Measuring Congressional Approval

The probable link between public favorability, or lack thereof, and a low-performing Congress has received little attention. Investigating this potential relationship and examining whether either impacts the other is critical to understanding Congressional performance and citizens\u27 true feelings about their elected officials. The proposed study examines the possible correlation between public opinion and Congressional performance, whereby the examination of provided public studies and a comparison of a small survey population with an extensive population survey is observed. Particularly, the data collection method conducted for this study will consist of a convenient sample of individuals who were sent a confidential and optional twenty-nine-question survey, where answers are analyzed and compared with publicly published data from the Pew Research Center. The expected results of this study were that low favorability or poor public opinion of Congress correlates with a low-performing Congress, in addition to an overall assessment of current public approval of Congress. Such an understanding is critical to assess and present to academic peers as part of the Honors Thesis presentation, and to collaborate and discuss the implications of such a correlation, and why it exists. Overall, the study aims to examine the impact of public opinion on Congressional performance. The research yielded that increasingly public favorability of Congress has been decreasing steadily overall and contributing data and news reporting results in a decline of productivity–low-performance–in Congress. Further, an article found through research helps explain that public opinion impacts Congressional members in differing ways, relating to elections and policy decisions

Postmortem Detection of Substance P And Met-Enkephalin Expression as a Possible Indicator for Pain Estimation Prior to Death

Substance P (SP) and Met-Enkephalin (MET) are neuropeptides critical to the central nervous system (CNS) and are released as immediate responders to physical stressors like pain. In blood, SP and MET adapt based on an incident-death time interval to suggest the potential to use these as biomarkers in the assessment of pain prior to death. The mRNA and DNA manipulations of RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, and RT-qPCR allowed for investigation into SP and MET gene expression (TACl, TACRl, OGFR) in those who experienced chronic tissue damage (e.g. domestic abuse) as compared to those who underwent an acute pain event (e.g. sudden traumatic event). Delta cycle threshold (L\u27.iCt) values were used as an inverse measure of gene expression to recognize SP and MET expression patterns as it relates to manner of death. Clear expression profiles were found in postmortem acute pain cases where the mean L\u27.iCt values for TACl and TACRl were 16.61 ± 1.93 and 15.56 ± 1.75 respectively with OGFR notably lower at 7.42 ± 1.13. This is compared to postmortem chronic cases where the mean L\u27.iCt values for TACl and TACRl were 18.85 ± 2.88 and 18.50 ± 2.86 respectively with OGFR again lower at 6.70 ± 2.38. The differential expression patterns observed in this study suggest acute pain is linked to raised OGFR expression where TAC1 and TACRl proved increasingly variable when compared to chronic pain samples. The results of this study supply preliminary support to the hypothesis that chronic pain conditions existent perimortem may lead to more unique biomarker profiles as compared to acute pain conditions perimortem. If there is ever uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of an individual\u27s death, this study may therefore aid in the establishment of SP and MET as feasible biomarkers to understand the extent of suffering leading to death. Additional investigations constituting greater sample populations, with emphasis on chronic pain conditions, are required to further validate the study\u27s results and to generate a well-established diagnostic criterion

Extraction of Bioethanol From Seaweed Via Hydrolysis and Fermentation Using Mass-Produced Enzymes and Yeast

The increasing global energy demand, depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and environmental concerns have driven the search for sustainable biofuel alternatives. Seaweeds (macroalgae) are promising feedstocks for bioethanol production due to their high carbohydrate content, rapid growth rates, lack of lignin, and non-competition with arable land. This study investigates the bioethanol production potential of three seaweed species, Codium fragile, Monostroma grevillei, and Fucus distichus, using enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation via Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF) and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) processes. Hydrolysis was catalyzed using either α-Amylase or Celluclast 1.5L, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was employed for fermentation. Out of 12 experimental runs, 9 yielded quantifiable bioethanol. The highest ethanol concentration (11.3 wt.%) was obtained from C. fragile using SHF, while the lowest (3.5 wt.%) was observed in the same species under SSF conditions. The higher SHF yield is attributed to the ability to optimize hydrolysis and fermentation independently, enabling full enzymatic activity at elevated temperatures (45–50°C), which is particularly effective for depolymerizing the ulvan-rich polysaccharides in C. fragile. In contrast, SSF required a temperature compromise, reducing hydrolytic efficiency. Distillate volumes ranged from 8.0 to 108.5 mL, with SHF generally outperforming SSF. Characterization via IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of ethanol in all successful trials, alongside trace impurities in select experiments. These results demonstrate the viability of seaweeds as a renewable source of bioethanol and highlight how process configuration and enzyme selection significantly influence yield and purity. Further optimization is recommended to maximize output and validate these findings against existing literature benchmarks

Fruto de Borínken

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/1013/thumbnail.jp

Implication of Georgian Democratic Backsliding

The last several years have demonstrated a dramatic political shift in Eastern Europe. While the war in Ukraine may be the most well known instance of this, the lesser studied nation of Georgia has seen many notable changes as well. At the hands of a growingly oppressive government, Georgian Dream (GD), the country has experienced democratic backsliding in the form of authoritarian-like policy changes and closer ties with authoritarian states. This has incited widespread protesting and calls to reinstate democratic practices. GD has seemingly deserted its former Western-oriented goals and the financial support these connections bring in favor of relations with the Axis of Evasion (AoE). This begs the question, what have been the full (geo)political consequences of Georgian Dream rule? The thesis aims to answer this by examining Georgia’s democratic backsliding, developing authoritarianism, and increased collaboration with AoE nations. An analysis of these subjects indicates that there have been and may continue to be sociopolitical, geopolitical, and geoeconomic implications, which have culminated in AoE members expanding their sphere of influence. This writing delves into these consequences and explores a set of possible future paths of the political situation in Georgia

Assessing the Effect of Prolonged Saltwater Exposure on DNA Recovery in Submerged Skeletal Remains from Sus scrofa domesticus (Erxleben, 1777)

Both water-related and mass disasters occurring over or in water (e.g., boating disasters, commercial plane crashes, and natural disasters) result in multiple deaths every year. Due to the ocean\u27s vastness and lack of equipment, remains may not be recovered for some time, resulting in soft tissue decomposition, leaving bone as the last repository of recoverable DNA for identification purposes. Skeletal remains\u27 physical and chemical components protect them from environmental deterioration and biological attack and preserve DNA well. Therefore, identifying an individual may depend on DNA obtained from skeletal remains. However, there is limited research on how long DNA can be preserved in skeletal remains, especially within water. Hence, this research study focused on observing the effect of prolonged saltwater exposure on DNA recovery in submerged skeletal femurs from the species Sus scrofa domesticus (Erxleben, 1777), or domestic pig, over six months. Two silica-based DNA extraction methods were also studied to optimize the most efficient technique for DNA recovery from the skeletal samples. Silica-based methods were chosen for this study to find a replacement for organic extraction, a time­ consuming procedure that poses health hazards. With the help of a local butcher, a total of eight juvenile domestic pig femurs with the tissue removed were used for this experiment, with 6/8 submerged in a 75-liter fish tank in room-temperature saltwater over six months, 1/8 in a secured dry fume hood as a control, and 1/8 used in a preliminary experiment. One femur was removed from the tank monthly for DNA extraction and quantification using the two silica-based extraction techniques. Samples were taken from each wet and dry femur monthly for six months and quantified using Quantstudio™ 5, a real-time PCR instrument. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the DNA yield recovered from the femurs in both environmental conditions and extraction techniques, it was concluded that the modified method used in the dry condition significantly yielded more DNA than other combinations. These findings suggest that dry conditions preserve DNA in skeletal remains more than wet conditions; however, the modified silica-based extraction method may improve DNA yield regardless of such conditions

The Movement

This work of art is colored pencil and acrylic highlights on mixed media paper, 18” by 24”. This artwork captures the powerful essence of women from diverse cultures worldwide, uniting in a vibrant display of strength and solidarity. It depicts their courageous struggle to assert their rights and embrace their individuality, breaking free from the constraints that society has traditionally imposed upon them. The piece symbolizes a profound sense of unity woven together with threads of love, resilience, and empowerment. Each figure radiates determination, reflecting the unique stories and journeys of women who boldly carve their own paths and claim their rightful place in the world.https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/digital-exhibits/1065/thumbnail.jp

How Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has Changed Russia- Africa Relations

This thesis examines how Russia\u27s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has impacted Russia\u27s relationships with several African countries, specifically focusing on Libya, Mali, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Sudan. The study employed qualitative data analysis sourced from both primary and secondary materials, including official government statements, expert opinions, statements from key stakeholders, journal articles, verified news media, and think tanks. The study has found that the geopolitical shifts triggered by Russia’s war against Ukraine have enhanced Russia\u27s political, economic, and military cooperation in the four African nations under analysis. The analysis of the five African nations’ cooperation with Russia has resulted in five specific themes: (1) Security and military partnerships; (2) Strategic non-alignment; (3) Postcolonial identity and anti-western sentiment; (4) Economic incentives, and (5) Diplomatic support of Russia

Optimizing Growth Conditions of Chlorella Algae for Enhanced Biomass and Oxygen Production

Increasing Earth\u27s carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels contribute immensely to global warming. At the same time, future Mars colonization requires innovative systems for oxygen production. This study explores how Chlorella algae can help control environmental challenges on Earth, support life on Mars, and produce biomass as an alternative to renewable energy. Chlorella is known for its high photosynthetic efficiency in capturing CO2 for growth, producing O2 and biomass used for biofuel production. It was studied under varying CO₂ concentrations and pressure conditions. Each experiment was performed using a photobioreactor setup and optimized algae growth conditions. These were assessed to understand its ability to grow and produce O2 and biomass used for biofuel production and sustainable energy to address environmental problems. The bioreactor system and the CO2 meter oxygen sensor were key in maximizing Chlorella growth for scalable uses on Earth. The results highlight how vital Chlorella is for lowering CO2 emissions, producing clean energy, and sustaining life on Mars via O2 produced. The experimental results showed that higher CO₂ concentration enhanced Chlorella growth and O2 production, while low- pressure conditions, mimicking Martian environments, supported stable photosynthesis. Under gas mixture atmospheric (428.15 ppm) CO₂ at 1atm pressure conditions in experiment 1, Chlorella showed stable growth with a modest O₂ increase of 0.68%. O2 production greatly improved under high (334000 ppm) CO₂ concentration experiment 2, reaching an increase change of light on and off 4.52%. Further growth under low vacuum pressures of experiments 3 and 4 confirmed that Chlorella can sustain photosynthesis in Martian-like environments. However, the most surprising growth and O2 production occurred in experiment 6, where a mix of 0.13 atm absolute vacuum pressure and high (334000 ppm) CO₂ concentration led to a peak O₂ concentration of 72.01% and selected as the best optimized conditions growth. The combined six experiments dry Chlorella was extracted using Soxhlet extraction to assess its biofuel potential, and 0.14 g of oil was successfully extracted, validating its application as a good prospect for carbon capture, renewable biofuel production, and extraterrestrial life support systems that address environmental sustainability on Earth and enable self-sufficient habitats beyond our planet

Emotion Analysis and Topic Modelling of Supply Chain Discussion during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aims to investigate the supply chain discussion during the COVID-19 pandemic using the supply chain tweets collected between March 2020 and May 2022 globally. The findings reveal an evolving sentiment trajectory: while the users’ sentiment remained neutral in 2020 and 2021, a negative sentiment surged starting in January 2022. Moreover, an emotion analysis indicates a mix of sadness and optimism among Twitter users, with anger gradually intensifying from June 2021 onward. Furthermore, topic modeling reveals distinct themes discussed each year. In 2020, major topics centered around the government’s response to COVID-19, food and medical supply chain crises. By 2021, discussions shifted to inflation/gas prices, government handling of supply chain crisis, and vaccination/recovery efforts. The first half of 2022 witnessed dominant discussions on the war in Ukraine, inflation and human rights, the US election and border crossing issues. The implications of these findings were discussed at the end