In recent years, scientists have come to understand that the effective life span of antimicrobial agents is limited, due to the current crisis pertaining to the rapid emergence of resistant bacteria that is occurring worldwide. As a result, numerous studies have been, and continue to be, conducted in order to find natural alternative sources of antimicrobial agents, with particular interest in sourcing them from plants. The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitory effects of limonene and holy basil tea on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms, as well as to observe any synergistic interactions between these agents and the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline that may amplify the inhibition of these biofilms. Limonene and holy basil tea are both plant-based treatments, sourced from the oil of citrus fruits, and from holy basil, respectively. A traditional crystal violet (CV) biofilm assay was used to test the effectiveness of these agents in inhibiting the growth of S. epidermidis biofilms. Trends thus far indicate that these test agents possess antibacterial activity with which to inhibit the formation of S. epidermidis biofilms.
The following thesis emphasizes the importance of both trust and transparency in the American marketplace with respect to minimizing fraudulent activities through a thorough analysis of the Enron scandal, the FTX scandal, and other instances of accounting fraud. Moreover, this thesis ultimately serves as a means to educate others in such matters through an even more critical description of how such cases impact Americans from an economic regard. The thesis begins by describing the origins of Enron Corporation, in addition to Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling’s promotion of a belligerent work environment. This description further recounts how the many malpractices of Enron – such as its misuse of mark-to-market accounting techniques and special purpose entities – ultimately caused its own collapse. Continuing, the thesis relates this pattern of misconduct to FTX Trading Ltd, a cryptocurrency exchange that filed for bankruptcy after a series of reports concerning the company’s embezzlement of customer funds. This particular part of the thesis demonstrates the notably apparent role of fraud in contemporary society, as many other companies continue to exploit investors through a lack of transparency. The thesis then elaborates on the nature of fraud through an analysis of other cases like those of WorldCom, Waste Management, and Sunbeam Corporation. In reiterating the economic effects of these cases, the thesis also describes the overarching consequences of fraud with respect to investors, employees, creditors, and, most of all, the American public. Finally, the thesis elaborates on the contemporary importance of both trust and transparency by considering the implications of new industries, particularly those related to cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens. This includes an analysis of how companies may efficiently mitigate fraud by following regulatory standards and recognizing the socioeconomic responsibilities they have as institutions with vast influence.
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series focuses on the adventures of its titular character, Percy Jackson, as he tries to navigate the world of ancient Greek gods he has been thrust into and the impending war that looms over the horizon for the entire series. It has become a best-selling series that has launched multiple spin-off series, movies, and a TV show. While this series is aimed at children and young adults, it still tackles serious issues that existed
within the ancient Greek world as well as the modern-day America it takes place in, making it relatable to all ages. Although this series follows some of the traditional tropes and conventions of literature, Riordan manages to subvert these traditional conventions. This thesis will begin with a look into the origins of the Percy Jackson series, developing the background for those unfamiliar with both the series and the author. The next chapter will focus on how Rick Riordan
subverts the tropes and conventions surrounding the role of women within both Greek mythology and classical literature, making his audience rethink the merit behind them. Following this, the thesis will look at how Riordan alters the image of Greek mythological gods, subverting the traditional views surrounding them. Finally, the last chapter will focus on how Riordan uses the character of Luke Castellan to serve as a foil for Percy Jackson, subverting the usual protagonist/hero and antagonist/villain archetypes.
Forensic science is an essential part of solving crimes in the United States, and it is one part that wasn’t heavily looked at until 2009 when the NAS (National Academy of Forensic Science) conducted a study that held that among existing forensic methods, only nuclear DNA analysis had been rigorously shown to have the capacity to consistently demonstrate a connection between an evidentiary sample and a specific individual or source. In addition, the report found that most forensic crime labs were understaffed, underfunded, and undereducated in the actual field. This report fueled many changes throughout the forensic crime laboratories in the United States and ultimately led to an improvement. However, are there still improvements that need to be made to deem these crime laboratories sufficient, and if so, what can be improved? This will be a literary analysis of how much the 2009 NAS study and findings made an impact on the field of forensic science in the Criminal Justice System and will explore different improvements which can be made to processes and methods in forensic science, which could ultimately lead towards a better state of Forensic Science in the United States as a whole.
This integrative review demonstrates the impact of nightshift work on registered nurse (RN) health and quality of life (QOL) and patient care and outcomes. Bedside nursing entails twenty-four hour patient care and to meet this responsibility, night-shift nurses counter their bodies’ natural circadian rhythm and work overnight until the following morning. Physical impacts from working the night shift include an altered sleep schedule, higher risk for chronic illness and fatigue, poor nutrition and hydration. From a mental standpoint, nurses are more vulnerable to social isolation from the adaptation of a flipped sleep schedule. Other components include decreased job satisfaction and performance. Alongside sleep deprivation, a decrease in job satisfaction and job performance ultimately impact the nurse’s ability to care for patients. A decrease in mental function will impact nurses’ assessments, decisions, etc. Making decisions becomes difficult when you cannot process thoughts and assess situations clearly. It can be argued that while it is important to provide overnight care, the nurses need to look after
themselves more than if they worked a day shift schedule, and doing so will benefit their own health. Understanding the relationship between these variables and RN health and QOL as well as patient care and outcomes can stimulate future interventions to lessen the intensity and strain that comes with working the night shift.
As of 2019, the top 10% of earners possessed about 80% of stock market wealth. The next 10% owned 11% and the bottom 80% owned just 8% of total stock market wealth. These statistics indicate rampant inequality in favor of the highest earners as they own a significantly high concentration of wealth in the United States. Prevalent inequality and the pervasive dimensions of poverty among minorities directly affect their access to the resources they need the most. This paper discusses the connection between poverty, inequality, race, and access to resources. There is special attention placed on how these factors affect access to healthcare for the most vulnerable. Covid-19 played a big role in pulling back the curtain to show just how susceptible the poor were to the crisis and how higher earnings were better equipped to handle these circumstances.
Social media is used by 302.25 million users in the United States today, with an average of 7.1 social media accounts per person (Ruby, 2023). 90% of our population uses social media every day and therefore are faced with a number of advertisements and sponsorships. Influencers are seen on all social media platforms promoting products and services to their followers and all who are interested. As a way to acknowledge this, it can be said that there is influence on the buying behavior of their followers. In order to understand this behavior, I will be conducting a survey on individual experiences with social media and influencers and purchase decisions after preparing a literature review on the state of social media as well as its usage through several approaches. By reaching a truly random sample, the guidance of influencers will be evaluated upon recognizing how users utilize different social media platforms.
Blockchain technology is arguably one of the most significant technological innovations in recent memory. As a sophisticated digital record-keeping system, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct transactions and store data. In a world that demands greater transparency, effectiveness, efficiency, simplicity, and security, it is not surprising that technology is continuously evolving to meet these demands. From this, concepts such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, cyber security, and cryptocurrency have emerged. Many of us in our respective fields may know of concepts such as cryptocurrency via the media. However, some may not know the deeper details concerning cryptocurrency, especially the fact that blockchain technology serves as the basis for digital currencies like Bitcoin and the reason for their existence. Since blockchain’s inception in 2009, an immense appeal has been observed, and businesses are attempting to employ blockchain technology for a number of benefits. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate blockchain technology and its historical context, as well as provide a comprehensive analysis of its applications and limitations. This study will explore the potential of this transformative technology to bring benefits in a range of applications, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed in order to maximize its potential. Additionally, a brief overview of the possible implications of blockchain technology, if adopted within the accounting field, will be illustrated to outline what this means for the future and the business world.
Many people around the world have a special place in their hearts for music–but they cannot say the same for math. So much beauty can be experienced when listening to music, although what most do not realize is it comes from the special relationship music has with numbers and patterns. This study investigates how mathematics fits into something as creative and artistic as music. The way math is used to comprehend the basic components of music is explained, starting with how we perceive sound. The way our ears process the music affects which frequencies sound more pleasant when played together, and which do not. Timing matters a lot in music, as well. The repetition of beats and the patterns of rhythms combine and contribute to how a song sounds. The comprehension and appreciation of mathematics in music is the goal of this thesis, and to understand how music can be used as a tool to grasp the concepts in music.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a kind of bacterium that is frequently observed in both human and animal digestive tracts. While the majority of E. coli strains are harmless, some are pathogenic and can have substantial negative effects on health. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a disorder that can result in renal failure, anemia, and low platelet count, is one such consequence. Exposure to specific E. coli strains, especially those that generate Shiga toxin, is frequently linked to the development of HUS. A specific Shiga-toxin generating strain is OH157:H7 and it is known for being linked to a majority of HUS developments. This particular strain will be examined in further depth according to multiple studies done by various researchers. Even though the OH15:H7 strain is quite apparent concerning HUS, other strains will be discussed because many other diagnoses of HUS have been linked to other E. coli strains throughout the world. HUS is an extremely impactful disease that currently has no cure. There are many different ways in which to treat HUS in its developing stages and onset stages, but there have also been studies that discuss the possible negative effects of antibiotic treatment. This paper seeks to inform about the effects E. coli has on developing HUS and its varying treatment options through the most current studies.
During the 2016 Presidential elections, former President Donald Trump called on Americans and politicians to work together to “Make America Great Again.” In their efforts, right-wing conservatives have worked diligently to limit and reinvent knowledge and history to students. Between 2021-2022, PEN America reported 1,648 books being banned across the nation. This censorship of knowledge is not new, but it is also not a good sign for the trajectory of America. Should these book bans continue, the United States May find itself succumbing to fascist ideologies and control. The ways in which books are currently being banned fall in line with fascist tactics meant to uplift a false utopia, create divide amongst people, and promote fear. This thesis will look at the ways in which book banning is used as a political tool and its increasing premonition of the possibility of America becoming a fascist state.
The increase in the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from the burning of fossil fuels has led to environmental concerns due to global warming and escalating global climate change. One of the key solutions towards a sustainable future is to switch to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy which are clean and abundant. However since these resources are intermittent, it is critical to convert and store solar energy as chemical fuels. Artificial photosynthesis involves converting solar energy into chemical fuel, similar to how plants use photosynthesis to store solar energy into energy-rich sugar molecules. One major challenge in developing this technology is to discover robust water-oxidation catalysts (WOCs) that can efficiently oxidize water and produce oxygen, electrons and protons under a highly oxidizing environment. Water-splitting into hydrogen and oxygen can occur in a photoelectrochemical cell by interfacing the WOC to the anode and proton reduction catalyst (PRC) to the cathode. The traditional approach for wiring a WOC to an anode typically relies on the modification of the catalyst to incorporate anchoring groups, such as carboxylic acids or phosphonates. However, this can be synthetically challenging and these systems typically suffer from catalyst instability at pH ≥ 7. In this thesis work, we demonstrate a facile, versatile and simple method for the immobilization of an unmodified cationic ruthenium-based molecular complex RuCat1 (RuCat1 = [Ru(tpy)(bpy)(H2O)]2+, tpy =2,2’ : 6’2’’–terpyridine and bpy = 2,2’–bipyridine) to a grafted polymeric electrode surface. The surface polymer coating consisted of a UV crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) network grafted into a conductive FTO (fluorine-doped tin-oxide) electrode. The immobilized Ru(II)-OEC|PAA|FTO films were characterized using various techniques, including attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), UV-visible, cyclic voltammetry, and oxygen evolution studies which proves the successful attachment of the
molecular WOC and point to a pH-dependent electrocatalytic activity.
Within the past decade, American politics seemed to have become more divided, and with this has come the spread of more radical beliefs in mainstream culture. This includes conspiracy theories, which can be described as an attempt "to explain the ultimate causes of significant social and political events and circumstances with claims of secret plots by two or more powerful actors" (Brugger 2022). This study aims to show how conspiracy theories are spread and why people believe them. This was done by administering surveys to both students and adults, primarily at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey, to get an idea of what an average person understands or believes about various popular conspiracy theories. Interviews were also conducted with both believers and nonbelievers to further learn about the mindset of both groups. Finally, analysis was conducted of two major conspiracy theory websites, in order to see what kind of information is commonly spread among conspiracy theory circles.
The digraphs of permutation polynomials in the form ax^k+b and ax^k using the field
Zp are being studied during this thesis. I will be testing to see how changes to constants, exponents, and coefficients affect the digraphs of these permutation polynomials. Using previous work from scholarly articles as well as my own experimentation with the effects of certain changes to polynomial functions, I have devised several theorems and lemmas that will increase the understanding of permutation polynomials.
This study evaluates soil management practices that can sequester carbon efficiently, leading to an increased food production and quality. Specifically, we focused on hugelkultur and compared it to more traditional farming techniques, to see the efficiency of this method in storing soil carbon. In order to evaluate its effectiveness, we took soil samples from different fields in a farm with diverse farming practices; one of which was an established hugelkultur area. When the results came in, there were many different results depending on the sample, but it was observed that the soil sample from the field in which hugelkultur was used had great soil health quality, with all the indicators having high ratings. This shows that, if all the conditions are met, hugelkutur is a great soil management practice for carbon sequestration, and henceforth, high-quality food production and growth.