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Articles 1 - 30 of 48
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
The Influence Of Vehicular Traffic And Land Use Typology On The Spatial Patterns And Concentrations Of Soil Lead (Pb) In The Uptown Community Area Of Chicago, Andreas 'Dre' Harris
The Influence Of Vehicular Traffic And Land Use Typology On The Spatial Patterns And Concentrations Of Soil Lead (Pb) In The Uptown Community Area Of Chicago, Andreas 'Dre' Harris
DePaul Discoveries
Lead (Pb) is a harmful element whose presence threatens the well-being of living organisms and their environments. There are higher concentrations and an increased risk of Pb exposure in areas that provide fewer natural pathways for Pb to accumulate into. In urban areas, the soil is one of the most common and available environmental sinks for Pb accumulation. This study examines the total soil Pb concentrations in relation to land-use types and average daily traffic volumes (cars/day) in each census tract in the Uptown Community Area of Chicago. This study provides insight into how land use and traffic volume may …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 12 Cover Art, Katherine Petralia
Depaul Discoveries Volume 12 Cover Art, Katherine Petralia
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
Monitoring Personal Exposure To Air Quality Gradients While Biking On An Elevated Urban Trail, Gavin D. Salas
Monitoring Personal Exposure To Air Quality Gradients While Biking On An Elevated Urban Trail, Gavin D. Salas
DePaul Discoveries
Air pollution is a major global health concern, specifically as it relates to the human exposome. The EPA criteria pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and NOx can have severe impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular health, particularly in populations with chronic illnesses such as asthma, those facing economic hardships and individuals who frequently spend time outdoors, such as bicyclists and runners. To understand the impact of air pollution on human health, it is essential to assess personal exposure. This study aimed to investigate personal exposure to air pollution levels while biking along …
Stratospheric Effects On Uv, Speed Of Sound, Pressure, And Temperature, Joshua V. Chis, Joana Diaz, Brianna E. Ortiz, Imani G. Robertson, Jelani A. Shadd
Stratospheric Effects On Uv, Speed Of Sound, Pressure, And Temperature, Joshua V. Chis, Joana Diaz, Brianna E. Ortiz, Imani G. Robertson, Jelani A. Shadd
DePaul Discoveries
The atmosphere is composed of several layers, each with its own distinct environment varying in temperature, pressure, and levels of UV radiation. Quantifying these varying parameters proves to be useful in understanding atmospheric composition in greater detail. Variance in the composition of the atmosphere allows for the study of the evolution of physical phenomena at different altitudes. Our group quantified this variance using a high-altitude weather balloon and designed an experimental method to observe the nature of sound propagation through varying altitudes. The goal was to develop an altitude-dependent model of the speed of sound by using an open-air, microcontroller-based …
What's In Your Soil? A Comparative Assessment Of Total Lead In Soils In Southwest Side And North Side Chicago Communities, Jennifer Garcia
What's In Your Soil? A Comparative Assessment Of Total Lead In Soils In Southwest Side And North Side Chicago Communities, Jennifer Garcia
DePaul Discoveries
In Chicago, city officials continue to locate polluting industries in predominately Black and Hispanic/Latinx neighborhoods. Lower income families are disproportionately exposed to greater amounts of toxic chemicals such as lead (Pb). While the City of Chicago focuses its effort in removing industrial sites from the North Side, a predominately white community area, sources of industrial pollution are more likely to be found in communities of color. Due to the prevalent sources of Pb on the Southwest side, residential soil is often highly disturbed and contaminated. Pb is a serious neurotoxin, and ingestion or inhalation of Pb contaminated soil and dust …
Atmospheric Phosphorus Deposition Into A Fresh Water Wetland: Prairie Wolf Slough Restored Wetland, Isaac B. Daitzchman
Atmospheric Phosphorus Deposition Into A Fresh Water Wetland: Prairie Wolf Slough Restored Wetland, Isaac B. Daitzchman
DePaul Discoveries
Phosphorus is a major element needed for plant growth. Excess phosphorus from agricultural runoff and urban stormwater can enter waterways, resulting in growth of toxic algal blooms that are deleterious to local fauna. One way to remove phosphorus is by diverting agricultural and urban runoff into wetlands. One such wetland is Prairie Wolf Slough (PWS), located in north suburban Chicago, IL. Stormwater enters PWS through an inlet channel and exits through an outlet pipe into the Chicago River. A 16-year study documented that a significantly greater mass of phosphorus leaves PWS than enters through the inlet. This study accounted for …
Synthesis Of Triaminopyrimidine Derivatives For Inhibition Of Inflammatory Caspases, Marianna C. Haddad, Caitlin Karver
Synthesis Of Triaminopyrimidine Derivatives For Inhibition Of Inflammatory Caspases, Marianna C. Haddad, Caitlin Karver
DePaul Discoveries
Caspases are cysteine-dependent aspartic proteases whose functions are connected to different mechanisms of cell death and inflammation. As caspase-1 plays a significant role in the immune response, its activity has been of interest as a target for inhibitor development as its inhibition will reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in inflammatory diseases, thus minimizing the symptoms that arise and serving as a possible therapeutic approach. Prior work discovered a family of potent inhibitors of caspase-1 with a common triaminopyrimidine scaffold. To further explore structure-activity relationship profiles of potential inhibitors of caspase-1, two different syntheses were attempted to create two new …
Optimization Of Dye Molecules For Use In Studying Inflammatory Caspase Enzymes, Josiah D. Stewart, Phasu Sirinit
Optimization Of Dye Molecules For Use In Studying Inflammatory Caspase Enzymes, Josiah D. Stewart, Phasu Sirinit
DePaul Discoveries
Inflammatory caspases are important enzymes in the initial immune response to pathogens. A common method of studying caspase activity is through the use of fluorogenic assays, in which the cleavage of a substrate by an enzyme results in the emission of fluorescence. Fluorogenic assays require the use of fluorophores: molecules that will fluoresce upon the cleavage of a substrate. Different fluorophores have different characteristics, and these characteristics can be analyzed in order to determine which fluorophores will be most suitable for activity assays. Two commercially available fluorophores were compared for use in fluorogenic assays of inflammatory caspases: MCA and EDANS. …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 11 Cover Art, Dina Khdair
Depaul Discoveries Volume 11 Cover Art, Dina Khdair
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
Triangulation And Finite Element Method For A Variational Problem Inspired By Medical Imaging, Tim Komperda, Enrico Au-Yeung
Triangulation And Finite Element Method For A Variational Problem Inspired By Medical Imaging, Tim Komperda, Enrico Au-Yeung
DePaul Discoveries
We implement the finite element method to solve a variational problem that is inspired by medical imaging. In our application, the domain of the image does not need to be a rectangle and can contain a cavity in the middle. The standard approach to solve a variational problem involves formulating the problem as a partial differential equation. Instead, we solve the variational problem directly, using only techniques available to anyone familiar with vector calculus. As part of the computation, we also explore how triangulation is a useful tool in the process.
Correlation Effects On Intramolecular C-H...Oh And O-H...O Hydrogen Bond Interactions In Azelaic Acid: An Ab Initio Study, Sabina Kalata, Alina Huang, Ruben Parra
Correlation Effects On Intramolecular C-H...Oh And O-H...O Hydrogen Bond Interactions In Azelaic Acid: An Ab Initio Study, Sabina Kalata, Alina Huang, Ruben Parra
DePaul Discoveries
Electron correlation effects on both conventional, O-H…O, and nonconventional, C-H…O, intramolecular hydrogen bonds present in a selected azelaic acid folded conformation were evaluated ab initio using HF and MP2 methodologies. The relative strength of the hydrogen bonds was examined through different indicators derived from geometry, vibrational frequencies, and electron density along the hydrogen bond path. The HF method results in weaker O-H…O and C-H…O hydrogen bonds when compared with the corresponding results using the MP2 method. Additionally, the stability of the folded azelaic conformation is found to depend on the level of theory used. Accordingly, the zero-point corrected energies of …
Insignificant Impacts Of Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders On Chicago Air Quality, Adam W.T. Steffeck
Insignificant Impacts Of Covid-19 Stay-At-Home Orders On Chicago Air Quality, Adam W.T. Steffeck
DePaul Discoveries
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of air quality improvements around the world resulting from the stay-at-home orders were widespread. However, for Chicago, no significant air quality improvements occurred despite large reductions in private vehicle transportation due to the lack of commuters. The city of Chicago is a nexus for long-haul transportation by trucks and trains, which did not decrease during the pandemic. These transportation sources use mostly diesel fuel engines and emit NOX, a precursor to tropospheric ozone, and PM2.5, both of which are harmful air pollutants. Using open access EPA air quality …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 10 Cover Art, Nicolette Listenbee
Depaul Discoveries Volume 10 Cover Art, Nicolette Listenbee
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
Association Of Neighborhood Disorder And Minority Stress With Depression Among Young Gay And Bisexual Males In Denver And Chicago, Liesl Gonzales, Douglas Bruce
Association Of Neighborhood Disorder And Minority Stress With Depression Among Young Gay And Bisexual Males In Denver And Chicago, Liesl Gonzales, Douglas Bruce
DePaul Discoveries
Excess risk for poor mental health outcomes has been found within sexual minority populations. This study aimed to examine factors that may contribute to depression rates within two populations of YMSM in Denver and Chicago. 100 HIV-positive and 100 HIV-negative YMSM completed a survey regarding demographic information, minority stress (such as same-sex stigma), and perceived neighborhood disorder. Chicago participants reported higher rates of neighborhood disorder, history of incarceration, and being kicked out of a parent’s house, variables predicted to be positively correlated with depression. Surprisingly, it was found that YMSM in Denver were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms …
Examination Of Inflammatory Caspase Aggregates Formed In The Presence Of Lipopolysaccharide, Grant D. Andersen
Examination Of Inflammatory Caspase Aggregates Formed In The Presence Of Lipopolysaccharide, Grant D. Andersen
DePaul Discoveries
Inflammatory caspases are involved in the innate immune response, in which cell damage and microorganism invasion lead to cell death via pyroptosis and the release of chemical signals that produce inflammation. Currently, little is known pertaining to the mechanism of activation for one of the major caspase isoforms, caspase-4, other than its ability to bind LPS and become more active because of it. It has been theorized that caspase-4 agregation occurs through a non-cannonical based pathways in forming its respective complex following binding to LPS. Alternatively, caspase-4 may be activated after binding LPS micelles. Herein, we sought to incorporate lipopollysaccharide …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 9 Cover, Steven Reese
Depaul Discoveries Volume 9 Cover, Steven Reese
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
Behavioral Responses To Gold Nanoparticle Exposure And H2o2-Induced Oxidative Stress In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Rachel Pride, Ashley Wagner
Behavioral Responses To Gold Nanoparticle Exposure And H2o2-Induced Oxidative Stress In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Rachel Pride, Ashley Wagner
DePaul Discoveries
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been utilized in many biomedical disciplines, most notably cancer therapy and drug delivery. Recent research suggests that with specific peptide manipulation, AuNPs can deliver drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), allowing for treatment of neurodegeneration and other neurological afflictions. Neurodegeneration has been shown to be caused by oxidative stress. The present experiment aimed to assess the effects of AuNPs on C. elegans behavior that had undergone H2O2-induced oxidative stress. It was predicted that worms exposed to both H2O2 and AuNPs would have higher survival, mechanosensation, and thrashing rates than …
A Life Cycle Assessment Of Jewelry, Jessica Fernandez, Christie Klimas
A Life Cycle Assessment Of Jewelry, Jessica Fernandez, Christie Klimas
DePaul Discoveries
Jewelry is unique in that it is not a necessity, yet it holds sentimental and material value to the owner. Jewelry sales in the US have increased throughout time, meaning the demand for gold has almost always been increasing, as well. With more than half of the gold mined going towards the production of jewelry, it is the product with the highest demand of the resource. However, mining for the metals to produce a piece of jewelry, specifically gold, has negative consequences on both the environment and the people working in or living near mines. This study is a life …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 8 Cover, Jessica Hughes
Depaul Discoveries Volume 8 Cover, Jessica Hughes
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
United States Population Future Estimates And Long-Term Distribution, Sean P. Brogan
United States Population Future Estimates And Long-Term Distribution, Sean P. Brogan
DePaul Discoveries
The population of the United States has always increased year over year. Even now with decreasing birth rates, the overall population continues to grow when looking at conventional models. The present study specifically examines what would happen to the U.S. population if we were to maintain the current birth and survival rates into the future. By 2050, our research shows that the U.S. population will become much older and cease to grow at all.
Risk Factors Associated With Missed Medical Appointments Among Hiv-Positive Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, Willie Love, Douglas Bruce
Risk Factors Associated With Missed Medical Appointments Among Hiv-Positive Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, Willie Love, Douglas Bruce
DePaul Discoveries
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are overrepresented in the HIV epidemic in America. Retaining HIV positive YMSM in HIV care is very critical to reduce the overall burden of the HIV epidemic in America. Our study focused on identifying significant risk factors that affects retention in care for YMSM. Missing two or more medical appointments was how we measured retention in care. Using data gathered from ATN 086-106 study. This ATN cross-sectional study provided HIV positive males and females between the ages of 12 and 24 with an extensive questionnaire. The goal of this study was to …
Correlates Of Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy Among Hiv-Positive Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, Janelle Flores, Douglas Bruce
Correlates Of Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy Among Hiv-Positive Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, Janelle Flores, Douglas Bruce
DePaul Discoveries
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important in HIV management. The objective of this study was to analyze the risk factors for non-adherence to ART in HIV-positive young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Data pertaining to possible risk factors for non-adherence was collected from ATN086-106, a study protocol within the Adolescent Trials Network of HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN). Variables that were significantly associated with non-adherence to ART in bivariate analyses were entered into multivariate logistic regression models to identify correlates of non-adherence to ART. The results indicate that YMSM who used marijuana and methamphetamine and missed medical appointments were …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 7 Cover, Martha Lazarski
Depaul Discoveries Volume 7 Cover, Martha Lazarski
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
The Impact Of African American Male Incarceration Rates On The Racial Disparities In Hiv/Aids Rates, Michelle S. Aelion
The Impact Of African American Male Incarceration Rates On The Racial Disparities In Hiv/Aids Rates, Michelle S. Aelion
DePaul Discoveries
In the United States, HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts African Americans and African American communities. The nature of this national health disparity is complex and cannot be explained simply by one factor or an individual’s behavior within a given community. This paper suggests that the disparity in African American male incarceration rates is among the most important factors to consider in the racial disparities of HIV/AIDS rates. Existing studies on relevant subjects were examined and used to create a conceptual model of factors. This model presents an outline of factors during pre-incarceration, incarceration, and post-incarceration that contribute to the racial disparities in …
Alternative Interventions For Children Coping With Chronic Conditions: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Nina M. Pelsi, Kim S. Amer
Alternative Interventions For Children Coping With Chronic Conditions: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Nina M. Pelsi, Kim S. Amer
DePaul Discoveries
Reduction of stressors and anxiety levels in adolescents with chronic illnesses is a critical concept in pediatric health care in America today. The many stressors associated with chronic illness include displaying physical and mental differences, social stigma, financial difficulty, and family stress. These stressors may affect the adolescent’s ability to learn and cope in everyday life. The current research was a critical review of the literature examining studies done with adolescents coping with chronic diseases and illnesses. The aim was to analyze the most efficacious non-pharmacological methods for reducing stressors in adolescents with chronic illness. A critical review of the …
Depaul Discoveries Volume 6 Cover, Amanda Copeland
Depaul Discoveries Volume 6 Cover, Amanda Copeland
DePaul Discoveries
No abstract provided.
How To Impress: Coordinating A Large Video Data Set For A Collaborative Project, Noah-Kee Marks, Rita Dawod
How To Impress: Coordinating A Large Video Data Set For A Collaborative Project, Noah-Kee Marks, Rita Dawod
DePaul Discoveries
Though many different research methods involve mass quantities of video/audio data, there is little discussion of best practices for organization, especially when the research is collaborative. The guidelines we provide here were created while conducting educational research on the IMPRESS project, an integrated metacognitive program for at risk STEM majors at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Our hope is to encourage large-scale, collaborative research of qualitative video data by using our project as an example and providing enough information for readers to make a judgment on the efficacy of this process for their own projects.
In Search Of Exoplanets, Krzysztof J. Skwirut, Samuel Montag, Kayla Lynch, Justin A. Potvin
In Search Of Exoplanets, Krzysztof J. Skwirut, Samuel Montag, Kayla Lynch, Justin A. Potvin
DePaul Discoveries
Using data archives containing radial-velocity and light intensity information for stars, the DePaul Astrophysics Working Group created MATLAB programs to read and analyze the data in hopes of detecting extrasolar planets. The codes were able to successfully create graphs and obtain orbital periods for potential planets which matched published results. Additional tests were then researched to be used in the future as to confirm new planets.
Comparison Of Soil Phosphorus Concentration In Farm Restored And Reference Wetlands In Lake County, Il, Catherine L. Pease
Comparison Of Soil Phosphorus Concentration In Farm Restored And Reference Wetlands In Lake County, Il, Catherine L. Pease
DePaul Discoveries
The soil in the Midwest is fertile for agriculture use and therefore a lot of the wetlands have been turned into farmland. Wetlands can act as a sink for excess nutrients such as phosphorus. In part due to their value for nutrient storage, restoration of wetlands has become more frequent, including restoration of wetlands on former farmland. I am interested in phosphorus and the potential of wetlands to either store or release phosphorus. I compared differences in soil reactive phosphorus of restored and reference wetlands. This study compares Prairie Wolf Slough (PWS), a restored wetland, to two reference wetlands, both …
Decomposition Of Horse Manure (As A Surrogate For Human Feces) In Three Soil Media And The Implications Of Manure Leachate For The Germination Of Radish Seeds, Edwin J. Castaneda, Caitlin Vaughn
Decomposition Of Horse Manure (As A Surrogate For Human Feces) In Three Soil Media And The Implications Of Manure Leachate For The Germination Of Radish Seeds, Edwin J. Castaneda, Caitlin Vaughn
DePaul Discoveries
In this microcosm study we examined the decomposition of horse manure in three substrates: potting soil, wood mulch, and sand. Microcosms consisted of a sample of horse manure placed in a small leachable chamber, containing one of the three substrates. Mulch promoted the greatest mass loss. Leachate collected by irrigating each microcosm with distilled water was used to germinate radish seeds. Only the leachate from microcosms in which manure decomposed in potting soil promoted greater radish radicle growth compared to the controls in which no manure was placed. The implications of these results for the design of a soil-based decomposing …