail.jp

Dewatering of Chlorella Algae Using CO2 Gas Hydrate Formation for the Biofuel Production

When microalgae are processed for producing biofuel, dewatering the algae is an important step, particularly when combined with extracting valuable byproducts like algal oil. Conventional methods like centrifugation and filtration can be harsh on the algae and usually need high-energy inputs. In this work, the new application of CO2 gas hydrates as an algae dewatering agent was investigated. A CO₂ hydrate, CO2-nH2O, where n (n\u3e5.75), is a nonstoichiometric compound where water molecules with hydrogen bonds are structured in an ice-like fashion to form polyhedral cavities. CO₂ gas hydrates are crystalline because gas molecules are trapped in a lattice of water molecules. Water can be effectively removed from the algal biomass by trapping water molecules. The efficacy of this method in decreasing the water content of the algae was assessed. The Parr reactor\u27s pressure and temperature, along with the Chlorella algae concentration, were important in the formation of CO2 gas hydrates. Six experiments with different pressures and Chlorella algae concentrations were performed, where CO2 gas was charged into a Parr reactor. The reactor system was then cooled to temperatures within the hydrate stability zone. The pressure and temperature of the Parr reactor were monitored over time, and the formation and dissociation datasets were analysed and compared with theoretical data from CSMHYD software. From the experimental results, it was inferred that high pressure with low concentration of the Chlorella algae was ideal for the CO2 gas hydrate production and thermodynamic stability. Since the dried algal yield was too low, the extraction of the algal oil for biofuel production was not successful under these relatively small experimental volumes. Overall, the outcome is a promising direction toward mass biofuel production systems and CO2 gas hydrate-based dewatering tools for the future production of biofuels and high-value byproducts through the application of algae

Pilot/ Validation of Protocol for an Alternative to Clinical

All across the country, Clinical Microbiology laboratories are being consolidated into one location for an entire hospital network10. Though this helps reduce cost and staffing needs, it creates issues for the next generation of Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) trying to find clinical sites to complete clinical practicum rotations to complete the necessary certification processes. To combat this issue, it was proposed that MLS programs create alternative curriculums to offer in place of clinical rotations to reduce the amount of time students need in these rotations from three weeks to one week. This study investigated one alternative with the intent that it can be implemented into the curriculum and reduce the amount of time students will need on-site in microbiology rotations while providing valuable hands-on experience, therefore allowing students to get the experience they need. This study investigated organisms from soil samples, due to the ease of obtaining this specimen. The testing completed focused on the identification of gramnegative organisms from the Enterobacteriaceae family

Developing a Method for the Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals In Topical CBD Pain Relief Products

In 2018, the United States passed the Farm Bill, which removed cannabidiol (CBD) from the list of controlled substances, where it was previously considered a schedule 1 drug, and legalized any cannabis-derived products containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As a result of this bill, there has been an increase in sales and an influx of matrices for cannabis-based products. One subsection of cannabis products that has gained interest in recent years is the topical use of CBD. Research has shown that topical CBD products may be useful to stimulate wound healing, treat non-melanoma skin cancer, and reduce inflammation, itching, and pain. However, since CBD has no accepted medical or recreational use, with the expectation of Epidiolex to treat epilepsy, any cannabis-based products on the market are largely unregulated by The Food and Drng Administration (FDA). Due to the lack of regulations and limited analysis of CBD products before they enter the market, there are concerns about label accuracy and potential product contamination. Heavy metal contamination in CBD products is an area of concern, partially due to processing cross-contamination and post-processing adulteration, but also due to the natural bioaccumulative capacity of the cannabis plant, which removes heavy metals from substrate soils and deposits them in the plant tissues. Heavy metals are classified as carcinogens and have been shown to aid cancer progression or reduce sensitivity to treatment. Topical exposure to heavy metals was previously thought to only have local effects on the body, however recent studies have shown that they are capable of penetrating deep into the skin, reaching the blood circulatory system, and causing exposure to internal organs. An extraction method and a digestion method using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) were evaluated for their use in analyzing lotions for the presence of heavy metals, specifically lead and cadmium. Eight (8) topical CBD products sold online were analyzed for the potential presence of lead and cadmium. The extraction method analyzed was not successful in extracting heavy metals from lotion samples. The digestion method was found to be successful for use in analyzing lotions with relatively high levels of lead or cadmium. Lead and cadmium were unable to be detected in any of the eight CBD lotions analyzed